Opera
Opera Harper Fanny Robin Edward Harper Vocal and instrumental scores on hire 9780193367319 fl, cl, hn, tpt, 1perc, str (4.2.2.1) Major Roles Fanny Robin soprano Sergeant Troy baritone Presenter/Narrator spoken Minor Roles (sung by chorus members) Two Bandsmen baritones, The Maltster bass, Joseph Poorgrass spoken, Billy Smallbury spoken, Curate spoken, Parish Clerk spoken, Clerk’s Wife spoken, A Bride soprano Developed from a sub-plot in Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd, this one-act chamber opera depicts the seduction and ultimate abandonment of the titular character by a handsome military man. When the day of their wedding arrives, Fanny mistakenly goes to the wrong church. Humiliated, Sergeant Troy tells her that he no longer wishes to marry her, to which she laments her fate. Musically it incorporates metrical psalmody and traditional English folk songs, and also quotes fragments of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, which suggests that Fanny shares the same woeful fate as Dido. The libretto is the composer’s own. 30 minutes "Harper's music is couched in the post avant-garde world, but is distinguished by a soft melodic touch" - Music Week - Hedda Gabler Vocal and instrumental scores on hire 9780193367340 2 fl (II+picc), 2 ob (II+ca), 2 cl (II+bcl), alto sax, 2 bsn (II+cbn), 4 hn, 3 tpt, 3 tbn, btbn, tba, timp, 2 perc, pno, str (nb leader needs a second violin tuned down) Hedda Gabler soprano Ejlert Løvborg tenor Jørgen Tesman baritone Thea Elvsted mezzo-soprano Judge Brack bass Mademoiselle Danielle soprano This operatic adaptation of Ibsen’s play tells the story of a loveless marriage and rival academics. Newly married Hedda is bored, and when her return from honeymoon brings her back into contact with a former lover, tragedy ensues. The libretto is taken from Michael Meyer’s translation of Ibsen’s text, and – aside from the introduction of Hedda and Løvberg’s duet, and a party scene – the play is presented as written. 116 minutes The Mellstock Quire Vocal and instrumental scores on hire 9780193367364 fl/picc, cl,hn, tba/serpent (opt), 1 perc, tape, solo vln, str (4.0.2.2.1) Fancy Day soprano Richard Dewy at 60 bass Richard ‘Dick’ Dewy at 20 bass Reuben Dewy, Dick’s father bass William Dewy, Dick’s grandfather bass Parson Maybold tenor Farmer Shiner bass Michael Mail bass Robert Penny bass Elias Spinks bass Joseph Bowman bass Thomas Leaf treble Jemmy and Will trebles Ann and Abigail, Reuben’s and Robert’s wives spoken Jane, Parson Maybold’s maid s small chorus With a libretto based on episodes from Thomas Hardy’s novel, Under the Greenwood Tree, The Mellstock Quire gives a delightfully spirited insight into the affairs of the folk of Mellstock as the romance between young Dick Dewy and local schoolmistress Fancy Day progresses 75 minutes 18
Alun Hoddinott The Beach of Falesá Vocal and instrumental scores on hire 9780193368323 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl (+bcl), 2 bsn, 4 hn, 2 tpt, 3 tbn, tba, timp, 4 perc, hp, str Schooner Captain tenor John Wiltshire baritone Apia silent Case baritone Black Jack bass Captain Randall tenor Uma mezzo-soprano Fa’avao contralto Father Galuchet tenor Maea tenor With a libretto by Glyn Jones, based on the short story of the same name by R. L. Stevenson, The Beach of Falesá tells the story of John Wiltshire, a Scottish trader, on the fictional South Sea island of Falesá. In an apparently friendly gesture, another European trader named Case arranges for Wiltshire to be married to a native girl, Uma – but while Wiltshire and Uma genuinely fall in love, it soon becomes clear that Case’s motives are far from benevolent. Though Wiltshire overcomes his rival, his relationship with Uma causes him to question the attitudes of his era. 125 minutes The Magician Vocal and instrumental scores on hire 9780193368385 fl (+picc), ob, cl, bsn, hn, tpt, tbn, timp, perc, pno, str Sesto, the Magician baritone Adriana, his wife soprano Angelo, his assistant tenor This one-act opera with libretto by John Morgan was originally commissioned by Harlech TV, and was first broadcast as Murder, the Musician in 1976. Hoddinott later reworked the piece for stage. The story tells of an ageing magician who discovers that his much younger wife is in love with his assistant. Fuelled by jealousy, he plots his revenge and tricks Angelo to his own death. 35 minutes The Trumpet Major Vocal and instrumental scores on hire 9780193368514 3 fl (III+picc), 2 ob, bcl, 2 cbsn, 4 hn, 2 tpt, 3 tbn, timp, 3 perc, hp, pno/cel, str Anne Garland soprano Martha Garland mezzo-soprano John Loveday, the Trumpet Major baritone Robert Loveday tenor Miller Loveday baritone Matilda Johnson soprano Festus Derriman baritone Cripplestraw tenor Corporal Tullidge tenor Tremlett baritone Sergeant Stanner tenor David tenor A Soldier baritone The Press Gang 2 tenors, 8 baritones Based on Hardy’s novel of the same name, The Trumpet Major depicts the pursuit of a young woman by three different lovers, set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. While the various romantic entanglements are eventually resolved, the ultimate outlook is bleak for the titular character. Throughout the three acts, that are divided into sixteen scenes and artfully woven together with characterful instrumental interludes, Myfanwy Piper's libretto closely follows the original plot, helping a complex romantic story flow with ease. 140 minutes The Trumpet Major - Royal Northern College of Music, 1981 RNCM Archives Opera Hoddinott 19
Facebook
Twitter
Email