overture to opera (90mpanymotlibrary.slis.wayne.edu/images/programs/a_pro_19711972_001.pdf ·...

OVERTURE TO OPERA (90MPANY

1971 ~easoll Dr. David Di Chiera

General Director

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

OVERTURE TO OPERA

What is it? Overture to Opera is a non-profit Detroit-based organization that, since 1961, has served as the Detroit Grand Opera Association 's producing arm. Guided by the principle that opera should be musical theater, Overlure to Opera emphasizes freshness and youth in its productions. All the operas but one have been presented in English to provide audiences with a total theatrical experience. The audiences have included opera buffs as well as young people and adults who have never heard or seen operatic entertainment before. The com pany's productions have gained considerable popular and critical acclaim.

Why is it? Three reasons mainly.

1. To create supportive audiences for opera in the future by performing to young audiences today . Overture to Opera has brought performances to over 200,000 young peopJe at minimal prices. The generosity of patrons, organizations and foundations has enabled free performances for inner-city students.

2. To provide the people of greater Detroit with an opportunity to enjoy a wider diversity of operatic experience. For example, this season Overture to Opera will present as one of its works Gian-Carlo Menotti 's new space-age multi-media opera, "Help Help, The Globolinks!"

3. To provide an outstanding opportunity for talented young artists to perform. Overture to Opera is proud that it has helped launch many singers who have become leading artists in opera houses in the U.S. and abroad.

THE FUTURE OF OPERA IN AMERICA RESTS UPON THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF REGIONAL COMPANIES SUCH AS OVERTURE T O OPERA I

Who is it? The best young singers, dancers, actors, designers and directors from Michigan in addition to highly regarded national and international performers. Many world-famous artists have enhanced the company's creative impact, including !talo Tajo (star of Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, records and movies) , Muriel Greenspon (star of N"ew York City Opera and Festival 01 Two Worlds), John Broom (Director and Choreographer for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the original London production of Stop the World) and Richard Conrad (renowned coloratura tenor, and featured artist on London Records) . These assembled great talents and technicians are all under the inventive supervision of Overture to Opera's brilliant young General Director, Dr. David Di Chiera.

. . . mOl'e

about David.'

Dr. David D i Chiera, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of U.C.L.A., holder of a Masters Degree in Composition

and a Ph.D. in Musicology, Member of the National Association for American Composers and Conductors, and Chairman of the Department of Music at Oakland University. Since 1963, when he became General Director of Overture to Opera, Dr. D i Chiera has contributed his services to the commitment of building opera as an integral cultural force in Michigan. His extensive scholarly background is combined with practical experience in the coaching, directing and producing of opera. Dr. Di Chiera has received international recognition in the field of Musicology and has contributed numerous articles on opera to professional journals and the world's most authoritative encyclopedias of music_


GALENDAR OF ~ERFORMANCES

February 23 (Tuesday) 1 :15 P .M . "SCENES"

(Student Matinee) Roosevelt High School Auditorium, Wyandotte

• February 26 (Friday) 8 :15 P _M _

"SCENES" Fries Auditorium, Grosse Pointe War

Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Ticket Information : 881-7511

• March 21 (Sunday) 2:30 P.M.

"HELP, HELP, THE GLOBOLINKSI" (Pn;view) L. E. Schmidt Auditorium,

Clarenceville High School, 20155 Middleoelt, Livonia

Ticket Information: 476-1871 or 476-8127 •

March 27 (Saturday) 11:00 A.M. & 2:00 P .M. 'HELP, HELP, THE GLOBOUNKSI"

(Michigan Premiere) Ford Auditorium Jefferson & Woodward, Detroit

(with the Detroi Symphony Orchestra) Ticket Information ; 961-0700

• March 29 (Monday) 1 :30 P .M .

