OPERATIC DRAMAS
I call these pieces "Operatic Dramas" because they require true acting from within oneself. "Becoming the character" is essential to these works.
Key to preferred voice types: C: coloratura or high soprano; S: soprano; M: mezzo-soprano; A: alto; Ct: counter tenor; b: baritone; Bb: bass-baritone; B: bass. Fachs and genders may be switched as desired.
Three Act Operatic Dramas:
Ample Make This Bed: 55 poems by Emily Dickinson (in public domain). Three Sections: Love, Nature, and Immortality; 80 minutes (45 movements): for 3 or more dancers (2 are male), male reader, Bb, TbB male or SMA chorus and trio, and orchestra: 2 2+ 2+ 2+; 1/1/1/1 ; percussion, timpani; harp; and strings, or chamber ensemble: 60 minutes (55 movements): above dancers, reader and Bb; with TbB solo trio; E. H., Clar. (B. Clar.), Bssn. (C. Bssn.); piano and (D.B.) string quartet. Set in the 1980s, a gay man (bass-baritone) has a wild sex life; and his lover (reader) contracts AIDS and dies. The couple deal with AIDS, betrayal, redemption and resurrection. The story is NOT auto-biographical, but the fears are real.
See also Ballet and Choral Music, however this work is best defined as Ballet. Unperformed.
Edward II: Can be heard on this site. Libretto by the composer after the play by Christopher Marlowe. Two hours of music (40 numbers); Three Acts (6 Tableaux); may be divided into two acts. C T T b bB (B), narrator (B), and piano, chamber ensemble (see recording credits below) or medium sized orchestra: 2+2+2+2+; 2/2/2/1; 2; celesta, harp, piano and strings. A gay king and his lover are tormented by his ex-wife and her lover. Professionally recorded by The Acting Singers Project in 2009-2010 at Futura Studios in Roslindale, MA; by Mike Burke, chief recording engineer. Carol Millard C as Queen Isabella; Michael Belle T as Gaveston; Christopher Aaron Smith T as Mortimer; Brett Johnson b as Edward III; Thomas Dawkins Bb as The Executioner; Andrew Swan Bb as Lightborn; David Edgar Walther Bb as Edward II; Carol Millard, flute/piccolo; Thomas Dawkins, english horn/bassoon/contra bassoon; Christian Contreras, clarinet/tenor saxophone; Russell Southcott, guitar (alternate version, with harp); Leah Kosch, piano; and Priscilla Chew and Sam Ou, violoncelli (only one 'cello is required, the recording used an ensemble player (PC) and a soloist (SO). Selections premiered on January 27, 2012 with Boston Metro Opera with Carol Millard, C; Christopher Aaron Smith, T; David Edgar Walther, Bb; and pianist, Yelena Birayeva. Featured under Media on this web site. Since 2014 Edward II, has been serialized on Facebook. The whole work is available to the left under: Listen to Edward II.
Two Act Operatic Dramas:
The Balcony: Libretto by the composer after the play by Jean Genet, translated by Bernard Frenchman. Incomplete. Orchestra: 2/2/2/2; 2/2/2/1; 2; harp and strings. Projected two hours; 10 Scenes in Two Acts: 3/4 finished. "The Bishop" (19 minutes) was cablecast in 1990 on BNN TV with Emma Rahn-Lopez, S, as The Dove; Meg Raines, M, as Madame Irma; the composer, B, as The Bishop; and Shinobu Takagi, piano. Directed by Richard Mott. Text permission granted by the publisher. Also finished: "The Judge" "The Rebel" and an aria for Madame Irma. "Bishop's Monologue" performed by the composer with Samuel Walter, pianist.
