OPERA
ARIA DA CAPO
***NO SCORE OR RECORDINGS AVAILABLE ONLINE
Opera based on the play by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Cast
Columbine: Coloratura Soprano
Pierrot: Lyric Tenor
Corydon: Tenor
Thyrsis: Baritone
Cothurnus: Bass-baritone
Orchestration:
In 2007 the composer made further revisions in the expanded opera reducing
the orchestration to 11 players with the option of expanding the strings. Flute, Oboe,
Clarinet, Bassoon, Percussion, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello, Bass and Piano.
REVIEWS
"The Metropolitan Opera Studio performed a few weeks ago excerpts from an opera by Robert Baksa written with fine opportunities for singers and musicians alike and a very witty text. I am sure that Mr. Baksa is splendidly equipped for writing operas and should get all the encouragement he can find."
George Schick, Musical Director Metropolitan Opera 1968
Performed in original version in 1969 by The Lake George Opera. (55 minutes)
"Baksa displays exceptional lyric gifts. More important to a singer, he has unusual insight into the singer's range. The audience not only receives the poetry and melody in a beautifully coordinated whole, but gains the added dimension of meaning and intent as well."
David Lloyd, Tenor, Director, Lake George Opera 1968
"What does distinguish the music is his skillful exploitation of the various vocal timbres, and his ability to set an English text intelligently to music...These qualities are much rarer than might be imagined and suggest a special affinity for vocal writing...
Michael Weiner, Knickerbocker News 1969
WHAT JOY IN THE ARTS IS ALL ABOUT"...the precision with which so many things of sufficient quality were mixed together...made an unusual evening's entertainment whose memory lingers on."
Joan Simmons, Albany Times Union 1969
Performed in revised and expanded version twice at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia. With Metropolitan Opera Conductor Richard Woitach at the piano
"...Baksa has masterfully transferred Edna St. Vincent Millay's play to the operatic stage."
Samuel Singer, Philadelphia Inquirer 1981
BAKSA OPERA HIGHLY ENTERTAINING
"Those interested in opera that is charming and entertaining found much to admire...Baksa has succeeded in creating a variety of ingenious forms that are complicated in texture but easy on the ear. His fusion has a delicious quality...Throughout his tone was unfailingly lyrical and conservative in the best sense."
James Felton, Bulletin 1981
RED CARNATIONS
https://www.presser.com/492-00003-red-carnations.html
For Rent: https://www.presser.com/rncl5-red-carnations.html
** Recordings of some arias available in YouTube document
(Duration 35 minutes)
Commissioned by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for the Metropolitan Opera
Studio
Libretto by the Composer from the play by Glenn Hughes
Cast
Girl: Soprano
Boy: Tenor
Man: Baritone
Orchestra:
Flute, Oboe, 2 Clarinets, Bassoon, Piano, 3 Violins, Viola, 2 Cellos, Bass
Reduced Orchestra: Flute, Cello and Piano (performed with vocal score)
Set: Park Bench
The engraved vocal score is available as a special print item from THEODORE PRESSER. For a limited time a copy of the facimile edition of the original vocal score is available, one to a customer, by sending a 10x14 SASE plus $4 to cover postage to COMPOSERS LIBRARY EDITIONS, P.O.Box 424, Kinderhook, NY 12106. For more information contact Robert@robertbaksa.com
Engraved orchestral score and orchestral materials available
YOUTUBE VIDEOS
Red Carnations
Soprano Aria: “Mister Smith”
Soprano, Mary Ellen Assue
Diamond Opera Theater, Hudson, NY
Gili Lev, Music Director
June 9th, 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg9OtTQ4gb8&t=49s&ab_channel=RobertBaksa
Red Carnations
Tenor Aria: “One Evening Last Week”
Tenor, Patrick Layton
Diamond Opera Theater, Hudson, NY
Gili Lev, Music Director
June 9th 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO4tcdWRsDo&t=31s&ab_channel=RobertBaksa