EDGE OF A DREAM A youth youth opera in one act about Ada Lovelace
Full Score Score
music by by Juhi Bansal, Bansal, libretto by Neil Aitken Commissioned by Los Angeles Opera
Duration 25 mins Version 1 (current as of 8/15/20)
Copyright Š2020 by Juhi Bansal Music All rights reserved
juhibansalcomposer@gmail.com www.juhibansal.com
1
The Edge of a Dream SYNOPSIS: High school student Maria struggles with feelings of anxiety and peer pressure while trying to decide how to fill out a future career survey for her class. She finds the courage to pursue her dreams when her father tells her about Ada Lovelace, a young woman in Victorian England, and how her vision for the future shaped mathematician Charles Babbage's quest to build the first computer. Inspired by Ada's independence, courage, and the depth of her vision for the machine's future possibilities, Maria is empowered and excited about choosing her own path and making a difference in the world.
CAST: Maria: A school student (spoken only) Maria’s Father: Baritone Ada Lovelace: Soprano Charles Babbage: Baritone (this may be the same singer as Maria’s Father) Chorus (singing in Scenes 1 and 5 as Maria’s classmates OR the voices of her anxieties, AND in scenes 2-4 as the crowd in attendance at Charles Babbage’s lecture)
ORCHESTRATION: violin cello piano (or synthesizer)
2
Notation All performers
Grace notes are used throughout as ornaments. While grace notes should be subsidiary to the primary notes they decorate, they should NOT be played too quickly. The notes themselves should be clear, articulate, extremely expressive, and only somewhat fast. Two types of grace notes are used: o
e
Eighth note grace notes are to be played ON the beat.
o
x
Sixteenth note grace notes are to be placed BEFORE the beat.
Aleatoric gestures are indicated within boxes, e.g.: Move freely and at will between notes and gestures for the duration marked with the arrow.
contained in the box
Strings
Ornamental glissandi are used throughout. Both starting and ending pitches should be seamlessly slid into and out of – end points should not be articulated unless otherwise indicated with an accent or bowing. The effect is similar to that used in Hindustani/Indian classical music. (Many recordings are available online, recordings of the Sarangi (an Indian string instrument) illustrate this use of glissando well.) Glissandi in addition should be played for the full notated value. For example, a gesture notated as should be performed so that as soon as the initial A is sounded (at a ‘niente’ dynamic) almost the entire dotted quarter note duration is spent sliding. Notes in brackets (as the A in the example above) should specifically be slid away from immediately. In contrast, in a figure like this, without the bracket, you should briefly sit on each pitch before sliding away. Still, the bulk of the notated rhythmic value should be spent sliding. Harmonic trills are indicated by this notation: These are to be performed as a quick alternation (similar to a trill or figured tremolo) between the open string indicated and the harmonic indicated. When held for a long duration, these do not need to be very fast or completely even, they should be irregular, sometimes slow, and whispering like a natural/ambient sound. Arrows are used for two indications, “slow down tremolo” And “speed up tremolo”. In the first case, start from a rapid, unmeasured tremolo and gradually slow down over the course of the rhythmic value to a pure sustained tone. And vice versa, when speeding up, begin from a sustained tone and move gradually into tremolo.
Singers
An x notehead (as used for Babbage in scene 3), indicates spoken text in rhythm.
3 Scene 1: At Maria's home. Her father is on the phone talking to Maria's career counsellor at school, Maria sits quietly at a table sketching flying machines.
1a. Introduction q. = 140 - 150
sul pont, at the tip of the bow
sfp
sfp
sul pont, at the tip of the bow
Violin
sfp
Violoncello
Piano
sfp
sfp
sfp
sfp
sfp
sfp
sfp
sfz
sfz
sfz
sfz
sfz
6
ff
espressivo, fluidly and gradually moving from each colour to the next ord., flautando
Vln.
speed up into tremolo
7
p
espressivo, fluidly moving from each colour to the next speed up into tremolo ord., flautando
Vc.
Pno.
p
12
2
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1
4
16
14
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
4
cresc. (gradually slow then stop trill)
sul pont
sfp
sfp
sfp
sfz
sfp
25
p ord., flautando
Vc. ff
p
sfp
sfp
sfz
29
ord., flautando
sfz
speed up into tremolo
sfp
4
sfp
sfz
sfp
sfz
26
Pno.
Vln.
4
4
sfp
Pno.
cresc.
sul pont
Vc.
4
4
20
Vln.
speed up into tremolo
2
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1
Vln.
5
33 31 slow down tremolo 4 4
4
4
4
cresc.
Vc. 4 4 4 cresc.
Pno.
38 Vln.
Vc.
sfzp
sfz
n
sfzp
Pno.
n
sfz
sfz
sfz
whispering, gentle
sfppp
attacca (ca 1 min)
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1
6
1b. Underscore FATHER: Honey, Have you talked to the career counselor at school? She called
q. = 110
An alternation (similar to a trill or fingered tremolo) between the open D and the harmonic A5. This need not be fast. If needing to rest, sustain the harmonic rather than the open D. whispering, irregular sul D
Violin
ppp
Violoncello
Piano
ord. espressivo, lush
n whispering, (blend into violin)
ppp
pp
n
pp
(FATHER cont.): and asked if you could turn in your job survey. Have you thought about what you want to be?
