2009-2010 - New Orleans Opera
Transcription
2009-2010 - New Orleans Opera
Tosca – by Giacomo Puccini Student Performance - October 7, 2009 • 7:00 PM October 9, 2009 • 8:00 PM & October 11, 2009 • 2:30 PM New Orleans Opera Association Robert Lyall, General & Artistic Director 1010 Common Street • Suite 1820 New Orleans, LA 70112 (504) 529-2278 • FAX 529-7668 1-800-881-4459 www.neworleansopera.org The Plácido Domingo Stage at The Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts Student Preview Performances and Student Study Guides Sponsored by Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation The Selley Foundation This Student Study Guide is Published by the New Orleans Opera Association. Carol Rausch, Education Director Edited & Compiled by John Fink Designed by Arlene D. Brayard Romeo and Juliet The Verdi Requiem The Flying Dutchman November 20, 2009 • 8:00 PM November 22 2009 • 2:30 PM January 22, 2010 • 8:00 PM January 24, 2010 • 2:30 PM March 19, 2010 • 8:00 PM March 21 2010 • 2:30 PM Student Performance November 18, 2009 • 7:00 PM Student Performance January 20, 2010 • 7:00 PM Student Performance March 17, 2010 • 7:00 PM FINE ARTS MUSIC AND COLLEGE OF Dear Opera Goe rs, a house in the the oldest oper om fr a ts for er op of ra as it represen her season pe ot O an ns to ea e rl m O co Wel our New l opportunity We are proud of and educationa t en United States. nm ai rt te rleans can only rleans an en Greater New O of ze si Greater New O e sitions in th es ts have held po s many tim en ea ar ud st an ge lit lle po ro co met ol and years, high scho s! envy. Over the come opera star be ve . Some ha us or ch a er op the amples of the finest ex e on is a, sc To lar a patrons a er, the very popu sca offers oper en To op e. 's ur on at as er se lit is The opera artbreak. Tosca real life in the intrigue and he al le ic ta of art portraying e lit th po t, , ce lie eo and Ju ama, roman om dr R of s e' te ar la pe pa es d rich Shak y. In Romeo an nod's setting of ury Verona, Ital nt ure. ce at followed by Gou er th lit 14 a in er t enagers se music in op te le ck ab ru or st em ve m lo t of e mos hear some of th Juliet, you will as one of ntly described ue eq fr is d ea antic music r the D em or Mass fo easure of Rom tr ui s eq hi R T di e. er ur V at The ed liter e 2009-10 ic works in sacr he closer for th at T er s. lo op t so os ic m at e e th dram depiction of th oral music and ichard Wagner's R , features great ch er nd la ol H liegende season is Der F chman. the Flying Dut of nd ge le s ou m a fa better yet bring . Tell a friend or on ns as ea rl se O a er ew op rN joyable pageantry of ou I wish you an en eat music and gr e th ce en ri friend to expe nted. on't be disappoi Opera. They w Best wishes, eCuir Dr. Anthony D n ea Associate D s ic and Fine Art College of Mus ns ea rl O ity New Loyola Univers .3037, FA -6143, 504.865 leans, LA 70118 Box 8, New Or us mp Ca , ue es Aven 6363 St. Charl no.edu/ p://music.loy X: 865.2852, htt Office Staff General and Artistic Manager Robert Lyall Executive Director Alyona Ushe Director of Production Micah Fortson Chorus Master, Music Administration and Education Director Carol Rausch Director of Marketing and Public Relations Janet Wilson Business Manager Gina Klein Box Office Manager Assistant Box Office Manager Devin Ernest Technical Director G. Alan Rusnak Opera Guild Volunteer Dr. Carolyn Clawson John Fink Development Manager Jenny Windstrup Anthony Anthony DeCuir DeCuir new orleans opera association present Tosca THE CAST Floria Tosca . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Elizabeth Williams Soprano Mario Cavaradossi . . . . . . . . . . Antonello Palombi Tenor Baron Scarpia, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Rucker Baritone Sacristan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Wanko Baritone Cesare Angelotti. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenneth Weber Bass Spoletta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Giraud Tenor Sciarrone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joseph Quigley Bass A Jailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Stanford Bass A Shepherd Boy, . . . . . . . . . . Madeleine Bourgeois Soprano Composed by Giacomo Puccini Conductor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Lyall Libretto by Luigi Illica & Giuseppe Giacosa World premiere, January 14, 1900, Teatro Costanzi, Rome Performed in Italian with projected English translation Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jay Jackson Chorus Master. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carol Rausch Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brynn Baudier 1st Asst. Stage Mgr.. . . . . . . . . . . . Francesca DeRenzi 2nd Asst. Stage Mgr.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christina Babin Lighting Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neil Ingles Scenic Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Gano Costumer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlotte Lang Props. