a muskrat lullaby

children's opera - A Muskrat Lullaby - by composer Edward Barnes

A Muskrat Lullaby

Words & Music by EDWARD BARNES
Based on “Mama Don’t Allow” by Thacher Hurd

SYNOPSIS: Miles and his friends, Bird, Spider and Toad, love to sing, but no one wants to hear them practice. “Take that music to the swamp” the townspeople tell them. And sure enough, down by the swamp where the alligators live, the singing quartet gets a different reception.

THEMES: Working together to solve a problem. The power of music.

“Inventive musical variety, including an impressive stylistic sweep from Rachmaninoff to rap that kept the audience enthralled and amused.”
LOS ANGELES TIMES

A Muskrat Lullaby is an opera for children by composer Edward Barnes

Illustrations ©copyright by Thacher Hurd

CAST: 5 + small chorus/ensemble

  • Miles, a muskrat (tenor)
  • Bird (soprano)
  • Spider (mezzo)
  • Toad (bass)
  • Boss Alligator (baritone)
  • Ensemble, Townspeople, The Alligator Gang (adults and/or children)

DURATION: 25 minutes

ACCOMPANIMENT: Piano and/or Electric Keyboard w/o Percussion. Optional children’s percussion band.

COMMISSIONED BY: The Los Angeles Opera

PRODUCTIONS: The Los Angeles Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Opera Columbus, Manhattan School of Music, Marshall University, Miami Opera, Opera Orlando, Penn State University, Monterey Opera, Mercer University, University of Akron, Muse Opera Korea

videos/excerpts

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Copyright 2022 – Operas for Children – Edward Barnes, Composer

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