Vln. 6
Vc. n
Pno.
8
mp
(ppp)
mp
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1
7
(FATHER cont.) A doctor, a lawyer, a cartoonist like me? (laughs) MARIA: I can't decide, papa! There are so many things I want
Vln. 10
Vc.
n
Pno.
mp
n
mp
(MARIA cont.): to choose, but I'm scared I won't be good enough. What if the other students laugh at me?
Vln. 14
Vc.
Pno.
n
pp
n
pp
attacca (ca 25 - 30 secs)
8
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1
1c. This is a Room of our Design q. = 110
Chorus
Violin
Violoncello
menacing
Piano
p cresc.
5 Ch.
f
This is a room
of our
Vln. Vc.
Pno.
f
f
(jété)
de - sign
(jété)
f
This is a room
of our
de - sign
9
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1 8
Ch.
9
A
Vc.
Pno.
gild - ed chain,
Vln.
a fam - i - liar name,
A
life
bound to
15 12
oth - er's dreams
Ch.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
is
fine.
f
This is a room of our
III II
de - sign
10
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1 16
This is a room of our
Ch.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
de - sign
A
gild - ed chain,
19
a fam
Poignant, softer 20
i - liar name,
Ch.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
life
A
bound to
oth - er's dreams
is
mp
fine.
No
III II
sul tasto
mp
legato
11
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1
25
Ch.
need
Vln.
to fly, no
need
to
dream
No
mp
Vc.
Pno.
mp
Ch.
need
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
to
dream
No
need
to fly, no
n
30
33
need
need
to fly, no
to
dream
12
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1
35
This is a room
Ch.
37
f
of our
de - sign
f
No
Vln.
Vc.
p ord.
Pno.
39
This is a room
of our
de - sign
Vc.
Vln.
f
f
of our
de - sign
to dream
No
41
This is a room
need
to fly,
no
Pno.
f
Ch.
need
13
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1 42
need
Vc.
Pno.
This is a room of our
Ch.
Vln.
to fly,
qui - et,
46
Ch.
no
stay
Stay
need
small.
safe,
f
stay
49
This is a room
stay
safe,
to dream. Stay
de - sign
45
of our
de - sign
f
No
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
p
II
f
sfzp
f
III
p
f
14
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1 50
This is a room
Ch.
need
Vc.
Vln.
Pno.
to
This is a room
of our
de - sign
Vc.
need
to dream
need
This is a room
of our
de - sign
to fly,
Vln.
No
Pno.
no
53
Ch.
de - sign
fly,
of our
no
15
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1 56
need
Vc.
to dream.
Stay
safe,
stay
qui - et,
stay
small.
(unis.)
safe,
Pno.
Stay
Ch.
Vln.
57
III II
sfzp
61 p 60
Ch.
Vln.
p
Vc.
Pno.
menacing [Whispering freely: "Stay safe, stay quiet, stay small"]
p
f (tremolo while sliding)
f
p
p
16
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1
67
64
Ch.
Vln. Vc.
Pno.
p
f
f
68
f
69
is
a dan -ger ous
molto sul pont.
Pno.
f
f
is
f
a dan - ger- ous
is
a dan -ger ous
place
The
mf
The world
f molto vibr., distorted, extremely sul pont (like an electric guitar)
place
The world
Vln.
f
mf
f
The world
Ch.
p
Vc.
17
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1 72
Ch.
place
world
Vln. Vc.
The world
is
a dan -ger ous
is
a dan -ger ous
place
dan -ger ous
Pno.
ff
place! ff
place!
ff
ff
(ca 2m 45sec)
Edge of a Dream - Scene 1
18
1d. (transition to Scene 2 - underscore) FATHER: Oh honey, the world is full of voices that will tell you you're not good enough - don't let them get to you. FATHER (cont.) Listen, have you heard of Ada Lovelace? She was a girl a lot like you. Back in the 1800s,
q. = 86 Violin
Violoncello
x x
x x
2
ord. sul D
Out of time, follow the text
(come in with the word "Ada")
ord. sul D
FATHER (cont.): no one expected a woman to have much to contribute to science, let alone a teenage girl. But she wasn't afraid to dream and to ask big questions.
3 Vln.
Vc.
4
attacca (25 - 30 secs)
19
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
2a. Intro, outside Babbage's Party (Setting: The year 1832, outside Charles Babbage’s salon where he is lecturing on his analytical engine (a primitive computer). A crowd is milling around, chatting sociably in small groups to each other as ADA enters. She looks around marveling at the scene, excited but nervous to be there.) Fast, ethereal and bright q =140-150 II I III 3 3 3
3 3 3
Violin
Violoncello
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Piano
3
pp
pp
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 Vln. 3 Vc.
