doctor experiment opera doctor experiment opera acts english language performed june london commissioned opera experiment title doctor introduces gas conservative flemish village result chaotic assistant names combine french oxygen opera explores conflict advocacy scientific political change belief liberation accompanying loss traditional rhythms life bring music predominantly slow moving quiet allocated distinct voice types different types roles town elders young lovers scientists included unusual instruments orchestra jazz bass love scene electronic keyboard instead brass section reception mixed critics complaining wrote members audience music composition history began think opera france production work genre subjects came days experiment unknown subject operas music connection projects work jazz bass chamber orchestra commissioned jazz festival mind title refers river flows town story love scene takes place banks author source composer works thousand leagues sea supplied text different compositions provided inspiration saxophone approached suggestion working opera based time morrison knew story music agreed proposal meeting composer worked concert piece premiered doctor experiment epilogue soprano november composer distracted projects moved bbc general director commissioned scale opera premiered incorporated material doctor experiment epilogue opera main development occurred period morrison received guidance advice opera director developing opera morrison decided flesh roles including aunt added second pair lovers point composer considered giving title role american rock singer recorded versions jesus blood failed looking means making sound distinct rest cast end decided tenor role opera dedicated mother performance recording history opera given premiere london june production scale opera premiered years came year delay doctor received performances run broadcast went partially reprise roles doctor experiment performed brussels october new staging produced conducted original version epilogue given october sung ensemble conducted including bass complete recording exists opera performances available study features original bassist records work performed venues australia belgium canada germany united_kingdom united_states roles music opera scored second doubling doubling doubling bass horns bass electronic keyboard doubling piano string section consisting second violins double including bass 5th string low extension plus jazz player bass percussion consists tubular bells cow bells bass drum suspended mark tree chinese bell tree wind machine wanted scenes lovers purity early music pointed relatively light orchestral textures means achieved improvisation jazz bass confined scene instrument epilogue replaced trumpet traditional brass section bass included reasons doubled jazz bass parts study works opera instrument prominent role les exploited modifications instrument mechanism developed like characters belgian chose distinguish character types vocal ranges given adults town largely given deep voices bass bass men soprano women lovers high voices soprano counter tenor order scientists sound unlike townspeople tenor parts lyric relatively high voice range music post modern largely quiet slow moving critic describes melancholy sweetness differences compares epilogue slow motion climactic moments act violate established pattern different ways fastest tempo opera appears chaos performance explosion act dynamics reception critical reception doctor received mixed summed contrasted reactions follows audience clearly word opera found mysteriously beautiful noted contrast views critics audience reaction positive doctor row lyrical ideas flowering seed bed drama justify stage business enjoy review independent sunday considered opera aesthetic experience dramatic expressed liking brought instrumental writing vocal lines picked love scene final monologue highlights conclusion sounds overall work found mixture beauty conceptual artist opera spirit detachment disbelief hostile critics short week exposure relentless chinese water torture conceive tedious experience watching listening doctor experiment new opera view similar positively thought shown wisdom selecting story setting suited taste slow moving music laid contrast potter felt makes success ensuing action demands receives quicker changes mood tempo establishment real dramatic momentum found premiere triumph morrison appreciated critics charming having wit colours supplying lines individual characters dramatic story telling thought text found problem aggravated high vocal lines difficult words synopsis opera set nineteenth century fictional flemish town act doctor chance chorus sings map townspeople celebrate existence tea discussing small matters scenes parallel laboratory assistant set equipment questions wisdom experiment praises wonders science bring mankind looks forward bright lighting gas plans introduce experiment light slow lives locals expresses concern explosion says safe town hall members town council decide hasty come decision creating new post years discussion continue agreeing pass resolutions matters discuss request meeting town square pairs lovers sing courtship engagements years takes train doctor workers lay pipes chorus wonder background contradictory rumours leading citizens visit initially complaining starting work permission find telling accelerate plans ready week river look forward wedding years away questions townspeople agree lives experiment dismisses comparable asking animals agree people learn thank town gathered watch performance opera les chosen occasion experiment things start slowly speed chaotic experiment proceeds audience join performance occurs challenges duel flirting left left theatre wonders happened sure pay act experiment flow gas affecting townspeople thinking half town including talk revolution pleasure sing making love day die political intend overthrow town council van persuade instead attack neighbouring town incident years earlier involving stray cow appointed war leader kill people thinking research van come demand new weapons agrees supply wants stop experiment says proceed cost van climb clock tower survey troops calm help clean air agree stop war reach air argue urgency war agitated results experiment army calls gas laboratory explosion town badly damaged normal wonders feelings heard calling
Doctor Ox's Experiment (opera)