Composer

:

Virgil Thomson

Genre

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1949

Average_duration

:

18:19

The Mother of Us All is an opera composed by Virgil Thomson with a libretto by Gertrude Stein. The opera premiered on May 7, 1947, at Columbia University's Brander Matthews Hall in New York City. The opera is divided into two acts and features 12 scenes. The opera is a tribute to Susan B. Anthony, a prominent figure in the women's suffrage movement in the United States. The opera tells the story of Anthony's life and her fight for women's rights. The opera also features other historical figures such as Daniel Webster, John Adams, and Andrew Johnson. The first act of the opera is set in the town of Litchfield, Connecticut, where Susan B. Anthony was born. The act features scenes of Anthony's childhood and her early involvement in the women's suffrage movement. The act also features scenes of Anthony's meeting with Daniel Webster and her trial for voting illegally. The second act of the opera is set in Washington D.C. and features scenes of Anthony's meeting with John Adams and Andrew Johnson. The act also features scenes of Anthony's death and her legacy. The music of The Mother of Us All is characterized by its use of American folk tunes and hymns. The opera also features a chorus that sings hymns and patriotic songs. The music is simple and accessible, reflecting Thomson's belief that opera should be accessible to a wide audience. The libretto of The Mother of Us All is characterized by its use of repetition and wordplay. Stein's writing style is often described as "cubist," as she breaks down language into its component parts and rearranges them in new and unexpected ways. Overall, The Mother of Us All is a unique and important work in the American operatic canon. Its celebration of Susan B. Anthony and the women's suffrage movement is a testament to the power of music and art to inspire social change.

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