Julius Caesar Jones

Children's opera in two acts by Malcolm Williamson, libretto by Geoffrey Dunn

Jeannetta Cochrane Theatre, London, 4th January, 1966

Synopsis

The characters of the opera are an ordinary family who live in a suburban home. The adults, in a vain attempt to understand and communicate with their children, intrude into the children's fantasy world of Julius Caesar Jones and the Fortunate Isle. The game takes a sinister turn which forces the parents to remember their own childhood and shocks the children into adolescence. Thus, new problems arise and the generation gap remains unbridged.

Suitable for secondary schools with one talented junior.

Duration 60 minutes

Cast:

3 adults, 13 children, chorus

Instrumentation:

flute db. piccolo, oboe db cor anglais, clarinet db bass clarinet, bassoon, horn, harp, piano, percussion, string quintet

Printed editions: Vocal score, Chorus parts.