For love or for money
The Heiress
Dates
November, 1998
composed by Donald Hollier, text after Henry James. World premiere November 1988
libretto after Henry James Washington Square
The heiress of the title is Catherine Sloper, a plain young woman set to inherit the fortune of her over-bearing father, a wealthy New York doctor. She falls in love with a charming and attractive young man called Morris Townsend. Immediately her father becomes suspicious, convinced that Morris is more concerned with Catherine’s inheritance than her love.
Donald Hollier’s highly expressionistic score made a startling impact in this one of ChamberMade’s finest productions.
“…deftly directed, and beautifully realised…”
Instrumentation – 3 sop., 2 mez., alto, ten., 2 bar., pre-recorded chorus (satb), 4 vlns., 2 vlas., 2 vlcs., cb., fl., ob., cl., bn., 2 hns., tpt., trb., pf., perc.
1998: World Premiere The Church Theatre, Melbourne (November).
Composed by
Donald HollierText after
Henry JamesDIrected by
Douglas HortonPerformed by
Christopher Bogg, Ian Cousins, Julie Edwardson, Kerry Henderson, Jeannie Marsh, Helen Noonan, Rosemary Richards, Jacqui Rutten, Meredith Schilling.