P.D.Q. Bach (Peter Schickele) - "The Stoned Guest" - No. 1.

I really wanted to upload this piece for quite some time now, it's just too good to miss.

Schickele is an exceptionally talented comedian and a quite good composer whose enjoyable pieces make one reappreciate the beauty of classical music. One of his first parodies of classical opera was the present piece, "The Stoned Guest".

In spite of its rather vulgar title, the "opera" itself is delightful. A huge portion of the humor lies in the text but the music effects are even better: for example, during the host's introduction we get a brilliantly funny tuning of the orchestra; the B section of Carmen Ghia's aria is formed of a series of rather annoying coloratura patterns; the failure, Don Octave, finishes his aria with a stab at a high note etc. etc. Some of the themes: the orchestral line in the duettino and in the trio - are surprisingly inspired, even in their comical surroundings. I am actually reminded a little of Pergolesi and the early operas of Mozart.

I decided to leave out a couple of tracks not really connected with the "opera", including the sketch "Opera Whiz" which isn't as funny as the rest. The outline of the uploads is presented here:

Part #1. "And thus we begin".

1. Introduction.
2. Opera.
o Overture.
o No. 1. Aria: "Let's face it - I'm lost".
o Recitative: "Boy!".
o No. 2. Aria: "Now is the season".




Part #2. "They are still lost and confused".

o Recitative: "Gesundheit!".
o No. 3. Duet: "Woe".
o Recitative: "Hark!".

Part #3. "Three makes a group".

o No. 4. Aria: "Look at me".
o Recitative: "That's the end".
o No. 5. Trio: "I'm sure I'd be".

Part #4. "Might as well listen, the plot thickens even more after this".

3. Plot Synopsis.

Part #5. "The bloody carnage aka the Finale".

4. The conclusion.
o Recitative: "I hate to interrupt".
o No. 6. Quartet: "Don Octave".
o No. 7. Finale: "O savior".

Those to blame for the premiere:
o Professor Peter Schickele.
o The Orchestra of the University of Southern North Dakota at Hoople Heavy Opera Company under the direction of John Nelson.
o Marlene Kleinman, mezzanine soprano (Donna Ribalda, a high-born lady of the lowlands).
o Lorna Haywood, off-coloratura (Carmen Ghia, a woman of ailing repute).
o John Ferrante, bargain counter tenor (Don Octave, an itinerant nobleman).
o Bernice, houndentenor (Dog).
o Will Jordan (Milton Host).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• opera
• parody

[hillevifan]

Doe you happen to have the p.d.q. bach compisition "Civilian Barber" i've always wanted to hear it

[LindoroRossini]

No, I actually don't :(, is it worth it :)?

[mjmacmtenor]

Thanks for this. I actually directed a staged version of excerpts for a "Directing for Musical Theatre" class I took years(!) ago. My favorite PDQ is the cantata for bargaincountertenor "Iphegenia in Brooklyn" (who knew she was in Brooklyn) with its recit & aria "only she who is running knows....running nose, running nose, running nose...."

[LindoroRossini]

"Iphegenia" is a real treasure, I personally prefer the central "lament" :)! Directing the present "opera" must have been a pleasure :)!

[afrisbeetom]

hey mom!  i just liked OPERA!

[ethositachi]

I wholeheartedly approve.

No. 2 Aria is so so good

[jp0531801]

I wanna listen to some Steely Dan instead....

[limegut]

@paladin313 yes, definitely, I play many brass instruments, and the timbre is definitely bass bone

[LordRocksavage1]

How wonderful. Where can you go from the three B's of music? Brahms, Beethoven and Mozart? I really enjoyed this as a memory from my youth.

[Timrath]

@gilgamess "Quiet, please"

[dvdtrr]

@gilgamess I think he says, "open wider please."

[gilgamess]

What does Schickele say at 8:12?

[blizzardlizard07]

PDQ Bach is amazing!!

[Robotman42]

I'll just hide behind this--whatchamacallit

[ricecracker79]

ahahaha!!

"where I yam!"

[paladin313]

I think it is a bass trombone.