This page is a non-commercial research entry within the Operatic LGBTQIA+ Catalogue. It does not claim authorship, ownership, or rights over the works discussed.
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Old Addresses
24
English
Synopsis
A seven-song cycle that paints a "panoramic 'fan' of songs", with texts spanning themes from a direct poetic 'wallop' to elegiac loss and urbane humor. It includes a vivid portrait of Africa based on a prison letter and concludes with a surrealistic, humorous poem about New York
Composer
William Bolcom
Lyricist / Librettist / Playwright
Texts by various poets: A. D. Winans ("Lady Death"); C. P. Cavafy ("The Next Table"), translated by Rae Dalven; Ezra Pound ("Histrion"); Langston Hughes ("Ballad of the Landlord"); Mark Doty ("The Embrace"); Arnold Weinstein ("Africa"), adapted from a prison letter by George Jackson; Kenneth Koch ("To My Old Addresses")
Year of composition/publication / premiere
2001/2002
Genre
Song cycle
LGBTQAI+ category
Gay, Queer
Level of centrality
Main character
Characters
Voice type
Baritone, Tenor
Pronouns
Publisher / Rights holder
Edward B. Marks Music Company and Bolcom Music; exclusively distributed by H. Leonard
Where to buy / access the work
Available for purchase from sheet music retailers such as J.W. Pepper and MusicaInfo
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
Song cycle, baritone, piano, William Bolcom, Stephen Salters, Naumburg Foundation, contemporary classical