Opera/Ballet

The Galloping Cure (2026) 115'

for four principal singers, SATB chorus and orchestra

Libretto by Royce Vavrek after a story by Karen Russell | Directed by Tom Morris

Commissioned by Scottish Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Norrlands Opera (Umea, Sweden)

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Lincoln in the Bardo (2026) 120'

for seven principal singers, SATB chorus and orchestra

Libretto by Royce Vavrek, based on the novel by George Saunders | Directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz

Commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera

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The Listeners (2021) 115'

For 8 principal singers, SATB chorus and orchestra 2 (db picc),2,2,2 - 4,2,2,1 - perc (2) - harp - piano - strings - electronics

Directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz

Commissioned by the Norwegian National Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Chicago Lyric Opera

Program Note G. Schirmer Webpage More Info

Orpheus Alive (2019) 60'

Music for a ballet made in collaboration with choreographer Robert Binet and playwright Rosamund Small

for Orchestra: 2,2,2,2 - 4,2,3,1 - perc (2) - harp - piano - strings 222242312perchppfstr; electronics

choreography by Robert Binet and play by Rosamund Small

Commissioned by the National Ballet of Canada

Program Note Video G. Schirmer webpage More Info

SALT (2012) 23'

A mini-opera for alto voice, amplified cello and electronics

for alto voice, amplified cello and electronics alt., amp. vc., elec.

libretto by Erin Cressida-Wilson

Commissioned by UNC Chapel Hill and Linda and Stuart Nelson for cellist Maya Beiser and vocalist Helga Davis

Performance Notes View Full Score Libretto More Info

Orchestra

Dark with Excessive Bright (2018) 14'

Concerto for Contrabass or Violin and String Orchestra

Chamber Ensemble

Millennium Canticles (2022) 15'

for 4 percussionists 4 perc.

Commissioned by Third Coast Percussion, with support from Elizabeth and Justus Schlichting, Bruce Oltman, the Third Coast Percussion New Works Fund, and the Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation

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A Thousand Tongues (2011) 7'

Chamber Ensemble with Voice

Who Owns the Land? (2018) 4'

an aria from the opera Proving Up

for tenor and piano OR tenor, violin, viola and piano T., pf.

libretto by Royce Vavrek after the short story by Karen Russell

commissioned by the Washington National Opera, Opera Omaha and Miller Theatre

Program Note G. Schirmer Score Page (ten., vln, vla and piano version) Purchase Score (ten., vln, vla and piano version) G. Schirmer Score Page (tenor and piano version) Purchase Score (tenor and piano version) Purchase Recording More Info

Miles and Nore, Proving Up (2018) 5'

an aria from the opera Proving Up

for tenor and piano OR tenor, violin, viola and piano T, pf.

libretto by Royce Vavrek after the short story by Karen Russell

commissioned by the Washington National Opera, Opera Omaha and Miller Theatre

Program Note Purchase Recording G. Schirmer Score Page (tenor, vln, vla and pno version) Purchase Score (tenor, vln, vla and pno version) G. Schirmer Score Page (tenor and piano version) Purchase Score (tenor and piano version) More Info

As Long As We Live (2012) 4'

A Thousand Tongues (2011) 7'

Solo

A Thousand Tongues (2011) 7'

Vocal

Who Owns the Land? (2018) 4'

an aria from the opera Proving Up

for tenor and piano OR tenor, violin, viola and piano T., pf.

libretto by Royce Vavrek after the short story by Karen Russell

commissioned by the Washington National Opera, Opera Omaha and Miller Theatre

Program Note G. Schirmer Score Page (ten., vln, vla and piano version) Purchase Score (ten., vln, vla and piano version) G. Schirmer Score Page (tenor and piano version) Purchase Score (tenor and piano version) Purchase Recording More Info

Miles and Nore, Proving Up (2018) 5'

an aria from the opera Proving Up

for tenor and piano OR tenor, violin, viola and piano T, pf.

libretto by Royce Vavrek after the short story by Karen Russell

commissioned by the Washington National Opera, Opera Omaha and Miller Theatre

Program Note Purchase Recording G. Schirmer Score Page (tenor, vln, vla and pno version) Purchase Score (tenor, vln, vla and pno version) G. Schirmer Score Page (tenor and piano version) Purchase Score (tenor and piano version) More Info

As Long As We Live (2012) 4'

I Am Not Mine (2012) 3.5'

an aria from the opera Song from the Uproar: The Lives and Deaths of Isabelle Eberhardt

for mezzo-soprano, piano and pre-recorded electronics

libretto by Royce Vavrek after the journals of Isabelle Eberhardt

Program Note Purchase Recording More Info

You are the Dust (2012) 3.5'

an aria from the opera Song from the Uproar: The Lives and Deaths of Isabelle Eberhardt

A Thousand Tongues (2011) 7'

Film Scores

A Fool and His Money (2009) 10'

Soundtrack to the silent film by Alice Guy Blaché

for violin, clarinet, two keyboards, double bass

commissioned by the Whitney Museum

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When Marion Was Little (2009) 15'

Soundtrack to the silent film by Alice Guy Blaché

for violin, clarinet, two keyboards, double bass

commissioned by the Whitney Museum

More Info