Our Neighbor John: An Opera in Two Acts
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Date
2023-07-06
Authors
Daly, Daniel
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Our Neighbor John is a new opera that tells the story of a decorated American soldier recently returned home from combat in the Mideast. As John attempts to rejoin civilian life, he falls in love with Linnea, a farmer who tends a nearby pear orchard. His new relationship and his sanity are tested, however, when he begins to experience visions of a woman suffering in terrible anguish. His former colleague Max, now an officer in the military police, visits his home in order to investigate a violent war crime for which John is a suspect. Max’s accusations strain John’s relationship with Linnea and her community, and ultimately force him to confront the truth about his past—a secret so terrible that John has hidden it from everyone, including himself.
The opera is scored for three principal soloists, three supporting soloists, SATB chorus, and chamber orchestra. The action unfolds over the course of seven scenes organized into two acts. The music features a mixture of traditional operatic numbers (aria, recitative, duetto, etc.) and through-composed movements. Its duration is between sixty and seventy minutes.
Description
Keywords
Drama, Libretto, Music, Opera