The Aqueduct : investigating an intercultural synergy between Western, Arab and Jewish musical traditions in the composition of a chamber opera

Abstract

In The Aqueduct, aspects of Arab, Jewish, jazz and Western art music represent themes of identity, cultural diversity and difference within a chamber opera setting. By bringing to light the spaces where stylistic or conceptual borders and meeting places may be found, the music in The Aqueduct becomes a metaphor for the central theme of the libretto - that preconceived notions of cultural difference must be challenged. Through a confluence of musical references, The Aqueduct negotiates a paradox: while music might exploit recognisable styles and genres based on preconceived notions, the individual interpretation of these elements can ensure a break-down of assumptions of how ethnicity is represented by music. Musical references are invoked to represent the ethnic, emotional and conceptual barriers faced by the characters, however materials and techniques are reshaped as a metaphor for challenging assumptions of identity and difference, disassociating but not necessarily masking cultural origins. The music also mediates between the central and surrounding characters and draws upon a variety of concepts and elements such as tarab, a tool used in traditional Arab music for enhancing dramatic effect. Integration of these musical elements, including the Arab maqāmāt, iqa'at and Jewish klezmer ornaments, with Western techniques suggests that it is necessary for identity to be constantly redefined and for difference to be transcended before peace can be achieved.

Date of Award	2009
Original language	English