Coriolanus
Coriolanusgreat amphitheatrical drama with music in 5 actsby
tragedy of W.Shakespeare
1
Characters:
Gaius Martius Coriolanus (tenor)
Lartius and Cominius - generals of Roma (tenor, bass)
Menenius Agrippa - friend of Coriolanus (bass)
Sicinius and Brutus - plebeian tribunes (tenor, barytone)
young Martius - Son of Coriolanus (spoken role)
Volumnia - Mother of Coriolanus (alto)
Virgilia - Wife of Coriolanus (soprano)
Tullus Aufidius - General of the Volscians (barytone)
Aufidius adjutant (tenor)
HeraldMessengerAedile
patricians, plebeians, soldiers etc...
Tribune IITr. 2Althorns 2Trbn.
2T.Cb.Timp.+T.picc.+Piatti.Tribune IIITr. 2Althorns 2Trbn.
2T.Cb.Timp.+T.picc.+Piatti.
Orchestra:Fl.picc.Fl. - 4Ob. - 4Cl. - 4Cl.b.Sax. - 2Fg. -
2C-fg.Tr. - 3Cor. - 4Trbn. -
3T.Cb.TimpaniT.picc.G.C.PiattiGongTrgl.HarpArchi: 12+12+8+6+4
Tribune I
Tr. 6
Description:
Coriolanus by William Shakespeares tragedy is great drama with
music that means it is not an opera or musical, but specific
dramatic form which might be called as comprehensive artwork where
music still flows and actors are singing or speaking or just
playing, but music never stops, what sustains permanent dramatic
tension. Additionally, music is based on main motives (leitmotifs)
which are characterizing individual persons or situations, so the
music as such is also psychological element of drama.
Regarding the orchestration, there are 4 orchestras: the main
orchestra and three tribunes (brass instruments + percussion)
situated in the auditorium, which are joining the main orchestra
mostly during mass scenes. The spectators thus have feel like they
would be in the middle of scene as they are surrounded by sound.
Players of the 1st tribune are during drama also moving behind the
scene, what gives another sound effect in the most dramatic actions
(battle, etc...).
Drama in this form has not been created never before !
Duration: approx. 2 hoursActors: approx. 150
performersOrchestras: 105 players
ACT 1
1st scene Roman square:
Outraged indigent plebeians are going to revolt against senate
for obtaining more grain for themselves; subsequently Martius
(later titled as Coriolanus) comes in, not hiding his scornful
attitude towards cowardly and unknowing plebs. Into the conflict
between Martius and plebeians the senators, tribunes and messenger
arrive announcing the danger of incoming Volscian army led by
redoubtable Tullus Aufidius. The senators with Martius are
immediately going to Capitol, the plebeians quickly scatter to
their homes, on the scene stay only tribunes Sicinius and Brutus,
who begin to make political intrigues against hated Martius.
2nd scene - Corioli:
Aufidius announces to senators of Corioli that their war plans
were divulged and the Roman army led by bold Martius has begun the
offensive against them as first. Then Aufidius stays alone with his
adjutant whom he swears that he will destroy Martius, his biggest
and long-time rival: if not in a honest fight, then by using a
ruse.
In front of the gates of Corioli Martius encourages the army to
attack the city. He passes the city gates as the first, but the
gates shut behind him. Lartius with warriors are trying to go to
help him meanwhile Martius fights with Aufidius face to face behind
the closed gates; Aufidius retreats before him and then finally
runs away. Roman army has broken the gates and already occupies
Corioli. Ceremonial fanfares announce the victory of Rome and Gaius
Martius gets the title Coriolanus.
ACT 2
1st scene Roman square:
Menenius Coriolanus faithful friend accuses plebeian tribunes of
hypocrisy and characterless careerism based on the naivity of
plebs. All at once Coriolanusmother and wife come in bringing the
news of the war triumphs, but Virgilia is not able to hide her fear
for the life of her husband Martius and his wounds.
