Trailer video for Constella OperaBallet's 2017 production
Sideshows 2012-17
chamber opera-ballet
Poems by Martin Kratz with additional text by Leo Geyer
Awarded Lord Mayor's Composition Prize
Awarded Philip Bates Prize for Composers'
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Initially commissioned for the 20x12 New Music Weekend at the Southbank Centre and first performed as a complete stage work by Constella OperaBallet at Kings Place as part of the Tête à Tête Opera Festival 2014 on the 9th August 2014 with Leo Geyer (conductor), Joel Fisher (director), Alfie Taylor-Gaunt (choreographer) and Seb Freeburn (costume designer).
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"Fun, fizzing and contemporary"
BBC Radio 3
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"Excellent musical mayhem"
The Daily Express
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"anarchic fairground fun"
The Opera Magazine
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Duration
Act I - 35'
Act II - 35'
Roles
RINGMASTER conductor
HONKER clarinet in Bb
TICKLER piano
MR SCRAPER cello
MRS SCRAPER violin
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DELIAH, THE FIRE-EATER mezzo-soprano*
THE PALM READER mezzo-soprano*
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THE SNAKE dancer*
THE DANCING BEAR dancer*
THE BEARDED LADY dancer*
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* The mezzo-soprano roles can be played by two singers or doubled by one. Similarly, the
dance roles can be shared between 1 – 3 dancers.
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Synopsis
Sideshows takes the format of an unhinged circus show, with the Ringmaster (conductor) presenting acts which quickly spiral out of control to hilarious effect. The music, which is provided by an ensemble of clowns, explores the boundaries between jazz and contemporary classical music, employing extended jazz harmony, limping grooves and wild improvisation. Some acts are sung whilst others are danced, warping the fundamentals of classical ballet technique to bring the freakish characters to life.
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Availability
This work is available to hire. Please get in touch to find out more.
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Perusal Score
Please note that this music is in copyright and it is illegal to copy or perform from the perusal score.
Performance History
17th Feb 2018 - Constella OperaBallet at West Kent College
26th Nov 2017 - Constella OperaBallet at Sadler's Wells
25th Nov 2017 - Constella OperaBallet at Sadler's Wells
4th July 2016 - Constella OperaBallet at Sadler's Wells
22nd Aug 2015 - Constella OperaBallet at C Venues
21st Aug 2015 - Constella OperaBallet at C Venues
20th Aug 2015 - Constella OperaBallet at C Venues
19th Aug 2015 - Constella OperaBallet at C Venues
18th Aug 2015 - Constella OperaBallet at C Venues
17th Aug 2015 - Constella OperaBallet at C Venues
8th Aug 2015 - Constella OperaBallet at Grimeborn Opera Festival (Arcola Theatre)
7th Aug 2015 - Constella OperaBallet at Grimeborn Opera Festival (Arcola Theatre)
6th Aug 2015 - Constella OperaBallet at Grimeborn Opera Festival (Arcola Theatre)
5th Aug 2015 - Constella OperaBallet at Grimeborn Opera Festival (Arcola Theatre)
30th July 2015 - Constella OperaBallet live on BBC Radio 3
7th March 2015 - Ensemble 212 at Good Sherherd-Faith Church, New York (USA)
24th Sept 2015 - Khymerikal at Blackheath Concert Halls
10th Aug 2015 - Constella OperaBallet at Tête à Tête Opera Festival (Kings Place)
9th Aug 2015 - Constella OperaBallet at Tête à Tête Opera Festival (Kings Place)
7th Aug 2015 - Constella OperaBallet at live on BBC Radio 3
6th July 2015 - Constella OperaBallet at Cockpit Theatre
21 Sept 2014 - Khymerikal at Lancaster Jazz Festival
14th May 2014 - Khymerikal at the RNCM
15th Feb 2014 - Manchester Music Society at Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall
5th Nov 2013 - Khymerikal at Birmingham Conservatoire
17th June 2013 - Khymerikal at the RNCM
31st May 2013 - Soloists at Ludlow English Song Weekend
14th Jan 2013 - Khymerikal at Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall
13th July 2012 - Soloists 20x12 New Music Weekend, Southbank Centre
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