NORTON: A CIVIL WAR OPERA
Music composed by David E. Chavéz
Concept and Libretto by Meredith Bean McMath
To receive a quote, email meredith.mcmath@gmail.com the following:
Music composed by David E. Chavéz
Concept and Libretto by Meredith Bean McMath
To receive a quote, email meredith.mcmath@gmail.com the following:
- Number of performances
- Number of seats in house
- Number of Acting Editions and Music needed
"And even though there are men here who fight for different reasons here then mine,
And even though I suspect that God ain’t on their side, Either one of us - or both - can catch a bullet on the fly."
The partnership of composer David E. Chávez and librettist Meredith Bean McMath yields a work of both soaring emotions and intimate poignancy.
- “Norton: A Civil War Opera”, DC Metro Theatre Arts
- “Norton: A Civil War Opera”, DC Metro Theatre Arts
McMath and Chávez created NORTON for the 2014 Civil War Sesquicentennial, and the work premiered at Franklin Park Arts Center in Purcellville, VA .
An award-winning historian and prize-winning playwright, McMath based the Norton opera around the unusual life of Union soldier Oliver Wilcox Norton. Norton was the first bugler to perform “Taps" and later served as First Sergeant with the 8th US Colored Infantry Regiment. His extensive army records and letters home provided everything from battle descriptions to a detailed discussion he had with a Loudoun County, Virginia slave woman. The opera's full libretto was based on this and other extant Civil War letters and documents, and there are times McMath's own Confederate relatives provided the southern soldier's point of view.
The opera was made possible in part by a grant from The Virginia Commission for the Arts and produced by The Loudoun Lyric Opera Company. The NORTON opera premiere featured opera singer Michael Forest in the role of Michael and professional bugler Jari Villanueva performing "Taps".
An award-winning historian and prize-winning playwright, McMath based the Norton opera around the unusual life of Union soldier Oliver Wilcox Norton. Norton was the first bugler to perform “Taps" and later served as First Sergeant with the 8th US Colored Infantry Regiment. His extensive army records and letters home provided everything from battle descriptions to a detailed discussion he had with a Loudoun County, Virginia slave woman. The opera's full libretto was based on this and other extant Civil War letters and documents, and there are times McMath's own Confederate relatives provided the southern soldier's point of view.
The opera was made possible in part by a grant from The Virginia Commission for the Arts and produced by The Loudoun Lyric Opera Company. The NORTON opera premiere featured opera singer Michael Forest in the role of Michael and professional bugler Jari Villanueva performing "Taps".
“There are some gorgeous moments involving the entire ensemble. At the top of Act 2, the ensemble, led by Libby and Sarah, render the achingly beautiful How Is Cousin Armistead, in which they wait and worry about news from Gettysburg... a lovely counterpointe in which both sides, Union and Confederate, sing the lyrics 'I dare not hope, but I can dream and pray to God it lasts.'...
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"Pairing fateful, sometimes witty monologue with Chavez’s music, the audience delves deeper into the minds of the characters. Chávez‘s use of layering existing styles and genres of music, pulls emotion from the notes.” – "Private Norton", Northern Virginia Magazine |
“At the end of the war, as Taps hauntingly plays once more, the ensemble leaves the audience with chills as they consider the war and its effects in You Live a Life.”
