Gelsey Bell Explained

Gelsey Bell

Gelsey Bell is an American singer, songwriter, and actress, best known for her experimental music, as well as her portrayal of Princess Mary in the 2016 Broadway musical Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812 and her performance in the original cast of Ghost Quartet.[1]

Early life and education

Bell was raised in northern California.[2] Her father is a philosopher and her mother is a musician.[3] Bell's sister, Biba Bell, is a choreographer and dancer,[4] and the sisters created a collaborative performance for the first time in 2016.[5]

Bell attended Lehigh University and received a BA with a double major in music and theatre and a minor in philosophy in 2004. She went on to New York University, graduating with a PhD in Performance Studies in 2015.[6] Bell has several published performance studies pieces.

Career

Music

Bell creates experimental music, and often breaks the fourth wall during live performances.[7] She has written solo albums as well as operas, song cycles, and improvisational pieces.[8]

In 2007, Bell joined thingNY, a New York collective of experimental composer-performers. The group has created three concert-length operas: This Takes Place Close By,[9] ADDDDDDDDD,[10] and Time: A Complete Explanation in Three Parts.[11] Bell was particularly praised for her performance in This Takes Place Close By;[12] one critic called her "pure, translucent chorister's soprano" the "icing on the sonic cake.".[13] In 2011, Bell co-founded the collective Varispeed, best known for durational performances of works by Robert Ashley and John Cage.[14]

In 2012, Bell wrote and premiered Scaling, a song cycle, as a part of the Vital Vox Festival. The piece involved many forms of unconventional piano-playing, such as Bell lying on top of the piano and singing while playing.[15] [16] Bell wanted to express a connection between physicality, lyrics, and the way the songs were presented. Great Weather for Media called Bell's work "fresh" and "on the edge of what's happening."[17]

Earlier in her career, Bell released a number of albums as a singer-songwriter, including Under a Piano (2005), February (2008), and In Place of Arms (2010).[18] Most recently, she released Ciphony in collaboration with composer John King, which documented their work with Compagnie CNDC-Angers and Robert Swinston in restaging Merce Cunningham's EVENT.[19] On Ciphony, Bell made use of not only her voice but vocoder and metallophone.

Theatre and opera

Bell was a part of the original cast and co-arranger of Ghost Quartet (performing vocals as well as metallophone, Celtic harp, accordion, and percussion), and stayed with the show while it performed at various venues all over the US.[20] [21] [22] Bell was praised by critics for her "astonishing vocal versatility,"[23] and was referred to as the "standout vocal performance."[24]

In 2012, Bell first became involved with Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812, an electro-pop opera based on War and Peace.[25] She never auditioned for her role, and was instead asked by composer Dave Malloy to come in for its initial workshops, as he had written a part with her in mind.[26] Bell's vocal skills inspired the opera-within-an-opera section of the musical.[27] She refers to the project as her first real acting job, since in most of her other theatrical and musical experiences she was free to portray herself.[28] Bell portrayed Mary Bolkonsky in the musical's initial performances at Ars Nova Theater, and continued with Great Comet through its Kazino run[29] and its 2016 opening on Broadway.[30] [31] [32] The performance marked Bell's Broadway debut.[33] Bell was praised for bringing a "compelling light" to Princess Mary,[34] and for her "impressive intense vocal control".[35]

In 2014, Bell was a performer in Crash, which was the last work of composer Robert Ashley.[36] [37] Crash is unique among Ashley's operas as it is performed completely a capella, with four voices audible at any given moment. The composer wrote the parts with Bell and her Varispeed colleagues in mind. Bell compared Ashley's work to "discovering a garden where different plants blossom on each visit.".[38]

In 2015, Bell collaborated with Erik Ruin to create the show Prisoner's Song, an exploration into life in prison. Bell and Ruin utilized music, images, and recorded testimonials from former convicts in the piece.[39] The pair additionally collaborated to create an art installation shown in Eastern State Penitentiary.[40]

Bell was a featured performer and vocalist in the 2014 operatic film River of Fundament by filmmaker Matthew Barney, with composition by Jonathan Bepler.[41] She has also collaborated on operas with composers Kate Soper (composer)[42] and John King,[43] and has worked with choreographers Kimberly Bartosik[44] and Yasako Yokoshi.[45]

Bell presented her evening-length piece "mɔɹnɪŋ [morning//mourning]" at HERE Arts Center in January 2023 as part of the Prototype Festival[46]

Awards

In 2017, Bell was one of the select group of artists recognized by The Foundation for Contemporary Arts and awarded a sound/music grant.[47] Bell has also received residencies and commissions from the Jerome Foundation.[48] Bell's Bathroom Songs was included in the 2015 iterations of MoMA PS1's Greater New York exhibition.[49]

