Juan Darién: A Carnival Mass
1996 cast recording by Elliot Goldenthal
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Juan Darién: A Carnival Mass is a musical with music and lyrics by Elliot Goldenthal and a book by Goldenthal and Julie Taymor. The musical premiered Off-Broadway in 1988 in the former St. Clement's Church.[2] It was subsequently reworked and refined before playing on Broadway in 1996 at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, directed by Taymor.
| Juan Darién: A Carnival Mass | ||||
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| Cast recording by | ||||
| Released | October 29, 1996 | |||
| Genres | Classical, avant-garde | |||
| Length | 59:50 | |||
| Label | Sony Classical | |||
| Producer | Joel Iwataki | |||
| Elliot Goldenthal chronology | ||||
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| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| MusicFromTheMovies |    [citation needed] |
| New York Times | Reasonable [1] |
Plot
The musical, based on a modern fable of the same name by Horacio Quiroga, is set in the jungle in South America, with a jaunty skeletal Death ever present. Its story concerns an orphaned jaguar cub who is miraculously transformed into a human child by the compassion of a woman who has lost her own baby; the boy must then confront the savagery of human civilization. The production employs masked actors and puppets, and the score includes elements of Latin American folk music and the Requiem Mass.[3] The piece was revived and toured extensively.[4]
History
Goldenthal collaborated closely with the musical's director Julie Taymor, his romantic partner, to create a score that would complement their off-beat concept, blending musical styles with a carnival version of a Requiem Mass sung in Latin and Spanish, primal jungle calls, sharp-edged jazz and hints of minimalism. It was well received by critics. Goldenthal played the small role of Circus Barker/Streetsinger.[5] The piece is sometimes described as a passion play.[2]
Track listing
- Agnus Dei (2:02)
- Lacrymosa / Mr. Bones Fanfare (8:56)
- Jaguar Cub Approach (1:48)
- Mr. Bones' Two-Step (0:55)
- The Hunter's Entrance (1:37)
- Gloria (2:39)
- Initiation (1:11)
- A Round at Midnight (1:52)
- Sanctus (2:08)
- School (3:51)
- Recordare (4:12)
- Carnaval (7:45)
- Lullabye – Lyrics by Elliot Goldenthal (2:47)
- Trance – Lyrics by Horacio Quiroga (2:18)
- Dies Irae (12:17)
- Lacrymosa II / Retribution (3:32)
Crew/performers
- Music Composed by Elliot Goldenthal
- Recording Produced by Joel Iwataki
- Directed by Julie Taymor, Musical Direction by Richard Cordova
- Recorded and Mixed by Joel Iwataki
- Juan (Boy Soprano): Devin Provenzano
- Mother (Contralto): Andrea Frierson Toney
- Circus Barker/Streetsinger (Baritone): Elliot Goldenthal
Television broadcast
A recording of a 1990 performance was broadcast in the UK on August 31, 1990.[6]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Tony Award | Best Musical | Nominated | [7] | |
| Best Original Score | Elliot Goldenthal | Nominated | |||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Julie Taymor | Nominated | |||
| Best Scenic Design | G. W. Mercier and Julie Taymor | Nominated | |||
| Best Lighting Design | Donald Holder | Nominated | |||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Musical | Nominated | [8][9] [10] | ||
| Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical | G. W. Mercier and Julie Taymor | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Costume Design | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Lighting Design | Donald Holder | Nominated | |||
| Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | Nominated | [11][12] | ||