The Masterworks Period (1739 -1749)
Sweet Sings The Dishwasher (dance episode
from "The Appliance Opera") (M.52) - for
two oboes and continuo
The only remaining music from Gibbs' epic opera. The quality of this dance episode shows that Gibbs' efforts in the world of opera may, in fact, be better off lost.
Festival Overture (In honor of the
visit of Tsar Peter III) (M.67) - for
orchestra
This short overture was played for the visit of Tsar Peter III to England in 1748. No record of the Tsar's activities exists placing him in England during that year. It is believed that the piece was played during the ceremony marking the Russian leader's disembarking his royal yacht to step onto English soil. Apparently fearing a visit that would be less than pleasant, he ordered the crew to raise anchor and sail. One can only hope that Gibbs' music did not cause the eventual rift in diplomatic relations between the Russian and English empires that ensued soon after.
No Recording Available
Dance of the Orangutan (from the opera Three Years In The Jungle)
(M.71) - for soprano recorder and
orchestra
This selection is from the famous reduction of the orchestra score to the complete opera Three Years In The Jungle. The original number, as staged by the Semi-Talented Opera Company of Northern Leeds featured a troupe of trained Orangutans that were supposed to dance merrily on stage. Unfortunately, on the third night of the run, the orangutans decided it would be more interesting to leave the stage during the dance scene and swing on the theatre chandeliers while spitting peanuts at the audience. The opera closed immediately. The only other production was staged by the New York Metropolitan in 1933 during the brief Gibbs revival craze of that year.
The Invisible Recorder (M.
976) - for solo soprano
recorder
This remarkable piece was written by Gibbs while under the influence of the trickster and charlatan Koperdisson, who manged to gull the composer into the purchase of several barrels of invisible ink. Gibbs used the ink to compose the following piece. It is undoubtedly one of his finest pieces. Unfortunate about the ink, really...
play selection
All recordings are from the forthcoming CD (currently out of
print)
"J.N.Gibbs: Mediocrity Unleashed"
$17.99
DISCLAIMER: J.N. Gibbs is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to a person living or dead is entirely unfortunate. All works are [c] 2004 by A.S. Mosier
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