for orchestra
(2.2.2.2 3.2.2.0 perc(1), timp, strings)
duration: 6-7 minutes
duration: 6-7 minutes
Commissioned by/Premiere:
Centre Acanthes/Orchestre Lorraine de Lorraine, Diego Masson, conductor, July 12, 2008
Notable performances:
Yale Philharmonia, Julian Pelicano, conductor, November 20, 2008
The New York City Opera Orchestra, David Wroe, conductor, May 2, 2009
The New York City Opera Orchestra, David Wroe, conductor, May 2, 2009
Listen:
Score:
About the Work:
Invisible Overture was originally conceived as the opening to my opera based on Italo Calvino's novel, Le Citta Invisibili (Invisible Cities). This is the third is a series of works based on Calvino and the most extended. The novel takes place in the court of an aged Kublai Khan, where the young Marco Polo describes the many cities he visited to the great Khan. Khan knows his empire is at its end, at (as Calvino describes) "that desperate moment when we discover that this empire, which had seemed to us the sum of all wonders, is an endless, formless ruin" and that "only in Marco Polo's accounts was Kublai Khan able to discern, through the walls and towers destined to crumble, the tracery of a pattern so subtle it could escape the termites gnawing."
However, after several years of working on Invisible Cities, it occured to me that an opera with a prologue did not also did an overture; why not just get to it? So Invisible Overture was orphaned from its original work; it has become a stand-alone orchestra piece. In turn, the title now seems more appropriate.
However, after several years of working on Invisible Cities, it occured to me that an opera with a prologue did not also did an overture; why not just get to it? So Invisible Overture was orphaned from its original work; it has become a stand-alone orchestra piece. In turn, the title now seems more appropriate.
All works are Copyright Christopher Cerrone and published by Outburst-Inburst Musics. For a printed perusal score and CD recording, please contact me.