Cooman: Poor Bibi chamber opera (Piano Vocal Score)

Description

SYNOPSIS: A middle-aged married couple, burdened with the increasing ill-health and irascibility of their ” Poor Bibi, ” whom they once adored, make a decision to have him/her “put to sleep” by a veterinarian. When, repulsed by the request, the veterinarian refuses to perform the ” simple procedure, ” the husband and wife are forced to kill Poor Bibi themselves in a frenzied, brutal manner: ” For we soon forget what we do, in the human desperation of doing it. ” The ordinarily “gentle and civilized” couple then confront us, the audience: ” And you, you damned hypocrites, what will you do with yours? ” — Joyce Carol Oates