Morning Star

Description

Voice, Piano, Celesta, Flute 1, Flute 2, Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn in F 1, Horn in F 2, Trumpet in Bb 1, Trumpet in Bb 2, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Timpani, Percussion 1, Percussion 2, Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Violoncello, Contrabass — The title aria tells us “Morning Star” refers to Venus and is a metaphor for love and hope. Based on Sylvia Regan’s play and on parallels with the composer’s own family, Morning Star is a deeply touching character piece about life among Jewish immigrants in New York City’s Lower East Side. Hope blossoms and is dashed as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911, World War I, and the Great Depression lead to death, divorce, and despair. Through it all, William M. Hoffman’s colorful libretto and Ricky Ian Gordon’s engaging score maintain charming threads of love and optimism, comedy amid tragedy, and luscious sonorities featuring a large cast of singers - in English, Yiddish, Italian, and Haitian French. The two-act opera is 2 1/2 hours in duration.