Intimations – Version for 2 Sopranos and Chamber Orchestra

Intimations is based on the poem by David Madden, “Fugue for Two Voices.” It is a dialogue between an old and a young woman concerning 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 first version of the work was written with the collaboration of the poet in 1975 and presented twice at the Arts Festival of the Baton Rouge Arts and Humanities Council in July of the same year. In that version, the work appeared with the title "Fugue for Two Voices" and employed a shadow dancer. The piece was reworked in 1980 with the present title and subsequently received two awards and several performances.

Intimations was presented for the first time on stage at the Brooklyn College of New York on February 5, 1982, as the winner of the 1981 Brooklyn College Chamber Opera Composition Contest. The piece also was awarded Outstanding Achievement at the First Midwest Chamber Opera Theatre Conference at Ohio State University. Adjudicators for this conference included Boris Goldovski, Henry Butler, and Richard Owens. Intimations was also a recipient of a Meet-the-Composer matching grant and 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) Clarinet represents Miss Ellen, because her complex character demands portrayal by an instrument of diverse tone possibilities such as the clarinet. 2) Violin represents Celeste, who appears as an innocent young girl who becomes a mature person during the course of the opera. 3) Harp represents Linda, who enjoys a happy life with her lover without knowing what is coming soon. The harp conveys happiness well. 4) 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 who are only talked about.