Search - Randal Wilson, Jeff Olmsted, Bertilla Baker :: Duel

For "Duel," the musical

06/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The name of this CD is actually "Duel," by Randal Wilson, not Dueling Banjos.And here's how to listen to it: accept up front that it's going to take some time. Promise yourself that you won't buy another new CD for a whole month, to give yourself time to let "Duel" wrap itself around you. It will, if you let it.Duel is the story of poets Byron (Randal Wilson) and Shelley (Kurt Yahjian), their lives, their lovers, and their poetry. Okay, this is heavy stuff, and the music reflects that. The production notes call "Duel" a "romantic opera." Well put. Many of the lyrics come from the poets' own works. Just like poetry sometimes takes a few readings before it will unravel its beauty, so does "Duel." Stick with it. Randal Wilson, the composer, also plays the role of Lord Byron. The entire piece is narrated by the archetype character of Fate (Thomas Young.) The score is not big, mostly relying on the character's voices with piano accompaniment, but it soars. "Lovers," the opening number, sets the scene. Mary Shelly's (Kate De Zina) drug-induced hallucination of "Frankenstein" is as haunting as the novel itself. "I Am Not Listening," the piece that depicts the meeting of Byron and his lover Teresa (Bertilla Baker), is a remarkable expository argument set to music. But I hold my biggest praise for "Feast or Famine." When I first heard this song, in which Teresa realizes Byron does not truly love her, I played it three times before continuing. It is the best cut on the CD, a beautiful song beautifully sung. "Duel" is a remarkable work. I'm glad I took the chance. I'm sure that you will feel the same way."