Pno.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
5 Vln. 20
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
Vc.
Pno.
3
3
Vln. 7
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
11
10 Vln. Vc.
Pno.
3
3
3
3
3
9
pp
Pno.
3
3
3
(seagull effect)
Vc.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
21
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
12 Vln.
Vc.
13 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Pno.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
14
Vln.
3
3
3
3
3
3
(seagull effect)
Vc.
Pno.
3
3
3
3
3
3
pp
3 3
22
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
2b. Ada's aria (If I Speak, Will You Hear Me?) Fast, ethereal and bright q =140-150
ADA
p
Here
III
Violin
Violoncello
3
pp
3
pp
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vc.
3
3
3
3
3
Pno.
3 3 3
3
3
3
So
3
3
ma - ny o - pin - ions and spec - u - la - tions,
3
a
(always leave ringing)
3
3
voi - ces like
3
storm.
Vln.
5
Ada
sci - ence gath - er,
3
Piano
the men of
23
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
9
Ada
Vln.
Vc.
Ada
3
Vc.
Pno.
so
ma - ny con - jec - tures and
3
12
3
pon
-
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
13
3
3
3
3
3
pos - sib - ly
3
3
what could
3
ti -fi-ca tions,
I
Vln.
pp
3
3
Pno.
3
3
3
3
3
of fer?
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
24
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
18
17
Ada
p
Here
Vln.
Vc.
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vc.
each
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
more bril - liant than the
last.
3
3 3 3
3
Pno.
pp 3 3
3
22
form - ing,
Vln.
is
3
of minds
3
3 3
21
Ada
3
Pno.
3
a con - stel - la - tion
3
pp
3
3
25
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
Ada
25
26
Men
Vln.
Vc.
3
If
I
Vc.
pp
Pno.
3
3
3
me?
Vln.
is there room
3
e - nough for
3
sci - ence,
3
3
29
Ada
Pno.
of
3
30
3
3
speak
will you
hear
3
3
3
3
me?
3
3
3
3
26
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
Ada
33
If
Vln.
Vc.
I
speak
3
3
pp
3
will you
Pno.
34
3
3
hear
me?
3
3
3
3
38
37
Ada
mf What
Vln.
Pno.
if
I want to search
3
3
the
hearts
of
sul pont, bright
Vc.
3
mp
mp
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
27
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
Ada
41 3
42
stars?
Vln.
3
Pno.
Ada
sul A
Vc.
To
look
3
3
be
-
3
slow down tremolo
n
3 3 3 3 3 3
3
3
44
3
the
ga
- lax - y's
3
3
3
3
To
3
3
3
3
pp
3
3
3
3
47
swirl?
3
3
3
3
3
Pno.
pp
yond
Vln.
3
(blend into the violin) soft, shimmering
Vc.
slow down tremolo
3
3
3
3
3
3
28
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
Ada
48
build
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Ada
Vc.
an
au
-
to - ma - ton
3
n
who
i
-
3
ma
-
gines a
3
slow down tremolo
pp
n
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
3
3
52
3
cresc.
where
3
3
3
3
ev - en
a girl
pp
3
3
cresc.
3
can
be
3
3
who
she
dreams
to
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
slow down tremolo
3
3
53
3
cresc.
Pno.
world
Vln.
50
3
3
3
n
3
3
29
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
56
Ada
59
57
f
p
Men
of
be?
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
3
3
60
3
Vc.
Pno.
mf
3
e - nough for
3
3
If
I
3
pp
3
3
63
speak
3
3
3
me?
pp
pp
3
3
is there room
ord.
mf
sci - ence,
Vln.
3
3
Ada
3
3
3
30
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
Ada
64
3
will you
Vln.
Vc.
3
3
Vc.
Pno.
3
3
3
3
hear
3
3
3
3
3
Or
3
3
me?
pp
speak
I
will you
Vln.
If
68
Ada
me?
Pno.
hear
67
3
3
3
3
31
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
72
Ada
3
will
Vln.
Vc.
say,
as
Vc.
you al - ways say,
3
(pp)
3
3
79
3
need
to
3
3
3
3
fly
no
need
to dream,
3
pp
no
flautando
3
flautando
3
3
3
3
pp
Pno.
"There's no
Vln.
77
Ada
3
Pno.
you
3
3
3
3
(leave pedal ringing)
32
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
Ada
83 3
85
3
need to fly,
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Ada
no
need to
3
Vc.
Pno.
sil ord.
-
-
fly,
ence
is
e
3
3
3
3
3
pp
-
no
pppp possible
3
3
3
3
My
3
need to
3
89 3
no
need to dream"?
Vln.
dream,
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
33
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
Ada
93
3
nough
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Ada
for
you
3 3
3
97
3
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
3
3
3
3
3
nough
for
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
me?
3
3
be
it
3
3
3
3
-
3
will
3
cresc.
e
3
but
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
34
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
101
3
100
Ada
Vln.
