A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, opera a cappella now available at Albany Records

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Midsummer Night's Dream, opera a capella

I am working on a new opera project, a setting of MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. The twist is, that the whole opera is going to be a capella. Well, maybe a harp or electronic keyboard to help keep people in tune once in awhile.

Yes, there is a quotation at the end.

This is a setting of the last couple of speeches:



OBERON

Through the house give glimmering light,

By the dead and drowsy fire:

Every elf and fairy sprite

Hop as light as bird from brier;

And this ditty, after me,

Sing, and dance it trippingly.


TITANIA

F
irst, rehearse your song by rote
To each word a warbling note:
Hand in hand, with fairy grace,

Will we sing, and bless this place.

Song and dance

OBERON
Now, until the break of day,

Through this house each fairy stray.

To the best bride-bed will we,

Which by us shall blessed be;

And the issue there create


Ever shall be fortunate.

So shall all the couples three

Ever true in loving be;
Every fairy take his gait;

And each several chamber bless,

Through this palace, with sweet peace;

And the owner of it blest

Ever shall in safety rest.

Trip away; make no stay;

Meet me all by break of day.

Exeunt OBERON, TITANIA, and train

PUCK

If we shadows have offended,

Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

My friends at Opera New Jersey are going to workshop some of this in mid July. In the meantime, here's an electronic demo, done with an amazing instrument, called a VP-550 by Roland.

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