An Opera in One Act
Based on the book by Sam Swope, with a libretto by Constance Congdon, The Araboolies of Liberty Street is designed for performance in schools where virtually no production facilities may be available. In this humorous treatment of the themes of tolerance and diversity, the kids of Liberty Street make it possible for an exotic new family to move into their conformist neighborhood, which is ruled over by the mean General and Mrs. Pinch. Performed by both adults and children, the opera is intended for use by opera outreach or young audience development programs for children in grades 4-8 and their families. The style is contemporary tonal musical theater.
Opera Cast:
General Pinch (Tenor)
Mrs. Pinch (Soprano)
Joy, a young teenage girl (Soprano)
Boboolie, a young teenage boy Araboolie (Soprano, trouser role)
Momoolie Araboolie (Mezzo-soprano)
Popoolie Araboolie (Baritone)
Kid’s Chorus, (Treble voices, 6-8 minimum)
Instrumentation: piano, 1 percussion (trap set, various small hand percussion)
Score Excerpt:
Piano Vocal score for Soloists, Children’s Chorus, Piano & Percussion
Percussion part for Soloists, Children’s Chorus, Piano & Percussion
Audio Excerpt:
It’s A Bus from The Araboolies of Liberty Street
Performed by the Manhattan School of Music Education and Outreach department.