Abstract
<p>"football season is over" is a monodramatic chamber opera in one act that tells the story of a single character who struggles with himself and his decisions in the final hours of his life. Inspired by Hunter S. Thompson’s story "Death of a Poet," this work depicts Thompson’s character F. X. Leach in the hours preceding the events of the short story. In addition to composing the music, I wrote the libretto for "football season is over." Leach struggles with his addiction to alcohol and cocaine, as well as his own violent tendencies. "football season is over" explores topics such as addiction, substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence, self-harm, and suicide.<br />
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