University of Toronto Faculty of Music

Opera Division

Spring

Opera Scenes

Saturday, April 27, 1996 8 pm MacMillan Theatre Edward Johnson Building

PROGRAMME The Italian Girl in Algiers Gioachino Rossini Scene from Act I (in English) (1792 - 1868) Isabella Vilma Indra Vitols Taddeo Sung Chung Ali Taras Kulish Pirates Robert Martin John McGillis Musical Director Stephen Ralls Stage Director Constance Fisher Pianist Laura Friesen

On a shore of Algeria, Ali and his Moslem hoard have captured the shipwrecked Italians, Isabella and her besotted admirer, Taddeo. The situation terrifies Taddeo though Isabella takes it in her stride even when Ali tells them that they are both destined for the harem of the local Bey. Taddeo's cowardice irritates Isabella just as her nonchalance has a grating effect on him. Left alone for a moment, Isabella's courage abruptly fails her. But she and Taddeo are sure that by mutual support they can conquer any forseeable difficulty.

Werther Jules Massenet Act III; Scene 1 (in French) (1842 - 1912) Charlotte Liesel Fedkenheuer Sophie Monica Walsh Maid Megan Easton Musical Director Stephen Ralls Stage Director Ann Cooper Gay

Pianist Sabatino Vacca

It is Christmas Eve and Charlotte rereads her love letters from the poet, Werther. Since entering into her loveless marriage with Albert, the letters are the only tangible remembrance she has of the young poet, letters reflective of their troubled love and prophetic of its doom. Charlotte can barely bring herself to read Werther's last letter which echoes his promise that she would see him again at Christmas.

Sophie arrives and seeing her sister distraught invites her to come home for the celebrations of the season. Charlotte reluctantly accepts, but moments after Sophie's departure, she is again drawn to the letters.

Hansel and Gretel Engelbert Humperdinck Act II (in English) (1854 - 1921)

Hansel Maria Kowan

Gretel Lilac Cafia The Sandman Kathleen Flynn Musical Director Stephen Ralls Stage Director Constance Fisher Pianist Laura Friesen

As a punishment for mischief, Hansel and Gretel have been sent into the forest to gather strawberries. Hansel has filled his basket with ber- ries and Gretel has made a wreath with which her brother crowns her. Before they realize what they are doing, the children eat all of the ber- ries and then find it has become too dark to find any more or even make their way home. Although frightened they grow weary and fall asleep.

INTERMISSION

Faust Act III; Scene 2 (in French)

Marguerite Méphistophéles Monks

Musical Director Stage Director Pianist

Méphistophélés and his demons.

Charles Gounod (1818 -1893)

Linda Karry David Jefferies Elisabeth Beattie Heather Gay Ryan Harper Nicole Shaw

James Fraser Craig Ann Cooper Gay Catherine Maguire

Marguerite, remorseful and abandoned by Faust, has come to church to pray for him and the child she will bear. Even in sacred surround- ings, however, she cannot escape the scornful torments of

—4 4

La Traviata Giuseppe Verdi

Act II (in Italian) (1813 - 1901) Violetta Valery Monica Huisman Alfredo Germont Robert Martin Giorgio Germont John McGillis Annina Sabrina Santelli Giuseppe Michael Colvin Musical Director James Fraser Craig Stage Director Michael Patrick Albano Pianist Laura Friesen

In the first act of the opera, Violetta Valery, a celebrated Parisian courtesan, has been introduced to Alfredo Germont, a young man of a highly respected family. The couple fall in love and Violetta gladly abandons her meaningless existence to find happiness with Alfredo ina country villa. Unknown to Alfredo, Violetta is forced to sell all her possessions in order to maintain their present ménage. When this in- formation is revealed to Alfredo by Violetta's maid, Annina, he rushes off to Paris to raise money of his own. Violetta, somewhat puzzled by his hasty departure, receives a letter from a Parisian friend inviting her to a party. The social whirl of the city no longer means anything to her and she puts aside the invitation. When a visitor is announced, she is surprised and briefly ill-at-ease to find that it is Alfredo's father. His abrupt and insulting manner quickly vanishes as Violetta reveals a dig- nity he little expected. He tells her that Alfredo's sister is shortly to marry, but that the relationship of Violetta and Alfredo is jeopardizing the proposed match. Violeta understands the problem and reluctantly agrees that she and Alfredo could part for a period. This is not enough for Germont. Even though Violetta tells him that a deadly illness threat- ens her life, he demands a complete renunciation from her. With heavy heart, Violetta accedes to his wishes.