Hamlet: Updated and politically correct libretto by the composer, based on the play by William Shakespeare. 90 minutes: 50 numbers in Two Acts (11 scenes); for 8 singers: C S M A CT T b bB, optional chorus of 2, 3 mimes and attendants, with piano or 2/2/2/2+; 2/2/2/1; 2; harp, piano, celesta and strings; or chamber ensemble of flute, clarinet (doubling tenor saxophone), violoncello and piano; two narrators. Commissioned by Boston Metro Opera. Act I, scene i and "Laertes' Lament" (II/iv) premiered on May 12, 2012 by Boston Metro Opera with Carol Millard C as Gertrude, Susan Craft Larson M as Laertes, Christopher Aaron Smith T as Hamlet, and the composer Bb as Claudius, accompanied by pianist, Osnat Netzer. BMO also performed I/i, I/v (partial); II/ii and II/iv with Carol Millard C (Gertrude); Sophie Michaux M (Leartes); Christopher Aaron Smith T (Hamlet); David Edgar Walther Bb (Claudius) and pianist, Artem Belogurov on December 15, 2012 with a lecture by Daniel John Carol. The Ghost and Claudius may be played by one singer.
King Lear: Based on the play by William Shakespeare; (One hour; 40 numbers in Two Parts: Seven Tableaux) for 7 singers: C S M A T b B 2/2/2/2+; 2/2/1/1; 4; harp, and strings. Cordelia and Edgar may be played by one singer, as may Lear and Gloucester. Cordelia may be performed by a Ct.
One Act Operatic Dramas:
Antigon: Libretto by the composer after Sophocles. One hour and fifteen minutes. SATB and piano or chamber orchestra: 2+/2+/2+'2+ 2/2/1/1 3 piano, harp & strings; with piano, and optional harp,and tenor saxophone, doubling a second clarinet. More strings may be added. Premiered in November 2010 with Sara Mayo, soprano; Christopher Aaron Smith, tenor; Jeremy Collier, bass-baritone; and Stewart Kramer, piano. Winner of the Boston Metro Opera Mainstage Award. Selections performed on January 27, 2012 with Boston Metro Opera by tenor, Christopher Aaron Smith; and pianist, Yelena Birayeva.
The Great Trans-Sexual Journey: Narrations by the composer with poems by James Joyce (under copyright); one hour. SATbB with dancers and medium orchestra: 2/2/2/2; 2/2/2/1; 2; harp and strings. Alternate version: percussion, harp, harmonium and piano. Premiered in part in 1990 by Kenetic Dance Company of Moscow under the name "The Journey." A gay man goes to an alternate universe to destroy "The Beast" but, as a gay man, he would be killed immediately, so he goes as a woman; he finds the love of his life there, and the two women return to the original universe as gay men.
The Swallow and The Prince: Can be seen in it's entirety on this website. Libretto by the composer after Oscar Wilde. 45 minutes. For 4-6 singers: SMTB, 2/2/2/2+; 2/2/1/1 celesta, piano, harp and strings. Other versions: flute, and piano; or flute, clarinet, violoncello, and piano. Premiered in 2001 by The Acting Singers Project with Carol Millard C as The Swallow; Sarah Griffiths S as The Caring Lover and The Dramatist; David Thorne Scott T as The Sick Lover and The Fisherman; David Walther B as The Prince; and Karla Kelley, Pianist. Scene I also performed with: Mary Saunders, Shinobu Takagi, and Janet Wheeler as The Swallow, with Brett Johnson and Drew Poling as The Prince with Pianists: Tanya Shrego, Christopher Walter and Samuel Walter. Performed on June 6, 2015 at The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Dedham, MA: Carol Millard, C & Flute; Adriana Repetto S, Patient & Fish Catcher; Susan Craft Larson M, Nurse & Dramatist; David Walther B, Prince; Leah Kosch, Pianist; Dahne Naher, Narrator. Recorded by Mike Burke. This performance was sponsored, in part, by a grant from the City of Dedham Arts Council.
