You should also look at a couple of 20th-century British operas, both
heavily food-orientated, if you like your food :o)
A DINNER ENGAGEMENT by Lennox Berkeley - slightly angular in places,
with lots of ensemble work, very funny, one act, possibly too large a
cast (4 women, 3 men, but certainly parts for all those you have
mentioned)
PRIMA DONNA by Arthur Benjamin, again, one act, very funny, quite
difficult musically, but ravishing lines, cast of 6, but must have two
matching coloraturas (without giving the plot away!), rather nice
youngish mezzo, tenor, baritone, bass.
Both of these work with piano, particularly if you do it the way we did,
which is to use two pianists, carving up the vocal score between them.
This we found essential in the Benjamin. The basic tenet is that at any
one time, one player is the "melody piano" and the other the
"bass/rhythm piano" (that was me, I'm a specialist in bum notes when it
gets fast!) and you agree amicably (usually) about who picks up what
from the bits that are left. It often makes for quite a nice orchestral
feel, with the opportunity to do justice to contrapuntal sections and to
have fun adding octaves.
Also look at Menotti's The Medium - very macabre and needs a young mute
male and lots of special effects, including some BLUDD!
Have fun!
Linda
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