The Enchanted Pig is a chamber opera with music by Jonathan Dove to a libretto by Alasdair Middleton. It is based on themes from traditional fairy tales: "The Enchanted Pig", and "The Brown Bear of Norway".[1]
The opera was commissioned by the Young Vic theatre, by which it was premiered in 2006. Subsequent productions have included one by Hampstead Garden Opera in November 2017.[2] It is scored for eight voices, who between them cover roles as chorus and 15 character parts. The accompanying instrumental ensemble consists of accordion, harp, trombone, cello, double bass, piano and percussion (including anvil and spoons).[3] Many of the characters are assigned leitmotifs in the music – that for the pig is a muted-trombone motif in the key of B-flat minor.[4]