Rappaccini's Daughter (Garwood opera)

Rappaccini's Daughter is an opera in two acts by American composer Margaret Garwood. The libretto, also written by Garwood, is based on Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story of the same name. The opera premiered in 1982 at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia.

The opera closely follows the plot of Hawthorne's story. Giovanni Guasconti, a young student, arrives in Padua and is drawn to the beautiful Beatrice Rappaccini, who is kept isolated in her father's poisonous garden. Dr. Rappaccini, a brilliant but sinister scientist, has cultivated Beatrice to be immune to, and indeed poisonous herself, through her close contact with the garden's plants. Giovanni falls in love with Beatrice, unaware of the danger she poses. Professor Baglioni, a rival of Rappaccini, warns Giovanni of the danger. Baglioni provides Giovanni with an antidote, which Giovanni attempts to administer to Beatrice. However, the antidote ultimately proves fatal to her, as her very being is now inseparable from the poison.

Garwood's score is characterized by its lyrical vocal lines and dramatic orchestration, reflecting the gothic romance and tragic themes of Hawthorne's original tale. The opera explores themes of science versus nature, love and obsession, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. While not a frequently performed work in the standard operatic repertoire, Rappaccini's Daughter is considered a significant contribution to American opera and a successful adaptation of a classic American short story.