Performance credits

Year(s)ProductionRoleLocationCategory
2010Quarterly Arts SoiréePerformerWebster HallNew York
2011ScalingPerformer & ComposerRoulette in BrooklynVital Vox: A Vocal Festival
2012Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812Princess Mary BolkonskayaArs NovaOff-Broadway
2013Kazino Meatpacking DistrictOff-Broadway
Banana Bag & Bodice's Beowulf: A Thousand Years of BaggageWarrior 1Abrons Arts CenterNew York
2014CrashPerformerWhitney BiennialNew York
Ghost QuartetPearl White, Sheherazade, Soldier, Lady Usher, Camera Shop OwnerBushwick StarrOff-Off-Broadway
2014-2015McKittrick HotelOff-Broadway
2015CrashPerformerRoulette in BrooklynOff-Broadway
Prisoner's SongCo-writer, performer
This Takes Place Close ByPerformerKnockdown Center in QueensNew York
Ghost QuartetPearl White, Sheherazade, Soldier, Lady Usher, Camera Shop OwnerAmerican Repertory TheaterRegional
Curran Theatre
2015-2016Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812Princess Mary BolkonskayaAmerican Repertory Theater
2016Ghost QuartetPearl White, Sheherazade, Soldier, Lady Usher, Camera Shop OwnerEdinburgh Festival Fringe
2016-2017Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812Princess Mary BolkonskayaImperial TheatreBroadway
2017Ghost QuartetPearl White, Sheherazade, Soldier, Lady Usher, Camera Shop Owner New York Theatre WorkshopOff-Broadway
2018Seattle Theatre GroupRegional
2019Improvement (Don Leaves Linda)LindaThe KitchenNew York
2023mɔɹnɪŋ [morning//mourning]performerHERE Arts centerNew York

