Magic Mountain
A Children's Opera in
One Act
Libretto by Suzanne Ortuso
2006
Premiere scheduled for late 2008.
Production Resources:
Matilda: Soprano
Bonnie: Soprano
Echo/Spirit: Soprano
Water Sprite: Soprano
Snow Fairy: Soprano
Star Fairy: Soprano
Ice Queen: Mezzo-Soprano
Owl: Mezzo-Soprano
Three Elves: Children
West-WInd/Prince: Tenor
Wombat: Tenor
Snow Gum: Baritone
Narrator: Speaking Role
Snake: Speaking Role
Orchestration:
String Trio, Piano, Flute, Oboe, and 3 Percussion.
Synopsis:
Bonnie and Matilda have just moved into a house at the foot of Hobart's Mount Wellington. They decide to explore their new neighborhood and go for a little walk up the mountain. They meet a kind old gum tree who tells them the story of of the Prince and the Snow Fairy and how the Prince was turned into a powerful and unhappy wind. All he needs to do is say three mgic words and he will be able to be happy and marry the Star Fairy. The girls continue their journey, but it is not long until a storm erupts. Bonnie and Matilda are helped by the Water Sprite and the wise Owl who take them to a tree house where they will be safe for the night until the storm eases. In the tree house the girls meet several animals and they have a party. When it is time for all to go to sleep, the Star Fairy appears and sings them a lullaby. While all are sleeping, the Elves sprinkle magic dust on the girls to safeguard them for the rest of the journey. The next morning, the Wombat gives them the rest of the details they need to help the West Wind find happiness, they must go to the Ice Queen to get the locket while holds the secret words. Now, with the locket in hand, the girls confront the Wind. He says the magic words and is turned back into a human. The opera ends well, with a big party and the wedding of the Prince and the Star Fairy. The girls return home and the animals sing the moral of the story, that you need Love and Honesty to be happy.
Duration 60-65 minutes.
Sound
Samples
Here are two examples of the midi realization of excerpts from 'Magic
Mountain' (2006)