Elliott Sharp & the Yellin String Quartet | A Modicum of Passion (The Opera)

Description

Written by acclaimed playwright Lauri Bortz with music composed by NYC downtown icon Elliott Sharp, this studio recording transforms Bortz’s dark, satire-laden theatrical vision into a gripping sonic narrative. Known for pushing the boundaries of contemporary classical composition and avant-garde noise, Sharp approaches the operatic form as a visceral, living organism, fusing jagged chamber textures with a post-minimalist momentum. Bortz’s libretto serves up a searing exploration of human obsession, vanity, and emotional transactionalism. To bring this dark cabaret to life, Sharp assembled a legendary ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists from the outer margins of the American underground. Vocal powerhouse Eric Mingus delivers a performance of towering gravitas, anchoring the score alongside the fiery, multi-octave presence of avant-jazz vocalist Devorah Day. Adding further depth to the vocal tapestry are singular performances by Joan Wasser (later renowned as Joan As Police Woman) and noise-rock legend Ben Miller (of Destroy All Monsters), each bringing a distinct, unvarnished edge to their respective roles. The Yellin String Quartet weaves seamlessly around the singers, creating a dense, dramatic atmosphere that feels simultaneously claustrophobic and expansive. Item includes an 8 page insert with synopsis and a folded insert with artist biographies.

Track Listing

1. A Modicum of Passion Overture (2:14)
2. A Night Not Unlike Tonight (3:00)
3. Somebody's Stinky (3:12)
4. The Kind We Always Wanted (1:25)
5. She Came To Stay (1:05)
6. Dada's Such a Dimwit (3:36)
7. Blue by Who? (1:28)
8. Half Pint (2:50)
9. Fais Dodo (2:25)
10. What's Your Name; Who's Your Mommy? (5:19)
11. In the Pink (1:41)
12. To Sleep, Perchance (3:26)
13. A Tasteful Border (3:12)
14. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (2:05)