The Billy Goats Gruff - 8 & 9 February 2025
An operatic version of The Billy Goats Gruff by John Davies, with music based on scenes from the operas of Mozart, Donizetti, and Rossini.
An after-school game of hide and seek is ruined for three little goat friends when a big bully blocks a bridge, preventing them from being able to go home. Remembering what their mums, dads and teachers have told them about dealing with bullies, two boy billy goats resolve to go home a different, longer way and share their difficulties with grownups.
The littlest girl goat, however, not wanting to abandon the beloved doll that’s been snatched from her, strides confidently to the crest of the bridge and, confronting the bully, prevails by inadvertently pushing him into the creek below. Concerned for his well-being, she shows her would-be adversary kindness by asking if he’s okay. He responds by asking if she’s okay. By the time the two boys return with help, she’s able to introduce a soggy, forlorn ex-bully as their new friend.
A perfect introduction to the world of opera for the littlies in your life, teaching an important lesson about forgiveness and friendship - and proving that nothing is more contagious than kindness!
Dates, Times, & Venue: Performing 8 & 9 February 2025, 11am. North Quad, The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora. Free/Koha. (Or in the case of wet weather The Great Hall). The Composer
Professional opera singer and director John Davies has performed with opera companies throughout the United States, including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, and the opera companies of Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, Kansas City, Omaha, Cincinnati, Phoenix, Nashville, and Anchorage. He has also performed in concert as bass-baritone soloist with the symphony orchestras of Boston, San Francisco, St. Louis, Detroit, San Antonio, Indianapolis, Chattanooga and Syracuse.
A father of six children, and grandfather of many more, John takes an active interest in the performing arts for young people. His operas for young audiences have been presented by more than 150 opera companies and university opera programmes in North America - and now also, by one opera company in New Zealand.
Cast
Elizabeth Ellison as Lucy Billy* Goat
Thomas Woodfield as Ernesto Billy Goat
Emma Summers as Dandini Billy Goat
Alex Robinson as Osmin (Bully) Billy Goat
*Just in case you were wondering, female billy goats are allowed in opera.Creatives, Musicians, & Crew
Julian Anderson - Director
Katherine Doig - Musical Director & Assistant Director
Matthew Oswin - Répétiteur
Spectrum Lighting and Sound - Sound Design & Operation
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John Davies (composer) on The Billy Goats Gruff:
“In 1997 Kansas City Lyric Opera’s educational director suggested I consider writing a children’s opera featuring strategies for dealing with bullies. As the problem of bullying was becoming a concern in many schools, it seemed a worthy subject and one that might be effectively addressed theatrically. Children’s literature is replete with bullying types, and after auditioning a few "meanies" in my imagination, I selected the Troll who skulks under the bridge in the story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Not only does he make an interesting bully, but little billy goats evoke school children very nicely.
During the course of the opera, the three billy goats consider how they might deal with the bully by avoiding him altogether and resolve to talk about the problem with grownups as soon as they’re able. In the end, however, strength of character and determination win the day when the littlest goat, having pushed her antagonist from the bridge, enlists his friendship. Admittedly, facing the bully down is not an officially recommended course of action. It makes for some fun theatre, though, and hopefully provides a point of departure for subsequent discussion!”