AGING MAGICIAN
LABEL: NATIONAL SAWDUST TRACKS
RELEASED: 2017
Music by Paola Prestini
Libretto by Rinde Eckert
Directed and Designed by Julian Crouch
AGING MAGICIAN is an epic new opera-theater work that tells the story of Harold, an aging clockmaker near the end of his unusual life. A string quartet and Brooklyn Youth Chorus help Harold uncover his legacy as the New Victory stage is transformed into a living, breathing instrument. Creators Julian Crouch (Shockheaded Peter, New Vic 1999), Rinde Eckert, Paola Prestini, Mark Stewart and the Attacca Quartet bring together the worlds of music, theater, puppetry, instrument making and scenic design to paint this poignant allegory on time, youth and the peculiar magic of ordinary life, or perhaps, the ordinary magic of a peculiar life. – Courtesy of The New Victory Theater
Co-created by composer Paola Prestini, writer & performer Rinde Eckert, and director & designer Julian Crouch. Instrument designer Mark Stewart. Co-scenic design & costume design by Amy C. Rubin. Video & lighting design by Josh Higgason. Recorded at National Sawdust by Marc Urselli, with technical assistance by Zach Rosenberg. Mixed and Mastered by Marc Urselli. Produced by Paola Prestini. Album art and libretto design by Michael Cina. All drawings by Rinde Eckert except where noted. Performances by Rinde Eckert, members of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus (Dianne Berkun- Menaker, founder and music director) and Attacca Quartet (Amy Schroeder, violin; Keiko Tokunaga, violin; Nathan Schram, viola; Andrew Yee, cello).
Commissioned by VisionIntoArt, Beth Morrison Projects, Walker Art Center, and the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.