The other concerts and performances of Agon Orchestra in the Archa Theatre
The Fall of the House of Usher
A chamber opera in two acts (concert performance)
Music: Philip Glass
Theme: Edgar Allan Poe
Libretto: Arthur Yorinks
Performing
Roderick - Jaroslav Březina, tenor
William - Petr Matuszek, baritone
Madeline - Gabriela Eibenová, soprano
Doctor - Tomáš Fiala, tenor
Servant - František Zahradníček, bass
Agon orchestra
Petr Kofroň, conductor
December 19, 1996; March 26 and 27, 1997 in the Archa Theatre
Copyright 1988Dunvagen Music Publishers, Inc.
Synopsis
Act I.
Prologue - Roderick Usher invites William, his childhood friend, to his home.
1st part - William arrives at the ancient and dilapidated house of the Ushers, he sees two silhouettes in the windows.
2nd part - William knocks at the door and is admitted by the servant. On the way to Roderick´s study, the audience observes bizarre equipment in the house and a doctor who advises William to go home.
3rd part - In Roderick's study - to the sound of music boxes that he opens unintentionally - William discovers Roderick's split personality and horror, probably connected with his the mental illness of his sister, Madeline.
4th part - Madeline's lamenting voice, William goes to his chamber to sleep.
Instrumental interlude - The servant leads William to his chamber. When he hears voices, he follows them into another room where he sees Roderick combing Madeline's hair. Somewhat shaken he returns quickly to his room.
5th part - A big storm outside. William awakes after a short, fitful sleep and sees Roderick and Madeline in his chamber. Greatly alarmed, he falls asleep.
6th part - A few days later. Roderick is painting, William reading. William begins to feel afraid. On his guitar, Roderick performs a rhapsody which is a metaphor for the tale. At the end, Roderick tells William Madeline is dead.
Act II.
Instrumental prelude
1st part - The following evening. Roderick and William take Madeline's coffin to the basement and entomb her.
2nd part - Roderick accuses the doctor of killing Madeline. The doctor urges William to help Roderick.
3rd part - Later that evening, they hear steps and what seems to be Madeline´s voice.
4th part - William mentions a book he once read to Roderick, the plot of which appears to reflect metaphorically what is happening - steps, the sound of iron, the killing of a dragon… - and all this actually happens: from the tomb, steps are heard, as well as the metallic clanking; Madeline appears in the doorway and throws herself on Roderick, who drops dead.