A Song that's True (libretto by the composer) a chamber opera for children; 45' (1998-1999) 5 roles (soprano, mezzo, tenor, baritone, bass-baritone) and chorus orchestra: flute, violin, cello, bodhran (or other unpitched frame drum), piano
Overture to the opera, performed in a reading session:
composer’s note: “A Song That’s True” is an opera for children of all ages, written as my senior thesis project at Bard College, where I received my BA degree in music (as well as a BA in biology). It takes the old Irish story “The Legend of Knockgrafton” and modernizes it, keeping the magic and fairies in the story, but adding a spoonerizing Mayor and his feminist daughter, a coloratura soprano fairy queen, and other elements that move the story from folk tale into modern musical theatre. The music is inspired by Irish folk song (and incorporates a traditional melody), but also takes inspiration from early American musicals, Leonard Bernstein's jazz-classical crossover works, Gilbert & Sullivan, and other light-hearted but challenging music.