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Overview

Synopsis

The March sisters are as close as sisters can be, but as they grow up, their relationships begin to change. Jo, the second child, is very reluctant to this change as she wants them all to remain as close as possible all their lives. When Meg, the eldest sister, beings to be courted by a local man, John Brooke, Jo is very upset that Meg would betray her by leaving the family for a husband. Even though Meg assures Jo that she will always love her, Jo is deeply hurt by Meg’s falling in love. Laurie, the March’s neighbor, and Jo’s closest friend, has always been Jo’s confidant, however as he grows older it is clear that his feelings for her have grown romantically. Laurie confesses his love to Jo and asks her to marry him. Jo cannot even comprehend the idea of marrying someone and leaving her family behind, and she rejects his proposal. Laurie, dejected, leaves her and Jo thinks that, in time, he will forget his feelings for her and their friendship will return to the way it was. As she grows up, her ideas of love and life slowly change and we wonder if she ever accept the love of someone outside her family? This wonderful tale of family love, growing older, and being an independent woman has been a classic from its inception in 1868. Mark Adamo’s luscious arias brings a musical poignancy to Louisa May Alcott’s story that is touching, and his unsettling music brings Jo's struggles with the changing world to life and keeps the audience wondering if she will ever change her mind.

Show Information

Music
Mark Adamo
Lyrics
Mark Adamo
Based On Book By
Louisa May Alcott
Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1998
Genres
Drama
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
post civil war america, 19th century, 1870s, concord mass., nyc, london
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
None
Licensor
The Music Sales Group
Ideal For
College/University, Professional Opera, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Early Teen, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Jo

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Laurie

Lead

Male

Tenor

Meg

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Amy

Lead

Female

Soprano

Beth

Lead

Female

Soprano

Aunt Cecilia

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Friedrich Bhaer

Supporting

Male

Bass

John Brooke

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Alma March

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Gideon March

Featured

Male

Bass

Mr. Dashwood

Featured

Male

Bass

Chorus

Ensemble

Female

Soprano, Alto

Songs

Prologue

Act One

  • Recit. - “Barrister! It’s quarter past!” (Jo, Meg, Beth, Amy, Laurie)
  • Anthem - “Again we meet to celebrate” (Jo, Meg, Beth, Amy)
  • Recit. - “Major, Minor” (Meg, Jo, Amy, Laurie, Beth)
  • Ensemble - “Truth or Fabrication” (Amy, Beth, Meg, Jo, Laurie)
  • Recit. - “Supper! Half an Hour” (Alma, Amy, Beth, Jo, Meg, Laurie)
  • Aria - “Perfect as we are” (Jo)
  • Recit. - “Rigmarole?” (Brooke, Meg, Jo, Laurie)
  • Aria - “There was a knight, once…” (Brooke, Meg, Jo, Laurie)
  • Recit. - “Oh, this cannot be borne” (Jo, Meg, Brooke, Laurie)
  • Chorale - “He that is down need fear no fall” (Beth, Alma, Meg, Gideon, Jo, Amy, Laurie)
  • Recit. - “Our own Fanny Mendelssohn” (Amy, Jo, Meg, Gideon, Beth, Alma, Laurie, Brooke, Cecilia)
  • Recit. - “Mr. John Brooke” (Meg, Cecilia, Brooke, Jo)
  • Interlude - (Chorus, Meg, Brooke, Jo)
  • Aria - “Things change, Jo” (Meg)
  • Recit. - “I understand” (Jo, Meg, Beth, Amy)
  • Recit. - “Aunt! Now, I haven’t done any shading yet” (Amy, Gideon, Cecilia, Alma, Meg, Brooke, Beth, Jo, Laurie)
  • Aria & Duet - “We stand together” (Alma, Jo, Beth, Meg, Amy, Gideon)
  • Recit. - “Jupiter Ammon!” (Laurie, Alma, Brooke, Gideon, Meg, Jo, Beth)
  • Recit. - “What is it, Laurie? (Meg, Alma, Brooke, Gideon, Jo, Laurie)
  • Duet - “Things change” (Laurie, Jo, Meg, Alma, Brooke, Gideon, Amy)

Act Two

  • Scherzo - “Cockling?” (Dashwood, Jo)
  • Ensemble - “Letter scene” (Jo, Amy, Meg, Alma, Brooke, Gideon, Laurie, Beth)
  • Nocturne - “But that’s why I loved it!” (Jo, Bhaer, Laurie, Amy)
  • Aria - “Kennst du das Land” (Bhaer, Jo)
  • Fantasia - (Jo, Bhaer, Alma)
  • Recit. - “She’s asked for you” (Gideon, Beth, Jo)
  • Aria - “Have peace, Jo” (Beth, Jo)
  • Chorale - (Chorus, Jo)
  • Recit. - “That’s the trouble with solitaire” (Cecilia, Jo)
  • Aria & Duet - “Joy beyond measure, Mother” (Jo, Amy, Laurie)
  • Recit. - “She sounds very happy” (Jo, Cecilia)
  • Aria - “You alone” (Cecilia, Jo)
  • Soliloquy - “So the days go by” (Jo, Chorus, Laurie, Amy, Beth, Meg)
  • Aria & Quartet - “Let me look at you” (Jo, Meg, Beth, Amy, Bhaer)
  • Postlude - “We stand together” (Jo, Bhaer, Amy, Beth, Meg, Alma, Cecilia, Laurie, Brooke, Gideon)

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

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Guide Written By:

Daniel Bates

Daniel Bates