Delia

Setting of the opera libretto "Delia" by W. H. Auden and Chester Kallman.

"Delia", a one-act opera which combines sung sections and spoken sections, was described by Auden as "Style early Tudor". The libretto was written for Stravinsky but never set by him or anyone else until I was invited to set it to music by Edward Mendelson, Auden's literary executor. It lasts around 75 minutes. Click to read first few pages including a synopsis.

For more information, please contact Tom Cunningham.

Here are ten movements to look at and listen to (computer-generated recordings):
7. Go. Slip through the night (Sacrapant) score, audio mp3.
10. Welcome, my child (Delia, Sacrapant) score, audio mp3.
11. On a snowy bank (Three Owls) score, audio mp3.
13. O mine own true love (Delia, Orlando, Bungay) score, audio mp3.
14. My wife, my good wife (Delia, Orlando, Bungay) score, audio mp3.
15. My heart must break (Delia, Xantippe, Orlando, Bungay) score, audio mp3.
19. Can it be so? (Delia, Xantippe, Orlando, Bungay, Sacrapant) score, audio mp3.
20. I dread these chains (Delia, Xantippe, Orlando, Bungay, Sacrapant) score, audio mp3.
21. Must I choose to divide us? (Delia, Orlando, Sacrapant) score, audio mp3.
29. The crow of the cock (Animals) score, audio mp3.