Floyd, Carlisle: Susannah (1953-54) 105'
A musical drama in two acts
Music Text
Libretto by the composer, based on a story from the Apocrypha (E,G)
Scoring
Major roles: S,T,BBar; minor roles: 2S,M,A,3T,2Bar; chorus; dancers 2(II=picc).2(II=corA).2(II=bcl).2(II=dbn)-4.2.3.1-timp.perc:SD/cyms/ gong/xyl-cel-harp-strings Reduced orchestration: 2.1.2(II=bcl).1-2.2.2.0-timp.perc(1):SD/cym/gong/ xyl-harp-strings
For full details on this stagework, including synopsis and roles, please visit our Opera section.
World Premiere
2/24/1956
Florida State University, Tallahassee
Lynn Orr, director / Florida State University / Karl Kuersteiner
Press Quotes
“Composed 50 years ago at the height of the McCarthy persecutions, it is a flawlessly effective melodrama focused on an innocent woman victimised by a narrow Evangelical community in rural Tennessee. …it speaks straight to the heart through music of uninhibited tonal simplicity and Pucciniesque fervour.”
Daily Telegraph
Recommended Recording
Cheryl Studer, Jerry Hadley, Samuel Ramey, Kenn Chester, Michael Druiett, Steven Cole, Stuart Kale, David Pittsinger, Anne Howells, Della Jones, Jean Glennon, Elisabeth Laurence, Lyon Opera Chorus, Lyon Opera Orchestra, Kent Nagano
Virgin Classics VCD5450392
A musical drama in two acts
Music Text
Libretto by the composer, based on a story from the Apocrypha (E,G)
Scoring
Major roles: S,T,BBar; minor roles: 2S,M,A,3T,2Bar; chorus; dancers 2(II=picc).2(II=corA).2(II=bcl).2(II=dbn)-4.2.3.1-timp.perc:SD/cyms/ gong/xyl-cel-harp-strings Reduced orchestration: 2.1.2(II=bcl).1-2.2.2.0-timp.perc(1):SD/cym/gong/ xyl-harp-strings
For full details on this stagework, including synopsis and roles, please visit our Opera section.
World Premiere
2/24/1956
Florida State University, Tallahassee
Lynn Orr, director / Florida State University / Karl Kuersteiner
Press Quotes
“Composed 50 years ago at the height of the McCarthy persecutions, it is a flawlessly effective melodrama focused on an innocent woman victimised by a narrow Evangelical community in rural Tennessee. …it speaks straight to the heart through music of uninhibited tonal simplicity and Pucciniesque fervour.”
Daily Telegraph
Recommended Recording
Cheryl Studer, Jerry Hadley, Samuel Ramey, Kenn Chester, Michael Druiett, Steven Cole, Stuart Kale, David Pittsinger, Anne Howells, Della Jones, Jean Glennon, Elisabeth Laurence, Lyon Opera Chorus, Lyon Opera Orchestra, Kent Nagano
Virgin Classics VCD5450392
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