The New York Times, Sequenza 21, Broadway World, Observer, and more review our production of In A Grove at Prototype Festival.
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Stephanie Fleischmann
“With a foundation of ambient sound and vocal writing that underlines the most important moments with plangent harmonies, this is often mesmerising. The variations grow more meaningful and tragic as they pass, and the effect grows hypnotic.”
“Christopher Cerrone’s melodic material was memorable without being trite… I was very much captivated by this powerful drama and its excellent performance.”
“For this production, the outstanding Metropolis Ensemble was tucked away not in an orchestra pit but in a loft above the entrance to the hall… There was an almost cinematic quality to the dramatically pointed timbral effects of the orchestration, and each of them hit its mark.”
“You could not have asked for better performers… In a Grove is a triumph and among the finest works at this year’s festival.”
“Singers Paul Appleby, Mikaela Bennett, John Brancy, and Chuanyuan Liu were sensational; so, too, was the Metropolis Ensemble, effectively and excitingly led by Raquel Acevedo Klein.”
“Cerrone’s tonal music has a hypnotic, fluid quality to it that varies from scene to scene, from one role to another, matched superbly by the storytelling of Fleischmann… The instrumental work of the Metropolis Ensemble under conductor Luke Poeppel couldn’t have been better.”
“Stylized yet sensual… the highlight of the festival was Christopher Cerrone’s “In a Grove,” a haunting psychological thriller with a libretto by Stephanie Fleischmann.”
“A vividly immersive thriller... not a word or note is without purpose, and both are captured, if not enhanced, in this richly produced recording.”
In a Grove provides further confirmation of Cerrone's singular gifts and why Christopher Cerrone is justly regarded as one of today's leading composers.
In A Grove is rendered in a taut, mesmeric soundworld featuring a strikingly expressive use of electronics. Eight characters are assigned to four excellent singers who, combined with a subtle-hued Metropolis Ensemble, bring the story grippingly alive within Cerrone’s lushly circular, almost ritualistic harmonic frame.
The way they create a soundscape in the recording really captures the mysterious and immersive spirit of Akutagawa’s work. It’s immersive, it's compulsively listenable.
In A Grove is an engrossing and complete experience... Cerrone evokes the fragility of memory from the outset... Metropolis articulates his economical writing for nine players with vivid nuance.
In A Grove is vividly produced… not a mere document of the premiere, but a creation of its own, carefully considered for the studio… commanding attention until the end.
Our top pick is “In A Grove.” This is an opera that will linger long in my memory. Now it can find a place in your memory with the release of this album. I love it and can’t wait to see a full production (hopefully sooner as opposed to later).
In A Grove provides further confirmation of Cerrone's singular gifts and why he's justly regarded as one of today's leading composers.
Our new album, In A Grove, is featured at the top of the TIDAL Avant Garden playlist , and also featured prominently on the Classical page in the TIDAL app.
“In A Grove” composer Christopher Cerrone and librettist Stephanie Fleischmann recently spoke with Dave Lake at WRUU in Savannah.
Christopher Cerrone’s haunting opera In a Grove is a good example of how to create something original and modern out of a timeless classic. Cerrone’s atmospheric score is deep and magical.
Chris Cerrone talks about the adaptation process, his favorite Billie Eilish song, the influence of his wife, and how he built an entire opera out of two chords.