New Year - Production details

Opera in three acts (1986-88)
102 minutes
Text by the composer
Jo Ann, a trainee children's doctor - lyric soprano Donny, her young brother - light baritone Nan, their foster mother - dramatic mezzo Merlin, the computer wizard - dramatic baritone Pelegrin, the space pilot - lyric tenor Regan, their boss - dramatic soprano The Presenter - microphoned male singer
Chorus of dancers and singers
3 (3 piccolos) 2 cor anglais 1 bass clarinet 3 saxophones 1 contrabassoon - 4 2 3 1 - percussion (side drum, tenor drum, bass drum, jazz kit, slit drum, 2 steel drums (high / low), brake drum, 5 tom-toms, cymbal, suspended cymbal, hi-hat, hand cymbals played with mallet / steel bar, 2 wood blocks, whip, large triangle, large tam-tam, small tam-tam, cow bells, xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel, tubular bells, claves, guiro) - harp electric guitar bass guitar - strings (minimum players: 4 4 4 4

2) - electronic tape - sampler keyboard
Vocal score ED 12333
Libretto ED 12333-01

Co-commissioned by Houston Grand Opera, Glyndebourne Festival Opera and the British Broadcasting Corporation. First performances: Houston Grand Opera conducted by John De Main and directed by Sir Peter Hall with choreography by Bill T. Jones, 27 October 1989. Glyndebourne Festival Opera conducted by Andrew Davis and directed by Sir Peter Hall with choreography by Bill T. Jones, 1 July 1990. BBC Television co-directed by Dennis Marks and Bill T. Jones, broadcast on BBC 2, 21 September 1991

Houston

Presenter: John Schiappa
Jo Ann: Helen Field
Donny: Krister St. Hill
Nan: Jane Shaulis
Merlin: James Maddalena
Pelegrin: Peter Kazaras
Regan: Richetta Manager

Glydebourne

Presenter: Nigel Robson
Jo Ann: Helen Field
Donny: Krister St Hill
Nan: Jane Shaulis
Merlin: James Maddalena
Pelegrin: Philip Langridge / Kim Begley
Regan: Richetta Manager

BBC