“Richard Maltz’s music is direct and communicative. His craftsmanship is such as to enable him to accomplish any creative project he undertakes skillfully. He has a melodic gift and makes the most of it.”
Listen
Bio
Richard Maltz composes instrumental and vocal music for large and small ensembles including opera. His compositions, mostly neo-classical, have received hundreds of performances nationally and abroad.
Maltz was raised in Randolph, Massachusetts, attended Berklee College of Music and earned degrees from the universities of North Texas and South Carolina. He studied composition with Robert Ward, Ben Johnston and Dick Goodwin. He taught theory and composition at USC Aiken retiring as a University of South Carolina Distinguished Professor Emeritus.
Richard is currently seeking performance opportunities for his recently completed Valley of the Kings, a full-scale comedic and tragic chamber opera in which the historic tradition of the Passover seder and the Jewish cultural affinity for Chinese food mash up with a raucous putt-putt golf tournament.
Maltz and his wife live in Abingdon, Maryland where he enjoys singing with the Harford Choral Society.
Music
Valley of the Kings: A Chamber Opera in Two Acts
Where the Passover Seder and Chinese takeout collide with the high stakes of miniature golf!
Thank you for being my brother - Trio for Soprano, Tenor, and Bass
Everyman - Tenor Aria
Pupu dance - Quartet for Chinese appetizers
The Story
Brothers Monk and Binkie Bloom gather annually with their friend Bud Hobbes for a weekend of raucous festivities. Their traditions include eating, drinking, singing, a poker game in which they gamble for punches in the arm, and an unconventional putt-putt golf tournament. Though they admit their activities are silly, they regard them as the most meaningful moments of their lives. While Monk and Bud have both won the tournament many times, Binkie’s inability to do so is a symptom of his broader shortcomings in life. Yet, Monk and Bud see potential in him—as does an ancient Egyptian king who gifts Binkie a precious gem endowed with virtue. Monk’s greatest wish is to see Binkie win the tournament and succeed in life but his time is cut short before he has the chance. Will Binkie ever win?
About the Work
Valley of the Kings is a tragicomic singspiel that balances whimsy with deep emotion. Set to a semi-autobiographical libretto, it weaves together arias, arioso passages, duets, trios, quartets, and choruses with extended passages of dialogue, and dance. While much of the dance is integrated into the fabric of the opera, there are three featured stand-alone ensembles: a trio that depicts a fable involving three large stones and three sticks; an interpretive fight for a bird, monkey, and tiger; and a quartet for a barbecued spare rib, egg roll, beef teriyaki strip, and a Peking ravioli (potsticker). A prologue and epilogue set in the present bookend two acts set in the past. The music is primarily neo-classical with juxtapositions of modernism where it serves the drama.
Principal Roles: Soprano (pants role), Tenor, Bass
Supporting Roles: lesser Soprano, Spoken roles (1 adult, 2 children)
Chorus
15-piece Orchestra: Fl/Pic, Ob/Eng Hn, Cl/Bs Cl, Bsn/Cbsn, Hn, Tpt, Tbn, Tba, 2 Perc, 2 Vn, Va, Vc, Bs
Click on any piece to listen and to learn more.
Short Symphonic Pieces
Symphonies and Concertos
Young Audiences
Opera and Vocal
Chamber and Percussion
