Title & composer

Brutal Music : incidental music from the chamber opera Voir Dire

Matthew Peterson

Composition year: 2010 , rev. 2024

Duration: 12 min

Instrumentation: for eight players (fl, cl, perc, pno, vln, vla, vc, cb). Also toy piano if available
Classification: Kammarensemble; Leksaksinstrument
Subject heading: Xl; Xk

Contents: I. screaming music, II. beating music, III. chasing music, IV. poison music, V. death music, VI. pavane for a dead infant, VII. brutal music, VIII. burning music
Remark: Datorutskrift. Voir Dire uruppförd 2017-04-23.

Comments about the work: Brutal Music is a suite of incidental music from the chamber opera Voir Dire. Voir Dire is based on and adapted from the librettist Jason Zencka's experiences as crime and courtroom reporter for the Stephen' s Point Journal, Stephen's Point, Wisconsin, U.S.A from 2008-2009. The main narrative of the opera follows the trial of a sixteen year old boy who is on trial for his mother's murder. Seven of the movements of Brutal Music musically develop aspects of this crime. The sixth movement, pavane for a dead infant, takes place after an aria early in the opera, recounting an abusive relationship and traumatic miscarriage. - Matthew Peterson, 2010