Douglas Moore’s opera “Giants in the Earth” is making its world premiere as a recording with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Delta David Gier. Set in the barren, uninhabited plains of Dakota, the drama follows Beret and Per Hansa, whose deep love is put to the test by the isolation and harsh realities of pioneer life. Moore’s text-oriented vocal lines flow with natural expression, weaving short, expressive ariosi into a seamless melodic tapestry. At the heart of the story is Beret’s intricately carved Norwegian chest, which serves as an altar, a refuge, and a symbol of home, underscoring the opera’s themes—memory, tradition, and human longing. Moore’s tonal score contrasts strength and fragility across the vocal ranges and builds tension as Beret makes a fateful decision amid blizzards and profound loss. Every nuance is vividly rendered, from intimate lyrical passages to the opera’s harrowing climax. This groundbreaking recording illuminates the emotional intensity, psychological depth, and lyrical beauty of a work whose complete version has long been awaited, making it an indispensable addition for lovers of American opera. The libretto is based on the novel of the same name by Ole Edvart Rolvaag, and the opera was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1951. The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra rediscovered, recorded, and revived it on April 26, 2025, in Sioux Falls. Douglas Moore (1893–1969) was a composer, pianist, conductor, and author. Although he created a number of operas and other stage works, only his folk opera *The Ballad of Baby Doe* (1956) has remained popular to this day.

Michael J. Hawk, Meredith Lustig, Andrew Gilstrap, Sarah Nordin, Dylan Morrongiello, Megan Koch, Benjamin Dutcher, South Dakota Symphpnoy Orchestra Chorus, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Delta David Gier