From the Towers of the Moon
FROM
THE TOWERS OF THE MOON
Music by Robert Moran
Libretto by Michael John LaChiusa
This
opera was commissioned and premiered by Minnesota Opera in 1992.
Four excerpts, written for string quartet, were recorded as "Music from the
Towers of the Moon" Balanescu Quartet, ARGO label of London Records.
The opera is based upon the ancient Japanese legend of the Moon Goddess who
comes to Earth, titled Kaguya-hime.
This one act opera is approximately 80 minutes duration, and is scored for:
flute/piccolo, oboe/english horn, clarinet/bass clarinet, bassoon;
trumpet, horn, trombone; three synthesizers;
one percussionist: one timpani, triangle, two suspended cymbals (high and
low), large tam, suspended car coil, vibraphone, chimes, two timbales,
two sets of bongos (low to high, only 3 bongos used)
two violins, viola, cello (or strings without bassi)
Cast:
The Peasant....................................................................baritone
His Wife.............................................................mezzo
soprano
The Girl...........................................................................soprano
The Emperor............baritone
(or a newer version for tenor)
The Emperor's Mother.....................................mezzo
soprano
The Grand Consul.............................................................tenor
The Minister of War............................................................bass
The Consul's servant..........................................................tenor
The Minister's servant...................................................baritone
Chorus of moon gods, the court, etc. (sop, ten, bar.)