A chamber opera in one act for soprano tenor baritone and bass soli TTBB chorus and orchestra commissioned for the Wells 800 Celebration in 1982. Libretto by Peter Porter. Vocal score with piano reduction. Duration: c. 55minutes.Orpheus is a Chamber Opera or perhaps more properly might be described as an ‘Opera-Cantata’. It is designed to be performed as a short opera fully staged and costumed or as a concert piece. Either way itsstructure is dramatic rather than reflective. It tells the story of Orpheus probably the most familiar story in music and en emblem of their art for composers of all periods as a direct narrative. Since the legend is set inthe world of pagan mythology it has been lightly Christianised for its Church setting. The Aeneid has often been seen as speaking of Christ avant la lettre and Renaissance Humanists were always willing to identify forerunnersof Christian types in Classical personages: in this manner Orpheus pursues without undue emphasis musical parallels with St Francis St Cecilia and even Adam and Eve.The work is framed briefly by a prologue and epilogue. ThePrologue introduces the four solo singers Hades (bass) Orpheus (tenor) Eurydice (soprano) and Charon (baritone). It also introduces the chorus who do not only portray at various stages Orpheus’s wedding companions thedenizens of Hell and Blessed Spirits in the Elysian Fields but also comments on the action as it proceeds.

Otto Nicolai became one of the few 'one-hit wonders' among classical composers. Although some of his operas had success during his lifetime it is really only his final opera The Merry Wives of Windsor that has become a repertory item but with its storyline wit and an abundance of memorable tunes it is not difficult to understand why. It was a rousing success from its first performance on March 9 1849 and the bubbly overture is still especially popular. The drama takes place in three acts to a libretto by Hermann von Mosenthal the English version being by Josef Blatt.

The Trial is an opera by renowned composer Philip Glass featuring a libretto by Christopher Hampton. The opera is based on Franz Kafka's classic surreal tale of a man arrested by an unknown authority foran unspecific crime. The entire opera lasts around 120 minutes. The Trial is the second opera by Philip Glass based on Franz Kafka's writings the first being 'In ThePenal Colony'. This opera was commissioned by and dedicated to Music Theatre Wales in honour of their 25th anniversary. The vocal parts in the opera are Soprano Mezzo-Soprano 2 Tenors 2 Baritones Bass-Baritone andBass.  Glass's operas have received worldwide acclaim adding to the extensive list of musical forms to which he has lent his incomparable compositional talents.

The latest addition to the Novello Handel Edition. A stage work of 1745 based on John Milton's classical masque Comus created from a compilation of songs by Handel and Thomas Arne both pre-existing and original with the text adapted by John Dalton. This is the first ever complete publication of the work and is edited by Handel scholar Colin Timms. This work is for three or four Sopranos Mezzo-Soprano Tenor one or two Bass Soli and Orchestra. This edition is an 'important new contribution to scholarship with Colin Timms continuing the work of Anthony Hicks in putting together an edition of work from various sources'. There are 'somefine movements to be found by both composers not least the three airs and trio that Handel provided specially for performance in Exton Hall Rutland in 1745'. Choir & Organ  November/December 2017 'Potential performers will appreciatre the excellent editorial preface. The print of this vocal score with piano reduction though small is very clear and well laid-out and orchestral parts including a fully realised continuo part are available from Novello.' Organists’ Review December 2017

The musical story of a gypsy girl the bullfighter and a soldier who vie for her favors. From it's debut in 1875 it remains one of the most frequently performed and best-loved works in the repertoire. This authoritative publication presents one of the finest early editions of the Carmen Vocal Score - the classic Schirmer edition of 1895 in the original French with a complete English singing version by Dr. Theodore Baker.