Soprano & Piano
1. 'Surrender to the Seas' for Mezzo Soprano & Piano; words & music by Fiona T Frank. Duration :- 5' 22"
A poignant work that describes the plight of refugees. Abandoned to the sea & on a futile journey. The song begins with an ominous introduction describing the action of the waves in A minor. A momentous appeal to goodness.
2. 'A Swan's Disdain'; words & music by Fiona T Frank. Duration :- 7 minutes (Also arranged for Mezzo Soprano, viola* & piano, mezzo soprano, tenor voice & piano & mezzo Soprano, clarinet & piano).
Lyrics excerpt:- 'Swishing paddles, childrens' voices, minnows frenzy on the edge of choices....' dramatic, beautiful but revealing the critical state of our rivers through industrial scale pollution & cruel factory farming.
3. 'The Last Judgement'; words from King James Version Matthew 25: 31-46 Music by Fiona T Frank. Duration :- 13'33"
A solo cantata inspired by the biblical text; this work has great dramatic effect and interaction with exciting piano accompaniment. Definitely a substantial work for the mezzo soprano voice with much expression & colour & bold tunes. Madison Marie Mackintosh first performed it in Florida.
4. 'Lan Y Mor' for Mezzo Soprano & piano; words & music by Fiona T Frank. Duration :- 2' 45"
This is Welsh for the seaside and celebrates happy associations & memories of West Wales. 'I long to be beside the sea... to hear waves roar on the far distant shore.....'
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Soprano & Piano & another instrument:
1. The Green Family for Mezzo Soprano, viola & piano :- A Song Cycle in 4 movements - words & music by Fiona T Frank
i. Green Man - 'Who is this man that they call green?' - Duration :- 2' 50"
ii. Green Lady - 'Who is this Goddess with hair filled with flowers?' - Duration :- 5' 50"
iii. Green Man 2 - 'Who is this man that they call green?' - Duration :- 2' 20"
iv. The Little Green One - 'All my life I've been searching & searching... - Duration :- 9' 10"
This work was inspired by a Green Man Festival in which Fiona illustrated the members of the Green Family, wrote poems for each individual and finally set them all to music thus turning on the musical tap to musical composition. A pivotal point in every way!
2. 'Lullaby for Jesus' for Mezzo Soprano, cello & piano. Words & music by Fiona T Frank. Duration :- 3' 36"
A carol with a simple yet haunting melody.
3. See also 'A Swan's Disdain', above
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Soprano and extra forces:
'Salve Regina' for Soprano, SATB, Organ, String Orchestra music by Fiona T Frank. Duration :- 12 minutes
this setting in 3 movements is devotional yet passionate. (A minor)
1. Salve Regina :- A powerful & sacred chorale in sections with and without the instruments with solo refrains. Duration: 4 mins
2. A te riccoriamo:- begins with a strong opening theme & leaping strings, a strong bass line in the organ. Solo soprano & strings before dense choral writing. Epic stature despite shortish duration. The soprano ends the mvt with a scalic run. Duration: 2.45 mins
3. E Mostraci, dopo questo esilio, Gesu :- A deeply intense & layered piece enjoying the strings & organ for extra emotional charge.
Opportunities for the soloist to shine in rapturous melody, in homage to the Virgin Mary. Duration :- 5 mins
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Chamber Opera
'Snow Moon Rising' :- A chamber Opera by Fiona T Frank (February 2025)
for Oboe, Violin, Cello & Piano & Percussion (Cymbals, triangle, rainstick, claves & others), Four Soprano voices and One Alto
This is a modern day fairy tale about the dynamics between a conscientious mother & her troubled teenage daughter, who is suffering with mental health problems. In an intense journey of angst & hormonal differences, Mum seeks escapism. It draws the audience into a familiar family scene and highlights just how much we need to cultivate compassion, empathy & togetherness in our society with plenty of humour.
