Mackris v. O'Reilly

We are besides ourselves with glee.

And not only because of the election. It is this new story.

Crooks and Liars is reporting it.

Radar is reporting it.

Raw Story is reporting it.

The folks at Sweet Jesus I Hate Bill O'Reilly - an organization of hope - have been involved in the creation of a new work: Mackris v. O'Reilly The Opera.

In the book Sweet Jesus, I Hate Bill O'Reilly, we discussed the possibility of a musical theater
production. We even went so far as to throw together some lyrics. Well kids, in the race to the
stage, we've been beaten to the punch… and by a guy named Igor, no less.

Mackris v. O’Reilly is the new work by Igor Keller. The oratorio (which is basically an opera
without the scenery), is for a 31-piece chamber orchestra, 32-voice chorus and three soloists,
directed by Kris Falk.

The libretto is comprised of the original court document and O’Reilly’s on-air settlement
announcement. Imagine a two-hour neo-baroque extravaganza including seven chorales, two
madrigals, three choruses, four recitatives, two instrumental entrances and numerous arias
dedicated to the sexual exploits of the most popular man in cable news.

This is an organization I could support! Here is their blurb for the event:

GET READY FOR A NEW EXPERIENCE IN CLASSICAL MUSIC!

Mackris v. O’Reilly is coming to Meany Hall on January 12 & 13, 2007 at 7:30 pm. On those two nights, the baroque oratorio will receive an unforgettable infusion of contemporary culture and controversy.

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BILL O’REILLY SINGS!
The piece is a setting of the sexual harassment complaint lodged against Fox News pundit, Bill O’Reilly, by staff producer, Andrea Mackris, in October 2004. It includes all memorable moments from the original complaint and more – paranoid rants, clumsy sexual innuendo, and the famous falafel fantasy. Composer Igor Keller has produced this 31-part, concert-length work in the form of a baroque oratorio, in the style of an updated Handel’s Messiah, for 31-piece chamber orchestra, 32-voice chorus and three soloists. It’s an oratorio for the 21st century!

I would call this chamber pot opera. You may here two brief musical excerpts here.