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Synopsis
An old man and an old woman provide refuge to a weary traveller on a stormy night. The old woman begins to tell the traveller a famous local story of a Headless Horseman who terrorizes the countryside by riding in the woods at night. As she tells the story, the scene changes to a schoolhouse. We meet Ichabod Crane who introduces himself and his classroom (the audience). His music lesson is interrupted by the arrival of Katrina, who invites him to a party scheduled for the next evening at her house. They have a lively conversation about food for the party. After Katrina leaves, Ichabod reveals his plan to "win her hand," sends the students to their homes, and departs. Katrina has a different plan, one to win the handsome Brom. Brom arrives, reveling in his own wild adventures. Anticipating a jealous reaction, Katrina tells him that she will marry Ichabod. Brom, somewhat taken aback, pretends to find the match amusing. Ichabod arrives unexpectedly. Katrina uses the opportunity to play her two suitors against each other. Brom, knowing full well that Ichabod is superstitious, warns him of the dangers in Sleepy Hollow on nights when there is a full moon, since it is then that the Headless Horseman often appears. Ichabod hastly leaves. On his way home, Ichabod fearfully enters the woods. He remembers Brom's warning, becomes terrified, and soon finds himself totally lost. The ghostly Headless Horseman appears and pursues Ichabod, who falls while trying to flee. After a wild chase, the Horseman throws a pumpkin carved like a head right at Ichabod. Horrified, Ichabod runs away, never to be seen again. As we return to the old cottage, we hear the woman finishing her story of the Headless Horseman. Brom, now happily married to Katrina, arrives with a basket of food. He introduces himself to the Traveller who is none other than the writer Washington Irving. The old woman confides that some people think that on that fateful night Ichabod encountered a real person carrying a pumpkin. The Traveller thanks the woman for her kindness and her story. As he prepares to leave he asks Brom if he can take along a pumpkin. With a twinkle in his eye, Brom says yes. The pumpkin patch belongs to him. With the story completed, the cast join together to say goodbye to the audience.
OPERA America/Opera.ca Grants Awarded
Click here to learn more about OPERA America granting programs.
| GRANT NAME | YEAR | Opera for the Eighties and Beyond | 1988 |
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Title Information
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