![[Show poster.jpg|300]] [[SELF LICENSED]] [perusal scores](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1psyubcsOD8EGB2qSchnvz8TnKqAX3q6t?usp=drive_link) Contact me, [contact form.](https://operaandbeyond.blogspot.com/) #opera #selflicensed #oneactopera ![[Hazel Miner design.png|200]] HAZEL MINER  Opera in One Act (2024) [Perusal score](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1psyubcsOD8EGB2qSchnvz8TnKqAX3q6t?usp=drive_link) Music by Michael Ching Libretto by Marla Fogderud and Michael Ching Based on a true story. Treatment by Marla Fogderud Commissioned by Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD Premiere April 2025 Length, about 35 minutes Cast: In the present Gardener Mezzo Soprano or Soprano *Traveling woman Soprano* *Could double Miss Connelly, see below* Millie, 8 years old Girl* Ethan, 10  years old Boy* Gardener and Traveling woman are woven through the scenes 1920, as if the story is being told by Gardener to Traveling woman. In 1920 Hazel, fifteen, but mature for her age Soprano (up to A5 or B5) William Miner, her father Baritone (up to E4) Blanche Miner, her mother Mezzo or Soprano (Bb3-Ab5) Myrdith Miner 8 years old Girl* Emmet Miner, 10 years old Boy* *Preferably doubling of Millie and Ethan Miss Connelly, school teacher Soprano or Mezzo (E4-G5)  She could double one of the neighbor women. Miss C. could also double the Traveling Woman Soloist in the opening of scene 7 Soprano Neighbor Man #1 T Neighbor Man #2 B Neighbor Woman #1 S Neighbor Woman #2 S or M Neighbor Woman #3 M This is a minimum number for the community members/neighbors. Community members, Parents, Students at the school, Search party (Men), Women comforting Blanche Supporting parts in the opera can be assigned ad lib by the producer. Example casting scenarios: Full 9 women/5 men/4 children/plus ensemble 16, plus ensemble No doubling of parts. Men do all four of the parent parts in the school (scene 4)Medium 8 women/3 men/2 children/no ensemble 13, no ensemble Miss Connelly doubles a neighbor woman. Medium Two women would be included in those who come to get their children at the school (scene 4) Small 6 women/3 men/2 children/no ensemble 11, no ensemble One character plays Traveling Woman/Miss Connelly/A Neighbor Woman Children: Millie plays Myrdith, Ethan plays Emmett Two women would be included in those who come to get their children at the school (scene 4) Minimal 10, no ensemble 6 women/2 men/2 children/no ensemble One character plays Traveling Woman/Miss Connelly/A Neighbor Woman One Female Neighbor also doubles a male neighbor as a pants role in scene 5. Children: Millie plays Myrdith, Ethan plays Emmett Two women would be included in those who come to get their children at the school (scene 4) Orchestration One acoustic piano One electronic keyboard attached to a computer (Mac) operating Mainstage or similar program. Scene 1 The present, at the memorial in Center, North Dakota Scene 2 March 1920, The Miner Home Scene 3 At School Scene 4 Out in the storm Scene 5 Search Party Scene 6 The Lord’s Prayer Scene 7 The Miner Home Scene 8 Bringing them home and finale Synopsis Scene 1. A woman (Traveler) and her son (Ethan) and daughter (Millie) pull up to a roadside memorial in North Dakota. They ask for directions from a woman (Gardener). The Traveler finds out that the Gardener is a volunteer, tending the monument and its grounds. The Traveler goes up to the memorial and reads–”Hazel Miner.” The Gardener sets a scene:  Scene 2. A hundred years ago in 1920 a family was getting the children ready for school. There is Hazel, 15, mature for her age, Emmet (10) and Myrdith (8). Hazel playfully reviews Emmet’s math lessons. During this Hazel’s father (William) and mother (Blanche) admire and praise Hazel, who seems to be a natural-born teacher. Hazel’s plan is to go to high school next year. Although it is late winter/early spring, snow is starting to fall. Brushing off any concern, William has hitched up the jumper (sleigh) to an old horse, Maude. Hazel will drive it to school with Emmet and Myrdith.  Scene 3 At the school snow continues to fall. It is early afternoon and school is being canceled. The children in this one room school house play while they await their parents. Hazel helps their teacher, Miss Connelly get the children ready to leave. The parents gradually arrive to take their children home. Those arriving report that it is now a full blown blizzard. William Miner arrives for his children. Outside, a terrible gust and blinding snow causes him to get separated from them. Maude, the horse, bolts and Hazel is unable to control it. The jumper eventually gets wedged in a coulee (ravine). Hazel can’t budge it and Maude will go no further.  Scene 4 Out in the storm, the children pass the time by singing songs. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Hazel makes Emmet and Myrdith promise that they will stay awake tonight. They promise they will.  Scene 5 Elsewhere the men have formed search parties. William is guilt ridden--thinking that he should never have let his children go to school. He prays to find them. The search continues and they disappear into the night.  Scene 6 Still alone and stuck, the children pass the time by saying the Lord’s Prayer. While her brother and sister continue, Hazel fervently calls to her mother and to tell her that they will be found. The cold is relentless. Finally, Hazel decides she must lie on top of her brother and sister to shield them from the storm.  Scene 7 Late at night at the Miner’s home, the women wait. They imagine how they’d feel if their own children were lost in the snowstorm. A man appears with an update–the children haven’t been found yet. He leaves. Blanche appears from the bedroom. She says Hazel came to her in a dream and told them that they will find them soon.  Scene 8 The rescue party appears with the children. Emmet and Myrdith have followed Hazel’s instructions and stayed awake. Hazel is brought in unconscious. Blanche begs her to wake up, but realizes that Hazel has died.  The community members leave the house, trying to give the family their privacy. After they leave, William bursts into tears of remorse. He blames himself, but Blanche tells him he’s not to blame.  The Gardener sings the finale, “Will you be ready when the storm hits?” The community members come back on, singing this seven bar round. At the last entrance, the audience is invited to join in. At the very end, Hazel is revealed.** BACKGROUND I met the librettist for HAZEL, Marla Fogderud, through her mother Iris, the talented and long serving costumer at the Fargo-Moorhead Opera, where I regularly served as a guest conductor during the administration of General Director David Hamilton. Marla was on the faculty of Northern State University, which by plains standards is a mere three hours from Fargo. I didn't know about the tragic/heroic story of [Hazel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazel_Miner), but when I read her treatment, I was sold. I'd never heard of Northern State University and Aberdeen, SD until I came back to Iowa in 2010. It's truly a gem on the prairie.