Marymere

Music and libretto by matthew schickele

“P.S. My husband’s record proves he was a man to be feared and I lived in constant dread of his desperate nature… Whatever his character may have been in life, he was a devoted loyal husband, so I bear him no ill will and believe his soul is now at peace.” - Edith D. Sargent

In 1908 an odd, quiet man named John Sargent returned to Jackson Hole, Wyoming with his new bride, Edith—an eccentric New York socialite who enjoyed sunbathing nude, sitting in trees, and playing the violin—often all at the same time. Edith’s idyllic new life is immediately threatened as she hears rumors that John previously left town bankrupt and was suspected of murdering both his first wife and his business partner.

Based on a true story, composer Matthew Schickele’s chamber opera Marymere uses the talents of classical and folk musicians to portray an unusual couple escaping to America’s last frontier, but unable to escape the past.

CREATORS

Matthew Schickele writes music and words. Comfortable across genres, Schickele has written chamber music, vocal music, songs, and electronic music for ensembles, bands, and the stage. His chamber music has been performed at venues across the USA and… — **Matthew Schickele** writes music and words. Comfortable across genres, Schickele has written chamber music, vocal music, songs, and electronic music for ensembles, bands, and the stage. His chamber music has been performed at venues across the USA and internationally. He was the principal composer for the recent sold-out run of Hai-Ting Chinn’s *Science Fair, an opera with experiments* in NYC, which Time Out called "Pure, effervescent pleasure."
Schickele’s chamber opera *Marymere* has had concert productions in both Wyoming and New York, and The New York Times called *Since 1500*, a quartet for unaccompanied sopranos, "a harmonically rich, polyphonic web."
His latest recording, *Ten Rings of Saturn*, along with numerous collections of songs, are available via Bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify, and many others.

Matthew Schickele
Composer / Librettist

Marymere - three excerpts (Mannes version) (Matthew Schickele)

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PRESS

“Striking… Matthew Schickele’s [music is] a harmonically rich, polyphonic web.” - The New York Times

Information

Download Opera Info Packet

Duration 75’

Premiere TBA. Marymere is available for world premiere

Roles (6) Mezzo-Soprano; Baritone; Bass; Two Folk Male Voices; One Folk Female Voice

Development Artists Jesse Blumberg, Hai-Ting Chinn, Steve Hrycelak, Maria Stacey Lindsey, Caitlin McKechney, Brent McBeth, Mila Henry, Joe Brent, Eileen Mack, Philippa Thompson, Sara Caswell, Caleb Burhans, Andrew Ryan

Development Partners Marymere is currently in development at The American Opera Project. Marymere received additional development with the support of Exploring the Metropolis, and the Con Edison Composer Residency.

Instrumentation (7) Violin; Fiddle; Viola; Clarinet (bass clarinet); Mandolin; Double Bass; Piano

Publisher Staged performances of this work require licensing through the creators.