WHITE NIGHTS
A Grand Chamber Opera in the Russian Romantic Style
Duration: 60 Minutes
Libretto: Written by the composer, adapted from the novella by Fyodor Dostoevsky
ABOUT THE OPERA
White Nights is a poetic chamber opera that brings Fyodor Dostoevsky’s story of longing and fleeting love to the modern stage. Written in a lush Russian romantic style, this 60-minute production balances intense emotional impact with a highly practical, scalable performance model.
A standalone ballet version is also available for programming.
The full work is currently in development and available for co-commissioning and World Premiere booking.
PRODUCTION & SCALABILITY
Designed to accommodate varying budgets, venue spaces, and ensemble styles, White Nights features live singers with three flexible accompaniment options:
Full Live Chamber Orchestra: The premium, fully acoustic experience.
Hybrid Ensemble: A blend of select live instrumentalists paired with a professional VST orchestra.
Full VST Backing Track: A cost-effective, high-quality digital orchestral track delivered via the venue's sound system.
IN THE PRESS
"Opera concert definitely first class... [Whetstone’s] harmonies and orchestration were expressive and most beautiful. The music might be thoroughly modern but the poetic and emotional impact on the audience was remarkable." — Rochester Post-Bulletin, 3/15/99
LIBRETTO EXCERPT
Act I, Scene 1: "On Such a Night as This"
The Dreamer, Chorus with Tenor, Soprano, & Bass Soloists
TENOR: Isn’t this a lovely night?
SOPRANO: So fine a summer night!
TENOR: On such a night as this—
TENOR/SOPRANO: —almost anything could happen!
CHORUS: Shining night, starlit night, a summer night for love.
TENOR: Pretty bird, won’t you come here to nestle close, to nestle with me? Don’t fly away, run away, don’t be shy. Come to me.
BASS: Hey, this girl she’s not your type.
SOPRANO: I want a brute like you?
BASS: A man built for love—that’s me, as you see!
WOMEN: Silly men, do you think sweet words make love?
MEN: Sweet tender words?
CHORUS: Tender words, sweet and true, that’s what makes for love.
DREAMER: My dear friends, on such a night as this I feel I know you all so well! On such a warm breath of a night!
MEN: Now, what is it that you need?
WOMEN: At least a welcome look.
MEN: Is that how we woo this girl?
WOMEN: At least with subtle glances.
MEN: You silly women, do you think that love passes through the eyes?
WOMEN: Of course it does, it passes through the eyes, it does, it does, it does. It passes through the eyes.
MEN: Soft eyes shining?
WOMEN: Through soft eyes.
CHORUS: That’s what makes for love. Blue starlit vault of heaven, yellow sun of summer, shine this city night, white night.
WOMEN: Hey, you with the dreamy look, will you remember me?
MEN: Remember when the morning comes?
WOMEN: The morning comes? Remember when the day it comes, the week it comes, the year it comes.
DREAMER: On such a night as this, one must surely feel, all men are brothers! Can it be? Yes, it's true, we are brothers, you and I.
MEN: Enough, and how should we start?
WOMEN: A hand to squeeze and hold?
MEN: Could we begin with tender talk?
WOMEN: And soft and gentle touch?
CHORUS: Yes, we’ll begin with tender talk, soft and gentle touch, with shining eyes, all these and more. That’s what makes for love! Shining summer night, yellow sun of summer, light the vault of heaven, starlit city night!
MEN: Yes, we’ll begin with tender talk,
WOMEN: with gentle touch,
CHORUS: That’s whgat makes for love!
AUDIO EXCERPTS
Act 1, Scene 2: On a Night Such as This Vocal - VST Studio Demo (In Progress)
Featuring: The Dreamer, Chorus, Tenor, Soprano, & Bass Soloists
Movement II: [Track Title] — Act I, Scene 2 (Vocal-VST Studio Demo) [Shift + Enter]
Featuring: [Character Name] & [Character Name] [Enter]
• Movement III: [Track Title] — Act II, Scene 1 (Orchestral VST Mockup) [Shift + Enter]