Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is an opera-in-progress. When complete, it will be in two acts, lasting approximately two hours, ten minutes plus intermission. Featured are six principal roles (Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, The Player, Alfred, Hamlet, Ophelia), three smaller roles (Gertrude, Claudius, Polonius) and several comprimarii. All singers except those in the four largest roles also sing in the chorus of players.

Cast

Rosencrantz		lyric baritone
Guildenstern		Verdi baritone
The Player		bass
Hamlet		tenor
Ophelia		soprano
Alfred		mezzo-soprano
Gertrude		contralto
Osric		soprano
Laertes		tenor
Horatio		baritone
Claudius		bass
Polonius/ Ambassador		bass-baritone

Orchestra

Flute (dbl. Piccolo)
Oboe
2 Clarinets in Bb (2nd dbl. Bass clarinet in Bb)
2 Bassoons

2 Horns in F
2 Trumpets in C
Tenor Trombone

Percussion (2 Players)
(2 triangles, splash cymbal, ride cymbal, large and medium suspended cymbals, hi-hat, piatti, snare drum, bass drum, bass drum with pedal, tambourine, tam-tam, glockenspiel, vibraphone, marimba, chimes)

Piano (dbl. Synthesizer)

Harp

Strings

The opera-in-progress was given an orchestral reading by New York City Opera on May 6, 2006, as part of VOX 2006: Showcasing American Composers. Streaming audio of this performance can be heard here. Support provided by The Composer's Assistance Program of the American Music Center.

Arias from the opera were performed on a program called "Stoppard, Sung" at Turtle Bay Music School, Manhattan on March 13, 2007.