Intimations: One Act Opera

The one-act opera “Intimations” by Dinos Constantinides is based on David Madden’s poem “Fugue for Two Voices.” It is a dialogue between an older woman and a young girl with the subject being a possible murder. The work can be presented on stage but the static character of the plot makes it interesting without theatrical staging as well.

The composition was written originally in 1975, with a slightly different format requiring a shadow dancer, and was entitled “Fugue for Two Voices.” It was presented twice in Baton Rouge in July 1975 as part of the city’s Festival of the Arts. The piece was reworked in 1980 with the present title.

“Intimations” was presented for the first time on stage at the Brooklyn College of New York on February 5, 1982, when it was awarded the first prize of the 1981 Brooklyn College Chamber Opera Composition Contest and a matching grant from Meet-the-Composers. The piece also won the 1985 Outstanding Achievement Award in the First Midwest Chamber Opera Festival at Ohio State University. Adjudicators for this conference included Boris Goldovsky, Henry Butler, and Richard Owens. “Intimations” has had numerous performances, including a New York Times-reviewed presentation at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

“Intimations” employs one soprano, a female speaker, and an instrumental quartet: violin, clarinet, harp, and percussion. The four instruments represent the four characters of the story: (1) The clarinet represents Miss Ellen, because her complex character demands portrayal by an instrument of diverse tone possibilities such as the clarinet. (2) The violin represents Celeste, an innocent young girl who becomes a mature person during the course of the opera. (3) The harp represents Linda, who enjoys a happy life with her lover without knowing what is coming soon. The harp conveys happiness well. (4) The percussion is very appropriate to present the unexpected death of the young man. The music uses four instruments for the four persons involved in the story: two who are present on stage and two whom are only talked about.

There is also a chamber orchestra version of “Intimations” which calls for two soprano soloists and staging.