Volume VII. OPERA
Key to preferred voice types: C: coloratura or high soprano; S: soprano; M: mezzo-soprano; A: alto; Ct: countertenor; T: tenor; b: baritone; Bb: bass-baritone;
B: bass. Fachs and genders may be switched as desired.
Book I: Operas with Orchestra (listed alphabetically):
1. Ample Make This Bed: For 3 or more dancers (at least 2 are male), male reader, Bb, TbB chorus and trio and the instruments below. Three Sections: Love, Nature, and Immortality; with poems by Emily Dickinson (in public domain). Set in the 1980s, a gay man (bass-baritone) has a wild sex life; and his lover (reader) contracts AIDS and dies. The couple deals with AIDS, betrayal, redemption and resurrection. The story is NOT
at all auto-biographical, but the fear is always there. This work is best defined as a ballet, See also IV/IV/1. Unperformed.
1a. Ample Make This Bed: 2 2+ 2+ 2+; 1/1/1/1 ; percussion, timpani; harp; and strings,
80 minutes (45 movements):
1b. Ample Make This Bed: piano version of 1a.
1c. Ample Make This Bed: English horn, clarinet doubling on bass clarinet, bassoon doubling on contrabassoon; piano, string trio and double bass; 60 minutes
(55 shorter movements):
1d. Ample Make This Bed: piano version of 1c.
2. The Balcony: Libretto by the composer after the play by Jean Genet, as translated by Bernard Frechman. At the center of a war between the royalists and the rebels is Madame Irma's "House of Illusion." One hour and 40 minutes: two acts: 11 scenes in two acts: 4 to 12 singers: SMTB or 4S M 3T 4B, includes spoken dialogue, micro-tones, sprechstimmer. The inclusion of more mimes greatly helps the production.
3a. The Balcony: with orchestra: 2+/2+/2+/2+; 2/2/2/1; percussion, timpani, banjo, guitar, piano, celesta, harp and strings.
3b. The Balcony: with piano. The Bishop's fantasy (Act I, scene v: 19 minutes) was cablecast in 1990 on BNN TV with Emma Rahn-Lopez, S, as Dove; Meg Raines, M, as Madame Irma; the composer, Bb, as The Bishop. The pianist was Shinobu Takagi. Directed by Richard Mott. Text permission granted by the publisher. The Bishop's opening monologue performed, several times in various venues, by the composer with Sam Walter, pianist.
3. Birthday on The Moon: finding the right birthday present is the problem for this couple living on the moon. Libretto and story by the composer. 35 minutes. SATB. A with held chamber version was the second place winner in the 2011 Long Leaf Opera Competition,
4a. Birthday on The Moon: orchestra 2+/2+/2+/2+ 2/2/2/1 4 percussion, timpani and strings.
4b. Birthday on The Moon: with piano.
4. Edward II: Libretto by the composer after the play by Christopher Marlowe. C T T b bB (B), narrator (B). Two hours of music (40 numbers); Six 20 minute Tableaux, each are 20 minutes without the narrations. The work may be divided into two acts (just over 60 minutes each) or three acts (40 minutes each). The narrations will add to this timing.
A gay king and his lover are tormented by his ex-wife and her lover.
6a. Edward II: with medium sized orchestra: 2+2+2+2+; 2/2/2/1; 2 percussion; celesta, harp, piano and strings.
6b. Edward II: with chamber ensemble. Thanks to a very generous grant from Daniel B. Kelly, this version was professionally recorded by The Acting Singers Project in 2010 at Futura Studios in Roslindale, MA: Mike Burke, chief recording engineer; Carol Millard C: Queen Isabella; Michael Belle T: Gaveston; Christopher Aaron Smith T:s Mortimer; Brett Johnson b: Edward III; Thomas Dawkins Bb: The Executioner; Andrew Swan Bb: Lightborn; David Edgar Walther Bb: Edward II; Carol Millard: flute/piccolo; Thomas Dawkins: English horn/bassoon/contrabassoon; Christian Contreras: clarinet/tenor saxophone; Russell Southcott: guitar (alternate version, with harp); Leah Kosch: piano;
6c. Edward II: with piano. Selections preformed on January 27, 2012 with Boston Metro Opera with Carol Millard, C; Christopher Aaron Smith, T; David Edgar Walther, Bb; and pianist, Yelena Birayeva. Nine selections were recorded earlier by Olive Woodward S as Isabella; Andrew Cohen Ct as Edward III; David Swerdlove B as Lightborn; Ken Orton b as The Executioner and Bill Hays (T) and the composer playing various roles. The pianist was Bob Winkler.
