A Fire in Water (2014)
A chamber opera in one act
Co-composed with Terrance Johns
Libretto by Shannon Berry
Duration: about 80 minutes
Two goddesses try to protect their sons from all harm, but their sons' love for their companions makes them vulnerable - makes them human, allowing them to break like snapped twigs, like fingernails, like hearts.
Cast:
Artemis - Soprano - Goddess of childbirth and lifelong protector of Alexander the Great. Her temple in Athens burnt to the ground on the same day that Alexander the Great was born.
Thetis - Mezzo-soprano - Sea nymph / demi-goddess and mother of Achilles.
Achilles - Baritone - Mythical hero of The Iliad.
Patroclus - Spoken role - His best friend and lover.
Alexander - Tenor - Conqueror of the ancient world.
Hephastian - Spoken role - His best friend and lover.
Porrima - Soprano - A star in the Virgo constellation. Protectress of childbirth.
Situla - Soprano or Mezzo-soprano - A star in the Aquarius constellation. Water-bearer.
Andromeda - Mezzo-soprano - A constellation. Mother of seven sons.
Instrumentation: fl, perc (crystal glasses, sus. cym, snare, low tom), vla I, vla II, piano
Co-composed with Terrance Johns
Libretto by Shannon Berry
Duration: about 80 minutes
Two goddesses try to protect their sons from all harm, but their sons' love for their companions makes them vulnerable - makes them human, allowing them to break like snapped twigs, like fingernails, like hearts.
Cast:
Artemis - Soprano - Goddess of childbirth and lifelong protector of Alexander the Great. Her temple in Athens burnt to the ground on the same day that Alexander the Great was born.
Thetis - Mezzo-soprano - Sea nymph / demi-goddess and mother of Achilles.
Achilles - Baritone - Mythical hero of The Iliad.
Patroclus - Spoken role - His best friend and lover.
Alexander - Tenor - Conqueror of the ancient world.
Hephastian - Spoken role - His best friend and lover.
Porrima - Soprano - A star in the Virgo constellation. Protectress of childbirth.
Situla - Soprano or Mezzo-soprano - A star in the Aquarius constellation. Water-bearer.
Andromeda - Mezzo-soprano - A constellation. Mother of seven sons.
Instrumentation: fl, perc (crystal glasses, sus. cym, snare, low tom), vla I, vla II, piano
Recordings
Recorded live in performance on 26 July, 2014 at Lang Theater, Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, DC. Produced by the Silver Finch Arts Collective as part of the 2014 Capital Fringe Festival.
In the recording:
Artemis - Danielle Buonaiuto
Thetis - Kristina Riegle
Achilles - Andrew Sauvageau
Patroclus - Kyle McGruther
Alexander - David Artz
Hephastian - Brian McDermott
Porrima - CarrieAnne W.
Situla - Hillary LaBonte
Andromeda - Tanya Ruth
Flute - Kimberly Eloshway
Percussion - Rob Murray
Viola I - Michael Sinni
Viola II - Lelia Walker
Piano - Bill Yanesh
Conductor - Michael Oberhauser
Director - Courtney Kalbacker
Lighting Designer - Alison V. Hall
Costume Designer - Bob Grannan
In the recording:
Artemis - Danielle Buonaiuto
Thetis - Kristina Riegle
Achilles - Andrew Sauvageau
Patroclus - Kyle McGruther
Alexander - David Artz
Hephastian - Brian McDermott
Porrima - CarrieAnne W.
Situla - Hillary LaBonte
Andromeda - Tanya Ruth
Flute - Kimberly Eloshway
Percussion - Rob Murray
Viola I - Michael Sinni
Viola II - Lelia Walker
Piano - Bill Yanesh
Conductor - Michael Oberhauser
Director - Courtney Kalbacker
Lighting Designer - Alison V. Hall
Costume Designer - Bob Grannan