''.Gabriel'' (pronounced "dot Gabriel") is an
opera
Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librett ...
in two acts (to be performed continuously) written by American
composer
A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music.
Etymology and Defi ...
Robert J. Bradshaw.
[''American Record Guide'' Nov–Dec 2010, p. 95] The
libretto
A libretto (Italian for "booklet") is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major lit ...
, also by Bradshaw, was inspired by the composer's online experiences with
social networking websites,
instant messaging
Instant messaging (IM) technology is a type of online chat allowing real-time text transmission over the Internet or another computer network. Messages are typically transmitted between two or more parties, when each user inputs text and trigg ...
,
chat rooms
The term chat room, or chatroom (and sometimes group chat; abbreviated as GC), is primarily used to describe any form of synchronous conferencing, occasionally even asynchronous conferencing. The term can thus mean any technology, ranging from ...
and
email
Electronic mail (email or e-mail) is a method of exchanging messages ("mail") between people using electronic devices. Email was thus conceived as the electronic (digital) version of, or counterpart to, mail, at a time when "mail" meant ...
correspondence.
[''.Gabriel'', Program/Notes, score published by Beauport Press] The opera was commissioned by the Australian Trumpet Guild for performance at the 35th Annual Conference of the International Trumpet Guild, 2010, Sydney, Australia.
[International Trumpet Guild Review of premiere performance of ''.Gabriel''] Also in 2010, the composition was awarded an American Music Center Composer Assistance Program Grant
[American Music Center Composer Assistance Program 2010 Awards List] and was named winner of a 2009 Boston Metro Opera Mainstage Award.
[Boston Metro Opera Mainstage Award Announcement]
About the opera
Program notes
(included in the published score) state:
''.Gabriel'' is an allegory for society's increasing perception of connection to the world through the Internet, while in fact separating ourselves from physical interaction. The false perception of safety and protection (and ultimate isolation) of electronic relationships at times promotes posting statements or images people would never consider saying (or doing) in person.[''The New York Times'', "On Networking Sites, Learning How Not to Share"] Although Principal interacts with the other members of the cast, they never come in contact with each other. A scrim represents the physical barrier (the computer screen) that separates Principal from the living world around her."[Gabriel, Program/Notes]
''.Gabriel'' is a composition where the trumpet performs as one of the main characters, interacting on stage with the vocalists.
[Opera Australia Article titled ''New opera features trumpet in main role''] The three vocal roles represent different aspects of social interaction. "Principal represents society's dependency on the Internet, computers and electronic communication."
She lives alone and is consumed by her need to be "connected". There are also two minor male roles that act as Principal's memories. One is the positive spirit of social relationships and the other is the actual situations where social interaction is required.
Concert premiere
''.Gabriel'' was premiered at the Music Workshop, Sydney Conservatorium of Music (July 8, 2010).
The two principal roles were performed by Joshua Clarke (Yamaha Performing Artist and Principal Trumpet of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra)
[Joshua Clarke Biography] and Jane Parkin (Opera Australia Artist and member of the Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artist Program)
[Jane Parkin Biography] In March 2010, scenes from the opera sung by Tina Milhorn Stallard, who sang Principal in the premiere recording, had been previewed at the Palm Beach Atlantic University New Music Festival.
[Stepanich, Greg]
"New Music festival features contemporary classical composers"
. ''The Palm Beach Post
''The Palm Beach Post'' is an American daily newspaper serving Palm Beach County in South Florida, and parts of the Treasure Coast. On March 18, 2018, in a deal worth US$42.35 million, ''The Palm Beach Post'' and ''The Palm Beach Daily News'' we ...
''. March 16, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
Roles
Staged premiere
''.Gabriel'' was first staged in America on February 25–26, 2011, by the
Boston Metro Opera. The performances took place at Hope Central Church in the historic Boston neighborhood of
Jamaica Plain
Jamaica Plain is a neighborhood of in the City of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Settled by Puritans seeking farmland to the south, it was originally part of the former Town of Roxbury, now also a part of the City of Boston. The comm ...
.
[Boston Metro Opera Concert Program] These performances were announced on December 1, 2009, when the opera won a BMO Mainstage Award.
First recording
''.Gabriel'' was recorded by the Palmetto Camerata at the University of South Carolina (January 5–7, 2010) and released by Beauport Classical (BC41009) on CD in 2010.
[CD Baby (CD Distributor) ''.Gabriel'' listing] The recording features Tina Milhorn Stallard (soprano) and James Ackley (trumpet) performing the principal roles.
Notes and references
Sources
*
American Record GuideAmerican Music Center Composer Assistance Program 2010 Awards List
"New opera features trumpet in main role"
Opera Australia
*Score: Bradshaw, Robert J. (2009), ''.Gabriel'', Beauport Press, Gloucester, Massachusetts.
*Young, Neville. ".Gabriel by Robert Bradshaw". ''ITG Journal'' of the International Trumpet Guild. October 2010. Vol. 35, No. 1
International Trumpet Guild Conference Review (Online Reference, Page 5)
*
Joshua Clarke Biography (Yamaha Performing Artist and Principal Trumpet with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra)Jane Parkin Biography (Opera Australia)CD Baby (CD Distributor) ''.Gabriel'' listingInternational Trumpet Guild Conference 2010
External links
Opera Australia
University of South Carolina School of Music
*
Robert J. BradshawJames AckleyTina Milhorn Stallard
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Operas
2010 operas
English-language operas