The Mousewife
Chamber opera for children
Based on a story by Rumer Godden
Adaptation by Steve Rouse and Joy Stephens
Original lyrics by Steve Rouse and Joy Stephens
(1996) Duration: 45:00
The Mousewife tells the story of a Dove that is captured and brought to captivity in the house where the Mousewife lives with her mouse family. At first, the Mousewife is afraid of the Dove but she comes to know and accept him, even though he is completely strange to her. The Dove teaches her about freedom and the outside world. In return, the Mousewife nurses the Dove to health and encourages him to fly free. She risks her own safety to allow him to escape from captivity and overcome his own learned helplessness. They are both forever changed by their encounter and friendship.
Commissioned by Meet The Composer for the Louisville New Residency, The Mousewife is based on a story of the same name by Rumer Godden. (Used by permission of Rumer Godden and Little, Brown, and Company.) The story was adapted for the opera by Steve Rouse and Joy Stephens. Original lyrics are by Steve Rouse and Joy Stephens. Additional miscellaneous lyrics were contributed by Rumer Godden and Suzanne Willis.
Premiered in Louisville by the Louisville New Residency on a minimal budget, the performance was directed by Kurt Toftland and produced by Steve Wogaman of New Performing Arts Louisville, with Steve Rouse conducting. The first performance included students from the M.L.King Elementary School singing the anthem, "Forever Free."
CAST:
Narrator – Art Burns
Mousewife – Suzanne Willis
Dove – Stanley Warren
Flute – Deanna Hahn Little
Cello –
Piano – Thomas Hoppe