5. Hamlet: Updated and politically correct libretto by the composer. The text is ALL by William Shakespeare, but there are some new twists and re-directions. Hamlet tries to show that his father was killed by his uncle Claudius. The Ghost and Claudius may be played by one singer. 90 minutes: 52 numbers in Two Acts (11 scenes); for 8 singers: C S M A CT T b b B, 3 mimes and attendants.
5a. Hamlet: 2+/2+/2+/2+; 2/2/2/1; percussion, timpani, harp, piano, celesta and strings.
5b. Hamlet: 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 about a third of the work: 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. May be performed with King Lear, below.
6. King Lear: Based on the play by William Shakespeare; King Lear favors his two flattering daughters over his honest, faithful one. Gloucester, likewise favors her untrustworthy son over her devoted one. Cordelia and Edgar may be played by one singer (M, Ct or b), as may Lear and Gloucester (A or B). Faithful to the original, except for extremely large cuts in both the text and cast. One hour; 40 numbers in Two Parts: Seven Tableaux) for 7 singers: C S M A T b B May be performed with Hamlet, above.
6a. King Lear: 2+/2+/2+/2+; 2/2/1/1; 3 percussion, timpani, harp, and strings.
6b. King Lear: with piano.
Note: These two operas may be performed together as "Two Operas based on Shakespeare: totaling 2 and a half hours: and requiring 7 or 8 singers. The format may be: King Lear (intermission); Hamlet Act I (intermission); Hamlet Act II; or Hamlet (intermission); King Lear.
7. The Swallow and The Prince: A statue of a prince overlooks the city he once governed, and enlists a swallow to enrich the poor with his gems. Can be seen and heard in it's entirety on this website. (2 versions: video from 2001 and audio from 2015). Libretto by the composer after the Oscar Wilde story: "The Happy Prince" with poems by the same author. 45 minutes. For 4-6 singers: 2-3 each of high and low voices.
9a. The Swallow and The Prince: with orchestra: 2+/2+/2+/2+; 2/2/1/1 percussion, celesta, piano, harp and strings.
9b. The Swallow and The Prince: with flute, clarinet, violoncello, and piano.
7c. The Swallow and The Prince: with flute and piano: on June 6, 2015 at The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Dedham, MA, USA: Carol Millard, C & flute, The Swallow; Adriana Repetto S, Patient & Fish Catcher; Susan Craft Larson M, Nurse & Dramatist; the composer Bb, The Prince; Leah Kosch, pianist; Dahne Naher, the narrator; recorded by Mike Burke. This performance was sponsored, in part, by a grant from the City of Dedham Arts Council. This opera was premiered by The Acting Singers Project with Carol Millard C, The Swallow; Sarah Griffiths S,The Caring Lover & The Dramatist; David Thorne Scott T, The Sick Lover & The Fisherman; the composer, Bb, The Prince;
5. Hamlet: Updated and politically correct libretto by the composer. The text is ALL by William Shakespeare, but there are some new twists and re-directions. Hamlet tries to show that his father was killed by his uncle Claudius. The Ghost and Claudius may be played by one singer. 90 minutes: 52 numbers in Two Acts (11 scenes); for 8 singers: C S M A CT T b b B, 3 mimes and attendants.
5a. Hamlet: 2+/2+/2+/2+; 2/2/2/1; percussion, timpani, harp, piano, celesta and strings.
5b. Hamlet: 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 about a third of the work: 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. May be performed with King Lear, below.
6. King Lear: Based on the play by William Shakespeare; King Lear favors his two flattering daughters over his honest, faithful one. Gloucester, likewise favors her untrustworthy son over her devoted one. Cordelia and Edgar may be played by one singer (M, Ct or b), as may Lear and Gloucester (A or B). Faithful to the original, except for extremely large cuts in both the text and cast. One hour; 40 numbers in Two Parts: Seven Tableaux) for 7 singers: C S M A T b B May be performed with Hamlet, above.
