Opera Laurier presents Little Women

March 3, 2023

Little Women, by Mark Adamo (in English)
With the Wilfrid Laurier Symphony Orchestra

Cast and Production Team
Laurier Symphony Orchestra 

Program Notes

Synopsis

Act I, Scene I: A twenty-one year old Jo March writes poems in her attic until Laurie, a childhood friend, enters and begins to reminisce about the family’s past. This angers Jo, and the opera spirals back in time.

Act I, Scene II: Two years earlier, the four sisters play a childish game in their attic clubhouse. Laurie reveals that Meg’s lost glove is with his tutor, John Brooke, who is in enamoured with her.

Act I, Scene III: A week later, Brooke walks Meg home and tells a romantic story, while Jo eavesdrops nearby, disapprovingly. That evening, Brooke passionately barges into the March home, professing his love for Meg and asking for her hand in marriage. Meg accepts and Jo accuses her of abandoning the family.

Act I, Scene IV: The following summer, Meg and Brooke are married in the March’s garden. Meanwhile, Laurie confesses an unrequited love for Jo and leaves in a fury. Amy, who has eavesdropped on the conversation, accuses Jo of being heartless.

Act II, Scene I: A year later, Jo moves to Manhattan to publish in local newspapers. Victorious, Jo writes home to her family members who are now on their own paths: Meg and Brooke are parents of twins; Laurie is at Oxford; Amy is studying art in Paris; and Beth is at home with failing health.

Act II, Scene II: Jo joins her boarding house acquaintance, Friedrich Bhaer for an opera, and they discuss matters of taste. After receiving a letter from Alma about Beth’s increasingly dire health, Jo interrupts their meeting and rushes home.

Act II, Scene III: Jo arrives home to a fragile Beth, and after a moment alone, Beth dies in her arms.

Act II, Scene IV: Jo and Aunt Cecilia read a letter from Amy, who is now married to Laurie. Aunt Cecilia wills Jo her estate. Realizing she is on the way to becoming her bitter aunt, Jo rejects the offer.

Act II, Scene X: Back in the attic and in real time, Laurie reminisces of old times, yet Jo resists this fantasy: she finally accepts change. Laurie leaves her, and Bhaer arrives.