In Act One of FELLOW TRAVELERS young Timothy Laughlin, a devout Catholic and conservative Republican, falls in love with the seductive Hawkins Fuller. After their first night of passion, Timothy goes to St. Peter’s Church, where he processes his experience in a powerful aria. Sung by Aaron Blake, with the orchestra of Cincinnati Opera conducted by Mark Gibson, in Cincinnati in 2016. Music provided by Cincinnati Opera.

"Father McGuire says one mortal sin will cause more destruction than how many earthquakes? Last night…how many kisses? How tender? How many whispers? I died last night."

FELLOW TRAVELERS: Tim’s Aria

The music Gregory Spears composed for FELLOW TRAVELERS is tuneful, passionate, and sweepingly American. At the center of Act One is a Christmas Party at DC’s Hotel Washington: “secrecy, paranoia, and holiday cheer,” according to the stage directions. As the various party-goers pair up and exit, this orchestral passage closes the scene. Mark Gibson conducts the orchestra of Cincinnati Opera, in Cincinnati in 2016. Music provided by Cincinnati Opera. 

FELLOW TRAVELERS: Christmas Party

In Act Two of FELLOW TRAVELERS, Mary cooks Tim dinner and sings him an aria warning him that Hawk, with whom Tim is having an affair, may hurt him in the end. Aria becomes duet after Hawk says something that breaks Tim’s heart. Sung by Devon Guthrie and Aaron Blake, with the orchestra of Cincinnati Opera conducted by Mark Gibson, in Cincinnati in 2016. Music provided by Cincinnati Opera.

MARY: Ever since that day you dropped off the book, I liked you, Timmy. 
TIM: Get out, Hawk. Don’t ever come back. 
MARY: It would break my heart to see you become one of those.
TIM: Don’t ever come back. Don’t ever come back. Get out.
MARY & TIM: There was a time when I thought he might be the one for me. Of course I was wrong, so wrong. 

FELLOW TRAVELERS: Mary-Tim Duet

In Act Two of FELLOW TRAVELERS Hawkins Fuller, now married to Lucy, has rented an apartment for his beloved Tim (whom he calls “Skippy”). As Hawk sings the aria “Our very own home” he convinces himself that it’s not going to work. Sung by Joseph Lattanzi, with the orchestra of Cincinnati Opera conducted by Mark Gibson, in Cincinnati in 2016. Music provided by Cincinnati Opera. 

"Stay. Just stay. Come over here. There are things we can have. And things we can be...for each other, Skippy. We can’t be that. You’re not one of those. Let me hold you for an hour. That’s what we get. That’s what we’re given. Let me hold you. Your head on my arm just for an hour, you and me and the moon. Stay here in the shadows."

FELLOW TRAVELERS: Hawk’s Aria

Founded in 1963, Seattle Opera is a leading American opera company. The company presents the classics of the European repertoire as well as new works of American opera. Frequent productions of Wagner's RING, beginning in 1975, established the company's worldwide reputation. Seattle Opera usually presents five opera productions each year.

New tracks tagged #aaron blake