Release Date
June 26, 2026
Gavin's Notes
Having composed three large-scale, full-evening, operas (Medea 1982-4; Doctor Ox’s Experiment 1997-8; and G 2002-3), Gavin turned to the more flexible, intimate and manageable form of chamber opera with his fourth opera Marilyn Forever (2013), about Marilyn Monroe. This was followed in 2018 by a further chamber opera The Collected Works of Billy the Kid. Each opera has just two principals and a small instrumental ensemble, with librettos by very fine writers, coincidentally both Canadian: Marilyn Bowering for Marilyn Forever; Michael Ondaatje for The Collected Works of Billy the Kid. The Collected Works of Billy the Kid has 11 songs, with a linked narrative that ends with Billy’s death. There are again just two singers: one male (Billy the Kid) and one female (for all the female characters, as well as serving as a kind of narrator). The soprano is the incredibly versatile Claron McFadden, who is comfortable singing opera, baroque music, new music, jazz. And Billy is sung by the French singer-songwriter, and rock star, Bertrand Belin. Although it may seem a surprising combination of voices it was an inspired choice despite (or perhaps because of) their vastly different backgrounds. Bertrand doesn’t even read music, and he had to learn the whole opera note by note… and Claron and Bertrand have continued to work together subsequently. The 6-part instrumental ensemble is drawn from Les Percussions Claviers de Lyon, with which Gavin has worked since its creation over 40 years ago. There are four players of keyboard percussion (vibraphone, marimbas, bass marimba) as well as untuned percussion, plus piano and violin. It was recorded live in the Opéra de Lyon, November 18, 2021 as part of a series of performances curated by Bertrand Belin.
Streaming & purchase link: https://gbrec.lnk.to/BillytheKid