Carlisle Floyd Opera Wuthering Heights
Plot Synopsis and Character Description of English Drama
Dec 30, 2008
Carlisle Floyd (June 11, 1926) composed and wrote the libretto of Wuthering Heights, a three-act English music drama based on the novel by Emily Brontë of the same title. It was premiered at Santa Fe, Santa Fe Opera on July 16, 1958.
Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights is an admirable subject for an opera. It is interesting to note that there have been two notable opera adaptations of it. Aside from this one by Floyd, another was composed by Bernard Herrmann in 1951, although Hermmann's full production was only premiered on November 6, 1982, at Portland, Oregon, Portland Opera. His libretto was written by his first wife, Lucille Fletcher.
Cast of Characters
- Heathcliff, An orphan brought by Mr. Earnshaw to live at Wuthering Heights, loves Catherine Earnshaw (baritone)
- Catherine Earnshaw, Daughter of Mr. Earnshaw, loves Heathcliff (soprano)
- Hindley Earnshaw, Catherine's brother (tenor)
- Edgar Linton, of Thrushcross Grange, becomes Cathy's husband (tenor)
- Isabella Linton, Edgar's sister, becomes Heathcliff's wife (soprano)
- Nelly Dean, Housekeeper at Wuthering Heights (mezzo)
- Mr. Lockwood, Heathcliff's tenant (tenor)
- Joseph, Elderly servant at Wuthering Heights (tenor)
- Mr. Earnshaw, Father of Catherine and Hindley (bass)
This opera adaptation by Carlisle Floyd consists of a prologue and three acts, unlike Hermann's four acts. Notable arias are performed by Catherine Earnsahaw: "I've dreamt in my life" (Catherine), and Isabella: "Oh Nelly, I've fallen in love with him."
Plot Synopses
The setting is in Northern England in 1835, and from 1817 to 1821.
Prologue
The living room and kitchen of a craggy, weather-hewn house of Wuthering Heights with the exterior also visible
Lockwood, gets lost in the moors and finds himself at Wuthering Heights. Reluctantly, Heathcliff takes him in for the night. He goes to sleep reading the diaries of Catherine, and awakened by a vision of her ghost. Heathcliff runs out in search of the Catherine's ghost.
Act I
Scene 1
The Living room and kitchen at Wuthering Heights
The young Heathcliff has been avoiding his chores, but Mr. Earnshaw, protects him from Hundley's bullying. Hindley is furious that Mr. Earnshaw cares more for Heathcliff. Out of rage and jealousy, he challenges his father, who succumb to heart attack and dies. Cathy and Heathcliff love each other, and swear to love each other always.
Scene 2
Wuthering Heights and exterior of Thrushcross Grange
Carefree in the Moors, Cathy and Heathcliff enjoy the freedom at the moors, and rebel against the sermon of the old servant Joseph and against Hindley's tyranny. The two run across the moors to the Lintons' home, Thrushcross Grange. Cathy twists her ankle and is taken in by the Lintons.
Act II
Wuthering Heights
Scene 1
Four weeks later, Cathy returns to Wuthering Heights filled with ideas of being a lady. Heathcliff feels humiliated in front of her new friends, Edgar and Isabella Linton. Aside, Hindley also beats Heathcliff for his boorishness. Cathy nurses him.
Scene 2
Heathcliff is jealous of Edgar. Edgar visits Cathy who throws a tantrum when Nelly refuses to leave the room. Edgar proposes to her. She accepts despite the fact that it is Heathcliff she loves. Heathcliff runs away.
Act III
The living room and drawing room of Thrushcross Grange
Scene 1
Three years later, Heathcliff returns to Wuthering Heights, a gentleman. Cathy is now married to Edgar. Heathcliff asks her to run away with him but she could not consent to his plan. He wins Wuthering Heights from Hindley in a card game. Edgar forbids Cathy to see Heathcliff and Nelly begs her not to.
Scene 2
To revenge himself on Cathy, Heathcliff proposes to Isabella who is in love with him. Heathcliff and Isabella elope and Edgar disowns Isabella. Cathy vents her fury on both Heathcliff and her husband.
Scene 3
Cathy becomes very ill. Hearing that she is sick, Heathcilff forces his way into her bedroom. They reaffirm their love and Cathy dies in his arms.
Source:
Martin, Nicholas Ivor. The Da Capo Opera Manual. New York: Da Capo Press, 1997
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