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jonathan Ullman Wigs/Makeup . . . . . . . . . . . . . Don and Linda Guillot Piazza Farnese Fountain Music Preparation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janna Ernst Sant’ Andrea della Valle Tosca The Plot of Scarpia, chief of the secret police, in search of Angelotti. When Tosca comes back to her lover, Scarpia shows her a fan with the Attavanti crest, which he has just found. Thinking that Mario is faithless, Tosca tearfully vows vengeance and leaves as the church fills with worshipers. Scarpia, sending his men to follow her to Angelotti, schemes to get the diva in his power (“Va, Tosca!”). ACT II. Cesare Angelotti, an escaped political prisoner, rushes into the church of Sant’ Andrea della Valle to hide in the Attavanti chapel. As he vanishes, an old Sacristan shuffles in, praying at the sound of the Angelus. Mario Cavaradossi enters to work on his portrait of Mary Magdalene - inspired by the Marchesa Attavanti (Angelotti’s sister), whom he has seen but does not know. Taking out a miniature of the singer Floria Tosca, he compares her raven beauty with that of the blonde Magdalene (“Recondita armonia“). The Sacristan grumbles disapproval and leaves. Angelotti ventures out and is recognized by his friend and fellow patriot Mario, who gives him food and hurries him back into the chapel as Tosca is heard calling outside. Forever suspicious, she jealously questions him, then prays, and reminds him of their rendezvous that evening at his villa (“Non la sospiri la nostra casetta?”). Suddenly recognizing the Marchesa Attavanti in the painting, she explodes with renewed suspicions, but he reassures her (“Qual’ occhio al mondo”). When she has gone, Mario summons Angelotti from the chapel; a cannon signals that the police have discovered the escape, so the two flee to Mario’s villa. Meanwhile, the Sacristan returns with choirboys who are to sing in a Te Deum that day. Their excitement is silenced by the entrance of Baron Farnese Palace Hall ACT I. In the Farnese Palace, Scarpia anticipates the sadistic pleasure of bending Tosca to his will (“Ha più forte sapore”). The spy Spoletta arrives, not having found Angelotti; to placate the baron he brings in Mario, who is interrogated while Tosca is heard singing a cantata at a royal gala downstairs. She enters just as her lover is being taken to an adjoining room: his arrogant silence is to be broken under torture. Unnerved by Scarpia’s questioning and the sound of Mario’s screams, she reveals Angelotti’s hiding place. Mario is carried in; realizing what has happened, he turns on Tosca, but the officer Sciarrone rushes in to announce that Napoleon has won the Battle of Marengo, a defeat for Scarpia’s side. Mario shouts his defiance of tyranny (“Vittoria!”) and is dragged to prison. ACT III. Castel Sant’Angelo The voice of a shepherd boy is heard as church bells toll the dawn. Mario awaits execution at the Castel Sant’Angelo; he bribes the jailer to convey a farewell note to Tosca. Writing it, overcome with memories of love, he gives way Farnese Palace Galleria Scarpia, resuming his supper, suggests that Tosca yield herself to him in exchange for her lover’s life. Fighting off his embraces, she protests her fate to God, having dedicated her life to art and love (“Vissi d’arte”). Scarpia again insists, but Spoletta interrupts: faced with capture, Angelotti has killed himself. Tosca, forced to give in or lose her lover, agrees to Scarpia’s proposition. The baron pretends to order a mock execution for the prisoner, after which he is to be freed and Spoletta leaves. No sooner has Scarpia written a safe-conduct for the lovers than Tosca snatches a knife from the table and kills him. Wrenching the document from his stiffening fingers and placing candles at his head and a crucifix on his chest, she slips from the room. to despair (“E lucevan le stelle”). Suddenly Tosca runs in, filled with the story of her recent adventures. Mario caresses the hands that committed murder for his sake (“O dolci mani”), and the two hail their future. As the firing squad appears, the diva coaches Mario on how to fake his death convincingly; the soldiers fire and depart. Tosca urges Mario to hurry, but when he fails to move, she discovers that Scarpia’s treachery has transcended the grave: the bullets were real. When Spoletta rushes in to arrest Tosca for Scarpia’s murder, she cries to Scarpia to meet her before God, then leaps to her death. The Composer Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria PUCCINI Dec. 22, 1858 — Nov. 29, 1924 Puccini was born Lucca, Italy on December 22, 1858 and died in Brussels on November 29, 1924. He studied music with his uncle, Fortunato Magi, and with the director of the Instituto Musicale Pacini, Carlo Angeloni. He started his career at the age of 14 as an organist at St. Martino and St. Michele in Lucca, and at other local churches. However, after attending a performance of Verdi‘s Aida at Pisa in 1876, which made such an impact on him, he decided to follow his instinct for operatic composition. Obtaining a scholarship and with financial support from an uncle, he was able to enter the Milan Conservatory in 1880, where he studied with Bazzini and Ponchielli. While still a