OVERVIEW
Title: The Telegram
Composer: Gareth Williams
Librettist: Bernard MacLaverty
Commissioned By: Tapestry Opera's Composer-Librettist Laboratory
Language: English
Producer: Tapestry Opera
Roles:
| Role | Voice Type | Range ? | Character Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woman 1 | high | Eb4-Bb5 | A woman |
| Woman 2 | middle-high | Bb3-F#5 | A woman |
| Town Elder | silent-spoken | silent | A middle-aged man |
SYNOPSIS
During a war, two women talk over the phone. They panic as they watch the town elder march down the street, telegram in hand. His message always carries horrible news: the death of someone’s son. Both of the women almost unwillingly hope some other family gets the telegram. Anyone but them.
In truth, the telegram was for the town elder. His son was drowned at sea, and he’s walking to try and find the words to tell his wife.
MUSIC DESCRIPTION
SCORES FOR PURCHASE
Arias & Excerpts:
Two women watch and worry as the church elder walks through town with a telegram carrying news of a soldier son's death.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Woman 1 | high | Eb4-Bb5 |
| Woman 2 | middle-high | Bb3-F#5 |
| Elder | silent-spoken | Silent |
PREMIERE PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Premiere Production: Tapestry Briefs 2009, September 25-27, 2009 at Tapestry Opera's Ernest Balmer Studio, Toronto, ON
Producers: Tapestry Opera
Cast:
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Woman 1 | Carla Huhtanen |
| Woman 2 | Lauren Phillips |
| Town Elder | Keith Klassen |
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Michael Patrick Albano |
| Music Director | Dr. Christopher Foley |
| Music Director | Jennifer Tung |
| Stage Manager | Nicole Poirier |
| Lighting and Sound | Joel Weiss |
CREATION
QUOTATIONS FROM CREATIVE TEAM
"We began the LIBLAB talking about Medea. About drama and conflict. I remember reading this short story by the Scottish writer Ian Crichton Smith many years ago, and thinking it might make a short film. But in a way it lends itself more to opera – as Gareth Williams' music creates an inner emotional heart for what is a terrible and tense situation for two mothers whose sons are away at war in 1944. The mothers are watching a church elder walk through the village towards them carrying a telegram."
- Bernard MacLaverty
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.
REVIEW THIS OPERA
You must be logged in to submit a review.
Submit a Suggestion
Please Note: As we try our best to ensure that all the data on this page is correct please understand that these pages were built by humans, so we're bound to make mistakes. Let us know if you have found any errors, typos, or mistakes on this page. If you have any suggestions on adding tags to this page, please use this email link as well. Thank you, your help and contribution are appreciated.
English 
French