Vc.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
mp
3 3
ord.
mf
3
3
3
3
3
mp
Pno.
3
f
3
3
3
3
3
103
Ada
Vln.
f
Vc.
3
See
how the men of
sci - ence
cir - cle this won
-
mf
3
mp
3
3
3
mf
3
chine.
3
3
3
ma
der - ful
mp
Pno.
3
3
3
35
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
Ada
Vln.
107
Vc. 3
Ada
3
3
111
3
3
3
3
3
3
113
f
How they
3
3
3
3
3
mf
mp
ba - ge's dream.
mp
of
mf
3
Vc.
Pno.
3
-
ti - ful frag- ment
3
3
Bab
Vln.
-
3 3
3
3
3
mp
3
beau
mp
3
Pno.
This
mf
109
f
3
3
3
3
mp
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
36
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
Ada
115 3
strug - gle
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
to com - pre- hend
3 3
can't they see this is not
3
mf
mp
mf
3
an end,
but
a
3 3
3
mp
3
3
mf
mf
3
3
3
3
119 growing stronger
Ada
be
Vln.
Vc.
-
-
-
3
-
-
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
3
When I
mf
mp
3
3
mf
gin - ning?
3
-
Pno.
3
3
fp
fp
(with intensity) p subito
3
37
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
123
Ada
f
mp
speak
Vln.
when I
(with intensity) (with intensity) pp
Pno.
Ada
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
129
f
mf
speak
pp
Vc.
f
pp
f
pp
131
when I
speak
will
you
f
f
3
mf
3
3
3
3 3
3
3
38
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
Ada
Vln.
Vc.
133 3
hear
dim.
S. Solo
3
Ossia
3
3
3 3 3
me?
will you
pp
pp
p
3
3
3
3
speak,
3
3
when
I
mp
Pno.
3 3
3
3
3
speak,
mp
Vc.
139
3
hear
Vln.
3
I
3
when
137
me?
Pno.
135
pp
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
pp
3
3
39
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2 Ossia
ADA Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
me?
3
Vln.
will
you
3
3
3
pp
3
3
hear
mp
3
3
3
3
3
speak,
3
me?
3
3
I
3
mp
when
3 3
Vc.
Pno.
3
Ossia
3
3 3
3
ADA
mp
3 3
143
pp
mp
3
hear
will you
3
3
3
3
3
3
p
p
3
3
3
40
Edge of a Dream - Scene 2
147
(gathering her courage to walk into the lecture ) ADA
Vln.
Vc. 3
Pno.
cresc.
3
3
3
3
(determined) mf
3
Here's
Vln.
3
3
3
3
Vc.
Pno.
3
3
mf
3
3
3
where
I
en - ter
in.
mf
151
3
3
3
3
ADA
3
3 3 3
150
3
3
cresc.
3
3
3
cresc.
3
3
3
3
mf
(ca 4min 20 sec)
3. The Analytical Engine
41
Scene 3: Inside, at the lecture. BABBAGE is presenting his analytical engine (a primitive computer) to the audience as ADA walks in. BABBAGE: The analytical engine is a general purpose calculating machine. No need for a separate machine for every problem. Instead of thousands fixed on their singular tasks, we could have one, a machine that works with numbers encoded on cards, that can solve any problem we define.
3
Are there any questions?
ADA
BABBAGE
Chorus
Violin
Violoncello
Piano
1 q = 160
Yes,
Mis - ter
Bab - bage...
mf
7
-
ter
Bab - bage,
BABBAGE
spiccato
jeté
mf
We- ren't you listen - ing?
Ch.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Mis
mf
mf
-
ter
Bab - bage,
3 mf
mf
how does it work?
Yes, Mis - ter Bab - bage... mf (spoken) (exasperated at the silly questions from the crowd)
3
mf (Again timidly trying to ask a question)
jeté
spiccato
mf
(irritated at being cut off)
(comical, obliviously cutting off ADA) mf
Mis
6
ADA
(Tentatively raising her hand) mf
No! Where are the sci en - ti - fic
Is
it for sale?
Edge of a Dream - Scene 3
42
11
3
Can
BABBAGE
it han - dle tran - scrip - tion
er - rors?
Can
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
find
scrip - tion
er - rors?
science?
3
Can it solve
it han - dle tran
me a wife?
Can
Where are the men of
19
16
ADA BABBAGE
it
3
3
No!
ques - tions?
Ch.
15
(dejected, drowned out by the crowd again)
ADA
mul - ti - var - i - a - ble e qua - tions?
No! That's not how it works!
Ch.
Can it pick
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
win - ning hor - ses?
Can it
fit
Edge of a Dream - Scene 3
24
21
ADA
Why?
Ch.
Vc.
un der
un der
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
the fu - ture
They
the fu - ture
wife?
don't
don't
How does it work? Can it pick win - ning hor ses?
heavy
f
heavy
f
f
this
in - side
lies
in - side
this
ma -
ma -
Can it fit in my poc- ket? Make it fit in my poc - ket! Can it make me a
f Aggressive
lies
stand
f
28
stand
jeté
Can it find me a
3
BABBAGE
Ch.
