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Research SCM |
Percy the Opera
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Percy the Opera, Act 1, Scene 1
A news flash announces Percy Grainger’s death, ending with a photograph showing him as a child. The photograph morphs into the image of the young adult Percy who reminisces about the day of his fundraising concert in Melbourne that set him and his mother up to leave their home for Germany: Melbourne Town Hall on May 19, 1895. Concertgoers, excitedly chatting, fill the space. In the center stands adult Percy looking back to this day in his childhood. As the chorus sings praises to Percy's talent, he moves to the front of the stage to his piano. On the piano are manuscripts. Percy is absorbed in his thoughts while the music swells as the chorus exchanges gossip about Percy's lineage and talents. Men wave tickets in the air, eager to witness the young prodigy's performance. As they enter the Town Hall, their voices echo, emphasizing Percy's potential. Percy, absorbed in his manuscripts, expresses his devotion to creation, even as he laments the tedium of practice. The scene ends leaving the audience with a sense of anticipation and Percy's internal struggle. Opera School of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Percy: Alexander Young Piano: Ingrid Sakurov, Jamie-Lee Xu Conductor: Omid Moheb-Zadeh |
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Percy the Opera, Act 1, Scene 2
In the intimate setting of Percy's childhood drawing room, adult Percy stands immersed in memories. Before his eyes, a scene unfolds: young Percy diligently practices at the piano, his mother, Rose, standing nearby, a stick in hand, ready to correct any mistakes with a swift strike. Suddenly, his slightly intoxicated father, John, bursts in, accompanied by the excited Nellie Mitchell (Melba), announcing her departure abroad to study singing. Tensions rise as Rose scolds John for disrupting Percy's practice, leading to a heated altercation between the parents. Sensing the tension, Nellie intervenes, diffusing the situation with her gentle demeanour. As a gesture of reconciliation, she suggests singing for them, accompanied by young Percy on the piano. Opera School of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Percy: Alexander Young Rose: Olivia Swaine John: Yuan Gao Nellie Mitchell: Natasha Gesto Piano: Ingrid Sakurov, Jamie-Lee Xu Conductor: Omid Mohed-Zadeh |
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Percy the Opera, Act 1, Scene 3 The scene is set in the Hoch Conservatorium in Frankfurt in 1901 within a drawing room where Percy and fellow students from the Frankfurt Gang are gathered. Balfour praises Percy's choice of Paderewski and reflects on Karl Klimsch's influence on Percy's composions. The group engages in a playful refrain: “No theme in your head—don’t compose. No melody in your head—don’t compose. When the melody stops—you stop!” The group connues to tease Percy about his mother’s strong influence. Professor Klimsch enters with Professor Mueller, introducing him to the young men. While all shake hands, Mueller comments on their naonalies. Percy puts on a broad Australian accent and rattles Mueller, leaving his friends in hysterics. Mueller and Percy’s friends leave. Alone with Percy, Klimsch expresses concerns for his mother’s health. He hands him an envelope with money, urging him to travel with her. Klimsch insists on not wanng repayment. Opera School of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Percy: Alexander Young Balfour: Robert Adam Cyril: Michael Burden Norman/Roger: Jeremy Boulton Professor Klimsch: Daniel Ott Professor Mueller: Michael Kaufmann Piano: Ingrid Sakurov, Jamie-Lee Xu Conductor: Omid Moheb-Zadeh |
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Percy the Opera, Act 1, Scene 5
The scene unfolds in a railway carriage with Percy seated opposite Herman and Alfhild. Percy listens intently to the rhythmic sounds of the wheels on the tracks as the train moves, finding beauty and music in the journey's rhythm. Alfhild, curious about Percy's photographs, asks to see more. Percy obliges, sharing pictures from his recital tour. However, when Alfhild comments negatively on one photo of his mother, Percy's demeanour subtly shifts, indicating a change in their relationship dynamics. Percy then expresses his defiance against societal norms and moral expectations, rejecting the constraints of religion and conventional morality. He asserts his identity as an Australian and his autonomy to define his own moral code. The scene ends with Percy's declaration of selfacceptance and defiance against societal expectations, highlighting his determination to remain true to himself despite outside influences. Opera School of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Percy: Alexander Young Herman: Angus Ledgerwood Alfhild: Sophie Mohler Piano: Ingrid Sakurov, Jamie-Lee Xu Conductor: Omid Moheb-Zadeh |
