Shattered Mirror Suite

Composer's Note:

The Shattered Mirror Suite from the opera of the same title is composed for Baritone, Soprano, Tenor, Chorus and Orchestra. The premiere of the opera in a version for percussion orchestra took place at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Orlando, Florida in November of 1999. Global mythology based on the writings of Dr. Joseph Campbell in his work, The Meaning of Myth, serves as the basis of the composition. The protagonist character, Sun, is searching for the meaning of life. Moon, a wizard, with the elusive character, Wind, and the chorus aid Sun in his quest. In one poem, Moon, looking at Sun comments: “The rugged tree, wedged within the cliff, seems to fight for rugged strength.” Triumphantly, Sun and the chorus sing of the wild hawk: “the great bird circles above the ascending clouds”.