Articles Tagged with Voice

Republicans, op. 201

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Cabaret song for duo, words by composer,

inspired by but not based on Jean Reizner’s “Barry’s Boys”

premiered at Kutsher’s June 18, 2011 by Helene Williams & composer

viewable on YouTube at

We Are Innocent, op. 94

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cantata on letters of Julius & Ethel Rosenberg, 1987-88, 45’30”

for baritone (or tenor), soprano, and optional chorus, with piano or orchestra

in 12 movements, prelude & 2 interludes.

First complete performance by Helene Williams and Peter Schlosser,

with composer at piano, on “Meet the Composer” grant,

at Bryant Library, Roslyn 6/14/88;

also perf. at Museum of Fine Art (Roslyn)10/6/88,

Community Church of Boston, 12/11/88, WESPAC (Ardsley, NY) 12/22/88;

prem. with (Metropolitan Philharmonic) Chorus

at Community Church of NY 6/19/88

also perf. WQXR-AM, NY (“The Listening Room”) 12/8/88

#2, 1, 7 & 4 perf. at Weill Recital Hall benefit for Ezrath Nashim 6/14/89

and at Temple Sinai of Roslyn 8/20/89

prem. w/Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra:

Metropolitan Philharmonic Chorus & Orch, cond. by composer

[Associate Conductor: Bill Grossman]

Marymount Manhattan Theater 6/11/89;

video on YouTube as indicated below:

audio recording: OPUS ONE #145

other perfs w/Helene Williams, Ronald Edwards & Chor:

Plandome Unitarian Church 6/19/93;

w/Helene Williams, Gregory Mercer & Chor:

6/15/03 Puffin Cultural Forum, Teaneck NJ;

6/18/03 Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, Manhattan

Prelude

1) Childhood Memories (Julius)

2) The Shofar (Ethel [+Chorus])

3) Together (Julius & Ethel)

4) We Are Innocent (Julius & Ethel [+Chorus])

5) How Sad I Was To Leave You (Ethel) + Interlude

6) How Much You Have Given Me (Julius)

7) The Astounding Spectacle (Ethel & Julius [+Chorus])

7A) Interlude

8) A Visit From Mother (Ethel)

9) Of Course It Isn’t Easy (Julius)

10) “Mercy”?

11) On the Threshold of Death (Julius)

(Variations on a theme by Edith Segal, used by permission)

12) To Michael & Robert (Ethel & Julius [+Chorus])

Glorious War Song, The, op. 95 #17

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Lyrics by Joel Shatzky & composer;

#17 from Superspy!: The S-e-c-r-e-t Musical, op. 95, 1988;

rev. in 1991; prem. at Tarrytown Music Hall WESPAC Benefit 3/15/91;

recorded by Helene Williams & composer on Songs of Conscience

cassette 3/91 & CD 6/03; also perf. on Composers Concordance concerts,

CAMI HAll & C.W. Post College, 2/92


Tell Me, What Is Love?, op.95 #10

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Words by Joel Shatzky; #10 from Superspy!: The S-e-c-r-e-t Musical, op. 95,

1988; rev. 1989; expanded from 2′ to 3′

premiered by Helene Williams 12/27/90 Gay Men’s Health Crisis, NYC

on Center for Contemporary Opera Blitzstein program, sponsored by MTC;

also perf. LICA Songs of Love concert 2/5/95, North Merrick Library,

and repeated many times thereafter; recorded on Capstone  CPS 8647;

performed by Michele Eaton & Stephanie Watt, LICA concert 2/11/11.

Superspy!: The S-e-c-r-e-t Musical, op. 95A

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Book: Joel Shatzky; Lyrics: Composer & Shatzky

revised as one-act cabaret for 2 people (48′) 14 numbers:

1) The Real Realpolitik

2) I Am I… Or Am I? – Why Do I Love Him?

3) We’re Right Because We’re Right

4) The Geneticist’s Song

5) The SDI Waltz (arr. of op. 87, text by composer)

6) Deniability

7) Side by Side with Cyanide

8) Just a Little Favor

9) A Girl Without Morals

10) Tell Me, What Is Love? [expanded version]

11) Superspy

12) A Cure for Everything

13) An Upbeat Ending

14) Superspy-Realpolitik (Encore)

prem. by Helene Williams & composer,

US Peace Committee-Paris 7/7/89; NY 11/18/89

also perf. 2/22/90 Nassau Community College Little Theater;

Chelsea Mansion, E. Norwich (Nassau Cty Ofc of Cultural Dev) 10/20/90;

and Turtle Bay Music School, sponsored by Center for Contemporary Opera

11/17-18/90; command perf for Tom Lehrer, Santa Cruz, 12/91.

