Downwind (2025) a Chamber Opera in One Act.


Commissioned by the Butler Opera Center

Douglass Kinney Frost, Principle Conductor.



Instrumentation

Enrique, Tenor Ofelia, Soprano Teresa, Soprano Eduardo, Bass

Flute (doubling Piccolo and Alto Flute) Oboe (doubling English Horn) Bb Clarinet (doubling Bass Clarinet) Bassoon (doubling Contrabassoon) French Horn Percussion Electronics Piano (doubling Melodica) Violin I Violin II Viola Violincello Double Bass SATB Chorus


Duration: ca. 4:00



Text

Dormi, Jesu. Mater ridet

Quae tam dulcem somnum videt.

Dormi, Jesu, blandule.

Si non dormis, mater plorat.

Inter fila cantans orat,

Blande, veni, somnule.

Translation

Sleep, Jesus. Thy mother smiles

when she sees such gentle slumber.

Sleep, Jesus, gently.

If you do not sleep, your mother cries.

And, singing, prays as she weaves:

"Come, gentle sleep."