<<

..------~~~- . - ~

SSM

) SHEPHERD SCHOOL OF MUSIC 4 ~0 THEATER with the SHEPHERD SCHOOL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA presents

opera by based upon the play by libretto by Robert Stambler

Anthony Addison, conductor and director Donald Williams, designer

Tuesday, February 25, 1986 and Wednesday, February 26, 1986 8:00p.m. in Hamman Hall

the RICE UNIVERSITY ~~rd Of Music THE CRUCIBLE

Whether through study of history or through exposure to Arthur Miller's fine dramatization, the story of the witches of Salem is a well-known and regretted part of the American heritage.

In preparing the libretto for Robert Ward's opera, Bernard Stambler has adhered fairly closely to the play, He has shortened it in various ways, made minor changes of location, and provided opportunities for the musical devices of aria, ensemble and that element of the spectacular which is required by "grand opera." The result, as set by Robert Ward, is without doubt one of the finest of twentieth century American .

Act I

In the house of the Rev. Parris, Salem, Massachusetts- Spring 1692, late afternoon.

Intermission - Ten minutes [; Act II

The living room of John Proctor's farm house­ an evening, some eight days later.

Intermission - Ten minutes

Act III

Scene I - Outside the Rev. Parris' house - midnight, two days later. Scene II - The town Meeting House - next morning.

Intermission - Ten minutes

Act IV

Salem jail- in the Fall, just before dawn.

Photographing and sound recording are prohibited. We further request that audible paging devices not be used during the performance. Paging arrangements may be made with the ushers. -.) BIBLIOGRAPHY

ANTHONY ADDISON, for seven years a conductor of The Carl Rosa Opera Company in his native England, toured Europe with the Edinburgh International Festival Ballet, and conducted opera in Italy before joining the Boris Goldovsky Opera Company in 1962. From 1964 to 1981, he chaired the Opera Theater Department of The Cleveland Institute of Music, arriving at Rice University in 1984 via The University of Texas at Austin. He has conducted or directed some seventy different operas both with students and with professional companies, including Lake Erie Opera Theater, with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Opera Theater of Rochester, Shreveport Opera, and the Midland Symphony Orchestra. He was on the faculty of Oglebay Opera Workshop for nine years, for five years he directed the Interlochen Summer Opera Theater for the University of Michigan, and in 1974 founded and directed until1981 the Cleveland Opera Theater Ensemble, now known as the Cleveland Lyric Opera. He is a director of the National Opera Association and of Opera For Youth, and his operatic translations are performed across the country. CAST

Rev. Parris Keith Ca thea rt *lyle Kohlhepp Betty, his motherless child Claudia landivar *Johanna Bonne , his slave, from Barbados • lisa Inman *Claudia Landivar , his niece K1 tty Karn , wealthy landowner • • David Sloat *Roman Rebilas Ann, his wife lisa Unsell *Monica Vaughan Ruth, his daughter • Kara Koller Francis Nurse, an honest citizen • Robert Hatcher *Philip Christiansen Rebecca, his wife • Trudy Bent *Lisa Inman , an aggravating old cuss • David Cole *James Winslow John Proctor, a farmer • Michael Washington Elizabeth, his wife Francoise Coulton *Sandra J lyn Toensing Mary Warren, her serving girl Kimberley Tobola *Arnita Hodge Rev. , authority on witchcraft • David Stampley *Robert Hatcher Mr. Justice Danforth, of Boston lyle Kohlhepp *Jack Sanchez Constable Brown Roman Rebilas Ezekiel John Cheever, clerk and jailer Jack Sanchez *Michael Johnson , a midwife Karen lambert · *Dannita Hodge Obediah Sheldon • James Winslow Joshua, his half-brother • Philip Christiansen Martha, his daughter • • Christine Wu Jonathan lewis, a widower • • Michael Johnson Mercy, his daughter Dannita Hodge Susannah Walcott, an orphan, • Arnita Hodge Sarah, her sister • Johanna Bonne Bridget Bishop, her unmarried aunt • • Sandra lyn Toensing . Hannah Buckle, a widow • Shannon Swift Margaret Buckle, her daughter • Cassandra Kunkel Annie Buckle, her second daughter • Evalyn Laing

Those marked 1 * 1 are available to perform as required. Synopsis

Act I introduces us to the household of the Rev. Parris and to those of his neighbors who come to inquire about his daughter. The gathering soon reveals some of the sores, bickering and petty strife that riddle the early Puritan community. In the present matter, witchcraft 1s suspected, and an authority from Beverley is brought in. It is revealed that 'the confession of a witch frees the spirits of the bewitched.'

