“Feuds: A Chamber Opera” is a 30-minute chamber opera for soloist, chamber choir and modified chamber ensemble and is based off of two chapters from Huckleberry Finn. These two chapters are commonly referred to as the “Shepherdsons and Grangerfords” episode. The piece features the Bowdoin College Chamber Choir, vocal soloists Eileen Palmer (soprano) and Noah Gavil (tenor), a modified bluegrass quintet of guitar, banjo, viola, violin and bass, with George Lopez on piano.
“Feuds” functions as a type of musical close-reading of Twain’s text; and attempts to musically interpret Twain’s dark humor, gothic aesthetic and close attention to cultural/historical detail. “Feuds” mixes quotations of old music with new music and re-imagines Twain’s text in a musical space that evokes both past and present.
“Feuds” Debuted on April 27th at Bowdoin College in the beautiful Studzinski Hall. Below is the program of the piece. Click on the movements to hear audio from the live performance.
Feuds
I
An Evening Call
II
Feuds
III
Huck Hears the ‘Battle of Prague’
IV
Stephen Dowling Bots, Dec’d.
V
Psalm 133
(Brotherly Love and Suchlike Tiresomeness)
VI
Half-Past Two
VII
Night
(The Beginning and The End)