The Cunning Little Vixen reflection on the cycle of life and death by including the death of the vixen. As with other operas by older composers, this late opera shows a deep understanding of life leading to a return to simplicity. It was given its premiere performance on 6 November 1924 in National Theatre Brno conducted by František Neumann, with Ota Zítek as director and Eduard Milén as stage designer. The opera received its Italian premiere at La Scala in 1958 with Mariella Adani in the title role. The work was first staged in England in 1961 by the Sadler's Wells Opera Company (now
William Chapman (baritone) NYCO. At Spoleto he also appeared in the world premiere of Tennessee Williams's play "The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore". In March 1962 he portrayed Horace Tabor in Douglas Moore's "The Ballad of Baby Doe" opposite Beverly Sills in the title role and the Secret Police Agent in Menotti's "The Consul". In the 1964–1965 season Chapman added four new roles to his NYCO repertoire: Rangoni in Modest Mussorgsky's "Boris Godunov" with Norman Treigle in the title role; Jochanaan in Richard Strauss's "Salome" with Norman Kelley as Herod, Patricia Neway as Herodias, and Curtin in the title role; Boris in