Act II

takes place in the farmhouse of John and , where we realize that a cloud, the aftenmath of a shortlived affair between John and his wife's former serving girl, Abigail Williams, still hangs heavy over their essential honesty. The witch trials have started and many have been 'cried out' by the hysterical daughters of Salem. Spectral visions (visible only to the young witnesses) are the principal evidence, but those who can remain aloof see only the settling of old debts and the working out of natural community frictions. Elizabeth is 'cried out•, for reasons Abigail best knows.

Act II I

begins near Rev. Parris' house, where Proctor comes to persuade Abigail to withdraw her accusations against Elizabeth. The ac_tions move·s to Salem Meeting House where Hr. Justice Danforth hears depositions from various citizens. To defend Elizabeth, Proctor brings his wife's present serving maid, Mary Warren, who is, however, quickly caught up in the gfrls' hyste~ia and herself turns on Proctor and accuses him of witchcraft.

Ac~ IV

takes place in the town jail, the morning upon which John Proctor and other condemned witches and war.locks are to hang. Public opinion is going against the manner in which the ·trials have been conducted, but Justice Danforth's reputation is at stake. Elizabeth, being found pregnant, will be spared until her child is born; but, only by full confession, signed and nailed to the church door, can the others who have been convicted escape the gallows. It is a price too high for an hones~ person to pay. THE SHEPHERD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Flute I • • D~;,nn'! W;, Hl!r Flute II_& Piccolo Hond.t ~nyder Oboe & English Horn • • Alan Juza Clarinet I • • Rachel Geesaman Clarinet II & Clarinet Wayne Baze Bassoon • • Richard Bomar

Horn I • Jed Shaffer Horn II Rob Nuttall Trumpet I • • Michael Cox Trumpet II Diane Hilbert Trombone • • Kenneth Clark

Timpani • • Matt McCarthy Percussion Rick Skains

Harp • Laura Witt

Violins 1: Violas:

Calvin Dyck, concertmaster Monica Brown Rosemary Kimura Karen Johnson Wong Fung Terri Van Valkinburgh Birthe Jonsson Bendy Goodfriend Brian Dean Jennifer Leshnower Pam Reit Cellos: Stefan Wagner Carol Laube Carey Wingert Sara Ullman Violins II: Cao Min Laurie Reisig Laura Rosky Ho Ahn Rob Shindler Hei Hei Wei Kris La Combe Basses: Susan Aguila Jerry Wang Josee Deschenes 'Xiao-Cao X1a Jonathan lmsande Justine Watts Jackie Schinmel

* * * * * THE CRUCIBLE is produced by permission of Galaxy Mus1c Corporation (sole agent for Highgate Press) Production Staff

Director of Music and Drama Anthony Addison Assistant conductor • • Blanton Alspaugh Rehearsal pianist • • Mary Carol Warwick Rehearsal pianist • Haley Simon Design of lighting and Setting • Dona 1 d W1111 ams Drama consultant • Charles Fuller lighting technician Don Russell lighting assistant • Dixon Printz lighting operator • Monica Vaughan Costumes design • Anton H11freich Costume assistants • • Trudy Bent, Ke.fth Cathcart, laura Healey, Emily Nghiem, Krista Polk, Sandra lyn Toensing, lisa Unsell, Michael Washington Set building crew • Emily Add1 son, Hark Addison, Caris Atkins, Keith Cathcart, Robert Hatcher, Maya Tinsley, Michael Washington, James Winslow, James Haynes painting crew • Francoise Coulton, Robert Set J Hataher, Krista Polk, Jack Sanchez, Sandra lyn Toensing, Usa Unsell Stage Manager • Scott Shaw Poster design • • Charles Renfro

* * * *· *

Special Thanks

- to Virginia Babikian, Chairman, and to the other members of the Shepherd School Voice Faculty, , Artist­ in-Residence, and Artist-Teachers lynn Griebling Moores, Jeanette Lombard and Norma Newton

- to Neil Havens and the Rice Players

- to. Larry and Silvia Gatzke and Glen Miracle, proprietors of Stage Equipment Corporation, for the use of their space and faci 1i ties for set construction.

- to Members of The Shepherd Society who donated garments, fabrics, sewing machines, jewelry and much else for this and other productions of the Shepherd School Opera Theater.