Don's 2026 Projects:
Don has two major projects, one the production of a completed opera, the other
the composing of the second and final act of a comic operetta.
Ode: Intimations of ImmortalityBackground and Details here Listen to the music here The poem “Ode: Intimations of Immortality,” written by British poet William Wordsworth, explores transformation during growth. My choral musical setting of the poem was performed in 2002 in the States, and I completed the accompaning orchestration December 31, 2024. This one-hour production calls for four soloists, a chorus of ten to 20 adults, children (non-singing roles), four dancers, and an accompanying orchestra. The set design and costumes are simple and inexpensive. It is published under a Creative Commons license, so anyone can perform all or part anytime, anywhere, royalty free. ContactDon “Orfeo” Rechtman |
The Ugly DucklingBackground and Details here Listen to the music here This Gilbert and Sullivan-styled comic operetta had its beginnings in 1985, at which time the first two songs were created. There was a "slight" delay; work resumed in 2004! Based on the one-act play of the same name by A. A. Milne of Winnie the Pooh fame, the play was expanded as a libretto with original text to cover two acts, reflecting a continuation of the original play's story line. I have completed the vocal/piano score for act one of the two acts, and anticipate completing the score before year's end. With luck, I'll have the orchestration completed in time to seek a fully staged performance as early as sometime next year. This 2 1/2 hour operetta calls for a typical G&S type ensemble with an accompanying orchestra. The set design and costumes are simple and inexpensive. It too is published under a Creative Commons license, so anyone can perform all or part anytime, anywhere, royalty free. ContactDon “Orfeo” Rechtman |