the composer
John Eaton was called “The most interesting opera composer writing in America today” by Andrew Porter in The London Financial Times. He has received international recognition as a composer and performer of electronic and microtonal music. In addition, he had a career in jazz, recorded by Columbia Epic and RCA. He has been the recipient of many awards. In 1990, he received the “genius” award from the MacArthur Foundation. His music was chosen to represent the U.S.A. in 1970 at the International Rostrum of Composers. He has received a citation and award from the National Institute of Arts and Letters, three Prix de Rome Grants, 2 Guggenheim Fellowships, and, among others, commissions from the Fromm and Koussevitsky Foundations and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Learn more about these operas at www.musicsalesclassical.com.
For more information contact Peggy Monastra, peggy.monastra@schirmer.com, 212-254-2100.
ORDERING INFORMATION Rental orders and fee quotations: Zinfonia.com or MusicSalesClassical.com/licensing
Perusal scores: MusicaSalesClassical.com/OnDemand
Sales materials: MusicDispatch.com or MusicRoom.com or your music dealer
Publisher and Agency Representation for the Music Sales Group: MusicSalesClassical.com/rental
The Music Sales Group of Companies USA: G. Schirmer, Inc. Associated Music Publishers, Inc.
UK: Chester Music Ltd Novello & Co Ltd
France: Alphonse Leduc Chant du Monde Chester Music France Les Editions Choudens
Spain: Unión Musical Ediciones
Denmark: Edition Wilhelm Hansen AS
Germany: Music Sales Classical Berlin
schirmer@schirmer.com
chesterfrance@musicsales.co.uk
ewh@ewh.dk
promotion@musicsales.co.uk
unionmusicalediciones@musicsales.co.uk
Australia: G. Schirmer Pty Ltd publishing@musicsales.com.au
classical.berlin@musicsales.co.uk
John Eaton The Cry of Clytaemnestra (1980), The Tempest (1985), Danton and Robespierre (1978)
The Cry of Clytaemnestra
The Tempest
An opera in one act (1980)
An opera in three acts (1985) Libretto in English by Andrew Porter Based on the play by William Shakespeare
Libretto in English by Patrick Creagh, after Aeschylus Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes World Premiere: March 1980, Indiana University Opera Theater, Bloomington, IL Orchestration: 3S, Boy S, Mz, 6T, 3Bar, B; non-speaking roles 2(2pic).2.2(Ebcl,bcl).2/2.0.0.0/timp.5perc/2pf/str/tape/live electronics
synopsis Clytaemnestra takes place primarily in Argos, shortly before Agamemnon’s return from the Trojan wars. In a fit of grief, Clytaemnestra seeks her long-dead daughter, Iphygenia, and in a dream-like scene remembers the events that led Agamemnon to sacrifice his daughter for “reasons of state.” Her lover, Aegisthus, eveals that Agamemnon is having an affair with Cassandra, a prophetess/princess of Troy awarded to him as the spoils of war. An opera of love, betrayal, adultery, and tragedy follows the storyline of Clytaemnestra and her struggles for redemption and triumph over her own losses.
“Music and text interlock as intricately here as in any great opera you can name.. Clytaemnestra is wholly marvelous.” - Robert Commanday, San Francisco Chronicle
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes World Premiere: July 1985, Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe, NM Orchestration: S, 2Mz, 5T, Ct, 5Bar, 3B; Male chorus 4(pic,afl).4(ca).4+Ebcl+bcl.4+2cbn/4.4.4.2/timp.perc/ 3hp.2pf/str; electronic music; on stage: 4tpt.4tbn/perc
synopsis The magician Prospero, rightful Duke of Milan, reigns over an enchanted isle with Miranda, his daughter. He brings forth a tempest which causes the boat with his enemies, Alonso and Antonio, to wash ashore. Fernando, son of Alonso, lands alone and finds Miranda, with whom he immediately falls in love. When Alonso discovers that his son has survived the shipwreck, he blesses the union of Fernando and Miranda and gives Prospero back his kingdom.
Danton & Robespierre An opera in three acts (1978)) Libretto in English by Patrick Creagh Duration: 2 hours World Premiere: September 1978, Indiana University Opera Theater Bloomington, IL Orchestration: 2S, Mz, 3T, 2Bar, B; SATB chorus 4(pic,afl).4(ca).4+Ebcl+bcl.4+2cbn/4.4.4.2/timp.perc/ 3hp.2pf/str; electronic music; on stage: 4tpt.4tbn/perc
synopsis Set against the backdrop of the French revolution, the opera focuses on the conflict between the idealistic Danton and the madman-realist Robespierre culminating in their beheading.
