Tobias Picker
Dolores Claiborne
piano vocal score
an opera in two acts (chamber version) (2013, rev. 2017)Text information | Libretto by J. D. McClatchy based on the book by Stephen King |
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Duration | 120' |
Commission | The original version of "Dolores Claiborne" was commissioned by the San Francisco Opera and was premiered on September 8, 2013 at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, California. The 2017 New York chamber version of "Dolores Claiborne" was made possible in part by generous support from the New York City Opera and the Opera Institute at Boston University's College of Fine Arts. |
Premiere | October 22, 2017; New York, NY, 59E59 Theater (USA) · Conductor: Pacien Mazzagatti · New York City Opera Orchestra · Staging: Michael Capasso |
Language | English |
Synopsis | Dolores Claiborne is a character destined for the operatic stage – passionate, desperate, trapped. She will do anything to save the daughter who despises her. Pushed to the extreme edge of life, she does what she has to, fearless and forsaken. I have wanted to write this opera for years. Yes, Stephen King is a master of suspense, but he is also a remarkable reader of human desires and fears. The superb team that San Francisco Opera assembled for the world premiere performances of "Dolores Claiborne" allowed me to compose a powerful, heart-stopping piece of music theater for a cast of brilliant voices. –Tobias Picker |
Roles | Vera · soprano - Selena · soprano - Dolores · mezzo-soprano - Mr. Pease · tenor - Thibodeau · tenor - Joe · bass-baritone - maid · soprano |
Publisher | Schott Music |
Staged performances of this work require licensing. | |
Rental | Performance materials are available for order: |
Program Note
Dolores Claiborne is a character destined for the operatic stage – passionate, desperate, trapped. She will do anything to save the daughter who despises her. Pushed to the extreme edge of life, she does what she has to, fearless and forsaken.
I have wanted to write this opera for years. Yes, Stephen King is a master of suspense, but he is also a remarkable reader of human desires and fears. The superb team that San Francisco Opera has assembled allowed me to compose a powerful, heart-stopping piece of music theater for a cast of brilliant voices.
– Tobias Picker