Local composer’s opera selected for production

FORESTBURGH, NY — Encompass New Opera Theatre of Brooklyn has selected Evan Mack’s opera, “Angel of the Amazon,” for development and full production, commencing in January 2010. The work depicts the life and murder of Sister Dorothy Stang, a nun from Ohio murdered by hire in the Brazilian Amazon in 2005 at the age of 73. Artistic director Nancy Rhodes praised the Angel of the Amazon for its freshness, melodic line and ability to speak directly to the hearts of the people.

Mack was born and raised in Forestburgh, and is a 1999 graduate of Port Jervis High School. He was organist at St Joseph’s in Matamoras, PA for years, as well as other local churches. He maintains close ties to the area.

Encompass New Opera Theatre has championed American music, including operas by Aaron Copland and Virgil Thompson, for the last 34 years, and has produced over 50 full operas with orchestra.

“Angel of the Amazon” is slated for performance in the San Francisco area in April 2010 by Notre Dame de Namur University in conjunction with San Francisco Pocket Opera.