Youth Opera International

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THE AWAKENDED ONE

Based on the life of Buddha, this work depicts the mystery surrounding Siddhartha's birth, the opulence of his early life and his quest for Enlightenment. Full of adventure, pathos and humor, this opera provides a window on the Buddhist tradition through the magic of music and dance.

 

THE BURNING RICE FIELDS

A touching Japanese folk tale about an elderly clans-woman whose life takes on new meaning when she sacrifices the villagers' rice crop to save them from an impending tidal wave.

 

CUPID AND PSYCHE

A delightful story set in the Graeco-Roman tradition with gods and goddesses and romantic intrigue. Cupid and Psyche eventually find happiness, despite the meddling of Venus, Cupid's mother.

 

HACHMA & MAZEL

Based on an ancient Jewish folk tale, this saga depicts two guardian spirits, Wisdom (soprano) and Luck (baritone), vying to be the mentor of a young boy. As the child matures, a dire emergency makes it clear that both wisdom and luck are necessary in this life.

 

THE HAPPY PRINCE

The Oscar Wilde fairy tale tells the story of the unselfish love of a statue for his people. With the help of a Swallow, the Prince, who once ruled the city, alleviates the suffering of the poor and the downtrodden. This work requires both soprano and baritone, and the children play the supporting roles.

 

HARLEQUIN

A tender story from the Italian Renaissance about a boy who had no costume to wear to Carnival on Fat Tuesday. His friends decide to give 'snips and snaps' of the costumes so Harlequin can attend the festival. The resulting costume is splendid and Harlequin is the 'star of the show'.

 

HIAWATHA

Based on Longfellow's epic poem, this opera depicts the unfolding of the historical/legendary character who became a temporal ruler and spiritual leader of his people. The soprano plays Nokomis, Hiawatha's grandmother and the baritone play the God figure Gitche Manito.

 

THE LITTLE MERMAID

Faithful to the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, this work brings alive the story through a wonderful collection of characters -- the Sea Folk, sailors, penguins, swans, dolphins and many more. Underneath this story of unrequited love lies the greater story of the soul's longing for itself.

 

 

THE MOON MAIDEN

This Chinese legend opens with the Mid-Autumn Festival, a celebration of the harvest to honor the moon. The story within a story explains the origin of the maiden image to be seen in the moon. The show is replete with shadow puppets, an art form originating in China.

 

ON THE ROAD TO FREEDOM

Set in a Quaker schoolroom and playground in Philadelphia in 1886, the schoolteacher takes her students on a journey recounting the first Thanksgiving, the tales of King John and the Barons at Runnymede, the activity in the Royal Court of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella and the commissioning of Christopher Columbus’ three ships, the Native Indians’ “Trail of Tears” on the Mississippi River, colonial life in Williamsburg, the writing of the Declaration of Independence, the institution of slavery, how Harriet Tubman created the Underground Railroad, how the Native Americans traveled westward, the rally for women’s rights and suffrage movement, and the White House in 1886. These history lessons culminate in the dramatic unveiling of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, circa 1886. Throughout the lessons, the teacher and students become the characters, find partners, sing and dance, acting out the scenarios as they are recounted, which shaped America history.

 

PEARL

An original underwater myth involving the abduction of Pearl, daughter of the River Goddess, by the lonely Oyster King. When force fails, a special gift persuades the Oyster King to release Pearl, and she is reunited with her beloved River Folk.

 

PERSEPHONE

The age-old theme of separation and reunion comes alive in this rendering of the Greek myth. Persephone is abducted by Hades, Lord of the Underworld. Demeter, Persephone's mother and the goddess of growing things, is grief-stricken and no longer tends her garden. The whole Earth becomes dry and barren. Only Zeus' intervention restores the heroine to her family.

 

RHODOPIS

A two-act play based on the Egyptian version of the Cinderella story. Rhodopis, a Greek girl, is kidnapped and taken to Samos, where she meets Aesop, the fable-maker. Later sold as a slave in Egypt, she eventually becomes the wife of the Pharaoh. After his death, she rules Egypt, the first woman sovereign to reign over the land.

CHILDREN'S OPERAS

Rhodopis
Persephone

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