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Crossing

100

English

Synopsis

Set in a Washington, D.C. military hospital near the end of the American Civil War, the opera offers a fictionalized account of Walt Whitman's time as a volunteer nurse. As he tends to the wounded, Whitman strikes up a friendship with a volatile young soldier, John Wormley. Their relationship deepens and becomes physically intimate, leading Whitman to question his identity and motivations. Unbeknownst to Whitman, Wormley is a Confederate soldier, and his betrayal leads to tragic consequences

Composer

Matthew Aucoin

Lyricist / Librettist / Playwright

Matthew Aucoin

Year of composition/publication / premiere

2015

Genre

Opera

LGBTQAI+ category

Gay, Queer

Level of centrality

Main character

Characters

Walt Whitman, John Wormley

Voice type

Baritone, Tenor

Pronouns

he/him

Publisher / Rights holder

Associated Music Publishers Inc (World)

Where to buy / access the work

The full and vocal scores are available for purchase from the publisher, Wise Music Classical

Performance rights

For performance rights, please contact the composer and/or publisher to ensure legal compliance.