WALLEN
The
Silent Twins
An Opera
Libretto by April de Angelis
Vocal Score
ISUU Version
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ERROLLYN WALLEN
For perusal only
The Silent Twins
An Opera
Libretto by April de Angelis
Vocal Score
LEIP ZI G L ONDO N NE W YOR K
ISUU Version
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Commissioned by Almeida Opera for performance in July 2007
ISUU Version
ERROLLYN WALLEN
For perusal only
The Silent Twins
Libretto by April de Angelis
Cast
Prison Warder/Voice 1/Mrs. Rosenberg/Farmer's Wife Soprano
Mother/ Disco Voice/Maureen black Soprano
June Gibbons black Soprano
Jennifer Gibbons black Mezzo-Soprano
Judge/Voice 3 /Tutor/Carl/ Man 2 Playing Pool/Ron Bass-Baritone
Voice 2/Dr. Davies/Lance/Preston/Prison Warder 2/Farmer/ Man 1Playing Pool/Eddie Tenor
Father's Voice/Mark black Baritone
Duration c. 120 minutes
The Libretto by April de Angelis is inspired by the book ‘The Silent Twins’ by Marjorie Wallace. All Rights Reserved.
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The Silent Twins
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JENNIFER HAS BROKEN A FAMILY PHOTOGRAPH IN A GLASS FRAME. IN HORROR THEY REGARD
JUNE RECOILS AND JENNIFER RUNS OVER TO HER THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND DECIDE TO STAND TOGETHER. IN THE BACKGROUND THE FIGURE OF THEIR FATHER STANDS IN SILHOUETTE, MENACING
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Gloria Dr. Davies
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Piano dress
As he turns to write his notes, Jennifer gives signal and the Twins shuffle towards him. He is spooked. thembeauti-ful-ly - you'llfind.
WhenI turnmy backthey're
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They'rejustalittle-late intalking. - They'rejust alittle-lateintalk ing. -Mmm They're walking - When, p when mf I turn
Piano justalittle-late intalking. - Yes.
inside-me back, back. WhenIturn my backthey're walking -
Gloria
Dr. Davies
Piano
Gloria
Dr. Davies
Gloria
Dr. Davies
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Inside-me, inside-me, in side -methey found entwined - Theech oes -oftwo
WhenIturnmyback they're... 223
Gloria
Dr. Davies
Piano heartsMytwins, righthere. Mytwins He sees they have moved once again and are uncomfortably close. righthere. f A mf funny-
pair, afun ny -pair. afun ny pair.
Piano
Dr. Davies
Piano
Gloria
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They're
justalittle-late intalking. - They'rejust alittle-late. WhenI turn.
Dr. Davies Piano
Gloria
Davies
Dr. Davies
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Jennifer Dr. Davies Piano
Davies Piano
Davies
Dr. Davies
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Dr. Davies
Dr. Davies
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Dr. Davies
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Dr. Davies
Dr. Davies
Gloria
Dr. Davies
Piano
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Warder
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Whispered
Your
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Piano
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Jennifer Piano She shouldhavedied atbirth. twinshouldforget-that. Sheshould havedied atbirth. Eat mp them,eatthem, mp
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can't, youcan't, youcan't, standup allnight. Get into-bedandrest.
Warder re-enters. Twins freeze once more
Warder
373
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Girls stay motionless.
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She shuts their eyes
Don'tseem alive - Like lay ing-outthedead. Sweetdreams. Sweetdreams.
Re p mem -ber, - re mem -ber-ourroom?
Warder
Piano
Warder
Piano p
376
Warder
Piano She exits
Jennifer
Piano
Jennifer comforts June
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F1
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Jennifer
Tutor
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June
Jennifer Tutor
Mrs Rosenburg
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The stage fills with the whole cast including Jennifer and June They
Adol-es-cents-that
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Itwashot, itwashot ooh Somewhere-inthecrowd
Itwashot, itwashot ooh Somewhere-inthecrowd
Itwashot, itwashot ooh
Some where-inthecrowd
Itwashot, itwashot ooh Somewhere-inthecrowd
Itwashot, itwashot ooh Somewhere-inthecrowd Seth wasdancing-like anener
Itwashot, itwashot ooh Some
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Thebeat ofthedrums yelledout, The Thebeat ofthedrums yelledout, The
Thebeat ofthedrums yelledout, The
Thebeat ofthedrums yelledout, The Thebeat ofthedrums yelledout, The
beat ofthedrums yelledout werehav ing-thetime of their
beatofthedrums yelledout werehav ing-thetime of their beatofthedrums yelledout
- werehav ing-thetime of their,Verbeatofthedrums yelledout werehav ing-thetime oftheir
beatofthedrums yelledout, andRock werehav ing-thetime of their beatofthedrums yelledout, werehav ing-thetime oftheir
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werehav
werehav
werehav
werehav
werehav
werehav
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Swinging-wild ly -to the music-
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Swinging-wild ly -to the mu sic -Seas on -waslaugh ing -withjoy Huge
Swinging-wild ly -to the music-
Swinging-wild ly -to the music-
Swinging-wild ly -to the music-
Swinging-wild ly -to the music-
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Pulling-any-bo-dytothefloor inasalPulling-any-bo-dytothefloor inasalPulling-any-bo-dytothefloor inasal -
Pulling-any-bo-dytothefloor inasal -
Pulling-any-bo-dytothefloor inasal -
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Teenag-ers-scream -ing Stabbing.-stabb ing -
acious - sala-cious-fren zy -
Teenag-ers-scream -ing Stabbing.-stabb ing -
Stabbing.-stabbing -
Stabb ing,-stabbing - Stabbing-their bestfriends todeath!!
