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Royal Engagement

In September His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand celebrated his 60th year as monarch.

King Bhumibol is an accomplished saxophonist and composer, and the orchestra had the honour of being invited by the Embassy of Thailand to play a concert of His Majesty's music to mark the celebration in Oslo.

Ophelia was joined by Dr. Pathorn Srikaranonda (a member of His Majesty's committee for music) on alto saxophone, Ståle Ytterli (baritone) Songsit Lertsethtakarn (tenor) and Teeranai Na Nonkai (mezzosoprano). The concert was a great success, and played to a packed audience, who gave the musicians and vocalists a standing ovation

Latest CD
•   "Sound and Smoke"   •

The orchestra's latest CD............... in planning this CD the orchestra looked to the music of the 20's cabarets and nightclubs in Berlin at the time of the Weimar Republic, before the nazi party closed the clubs, censored the music, and sent most of the musicians, artists and club owners to concentration camps.

In the 20's Berlin was arguably the entertainment center of Europe, its liberal, free thinking, and socially/politically aware society surpassing even that of Paris.

The content of the songs is often political, often socially critical, and often delightfully erotic.

Whilst American material is far from exhausted, the orchestra felt that some effort should be made to include relevant European music in its repertoire.

If possible the material will in the future be developed into a full stage presentation.

OPHELIA'S PROJECTS


•   "Orchestral Ophelia"   •

Ophelia´s music arranged for symphony orchestra or concert band, including compositions by Eubie Blake, George Gershwin and Morten Gunnar Larsen amongst others.

The program was premiered by Ophelia and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra in 2002 in a National broadcast.



•  Scott Joplin - "Treemonisha"  •

Excerpts from his legendary opera. With mixed choir and 3 or more soloists.
This material has been released on our CD "Treemonisha".
(see CD link for reviews)



•  "Ophelia goes Latin"  •

Ophelia with guests from Brazil on percussion and piano/vocal.

A program of Latin influenced creole music starting with the ragtime era. Brazilian Tango, Choro, Cuban Danzon, Beguine, Puerto Rican Danza, samba, Latin influenced ragtime.



•  Kurt Weill - "From Berlin to Broadway"  •

A choreographed musical portrait of the composer, with music from his "Threepenny Opera" as well as several of his Broadway shows.

Ophelia with 2 extra singers.



•  Eubie Blake - "Memories of Eubie"  •

Ophelia with guest singer/dancer.

Stride/Ragtime Piano solos, early Broadway/jazz tunes (e.g. "I´m just Wild about Harry" and "Memories of You") and semi-classical compositions.



•   Guests who have appeared with Ophelia  •
in the various projects include:


•  Most rercently, the brilliant percussionist Celio deCarvalho (Brazil)
    and pianist/composer and vocalist Luiz Simas (Brazil/New York)
    in "Ophelia goes Latin".

•  Vernel Bagneris (New Orleans), star of the New York productions
    "One Mo´Time" and "Jelly Roll!" (with Morten G. Larsen)
    in "Memories of Eubie";

•  The versatile singer and dancer Ståle Ytterli, in "From Berlin to Broadway",
    "Treemonisha" and "Memories of Eubie" and on the US tours.

•  Anne Nyborg, Norwegian State Opera soloist
    in "From Berlin to Broadway".

•  Hege Tunaal, Norwegian popular singer
    in her own production "Chansonettan".

•  Choirs, Concert bands and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra


Please contact us through this web site if you have ideas for concert collaborations, with choirs, symphony orchestras or concert bands -
professional or amateur.

booking@opheliaragtime.com