Michael Dellaira's one-act "folk opera", ARCTIC EXPLORATIONS, will be released this November on the Naxos label. Scored for chorus, 5 soloists and an ensemble of clarinet, violin, viola, guitar, banjo, double bass and percussion, ARCTIC EXPLORATIONS was a joint commission from New Amsterdam Singers and Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre. This live recording of the world premiere in March, 2024 at the Theater at St. Jean's in New York City, features the New Amsterdam Singers and the Harlem Chamber Players, with Colin Levin as Elisha Kent Kane; Nicole Haslett as Maggie Fox; Erin Brittain as Lady Jane Franklin; Michael Celentano as President Zachary Taylor; and Greenlandic drum-dancer Nuka Alice as the Inuit shaman Siarnaq. Conducted by Clara Longstreth, with stage direction by Kira Simring.