EURYDICE
Full score
New York, NY
Associated Music Publishers, Inc.
Matthew Aucoin Libretto: Sarah Ruhl
EURYDICE
Full score
commissioned by The Metropolitan Opera and Los Angeles Opera. Developed by The Metropolitan Opera/Lincoln Center Theater New Works Program with support from the Opera America Repertory Development Grant
Originally commissioned in 2014 by The Metropolitan Opera/Lincoln Center Theater New Works Program
Associated Music Publishers, Inc. New York, NY
3 Flutes (2nd doubling Piccolo, 3rd doubling Piccolo and Alto Flute in G)
2 Oboes
2 Clarinets in B b
Bass Clarinet (doubling Contrabass Clarinet in B b )
2 Bassoons (2nd doubling Contrabassoon)
4 Horns in F
3 Trumpets in B b (1st doubling Piccolo Trumpet in B b )
2 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion - 5 players
1: Glockenspiel, Marimba (shared with 2), Snare Drum, Hi-hat, Flexatone, Castanets, Cabasa, Chains, High Whip, Kazoo
2: Marimba (shared with 1), Crotales (2 octaves, shared with 5), 4 Tom-toms, 2 Suspended Cymbals (high and low), Crash Cymbals, Sleigh Bells, Castanets, Guíro, Egg Shaker
3: Vibraphone, Xylophone, Tubular Bells, Small Bass Drum (“kick”), 3 Suspended Cymbals (high, medium, low), Large Crash Cymbal, Finger Cymbals (high, unpitched), Wind Chimes, Triangle, Sleigh Bells, Police Whistle, Maracas, Cabasa, Kazoo
4: Large Concert Bass Drum, Small Bass Drum (“kick”), Geophone (or Ocean Drum), Bongos, Tambourine, 3 Suspended Cymbals (high, medium, low), Crash Cymbal, Sizzle Cymbal, Wind Chimes, Triangle, Bell Tree, Trash Can Lid, Wood Blocks, Ratchet, Kazoo
5: Crotales (2 octaves, shared with 2), Snare Drum, 4 Tom-toms, Tuned Gongs*, Large Tamtam, Ratchet, Claves, Sandpaper Blocks, Guíro, Cabasa, Egg Shaker, Rainstick, Trash Can Lid, 2 Whips (high and low), Kazoo
Piano
2 Harps
Eurydice - Soprano
Orpheus - Baritone
Orpheus’ double - Countertenor
Father - Bass-Baritone
Hades - High Tenor
Little Stone - Soprano
Big Stone - Mezzo-Soprano or Contralto
Loud Stone - Tenor
SATB chorus (with solo Soprano)
Strings
*Gong tunings:
duration ca. 2 hours 5 minutes
For Clay. I met you and never looked back.
Overture ................................................................................................................... 1
Scene 1, Orpheus and Eurydice ............................................................................... 7
Scene 2, “Dear Eurydice” ......................................................................................... 60
Scene 3, The Vows................................................................................................... 71
Scene 4, A Dance .................................................................................................... 91
Scene 5, By the Water Pump ................................................................................... 98
Scene 6, At the Interesting Man’s Apartment ........................................................ 125
Act II
Scene 1.1, Introduction ........................................................................................... 153
Scene 1.2, The Stones ............................................................................................. 158
Scene 1.3, “There was a roar…” .............................................................................. 181
Scene 1.4, “Eurydice” / “At last, a porter…” ........................................................... 207
Scene 1.5, “You’re dead now. I’m dead too.” ........................................................... 212
Scene 1.6, “I’m suddenly hungry!” .......................................................................... 231
Scene 2, Orpheus Writes to Eurydice ...................................................................... 240
Scene 3.1, A Room Made Out of String ................................................................. 245
Scene 3.2, “Thank you. That will do.” .................................................................... 253
Scene 4.1, Eurydice Learns to Read Again.............................................................. 267
Scene 4.2, “We two alone will sing…” .................................................................... 269
Scene 4.3, “Orpheus never liked words.” ................................................................ 278
Scene 4.4, “This is what it is to love an artist.”....................................................... 280
Scene 5, Orpheus Makes a Plan .............................................................................. 290
Scene 6, No One Knocks at the Door of the Dead ................................................. 302
Scene 1.1, Orpheus at the Gates of Hell ................................................................. 317
Scene 1.2, “Felix, qui potuit boni…” ...................................................................... 323
Scene 1.3, “Don’t you think you are enjoying your grief just a little too much?” ... 336
Scene 2.1, “I hear him at the gates!” ....................................................................... 348
Scene 2.2, “Wait, come back!” ................................................................................ 363
Scene 2.3, The Walk ............................................................................................... 376
Scene 2.4, “You startled me.” ................................................................................... 383
Scene 3.1, “Eurydice is gone.” ................................................................................. 395
Scene 3.2, “I remember.” ......................................................................................... 404
Scene 3.3, “Where’s my room?” ............................................................................... 408
Scene 3.4, “Is there a problem here?” ...................................................................... 439
Scene 3.5, “Well, well! You had better prepare yourself…” .................................... 451
Scene 3.6, “Dear Orpheus…” .................................................................................. 455
Scene 3.7, Two Forgettings ...................................................................................... 467
Eurydice was first performed on February 1st, 2020 at the Los Angeles Opera:
Eurydice – Danielle de Niese
Orpheus – Joshua Hopkins
The Father – Rod Gilfry
Hades – Barry Banks
Orpheus’s Double – John Holiday
Little Stone – Stacey Tappan
Big Stone – Raehann Bryce-Davis
Loud Stone – Kevin Ray
The Los Angeles Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Matthew Aucoin, Conductor
Mary Zimmerman, Director
Pochissimo
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