Score and Parts (PDF Download)
Libretto by Royce Vavrek, based on and further inspired by the short story by Sheila Heti.
The Wild Beast of the Bungalow is a triptych of short operas (Mermaid in the Jar, Prairie Dogs, and Fine and Dandy), which takes place entirely within an eleven-year-old Girl’s bedroom as she overhears her parents’ volatile conversations. Over the course of a few days, a mermaid, a family of stuffed prairie dogs, and singing groups of chickenpox and shingles force her to confront what it means to care for others and be cared for herself. These two excerpts feature an ongoing battle royale between The Girl and Watermelon, her prairie dog sister.
INSTRUMENTATION: two sopranos, piano, and string quartet. The set includes both a rehearsal piano/vocal score and separate piano part for performance. The piano/vocal score for the complete opera does not match this arrangement.
DURATION: 5 minutes
PAGES: 85
WORLD PREMIERE OF VERSION: Against the Grain Theatre, 2025.
Score and Parts (PDF Download)
Libretto by Royce Vavrek, based on and further inspired by the short story by Sheila Heti.
The Wild Beast of the Bungalow is a triptych of short operas (Mermaid in the Jar, Prairie Dogs, and Fine and Dandy), which takes place entirely within an eleven-year-old Girl’s bedroom as she overhears her parents’ volatile conversations. Over the course of a few days, a mermaid, a family of stuffed prairie dogs, and singing groups of chickenpox and shingles force her to confront what it means to care for others and be cared for herself. These two excerpts feature an ongoing battle royale between The Girl and Watermelon, her prairie dog sister.
INSTRUMENTATION: two sopranos, piano, and string quartet. The set includes both a rehearsal piano/vocal score and separate piano part for performance. The piano/vocal score for the complete opera does not match this arrangement.
DURATION: 5 minutes
PAGES: 85
WORLD PREMIERE OF VERSION: Against the Grain Theatre, 2025.
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