Composer

:

Kurt Weill

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Musical Theater

Compose Date

:

Aug 1945 - Nov 1945

Publication Date

:

1948

First Performance

:

Jul 15, 1948

Average_duration

:

34:32

Movement_count

:

8

Movement ....

Down in the Valley is an opera composed by Kurt Weill in 1948. The libretto was written by Arnold Sundgaard, and the opera premiered on May 6, 1948, at the New York City Opera. The opera is set in the American West and tells the story of a young cowboy named Brack Weaver, who falls in love with a young woman named Jennie Parsons. The opera is divided into two acts, and each act is further divided into several scenes. The first act begins with Brack Weaver and his friend, the Sheriff, singing about life in the West. Brack is a lonely cowboy who longs for love, and he sings a song about his desire to find a woman to love. Jennie Parsons enters the scene, and Brack is immediately smitten with her. Jennie is a young woman who has come to the West to escape her troubled past. As the opera progresses, Brack and Jennie fall in love, but their happiness is short-lived. Jennie's past catches up with her, and she is forced to leave the West and return to her former life. Brack is heartbroken, and he sings a poignant aria about his lost love. The second act of the opera takes place several years later. Brack has moved on with his life and has married another woman. However, he is still haunted by memories of Jennie, and he sings a song about his longing for her. Jennie reappears in the scene, and Brack is torn between his love for her and his loyalty to his wife. The opera ends with a dramatic confrontation between Brack, Jennie, and Brack's wife. Brack ultimately chooses to stay with his wife, but he is left with a sense of regret and longing for what might have been. Down in the Valley is characterized by Weill's signature blend of classical music and popular music. The opera features a variety of musical styles, including folk songs, ballads, and jazz. The opera also incorporates elements of American folk music, such as the use of the banjo and harmonica. Overall, Down in the Valley is a poignant and moving opera that explores themes of love, loss, and regret. It is a testament to Weill's skill as a composer and his ability to blend different musical styles into a cohesive and emotionally powerful work of art.

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