26
They
why would you ask me that?!
3 ADA
f
f
3
3
jeté
Pno.
in my poc - ket?
Vln.
Absolutely fed up
BABBAGE
43
Edge of a Dream - Scene 3
44
32
ff
31
ADA
34
BABBAGE
(Tentatively raising her hand) mf (irritated at being cut off)
chine! ff
Sir,
Mis - ter
Ch.
spiccato
ff
Vc.
ff
mf spiccato
Mis jeté
jete
ter
ff
Sir, Mis - ter (Trying to rein in his temper but annoyed) mf 3
BABBAGE
Bab - bage,
Vc.
Pno.
aside, exasperated mf
3 3
This feels like de - ja vu!
mf
Bab - bage...
Mis
Vln.
how does it work?
We've been through this al - rea - dy!
Ch.
mf
mf 38 37 mf ADA Pno.
oblivious, cutting off ADA mf
drink?
Vln.
Bab - bage...
chine!
ff
mf
-
ter
mf
Bab - bage,
Is
it for sale?
Edge of a Dream - Scene 3
42
3 ADA
(dejected, drowned out by the crowd again)
Can
it han - dle tran scrip - tion
BABBAGE
45
er - rors?
No!
Ch.
Can
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
47
ADA scrip - tion
BABBAGE
it
find
Can it pick
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
science?
50
Can it solve
3
Can it
mul - ti - var - i - a - ble e - qua - tions?
- rea - dy!
win - ning hor - ses?
Where are the men of
it han - dle tran
No! We've done this al
Ch.
Can
me a wife?
er - rors?
3
3
46
fit
Edge of a Dream - Scene 3
46 52
ADA
Absolutely fed up
BABBAGE
Why?
Ch.
why
55
f
3
3
would you
ask me that?!
Aggressive f
in my poc - ket?
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
56
ADA BABBAGE
Ch.
pick
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
They
don't
f
They
don't
win - ning hor
un - der - stand
me
f
a
fu - ture
the
Can it find
f
the
3
f heavy
59
un - der - stand
heavy
3
ses?
f
How does it work? Can it
fu - ture
lies
Can it
lies
wife?
fit
in my poc - ket?
Edge of a Dream - Scene 3 60
ADA
in - side
BABBAGE
this
in - side
Ch.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
ma -
chine! ff
Make it fit in my poc- ket! Can it make me a drink? ff ff
ADA
65
mf
ff
BABBAGE
3
3
This think - ing ma - chine
Ch.
mf
How does it work?
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
spiccato
mf
mf
Why
all the num - bers?
can cal - cu late
cal - cu late
much
How does it work?
69
mf
can
spiccato
This think - ing ma - chine
mf
chine! ff
this
63
ff
ma -
47
Edge of a Dream - Scene 3
48 70
ADA BABBAGE
much more than
3
num - ber,
each beau - ti - ful
3
more than num - ber,
Ch.
73
Vc.
Pno.
lan - guage of
Vc.
to forge a
does it work?
to
a
path
forge
path
be
f
-
be
legato
yond.
f
-
yond.
How does it work?
f
77
all the num - bers?
Pno.
How
lan - guage of or - der,
or - der,
Why
Vln.
a
75
Ch.
3 ADA BABBAGE
a 3
Why all the num - bers?
Vln.
line
each beau - ti - ful line
legato
f
f
Edge of a Dream - Scene 3 80
ADA
81
49
83
f
They
BABBAGE
f
Ch.
Vln.
Vc.
f
f
85
ADA
BABBAGE
They
don't
un - der stand
Vc.
Pno.
f
don't
They
don't
They
don't
They
don't
3
don't
un - der - stand
We
don't
un - der stand
We
3
un - der stand
un - der - stand
don't
3
3
We
f
un - der stand
f
They
3
don't
87
3
un - der - stand
Vln.
3
3
Ch.
un - der - stand
They
don't
spiccato
un - der - stand
spiccato
f
Pno.
don't
They
3
50
Edge of a Dream - Scene 3 90
ADA
91
3
cresc.
un - der stand
BABBAGE
3
the fu - ture cresc.
un - der stand
Ch.
Vc.
Pno.
don't
the
lies
un - der- stand
Vc.
Pno.
num - bers
it's
on - ly
fff
in side fff
on - ly
num - bers
this
in - side
it's
on - ly
99
num - bers
it's
the fu - ture lies
num - bers
the fu - ture lies
on - ly
the fu - ture lies
it's
cresc.
the fu - ture lies
Vln.
lies
cresc.
95
Ch.
the fu - ture
lies
cresc.
the fu - ture
cresc.
ADA
BABBAGE
We
Vln.
fu - ture
lies
3
ma -
this
ma -
fff
What's the
Edge of a Dream - Scene 3
51 ADA: (pitched high, finally breaking through with a question) But what would it mean if the cards didn't just represent numbers?