Stabbing.-stabbing - Stabbing-their bestfriends todeath!!
Stabbing.-stabbing - Stabbing-their bestfriends todeath!!
Stabbing.-stabbing - Stabbing-their bestfriends todeath!!
Stabb ing, - Stabbing-their bestfriends todeath!!
Stabb ing, - Stabbing-their bestfriends todeath!!
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S1
S1
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lifesofar. We'llnev er -letgo, We, wehave, lifesofar. We'llnev er -letgo. We. wehave. doing-here? Get f lost. What you
Jennifer Lance Kennedy
Carl Kennedy
Piano
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Jennifer
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They enter a church. They have a radio. They swig brandy. They light candles
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I'minheav en -
Crazy-Bitches.- Crazy-Bitches.-
Let's do it, inthechurch, inthe church
I mf want mock bishop you to join meingiv ing-thanksto our
Piano dear Lord. Doyoutru ly -lovetheLord Jesus-Christ? Doyouvow tofol low -himtothe 3
Jennifer Lance Kennedy
Carl Kennedy
Piano
Carl Kennedy Piano
Carl Kennedy
Jennifer Lance Kennedy
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We, p we piously do.
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We, p we piously do. p
We, we piously do.
endofyourdays? Totheend ofyourdays? f
SingVivat-Lu ci -fer -
June
Jennifer Lance Kennedy
Vivat-Lu ci -fer -
Vivat-Lu ci -fer -
Vivat-Lu ci -fer -
Stepforward-and strip
Child brides. Ah, I
Child brides. Ah, Ilove
Carl Kennedy
Piano
Carl Kennedy
Piano
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Jennifer Lance Kennedy
Carl Kennedy
Jennifer Lance Kennedy
Carl Kennedy
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Lance Kennedy Piano
Jennifer Lance Kennedy Piano
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Jennifer Carl Kennedy Piano
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June
Jennifer
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June Jennifer
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Jennifer Lance Kennedy
Carl Kennedy
Jennifer Lance Kennedy
Carl Kennedy Piano
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June
Jennifer
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We'llhave afeast ofremem-ber - -
Iwanttofeel thetouch ofyourhair be tweenmyfing ers. - We'llhave afeast ofremem-ber3 791
June
Jennifer
ing. Oneof thebest days of mylife. Jennifer writes in diary ing. Oneof thebest days of mylife. I'velost my 3 beauti-ful-virgin-i-ty-to 794
June
Jennifer
June
Ididn't - get thatfar. Carl.Atlast. Ithurt. Wedid itinchurch. Sorry-God. Yourfriend Jenny.797
Idid n't -getthatfar Idid n't -getthatfar. Still mp avirginlaughs
Sorry-God. mf Ha mocking ha, haha,haha. Ohyes
Piano
Piano
Piano
Jennifer Piano
June
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Jennifer Piano
June
Jennifer
June
Jennifer
Stillavirgin. - You f don't havetogloat. Stopit. Ohgod! 3
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Uhhuh gliss.
Wedidit.We didit. Wedidit. 801
June
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Jennifer Piano forthefirst time Jenni-fer - thefirst time, thefirst time. God, plaintive seeing-Iamsee ing - forthefirst time June Oh God plaintive
June
Jennifer
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110 ISUU Version
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June
Jennifer
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Flowing q = c.112
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legato 869
M2
M2
Gloria
Piano
Twin mf warmly nies. - You'redo ing -
874
Gloria Piano well. Twinnies. - You'redo ing -well. Jenni-fer, - you'relook ing -fat ter -thanyour 878
Gloria Piano sis ter. -I hear thefood isgood. Twinnies. - You'redo ing -well. 883
Gloria Piano Twin nies. - You'redo ing -well. Jenni-fer, - you'relook ing -fat ter -thanyour
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886 N2 N2
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Gloria Piano sis ter. -thanyoursister. - I hear thefood isgood. You'reget ting -to bequite pretty-young
Gloria Piano women,- youknow, quite pretty-young women.- Yourfa ces -arescratched! Stillfight ing, - still 896
Gloria Piano fight ing - I'vebrought you thoseflow ery-skirts youwant ed -fromTes co's -
Gloria Piano Yourdad sent some choc'late, - choc' late. - It won't be pp
O2 O2
Gloria Piano long, it won't be long. You've got your
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Warder
June
Jennifer Piano
Warder
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Q2
Warder enters. Twins freeze
Lett er - Jenni-fer-Gib -bons.
