Cain (1996), Chamber Opera in 2 Acts

My chamber opera Cain takes a symbolist look at the Genesis story. The original family are here portrayed as Every Family, where long-hidden secrets and resentments eventually lead to murder. 

In Act I, Scene 2, Adam and Eve pray before an altar as Cain and Abel play a symbolic game of cards that unfold all the psychological undercurrents of the opera. We hear the fears of the parents in their prayer, and the growing tensions between the brothers in their game. At the climax of the scene, Cain, having lost his last hand to Abel, storms out after accusing him of trickery, to the consternation of the others. Eve attempts to bring calm to the situation by pretending that all will be well in the end.

Act I, Scene 4 (Reading with piano. live performance)
Giuseppe Spoletini, baritone (Adam); Elaine Alvarez, soprano (Eve); Stanford Felix, bass-baritone (Cain); James Schaffner, tenor (Abel); J. Mark Stambaugh, piano.

Cain's monologue from Act II, Scene 2 portrays the fatal progress of his thoughts leading up to his moment of decision to kill Abel.

Act II, Scene 2 (Reading with piano. live performance)
Stanford Felix, bass-baritone (Cain); J. Mark Stambaugh, piano. 

The last recording is an ensemble reading of the entirety of Act II, Scene 2, including the preceding interlude, Cain's monolgue, and the murder scene.

Act II Scene 2 (entire) Reading with chamber ensemble
Paul Kolecki, baritone; Scott Joiner, tenor; Tactus: Patti Monson conducting.

Unknown Album (12/29/2005 3:10:43 PM)

Cain (1996)

GROUCHO REVIEWS film critic PETER CANAVESE reviews the WARNER HOME VIDEO 4K release of ELIA KAZAN'S EAST OF EDEN on CELLULOID DREAMS THE MOVIE SHOW (8-3-23) SCREEN SCENE with program host TIM SIKA. Produced by LARRY JAKUBECZ for #KSJS (90.5 FM) and #RadioSausalito (1610 AM).

EAST OF EDEN 4K (PETER CANAVESE) CELLULOID DREAMS THE MOVIE SHOW (SCREEN SCENE) 8-3-23

The Lovers (Instrumental)

Cain and Abel

Cain & Abel (prod. newtz)

Primitive Lo-fi Ambient Soul Jazzy Blues Rock
Song from the Album LAMJAM 

I IV V (i amn't)

Cain made an offering of some fruit while Abel offered the choicest of his flock. God paid heed to Abel's proper sacrifice, and when God did not pay heed to Cain's, Cain became angry and jealous. God told him all you have to do is what's right and things will be well. Instead, Cain killed his brother. He chose exile from God rather than humility. How do our envies and anger keep us out of God's sight? We talk about this and more dimensions of Cain's, and our, choices. Please join Rabbi Jason Fruithandler and Barbara Murphy on the 'From Sinai to Bethlehem' playlist in Connecting Scripture and Life Podcast.

Episode 41: Cain Turns His Face From God - Genesis 4

Check out my Bandcamp for exclusive tracks: marcwondah.bandcamp.com/album/the-book-of-genesis-hip-hop-bible-vol-1 

Jealousy burn, watch the envy unfold,
Cain took his shot, now his heart turn cold.
Blood in the dirt, pain run deep,
Ain’t no love in the game when you playin’ for keeps." 🔊

(Chorus)
🔊 "Jealousy burn, watch the envy unfold,
Cain took his shot, now his heart turn cold.
Blood in the dirt, pain run deep,
Ain’t no love in the game when you playin’ for keeps." 🔊

(Verse 1)
Born in the struggle, first sons of the game,
One worked the land, one ran with the flame.
Abel kept it real, made his grind all pure,
Cain saw the love, but his heart felt unsure.

Offer up the work, God weighed the scale,
Abel's came correct, Cain’s offer went stale.
Hate in his chest, like the streets breed beef,
If he couldn’t win, he would settle with grief.

God said, "Boy, why your face so low?
Sin at the door, but you still got control."
Cain let it fester, let the envy ignite,
Took his brother to the field, put his soul in the night.

(Chorus)
🔊 "Jealousy burn, watch the envy unfold,
Cain took his shot, now his heart turn cold.
Blood in the dirt, pain run deep,
Ain’t no love in the game when you playin’ for keeps." 🔊

(Verse 2)
Blood stain the ground, echoes in the wind,
Cain stood silent, but his soul full of sin.
God came knockin’, "Where your brother at now?"
Cain played dumb, "Ain’t my job to find out."

But the ground spoke up, said, "I drank his life,
He ain't comin’ back, just the sound of the knife."
God shook His head, "Now you lost in the land,
No home, no love, just the curse on your hands."

Cain hit the road, marked up with a sign,
Ain’t no one could touch him, but his fate still aligned.
Like a dealer on the run, tryna duck his past,
But the block don’t forget, it just watch and laugh.

(Chorus)
🔊 "Jealousy burn, watch the envy unfold,
Cain took his shot, now his heart turn cold.
Blood in the dirt, pain run deep,
Ain’t no love in the game when you playin’ for keeps." 🔊

(Verse 3)
Life kept movin’, but the scars stay fresh,
New city, new hustle, but the curse don’t rest.
Cain built a kingdom, had sons in his name,
But his heart stayed haunted by the weight of the game.

Streets got Lamech, he was ruthless with steel,
Took two wives, bragged how his hands could kill.
Said, "If Cain got marked, then I’m ten times worse,"
Like the cycle of the block, new killers emerge.

But through the bloodshed, redemption was near,
Seth was born, bringin’ hope through the years.
Another seed rise, callin’ on His name,
Tryna bring light where the dark still reign.

(Chorus – Outro)
🔊 "Jealousy burn, watch the envy unfold,
Cain took his shot, now his heart turn cold.
Blood in the dirt, pain run deep,
Ain’t no love in the game when you playin’ for keeps." 🔊

Genesis Chapter 4: Playin 4 Keeps | Cain and Abel Story

This Sunday, we welcomed Brian Heredia to preach on one of the first stories in the Bible, the story of Cain and Abel. Brian explored what it means to trust God and the hidden reasons we often struggle to trust. 

3.16.25 - The Story of Cain & Abel

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