Superspy!: The S-e-c-r-e-t Musical, op. 95

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Book: Joel Shatzky; Lyrics: Composer & Shatzky

for Soprano, Mezzo, Tenor, 2 Baritones & Piano; 18 numbers, 2 acts, c. 2 hrs.

1) I Am I – Or Am I?

2) We’re Right Because We’re Right

3) Why Do I Love Him?

4) The Geneticist’s Song

5) The SDI Waltz (arr. of op. 87, text by composer)

6) Deniability

7) Side by Side with Cyanide

8) Just a Little Favor

9) A Girl Without Morals

10) Act I Finale

11) I Am I – Why Do I Love Him?

12) Tell Me, What Is Love?

13) Superspy

14) The Real Realpolitik

15) Superspy – Realpolitik

16) A Cure for Everything

17) The Glorious War Song

18) Act II Finale: An Upbeat Ending

#11, 2, 5, 9, 6, & 13-15 previewed by Helene Williams & composer 3/6/88

at Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra chamber concert and

on “Contrasts” concert series at Tom O’Horgan’s in New York;

first complete public reading at First St. Playhouse, Ithaca, NY 3/20/88

Revised as op. 95A, q.v.

Birthday of the Bank, The, op. 97

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one-act opera based on composer’s translation of Chekhov’s

Yubilei for SMTBarB (& Extras), commissioned by

Opera America for Lake George Opera Festival,

prem. there 8/3/88 – excerpted,

staged & introduced by Rosalind Elias

(quotes from her signature tune,

“Must the Winter Come So Soon,”

from Samuel Barber’s Vanessa, among other things);

28 numbers (50′);

prem. staged & conducted by composer 6/12/98 concertante,

Adelphi Univ.;

semi-staged:

6/21/98 Glenwood Presbyterian Church, Glenwood Landing;

NYU Theater 6/22/98 – all 3 part of LICA’s EastEuroFest;

staged:

9/6/99 Jewish Arts Festival of Long Island, Commack NY

9/30/99 Queens College

with Ronald Edwards, Peter Ludwig, Maro Partamian,

Janis Sabatino Hills, Benjamin Spierman/Nathan Bahny,

Natalia Jitomirskaia; videotaped by Helene Williams

Edith Segal Love Song Cycle, An, op. 107

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on 7 poems from For Dreamers Who Dare (1975)

(6’30”) 1992:

Remembrance – Severance – The Two – Loneliness –

Scars – Your Hand – Waiting

premiered by Helene Williams & composer,

Greenwich House “Village Varieties” concert

by Composers Concordance 11/19/92

and at LICA Chelsea Center concert 5/22/93,

Songs of Love concert 2/5/95; recorded on Capstone CPS 8647

Helene Wiliams sings Songs of Love

Journey of Life, op. 115

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setting for Voice & Piano of poem by William Cullen Bryant

(3’43”) Summer, 1994, in memory of Arthur James;

premiered by Helene Williams & composer,

LICA Bryant Bicentennial Concert, Bryant Library 10/30/94

and SUNY-Purchase 11/3/94; recorded on Capstone CPS 8623

The William Cullen Bryant Bicentennial Concert

by The Long Island Composers Alliance

Rabbi & the Rich Man, The, op. 116

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aka “The Parable of the Mirror,”

setting for voice & piano of text based on Hassidic legend,

used by S. Ansky in The Dybbuk

and by Bernard Malamud in Suppose A Wedding;

incorporated into one-act opera based on Malamud, op. 125.

