Credits for the New Opera Mary Shelley by Allan Jaffe and Deborah Atherton |
Composer: | Allan Jaffe |
Libretto: | Deborah Atherton |
Designer: | Stephen Hannock |
Description: | Two acts, 14 scenes; set in England, Switzerland, and Italy in the early years of the 19th Century |
Length: | One hundred and twenty minutes |
Musical Forces: | Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn. |
The Cast: | Mary Shelley (mezzo) Mary ages in the opera from sixteen to twenty-three; she is beautiful, serious, romantic. |
Percy Shelley (tenor)
(doubles as Victor Frankenstein) Percy is in his early twenties, handsome, graceful, intensely passionate in his beliefs. | |
Monster (bass) The Monster is towering, intimidating, large in body and spirit. | |
Byron (baritone) Byron is young, handsome, agile but for his club foot; more playful than either Mary or Percy. | |
Claire (soprano) Claire is pretty, sharp, sardonic, critical rather than creative. | |
Harriet (soprano) Harriet is attractive, but not bright; resigned to having to compete for attention. | |
Mr. Godwin (bass-baritone) Mr. Godwin is middle aged, substantial, always impecunious; enjoys the role of philosopher and wise man. | |
Mrs. Godwin (soprano) Mrs. Godwin is a shrew, anxious for the advancement of her own children. She cherishes an intense dislike of Mary. | |
George (tenor) George is a friend of Victor Frankenstein. | |
Child Plays Mary as a child and Mary’s son Percy. | |
Musical Style: | American music, with roots in jazz, blues, and European classical music. Requires singers and instrumentalists comfortable in all traditions. |
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