A Chamber Opera in Six Scenes

by John Craton

A chamber opera in six scenes that depict the life of Saint Mary of Egypt. For a small ensemble of only three principal singers and seven instruments (plus percussion), the opera is designed for a small venue.

Cast

Mary — soprano
Zosimas — baritone
Abbot — tenor
SATB chorus/chorus of young men/
pilgrims/monks/chorus of women/angelic voice
(all to be members of the general chorus)

Instruments

Flute
Oboe/English horn
Harp
Organ
Violin
Viola
Violoncello
Percussion:
small drum, bass drum, tambourine, triangle,
gong, bells, chimes, marimba, maracas

Duration: Approximately 1½ hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderately advanced

Summary

SCENE 1 — A bazaar in Alexandria, Egypt
SCENE 2 — Jerusalem
SCENE 3 — A monastery in Palestine, forty-seven years later
SCENE 4 — The desert, twenty days later
SCENE 5 — The banks of the Jordan River, one year later
SCENE 6 — The desert, one year later

Instrumental interludes occur between Scenes 4 & 5 and Scenes 5 & 6.

Audio files are not yet public. Write for information regarding sound files or for score availability.
The full libretto may be accessed below.

Copyright © 2021 by John Craton (ASCAP)