Premiered 3/2/95 as part of A Blitzstein Cabaret,

Medicine Show, NYC; also at NOA Boston convention

symposium on Blitzstein’s Sacco and Vanzetti, 12/2/95

Longest Stairs, The, op. 117

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setting of poem by Norman Rosten

from his Songs for Patricia

composed in his memory, 3/95 (81”)

version for voice & piano, premiered by

Helene Williams & composer, BargeMusic Bkln 4/4/95;

version for piano alone premiered 5/17/95

Borough Hall, Brooklyn

Song, op. 120A

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2003 completion of 1925 13-measure sketch by Marc Blitztsein

on poem by Rupert Brooke, for Voice & Piano;

also arr. for SATB & Piano;

premiered by Helene Williams & Leonard Lehrman

and recorded by them 10/9/04 in Boulder, CO;

released on Original Cast Records OC 6127

The Marc Blitzstein Centennial Concert CD;

choral version premiered at Blitzstein Centennial concerts,

Feb.-Mar. 2005

Expatriate, op. 120 #1

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#1 of Three Completions of Songs Begun by Marc Blitzstein

completion of musical sketch for voice & piano

begun by Marc Blitzstein to his lyrics from

No For An Answer Act II Scene 5

first presented 4/6/95 Madison WI Sonneck Society

first public performance 6/11/95 LICA concert,

Center Moriches Free Library

recorded by Leonard Lehrman, Orig Cast Records OC 4441

published in Marc Blitzstein Songbook, v. 1

(Boosey & Hawkes, 1999)

Yedid Nefesh, op. 121 #2

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“Beloved of the Soul” (6′)

arrangement of traditional prayer in Hebrew or English tr.

by composer; words & melody by R. Eliezer Azkiri (16th cent.)

for mezzo, clarinet & piano,

commissioned by Marion Capriotti, Fall 1994;

re-arranged by composer for soprano, violin & piano, 2010:

premiered by Helene Williams, Herbert Feldman & composer

Dec. 19, 2010 LICA concert, Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

Sonnetina #9, op. 123

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setting for voice & piano (3′) of sonnet by

Wiliam Kunstler on Corliss Lamont, Oct. 1995

Text: June 3, 1995

premiere by Janis Sabatino Hills & composer,

LICA concert, Adelphi Univ., 10/7/96

also performed by Helene Williams & composer, NCRRC,

Tamiment Library, NYU 6/19/08 in honor of

Kunstler’s widow, Marjorie Ratner Kunstler

Harvard Hero for Our Time, A, op. 126

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for voice & piano, words by composer (3′) 1996

on the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski,

with reference also to Teddy Roosevelt, et al;

premiere by composer, Sanders Theater, Harvard, 6/6/96

also at Merrick Library LICA Concert honoring

80th Birthday of J. Willard Roosevelt, 1/18/98

Echo, op. 128

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setting for 2 voices a cappella, 1996 of Christina Rossetti poem (3′)

premiered by Helene Williams & Ronald Edwards,

Kleine Szene, Saechsische Staatsoper, Dresden, Germany 7/2/96

and by Ron with Janis Sabatino Hills

at Adelphi University 10/7/96 (both LICA concerts);

also sung by Helene & Paul Sperry

on Composers Concordance concert  5/27/04

Mi Chamocha, op. 129 #6

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#6 from Friday Evening Service, op. 129 (1996) in Hebrew (2′)

octatonic setting for solo voice & piano/organ

(w/optional unison chorus)

sung by Helene Williams on LICA concerts at

Malverne Community Presbyterian Church, 11/15/98

and Plainview-Old Bethpage Library 12/19/10

may i feel, op. 136

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setting of E.E. Cummings poem as

duet for male & female voices & piano (3’00”)

premiered by Helene Williams & composer, Eastover, Lenox MA 6/24/98

also by Ronald Edwards, Janis Sabatino Hills & composer,

Bryant Library (LICA) 11/1/98

Wild Nights, op. 137 #3

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setting of poem (#249) by Emily Dickinson for voice & piano

#3 (of 3) from Emily Dickinson Song Cyclette, op. 137

premiered by Helene Williams & composer, 2/99 (LICA)

recorded on Capstone #CPS-8667:

Helene Williams sings More Songs of Love by LICA Composers

Faith, op. 138

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setting of text by James Baldwin (3′)

for solo voice or SATB chorus & piano;

choral premiere, Malverne Community Presbyterian Church 11/15/98

solo premiere, Helene Williams & composer, Hofstra (LICA) 1/17/99

also sung by Faith Steinsnyder with composer at piano

8/16/09, 8/20/09, 8/8/10, 1/23/11 (Lehrman birthday concerts)

