HIV – COR

COR

Operas

Content warning: AIDS, death, illness

The interior of a thumping, vibrating gay nightclub with obligatory disco ball and coloured strobe lights. A middle-aged gentleman is sitting at the bar, back to the audience, lost in his thoughts and seemingly oblivious to his surroundings. The truth is he isn't used to going to clubs, or hasn't since th...

Composer: Andrew Staniland

Librettist: Jill Battson

Dark Star Requiem

Content warning: illness, death, HIV/AIDS

Dark Star Requiem is a poetic chronicle of the 25 years (as of 2010) of HIV-AIDS, reflecting the many faces of the disease and those affected by the pandemic.

Composer: Andrew Staniland

Librettist: Jill Battson

COR

Excerpts

Ashlike on the Cradle of the Wind – Scene 3

Two male lovers come to terms with the fact that one of them is dying of AIDS.

Dark Star Requiem – “Zero Six One”

Soloists and chorus sing the numbers attributed to HIV-1 and HIV-2 by the International Comitte of Taxonomy of Viruses.

Dark Star Requiem – “Zoonosis” (aria)

Recounts the presumed origin of the HIV virus, initially as SIV non-human primates in Central Africa.

Dark Star Requiem – “Congo and one of the four H’s”

As the Democratic Republic of Congo fights for its independence, patients are being hospitalized and dying from AIDS-related illness.

Dark Star Requiem – “Beauty Mark” (aria)

From the perspective of a beauty mark that progresses into a serious medical complication.

Dark Star Requiem – “0”

A spoken monologue about the arrival of HIV to North America and Gaetan Dugas, the presumed patient-0.

Dark Star Requiem – “Theory, Prayers”

Soloists list conspiracy theories about the origin and spread of HIV, while the chorus laughs in the background.

Dark Star Requiem – “Sentinel”

A solo by the mezzo-soprano about nuns sex-shaming in hospitals, while the chorus repeatedly sings "sanctus".

Dark Star Requiem – “Black Lion”

The soloists describe AIDS as a black lion and a pack of hyenas, while the chorus continues listing medications.