Short
Birthday on The Moon: Libretto and story by the composer. 25 minutes. SATB and piano or piano and percussion or small orchestra (English Horn, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, French Horn, Percusssion, Timpani, String quartet with Double Bass (more strings may be added). Second place winner in the 2011 Long Leaf Opera Competition. Unperformed.
The Bunny Wars: Libretto and story by the composer. 20 minutes. SATB, and Piano. An anti-war comedy: two low ranking soldiers replace weapons with bunny ears. Unperformed.
Short Operatic Drama Cycles:
I. Aesop's Fables: SATB and medium orchestra or piano; c. 32 and a half minute cycle, with libretti by the composer. (See also "The Ant and The Grashopper" in the above section)
1. The Race of The Tortoise and The Hare: 3 minutes. STB and violoncelli and double basses. Unperformed.
2, The Ant and The Grasshopper: Libretto by the composer based on Aesop's Fable (see Cycle of Aesop's Fables in next section); 7 minutes; SATB, flute, bassoon, hard brass, gong and harp. Two sections premiered in 2010 by Boston Metro Opera with Roselin Osser, mezzo-soprano; David Edgar Walther, bass; and Aaron Likeness, piano.
3. The Fox and The Raven: 4 and a half minutes. ST with violin or viola solo and 'cello solo. Premiered in 2010 by Boston Metro Opera with Christopher Aaron Smith, tenor; Ceceilia Allwein, soprano; and Aaron Likness, piano.
4. The Lion and The Mouse: 13 minutes and 45 seconds. TB and medium orchestra. Premiered in 2010 by Boston Metro Opera with Christopher Aaron Smith, tenor; David Edgar Walther, bass; and Aaron Likeness, piano.
3. The Remach of The Tortoise and The Hare: as before. Unperformed.
II. Three Surrealist Operatic Dramas: Libretto and story by the composer.
1. Kali: 14 minutes. 5 movments; double woodwinds, 2 percussion, Timpani, harp, actress sawing open strings on a violin and 4 singers (CMAB). Premiered (unstaged) in 2001 by The Acting Singers Project with Carol Millard, high soprano; Danute Mileko, mezzo-soprano; David Edgar Walther, bass; and synthesized tape. Starts before the birth of all things, ends after the end of all things. The middle movements explore the ordinary life of things (window, closet, chair, table, pen, paper, flame, candle).
2. The Sin-eater: Can be viewed on this website. 17 minutes. Actor, 2 High Voices, 2 Medium Voices, 2 Low Voices, and Violoncello. Premiered in 2000 by The Acting Singers Project and cablecast on BNN TV with Vanessa Schukis, actress; Carol Millard, high soprano; Anita Constanzo, alto; Drew Polling, baritone, and Shu'Ann Chou, pianist. The Sin-eater eats truly inconsequential "sins."
3. Eye of Carrot: 10 minutes. S B and piano or string orchestra. A man becomes pregnant and is blamed for infidelity by his wife. Unperformed. See Tarot Symphony #21.
Short Choral Operatic Dramas:
Daniel: 30 min. with STB with chorus, and piano or orchestra (single winds). Text under copyright. Unperformed.
The Other Wise Man: Libretto by the composer after the story by Henry van Dyke. 30 minutes (the original production was one hour). SSAABB, flute, bassoon, harp, hand-bells, chorus, actors and narrator; commissioned and performed by The Hancock Church, Lexington, MA, under Donald Maher. William Cavness, narrator. Cablecast in Lexington. Updated version: "The Other Wise Woman."
Ritual: Libretto by Andrew Swan; 30 minutes; SAATB with chorus and flute; french horn; and violoncello; alternate version SSMBB with flute, tenor saxophone and viola. "Blessings on This House" was performed three times by BMO (see listing above and under Operas) See above listing. Otherwise unperformed. Hero (S) learns lessons, faces a demon (T) and receives many gifts (from MAB). "Blessings on This House" won first place in the Boston Metro Opera International Composition Competition in the choral music category, and premiered, with two additional performances, by BOM. The rest is unperformed.
