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| birth_name = Eric Canniere
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1971|6|9}}{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
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| birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
| birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
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'''Eric Stern''' is an American vocalist, accordionist, composer, arranger, and pianist based in Portland, Oregon, best known as the founder and artistic director of the band Vagabond Opera.<ref name=NYpress>{{cite news|last=Tracy |first=Ryan |title=Papa's Got a Brand New Belt |url=http://nypress.com/papas-got-a-brand-new-belt/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130105151/http://nypress.com/papas-got-a-brand-new-belt/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |access-date=18 April 2012 |newspaper=New York Press |date=January 7, 2009 }}</ref> He also performs as a soloist, as well as with the Eric Stern Trio. Stern, with Vagabond Opera, has appeared on [[NPR]]<ref name=NPR>{{cite web |title=Vagabond Opera On Mountain Stage |url=https://www.npr.org/2010/11/05/121608322/vagabond-opera-on-mountain-stage |website=NPR |access-date=23 September 2022 |date=5 November 2010}}</ref> and performed at the [[Kennedy Center]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Eastern Blocheads: Vagabond Opera |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2008/01/11/eastern_blocheads_vagabond_opera/ |website=Washington Post |access-date=23 September 2022 |date=11 January 2008}}</ref> the [[Great American Music Hall]] in San Francisco,<ref>{{cite web |title=At the Great American Music Hall, 2007 |url=https://m.facebook.com/vagabondopera/videos/vb.31628772510/28707723615/?type=3&video_source=pages_video_set |access-date=23 September 2022}}</ref> [[Joe's Pub]] in New York City.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Melanie |title=Vagabond Opera Enchants Joe's Pub |url=https://www.feastofmusic.com/feast_of_music/2013/08/vagabond-opera-enchants-joes-pub.html |website=Feast of Music |access-date=23 September 2022 |date=1 August 2013}}</ref>
'''Eric Stern''' (born Eric Canniere){{citation needed|date=October 2012}} is an American vocalist, accordionist, composer, arranger, and pianist based in Portland, Oregon. He performs as a soloist, as well as with the Eric Stern Trio, and is the founder and artistic director of Vagabond Opera. Stern has appeared on [[NPR]] and performed at the [[Kennedy Center]], the [[Great American Music Hall]] in San Francisco, [[Joe's Pub]] in New York City, throughout the Northwest, and internationally from Portland to Paris to Poland.


==Career==
==Career==
Stern was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in June 1971 and trained as a vocalist at the Delaware Valley Opera Company until deciding to become a writer instead and leaving for Paris at age 21.<ref name=Beckman>{{cite news|last=Beckman|first=Rachel|title=Vagabond Opera: Life Is a Cabaret|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/09/AR2008010903313.html|access-date=18 April 2012|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=January 10, 2008}}</ref> After returning to the US, and to music, a year and a half later.
Stern was born in [[Philadelphia|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], in June 1971 and trained as a vocalist at the Delaware Valley Opera Company. At the age of 21, Stern decided to pursue writing and moved to [[Paris]], returning to the U.S., and to music, a year and a half later.<ref name=WP>{{cite news|last=Beckman|first=Rachel|title=Vagabond Opera: Life Is a Cabaret|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/09/AR2008010903313.html|access-date=18 April 2012|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=January 10, 2008}}</ref>


