The Silver Tassie is an opera in four acts by the English composer Mark-Anthony Turnage.
The English libretto was written by Amanda Holden based on the 1927/28 play of the same name by Seán O'Casey.
[1] In an interview for the programme for the ENO production, Turnage talks about treating the four acts as the movements of a symphony with a dance finale.
He also discusses how the studio workshops helped him thin out the orchestral textures to make the voices clearer.
Although the libretto leaves things vague, Turnage makes it clear that he had a Dublin setting in mind with references in the last act to an Irish jig as one of the dance movements and the use of fiddles in the off-stage band.
Turnage includes references to dance and other music contemporary to the setting in his score.
The Silver Tassie was first performed on 16 February 2000 by ENO at the London Coliseum Theatre.
[8] The opera was due to receive its North American premiere by Dallas Opera in 2003 but this was cancelled "due to financial considerations and political sensitivities in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Sylvester reminisces about Harry's sporting prowess and how he knocked out a police officer; Susie is preaching to him about the day of judgment; Mrs Heegan is waiting out in the cold.
Visitors arrive: Harry's parents and Mrs Foran leading the now-blind Teddy.
Jessie is outside, choosing to talk with Barney, now awarded the Victoria Cross for saving Harry.
The Forans and the Heegans comment critically on Susie dancing with Dr Maxwell and on Jessie's and Barney's "immodesty".