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A new operatic musical
about the birth of the American spirit of independence in Boston leading up to the Revolutionary War. Story, lyrics and music by M. Zachary Johnson. Press about the BTPODavid Madeira from the The David Madeira Show encourages people to go see the world premiere beginning August 9, describing it "as a new and innovative way to tell the story of America's history. " Also hear in this interview Matt Johnson explain how he got involved with the New York International Fringe Festival and his favorite scene from the opera.
Dollars and Crosses article entitled, BOSTON TEA PARTY OPERA: A MYTHIC MODERN TAKE ON THE MOMENT AMERICANS DISCOVERED THEIR IDENTITY AS A PEOPLE NYTheater Now writes, "For sheer ambition, I'm not sure that much can top The Boston Tea Party Opera. At 3-1/2 hours, it's the longest show in the festival. The show is created and directed by Matthew Zachary Johnson, who is the composer of the classical works for saxophone." The Boston Tea Party Opera: An Ode to the Spirit of American Independence by Robert Begley at the Objective Standard blog A Look Inside the Making of the Boston Tea Party Opera: An Interview with M Zachary Johnson By Anna Franco and Aline Bernstein at the Objective Motifs blog M. Zachary Johnson on the “Boston Tea Party Opera” on the Dave Madeira Radio Show EXTRA! The Boston Tea Party ... Opera ... 2014at The Broadside, blog of the American Revolution Round Table "I'm not what you would characterize as a typical fan of opera.... That's why I was pleasantly surprised by The Boston Tea Party Opera... which seeks to frame contemporary national debates involving the encroachment of civil liberties and attenuation of Constitutional rights within the context of this nation's politically tumultuous founding" - Liberty Island Magazine "The amazing young cast was consistently excellent, and more than up to the task of delivering the vocal chops required by the ambitious score by Matthew Zachary Johnson" - Khris Tahmin of the New York Media Group |
What our audience had to say:
“An entertaining show which blends inspiring music, soaring vocals, and a story that honors the birth of our glorious country.” - Robert B. “The story of what happened in Boston... came alive for me.” - Augusta P. “I was struck by how many heroic characters there were-- of course the revolutionary times demanded that-- but also by how they were different from each other. They each had their own (heroic) personalities, voices, and expressions." - Anna F. "an impressive marriage of history and music. The lyrics and music are wonderful and a credit to the composer's talents.... entertaining and educational.” - James S. “An entertaining way to remember the principles that made America 'The land of the free'.” - Robert O. |
Synopsis: In the sweep of events leading up to the American Revolutionary war, loyalist Boston Governor Thomas Hutchinson seeks to clamp down on the increasingly rebellious Sons of Liberty. He seizes tea smuggler John Hancock's ship, the "Liberty." Orator James Otis gives a passionate courtroom speech against such arbitrary exercise of power, only to be attacked by British soldiers. Sam Adams leads the colonists in a boycott of British goods--which the town's women support with their own efforts. Mrs. Adams is forced to house a threatening group of soldiers. In an incendiary outbreak of violence, colonists are fired upon by the soldiers in a horrific massacre. A great debate, with the leading agitator Sam Adams fervently defending the Rights of the Colonists, leads to an impasse. And finally in the inevitable climax of open rebellion, Paul Revere leads the epochal event that initiated the American Revolution—the act which preferred the destruction of a tea cargo to the principle of colonial subjugation—the act that no longer bore, but instead began to cast off the mounting injustice.
