Date of Award

Fall 12-2014

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

Department

Music

Committee Chair

Catherine Rand

Committee Chair Department

Music

Committee Member 2

Jay Dean

Committee Member 2 Department

Music

Committee Member 3

Gregory Fuller

Committee Member 3 Department

Music

Committee Member 4

Edward Hafer

Committee Member 4 Department

Music

Committee Member 5

Joseph Brumbeloe

Committee Member 5 Department

Music

Abstract

Blue Mountain is an opera in one act scored for four voices, and thirty-three instruments, commissioned by Det Norske Blaseensemble. Under the direction of Kenneth Jean, the premiere took place on October 8, 2007, at Kanonhalen in Oslo, Norway, as part of the Edvard Grieg Centennial celebrations and the 2007 Ultima contemporary Music Festival. The opera takes place in Troldhaugen, Norway, during the last days of Edvard Grieg’s life. Suffering from emphysema, Grieg was being treated by his doctor with morphine that created great anxiety, fear, and mental torment. A visit from his friend, Percy Grainger, gave Grieg great pleasure prior to his death. This dissertation analyzes Blue Mountain in all its aspects from the draft of the libretto to the final opera.

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