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Environmental devastation set to song: Matthew Aucoin's Music for New Bodies

Music for New Bodies
© Steven Pisano for Bachtrack
Music for New Bodies
© Steven Pisano for Bachtrack
Music for New Bodies
© Steven Pisano for Bachtrack
By Kurt Gottschalk, 14 July 2025
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“dystopic environmentalism can be a difficult story to tell”
Reviewed at Lincoln Center: Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall, New York City on 10 July 2025
Programme
Aucoin, Music for New Bodies
Performers
American Modern Opera Company
Matthew Aucoin, Conductor
Peter Sellars, Director
Ben Zamora, Lighting Designer
Sandbox Percussion
Song Hee Lee, Soprano
Meryl Dominguez, Soprano
Megan Moore, Mezzo-soprano
Paul Appleby, Tenor
Evan Hughes, Bass-baritone
More Opera reviews
Davóne Tines saves the day in the Met Museum’s El Cimarrón
Kurt Gottschalk, 10th May
El Cimarrón proved worthy of both stage and museum, presenting the story of Esteban Montejo, born into slavery in Cuba in 1869 and later escaping to live in the forest.
****1
Julia Bullock in Meditations for Joséphine at Adelaide Festival
Sandra Bowdler, 3rd March
A challenging depiction of Joséphine Baker brilliantly performed by Julia Bullock under the direction of Peter Sellars at the Adelaide Festival.
****1
Peter Sellars directs Italian debut of Kaija Saariaho’s Adriana Mater
Pia Maltri, 11th October
This co-production, previously seen in San Francisco, is more of a semi-staging, convinces thanks to committed performances from a cast led by Fleur Barron.  
****1
Bach cantatas, American spirituals, global calamity
Kurt Gottschalk, 21st May
The Gospel according to Peter Sellars: an intermingling of Bach’s cantatas and American spirituals depicts an environmental message that the impending end won’t be personal, but global.
***11
Light and shadows in Rattle and Sellars' Médée at Staatsoper Berlin
Elena Luporini, 19th November
Reuniting two old friends and collaborators, the Staatsoper Berlin presents a new production of Marc-Antoine Charpentier's Médée, with mixed results. 
***11
An unlikely meeting of Morton Feldman and the blues
Kurt Gottschalk, 27th September

Sorey’s instrumentation mirrors Feldman’s Rothko Chapel in a moving evening of musical high drama at Park Avenue Armory.

 

*****
More reviews...
Read reviews of
American Modern Opera CompanyBen ZamoraEvan HughesMatthew AucoinMatthew AucoinMegan MooreMeryl DominguezPaul ApplebyPeter SellarsSandbox Percussion
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Kurt Gottschalk
Kurt Gottschalk

Kurt Gottschalk is a journalist and author based in New York City. His writings on contemporary and classical music, jazz and improvisation have been published in outlets throughout Europe and America and he has two volumes of short fiction to his name. He produced and hosted the Miniature Minotaurs radio programme on WFMU and currently hosts Afternoon New Music on WKCR.