Karen Phipps - Snow White: Opera in One Act
Karen Phipps - Snow White: Opera in One Act
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Snow White — A Complete Opera in One Act by Karen Phipps
Snow White by Karen Phipps is a captivating operatic retelling of the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tale, brought to life in a compact one-act format. From the jealous Evil Queen and her enchanted mirror, to the seven dwarfs and the fateful poisoned apple, Phipps's score captures every iconic moment of the tale with the full emotional power of the operatic tradition — while remaining eminently practical for university opera workshops, community opera companies, and touring productions.
Requiring a small cast of two lead women, seven dwarf altos, and two or three men, with a total performance time of under one hour and a piano accompaniment only, Snow White is an ideal vehicle for bringing the magic of opera to audiences of all ages — from young school children to adult concertgoers. Minimal staging requirements make it equally suited to full theatrical production or concert performance. A version for chamber orchestra is forthcoming.
One-act operas have a distinguished history in the repertoire, from Puccini's Il Tabarro to Menotti's The Telephone, and Phipps's Snow White offers performers and audiences a complete operatic experience in an accessible and practical format.
Cast and Production Details
- Two lead women (Snow White and the Evil Queen)
- Seven dwarf altos
- Two or three men
- Total performance time: under one hour
- Piano accompaniment only (chamber orchestra version forthcoming)
- Minimal staging — ideal for touring and educational productions
Story Highlights
- Based on the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale of Snow White
- Features iconic characters: Snow White, the Evil Queen, the Magic Mirror, the Prince, and the Seven Dwarfs
- Dramatic arc includes the poisoned apple, the glass coffin, and the triumphant awakening
- Rich vocal writing across a small, practical cast
Performance Highlights
- A complete, self-contained opera in one act by Karen Phipps
- Ideal for university opera workshops, community opera companies, and touring productions
- Accessible to adult and young audiences alike — a perfect educational outreach vehicle
- Piano-vocal score included — ready for rehearsal and performance
- Digital PDF download — print-ready score included
About the Composer
Karen Phipps received her Master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University, where she studied organ with Dr. Mary Ida Yost and composition as a post-graduate student with Dr. Anthony Iannaccone. She also studied organ and composition with Dr. Pamela Riuter-Feenstra at Eastern Michigan, and completed one year of doctoral studies at the University of Michigan studying organ with Dr. Marilyn Mason and composition with Dr. William Albright. Upon returning to Eastern Michigan, she continued organ and composition studies with Dr. James Wagner. She currently serves as organist and choir director at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Livonia, Michigan. Her organ works have been published by Northwestern Publishing House and Augsburg Publishing House, and her opera Snow White by Ayotte Custom Musical Engravings.