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The beauty of evil

A powerful dramatic opera

Written by David Chesky

The Beauty Of Evil 1.jpg

Set in a hauntingly beautiful kingdom, the Evil Queen, obsessed with beauty and aesthetics, despises Snow White for her radiant allure. To eliminate her rival, the Queen seeks a poisoned apple from two mysterious witches, unaware they are Snow White and her sister, Zmoot. Prince Charming, the Queen's lover, becomes entangled in her schemes as she convinces him to deliver the fatal fruit to Snow White.

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Snow White's secret as a witch is unraveled when she refuses the poisoned apple. Torn between vengeance and love, she crafts a potion for Prince Charming, intending to make him love her unconditionally—even when confronted with her true form. However, a confession from the Prince to the Queen about his feelings for Snow White leads to tragic consequences. In a fit of rage, the Queen disfigures him, ensuring no woman would desire him.

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The climax unfolds as the Queen, mad with jealousy, decides to end Snow White's life. As she approaches her target, Prince Charming, bearing his scars, intervenes. The sisters join forces, overpowering the Queen. However, in her final moments, a spark of goodness emerges from the Queen, wishing the disfigured Prince and the witchy Snow-White happiness.

About the opera.

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The opera delves deep into mature themes about the notion of beauty. The Evil Queen represents the external and obsessive pursuit of beauty, leading to her downfall. On the other hand, Snow White's beauty, both internal and external, is her strength.

 

The opera challenges audiences to consider the true essence of beauty and the lengths one might go to achieve or preserve it. Characters like Snow White, Prince Charming, and even the Evil Queen undergo significant transformations throughout the opera—both physically and emotionally. Their evolving identities, shaped by love, betrayal, and power, reflect the opera's exploration of the self's malleability. The opera raises questions about the corrupting nature of power, as seen through the actions of the Queen and Snow White's struggles with her magical identity. It poses the timeless query: How far will one go to maintain or acquire power, and at what cost?

 

The climax, where the Queen's final act is one of kindness, delves into themes of redemption. It suggests that even in the darkest of souls, there lies a potential for goodness—a philosophical nod to the inherent duality of human nature. Love in this opera is not just romantic but also intertwined with themes of obsession, sacrifice, and deception. The relationships between characters, especially between Snow White, the Prince, and the Queen, highlight the multifaceted and often tumultuous nature of love. The opera, "Snow White and the Queen," beckons its audience to reflect on the interplay of beauty, power, identity, and love, all set against a backdrop of magical realism and tragic drama.

Running time with intermission 2 hours

Pic, 2fl./ 2ob./ 2cl./ 2bs./ 4hrns./ 3 tpts./ 3tbns./ tuba / tymp./ 4 perc./ strings

Lead soloists  2 Sopranos, Mezzo, Tenor, Bass

Choir SATB

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