Watch Opera, Cantata, and Oratorio 

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The one eyed Polyphemus by Marshall, Logan, tr - https://archive.org/details/mythslegendsofal00mars, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67039036


On this page:
Far from the Madding Crowd - opera
Odysseus & the Cyclops - children's opera
The Marshes of Glynn - tenor solo, chorus, orchestra
New Dawn film - SATB soloists, chorus, orchestra including guitars
New Dawn premiere - SATB soloists, chorus, orchestra including guitars
The Ballad of St Kenelm - soprano solo, narrator, actors and instrumental ensemble (fl/picc, ob, bsn, tpt, per, 4 vlns, 2 vlas, 2 vcs, db
Song of the Prairies - SATB soloists, semi-choir of high voices, full chorus and orchestra

Also listen to:
A Saint Luke Passion for baritone soloist, SATB choir, piano duet, percussion (2 players) and string orchestra.

The Death of Goliath - Dramatic Cantata for Soprano, High Counter-Tenor/Mezzo-Soprano and Baritone soloists with piano


Read about:
Cantatas and Oratorios by Andrew Downes

Operas by Andrew Downes



Opera

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

Three video clips and the whole opera from the commercial DVD of Andrew Downes' opera based on the novel by Thomas Hardy:
More info on this work
Libretto


Act 2, Scene 3



Act 4, Scene 1




Act 4, Scene 3



Full Opera

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ODYSSEUS AND THE CYCLOPS 

An opera in 3 parts for baritone soloist, child soloists and choir, school orchestra, and piano (teacher's part).
More info on this work

Paula Downes' film version including Andrew Downes' granddaughters:

Andrew Downes being interviewed on BBC Midlands Today about the premiere in May 1982:


Performance in 1988 in Hagley, Worcestershire:



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Chorus with Orchestra

THE MARSHES OF GLYNN

Cantata for Tenor solo, Chorus and Orchestra.  Poem by Sidney Lanier.
John Mitchinson (Tenor), Birmingham Conservatoire Chorus and Orchestra, conductor Damian Cranmer
More info on this work   Purchase CD  Purchase LP  
Purchase wavs or mp3s


Part 1



Part 2



Part 3



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NEW DAWN
Oratorio for SATB soloists, SATB chorus and symphony orchestra including guitar ensemble. 6 movements

The texts are 19th century translations of traditional poetry from various tribes of North American Indians, predominantly of the New Mexico area. 
Together, the poems form a story about the life-cycle of the Earth from the death to the re-birth of a soul. The Oratorio is a celebration of this natural cycle, and is dedicated to all those societies and individuals who are content to see themselves as part of Mother Earth, rather than seeking to own and, eventually, destroy her.
More info

Watch the separate movements here:

1. 'A Spirit is Departing' 
2. 'Journey' (Orchestral Tone Poem)
3. 'Awaiting Dawn' (Song for unaccompanied chorus) 
4. 'Summer Dawn' 
5. 'Kitchi-Manitou' (Orchestral Tone Poem) 
6. 'Invocation'



NEW DAWN - Premiere
Oratorio for SATB soloists, SATB chorus and symphony orchestra including guitar ensemble. 6 movements. More info

Commissioned by Birmingham Conservatoire to celebrate the coming of the year 2000. 

First performed on 18th February 2000 in the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham, by soloists Debbie Bennet (soprano), Louise Brownbill (alto), Tom Solomon (tenor), Lawrence Broomfield (baritone), the Birmingham Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra and the University of Central England Chorus conducted by Steven Lloyd.



THE BALLAD OF ST KENELM - soprano solo, narrator, actors and instrumental ensemble (fl/picc, ob, bsn, tpt, per, 4 vlns, 2 vlas, 2 vcs, db
More info on this work


Short clips of performances at the Hagley, Bewdley and Winchcombe Festivals:


The full work at the Hagley, Bewdley and Winchcombe Festivals.


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CHRISTMAS CANTATA
Cantata in 7 short movements for SATB choir and orchestra (easy enough for school orchestra and choir). More info


Interviews:


Christmas Cantata:


SONG OF THE PRAIRIES
Poem by William Cullen Bryant set to music for SATB soloists, semi-choir of high voices, full chorus and orchestra. Multitrack recording and film by Soprano, violinist and violist Paula Downes with the Trippett Chorale.
More info

Movement 1

Movement 2

Movement 3

If you have performed in any of Andrew Downes' works or come to listen, please share your experiences in the Premieres Blog! Also see what others have said. Thank you so much for your contribution.



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