ountry, Auden and Britten embarked on the creation of the "choral operetta" Paul Bunyan.
The origins of this work included a request from Boosey and Hawkes for a work that could be performed by schools and amateur groups and an apparent commitment by Ballet Caravan to present the work on Broadway. Though Britten wrote to his sister in late 1939 that their "opera is settled for Broadway when we have done it," this production never materialized. But with such strong commercial prospects in view the two artists made "a determined attempt . . . to identify themselves not only with the American folklore from which the plot is drawn, but with American ways of thinking and feeling."
Paul Bunyan was a giant lumberjack, "reputed to stand forty-two axe handles high," who led the pioneers as they cleared the American forest. Although there were numerous legends about his exploits Auden was primarily interested in Paul Bunyan as an example of post-industrial mythmaking, which was unique to America. Paul Bunyan has no magical powers. He is simply an
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