The SACRIFICE creative team has emerged from a London recording studio with a series of new demo mixes starring Ima Castro. These recordings are used to assist in the development of the musical.
"The studio recording sessions allow us to sit back, listen carefully, take notes and see what works and what doesn't work. It will help us map out the next part of our journey in creating this show as we work towards a workshop production next year" said Bobby Garcia, director of SACRIFICE.
Composer Richard Daniels said "Ima connected with the emotional core of the songs by producing
KennetH Clarke (Author) said "As the librettist, I was thrilled at how quickly Ima Castro engaged with the heart, soul and themes of the story. She captured the highs and lows, the hopes and doubts of love and its ultimate sacrifice in a series of searing emotional performances"
SACRIFICE is the story of China's greatest emperor meeting the last of China's 4 ancient beauties who adopts China's most ruthless villain. Their fateful triumvirate creates China's greatest love story.
Emperor Xuanzong (of the prosperous Tang Dynasty 618-907 AD) steals Yang GuiFei (one of China's most beautiful women) into his court as a concubine from his son, Li Mao (the Prince of Shou) who at the time was married to her. Corruption, greed and deceit ensue. The Emperor allows his government to become corrupt, granting high positions to Yang GuiFei's relatives. Her cousin is made the Chief Minister. Yang GuiFei then adopts the barbarian general, An Lushan, who takes control of the army. The Emperor who is besotted by Yang GuiFei, ignores the affairs of state, largely managed by his faithful eunuch Gao Lishi. The Emperor ignores warnings about the rise of An Lushan, and the general rebels, starting a civil war that lasts eight years, and in which millions are killed.
Ima Castro played the lead role of "Kim" in MISS SAIGON after Lea Salonga in Manilla, then in Hongkong, Singapore, Manchester, Dublin, Edinburgh, Bristol, Birmingham, Southampton, Lisbon, Belfast, Cardiff and other cities in the UK. The composer of MISS SAIGON, Claude-Michel Schonberg calls Ms. Castro "a miracle from Manila".
Ms. Castro has won several local and international awards including the Grand Prize in the 1991 Panasonic nationwide "Quest for the Best"; Best Singer Award in Osaka, Japan; Best Interpreter in the "First Asia Song Festival" in Bali, Indonesia, and "Shine", her winning song in the 1996 "Metropop Song Festival".
Ms. Castro's album, "Mamahalin Kita-Ima", became a gold record which included a popular duet with Lloyd Umali. A second album followed on the Polygram label. Ms. Castro also recorded a duet with Enrique Iglesias entitled "You're My Number One".
The musical of SACRIFICE is directed by Bobby Garcia, produced by Toby Simkin, with a book and lyrics by KennetH Clarke, music by Richard Daniels & Mark Troop, associate producers include William Ong, Richard Hardwick and DJ Wizniak. SACRIFICE is a true, powerful and shocking story, building to a climax with the great Tang Emperor's agonizing decision: save the woman he loves, or sacrifice her to save his dynasty. Themes explore love & sacrifice, duty to one's country & one's destiny, greed & betrayal. Dates of both the Asian workshop and the London opening will be announced at a future time.
Now, clips of her London recording sessions for SACRIFICE can be heard on the official website for SACRIFICE at www.SacrificeWorldwide.com.
