The Adventures of Pinocchio (opera)

"This article is about the Jonathan Dove opera. For the Carlo Collodi novel see: The Adventures of Pinocchio. For other works with this title see: The Adventures of Pinocchio (disambiguation)"

"The Adventures of Pinocchio" is a 2007 opera in two acts by Jonathan Dove with a libretto by Alasdair Middleton based on the novel by Carlo Collodi. It tells of the creation of the wooden puppet 'Pinocchio' and some of his adventures on the way to becoming a real boy.

The opera was commissioned by Opera North with Sadler's Wells Theatre, and the original production opened at the Grand Theatre in Leeds on December 21 2007. It starred Victoria Simmonds as Pinocchio, Mary Plazas as the Blue Fairy and Jonathan Summers as Geppetto. The production included some ingenious technical stage effects, and used a full symphony orchestra including two accordions (which appear briefly on stage), a piano, and assorted percussion. The opera is slated to receive its North American premiere by the Minnesota Opera at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts on February 28, 2009. Mezzo-soprano Adriana Zabala will star in the title role.

Roles

* Pinocchio (mezzo-soprano)
* Geppetto (tenor)
* Cricket / Parrot (soprano)
* Cat (tenor)
* Fox / Coachman (counter-tenor)
* The Blue Fairy (soprano)
* Fire-eater / Ape-Judge / Big Green Fisherman / Ringmaster / Farmer (bass)
* Pigeon / Snail (contralto)
* Barker
* Arlecchino, Rosaura, Pantalone
* Owl Doctor, Crow Doctor, Beetle Doctor
* Coal Merchant, Bricklayer
* Lampwick
* Drum-maker
* Dancers, puppet operators, acrobats, prisoners (non-singing)
* Puppet show audience, puppet policemen, fantasy rich people, lawyers, labourers, pupils, teachers, Funland vendors, circus troupe, Echoes, villagers, townsfolk (chorus)

List of scenes

Act One

* Scene 1: The wood
In which Geppetto finds a log.
* Scene 2: Geppetto's hut
In which Pinocchio is made and Geppetto suffers some of the misfortunes of parenthood; Pinocchio learns about school and the consequences of falling asleep in front of an open fire; a cricket learns the result of giving unwanted advice to small boys; and Geppetto buys Pinocchio a schoolbook.
* Scene 3: A street
In which Pinocchio sets off to school but is distracted.
* Scene 4: The puppet theatre
In which Pinocchio meets some old friends; escapes death; is very brave; is rewarded and sent on his way.
* Scene 5: A street
In which Pinocchio meets a Cat and a Fox and learns about the Field of Miracles.
* Scene 6: The wood
In which Pinocchio ignores a warning from a ghostly Cricket; is pursued by Assassins; meets a dead girl with blue hair; is hanged and pecked down by some friendly birds.
* Scene 7: The Blue Fairy's cottage
In which Pinocchio is cured and discovers the consequences of lying to girls with blue hair, promises to be good and sets off to meet Geppetto and live happily ever after.
* Scene 8: The wood
In which Pinocchio meets the Cat and the Fox again; is tricked out of his money and is mocked by a parrot.
* Scene 9: The court and jail
In which Pinocchio discovers the meaning of Justice and Freedom.
* Scene 10: The wood
In which Pinocchio goes looking for the Blue Fairy but finds a grave and goes for a ride on a Pigeon.
* Scene 11: A beach
In which Pinocchio attempts to help Geppetto.

Act Two

* Scene 1: Drudgeland
In which Pinocchio learns about work, meets a lady with blue hair and does quite well at school.
* Scene 2: The seashore
In which Pinocchio proves indigestible.
* Scene 3: Outside the Blue Fairy's house
In which Pinocchio knocks at a door, gets frustrated with a Snail and is promised a party.
* Scene 4: A street
In which Pinocchio, at the urging of his friend Lampwick, sets off for Funland.
* Scene 5: Funland
In which Pinocchio visits Funland and is transformed by the experience.
* Scene 6: The circus
In which Pinocchio joins the circus, recognizes a member of the audience and is sold to a Drum-maker.
* Scene 7: The seashore
In which Pinocchio becomes his old self again and is swallowed by a big fish.
* Scene 8: Inside the big fish
In which father and son are reunited and escape together.
* Scene 9: The village by the sea
In which Pinocchio works hard for his father; meets his old acquaintances and finally gets his reward.

References

* [http://www.operanorth.co.uk/pinocchio/ "The Adventures of Pinocchio" feature on Opera North] ] Retrieved 5 July 2008.
*Hugh Canning, [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/whats_on/listings/opera/article3122784.ece Review: "The Adventures of Pinocchio"] , "The Sunday Times", January 6, 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2008.
*Michael Church, [http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre/features/jonathan-dove-no-nose-for-talent-781400.html Jonathan Dove: No nose for talent] (Subtitle: Jonathan Dove's 'The Adventures of Pinocchio' is the most acclaimed new opera in years – so why is he being ignored by the Establishment?), "The Independent", February 13, 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2008.