BEERthoven Recital Series - Official Press Release from OOO
“BEERthoven Recital Series” Adds Bowling, One Ounce Opera to Program in Historic Texas Building
Intimate Concert Will Feature Strauss, Brahms, Beethoven…and Beer
AUSTIN, October 14, 2014 -- One Ounce Opera, an Austin Critics’ Table Award Nominee now in their third season, announces an upcoming performance on Sunday, November 2nd during the new Beerthoven Recital Series, produced by the Austin Saengerrunde and directed by pianist Daniel Swayze.
This concert series is described as “an intimate, experimental take on house-style concerts” featuring traditional German hors d’oeuvres and libations from Scholz’s while local classical musicians share their performances. The musical focus is on lieder (song) and chamber works from German-speaking composers. As a bonus, recital guests are invited to bowl at the historic Saengerrunde bowling center downstairs following the recital at no additional cost.
"I started working with the Saengerrunde in the Fall of 2013,” says Swayze, “and was delighted in coming to know this group of people that likes to drink beer, make dirty jokes, and celebrate German song. It seemed to me the perfect opportunity to make a unique venue that features local artists, and removes the stuffiness and formality of concert halls.”
OOO’s director Julie Fiore and her group agree. They encourage a new generation of opera lovers through non-traditional venue and program choices, and believe Austin is ripe with innovation.
Fiore says, “Our aim is to re-imagine opera in unexpected places, so why not above this treasure of a bowling alley? Plus, nothing goes better with bowling than beer. Add some German masterpieces to the mix and it’s an eclectic Austin afternoon!”
A special quartet of OOO’s professional vocalists (Cristina Flores, Fiore, Dalton Flake and Michael Holderer) will join Swayze and violinist Hyejin Chang in presenting adapted selections from J. Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. Also featured will be Brahms’ popular Hungarian Dances, and — of course — a few surprises.
“The timing of this concert is deliberate,” says Fiore. “We hope to soak up some of the good international mojo from those in town for Formula 1 that weekend, and show how we go ‘classical’ in Austin.”
Swayze experienced a “near sell-out” in June for the 1st Beerthoven event. “A high turnout will help establish this as a regular series, allowing people to feel more comfortable entering into the spirit of music and sense of community that the Germans describe as ‘Gemütligkeit.’”
The Beerthoven Recital Series will take place on Sunday, November 2nd at the Austin Saengerrunde, located at 1607 San Jacinto in Austin, TX. Showtime is 3:30pm. Ticket price includes Hors d’oeuvres and libations, and post-concert bowling. Purchase online at http://beerthoven.bpt.me/ For more information, contact OOO or visit http://www.saengerrunde.org