A Bridge for Three
Music by Nathan Fletcher. Libretto by Megan Cohen.
Commissioned by the Washington National Opera at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and first produced at the Kennedy Center during the 2017/2018 season.
(2017) c. 20’ Opera for three singers (tenor, baritone, mezzo-soprano) and chamber orchestra (1d1, 1d1, 1, 1 - 1, 1, 1, 0, perc,* pno, 1/0/1/1/1) or piano.
*1 player: Timpani, Tam-tam, Suspended cymbal, Kick bass drum, Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, F tubular bell.
...a melodious, neo-Romantic score... (Anne Midgette, The Washington Post)
The watery feel from flute and strings pervaded for Mr. Fletcher's gorgeous music giving us a feel of the river below as the [opening] trio... got the evening off to the most lyrical of moods. (Alan Savada, Opera-L)
I especially enjoyed Mr. Fletcher’s music, which included a few jazz riffs… this one qualifies as a music poem. (Mike Rogers, OperaGene)
Composite live archival recording featuring performances from Washington and Hartford casts:
1) Ensemble: Opening (WNO) (0:07)
2) Some Devil Dares (HOT) (3:09)
3) Better Without Me (WNO) (5:35)
4) To Whom it May Concern (WNO) (8:45)
5-6) Ensemble: Falling/Time stops; they see each other/My quiet (WNO) (11:13)
7) I want more time (WNO) (13:47)
8) Time to let go (WNO) (14:31)
9) This paper thing (HOT) (15:00)
9.5) Control the fall (WNO) (15:52)
10) Do you hear them? (WNO) (17:36)
10.5) How did I live? (HOT) (18:20)
The arias “Some Devil Dares“ & “Better Without Me“ are available for separate performance. To order scores, please contact me.
Highlights from the orchestral suite, premiered in May 2019 by the University of Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Paul R. McShee:
Washington cast (WNO) (Washington National Opera's American Opera Initiative workshop performance, October 2017): Alexander McKissick (tenor), Michael Hewitt (baritone) & Eliza Bonet (mezzo-soprano), accompanied by Paul Jarski (piano) and conducted by George Manahan. Stage direction by Andrea Dorf McGray. (World premiere presented at the Kennedy Center in Jan. 2018 at the WNO’s American Opera Initiative Festival with the same cast, accompanied by musicians of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, conducted by George Manahan.)
Hartford cast (HOT) (Hartford Opera Theater’s 9th annual New In November Festival at Christ Church Cathedral, Nov. 2018): Spencer Hamlin (tenor), Dana Kephart (mezzo-soprano) & Thomas Laskowski (baritone), accompanied by Sarah Puckett (piano) and conducted by Daniel D'Addio. Stage direction by Michelle Hendrick.
Fort Worth cast (Texas Christian University Opera Studio’s Fall Opera Program at the Secrest-Wible Building, Oct. 2019): Joshua Friend (tenor), Allyson Smith (mezzo-soprano) & Kelly DeLameter (baritone), accompanied by Maxim Kudaev (piano) and conducted by Stephen Carey. Stage direction by David Gately & Jonathan Walker-VanKuren. Lighting by Tyler Beard.