OPERA SEARCH
Music for The Living
(Musik für die Lebenden) (1983)Multilingual libretto by Robert Sturua in English, French, Italian, Georgian and an artificial language ('Sumerian')
Major roles:2S.boyS.3T.Bar.mute role
Minor roles:2S.boyS.3T.Bar.2mute roles
Boys’ choir
4(I-III=picc,IV=afl).3.3.3(III=dbn)-6.3.3.1-perc(8):timp/wdbl/tamb/SD/BD/cym/susp.cym/tam-t/t.bells/church.bells/glsp/xyl-bgtr-harp-pft-hpd-org-strings;
On stage perc(3):timp/tom-t/SD/BD/cyms/susp.cym
Tech Requirements
This work requires additional technological components and/or amplification, for more information please contact [email protected]
Abbreviations (PDF)
Sikorski
| BLIND OLD MAN | tenor |
| BOY, guide of the old man | boy soprano |
| OFFICER | mute role |
| WOMAN WITH A WHIP | mezzo-soprano with a pop vocal quality |
| ANGELO | tenor |
| SANDRO | tenor |
| SILVANA | soprano |
| LUCIA | soprano |
| MARQUIS DE PRUDHON | baritone |
The possibility of a catastrophic nuclear war and the destruction of the world, together with everything humanity has created, forms the thematic core of the work. The crystal-clear voice of a boy soprano embodies a poignant plea for life and peace. The opera's structure follows the multifaceted principles of symphonic form: at times the visual elements correspond to the music, at others they stand in deliberate dissonance with it—a characteristic feature of Kancheli's symphonic oeuvre to date.
The work does not tell a story; instead, it is built upon allegories and metaphors. The first act is conceived essentially as a musical pantomime, portraying the clash of stark contrasts that lead to mutual destruction. In the second act, actors perform an Italian opera before an audience of the wounded. Witty and imaginative arrangements, musical and theatrical juxtapositions, and daring metaphors shape the character of the production, in which tyranny and evil, war and murder, are ultimately overcome by the pure and beautiful sounds of music.
Dramatic