student, Puccini entered a competition for a one-act opera announced in 1882 by the publishing firm of Sonzogno. He and his librettist, Ferdinando Fontana, failed to win, but their opera Le villi came to the attention of the publisher Giulio Ricordi, who arranged a successful production of it at the Teatro del Verme in Milan and commissioned a second opera. Fontana’s libretto, Edgar, was unsuited to Puccini’s dramatic talent and the opera was coolly received at La Scala in April 1889. It did, however, set the seal on what was to be Puccini’s lifelong association with the house of Ricordi. The first opera for which Puccini himself chose the subject was Manon Lescaut. Produced at Turin in 1893, it achieved great success and gave him world-wide recognition. Among the writers who worked on its libretto were Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, who provided the librettos for Puccini’s next three operas. The first of these, La Bohème, is widely considered Puccini’s masterpiece, but with its mixture of lighthearted and sentimental scenes and its largely conversational style, was not a success when produced at Turin in 1896. Tosca, Puccini’s first excursion into verismo, was more enthusiastically received by the Roman audience at the Teatro Costanzi in 1900. Later that year Puccini visited London and saw David Belasco’s one-act play Madam Butterfly. This he took as the basis for his next collaboration with Illica and Giacosa; he considered it the best and technically most advanced opera he had written. He was unprepared for the fiasco attending its first performance in February 1904, when the La Scala audience was urged into hostility, even pandemonium, by the composer’s jealous rivals; in a revised version it was given to great acclaim at Brescia the following May. Puccini was married to Elvira Gemignani, the widow of a Lucca merchant, who had borne him a son in 1896. Until 1921, the family lived in the house at Torre del Lago which Puccini had acquired in 1891. Scandal was unleashed in 1909 when a servant girl of the Puccinis, whom Elvira had accused of an intimate relationship with her husband, committed suicide. A court case established the girl’s innocence, but the publicity affected Puccini deeply and was the main reason for the long period before his next opera. La Fanciulla del West, based on another Belasco drama, was given its premiere at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, in December 1910. Differences with Tito Ricordi, head of the firm since 1912, led Puccini to accept a commission for an operetta from the directors of the Vienna Karltheater. The result, La Rondine, was warmly received at Monte Carlo in 1917. While working on it, Puccini began the composition of the dramatic Il Tabarro, the first of three one-act operas collectively known as Il Trittico. The other two operas in the set are Suor Angelica and a comedy, Gianni Schicchi. In his early 60s Puccini was determined to strike out on new paths and started work on Turandot, based on a Gozzi play which satisfied his desire for a subject with a fantastic, fairy-tale atmosphere, but flesh-and-blood characters. During its composition he moved to Viareggio and in 1923 developed cancer of the throat. Treatment at a Brussels clinic seemed successful, but his heart could not stand the strain and he died, leaving Turandot unfinished. It was completed by Franco Alfano. All Italy went into mourning and two years later his remains were interred at his house at Torre del Lago which was turned into a museum after his wife’s death in 1930. Puccini’s choral, orchestral and instrumental works, dating mainly from his early years, are seldom performed, though the Mass in A-flat (1880) is still performed occasionally. His operas may not engage us on as many different levels as do those of other major composers, but on his own most characteristic level, where passion, sensuality, tenderness, pathos and despair meet and fuse, he was an unrivalled master. His melodic gift and harmonic sensibility, his consummate skill in orchestration and unerring sense of theatre combined to create a style that was wholly original, homogeneous and compelling. He was fully aware of his limitations and rarely ventured beyond them. He represents Verdi’s only true successor, and his greatest masterpiece, Turandot, belongs among the last 20th-century stage works to remain in the regular repertory of the world’s opera houses. The facade of the Palazzo Farnese, a product of the minds of Sangallo and Michelangelo working for Pope Paul III (Alessandro Farnese, 1468 - 1534 - 1549 (81)) is as close to perfection as makes no difference. Inside, the famous Galleria frescoed by Annibal Carracci in the years 1597 - 1608 (the setting for the Second Act of Puccini’s opera “Tosca” where Floria, after a lot of singing, kills the nasty Scarpia after he had let slip “Tosca, you made me forget god” as he made her a proposition which turned out to be dramatically unsuccessful. Tosca’s popularity, its realism, and its highvoltage finale provide the perfect background for a tradition of (in)famous accidents. There are plenty of anecdotes about the theatre: but where Tosca is concerned they become mythical. From the front-page headlines in Italian newspapers: “Cavaradossi has been shot!”