Witness, an opera in 3 acts
Zae Munn
About this work:
text by Karen Hesse
8 leads, chorus, instrumental ensemble (90")
Witness is set in a small town in Vermont in 1924. As the Ku Klux Klan's influence grows in the town, choices are made and lines are drawn. The few Jews and blacks in the town are special targets of the Klan, but the church, the newspaper and local businesses are drawn into the battle as well. Pressure to join grows and many townspeople are drawn into the Klan. Cross burnings, a shooting, a poisoning, a suicide--all are tied to the Klan, and the community is frayed to the breaking point. Gradually, through the perseverance of individual love, ethical strength, and an underlying sense of justice, the town is able to rebuff the Klan and to embrace and enhance their community's tradition of tolerance and diversity.
Witness has 3 acts, each with 3 scenes and lasts 90 minutes. The libretto is derived directly from the book of the same name by Karen Hesse. There are 8 lead roles (3 men, 5 women), a mixed chorus with many small solos, and an orchestra of 7 (flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet, violin, viola, cello, bass, piano).
Witness was composed over a 20-month period, from May 2004 through the end of December 2005, and premiered April 27-30, 2006, at Saint Mary's College in South Bend, Indiana. The stage director was Douglas Boyer, Laurel Thomas was the artistic director, and Munn conducted.
Year composed: 2006
Duration: 01:30:40
Ensemble type: Opera/Theater
Instrumentation: 1 Flute, 1 Clarinet, 1 Piano, 1 Violin, 1 Viola, 1 Cello, 1 Double bass