The Gospel of the Red-Hot Stars

an operatorio in one act by composer Tom Baker
based on poetry by Margaret Atwood

Produced by the Seattle EXperimental Opera
April 13, 14, 15, 2006

With:
soprano Maria Mannisto
tenor Paul Karaitis
chorus: Liz O'donoghue, Alissa Rupp, Will Dean, Mark Johnson
conductor Julia Tai
violinist Tom Swafford
clarinetist Jesse Canterbury
trombone Chris Stover
percussionist Greg Campbell
bassist Brian Cobb
guitarist Tom Baker

Directed by Allison Van Dyck
Production and Set Design by Alissa Rupp
Lighting Design by Reed Nakayama
Costumes by Toni Radonich
Technical Director: Greg Carter
House Manager: Toni Radonich

Libretto adapted and compiled from:
"Half-Hanged Mary" by Margaret Atwodd (1995)
Sermons and Letters of Cotton Mather (1650-1690)
The Bay Psalm Book by Henry Ainsworth (1612)

During the frenzy of the witch hunts in 17th century Massachusetts, Mary Webster was accused and convicted of witchcraft. According to several historical accounts, she was hung from a tree and left all night to die. When she was cut down the following morning, the townspeople were shocked to find that she had survived the hanging and was still alive. The Gospel of the Red-Hot Stars recounts the story of Mary's fateful night on the tree.

7:00 PM
I. Prelude
II. The Virtuous Woman
III. Rumor
IV. Psalm No. 3
8:00 PM
V. The Rope
VI. Interlude No. 1
VII. A Very Damnable Witchcraft
9:00 PM
VIII. The Bonnets
IX. Psalm No. 43
10:00 PM
X. Grace
XI. Psalm No. 42
MIDNIGHT
XII. Prayer
XIII. Interlude No. 2
2:00 AM
XIV. Despair
XV. The Death of Every Sin
3:00 AM
XVI. Nightbirds
XVII. Psalm No. 136
6:00 PM
XVIII. Interlude No. 3
XIX. The Gospel