The performances will take place in the Howard Gilman Opera House on
November 5th, 7th and 8th 2003

Flamenco-world.com, November 2003

BAM's 2003 Next Wave Festival presents Enrique Morente, one of the world's leading flamenco singers in 'Omega'. This flamenco concert pays tribute to Federico García Lorca's 'Poeta en Nueva York' -the Spanish poet's outraged response to Depression-era New York- and to the music of songwriter Leonard Cohen. The cross-cultural exploration -based on the 1996 'Omega' recording- combines classical flamenco guitar, bass, and percussion with songwriter Leonard Cohen's words and music and cutting-edge rock to create an original fusion of sounds and sensibilities. Three performances will take place in the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House of New York on November 5, 7, and 8 at 7:30 pm.

	Enrique Morente

'The Independent' (UK) has said of Morente, "in an almost 40-year career, he has forged a reputation for being the most brilliant flamenco vocalist of the era, combining deep traditionalism and encyclopedic flamenco knowledge with a thirst for experimentation." Morente commented, "I met Leonard Cohen in Madrid in 1993. 'Omega' is a tribute to his music and our friendship and my deep love for Lorca's genius. Flamenco is a vast and interdependent landscape with 'Omega' I embrace rock and the traditional style to convey my passion." Backed by five flamenco musicians and the Spanish rock group Lagartija Nick, Morente performs 'Omega' in two parts; the first features classic flamenco repertoire, including Morente singing in the traditional styles: soleá, mirabrás, alegrías, bulerías, malagueñas, tarantos y seguiriyas. The second section incorporates covers of Cohen's 'Take this Waltz', 'First We Take Manhattan' and 'Hallelujah'.

Three performances of Omega will take place in the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (30 Lafayette Avenue) November 5, 7, and 8 at 7:30pm. The BAM's Next Wave Festival, which celebrates its 21st season in 2003, has permanently changed the landscape of the performing arts through breakout performances, landmark productions, risky experiments, and once-in-a-lifetime moments. The Festival originated as a fall series entitled "The Next Wave/New Masters." In November 1981, Philip Glass' new opera, 'Satyagraha', was presented as one of four productions under the Next Wave moniker.

The Next Wave Festival, dedicated to exciting new works and cross-disciplinary collaborations by promising young artists, was launched in October 1983. Pieces that previously had been presented in downtown lofts and small "black box" theaters were staged in the exquisite 2,100-seat BAM Opera House (recently renamed the Howard Gilman Opera House), a renovated 1,000-seat playhouse (the Helen Carey Playhouse, now home to BAM Rose Cinemas), and a flexible 300-seat performance venue (the Lepercq Space). In 1987, BAM opened another mainstage, the 900-seat Majestic Theater-since renamed the Harvey Theater in honor of BAM impresario Harvey Lichtenstein (who stepped down in 1999 after a 32-year tenure as president and executive producer). Lichtenstein was succeeded by Karen Brooks Hopkins as president and Joseph V. Melillo as executive producer. BAM 2003 Next Wave Festival is sponsored by Altria Group, Inc. Programming in the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House is supported and endowed by The Howard Gilman Foundation. Bloomberg is the presenting sponsor for 'Omega'.