ORSON REHEARSED (2018)
the final thoughts of Orson Welles
An operafilm | A live prestidigitation
Durations: 60 minutes, give or take
Music Text
Music, Films, Words, and Conception by Daron Hagen (E)
Scoring
solo voices: 3 either male or female voices; treble chorus (opt.); fl(=pic).ob(=CA).cl(=bcl).bsn-hn-pft-vln.vla.vlc.cb
Pre-recorded audio soundscape synchronized to films.
If the orchestra is onstage, then the pianist is costumed and portrays the (mute) spirit of Beatrice Welles at certain points during the work; the contrabass player is required to perform during the Lament for Jacaré beat from memory as the ghost of Jacaré. (The role may be assigned to a super.) The extensive treble chorus pre-records may be augmented by onstage or in-pit singers.
For complete technical specifications, including rental of the films and soundscape, contact admin@burninsled.org
Publisher / Licensing
Peermusic Classical (Burning Sled Music)
Territory
This work is available from Peermusic Classical for the world.
World Premiere
15-16 September 2018 (filmshoot/live performances) Studebaker Theater, Chicago, IL
Daron Hagen, director
Conductor: Roger Zahab
Company: The New Mercury Collective
Orchestra: Fifth House Ensemble
Roles
(The cast is entirely flexible, non gender-specific, and free.)
Sung Roles
Orson #1 (Tenor / Soprano)
Orson #2 (T or Bar / S or Mez-S)
Orson #3 (Bar or A)
These roles may all be assigned to treble voices. If so, then one might be Rita Hayworth, another Marlene Dietrich, and the third Oja Kodar, and so forth; but renaming is scarcely necessary.
Optional Chorus
Treble voices; as few or as many as desired.
Other Optional Roles
Departing Boy / 9-Year-Old-Orson
Rita Hayworth
Olive Stanton
Jacare
Sleeping Beatrice
Marc Blitzstein
These may be performed as mute roles, or lines from the score may be asigned to them as shown in the vocal score. In any event, if these roles
are cast, then their progress should be tracked from the beginning to the end of the work, in tandem with their appearances in the onstage
films: particularly Rita, Beatrice, and the Boy.
Supers / Dancers
A corps of dancers may be employed throughout the work, particularly during the instrumental "beats" -- perhaps a sort of agitprop Martha Graham-style that would have been deemed cutting edge during the WPA-era.
Time and Place
The bardo.
Synopsis
Orson Rehearsed is the psychological, emotional, and spiritual journey taken by the American actor, polymath, and creator of Citizen Kane Orson Welles, as he finds himself on the threshold between life and death. During its sixty-minutes, memories of Welles as a wunderkind and in his swashbuckling prime are brought to life, as well as successes and failures both real and imagined, with the consolation of a life fully lived. Fusing live players with pre-recorded sounds and effects, the film version of Orson Rehearsed has been a multiple award-winner at festivals in the US, Europe and beyond.
Production Stills
Chicago | Theatrical Stills | Screen Captures
Listen
Spotify
Links
vocal score | recording | DVD-Blu-Ray
Orson Official Film Website and Web Installation (press, bios, laurels, etc.)
Wikipedia | Film Freeway Page | IMDB Page | Laurels
Notable Staged Performances
Studebaker Theater, Chicago (premiere) September 2018; filmic release summer 2021; Louisiana State Opera Theater, spring 2021
- Orson Rehearsed the film has been physically screened in theaters in over 20 countries and is currently available streaming worldwide on the Internet and on numerous streamers, including: Amazon Prime Video, In Spades TV, Reveel, YouTube Movies, Cineverse, Stash Movies, OTT Studio, Xumo, Hoopla, Tubi, and Popsy on Plex.
Selected Press
Orson Rehearsed Web Installation here.
Naxos Records Orson Rehearsed Links here.
Universal Cinema, Film and TV Journal interview here.
Fullshot Cine Mag interview here.
Toronto Film Magazine interview here.
Wellesnet Movie Interview here.
Chicago Movie Magazine interview here.
F is for Film interview here.
OperaSense interview here.
OperaWire interview here.
Wellesnet Opera interview here.
Politics and Pink Slips here.
Naxos World Premiere Recording “Orson Rehearsed” Playlist.
Audience feedback from a November 2021 Screening.