Tales from the Briar Patch: Part 1 - Briar Patch
Chamber Music - Sheet Music

Chamber Music Mezzo-soprano, baritone voice Piano, soprano voice, tenor voice

SKU: PR.411411930

Composed by Nkeiru Okoye. Vocal Score. 60 pages. Duration 25 minutes. Theodore Presser Company #411-41193. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.411411930).

UPC: 680160687589.

This rebooted triptych of short operas is family friendly and full of fun, while paying tribute to the African tradition of storytelling for all ages. Sister Sparrow, Sister Robin and Madame Partridge retell the antics of Bre'r Rabbit and his nemesis Bre'r Fox in "Briar Patch," "The Pot of Sense," and "Madame Partridge and her Eggs." Okoye's music blends African American musical styles of jazz, blues, and gospel with contemporary concert music sounds. Combined with Moore's libretto, the result brings to mind a meeting Langston Hughes and Gilbert and Sullivan on steroids, en route to the Black church. A concert version of "Briar Patch" will be available for full orchestra with five soloists. Libretto by Carman Moore. The music blends African American musical styles of jazz, blues, and gospel with contemporary concert music sounds. Intended for all audiences. NOTE: Each story from the Tales from the Briar Patch is derived from African folk tales. The character "Bre'r Rabbit" is actually the trickster, "Anansi the Spider," of ancient Ghanaian folklore. While many people associate him and his friends with Joel Chandler Harris' Uncle Remus stories, the stories predate Harris and hist stories. The creators updated the language, using all animals to portray the story, with the trio of spirited birds narrating. Producers find that the works rate well with all audiences and are especially useful for community discussions and engagement.
This rebooted triptych of short operas is family friendly and full of fun, while paying tribute to the African tradition of storytelling for all ages. Sister Sparrow, Sister Robin and Madame Partridge retell the antics of Bre’r Rabbit and his nemesis Bre’r Fox in “Briar Patch,” “The Pot of Sense,” and “Madame Partridge and her Eggs.” Okoye’s music blends African American musical styles of jazz, blues, and gospel with contemporary concert music sounds. Combined with Moore’s libretto, the result brings to mind a meeting Langston Hughes and Gilbert and Sullivan on steroids, en route to the Black church. A concert version of “Briar Patch” will be available for full orchestra with five soloists. Libretto by Carman Moore. The music blends African American musical styles of jazz, blues, and gospel with contemporary concert music sounds. Intended for all audiences.NOTE: Each story from the Tales from the Briar Patch is derived from African folk tales. The character “Bre’r Rabbit” is actually the trickster, “Anansi the Spider,” of ancient Ghanaian folklore. While many people associate him and his friends with Joel Chandler Harris’ Uncle Remus stories, the stories predate Harris and hist stories. The creators updated the language, using all animals to portray the story, with the trio of spirited birds narrating. Producers find that the works rate well with all audiences and are especially useful for community discussions and engagement.