.Gabriel
Encyclopedia
.Gabriel is an opera
in two acts (to be performed continuously) written by American composer
Robert J. Bradshaw. The libretto
, also by Bradshaw, was inspired by the composer's online experiences with social networking websites, instant messaging
, chat rooms and email
correspondence. The opera was commissioned by the Australian Trumpet Guild for performance at the 35th Annual Conference of the International Trumpet Guild, 2010, Sydney, Australia. Also in 2010, the composition was awarded an American Music Center Composer Assistance Program Grant and was named winner of a 2009 Boston Metro Opera Mainstage Award.
.Gabriel is a composition where the trumpet performs as one of the main characters, interacting on stage with the vocalists. The three vocal roles represent different aspects of social interaction. "Principal represents society's dependency on the Internet, computers and electronic communication." She lives alone and is consumed by her need to be "connected". There are also two minor male roles that act as Principal's memories. One is the positive spirit of social relationships and the other is the actual situations where social interaction is required.
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
in two acts (to be performed continuously) written by American composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
Robert J. Bradshaw. The libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
, also by Bradshaw, was inspired by the composer's online experiences with social networking websites, instant messaging
Instant messaging
Instant Messaging is a form of real-time direct text-based chatting communication in push mode between two or more people using personal computers or other devices, along with shared clients. The user's text is conveyed over a network, such as the Internet...
, chat rooms and email
Email
Electronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
correspondence. The opera was commissioned by the Australian Trumpet Guild for performance at the 35th Annual Conference of the International Trumpet Guild, 2010, Sydney, Australia. Also in 2010, the composition was awarded an American Music Center Composer Assistance Program Grant and was named winner of a 2009 Boston Metro Opera Mainstage Award.
About the opera
Program notes (included in the published score) state:.Gabriel is an allegory for society’s increasing perception of connection to the world through the Internet, while in actual fact separating ourselves from physical interaction. The false perception of safety and protection (and ultimate isolation) of electronic relationships at times promotes posting statements or images people would never consider saying (or doing) in person. Although Principal interacts with the other members of the cast, they never come in contact with each other. A scrim represents the physical barrier (the computer screen) that separates Principal from the living world around her."
.Gabriel is a composition where the trumpet performs as one of the main characters, interacting on stage with the vocalists. The three vocal roles represent different aspects of social interaction. "Principal represents society's dependency on the Internet, computers and electronic communication." She lives alone and is consumed by her need to be "connected". There are also two minor male roles that act as Principal's memories. One is the positive spirit of social relationships and the other is the actual situations where social interaction is required.
Concert Premiere
.Gabriel was premiered at the Music Workshop, Sydney Conservatorium of Music (July 8, 2010). The two principal roles were performed by Joshua Clarke (Yamaha Performing Artist and Principal Trumpet of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra) and Jane Parkin (Opera Australia Artist and member of the Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artist Program) In March 2010, scenes from the opera sung by Tina Milhorn Stallard, who sang Principal in the premiere recording, had been previewed at the Palm Beach Atlantic University New Music Festival.Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast |
|---|---|---|
| Gabriel, Principal's unknown companion. | Trumpet Trumpet The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air... |
Joshua Clarke |
| Principal, A young woman obsessed with the Internet. | Soprano Soprano A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody... |
Jane Parkin |
| Memory I, A persistant memory trying to resurface in Principal's mind. | Tenor Tenor The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2... |
Samuel Sakker |
| Memory II, A persistant memory trying to resurface in Principal's mind. | Bass-baritone Bass-baritone A bass-baritone is a high-lying bass or low-lying "classical" baritone voice type which shares certain qualities with the true baritone voice. The term arose in the late 19th century to describe the particular type of voice required to sing three Wagnerian roles: the Dutchman in Der fliegende... |
