Composer John Craton, a native of Anniston, Alabama, began his musical career with the violin at age 10 and later studied piano and composition. He played with the Jacksonville State University string orchestra while still in high school, and also the JSU string trio and woodwind quintet. He began accepting private students in 1971 and has taught both violin and piano in Alabama, Tennessee, and Indiana. He received his B.A. from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee; M.A. from Indiana University, Bloomington; and Au.D. from the Audiology Foundation of America. Since 2002, Craton has focused on teaching and composition. He currently resides in Indiana.
This digital collection was provided through the generous donation and permission of the composer. Other compositions by Dr. Craton can be found in the Library's Alabama Gallery Special Collections.
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Opera | Defiance: A One-Minute Opera
John Craton
In a primeval forest, a woman addresses a young man, delivering a series of instructions.
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Opera | Saint Mary of Egypt (Original Version, 2021)
John Craton
This is the original version of Craton's Saint Mary of Egypt; the opera was revised in 2026, and the revised version is also available in this collection.
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Opera | Saint Mary of Egypt (Revised Version, 2026)
John Craton
This is the revised score for Craton's Saint Mary of Egypt; the original 2021 version is also available in this collection.
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Opera | The Curious Affair of the Count of Monte Blotto
John Craton
Libretto by J.F. Guin III and John Craton. A chamber-pot opera gouffre in three pointless acts.
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Opera | The Fashionable Lady; or, Harlequin's Opera
John Craton
Text by James Ralph. A Comic opera in three acts in the manner of a rehearsal.
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Opera | The Parliament of Fowls
John Craton
A comic chamber opera in one act, based on the poem by Geoffrey Chaucer.
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Opera | The Reconciliation; or, The Triumph of Nature
John Craton
By Peter Markoe, music by John Craton. A comic opera in two acts.
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Opera | Tom Ojos Azules
John Craton
An opera for children based on history and with a libretto by José Jiménez Lozano.
