Harpies, The
Marc Blitzstein
About this work:
one-act satirical opera re Jason and the Argonauts ridding the blind oracle Phineus of the Harpies who steal his food; commissioned by the League of Composers, but premiered only in 1953 at Manhattan School of Music; adapted and conducted from the piano by Leonard Lehrman, costumed, choreographed and directed by Wakeen Ray-Riv (aka Joaquin LaHabana), Lowell House, Harvard Dec. 1970. Recorded there and released on CD, 2003. Phineus: Larry Bakst; Iris: Juliet Cunningham; Harpies: Louisa Roof, Sharman Haley, Stephanie Schlegel; Argonauts: Ross Halper, Lewis Perry, Ira Bigeleisen (as Jason). Second pianist: David Hessney
Version: with 2 pianos & percussion
Year composed: 1931
Duration: 00:17:42
Ensemble type: Opera/Theater:One-Act Operas
Instrumentation: 1 Drum Set, 2 Piano, 2 Soprano, 1 Mezzo-Soprano, 1 Alto, 2 Tenor, 1 Baritone, 1 Bass-Baritone
Instrumentation notes: scored for 6 woodwinds, bass, piano; in 1970 adaptation by Leonard Lehrman re-scored for 2 pianos and percussion (drum set)