Key to preferred voice types: C: coloratura or high soprano; S: soprano; M: mezzo-soprano; A: alto; Ct: counter tenor; b: baritone; Bb: bass-baritone; B: bass. Fachs and genders may be switched as desired.
Three Act Operatic Dramas:
Ample Make This Bed: 55 poems by Emily Dickinson (in public domain). Three Sections: Love, Nature, and Immortality; 80 minutes (45 movements): for 3 or more dancers (2 are male), male reader, Bb, TbB male or SMA chorus and trio, and orchestra: 2 2+ 2+ 2+; 1/1/1/1 ; percussion, timpani; harp; and strings, or chamber ensemble: 60 minutes (55 movements): above dancers, reader and Bb; with TbB solo trio; E. H., Clar. (B. Clar.), Bssn. (C. Bssn.); piano and (D.B.) string quartet. Set in the 1980s, a gay man (bass-baritone) has a wild sex life; and his lover (reader) contracts AIDS and dies. The couple deal with AIDS, betrayal, redemption and resurrection. The story is NOT auto-biographical, but the fears are real.
See also Ballet and Choral Music, however this work is best defined as Ballet. Unperformed.
Edward II: Can be heard on this site. Libretto by the composer after the play by Christopher Marlowe. Two hours of music (40 numbers); Three Acts (6 Tableaux); may be divided into two acts. C T T b bB (B), narrator (B), and piano, chamber ensemble (see recording credits below) or medium sized orchestra: 2+2+2+2+; 2/2/2/1; 2; celesta, harp, piano and strings. A gay king and his lover are tormented by his ex-wife and her lover. Professionally recorded by The Acting Singers Project in 2009-2010 at Futura Studios in Roslindale, MA; by Mike Burke, chief recording engineer. Carol Millard C as Queen Isabella; Michael Belle T as Gaveston; Christopher Aaron Smith T as Mortimer; Brett Johnson b as Edward III; Thomas Dawkins Bb as The Executioner; Andrew Swan Bb as Lightborn; David Edgar Walther Bb as Edward II; Carol Millard, flute/piccolo; Thomas Dawkins, english horn/bassoon/contra bassoon; Christian Contreras, clarinet/tenor saxophone; Russell Southcott, guitar (alternate version, with harp); Leah Kosch, piano; and Priscilla Chew and Sam Ou, violoncelli (only one 'cello is required, the recording used an ensemble player (PC) and a soloist (SO). Selections premiered on January 27, 2012 with Boston Metro Opera with Carol Millard, C; Christopher Aaron Smith, T; David Edgar Walther, Bb; and pianist, Yelena Birayeva. Featured under Media on this web site. Since 2014 Edward II, has been serialized on Facebook. The whole work is available to the left under: Listen to Edward II.
Two Act Operatic Dramas:
The Balcony: Libretto by the composer after the play by Jean Genet, translated by Bernard Frenchman. Incomplete. Orchestra: 2/2/2/2; 2/2/2/1; 2; harp and strings. Projected two hours; 10 Scenes in Two Acts: 3/4 finished. "The Bishop" (19 minutes) was cablecast in 1990 on BNN TV with Emma Rahn-Lopez, S, as The Dove; Meg Raines, M, as Madame Irma; the composer, B, as The Bishop; and Shinobu Takagi, piano. Directed by Richard Mott. Text permission granted by the publisher. Also finished: "The Judge" "The Rebel" and an aria for Madame Irma. "Bishop's Monologue" performed by the composer with Samuel Walter, pianist.
