Opera & Musical Theater
One of my great loves is writing for the stage. To be honest, it's a primary reason why I wanted to be a composer when I was younger. I consider myself very lucky to have had one full opera fully staged, and that my chief librettist is my wife. I hope to do more of these projects in the future.
The Ascension of Radegunde
Chamber Opera in one act
(2000)
Libretto by Merie Kirby
Duration: 75 mins.
Roles: Radegunde: mezzo-soprano
Thorvald: baritone
Thorfinn: tenor
Sibhid: soprano
Father Cairbre: bass-baritone
Chorus
Instrumentation: Fl/picc, Cl, Bsn, Hn, perc, pno/synth, 2 vlns, vla, vc, cb
The Ladysmith Story
Chamber Opera in two acts
(2010)
Libretto by Merie Kirby
Commissioned by the Fourtissimo! Coalition and the Flambeau Valley Arts Council.
Premiered in July 2010: Ladysmith, WI & Minneapolis, MN
Duration: 120 mins.
Roles: Lucy: mezzo-soprano
Tom: tenor
Will: baritone
Isabel Smith: soprano
Mr. Manning: bass-baritone
Mr. Peters: baritone
Mrs. Manning: coloratura soprano
Mrs. Peters: soprano
Chorus, including children's chorus
Instrumentation: vln, vc. fl/picc, cl./bcl, pno, perc.
Blue Concourse
A mini-musical in one scene
(1997)
Libretto by Kira Obolensky
Premiered in 2001 in St. Paul, MN
Synopsis
Duration: 10:00
Roles: tenor, mezzo-soprano, soprano (Voice of the Airport)
Instrumentation: piano
Divisi
A scene for soprano and trombone
(2014)
Libretto by Merie Kirby
Commissioned by Robin Allebach
Premiered in 2014 at Valley City State University, Valley City, ND
Synopsis: an estranged couple of musicians winds up in the same practice room with a broken divider. They eventually work out their differences through a common love of music.
Duration: 10:00
Roles: Soprano, trombonist (does not sing!)
Instrumentation: Trombone