# Eric Stern

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**Eric Stern** is an American vocalist, accordionist, composer, arranger, and pianist based in Portland, Oregon, best known as the founder and artistic director of the band Vagabond Opera.[1] He also performs as a soloist, as well as with the Eric Stern Trio. Stern, with Vagabond Opera, has appeared on [NPR](/source/NPR)[2] and performed at the [Kennedy Center](/source/Kennedy_Center),[3] the [Great American Music Hall](/source/Great_American_Music_Hall) in San Francisco,[4] [Joe's Pub](/source/Joe's_Pub) in New York City.[5]

## Career

Stern was born in [Philadelphia, Pennsylvania](/source/Philadelphia) and trained as a vocalist at the Delaware Valley Opera Company. At the age of 21, Stern decided to pursue writing and moved to [Paris](/source/Paris), returning to the U.S., and to music, a year and a half later.[6]

In 2002, Stern founded the group Vagabond Opera, known for their blend of eclectic musical styles, including [German cabaret](/source/Cabaret), [Klezmer](/source/Klezmer), and [jazz](/source/Jazz).[2][6] The band released four albums until their hiatus in 2015.[7] With the band, Stern also wrote, composed and performed the 2010 opera *[Queen of Knives](/source/Queen_of_Knives)*, in collaboration with [Wanderlust Circus](/source/Wanderlust_Circus).[8][9]

Stern has recorded and performed with a variety of musical acts including [The Decemberists](/source/The_Decemberists),[10] [Balkan Beat Box](/source/Balkan_Beat_Box), Unwoman, [Pink Martini](/source/Pink_Martini), and [DeVotchka](/source/DeVotchka).[11] In 2011, Stern composed the score for the [Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre's](/source/Tears_of_Joy_Theatre) production of *[Pinocchio](/source/Pinocchio)*.[12]

In March 2015, Stern's independent production company, Hungry Opera Machine, debuted its first opera at the [Alberta Rose Theatre](/source/Alberta_Rose_Theatre): *Flour, Salt, & Moonbeams*. It was well-received by critics.[13]

Stern currently works as the Events Coordinator and Cultural Arts Ambassador for Eastside Jewish Commons, a nonprofit in Portland, Oregon.[14]

## Awards

[ASCAP](/source/ASCAP) Concert Division Panel award recognizing creative contributions to American music (September 2011).[citation needed]

## Discography

**With Vagabond Opera**

- *Get on the Train* (2004)
- *Vagabond Opera* (2006)
- *The Zeitgeist Beckons* (2009)
- *Sing For Your Lives* (2011)

**Solo**

- *Stern Little Stories* (2012)
- *Ashes of Rembetiko* (2017)

## References

1. Tracy, Ryan (January 7, 2009). ["Papa's Got a Brand New Belt"](https://archive.today/20130130105151/http://nypress.com/papas-got-a-brand-new-belt/). *New York Press*. Archived from [the original](http://nypress.com/papas-got-a-brand-new-belt/) on January 30, 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2012.

1. ["Vagabond Opera On Mountain Stage"](https://www.npr.org/2010/11/05/121608322/vagabond-opera-on-mountain-stage). *NPR*. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2022.

1. ["Eastern Blocheads: Vagabond Opera"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2008/01/11/eastern_blocheads_vagabond_opera/). *Washington Post*. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2022.

1. ["At the Great American Music Hall, 2007"](https://m.facebook.com/vagabondopera/videos/vb.31628772510/28707723615/?type=3&video_source=pages_video_set). *[Facebook](/source/Facebook)*. Retrieved 23 September 2022.

1. Wong, Melanie (1 August 2013). ["Vagabond Opera Enchants Joe's Pub"](https://www.feastofmusic.com/feast_of_music/2013/08/vagabond-opera-enchants-joes-pub.html). *Feast of Music*. Retrieved 23 September 2022.

1. Beckman, Rachel (January 10, 2008). ["Vagabond Opera: Life Is a Cabaret"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/09/AR2008010903313.html). *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*. Retrieved 18 April 2012.

1. ["Vagabond Opera"](http://www.vagabondopera.com/). *Eric Stern Presents*. Retrieved 23 September 2022.

1. D'Antoni, Tom (May 5, 2010). ["Vagabond Opera's Opera: Eric Stern on *Queen of Knives*"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111009144657/http://oregonmusicnews.com/2010/05/05/vagabond-operas-opera-eric-stern-on-queen-of-knives/). *Oregon Music News*. Archived from [the original](http://oregonmusicnews.com/2010/05/05/vagabond-operas-opera-eric-stern-on-queen-of-knives/) on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2012.

1. McQuillen, James (11 May 2010). ["Opera review: Portland's Vagabond Opera's 'Queen of Knives' is one sharp show"](https://www.oregonlive.com/performance/2010/05/portlands_vagabond_operas_quee.html). *Oregon Live - the Oregonian*. Retrieved 23 September 2022.

1. ["Picaresque -The Decemberists"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/picaresque-mw0000141737/credits). *AllMusic*. Retrieved 23 September 2022.

1. ["Vagabond Opera and Chervona"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220923205430/https://www.wowhall.org/events/vagabond-opera-and-chervona). *WOW Hall*. Archived from [the original](https://www.wowhall.org/events/vagabond-opera-and-chervona) on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.

1. Johnson, Holly (12 November 2011). ["'Pinocchio' review: Puppets and real actors bring the beloved story to life"](https://www.oregonlive.com/performance/2011/11/pinocchio_review_puppets_and_r.html). *Oregon Live - the Oregonian*. Retrieved 23 September 2022.

1. Stabler, David. ["*Flour, Salt, & Moonbeams*"](http://www.oregonlive.com/performance/index.ssf/2015/03/flour_salt_and_moonbeams_offer.html). The Oregonian. Retrieved 21 June 2015.

1. ["Meet our staff"](https://ejcpdx.org/staff). *Eastside Jewish Commons*. Retrieved 23 September 2022.

## External links

- [Official website](http://ericsternevents.com/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Eric Stern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Stern) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Stern?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.