The Oakland East Bay Symphony opened its season last Friday with the world premiere of ZipperZ, a soaPOPera. Led by Michael Morgan, the orchestra joyously celebrated its 20th season (which continues next month with a family Christmas celebration.)
ZipperZ is a dream come true for any lover of music and the written word: it's based on unconventional texts by Dan Harder, which are contrapuntal. Harder zips two poems into a third by alternating the lines of each one (examples here). The sum of the parts becomes a new whole, with its own meandering meaning. It has an oulipo feel to it, yet it's not too contrived. Since it's written for two voices, the adaption into a musical comes quite naturally.
OEBS music director Michael Morgan in action above, Nat Stookey below.
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