The Beekeeper
Chamber Opera (2022)
Music by Wang Lu | Libretto by Kelley Rourke
- Duration 50 minutes
- Commission Chicago Opera Theater
- Premiere
Concert/workshop premiere - Chicago Opera Theater, March 2022*
Currently seeking venue for fully-staged premiere. - Instrumentation Flute (doubles Piccolo), Clarinet in Bb (doubles Bass Clarinet in Bb), Horn in F, Percussion, Piano, 2 Violins, Cello
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Cast
NOAH CADER Late 20s/early 30s. Baritone
PHEOBE CADER Late 20s/early 30s. Soprano
MELISSA MEVROS 50s or older. Mezzo
THE VOICES OF THE ORCHARD Three women. Ageless.
The Story
Noah and Phoebe leave the city when he inherits his grandparents’ orchard. The young couple dreams of the life they will create together, but they are unprepared for what lies ahead. In addition to the never-ending demands of the house and the land, Noah is haunted by memories of his last visit to the orchard, many years ago. A neighbor, Melissa, provides a bridge from past to present, as the voices of the orchard bear witness to the many interlocking stories that have unfurled—and are still unfurling—on this bit of earth. A snapshot of the interlocking cycles of human, apian, and arboreal life, The Beekeeper is a meditation on time, grief, and hope.
The Music
Instrumental colors and textures create a magical, powerful and vibrantly unique sound world that constantly transforms space while heightening the distinctive emotional state of the characters. Wondrous orchestration and the mirroring of solo instrumental roles forge dialogues between the characters on stage and musicians in the pit. The score is open to reimagining for large forces including orchestra if resources allow.
*recording available
