Music by John Harbison Libretto by the composer after the play
by W. B. Yeats About A Full Moon in March Disappointed with his
inability to mount a production of his first opera, Winter's
Tale, Harbison composed Full Moon in March as a chamber piece so
as to make a performance practical for smaller companies. Cast
of Characters The Queen,ms and dancer Drawn by the queen's
promise that the man who sings most eloquently of his passion
will win her hand and the king's crown, a swineherd approaches
the throne. He is not sure he is worthy to vie for her hand,
since he is filthy and ragged from his journey; since he got
that way seeking her, the Queen allows him to sing, but warns
that she is cruel and that her mercy will not last long. Soon,
offended by his self-confidence, she orders him taken away and
beheaded. His head is brought to her on a stake, and as she
gazes adoringly at it, it begins to sing (through the voice of
the Second Attendant.) She kisses the head's lips, just as the
Swineherd predicted, and dan