Criseyde — work in progress
(2006)
Alice Shields, composer and dramatist; libretto by Nancy Dean
Opera based on Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde.
Apocalypse
(1994)
Duration 107:00
Opera in two acts for MEZZO-SOPRANO, CONTRALTO, BARITONE, CHORUS, DANCERS, ELECTRIC GUITAR & TAPE
Choreographed by the composer in Bharata Natyam style. Drama by Shields, on Greek, Gaelic, and Sanskrit texts, in which a woman seeks spiritual knowledge.
Information about the recording
Listen to an excerpt ("Apocalypse Song")
Listen to an excerpt ("Organ Screaming")
Mass for the Dead 
(1993)
Duration 60:05
Opera in one act for SOPRANO, MEZZO-SOPRANO/COUNTERTENOR, BASS- BARITONE, 8-PART SATB CHORUS; DANCERS; CELLO, OBOE, BASSOON,
ORGAN & TAPE.
Based on a ghost story and the Gregorian chants of the Requiem mass. In Latin, Greek, & English.
Gallery of production photos
Listen to an excerpt ("Agnus Dei")
Click on the images for sample score pages
Wraecca
(1989)
Duration 17:00
Opera in one act for SOPRANO, MEZZO-SOPRANO, BARITONE, CELLO & PIANO.
Drama by Shields, using language from two Anglo-Saxon poems. In the plot, the god Odin manages to sacrifice himself. Based on Gregorian chant.
Click on the images for sample score pages
Shaman
(1987)
Duration 45:00
Opera in one act for SOPRANO, MEZZO-SOPRANO, TENOR, BARITONE, CHORUS (SATB), FLUTE, OBOE, ENGLISH HORN, CELLO & TAPE.
Created out of wolf-calls, coyote screams, and manipulated human voices. The plot, in which a shaman heals himself, is based on Native American shamanic ritual. Text is by Edward Barrett and Shields.
Odyssey 3 (1975)
Duration 30:00
Opera in one act for TENOR, BASS-BARITONE, MALE CHORUS & 21-PIECE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (piccolo, oboe, english horn/alto krumhorn, bassoon; french horn, tenor-bass trombone, tuba; mandolin, harp; violin, viola, cello, contrabass;and 8 percussionists).
Choreographed in Noh theater dance style. Drama by Shields, based on the Homeric Odyssey: Odysseus meets his son Telemachos without recognizing him, and tricks him.
Odyssey 2
(1970)
Duration 30:00
Opera in one act for TENOR, BASS-BARITONE, MALE CHORUS, PIANO & PERCUSSION.
A surrealistic opera in which two men agress against each other. Choreographed in Noh theater style, with drama by Shields based on the Egyptian Book of the Dead and Roger Gilbert-LeConte's Dada play "The Odyssey of Ulysses the Palmiped."
The Odyssey of Ulysses the Palmiped (Odyssey 1)
(1968)
Duration 20:00
Opera in one act for TENOR, BASS-BARITONE, MALE CHORUS, PICCOLO, CELLO, FRENCH HORN & PERCUSSION.
A surrealistic opera in which two men agress against each other. Choreographed in Noh theater style, with drama by Shields based on the Egyptian Book of the Dead and Gilbert-LeConte's "The Odyssey of Ulysses the Palmiped."