"SCENES" (Student Matinee) Dearborn Higb School

Auditorium, 19501 W. Outer Drive, Dearborn •

April 3 (Saturday) 8:15 P .M . "HELP, HELP, THE GLOBOLINKSI"

and "RITA' Midland Center for the Arts, Midland , Michigan

Ticket Information : (517) 631-1600 •

April 6 (Tuesday) 12 :30 P .M. "RITA"

(Student Matinee) Detro~t Institute of Arts 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit

Ticket Information : 832-2730 •

AprU 7 (Wednesday) ) 2:30 P .M . "HELP, HELP, THE GLOBOLINKS'"

(Student Matinee) Detroit Institute of Arts 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit

Ticket Information : 832-2730

April 22 (Thursday) 8:00 P .M. "SCENES"

Churchill High School Auditorium 8900 Newburgh, Livonia

Ticket Information : 476·6907 •

April 29 (Thursday) 1 :00 P .M . " SCENES"

Pontiac Northern High School •

April 30 (Friday) 1:00 P .M . "SCENES"

Pontiac Northern High School •

May 5 (Wednesday) 12 :30 P .M . "SCENES"

(Student Matinee) Centerline High School Auditorium

Arsenal St. between 10 & 11 Mile Road

• May 5 (Wednesday) 8:00 P .M .

"SCENES" Centerline High School Auditorium

Arsenal St. betwt:en 10 & 11 Mile Road Ticket Information : 757-6600

• May 6 (Thursday) 1 :00 P .M .

"RITA" (Student Matinee)

HamtramckBigh School Auditorium 2361 Hewitt, Hamtramck

• May 8 (Saturday) 1 :30 P.M. & 3:30 P .M. "HELP, HELP, THE GLOBOLfNKS!"

Kenlwood H igh School Auditorium, Grand Rapids

(with tht: Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra) Ticket Information : (616) 454·9451

• May 13 (Thursday) 9 :15 A.M .

"SCENES" (Student) Oak Park Senior

High School Auditorium Oak Park Blvd. & Coolidge betwt:en 9 & 10 Mile Road

Ticket Information : Mrs. White, 548-0200

. SPECiAL DOUBLE-BILL EXTRAVAGANZA · April 8 (Thursday) 8:00 P.M.

'RITA" and "HELP, HELP, THE GLOBOLlNKS!" (Orchestra Performance) Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit

General Admission: $5, $4 & $3; Students : $4, $3 & $2; Tickets Available : The J. L . Hudson Co. & Grinnell Brothers, or send your name and address to Overture to Opera, 385 Performing Arts

Building, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48063, or call 377-2000, ext. 3771.


....

$CENE$

A program of exciting highlights drawn from four varied operas, which will be brought to Detroit in May by the Metropolitan Opera

Company of New York. These contrasts of comedy and stirring drama are clothed in some of the world 's most beautiful music .

• WERTHER

by Jules Massene t from Act III

Directed by J Michael Bloom Charlotte : Roma Riddell, Christina Lypeckyj

Sophie : Nancy Hoover

• CARMEN

by George Bizet

from Act II and Act IV Directed and Choreographed by Thomas Aston

Carmen: Elsie Inselman Don Jose : Edward IGngins Frasquita : Nancy Hoover Mercedes : Jacqueline Turri

• AIDA

by Giuseppe Verdi

Act IV, Scene 1 Directed by J . M ichael Bloom

Amneris : Barbara Windham Radames : Robert Angus Guard: James Wells

• LA PERICHOLE

by Jacques Offenbach

Act III , Scene 1 Directed by Roger Thurgaland Choreography by Wendy Olson

PaquiUo: Edward Kingins Perichole : Roma Riddell Don Andres : Conwell Carrington Guard: James Wells

Old Prisoner : Roger Thurgaland Understudies : Paquillo: James Wells Perichole: Nancy Hoover

• Production Staff

Music Director . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . David Oi Chiera Assistant Music Director . . . . David Syme Designer . . . . Thomas Aston Assistant to the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . Jeffrey Kulick


...

WELP, WELP, THE gWBOLINKS

HELP, HELP, THE GLOBOLINKS Michigan Premiere

by Gian-Carlo Menotti

An exciting new opera for children and those who love children. In this story of an invasion of earth by creatures from outer space who can only be repelled by the sound of music, Menotti's message is clear. Only music that speaks to the heart can save human beings from an over-mechanized age and impersonal art forms.