It reminds us that happiness is our true state of being & cannot be truly experienced via a set of pills. Nature is the ultimate healer. The joy and beauty from a garden is immeasurable if planted with love. The scene is set under the Snow Moon in Leo in February 2025 when all the planets are aligned. There is a sense of expectation & excitement. As if miracles could happen! ...................
1. Overture: 'Snow Moon Rising' for Oboe, Violin, Cello & Piano & Percussion (Cymbals, triangle, rainstick) 3'50
Overture - (The piano introduces an unsettling mood to the start of the operetta. There are 2 rooms. The kitchen on the left & the teenage bedroom on the right. Each have large windows onto the garden).
2. Introduction of characters: Mother (Soprano) & Teenage Daughter (Alto) 4' 10 (Introduction to the mother and teenage daughter, set in the kitchen around meal time. The daughter is back from a festival and is tired & grumpy. She's a po-faced goth, characteristically dressed in black & wearing headphones & clutching a phone. Mum is a colourfully dressed hippie with scarves, a long skirt. She has a cheerful disposition & seems always busy).
3. "Teenage Rap-sody" by Fiona T Frank sung by the disdainful Goth daughter in rap style & with attitude. She's in her bedroom with the walls painted black. (The kitchen goes into darkness and the stage lights shine on the black bedroom. During this solo the mum & friends gather in the kitchen). Solo alto with full instrumentation). 3'16
4. "Finding your way, having your say" sung by Mum & her friends at a gathering in the kitchen. a 24 bar round for 1 VOICE + 5 (Loop pedals for 2 singers & 2 cut-out mums in event of less singers!) 2'52
5. Mum sings: "I'm just trying to have a stress free day" Mum sings in the kitchen with the full instrumentation. She's doing her best but the world is being abused all around her. 4'40
6."Hear my Cry!" Mum & her muse, soprano solo, sopranos & full Instrumental A cry for freedom from her soul, for peace & harmony, as she takes flight in her imagination. 4' 03
7. Moon Bathing' for Mum & Daughter Although the mum & teenager are in separate rooms, they are captivated by the moon which draws them to their windows. She gives them strength to face the morrow. (2 moon dances) They DANCE in diff. styles! The mum floaty, the teenager mechanical. 3' 07
8a. Recitative: Duet for Mum & Teenage daughter Mum is trying to motivate her daughter to get the most out of this impending psychiatrist session. The daughter is not too impressed. They end up rushing to the appointment. 1' 02.2"
8b, 'Dr Pillsnot Thrills' with Mum, teenage daughter, & psychiatrist (Soprano) & violin, cello, percussion & piano. (It does not go well chez Dr Pillsnot Thrills as the Dr does not listen to the patient but only offers pills). 4'16
9. Lament - 'Alone' for solo teenager. The trip to the psychiatrist has left her desperate & lonely, unheard & hopeless. She retires to bed in despair. Oboe, violin, cello & piano. 1' 21. 6"
10. 'Messages from the Icy Moon' for Mum, Teenager, 2 Moon voices, full instrumental. The Snow Moon shines her brilliant light through their windows. Mum goes to the window & daughter gets out of her bed to look at the moon. They call to her for help from their separate rooms. (Kitchen and bedroom) The moon replies to each of them with the same message. 'PLANT A GARDEN!' 3' 31
11.'Planting a garden' for Mum, Teenager & piano. The excited pair go out to plant a garden under the Snow Moon & stars. They sing and chat & this activity brings them together. 3' 07.5"
12. 'Fairy Rose' Aria for the Fairy Rose with piano. Once they've planted their garden & gone inside for the night, the Fairy comes to bless all the flowers, roots & stems. She brings love & beauty to the wounded warrior. A healing gift from Mother Nature! 2' 23.3"
13. Finale: 'Festival of the Flower Garden' for Mum, daughter & full ensemble. The mother & daughter can't believe their eyes, when they open their curtains the next day! A blooming flower garden! They are completely enraptured and skip along the garden paths, dancing & singing! All is well with the world! 3'26
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For further information, please email fiona(dot)frank(at)uwclub(dot)net.