Heloise and Abelard
Stephen Paulus
About this work:
Published by European American Music Corporation.
Libretto by Frank Corsaro
Poignant and lyrical setting of the famous and tragic love story between renowned 12th-century scholar Peter Abelard and his young student Heloise. These lovers faced issues which still resonate with modern audiences: the role of women, the institution of marriage, religious infighting and jealousies, passionate love.
Additional Instrumentation Notes:
Trombone 2 doubles bass trombone. 2 percussion PLUS 2 aux. percussion. Strings minimum 8-7-6-4-3.
Cast of Characters:
HELOISE HERSIND, age 16, niece of Fulbert; young, beautiful and intelligent, Soprano
PETER ABELARD, age 38, a pre-eminent Parisian scholar, tall, good-looking, Baritone
FULBERT, Mid-50's, a canon, the uncle and guardian of Heloise, Tenor
WILLIAM of CHAMPEAUX, Mid-50's, scholar, Archdeacon, theologian and friend of Fulbert, Bass/Baritone
BERTHE, Older woman, a nun at The Paraclete, Mezzo Soprano
ABBESS, older woman, head of the convent at Argenteuil
DENISE, Middle-aged woman, Abelard's sister and Astrolabe's caregiver, Mezzo Soprano
JOLIVET, 40's, a priest, Tenor
ASTROLABE, 17, the son of Abelard and Heloise, Baritone
FOOL , 30's, a juggler and the Master of Ceremonies at the All Fools Day celebration, Tenor
MAN, 20's, acrobat posing as Hercules during the All Fools Day celebration, Tenor
MALE SERVANT, Tenor
FEMALE SERVANT, Mezzo Soprano
CHORUS OF NUNS AND MONKS, SATB, minimum of 8 female and 10 male voices
THREE STUDENTS, male voices from the chorus, young scholars, students of William of Champeaux
DR. SALAVADOS, non-speaking role, 40, actor
FOUR ACTORS, non-speaking roles, four masked men
Commissioned by The Juilliard School with the generous support of Francis Goelet, as part of the national series of works from Meet the Composer/Arts Endowment Commissioning Music/USA, with support from The Helen F. Whitaker Fund.
For further information, please contact:
European American Music Distributors, LLC
15800 NY 48th Ave
Miami, FL 33014
Phone: (305) 521-1797
Fax: (305) 521-1638
Contact: Sue Sinclair
ssinclair@eamdc.com
Year composed: 2002
Duration: 02:00:80
Ensemble type: Opera/Theater:Opera, More than One Act, with Chorus
Instrumentation: 2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 2 Horn in F, 3 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 1 Timpani, 2 Percussion (General), 1 Piano, 1 Harpsichord, 1 Strings (General), 1 Soprano, 3 Mezzo-Soprano, 5 Tenor, 2 Baritone, 1 Bass-Baritone, 1 S, 1 A, 1 T,3 T soloist(s), 1 B
Instrumentation notes: 2 . 2 . 2 . 2 - 2 . 3. 2(2nd as t. and b. tmb). 0 - timp . 2perc +2aux - hp . Pno - str(8, 7, 6, 4, 3 min) - SATB chorus