EMIL Y (14 years old) . . . . ... Gail White MADAME EUTERPOVA, the Music Teacher . . Doralene Davis DR. STONE, Dean of St . Paul's School . ......... Richard Conrad TONY, the Bus Driver . . . . . . . . . . . Kenneth Young TIMOTHY, the School Janitor. . ... . ....... . Joseph E. M . Ryan MISS PENELOPE NEWKIRK,

the Mathematics Teacher . . ..... Elsie lnselman MR. LAVENDER-GAS,

the Literature Professor . . . .. Conwell Carrington DR. TURTLESPIT,

the Science Professor . . . . . . . . . . . . Bro. Gabriel Balassone CHILDREN .... Carl Allvin, Bruce Brunsdon, Heather Campbell,

Gary Cobb, Lori Demlow John Dillworth, Sue Ellis, Jeffrey H epner, Pamela Lippa, Paul Miller, Janet Rogers,

Rachel Rue, Dale Stineman, Melody Strength, Tim Thomas, Stephen Vann. Carol Weisswasser, Johnny White, Diann Wo1fe

GLOBOLlNKS . . . . . . . . . . .. Harriet Freedman, LauTa Freedman, Erica Herman, Melinda Hufana, Denise Szykula, Lori Verier

By arcl\ngement with G. Schirmer, Inc .

• Production Staff

STAGE DIRECTOR. . MUSIC DIRECTOR . CHORUS MASTER . . . CHOREOGRAPHER . .. . PRODUCTION DESIGNER . . . LIGHTING CONSULTANT ELECTRONIC LIGHTING

EFFECTS FOR COSTUMES ... . .. . .

.. John Reid Klein · ... William C. Byrd · . ... Raynold Allvin

. .. Harriet Berg · T imothy R. Dewart

. . Mason P awlak

. . Mark Anzicek


RlTA

RITA by Gaetano Donizetti

This French comic opera in one act to a text by Gustave Vaez, was composed in 1841, but never staged during Donizetti's lifetime. It was first performed, posthumously, at the Opera-Comique on May 7, 1860, and since its revival in Verona in 1924 has been frequently produced in Europe. Tllis farcical story of a henpecked husband who finally gets the upper hand over his battle-axe wife is laced with delightful melodies and comic situations .

RIT A, mistress of an inn BEPPE, her husband . GASPARD, a traveller

•

. Suzanne LaCroix . Richard Conrad

, . Andreas Poulimenos

Production Staff Stage Director ..... . . , . , , . , . . . . . , .. . . , . . .. ... J . Michael Bloom Music Director . . . William C. Byrd Special Voice Consultant . . . . . . .. ' " , . . Barbara Williams Designer . . .. . T homas Aston Assistant to the Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeffrey Kulick


,..

OVERTURE TO OPERA (90MPANY

The Overture to Opera Company of t he Detroit Grand Opera Association

Committee

Ex·Officio

Affiliated Institutions

The Overture to Opera Company is not self· supporting, and is therefore dependent upon personal and financial upport. It is with

gratitude that we acknowledge the contributions of other FRIENDS OF OVER· TURE TO OPERA :*

General Director Manager Production M anager . Stage M anager . Accompan ist Rehearsa l Pianist.

Mr. & Mrs. Lynn A. Townsend, Co·Chalrmen

Mr. & Mrs. Avem L . Cohn Mr. & Mrs. John DeCarlo Dr. & Mrs. David Di Chiera Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Gershenson Mr. & Mrs. Donald C. G raves Hon. & Mrs. Roman S. Gribbs Mr & Mrs. John C . Griffin

Mr. & M rs. Frank W . Donovan Mr. & Mrs. Charles T . Fisher III

Oak land University Un iversity of Detroi Wayne State UniveTsi ty

. . .. Dr. David Di Chiera Roger Thurgaland Thomas Aston William H arp er David Syme

..... Walter Cory

Mr. & Mrs. H arry L. Jones Hon . &; Mrs. Wade H . McCree, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Harry ] . Nederlander Mr. E . .Harwood Rydbolm Mr. & Mrs. Neil Snow M r. & Mrs. Richard Strichartz Mr. & Mrs. Ro~rt C. Vander Kloot Mr. & Mr~. Sam B . Williams Mr. & Mrs. Theodore O. Vntema

