Opera Scotland

Down in the Valley

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Music

Kurt Weill (born Dessau, 2 March 1900; died New York, 3 April 1950)

Text

Arnold Sundgaard  (1909-2006)

 

Premieres

First performance: Bloomington, Indiana (University Auditorium), 15 July 1948.

First performance in UK: Bristol (Opera School), 23 October 1957.

First performance in Scotland:  Aberdeen (Queen's Cross Church), 5 August 2016.

 

Background

Down in the Valley seems to slot conveniently into a group of works taking rural America for subject matter.  These might include Copland's ballet Appalachian Spring and Rodgers' musical Oklahoma!  It is interesting to consider what Sondheim might have done with the idea. It was originally intended for radio, but was expanded into a short 40 minute-long drama.  It is full of folk-inspired melody as well as some reminders of the much grander Street Scene, composed the previous year.

It makes for an excellent tautly-plotted little drama.

 

Plot summary

The setting is a small community in the developing American West.

Brack Weaver and Thomas Bouché both love Jennie Parsons.  Her mother favours Thomas, while Jennie herself loves Brack.  Thomas's position in the community is somewhat more secure than Brack's.

The opera begins with Brack in the condemned cell awaiting execution for the murder of Thomas.  He escapes and meets Jennie for a final time before giving himself up to his fate.  These two scenes frame a flash-back set at a village dance.  Jennie has attended as Brack's partner.  However Thomas is unhappy, gets drunk and challenges him.  He pulls a knife and threatens Brack, but in the ensuing scuffle it is Thomas who dies.

The small community of locals have brief cameos - some are sympathetic to Brack, but there is a clear element of lynch-law operating.