musical OPERA America Members Portal
Login      

The Parliament of Fowls
Composer:John Craton
Librettist:Geoffrey Chaucer
Synopsis
The opera focuses exclusively on the last dream sequence of the original poem by Geoffrey Chaucer. Opening with a procession of birds in the form of a short overture, the story begins with Nature convening a parliament on St. Valentine’s Day when all the birds are to choose their mates. Three Tercels (eagles) make their case for the hand of the Formel. As all three desire the same mate, they argue about which of the three is most worthy of her. This dispute causes an unwarranted delay in allowing the other birds to select their own mates so that the birds of lower estate begin to protest. They commence a comic parliamentary debate, which Nature herself must finally end since no progress is being made. Nature asks the Formel her own choice in the matter, and the Formel requests permission to ponder the decision for another year. Nature grants her the additional year, thus resulting in the male birds having to put off the mating ritual until the following year. The opera ends with the birds singing a hymn to commemorate the yearly departure of Lady Nature and to welcome in the new summer.

Title Information

All information is derived from OPERA America's Season Schedule of Performances and titles databases which date back to 1991. OPERA America is constantly updating this data. If you feel that a work or an artist has been omitted or that information is incorrect, please use the linked forms below.
Title Information Form
Artist Information Form
Approximate Runtime (hh:mm)
0:45

 Number of Acts
1

 Musical Style
Tonal with a medieval feel

 Vocal & Musical Forces
1 soprano; 1 mezzo-soprano; 2 countertenors; 2 tenors; 4 baritones; 1 bass; chorus of countertenors, tenors, baritones and basses [countertenor roles may be sung by females if necessary]; SATB recorders, oboe, bassoon, harp, violins I & II, viola(s), violoncello(s) [a small string ensemble is preferred, though a string quartet may suffice]; percussion: glockenspiel, bells, triangle, tambourine, tenor drum, cymbals, gong, wood blocks


 
STORED ADMIN COOKIE *
actor id: 0
name:
company:
email
ind id: 0
memb level: 0
expiration date: 12:00:00 AM
current url: /Applications/NAWD/titles.aspx
Login As
* Visible only to OPERA America Administrators for testing purposes. Shows security cookie contents.
 
 
————
National Opera Center
330 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001
212.796.8620   •   Info@operamerica.com
CONNECT WITH US
                 

PARTNERS
 
Terms of Service   •   Privacy Policy   •   Copyright Policy   © Copyright 1995–2024 OPERA America Inc.