! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Toward A Hybrid Music Theatre:! Exploring Avant-garde Compositional Techniques within a Commercial Form! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Philip Lee SEWARD! D.M.A. Thesis! University of Salford! School of Arts & Media! 2014! ! ! Table of Contents ! List of Illustrations ..................................................................................................iv Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................v Declaration ..............................................................................................................vi Abstract ..................................................................................................................vii ! Chapter One .....................................................................................................1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................1 The Italian School ....................................................................................................2 The American School ...............................................................................................5 The Portfolio ............................................................................................................6 Libretti .....................................................................................................................9 Background ............................................................................................................11 ! Chapter Two: The Proposal .......................................................................... .14 Abstract ..................................................................................................................14 Introduction ............................................................................................................15 Narrative Structure in the Libretto .........................................................................15 Multiplicity of Character ........................................................................................18 Structural Storytelling ............................................................................................20 Harmonic Language ...............................................................................................24 Gender Division .....................................................................................................25 Eve .........................................................................................................................26 Sam ........................................................................................................................27 Orchestral Characterizations ..................................................................................28 Story Conclusion ....................................................................................................29 Compositional Issues .............................................................................................29 Production Problems ..............................................................................................30 !i Conclusion .............................................................................................................31 ! Chapter Three: The Passion of John ............................................................ .33 Abstract ..................................................................................................................33 Introduction ............................................................................................................33 Narrative Structure in the Libretto .........................................................................35 Adaptation ..............................................................................................................36 Prologue .................................................................................................................36 Signs and Wonders .................................................................................................37 Threat .....................................................................................................................39 Testimonials ...........................................................................................................39 The Last Supper .....................................................................................................42 Trial and Crucifixion ..............................................................................................43 Resurrection ...........................................................................................................44 Harmonic Language ...............................................................................................45 Compositional Issues .............................................................................................46 Production Problems ..............................................................................................46 Conclusion .............................................................................................................47 ! Chapter Four: The Rose Prologues .............................................................. .49 Abstract ..................................................................................................................49 Introduction ............................................................................................................49 Narrative Structure in the Libretto .........................................................................52 [0257] .....................................................................................................................55 Multiplicity of Character ........................................................................................57 The String Quartet ..................................................................................................57 The Troubadour ......................................................................................................61 The Pursuit .............................................................................................................61 The Painter .............................................................................................................62 The Capture ............................................................................................................63 The Artist ...............................................................................................................63 !ii Orchestral Characterizations ..................................................................................64 Compositional Issues .............................................................................................64 Production Problems ..............................................................................................65 Conclusion .............................................................................................................65 ! Chapter Five: Storytelling ............................................................................ .67 Abstract ..................................................................................................................67 Toward a Hybrid Form ...........................................................................................67 Text Preparation .....................................................................................................70 Compositional Process ...........................................................................................74 Compositional Language .......................................................................................76 Broadening the Palette for Storytelling ..................................................................77 Conclusion .............................................................................................................79 ! Bibliography ................................................................................................. .82 Lectures ..................................................................................................................82 Performance ...........................................................................................................82 Publications ............................................................................................................83 Recordings .............................................................................................................86 ! Appendices ................................................................................................... .93 Appendix One: The Proposal Score ......................................................................93 Appendix Two: The Passion of John Score .........................................................115 Appendix Three: The Rose Prologues Score .......................................................137 Appendix Four: Curriculum Vitae .......................................................................159 ! ! !iii List of Illustrations ! Example 1: Setting of “Sam” ...................................................................19 Example 2: Motif examples from The Proposal ......................................21 Example 3: Don Perlimplin flute part ......................................................22