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Composer
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Karen VanderKloot DiChiera
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Librettist
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William Kirk
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Lyricist
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Synopsis
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Nanabush narrates four stories: 1) Don’t Lie, 2) How We Got The Seasons, 3) Why Warmth is Better Than Force and how 4) Nanabush saves his people from hunger by learning to defeat fear and to grow corn. The performers play several different characters from the stories about the Indian spirit Nanabush. We learn how a rabbit gets his long ears, and how cooperation between winter and summer creates the benefit of the changing seasons. We see how a feud between the sun and wind teaches the lesson that warmth is stronger than force, and we see how Nanabush’s victory over fear and hardship rewards his people with the benefit of corn.
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Synopsis Compiled By
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Karen VanderKloot DiChiera Director of Community Programs
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Subject
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Nanabush’s victory over fear and hardship rewards his people
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Musical Style
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Contemporary
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Running Time
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45 min.
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Critical Evaluation
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Vocal Requirements
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Available
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Adults
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Children
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Soprano
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1
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4-10
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Alto
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Mezzo
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1
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Tenor
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1
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Baritone
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1
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Bass
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1 (actor who sings any voice category)
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Spoken
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Chorus
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adults & children in audience participate in singing & sounds
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Other Requirements
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Instrumentation
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Orff xylophones, metalaphone, hand drums, other non-pitched percussion instruments - singer may accompany themselves
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Dancers
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dancers may be included
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Costumes
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Basic native American Indian costumes with extra costume pieces and head gear.
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Other
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Can use puppets or illustrated hand held symbols of season.
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Commissioned By
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Michigan Opera Theatre, Community Programs
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Year Composed
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1986
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First Performed By
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Michigan Opera Theatre in residence 1987, Midland Center for the Performing Arts, Midland, MI
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Date
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Additional Groups
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Flint Institute of Music, Opera-Workshop
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Publisher
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Michigan Opera Theater
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Additional Information
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Organization
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Michigan Opera Theatre
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Street 1
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Street 2
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City
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State
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Postal Code
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Phone
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Fax
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E-mail
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Web site
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(opens in a new window if available)
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