From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Keyboardist Peter Kiesewalter at the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival 2006

Vocalist AnnMarie Milazzo performs at the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival 2006

The East Village Opera Company (EVOC) is rock group cofounded by vocalist Tyley Ross and instrumentalist Peter Kiesewalter. Vocalist AnnMarie Milazzo was then recruited to provide female vocals. EVOC includes eight other members; two guitarists, a bassist, a percussionist, and a string quartet. EVOC could be described as a cover band whose niche is traditional operatic pieces that are then arranged to reflect more modern musical stylings.

EVOC's self titled debut was released September 27th, 2005 on the Decca Records label. The album was produced and recorded by Neil Dorfsman, a Grammy Award winner who has worked with notable artists such as Sting and Paul McCartney, and group acts like Dire Straits. Symphonic portions were performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

The debut CD contains the following tracks:

1. Le nozze di Figaro Redux - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
2. Nessun Dorma Redux - Giacomo Puccini
3. Flower Duet Redux - Leo Delibes
4. La Donna è Mobile Redux - Giuseppe Verdi
5. Un Bel Di Redux - Giacomo Puccini
6. Au Fond du Temple Saint Redux - Georges Bizet
7. O Mio Babbino Caro Redux - Giacomo Puccini
8. Ebben? Ne Andró Lontana Redux - Alfredo Catalani
9. Che Gelida Manina Redux - Giacomo Puccini
10. Habanera Redux - Georges Bizet
11. When I Am Laid in Earth Redux - Henry Purcell
12. E Lucevan Le Stelle Redux Giacomo Puccini

EVOC's music has drawn comparisons to other contemporary artists in pop culture including the Trans Siberian Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller, or Metallica's Symphony & Metallica (S&M) album. Fans of EVOC generally reject these comparisons for various reasons.

• East Village Opera Company Website
• East Village Opera Company Interview on NPR