Overview
A seemingly endless tour conducting in America's concert halls leaves Anton Dvoríçk desperately tired and drained of inspiration. Summer 1893 finds him unexpectedly in a remote Illinois lumber town populated largely by Bohemian immigrants - his native people - under the dominance of a hard-headed Irish woman known as Ma Flannagan. She owns just about everything there, from the Blarney Stone Saloon, to the growing timber. Unrecognized for once, the famous composer gratefully takes a brief sabbatical, playing the piano in Flannagan's saloon. The township soon feels the benevolence of his kindly wisdom as he offers advice on the romance between Milli the barmaid and her once-a-year visiting salesman, Joe; saves Uncle Marek from being cheated out of his land; and smooths love's path for young Shaun - saving grace of the Flannagan family - and Marek's charming niece Karolka. Refreshed, his inspiration returns, and with it his most popular creation - the New World Symphony.
For the Chorus
Perhaps the busiest show ever produced. Faithful adaptations of Dvoríçk's best-loved melodies form a fine rich score, plenty of harmonized choral work and satisfying theatrical effects. It is important that the male chorus is equally as strong as the female. Many lively episodes are provided for dancers. General company appear as lumbermen and their girls, saloon customers, hostesses and staff, wedding guests and bridesmaids, concert-hall staff and concert-goers, and in a considerable number of small roles.
Singing Principals
Karolka. Milli
Shaun. Joe. Abe: black, man-of-all-work
Straight Roles
Ma Flannagan. Anton Dvoríçk. Uncle Marek
Smaller Roles
Feeney, a saloon keeper. Tomashek, a musician. Blodek, a lumberman. Gilmore, a railroad magnate
The Scenes
Act I Town Square, Willow Falls. The fringe of the forest (front drop). Inside the Blarney Stone Saloon. Milli's bedroom (inset)
Act Il Silver Dollar Casino, Centerville (inset). The Town Square. Ma Flannagan's office (front drop). Outside a New York concert hall (front drop). Finale sequence (draped empty stage with acting area lighting)
A useful simplification guide is included in the script
Orchestration on hire
1st and 2nd Violins, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe, 2 Clarinets, Bassoon, Horn, 2 Trumpets, 2 Trombones, Drums, Harp
Vocal score on hire
Perusal material available