Composer

:

Howard Hanson

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1933

First Performance

:

Feb 10, 1934

Average_duration

:

123:44

Merry Mount is an opera composed by Howard Hanson in 1933. The plot is set in the early 17th century in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where a group of Puritans led by Governor Endicott is determined to stamp out any form of revelry or merrymaking. However, a group of settlers led by Sir Richard and Lady Marigold, who have established a colony called Merry Mount, refuse to conform to the Puritan way of life and instead celebrate love and freedom. The opera is divided into three movements. The first movement, titled "The Maypole," introduces the characters and the conflict between the Puritans and the Merry Mount settlers. The second movement, titled "Love Duet," focuses on the love story between Sir Richard and Lady Marigold, as well as the growing tension between the two groups. The final movement, titled "The Witch Hunt," depicts the Puritans' violent attack on Merry Mount and the tragic consequences that follow. One of the characteristics of Merry Mount is its use of American folk music and hymns, which reflect the setting and time period of the opera. The music is also heavily influenced by Hanson's own Romantic style, with lush orchestration and sweeping melodies. The opera premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on February 10, 1934, and received mixed reviews. While some critics praised the music and the performances, others criticized the libretto and the portrayal of the Puritans as one-dimensional villains. Despite its mixed reception, Merry Mount remains an important work in American opera, and its themes of freedom, love, and religious intolerance continue to resonate with audiences today.

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