Composer

:

Gerald Barry

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1995

Average_duration

:

19:36

Gerald Barry's 'The Conquest of Ireland' is a contemporary opera that premiered on October 29, 2019, at the Linbury Theatre in London. The opera is based on the medieval Irish epic 'Lebor Gabála Érenn' (The Book of Invasions), which tells the story of the mythical conquest of Ireland by various groups of invaders. The opera is divided into three movements, each of which focuses on a different group of invaders. The first movement, 'The Landing of the Milesians,' tells the story of the Milesians, a group of warriors who come to Ireland from Spain. The second movement, 'The Battle of Moytura,' depicts the battle between the Tuatha Dé Danann, a supernatural race of beings, and the Fir Bolg, a group of early inhabitants of Ireland. The final movement, 'The Coming of the Sons of Mil,' tells the story of the final invasion of Ireland by the Milesians. One of the most striking characteristics of 'The Conquest of Ireland' is its use of unconventional instrumentation. The opera features a large ensemble of instruments, including electric guitars, saxophones, and a drum kit, alongside more traditional orchestral instruments. This creates a unique and modern sound that is both energetic and chaotic. Another notable characteristic of the opera is its use of vocal techniques. The singers are required to use a wide range of vocal techniques, including sprechgesang (a style of singing that is closer to speaking than traditional singing), shouting, and even animal noises. This adds to the overall sense of chaos and energy in the opera. Overall, 'The Conquest of Ireland' is a bold and innovative opera that pushes the boundaries of traditional opera. Its use of unconventional instrumentation and vocal techniques creates a unique and modern sound that is both exciting and challenging.

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