A timely yet age-old tale

“Human trafficking” is a phrase frequently heard in news stories and the occasional bits of thriller dialogue, and is a reality for many thousands worldwide, yet scarcely understood by the general public.  Perhaps it takes an art form as powerful as contemporary opera to make the plight of its victims relevant to the rest of us.

The local premiere of UK composer Adam Gorb‘s one-act Anya17, with a libretto by Ben Kaye, comes to Cal State LA for just two performances on July 21 and 24, and embodies the compelling nature of opera, particularly when it sets modern themes and issues “ripped from the headlines”. The work is described by Opera News to show influences of both Bernstein and Berg, and the Met’s mag says,

“Gorb and Kaye’s work had demonstrated, in compelling musical and dramatic fashion, how human trafficking is not just an issue, but a reality for thousands of unfortunate human beings, each with a face, a history, and a name.”

This production from Angels Vocal Art, with a cast of six, is fully staged by director Tanya Kane-Parry and performed with orchestra, led by AVA’s own artistic director, Krystof Van Grysperre.

Also from AVA this summer: <

• “Gran Gala di Verdi” on July 9 (see below)
• “De España al Nuevo Mundo” on July 15 & 16
• “Evening of Opera” on July 29 & 30

Angels Vocal Art presents
a Southern California premiere

Anya17

General admission $25
Students with valid ID $15

UPDATED:  The original title of this post was “A timely yet age-old tale too many never hear”.  That may, admittedly, be one of our worst headlines yet.  Apologies for the wimpy wordsmanship.