Neither (opera)

Summary

Neither is the only opera by Morton Feldman, dating from 1977.[1] Its libretto is a 16-line poem by Samuel Beckett.[2] Composer and librettist had met in Berlin two years earlier with plans for a collaboration for Rome Opera. However, Beckett told Feldman that he himself did not like opera.[3] Feldman had echoed Beckett’s sentiment,[4] so that the work emerged in Rome as a setting for soprano soloist only, accompanied by orchestra.[5] It could theoretically be termed a “monodrama”; however, given the creators’ disdain for opera, the label “anti-opera” fits better.

Neither
Opera by Morton Feldman
The composer in 1976
LibrettistSamuel Beckett
LanguageEnglish
Premiere
1977 (1977)

Recordings edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Universal Edition". www.universaledition.com. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  2. ^ "Neither • Salzburg Festival 2021 • Opera • Tickets • Salzburg". Salzburger Festspiele. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  3. ^ Leone, ~ F. D. (2017-10-27). "Morton Feldman's anti-opera 'Neither', a collaboration with Samuel Beckett". Musica Kaleidoskopea. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  4. ^ Strauss, Walter A., Review of Samuel Beckett and Music by Mary Bryden (2000). SubStance, 29 (2, Issue 92): pp. 104-108.
  5. ^ "Universal Edition".

External links edit

  • The Modern World, pages on: Feldman and Beckett Neither
  • JazzLoft page on recording of Neither
  • Neither Wealth Nor Splendor: Getting Morton Feldman’s and Samuel Beckett’s 1977 opera NEITHER from a Workshop Performance in NYC to the Konzerthaus in Vienna and the Obstacles Concerned.