In 2002, Stern founded the group Vagabond Opera, known for their blend of eclectic musical styles, including [[Cabaret|German cabaret]], [[Klezmer]], and [[jazz]].<ref name=NPR/><ref name=WP/> The band released four albums until their hiatus in 2015.<ref name="VO">{{cite web |title=Vagabond Opera |url=http://www.vagabondopera.com/ |website=Eric Stern Presents |access-date=23 September 2022}}</ref> With the band, Stern also wrote, composed and performed the 2010 opera ''[[Queen of Knives]]'', in collaboration with [[Wanderlust Circus]].<ref name=omn>{{cite news|last=D'Antoni |first=Tom |title=Vagabond Opera's Opera: Eric Stern on ''Queen of Knives''|url=http://oregonmusicnews.com/2010/05/05/vagabond-operas-opera-eric-stern-on-queen-of-knives/ |access-date=18 April 2012 |newspaper=Oregon Music News |date=May 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009144657/http://oregonmusicnews.com/2010/05/05/vagabond-operas-opera-eric-stern-on-queen-of-knives/ |archivedate=9 October 2011 }}</ref><ref name="OregonLive">{{cite web |last1=McQuillen |first1=James |title=Opera review: Portland's Vagabond Opera's 'Queen of Knives' is one sharp show |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/performance/2010/05/portlands_vagabond_operas_quee.html |website=Oregon Live - the Oregonian |access-date=23 September 2022 |date=11 May 2010}}</ref>
Stern is a [[tenor]] with a wide vocal range and he performs a variety of musical styles including opera, cabaret, jazz, klezmer, bohemian, Balkan music, and many others. As an opera singer, Stern has appeared in over thirty operas including leading roles in ''[[La bohème]]'' (Schaunard),{{clarify|date=August 2022|reason=But Schaunard is a baritone.}} ''[[Die Fledermaus]]'' (Dr. Falke),{{clarify|date=August 2022|reason=But Falke is a baritone.}} ''[[Gianni Schicchi]]'' (Gerardo), ''[[Carmen]]'' (El Dancairo),{{clarify|date=August 2022|reason=But Dancairo is a baritone.}} and the American premiere of ''[[The Beggar's Opera]]'' (Ben Lockit).{{clarify|date=August 2022|reason=Wasn't the premiere in 1750 in NYC?}} He has performed with a variety of musical acts including [[The Decemberists]], [[Balkan Beat Box]], Unwoman, [[Pink Martini]], and [[DeVotchka]]. He also plays for many belly dance performers including [[Rachel Brice]], Zoe Jakes, and Aziza.


Stern has recorded and performed with a variety of musical acts including [[The Decemberists]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Picaresque -The Decemberists |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/picaresque-mw0000141737/credits |website=AllMusic |access-date=23 September 2022}}</ref> [[Balkan Beat Box]], Unwoman, [[Pink Martini]], and [[DeVotchka]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Vagabond Opera and Chervona |url=https://www.wowhall.org/events/vagabond-opera-and-chervona |website=WOW Hall |access-date=23 September 2022}}</ref> In 2011, Stern composed the score for the [[Tears of Joy Theatre|Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre's]] production of ''[[Pinocchio]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Holly |title='Pinocchio' review: Puppets and real actors bring the beloved story to life |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/performance/2011/11/pinocchio_review_puppets_and_r.html |website=Oregon Live - the Oregonian |access-date=23 September 2022 |date=12 November 2011}}</ref>
In addition to performing, Stern wrote and composed the opera ''[[Queen of Knives]]'' (in which he also plays the character Chaim Meyer). ''Queen of Knives'' debuted in Portland, Oregon. in May 2010 and included cast members from Vagabond Opera and [[Wanderlust Circus]].<ref>{{cite news|last=D'Antoni |first=Tom |title=Vagabond Opera's Opera: Eric Stern on ''Queen of Knives''|url=http://oregonmusicnews.com/2010/05/05/vagabond-operas-opera-eric-stern-on-queen-of-knives/ |access-date=18 April 2012 |newspaper=Oregon Music News |date=May 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009144657/http://oregonmusicnews.com/2010/05/05/vagabond-operas-opera-eric-stern-on-queen-of-knives/ |archivedate=9 October 2011 }}</ref>


⚫
In March 2015, Stern's independent production company, Hungry Opera Machine, debuted its first opera at the [[Alberta Rose Theatre]]: ''Flour, Salt, & Moonbeams''. It was well received by critics.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Stabler|first1=David|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/performance/index.ssf/2015/03/flour_salt_and_moonbeams_offer.html|title=''Flour, Salt, & Moonbeams''|access-date=21 June 2015|agency=The Oregonian}}</ref>
Stern has been involved in many ventures, including writing the music for ''Prince of Fences'' (a new musical based on the story of the real [[Fagin]]), the score for the [[Tears of Joy Theatre|Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre's]] production of ''[[Pinocchio]]'', pieces for the Northwest Professional Dance Project, settings for Jewish liturgy for the P'nai Or synagogue choir, and Open Hearts, Open Minds (an organization that helps prison inmates make positive changes through theatre production).