ADA 101
chine!
BABBAGE
chine!
Ch.
fuss?
Vln.
What's the
heavy
heavy fff
Vc.
Pno.
fff
fff
fuss?
What's the
fuss?
What's the
BABBAGE: (surprised at such a perceptive question from such an unexpected place.) What was that? Let's hear what the girl has to say.
fuss?
(ca 2min 45 sec)
52
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
4a. Underscore (Scene 4. Still at the salon, Ada and Babbage move away from the crowd, lost in discussion. Babbage is thrilled to finally have someone to speak to who understands the workings of the machine; Ada is thrilled to be heard and taken seriously in her field of expertise.) ADA: Mr. Babbage, is your machine confined solely to the work of mathematical calculation and scientific exploration? Or is there other work that it may do?
q. = 110
(Start immediately after the words "Mr. Babbage") espressivo, lush
Violoncello
n
pp
Piano
n
pp
n
BABBAGE: All things, my dear Ada, can be broken down to the tasks of addition, subtraction, division, multiplication.
5
Vc.
Pno.
pp
ppp
pp
n
7
una corda
9
pp
(BABBAGE cont.) It is a machine attuned to number, capable of revealing the world of science, one calculation at a time.
Vc.
Pno.
(Wait here only if necessary)
attacca (25 - 30 secs)
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
53
q. = 100 ADA 1
BABBAGE
6
4b. Edge of a Dream (duet)
2
flowing mp
Why
rhythmic mp
does it
The ma - chine is thence ca - pa - ble of per - for - ming eve - ry cal - cu - la - tion;
Violin
Violoncello
q. = 100 rhythmic
2
Piano
p
mp
tres cordes
Ada 9
7
feel
Babbage
he be - holds a sim - ple
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
mp
where
pp
mp
12
I
ad - di - tion
p
see
a
sub - trac - tion
flowing, espressivo
extremely sul pont glassy, floating
- for - ming eve - ry cal - cu - la - tion;
9
hill,
mp
Per
mf
6
12
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
54
13 Ada
moun
Babbage
Vln.
Vc.
-
-
-
di - vi - sion
16
-
tain sur - roun - ded
by
mul - ti - pli - ca - tion.
fields?
16
Pno.
19 Flowing
Ada
Babbage
q. = 100
mf
Here
23
at
the edge of a
dream mf
sub - trac - tion,
di - vi sion
pp blend into piano, gentle, whispering
Vc.
ad - di - tion,
Vln.
(still sul pont.) light and soaring
pppp
Flowing
19 q. = 100
sffz Pno.
(All trills and tremolos pppp, in the background)
23
una corda
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
55
27
26
Ada
Babbage
there are no
fen - ces,
no
bound
-
mul - ti - pli - ca
Vln.
Vc.
30
a - ry
-
lines.
tion.
can
30
31 Ada
Babbage
32
This ma -
chine
is
more
sim
than
see
Vln.
Pno.
35
-
ple
func
-
use
is
tion
con - fined
its
Vc.
We
27
Pno.
32
( pppp), whispering
35
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
56
37 Ada
I can im - ag - ine the
cresc.
to
Vln.
Babbage
Where
num - bers are
re -
38
I can im-
cresc.
45
Where
43
of
its
reach
quired.
47
ag - ine the
Pno.
sha dow.
43
Vc.
re- quired.
its
Ada
Vln.
of
Pno.
reach
cas - es where num - bers are
Vc.
Babbage
38
cresc.
re-
f
quired.
45
mf
sha dow.
num - bers are
f
Lush q = 130
47
mp 3 Lush q = 130
3
tres cordes
3
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
57
50
Ada 49
beseeching mp
Why
Babbage
wondering mp
Who
Vln.
Vc.
can
fore
see?
-
see
3
50
3
Babbage
3
3
54
3
3 3 3
3
58
This
3
en - gine weaves
3
the
Pno.
they
55
Vc.
can't
Ada
Vln.
Pno.
54
con
-
3
3 pat -
3
terns
3
se - quen - ces
3
3
58
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
58
Ada
cresc.
61
like
Babbage
a
62
loom
of
Vln.
Vc.
in -
3
weaves flo - wers
ven
-
-
66
and
leaves.
-
tion?
62
cresc. 3
Pno.
such an
3
cresc.
3
3
3
3
66
3 3
70
Ada 67
f (Moving into the foreground)
4:3
What is this ma - chine,
Babbage
3
3
(looking at Ada) f
4
but a
fine - ly
tuned
Who
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
4:3
emphatic, legato
ord. emphatic, legato
4
mf
mf
3
3
3
3
70
4:3
emphatic, legato
mf
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
Ada 73
or - ches - tra,
74
Vc.
Pno.
ca - pa - ble of
Babbage Vln.
4
play- ing
sym - pho - ny?
for
4
74
can
an - y
59
78
see?
