w17554
| Title | Vaulted Gothic : chamber opera |
| Contributors |
Derek Ball (composer) Derek Ball (author) |
| Composition date | 2007 |
| Duration (mins) | 15 |
| Category | chamber opera theatre |
| Instrumentation | S M-S Bar B / Picc 2Cl Db Perc |
| Commissioned by | |
| Key signature | |
| First line | |
| First performed | |
| Notes | To Brian Riddell |
| Programme Note | This short chamber opera requires either gothic architectural scenery or else the setting of a real church; although if a consecrated church (currently holding religious services) is used then its priest or minister will have to approve the piece in full knowledge of its questionable religious and secular content. The surreal plot starts with the unlikely circumstance of a passing stranger taking responsibility for major, single-handed building work to prevent the church roof from falling in. While the work is going on, the church seems to continue to be used by the priest and parishioners - maybe we're in the pre-health & safety era! The luckless stranger finds that the initial almost embarrassing good will shown towards him is a fragile thing which quickly turns to dust and ashes in his hands, and the downward spiral is fatal. The choice of instruments aims to enhance the sense of gothic menace : two very low and 2 very high with nothing but the voices in the middle. Disclaimer The ecclesiastical setting for this opera is not intended as an attack on the Roman Catholic church, or on religion in general. Like any piece of art it reveals more about the psychology of the artist than anything about the objective world - in other words, it's an act of self-psychoanalysis. The priest and his scatty parishioners are ciphers in my inner drama. I have never met a priest or any church members who were remotely like the characters represented here. |
This work is associated with the following collection items:
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