The Stroll

duet for mezzo-soprano and bass-baritone from The Wild Beast of the Bungalow

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Libretto by Royce Vavrek, based on and further inspired by Mermaid in the Jar by Sheila Heti.

This duet occurs in the second portion of a triptych of short chamber operas (Mermaid in the Jar, Prairie Dogs, and Fine and Dandy) that take place entirely within an eleven-year-old Girl’s bedroom. Over the course of a few days, a mermaid, a family of stuffed prairie dogs, and singing groups of chicken pox and shingles force her to confront what it means to care for others and be cared for herself. In this scene, The Girl sends her new adopted taxidermied prairie dog parents on a date, but they are unfamiliar with the ways of human courtship. It’s awkward.

INSTRUMENTATION: Piano/Vocal

DURATION: 3:15

PAGES: 7

WORLD PREMIERE: Oberlin Conservatory, Winter 2020.