OVERVIEW
Title: Noor Over Afghan
Composer: Christiaan Venter
Librettist: Anusree Roy
Commissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist Laboratory
Language: English
Producer: Tapestry Opera
Run Time: 39
Roles:
| Role | Voice Type | Range ? | Character Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noor | high | C4-C6 | Afghani woman, sister to Jaan |
| Jaan | middle-high | B3-F5 | Afghani woman, sister to Noor |
| Rafique | middle | D3-B4 | Jaan's husband-to-be |
| Priest | middle-low | G2-Eb4 | A Priest |
| Chorus | high | SSA | Chorus |
SYNOPSIS
MUSIC DESCRIPTION
Elsewhere, rhythmic grooves in the left hand of the piano and long tremolo chords ground this music, over which the three main vocalists (as well as the role of the wedding priest) are joined occasionally by a three-part chorus of high and middle-high voices, who sing homophonically as they meet Rafique, Noor and Jaan on their various journeys.
SCORES FOR PURCHASE
Arias & Excerpts:
Jaan, who is dying, asks her sister Noor to secretely take her place on her wedding day. Noor reluctantly agrees.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Noor | high | C4-B5 |
| Jaan | middle-high | G3-F5 |
The wedding ceremony. Noor hesitates, then marries Rafique.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Rafique | middle | C3-B4 |
| Noor | high | E4-A5 |
| Priest | middle-low | G2-Eb4 |
| Chorus | high | G4-B5 |
| Chorus | high | F4-Ab5 |
| Chorus | high | D4-Ab5 |
Jaan meets group of tribal women in the desert who convince her to stay with them while she dies. Noor takes Jaan's place in the circle.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Jaan | middle-high | Bb3-F5 |
| Noor | high | F4-C6 |
| Older tribal woman | middle-high | G4-A5 |
| Older tribal woman | middle-high | Eb4-A5 |
| Older tribal woman | middle-high | C4-A5 |
Noor tells the lie Jaan asked of her to Rafique. Rafique sends her away and tries to figure out what he should do.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Noor | high | E4-G5 |
| Rafique | middle | E3-B4 |
Jaan remains alive. The tribal women suggest she should write to Noor to know what has happen and ease her mind.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Jaan | middle-high | C4-Eb5 |
| Older tribal woman | middle-high | A4-A5 |
| Older tribal woman | middle-high | F4-G5 |
| Older tribal woman | middle-high | C#4-G5 |
In bed, Rafique and Noor separately wonder how to get out of their situation.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Noor | high | Eb4-C6 |
| Rafique | middle | E3-B4 |
In a letter, Jaan asks if Noor still loves her.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Jaan | middle-high | C4-E5 |
Receiving Jaan's letter, Noor forgives her sister. Noor and Rafique decide they will try to remain friends.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Noor | high | D4-A5 |
| Rafique | middle | D3-A4 |
PREMIERE PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Premiere Production: Tapestry Briefs 2011, September 23-24, 2011 at Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace, Toronto ON
Producers: Tapestry Opera
Cast:
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Noor | Xin Wang |
| Jaan | Krisztina Szabó |
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Sue Miner |
| Lighting Designer | Kimberly Purtell |
| Stage Manager | Isolde Pleasants-Faulkner |
| Production Assistant | Ann Bisch |
| Music Dramaturg | Wayne Strongman |
| Repetiteur | Dr. Christopher Foley |
| Repetiteur | Jennifer Tung |
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