M r. & Mrs. Wilber H . M ack

University Center for Ad ult Education

Advertising lIIust ration Inc. Mr. Victor W . Klein Mr. & Mrs. Don E. Ahrens Me. & Mrs. Semon E . Knudsen Mr. & Mrs. Virgil E . Boyd Me. & Mrs. Edward C. Levy Mr. & Mrs. H . Allen Campbell Mr. & Mrs. Ralph T . McElvenny Chope·Stevens Paper Co. Mr. & Mrs. Irving J . Minett Chrysler Corporation Mr. & Mrs. Thomas F . Morrow Mr. & Mrs. Avern L. Cohn Mr. & Mrs. Harry J. Nederlander D etroit Grand Opera Association Mr. & Mrs. John S: Pingel Mr. & Mrs. Frank D onovan Mr. & Mrs. David Pollack Mr. & Mrs. Robert Doran Mr. & Mrs. Philip Mistretta Me. & Mrs. David Emerson Mr. & Mrs. John Riccardo Me. & M rs. Charles T . Fisher, 3rd Dr. & Mrs. W. A. Riddell M e. & M rs. Max M . Fisher Mr. & M rs. Leslie Rose Mr. & Mrs. H arold A. Fitzgerald Ross Roy, Inc. General M otors Corporation Mrs. George Roumell Mr. & Mrs . Aaron H . Gershenson Mr. E . Harwood Rydhol m Me & Mrs. L. C. Goad Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Schlafer Mr. & Mrs. James Gram MI'. & Mrs. Sidney Solomon Mr. & Mrs. Donald C . Graves Mr. & Mrs. Neil Snow Mr. & Mrs. John C . Griffin Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Townsend Mr. & M rs. David H andleman Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Vander Kloot M,·. & Mrs. Paul Handleman Mr. & Mrs. WiHiam M . Walker, Jr . Mr. & Mrs. Erne t A. Jones Mr. & Mrs. Edward Wellock Mr. & Mrs. Harry Jones George WiHens & Company Mr. & Mrs. Maxwell Jospey Mr. & Mrs. Sam B. Williams Junior League of Birmingham, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Theodore O. Yntema

Contributions, which are ta.'{ deductible, may be made by check, payable to Detroit Grand Opera Association, and mailed to Overture to Opera Fund, 385 Performing Arts Building, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48063. · W e re:&-re the omission of Friends. whose a,e.ocrosity WBS expressed after publication .


University Center for Adult Education (W.S.U .-U. of M .) 60 Farnsworth A venue Detroit, Michigan 48202

Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE

PAID DETROIT, MICH. PERMIT No. 3844


THE OVERTURE TO OPERA COMPANY PRESENTS

Joseph and tIle' Amazing T echnicolor Dreamcoat

Mllsic fJy Andrew Lloyd Wevber Lyrics by Tim Rice

La Rondine (The Swallow)

by Giacomo Puceini

The Overture to Opera Company of the Detroit Grand Opera Association


JOSEf'l1 AND TIlE

AMAZING TECDNICOLOn D.lIEilMCOAT

music by

ANDREW LLOYD \X'EBBER

lyrics by

TIM RICE

NOVEMBER 4, 5, 6, 1971 ,

MUSIC HALL : Detroit

Director, , , , , " ., , , . , , .... , " . , , . , , .... , .... , , .. , . , . , ,David

Choreographer .. ,", .. " ... ".,., .. " ... , ................ Jill Courtney

New l"fliJic and Arrangement .. , ................. , .... . Robert ."" •. 3\../';, .... .

Chorus Masler ....... , ... ,., .......................... Raynold Allvin

Production Designer . ......................... ' ....•..... Thomas

COMPANJ: W ARM·UP

. ENSEMBLE

Vocalist5

JORDAN

DAVID PATRICK

Intermission

JOSEPH

Dancers

HAYES "

KAI

Supporting Dancer - DONALD SCHUMAN

CHORUS

Gary Adam, Carl Allvin, Kerstin Al1vin, Brunsctol1, Di~l1e Brunsdon, Heather Campbell, Kathy Cloutier, Julie Demlow, Dcmlow, John Dillworth, Michelle Dillworth, Mary Carol Dunn, Dwayne Eggleston, Karen Susan Ellis, Mike Hepner, Mitchell Kopnick. Marty

Pam Lippa, Litwak, David McKay. Cheri Rlyea, Janet Rogers, Rioa Rooks, Ann Savaglio, Jeff Schneider, Linda Shallow, Dale Stimemann, Thomas, Beth T omliosn, Steve Tomlinson, Wise,

Wise, Dianne Wolf.


