Pamela Madsen: Proof and Disproof, Movements V-VII

Описание: Proof and Disproof (an opera for one alone)
Movements V-VII

Composed by Pamela Madsen
Performed by Molly Pease and David Bergstedt on September 19, 2025 in Meng Concert Hall, Cal State Fullerton, CA.

Program Note
This work was composed during the Covid pandemic, where this insecurity of
self, and connection with others was most intense, as most were left in isolation to
deal with this solitude, and wondering about the reality of one’s connection with
the outside world asking: Dost thou love me, my Beloved? Who shall answer yes or
no? What is proved or disproved When my soul inquireth so, Dost thou love me, my
Beloved?

As for dynamics and articulations, phrasing, they are left free and open to the
performer to express and governed by the emotional content and interpretation of the
text —with quite a lot of freedom. Above all, embody the emotion of the poet Elizabeth
Barrett Browning, and imagine her refection of “Dost though love me?” As she
wanders through in her musings whether or not her love is true. This sentiment is
universal and extremely personal, as one goes through uncertainty during separation,
alone, and without confirmation of the presence of others.

It is this opera, for one alone that you must embody. The piano part is really a
part for vocalist to be played for themselves- intentionally simple enough to be
played and sung. (The pianist could also be a pianist, and sing the vocal line, since
this too is simple and direct). The piano part should ideally be almost unified with
the voice, the voice amplifies the piano part, the piano resonates with the voice,
echoing its sound and emotion with pedal held throughout, to give resonance to the
body of the singer. As pianist, and singer, I perform this work for myself alone. If this
work is performed as a duo, then it should be as if one person performing—here is no
separation of piano and voice, since this is an Opera Alone.