If you happen to be in the vicinity of Ramapo College in Mahwah, NJ, tonight (Feb. 13) at 8pm, you can see the premiere performance of Fantini Futuro, a new multimedia piece by the great experimental trumpeter and composer Ben Neill. Inspired by Girolamo Fantini, the Baroque composer credited with bringing the trumpet in from the hunt and the battlefield to the concert platform, Neill collaborates with two musicians well-known in New York's early-music community, countertenor Ryland Angel and harpsichordist Gwendolyn Toth. Neill will introduce the Mutantrumpet4.0 (pictured above), the newest iteration of his longtime hybrid electro-acoustic instrument… this one even controls interactive video. Here's a brief preview:
Neill has created Fantini Futuro with support from the Nokia Bell Labs Experiments in Art and Technology program, and the show is directed by Bob McGrath of Ridge Theater. There's quite a bit more information about the piece on Neill's website, and you'll find more specifics about the Ramapo presentation (including directions) here.
And stay tuned… Neill is in hot pursuit of a New York City engagement for this new project.
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