Coram Boy
dedicated to Miss D
Chamber Opera in one act
Instrumentation
2(1.+A.Fl., Picc.)(2.+S.Sax.).1(1.+B.Cl).0.0., 0.0.0.0, 3 sopranos, 2 mezzo-sopranos, countertenor, tenor, baritone, bass, actor, Hp., Pno., Electronics., String Quartet
Duration
C.90 Minutes
Programme Note
“Do you see colour, when you hear different notes?”
1624 – A new Act is passed making both the concealment of an illegitimate pregnancy and the death of a new-born baby a capital offence.
1741 – Thomas Coram founds the first Hospital for Foundling children.
1742 – The patron of the Coram Hospital, George Frideric Handel, starts composing his Messiah to raise funds for the Hospital. Our story begins.
Recording
Composition Insight
Based on the book by Jamila Gavin
Stage Adaptation: Helen Edmundson
Libretto Adaptation: Fleur Snow
Conductor: Stefano Boccacci
Director: Fleur Snow
Production Designer: Tomás Palmer