Mystery on the Docks facts for kids
Mystery on the Docks is a lively one-act opera created by Edward Barnes. It's based on a fun book by Thacher Hurd. This opera was specially asked for by three big opera companies: the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Los Angeles Opera, and Opera Columbus. They worked together with help from the Wallace Foundation.
The opera first opened in Kansas City, Missouri, in August 1995. Since then, it has been performed by many other groups, including the Los Angeles Opera, Opera Columbus, Memphis Opera, Cincinnati Opera, and the University of Southern Illinois. It's a short and exciting show, perfect for young audiences.
What is Mystery on the Docks?
Mystery on the Docks is a special kind of musical play called an opera. In an opera, the story is told mostly through singing, with music played by an orchestra or, in this case, a piano. This opera is only about 30 minutes long, making it a great introduction to opera for kids and families.
Meet the Characters
The story of Mystery on the Docks features a small but memorable cast of characters. Each character plays an important part in solving the mystery.
- Ralph: He is a short order cook. Ralph is sung by a tenor, which is a male singer with a high voice.
- Big Al: This character is a mischievous rat. Big Al is sung by a baritone, a male singer with a medium-low voice. He causes some trouble!
- Edwina Bombastina: She is a famous opera star from around the world. Edwina is sung by a soprano, a female singer with a high voice.
- Rat Gang: These are groups of rats, often played by children.
- Townspeople: Other characters in the story, also often played by children.
How the Opera Was Created
The idea for Mystery on the Docks came from a book by Thacher Hurd. Edward Barnes then turned this story into an opera. It was a special project, commissioned by several opera companies working together. This means they asked Edward Barnes to create the opera just for them. This kind of teamwork helps bring new and exciting shows to the stage.
The opera uses a simple musical setup. It can be performed with just a piano, or with a piano and percussion instruments. This makes it easier for different groups to put on the show.
