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

Complete Act I - Scene I:

This is the music of the first scene of the first act. I really don't want to give the plot of idea of the opera away so I will do my best to give a suitable description of the music.

My approach to the opera is about using what works best for me and the story. I use concepts from the history of opera. Therefore, my opera is not meant to be "Opera Seria" of the baroque or of the classical era, nor is it the italian opera of Mozart, Rossini, Puccini or Verdi. Its not the operatic style of the late 19th century/early 20th century. At times the music will be what it needs to be. Hopefully, that will help in understanding the music. Although, I don't think there will be anything that will be difficult to comprehend.

A former teacher of mine and operatic Mezzo-Soprano suggested that I write an opera after hearing some of my choral/vocal music. This suggestion came a couple of years ago. It took me some time to make a final decision on which of my operatic ideas I wanted to go with for my first attempt. I plan to eventually meet with her and discuss the what I have composed so far and the direction of the work. She has founded a small opera company in Boston and I'm hoping she will help in its promotion.

Here are the links for the entire first scene. The first scene is meant as a set up and an opening.Therefor the scene is short. The first scene is never revisited in the opera again.

The work does rely tonal structure and motifs here and there.

1) Opening chorus of victory with one of the leading characters (Baritone).
SoundClick song info: Opera (Opening Chorus) by Hansani Archibald - Young composer of Soulful Classical Music

2) Recitative with leading Character (Baritone) and Chorus member.
At this point the Baritone is conversing with the chorus and becomes a little annoyed before going into his aria.
SoundClick song info: Opera (Act I, Scene I - Recitative) by Hansani Archibald - Young composer of Soulful Classical Music

3) Short Aria of leading character (Baritone). Music is meant to sound a little pompous, sarcastic, strong and at times noble. The aria is not meant to be long for this particular situation. But, I'm considering adding about 30 more seconds of music.
SoundClick song info: Opera (Act I, Scene I - Aria) by Hansani Archibald - Young composer of Soulful Classical Music

4) After Baritone Aria a lesser leading character (Tenor) enters in excitement with something to say. Instead of saying what needs to be said the character talks about how exciting the news is. The Baritone soloist and chorus get annoyed and prompt the "Tenor" to speak, or else. The music then proceeds into a Recitative to end the scene.
SoundClick song info: Opera (Act I, Scene I - Solo and Chorus) by Hansani Archibald - Young composer of Soulful Classical Music

5) This is actually Scene IIa (as I call it). Here the scene is tension filled with some very unfortunate news.
SoundClick song info: Opera (Act I - Scene IIa) by Hansani Archibald - Young composer of Soulful Classical Music

I will have more soon enough.

Opening chorus: Interesting peice. But no real melody that I could hear. The chorus sounded like it was singing in an undiscovered mode. I kind of felt that the rolls on (timpani?) were kind of pointless as they didn't real have much effect on the rest of the peice. But that's just me.

Recitative: Not much of a recitative. More of a semi-melodic aria. I thought it was a little to abrupt. Finishing with no resolve. Very nice harpsichord part though. But the orchestra came in a bit too suddenly.

Aria: Not much I can really comment on. This should be the recitative in my opinion. But, i couldn't hear much of the voices, so... The strings kind of sounded a little weird. And, it's probably just the Mp3, but the end, again, didn't really have any resolve to me. Still good. Just need a little work.

The solo and chorus: Pretty. I liked it alot. No real criticism worth noting.

Scene IIa: Very nice. Pretty. Definitely great to listen to.


Overall: excellent work. Very impressive. The first little bit just needs some work. Keep on composing.

Thanks for listening and for your comments. They were duely noted. However, I'm not so sure I agree with you comepletely. But, at the same time I do unsderstand your position as the listener. It really is unclear for you to tell what is really going on dramatically and so it makes a big difference in regards to the music coming acros convincingly.

By the way, the timpani rolls are really a reference to the text. I'm not just putting them there "just becasue".

Anyway, thanks agian.

Oh ok. Well, I don't know the text, so it just sounded a little awkward.

Heard that first chorus...very nicely done indeed, especially for a first operatic effort. It will be interesting to see how this progresses. Best of luck!

Originally Posted by J. Lee Graham

Heard that first chorus...very nicely done indeed, especially for a first operatic effort. It will be interesting to see how this progresses. Best of luck!

Thanks for listening. Glad you liked what you heard. The challenge for me will be not to get hung up in my compositional idosynchrosies and let the compositional vision I have come forth.

Anyway, I'd love to know what you think regarding the other pieces from the scene.

Thanks.

Great stuff Majesty, because of my lack of operatic insights, I have nothing more to say. You got off to a great start, keep up the good work.

Cheers

Originally Posted by James QZ

Great stuff Majesty, because of my lack of operatic insights, I have nothing more to say. You got off to a great start, keep up the good work.

Cheers

Well, at least you enjoyed the music

Thanks for listening. I do hope what I do with the rest of the opera will be just as enjoyable

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.

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!