The Inventor

THE INVENTOR
Bramwell Tovey, composer and conductor
John Murrell, librettist

An opera in a Prologue, Two Acts (Eleven Scenes), and an Epilogue
Music by Bramwell Tovey
Libretto by John Murrell

Bramwell Tovey’s opera is inspired by real events. The Inventor tells the story of Sandy Keith, a notorious 19th century con artist, and nephew of the great brewmaster Alexander Keith. Starting in Halifax, his deceptions lead him to re-invent himself, assuming multiple aliases in four cities on two continents as he is pursued by one of his victims. The lives of lovers, friends, family and strangers are destroyed along the way, but a final attempt at escape involving dynamite concealed in a steamer trunk is an explosive conclusion.

Erin Wall, soprano: Cecelia
Laura Whalen, soprano: Mary
Judith Forst, mezzo-soprano: Louise
Roger Honeywell, tenor: Smoot
James Westman, baritone: Sandy Keith
Phillip Ens, bass: Alexander Keith the Elder, Julius Hammer, The man who scratches and smells, J.J. Fuchs, Bremerhaven policeman

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Bramwell Tovey, conductor
UBC Opera Ensemble
Nancy Hermiston, Director

Tracklisting

CD 1
1  Prologue – 10:10
2  Act 1, Scene 1 Opening – 6:57
3  Act 1, Scene 1 Duet – 7:36
4  “I am a man of my time…” – 5:15
5  Act 1, Scene 2 – 2:08
6  “When I first came to the city…” – 6:43
7  “Oh the brandy horse…” – 7:23
8  Act 1, Scene 3 – 7:54
9  “You are called Cecelia…” – 8:32
10  Act 1, Scene 4 – 4:57
11  Act 2, Scene 5 – 9:34

CD2
1  Act 2, Scene 6 – 9:24
2  Act 2, Scene 7 – 16:39
3  Act 2, Scene 8 – 5:51
4  Act 2, Scene 9 – 12:27
5  Act 2, Scene 10 – 3:49
6  Act 2, Scene 11 – 6:30
7  Epilogue Part 1 – 6:02
8  Epilogue Part 2 – 8:28