Composer

:

William Mayer

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

2:11

"Khartoum" is an opera composed by William Mayer, an American composer, in 1966. The opera premiered on October 19, 1966, at the New York City Opera. The opera is divided into three acts, and each act has several movements. The first act of "Khartoum" is titled "The Arrival." It begins with an overture that sets the tone for the rest of the opera. The first movement, "The Nile," introduces the audience to the setting of the opera, the Nile River. The second movement, "The Palace," introduces the main characters, including General Charles Gordon, the British governor of Sudan, and the Mahdi, the leader of the Sudanese rebels. The third movement, "The Arrival," shows General Gordon arriving in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. The second act of "Khartoum" is titled "The Siege." It begins with the fourth movement, "The Siege Begins," which shows the Sudanese rebels surrounding Khartoum. The fifth movement, "The Battle," shows the British and Sudanese forces fighting against the rebels. The sixth movement, "The Death of Gordon," is the climax of the opera, where General Gordon is killed by the rebels. The third act of "Khartoum" is titled "The Aftermath." It begins with the seventh movement, "The Aftermath," which shows the aftermath of the battle and the death of General Gordon. The eighth movement, "The Mahdi's Triumph," shows the Mahdi celebrating his victory over the British. The ninth movement, "The British Departure," shows the British leaving Sudan. "Khartoum" is known for its use of African rhythms and melodies, which give the opera a unique sound. The opera also features a large cast of characters, including a chorus, which adds to the grandeur of the production. The opera is a historical drama that tells the story of the Siege of Khartoum, which took place in 1885. The opera explores themes of imperialism, colonialism, and the clash of cultures. Overall, "Khartoum" is a powerful and moving opera that tells an important story from history.

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