Stern currently works as the Events Coordinator and Cultural Arts Ambassador for Eastside Jewish Commons, a nonprofit in Porland, Oregon.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet our staff |url=https://ejcpdx.org/staff |website=Eastside Jewish Commons |access-date=23 September 2022}}</ref>
"If Stern has a musical philosophy, it's 'Let's bring opera back to the fundamentals.' Strip away the layers of traditions that have accumulated over opera's 400-year history."<ref name=Stabler>{{cite news|last=Stabler|first=David|title=New Wave Opera: Three shows put an untraditional spin on opera in Portland|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/performance/index.ssf/2010/05/next_wave_opera_three_shows_pu.html|access-date=18 April 2012|newspaper=Oregon Live|date=May 6, 2010}}</ref>

"And while the opera world today seems to be changing, there are still few opportunities for singers to create new roles, or to present operatic singing in contexts outside the concert hall or opera house."<ref name=Tracy>{{cite news|last=Tracy |first=Ryan |title=Papa's Got a Brand New Belt |url=http://nypress.com/papas-got-a-brand-new-belt/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130105151/http://nypress.com/papas-got-a-brand-new-belt/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |access-date=18 April 2012 |newspaper=New York Press |date=January 7, 2009 }}</ref>

"Back at the turn of the century, poor Italian immigrants flocked to the opera", says Stern. "The classical tradition is totally valid, I think, but not when it becomes a class thing... we're trying to create an operatic atmosphere that's for everyone."<ref>{{cite news|last=van Amerongen|first=Julie|title=Vagabond Opera|url=http://www.glidemagazine.com/articles/51677/vagabond-opera.html|access-date=1 May 2012|newspaper=Glide Magazine|date=January 2, 2007}}</ref>


== Awards ==
== Awards ==
[[ASCAP]] Concert Division Panel award recognizing creative contributions to American music (September 2011).
[[ASCAP]] Concert Division Panel award recognizing creative contributions to American music (September 2011).


⚫
==Discography==
== Current projects ==
⚫
;With Vagabond Opera
⚫
In March 2015, Stern's newest project, independent production company Hungry Opera Machine, debuted its first opera at the Alberta Rose Theatre: ''Flour, Salt, & Moonbeams''. It was well received by critics.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Stabler|first1=David|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/performance/index.ssf/2015/03/flour_salt_and_moonbeams_offer.html|title=''Flour, Salt, & Moonbeams''|access-date=21 June 2015|agency=The Oregonian}}</ref> Stern's most well-known project, the steampunk band Vagabond Opera, announced a hiatus in May 2015 via its official Facebook page.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vagabond Opera facebook page|url=https://www.facebook.com/vagabondopera|website=Facebook|access-date=21 June 2015}}</ref> Stern is also known to collaborate on the Sepiatonic project with tribal-fusion belly dancer Karolina Lux ([[MarchFourth Marching Band]]).
⚫
*''Get on the Train'' (2004)

*''Vagabond Opera'' (2006)
⚫
== Discography ==
* ''Stern Little Stories'' (2012)
*''The Zeitgeist Beckons'' (2009)
⚫
*''Sing For Your Lives'' (2011)