6a. King Lear: 2+/2+/2+/2+; 2/2/1/1; 3 percussion, timpani, harp, and strings.
6b. King Lear: with piano.
Note: These two operas may be performed together as "Two Operas based on Shakespeare: totaling 2 and a half hours: and requiring 7 or 8 singers. The format may be: King Lear (intermission); Hamlet Act I (intermission); Hamlet Act II; or Hamlet (intermission); King Lear.
7. The Swallow and The Prince: A statue of a prince overlooks the city he once governed, and enlists a swallow to enrich the poor with his gems. Can be seen and heard in it's entirety on this website. (2 versions: video from 2001 and audio from 2015). Libretto by the composer after the Oscar Wilde story: "The Happy Prince" with poems by the same author. 45 minutes. For 4-6 singers: 2-3 each of high and low voices.
9a. The Swallow and The Prince: with orchestra: 2+/2+/2+/2+; 2/2/1/1 percussion, celesta, piano, harp and strings.
9b. The Swallow and The Prince: with flute, clarinet, violoncello, and piano.
7c. The Swallow and The Prince: with flute and piano: on June 6, 2015 at The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Dedham, MA, USA: Carol Millard, C & flute, The Swallow; Adriana Repetto S, Patient & Fish Catcher; Susan Craft Larson M, Nurse & Dramatist; the composer Bb, The Prince; Leah Kosch, pianist; Dahne Naher, the narrator; recorded by Mike Burke. This performance was sponsored, in part, by a grant from the City of Dedham Arts Council. This opera was premiered by The Acting Singers Project with Carol Millard C, The Swallow; Sarah Griffiths S,The Caring Lover & The Dramatist; David Thorne Scott T, The Sick Lover & The Fisherman; the composer, Bb, The Prince;
7d. The Swallow and The Prince: with piano. Scene I was also performed with the sopranos: Linda Cecil (?), Mary Saunders, Shinobu Takagi, and Janet Wheeler, as The Swallow, and with baritones: Brett Johnson and Drew Poling as The Prince and with Pianists: Merton Brown, Tanya Shrego, Christopher Walter, and Samuel Walter.
8. The Journey: Narrations by the composer with poems by James Joyce (under copyright); one hour. SATbBB or SCtbBB with narrators and dancers. 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 to continue their love. This piece is best performed as a ballet (see IV/IV/2).
8a. The Journey: with orchestra: 2/2/2/2 2/2/2/1 2; harp and strings.
8b. The Journey: with piano.
8c. The Journey: with piano and synthesizer: 8 numbers (of 23) were recorded by the composer, bass-baritone and countertenor. The overture (for synthesized harp) was premiered in 1990 by Kinetic Dance Company of Moscow. Otherwise unperformed.
Book II: Opera Cycles:
1. Aesop's Fables: SATB; 32 and a half minute cycle, with libretti by the composer.
1a. Aesop's Fables: 2/2+/2+/2+ 2/2/1/1 percussion, timpani, harp & strings.
1b Aesop's Fables: with piano:
1. The Race of The Tortoise and The Hare: 3 minutes. STB and 'cellos and double basses. Unperformed.
2. The Ant and The Grasshopper: Libretto by the composer based on Aesop's Fable (This work may performed separately); 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.
5. The Re-match of The Tortoise and The Hare: as before. Unperformed.
2. Moratorium: Antigon may be performed as the first half (without intermission) followed by Daniel and Jeptha's Daughter. The total will be about around 2 hours without intermission. Any of the three may be performed alone.
1. Antigon: Libretto by the composer after Sophocles. One or Two Acts: One hour and 15 minutes. SATB with optional chorus. Antigon must chose between burying her brother as a martyr or following the king's command and not burying him as he is declared a traitor. Calls for a moratorium on capital punishment.
2a. Antigon: with chamber or medium sized orchestra: 2+/2+/2+2+ 2/2/1/1 percussion, timpani, piano, harp & strings
2b. Antigon for Brass Octet: 5 movements in 10 minutes. 2 French horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, euphonium and tuba. Based on material from the opera: I/VII/1.