ORCHESTRA Robert Resseger, Conductor

Podorsek,

Bob Babbitt, BaJJ

Andrew Smith, Drtlm5 Jack Brokensha, Percu.rsion Marc Abel, Keyboard Onita Harp John TLUdell, Tmmptt

Dan Shaw, Trumpet Linda , TrombOlle Tony Russo, BaH Trombone Allen \'\1 arner, FIII/e, Picoolo Gasper Constatini; Alia, FIIlJe, B.:moon

Violin Morris Hochberg, Violin

Thomas A Aston-Stage Malla,~er, Jeffrey Kulick""":"Teclmicai Directioll, Bob Sc:hlorff-Alldio, Jim Admns--Ugh15, Mark Bennett, Donna Valatka,

Joseph Elwart Construction, Rachclle Dwaihy, Jeffrey Kulick - Slides, Office Manager, Samuel Miszewski-Promolion.

Program Notes

AND AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOA T

is a rock oratorio ... technically speaking. An oratorio is a large, dramatic

musical composition, based 011 a religious theme. But this production of

"JOSEPH" is much more than an oratorio. It is an affirmation of the fact

that substantial creative talent is alive and well in Motown.

All of us are aware of .the Bi?lical of Joseph and his beautiful coat

of many We also know that he was quite at the business

pretiug dreams; he managed to guide through seven years of famine because he understood the Pharoah's nightmare. And after the calamity, his

love and wisdom helped create a

Joseph had 3. dream, and a portion of that i~ presented here tonight.

With the music and lyrics a new you are invited to help us make

dream come true.

The Overture to Opera Company's next producton is Puccini's LA RONDINE on November 18, 19, 20, 1971. This production win be fully with. orchestra. Tickets are NOW on sale at the Music Hall Box Office (963-3717) and at Hudson's and Grinnel!'s.


Dr.

Robert

7Ae Ove~tu~e 70 Ope~tl COmptlh~

DiChiera ..................... General

Heuer ..................... Managing

OVERTURE TO OPERA? Overture to a Detroit-based organization that, since served as the Detroit Grand Opera Association's l)l'()ducing arm. Guided by the principle that opera should be mU::31eal theater, Overture to Opera and youth in its productions. An but one have been presented in English to provide with a total theatrical

The audiences have included opera buffs as wen as young people and adults who have never or seen

entertainment before. company's productions gained considerable popular critical acclaim.

WHY IS IT?

1. To create supportive audiences for opera future ..

by performing to young today.

2: provide the peClple of greater Detroit with an oppor~ tunity to enjoy a diversity of operati'c experience including rock mUSIC.

3. To provide an outstanding opportunity for taHmtE~a young artists to perform.

"* "* * * 'rhe to Opera Company is not self-suppOl'ting, and

therefore dependent upon personal and financial .... "".PlJv ...

Contrjbutions, which are deductible, be check, payable to Detroit Opera As.sociatiOl:l-UV.el'tul'e and mailed Overture to Fund, Performing Arts Building, University, Rochester, Michigan 480G3.


THE OVERTURE TO OPERA COMPANY PRESENTS

Joseph and the Amazing T echnicolor Dreamcoat

Music by Andrew Lloyd W ebber Lyrics by Tim Rice

La Rondine (The Swallow)

by Giacomo Puccini

The Overture to Opera Company of the Detroit Grand Opera Association


PUCCINI'S

LA RONDINE NOVEMBER 18, 19, 20, 1971

MUSIC HALL THEATRE

Director .......................................... Carolyn Lockwood Music Director and Conductor ....................... ... William Byrd Chorus Master .. ........... . ......................... Raynold Allvin Set Desi1!ner .......................................... Richard Davis Costumes Desif!TIed and Executed by ......... . ........ Davvid B. Warda

ACT I - An elegant salon in Maszda's house in Paris. ACT II - Ch;z Bullier. ACf III - A small summer house on the French Riviera.

