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Title: Outer Space Rock Opera
Review: Frustratingly, the late David Bedford, whose music is broadly theatrical, never completed a full scale opera. (He did compose several for children.)The nearest he came is this rock opera.When he read the Ursula Le Guin story on which it is based, he tried to track her down to obtain the rights, only to discover that she just lived a few miles away from him.She wrote the libretto.The story, about an astronaut who is separated from the rest of his crew on a strange planet and becomes involved with the local inhabitants, is simple and straightforward, as isthe music.This is a highly entertaining and well performed piece without coming within hailing distance of being a masterpiece.Well recorded. Sadly, no texts.
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