Prince of Peace - A Passion Play
Gabriella Snyder
About this work:
Prince of Peace is a music drama in three acts for orchestra (or organ), narrator, seven vocal soloists and chorus.
In Prince of Peace we see Jesus Christ with a human face, with the victims of war, around the world, and throughout millennia. The passion play recounts the story of Christ's trials and triumph, his persecution and resurrection, and underscores his universal message of peace, forgiveness and love.
One cannot miss the underlying anti-war theme of poet Catherine de Vinck's original play by the same name, which forms the basis of the libretto. Her vision of the passion is filled with earthy, real-life characters with their sufferings, weaknesses, strengths and spiritual strivings. De Vinck also explores the Jewish nature of Jesus, linking his persecution and suffering with that of the Jews throughout the centuries. After his death by crucifixion, Jesus's mother, Mary, leads the chorus in singing the now traditional Jewish Mourner's Kaddish.
Snyder's musical interpretation is highly singable and colorful. In the drama, she identifies each character and chorus with definite rhythms and melodies, and shifting undercurrents of tonal and modal harmonies. Her score pays homage to traditional Passions, such as those of J.S. Bach and Heinrich Schutz, by employing the fugue and passacaglia. Snyder's Prince of Peace amplifies in form and substance the miracle and passion plays of Medieval Europe, some of the earliest theatrical works of western music.
Year composed: 2002
Duration: 01:30:40
Ensemble type: Opera/Theater:Opera, More than One Act, with Chorus
Instrumentation: 1 Flute, 1 Oboe, 1 English Horn, 2 Clarinet, 1 Bassoon, 2 Horn in F, 1 Trumpet, 1 Trombone, 1 Tuba, 4 Timpani, 1 Percussion (General), 1 Xylophone, 1 Strings (General), ,1 Soprano soloist(s), ,2 Tenor soloist(s), ,2 Baritone soloist(s), ,2 Bass soloist(s), 1 Narrator, 5 S, 5 A, 5 T, 5 B
Instrumentation notes: Chorus can be small or large, with strong male voices needed. The work is scored for orchestra, but a keyboard version is available.