... At the Macerata summer festival in 1995, the tenor (Fabio Armiliato) was shot in the 3rd act - as usual. But this time when Tosca (Raina Kabaivanska) rushed to him she heard a whisper: “Call an ambulance!...”, and then she fainted at the sight of his blood. Because of a blank charged with too much powder, the plug had pierced Cavaradossi’s boot and hurt his leg. It is possible that the guns were overcharged because at the same festival some years before, the guns did not go off, possibly because there was not enough power in the rounds. The headlines on that occurrence read: “Cavaradossi dies from heart attack” However, that was not the only problem incurred by the now wounded tenor - 5 days later, going on stage at the beginning of act 2, his crutch slipped, causing a double fracture of the other leg!! An even more realistic execution supposedly took place in the first years of Tosca‘s stage history: in the title role was Lina Cavalieri, known as the “world’s most beautiful woman” and known also for her courage and boldness: actually she did not faint when Cavaradossi was really shot to death in error! Anecdotes Tosca Tosca’s finale seems to be prone also to less lethal accidents. The tales are legendaryl, and you can hear them told of many theatres and productions. The most popular is the bouncing Tosca: Tosca, as usual jumps, from the walls of Castel Sant’Angelo. But the stage workers had improved her safety by replacing the mattress with a trampoline, so that Tosca appeared 2 or 3 times from behind the wall. Another famous incident was when the stage director was giving last-minute instructions to the supers hired as soldiers. Due to the small budget there had been no stage rehearsal, and he gave them the usual instruction of “exit with the principals”. So when Tosca leapt from the parapet, seeing no other principals left on stage, they all did just as they were told and dutifully jumped after her, giving a Shakespearean greatness to the final tragedy. Even the great Callas was not immune to mishaps: During the 2nd act she came too near the candles burning on Scarpia’s desk, her wig ignited and Scarpia (Tito Gobbi) immediately improvised a raptor-like motion: he jumped on Tosca, embraced her and extinguished the flames. Tosca rejected him with disgust, but then whispered him a, “Thank you, Tito”... just before killing him. And lastly, Placido Domingo’s headlong fall while rushing down from the scaffolding during Act 1 of the broadcast of “Tosca live at the real times & places”: he smashed into the bottom of the fence of the real Cappella Attavanti, giving a definite hint of realism to the broadcast. Vocabulary Sacristan A sacristan is a church officer who is charged with the care of the sacristy, the church, and their contents. In ancient times many duties of the sacristan were performed by the doorkeepers. Nowadays, the sacristan is usually elected or appointed by the head of the church. Other responsibilities might include duties in regard to the sacristy, the Blessed Eucharist, the baptismal font, the holy oils, the sacred relics, the decoration of the church for the different seasons and feasts, the preparation of what is necessary for the various ceremonies, the ringing of the church bells, the preservation of order in the church, and the distribution of Masses. Te Deum The Te Deum (also known as Te Deum Laudamus, Ambrosian Hymn or A Song of the Church) is an Early Christian hymn of praise. The hymn remains in regular use in the Roman Catholic Church in the Office of Readings found in the Liturgy of the Hours, and in thanksgiving to God for a special blessing (eg. the election of a pope, the consecration of a bishop, the canonization of a saint, the profession of a religious, the publication of a treaty of peace, a royal coronation, etc) either after Mass or Divine Office or as a separate religious ceremony. The hymn also remains in use in the Anglican Communion and some Lutheran Churches in similar settings. Prima Donna Originally used in opera companies, “prima donna“ is Italian for “first lady”. The term was used to designate the leading female singer in the opera company, the person to whom the prime roles would be given. The prima donna was normally, but not necessarily, a soprano. The corresponding term for the male lead (almost always a tenor) is “primo uomo“. Legendarily, these “prima donnas” (prime donne- ital. plural) were often regarded as egotistical, unreasonable and irritable, with a rather high opinion of themselves not shared by others. Although whether they are truly more vain or more hottempered than other singers (or than any other people in the opera houses) is not substantiated, the term often describes a vain, obnoxious and temperamental person who, although irritating, cannot be done without. Famous prima donnas have often caused opera enthusiasts to divide into opposing “clubs” supporting one singer over another. The rivalry between the respective fans of Maria Callas and Renata Tebaldi, for example, was one of the most