Hamlet: Updated and politically correct libretto by the composer, based on the play by William Shakespeare. 90 minutes: 50 numbers in Two Acts (11 scenes); for 8 singers: C S M A CT T b bB, optional chorus of 2, 3 mimes and attendants, with piano or 2/2/2/2+; 2/2/2/1; 2; harp, piano, celesta and strings; or chamber ensemble of flute, clarinet (doubling tenor saxophone), violoncello and piano; two narrators. Commissioned by Boston Metro Opera. Act I, scene i and "Laertes' Lament" (II/iv) premiered on May 12, 2012 by Boston Metro Opera with Carol Millard C as Gertrude, Susan Craft Larson M as Laertes, Christopher Aaron Smith T as Hamlet, and the composer Bb as Claudius, accompanied by pianist, Osnat Netzer. BMO also performed I/i, I/v (partial); II/ii and II/iv with Carol Millard C (Gertrude); Sophie Michaux M (Leartes); Christopher Aaron Smith T (Hamlet); David Edgar Walther Bb (Claudius) and pianist, Artem Belogurov on December 15, 2012 with a lecture by Daniel John Carol. The Ghost and Claudius may be played by one singer.
King Lear: Based on the play by William Shakespeare; (One hour; 40 numbers in Two Parts: Seven Tableaux) for 7 singers: C S M A T b B 2/2/2/2+; 2/2/1/1; 4; harp, and strings. Cordelia and Edgar may be played by one singer, as may Lear and Gloucester. Cordelia may be performed by a Ct.
One Act Operatic Dramas:
Antigon: Libretto by the composer after Sophocles. One hour and fifteen minutes. SATB and piano or chamber orchestra: 2+/2+/2+'2+ 2/2/1/1 3 piano, harp & strings; with piano, and optional harp,and tenor saxophone, doubling a second clarinet. More strings may be added. Premiered in November 2010 with Sara Mayo, soprano; Christopher Aaron Smith, tenor; Jeremy Collier, bass-baritone; and Stewart Kramer, piano. Winner of the Boston Metro Opera Mainstage Award. Selections performed on January 27, 2012 with Boston Metro Opera by tenor, Christopher Aaron Smith; and pianist, Yelena Birayeva.
The Great Trans-Sexual Journey: Narrations by the composer with poems by James Joyce (under copyright); one hour. SATbB with dancers and medium orchestra: 2/2/2/2; 2/2/2/1; 2; harp and strings. Alternate version: percussion, harp, harmonium and piano. Premiered in part in 1990 by Kenetic Dance Company of Moscow under the name "The Journey." A gay man goes to an alternate universe to destroy "The Beast" but, as a gay man, he would be killed immediately, so he goes as a woman; he finds the love of his life there, and the two women return to the original universe as gay men.
The Swallow and The Prince: Can be seen in it's entirety on this website. Libretto by the composer after Oscar Wilde. 45 minutes. For 4-6 singers: SMTB, 2/2/2/2+; 2/2/1/1 celesta, piano, harp and strings. Other versions: flute, and piano; or flute, clarinet, violoncello, and piano. Premiered in 2001 by The Acting Singers Project with Carol Millard C as The Swallow; Sarah Griffiths S as The Caring Lover and The Dramatist; David Thorne Scott T as The Sick Lover and The Fisherman; David Walther B as The Prince; and Karla Kelley, Pianist. Scene I also performed with: Mary Saunders, Shinobu Takagi, and Janet Wheeler as The Swallow, with Brett Johnson and Drew Poling as The Prince with Pianists: Tanya Shrego, Christopher Walter and Samuel Walter. Performed on June 6, 2015 at The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Dedham, MA: Carol Millard, C & Flute; Adriana Repetto S, Patient & Fish Catcher; Susan Craft Larson M, Nurse & Dramatist; David Walther B, Prince; Leah Kosch, Pianist; Dahne Naher, Narrator. Recorded by Mike Burke. This performance was sponsored, in part, by a grant from the City of Dedham Arts Council.
Short
Birthday on The Moon: Libretto and story by the composer. 25 minutes. SATB and piano or piano and percussion or small orchestra (English Horn, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, French Horn, Percusssion, Timpani, String quartet with Double Bass (more strings may be added). Second place winner in the 2011 Long Leaf Opera Competition. Unperformed.
