Ashoka's Dream
- Composer: Peter Lieberson
- Librettist: Douglas Penick
- Source: The opera is inspired by the life of Ashoka Maurya,
king of India in the third century B.C. Ashoka was considered revolutionary
to base government on principles of universal tolerance, generosity and
non-aggression.
- First performance: Santa Fe, 26 July 1997
- Synopsis
Dramatis Personæ
- Ashoka, Emperor of India (baritone)
- Girika, charioteer (tenor)
- The Sage (baritone)
- Cankya, Prime Minister (bass)
- Kroda, minister (baritone)
- Madu, minister (bass)
- Raga, minister (tenor)
- Lakshmi, Queen of India (soprano)
- Triraksha, consort, later Queen of India (mezzo-soprano)
- Air (soprano)
- Fire (soprano)
- Water (mezzo-soprano)
- Earth (contralto)
- Ashoka as a boy (silent)
- King Bindusara, Ashoka's father (silent)
- Prince Susima, Ashoka's brother (silent)
- Crown Prince Kunala, Lakshmi's son by Ashoka (silent)
- Triraksha's son by Ashoka (silent)
- Chorus: Citizens, Guards, Courtiers, The Forest, Warriors, Survivors
Setting: India; 3rd century BC
contributed by
Judy C. Miner, 1998
Monday, 08-Dec-2003 21:47:15 PST