This heartbreaking retelling of the biblical tale of “Susannah and the Elders” is considered the quintessential American opera.

Set in the Appalachian Mountains, Susannah innocently incites the lust of the town elders, who demand their minister force her to repent sins for which she is not guilty. Carlisle Floyd’s use of idiomatic American folk song throughout the score captures the essence of Susannah’s plight and creates effective melodrama and lyrical storytelling solidifying Floyd’s place in the canon of great American composers. Wolf Trap Opera premiere.

CAST Conductor: Stephanie Rhodes Russell
Director: Dan Wallace Miller

Susannah Polk: Ann Toomey
Rev. Olin Blitch: Christian Pursell
Sam Polk: Robert Stahley
Little Bat McLean: Joseph Leppek
Members of the Wolf Trap Opera Studio