About the Opera

Stone Soup was inspired by the classic European folktale of the same name but has been reset in the small town of Blessing, Texas during the Great Depression. Sally, a smart and resourceful girl, tries to shush her hunger pangs on the steps of the town's general store when she meets Max, the store's owner. Out of concern for the Sally's welfare, he asks her where her parents are, and she assures him that they are nearby. He also complains that his store will have to close unless business improves. Edna enters and Sally asks her for food, but Edna explains that these are hard times and can offer her nothing. Stan, and then Delia, tell Sally the same thing when they enter. Alone, Sally's hunger worsens, and she imagines that she'd even eat soup made from stones. This gives her an idea and she asks Max for a large pot. She puts a few stones in the the pot and stirs it, impersonating a French chef. When Delia, Edna and Stan exit the store with groceries, they inquire about the soup and Sally as the chef proclaims it to be a culinary masterpiece. They each try the soup and agree but offer an ingredient from their grocery bags to improve its flavor. Max reenters and also suggests an ingredient and soon all concur that stone soup will make Max’s General Store a huge success. After the others have left, Sally admits to Max that she is an orphan and is lost. Max offers to take Sally into his home until he and his wife can help her locate her real home.