Speechless

Abstract

Speechless (2019) is a contemporary Australian opera for four vocal soloists, bass orchestra and community choirs composed by Cat Hope. The work challenges contemporary notions of the operatic, creating an alternative libretto where words do not feature and no intended narrative is provided. Instead, Speechless communicates its intent to address a specific contemporary issue – child refugees in Australian detention centres – through programme notes and musical information. Konečni’s “Aesthetic Trinity Theory” (ATT) is employed as a framework for interrogating the composer’s deliberate engagement with the work’s abstract qualities as a tool for inducing empathy for the subject matter from the audience and performers. The composers’ impetus for creating Speechless is discussed and a context for the theme of the opera is provided. Various elements of the composition, including innovative scoring techniques as well as the design and selection of instrumental and vocal forces are illuminated, particularly in terms of the work’s intent to give voice to the voiceless. Feedback from audience and musicians regarding a series of performance workshops in mid-2017 is presented and analysed and informed the final score. The work underwent a final staging workshop immediately prior to its premiere during the Perth Festival in February 2019.