Rorem, Ned
The Robbers (1956)
Duration: 28 minutesMelodrama in one scene
Libretto by the composer after Chaucer's 'The Pardoner's Tale' (E)
Scoring
T,lyrBar,BBar
1(=picc).1(=corA).2(II=bcl).1-1.0.0.0-timp.perc(1 or 2):large gong/cyms/tgl/SD/xyl-pft(=cel)-1.1.1.1.1.
Abbreviations (PDF).
Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.
World Premiere
4/14/1958
Kaufman Auditorium, 92nd Street YMHA, New York, New York
Conductor: Carl Bamberger
Company: Mannes College Opera Workshop
Roles
| THE LEADER, 1 of 3 thieves | Bass Baritone |
| THE LEADER'S COMPANION, 2 of 3 thieves | Tenor |
| A YOUNG NOVICE, 3 of 3 thieves | Lyric Baritone |
Time and Place
Early evening in the 14th Century, the sordid second storey room of an inn
Synopsis
The opera is drawn from Chaucer's Pardoner's Tale. Three thieves have just murdered a stranger for his gold. The corpse lies out in the open. The Young Novice repents, but the Leader and his Companion threaten him. The Young Novice remains apart from them while they divide the gold – into two piles! When he brings them some wine to drink, they stab him. But the Young Novice had plans of his own: the wine was poisoned, and the murderers themselves were murdered.
Moods
Dramatic, Tragic
Subjects
Ethics, Literary
