Copland, Aaron

The Second Hurricane (1936)

Duration: 53 minutes
A play opera in two acts for school performance

Libretto by Edwin Denby (E)

Scoring
2S,A,2T,Bar,B,3adult speakers; mixed chorus 1(=picc).1.2.asax(=tsax).1-0.2.1.0-timp.perc:susp.cym/cyms/SD/BD/ glsp/xyl/tgl/tam-t-pft-musical saw (theremin)-strings.
Abbreviations (PDF).

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

World Premiere
4/21/1937
At The Playhouse, 466 Grand Street, New York, New York
Orson Welles, director
Conductor: Lehman Engel
Company: Music School of the Henry Street Settlement

Roles

BUTCH, a new kid in town	Tenor
FAT, a bully	Bass
GYP, Fat's younger brother	Baritone
LOWRIE, egghead	Tenor
GWEN, resolute	Contralto
QUEENIE, head of the class	Soprano
JEFF, a black country boy	Soprano
MR. MACLENAHAN, Butch's father	speaking role
MISS EULALIE, the central telephone operator	speaking role
Chorus of high school pupils
Chorus of parents
Chorus of grammar school pupils

Time and Place
1930s, the Southeastern United States

Synopsis

The Second Hurricane is a parable set in the years after the Great Depression in middle America. Recruited to help with the rescue effort after a hurricane hits, a group of high school students become stranded themselves. Marooned on Two-Willow Hill, as the flood waters rise around them, they are at first reluctant to act together as a team. During the course of the opera, they gradually learn to work together, not only for survival but for true freedom.

Moods
Dramatic

Subjects
Ethics, Relationships, Society

Recommended Recording
John Richardson, Omega Melbourne, Julian Liss, Steven Wertheimer, Julie Makis, Lawrence Willis, Marion Cowings, New York High School of Music and Art Soloists, New York High School of Music and Art Chorus, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein
Sony 60560

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Items on Sale

Second Hurricane	(Vocal Score)	> Details
The Second Hurricane choral score	(Choral Score)	> Details