Our Town (opera)

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Our Town is a three-act opera by composer Ned Rorem and librettist J. D. McClatchy. It is the first opera to be adapted from the Thorton Wilder play of the same name. The opera was commissioned by Indiana University, Opera Boston, the Aspen Music Festival and School, North Carolina School of the Arts, Lake George Opera in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and Festival Opera in Walnut Creek, Calif.

It was premiered by Indiana University Opera Theater with student singers and orchestra on February 25, 2006. Its professional debut was at the Lake George Opera on July 1st, 2006. It covers the same ground as the play, dealing with birth, maturity and death. Rorem created pleasant melodies and sparseness to maintain the feel of the original production. The opera is virtually sung through, with very little spoken dialogue. As with the play, the libretto calls for no sets, a bare stage, and limited props.

[edit] Main roles

  • Emily Webb (soprano)
  • George Gibbs (tenor)
  • Stage Manager, narrator (tenor)
  • Dr. Gibbs, parent of George (bass)
  • Mrs. Gibbs. parent of George (mezzo-soprano)
  • Mrs. Webb, parent of Emily (soprano)
  • Mr. Webb, parent of Emily (baritone)
  • Mrs. Soames, town gossip (mezzo-soprano)
  • Simon Stimson, church music director (tenor)
  • Towns people (chorus)

[edit] External links


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