Sir Harrison Birtwistle: Punch and Judy

A tragical comedy or comical tragedy in 1 act (1966-1967)
in
1 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 0 - perc(2), hp, str.quin
Duration: 110’
Instrumentation details:
tpt, tbn - perc(2), hp, string quintet - on stage: fl (+ picc), ob (+ c.a, ob.d'a), cl(Bb) (+ cl(Eb), bass cl, soprano sax), bs (+ cbsn), hr
Roles: Puppenpolly (witch), high soprano Judy (fortune-teller), mezzo-soprano Punch, high baritone Lawyer, high tenor Choregos (Jack Ketch), low baritone Doctor, bass 5 Dancers (mimes): 2 women, 3 men
Composer: Sir Harrison Birtwistle
Librettist: Stephen Pruslin
Original language: English
Translator: Iris Brendel
Dedication: dedicated to "my Pretty Polly"
Commission: Commissioned by the English Opera Group