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)

Composition Faculty, Manhattan School of Music

I make pieces of paper that tell others how to make air vibrate into people’s ear holes. Sometimes they sound cool.