COMPOSITIONS, ARRANGEMENTS and ORCHESTRATIONS

 

 

SONGBIRD

 

A fresh and exciting adaptation of Offenbach’s La Périchole that moves the comedy’s action to a Speakeasy in New Orleans during Prohibition, with a reimagined score arranged and orchestrated in the style of 1920s jazz bands.

 

Commissioned by The Glimmerglass Festival

Current version premiere:
Washington National Opera, March 2024
Eisenhower Theater, The Kennedy Center
A SOLD OUT, SMASH HIT PRODUCTION!

STARRING:
Multiple GRAMMY award winner ISABEL LEONARD as Songbird
TONY award nominee RAMIN KARIMLOO as Piquillo

"SONGBIRD IS AN ABSOLUTE HOOT!"
The Washington Post

"AN INGENIOUS CREATION...SOMETHING COMPLETELY NEW...SONGBIRD IS ITS OWN THING."
The Wall Street Journal

"A COMIC GEM"
Theater Mania

“SONGBIRD IS A DELIGHT!"
Broadway World

THE STORY pits two struggling artists against the lascivious and corrupt Mayor of New Orleans and his cronies. In addition to beloved standards (the “Tipsy Aria” and a raucous Can-Can), it includes vaudeville routines, a street parade, a jailbreak, and —at the heart of it all — a tender love story.

SONGBIRD is created by:
Eric Sean Fogel (Director)
James Lowe (Musical adaptation, arrangement and orchestration)
Kelley Rourke (Libretto)

CAST
Principal roles: 1 Mezzo, 1 Tenor, 1 Baritone
Ensemble roles: 2S, 2M, 2T, 2B, 1 Spoken (can be doubled by Baritone)

INSTRUMENTATION
Clarinet
Trumpet/Cornet
Trombone
Piano
Banjo
Bass
Sousaphone
Drum Set
Percussion 1
Percussion 2
Timpani

PRODUCTIONS
Glimmerglass Festival, 2021
Washington National Opera, 2024
Florentine Opera, 2024
University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2024

For perusal score or licensing information, contact [email protected]

POPPEA

 

A new work based on themes of Monteverdi's seminal opera, reimagined with electric guitars and industrial electronics combined with standard instruments to focus on the obsession and intrigue of this timeless story.

Libretto:Kelley Rourke

 

Premiere: Fort Worth Opera, 2021 (postponed due to covid)

Cast
Poppea, Soprano
Nero, Countertenor
Ottone, Baritone
Ottavia, Mezzo-soprano
Drusilla, Soprano
Seneca, Bass
Lucano, Tenor
Arnalta, Mezzo-soprano

Currently in development for future premiere

METROPOLITAN OPERA "THREE DIVAS AT VERSAILLES"

 

Arrangements of "Bésame Mucho" and "Cielito Lindo" for 3 voices, piano and guitar

 

Commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera
Premiere: May 5, 2021, The Royal Opera of Versailles
Will air on PBS "Great Performances at the MET" beginning October 8

Performed by
Nadine Sierra, Soprano
Ailyn Pérez, Soprano
Isabel Leonard, Mezzo Soprano
Vlad Iftinca, Piano
Pablo Sáinz-Villegas, guitar

THANK YOU, SIR, MAY I HAVE ANOTHER?

 

A preacher, his daughter, and her best friend the dominatrix. What could possibly go wrong? A dark comedy where even the best of intentions only piss God off. And you don't want that.

 

Music, Lyrics and Book by James Lowe

Cast
Helen, Mezzo/Belt
Walker, Tenor
Angela, Soprano
Dan, Baritone
The Pianist, Tenor

John/Ensemble, Baritone
God/Ensemble, Bass Baritone
Mrs. Stevens/Ensemble, Soprano
Mrs. Davis/Ensemble, Mezzo-Soprano

Currently in development

SIR ELTON JOHN

 

Orchestrations and choral arrangements:

 

Bennie and the Jets
Rocket Man
Your Song

Performed by Sir Elton John with full orchestra and chorus, conducted by James Lowe.

GENTLEMAN'S ISLAND

 

A new orchestration of Joseph Horovitz's comic opera.

 

Commissioned by the Utah Opera
Premiere: October 9, 2020, Utah Opera

Instrumentation
3 percussion
Timpani
Harp
2 pianos
Strings

GEORGE GERSHWIN

 

Vocal and piano arrangements:

 

The Man I Love
I’ve Got (Fascinatin’) Rhythm
By Strauss

Performances by Joyce DiDonato on recital tours, including Lincoln Center and Wigmore Hall.

FREEDOM

 

Extended arrangement for Soprano, Baritone and Piano. Includes:

 

I’m Gonna Sit At The Welcome Table
Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round
Keep Your Eyes On The Prize
Freedom
If You Miss Me At The Back Of The Bus
I’m On My Way
We Shall Overcome
Text-I Have A Dream Speech

Commissioned by Virginia Opera. Performed over 50 times across the state, including special performance at the Capitol in Richmond.

CAROLS FOR A CURE

 

CD releases, 2011 and 2014, performed by Broadway casts and orchestras

 


"Christmas on the S.S. American" (composer and orchestrator, lyrics by Robert Creighton)
Performed by the cast and musicians of Anything Goes

"I Saw Three Ships" (orchestrator)
Performed by the cast and musicians of Les Misérables

Fundraiser for Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS

BACKWASH

 

Composed, arranged or co/composed (with Vincent Pastore) dozens of songs for professional rock band, including:

 

Put Me On
Assault & Flattery
Goin’ To The Mall
Soak Your Head
My God
Let Me Out
Grounds For Divorce
Learn How To Lie
Car Song
No Loss Is Greater
Snow Sucks
Where It’s At
Why Does A Dog
The Happy Song

Several songs appear on 1995 CD release, “Goin’ To The Mall” on Transit Records. Performed in countless live shows over a five year period.

THE PITCH

 

Opera scene for 8 singers and piano (libretto by Patrick Summers).
Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera.

Performed at farewell gala concert for General Director David Gockley.

 

TALES OF HOCHSTEIN

 

Co/wrote book and co/arranged music for revue encompassing 20th Century American theater, popular and classical music.
Performed by cast and orchestra of over 150 at Hochstein Music School.

 

AN EVENING WITH BETTY COMDEN

 

Arrangements of Comden & Green songs, including:

 

If You Hadn’t But You Did
Little Rock
The Party’s Over
Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend
Make Someone Happy
Lonely Town
Never Never Land

Performed by Betty Comden, James Lowe and several singers in concert, Rochester, NY.

CABARET and CONCERT ARRANGEMENTS

 

Countless arrangements for various broadway and classical concert performances.

 

SAMPLE SCORES:

 

 

Freedom (arr. Lowe) click for pdf
The Man I Love (Gershwin, arr. Lowe) click for pdf

  

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