Eastern Kentucky University

STUDY 1: William Schuman and The Mighty Casey

Institution

Eastern Kentucky University

Abstract

William Schumann wrote his opera "The Mighty Casey," based on Jeremy Gury's poem "Casey at Bat," in 1953. This poem, one of Schuman's childhood favorites, provided inspiration for Schumann’s operatic setting. The poem, although only fifty - two lines long, was expanded into an hour and twenty minute, three scene production, including seven baritones, two sopranos, two tenors, an SATB chorus, and an optional ballet. The story is about a baseball team, Mudville, who is playing in the State Championship. Their greatest player, Casey, comes up to bat at the bottom of ninth. Surprisingly, he strikes out and his team loses. I have prepared and performed the pleading aria "Kiss Me Not Goodbye" which is sung by the character Merry. Neither Merry nor the aria text appear in the poem. This research explored how Schumann expanded the original text and plot and created new characters through the libretto and the music. Special attention was given to Merry.

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STUDY 1: William Schuman and The Mighty Casey

William Schumann wrote his opera "The Mighty Casey," based on Jeremy Gury's poem "Casey at Bat," in 1953. This poem, one of Schuman's childhood favorites, provided inspiration for Schumann’s operatic setting. The poem, although only fifty - two lines long, was expanded into an hour and twenty minute, three scene production, including seven baritones, two sopranos, two tenors, an SATB chorus, and an optional ballet. The story is about a baseball team, Mudville, who is playing in the State Championship. Their greatest player, Casey, comes up to bat at the bottom of ninth. Surprisingly, he strikes out and his team loses. I have prepared and performed the pleading aria "Kiss Me Not Goodbye" which is sung by the character Merry. Neither Merry nor the aria text appear in the poem. This research explored how Schumann expanded the original text and plot and created new characters through the libretto and the music. Special attention was given to Merry.