Maxwell Davies, Peter

Mr Emmet Takes a Walk (1999)

Duration: 60 minutes
A Dramatic Sonata

David Pountney (E)

Scoring
S,Bar,B fl(=picc,afl).cl(=bcl,asax)-hn.tpt-perc(1):vib/marimba/3wdbl/tamb/ 2tom-t/tabor/SD/v.lg BD/timp/lion's roar/guero/2susp.cym(sm,lg)/ choke cym/tam-t/sm metal bar/sm biscuit tin/blackboard-pft(=cel/hpd/ elec.org/out-of-tune upright pft/grand pft on stage(ideally adapted to play a CD pre-recorded by the pianist,or played live)-vln.vla.vlc. db.
Abbreviations (PDF).

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.

World Premiere
6/16/2000
Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall, Orkney
David Pountney, director
Conductor: Etienne Siebens
Company: Muziektheater Transparent/Psappha

Roles

Mr Emmet	Baritone
Mr Todd, Security, Waiter, Heating Engineer, Piano Teacher, Gabor	Bass
Ka, Woman in Cafe, Reception (voice), Maid, Housekeeper, Crone, Varoomschka	Soprano

Time and Place
Contemporary

Synopsis
Mr Emmet himself represents an enigma: is he a business man with briefcase and umbrella pursuing the ultimate commercial contract, a double agent extorting a much shadier deal from a foreign power, or a tragicomical everyman sifting through the flotsam and jetsam of a lifetime to prepare himself for death? Mr Emmet is sung by a baritone, and is supported by a bass and soprano who more explicitly adopt multiple roles: she can appear as seducer, mother, chanteuse, he as piano teacher, engineer, waiter and ultimately as nemesis extracting the fatal signature. The drama is framed by the man and woman scrubbing the walls of the room, eradicating the memory of Emmet along with the dirt and blood.

Moods
Comic, Poetic, Tragic

Subjects
Contemporary, Magic/Mystery, Relationships, Music/Arts

Recommended Recording
Rebecca Caine / Adrian Clarke / Jonathan Best
Psappha / Etienne Siebens
Original Cast recording
Psappha PsaCD1002

Available from www.psappha.com

Items on Sale

Mr Emmet takes a Walk (Libretto by David Pountney)	Libretto	> Details
Mr. Emmet Takes a Walk	(Vocal Score)	> Details