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What Belongs to You

English

Synopsis

A chamber opera in three parts that functions as an extended monologue by an unnamed American schoolteacher living in Bulgaria. Obsessed with a charismatic young hustler named Mitko, he begins a long, unstable, and ultimately destructive affair that becomes violent and forces him to spiral. The story exposes the narrator's behaviors around desire, shame, trauma, and the enduring effects of a repressed gay childhood.

Composer

David T. Little

Lyricist / Librettist / Playwright

David T. Little

Year of composition/publication / premiere

2024

Genre

Opera

LGBTQAI+ category

Gay, Queer

Level of centrality

Main character

Characters

The American (unnamed narrator), Mitko (the young male prostitute with whom he becomes obsessed)

Voice type

Tenor

Pronouns

he/him

Publisher / Rights holder

Boosey & Hawkes

Where to buy / access the work

The opera was commissioned by Alarm Will Sound and the Modlin Center for the Arts. A commercial recording is scheduled for release via Cantaloupe Music. Performance materials are available for rental through the publisher.

Performance rights

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