THE STONE, THE TREE, AND THE BIRD
Commissioned by Utah Opera to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike in May 2019.
Teachers and Students: Read through suggested response topics in the document below before watching this 13’ minute opera. Teachers may want written responses sent to them. Composer Jacob Lee and Librettist Christine McDonough, both Utah natives, are also willing to answer questions submitted for them. Let them know your response to their opera, using the “Ask a Singer” box below.
Setting: “The Stone, The Tree and the Bird,” by composer Jacob Lee and librettist Christine McDonough, centers around a campfire conversation between three transcontinental railworkers, the night before the Golden Spike ceremony in Promontory, Utah. They dream and plan what they will do, now that the historic job is done.
If students would like to give the performers responses or ask questions, invite them to Ask a Singer (or Pianist). One of our professional artists will answer them!
Or, perhaps they will find the answer to their question on our FAQ page.
Teachers, if you assign students to watch a Virtual Assembly, please let us know your school and number of students who were assigned. This will help us with our funding for artists and programs.