Bring Me A Storm

for soloist and ensemble

Libretto: Boris Bezemer

Duration: 40 minutes

Commissioned by the Dutch National Opera

In this operatic monologue, a soloist is accompanied by a diverse instrumental ensemble. The music ranges from fully notated parts to rule-based instructions and text that the performer freely interprets. The ensemble features a variety of instruments, including mandolin, harpsichord, harp, violin, viola da gamba, pedal steel guitar, recorder, tuba, and a long copper tube.

The libretto of Bring Me A Storm draws inspiration from Pierre Beaumarchais’s play The Marriage of Figaro, specifically the censored monologue that does not appear in Mozart’s operatic adaptation.

Instrumentation:
Recorders (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Basset, Great Bass)
Flute, Bass Flute and Piccolo
Clarinet and Bass Clarinet
Trumpet
Tuba
Tube in E
Mandolin
Pedal Steel Guitar and Banjo
Harpsichord
Harp
Percussion — Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Tambourine, 5 Woodblocks, 5 Metal/Glass Objects
Violin
Viola
Viola da Gamba
Double Bass

Artistic Team:
Director – Stephen Liebman
Scenography – Django Walon
Dramaturgy – James Whiting
Lighting Design – Jasper Nijholt 
Video Director & Editor – Maurice Angenois
Conductor – Coen Stuit

Cast:
Figaro – Angelo Custodio

Musicians:
Recorders – Juho Myllylä
Flutes – Tatiana Rosa
Clarinets – Marco Danesi
Trumpet – Sven Berkelmans
Tuba – Arne Visser
Tube – Boris Bezemer
Mandolin – Martine Sikkenk
Pedal Steel Guitar & Banjo – Jeroen Kimman
Harpsichord – David Jansen
Harp – Juan Sebastián Blanco
Percussion – Niek KleinJan
Violin – Fiona Robertson
Viola – Mark Mulder
Viola da Gamba – Constance Allanic
Double Bass – Dominique Chabot

Performed at: Dutch National Opera – Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Photos by Kim Krijnen