Tale for a Deaf Ear
Classification added June 24, 2016Premiered August 5, 1957
Tanglewood
Composer:
Mark Bucci
Original Language:
English, Italian, and German
Librettist:
Mark Bucci
Description:
Opera in One Act
Notes:
Text based on the story by Elizabeth Enright from her collection, The moments before the rain.
Time Period:
20th Century: a winter Sunday afternoon.
Place:
In the main, the living-room of Tracy & Laura Gates.
Classification key
- L – Leading
- F – Featured
- S – Supporting
- B – Solo Bit
- CB – Chorus Bit
- MB – Mute Bit
| Role | Voice Part | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Laura Gates | Soprano or Mezzo-Soprano | L |
| Tracy Gates | Baritone | L |
| Florentine Noblewoman | Soprano or Mezzo-Soprano | F |
| Scottish Farm Girl | Soprano | F |
| German Soldier | Tenor | F |
| The Doctor | Speaking | S |
| Karl (German Soldier’s young brother, dead, is then re-born. Mute Bit, if performed by an Actor) |
Minimum Chorus: 8 (If performed by chorus. See chorus notes.)
Chorus Notes:
Composer’s Note: chorus remains unseen but heard at the beginning and end sections, and visible during the narrative and introductions to each miracle. Choral Part is generally written unison throughout; its size and gender is left to the discretion of the director. This Part might conceivably be sung by One Singer, provided the voice is sufficiently amplified.
Recommended classification for One Solo Singer (Chorus) = SUPPORTING.