Islands in the Stream – text Ernest Hemingway, libretto Stephen Brown, is a symphony, with many aspects of an opera (it has a plot) in three movements (acts) with three sections (scenes) in each movement. It uses five singers (soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, bass) that have roles but they also double as narrators. There are no sets – though there could be, no acting – though there could be, and no chorus. Also the orchestra is somewhat unusual in that it uses 4 horns and 4 Wagner tubas and a tuba, but no trumpets or trombones, and 2 harps, a piano/celesta, the usual pair of woodwinds, a large percussion section and strings. The setting is 1939 – 42 in the Caribbean. Thomas Hudson (baritone), a painter, is the main character. He has three children by his two former wives. The first one (Her) he still loves. Young Tom is their son. With the second wife he has had his two younger boys.The story follows Thomas’ fortunes at Bimini Island, and then in Cuba, and off the coast of Cuba through his Nazi antisubmarine activities during World War II. duration: 62 minutes
