The Little Prince (2003) by Rachel Portman is a two-act “magical opera” based on the famous 1943 children’s book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Composed by Academy Award-winner Rachel Portman with a libretto by Nicholas Wright, it was premiered by the Houston Grand Opera on May 31, 2003.
Rachel Portman (born 1960) is a renowned British composer, notable as the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Original Score for Emma (1996). She has scored over 100 films, including Chocolat, The Cider House Rules, and Never Let Me Go, known for her lyrical, melodic, and often orchestral style. In addition to her Oscar, she was the first female composer to win a Primetime Emmy Award (for Bessie in 2015) and won a second Emmy for Julia in 2023.
Here are the key details regarding the 2003 work:
- Context: It was a departure for Portman, who is primarily known for her film scores (e.g., Emma, Chocolat), marking her foray into operatic composition.
- Story: The opera tells the story of an aviator who crashes in the Sahara Desert and meets a young prince from another planet, who shares tales of his adventures, the Rose, and a fox.
- Style: The score is noted for being melodic, accessible, and whimsical, designed to appeal to both children and adults.
- Instrumentation/Voices: The opera is scored for a full orchestra (including harp and celesta) with a cast that features a boy soprano in the title role, a baritone as the Pilot, and a 20-member children’s chorus.
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