English Language Operas - the Theodore Presser Company

ENGLISH LANGUAGE OPERAS
Aitken, Hugh (b. 1924)
Fables
Diversion for four to thirty singers and nine instruments, based on ten of La Fontaine’s fables
Freely translated and extended by the composer.
Publisher: Elkan-Vogel Inc.
Chamber Opera
Includes:
The Cicada and the Ant
The Oak and the Reed
The Wolf and the Lamb
The Pilgrims and the Oyster
The Companions of Odysseus
Cast: Soprano, 2 Tenor, Bass (minimum)
Dur: 90’
Instr: Flute, 2 Oboes, Bassoon, String Quartet
Felipe
Opera in three acts
Libretto by Laura Tapia, adapted from Cervantes’ “El Celoso Estremeño”
Publisher: Theodore Presser Company
The Raven and the Fox
The Meeting Held by the Rats
The Cat and the Two Sparrows
The Animals Sick with the Plague
Death and the Woodcutter
In 16th-century Spain, a light-hearted attempt at seduction has serious and unforeseen consequences as
Loaysa attempts to win Leonora from her sugar-daddy Felipe.
Cast:
Dur:
Instr:
Principal Roles: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass-Baritone, Bass
Supporting Roles: Tenor, Baritone, Bass
Bit Roles: 2 Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano
Supernumeraries: Leonora’s parents, a priest & notary
- necessary silent roles; patrons in tavern – optional
Dance Requirements: Except for Felipe and Loaysa’s 3 friends, all dance in Act two,
though no one need appear very skilled.
full evening
3 3 3 2 - 4 2 3 1; Timp. 2Perc. Hp. Str.
Bach, P.D.Q. (1807-1742?)
The Abduction of Figaro
Opera in three acts
Libretto by Peter Schickele
Publisher: Theodore Presser Company
Mozartian (…or almost-Mozartian) characters intermingle in a rollicking plot as Figaro and his wife,
Susanna Susannadanna, become inextricably involved with others such as Pecadillo, Donald Giovanni,
Schlepporello, Papa Geno, not forgetting an enchanting Corpse de Ballet.
Cast: 2 Soprano, 2 Mezzo-Soprano, Countertenor, Tenor, 4 Baritone, Bass-Baritone,
2 Speaking (1 = Baritone singing range, but not a trained singer)
Mixed Chorus:
Servants to the Pasha and Harem Women (Act II);
Woodcutters, Huntsmen and Huntswomen (Act III)
Corpse de Ballet: The Pasha’s Dancers; Wood Sprites;
Opera Company Manager (speaking); Narrator (voice only)
Dur: 150’
Instr: 2 2 2 2 - 2 2 3 0; Timp. 2Perc. Ukelele/Pedal Steel Guitar/El.Guitar. Pno. or Hpscd. Str.
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