The Emperor's New Clothes - (1994)  YR1514

Libretto by Gary Bachlund and Deborah Shulman

After a story by Hans Christian Andersen

 

For bass (Privy Counselor), baritone (Minister-of-State), high baritone (Duke), soprano (Duchess), mezzo soprano (Lady Bottomheavy), character tenor (Emperor), lyric tenor (First Weaver) and lyric soprano (Second Weaver) and chamber ensemble. (circa 50")

 

 

Read the libretto.... 

 

Also in German translation by Annette Zühlke: Des Kaisers neue Kleider.

 

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This most famous of the Andersen fables has been adapted to include a comic assassination conspiracy by the the emperor's "loyal" government ministers, and ends with the "moral" that a government needs figureheads behind which the real business is done. A political comedy, which has been replayed many times over in other guises by governments throughout the ages.

 

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

 

Prelude to a Fable - (1994) YR1511 

 

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