The song of Rhiannon, from the Mabinogion

Bowden, M. (2008) The song of Rhiannon, from the Mabinogion. [Composition]

Abstract

Opera for young people, duration c.75 minutes, libretto by Helen Cooper. This work was commissioned by the W11 Opera Trust and was first performed by W11 Opera, conducted by Philip Colman and directed by Will Kerley, at Riverside Studios, London on 6 December 2008. The Song of Rhiannon is a romantic story of thwarted love in the mythical setting of pre-medieval Welsh mountains. The opera is suited to a cast including: some experienced singers, including several male broken voices, who are able to carry the action competently; younger singers ready to take on smaller solo roles; mixed age groups for the various chorus groups with some scope for solo parts; younger children for the character groups (e.g. Mice, Blades of Wheat). The musical style is based on Welsh folk melodies. There are some challenging but rewarding passages to learn with unexpected and beautiful harmonies in the part-singing.

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