Daron Hagen

Music Text
Screenplay / Libretto by Daron Hagen (E, I)

Scoring

• solo voices: S,S,T,Bar; S (pre-recorded or live); treble chorus (pre-recorded or live); supers
  3(I,II,III-picc).0.3(III=bcl).1-1.0.0.0- hpschd.pft.harmonium(=concertina).hp. mandolin.amplified acoustic gtr.banjo-6-string electric bass- perc(4): vibr/shaker/claves/TB(D)/Tam-t- strings(minimum: 6.6.4.4.2 in players)
  
  
• Instruments in italics may also be performed as cross-cues in 4 synth parts: [I] harpsichord, mandolin, harmonium, celesta; [II] harp, piano, mandolin; piano, harmonium, concertina, marimba; [IV] mandolin, banjo, amplified acoustic guitar
  
  The instrumentation for this work is entirely plastic; for complete technical specifications, and to discuss what might work best for your production, contact admin@burninsled.org

Publisher:
Peermusic Classical (Burning Sled Music)

Territory
This work is available from Peermusic Classical for the world.

World Premiere
6-7 April 2022 (filmshoot) LaStoria Ristorante, Chicago, IL
Daron Hagen, director / Talal Jabari, cinematographer
Conductor: Daron Hagen
Company: The New Mercury Collective

Roles
(The cast is entirely flexible, non gender-specific, and free.)
Orfeo: a bartender (mute)
Cory / Cora, an attorney (T/S)
Tony / Tonya, a chef (Bar/A)
Lulu / Larry, a server (mute)
Bibi / Bobby, a singer (S/T)
Trina / Kendall, an attorney (T/S)
Charon, a mute violinist

Time and Place
An Italian Restaurant in Little Italy, New York City, the night before 9/11

Synopsis
The myths of Orpheus and Charon are interwoven with the entirely sung parable of four friends dining in an Italian bistro destined to perish the next morning in the attack on the Twin Towers. When at last the restaurant’s mysterious strolling violinist extends his hand for payment, they realize that he is the ferryman. On the drizzly autumn evening of 10 September 2001, a strolling violinist named Charon arrives at the cozy restaurant in Manhattan’s Little Italy where he busks for tips. Affectionately greeted by his longtime friends, bartender Orfeo and server Lulu, he unpacks his violin as a recording by a 30s chanteuse named Eury singing a setting of a lyric by Christina Rosetti called “Ferry Me Across the Water” plays on the jukebox. Bibi, an actor who works as a server at the World Trade Center restaurant Windows on the World, and her friend Tony, a chef there, arrive. Trina, an attorney with offices at the World Trade Center, arrives next, explaining that she’s just come from drinks with clients and her law (and life) partner Cory, who is still with them. At last Cory arrives, in high spirits. As Lulu presents and removes courses, Orfeo tends bar, Eury sings overhead, and Charon comments on his violin, they exchange memories, dreams, and hopes for the future. Over dessert, there is a surprise double marriage proposal. “Remember tonight,” they sing, “for it is the start of everything.” Charon extends his hand to each of them for a tip as they depart. Paying, each intuits that more than a few pennies are at stake.

Production Stills
Here

Links
9/10 Official Film Website (press, bios, laurels, etc.) | 9/10 Film Freeway Page | 9/10 IMDB Page | Laurels | Swag