Germain
James Nathaniel Holland
About this work:
When race tears a country apart;
When one man will do anything to shape the government to his liking,
and another, to satisfy his lust.
When lies destroy lives
and hatred becomes the reason for living;
Can love survive?
Only one light flickers in the darkness of Timbaksha,
and that light is...
Germain
DRAMATIS PERSONAE:
GERMAIN, A foreigner and a dreamer(Lyric Baritone)
TALLEYRAND, Minister of District Thirteen and Leader of the Dissidents(Bass)
CHERYL, A Tavern owner and girlfriend to Talleyrand (Soprano)
ALEXANDER, The Newly Elected Prime Minister of Timbaksha (Tenor)
TAMINA, Wife of Alexander (Soprano)
NADINE, Minister of District Five (Alto)
URCHIN, (Male or Female teen voice)
WALLACE, Minister of District Nine (Baritone)
PRISON OFFICER (Baritone)
CHORUS: DISSIDENTS, DINNER GUESTS, THE BLOODTHRISTY CROWD, etc.
SYNOPSIS (SHORT VERSION)
PLACE: Timbaksha, where the four corners of the world meet
TIME: Anytime
Act I (Cheryl’s Tavern): One night, during the initial visit of the new Prime Minister to District Thirteen, a mysterious fire is set at a local church. Talleyrand incites the town to riot and urges Germain to join the fight; but Germain is interested in pursuing things like his meditation. He stays behind with Cheryl to help her card reading skills. A little later, a wounded stranger pleads for his life outside. They tend his wounds, and the stranger and Germain connect, although he won’t tell them who he is. As the dissidents return, he makes a quick getaway, plucks a medal from his chest and invites them both to an upcoming State dinner.
Act II (The State Mansion): The dinner is a den of vicious gossips, with Nadine as queen of the evening. Alexander and an overly worried Tamina arrive, followed by Talleyrand, armed with a deadly plot. Germain and Cheryl soon show up with the medal, and discover their mysterious stranger was the new prime minister himself. Alexander tells Germain to wait for him upstairs. He follows with Nadine, which sets off a flurry of talk among the crowd. Tamina can’t take the hidden slurs anymore. This CD selection picks up where Tamina throws a vase at the crowd, then begs them to forgive her for being a slave to love.
Act III (The Prime Minister’s Bedroom): Totally taken and waiting for his “special friend” to come, Germain curiously peeks around the door, and spies a vulgar exchange between Alexander and Nadine. Talleyrand, who secretly followed Germain up to the bedroom, tries to capitalize on Germain’s apparent anger and tells him that this is only the beginning of deceit. He presents a gun to Germain to kill him. But Germain refuses and as Alexander nonchalantly enters the room, Talleyrand slinks back into the shadows. The lights are dimmed and Germain interrogates Alexander, hoping that something of sincerity shines through the obvious infidelities. Alexander only lies to him that all is empty in his current life, and one day he hopes he will find a true love. Unexpectedly Tamina and Nadine burst into the room, a shot rings out through the darkness. Security, guests, and reporters rush in, and when asked who has done this, Alexander points to Germain, and yells, “He did!”
Act IV (Scene: The State Prison): Cheryl visits Germain. Another prisoner is brought in, it’s Tamina, and this sight prompts Cheryl to tell how fate has deposed Tamina (via Nadine’s accusations) and has lifted her to the position of wife to the Prime Minister. All is lost for her and Cheryl plans to leave the country, that is, until Talleyrand shows up. As he rebukes her, he taunts Tamina. Germain reproaches him for his cruelty. Talleyrand orders Cheryl to return to the State House, but she shrieks at him and flees. Soon Tamina is executed and Talleyrand tries again to persuade Germain, but he holds on to his faith that love can save him. Finally, Talleyrand gives up, and abandoned, Germain begins to meditate. Slowly prison walls melt away, and he is escorted into the light of the universe.
THE CAST:
RICHARD LIPPOLD (Germain)
ETHAN HERSCHENFELD (Talleyrand)
COLLEEN McGRATH (Cheryl)
ARIANO PEñA (Alexander)
DEBRA WEST (Tamina)
KIRSTEN SOLLEK-AVELLA (Nadine)
DENNIS JESSE (Wallce/Prison Officer)
Year composed: 2001
Duration: 02:00:80
Ensemble type: Opera/Theater:Opera, More than One Act, with Chorus
Instrumentation: 2 Flute, 2 English Horn, 2 Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 3 Horn in F, 2 Trumpet, 1 Trombone, 1 Timpani, 2 Percussion (General), 1 Electric/Electronic Keyboard, 2 Violin, 1 Viola, 1 Cello, 1 Double bass, 1 Harp, 2 Soprano, 1 Alto, 1 Tenor, 2 Baritone, 1 Bass, 1 Medium Voice, 1 S, 1 A, 1 T, 1 B
Instrumentation notes: Vocal Score complete and polished. Orchestral score is complete but is in the process of being cleaned.