Composer Amy Scurria
Librettist Zane Corriher
Adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
A.L.I.C.E. invites audiences down the rabbit hole to experience a spellbinding world of wonder, laughter, and self-discovery. Journey with Alice through soaring arias, mad duets, and outlandish ensembles as she encounters curious and confounding creatures. Follow the path of the nervous but regal White Rabbit. Encounter a condescending and sleepy Caterpillar, a dismissive, vulgar Duchess, and a mysterious, mystical Cheshire Cat. Laugh until you fall apart with the silly, but tragic, Hatter and Hare. And join the royal court along with a sycophantic choir of cards, a covertly beneficent King, and finally, the cruel and vainglorious Queen of Hearts. This adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s beloved novel is a quest for identity, to answer the question that burns deep within the furnace of every human being: Who are you?
Photo by Holly Johnson Luther
WINNER AMERICAN PRIZE (3RD PLACE)
PRESENTED AT:
2023 WTF CONFERENCE in Raleigh, NC
2024 NATIONAL OPERA ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE in Tempe, AZ
2024 SETC CONVENTION in Mobile, AL
2023 FESTIVAL PREMIERE at the
RED RIVER LYRIC OPERA FESTIVAL in July of 2023
with CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
2024 UNIVERSITY PREMIERE at the
UNIVERSITY of UTAH in Spring of 2024
with FULL ORCHESTRA
NC ARTS COUNCIL ARTIST SUPPORT GRANT RECIPIENT
CAST: 10 roles (as few as 6 singers with doublings indicated by asterisks below), SATB Chorus (with alternate options), 1 Supernumerary
Please reach out with questions about casting or voice types. I'm happy to collaborate and see how we can meet your organization or program's needs.
Lewis Carroll's "Adventures in Wonderland" has been reimagined countless times, but none quite like Amy Scurria's operatic version. In "Alice: An Operatic Wonderland," audiences are transported to a whimsical world filled with magical creatures and enchanting music. Scurria's adaptation brings a new level of depth and emotion to the classic tale. Through soaring arias and stunning duets, we see Alice's journey from a curious young girl to a brave adventurer. Each character is brought to life through the power of music, from the playful Cheshire Cat to the tyrannical Queen of Hearts. (Note by Director, Grace Edgar)
An opera in 2 acts
Duration - approx. 2 hours
INSTRUMENTATION:
This work can be tailored to fit any instrumentation.
-
Piano/Vocal
-
Chamber Orchestra (1,1,1,1; 1,0,0,0; Timp, 2 Vlns, Vla, Vlc, DB)
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Full Orchestra (2,1,1,1; 3,2,2,0; Timp, Harp, Strings)
White Rabbit.................
Alice..............................
*Sister...........................
*Caterpillar...................
*Duchess......................
Cheshire Cat.................
Cook.............................
Mad Hatter...................
March Hare...................
*King.............................
*Queen of Hearts........
SATB Chorus................
tenor
soprano
mezzo-soprano
bass
mezzo-soprano
mezzo-soprano
supernumerary
tenor
baritone or countertenor
bass
mezzo-soprano
Cards, Jury, & Flowers
FREE DOWNLOADABLE ARIAS, DUETS, TRIOS:
Alice, Lost and Alone (Alice aria)
Achoo Duet (Duchess and Alice duet)
Curious, I Observe (Alice aria)
You've Got to Keep Your Wits About You (King's aria)
Extended Preview of A.L.I.C.E.
Performances
April, 2024 - Opera at the U!
Full Orchestra Version
Premiered by Opera at the U!
Directed by Robert Breault
Conducted by Robert Baldwin
July, 2023 - Red River Lyric Opera Festival
Chamber Orchestra Version
Produced by Darla Diltz and RRLO
Directed by Grace Edgar
Conducted by Kristin Roach
Choreographed by ChristinaNoel Reaves
January, 2022 - Music Off Main
Piano/Vocal Workshop Version
Produced by Music Off Main
Directed by Jennifer Blades
Pianist Stephanie Otto-Ørvik
April, 2022 - Duke University Opera
Piano/Vocal Version (A Mad Tea Party)
Produced by Duke University Opera
Directed by David Heid
Pianist Daniel Seyfried
VIDEO GALLERY FROM RED RIVER LYRIC OPERA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PREMIERE
VIDEO GALLERY FROM MUSIC OFF MAIN WORKSHOP PREMIERE