These events took place literally in my own backyard. To be able to set to music the authentic voices of these people, whether from their letters or their songs or from newspaper accounts from their time, is a great privilege for me. A drama played out against the backdrop of California’s natural beauty, the Gold Rush brought out the very best and the very worst of human traits, from scenes of ugly nativist racism and casual violence to examples of nobility, generosity and ingenuity-and of course there was always that great humor, gritty and self-deprecating. In addition to the “Dame Shirley Letters,” the opera libretto sources include the lyrics of original Gold Rush songs, passages from Mark Twain, newspaper accounts, political slogans, Chinese poetry from the era and memoirs by Mexicans who worked the mines.Ĭomposer John Adams, who has lived in California for 45 years said: “The Gold Rush was California’s first ‘bubble.’ Those who came here were willing to give up everything and endure the worst in hopes of a quick fortune. In the course of her time there, she witnessed frantic and often chaotic gold mining, claim disputes, the destruction of natural surroundings, whippings, murders, lynchings, encounters with the local Native Americans and a striking array of diverse nationalities all thrown together in the shared desire for quick wealth. The principal narrative voice is that of Louise Amelia Knapp Smith Clappe, a doctor’s wife, whose letters written under the pen-name “Dame Shirley” during her 18-month sojourn in the rough-and-ready mining camp of Rich Bar, are among the most vivid and evocative literary sources of the Gold Rush period. The opera is based on factual events and persons that typify the mix of wildness, optimism, greed, violence, humor and racial prejudice of the era, all played out against the rugged beauty of California’s mountain surroundings. The libretto by Peter Sellars, who also directs the opera, is drawn from historical sources and interweaves stories of three Gold Rush women whose lives intersected in a small mining community in the Sierra Nevada mountains in 1850. Girls of the Golden West is presented by arrangement with Hendon Music, Inc., a Boosey & Hawkes company, publisher and copyright owner.Ĭomprising two acts and sung in English, Girls of the Golden West is scored for eight characters, men’s chorus and orchestra including musicians on guitar, accordion and piano. Joining San Francisco Opera as co-commissioners and co-producers of this new project are The Dallas Opera, Amsterdam’s Dutch National Opera (De Nationale Opera) and Teatro La Fenice, Venice. Presented at the War Memorial Opera House for seven performances opening November 2017, San Francisco Opera will announce casting, conductor, design team and ticket information in January 2017 as part of the Company’s 2017-18 repertory season. SAN FRANCISCO (June 14, 2016) - San Francisco Opera General Director David Gockley today announced the Company will present the world premiere commission of Girls of the Golden West, a new opera set during the 1850s California Gold Rush, by the internationally-renowned team of composer John Adams and director/librettist Peter Sellars.
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