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Work

Il Poverello : St. Francis of Assisi, a saint for our times

by Betty Beath (2010)

Il Poverello

$110.91

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Score

Il Poverello : St. Francis of Assisi, a saint for our times / Betty Beath.

Library shelf no. 782.5524/BEA 1 [Available for loan]

Work Overview

Poverello is a 45-minute music theatre piece describing events in the life of St. Francis of Assisi highlighted by spoken narration and visuals linked to the music. Described by the conductor Nathan Aspinall as "a wonderful soundscape that animates the fascinating character of St. Francis and explores Francis the person and his message of love and peace, his affinity with nature and his devotion to simplicity of life".

Work Details

Year: 2010

Instrumentation: Mandolin Orchestra (1st & 2nd mandolins, mandola, acoustic guitar); Instrumental Ensemble (flute, cello, double bass, percussion.) Choir. Two soloists (tenor, soprano). Narrator.

Duration: 46 min.

Difficulty: Medium

Commission note: Commissioned by Mandolin in Brisbane for performance by The Queensland Mandolin Orchestra

First performance: by Queensland Mandolin Orchestra , Alexandra Chorale at Garlands (St John's Cathedral, Brisbane) on 1 Oct 2010

Pianist and writer, Valerie Dickson reviewing the work wrote: "Poverello is special, a landmark taking us into another era in the life of the composer. With the many different moods, rhythms, lush harmonies, great melodies, sounds and scenes, it is moving, inspiring, simplistic, humorous, joyful, dramatic, spiritual, mature and kept us interested throughout."

The composer cites the following influences on the work:

The style, genre and influences have all been closely related to the text and therefore are contrasted to reflect character(s) and situations: Art song, Music Theatre, Plainsong, and Instrumental Interludes are evident in this work.

There is a Powerpoint presentation to accompany the performance: Drawings illustrating the life of St Francis by the Late Rev. David Binns

Videos

Fratelli Minore, from Poverello
Il Poverello (selections from)

Selections from the first performance of the forty-five minute music drama, IL POVERELLO,, which was performed in St John's Cathedral, Brisbane, October 1st 2010.The work was commissioned by MANDOLINS IN BRISBANE. The program notes describe the work as: 'A wonderful sound-scape that animates the fascinating character of St Francis. Betty Beath and Davd Cox have explored Francis, the person, and his message of love and peace, his affinity with nature and his devotion to simplicity of life.'

Subjects

Performances of this work

1 Oct 2010: at Garlands (St John's Cathedral, Brisbane). Featuring Queensland Mandolin Orchestra , Alexandra Chorale.

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