Opera, Ballet & Musicals
All works available for purchase from Philip, please get in touch directly here.
Highlighted musicals are available to hire through Playmarket.org.nz
2014
The Great Art War > full–length musical play 120'
for six singer-actors, violin & piano
Commissioned by the Christchurch Arts and Heritage Trust 2011 for the Court Theatre/Christchurch Arts Festival performance.
Book by Stuart Hoar, lyrics by Philip
2002-3
The Pleasure Garden > a chamber opera 30'
for six principal singers, chorus & two pianos
Commissioned by Opera Factory, Auckland with funding from Creative NZ. Libretto by AK Grant.
A revision and extension of 'An Artist's Tale'
The Pleasure Garden performed by Jubilate Singers, soloists from The Opera Club conducted by Philip Norman.
Audio recorded by Thom O'Connor. Film funded by NZ on Air.
Old Guard vs. the avante-garde in the Pleasure Garden: Philip talks to RNZ Concert's Nick Tipping about this tale of Canterbury art factions.
2002
A Factory Opera ('Sure to Rise') > a chamber opera 30'
for six principal singers, chorus & two pianos
Commissioned by Opera Factory, Auckland with funding from Creative NZ. Libretto by Fiona Farrell.
A revision and extension of 'A Factory Hand's Tale'
2001
A Christmas Carol > ballet with orchestra 100'
2 2 2 2 / 2 2 2 1 / timp, perc(2), keyboard / str
Commissioned by the Royal New Zealand Ballet Co. Choreographed by Russell Kerr, designs by Kristian Fredrikson.
A revision of the original music for computer controlled keyboards
1999
The Factory Hand's Tale a short opera 25'
A short opera part of the 'Canterbury Tales' collection, funding from Creative New Zealand. Libretto by Fiona Farrell
1999
Peter Pan > ballet with orchestra 104'
2 2 2 2 / 2 2 2 1 / timp, perc(2/3), hp/pn / str
Commissioned by Royal New Zealand Ballet Co, choreography by Russell Kerr, designs by Kristian Fredrikson.
Entr'acte & Pirates' Dance performed by Wellington Sinfonia (now Orchestra Wellington) and Kenneth Young (conductor)
1997
Dirty Weekends > a gardening musical 120'
for eight actor–singers, piano and/or computer sequenced backing tape
Book by Roger Hall, lyrics and music by Philip
1995
Where Would a Songwriter be Without Love? > a revue--style tribute musical 100'
for four actor--singers & piano
A revue-style tribute to the music of Philip Norman - devised by Roger Hall. Songs from Footrot Flats, Making it Big,
A Christmas Carol, Love off the Shelf, Fresh Revolving Pleasures and Jobless
1993
A Christmas Carol > an opera based on the Dickens classic 100'
for an ensemble of principal singers, chorus, dancers & orchestra
2 1 2 1 / 2 2 0 0 / timp, perc(1), keyboard(2) / str
A Christmas opera based on Dickens' classic. Commissioned by Canterbury Opera with assistance from Creative NZ.
Libretto by Philip Norman
1991
Making It Big > a musical about the road to stardom 120'
for eight actor--singers & piano
Book by Roger Hall, music and lyrics by Philip
1990
A Christmas Carol > ballet with computer--sequences tape 100'
Commissioned by Southern Ballet Dance Co. with assisstance from Creative NZ.
Choreographed by Russell Kerr.
1988
One in Five > a road safety musical 60'
for six actors, two singers & computer-sequenced tape
Book and lyrics by Mark Prain. Commissioned by the Christchurch Academy and the Roadshow Trust:
For theatre-in-education tours around NZ
1988
The 'I Am' Show > a health musical 50'
for six actors, two singers & computer-sequenced tape
Book and lyrics by Mark Prain. Commissioned by the Christchurch Academy and the Roadshow Trust:
For theatre-in-education tours around NZ
1987
Te Maia and the Sea-Devil music for a ballet 55'
Commissioned by Royal New Zealand Ballet Co. to designs and story by Gavin Bishop. Choreographed by Russell Kerr
1986
Love Off The Shelf > a romantic--novel--parody musical 120'
for eight actor--singers, extra actors & piano (+ optional variable instruments)
Written by Roger Hall, lyrics by AK Grant, music by Philip. Published Samuel French (UK, 1995)
1985
Terrible Tom ballet for chamber ensemble 50'
flute(pic), clarinet(bcl + a sax), violin, cello, piano & percussion
Commissioned by Royal New Zealand Ballet Co. to designs and story by Gavin Bishop. Choreographed by Russell Kerr
1983
Footrot Flats > a musical based on the classic NZ comic strip 120'
for eight actor-singers, piano, drums, bass & reeds
Book by Roger Hall, lyrics by AK Grant, music by Philip. Commissioned by the Court Theatre, Christchurch
1983
Jobless a musical about unemployment 120'
for three actor--singers & piano
Book and lyrics by Ken Hudson, music by Philip. Commissioned by the Court Theatre, Christchurch directed by Elric Hooper
1982
Scripting the Dreams a ballet for chamber ensemble 20'
for chamber ensemble of eight musicians
Commissioned by Southern Ballet Dance Co. with assistance from NZ Composers Foundation. Choreography by Russell Kerr
1981
Fresh Revolving Pleasures a chamber musical 120'
for three actor--singers & piano
Book and lyrics by AK Grant, music by Philip. Commissioned by the Court Theatre, Christchurch
1976
A Stab In The Dark a comic operetta 120'
for 11 principal singers, chorus & small orchestra: 2 1 2 1 / 0 1 1 0 / drums, piano / strings
Libretto by John Farnsworth. Commissioned by University of Canterbury MUSOC. Published Nota Bene Music.
1975
Pierrot Lunatic one act comic operetta 35'
Libretto by John Farnsworth. Commissioned by University of Canterbury MUSOC.
Further details from Philip directly
1974
Stiff luck for the Undertaker > a comic operetta 120'
for 13 principal singers, chorus & small orchestra: 2 1 2 1 / 0 1 1 0 / piano / strings
Libretto by John Farnsworth. Commissioned by University of Canterbury MUSOC. Published Nota Bene Music.
1973
Cinderolla and the Fairy Oddmother a comic operetta 120'
Libretto by John Farnsworth. Commissioned by University of Canterbury MUSOC
Further details from Philip directly
1971
The Twenty-First of the Forty-Ninth a one--act comic operetta 35'
Libretto by John Farnsworth. Written for a season of three performances while a student at Rathkeale College