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Gay Life (a cycle of six songs for baritone and piano)

English

Synopsis

A six-song cycle exploring various facets of the gay experience, from joy and pride to mourning and loss. The songs were inspired by the composer's experience at a retreat at the Body Electric School and set texts from various gay poets. The cycle moves from the exuberance of a safe environment in "Ode to Wildwood" and the spiritual eroticism of "In the Temple," through the playful "Personals Ad" and the ambivalent celebration of "After the Big Parade," to the profound grief of "Here" (a eulogy for the composer's partner who died of AIDS) and the extended farewell of "Memory Unsettled."

Composer

David Del Tredici (1937–2023)

Lyricist / Librettist / Playwright

Various poets: Michael Calhoun ("Ode to wildwood"), Wilson Hand Kidde ("In the temple"), Allen Ginsberg ("Personals ad" and "After the big parade"), Paul Monette ("Here"), and Thom Gunn ("Memory unsettled")

Year of composition/publication / premiere

2000

Genre

Song cycle

LGBTQAI+ category

Gay

Level of centrality

Main character

Characters

Voice type

Baritone

Pronouns

Publisher / Rights holder

Boosey & Hawkes (publisher); distributed by Hal Leonard Corporation

Where to buy / access the work

The vocal score (HL48019059) can be purchased from sheet music retailers like Sheet Music Plus or via the publisher's website

Performance rights

For performance rights, please contact the composer and/or publisher to ensure legal compliance.