SIDNEY OUTLAW MAKES HISTORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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SIDNEY OUTLAW HIGHLIGHTED IN NAXOS FIRST-EVER RECORDING OF MILHAUD’S “ORESTEIA OF AESCHYLUS”

Sidney Outlaw is among a cast of nine professional vocal soloists and a bevy of University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) musicians in the Symphony Orchestra, Choral Union, Chamber Choir, Orpheus Singers and Percussion Ensemble in the first recording of Darius Milhaud’s 1922 monumental operatic trilogy, L’Orestie d’Eschyle. The University of Michigan recording was released on September 9 by Naxos of America.

NEW YORK CITY (September 10, 2014) – Operatic baritone Sidney Outlaw made history this week. His vocals are prominently featured in the first-ever recording of Darius Milhaud’s 1922 opera trilogy, L’Orestie d’Eschyle (Oresteia of Aeschylus). The recording, produced by the University Musical Society located at the University of Michigan, is the result of the first North American performance of the entire work, which is believed to be the first anywhere in the world since 1963.

Outlaw is featured on the newly recorded work as one of nine professional vocal soloists. The massive recording also features the University Symphony Orchestra of the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD); a 320-voice choir comprising the UMS Choral Union and SMTD’s Chamber Choir and Orpheus Singers; and the SMTD Percussion Ensemble. The concert took place in April 2013 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Hill Auditorium, the university’s renowned concert hall.

“I am honored to be a part of this historic recording,” said Outlaw, who was also recently showcased on the New York Philharmonic’s live recording of Dallapiccola’s Il prigioniero – available on iTunes and Amazon. “It is my hope that listeners enjoy the project with as much fulfillment as we experienced during the creative process of bringing the concert and live recording to fruition.”

The Oresteian Trilogy, based on the plays by Aeschylus, is a quintessentially modern piece based on an ancient text. It connects the ghastly sequence of murder and revenge within the royal family of Argos through three movements: L’Agamemnon, Les Choéphores, and Les Euménides.

Naxos of America released the three-disc work on September 9. The album is available on iTunes and Amazon.

For more information on the recording, please visit Naxos. 

ABOUT SIDNEY OUTLAW

Sidney Outlaw is a rising star in opera music. He is one of the recent winners of the Walter W. Naumburg Foundation’s International Competition, and is a previous winner of the Concurso Internacional de Canto Montserrat Caballe, an exclusive intercontinental opera competition. Sidney made his debut this spring with the Atlanta Opera as “Figaro” in The Barber of Seville. He also starred as “Moses” with the American Symphony Orchestra’s Moses. This fall, he is set to cover “Mahmoud” in the Metropolitan Opera’s The Death of Klinghoffer.  Learn more about Sidney at www.sidneyoutlaw.com.

ABOUT DARIUS MILHAUD

Darius Milhaud was an important avant-garde figure in early 20th-century Paris. The Oresteia of Aeschylus trilogy arose from his lifelong interest in Greek mythology and drama, inspired by the expressive, syncopated rhythms of Paul Claudel’s poetic translation of the texts from Greek to French. In addition to innovative rhythmic elements, the trilogy exhibits complex harmonic techniques, particularly polytonality, which Milhaud believed gave him more varied ways of expressing sweetness in addition to violence. 

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC, THEATRE & DANCE

Widely recognized as one of the preeminent performing arts schools in the nation, the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) has produced performing arts leaders since its founding in 1880. SMTD is distinguished by its unparalleled synergy of scholarship, artistry and comprehensive education in all disciplines of performance as well as in research and pedagogy, and is known for interdisciplinary experiences. With a celebrated history of traditional conservatory programs, the school also offers acclaimed programs in jazz, modern dance, musical theatre, interarts performance and performing arts technology.

ABOUT UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY

The University Musical Society is an independent non-profit affiliated with the University of Michigan, presenting more than 70 music, theater and dance performances by professional touring artists each season. One of the oldest performing arts presenters in the country, UMS is committed to connecting audiences with performing artists from around the world in uncommon and engaging experiences. UMS contributes to a vibrant cultural community by presenting more than 60 performances and over 100 free educational activities each season. UMS also commissions new work, sponsors artist residencies, and organizes collaborative projects with local, national and international partners. Learn more at ums.org.

ABOUT NAXOS OF AMERICA

In addition to being an award-winning classical label, Naxos of America is the No. 1 independent classical music distributor in the U.S. and Canada. Specializing in state-of-the-art distribution, marketing and promotion, Naxos of America distributes nearly 50,000 titles on CD and DVD to traditional brick and mortar retail, as well as offering a comprehensive suite of services tailored to consumer direct fulfillment. Naxos of America is also the largest digital distributor of independent classical music, supplying a catalog of over 50,000 albums to hundreds of digital download and mobile outlets worldwide. Naxos of America offers marketing, e-marketing, publicity, e-publicity, physical and digital e-commerce services, licensing opportunities, streaming services, sales and customer service for all new releases and active catalog titles of Naxos Records and more than 400 distributed labels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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