The Little Prince (opera) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Little Prince |
|
|---|---|
| by Rachel Portman | |
| Librettist | Nicholas Wright |
| Language | English |
| Premiere | 31 May 2003: Houston Grand Opera |
The Little Prince, subtitled A Magical Opera, is an opera in two acts by Rachel Portman to an English libretto by Nicholas Wright, based on the 1943 book of the same name by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It was first performed in at the Houston Grand Opera on 31 May 2003.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 31 May 2003 (Conductor: Patrick Summers) |
|---|---|---|
| The Little Prince | boy soprano | Nathaniel Irvin |
| The Pilot | baritone | Teddy Tahu Rhodes |
| The Fox | mezzo-soprano | Marie Lenormand |
| The Rose | soprano | Kristin Reiersen |
| The Water | soprano | Laquita Mitchell |
| The Snake/Vain Man | tenor | Robert Mack |
| Lamplighter/Drunkard | tenor | Scott Scully |
| Businessman | baritone | Aaron Judisch |
| Geographer | baritone | Ethan Watermeier |
| The King | bass | Joshua Winograde |
| Children's choir (Stars and Birds) | ||
| Director | Francesca Zambello | |
| Costume and production design | Maria Björnson | |
The opera requires 2 flutes (2nd doubling piccolo), 1 oboe (doubling English horn), 2 clarinets (2nd doubling bass clarinet), 1 bassoon (doubling contrabassoon), 1 trumpet, 1 horn, 1 trombone, 2 percussionists, celesta, harp, string section. A performance lasts for about 1 hour 35 minutes.
Recordings
Following the television broadcast, BBC in conjunction with Sony Classical released a double-CD and DVD of the complete production of The Little Prince in November 2004. Upon release, the CD set entered the classical charts.; the publication includes the 74-page libretto, containing photographs from the opera and illustrations from the original book. It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios.