;Solo
==Published works==
*''Stern Little Stories'' (2012)
* ''[[Queen of Knives]]'', full-length opera
*''Ashes of Rembetiko'' (2017)
* 9 lives
* Coimbra
* Fremont Street Stomp
* Ganef
⚫
* Get on the Train
* Goodnight Moon
* King of the Gypsies
* Manayunk
* Merci Django
* Penny
* Reine de la Roca
* River Song
* Scary Tale Theater
⚫
* Sing for Your Lives
* Suites for Pinocchio
* The Transformation into Marlene
* Tough Mazel
⚫
* Vagabond Tango


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 20:54, 23 September 2022

Eric Stern
Born (1971-06-09) June 9, 1971 (age 53)[citation needed]
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
GenresOpera, Cabaret, Jazz, Bohemian
Occupation(s)Musician, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, accordion
Years active2002–present
Websiteericsternevents.com

Eric Stern is an American vocalist, accordionist, composer, arranger, and pianist based in Portland, Oregon, best known as the founder and artistic director of the band Vagabond Opera.[1] He also performs as a soloist, as well as with the Eric Stern Trio. Stern, with Vagabond Opera, has appeared on NPR[2] and performed at the Kennedy Center,[3] the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco,[4] Joe's Pub in New York City.[5]

Career

Stern was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in June 1971 and trained as a vocalist at the Delaware Valley Opera Company. At the age of 21, Stern decided to pursue writing and moved to Paris, returning to the U.S., and to music, a year and a half later.[6]

In 2002, Stern founded the group Vagabond Opera, known for their blend of eclectic musical styles, including German cabaret, Klezmer, and jazz.[2][6] The band released four albums until their hiatus in 2015.[7] With the band, Stern also wrote, composed and performed the 2010 opera Queen of Knives, in collaboration with Wanderlust Circus.[8][9]

Stern has recorded and performed with a variety of musical acts including The Decemberists,[10] Balkan Beat Box, Unwoman, Pink Martini, and DeVotchka.[11] In 2011, Stern composed the score for the Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre's production of Pinocchio.[12]

In March 2015, Stern's independent production company, Hungry Opera Machine, debuted its first opera at the Alberta Rose Theatre: Flour, Salt, & Moonbeams. It was well received by critics.[13]

Stern currently works as the Events Coordinator and Cultural Arts Ambassador for Eastside Jewish Commons, a nonprofit in Porland, Oregon.[14]

Awards

ASCAP Concert Division Panel award recognizing creative contributions to American music (September 2011).

Discography

With Vagabond Opera
  • Get on the Train (2004)
  • Vagabond Opera (2006)
  • The Zeitgeist Beckons (2009)
  • Sing For Your Lives (2011)
Solo
  • Stern Little Stories (2012)
  • Ashes of Rembetiko (2017)

References

  1. ^ Tracy, Ryan (January 7, 2009). "Papa's Got a Brand New Belt". New York Press. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Vagabond Opera On Mountain Stage". NPR. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Eastern Blocheads: Vagabond Opera". Washington Post. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  4. ^ "At the Great American Music Hall, 2007". Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  5. ^ Wong, Melanie (1 August 2013). "Vagabond Opera Enchants Joe's Pub". Feast of Music. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  6. ^ a b Beckman, Rachel (January 10, 2008). "Vagabond Opera: Life Is a Cabaret". The Washington Post. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  7. ^ "Vagabond Opera". Eric Stern Presents. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  8. ^ D'Antoni, Tom (May 5, 2010). "Vagabond Opera's Opera: Eric Stern on Queen of Knives". Oregon Music News. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  9. ^ McQuillen, James (11 May 2010). "Opera review: Portland's Vagabond Opera's 'Queen of Knives' is one sharp show". Oregon Live - the Oregonian. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Picaresque -The Decemberists". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  11. ^ "Vagabond Opera and Chervona". WOW Hall. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  12. ^ Johnson, Holly (12 November 2011). "'Pinocchio' review: Puppets and real actors bring the beloved story to life". Oregon Live - the Oregonian. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  13. ^ Stabler, David. "Flour, Salt, & Moonbeams". The Oregonian. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  14. ^ "Meet our staff". Eastside Jewish Commons. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
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