The Beasts is a chamber opera in one act, scored for five male voices (two tenors, two baritones and a bass) and one soprano. (One of the tenor roles could easily be transposed up an octave and made another female role.) The orchestra is one violin, one viola, and one cello.
The music and libretto is by David Anderegg. The music is very tuney, audience-friendly, and the story, while very dark in parts, is ultimately uplifting and tells a story of faith and hope at Christmas. It is easily performed because of the small size of the orchestra and length (about an hour). I think of it as a modern Amahl, but slightly darker and MUCH easier to produce. If you want to produce it, please contact me.
If you want to hear it, it is now available on Amazon.com in an attractive CD with complete libetto. The singers are John Demler, bass; Noah Palmer, baritone; David Anderegg, baritone; Steve Hassmer, tenor; Alexander Thorp, tenor; and Nellie Rustick, soprano. Opera companies or church groups interested in a possible performance may contact me for a complementary copy of the CD.
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