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Percy the Opera, Act 1, Scene 6 Percy is bored and, on the deck of a ship travelling with Ada on their concert tour, feels restless. Ada notices his agitation and mentions that they will have performed 300 concerts once they finish their tour in South Africa. Percy, feeling the need to be productive, rejects the idea of idleness and opts to stoke the ship's fires instead. The scene ends with Percy heading towards the boiler room, symbolizing his need for activity and purpose amidst the confines of the ship. Opera School of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Percy: Alexander Young Ada: Eden Shifroni Piano: Ingrid Sakurov, Jamie-Lee Xu Conductor: Omid Moheb-Zadeh |
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Percy the Opera, Act 1, Scene 8 Percy is haunted by voices calling out various city names in Denmark, reflecting the exhaustive itinerary of his performance schedule. A solo soprano voice rises above the rest, emphasizing the relentless cycle of performances. The intensity builds as the chorus repeats the mantra, with the basses punctuating the rhythm with the word “Denmark.” The list culminates in a crescendo, with the chorus declaring their final destination as Copenhagen with utmost fervour. The scene changes. In a complex web of relationships, Percy finds himself torn between his mother Rose’s expectations, his artistic commitments (embodied by composer Edvard Grieg and his wife Nina), and his erotic desire for his girlfriend, Karen. As Percy enters, the Griegs, Karen, and Rose eagerly await his arrival, each with their own desires and hopes. Percy exchanges warm greetings with the Griegs, expressing his readiness to rehearse Grieg's Piano Concerto. Meanwhile, Karen awaits Percy's attention, offering herself up for his desires. Rose, on the other hand, questions Percy's dedication and artistic resilience. Percy grapples with conflicting emotions as he moves between the Griegs, Karen and Rose. Edvard encourages Percy to embrace his free spirit; he and Rose emphasize the importance of finding balance in his life. Caught between these conflicting demands, Percy expresses his inner turmoil and self-loathing. As tensions escalate, his inner conflict reaches a breaking point, culminating in a haunting realization of his own identity and struggles. Percy's internal turmoil remains unresolved, leaving the audience to ponder his character's and relationships' complexities. Citation: Percy Grainger plays Grieg’s piano concerto A minor, op. 16 at 04:08-04:48 min. Opera School of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Percy: Alexander Young Rose: Olivia Swayne Karen: Olivia Payne Ghosts: Elise Morton, Claire Burrell-McDonnell, Michael Kaufmann, Aidan O'Donnell Nina Grieg: Janine Harris Edvard Grieg: Aidan O’Donnell Soprano Solo: Eden Shifroni Piano: Ingrid Sakurov, Jamie-Lee Xu Conductor: Omid Moheb-Zadeh |
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Percy the Opera, Act 1, Scene 10 Percy stands before a board in a classroom-like setting. As the characters call out familiar musical terms, Percy replaces them with his own invented words, emphasizing his desire for simplicity and purity in language. The exchanges between Percy and the characters take on a lively and fast-paced tone. Percy playfully reimagines each musical term. He rejects traditional musical terminology's elitism, advocating for clarity and accessibility. Nina Grieg enters, offering Percy a gold watch and chain as a gift from her deceased husband Edvard. Her gesture underscores the respect and admiration Edvard held for Percy. Opera School of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Percy: Alexander Young Nina Grieg: Janine Harris Piano: Ingrid Sakurov, Jamie-Lee Xu Conductor: Omid Moheb-Zadeh |
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