Philip Glass: The Subject of Peace
20th August 2007
This is an opera about men and events. There is hardly a person in public life today with the moral and intellectual stature of these two men, and I wanted to — well, honor them isn’t the right word — but put them on the stage and see what they were about.
— Philip GlassThis is the story of Appomattox, Philip Glass's new opera which premieres on 5 October at the San Francisco Opera. Commissioned by the company and featuring a libretto by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Christopher Hampton, Appomattox is based on the events leading up to the historic Civil War-ending surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. Ian Robertson directs the production which showcases baritones Dwayne Croft as General Lee and Andrew Shore as General Grant. Dennis Russell Davies conducts seven performances of this intense portrayal of the moment in history.
Appomattox 1 hour, 45 min
Christopher Hampton, libretto
2 Sopranos, 2 Mezzo-sopranos, 2 Tenors, 3 Baritones, B-Baritone, 2 Basses
SATB (40 – 60 voices, as available)
2(pic).2+ca.2+Ebcl+bcl.2+2+cbn/432+btbn.1/perc/pf.cel.hp/str