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L i b r e t t o
The Making of the Representative for Planet 8

An Opera in Three Acts
by Philip Glass and Doris Lessing

Based on the novel by Doris Lessing
Co-commissioned by the Houston Grand Opera, English National Opera,
Amsterdam Music Theatre and Kiel Opera House.

Year First Published: 1988
Published by: Dunvagen Music Publishers Inc.
Category: Drama
This Edition: American first edition

CAST
ALSI, a young woman
NONNI, a young man
DOEG, Memory Maker and Keeper of Records
JOHOR, Canopean Agent
RIVALIN, Custodian of the Lake
KLIN, Fruit Maker
BRATCH, Representative for Health
MASSON, the Builder
PEDUG, Representative for Education
MARL, Keeper of the Herds
CHAMBER CHOIR
Soprano
Tenor
Baritone
Bass
Soprano
Mezzo-Soprano
Alto
Tenor
Baritone
Bass
Mixed Voices
THE ORCHESTRA
2 Flutes (1 Piccolo)
2 Bb Clarinets
1 Bb Bass Clarinet/
Eb Clarinet
2 Oboes
2 Bassoons
3 Bb Trumpets
4 F Horns
2 Trombones
1 Bass Trombone
1 Tuba
Violins I & II
Viola
Violincello
String Bass
Harp
Percussion (3 players)

As the story begins, we see Planet 8 as a green world - temperate, full of light, friendly, an Eden of innocence. This is Planet 8 just before the cosmological accident which will shift its poles in relation to the sun, bringing about the disastrous change of climate that results in the slow freezing and final icing over of the planet.

Also see:

Also see the novel: