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Synopsis
We meet a very old, filthy rich man, January (tenor), who is a regular
at a brothel. They are teasing him that he has everything except and
heir and a wife to give him one. He considers it and beautiful, young
wife to complete the success of his life. His friend, Placebo (Bass),
agrees. (Mini Aria 2:59) However, Justinia (dramatic soprano), to marry
for such a silly reason is asking for trouble, he must accept the
consequences of his decisions in life. ( 5:19 ) He doesn't listen and
orders to put up announcements for one, young wife.
(
6:17 ) May (mezzo soprano) sees this strange announcement and decides,
'why not'? Age is just a number. After many failed hopefuls, she enters
at last before him and he falls immediately in lust with her. They will
waste no time and marry.
(
7:57 ) Scene 2: The wedding. She is dressed in fine clothes and many
guests are invited. One guest in particular leers at her. A handsome,
young man named Damien (baritone). He bothers her throughout the wedding
feast, but May remains faithful to her commitment until, that is, she
receives a secret note from Damien. Her interest is piqued.
(
13:48 ) Scene 3: Comes the time for January and May to consummate their
marriage, but January cannot fulfill his side of the bargain. He leaves
May, and it just so happens that Damien appears outside. She whistles
for him and they make passionate love. (Mezzo Aria 15:40 ) When he
leaves, May sings that one shouldn't judge her for finding happiness.
(Tenor
Aria 21:31 ) Scene 4: January sings of his love for May, but we see he
is blind to the true nature of his unfaithful wife.
(
26:22 ) Scene 5: May helps January down a dark pathway. For some
reason, he has lost his eyesight and wants to show her something. He
opens the gate, which sounds more like a prison door, to a beautiful
garden. So beautiful, in fact, that the gods Pluto (bass) and Persephone
(dramatic soprano) are playing there too. (Quartet 28:03 )
(
30:19 ) As January mindlessly leaves the key, May throws it to Damien
to enter. Damien scurries up a tree and May says that she's been having
cravings for fruit. She asks January to bend over so that she can climb
it. As Damien and May make love, Pluto spots them and tells Persephone
what a terrible person to do such a thing. ( 32:26 ) Persephone reminds
him of the many indiscretions of male gods and that 'what good for the
goose, is good for the gander.' Pluto restores January's sight, but
Persephone gives May the wit to excuse it all.
January
is mortified when he sees May in the tree with Damien, but May explains
this was the order for his cure, to restore his sight, to struggle with
a man in a tree.
( Finale and Chorus 34:32 ) January believes her without doubt, but May has more news, they will soon be expecting his heir.
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Title Information
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Approximate Runtime (hh:mm)
0:40
Number of Acts
1
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