English Language Operas - the Theodore Presser Company

ENGLISH LANGUAGE OPERAS
Persichetti, Vincent (1915-1987)
The Sibyl
A Parable of Chicken Little
Libretto by the composer
Publisher: Elkan-Vogel Inc.
“A serious exploration of how people face—or avoid—serious issues… The score must stand as one of the
composer’s brightest and most colorful instrumental offerings… it includes at least one finely sculpted aria,
but also choral music that speaks clearly and brilliantly.” [Daniel Webster, Philadelphia Inquirer]
Cast: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass; SATB Chorus (16 or more singers)
Dur: 75’
Instr: 2(Picc.) 1 2(B.Cl.) 1 - 2 2 2 1; Timp. Perc. Pno. Str.
Ran, Shulamit (b. 1948)
Between Two Worlds (“The Dybbuk”)
Opera in two acts
Libretto by Charles Kondek, after the drama ‘The Dybbuk’ by S. Ansky
Publisher: Theodore Presser Company
Leya, about to enter an arranged marriage, is actually in love with Khonnon, and after he dies, she
becomes possessed of his soul. This possession comes to a climax during the arranged marriage
ceremony. The resulting exorcism of the “dybbuk” leaves Leya resting before the marriage can continue.
Khonnon appears to the sleeping Leya, and tells her that although he has now left her body, he is now
forever part of her soul.
Cast: Lead Roles: Lyric Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, High Baritone, Bass or Bass-Baritone
Supporting Roles: 2 Sopranos, Mezzo-Soprano (pants role), 2 Tenors (1 doubling role),
Baritone (doubling roles), Bass or Bass-Baritone;
Chorus: at least 12 singers (some doubling)
Dur: full evening
Instr: 2(2Picc./AltoFl.) 1(E.H.) 2(2EfCl./AltoCl.) 1(Cbsn.) - 1 2 2(B.Tbn.) 0;
3Perc. Pno. Hp. Str. (4 2 2 1)
3 Shofars (recorded shofar and sampled shofar sounds may be subsitituted)
Ratner, Leonard (b. 1916)
The Necklace
Opera in one act, four scenes
Libretto by Leonard Ratner, based on a short story by Guy de Maupassant
Publisher: Mercury Music Corp.
Chamber Opera
Opera without chorus
Mathilde is married to a clerk, with little money to spare for the fineries she dreams of. She borrows a
glittering necklace for a glamourous social function, but manages to lose it on the way home. She and
her husband replace the necklace at great cost without disclosing the true story of the loss, then spend the
next 10 years in dire financial straits as they pay off the debt. Later, a chance meeting with the owner of
the necklace reveals that the original was not genuine diamonds, and worth only a fraction of what the
replacement had cost.
Cast: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Baritone
Dur: 25’
Instr: Piano
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