
NEW CHAMBER MUSIC
ABHANDENGEKOMMEN
IMMIGRATION AND MOB JUSTICE IN AMERICA
VENUE, CASTING, & ORCHESTRATION
Principal Roles (9 Singers)
IANIA COSTA (Soprano) – A Sicilian immigrant in New Orleans.
EMMANUELE POLIZZI (Tenor) – Iania’s fiancé, often referred to as “Mani.”
DAVID HENNESSY (Baritone) – New Orleans Chief of Police.
MARGARET HENNESSY (Mezzo-Soprano) – David Hennessy’s widowed mother.
BILLY O’CONNOR (Tenor) – a superintendent of a private detective force, employed by the ruling classes of the city.
WILLIAM PARKERSON (Bass-Baritone) – Wealthy and influential member of the city’s social and political elite.
MAMA COSTA (Mezzo-soprano) – Iania’s mother
CATARINA COSTA (Coloratura Soprano) – Iania’s younger sister.
ZIA FRANCESCA (Mezzo-soprano) – Iania’s maternal aunt
Ensemble (flexible size; minimum of four singers (SMTB)
Sicilian Immigrants, police officers, the every-day residents of New Orleans, as well as the ruling Elite. The Ensemble serves in the traditional choral role, in comprimario roles, and as supernumeraries. The Ensemble can consist of as few as four singers, or multiplied as space and necessity allows (ideally 2-6 per part).
Chamber Casting
The actors portraying Mama, Catarina, and Zia can be utilized as ensemble members. In this configuration, the addition of two tenors and two basses, and either Margaret or Iania, can form an 8-voice Ensemble for the larger choral moments.
Flexible orchestrations options
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"New Orleans Traditional" - 8 players (clarinet, trumpet, trombone, guitar/banjo, piano, contrabass, vibes and trap kit)
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Britten-style Chamber - 16 players (1.1.1.1 - 1.1.1.0, git/bjo, pno/kbd, vibes, traps, string quintet
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Full pit orchestration - 19 players plus strings (2.2.2.2 - 4.2.2.1, git/bjo, pno/kbd, vibes, traps, str.)