The scene opens with Atzel appearing as a child at bedtime. He begs Nanny to tell him his favorite story-the story of Paradise. Nanny describes a place where nobody works or strains and everybody enjoys luxuries usually reserved for the righteous. Atzel drifts to sleep, barely heeding her warning that only the dead can reach Paradise.
Scene 2edit
Atzel, now eighteen years old, and his father Kadish are laboring. Atzel, who is due to marry the beautiful Aksah, is starting to feel resentment towards the hard work inherent in the adult life that lies before him. He reminisces about childhood and dreams of Paradise. He realizes Paradise could be the solution to his problems. Imagining that he has died, he announces to his loved ones that a funeral should be planned, as he is on his way to Paradise. Kadish laments for his son.
Scene 3edit
Atzel's parents, distraught, seek council with Doctor Yoetz. The Doctor asks for eight days to cure Atzel. His plan is to ensure Atzel be careful what he wish for by burying the young man. Both scared and hopeful, the parents agree to the remedy. A funeral is held.
Scene 4edit
Atzel's room is arranged to look like Paradise: windows shuttered, draperies tightly drawn, and candle burning day and night, with servants dressed up and playing the roles of angels. Atzel is delighted by Angels who bring him cakes and ripe fruits. However, he begins to grow restless, desiring to get out of bed and use his body. The Angels remind him that in Paradise one need only relax and enjoy oneself. Atzel finds that this place is also burdened by routine and boredom. Resentful, he wishes he were alive and longs to leave Paraside. On the eighth day, the chief of the Angel servants declare him unready for their world and announce his return to life.
Scene 5edit
A blindfolded Atzel is led through the halls of his massive home and is welcomed back to life by his family along with his fiancé Aksah. He has realized his love for life. A celebration ensues at the wedding of Atzel and Aksah.
Awardsedit
Fool's Paradise received the winning prize in the Vienna Modern composition competition in 1994.[2]
Referencesedit
^Weber, Derek (1994-11-22). "Much Too Beautiful to be True, Children's Opera for the Grown-Ups". Salzburger Nachrichten. Salzburg.
^Kager, Heinhard (1994-11-21). "Rückker aus dem Geleetörtchen-Paradies". Der Standard. Vienna.
External linksedit
Fool's Paradise Official Website
April 15, 2024
fool, paradise, opera, fool, paradise, chamber, opera, children, composed, ofer, amots, with, libretto, composer, based, short, story, same, name, isaac, bashevis, singer, opera, premiered, odeon, theatre, vienna, november, 1994, contents, roles, synopsis, sce. Fool s Paradise is a chamber opera for children in one act composed by Ofer Ben Amots with a libretto by the composer based on the short story of the same name by Isaac Bashevis Singer The opera premiered at the Odeon theatre in Vienna in November 1994 1 Contents 1 Roles 2 Synopsis 2 1 Scene 1 2 2 Scene 2 2 3 Scene 3 2 4 Scene 4 2 5 Scene 5 3 Awards 4 References 5 External linksRoles editRole Voice typeAtzel tenorNanny mezzo sopranoAksah the bride sopranoKadish the father baritoneMother mezzo sopranoDr Yoetz baritoneThe Angel Michah bassChorus of Angels SATBQuartet of Angels 2 sopranos alto tenorDancers Servants Angels etc silentSynopsis editScene 1 edit The scene opens with Atzel appearing as a child at bedtime He begs Nanny to tell him his favorite story the story of Paradise Nanny describes a place where nobody works or strains and everybody enjoys luxuries usually reserved for the righteous Atzel drifts to sleep barely heeding her warning that only the dead can reach Paradise Scene 2 edit Atzel now eighteen years old and his father Kadish are laboring Atzel who is due to marry the beautiful Aksah is starting to feel resentment towards the hard work inherent in the adult life that lies before him He reminisces about childhood and dreams of Paradise He realizes Paradise could be the solution to his problems Imagining that he has died he announces to his loved ones that a funeral should be planned as he is on his way to Paradise Kadish laments for his son Scene 3 edit Atzel s parents distraught seek council with Doctor Yoetz The Doctor asks for eight days to cure Atzel His plan is to ensure Atzel be careful what he wish for by burying the young man Both scared and hopeful the parents agree to the remedy A funeral is held Scene 4 edit Atzel s room is arranged to look like Paradise windows shuttered draperies tightly drawn and candle burning day and night with servants dressed up and playing the roles of angels Atzel is delighted by Angels who bring him cakes and ripe fruits However he begins to grow restless desiring to get out of bed and use his body The Angels remind him that in Paradise one need only relax and enjoy oneself Atzel finds that this place is also burdened by routine and boredom Resentful he wishes he were alive and longs to leave Paraside On the eighth day the chief of the Angel servants declare him unready for their world and announce his return to life Scene 5 edit A blindfolded Atzel is led through the halls of his massive home and is welcomed back to life by his family along with his fiance Aksah He has realized his love for life A celebration ensues at the wedding of Atzel and Aksah Awards editFool s Paradise received the winning prize in the Vienna Modern composition competition in 1994 2 References edit Weber Derek 1994 11 22 Much Too Beautiful to be True Children s Opera for the Grown Ups Salzburger Nachrichten Salzburg Kager Heinhard 1994 11 21 Ruckker aus dem Geleetortchen Paradies Der Standard Vienna External links editFool s Paradise Official Website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fool 27s Paradise opera amp oldid 1146685198, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
