0 items in your cart
Look Inside
Christopher Cerrone
All Wounds Bleed
An Opera in One Act
vocal score (2011, 2019)| Text information | Libretto by Tony Asaro |
|---|---|
| Duration | 30' |
| Movements | 3 scenes plus an epilogue |
| Commission | All Wounds Bleed was developed in New York City as part of The Composer Librettist Development Program at American Lyric Theater. The version for chamber ensemble was commissioned by Latitude 49 including funds provided by New Music USA. |
| Premiere | March 23, 2013; Philbrook Museum; Tulsa Opera; Kostis Protopapas, director Orchestrated Version Premiere: May 17, 2019; Stage 773, Chicago; Chicago Fringe Opera and Latitude 49 Directed by Susan Payne O’Brien Catherine O’Shaughnessy, music director |
| Synopsis | Scene 1 Hera, Queen of the gods, hysterically searches through Echo’s boudoir. She suspects Echo of having an affair with her husband, Zeus. Echo, heretofore unseen, interrupts Hera, just as Hera is about to discover an arrowhead from Cupid’s quiver. Distraught, Hera asks Echo to allay her woes with one of Echo’s magical poems. Hera leaves entranced. Echo reveals her plot to entrap Zeus with the arrowhead—a magic weapon that when used, will cause the wounded to fall in love with the next person they see. Echo rejects her plot, deciding to use the arrowhead on a mortal instead to forget Zeus. Scene 2 Narcissus writes poetry by a stream. Echo has found the mortal to receive her love blow. She appears to him, and showing Narcissus the arrowhead, tells him that she knows of a foolproof way to love. He rejects the idea. Echo stabs herself, falling instantly in love with Narcissus. As he rushes to her aid, she stabs him. He tumbles into the water, and seeing his reflection, loves himself. Scene 3 In Hera’s throne room, Echo gives Hera the arrowhead. She tells Hera to use it on Zeus, and explains how her folly has only brought her grief. Hera, sympathizes with Echo. She decides to punish Echo leniently, sparing her life, but removing Echo’s ability to speak first—from henceforth, Echo is only able to repeat what has been spoken. Epilogue Narcissus sings to his reflection, Echo sings to Narcissus, and Hera sings of love’s misery. |
| Roles | Hera, mezzo-soprano Echo, soprano Narcissus, tenor |
| Instrumentation | Flute or Saxophone (sax version: Soprano, Alto, and Baritone) Clarinet (in B-flat and Bass Clarinet) Percussion Crotales (2 Octaves) Vibraphone (with Motor) Glockenspiel Piano Violin Cello |
| Publisher | PSNY |
| Staged performances of this work require licensing. |
Media
youtube