Warder puts it down and sees June with the chocolate, mixes up names at first choc' -late Jenni-
Warder
June
Jennifer
Don't for get -us.
Don't for get -us.
Q2
R2
R2
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pal 3 He'scom ing. - Least I've got aman. Least I'vegot aman.
Vis-i-tor. Don't In the cell June sits alone, writing. you ever-get tired-of wri ting?Mark seats himself and waits. Jennifer carries a tea tray laboriously. She looks for him.
Warder
Warder
June
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Piano touch the stars. I can see Ju pi-
June
Jennifer Mark
U2
Finally Jennifer catches sight of him and almost drops the tray and Ve - nus. 3 3 They sit mp Tea? mp Hel loawkward
U2
Mark
No mf thanks.Inev er -drinktea. Hot drinks open-thestom ach3
Jennifer
Mark Piano
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Biscuits?andmake youhungry.- No thankyou.I don'teatattea.
Yourbroth er. -Jen ni -fer?Your Jennifer frowns f broth er?3 Idon'teatattea.
Mark Piano Ilive inWok ing -ham. - Ilive withmyboss inasmall house. Ihave no 3
Mark Piano friends. Iwatch alotoftel e -vi-sion. Ilive inWok ing -ham. - Ilive withmyboss ina 3 3 p
Warder
Mark Piano
Warder
Prison Warder 2
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Sepa-ra-tion-will dothemgood. I'll f put thisone nextdoor.
3
They are dragged into separate cells
The twins sit in their separate cells being and moving in an identical fashion
q = c.92
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June
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Jennifer Piano Ineed some one -totalk to. help me. I'min despair. - Ifeel for sak -en.-She
June
Jennifer Piano Shehaunts me. She haunts me. J's p bed is haunts me. Shehaunts me.
June
Jennifer
June
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Jennifer Piano
June
Jennifer Piano
June
Jennifer Piano
Let mp my sis ter -come back to me I need The Twins have retreated into the corner of their separate cells. They are catatonic her Please
Let mp my sis ter -come back to me I need her Please
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Maureen
Maureen
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Eddie
Ron
Piano
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Warder
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speakthroughthepipes.
speakthroughthepipes.
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the cell room is now a farmhouse
The farmer and his wife sit, a homely scene. There is a knock at the door. The wife opens it and the twins enter.The farmer jumps up and his wife hurries back. The farmer picks up his gun/stick and points it at the Twiins
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1391
June
Jennifer
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In p side - theshedit'sdark. Warn mf ing -
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In p side - theshedit'sdark.
Piano
June
subito p 1393
HighVolt age. -
Jennifer
Piano
June
Jennifer
Jennifer begins to splash petrol everywhere Oh, fp Oh, f gliss. Oh, gliss. I mf foundadoll. f Oh f Oh, gliss. f p C4 C4 1396
My ff with furious energy life ofcrime isgo ing -fromgood tobett er. - Mylife ofcrime
My ff life with furious energy ofcrime isgo ing -fromgood tobett er. - Mylife ofcrime
Piano
June
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isgo ing -fromgood tobett er. - Mylife ofcrime
Jennifer
isgo ing -fromgood to bett er. - Mylife ofcrime
Piano
thinkthey'restrong.
They thinkthey'restrong.
Warder June
Jennifer
Prison Warder 2
Piano
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Errollyn Wallen
Errollyn Wallen (b. 1958) has been Composer-in-Residence at Dartington International Music Festival, Huddersfeld Festival and Trinity College of Music, and Visiting Composer-in-Residence at Birmingham Conservatoire. Wallen received an MBE in 2007 and a CBE in 2020 for services to music. Works include: English Folk Songs: From Eleanor to Sweet William (text by Wesley Stace) for Birmingham Contemporary Music Group; a Cello Concerto and the Concerto Grosso commissioned by Orchestra of the Swan; the Spirit Symphony, commissioned by the BBC (winner of the BBC Radio 3 Listeners/British Composer Award, 2005); and The Errollyn Wallen Songbook, comprising twelve songs for voice and piano.
Errollyn Wallen (*1958) war Composer-in-Residence beim Dartington International Music Festival, beim Huddersfeld Festival und am Londoner Trinity College of Music sowie Visiting Composer-inResidence am Birmingham Conservatoire. 2007 wurde ihr für ihre Verdienste um die Musik der britische Orden eines MBE verliehen, 2020 der eines CBE. Zu ihren Werken zählen: English Folk Songs: From Eleanor to Sweet William (Text: Wesley Stace) für die Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, ein Cellokonzert und das Concerto Grosso als Auftragswerke für das Orchestra of the Swan, die Spirit Symphony für die BBC (Sieger beim Hörerpreis von BBC Radio 3/British Composer Award 2005) sowie das Errollyn Wallen Songbook mit zwölf Liedern für Gesang und Klavier.
Photo © Gillian Edelstein