The Robot Emperor

"The Robot Emperor" is an "entertainment" in 5 scenes for solos, chorus and orchestra, with words and music by Peter Tranchell, written in 1965.

A recording was made in Caius College Hall, 13th June, 1965 - see below.

Notes with the recording:

The action takes place on the planet Didanus.

[Disc 1]

Scene 1      The observation-room and control-centre in the Imperial Palace

Scene 2      The river-side esplanade [ends with ritual chorus after RE meets Estillia, Secretary of State]

[Disc 2]

Scene 3      The Emperor’s apartments [Estillia and Tormandula]

Scene 4      The subterranean temple of Aplochloch

Scene 5      The river-side esplanade

Colin Still (Narrator) ; Peter Sewell (Thrixar) ; Nicholas Wilson (Castimo) ; Peter Jennings (Truth, Mark III, revised) ; Charles Beresford (Ladropundit) ; Jonathan Turner (Mirriboo) ; Tom Garrett (Isbar) ; John Jones (Greddinimba) ; Mark MaCarthy (Frotinkin) ; Hugh Dibley (Estillia) ; Alan Opie (Tormandula) ; Geoffrey Weaver, conductor.

The Caian from 1965 reports:

The May Week Concert, held in the newly-restored Hall, was a great success, and a sell-out some time before the day. It opened with '"Divertissement" for violin, viola, 'cello, trumpet, horn, bassoon and piano, a new work by Geoffrey Weaver dedicated to Peter Tranchell [more information and recording]. This was followed by Mozart's Bassoon Concerto, beautifully played by Hugh Whitfield, with the College Orchestra conducted by Geoffrey Weaver. The final work of the evening was the first performance Of Peter Tranchell's "Robot Emperor", an entertainment in five scenes for orchestra, piano, organ, chorus and soloists. This was awarded an enthusiastic reception, and provided a fitting end to the Concert.

Recording (live, 13th June 1965)

Abridged version

in which we have cut together random moments of magnificence without regard for plot (but still in the right order) - use the player below or download the MP3:

Abridged version on YouTube

Full recording in seven tracks

Track 1 - The observation-room and control-centre in the Imperial Palace - use the player below or download the MP3:

Track 2 - The observation-room and control-centre in the Imperial Palace - use the player below or download the MP3:

Track 3 - use the player below or download the MP3:

Track 4 - The river-side esplanade [ends with ritual chorus after RE meets Estillia, Secretary of State]. Use the player below or download the MP3:

Track 5 - The Emperor’s apartments [Estillia and Tormandula]. Use the player below or download the MP3:

Track 6 - The subterranean temple of Aplochloch. Use the player below or download the MP3:

Track 7 - The river-side esplanade. Use the player below or download the MP3: