Composer's Notes:
Writing the music to an opera was certainly a challenge for but on the subject of golf, now I could relate to that sport having grown up in Scotland. In the summer of 1999 I began working on “Il Giocatore” and in the fall of 2000 it make its debut performance in Berkeley, California. Hollywood has had its share of golf movies from “Tin Cup” to “The Legend of Bagger Vance”, so why not a Golf Opera?
The overture begins with Giovanni's love theme which I bring back towards the end of the opera when Giselda, his lover, reminisces back to when they fell in love. My favorite duet is “Europa” between Giovanni and Giselda. He sings about the “Fiery soul of Italy” and she answers with the “Brave heart of Scotland”. The strings carry the main melody in the minor key with the timpani providing a strong baseline culminating in the relative major with “tutti” orchestra.
Act 2 is set out on the golf course with the two Americans betting against Giovanni and Lloyd, the Scotsman. The bassoons create the drone of the bagpipes while the oboes and clarinets play a dance-like Scottish melody. I created these rhythms from old Scottish folk songs and dances. It works well with the chips and putts on stage.
Of course, an opera isn't complete without a murder scene and that comes in Act 3 when the four golfers attack each other with golf clubs. Tension rises in the music with running sixteenth notes from the strings answered by the woodwinds, reaching an explosive climax, then silence. Giovanni's opening theme is heard once more as Giselda bids farewell, "Addio".
Having written numerous classical and jazz songs, my classical signing background from the RSAMD has been an advantage in writing melodies for the singers and, I hope, more memorable ones.
In the Berkeley production, the backdrop consisted of projected photos graciously supplied by the Loch Lomond Golf Club, Loch Lomond, Scotland, where my uncle is a member.
Joyce, Oakland, California, 2002.
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