Vivier, Claude

Kopernikus (1978-79)

Duration: 70 minutes
Opera in 2 acts, for 7 singers, 7 (or 8) players and tape

Libretto by Claude Vivier (F-imaginary language)

Scoring
2S,M,A,T,Bar,B; 0.1.2.bcl.0-0.1.1.0-perc(played by singers):Balinese gong/3 japonese gongs/BD/t-tam (lg)/crot/ant.cyms/t.bells/Cardboard tubes/glock.
Abbreviations (PDF).

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

World Premiere
5/8/1980
Théâtre du Monument National, Montréal, QC
Conductor: Lorraine Vaillancourt
Company: l'Atelier de jeu scénique de la Faculté de Musique de l'Université de Montréal

Roles

Coloratura Soprano
Soprano
Mezzo Soprano
Alto
Baryton-Martin or Tenor
Baryton
Bass
Narrator

Synopsis
In this ‘mystic tale’ the central character Agni – named after a Hindu deity – calls on historical and mythical figures: Lewis Carroll, Merlin, a witch, the Queen of the Night, a blind prophet, an old monk, Tristan, Isolde, Mozart, the Lord of the Waters, Copernicus and his mother.
Is Agni merely dreaming that they are present? Are they no more than figments of her imagination? Or are they memories of the human archetypes that accompanied her during her ritual initiation? Agni dematerializes.

Subjects
History, Religion