Libretto by George Brant, based on his play Grounded
1S,1MS,1T,2Bar,1B, 1 child treble; TB chorus (some roles amplified)
3(III=picc).2.3corA.2.3bcl.2.3dbn-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(3):marimba/vib/xyl/glsp/crot/chimes/tuned gamelan gong (B4)/spring coil/tgl/finger cyms/sus cyms/sizzle cym/china cym/piatti/wind chimes/frame dr/3wdbl/3rainsticks/2sandpaper blocks/medium shaker/tambourine/3snare dr/picc snare dr/field dr/tenor dr/floor tom/gran cassa/tam-t-pft-cel-harp-strings
(Includes work inside Piano with Superball Mallet and Guitar Pick)
Abbreviations (PDF)
Boosey & Hawkes
Bachtrack
"Vocal lines are lyrical and flatter the singers while allowing for every word to be understood, and the shifting, turbulent orchestration is vibrant without overwhelming the singers"
Parterre
"A sweeping, cinematic, often sentimental score, injected with military drums and brass. I noted hints of Aaron Copland."
The Washington Post
"There’s plenty to be praised about two-time Tony-winner Tesori and Brant’s adaptation — the individual performances, the accommodating lyricism and surprising delicacy and daring of Tesori’s music, the inventive staging and orchestration."
TheaterMania
"Tesori’s score beautifully captures the complex shades of light and dark in this story about a woman with one foot in the suburbs and another in a far-away theater of war."
Emily D'Angelo / Metropolitan Opera Orchestra / Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Deutsche Grammophon
