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Are the words "vagabond" and "opera" mutually exclusive? Not in Eric Stern's eyes. The European-trained operatic tenor cast aside all the formalities associated with classic opera by marrying it with Bohemian cabaret, klezmer, gypsy music, jazz, folk-punk, blues and multiple ethnic flavors to create an electrifying new genre: Vagabond Opera.
The troupe of six accomplished instrumentalists and vocalists sings in 15 languages, romps about the stage and rivets the attention of everyone in the audience who is captivated by zesty music, incomparable musicianship, humor and surprising forays into the absurd. In the wake of their headlining appearance in June at the DC Jewish Music Festival, they have reinvented themselves anew in a show that opens with the Ooh La La Bellydancers. Need we say more?
Stern promises that their shows are never the same. Whatever transpires when the troup mounts the stage depends on the demographics of the audience. Opera lovers, as well as those who have never attended an opera, are astounded to discover that there is nothing more powerful than the naked voice. When lyrics and melodies they know are presented in a fresh way amid a spectacle, they discover that they have inwittingly become part of what is happening on stage.
While working in Europe, Stern frequented small cabarets and Old World Yiddish theaters where all ages gathered to enjoy the ethnic music. Convinced that the variety of styles drawing those patrons could enhance the presentation of neo-classical opera, he returned to Portland, Oregon in 2002 to found Vagabond Opera. Because the city is one where musicians thrive, he did not have to recruit, but was besieged by artists eager to become part of the unique concept.
The Bohemian cabaret ensemble consists today of clarinetist Jason Flores, drummer/composer Mark Burdon, saxophonist Robin Jackson, cellist Skip von Kuske, cellist/soprano Ashia Grzesik and tenor Stern as accordionist, pianist, composer and showman. In May, the company joined forces with Wanderlust Circus and guest artists to perform Stern's first opera, "Queen of Knives." The Portland debut elicited critical praise for "one sharp show."
Vagabond Opera's third and latest album, "The Zeitgeist Beckons," reaches out to the growing number of fans earned through NPR broadcasts, cross-country tours and performances with the Oregon Symphony and pop stars.
"Essentially, the title refers to the ideas in my head and a sea change in mood to suit the spirit of the times," Stern says. He emphasizes that the public has grown tired of pop setups and overblown scenery. Because we live in a day and age when folks are not encouraged to study music as they were in the past, he is convinced that today's audiences are primed for the chance to become part of a musical, fun-filled spectacle.
About this Author
Emily Cary is a prize-winning teacher and novelist whose articles about entertainers appear regularly in the DC Examiner. She is a genealogist, an avid traveler, and a researcher who incorporates landscapes, cultures and the power of music in her books and articles.
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