The Age of Gold
Cynthia Sternau
About this work:
The Age of Gold explores the traditions of those who seek and see the future. The opera makes use of source material from Plato’s Laws, Phaedrus and Republic. Additional references from classical philosophy and literature include Aristotle’s Metaphysics and Physics, the Hermetica, fragments of the pre-Socratic philosophers, Plutarch’s Lives, Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound; from world mythology and literature, Ellen Emerson Russell’s Indian Myths; and a deep bow to Edmund Spenser and Alexander Pope. This is the third opera in The Way of Humankind Trilogy (The Myth of Er; The Fall of Atlantis; The Age of Gold.)
Dramatis Personae:
The Charioteer of the Soul, a spirit with the head of a hawk--Tenor
Soter, a seeker of knowledge-- Bass-baritone
Daphne, an oracle--Mezzo-soprano
First Querent--Bass
Second Querent--Tenor
Third Queren--Soprano
Voice of the Awakened--Mezzo-soprano
Prisoners of the Cave, Querents & Attendants--the Chorus
Version: 3
Year composed: 1999
Duration: 00:53:00
Ensemble type: Opera/Theater:Chamber Opera, Two or More Singers
Instrumentation: ,1 Soprano soloist(s), ,1 Mezzo-Soprano soloist(s), ,2 Tenor soloist(s), ,1 Bass-Baritone soloist(s), ,1 Bass soloist(s), ,3 S soloist(s), ,3 SS soloist(s), ,3 A soloist(s), ,3 AA soloist(s), ,3 T soloist(s), ,3 TT soloist(s), ,3 B soloist(s), ,3 BB soloist(s), ,1 Prerecorded Sound (Tape/CD/Other) soloist(s)
Instrumentation notes: Work is for soloists, chorus and pre-recorded electronics (from CD or DAT).