English Language Operas - the Theodore Presser Company

ENGLISH LANGUAGE OPERAS
Cast: 17 individual parts, groups of butterflies/charioteers, 12 v. small children (3-5yrs.)
Dur: 60’
Instr: Piano
Loevendie, Theo (b. 1930)
Gassir, The Hero
Libretto by the composer, after a folk tale
Publisher: Peermusic Classical
Gassir is made to realize that heroism through violence will not be remembered as well as a simple song.
But the lesson is only half-learned, and although he acquires a lute, he cannot make it sound. It takes
further battles and the loss of his eight sons to bring him to the depth of emotion that enables the lute to
sing, brought to life not by his heroic deeds, but by his sorrow.
Cast: Soprano, Countertenor, Tenor, Baritone, Bass-Baritone, Bass
Dur: 34’
Instr: 1 0 1 1(Cbsn.) - 1 1 1 0; Perc. Hp. 1Vln. 1Vcl. 1Cb.
Lombardi, Luca (b. 1945)
Chamber Opera
Prospero
Opera in two acts
Libretto by Friedrich Christian Delius and Luca Lombardi, based on The Tempest by William Shakespeare.
Libretto in four languages, according to the various characters: Ariel – English;
Island inhabitants (Miranda, Prospero, Caliban) – German; Sailors – Neapolitan; Others - Italian
Publisher: RAI Trade
Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” told in four languages. To achieve the mercurial qualities of Ariel, the
character is played by 4 female singers and an on-stage flute. In a similar way, Prospero is doubled by an
on-stage cello.
Cast: 3 Soprano, 2Mezzo-soprano, 2 Contralto, 2 Tenor, 2Baritone, 1 Bass; Chorus
Dur: 150’
Instr: On-stage Flute, Cello; 3 3 3 Sax. 3 – 4 4 4 1; 6Perc. Hp. Cel. Pno. Str.
Mayer, William (b. 1925)
Brief Candle
Short opera in three acts for chorus and mime
(No sets are required, only some necessary props)
Libretto by Milton Feist
Publisher: Theodore Presser Company
Chamber Opera
Giving credence to ars longa, vita brevis: the heroine is born, married, and dies, in 3 short acts and 6
minutes.
Cast: 4 Soloists drawn from Chorus (1 Female, 3 Male); Female Mime, Chorus
Dur: 6 ¼’
Instr: 2 1 2 1 - 2 2 1 0; Perc. Pno.(Harm.) Str.
Sale: Vocal Score 412-41052 (Custom Print)
Return to INDEX
Theodore Presser Company
— 28 —
Rental Home