The Transformation of Miss Emily Evans

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The Transformation of Miss Emily Evans (Miss Evans) is a comic chamber opera based on a micro fiction of the same name from Barbara Black’s “Little Fortified Stories”, which was in turn loosely inspired by Vancouver Suffragette Helena Gutteridge and other early British Columbian suffragettes.

The creation of Miss Evans was made possible by a grant from the Canada Council of the Arts. The hope is that one day this work will become the first in a trilogy of short, twisted, fairytale-esque operas called The Twisted Tales.

Casting:

• Soprano | Miss Evans
  
• Mezzo | Ethics Counsel Member (Scene 1), Mesmerist Magician (Scene 3), Sister Sally (Scene 4)
• Tenor | Ethics Counsel Leader (Scene 1, 3), Suffragist (Scene 4)
• Baritone | Narrator (Scenes 1, 4), Ethics Counsel Member (Scenes 1, 3), Dr. Corrigan (Scene 2), Suffragist (Scene 4)
  

Synopsis

In the opening scene, a smart, well-read woman, Miss Evans, of the Victorian era, is deemed too intelligent for polite society. She appears before the Ethics Counsel, professing in song her love of knowledge and women’s rights to education. However, her behaviour is judged as inexcusable and she is referred to Doctor Corrigan for a cure. In Scene 2, the pompous doctor prescribes dubious treatments which only have the effect of making him unhinged. Miss Evans upholds her beliefs. The Doctor fails, and summons the Mesmerist to eradicate Miss Evans’ unorthodox views. In Scene 3, the Mesmerist—actually a fellow suffragette in disguise and sympathetic to Miss Evans’ plight—does a fake incantation and spell to allow Miss Evans to “disappear” and ultimately escape. In the final scene, some 20 years later, Miss Evans, now doctor and leader of the Women’s Suffrage League, announces their victory in the referendum for women to gain the right to vote. The story is loosely based on the Women’s Suffrage movement in Vancouver, BC, circa late 1800’s to mid 1900’s.

Composer's note:

In my musical setting of Barbara’s libretto, you’ll hear several motifs representing key characters and themes recur and transform throughout the opera. The first motif, that of the “prim and proper” court of the ethics counsel, can be heard in the instrumental introduction to the opera. You’ll also hear themes introduced for the Ethics Counsel and Miss Evans later in the 1st scene. In scene 3, there’s also a chance for the audience to join in the fun in repeating the incantation!

Duration

17'30"

Year of composition

2022

Voicing(s)

Soprano, mezzo, tenor, and baritone with piano or chamber ensemble accompaniment (flute, clarinet, viola, cello, and piano).

Purchase/view score

Please contact me to peruse/purchase.

NOTE: the following two arias are available for purchase separately:

• Miss Evans aria (soprano)
• The Doctor's aria (baritone)