30th Annual Student Research Conference
Refracting Avalon: A One-Act Chamber Opera
Traix A. Heiden* and Carter A. Datz♦
Dr. Jeffrey Seppala, Faculty Mentor
“Refracting Avalon” is a one-act chamber opera written by Traix Heiden and will be performed by Carter Datz (tenor) and Maddy Vande-Polder (piano). The libretto was translated by Traix using excerpts from Goethe’s Faust, but was appropriated for use in a larger narrative that draws influence from musical genres such as traditional Japanese music and literary techniques such as stream of consciousness that Faulker employed. Just as Faulker presents his narratives from multiple limited perspectives, the narrative of this chamber opera has been constructed with limited scenes suggesting a broader story. Rather than a traditional staging of concrete scenes, the narrative is advanced via an interior monologue. As the current state of art funding inhibits the expansion of opera, we as researchers are interested in fresh explorations of chamber performance methodologies and techniques that bridge literary and musical traditions and look ahead to the future of the arts.
Keywords: Music, Opera, Translation, Faust
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Performance Art
Session: 1-4
Location: OP 1393 - OP Performance Hall
Time: 4:15
♦ Indicates Truman Graduate Student