The legend of Luther Dane, poet and cult hero, enhanced by his mysterious disappearance and presumed death, is now the subject of a film biography. On the first day of shooting, work is disrupted when the actor portraying Dane angrily insists that his lines could not be the words of the man whose life and poetry he so admires.
Left alone to sort out his feelings, the Actor is suddenly face-to-face with Luther Dane, very much alive, an unsuspected witness to the filming. Intrigued by the Actor's concern for integrity in his portrayal, the poet offers to piece together the not so well-known story of his life and “death.”
Through Dane's memories and actual encounters, the Actor experiences the poet's explosive career, the women and men (a brash interviewer; his seductive manager; Sara, his first love; Kathryn, a mature love; two critics--one nonsensical, the other serious; and Willie, an alcoholic) who shaped his life, and his powerful influence when he spoke to his dedicated followers. Most important, the Actor learns the truth about Dane's escape from an unbearable public image.
When the poet abruptly takes leave of him, the Actor begins to find the words and images he must use if he is to portray with honesty the life of Luther Dane . . .
Time: The present.
Published by Merion Music, Inc./Theodore Presser Co.
588 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406
610/525-3636
FAX 610/527-7841
presser@presser.com - http://www.presser.com
Tight-Rope, a chamber opera in nine uninterrupted scenes (1985) No. 417-41028
ca. 90 minutes (on rental)
Text: Henry Butler
4 Sopranos: The Interviewer (Coloratura [b-flat - d2]); Sara (Lyric Mezzo [a# - a2]); Kathryn (Dramatic Mezzo [g - g2]); Luther’s Manager (Mezzo or Dramatic [b-flat - e-flat1]); 2 Tenors: The Actor [c# - b1]; Critic #1 [d - b1]; 1 Baritone: Luther Dane [B-flat - g1]; 1 Bass-Baritone: Willie [A - g#1]; 1 Bass: Critic #2 [A - f#1];
Fl. (also Picc.), E. Hn., Cl. (also B. Cl.), Bsn.; Sop. Sax. (also Ten. Sax.); 2 Hns., Tpt., Trb.; 3 Perc.; Hp.; Pn.; Strs. (at least 33322; reduced version 11111)
