THE HIDING TREE

Illustration for the opera 'The Hiding Tree' by award-winning composer Edward Barnes

The Hiding Tree

Words & Music by EDWARD BARNES
Based on an ancient legend from Micronesia

SYNOPSIS: Two sisters are the only people who remain on an island in the middle of the sea after a people-eating monster devours the island’s entire population. One sister is caught by the monster, while the other escapes to the highest limbs of a tree in the forest. How each sister comes to the aid of the other makes for a magical story of love and survival.

THEMES: Heroic women; Working together to solve a problem; Selfless love

Scene from the opera 'The Hiding Tree' by award-winning composer Edward Barnes

CAST: 3 + small chorus/ensemble

  • Little Sister (soprano)

  • Big Sister (mezzo-soprano)

  • Narrator (actor)

  • Ensemble (monster)

DURATION: 35 minutes

ACCOMPANIMENT: Piano

COMMISSIONED BY: MasterVoices

PRODUCTIONS: MasterVoices, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Southwestern University, Spotlight on Opera, Cambridge Youth Opera, Welsh National Opera, Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University

Recording by MasterVoicesNY