Aaron Copland’s The Tender Land is set in the American Midwest during the Great Depression and tells the story of a young farm girl named Laurie, who is approaching her high school graduation and contemplating her future. The narrative unfolds as Laurie’s family prepares for her upcoming graduation party, while Laurie herself grapples with the tension between her desire for a broader life beyond her rural upbringing and her deep connections to her family and home. The opera features a rich tapestry of American folk-inspired music, which captures the pastoral beauty of the setting and the internal conflict faced by Laurie.  The music reflects both the simplicity of rural life and the emotional depth of Laurie's impending transition.

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