Browse Works
Instrumentation
Additional Information
Libretto: Christina Jones
An ensemble piece for young professional singer/actors
Commissioned by English National Opera's 'The Knack'
First performance ENO Works, Old Shoreditch Library, London, 8 May 2004
The Knack Ensemble - artistic director Mary King
Director: Designer: Conductor: Gerry Cornelius
CAST
Security people – medium voices (minimum 3)
4 locals – SSA male voice – all medium range
Lucia* – hotel manageress – mezzo/jazz voice
Bridegroom* – counter-tenor, or baritone Best Man - baritone
Bride* – dramatic soprano
Bride’s mother - mezzo
Three Bridesmaids - SSA
Press: Reporter
Press: Sound
Press: Camera – all medium voices, male or female
Birdwatchers – male and female, groups or solos
Birdwatcher couple A* (soprano)
Birdwatcher couple B* (tenor)
Refugee 1* - soprano
Refugee 2* – alto
Hotel Owners – minimum 3 – medium voices
Echoes – chorus+ solo opportunities – to include all of the above voices
nb: A Very Private Beach is conceived as an ensemble piece for young professional singers/actors. The advanced vocal parts are marked with an asterisk – the voice types and indeed sex of many of the performers can be flexible, depending on availability.
Oboe + Cor-Anglais, Clarinet+ Bass Clarinet, 'Cello, Harp, Piano
SYNOPSIS
On a beach in Italy, recently taken away from the locals as part of a huge luxury hotel chain, a society wedding is disrupted by a shipwreck of illegal immigrants.
