All Are Not Frogs Who Gape for Flies
Waddy Thompson
About this work: "All Are Not Frogs..." is a farce based on the Commedia dell'Arte and the conventions of classical opera. The plot concerns an old man's wooing of his pretty young maid. She, of course, has already set her mind on the capture of the handsome valet, who—in turn—is thoroughly infatuated with a colorful opera singer. Everyone has his/her own scheme to be the victor in this rectangular affaire del coure. The typically convoluted Commedia lot is further complicated when only one of the singers scheduled to perform the opera (Gelsominia) arrives at the theatre Rather than disappoint the audience, Gelsominia (the soprano) performs all four roles herself, using Commedia masks and a trunkfull of props in a tour de force for the soprano.
You can listen to an excerpt from the opera at my web site waddythompsonmusic.com.
Version: full chamber ensemble
Year composed: 1977
Duration: 00:35:00
Ensemble type: Opera/Theater:Monodrama
Instrumentation: 1 Oboe, 1 Eb Clarinet, 1 Trumpet, 1 Trombone, 1 Timpani, 1 Percussion (General), 1 Marimba, 1 Harpsichord, 1 Violin, 1 Cello, 1 Double bass, ,1 Soprano soloist(s)
Instrumentation notes: Timpani, marimba, and drums are played by one person. The rather major marimba part has, on occassion, been performed on an upright piano successfully.