The Cry of Clytaemnestra
The Tempest
An opera in one act (1980)
An opera in three acts (1985) Libretto in English by Andrew Porter Based on the play by William Shakespeare
Libretto in English by Patrick Creagh, after Aeschylus Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes World Premiere: March 1980, Indiana University Opera Theater, Bloomington, IL Orchestration: 3S, Boy S, Mz, 6T, 3Bar, B; non-speaking roles 2(2pic).2.2(Ebcl,bcl).2/2.0.0.0/timp.5perc/2pf/str/tape/live electronics
synopsis Clytaemnestra takes place primarily in Argos, shortly before Agamemnon’s return from the Trojan wars. In a fit of grief, Clytaemnestra seeks her long-dead daughter, Iphygenia, and in a dream-like scene remembers the events that led Agamemnon to sacrifice his daughter for “reasons of state.” Her lover, Aegisthus, eveals that Agamemnon is having an affair with Cassandra, a prophetess/princess of Troy awarded to him as the spoils of war. An opera of love, betrayal, adultery, and tragedy follows the storyline of Clytaemnestra and her struggles for redemption and triumph over her own losses.
“Music and text interlock as intricately here as in any great opera you can name.. Clytaemnestra is wholly marvelous.” - Robert Commanday, San Francisco Chronicle
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes World Premiere: July 1985, Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe, NM Orchestration: S, 2Mz, 5T, Ct, 5Bar, 3B; Male chorus 4(pic,afl).4(ca).4+Ebcl+bcl.4+2cbn/4.4.4.2/timp.perc/ 3hp.2pf/str; electronic music; on stage: 4tpt.4tbn/perc
synopsis The magician Prospero, rightful Duke of Milan, reigns over an enchanted isle with Miranda, his daughter. He brings forth a tempest which causes the boat with his enemies, Alonso and Antonio, to wash ashore. Fernando, son of Alonso, lands alone and finds Miranda, with whom he immediately falls in love. When Alonso discovers that his son has survived the shipwreck, he blesses the union of Fernando and Miranda and gives Prospero back his kingdom.
Danton & Robespierre An opera in three acts (1978)) Libretto in English by Patrick Creagh Duration: 2 hours World Premiere: September 1978, Indiana University Opera Theater Bloomington, IL Orchestration: 2S, Mz, 3T, 2Bar, B; SATB chorus 4(pic,afl).4(ca).4+Ebcl+bcl.4+2cbn/4.4.4.2/timp.perc/ 3hp.2pf/str; electronic music; on stage: 4tpt.4tbn/perc
synopsis Set against the backdrop of the French revolution, the opera focuses on the conflict between the idealistic Danton and the madman-realist Robespierre culminating in their beheading.
the composer
John Eaton was called “The most interesting opera composer writing in America today” by Andrew Porter in The London Financial Times. He has received international recognition as a composer and performer of electronic and microtonal music. In addition, he had a career in jazz, recorded by Columbia Epic and RCA. He has been the recipient of many awards. In 1990, he received the “genius” award from the MacArthur Foundation. His music was chosen to represent the U.S.A. in 1970 at the International Rostrum of Composers. He has received a citation and award from the National Institute of Arts and Letters, three Prix de Rome Grants, 2 Guggenheim Fellowships, and, among others, commissions from the Fromm and Koussevitsky Foundations and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Learn more about these operas at www.musicsalesclassical.com.
For more information contact Peggy Monastra, peggy.monastra@schirmer.com, 212-254-2100.
ORDERING INFORMATION Rental orders and fee quotations: Zinfonia.com or MusicSalesClassical.com/licensing
Perusal scores: MusicaSalesClassical.com/OnDemand
Sales materials: MusicDispatch.com or MusicRoom.com or your music dealer
Publisher and Agency Representation for the Music Sales Group: MusicSalesClassical.com/rental
The Music Sales Group of Companies USA: G. Schirmer, Inc. Associated Music Publishers, Inc.
UK: Chester Music Ltd Novello & Co Ltd
France: Alphonse Leduc Chant du Monde Chester Music France Les Editions Choudens
Spain: Unión Musical Ediciones
Denmark: Edition Wilhelm Hansen AS
Germany: Music Sales Classical Berlin
schirmer@schirmer.com
chesterfrance@musicsales.co.uk
ewh@ewh.dk
promotion@musicsales.co.uk
unionmusicalediciones@musicsales.co.uk
Australia: G. Schirmer Pty Ltd publishing@musicsales.com.au
classical.berlin@musicsales.co.uk
John Eaton The Cry of Clytaemnestra (1980), The Tempest (1985), Danton and Robespierre (1978)