Der Signàl (The Signal), an oratorio with shadow puppets, is based on a short story by Vsevelod Gorschin, a nineteenth century Russian author. The story was set to music by Martin Bresnick and premiered at the Merkin Concert Hall in New York City on January 28, 1982.
The shadow-play was premiered on March 7, 1990 as part of the Yale School of Music's New Music New Haven series. Der Signàl has since been performed at the University of Hartford in Hartford, CT, at Theater for the New City and PS 122 in New York City, and, along with Three Tales by Poe, at LaMama E.T.C Annex as part of the year 2000 Henson International Festival of Puppet Theater.
 |
 |
 |
Semyon remained standing alongside of the broken rail. A train was just about due. Not a freight train, but a passenger train. He did not have his red flag. God help me, he thought.
 |
 |
 |
At that moment the watchman pictured the scene: The engine's left wheel strikes against the broken rail; with a shudder it turns on its side and starts to break the cross ties to bits; the third class cars are packed with people with small children.
 |
 |
 |
He had cut too deeply into his arm. His head swam, his eyes grew dark, his ears filled with ringing bells. He no longer saw the train, nor heard it's roar.
 Syneocism |
Three
Tales by Poe |
Appetite |
Buttons and Bows |
| James Mars |
For the Sexes |
Pine Eyes |
Master Peter |