Sketchbook for Ollie

an opera in one act for children Music and libretto by Rachel J. Peters Adapted from the story Life Is a Jar of Paint by Bill Folman. CAST: Soprano, Mezzo-soprano, Tenor, Bass-Baritone DURATION: 35 minutes WORLD PREMIERE: Lyric Opera of Kansas City, 2022. Eight-point-five-year-old Ollie questions the meaning of life after the death of his grandmother. He is frustrated with grownups avoiding his tough but important questions. The only answer that satisfies him comes from his Aunt Leeza, a composer, who shows him that life is like her music sketchbook. She shows him a wide variety of methods to make and share the ongoing compositions of our lives, whether professionally or through altruistic interactions. With these new tools, Ollie creates his own song involving the whole family and audience. Aunt Leeza gives Ollie his own blank sketchbook for the hard questions yet to come. This opera is designed to tour to elementary schools for grades 3-5. All performances of this work require separate permission and licensing. To obtain performance rights, please visit www.racheljpeters.com