Cast

Synopsis

ACT I. A square dance is underway. While watching the dancers, the elders' wives discuss the revival meeting soon to take place. Finally their attention focuses on Susannah, one of the dancers. The magnetism she obviously exerts on the men as well as her vitality and natural exuberance evoke their suspicion. Unexpectedly the traveling preacher, Olin Blitch, arrives. He tells everyone that he intends to wipe out sin in New Hope Valley. After welcoming him, the music and dancing resume. Blitch, who has been watching Susannah intently inquires about her and learns that she has been raised by her dissolute brother, Sam, and is abjectly poor. After watching a while longer the preacher dances with Susannah.

Susannah and the weak-minded Little Bat McLean discuss the square dance. Little Bat obviously adores Susannah, but he is afraid of her brother and hurriedly leaves as soon as he hears Sam's footsteps. The relationship of the brother and sister is warm and tender. Susannah begs Sam to sing her the "Jaybird Song" before going to bed because it always makes "me feel real happy."

Susannah takes her covered dish to supper and is treated with cold hostility by the women. Finally, Elder McLean tells her that she "ain't welcome here." Crushed and bewildered she goes home.

She learns from Little Bat about the pond episode and how this has scandalized the whole community. But this is not the worst: Little Bat has been intimidated into confessing that he has been intimate with her! Horrified, she runs to her brother who has overheard the whole story. Speaking to her gently, he tells her how "people want to believe what's bad." There is little he can say to comfort the distraught girl. Sobbing, she asks him to sing her the "Jaybird Song" again.

ACT II. Susannah's despondency is extreme. Her brother tells her that the community is probably waiting for a public confession. He advises her to go to the meeting tonight to show that she is not afraid and also, since he must leave her for the night to attend his traps, feels that she will be safer there than home alone. With reluctance she agrees to go.

The revival meeting is taking place. Blitch delivers a "hell-fire" sermon and sinners gradually come forward to be saved. After the exodus to the altar ceases, Blitch addresses Susannah directly, exhorting her "to confess your sins and ask forgiveness of the Lord and these folks present tonight." The persistent entreaties of the preacher and choir apparently have a hypnotic effect on the frightened girl. In a trancelike state she begins to walk toward the altar. But the spell is shattered when a smile of triumph appears on Blitch's face. She screams, "No," and runs out into the night.

Blitch, frustrated by his failure, wants to pray with Susannah for her sins. Her anguished defense of her innocence leaves her emotionally exhausted. The genuine pity she elicits from Blitch soon turns to lust. Susannah's state of utter desolation and weariness leaves her no strength to resist. She allows him to lead her into the house, her head on his shoulder

Blitch is found kneeling in the church. Terrified by his own image of a vengeful God, he begs forgiveness. Soon the elders and their wives, as well as Susannah, arrive. The preacher has asked them to come in order that they might rectify their terrible mistake. Susannah is innocent, he protests. Unconvinced, they angrily walk out of the church. Susannah begins to laugh strangely. Blitch brokenly asks her to forgive him. She tells him, "I've forgot what the word means."

Sam has returned, somewhat tipsy. Susannah, in a hard and bitter tone, tells him all that has happened. When she goes into the house, her infuriated brother grabs his shotgun and goes in search of the preacher. Susannah, hearing a shot, falls to her knees in sorrow and terror crying, "O Lord, I never meant him to do it." Soon Little Bat comes running to Susannah and tells her that they are going to hang Sam and run her out of the valley. When the mob appears ordering her to leave, she greets them with mocking laughter. She runs into the house and reappears with a shotgun. Pointing it at them menacingly, she tells them, "You can't run me off my place." After they slowly leave, she notices Little Bat. She beckons to him seductively and, when he goes to her, slaps him viciously. Again she reels with strident and derisive laughter. As the curtain falls, Susannah stands silent, shotgun in hand, a proud and lonely spirit.

- Courtesy of Opera News