CAST

Magda ......... ... ............................ Nancy Shade Lizette ........................................ Onita Sanders Ruggero ........................ .. ..... David Hall-Sundquist Prunier ...................................... Richard Conrad Rambaldo ...... . ................................ Charles Roe Nrichaud ....................................... Willie Tones Gobin .......................... ....... . . . . . .. Gene Wabeke Crebillon ..................................... Kenneth Younl! Y'Vette ........... ... ............................ Tan Albril!ht Bianca ........................ ... ............. Nancy Hoover S UZy ••.•.•..•..••.••••••••• .•. • .•.••.•.•••... Elsie Inselman The Butler .. ................................... Tom Murphy

a-IORUS Mike Albriszht. Tames Anderson. Horace Beasley. Rosemary Burza. Ron Castorri. Cannen Cavallero. Tim Davis. Tames Dutcher. Catherine Grimshaw. Cynthia Tackson. Georl!e Tahn. Nina Kim. Tom Murphy. Kay Nottingham. Roberta Nottinl!ham. Kathleen Peery. Mariiane Stomberg. Carol Weisswasser.lim Wells. Gail White. Larry Wolf. Lee Wolf. Diann Wolfe.

PRODUCfION CREW STAGE CREW: William Harper-Sta1!e Manager; Donna Val atkaLi1!hts; Kent Mount-Prot!s; Teffrey Kulick. Mark Bennett. Timothy Himes. Richard Riehle. Mike Vargo. Lyalls Phillips. Tohn Morris. Mark Choinski-Crew.

COSTUME CREW: Mary Boone. Mila Tackson. Tames BeaudoinCostume Assistants: Stephen Foster. Richard Bexfield Bunn. Tina Marie Sevich.


• • • •

NANCY SHADE (Magda) ... Miss Shade is a member of the New York City Opera where she made her debut this September in "La Boheme." Her sumptuous voice has received unanimous praise from critics allover the United States. She has worked with the Kansas City Opera, the Boris Goldovsky Opera Theatre, and the Metropolitan Opera Studio, specializing in Verdi and Puccini heroines. Possessing all the attributes for an outstanding opera career, Miss Shade gives every evidence of emerging as one of the major soprano talents of this era.

DAVID HALL-SUNDQUIST (Ruggero) .. . Mr. Hall-Sundquist joins this production of "La Rondine" after a very successful season with · the Tanglewood Music Theatre. He has appeared with opera companies throughout the United States, singing major tenor roles in "La Boheme," "Gianni Schicchi," and "Cosi Fan Tutte." This last September, he performed the role of Lt. Pinkerton in the Augusta Opera Company's production of "Madame Butterfly." The Swedish-American tenor has received excellent critical notices wherever he has appeared.

ON ITA SANDERS (Lisette) .. . Miss Sanders is a native Detroiter with considerable background in opera. She is a member of the Celeste Cole Opera Theatre and has toured Canada and the United States with that organization. Gifted with a fine soprano voice, Miss Sanders has pleased many local audiences with her performances of Violetta in "La Traviata," Mimi in "La Boheme," in addition to her guest appearances with the Detroit Symphony in the popular Rackham series.

RICHARD CONRAD (Prunier) ... a member of the faculty of Oakland University, Mr. Conrad is considered one of the finest "bel canto" tenors in the United States. He has performed with Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne in a series of programs for NET, entitled Coloratura, and has appeared in numerous productions in Europe, Canada and the United States.

CAROLYN LOCKWOOD (Director) . .. is one of the main creative forces responsible for the development of the critically acclaimed Santa Fe Opera. She has been a director for the Santa Fe Company since 1959, during which Vime she has staged a wide variety of successful productions, including the highly praised performances of "Barber of Seville" and "Salome." She also directs the Apprentice Artist Program which has trained many of today's outstanding young opera talents, including David Hall-Sundquist who appears as the lead in this production of "La Rondine." Carolyn is married to Hans Busch, well-known stage director for the Metropolitan Opera.

