from Act II of the English opera
The Tender Land by Aaron Copland
Libretto: Horner Everett
Role: Laurie Moss, a girl who is about to graduate from high school
Voice Part: soprano Fach: soubrette|lyric soprano
Setting: A rural farm in Midwest America on the day before graduation, 1930s, June
Synopsis: At the dinner before her graduation, Laurie makes a speech, thanking her family and telling them that, even though her life in town has been wonderful, she feels as if she wants to see the world.