Hamlet’s Obsession (2014) by Jon Pescevich is an opera in two acts, based on Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”.
The Great Hall of the Castle Elsinore
Act One, scene 1
There are many windows through which we can see the sun rise.
There is a colossal statue of Hamlet’s father, the late King of Denmark.
There are many entrances and exits and levels where different actions can occur simultaneously.
There are also many places to hide from someone, or to spy on someone.
This is the central, public, and political meeting place at court.
The Chapel at Elsinore
Act One, scene 2
There is a vaulted ceiling here, and it is dark.
There is large portrait of Hamlet’s father, the late King.
It is a private space, and is conducive to reflection and private conversations.
There are many places in which to hide and from which to spy.
This is the center of private life and introspection at court.
The Woods
Act Two, scene 1
There is a small, unkempt garden in the middle of the woods.
There are several paths leading in different directions and off into the distance.
Tucked into the corner of this patch of woods is a small graveyard.
This is the cemetery for the unimportant, and the abandoned.
Hamlet’s Mind
Act Two, scene 2
There is an empty stage; surreal, with only the necessary props.
This place is transcendent, devoid of all markings for time and for place.
There is a flickering and other-worldly light-scape, which starts from nothing and then builds.
This is what Hamlet sees as he dies.
There are two physical set changes.
The Great Hall at the Castle Elsinore breaks apart and flies away; The Chapel at Elsinore assembles in its place.
The Woods disappear and the Grave Digger picks the stage clean; what remains is Hamlet’s Mind.
For both physical set changes, Hamlet remains on stage and is the visual focal point.
The Ghosts are not real, but are a projection of Hamlet’s inner turmoil.
The Ghost of his father represents a shattering of his rational mind; a kind of schizophrenia.
Ophelia’s Ghost shows his unconscious yearning for that which his obsession prevents him from thinking about.
Both sunrises and the sunset are long and opulent, but mostly natural in character.
By contrast, the moon rise is psychological, and needs to suggest a suspension of external time and reality.