Baruch Performing Arts Center & Opera Omaha
present
The Virtual Premiere
of
The Chamber Opera

dwb (driving while black)

Streaming On Demand
October 23-19, 2020

www.baruch.cuny.edu/bpac
customerservice@ovationtix.com>

Libretto by ROBERTA GUMBEL
Director: CHIP MILLER

Starring Soprano ROBERTA GUMBEL

Featuring NEW MORSE CODE:
HANNAH COLLINS, cello
MICHAEL COMPITELLO, percussion

This compelling chamber opera enacts one mother’s love for her child and her fears that he will someday be targeted because of his race. ROBERTA GUMBEL is incredibly tender yet powerful as she sings the emotions of glowing over her newborn, then watching him grow from baby to teen to man. In alternating narratives she expresses her love and her worries. This performance is so deep and wide that it engulfs the listener with emotion.

Her son is learning to drive, getting his license. His smile melts her heart. Now he has his freedom, and she has terror. The words “wrong place, wrong time” haunt her. She tells him “You are not who they see.” Her stellar voice matches her stellar libretto.

The musical accents of vibes, percussion, and cello by NEW MORSE CODE enhance the vocal perfectly, providing wonderful intensity and shifting of mood.

Brilliant work on the part of all. Not to be missed.

-Karen D’Onofrio-