Heroes Don't Dance

Instrumentation

Baritone
2
Bass clarinet
1
Bassoon
2
Choir
1
Chorus
1
Clarinet
1
Flute
1
French Horn
2
Mezzo soprano
3
Oboe
1
Percussion
1
Piano
1
Piccolo
1
Soprano
3
Strings
1
Tenor
2
Trombone
1
Trumpet
2

Additional Information

Community opera in two acts - 100'

Libretto by Christina Jones



Commissioned by the Royal Opera



First performance: 8 February 1998, The Corn Exchange, Cambridge



Director: Judith Sharp Designer: Joanna Parker 

Choreography: Kenneth Tharp

Jillian Arthur, Jozic Koc

Cambridge community singers and chorus

Royal Opera House and Cambridge ensemble c: David Syrus







George Cullen baritone 

Gillian Cullen coloratura soprano

Heroes: Lawrence of Arabia 

Scott of the Antarctic baritones (1 possibly a tenor) 

Colonel Percy Fawcett 

Mr. Proctor baritone

Mrs Proctor soprano

Susan Proctor singer 

Jack Proctor child singer (preferably not a choirboy voice.)

First Fabulous Dinnerlady jazz or popular singer

Kevin dancer and actor (no singing)

The Headmaster/mistress spoken role 

A policeman singer

A policewoman singer

Firemen (can be solo) singer

A nurse singer 

A lollipop lady (or ladies) silent

A dromedary camel silent

a Mule (optional) silent

Huskies (optional) silent 

Young chorus: Travel posters, Susan's girl-gang, School choir

SATB chorus - to subdivide: Teachers, Parents, Caretakers, Fabulous Dinnerladies, Nosy Neighbours, Voices of the Mountain

 

ORCHESTRA



1+112/2210/2 perc/timp/harp/piano/strings



SYNOPSIS



In Britain, in the rationed early 1950's. George Cullen, an inspirational teacher, has withdrawn to his library after a school trip has ended in tragedy, resulting in the death of Jack Proctor. The school is in turmoil, preparing for an annual fancy-dress ball, which Susan Proctor and her gang resent, feeling that it is too soon. Gillian Cullen is in despair, trying to get George to face the world, and is propositioned by a young eighteen year old student, Kevin. George communes with his books, and his three heroes, Lawrence of Arabia, Captain Scott and Colonel Fawcett appear to guide him to rejoin society. The opera culminates with George's appearance at the fancy dress ball, and the school society is made whole again, presided over by the benign ghost of Jack Proctor. 

 

Tags

Details

Year
Publisher
Composer
Minutes
100