Love Bytes
For Soprano, Baritone, Vibraphone and Cello.
(2012) 4.5 minutes
Libretto by Tamsin Collison
Commissioned by the 2012 Tête à Tête Festival and performed in various locations throughout the festival by Joanna Songi (soprano), Daniel Broad (baritone), Ric Elsworth (vibraphone), Corentin Chassard (cello), conducted by James Young and directed by Bill Bankes-Jones.
Programme note
Love Bytes (July 2012), commissioned by the Tête à Tête Festival, sets a text by the audio producer, director and librettist Tamsin Collison. 'A virtual romance. Two cyber lovers ask themselves exactly who is on the other end of the line - Can you trust your heart in the digital age?' 'Wide-eyed yet restrained excitement' no more, to the fading strains of a vibraphone (she) and cello (he), 'They close their laptops/I-pads/blackberries, pick up their coffee cups and walk off in opposite directions'.
© Ates Orga
Text
Review(s)
"Frances-Hoad treads the fine line between a Walton-esque flippancy and the fragility of human connection and alienation; there is both wit and poignancy" Claire Seymour, Opera Today
"A snappy commentary on cyber-dating" Jessica Duchen, BBC Music Magazine
Listen
Buy Magic Lantern Tales, Cheryl's CD featuring Love Bytes
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