ONE-ACT OPERA
A House Divided
Music & Libretto by Philip Seward
Developed with Soprano Tammie Huntington
An opera in five scenes
A House Divided is a modern opera reflecting the 21st-century American political divide. Composed for soprano, tenor, piano, string quartet, and electronics, it was created to be presented as a web series, exploring the ever-expanding landscape of innovative lyric theatre production. With a runtime under 60 minutes, it may also be staged traditionally with a minimal set for an advanced opera workshop or university graduate opera program.
Supported in part by a Columbia College Chicago Faculty Development Grant
with additional funding from Rachel Alma Thiessen.
Synopsis
Tom and Amanda…
arrive home from a fundraiser for their friend Jeanette who is facing a life-threatening illness. They argue over what kind of health care system would have protected Jeanette and the effectiveness of holding a fundraiser for medical bills in the American healthcare system. Amanda, a Republican, holds divergent views on the matter from her husband, Tom, a Democrat.
Separately, as the two prepare for bed, they reflect on their own views and the inability of the other to understand. As they attempt to go to bed, the argument continues, rising until Tom decides to sleep in the living room – sleeping separately for the first time in their marriage. During the night, Tom and Amanda each wrestle with the effect their political differences are having on their marriage.
The next morning, the couple still cannot speak much to one another as the day begins. Amanda hopes to reconcile with the idea that the whole thing will blow over, while Tom cannot come to terms with the deeper issues at stake.
Trailer
Nominations & Awards
In 2025 composer Philip Seward was selected as a finalist in The American Prize THOMAS PUTSCHÉ AWARD in Composition (opera/theater/film dance music (professional division), of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in the performing arts for the composition of “A House Divided.” Here’s the link for the 2025 finalists. The American Prize will be announcing winners in my division soon. You can learn more about this prestigious national competition here: www.theamericanprize.org or follow the news on Facebook or Twitter. “
Seward/Huntington have been selected as finalists in the Chamber Ensemble Division of The American Prize ERNST BACON MEMORIAL AWARD for the PERFORMANCE of AMERICAN MUSIC for the audio recording of Seward’s A House Divided.
About the Creators
Tammie Huntington
Tammie Huntington, Soprano, is a performer, stage director, educator, and an avid proponent of contemporary art music and lyric theatre in America’s heartland. Huntington holds a Doctor of Arts degree in Voice Performance with an emphasis in opera direction from Ball State University, where she produced and directed the world premiere of Fifty-Third Street, a new American opera by composer Jody Nagel. In 2010, Huntington, with colleagues Lisa Moore and Phoenix Park-Kim, formed the ensemble Soprani Compagni for the purpose of modeling soprano collaboration and commissioning new works for soprano duet. Soprani Compagni had their Carnegie Hall debut in 2012, and has performed and presented in Europe, Asia, South America, and throughout the United States. Their recording project Portraits of Women is available on all major streaming platforms.
Visit Dr. Tammie Huntington’s website!
Philip Seward
Philip Seward, Tenor, is a performer, composer, educator and conductor. Seward holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition from the University of Salford and counts among his operatic works How to Date A Coloratura, Juliet commissioned by Soprani Compagni, Les Dames à trois…et piano, and the award-winning farce, High Fidelity presented in both New York and Chicago. Other commissions include three operas for youth for the world-renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago; Sonnet (Chicago Symphony Center premiere) and Blessing (premiered in a live radio broadcast on WFMT) both commissioned by the Lira Ensemble of Chicago, many a cappella choral works, including liturgical works and secular arrangements from classical to jazz. The Chicago Tribune hailed his vocal writing as possessing “the charm of lovely light opera.”
Visit Dr. Philip Seward’s website!
Production History
In September of 2024, Opera Today (click on the link, then “Free Performance to encourage Voter Registration) produced A House Divided as their inaugural production. The role of Amanda was sung by soprano McKenzie Hare and the role of Tom was sung by tenor Seth Allen. The production was directed by Artistic Director Debra Lynn who also conducted the performances. The company produced an interview video with the singers as they were beginning to learn their roles. The video may be found here. The live presentation is accompanied by piano quintet.
The original web series concept for the opera is still underway. The original recording accompanied by piano and electronics was released on July 4, 2024, and is available on all streaming platforms. It also may be heard on YouTube at this link. The videos were filmed in the summer of 2023 and expected to be released first as a single one-hour film in 2025 followed by a release as a web series in 2026.
