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Canadian Opera Resource
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Operas
Rocking Horse Winner
Content warning: illness, death

Rocking Horse Winner primarily explores the relationship between Paul, a young adult, and his emotionally distant mother, Ava.

Paul is driven to bridge the relationship with his mother, but Ava s...
Composer: Gareth Williams
Librettist: Anna Chatterton

Rocking Horse Winner
COR
Excerpts
Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 3: Paul rides his Rocking Horse

Paul creeps upstairs and rides his rocking horse, asking it to take him to where luck is. He rides faster and faster and at the peak, shouts a name: Daffodil.

Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 4: Paul tells Uncle Oscar his Secret

Uncle Oscar enters, having heard the noise, and asks Paul what’s going on. Paul reveals his secret: the rocking horse is lucky, and tells him the names of race horses. Oscar calls in Paul’s caretaker, Bassett, who admits that Paul tells him the names of winning race horses. The three head to the races to prove it.

Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 6: Paul tells Oscar about the House (duet)

Paul tells Oscar he hopes the winnings will stop the house from singing. Paul hears “her” sing of how there’s never enough, how there must be more. He makes Oscar promise not to tell his mother about where the money comes from; it might ruin the luck. Oscar tells him to never stop riding.

Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 7: Ava and Paul at the piano

Paul asks his mother why she always sings sad songs and if she knows anything happier. Ava rebukes him. She expresses profound regret for the stupidity and vanity of her youth. The world only smiles for the young, she says. Paul hopes she’ll smile for her birthday tomorrow, but she does not. At her birthday party, Oscar gives her the winnings...

Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 9: The Money Gets Spent

The predictions keep coming true, and the money keeps coming. The money gets spent, and Paul keeps riding. All the while the house is getting filled with finery. But it keeps singing. There must be more, but Paul’s luck falters as his energy wanes.

Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 11: Paul dies

The last ride has left Paul gravely ill. Oscar and Bassett tell him they bet it all, and they’re set for life. Paul asks his mother if she’ll finally be happy- finally smile. She does, but as they leave his room to celebrate, Paul hears the house whisper. There must be more. Paul is desperate, and crawls to his rocking horse for more luck, mo...

Rocking Horse Winner – “Now I’m All Nerves” (aria)

Ava bemoans Paul's lack of understanding, and her need for luxury.

Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 5

Paul is nearly overwhelmed by the noise, but manages. Oscar and Bassett place their bets on Daffodil. Bassett takes the role of a race announcer, and the three watch Paul’s prediction come true. The three sing of how this will change everything.

Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 10: Ava and Paul

Paul begs his rocking horse for more luck for the Derby. Ava decides Paul’s been too agitated lately, and the distance between them grows wider. Ava leaves his room and bemoans Paul’s lack of understanding. She deserves luxury now and then, and Paul robs her of comfort. As if on cue, she hears Paul noisily riding his rocking horse again. Whil...

Rocking Horse Winner – Scene 8: Ava’s birthday

Ava is disappointed in her birthday celebration, and Paul asks her why she isn't happy.

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