Arctic Explorations
Arctic Explorations
Solo Soprano (2), Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, and Baritone Voices, SATB Chorus, and Chamber Ensemble clarinet/bass clarinet, amplified guitar, banjo, violin, viola, contrabass, perc (1)
Words and Music by Michael Dellaira, with additional music by Nuka Alice Lund.
Commissioned and developed by Nancy Manocherian's The Cell Theatre, and New Amsterdam Singers, with support from New York State Council on the Arts.
This one-act folk opera by composer Michael Dellaira, based on the best-selling 1856 book of the same name by American explorer Elisha Kent Kane, touches on themes of exploration, discovery, spirituality, and our relationship to the natural world. Dellaira’s score for soloists, chorus, and a small ensemble of instruments is inspired by 19th-century American popular and folk tunes, sea shanties, and hymns.
The world premiere performances in March 2024 were conducted by Clara Longstreth, with stage direction by Kira Simring. Co-presented by the New Amsterdam Singers and the Cell Theatre, Arctic Explorations featured the Harlem Chamber Players with guest Nuka Alice, an Inuit drum dancer who collaborated in the creation of the work.
Siarnaq: Nuka Alice
Elisha Kent Kane: Colin Levin
Margaret (Maggie) Fox: Nicole Haslett
Lady Jane Franklin: Erin Brittain
President Zachary Taylor: Michael Celentano
Movements: Prelude: Sullualuk (The Northwest Passage), Scene 1: Maggie Fox and the Spirit-Circle, Scene 2: Lady Jane, Scene 3: The Expedition, Scene 4: Love Letters -- Interlude 1, Scene 5: In the Ice, Scene 6: Love Letters -- Interlude 2, Scene 7: Siarnaq, Scene 8: Natural Laws, Scene 9: Christmas, Scene 10: Sir John - Died in Her Majesty's Service, Scene 11: The Escape, Scene 12: New York, Scene 13: Spirit World, Postlude: Sullualuk
Authored (or revised): 2023
Published: 2023
Text source: "Arctic Explorations" by Elisha Kent Kane (Childs & Peterson, Philadelphia, 1856) Letters from Lady Jane Franklin Letters between Elisha Kent Kane and Margaret Fox, published in The Love Life of Dr. Kane (Carleton, New York, 1866) Singular Revelations by Eliab W. Capron and Henry D. Barron (Finn & Rockwell, Auburn, 1850) The Congressional Record, January, 1850 Hymn "In Christ there is no East or West"_x009d_, words by John Oxenham, music by McKee, 1908. Sea shanties: "Whisky Johnny", "Boston Come-All-Ye"
Duration (minutes): 55
First performance: March 9, 2024, Theater at St. Jean's New York.
Book format: Piano-vocal score
SKU
ACA-DELM-025-9Subtotal
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