Neither (opera)

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Neither
Opera by Morton Feldman
Persconferentie componist Morton Feldman in concertgebouw Amsterdam in verband m, Bestanddeelnr 928-6142.jpg
The composer in 1976
Librettist Samuel Beckett
LanguageEnglish
Premiere
1977 (1977)

Neither is the only opera by Morton Feldman, dating from 1977. [1] Its libretto is a 16-line poem by Samuel Beckett. [2] Composer and librettist had met in Berlin two years earlier with plans for a collaboration for Rome Opera. However, Beckett told Feldman that he himself did not like opera. [3] Feldman had echoed Beckett’s sentiment, [4] so that the work emerged in Rome as a setting for soprano soloist only, accompanied by orchestra. [5] It could theoretically be termed a “monodrama”; however, given the creators’ disdain for opera, the label “anti-opera” fits better.

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References

  1. "Universal Edition". www.universaledition.com. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  2. "Neither • Salzburg Festival 2021 • Opera • Tickets • Salzburg". Salzburger Festspiele. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  3. Leone, ~ F. D. (2017-10-27). "Morton Feldman's anti-opera 'Neither', a collaboration with Samuel Beckett". Musica Kaleidoskopea. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  4. Strauss, Walter A., Review of Samuel Beckett and Music by Mary Bryden (2000). SubStance, 29 (2, Issue 92): pp. 104-108.
  5. "Universal Edition".