2c. Antigon: with piano. Selections performed on January 27, 2012 with Boston Metro Opera by Christopher Aaron Smith T; and pianist, Yelena Birayeva. Winner of the Boston Metro Opera Mainstage Award as part of their International Composition Contest. Premiered in November, 2010. Selections from the DVD recording were serialized and presented on dozens of Facebook groups in 2018. Premiered in November 2010 with Sara Mayo, S; Angeliki Theoharis, M, Christopher Aaron Smith, T; Jeremy Collier, Bb; and
8. The Journey: Narrations by the composer with poems by James Joyce (under copyright); one hour. SATbBB or SCtbBB with narrators and dancers. 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 to continue their love. This piece is best performed as a ballet (see IV/IV/2).
8a. The Journey: with orchestra: 2/2/2/2 2/2/2/1 2; harp and strings.
8b. The Journey: with piano.
8c. The Journey: with piano and synthesizer: 8 numbers (of 23) were recorded by the composer, bass-baritone and countertenor. The overture (for synthesized harp) was premiered in 1990 by Kinetic Dance Company of Moscow. Otherwise unperformed.
Book II: Opera Cycles:
1. Aesop's Fables: SATB; 32 and a half minute cycle, with libretti by the composer.
1a. Aesop's Fables: 2/2+/2+/2+ 2/2/1/1 percussion, timpani, harp & strings.
1b Aesop's Fables: with piano:
1. The Race of The Tortoise and The Hare: 3 minutes. STB and 'cellos and double basses. Unperformed.
2. The Ant and The Grasshopper: Libretto by the composer based on Aesop's Fable (This work may performed separately); 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.
5. The Re-match of The Tortoise and The Hare: as before. Unperformed.
2. Moratorium: Antigon may be performed as the first half (without intermission) followed by Daniel and Jeptha's Daughter. The total will be about around 2 hours without intermission. Any of the three may be performed alone.
1. Antigon: Libretto by the composer after Sophocles. One or Two Acts: One hour and 15 minutes. SATB with optional chorus. Antigon must chose between burying her brother as a martyr or following the king's command and not burying him as he is declared a traitor. Calls for a moratorium on capital punishment.
2a. Antigon: with chamber or medium sized orchestra: 2+/2+/2+2+ 2/2/1/1 percussion, timpani, piano, harp & strings
2b. Antigon for Brass Octet: 5 movements in 10 minutes. 2 French horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, euphonium and tuba. Based on material from the opera: I/VII/1.
2c. Antigon: with piano. Selections performed on January 27, 2012 with Boston Metro Opera by Christopher Aaron Smith T; and pianist, Yelena Birayeva. Winner of the Boston Metro Opera Mainstage Award as part of their International Composition Contest. Premiered in November, 2010. Selections from the DVD recording were serialized and presented on dozens of Facebook groups in 2018. Premiered in November 2010 with Sara Mayo, S; Angeliki Theoharis, M, Christopher Aaron Smith, T; Jeremy Collier, Bb; and
2. Daniel: Libretto by the composer after Sophocles. One or Two Acts: 32 minutes. STB with chorus. Daniel foretells of the overthrow of the king by another army. Celebration of prophesy and calls for a moratorium on war. May be done as the third in the series, following the chamber version Persephone (see below).
2a. Daniel: with chamber or medium sized orchestra: 2+/2+/2+2+ 2/2/1/1 percussion, timpani, piano, harp & strings.
2b. Daniel: with piano.
3. Persephone: 19 minutes; soprano or mezzo-soprano, optional bass, and mixed chorus; poem by Robert Hillyer (uc); Jepthah promises to sacrifice the first living being he meets if he wins the battle. He is met by his daughter. Calls for a moratorium on blooc sacrifices. This work is best performed as a dance. See IV/IV/3.
3a. Persephone: medium orchestra (2/2+/2+/2+ 2/2/1/1 2/1 and strings). If this piece is done as the third in the series it will emphasize it's thematic similarities with Antigon.
3b. Persephone: 3a. piano vocal version.
