, Zeena Parkins
The Opium War: A Radio Play (EIN-010/CD)

Set in 1913, Zeena Parkin's radio play "The Opium War" tells the story of an immigrant family who left Cuba for Lower Manhattan. The drama unfolds as the main character's opium addiction alters his behavior, his family becomes involved in the drug trade, and tragedy ensues. The music features Parkins on electric harp and sampler, Ikue Mori and Joe Trump on percussion, DJ Olive and David Shea on turntables, Margaret Parkins on cello, and Chris Cochrane on guitar and voice, with narration by D.D. Dorveillier and Jonathan Bepler. Opium War is a stylistic departure for Parkins showing the true depth of her compositional resources. Best known for her pioneering work in extended techniques and improvisation on the acoustic and electric harps, Ms. Parkins has written numerous scores for dance, theater, film and video, as well as working with artists such as Fred Frith, Chris Cutler, John Zorn and Pauline Oliveros.This CD is a massive project brought into being with funds from The Rockefeller Foundation, The Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, The Jerome Foundation, and the NY State Council for the Arts.