Discography

as Gelsey Bell

With The Chutneys

With Joseph White

With John King

With thingNY

With Varispeed

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Review: 'Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812,' on the Heels of 'Hamilton'. Isherwood. Charles. November 14, 2016. The New York Times. 0362-4331. November 15, 2016.
  2. News: Ferris. Alaina. SINCERITY IS THE NEW AVANT-GARDE. Culturebot. Culturebot Arts and Media. August 9, 2017. September 25, 2015.
  3. Web site: McGovern. Chris. Gelsey Bell. The Glass Blog. WordPress. August 6, 2017. December 1, 2011.
  4. News: Burke. Siobhan. Dance in NYC This Week. August 6, 2017. The New York Times. June 22, 2017.
  5. Web site: Roulette. Collaborative Duets: Gelsey Bell and Biba Bell // Gelsey Bell and John King – Roulette. Roulette. August 6, 2017.
  6. Web site: NYU Tisch. Alumni Update: Gelsey Bell. NYU: Tisch. New York University. August 6, 2017.
  7. Web site: Sheridan. Molly. Gelsey Bell: Get a Little Closer. New Music Box. February 18, 2015 . New Music USA. August 6, 2017.
  8. Web site: Bell. Gelsey. Music. gelseybell.com. Gelsey Bell. August 6, 2017.
  9. Web site: Dunn. Arlene & Larry. 5 Questions to thingNY (composer/performer collective). I CARE IF YOU LISTEN. Sustainist Media. September 17, 2015.
  10. Web site: Sheridan. Molly. Sounds Heard: thingNY—ADDDDDDDDD. New Music Box. July 27, 2010 . New Music USA. August 6, 2017.
  11. News: BWW News Desk. The Brick Presents Time: A Complete Explanation in Three Parts 5/4-14. August 6, 2017. BroadwayWorld.com. Wisdom Digital Media. April 19, 2011. en.
  12. Web site: Stock. Jennifer. thingNY's This Takes Place Close By at The Knockdown Center. I Care If You Listen. Sustainist Media. August 14, 2017. October 20, 2015.
  13. News: Delarue. ThingNY Debuts a Blackly Amusing, Sonically Rich Reflection on Hurricane Sandy. August 12, 2017. New York Music Daily. New York Music Daily. September 25, 2015.
  14. News: Smith. Steve. A Fresh Stamp on a Veteran Composer's Work. The New York Times. November 8, 2011. August 22, 2017.
  15. Web site: Kushner. Daniel J.. Vital Vox: "A & Q" With Gelsey Bell. Huffington Post. August 6, 2017. November 4, 2011.
  16. News: McGovern. Christ. Sequenza21/ » Vital Vox 2011: A Review. August 14, 2017. Sequenza21: The Contemporary Classical Music Community. Sequenza21. November 8, 2011.
  17. Web site: Lyon. Brant. Composer's Voice is fresh!. Great Weather for Media. March 27, 2012. August 14, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20130108011920/http://greatweatherformedia.com/composers-voice-is-fresh/. January 8, 2013. dead.
  18. Web site: Gelsey Bell. All Music Guide.
  19. Web site: Mulder. Dolf. 1090. Vital Weekly. Frans de Waard. July 12, 2017.
  20. News: Clement. Olivia. Dave Malloy's Ghost Quartet to Play Outdoors in Brooklyn Playbill. August 9, 2017. Playbill. Playbill. en.
  21. News: Byrne. Terry. At Oberon, a spirited 'Ghost Quartet' from Malloy and company - The Boston Globe. August 6, 2017. BostonGlobe.com. Boston Globe. September 10, 2015.
  22. News: Crompton. Sarah. Edinburgh review: Ghost Quartet (Summerhall). August 9, 2017. WhatsOnStage.com. WhatsOnStage. August 8, 2016.
  23. News: Hurwitt. Robert. See this 'Ghost' at the Curran. August 6, 2017. SFGate. Hearst Communications. October 24, 2015.
  24. News: Moyser. Tom. Ghost Quartet. August 6, 2017. Broadway Baby. Web Editors Ltd.. August 17, 2016. en-gb.
  25. News: Remis. Allison. "The Great Comet" soars high. August 6, 2017. The Snapper: Millersville University. Millersville University. February 9, 2017.
  26. Web site: Parissa. Pop-Culturalist Chats with Gelsey Bell. Pop-Culturalist. August 6, 2017. January 10, 2017.
  27. News: Weinert-Kendt. Rob. The Real Malloy. August 9, 2017. AMERICAN THEATRE. Theatre Communications Group. March 21, 2017.
  28. Web site: Myers. Victoria. Women of "The Great Comet of 1812". THE INTERVAL. August 6, 2017. March 23, 2017.
  29. News: Isherwood. Charles. 'Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812' at Kazino. August 12, 2017. The New York Times. May 16, 2013.
  30. News: Teeman. Tim. 'War and Peace' Comes to Broadway in 'Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812'. August 9, 2017. The Daily Beast. The Daily Beast Company LLC. November 15, 2016.
  31. News: Sullivan. Lindsey. Denee Benton & Josh Groban's Voices Will Soar Over Your Speakers! Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 Cast Album Set to Land. August 9, 2017. Broadway.com. Broadway.com. April 14, 2017. en.
  32. News: Editorial Staff. Broadway's Great Comet Asks Fans to Take Part in Cast Recording Session. August 9, 2017. TheaterMania.com. Theater Mania. February 7, 2017.
  33. News: Rickwald. Bethany. First Look at Broadway's Great Comet, Starring Josh Groban and Denée Benton. August 9, 2017. TheaterMania.com. Theater Mania. November 11, 2016.
  34. News: Sileo. Guest Blogger: Alyssa. BWW Blog: Alyssa Sileo - Madly In Love: The Blazing, Immersive Genius of THE GREAT COMET. August 9, 2017. BroadwayWorld.com. BroadwayWorld. February 27, 2017. en.
  35. News: Clarke. David. BWW CD Review: NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 (Original Broadway Cast Recording) is Multifaceted and Riveting. August 10, 2017. BroadwayWorld.com. Wisdom Digital Media. May 19, 2017. en.
  36. News: Smith. Steve. Robert Ashley's Work Lives On at the Whitney Biennial. August 9, 2017. The New York Times. April 14, 2014.
  37. News: Schweitzer. Vivien. Review: Robert Ashley's 'Crash' Opens at Roulette. August 6, 2017. The New York Times. April 16, 2015.
  38. Web site: Dunn. Arlene & Larry. 5 Questions to Tom Hamilton, Gelsey Bell, Dave Ruder (Crash). I CARE IF YOU LISTEN. Sustainist Media. August 10, 2017. April 9, 2015.
  39. News: Fonseca-wollheim. Corinna Da. Review: 'Prisoner's Song' Delves Into Creativity of Confinement. August 6, 2017. The New York Times. October 15, 2015.
  40. News: Newhall. Edith. New art about incarceration at Eastern State and a Whitney Biennial sculptor at ICA. August 9, 2017. Philly.com, The Inquirer. Philadelphia Media Network (Digital), LLC. June 1, 2017.
  41. IMDB. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6287532/ Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  42. News: Tommasini. Anthony. Wingless, but They've Found Their Soul Mates. The New York Times. September 7, 2014. August 22, 2017.
  43. News: Woolfe. Zachary. Review: A Trio of Micro-Operas in the East Village. The New York Times. March 2016. August 22, 2017.
  44. News: Burke. Siobhan. Finding Poetry in Pairs. The New York Times. February 28, 2014. August 22, 2017.
  45. News: Macaulay. Alastair. 'Giselle' Meets Kabuki in a Tale of Love, Madness and Toxic Breath. The New York Times. March 18, 2013. August 22, 2017.
  46. News: Woolfe . Zachary . 2023-01-08 . A Penetrating Cry in the Dark at the Prototype Festival . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-06-19 . 0362-4331.
  47. News: Gelsey Bell. August 23, 2017. December 2016.
  48. News: Gelsey Bell "Our Defensive Measurements". August 23, 2017.
  49. News: The Voice in Three Acts and Bathroom Songs With Robert Ashley; Pharmakon; Gelsey Bell and M. Lamar. August 23, 2017. December 2016.

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