compositions

Hydrogen Jukebox

A chamber opera for ensemble and soloists

1990

90′

Music/theater piece by Philip Glass, Allen Ginsberg and Jerome Sirlin Libretto by Allen Ginsberg.

CAST:
2S, Mz, T, Bar, B; ssx (fl), ssx (tsx, bcl)/ 2 perc (timp, SD, BD, tuned drums, tgl, tamb, cow bells, wdbl, anvil, finger cyms, cym, tpl.bl) 2 syn (1 piano), hand claps

COMMISSION:
Commissioned by the Spoleto Music Festival USA, Charleston, SC and the American Music Theater Festival Philadelphia, PA

PREMIERE:
May 26, 1990 at the Spoleto Music Festival USA, Charleston, SC. Concert version: April 29, 1990 at the American Music Theater Festival Philadelphia, PA.

NOTES:
Drawing upon Ginsberg’s poetry, this music/theater piece is a portrait of America that cover’s the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, seen by the collaborators Glass, Ginsberg and Sirlin. Its content ranges from highly personal poems of Ginsberg to his reflection on social issues: the anti-war movement, the sexual revolution, drugs, eastern philosophy, environmental awareness. The six vocal parts represent six archetypal American characters- a waitress, a policeman, a businessman, a cheerleader, a preist, a mechanic

PUBLISHER:
Dunvagen Music Publishers

AVAILABLE SCORES
Hydrogen Jukebox at Wise Music Classical

RELATED RECORDINGS
Hydrogen Jukebox on Nonesuch
GlassJukebox on Nonesuch
Tara Hugo Sings Philip Glass

CATEGORIES
Opera, Chamber