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Music Text

Libretto by David Henry Hwang and Unsuk Chin based on the Lewis Carroll books 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking Glass' (E)

Scoring

3S,M,CT,2T,2B; chorus; additional children's chorus
2(I=picc,II=picc,afl,swanee fl).2(II=corA).2(II=Ebcl,bcl).2(II=dbn)-2.3.2.1-timp.perc(4 players*)-harmonica-harp.mand.pft(=cel,hpd)-acc-sampler-strings(14.14.12.10.8; double basses with 5 strings required)
On-stage: bcl, (trash cans with kitchenalia may be used onstage for theatrical effect).
Sampler: wind machine, 2 Javanese gongs (Bb, C), Jew's harp.

*Percussion (4 players):

  1. glockenspiel [shared with II], marimba (5 octaves) [shared with II], maracas, triangle, bird whistle, castanets (small, mounted), 3 tom-toms, snare drum (small), suspended cymbal (small), 2 tam-tams (medium, large).

  2. glockenspiel [shared with I], marimba (5 octaves) [shared with I], vibraphone [shared with III], tubular bells [shared with III], tambourine, 3 temple blocks, vibraslap [shared with III], guiro (mounted) [shared with III], finger cymbals, bell tree, pea whistle, metal rattle [shared with III], autohorn, 3 snare drums, bass drum [shared with III], cymbals (pair), 2 suspended cymbals (medium, large) [shared with III].

  3. vibraphone [shared with II], xylophone, tubular bells [shared with II], tambourine, swanee flute, whip, 2 low chimes, guiro (mounted) [shared with II], vibraslap [shared with II], metal rattle [shared with II], alarm clock, anvil, siren, flexatone, 4 bongos, bass drum [shared with II], 2 suspended cymbals (medium, large) [shared with II].

  4. trash cans with kitchenalia, pop bottles (to be played live if possible, alternatively this part can be performed by the sampler, into which part it is cued).

Permitted reduction in scoring for smaller venues

3S,M,CT,2T,2B; chorus; additional children's chorus
2(I=picc,II=picc,afl,swanee fl).2(II=corA).2(II=Ebcl,bcl).2(II=dbn)-2.3.2.1-timp.perc(3 players*)-harp.mand.pft(=cel)-sampler-strings(min:8.8.6.4.3; double basses with 5 strings required)
On-stage: bcl, (trash cans with kitchenalia may be used onstage for theatrical effect).
Sampler: harpsichord, accordion, wind machine, pop bottles, trash cans, kitchenalia, 2 Javanese gongs (Bb, C), 2 low chimes (unpitched), Jew's harp.

*Percussion (3 players):

  1. glockenspiel [shared with II], marimba (5 octaves) [shared with II], maracas, triangle, bird whistle, castanets (small, mounted), 3 tom-toms, snare drum (small), suspended cymbal (small), 2 tam-tams (medium, large).

  2. glockenspiel [shared with I], marimba (5 octaves) [shared with I], vibraphone [shared with III], tubular bells [shared with III], tambourine, 3 temple blocks, vibraslap [shared with III], guiro (mounted) [shared with III], finger cymbals, bell tree, pea whistle, metal rattle [shared with III], autohorn, 3 snare drums, bass drum [shared with III], cymbals (pair), 2 suspended cymbals (medium, large) [shared with III].

  3. vibraphone [shared with II], xylophone, tubular bells [shared with II], tambourine, swanee flute, whip, guiro (mounted) [shared with II], vibraslap [shared with II], metal rattle [shared with II], alarm clock, anvil, siren, flexatone, 4 bongos, bass drum [shared with II], 2 suspended cymbals (medium, large) [shared with II].

Reduced orchestration was prepared by Lloyd Moore (2011-12), in consultation with the composer.

Abbreviations (PDF)

Opera
For full details on this stagework, including synopsis and roles, please visit our Opera section.
Publisher

Boosey & Hawkes

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.

Availability

World Premiere
30/06/2007
Bayerische Staatsoper, München
Achim Freyer, director / Bayerische Staatsoper / Kent Nagano
World premiere of version
13/06/2012
Loretto Hilton Center, Saint Louis, MO
James Robinson, director / Opera Theatre of Saint Louis / Michael Christie
Press Quotes

"...as anarchic and surreal as the book itself... Chin has written one of the most significant of recent new operas."
Opera

"Chin's opera is so brilliantly orchestrated that the instruments alone are more than enough to steal all of an audience's attention... Alice is not childish. It is a dream opera with a dark side."
Los Angeles Times

"Chin’s Alice revels in paradox and riddles, pastiche and parody. The timbres are ear-piercingly bright, precise and often mesmerising."
The Observer

Subjects
Recommended Recording
cd_cover

Sally Matthews / Piia Komsi / Dietrich Henschel / Andrew Watts / Gwyneth Jones
Achim Freyer, director / Ellen Fellmann, video director
Bayerisches Staatsoper and Staatsorchester / Kent Nagano
Unitel A05016472

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