Christopher Hillier |
| Instrument | Musician |
|---|---|
| Clarinet Clarinet The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed... |
Peter Jenkins |
| Viola Viola The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average... |
Virginia Commerfod |
| Bassoon Bassoon The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers, and occasionally higher. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band and chamber music literature... |
Matthew Ockenden |
| Piano Piano The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... |
Tony Legge |
| Conductor Conducting Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble... |
Tony Legge |
Staged Premiere
.Gabriel was first staged in America on February 25 & 26, 2011 by the Boston Metro Opera. The performances took place at Hope Central Church in the historic Boston neighborhood of Jamaica Plain. These performances were announced on December 1, 2009 when the opera won a BMO Mainstage Award.| Character | Voice type | Premiere Cast |
|---|---|---|
| Gabriel, Principal's unknown companion. | Trumpet Trumpet The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air... |
Kathryn Driscoll |
| Principal, A young woman obsessed with the Internet. | Soprano Soprano A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody... |
Sarah Mayo |
| Memory I, A persistant memory trying to resurface in Principal's mind. | Tenor Tenor The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2... |
Christopher Aaron Smith |
| Memory II, A persistant memory trying to resurface in Principal's mind. | Bass-baritone Bass-baritone A bass-baritone is a high-lying bass or low-lying "classical" baritone voice type which shares certain qualities with the true baritone voice. The term arose in the late 19th century to describe the particular type of voice required to sing three Wagnerian roles: the Dutchman in Der fliegende... |
Stewart Kramer |
| Instrument | Musician |
|---|---|
| Piano Piano The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... |
Eve K. Budnick |
First Recording
.Gabriel was recorded by the Palmetto Camerata at the University of South Carolina (January 5-7, 2010) and released by Beauport Classical (BC41009) on CD in 2010. The recording features Tina Milhorn Stallard (soprano) and James Ackley (trumpet) performing the principal roles.| Role | Voice type | Recording Cast (Engineer: Jeff Francis) |
|---|---|---|
| Gabriel, Principal's unknown companion. | Trumpet Trumpet The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air... |
James Ackley |
| Principal, A young woman obsessed with the Internet. | Soprano Soprano A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody... |
Tina Milhorn Stallard |
| Memory I, A persistant memory trying to resurface in Principal's mind. | Tenor Tenor The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2... |
Walter Cuttino |
| Memory II, A persistant memory trying to resurface in Principal's mind. | Bass-baritone Bass-baritone A bass-baritone is a high-lying bass or low-lying "classical" baritone voice type which shares certain qualities with the true baritone voice. The term arose in the late 19th century to describe the particular type of voice required to sing three Wagnerian roles: the Dutchman in Der fliegende... |
Jacob Will |
| Instrument | Musician |
|---|---|
| Clarinet Clarinet The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed... |
Joeseph Eller |
| Viola Viola The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average... |
Constance Gee |
| Bassoon Bassoon The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers, and occasionally higher. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band and chamber music literature... |
Michael Harley |
| Piano Piano The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... |
Joeseph Rackers |
| Conductor Conducting Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble... |
Neil Casey |
Sources
- American Record Guide website
- American Music Center Composer Assistance Program 2010 Awards List
- Opera Australia Article titled New opera features trumpet in main role
- Score: Bradshaw, Robert J. (2009), .Gabriel, Beauport Press, Gloucester, Massachusetts. ISBN 978-0-9822775-1-5
- Sound Recording: Robert J. Bradshaw's .Gabriel. The Palmetto Camerata. Beauport Classical, 2010.
- Young, Neville. .Gabriel by Robert Bradshaw. ITG Journal of the International Trumpet Guild. October 2010. Vol. 35, No. 1
- International Trumpet Guild Conference Review (Online Reference, Page 5)
- Boston Metro Opera Mainstage Award
- Boston Metro Opera Performance Details and Program
- Official opera .Gabriel website
- The New York Times article about learning how not to share too much personal information on social networking sites
- Joshua Clarke Biography (Yamaha Performing Artist and Principal Trumpet with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra)
- Jane Parkin Biography (Opera Australia)
- CD Baby (CD Distributor) .Gabriel listing
- International Trumpet Guild Conference 2010 website