____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE WOODLANDERS

Romantic Tragedy in Three Acts

Libretto by Colin Graham after the novel by Thomas Hardy

Duration: 125 minutes
Musical Style:  Neo-romantic

Cast of Characters:

Grace Melbury, Soprano
Felice Charmond, Soprano
Marty South, Mezzo Soprano
Suke Damson, Mezzo Soprano
Grammer Oliver, Contralto
Edred Fitzpiers, doctor, Tenor
John South, Tenor
Barber Percomb, Baritone (South and Percomb double as Woodlanders)
Giles Winterbourne, arborealist, Baritone
George Melbury, Bass-Baritone
Chorus of The Woodlanders (8):
Old Tim Tangs, Robert Creedle, The "Boy", Tenors
Young Tim Tangs, Tincott, Farmer Cawtree, Baritones
John Upjohn, Rob Slatters, Basses



Instrumentation:

Orchestra: 2(2.pic)-2-2-2; 2-1-1-0; timp, hp; perc(2); str 8-6-4-4-2


Synopsis:

Little Hintock is a small town, buried deep in the woods and bypassed by civilization.  Its
inhabitants live a secluded, sheltered life.  Their peace and calm is disturbed, however, by the
arrival of three newcomers; Edred Fitzpiers, a young doctor pursuing mysterious research; Felice
Charmond, a woman of social stature; and Grace Melbury, a woman born and bred in Little
Hintock but isolated from the community because of her "foreign" education.  

Grace has abandoned her childhood sweetheart, Giles Winterbourne, for Dr. Fitzpiers, whom she
marries.  When Fitzpiers abandons her for Mrs. Charmond, Grace resumes her relationship with
Giles.  Upon Giles' death, Grace returns to Dr. Fitzpiers.  In this sheltered community, secrets
abound: Marty South, a woman ignored by Giles except as a fellow-worker, who is silent about her
love for him until it is too late and he is dead; Giles, who endures his love for Grace in silence until
it is impossible for either of them to take advantage of it, and Mrs. Charmond, who seeks solace
in curtained rooms from the pain of frustrated emotions and the passing years.  

The inhabitants of Little Hintock, The Woodlanders, are like their trees--some are ancient and
soon to be cut down, others are younger, but still equally firmly rooted here.

Commissioned by Opera Theatre of St. Louis, 1985
Published by European American Music