Composer/percussionist/improviser Gino Robair gathers an improv-orchestra of Bay Area musicians to help him demonstrate his music and methods for his improvised opera in progress called: “I Norton”. The opera is about the life of Joshua Abraham Norton , the self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States and well-known San Francisco eccentric from the 19th century. The work is meant to be improvised by the musicians based on the composer’s “audio kit” of ideas. Interspersed with the performance of parts of the work and recordings of past performances that have been remixed, Robair is interviewed by Derk Richardson and takes questions from the audience. Topics covered include Robair’s history as a percussionist, the inspirations for his improv-opera, his style of conducting an improvised performance, and his style of graphic notation. This event was held at the 21 Grand Gallery in Oakland, CA. on February 1, 2006. |
