Ami & Tami
a musical fable for children
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A buoyant, tuneful musical fable
Penny Schwartz The Boston Globe
ABOUT
Ami & Tami is a fresh addition to the rare genre of symphonic fairy tales for children, most famously embodied by Prokofiev’s masterwork, Peter and the Wolf.
A modern twist on Hansel and Gretel, the musical fable tells the story of two siblings longing to rebel against their overbearing parents and escape into a world of fantasy. Guided by the talkative Imf in the course of one magical night, Ami and Tami undergo a journey through the Enchanted Forest. In their dream, Father is transformed into a not-terribly-scary Ogre, and Mother into Yaga the Witch, the entrepreneurial owner of a fancy restaurant.
Filled with wordplay and humor, Ami & Tami features wide-ranging types of vocal delivery (from the cartoon-inspired to the operatic). The musical numbers are tied together by common melodic threads within a rich orchestral palette that transports the listener off into a musical dream-world— to ignite our most creative force, our imagination.
—Sonya Hamlin
SCORING
DETAILS
PREMIERE
Chamber Orchestra Version
5 actors/children choir/2(2.pic).2(2.ca).2(2.bcl).2(2.cbsn)-2.2.1-timp.2perc(glsp, xyl, vib, mar, crash cym, cym (pair), h.h, 2gongs, s.d, low dr, 6toms, b.d, 2tempbl)-hp.pno-str(10.9.6.8.4) 60’
March 8, 1999
Cummngs Hall, IASA, Jerusalem
Michael Wolpe - Conductor
Book by Aya Lavie
Lyrics by Aya Lavie and Mátti Kovler
Translated to English by Spencer Garfield
REVIEWS
“Fresh and beautiful! Kovler has what cannot be taught: the urge to tell a story in music, and an innate dramatic sense”
Osvaldo Golijov composer
“A rare breed: something both kids and adults would enjoy — truly conceived for the entire family. First class.”
Carol Hyatt producer of children specials on CBS TV
“The best day of my life so far”
Maya Reuven 8 years old
“The singing was splendid and the piece is musically brilliant”
Yehudi Wyner composer
“Unforgettable. I love the Singing Lice!”
Dr. Ruth
CONTACT
BOOKING | COMMISSIONING | PRESS INQUIRIES
Amanda Cooper, ALC Management
Email: amanda@alc-arts.com
Inquiries for ‘Here Comes Messiah’, ‘Ami & Tami’, ‘The Drumf & the Rhinegold’:
Floating Tower
Erin Simmons, producer
139 Jackson St. Suite 4B
Brooklyn NY 11211
tel: +1 469 826 0000
Mátti Kovler's scores and recordings are published exclusively by BarkolMusic [ASCAP] and Floating Tower Records.
Inquiries regarding all European engagements:
World Entertainment Company
Luca Ceretta, managing director
Király utca 56. 1. em 5
1068 Budapest
cell HU +36 3067 49980
cell ITA +39 329 472 1404
For Repertoire advice, commission inquiries and general information about scores and individual works please contact Mátti directly at