Online world premiere production of Cocoa Cantata , music by Robert Paterson and libretto by David Cote, , featuring the Society for New Music, Julia Ebner, soprano, Steven Stull, baritone, and David Neal, bass-baritone. This program will also include works by Jessie Montgomery, Alistair Coleman, and Reena Esmail. Tickets: $20 regular, $15 seniors (65+)/students (18+), free for ages 18 and under
Cocoa Cantata is a response to J.S. Bach’s Coffee Cantata (c. 1734). A mini-drama with sparkling roles for soprano, baritone, and bass-baritone, the new work explores power and ethics in the multibillion-dollar chocolate industry, using Bach’s instrumentation.
Two chocolate executives, one from a global brand, the other a boutique chocolatier, square off over a hostile takeover, when a food scientist introduces a scientifically engineered supercocoa. One bite of it, and each chocolate executive is transformed.
Like the Bach, Cocoa Cantata will run approximately 25 minutes, with soaring arias, spiky duets, and a rousing final trio. The tone is gently satirical, with contemporary allusions to fair-trade practices, the chemistry and symbolism of chocolate, and the marketing of pleasure.
Cocoa Cantata will be delicious to anyone who loves chocolate—or tries to control their craving for it!
Cocoa Cantata was commissioned by Triphammer Arts Inc. with The Arts at Grace and Society for New Music.