Bloodlines
(2018)
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Libretto by Lila Palmer
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For mezzo-soprano, baritone, and soprano
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Duration: 30 minutes
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Created under the auspices of the American Lyric Theater's Composer Librettist Development Program
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Synopsis:
Esme and Marcus have a marriage made stronger by their shared experience of being child adoptees from conflict zones. At the beginning of Bloodlines Marcus is concerned that his wife Esme, a case worker at an international aid agency, is hiding something from him, which she has hidden in their bedroom. After discovering Marcus searching her things, Esme confesses she has received a mysterious package at work that relates to her biological family, which she does not want to read. Marcus seems troubled by the information. At work the next day Esme’s boss at the NGO offers her a promotion, but only if Esme comes clean about her past. Esme explains she doesn’t want to know about a family or a country she never knew, but Sara insists that both she and Esme must have all the facts about Esme, to protect the charity from the possibility of scandal. Opening the envelope in Sara’s office, Esme discovers that her husband is her brother, and that their children are the product of primary incest. Returning home Esme confronts Marcus, who confesses he learned the truth several years into their marriage, but concealed it to shield her and their healthy children from the shame of their innocent mistake. Esme realizes that Marcus continues to love her both romantically and as a sister, and must decide whether she can do the same, or take apart their life together for the sake of an unwelcome truth. (By Lila Palmer)
Who Married Star Husbands
(2015)
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Libretto by Kenzie Allen
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For soprano and chamber orchestra (1111, 1000, percussion, piano, strings)
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Duration: 15 minutes
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Program notes:
Who Married Star Husbands is a short operetta based on a Mik'maq indigenous legend of two sisters who find themselves in the world above the sky while wishing on stars. This retelling examines the bonds between siblings, the tenuous nature of relationships and marriage, and what it means to truly shine. "The river breaks and we on its banks must choose a path. Where we go could be years of ecstasy, we could be a legend of the best desire.
Three Lullabies
(2016)
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For unaccompanied SATB choir
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Duration: 5 minutes
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Program notes forthcoming