- “Norton: A Civil War Opera”, DC Metro Theatre Arts
ORCHESTRA
Piano
Kettle Drum
Violin
SET: Graduated platforms (Orchestra at center, if needed)
CAST
LEADS (8)
Oliver Willcox Norton (Baritone. Age 20-30)
Libby Norton Ploss (Soprano. Sister to Norton - 20s)
Thomas (Tenor. Slave turned soldier - 20-50)
Sarah (Soprano. Slave woman - 20-40)
General Butterfield (Bass-Baritone. 30-60)
Henry (Tenor. Union Soldier, 18-40)
Dennison (Bass/baritone. Union Soldier, 18-40)
Dortch (Baritone. Confederate Soldier, 18-40)
ENSEMBLE (13-20):
Colonel Strong Vincent (________. 25-40)
Patterson (Bass or baritone???. Union Father. 50-65)
Aide (Tenor. Union Runner. 18-30)
Young Confederate (Tenor. Confederate Soldier. 16-20)
Anderson (Bass???. Confederate Sharpshooter. 18-35)
1-5 Men (Representing Union Soldiers of the 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry, 8th U.S. Colored Troops, and /or civilians,
ages 16 and up: Soldier 3=tenor, 4=high baritone, 5=baritone, 6=bass)
Oliver (Boy. 8-12)
Lizzie (Mezzo. Confederate Woman. 20-60)
Mary (Soprano. Confederate Girl. 14-20)
Jenny (Soprano. Union Woman. 20-65)
2-5 Women (Civilians. Ages 16 and up)
Elizabeth (Girl. 6-12)
MUSIC Original Music by David E. Chavéz
First, We Drill
My Dear Sister, Libby
Soldiers Marched to Our Door Today
But I Can Hope
I Will Scrape the Handles Clean
Snowed Last Night and Rained This Morning
The Bugle’s All in All
Emancipation
Dear Brother
Either One of Us or Both
A Thing of Deep Enduring Beauty
I Would Give My Life
The Waiting
Catch a Bullet on the Fly
At What Age, Dear Sir
Take Me to the General's Tent
Dreams Are All I Have
A New Lieutenant
Fight for Different Reasons Here than Mine
You Live a Life
RUNNING TIME: 2 hours
PERFORMANCE RIGHTS not yet available.
For information, email Meredith.McMath@gmail.com or call 571-209-7386.
Piano
Kettle Drum
Violin
SET: Graduated platforms (Orchestra at center, if needed)
CAST
LEADS (8)
Oliver Willcox Norton (Baritone. Age 20-30)
Libby Norton Ploss (Soprano. Sister to Norton - 20s)
Thomas (Tenor. Slave turned soldier - 20-50)
Sarah (Soprano. Slave woman - 20-40)
General Butterfield (Bass-Baritone. 30-60)
Henry (Tenor. Union Soldier, 18-40)
Dennison (Bass/baritone. Union Soldier, 18-40)
Dortch (Baritone. Confederate Soldier, 18-40)
ENSEMBLE (13-20):
Colonel Strong Vincent (________. 25-40)
Patterson (Bass or baritone???. Union Father. 50-65)
Aide (Tenor. Union Runner. 18-30)
Young Confederate (Tenor. Confederate Soldier. 16-20)
Anderson (Bass???. Confederate Sharpshooter. 18-35)
1-5 Men (Representing Union Soldiers of the 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry, 8th U.S. Colored Troops, and /or civilians,
ages 16 and up: Soldier 3=tenor, 4=high baritone, 5=baritone, 6=bass)
Oliver (Boy. 8-12)
Lizzie (Mezzo. Confederate Woman. 20-60)
Mary (Soprano. Confederate Girl. 14-20)
Jenny (Soprano. Union Woman. 20-65)
2-5 Women (Civilians. Ages 16 and up)
Elizabeth (Girl. 6-12)
MUSIC Original Music by David E. Chavéz
First, We Drill
My Dear Sister, Libby
Soldiers Marched to Our Door Today
But I Can Hope
I Will Scrape the Handles Clean
Snowed Last Night and Rained This Morning
The Bugle’s All in All
Emancipation
Dear Brother
Either One of Us or Both
A Thing of Deep Enduring Beauty
I Would Give My Life
The Waiting
Catch a Bullet on the Fly
At What Age, Dear Sir
Take Me to the General's Tent
Dreams Are All I Have
A New Lieutenant
Fight for Different Reasons Here than Mine
You Live a Life
RUNNING TIME: 2 hours
PERFORMANCE RIGHTS not yet available.
For information, email Meredith.McMath@gmail.com or call 571-209-7386.