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Artscene Anything but opera American Vagabond Opera marks its Oakville debut Eastern European, Balkan, Klezmer, Arabic. Basically, music that is highly OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF dance-able and listenable in a very theatriDon't let their name fool you -- this is cal setting, with costumes." definitely not the opera. Vagabond Opera was born in 2002, While they are called Vagabond Opera, when Stern found himself disillusioned there is little connection to the classical with the world of classical opera. form. As an European-trained operatic singer Indeed, the members are very musical and composer, Stern created a new context and classically trained, but they prefer to for opera -- performance on a more intidabble in the exotic. mate scale, incorporating not only opera Their emphasis is then on vagabond, but elements of Weimar cabaret, Arabic which is defined as and Balkan forms, and someone who travels "I think that people are the original music that from place to place. springs from the ensemThis term suits the thirsty for something ble's fertile creative group in more ways than different'" work. one. "I think that people Although the group is Eric Stern are thirsty for something Vagabond Opera founder based in Portland, different," the 38-yearOregon, their ongoing old said of the group's series of concerts takes ever-growing popularity. them around the world. "The pop world is manufactured and the As for musical influences, they cite classical world, the music is wonderful, but many, such as European cabaret, vintage there is in some sense, a perceived stodgiAmericana, Balkan belly dance, neo- ness around it. We are something differClassical opera and old world Yiddish the- ent." atre. The group has had a solid core of musi"What we do is try to distill opera into a cians, encompassing singers and instrusetting that doesn't involve huge stage sets mentalists of all types for the past five and a whole orchestra and create a hybrid years. with it," said Eric Stern. "Voice is a central Sharing the spotlight with the group is component, but instead of using traditional always a female guest singer. operatic classical forms, we use jazz, See Group page 25 By Tina Depko · FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2010 23 ! ACTIVE LIFESTYLE COMMUNITY Winter Fun Open House