4
4
-
78
4
4
Ada Babbage Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Some - day
it
might go
4
4
4
4
can 4
82
be - yond
Who
82
79
4
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
60 86
Ada 85
num - ber,
Babbage
Vln.
Vc.
for -
see?
86
4
Ada 91
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
-
port
4
ing
us
through
for -
4
4
time
and
see?
4
4
94
90
mu - si - cal
-
4
can
4
and
4
art
94
Who
ting
trans
-
won - der
Babbage
cre - a
4
4
Pno.
90
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
61 takes the foreground and center, as her vision surpasses that of Babbage in realizing 98 (Ada all that the machine might someday enable.)
97
Ada
space.
Babbage Vln.
Vc.
(Babbage fades into the background and disappears as Ada takes prominence)
4
98
Pno.
103
Ada
p
4
4
4
4
dim.
q. = 130
Vc.
at
the edge of
this
III
q. = 130
4 (with intensity) mp
dream,
(In the midground behind the voice) sul tasto, espressivo
n
(Tremolo ebbing and flowing naturally, fast and slow.) legato, whispering
104
IV p
Pno.
espressivo f
Here
Vln.
4
4
106
104
(all boxed tremolos ebbing and flowing, fast and slow) pp
106
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
62 109 Ada
Vln.
Vc.
p
n
114
Pno.
114
both trills and grace notes should be extremely expressive, not overly fast
mp
Ada 115
Vln.
116
Pno.
see
116
I
n Vc.
p
mp
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
63 121 Ada
there
are
Vln.
Vc.
n
n
pp
mp
p
122
fet - ters,
no
Pno.
122
127 Ada
128
No
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
fet
128
-
ters,
n
mp
n
pp
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
64 133 Ada
134
This
Vln.
Vc.
ma -
chine
can
be
p
Pno.
134
an
-
y
n
mp
Ada
139
141
thing
Vln.
It
can
143
dream
n
Vc.
p
141
Pno.
pp
143
mp
mp
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
65 145 Ada
Vln.
147
147
p
pp
mp
n
dream.
pp
Pno.
my
n Vc.
151
151
mp
mp
155
Ada 152
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
pp
n
Gaining Momentum
155
Gaining Momentum
mp
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
66
159
Ada 157
joyfully f
q = 130
Let
Vln.
Vc.
me
write
all
that
espressivo, always under the voice still sul tasto (trill while sliding)
n
pp
I
can im -
3
n
159 q = 130 whispering, ebbing and flowing ppp possible
Pno.
Ada 164
a - gine
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
n
pp
Let
my
notes
spill
o
167
n
-
ver
like
a
n
167
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
67
171
Ada
175
Vln.
Vc.
pp
n
My
mind
sea,
mp
n
pp
lies
re -
175
Pno.
179
Ada
vealed
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Here,
at
the
edge
of
my
(pp possible)
p
Edge of a Dream - Scene 4
185
68
187
(breathe as necessary)
Ada
mf
3
3
3
3
dream.
Vln.
Vc.
(still sul tasto)
pp
3
3
pp
187 pppp possible
185
Pno.
pp
No articulated pulse over these 4 measures
Ada
Vln.
whispering, speed up and slow down following Ada
Vc.
(slow gliss.)
(cresc./dim following Ada)
pp
( pp)
No articulated pulse over these 4 measures (speed up and slow down trill following Ada)
Pno.
pp
(cresc./dim. following Ada)
(ca 3min 30sec)
Edge of a Dream - Scene 5
69
5a. Transition, underscore Scene 5: Back at Maria's home in present time, her father finishes his story about Ada Lovelace. FATHER: Later, Ada would write extensive notes about the machine that helped lay the foundation for modern computer science. She was the very first computer programmer. You could say we live in the world she imagined. Out of time, follow the text (ca 15 secs)
sul A
X Violin X 1
Violoncello
X
ppp
Vln.
Vc.
2
sparse
X
X
ppp
X
MARIA: She really was a girl who MARIA (cont.): could see what others could not see. Someone who isn’t FATHER (cont.) Just follow your heart and mind. I want to be like that. afraid to chase their dreams.
3
4
5
espressivo
pp
Pno.
FATHER (cont.): There’s something amazing waiting for you too, Maria.
X
X
Piano
sul E
speed up into tremolo
3
n
attacca (ca 45 seconds)
Edge of a Dream - Scene 5
70 Ada
q = 120
p
Choir
Just
light, flowing
3
p
3
Just
fol - low your mind
3
mp
fol- low your heart
light, flowing
Just
Pno.
fol - low your heart
3
fol - low your mind
Vln.
6
Vc.
Just
3
mp
Father
light, flowing
6
Ada
Piano
5b. The Future Begins (choral anthem)
Violin Violoncello
Father
Choir
q = 120
3
p
3
Edge of a Dream - Scene 5
11
Ada
Father
Choir
71 12
16
p
3
There's no
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
3
3
need to doubt,
no need
3
to fear,
no
need to
20
sul tasto lush
p
Pno.
no
Choir
Vc.
20
Vln.
