Composer

:

P.D.Q. Bach

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Oratorio

Average_duration

:

28:20

Movement_count

:

11

Movement ....

Oedipus Tex, S150 is a comedic opera composed by P.D.Q. Bach, the fictional "last and least" son of Johann Sebastian Bach. The opera premiered on April 1, 1985, at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, conducted by Professor Peter Schickele, the creator of P.D.Q. Bach. The opera is a parody of the Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, set in the Wild West of Texas. The libretto, written by Schickele, is full of puns, anachronisms, and absurdities. The characters have names like Oedipus Tex, his mother Jocasta Tex, his father Tiresias Tex, and his wife/sister Chili Tex. The chorus is made up of cowboys and cowgirls, who sing in a Texan accent. The opera consists of six movements, each with a different musical style and mood. The first movement, "Howdy, pardner," is a lively hoedown that introduces the characters and the setting. The second movement, "I'm lonesome," is a melancholic ballad sung by Oedipus Tex, who is searching for his true identity. The third movement, "I'm my own grandpa," is a humorous duet between Oedipus Tex and Tiresias Tex, who reveals the truth about Oedipus's parentage. The fourth movement, "Hot chili," is a spicy aria sung by Chili Tex, who seduces Oedipus Tex. The fifth movement, "The trial," is a dramatic scene in which Oedipus Tex is accused of murder and defends himself in court. The final movement, "The big shootout," is a chaotic finale in which all the characters engage in a gunfight. The music of Oedipus Tex, S150 is a pastiche of various musical genres, from country and western to opera and jazz. Schickele uses musical quotations and references to other composers, such as Rossini, Verdi, and Wagner. The score is full of musical jokes, such as the use of a "horse whinny" sound effect in the overture. Overall, Oedipus Tex, S150 is a hilarious and irreverent take on a classic tragedy, filled with witty wordplay and musical humor. It showcases Schickele's talent for musical parody and his love for American popular culture.

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