�AV

A quick overview of Weill’s 1949 opera based on the novel Cry, the Beloved Country and set in the days before apartheid in South Africa.

Premiered

1949

Music by

Kurt Weill

Libretto by

Maxwell Anderson

Language

English

In early 1948, former German citizen and popular Broadway composer Kurt Weill and playwright Maxwell Anderson read a newly-published South African novel entitled Cry, the Beloved Country. Inspired by the book’s themes of struggle, oppression, and redemption, the two men asked the author Alan Paton if they could adapt the story for the stage.

Once permission was given, Weill studied Zulu music to incorporate African cultural authenticity, while Anderson turned Paton’s words into poetic lyrics. The show, with the new title Lost in the Stars, opened on Broadway in October 1949.

Act I

In the late 1940s, Ixopo, South Africa is struggling. Though parts of the region are still beautiful and green, its lower hills are dry. Young men and women have abandoned their native villages because they cannot earn a living on the land.

In nearby Ndotsheni, a Black priest named Stephen Kumalo and his wife worry that their son Absalom may have hit hard times. Absalom has moved to Johannesburg and hasn’t sent word for a long while. Stephen decides to take a train to the city. At the station, Stephen encounters a white neighbor named James Jarvis and his son Arthur, a patron of Stephen’s church. Though Arthur is friendly, James is distant, as he does not socialize with people of color.

Once in Johannesburg, Stephen visits his troubled sister Gertrude, who grants Stephen custody of her small son Alex. The priest then searches the city (with some help from his brother, John) and discovers that Absalom has fallen into a life of crime. Stephen also learns that his son has a girlfriend who is pregnant.

Elsewhere in Johannesburg, Absalom, his cousin Matthew, and their friend, Johannes, discuss a plot to steal from a local home. Despite warnings from his girlfriend Irina, Absalom agrees to join in the plan in order to provide for
his unborn child. Left alone, Irina is confronted by Stephen. The two agree to join forces to help Absalom.

Later, during the robbery, the three accomplices are shocked to discover the house they have chosen is unexpectedly occupied. Absalom accidentally fires a gun and kills the owner, who turns out to be Arthur Jarvis. The citizens of Johannesburg—both Black and white—are horrified. The robbers are arrested, and Stephen fears all is lost.

Act II

Following the arrest, Stephen realizes Absalom’s only choices are to “tell a lie and live” (plead innocent and go free) or “speak truth and die” (confess and be executed). Desperate, the priest approaches James Jarvis to ask for help in securing mercy. Jarvis declines.

At the trial, Matthew and Johannes plead their innocence, but Absalom refuses to lie and is sentenced to be hanged. Following the ruling, Stephen marries Irina and Absalom in a small ceremony. Resolving to appeal the case, the priest brings Irina and Alex to his village to wait for news.

Once home, Stephen, weary and depressed, announces plans to leave the church. But will his faith be restored? Will the execution be repealed? Most importantly for the future of South Africa: Can the families of Jarvis and Kumalo find a way to reconcile?

Listen to the Story

Presented by Washington National Opera, host Saul Lilienstein takes you through the musical world of Kurt Weill’s 1949 opera based on the novel Cry, the Beloved Country and set in the days before apartheid in South Africa, Lost in the Stars.

Read the Cuesheet

Kennedy Center Education Digital Learning

Eric Friedman 
Director, Digital Learning

Kenny Neal 
Manager, Digital Education Resources

Tiffany A. Bryant 
Manager, Operations and Audience Engagement

JoDee Scissors 
Content Specialist, Digital Learning

Connect with us!

Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;

Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Volkswagen Group of America; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; Wells Fargo; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..

The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.