English Language Operas - the Theodore Presser Company

ENGLISH LANGUAGE OPERAS
Biscardi, Chester (b. 1948)
Tight-Rope
Opera in Nine Scenes
Libretto by Henry Butler
Publisher: Merion Music Inc.
A search for identity and the risk involved not only in the search, but in being true to the discovery. “I
must live with my many selves,” sings the Actor, who has spent the opera searching for the essence of
poet Luther Dane, the man whose character he must portray in a film. “We walk a tight-rope,” declares
the Actor to Luther Dane in the opening scene. “One false step, one dishonest word, and we fall - we
deserve to fall!” Dane has arranged his “death,” but lives on; he has returned to help the Actor discover
who he truly is.
Cast: Soprano (dramatic mezzo), Soprano (coloratura), Soprano (mezzo or dramatic),
Soprano (lyric mezzo), 2 Tenor, Baritone, Bass-Baritone, Bass;
Non-singing roles: Director, Film Crew, Party Guests, etc.
Dur: 90’
Instr: 1(Picc.) 0(E.H.) 1(B.Cl.) 1, Sop.Sax.(Ten. Sax.); 2 1 1 0;
3Perc. Pno. Hp. Str. (at least 33344; reduced version 11111)
Blank, Allen (b. 1925)
Aria da Capo
Chamber opera on a play by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Publisher: Theodore Presser Company
Chamber Opera
Opera without chorus
A satire dealing with some of weaknesses of human nature in a comedic way, through the characters of
the cynical Pierrot, the ditsy Columbine, and the naively innocent Corydon and Thyrsis, overseen by the
manipulative Cothurnus, Masque of Tragedy.
Cast: Soprano, 2 Tenor, Baritone, Bass
Dur: 50’
Instr: 1 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 0; Timp. Perc. Str.
Blitzstein, Marc (1905-1964)
Tales of Malamud
One-act operas to be performed together as “Tales of Malamud” or separately
(“Idiots First,” by Blitzstein and “Karla” by Leonard Lehrman)
Conceived by Marc Blitzstein, completed by Leonard Lehrman
Publisher: Theodore Presser Company
Dur:
full evening when performed together
Idiots First
One act opera
Conceived by Marc Blitzstein, completed by Leonard Lehrman, based on the story by Bernard Malamud
Publisher: Theodore Presser Company
A Jewish Everyman fable. A dying old man tries to provide for his learning-disabled adult son, and is
taunted by an Angel of Death. Ultimately, however, even the Angel of Death takes pity.
Cast: Soprano, 3 Tenor, Baritone, 2 Baritone, Bass, 4 Actor (2 Silent), Silent Actors(Company)
Dur: 60’
Instr: 2(Picc.) 2(E.H.) 2(B.Cl.) 2 - 2 2 2 1; Timp. Perc. Syn. Pno. 2Vln. Vla. Vcl. Cb.
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