Parker’s Back: an opera in two acts, 2008

Parker’s Back: an opera in two acts. Libretto and music by Bryan Beaumont Hays. Based on the short story with the same name by Flannery O’Connor. Cast of characters: Mrs. Bedford: (Soprano); Mr. Rayburn: (Tenor); O. E. Parker: (Baritone); Sarah Ruth Cates: (Soprano); Mrs. Cates: (Mezzo-soprano); Old Woman: (Mezzo-soprano); Tattoo Artist: (Tenor); Preacher: (Tenor); Jolly Roger: (Baritone); Drunk: (non-singing role). Chorus of men and women at the gospel meeting. Chorus of men at the pool hall. Setting: sometime during the 1930s in the Deep South. Dedication: for Br. Louis Blenkner, OSB. Piano/vocal score has the following information on last page: 5 November 1972. First complete version: June 14, 1973. Second version: January 21, 1987. Third & final version: 2007/2008. St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville, MN 56321-2015. Opera Mr Rayburn and Mrs. Bedford: I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. Based on Parker’s Back by Flannery O’Connor Woodwinds: piccolo (flute III), 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais (oboe III), Eb clarinet, 2 clarinets in Bb, bass clarinet in Bb, 3 bassoons, 1 contra-bassoon Brass: 4 horns in F, 4 trumpets in C, 3 trombones (trombone III is bass trombone), 1 tuba Percussion: 4 timpani, glockenspiel, xylophone, 2 wood blocks (high and low), triangle, hand cymbals, large suspended cymbal, tambourine, snare drum, bass drum (glockenspiel through bass drum are to be played by 4 players) Harp Celesta Characters: 2 sopranos, 2 mezzo-sopranos, 3 tenors, 2 baritones; chorus of SATB (at gospel meeting); chorus of TB at pool hall) Piano/vocal score: 2332; orchestral score of 2 preludes: 318 Operas -- Vocal scores with orchestra.