FOR SUM Opera and music-theatre

DON’T BREATHE A WORD

Composition date:  in progress

Text: Fraser Grace

Instrumentation:  8 voices (S, S, MS, CT, T, 2bar, b-bar).  clt, vlc, perc, 3 keyboard, electronics

Length: 90 minutes (two acts)

Funding credit:  Arts Council of England

Premiere:

Date: May 2007

Venue: Colchester Arts Centre

Performers: The Electric Voice Theatre

Piece Description: 
A former Soviet Republic, Ushkent at the beginning of the twenty-first century: a place of political intrigue, espionage and exchange. Alex McCloud arrives to become British Ambassador. He plunges into his new life with enthusiasm, embarking on a passionate affair with a local dancer. He also meets with a professor of literature who informs him about serious human rights abuses in the country. The murder of the Professor’s grandson kicks McCloud into action: he vows to speak out a UN-sponsored conference.

*MATERIALS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM THE COMPOSER