.Gabriel (pronounced "dot Gabriel") is an opera in two acts (to be performed continuously) written by American composer Robert J. Bradshaw.[1] The libretto, also by Bradshaw, was inspired by the composer's online experiences with social networking websites, instant messaging, chat rooms and email correspondence.[2] The opera was commissioned by the Australian Trumpet Guild for performance at the 35th Annual Conference of the International Trumpet Guild, 2010, Sydney, Australia.[3] Also in 2010, the composition was awarded an American Music Center Composer Assistance Program Grant [4] and was named winner of a 2009 Boston Metro Opera Mainstage Award[5].
About the Opera
editProgram notes[2] (included in the published score) state: .Gabriel is an allegory for society’s increasing perception of connection to the world through the Internet, while in actual fact separating ourselves from physical interaction. The false perception of safety and protection (and ultimate isolation) of electronic relationships at times promotes posting statements or images people would never consider saying (or doing) in person.[6] Although Principal interacts with the other members of the cast, they never come in contact with each other. A scrim represents the physical barrier (the computer screen) that separates Principal from the living world around her."[2]
.Gabriel is a composition where the trumpet performs as one of the main characters, interacting on stage with the vocalists. [7]
The three vocal roles represent different aspects of social interaction. Principal represents society’s dependency on the Internet, computers and electronic communication. She lives alone and is consumed by her need to be "connected". There are also two minor male roles that act as Principal's memories. One is the positive spirit of social relationships and the other is the actual situations where social interaction is required.[1]
Premiere Performance
edit.Gabriel was premiered at the Music Workshop, Sydney Conservatorium of Music (July 8, 2010).[3] The two principal roles were performed by Joshua Clarke (Yamaha Performing Artist and Principal Trumpet of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra) [8] and Jane Parkin (Opera Australia Artist and member of the Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artist Program) [9]
| Character | Voice type | Premiering Cast[7] |
|---|---|---|
| Gabriel, Principal's unknown companion. | Trumpet | Joshua Clarke |
| Principal, A young woman obsessed with the Internet. | Soprano | Jane Parkin |
| Memory I, A persistant memory trying to resurface in Principal's mind. | Tenor | Samuel Sakker |
| Memory II, A persistant memory trying to resurface in Principal's mind. | Bass-baritone | Christopher Hillier |
| Instrument | Musician |
|---|---|
| Clarinet | Peter Jenkins |
| Viola | Virginia Commerfod |
| Bassoon | Matthew Ockenden |
| Piano | Tony Legge |
| Conductor | Tony Legge |
Premiere Recording
edit.Gabriel was recorded by the Palmetto Camerata at the University of South Carolina (January 5-7, 2010) and released by Beauport Classical (BC41009) on CD in 2010. [10] The recording features Tina Milhorn Stallard (soprano) and James Ackley (trumpet) performing the principal roles.[1]
| Character | Voice type | Recording Cast (Engineer: Jeff Francis) |
|---|---|---|
| Gabriel, Principal's unknown companion. | Trumpet | James Ackley |
| Principal, A young woman obsessed with the Internet. | Soprano | Tina Milhorn Stallard |
| Memory I, A persistant memory trying to resurface in Principal's mind. | Tenor | Walter Cuttino |
| Memory II, A persistant memory trying to resurface in Principal's mind. | Bass-baritone | Jacob Will |
| Instrument | Musician |
|---|---|
| Clarinet | Joeseph Eller |
| Viola | Constance Gee |
| Bassoon | Michael Harley |
| Piano | Joeseph Rackers |
| Conductor | Neil Casey |
Notes
edit- ^ a b c American Record Guide: Nov/Dec Issue 2010 (pg.95)
- ^ a b c .Gabriel, Program/Notes, score published by Beauport Press Cite error: The named reference "BeauportScore" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b International Trumpet Guild Review of premiere performance of .Gabriel
- ^ American Music Center Composer Assistance Program 2010 Awards List
- ^ Boston Metro Opera Award Concert Program
- ^ The New York Times, On Networking Sites, Learning How Not to Share
- ^ a b Opera Australia Article titled New opera features trumpet in main role
- ^ Joshua Clarke Biography
- ^ Jane Parkin Biography
- ^ CD Baby (CD Distributor) .Gabriel listing
References
edit- Official opera .Gabriel website
- American Record Guide website
- American Music Center Composer Assistance Program 2010 Awards List
- Score: Bradshaw, Robert J. (2009), .Gabriel, Beauport Press, Gloucester, Massachusetts. ISBN 978-0-9822775-1-5
- Sound Recording: Robert J. Bradshaw's .Gabriel. The Palmetto Camerata. Beauport Classical, 2010.
- Young, Neville. .Gabriel by Robert Bradshaw. ITG Journal of the International Trumpet Guild. October 2010. Vol. 35, No. 1
- International Trumpet Guild Conference Review (Online Reference, Page 5)
- Boston Metro Opera Mainstage Award Concert Description
- The New York Times article about learning how not to share too much personal information on social networking sites
- Opera Australia Article titled New opera features trumpet in main role
- Joshua Clarke Biography (Yamaha Performing Artist and Principal Trumpet with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra)
- Jane Parkin Biography (Opera Australia)
- CD Baby (CD Distributor) .Gabriel listing
- International Trumpet Guild Conference 2010 website
External links
edit- Beauport Press (Publisher)
- Opera Australia
- University of South Carolina School of Music
- Robert J. Bradshaw's website
- An article detailing Robert J. Bradshaw's previous work with the trumpet community
- James Ackley's website
- Tina Milhorn Stallard's website
[[Category:Operas]]
[[Category:Operas set in the United States]]
[[Category:English-language operas]]
[[Category:2010 operas]]