Composer’s Note:

This is the third opera of the Bears Trilogy which is comprised of:

1) Elisha and the Bears (12-15 minutes)
2) East of the Sun, West of the Moon (45-50 minutes)
3) Just Desserts (25 minutes)

The She-Bears from Elisha and the Bears, Ursula and Bernadette, return for the the third opera, Just Desserts. These same outer operas, while able to stand alone, are conceived as bookends to the central opera, Elisha and the Bears. Therefore, an entire evening or matinee of three chamber operas is possible, lasting circa 90 minutes. A second possibility, other than performances of the individual operas, would pair Elisha and Just Desserts (the cooking themes and characters provide some continuity) to provide ca. 40 minutes of performance.

Roles:

Ursula Bear Chef (also in Elisha and the Bears, opera 1 of the Bear Trilogy) Soprano
Bernadette Bear Sous Chef (also in Elisha and the Bears) Mezzo-Soprano
Cherie, Cherie Flambeau Soprano
Bullionaire Chef Master of Ceremonies Baritone
Restaurant Critic, Dr Sevrin Platte Tenor
Radio commentator, Sorin Rote Bass/Bass-Baritone
Aegypius Vulture Bullionnaire Chef Baritone
Hannibal Piranha chef Tenor
Unrepentant Punsters: #1 (Soprano), #2 (Tenor), & #3 (Baritone)

Nibbles Piranha sous chef Non-singing Role
Neophron Vulture Sous Chef Non-singing Role

Opera Chorus (SATB)