Yan Tan Tethera is a chamber opera (subtitled A Mechanical Pastoral) by the English composer Harrison Birtwistle with a libretto by the poet Tony Harrison, based on a supernatural folk tale about two shepherds, their sheep, and the Devil. It was first performed at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, on 7 August 1986. The title comes from a traditional way of counting sheep.

Roles

RoleVoice typePremiere Cast, 7 August 1986 (Conductor: Elgar Howarth)
AlanbaritoneOmar Ebrahim
HannahsopranoHelen Charnock
Caleb RavenbaritonePhilip Doghan
Piper/Bad 'UntenorRichard Suart
  • Holden, Amanda (Ed.), The New Penguin Opera Guide, New York: Penguin Putnam, 2001. ISBN 0-14-029312-4

Bibliography

  • Adlington, Robert (2000): The Music of Harrison Birtwistle, Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-52-102780-2
  • Beard, David (2012): Harrison Birtwistle's Operas and Music Theatre, Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-52-189534-0
  • Cross, Jonathan (2000): Harrison Birtwistle: Man, Mind Music, Faber. ISBN 0-57-119345-5
  • Hall, Michael (1984): Harrison Birtwistle, Robson. ISBN 1-86-105235-9