famous of all opera, despite the friendship of the two singers. In recent times the term prima donna has almost become a synonym of diva and is used to designate popular female opera singers, especially sopranos. Castel Sant’Angelo The Castel Sant’Angelo is an imposing building on the right bank of the Tiber river. It has had a turrbulent history, even by Rome’s standards. During its many years of existence, the building functioned first as a mausoleum, then became part of the city wall and later was turned into a fortress before it functioned as a papal residence and finally as a barracks and military prison. It is currently a national museum. Recordings of Tosca Tosca - Puccini Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Tosca - Puccini Leontyne Price, Placido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes New Philharmonia Orchestra, Zubin Mehta, cond. Tosca - Puccini Renata Tebaldi, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Tito Gobbi La Scala Theater Orchestra & Chorus, Gavazzani, cond. Etiquette And Outfits Minding your P’s & Q’s Every baseball fan knows what to do during the seventh-inning stretch. Likewise, every opera fan knows to honor certain longstanding traditions. Here are a few to keep in mind: Don’t be Late! Unlike a movie theater, New Orleans Opera does not allow latecomers to take their seats after the performance has begun. (Those who miss the curtain can still take in the show—live—on television monitors in the lobby. Latecomers will be able to take their seats at a suitable interval—usually intermission.) When cued to go back into the hall at the end of intermission, please do not delay. Contracts require us to adhere to a strict performance time and a late entry will disturb your fellow patrons, cast and orchestra. Be a Quiet Audience Member! The talents of New Orleans’ Opera singers and musicians are presented without amplification. There is no Dolby™ Stereo in the Mahalia Jackson Theater, and some of the most dramatic moments in opera are the quietest. Please don’t create noisy disruptions such as talking, rustling programs, or fiddling with candy wrappers. Show Appreciation Appropriately! Enthusiastic displays of appreciation are always welcome after a well-executed aria. If you’re not exactly sure when to react, just follow the crowd. Feel free to shout “Bravo!” What to Wear Once patronized mainly by royalty, opera today is enjoyed by people from all walks of life. In modern day New Orleans, you’ll see opera-goers wearing everything from ball gowns to Birkenstocks. Feel free to dress up for a special night out, dress down for comfort, or find your own happy medium. When it comes to the opera, almost anything but the most casual wear is considered appropriate. Additional Reminders • Please unwrap all cough drops and candies before the curtain rises. • Please use moderation in applying perfume, cologne, or scented lotion; many people are highly allergic to perfumes. • Avoid hats that might obstruct the view of the person seated behind you. Also please leave jewelry that may make noise (for example: bangles) at home. • Please, no babes in arms in the theater. • Many operas contain adult themes. Before bringing children, it is best to make sure that the material is appropriate for their age or maturity level. Our box office staff can help you make this determination. • If bringing children, instruct them in proper audience behavior. It is also helpful to familiarize them with the story and the score so that they know what to expect. • Please turn off all beepers, cell phones, and watch alarms before entering the theater. • No food or drink is allowed in the theater seating area, both to preserve the condition of the theater and to spare other patrons the noise and distraction. • The Overture is part of the performance. Please refrain from talking at this point. • Please also refrain from talking, humming, singing, or beating time to the music during the performance. • Avoid kicking the back of the seat in front of you; this is very annoying, even if it is done in time to the music. Also, watch your children to prevent their doing the same. • We realize that traffic both in and out of the theater can be congested following a performance; still, it is distracting to other patrons to leave while the show is still in progress. Thank you for your consideration. (If you’d rather not sit in traffic, consider taking part in the free pre-performance “Nuts and Bolts” session one hour prior to the performance on floor M-2.) Home of the New Orleans Opera Association Robert Lyall, General & Artistic Director MetroPelican Opera Hansel and Gretel Opera A La Carte A Celebration in Song MetroPelican Opera in-school performances can be booked through Young Audiences by calling (504) 523-3525. For more information on scheduling please contact the New Orleans Opera Director of Education at 529-2278, ext.222 or email [email protected]. (504) 529-2278 • FAX 529-7668 • 1-800-881-4459 • www.neworleansopera.org 619 N. Tyler Street • Covington, LA 70433 985.893.9522 .com Fax: 985.893.2679 1.866.801.0022 Serving Both Northshore and Southshore the magic of performance