BASS BARITONE AND BASS ARIAS

THE HALLOWEEN TREE
Composer: Theo Popov
Librettist: Tony Asaro
Based on the novel “The Halloween Tree” by Ray Bradbury

SYNOPSIS 

In a small American town, a group of adolescents — Tom, J.J., Kelly, Lynn, and Lynn’s younger brother Lenny — set out in costume for a grisly and gripping Halloween night of trick-or-treating and macabre mayhem. But one of their friends is missing: Pipkin, the greatest boy who ever lived. They find him at his house, ill and unable to join them now but eager to meet up later at the haunted house far down along the ravine. 

The House of Haunts is frightening and otherworldly, complete with a tree full of singing jack-o-lanterns, and an equally otherworldly host: Mr. Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud, who likes to choose tricks over treats. Moundshroud informs the children that Pipkin is in grave danger; that they have until midnight to save him. They must go on a journey through time and space, visiting distant lands in ancient times, overcoming obstacles, warding off danger, and gathering talismans.

Through their journey, Tom and the other children encounter the various cultural traditions and rituals around death that make up our modern Halloween tradition and in turn learn about human mortality.

No one ever tricks me!
Aria for bass

Juvenile and macabre, Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud introduces himself and his penchant for trickery to the children in this delightful virtuosic aria.

THE SELFISH GIANT
Composer: Clarice Assad
Librettist: Lila Palmer
After the short story by Oscar Wilde

SYNOPSIS 

When a Giant bans all children from playing in his garden, Spring refuses to come and the garden sinks into an unending winter. Can the Giant learn to share? And who will melt his wintry heart? The Selfish Giant is a story of transcendence, forgiveness and empathy.

THE SELFISH ARIA
Aria for Bass Baritone or Bass

“The Selfish Aria” is an entrance aria for Giant in Scene 2 of the opera. Following his inhospitable visit to his only friend Ogre, Giant returns home in a foul mood to discover that children have trespassed on his garden sanctuary, the one place he feels safe and comfortable. After driving them out in a rage, he rejects an Enchanted Tree’s gentle suggestion that the children were really doing no harm and might be allowed to play there. The giant responds with a defense of private property, vowing to build a wall to keep everyone out of his home. 

FLOWERS ARE EASIER THAN PEOPLE
Aria for Bass Baritone or Bass

The Giant responds to gentle probing from the Enchanted Tree about whether his anger at the children breaking into his garden is justified, since they haven’t damaged anything. The Giant further explains that he doesn’t want to share the garden because the plants and flowers in it are his only joy, explaining that he prefers the company of the plants and flowers  to humans because they can’t let him down – ending his rationalization by flattering the Enchanted Tree as the “best of all” in a bid to win her to his point of view.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CASE OF THE FALLEN GIANT
Composer: Evan Meier
Librettist: E.M. Lewis

SYNOPSIS 

A giant is dead, and his body lies at the base of a great beanstalk. The police believe young Jack is responsible. But the boy insists he's innocent, and begs the help of the great detective Sherlock Holmes and his colleague, Dr. Watson.  

Holmes must use logic to navigate a world that is surprisingly full of magic, menace, and mayhem!  He surveys the scene of the crime.  He interrogates several suspects, including Zamira, who traded Jack the magic beans, young Jack's grandmother, and a giantess!  A magic harp provides Holmes with clues in the form of quotes from several opera greats, all cleverly woven into the plot.  And finally, Holmes and the others visit the magical land of NorWood, where Holmes faces the biggest challenge he's ever encountered.

Can Holmes untangle this magical mystery?  This delightful libretto and buoyant, inventive score are sure to have you on the edge of your seat.  The game's afoot in this operatic adventure for the entire family!

Big Hurt
Aria for bass

In this earnest song of love and reconciliation, Blunderbore the Giant explains how he ended up falling down the beanstalk when his big emotions got the best of him, and how much he loves his giantess wife Merilee. (in the complete opera, this Aria appears as a duet with Merilee.)