Prelude to a Fable - (1994)  YR1511

Gary Bachlund

After a story by Hans Christian Andersen

 

For lyric tenor (Storyteller) and character tenor (Dog) and chamber ensemble. [ circa 10" ]

 

 

Read the libretto....

 

Also in German translation by Annette Zühlke: Vorspiel zu einer Fabel.

 

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A storyteller tells what a fable is, and illustrates this with a prelude to the collected fables. This short tale of a dog which cannot decide where better it may find "table scraps."  In its indecision the dog loses all.  The fable teaches that "we are compelled to see ourselves in him. One mirror of our secret heart."

 

Duration - circa 11' 30"

Full score - 59 pages

Piano-vocal score - 17 pages

 

The other three one-act operas in the Four Fables are:

 

The Emperor's New Clothes - (1994)    YR1514

 

The Little Match Girl - (1994)     YR1512

 

A Love Charm - (1994)      YR1513

These Four Fables based on stories of Andersen all share the same chamber orchestration:
Nine players: flute, oboe, clarinet in B flat, harpsichord, piano, first and second violins, viola, violoncello.

This score is available from Yelton Rhodes Music, Los Angeles, California