Alphabetical Song, op. 140

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setting of 26 words, beginning with A-Z, text by composer

for voice & piano (1’00”)

inspired by & written as complement to

Daniel Dorff’s “Two Alphabetical Songs”

premiered (with them) by Helene Williams & Leonard Lehrman

8/20/99 Bryant Library (LICA) Lehrman Semi-Centennial Concert

Booby Trap, The, op. 146

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subtitled: Off Our Chests

musical with texts by Sydney Ross Singer & composer

on the link between bras & breast cancer

for 2 men, 2 women, and a piano (and optional cello),

based on A Little Breast Play

by Singer & Soma Grismaijer, Dec. 2000-Jan. 2001;

asterisked numbers* added, 2005;

written for & performed by Helene Williams, Cary Bair,

Peter Kacalanos/Leonard Lehrman,

Sarvamangala/Susan Blake/Kathryn Wieckhorst

Excerpts:

Overture*

Doctors*

Think Pink*

Barbie Blues

Baby Breasts

The Boobs Blues

Pusher Bra*

Fiji*

Silicone Sal

Breast Play

Quartet: Pillow Talk

It’s Tough Bein’ a Tittie Today*

A Break*

The Trouble with Breasts*

The Test

Bras, Not Genes*

Working It Out

Stuffed Bras (Off Our Chests)

concert prem. (of 8 numbers) Golden Fleece Ltd., Theater 22, 5/13/01

full concert prem. Eastover, Lenox, Mass. 8/23/01

performances with additional numbers:

8/11/05 Empire Haven, Moravia NY

5/19/06 PeaceSmiths, United Methodist Church,,Amityville NY [SB]

5/19/07 United Methodist Church, Islip NY [SB]

8/10/07 Eastern Naturist Festival, Empire Haven, Moravia NY

8/12/07 Ithaca Commons, NY Green Fest [SB]

8/25/07 Custer Institute, Southold NY [SB]

5/17/08 WomanSpace, Great Neck Senior Center [KW]

10/20/08 Puffin Cultural Forum, Teaneck NJ [KW]

—during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Dream Deferred, A, op. 152

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setting of Langston Hughes’ poem “Harlem”

for voice & piano (1’30”);

premiered by Helene Williams & composer, Apr. 14, 2002

at Queens College Langston Hughes Centennial;

also performed by Darryl Taylor;

and by Jeannine Otis & composer, 2nd Hofstra

Suburban Diversity Conference, Oct. 26, 2010

Jewish Haiku, op. 154

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twelve 3-line settings for baritone, soprano & pno/orch:

#1 In the Beginning

#2 Manhood

#3 Nature

#4 Rain

#5 Weather

#6 Death

#7 Elijah

#8 Mantra

#9 Fish

#10 Wandering

#11 The Score

#12 After All

premiere Aug. 22, 2002 by Cary Bair & Helene Williams

with composer at the piano, Eastern Naturist Gathering,

Eastover Resort, Lenox, Mass.

What Is God?: An End to War, op. 180

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Ode from Euripides’ Helen (2’30”) for 2 voices & piano

in Greek or in English translation by composer

(with thanks to Elizabeth Horton & Paul Rapoport) Autumn 2006

premiered by Helene Williams, Gregory Mercer & composer,2007

by Helene Williams, Katherine Wieckhorst & composer, 2008

Conspiritor Reality, op. 184

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aka “Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been,”

part of a projected opera, Alger, based on the story of Alger Hiss.

libretto by Kim Rich; premiered in solo version

by Helene Williams & composer, Tamiment Library NYU 6/13/07

premiere of choral version 6/17/10 by members of

Metropolitan Philharmonic Chorus & NY City Labor Chorus

at Local 802, viewable on YouTube at

Long Island Is Just Not Long Enough, op. 186 #4

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for voice & piano, text by Marcia McNair,

#4 from Long Island Songs of Seasoned Women, op. 186

premiere by IJ Merenini & composer, 2/10/08

United Methodist Church of Huntington & Cold Spring Harbor,

and Cinema Arts Center, Huntington, 3/2/08;

also performed by Jeannine Otis & composer,

at First Hofstra Conference on Suburban Diversity, 10/22/09;

performance by IJ & composer at Court Street Music 6/27/10

viewable on YouTube at