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Music Text

Libretto by Carlisle Floyd (E)

Scoring

2(II=picc).2(II=corA).2(II=bcl).2-4.2.2.1-timp-perc:SD/TD/tamb/susp.cym/crash cym/whip/bell/gong/chimes/vib/mar/xyl/glsp/cel-harp-strings

Abbreviations (PDF)

Publisher

Boosey & Hawkes

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

Availability

World Premiere
16/05/1972
Jacksonville, Florida
Frank Corsaro, director
Conductor: Willis Page
Company: Phyllis Curtin, sop / Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra

Roles

ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE Soprano
Time and Place

1189, Salisbury Tower, England

Synopsis

Flower and Hawk is based on the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine, arguably the greatest woman of the Middle Ages. In her long life of eighty-two years she was born the Duchess of Aquitaine and Countess of Poitou, became Queen of France through marriage to Louis VII, and later became Queen of England when she married Henry II. The title is derived from her seal (on view in the Louvre) in which she stands holding a hawk in one hand and a flower in the other, suggesting a dualism in her character that is invoked in this work.

The monodrama takes place in Salisbury Tower, where Eleanor has been a prisoner for nearly sixteen years: Henry II had her confined there after she and her sons led an unsuccessful rebellion against him in France. Overcome by feelings of despair, abandonment and betrayal, she considers taking her life with poison but instead resolves to distract herself by recalling happier times. As she relives her positive memories of becoming the Queen of France, the memory of her son Richard’s death resurfaces. She also recalls the many conflicts she endured with her two husbands, and again finds herself sinking into hopelessness. Time and again her feelings about Richard’s death force her into the present until she finally allows herself release from the guilt and self-doubt surrounding this tragic event. Finally, she is able to re-assume her role as Queen when the tolling of the bells announces the death of Henry and her liberation from the Salisbury Tower.

Moods

Dramatic

Subjects

Links

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