3c. Persephone: with alto flute, percussion, violin, viola, 'cello and double bass (with low C extension) and a smaller chorus. May be done as the second in the series, to contrast its lighter orchestration and different genre (this being primarily intended as dance).
3d. Persephone: 3c. piano vocal version.
3. Three Surrealist Operas: The total is around 45 minutes long. Any of the three may be performed alone.
1. Kali: 15 minutes: 2+/2+/2+/2+ 1/0/0/0 2 & violin solo: open strings. Begins before the birth of all things and ends after all things have been destroyed, in the middle sections inanimate objects: table, chair, sofa... interact and are led away by an actress playing open strings on a violin. Performed (audio only) by Carol Millard: C; Danute Mileika: MS and the composer: Bb with a taped simulation.
2a. Daniel: with chamber or medium sized orchestra: 2+/2+/2+2+ 2/2/1/1 percussion, timpani, piano, harp & strings.
2b. Daniel: with piano.
3. Persephone: 19 minutes; soprano or mezzo-soprano, optional bass, and mixed chorus; poem by Robert Hillyer (uc); Jepthah promises to sacrifice the first living being he meets if he wins the battle. He is met by his daughter. Calls for a moratorium on blooc sacrifices. This work is best performed as a dance. See IV/IV/3.
3a. Persephone: medium orchestra (2/2+/2+/2+ 2/2/1/1 2/1 and strings). If this piece is done as the third in the series it will emphasize it's thematic similarities with Antigon.
3b. Persephone: 3a. piano vocal version.
3c. Persephone: with alto flute, percussion, violin, viola, 'cello and double bass (with low C extension) and a smaller chorus. May be done as the second in the series, to contrast its lighter orchestration and different genre (this being primarily intended as dance).
3d. Persephone: 3c. piano vocal version.
3. Three Surrealist Operas: The total is around 45 minutes long. Any of the three may be performed alone.
1. Kali: 15 minutes: 2+/2+/2+/2+ 1/0/0/0 2 & violin solo: open strings. Begins before the birth of all things and ends after all things have been destroyed, in the middle sections inanimate objects: table, chair, sofa... interact and are led away by an actress playing open strings on a violin. Performed (audio only) by Carol Millard: C; Danute Mileika: MS and the composer: Bb with a taped simulation.
3. Eye of Carrot: A man (Bb) becomes pregnant and is blamed
for infidelity by his wife (S). Unperformed. 10 minutes.
3a. Eye of Carrot: with string orchestra;
3b. Eye of Carrot: with string quartet with piano;
3c. Eye of Carrot: with piano.
Book III. Chamber Operas:
1. The Other Wise Man: Libretto by the composer after the story by Henry van Dyke; a forth wise man is prevented from his pilgrimage by various acts of charity; 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. Performers included: Meg Weston S; Harriet Chamela, S; Marilyn Briggs, A; the composer Bb; and Isabel Plaster, bassoon. Cablecast in Lexington. Also performed at The United Parish in Brookline, MA under Peter Kaisarsky. Meg Raines, M and the composer Bb, were among the performers. Updated version: "The Other Wise Woman."
2. Ritual: Libretto by Andrew Swan; Hero (S) learns lessons, faces a demon (T) and receives many gifts (from MAB). 30 minutes; SAATB with chorus and flute; French horn; and violoncello."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.
for infidelity by his wife (S). Unperformed. 10 minutes.
3a. Eye of Carrot: with string orchestra;
3b. Eye of Carrot: with string quartet with piano;
3c. Eye of Carrot: with piano.
Book III. Chamber Operas:
1. The Other Wise Man: Libretto by the composer after the story by Henry van Dyke; a forth wise man is prevented from his pilgrimage by various acts of charity; 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. Performers included: Meg Weston S; Harriet Chamela, S; Marilyn Briggs, A; the composer Bb; and Isabel Plaster, bassoon. Cablecast in Lexington. Also performed at The United Parish in Brookline, MA under Peter Kaisarsky. Meg Raines, M and the composer Bb, were among the performers. Updated version: "The Other Wise Woman."
2. Ritual: Libretto by Andrew Swan; Hero (S) learns lessons, faces a demon (T) and receives many gifts (from MAB). 30 minutes; SAATB with chorus and flute; French horn; and violoncello."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.