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Solo baritone, childrens' chorus Orchestra: 2222; 2220; timp., perc.(2), pno, organ; no strings. Uses slide projections

The first version was written in 1981 collectively with Andre Fischer, a pupil at the Kantonsschule Zürcher Unterland in Bülach. It is a setting of words from an advent calendar by Max Bolliger. It is scored for baritone soloist (Christophorus), children’s chorus and wind orchestra, with percussion. The work was performed twice in December 1981.

Christophorus tells the story of St. Christopher, a very strong man, who is searching for an ogre who rules the world. Each year, instead of finding the ogre, he finds a child in distress. In the eighth year, still searching, he meets Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. During the night, when Jesus is born, the child speaks to him and says he has met the ogre seven times already. Christophorus now knows what the ogre is, but is much less sure of his ability to conquer lt.

The characters of and the children whom he meets are dressed in costume, but do not act. The Cantata is, however, illustrated by a series of slides which are shown during the whole performance.

In 1982 in Christchurch I revised Christophorus and translated the text into English. It was performed for a season before Christmas of that year, with James Dames singing the part of Christophorus. This revised version has double wind, piano, organ and three percussionists, plus the children’s chorus. A recording was made.

• Powell: Christophorus; facsimile 

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2 male soloists, 2 male narrators, chorus of 2 tenors, 2 basses, piccolo, fl, alto fl, vibraphone, 1 percussion: windchimes, gong, hand drum

• Buchanan: Greenleaf; facsimile 

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• Buchanan: Greenleaf; facsimile 

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• Buchanan: Greenleaf; facsimile 

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• Buchanan: Greenleaf; facsimile 

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soprano, tenor, choir (3 sopranos), flute, oboe/cor anglais, clarinet, bassoon, horn, strings, piano solo

Based on the Noh drama Kocho (“Butterfly”), this chamber opera was written as part of my composition folio for my Honours year of study at Victoria University of Wellington. Although at this particular time I had never heard or seen a Noh drama, I was captivated by this text which I had found in the university library, and decided to make my own setting. This particular drama belongs to the genre of “Spirit Pieces” where the chief motivation is the desire for Nirvana promised by Buddha. In Kocho, the spirit of the butterfly is denied the bliss of Nirvana for a specific reason – her desire for the companionship of the plum blossom that blooms before her time. She tells her story to a travelling monk, asking him to pray for her. In the second act, the butterfly dances joyfully amongst the plum blossoms, her wish fulfilled at last.

The musical language I have used is a mixture of freely written tonal passages with strong doses of modal (often rather Asian sounding, although not based on any particular system) and minor harmonies, as well as minimalist elements. The choir sings mainly in unison, and in contrast to a traditional Noh choir is made up entirely of women’s voices. On occasion the pianist takes on a more soloistic role, as does the leader of the orchestra. Presented in an unstaged performance at Victoria University of Wellington, in November 1991.

• Carey: Kocho; facsimile 

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• Carey: Kocho; facsimile 

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• Carey: Kocho; Facsimile. 

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for five sopranos, four mezzo sopranos, one alto, four tenors, three baritones, two bass (actors/singers may duplicate roles within a production)

Plot Summary:

Diane Forest is an artistically successful author who makes a deal with Mephistopheles to become financially successful.

• Davidson: Love or Money; computer-set 

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• Davidson: Love or Money; computer-set 

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• Davidson: Love or Money; computer-set 

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• Davidson: Love or Money; computer-set 

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• Davidson: Love or Money; computer-set 

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• Matthew Davidson: Love or Money; MIDI 

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• Matthew Davidson: Love or Money 

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Taonga puoro (Maori instruments) one, or ideally two players, flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, piano, percussion, 2 violins, viola, 2 cellos, double bass; 6 singers (soloists)

• Whitehead: Outrageous fortune; facsimile 

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• Whitehead: Outrageous Fortune; facsimile 

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• Whitehead: Outrageous Fortune; computer set 

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• Gillian Whitehead: Outrageous Fortune  Year: 1998 

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clarinet, bassoon, horn, percussion (2), piano, violin, viola, cello

• Farquhar: Shadow; facsimile 

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• Farquhar: Shadow; facsimile 

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Flute (piccolo), B flat clarinet (alto saxophone); percussion, piano; violins (2), viola, cello, double bass; Soloists: sopranos (2), mezzo-soprano, baritone

• Buchanan: The Mansfield Stories; computer-set 

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• Buchanan: The Daughters of the Late Colonel; computer-set 

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• Buchanan: The Daughters of the Late Colonel; computer-set 

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• Dorothy Buchanan: The Mansfield Stories 

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• Dorothy Buchanan: Two Operas 

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• Dorothy Buchanan: It Began with a Pony  Year: 1998 

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• Dorothy Buchanan: Two Salon Operas  Year: 2003 

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Soprano and Bass soloists; SATB chorus; orch: 2222; 2221; perc. (6); strings

• Powell: The Fisherman and his Wife; facsimile 

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for 2 Lyric Sopranos, 2 Dramatic Mezzo-Sopranos, 1 Lyric Contralto, 1 Tenor Buffo, 1 Basso Buffo, and small chamber orchestra (Cl in Bb, Bsn, Tpt in C, Bs Tbn, vln, cb, and Perc (1-2): wind chimes, triangle, sleigh bells, cowbell, tam-tam, vibraslap, wood block, glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone, marimba, tubular bells, snare drum, bass drum, and celesta)

ACT ONE / THE GARDEN PARTY: Synopsis: Laura is helping her mother, Mrs. Sheridan, in the preparations for a garden party, when it is discovered that a death has transpired at a nearby working-class neighbourhood. Laura is in favour of cancelling the party, but other members of her family are not. After the party is over, Laura is instructed by her mother to visit the bereaved family, which results in an enormous personal change – or does it?

ACT TWO / THE SINGING LESSON: Synopsis: Miss Meadows has been engaged, but now it appears to be over. How will she survive the embarrassment when this fact is discovered at the small school where she teaches? Or will it ever be discovered?

ACT THREE / THE DOLL’S HOUSE: Synopsis: The arrival of a new doll’s house at the home of Kezia & Isabel creates quite a stir amongst their friends at school. However, Kezia & Isabel’s desire to invite the Kelvey children (who are of a lower social class) to see the new house, causes friction between them and their Aunt Beryl).

• Davidson: The Singing Lesson; (hire set) computer set 

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• Davidson: The Singing Lesson; computer set 

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• Matthew Davidson: The Singing Lesson; MIDI Realisation 

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Soloists: tenor (2), baritone and mezzo Also mimes and puppets, and ensemble of flute/piccolo, oboe, clarinet/bass clarinet/E flat clarinet, horn, trumpet, trombone, percussion, harp, violin (2), viola, cello and double bass

This chamber opera incorporates singers, ensemble, puppets and mime. “I loved this Tristan and Iseult because here we have a beautiful and archetypal tale of conflict between loyalty and love, told and acted out with supreme economy and clarity in a combination of sound and movement unsullied by romantic lushness or gothic fancy, but with the uncluttered strong lines of Romanesque architecture.” (Robert Leek, Radio Talk)

• Whitehead: Tristan and Iseult; facsimile 

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• Whitehead: Tristan and Iseult; facsimile  Year: 1977 

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• Whitehead: Tristan and Iseult; facsimile  Year: 1977 

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