S&M, King Kong, and Thingamajigs at C4NM

The Center for New Music on Taylor near Market continues to hum with concerts and events on an almost nightly basis.



On Thursday evening, there was a presentation of two contemporary Italian one-act operas translated into English, starting with La Giornata di Un Soprano Isterico (A day in the life of a hysterical soprano) with music by Ada Gentile and a libretto by Sandro Cappelletto. It's a sly monodrama about an "hysterical" diva involved in an explicitly S/M relationship with her piano accompanist.



Amy Foote as the soprano pulled off the bravura role with style as the Dom who tortures her Sub pianist, Anthony Porter. She was insinuating, hysterical and the interplay between both players was sexy and funny.



This was followed by King Kong, Amore Mio with music by Fabrizio de Rossi Re and a libretto by Luis Gabriel Santiago. It's a philosophical look at capitalism and power relationships between the big ape and his tiny beloved, with Amy Foote returning as Viola and bass Richard Mix booming out forcefully as Kong. The drama was fairly nonexistent, but the music was lovely, enhanced by the luxurious piano accompaniment of Sarah Cahill. Luciano Chessa and Amy Foote were in charge of the stage direction for both pieces, and the performance was sponsored by the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco.



The following evening the Center was host to an opening reception for the week-long 16th annual People for Music and Thingamajigs Festival, featuring a display of "sonic suits" by composer and performer Bob Marsh above.



According to their website, the festival is dedicated to promoting experimental music that incorporates made/found instruments and alternate tuning systems. Check out the link for a schedule.