Opera in two acts
Music Text Libretto by the composer, drawn from letters and documents of the 16th century (E-L,G-L,Sw-L)
Scoring2(I,II=picc).2(II=corA).2(I=Ebcl,II=Ebcl,bcl).2(II=dbn)-4.4(III&IV=picc
in F).2.2-timp.perc(5):glsp/t.bells/French cowbell/Japanese jingles/
metal disc/knife(with grinding wheel)/metal & wooden claves/maracas/
wdbl/4tpl.bl/castanet machine/football rattle/ratchet/2tamb/2SD/tab/
TD/3BD/Turkish cym/cyms/3susp.cym/cracked cym/tam-t/coil bell/upright
pft with action removed/hand bells/2church bells/6tuned gongs-harm-harp
-strings; stage orchestra (modern alternatives in brackets):lute(guitar)/
2tenor viols(2vln)/4bass viols(2vla.4vlc)/violone(db)/2s
oprano shawms(2ob)/tab/SD/sopranino recorder(picc)/ co
rnett in C(cl)/bass shawm(dbn)/soprano shawm(=alto shawm)(tpt)/ al
to trbn(tenor trbn)/nakers(timp)/positive organ/regal/12 soldiers' dr
ums; off-stage: descant,treble,tenor,and bass recorders
For full details on this stagework, including synopsis and roles, please visit our
Opera section.
World Premiere7/12/1972
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London
Michael Geliot, director / Royal Opera / Edward Downes
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