Work
String quartet No. 2 : for soprano and string quartet
by Brett Dean (2013)
Also known as: And once I played Ophelia
Score
String quartet No. 2 : "And once I played Ophelia", for soprano and string quartet / music: Brett Dean ; text: Matthew Jocelyn (after Shakespeare's "Hamlet").
Library shelf no. Q 783.66542/DEA 1 [Available for loan]
Work Overview
Matthew Jocelyn's text utilizes not only Ophelia's own words from
Shakespeare's Hamlet but also words directed towards, or said
about her, from the confronting invective of Hamlet's "Get thee
to a nunnery" or his exalted love poem, "Doubt thou the stars are
fire" through to the condescending life directives handed out by
her father, Polonius ("Best safety lies in fear"; "Do not believe
his vows") and Gertrude's lyrical description of her suicide.
("There is a willow…")
Through a suite of five short movements performed without a
break, a concise portrait of Shakespeare's troubled and elusive
young character emerges. As we discussed the shape of the work,
Matthew and I saw it increasingly as an examination of what
remains in our memory and understanding of this secondary, yet
utterly pivotal role "after all the Ophelias have played
Ophelia."
Though traditionally portrayed as a meek, even weak character,
often dressed in flowing white robes and unable to defend herself
before the pressures of Elsinore cause her to snap, I've often
felt that much of what she says betrays a feistier personality
than the one we often are presented. ("And I that sucked from his
musicked vows…")
And perhaps, just perhaps, Ophelia drowns not from a
romantically-fed whim or madness, but simply because of the pure
weight of the words others say about her caught irrevocably in
her pockets.
Hence I sensed the drama of a string quartet complemented by a
high soprano voice, at times in combat with the forces around
her, at times lulled, accompanied, even defeated by them, formed
a suitable musical metaphor for this "ministering angel" and the
strange, beguiling spell she casts over us.
© Brett Dean, 2014
Work Details
Year: 2013
Instrumentation: Soprano, 2 violins, viola, cello.
Duration: 17 min.
Difficulty: Advanced
Dedication note: In memory of Kate Buchdahl (1964-1992)
Commission note: Commissioned by Britten Sinfonia, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Australian String Quartet.
First performance: by Allison Bell, Britten Sinfonia — 2 May 14. The Assembly House, Norwich, UK
Text by Matthew Jocelyn after William Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Awards & Prizes
Year | Award | Placing | Awarded for/to |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Paul Lowin Song Cycle Prize | Winner | Brett Dean |
Performances of this work
1 Mar 2020: at Brett Dean's Chamber Music (National Concert Hall, Taipei).
7 Nov 2015: at ASQ: Transcend (Conservatorium Theatre, Brisbane). Featuring Australian String Quartet, Allison Bell.
6 Nov 2015: at ASQ: Transcend (Melbourne Recital Centre). Featuring Australian String Quartet, Allison Bell.
3 Nov 2015: at ASQ: Transcend (Government House Ballroom, Perth). Featuring Australian String Quartet, Allison Bell.
2 Nov 2015: at ASQ: Transcend (Adelaide Town Hall). Featuring Australian String Quartet, Allison Bell.
1 Nov 2015: at ASQ: Transcend (Gandel Hall, National Gallery of Australia). Featuring Australian String Quartet, Allison Bell.
29 Oct 2015: at ASQ: Transcend (City Recital Hall). Featuring Australian String Quartet, Allison Bell.
2 May 14: The Assembly House, Norwich, UK. Featuring Allison Bell, Britten Sinfonia.
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