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ASTRAY 

A DARK COMEDY ABOUT GETTING CAUGHT IN BETWEEN

PROJECT

DESCRIPTION

Two people meet in a therapy group for the dead. Each of the deceased is trying to reconcile the knowledge that they are alive, with a world that considers them to be dead, and would prefer to stay that way.

A man reads his obituary in the paper and is appalled that not only does everyone think he is dead, but that his death is not the heroic one he anticipated for himself. He tries to change the record of his death, but meets a ruthless bureaucrat who blocks his every attempt.

A woman returns from a long absence to find that her parents - from whom she has been estranged - have, in her absence, declared her to be dead. She later learns that this condition can be reversed, but she must return to her awkward life, which she had outgrown.

In group therapy, the couple realizes that they have to accept their death to continue with the rest of their lives.

This dark comedy is an original story based on bizarre true stories, Kafka's parable "Before the Law" and Mahler's setting of the Rückert poem, Ich habe der Welt abhanden gekommen.

VENUE, CASTING, & ORCHESTRATION

KIKI  one of the newly deceased …………………………  Soprano

SHARON  Kiki’s support …………………………………. Mezzo-soprano

DANTE  one of the newly deceased …………………….. Baritone

VIRGIL  Dante’s support ………………………………….. Tenor

CORA  Leader of a support group for the deceased .. Mezzo-soprano

THE OBITUARIST ……………………………………….. Soprano

THE BUREAUCRAT …………………………………….. Coloratura Soprano

THE MOTHER ……………………………………………...  Mezzo-soprano

THE DEAD - SATB Ensemble (minimum of eight singers); Obituarist, Bureaucrat, and Mother can be cast from this ensemble


This opera features flexible orchestration options: dual pianos and percussion, a 6-piece ensemble, or a 13-piece chamber orchestra.  It can be adapted to traditional stages, intimate black boxes, dive bars,  multi-purpose public venues, private parlors, and other non-traditional spaces. Anticipated running time is between 70 - 110 minutes.

THE MUSIC

The opera will be lyrically robust and compositionally sophisticated with solo moments that will challenge young singers, while providing accomplished professionals the opportunity to lend the material their distinctive voices. Drawing from the composer's operatic and Jazz sensibilities, the writing features a rich harmonic palate, intricate contrapuntal dialogues, and a rhythmic fluidity that transitions seamlessly from recitativo to choral ensemble, to aria. 

THE COMPOSER

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Frank Pesci’s compositions have been performed across North America and Europe. He has written nearly 100 works for the concert stage, including forty choral works, eleven song cycles, nearly twenty chamber and concert scores, and five operas. He lives in Cologne, Germany.

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