16
p
Father
17
Ada
12
need to fear,
n
p
n
p
n
Edge of a Dream - Scene 5
72
23
Ada
mp
I'll
Father
24
Vc.
Pno.
doubt
p
just
speak,
Choir
I'll
mf
speak.
I
won't
cresc.
hide
mp
32
Father
28
Ada
n
mp
speak,
Just
24
speak
Choir Vln.
this dream of mine,
there's no - one stop - ping me
but me. I'll trust my heart, I'll
trust my mind, I'll
Vln.
28
Vc.
Pno.
mf
32
Edge of a Dream - Scene 5
73
36
34
Ada
take my place in
his
Pno.
Ada
Father
-
mf
mf ord.
40
Vln. 40
3
just
fol - low your heart
sul tasto
no
3
3
There's no
mp
44
mp
just
fol - low your mind
need
p
speak
3
p
n
Just
sul tasto
p
3
to fear,
p
mp
36
speak
mf
to - ry.
speak
mf
Just
need
Pno.
mf
Choir
Vc.
Vln. Vc.
Just
Father
Choir
3
just
need
to fear,
44
no
3
to doubt,
3
3
Edge of a Dream - Scene 5
74 Ada
Father
Choir
45 3
no
Pno.
Ada
mf
50
speak I'll
Father
3
mp
Choir
to
just
mp
just
just speak
48
3
mp
mp
mf
speak
f
3
Here's where I en - ter
in,
mf
sul pont. molto vib.
mf
speak
52
52
Vln.
Pno.
Vc.
mp
fol - low your mind
3
I'll
3
doubt
speak
mf
speak I'll
just
3
need
48
fol - low your heart
3 Vln.
Vc.
f sul pont. molto vib.
f
f
Edge of a Dream - Scene 5
75
57
55
Ada
Father
Choir
here,
3
Pno.
Ada
60
let me speak up,
61
let me speak out!
3
3
Here at the edge of my dream,
61
Vln.
3
3 Choir
Pno.
57
Father
Vc.
Here's where my fu - ture be - gins,
3
3
I o - pen my mouth,
Vln. Vc.
there's
3
no room for doubt,
Edge of a Dream - Scene 5
76
65
Ada
Father
Choir
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Ada
speak
Father speak Choir
Vc.
Pno.
n
mf
speed up into tremolo
(pp)
mp
search the hearts of
74
ord.
will
74
69
mp
p
I
71
Vln.
p
just
71
70
3
Just speak,
let me speak out!
let me speak up,
69
just
Just speak,
f
3
Here's where my fu - ture be - gins,
65
3
3
f
Edge of a Dream - Scene 5
77
76
75
Ada
Father
Choir
stars,
Vln. Vc.
I'll
look
be - yond the
ga - lax - y's swirl, I'll
push
find
my
this world.
ord.
mp
Just
speak
mp
Just
n
speak
mp
mp
Just
mp
place with - in
a - gainst the odds, and
Vln.
Pno.
my - self
80
Vc.
n
Father
Choir
76
80
Ada
Pno.
3
speak
Edge of a Dream - Scene 5
78
85
Ada
Father
Choir
mp
just fol low your heart
89
3
mp
p
Vln.
3
Ada
need to fear,
no
Choir
Pno.
p
no need
to fear,
no
need
to
just
speak,
mp
p
speak,
I'll
just
just speak,
mp
3
93
p
just
speak,
I'll
mp
doubt
I'll
93
p
fol - low your heart
3
need to doubt,
91 3
Vln. Vc.
just
89
mp p
Father
3
85
Pno.
just fol low your mind 3
There's no
Vc.
n
Edge of a Dream - Scene 5
mf
96
Ada
speak.
Father
79
97
mf
speak.
Choir Vln. Vc.
Pno.
Ada
speak.
3
Here's where I en - ter
in,
3
here,
I o - pen my
sul pont. molto vib.
f
sul pont. molto vib.
f
mf
f
102
101
Vln.
Pno.
mouth,
Vc.
f
97
Father
Choir
mf
3
3
Here's where my fu - ture be - gins,
102
let me speak up,
3
Edge of a Dream - Scene 5
80
106
105
Ada
Father
Choir
3
Vc.
Pno.
Ada
Father
Choir
3
3
Vln.
I'll speak,
I'll
f
f
let me speak up,
let me speak out!
3
3
114
I'll speak,
110
Pno.
Here's where my fu - ture be - gins,
Vc.
no room for doubt,
110
there's
3
Here at the edge of my dream,
106
3
3
let me speak out!
Vln.
I'll
I'll
114
Edge of a Dream - Scene 5
81
115
Ada
speak,
Father
speak,
speak
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Ada
Father
my
I'll
speak
my
dream.
I'll
speak
my
117
119
I'll
120
Vc.
Pno.
speak
my
dream.
I'll
speak
dream.
I'll
120
dream
Vln.
my
speak
my
Choir
dream.
ord.
speak
my dream.
I'll
Choir
117
dream.
( ca 4 mins)