THE OPERAS

Illustration of the children's opera 'A Muskrat Lullaby' by award-winning composer Edward Barnes

A Muskrat Lullaby

Miles and his friends - Bird, Spider and Toad - love to sing, but no one wants to hear them practice. “Take that music to the swamp!” the townspeople tell them. But down by the swamp where the alligators live, the singing quartet gets a different reception.

CAST: 5 (soprano, mezzo soprano, tenor, baritone, bass baritone) + ensemble (Alligator Gang)

DURATION: 25 minutes

Illustration of the children's opera 'Mystery on the Docks' by award-winning composer Edward Barnes

Mystery on the Docks

Two shady-looking rats slink into Ralph’s Diner late one night—and by morning, both Ralph and world-famous opera diva Edwina Bombastina have vanished! Kidnapped! But these two aren’t giving up without a fight. With a little teamwork and one surprising trick up their sleeve, Ralph and Edwina turn the tables—and even hit a few high notes while they’re at it.

CAST: 4 (soprano, tenor, baritone) + ensemble (Rat Gang)

DURATION: 25 minutes

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

The Hiding Tree

After a terrifying sea monster devours everyone on their island, two sisters are the lone survivors. One is snatched by the beast, the other escapes high into the branches of a great tree. But their bond runs deeper than fear. In a tale woven with magic, courage, and the power of sisterly love, each must risk everything to save the other.

CAST: 3 (soprano, mezzo soprano, actor) + ensemble (Monster)

DURATION: 35 minutes

Illustration of the children's opera 'The Old Man Who Loved Cheese' by award-winning composer Edward Barnes

The Old Man Who Loved Cheese

Wallace P. Flynn has a passion – he just loves the taste of stinky, smelly, malodorous, noxious CHEESE! His family abandons him, his neighbors call the police. Even the skunks have to move. What will it take to make Wallace stop eating the food he loves most? 

CAST: 6 (soprano, 2 mezzo sopranos, 2 tenors, baritone) + ensemble

DURATION: 35 minutes

Illustration of the children's opera 'Papagayo' by award-winning composer Edward Barnes

Papagayo

Papagayo the parrot has really loud voice. His squawks and screeches echo through the jungle, keeping all the night creatures wide awake. But when a fearsome monster begins devouring the moon—bite by glowing bite—those same creatures turn to Papagayo for help. Can his mighty voice save the night sky? A whimsical tale of noise, music, and unexpected heroism.

CAST: 4 (soprano, mezzo soprano, tenor, baritone) + ensemble

DURATION: 25 minutes

Illustration of the opera 'A Place To Call Home' by award-winning composer Edward Barnes

A Place to Call Home

This opera traces the lives of four young people who flee their homelands in search of safety and hope. As they arrive in the United States, each must navigate the challenges of a new language, unfamiliar customs, and the pull between holding on and letting go. Through moments of heartbreak, resilience, and discovery, their stories unfold in a moving exploration of identity, belonging, and what it means to find a place to call home.

CAST: 4 (soprano, mezzo soprano, tenor, baritone) + ensemble

DURATION: 60 minutes