Skilton: The Sun Bride

Charles Sanford Skilton's opera The Sun Bride was heard infrequently at the time of its composition. Based on a legend of the Pueblo Indians from the four-corners area of the United States, the libretto by Lilian White Spencer relates the story of the brave Bluefeather, who falls in love with the Bonita clan's Sun Bride. The plot also serves as a frame for the depiction of Indian ceremonies and games, which have their foundation in Skilton's research into Pueblo music and lore. The opera is presented in piano-vocal score, since it was most often performed in this way. The edition includes two plates, which juxtapose the piano-vocal score with the orchestral score.

Prelude

Scene 1

Interlude 1

Scene 2

Interlude 2

Scene 3

Interlude 3

Scene 4 (Finale)

Catherine Parsons Smith, Notes, March 2001