Menkaure
James Nathaniel Holland
About this work:
6,000 years ago an almighty ruler died in Aksum. But today he lives for one woman who falls in love with his statue at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She is pulled deep into obsession, and her family is unable to rescue her; she tries to kiss the statue's face, and is arrested. With a quest to find the statue's twin, she flees to the country Joondor, site of the ancient city of Aksum. She is ultimately consumed by her love for Menkaure.
PERFORMERS (in order of appearance):
THE HIGH PRIEST OF ANCIENT AKSUM, Marco Rossi
ERIK, Delphie's younger boyfriend, Dennis Jesse
DELPHIE, Her mother, Colleen McGrath
TRISTA, A professional woman, Lauren Bradley
RYAN, Trista's ex-boyfriend, Matthew Yoder
MRS. SNODGRASS, The museum's docent, Kirsten Sollek-Avella
CONSALADAS, a benevolent guide in Joondor, Ethan Herschenfeld
MOSIL, a Joondorian no-good, Matthew Yoder
HAMLAK, a blind and crippled Christian Saint, Marco Rossi
THE GUARD AT KANI-KUNALOME, Dennis Jesse
Year composed: 2004
Duration: 02:00:80
Ensemble type: Opera/Theater:Opera, More than One Act, with Chorus
Instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 2 Flute, 1 Oboe, 1 English Horn, 2 Clarinet, 1 Bass Clarinet, 2 Horn in F, 1 Trumpet, 1 Trombone, 1 Tuba, 4 Percussion (General), 1 Strings (General),1 Strings (General) soloist(s), 2 Soprano, 1 Alto, 1 Tenor, 3 Baritone, 1 Bass, 1 Prerecorded Sound (Tape/CD/Other)
Instrumentation notes: Bass Flute as well.