Music by MATTHEW WELCH, libretto by DANIEL NEER Kotekan Records is thrilled to release And Here We Are, a new opera from Matthew Welch (ACC Philippines, 2017) and librettist/singer Daniel Neer. A timeless story of isolation, And Here We Are is based on the true memoir by Matthew’s great-uncle, a prisoner of the WWII of Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila. This 2-Act opera for 4 vocal soloists and mixed ensemble features Mantra Percussion with Welch’s long-time ensemble Blarvuster. Hear freshly mixed audio from the Experiments in Opera 2018 premiere with director and designer Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew. CAST  Daniel Neer, baritone  (as Edgar Mason Kneedler)  Elyse Kakacek, soprano  (as Susie Fox, Dorothy, Shanghai Li'l)  Kate Maroney, mezzo-soprano  (as Eva Gauthier, Daré, Zomara)  Joe Chappel, bass  (as Lt. Abiko)  Blarvuster and Mantra Percussion Ben Holmes, trumpet, Joe Bergen, percussion, Chris Graham, percussion, Mark Utley, percussion, Emily Manzo, piano, Ian Riggs, bass guitar, Joe Tucker, drums, Matthew Welch, conductor Bandcamp album purchase comes with a 46-page PDF book for download which includes Daniel Neer’s libretto along with the program, composer notes, artist bios and photos from the premiere!  Recorded Live at National Sawdust 2018 Mixed and Mastered by Kotekan Records 2020 Cover art by Lauren Kolesinskas Also available soon on iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, Google Play and YouTube