'Arjuna's Dilemma' - Next Wave in Opera

I must confess. Learning that Douglas Cuomo wrote the theme music to "Sex and the City" inspired me to catch an Aug. 22 preview performance of his opera-oratorio "Arjuna's Dilemma." What could Cuomo, who created such an iconic and memorable theme, do for the Bhagavad Gita, the ancient Sanskrit text? He's created a hypnotically beautiful work by blending eastern and western musical traditions in a masterful way, creating a powerful piece as indelible in its own way as his other acclaimed work. The bold combination of Indian classical music, Bollywood pop, jazz and Gregorian chant worked together in a suprisingly cohesive way. The 70-minute opera features an Indian singer, a Western tenor and a female chorus, along with 12 instrumentalists, including tablas and a jazz saxophone.

Produced by Music-Theatre Group, "Arjuna's Dilemma" had preview performances Aug. 22-24 at Purchase College. It will premiere Nov. 5, 7 and 8 at BAM Next Wave Festival in Brooklyn. The opera tells the story of the great warrior prince Arjuna, who, on the eve of civil war, is faced with a great moral and spiritual conflict: On the opposing side of the battlefield, he is faced with members of his own family and community. He asks for guidance from his charioteer Krishna, who has not revealed himself as the great Hindu god. Through the musical conversation as Krishna gradually reveals to the warrior the duality of the universe, Arjuna grows in self-knowledge.

The cast featured Tonny Boutte as Arjuna, Humayun Kahn as Krishna and John Kelly as the Scribe. Bob Franceschini was saxophone soloist. Badal Roy played the tablas.

The instrumentalists, on stage during the production, were dressed East meets East Village by designer Gabriel Berry in shades of saffron, orange and red.

The image of a rope fraying to the breaking point projected on a screen was metaphoric to me of the universal, of the many separate strands that wind together, to make the whole.

With "Arjuna's Dilemma," Cuomo draws from his diverse influences and experiences to create a noteworthy opera, one that will one day find its place in the contemporary repertoire.

Catch the Next Wave in Brooklyn.