There and Back Complete (in English)

Helene Auntie Robert

A Maid A Doctor A Nurse An Angel

Musical Director and Pianist Stage Director

Paul Hindemith (1895 - 1963)

Michelle Neville Sabrina Santelli Steve Gokool Alexandra Tait Colin Roche Ayelet Porzecanski Vilma Indra Vitols

Michael Evans Michael Patrick Albano

This little opera is a typical product of the Berlin 1920's, a time when young artists took a delight in experimental iconoclasm.

A bourgeois family tragedy, the murder of a faithless woman on her birthday by her jealous husband is enacted in an absurdly compressed way. We are then invited to view the proceedings in a different light. Events occur in reverse order and at the end of the piece the wife is as happily unfaithful as ever. The music includes jazz elements and sati- rizes Baroque and ecclesiastical conventions.

OPERA DIVISION

Misical Divecto ris yi cio gy abe sain gore Doles ws ee James Fraser Craig Head.Coach and Gonductor...0°5 0 054 che eee oh ee co etilece Michael Evans Muste SHAT wos bone Pats sap eet eee bas eo eng eyes SE) Stephen Ralls Laura Friesen Sabatino Vacca SHO UECOS se iccpitigs £9. cb opie arte en to EE EA Michael Patrick Albano Constance Fisher (Opera Director Emeritus) Ann Cooper Gay COO FAINMEO Resi OR ie eee Nh lop eve ena tial Michael Patrick Albano Administrative ASSiStant:.Fsea occ iu Fo sh Sere on eR ols Saha Tina Orton

PRODUCTION STAFF DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS/LIGHTING DESIGNER ...... Fred Perruzza SAGE MANAGER &/ tccc vic i cccss te whe Bea ead aie teraeedsltvectiS cleats oe Susan Elliott PRODUCTION. ASSISTANT 3 iin ciie'cs este oie as ome pee e a. Jason Collins TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS 4. 20.5 Sic foes toes oe aN a olereate pikes Chris Brooks HRADELEGTRIGIAN foc’ c ci cncedts pilenn need aa eae heme coh atc Glen Brown HEAD! GARPBENGER: c5a-i2 tates de steve alte $e Sa tee ePetecere eels ecene%s Chris Brooks HEAD PROPS (2 wis 6 fin y on nate pen sted tee ewes ane Diete ¥ Kathy Layne SCENIG ARTIST RFit. S aSeiteRis tec overs ual stehe, e*euenaiery dlsbaber duets Jeannie Thibe WARDROBE SUPERVISOR =. ¢ i%.34¢ ta coves comers ¢ dfisren Leisa Bellmore WARDROBEJASSISTAN TT ‘sivecttad 2.3 Gos bcste ete tetare’ sep Bier ere exe's Martha Paul WIGS/MAKEUP COORDINATOR ........ 00s cece eees Dawn Rivard MAKEAUP "GREW. $5. Siscs Sioa aes acd cae iy ahca ew re tendysbers a we Chris Ibbetson Nadine Luke Anne-Marie McLaughlan Amanda Milne, Mirriam Stables PON MAIN ic Beste Wace guak Bk pr Shanna baad Sava Tuas ah eet es Paul Quesnel GREW Ege ircrn 5 sin aireee tne ceaeeitt ints at arate! sfaveretehs Peter Banas, Tyler Devine

Steve Lalande, George Milenov Dean Muto, T. C. Sclocco

Lars Tilander CONGERT- MANAGER: 8 Soe itetacd attentions hed dene DA Marnie Hare PUBLICITY ASSISTANT ce. 23.%.,.0 p70. sti oso biene 41a, ovals geraiati?s Evelyn McGrath

BOX OFFICE ce oscai ocai hale Se 88 take Paleiettee Joanna Blanas, Ross Harwell

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