WILLIAM C. BYRD (Music Director) ... Acclaimed for his conducting of symphony and opera, Mr. Byrd annually conducts major orchestras in Scandinavia and Great Britain, in addition to his regular duties as musical director of the Flint Symphony. He has conducted many previous productions for the Overture Company, including "The Medium," "Barber of Seville," and "Help, Help, The Globolinks."

PROGRAM NOTES Giacomo Puccini began writing LA RONDINE (The Swallow) just before the First World War. The opera was originally scheduled for a Vienna premiere, but the outbreak of the war caused those plans to be abandoned, and th.e first production was held in Monte Carlo in 1917. The bittersweet love story involVing a poet's prophesy and a young woman's broken dreams is set in Paris at the turn of the century. The music is fille'd with lush, romantic melodies, and two of the arias are considered by many critics to be among the best that Puccini ever created. This production, in English, is the Michigan premiere of the work which is now enjoying a much-deserved and long overdue revival in opera theatres here and abroad.


Dr. David DiChiera ..................... General Director

Robert M. Heuer ..................... Managing Director

WHAT IS OVERTURE TO OPERA? Overture to Opera is a non-profit Detroit-based organization that, since 1961, has served as the Detroit Grand Opera Association's producing arm. Guided by the principle that opera should be musical theater, Overture to Opera emphasizes freshness and youth in :its productions. All the operas but one have been presented in English to provide audiences with a total theatrical experience. The audiences have included opera buffs as well as young people and adults who have never heard or seen operatic entertainment before. The company's productions have gained considerable popular and critical acclaim.

WHY IS IT?

1. To create supportive audiences for opera in the future by performing to young audiences today.

2. To provide the people of greater Detroit with an opportunity to enjoy a wider diversity of operatic experience including rock music.

3. To provide an outstanding opportunity for talented young artists to perform.

* * * * The Overture to Opera Company is not self-supporting, and is therefore dependent upon personal and financial support. Contributions, which are tax deductible, may be made by check, payable to Detroit Grand Opera Association-Overture, and mailed to Overture to Opera Fund, 383 Performing Arts Building, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48063.


detroit symphony

Saturday, February 26, 1972, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

PIERRE HETU, conducting

OVERTURE TO OPERA COMPANY DAVID DI CHlERA , General Director

THE PERFECT FOOL ONE-ACf OPERA BY

GUSTAV HOLST (American Premiere)

THE WIZARD .................................... ~ ...... ~ ........................... _....... Davis Gloff THE MOTHER ....... _ ....... _ ........................... _ .................... _. Barbara Windham TIiE FOOL ............................... _ .................. _ ...... _................ Christopher Flynn THE PRINCESS ... .. ........ __ ................................... _ ................................ Betsy Roe THE TROUBADOUR ......................... _ ............ _ .......... _...... ..... Richard Conrad THE TRA YELLER ..................................................... _....... ... Carroll Strickland WELL MAIDENS ................ Alana eargle, Roberta Nottingham, Gail White

Managing Director ........... _ ...................... _ ................................. Robert M. Heuer Stage Director and Designer ............... _ ........................ _ ........ Thomas A. Aston Chorus Master .............................. . _ ....................................... _ ..... Raynold Allvin Choreographer ........................................... _ .......................... _... Christopher Flynn Ballet Mistress ................. _ ........................ ~ ....... _ ............ _. Tamara Woshakiwska Costumes Designed and executed by ........................................ Dayvid B. Warda Stage Manager .... .......... _ .. .................. _.~ .. ~ ...................... _....... George Dusincki Accompanist ....................... .......... _ ................................................... Beverly Labuta

CHORUS Mike Albright, John Allen James Anderson, Jay Bartush, LawIence Bobo, Ronald Bobo, Cheryl Crider, Linda Dewey, Leala Dockelt, Anthony Donato, James Dutcher, Paula Elliott, Tom Emmott, Mary Fardell, Ray Granburg, Jan Greene. Marily Rae Mercer, Michael Jordan, Carole Maloof, Lila Miller, Dennis Murphy, Glenna Pittman, John Raleeh, Phyllis Snow, Roman Terlackyj, Grace Vicklund, Louise Warn~. Jim Wells, Carol Weiswasser, Sue Williams, Diann Wolfe.


