A Bridge Across the Sea (2024)
(Dramatic Cantata for Soloists, Children's Chorus, Adult Chorus and Orchestra )

Jonathan Dove A BRIDGE ACROSS THE SEA

Libretto by Alasdair Middleton based on the Ramayana

A Bridge Across the Sea tells a story from the Ramayana — ancient India’s great epic, alongside the Mahabharata; it dates from 5th century BC or earlier, and has been endlessly retold, with Indonesian, Burmese, Tibeto-Chinese and Malay versions among others.

After Sita marries Rām (avatar of Vishnu and future king), she is abducted by the demon Rāvan and carried off to Lankā. Hanuman (monkey commander of the monkey army) learns where Sita is imprisoned, and makes a giant leap across the ocean to find her. But only Ram can rescue her. How can Ram and his forces cross the sea? The ocean king arises from the waves. He promises that if the monkeys build a bridge, he will hold it up. Under Hanuman’s command, the monkeys rip trees, hoist boulders and break off mountain peaks to build the bridge, forming into battalions to complete the task. With Rama riding on Hanuman’s back, the monkeys accompany the army across the bridge in a joyful procession to rescue Sita.

A Bridge Across the Sea was written to celebrate the centenary of Tanglin Trust School in Singapore. The story was chosen for its resonance in Singapore, and its interest for a wider audience. The score makes possible a combination of adult professional and youth performers. The premiere included school students singing alongside adults in the SATB chorus, and school students playing alongside professionals in the orchestra. The children’s chorus was entirely from the school.