Tight-Rope
Chester Biscardi
About this work:
Tight-Rope, a chamber opera in nine uninterrupted scenes (1985), is on rental from Merion Music, Inc./Theodore Presser Co. No. 417-41028
Commissioned by the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music for the celebration of its 90th Anniversary and the opening of its newly renovated Music Hall Videotape: WHA-TV, Public Television
Music: Chester Biscardi
Text: Henry Butler
Luther Dane, Baritone [B-flat2 - G4]
The Actor, Tenor [C#3 - B4]
Sara, Soprano (lyric mezzo) [A#3 - A5]
Kathryn, Soprano (dramatic mezzo) [G3 - G5]
The Interviewer, Soprano (coloratura) [B-flat3 - D5]
Luther’s Manager, Soprano (mezzo or coloratura) [B-flat3 - E-flat5]
Critic #1, Tenor [D3 - B4]
Critic #2, Bass [A2 - F#4]
Willie, Bass-Baritone [A2 - G#4]
First performance: John Reardon/Peter Halverson, Marcus Haddock/John Webber, Susan Powell/Leslie Esser, Adria Firestone/Marcia Roberts, Mimmi Fulmer/Margaret Walters, Ilona Kombrink, John Webber/Cary Michaels, Samuel Jones/Kevin Jeffers, David Hottman; Karlos Moser, Music Director; Del Lewis, Director; John Ezell, Scenic Designer; James Gage, Lighting Designer; Karen Brown-Larimore, Costume Designer; Jean do Pico, Stage Manager; University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music and Department of Theatre and Drama; Carol Rennebohm Theater, Music Hall; October 5-26, 1985; Videotaped by WHA-TV
The Story
The legend of Luther Dane, poet and cult hero, enhanced by his mysterious disappearance and presumed death, is now the subject of a film biography. On the first day of shooting, work is disrupted when the actor portraying Dane angrily insists that his lines could not be the words of the man whose life and poetry he so admires.
Left alone to sort out his feelings, the Actor is suddenly face-to-face with Luther Dane, very much alive, an unsuspected witness to the filming. Intrigued by the Actor's concern for integrity in his portrayal, the poet offers to piece together the not so well-known story of his life and "death."
Through Dane's memories and actual encounters, the Actor experiences the poet's explosive career, the women and men (a brash interviewer; his seductive manager; Sara, his first love; Kathryn, a mature love; two critics--one nonsensical, the other serious; and Willie, an alcoholic) who shaped his life, and his powerful influence when he spoke to his dedicated followers. Most important, the Actor learns the truth about Dane's escape from an unbearable public image.
When the poet abruptly takes leave of him, the Actor begins to find the words and images he must use if he is to portray with honesty the life of Luther Dane . . .
Time: The present.
Year composed: 1985
Duration: 01:30:40
Ensemble type: Opera/Theater:One-Act Operas
Instrumentation: 1 Flute, 1 English Horn, 1 Clarinet, 1 Bassoon, 1 Soprano Saxophone, 2 Horn in F, 1 Trumpet, 3 Percussion (General), 1 Piano, 1 Strings (General), 1 Harp, ,1 Soprano soloist(s), ,3 Mezzo-Soprano soloist(s), ,2 Tenor soloist(s), ,2 Baritone soloist(s), ,1 Bass-Baritone soloist(s), ,1 Bass soloist(s)
Instrumentation notes: 4 Sopranos (Coloratura, Lyric Mezzo, Dramatic Mezzo, Mezzo or Dramatic), 2 Tenors, 2 Baritones, Bass-Baritone, Bass;
Fl. (also Picc.), E. Hn., Cl. (also B. Cl.), Bsn.; Sop. Sax. (also Ten. Sax.); 2 Hns., Tpt., Trb.; 3 Perc.; Hp.; Pn.; Strs. (at least 33322; reduced version 11111)