An opera in one act for soprano, mezzo-soprano, and piano. 24 mins.
Two intrepid women develop a bond of friendship during a trek deep into the wilderness. June, a first-time fire lookout, is radically reinventing herself following the unexpected death of her life partner. Ray is an experienced mule packer with a life-long love for the land, who struggles with hopelessness in the face of ecological crises.
Accompanied by pack mules, Ray guides June to her seasonal post at a rustic fire tower on a mountain summit in a non-motorized wilderness. During their journey the women are awed by vast landscapes, find moments of levity, and share their experiences with grief.
Set against a backdrop of climate crisis in the American West, The Fire Tower is an intimate portrait of two people in a pivotal moment searching for purpose.
Music & libretto by Nell Shaw Cohen.
Perusal Score
Available for workshop productions. Perusal score provided on request. Please direct inquiries to Nell Shaw Cohen at nell@nellshawcohen.com.
Performance & Development History
UTSA Lyric Theatre presented a workshop performance of The Fire Tower directed by Jourdan Laine Howell at The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 11/17 & 11/19/23.