Complete Scene I from Act I of my Opera...

Just listened to the opening chorus, really enjoyed it
I'd like to listen again with the text though...?

All I can say is "Act I - Scene IIa from 1:20 on" I love that part!

I enjoy all of it so far and I hope you'll keep us up updated as you go!

Originally Posted by Mark

Just listened to the opening chorus, really enjoyed it
I'd like to listen again with the text though...?

Thanks! Everyone seems to really like the opening the chorus the most. When the opera is about complete I will probably post it in Major works with a clear synopsis and I may include bits of the libretto. I just don't want to give too much away too early as some changes might be made to the libretto. But, I do understand everyone's request regarding the text.

Originally Posted by Invisionary

All I can say is "Act I - Scene IIa from 1:20 on" I love that part!

I enjoy all of it so far and I hope you'll keep us up updated as you go!

Thanks, Invisionary. I know 1:20 is the whole big cirlce of 5ths thing which can sound very cliche and I think its sometimes hard to handle the circle of 5ths without making it sound cliche. But, I'm glad you loved it. That theme plays some significance so you'll hear it again somewhere in the opera when I post more.

And yes, I will update as I go. The past few weeks have been very busy for me but as this week starts I'll jump back into it. I'll post completed scenes as I go.

Thanks for listening!

Originally Posted by frantz

woooooooow! the opening chorus is absolutely dazzling! so powerful and effective, really irresistible! wonderful harmony and feel!

the aria is fine and in overall suits the purpose you have expressed, but i feel the need of a clear change of key or mood or texture in some place to the best effect.

the solo and chorus is beautiful and very well structured, and the return of the opening theme works wonderfully.

the scene IIa is dramatic and beautifully shaped, with a rapturing harmony. very nice!

regards!

Thanks Frantz! I understand what you mean about the aria. There really doesn't seem to be a definitive change of key, but the thing is the as short as the aria is it moves through a number of keys in subtle fashion. Would you say that the lack of definitive changes in mood and key hurts the aria? Although, almost everyone really seems to like the opening chorus most, the baritone aria is my fav right now.


A lot of the themes heard in the first and second scene play a big role in shaping the musical form of the opera.

Originally Posted by stepheny

in opera context is just about everything and so is the text. I think this music is original and very sumptuous. I would love to know what is happening and what the text is. perhaps you could post the text and the characters with the music? it would be really interesting. all the best with your work.

Glad you found the music sumptuous

I will eventually post the opera with a clear synopsis and bits of the libretto.

Thanks for listening

Originally Posted by Majesty

Thanks Fratz!

Not to nitpick, but that name sounds funny without an N

Good one! I made the edit.

Thanks, Will

Wow, incredible work. Beautifully shaped phrases, very well done. I have nothing much to say at this point, but, I'll leave you with that

Cheers

hi Majesty!

well i have given you my impression after listening just to the music. the lack of a libretto makes it difficult to judge the full effect of the aria. but i tried it again and as i stated before i still miss some variation in texture and mood although i can notice the subtle changes you have mentioned. i feel the sensation of an unresolved tension, but maybe that is precisely what you wish for this section.

Originally Posted by frantz

hi Majesty!

well i have given you my impression after listening just to the music. the lack of a libretto makes it difficult to judge the full effect of the aria. but i tried it again and as i stated before i still miss some variation in texture and mood although i can notice the subtle changes you have mentioned. i feel the sensation of an unresolved tension, but maybe that is precisely what you wish for this section.

Ah, yes the texture and mood. It was my intention to not vary the mood or the texture for this piece. The purpose being is this character is one of those people you either love or hate. Because of this, there is always a kind of tension when in his presence. His personality is very strong, a bit overwhelming, very self confident, he's almost like a bully. His personality is a reaction to his one and only personal fear/doubt about himself.
This first aria of his is not one where the text or the character experiences changes of mood, a kind of personal revelation, mood swings etc. In this aria he is making a kind of "this is how it is" statement with no room for debate. I hope that helps.

But, I honestly do thank you for pointing it out as it is a strong reminder to me that texture needs to play an important part in fleshing out the characters in opera.

Instead of continuosly making separate threads I've decided to post various moments from my oper in this thread.

This is an excerpt From the finale of the entire opera (Act III - Finale). Once again, there will be no score as of now. My apologies to those who would like a score for ease and clarity of analysis. I am mainly composing the opera in order but I was very inspired by this moment in the opera and had to break thought to work on this section.

Synopsis:

By the time of the grand finale, the people of the opera (solosits & chorus) have been experienced much without the opportunity to mourn and experience closure. So that you know, the losses aren't necessarily death related alone. At this point all the characters are now afforded the time to properly grieve and receive closure. It opens with a Basso Profundo soloist then continues with the entrance of the chorus for a short while. The music will progress suggesting the forward thought of hope until a Soprano recitative. During the recitative the Soprano makes claim that althought the people have rightly mourned, the situation is just an opportunity to move unto greater things with a thankfulness of what they still have and what has been passed on to them as a people.

Unfortuntely, some of the individual melodic lines don't come through as I would like for them to.

For the most part, the musical material is build off of melodic motifs heard in the F minor opening and some references to other themes that appear earlier in the opera.

You'll need time for this one. The excerpt is about 7mins
Hope you enjoy.
SoundClick song info: Opera (Act III - Finale, Excerpt) by Hansani Archibald - Young composer of Soulful Classical Music