Sir Harrison Birtwistle (1934-2022)

The Mask of Orpheus (1983 -1986)

opera in three acts

electronic work, Ircam
stage work

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1983 - 1986
    • Duration: 3 h 30 mn
    • Publisher: Universal Edition
    • Commission: English National Opera et Ircam
    • Libretto (details, author):

      Peter Zinovieff

Detailed formation
  • soloists: 2 solo sopranos, 3 solo mezzo-sopranos, solo contralto, 3 solo tenors, 3 solo baritones, solo bass-baritone, solo bass voice, 3 mimes [principaux]
  • mixed choir(4 soprano, 4 contralto, 4 tenor, 4 bass voice)
  • 4 flutes (also 3 piccolos, 3 alto flutes, 1 bass flute), 3 oboes (also 1 oboe d'amore, 2 English horns), baritone oboe (also English horn), 3 clarinets (also 2 Eb clarinets, 2 bass clarinets), bass clarinet (also contrabass clarinet), 3 soprano saxophones, 3 bassoons (also 2 contrabassoons), 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 6 trombones, 2 tubas, 7 percussionists, 3 harp, electric guitar, electric bass guitar, mandolin [électrique]

Premiere information

  • Date: 25 May 1986
    Location:

    Royaume-Uni, Londres, English National Opera


    Performers:

    les solistes et l'orchestre de l'English National Opera, direction : Elgar Howarth.

Information on the electronics
Studio information: Ircam
RIM (réalisateur(s) en informatique musicale): Barry Anderson, Jean-Baptiste Barrière, Marc Battier, Jean Holleville
Electronic device: sons fixés sur support

Observations

Rôles
  • Orpheus - The Man, ténor
  • Orpheus - Hero, mime
  • Orpheus - The Myth, Hades, ténor 2
  • Euridice - The Woman, mezzo-soprano lyrique 1
  • Euridice - The Heroine, mime
  • Euridice - The Myth, Persephone, mezzo-soprano lyrique 2
  • Aristaeus - The Man, bariton aigu 1
  • Aristaeus - The Hero, mime
  • Aristaeus - The Myth / Charon, bariton aigu 2
  • The Oracle of the dead / Hecate, sopran aiguë
  • The Caller, baryton-basse
  • 1. Priest, ténor héroïque
  • 2. Priest, baryton
  • 3. Priest, basse profonde
  • 1. Woman, soprano
  • 2. Woman, mezzo-soprano
  • 3. Woman, contralto
  • The troupe of the passing clouds, mimes
  • Apollo, bande magnétique