Composer

:

Virgil Thomson

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1947

First Performance

:

May 7, 1947

Average_duration

:

107:02

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 plot of the opera revolves around the life of Susan B. Anthony, a prominent figure in the women's suffrage movement in the United States. The opera is divided into nine scenes, each representing a different period in Susan B. Anthony's life. The first scene takes place in the present day, with a group of townspeople discussing the upcoming celebration of Susan B. Anthony's birthday. The remaining scenes take the audience back in time, exploring Anthony's childhood, her involvement in the women's suffrage movement, and her eventual death. The music of The Mother of Us All is characterized by its use of American folk tunes and hymns, as well as its incorporation of spoken dialogue. The opera features a large cast of characters, including historical figures such as Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Daniel Webster, as well as fictional characters such as Jo the Loiterer and Indiana Elliot. The premiere of The Mother of Us All was met with critical acclaim, with many praising Thomson's use of American musical idioms and Stein's unconventional libretto. The opera has since become a staple of the American operatic repertoire, with numerous productions staged both in the United States and abroad. Overall, The Mother of Us All is a powerful exploration of the life and legacy of Susan B. Anthony, and a testament to the enduring power of American opera.

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