Within the sound of trumpets Herald comes to announce the
victorious arrival of Martius Coriolanus with the army. After the
welcome Coriolanus by his mother, wife and Menenius, the procession
continues to Capitol. On the scene stay only jealous tribunes
arranging political intrigues against Coriolanus again.
2nd scene Capitol (in the temple):
Senators, Cominius, Lartius, Menenius, Coriolanus: Gaius Martius
Coriolanus is unanimously accepted as worthy to become the new
Roman consul. But he must submit to old habit in which he should
show plebeians his wounds to deserve their votes, what proud
Coriolanus refuses: I cannot put on the gown, stand naked, and
entreat them for my wounds sake to give their suffrage.... At the
insistence of his friends and his mother he then unwillingly
complies.
ACT 3
1st scene Roman square:
Coriolanus undergoes the ritual and with dislike begs for
plebeian voices, but doesnt want to show his wounds. Despite it he
wins their voices just thanks to accepting the old habit to beg for
the votes and plebeians recognize him to be worthy to become their
consul.
After Coriolanus leaving the square the tribunes begin to
convince plebeians to recant their vote. Stupid plebs gets
manipulated easily and turns against Coriolanus .
2nd scene - Capitol:
During the sound of fanfares the senators accompanied by
military elite arrive in Capitol to declare Coriolanus as Roman
consul. The ceremony is stopped by tribunes and by manipulated
plebeians.
Coriolanus again verbaly attacks plebs and accuses them from
blind unknowing; tribunes then from their thirst for the might and
from their uselessness. After that almost civil war has broken out,
Coriolanus is condemned to exile by tribunes and by manipulated
plebs. Coriolanus leaves with the words: There is a world
elsewhere.
His mother, wife and friends with tears bid farewell of
Coriolanus; mother then damns the tribunes and whole Rome.
ACT 4
1st scene - Antium, Aufidius camp:
People in Antium are rejoicing : Aufidius got informed about
Coriolanus exile and about the threat of civil war in Rome. So
there is a rejoining, drinking in his camp, cheerful music
sounds...Into it Coriolanus comes in, issuing himself at the mercy
of his rival. Aufidius welcomes him warmly and asks him to lead his
army against Rome; Coriolanus agrees.
Aufidius then confides to his adjutant with his plan to destroy
Coriolanus after winning Rome.
2nd scene- Roman square:
In Rome, there is a huge despair: just outside of the city gates
is great army led by Coriolanus himself and all provinces are on
fire already. The only one hope for Rome remains just on Coriolanus
mother and wife, whom they delegate to ask for mercy in Antium.
ACT 5
1st scene tent of Coriolanus :
Volumnia, Virgilia and Coriolanus son young Martius come to beg
Coriolonaus for a mercy for Rome; Coriolanus succumbs to their
entreaties and promises Rome the peace.
2nd scene in front of the Roman gates:
All Romans are awaiting with hope the return of Coriolanus
mother and wife. Messenger announces the ceasefire and people
welcome with great joy incoming women whose mood is in foreboding
of the Coriolanus end in big contrast to the mood of joyful
plebs.
3rd scene Antium:
Aufidius and conspirators promise the revenge on the traitor
Coriolanus. He then comes accompanied by exulting people who
glorify him for finishing the war and bloodshed.
Aufidius accuses him of the betrayal and with the participation
of conspirators kills him. He himself then with another three men
grabs and carries away the dead body of the great, brave and
virtuous man Coriolanus...
At the end, behind scene appears the figure of Coriolanus son
Martius with big shiny sword in his hands...
Main music motives (leitmotifs):Coriolanus
Coriolanus (extended)
Foreboding
Death of Coriolanus
Victorious Coriolanus
Young Martius son of Coriolanus
Tullus Aufidius
Plebeians mass
Tribunes of plebeians
Roman nobility
Rome
Volumnia
Volumnia (extended)
Virgilia (+ motive of the kiss)
Ceremonial entry to Capitol click
