Maxwell Davies, Sir Peter – Mr Emmet Takes a Walk

Description

Mr Emmet represents an enigma: is he a business man with briefcase and umbrella pursuing the ultimate commercial contract, a double agent extorting a much shadier deal from a foreign power, or a tragicomical everyman sifting through the flotsam and jetsam of a lifetime to prepare himself for death? A one-hour opera for three singers and small instrumental ensemble, with a libretto by David Pountney, premiered in 2000. The vocal score is in English and German.

Contents

1. Exposition: A premonition
2. Introduction
3. Duet
4. Arioso
5. Cabaletta
6. Trio
7. Development: Encounters
8. The Piano
9. Interlude 1
10. The Park
11. Interlude 2
12. Hotel room
13. Interlude 3
14. The Mountain
15. Interlude 4
16. The Teacher
17. Interlude 5
18. Recapitulation: A Monologue