Is sexism a problem on your campus? One joyous Oratorio with push-back.

In Alexander Pope’s exquisite 1714 poem, The Rape of the Lock,
we have a simple story of a young baron cutting off a lock of hair from a young lady
without her permission.

Based on an actual incident, and told with legendary “mock-heroic” grandeur,
this poem was written in response to the rage and anger that ensued.

Because the incident was technically trivial but lies within the category of male dominance
that often leads to actual rape, the poetry moves seamlessly between heroic and mock-heroic.

And so we have comic, flirtatious, light-hearted joy
as we are reminded that “No means NO!”
Nobody is truly hurt, but the implications are clear that
men must respect women, and will not benefit from using force to dominate them.
(Belinda’s lock becomes a new star, which has been added to Grand Central Station’s ceiling in our projections)

An Oratorio with operatic staging in the second half,
this work is for pro or semi-pro singers SSAATTBB. (8 singers min. up to full chorus)

Our June premiere featured dancers of New York Baroque Dance Co in the projections as the “sylphs”
These projections with the text would be available with the score.

Click here for samples!
“Our humble province”

“Let Wreathes of Triumph” to the end
featuring The Big Sneeze which vanquishes the Baron, after Belinda taps his snuff-box.