The Creation of Frankenstein: An opera in one act (four scenes)

The essay is concerned with the significance of declamatory style vocal writing and its relevance to his one act opera based on scenes from Mary Shelley\u27s Frankenstein. The essay begins with a brief survey of changing approaches to musical declamation throughout operatic history. The ideals and aims of operas first practictioners are discussed, including the seminal work of Claudio Monteverdi. Later composers whose innovative styles of lyric writing have influenced the author are discussed at length. The work addresses the question of artistic creativity, and its relationship to the biological birth process. Mary Shelley\u27s work on Frankenstein is considered as a reflection of her deep seated fears of child birth. The author outlines the dramatic structure of his opera, detailing parallel sections of musical and narrative design