An Embarrassing Position (30 minutes)

Cast: 4 sopranos and 1 baritone (or 3 sopranos, 1 mezzo-soprano, and 1 baritone)
Instrumentation: piano

An Embarrassing Position, based on a sketch by Kate Chopin, takes place in New Orleans in the 1890s. Willis Parkham is a young bachelor running for political office. Late one night after a so-called “political meeting,” Eva Delvigné, the lovely and naïve daughter of a family friend, unexpectedly announces herself. Before Mr. Parkham can figure out what to do, there is another knock at the door, but this time it’s—gasp!—June Jinkins, the gossip columnist for the New Orleans Times-Democrat!

"What an unexpected delight to find that a modern composer can produce a string of ravishing melodies! . . .The music is enchanting, with one memorable song after another. . .The audience did something unheard of after a performance of a contemporary composer--they went out humming the tunes."

---Christina Vella, The St. Bernard Voice


Recent performances:
Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans; directed by Dara Rahming
New England Conservatory, Boston; directed by Steve Maler (premiere)

From the premiere of Dan Shore's opera "An Embarrassing Position," May 3, 2010, at the New England Conservatory. With Jarvis Wyche, Emily Robinson, Judy Lim, Mollie Adams, and Sarah Vincelett. Steve Maler, director; Dan Wyneken, music director and pianist.

(from left to right: Alesia Sterling, Melissa D. Lewis, Kapria Joseph, Dedrian Hogan, and Crystal Morris; Xavier University of Louisiana)