A M Y S C U R R I A
composer
A New Wonderland Opera in Two Acts
The Name I Call Myself
Creative Team
Amy Scurria
Composer
Zane Corriher
Librettist
Amy Hutchison
Dramaturg / Director
An Opera in Two Acts ~ 2 hours
CAST:
ALICE
soprano
SISTER, DUCHESS, QUEEN OF HEARTS
1-3 mezzo sopranos
CATERPILLAR & KING
1-2 bass baritones
CHESHIRE CAT
mezzo soprano
WHITE RABBIT
tenor
MAD HATTER
tenor
MARCH HARE
baritone or countertenor
CARDS / JURY
SATB choir or SAB choir (min. 4 on a part)
FLOWERS
Children's Choir
ORCHESTRATION:
Chamber [1,1,1,1; 1,0,0,0; Timp; Piano; Strings]
Full Orchestra [2,2,2,2; 4,2,2,1; Timp; Perc; Harp; Strings]
Piano/Vocal
* Flexible Orchestration
Opera at the U! performance of A.L.I.C.E.
Opera at the U! performance of A.L.I.C.E.
Opera at the U! performance of A.L.I.C.E.
Opera at the U! performance of A.L.I.C.E.
photography by Robert Breault
Audio selections from live performances at University of Utah, Mo. Robert Baldwin, conducting (*Queen's Aria, Mo. Oswaldo Machado, conducting)
"Curious, I Observe" (Alice)
Meg Steele and Utah Philharmonic
"Who Are You?" (Alice and Caterpillar)
Meg Steele, John Knight Allen, and Utah Philharmonic
Duchess Scene (Alice and Duchess)
Meg Steele, Sage Madsen, and Utah Philharmonic
Duchess Lullaby (Duchess)
Sage Madsen and Utah Philharmonic
"Nonsense Trio" (Alice, Mad Hatter, March Hare)
Meg Steele, Alex Harrelson, Matthew Tang, and Utah Philharmonic
"Lost and Alone" (Alice)
Meg Steele and Utah Philharmonic
"You're Not Ready" (Cheshire Cat and Alice)
Mara Davis, Meg Steele, and Utah Philharmonic
"Queen's Processional" (Ensemble)
Opera at the U and Utah Philharmonic
"Queen's Aria" (Queen)
Karley Swallow and Utah Philharmonic
"King's Aria" (King)
Porter Hiatt and Utah Philharmonic
The Trial (Mad Hatter)
Sam Plumb and Utah Philharmonic
AWARDS:
2024 AMERICAN PRIZE (3rd place)
2024 DEE ENDOWMENT GRANT
2024 NOA PRODUCTION AWARD (3rd place)
2022 & 2024 NC ARTS COUNCIL Artist Development Grant
CONCEPT PRESENTED AT:
2023 WTF CONFERENCE in Raleigh, NC
2024 NATIONAL OPERA ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE in Tempe, AZ
2024 SETC CONVENTION in Mobile, AL
There have been countless adaptations of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, but none quite like this new opera. This semi-autobiographical opera reflects the experiences of the composer as a late-diagnosed autistic woman.
Alice, connecting deeply to nature, struggles to find her place in this world. Following the song of the trees, she falls into Wonderland, set as a dive deep into her psyche. Wonderland is filled with awe, mystery, cruelty, friendship, and just enough questions that force Alice to continue to discover exactly who she is as she discovers that it is in finding this out that she will set herself and all of Wonderland free.
Performances / Staged Workshops
FULL ORCHESTRA UNIVERSITY PREMIERE
April 12 & 13, 2024 - Opera at the U!
Director: Robert Breault
Conductors: Robert Baldwin and Oswaldo Machado
Choreographer: Melissa Bobick
Costume Designer: Robin Farnsley-Becker
SCENES PROGRAM
April 21, 2023 - Duke University Opera
Piano/Vocal Version (A Mad Tea Party)
Director: David Heid
Pianist: Daniel Seyfried
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA WORKSHOP PREMIERE
July 25 & 28, 2023 - Red River Lyric Opera Festival
Producer: Darla Diltz and RRLO
Director: Grace Edgar
Conductor: Kristin Roach
Choreographer: ChristinaNoel Reaves
STAGED P/V WORKSHOP
January 21 & 22, 2022 - Music Off Main
Producer: Music Off Main
Director: Jennifer Blades
Pianist: Stephanie Otto-Ørvik
SCENES PROGRAM
May 16, 2024 - Lawrence University
Director: Copeland Woodruff
Music Director: Kristin Roach
Conductor: Ben Keating
SCENES PROGRAM
December 6, 2024 - University of Nevada
Stage Director: Linda Lister
Music Director: Darryl Cooper
Pianist: Maren Daynes
Student Director: Christian Abbo