The Bunny Wars: Libretto and story by the composer. 20 minutes. SATB, and Piano. An anti-war comedy: two low ranking soldiers replace weapons with bunny ears. Unperformed.
Short Operatic Drama Cycles:
I. Aesop's Fables: SATB and medium orchestra or piano; c. 32 and a half minute cycle, with libretti by the composer. (See also "The Ant and The Grashopper" in the above section)
1. The Race of The Tortoise and The Hare: 3 minutes. STB and violoncelli and double basses. Unperformed.
2, The Ant and The Grasshopper: Libretto by the composer based on Aesop's Fable (see Cycle of Aesop's Fables in next section); 7 minutes; SATB, flute, bassoon, hard brass, gong and harp. Two sections premiered in 2010 by Boston Metro Opera with Roselin Osser, mezzo-soprano; David Edgar Walther, bass; and Aaron Likeness, piano.
3. The Fox and The Raven: 4 and a half minutes. ST with violin or viola solo and 'cello solo. Premiered in 2010 by Boston Metro Opera with Christopher Aaron Smith, tenor; Ceceilia Allwein, soprano; and Aaron Likness, piano.
4. The Lion and The Mouse: 13 minutes and 45 seconds. TB and medium orchestra. Premiered in 2010 by Boston Metro Opera with Christopher Aaron Smith, tenor; David Edgar Walther, bass; and Aaron Likeness, piano.
3. The Remach of The Tortoise and The Hare: as before. Unperformed.
II. Three Surrealist Operatic Dramas: Libretto and story by the composer.
1. Kali: 14 minutes. 5 movments; double woodwinds, 2 percussion, Timpani, harp, actress sawing open strings on a violin and 4 singers (CMAB). Premiered (unstaged) in 2001 by The Acting Singers Project with Carol Millard, high soprano; Danute Mileko, mezzo-soprano; David Edgar Walther, bass; and synthesized tape. Starts before the birth of all things, ends after the end of all things. The middle movements explore the ordinary life of things (window, closet, chair, table, pen, paper, flame, candle).
2. The Sin-eater: Can be viewed on this website. 17 minutes. Actor, 2 High Voices, 2 Medium Voices, 2 Low Voices, and Violoncello. Premiered in 2000 by The Acting Singers Project and cablecast on BNN TV with Vanessa Schukis, actress; Carol Millard, high soprano; Anita Constanzo, alto; Drew Polling, baritone, and Shu'Ann Chou, pianist. The Sin-eater eats truly inconsequential "sins."
3. Eye of Carrot: 10 minutes. S B and piano or string orchestra. A man becomes pregnant and is blamed for infidelity by his wife. Unperformed. See Tarot Symphony #21.
Short Choral Operatic Dramas:
Daniel: 30 min. with STB with chorus, and piano or orchestra (single winds). Text under copyright. Unperformed.
The Other Wise Man: Libretto by the composer after the story by Henry van Dyke. 30 minutes (the original production was one hour). SSAABB, flute, bassoon, harp, hand-bells, chorus, actors and narrator; commissioned and performed by The Hancock Church, Lexington, MA, under Donald Maher. William Cavness, narrator. Cablecast in Lexington. Updated version: "The Other Wise Woman."
Ritual: Libretto by Andrew Swan; 30 minutes; SAATB with chorus and flute; french horn; and violoncello; alternate version SSMBB with flute, tenor saxophone and viola. "Blessings on This House" was performed three times by BMO (see listing above and under Operas) See above listing. Otherwise unperformed. Hero (S) learns lessons, faces a demon (T) and receives many gifts (from MAB). "Blessings on This House" won first place in the Boston Metro Opera International Composition Competition in the choral music category, and premiered, with two additional performances, by BOM. The rest is unperformed.