LAMBERT, Richard : The Yellow Dress

A one act multimedia opera, for three female characters and chamber ensemble.

First performances: 18/19 August 2012. Tete a Tete opera festival, Riverside Studios, London. (Opera at Home).

This short opera takes an uncompromising look at one of the great challenges of our society: our treatment of older people, and particularly those whose mental fragility makes them both vulnerable and burdensome. The story starkly explores the choices we are forced to make and how the ties of duty and devotion are tested by a chance of love.

The cast has two female singers (SS), and the role of Mother is primarily a spoken, acted role (except for a single, poignant, sung line), and a chamber ensemble of seven players: flute (doubling piccolo), clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), bassoon, keyboard and three percussionists.

Text Hilary Spiers.

Duration 45′.