Opera on W 23 St

Opera on W 23 St (1991)

s sax, b sax, tpt, tbn, pno, 2 perc, 2 vln, vla, vcl, db

Duration: c. 4 minutes

This work formed part of a score, composed in 1991, for a dance and music project with choreographer Andy Howitt. The focus of the work was the meeting in America in 1953 between Stravinsky and Dylan Thomas to discuss a new opera. Tragically, Thomas collapsed from an overdose of alcohol and drugs at his New York hotel, the Chelsea on West 23 Street, and died four days later without recovering consciousness.

First performed by Charlie Barber + Band at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff on 15 November 1991
with James Mainwaring (soprano saxophone), Matthew Bailey (baritone saxophone), Jonathan Mainwaring (trumpet), Gwyn Daniels (trombone), Phil Girling (percussion), Andy Cookson (percussion), Jonathan Helm (percussion), John Jones (piano), Alison Francis (violin), Richard Treglown (vilin), Matthew Roberts (viola), Vicky Higginson (cello), Robin Hames (double bass)

Further information and photos here