LION AND ANDROCLES, THE (TV)
Summary
In this production of John Eaton's English-language opera, written for and intended to be performed by children, students from Bloomington, Ind., elementary schools are joined by performers from Indiana University Opera Theater. Drawn from a Greek fable, the opera tells the story of a friendship between a man and a lion. While gathering mushrooms, Androcles (Reeder) encounters Alexander Lion (Oberholzer), who has a thorn lodged in his paw. Taking pity on the beast, Androcles extracts the thorn, and in gratitude, Alexander pledges his undying loyalty. They pick some mushrooms, unaware that they are trespassing on the property of King Anthos (Rocchio), and leave to have a picnic with their families. Julia Childish (Anderson), the royal cook, discovers that the mushrooms have been plundered and informs the King. The King, his guards, and Childish search for the perpetrators, and apprehend Androcles and his family as they return from their picnic. The King condemns them to death, proclaiming that they shall be devoured by lions. Alexander Lion and his family are called upon to carry out the deed, but they refuse. Androcles cools the King's ire by conjuring a giant mushroom, a trick he learned while serving as a sorcerer's apprentice. The opera ends on a celebratory note as they all prepare to feast on mushrooms. The opera is followed by "Opera Kids," a short film that profiles the children involved in Indiana University Opera Theater productions. The children are shown rehearsing scenes from the opera "Carmen" with their coach, Karen Keltner, and director Ross Allen. Also included are interviews with Keltner, Allen, and the children, as well as highlights of the children's performances.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS WTIU Bloomington, IN
- DATE: June 16, 1974
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:42
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T89:0412
- GENRE: Music; Children's
- SUBJECT HEADING: Operas; Fables; Children's programs
- SERIES RUN: WTIU (Bloomington, IN) - TV, 1974
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Herbert Seltz … Producer
- Ross Allen … Director, Stage Director
- Mickey Klein … TV Director
- Eugene Walter … Writer, Based on "The Lion's Share" by
- David Anderson … Librettist
- John Eaton … Composer
- Carmon DeLeone … Conductor
- Indiana University Opera Theater Orchestra … Symphony Orchestra
- William Reeder … Cast, Androcles
- William Oberholzer … Cast, Alexander Lion
- Michael Rocchio … Cast, Anthos, King
- Linda Anderson … Cast, Childish, Julia
- Nelda Nelson … Cast, Ida Lion
- Signe Landoe … Cast, Androcles, Iris
- Karina Anderson … Cast, Androcles's daughter
- Carri Cooper … Cast, Androcles's daughter
- Kirk Tate … Cast, Lion Cub, The
- Karen Keltner
- WTIU … "Opera Kids" produced by
- Steve White … "Opera Kids" Directed by
- Indiana University Opera Theater