Alban (opera)

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Alban is a community opera in two acts with music by Tom Wiggall and libretto by John Mole. [1]

Opera artform combining sung text and musical score in a theatrical setting

Opera is a form of theatre in which music has a leading role and the parts are taken by singers, but is distinct from musical theater. Such a "work" is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librettist and incorporates a number of the performing arts, such as acting, scenery, costume, and sometimes dance or ballet. The performance is typically given in an opera house, accompanied by an orchestra or smaller musical ensemble, which since the early 19th century has been led by a conductor.

Tom Wiggall is a British composer who writes music for film and for the stage. He has taught composition in the University of Birmingham, Birmingham Conservatoire and Birkbeck, University of London, the Royal College of Music, North London Collegiate School and Surbiton High School. Tom is currently Director of Music at Brighton College.

John Mole is an English poet for adults and children.

Contents

History

The opera was commissioned by St Albans Cathedral Community Trust as a celebration of the patron saint of their city. The world premiere took place in May 2009 when five performances were given in the space of four days. Composed with St Albans Cathedral in mind, the production exploited the opportunities given by the architectural design of the building. The performances were given by professional soloists with choruses composed of choristers from all around the diocese, accompanied by a chamber orchestra.

St Albans Cathedral Church in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

St Albans Cathedral, sometimes called the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban, and referred to locally as "the Abbey", is a Church of England cathedral in St Albans, England. Much of its architecture dates from Norman times. It ceased to be an abbey in the 16th century and became a cathedral in 1877. Although legally a cathedral church, it differs in certain particulars from most other cathedrals in England: it is also used as a parish church, of which the dean is rector with the same powers, responsibilities and duties as that of any other parish. At 85 metres long, it has the longest nave of any cathedral in England.

The story relates the last few days of the life of Alban, a doctor in Verulamium (modern day St Albans) and family man who was martyred around 210 AD for sheltering a Christian priest and offering himself up to save the priest's life.

Saint Alban English protomartyr

Saint Alban is venerated as the first-recorded British Christian martyr, for which reason he is considered to be the British protomartyr. Along with fellow Saints Julius and Aaron, Alban is one of three named martyrs recorded at an early date from Roman Britain. He is traditionally believed to have been beheaded in the Roman city of Verulamium sometime during the 3rd or 4th century, and his cult has been celebrated there since ancient times.

Verulamium ancient town in Roman Britain

Verulamium was a town in Roman Britain. It was sited in the southwest of the modern city of St Albans in Hertfordshire, Great Britain. A large portion of the Roman city remains unexcavated, being now park and agricultural land, though much has been built upon. The ancient Watling Street passed through the city. Much of the site and its environs is now classed as a scheduled ancient monument.

The opera was described in Opera Now as "a cogent chamber opera worthy of Britten's Church Parables," which "betokens great expectations of composer and producers alike." [2]

Benjamin Britten English composer, conductor, and pianist

Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten was an English composer, conductor and pianist. He was a central figure of 20th-century British classical music, with a range of works including opera, other vocal music, orchestral and chamber pieces. His best-known works include the opera Peter Grimes (1945), the War Requiem (1962) and the orchestral showpiece The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (1945).

Roles

RoleVoice typePremiere Cast, 20 May 2009
(Conductor: David Ireson)
Alban tenor Philip Salmon
Priest bass-baritone Paul Sheehan
Claudia, Alban's wife soprano Dominique Thiébaud
Lucius, Governor bass Des Turner
Marcella, Governor's wife mezzo-soprano Louise Mott
Julia, a family friendmezzo-soprano Ellie White
Melissa, Alban's daughtergirl sopranoGeorgina Thomas
Gaius, Alban's son treble Peter Sequeira
Director Beckie Mills
Chorus

Synopsis

A Christian priest has been arrested as his preaching is not allowed under Roman law. Somehow he manages to escape. A lively market scene presents the community with its traders and customers. The next scene switches to Alban's home. Alban is planning to move his family to Sarum where he is to have a new job. His wife accepts the move with reluctance, but their two children, Gaius and Melissa, are quite excited.

Old Sarum site of the earliest settlement of Salisbury in England

Old Sarum is the site of the earliest settlement of Salisbury in England. Located on a hill about 2 miles (3 km) north of modern Salisbury near the A345 road, the settlement appears in some of the earliest records in the country. It is an English Heritage property and is open to the public.

The Christian priest arrives at Alban's house and asks for shelter. When Alban gives him refuge, his wife is concerned for their own safety. However, Alban becomes so moved by the priest's message of Christianity with its message of love and protection of the meek and poor, that he saves the priest by disguising himself in the priest's clothes when the soldiers come for the second time looking for him.

In the court scene that follows in Act Two the governor wants to delay a verdict until all the facts are firmly presented, but his wife persuades him that Alban is dangerous and should be sentenced to death immediately. Claudia pleads with her for forgiveness, but Alban is sentenced. The executioner refuses to carry out his orders and is himself put to death. Another soldier is ordered to carry out the execution. His body is carried out ceremoniously as the chorus sing a hymn of praise.

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Saint Amphibalus is a venerated early Christian priest said to have converted Saint Alban to Christianity. He occupied a place in British hagiography almost as revered as Saint Alban himself. According to many hagiographical accounts, including those of Gildas, Bede, Geoffrey of Monmouth, and Matthew of Paris, Amphibalus was a Roman Christian fleeing religious persecution under Emperor Diocletian. Saint Amphibalus was offered shelter by Saint Alban in the Roman city of Verulamium, in modern-day England. Saint Alban was so impressed with the priest's faith and teaching that he began to emulate him in worship, and eventually became a Christian himself. When Roman soldiers came to seize St. Amphibalus, Alban put on Amphibalus' robes and was punished in his place. According to Matthew Paris, after St. Alban's martyrdom, the Romans eventually caught and martyred Amphibalus as well.

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References

  1. Royal School of Church Music, Alban Community Opera Project - May 2009 in St Albans Abbey Archived 2009-07-29 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Dunnett, Roderic, New opera proves an asset to the Abbey in St Albans Archived 2009-05-29 at the Wayback Machine , Opera Now (online version), 22 May 2009