DOVE
A Bridge Across the Sea
Dramatic Cantata for Soloists, Children’s
Chorus, Adult Chorus and Orchestra
Full Score
JONATHAN DOVE
A Bridge Across the Sea
Dramatic Cantata for Soloists, Children’s Chorus, Adult Chorus and Orchestra
Words by Alasdair Middleton
Full Score
Commissioned by Tanglin Trust School in celebration of the school’s centenary and premiered on Wednesday 23 April 2025 at the Esplanade Concert Hall Singapore
A BRIDGE ACROSS THE SEA
Libretto by Alasdair Middleton based on the Ramayana
A Bridge Across the Sea tells a story from the Ramayana – ancient India’s great epic, alongside the Mahabharata; it dates from the 5th century BC or earlier and has been endlessly retold, with Indonesian, Burmese, Tibeto-Chinese and Malay versions among others.
After Sita marries Rām (avatar of Vishnu and future king), she is abducted by the demon Rāvan and carried off to Lankā. Hanuman (monkey commander of the monkey army) learns where Sita is imprisoned and makes a giant leap across the ocean to find her. But only Ram can rescue her. How can Ram and his forces cross the sea? The ocean king arises from the waves. He promises that if the monkeys build a bridge, he will hold it up. Under Hanuman’s command, the monkeys rip trees, hoist boulders and break off mountain peaks to build the bridge, forming into battalions to complete the task. With Rama riding on Hanuman’s back, the monkeys accompany the army across the bridge in a joyful procession to rescue Sita.
A Bridge Across the Sea was written to celebrate the centenary of Tanglin Trust School in Singapore. The story was chosen for its resonance in Singapore, and its interest for a wider audience. The score makes possible a combination of adult professional and youth performers. The premiere included school students singing alongside adults in the SATB chorus, and school students playing alongside professionals in the orchestra. The children’s chorus was entirely from the school.
Jonathan Dove, February 2025
ORCHESTRA
2 Flutes (2nd doubling Piccolo)
2 Oboes (2nd doubling Cor Anglais
2 Clarinets in B-
2 Bassoons (2nd doubling Contrabassoon)
4 Horns in F
3 Trumpets in C
3 Trombones
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion (2 players)
Crotales, Vibraphone, Tam-tam, Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Xylophone, Tubular Bells, Suspended Cymbal, Maracas, Guiro, Cymbals
Harp
Strings
CHARACTERS
SITA Soprano solo
RAM Tenor solo
MONKEYS Children’s chorus
Score in C
Duration: 30 minutes approx.
NOTES ON PRONUNCIATION
Ram rhymes with ‘calm’
Sita almost rhymes with ‘Peter’ but the t is soft, between t and th (as in thing), and the a is between the sound of a in flat and ‘ah’
Ravan rhymes with ‘garden’
2Flutes (2nddoubling Piccolo)
2Oboes (2nddoubling CorAnglais) 2ClarinetsinB
2Bassoons (2nddoubling Contrabassoon)
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