Opera
Opera Larsen Barnum’s Bird Libby Larsen Vocal and instrumental scores on hire 9780193866065 fl, vln, vla, vc, pno, perc Jenny Lind soprano P. T. Barnum tenor Belletti baritone Tom Thumb mezzo-soprano Singers (with movement) 2 soprano, 2 alto, 2 tenor, 2 bass In the composer’s own words, Barnum’s Bird is the story of art: in service of humanity on the one hand, and in service of commerce on the other. Inspired by a letter from famed Swedish soprano Jenny Lind to Harriet Beecher Stowe, it relates the story of Lind’s 1850–51 American concert tour, and her partnership with the showman P. T. Barnum, and explores the ways in which art and its marketing intersect. Musically, it incorporates authentic European and American music of the mid- 1800s, creating a unique score that will appeal to a wide variety of listeners. 90 minutes Dreaming Blue Vocal and instrumental scores on hire 9780193866089 fl (+picc), ob, cl, bsn, 2 tpt, 2 perc, timp, hp, pno, str, drumming group and cd recording The Child child actor with strong speaking/movement capabilities Voice of the Child tenor Baby Blue coloratura soprano Azul mezzo-soprano Blue Weirdo bass baritone Mayor/Judge spoken Children’s Chorus ssa Rhythm Chorus children Written in 2002, Dreaming Blue is the story of a child brought by family into a new culture. Unable to speak the language and not yet able to identify with the surroundings, this child is lonely – just plain lonely and just plain blue. Faced with the need to find a new way of feeling anchored, the child responds creatively to life. The opera began with the words and images of a group of students from Mountain View Elementary School. The children were asked to imagine being their favourite colour, and it was out of their writings and drawings that the characters of the opera emerged. 60 minutes Dreaming Blue - Opera Bergen, 2007 Opera Bergen 20
Eric Hermannson’s Soul Vocal and instrumental scores on hire 9780193863910 fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, 2 perc, pno, str Eric Hermannson tenor Margaret Elliot soprano Wyllis Elliot baritone Asa Skinner tenor Lena Hanson mezzo-soprano Jerry Lockhart bass Eric’s mother mezzo-soprano Minna Oleson dancer The Frenchman baritone/dancer Quartet of soloists Chorus and dancers: members of the congregation, townspeople. An opera in two acts with a libretto by Chas Rader- Schieber after the short story by American writer Willa Cather. This opera draws on ideas of the individual as an outsider in his own community, the struggle to find a sense of self, and the importance of selfless love. Its protagonist, a young Norwegian with a deep love for music, is converted to Free Gospellism and vows to give up his violin and dancing to devote his life to Free Gospel teachings. However, when he falls in love, he learns that love is a greater truth than fear. 105 minutes The Servants William Mathias Vocal and instrumental scores on hire 9780193374478 3 fl (III+picc), 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bsn, cbn, 4 hn, 3 tpt, 3 tbn, tba, timp, 3 perc, pno (+cel), hp, str, vln solo (offstage) Peter Jack, a servant bailiff baritone Basil, a landowner tenor Oriane, his wife soprano Hans Joseph, an old retainer bass Father Ambrose, a priest bass Marina, daughter-in-law of Hans Joseph and betrothed to Peter Jack mezzo-soprano Mikey, a boy servant silent Patrice, a gypsy bass baritone Maxim, son of Marina and grandson of Hans Joseph tenor General Klein, brother of Oriane bass baritone (role doubled with Patrice) Chorus of servants The Servants was the only opera written by William Mathias. It was commissioned by Welsh National Opera, and is based on the play The Servants and the Snow written by the librettist Iris Murdoch. The work highlights the relationship between Basil, the landowner, and his servants. Basil intends to run the estate doing away with outdated traditions including the droit du seigneur. However, these gestures are seen by his staff as a sign of feudal weakness. The opera explores themes similar to those of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. 135 minutes The Servants - Welsh National Opera, 1980 WNO Archives Opera Larsen – Mathias 21
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