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Heartbreak Express
60
English
Synopsis
A gay couple, Tom and Alex, are deeply obsessed with Dolly Parton. Their relationship is falling apart. Through a series of scenes alternating between their real-life breakup and a fantasy world where Dolly Parton appears as an icon, they confront their disappointments with love, kitsch femininity, and each other. Dolly’s songs and persona serve as a metaphor for emotional duality and the extremes of heartbreak. The opera is a campy, melancholic examination of diva worship and gay male emotional life.
Composer
George Lam
Lyricist / Librettist / Playwright
John Clum (based on his own play)
Year of composition/publication / premiere
2015
Genre
Opera
LGBTQAI+ category
Gay
Level of centrality
Main character
Characters
Tom, Alex, and Dolly Parton (a fantasy figure)
Voice type
Baritone, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor
Pronouns
he/him (Tom, Alex); she/her (Dolly)
Publisher / Rights holder
Not found
Where to buy / access the work
Not found
Performance rights
For performance rights, please contact the composer and/or publisher to ensure legal compliance.
Official website
Audio recording(s)
Video performance(s)
Keywords
George Lam, John Clum, Dolly Parton, gay opera, diva worship, kitsch, country music, breakup, camp