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Overview

Synopsis

The opera begins in the early morning following a battle in Thebes between the armies of the two sons of Oedipus: Eteocles and Polynices. King Creon, who ascended the throne of Thebes after both brothers are killed in battle, decrees that Polynices is not to be buried. Antigone, his sister, defies the order, but is caught. Creon decrees that she be buried alive in spite of the fact that she is betrothed to his son, Haemon. The gods, through the blind prophet Tiresias, express their disapproval of Creon's decision, which convinces him to rescind his order, and he goes to bury Polynices. However, Antigone has already hanged herself rather than be buried alive. When Creon arrives at the tomb where she was to be interred, his son, Haemon, attacks him and then kills himself. Now, when Creon's wife, Eurydice, is informed of their death she, too, takes her own life. At the end of the play, and the opera, Creon is the only principal left alive.

Show Information

Music
Carl Orff
Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
Genres
Cast Size
small
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Elderly Characters, Small Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

King Creon

Lead

Male

Antigone

Lead

Female

Haemon

Supporting

Male

Tiresias

Supporting

Male

Eurydice

Supporting

Female

Songs

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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

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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