The Grapes of Wrath (opera)

The Grapes of Wrath is an opera in three acts composed by Ricky Ian Gordon to a libretto by Michael Korie based on John Steinbeck’s 1939 novel of the same title.

[4] Its collegiate premiere was performed at the Moores School of Music of the University of Houston in April, 2009.

[5] A greatly revised concert version of the opera (in two acts) was given its New York premiere by The Collegiate Chorale at Carnegie Hall on March 22, 2010, with Ted Sperling conducting the American Symphony Orchestra and a narration performed by Jane Fonda.

[7] In February 2013, the opera found its Chicago premiere at Northwestern University through the Bienen School of Music.

[8] The production was directed by Michael Ehrman, conducted by Hal France, and featured guest baritone Robert Orth reprising his role of Uncle John, which he sang with the premiere cast in 2007.

Act 1 Having been released early from prison on parole for good behavior, Tom Joad meets up with Jim Casy, a lapsed preacher.

Tom and Jim decide to accompany the family to California, where fruit picking jobs are supposed to be plenty.

Act 3 Newly relocated at a clean, self-policing government camp, the Joads feel like people again.

Local farm owners send in agitators to cause a fight during a hoedown so they can close down the camp, but the croppers remain peaceful.

Ma, Pa, Ruthie, Winfield, and a very weak Rosasharn seek refuge in a barn, where they find a boy and his starving father.

Cast Production team A song book featuring 16 arias from Grapes of Wrath was published by Carl Fischer Music in 2010.