The Widow of Ephesus Chamber Opera in One Act (1971)
Libretto: David Hughes and Michael Hurd

Introduction
Entry of the Maid
Five days weeping, sleeping never' [Maid]
Entry of the Soldier
Why are you crying?' [Soldier and Maid]
She is too virtuous' [Maid and Soldier]
I'm all for pleasure when I can' [Soldier and Maid]
I like to lie in the sun and dream the shadows away' [Soldier and Maid]
Dead, dead' [Maid, Widow and Soldier]
Day and night I've wept and sighed' [Widow, Maid and Soldier]
Madam, madam can you not see?' [Maid, Widow and Soldier]
Can any woman live with her loneliness?' [Widow]
What are you doing?' [Widow and Soldier]
Oh no, I am not jealous' [Maid]
Hear me, O God of love' [Widow]
I went to the gallows' [Soldier]
My man is dead' finale [Widow, Soldier and Maid]

Mr Owen's Great Endeavour Ballad Cantata for Narrator, Mixed Chorus and Small Orchestra (1990)
Libretto: Michael Hurd
Narrator: Michael Bundy

There was a time ages ago'
In the interests of economy we have to take a stand'
Mister Hargreaves, Mister Arkwright, Mister Cartwright too thought about the spinning wheel and said it would not do'
Work, work, work the machinery'
When I was a little boy, seven years-old'
Treat the worker like a human being'
Come children listen to me now'
New Lanark Dance No.1 Tempo di Londler
New Lanark Dance No.2 Tempo di Galop
See the children are receiving education night and day'

The Maid Pippa Goss (soprano)
The Widow Louise Winter (mezzo soprano)
The Soldier Michael Bundy (baritone)

Orchestra Nova
City of Canterbury Chamber Choir
George Vass (conductor)

World premiere recordings

Recorded at Henry Wood Hall, London, 8-9 October 2010

Download Text

CDLX 7269

George Vass keeps the whole thing moving with zip and panache, his Orchestra Nova always sprightly in support.

Michael Bundy ... reminded me more than once of Owen Brannigan. The whole thing exudes charm and joie de vivre: it is well worth exploring not just on disc but by any opera group.

Piers Burton-Page, International Record Review, September 2011