The Selfish Giant
COMPOSER: Clarice Assad
LIBRETTIST: Lila Palmer
Commissioned by American Lyric Theater
JUST ANNOUNCED
THE WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF THE SELFISH GIANT WILL TAKE PLACE
AT OPERA SARATOGA
IN THE SUMMER OF 2023!
Available for Production
ORCHESTRATION:
Piano
CHORUS:
None
ROLES:
5 Singers
MEAN GIRL / NORTH WIND (Soprano)
BRATTY BOY / SNOW (Tenor)
THE UNWANTED CHILD (Mezzo Soprano)
THE SELFISH GIANT (Bass)
AN ENCHANTED TREE (Mezzo Soprano)
DURATION:
45’
Opera in One Act
HISTORY:
Commission by ALT:
2019
Virtual World Premiere:
2021
Opera Saratoga | Saratoga Springs, NY
Staged World Premiere:
2023
Opera Saratoga | Saratoga Springs, NY
At the edge of the village was a large lovely garden with soft green grass and beautiful flowers like stars. And every afternoon, as they were coming from school, the children use to go and play in the garden. But the garden belongs to a giant who had been away for many years. When he returns, the giant is outraged to see the children enjoying themselves on his land — so he builds a big wall to keep them out! But the wall keeps out more than the children, and the garden falls into perpetual winter as the Selfish Giant finds himself isolated and all alone.
Based on the classic story by Oscar Wilde, THE SELFISH GIANT has been developed for elementary school touring programs. The themes of THE SELFISH GIANT are so important today, including what it means to be other/excluded, and gaining an awareness of others’ realities; the responsibility we have to share our resources; and how the walls we build to protect ourselves out of fear actually divide us further. Through a beloved fairy tale, young audiences (and those who are young at heart!) are taken on a magical journey about the power that kindness has to transform, and that empathy has to bridge the gap between who we appear to be and who we truly are.
Press
Recording
Perusal Materials Available Upon Request
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