Beeson, Jack

The Sweet Bye and Bye (1956)

Duration: 105 minutes
Opera in two acts (five scenes)

Libretto by Kenward Elmslie (E)

Scoring
2dramS,colS,M,2T,2BBar,4dancers(1=pop soprano),2child actors(silent) 2(I=picc,II=picc).1.2(II=bcl).1-3.1.1.0-timp.perc(1,=cel,pft):BD/SD/ susp.cym/xyl/tamb/glsp/cyms/tam-t-harp-pft-strings.
Abbreviations (PDF).

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.

World Premiere
11/21/1957
New York, New York
Frederic Cohen, director
Conductor: Frederic Waldman
Company: Juilliard Opera Theater

Roles

SISTER ROSE ORA EASTER	Spinto Soprano
MOTHER RAINEY	Mezzo-Soprano
BILLY WILCOX	Tenor
SISTER GLADYS	Coloratura Soprano
SISTER REES, the Sister Elect	Dramatic (or Spinto) Soprano
BROTHER SMILEY	Bass
MARY JANE RIPLEY (also 1st Bather)	Dancer and Pop Soprano
2nd Bather
3rd Bather
1st Good Time Charlie	Tenor
2nd Good Time Charlie	Bass Baritone
Two Gangsters and a Gun-Moll	Dancers
Harmony	Mute or Treble
Little Amity	Mute or Treble

Time and Place
1920s, Atlantic City, New Jersey and New York City

Synopsis
Young Sister Rose Ora Easter is assumed dead. Her followers believe that she has drowned while swimming off the coast of Atlantic City. Some have their doubts about her disappearance, especially Mother Rainey, who raised the orphaned girl and trained her to take on the role as the leader of Lifeshine Gospel. Mother Rainey believes that the departed Sister was actually led astray by a man; after questioning the missing Sister’s close friend Sister Gladys, Mother Rainey’s suspicions are confirmed. Billy Wilcox has spirited her away to New York, and the two plan to flee to the Holy Land using Lifeshine Gospel money. The two women head to the city, bent on retrieving Sister Rose Ora. They are somewhat successful. Sister Rose Ora announces the truth of her disappearance, and asserts that the vows she made as a child are no longer relevant, since she has awoken to the glories of love. Billy prepares to leave with Rose Ora when Mother Rainey arrives with a gun. Knowing that Rose Ora is lost to her and their sect, Mother Rainey shoots him. Rose Ora turns violently on her sect and then returns to Billy, who dies in her arms.

Moods
Dramatic, Tragic

Subjects
Contemporary, Relationships, Religion

Recommended Recording
Noel Rogers, Judith Anthony, Carolyne James, Kansas City Lyric Theater Orchestra, Russell Patterson
Citadel 2000

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Items on Sale

Sweet Bye and Bye	Libretto	> Details
The Sweet Bye and Bye vocal score	(Vocal Score)	> Details