Composer

:

Harry Partch

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1965 - 1966

First Performance

:

Jan 9, 1969

Average_duration

:

72:02

Delusion of the Fury is an opera composed by Harry Partch, an American composer, in 1965. The opera is a fusion of music, dance, and theater, and it tells the story of a journey of a man named U.S. Boy through different cultures and mythologies. The plot is divided into two acts, and it features a cast of characters that includes U.S. Boy, his guide, and various mythological figures. The first act of the opera takes place in a desert landscape, where U.S. Boy meets his guide, who takes him on a journey through different cultures and mythologies. They encounter various characters, including a Japanese priestess, a Balinese dancer, and a Chinese philosopher. Each encounter is accompanied by music that is inspired by the culture and mythology of the character. The second act takes place in a mythical land called Barstow, where U.S. Boy encounters various mythological figures, including the Ancient Greek god Apollo and the Hindu goddess Kali. The music in this act is more experimental and avant-garde, featuring unconventional instruments and microtonal scales. Delusion of the Fury premiered in 1969 at the University of California, San Diego, and it was later performed at various venues in the United States and Europe. The opera is known for its unique instrumentation, which includes instruments that Partch designed himself, such as the cloud chamber bowls and the diamond marimba. The music is also characterized by its use of microtonal scales, which create a unique and otherworldly sound. Overall, Delusion of the Fury is a groundbreaking work of music, dance, and theater that explores the intersection of different cultures and mythologies. Its innovative instrumentation and use of microtonal scales make it a unique and influential work in the history of American music.

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