OPERA SEARCH
Hearing
(1966-76)Text: poems by Kenneth Koch, dramatised by James Holmes (E)
S,M,T,Bar
0.0.1(=asax).0-0.1.0.0-perc(1):SD/BD/tgl/cyms/xyl/glsp/gong/
mandolin (or guitar or ukelele)-pft-1.1.0.0.1
Abbreviations (PDF)
Boosey & Hawkes
Christ and St. Stephens Church, New York, New York
Conductor: Gregg Smith
Company: The Gregg Smith Singers
| A LADY IN LILAC | Soprano |
| A JEALOUS GENTLEMAN | Tenor |
| A POETIC LADY | Mezzo Soprano |
| A YOUNG MAN, with a French horn | Baritone |
Yesterday and tomorrow- A fantasy set of silver and gold, near a silvery-blue pond next to a golden tree bearing clusters of golden trumpets
This 26-minute song cycle, set to poems of Kenneth Koch, comprises six parts. The sixth song in the cycle is the eponymous culmination of the mood or fantasy carefully crafted by the composer. Its text, from Art and Literature #10, is an evocative mix of descriptions of nature and musical instruments, combined to conjure an idyllic sylvan setting. The first five poems also concern themselves with the topics of nature, love, and sensual delights. The first poem, In Love With You, is subtitled 'Three Songs in One'; the second is Down at the Docks; the third is simply called Poem; the fourth is titled Spring; and the fifth song, a plea to "come down" and experience the beautiful Mediterranean sun, is called Invitation. All five songs culminate in the wildly exuberant Hearing.
Poetic