DANCERS (courtesy of The Christopher Ballet) SPIRITS OF EARTH ........................... __ _ ...... _ .......... __ ................. Nancie Wilson with

Jean Caudle, Shelley Dwaihy, Leslie Fair, Carol Fenwick, Renee Stewart and James Bouse, Michael Comstock, Keitb Oulla, Robert Elliott

SP1RIT OF WATER .................... ....................... _ ...... .................... _ ................... Loi Kail SPIRITS OF FIRE ........... _ .......... _ ..... _ ..... __ .... ... Elisa Harris and James Murray with

Sharon Clouse, Karen Dulla, Andrea Mazur, Karen Mills, Barbara Rinaldo, Maryann Winoughby

SCENERY AND COSTUMES ... Steven Leighton, Timothy Gilbert, Maurine Conine, Mary M. Boone, Mjla Jackson, Kathy Graybruck, Sleve Foster, Chris Shaheen, Tim Rupple.

SPECIAL THANKS TO . . . Meadow Brook Theatre; Richard Foster (Earth 's Head-dress) ; O'OO-DA DAY DYES INC., Flint, Michigan (Tie Dying) ; Phyllis Snow and Jim Segadi.

THE STORY ... . Once an old wizard who had many magical powers called up the spirits of Earth.

Water and Fire; it was his wish to marry the beautiful princess. As the spirits danced. the wizard stirred up a magic brew to make hlmseif appear young ami handsome. Before he could drink the potion, a mother and her son came walking by. While most people believed her son to be a fool , the mother recalled a prophesy made at his birth which said, "He wins a bride with a glance of his eye: With a look he kills a foe . He acbieves where others fail , with one word." The mother lea rued of the magic potion from the wizard and thought that it could perhaps make her son appear attractive to the princess. The wizard fell asleep and the mother fed the drink to her son and refilled the glass with water. The princess arrived with aU of her courtiers. The wizard awoke and drank what he thought was the magic brew. Assuming he had been turned into a handsome young man. he then announced that he was going to marry the princess. The princess and her courtiers laugbed at the old man and made him very angry. He rushed away saying that he would destroy all of them. Meanwhile the princess kept rejecting all her suitors, including the traveller and the troubadour, but suddenly she saw the fool and fell deeply in love with him. Yet when the fool was asked if he loved the princess, his reply was, "No!" So the first part of the propbesy came true. The wizard chose tbis moment for bis revenge and called upon the Spirit of Fire to destroy everyone. Bul the mother raised the head of her son. the fool. and with one look the wizard was made powerless and was consumed by the Fire. Thlls the second part of the prophesy was fulfilled. The fool was crowned, and be and the princess lived happily ever aIter.

A WORD FOR THE ADULTS ... While The Perfect Fool is an opera which can be enjoyed by children, it is also filled with satirical references to traditional opera that will interest adults as well. The magic potion and the traveller are obvious spoofs of Wagnerian opera, while the troubadour imitate the middle period of Verdi operas. Rossini also makes a bow as the troubadour and the traveller argue over the princess. All of this is masterfully combined with Gustav Holst's own musical language which can best be described as a blend of impressionistic barmonies, modal melodies and asymmetric rhythms. Tire Perfect Fool is performed by arrangement with Belwin-Mills, Inc.

WHAT IS OVERTURE TO OPERA,! Overture to Opera is a non-profit Detroit·based organization that, since 1961, has served as the Detroit Grand Opera Association's produc· ing arm. Guided by the principle that opera should be musical theater, Overture to Opera empbasizes freshness and youth in its productions. All the operas but one have been presented in English to provide audiences witb a total theatrical experience. The audiences have included opera buffs as well as young people and adults who have never heard or seen operatic entertainment before. The company's productions have gained considerable popular and critical acclaim.

Next Young People's Concerts SAT., APRIL 15 - EMILY FRANKEL, dancer and mime

Interpreting "The Carnival of the Animals" and "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." Pierre Helu conducts. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Ticket information : Ford Auditorium Box Office (961 -0700)


overture to opera (90mpanymotlibrary.slis.wayne.edu/images/programs/a_pro_19711972_001.pdf ·...

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