KINGS' CHILDREN

(1986/rev. 2013)

Chamber opera in 1 act - 42'

Commissioned by Music Theatre Studio Ensemble, the Banff Centre, Alberta, Canada

An adaptation by celebrated Cornish poet Charles Causley (1917-2003) of 'Es waren zwei Königskinder', collected by Annette von Droste-Hulshoff, itself a German ballad version of the Greek legend of Hero and Leander.

Two children of warring kings are in love. Every night the Prince swims across the water to see his love, who lights a lamp for him to see his way, but one night the lamp is extinguished and he drowns. The Princess joins him in a watery grave.

Premiere: 27 March 1986: Margaret Greenham Theatre, The Banff Centre

Director: Campbell Smith

Designer: Catherine Handfield

Lighting: Christopher Popowich

Conductor: Julian Grant

CAST

Martin Lindsay, Christopher Snell, Laurel Smith-Devlin, Penny Cookson

Narrator - baritone

Young Prince - tenor

Young Princess - soprano

Queen - mezzo-soprano

Flute, Bassoon, Horn in F, Trumpet in C, Percussion (1 player), harp, double-bass