Programme Note
Alice was commissioned by the National Opera Studio in 2018 for the 12:40 project, celebrating 40 years of the studio with 12 newly-written short opera scenes for imaginary operas. As part of our series of verbatim queer life-story pieces, Ted Huffman and I worked on this scene with the performer for whom it was written, Danny Shelvey, a singer in the Studio that year. Ted interviewed Danny numerous times about his life and background. The interviews ended up focusing on his relationship with his Grandmother, Alice, and so we decided to make the piece about his lasting memories of her, and sitting by her bedside in hospital as she was ill in her final days.
Details
A dramatic song in which a gay man reminisces about visiting his Grandmother in hospital.
Alice was commissioned by the National Opera Studio for singer Danny Shelvey, in celebration of the studio’s 40th Anniversary. It was first performed by Danny Shelvey and Florent Mourier on 14th June 2018 at Hoxton Hall, London.
Duration: 4½ minutes
Instrumentation: Tenor (F#–A) and Piano
Text by Ted Huffman after interviews with Danny Shelvey
Published by Opera Edition Ltd.