Musical Celebration of Darrwin to Broadcast/Stream May 16th on WCNY-FM

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The Origin, Richard Einhorn’s new critically-acclaimed opera/oratorio in celebration of Charles Darwin, will be broadcast and streamed over the internet in its entirety on WCNY-FM (wcny.org) from 6:00-8:00PM on May 16, 2009. The Origin premiered to packed houses, standing ovations, and rave reviews a few days before the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth. The performers included the Balkan ensemble Kitka, soprano Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek from the extraordinary vocal group Anonymous 4, baritone Eric Johnson, filmmaker Bill Morrison, SUNY Oswego College Choir, Oswego College-Community Orchestra, and the Oswego Festival Chorus with Julie Pretzat, conductor.

The libretto for The Origin, compiled by the composer and poet Catherine Barnett from the writings of Charles Darwin, focuses on the making of Darwin’s world-changing classic, The Origin of Species. A joyful, often humorous piece, the Syracuse Post-Standard wrote, “Einhorn has created an imaginative work layered with profound insight...” Excerpts from The Origin were also featured in April 2009 at The Center For Inquiry’s World Congress in Bethesda, Maryland. On June 14, 2009, WCNY-TV will broadcast a television special about the making of The Origin. Also in June, Kitka will record a suite of excerpts from the piece for release in the fall as an EP and download.

Richard Einhorn's unique music has been described as "hauntingly beautiful,” "sensational,” and "overwhelming in its emotional power.” His "opera with silent film,” Voices of Light, has had over 100 performances throughout the US and the world, including Avery Fisher Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House. Red Angels with music by Einhorn and choreography by Ulysses Dove, is in the repertory of the New York City Ballet. His film credits include the Academy Award-winning documentary short, Educating Peter (HBO); Arthur Penn's thriller Dead of Winter (MGM), starring Mary Steenbugen; and Fire-Eater directed by Pirjo Honkasalo, which won the Jussi (Finnish Academy Award) for Best Musical Score.

The Origin was commissioned by The State University of New York at Oswego in partnership with Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble along with major support from The National Endowment for the Arts; The New York State Music Fund; The Multi-Arts Production Fund; Meet the Composer; Entergy and WCNY.

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