EASTMAN OPERA THEATRE

POSTCARDS FROM

MOROCCO

Music by Dominick Argento ‘58E (Ph.D.) Text by John Donahue

Timothy Long, conductor Steven Daigle, director

VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE Filmed at the EOT Scene Shop from February 22—March 4, 2021

This work is performed in conjunction with the Eastman 1921 – 2021 Centennial PRODUCTION TEAM

Director Music Director Steven Daigle Timothy Long

Assistant Director Assistant Music Director Madeleine Snow Wilson Southerland

Scenic and Integrated Media Design Costume Design Charles Murdock Lucas* Carly Holzwarth

Lighting Design Sound Design Nic Minetor Rich Wattie

Technical Director Production Stage Manager Mark Houser Josh Lau

Scenic Construction & Rigging Costumes & Wardrobe Ramon Rivera Claudette Hercules Jose Maisonet Leah Camilleri Nicole LaClair MaryPat Frohm Audio Engineering & Recording

Danielle Suhr Rich Wattie Ray Suarez Greg Thompson Alex Reynolds Properties Philip Milman Danielle Suhr Master Electrician Cinematographer Kate Glendening MaryPat Frohm Mountain House Media

A/V Playback Film Editors Michael houser Andrew Sevigny Jeremiah Gryczka Nate Bellavia Matt Lombaro

Wigs provided by The Wigboys

By arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., publisher and copyright owner.

* United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 of the IATSE is the union representing Scenic, Costume, Lighting, Sound, and Projection designers in Live Performance

CAST X Cast Y Cast Coloratura Soprano Katriana Kirby- Lady with Hand Mirror/ Jazmine Saunders Kopczynski An Opera Singer

Soprano Susanna Stewart Lady with a Cake Box Sofia Scattarreggia

Mezzo Soprano Veronica Siebert Lady with a Hat Box/A Megan Brilleslyper Foreign Singer

Lyric Person Trevor Scott Person with Old Elise Cismesia Luggage/Puppet #1/ Operetta Singer

Tenor Joshua Carlisle Man with a Paint Box Alexander Nick (Mr. Owen)

Baritone Edward Bland Man with Shoe Sample David Wolfe Kit/Puppet #2

Bass Seoyong Lee Man with Cornet Case/ Seoyong Lee Puppet Maker

ENSEMBLE

Timothy Long, conductor

Julianna Darby, clarinet/bass clarinet Joseph Moruzzi, alto saxophone Isabella Lau, trombone Will Newton, percussion Brian Dooley, guitar Evan Ritter, piano/celeste Jonathan Fenwick, violin Savannah York, viola Jiayan Yang, bass

SETTING A train station in Morocco, 1930s.

SYNOPSIS

Characters are waiting in a train station; each of them reveals what they do, but will not reveal the contents of their luggage, which they can’t part with. The puppet master, who appears to live in the train station, tries to control and manipulate the passengers. The passengers all leave except one, Mr. Owen, who acts out a story about sailing away on a boat. Mr. Owen rebels against the puppet master, breaking his control over the passengers. The puppet master does retain his control over one of the passengers, The foreign singer, whom he eerily controls at the very last moments of the play.

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

This opera “has no clearly discernible plot but makes its effects through a powerful series of images and inferences.” The opera highlights human cruelty, and the resulting armor we all put up. Questioning others’ motivations, these characters spend the entire opera suspicious of one another not really seeing their common traits and not aware of the puppet master who is skillfully trying to seduce the passengers to become his marionettes. The lack of structure is a tool used by the creators to control the response forcing a lack of trust in our purpose in life. It is a surrealist opera about a group of strangers in a train station. These passengers guard their possessions because they define them. It is existentialist like the plays of Samuel Beckett. Their possessions create their need for existence rather than some self-motivation. The librettist gives these directions to help define the setting and general tone of the piece. It should be set, “distinctively off or odd...not morbid or peculiar so much as wacky or exotic”. This, and the oddities of the score, help classify it as surreal; an amalgamation of music and text condensed into a one-act opera.

As Eastman Opera Theatre planned productions during this unusual time and celebrate the 2021 Eastman School of Music Centennial, this production of Postcard from Morocco by alumnus Dominick Argento ‘58E (Ph.D.) works particularly well for a non-traditional production, because of the small number of singers, instrumentalists, and the surrealist plot. It is an opera about a group of strangers in a train station. Although they are together, each character lives in a separate reality as they protect and guard their possessions. As such, there is an element of social distancing found in the story. This innovative production was designed, produced, and presented as a film originating from Eastman Opera Theatre’s Scene Shop.

MEET THE COMPOSER Dominick Argento, considered to be America's pre-eminent composer of lyric opera, was born in York, Pennsylvania in 1927. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Peabody Conservatory and his Ph.D. from the Eastman School of Music. Fulbright and Guggenheim Fellowships allowed him to study in Italy and following his Fulbright, Argento became music director of Hilltop Opera in Baltimore, and taught theory and composition at the Eastman School. In 1958, he joined the faculty of the Department of Music at the University of Minnesota, where he taught until 1997 and later held the rank of Professor Emeritus. During his years at Eastman, Argento composed his opera, The Boor (1957), of which John Rockwell of The New York Times stated: “[it] taps deep currents of sentiment and passion.” Following his arrival in Minnesota, Argento accepted commissions from the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis. Since the early 1970s Argento’s operas were heard with increasing frequency abroad. Among these are The Voyage of Edgar Allan Poe (1976), Dream of Valentino (1993), and Casanova's Homecoming (1984), which Robert Jacobson of Opera News hailed as “a masterpiece.” Dominick Argento received the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1975 for his song cycle From the Diary of Virginia Woolf. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1979, and in 1997 was honored with the title of Composer Laureate to the Minnesota Orchestra, a lifetime appointment.

Reprinted by kind permission from Boosey and Hawkes.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Estate of Dominick Argento

Jeremiah Gryczka & Andrew Sevigny – Mountain House Media, Film Editors

Jessica Kaufman, Michelle Martorell, Katey Padden, Courtney Morton – Office of Communications

Helen Smith, Lou Chitty, John Truebger, Gregory Thompson, Philip Milman – Technology & Media Production

The Red Fern

FRIENDS OF EASTMAN OPERA DONOR LIST The Friends of Eastman Opera gratefully recognizes and deeply appreciates the generosity of the following donors whose contributions benefit students, programs and productions of the Eastman Voice, Opera and Vocal Coaching Department. This listing includes gifts received and recorded for the past twelve months, i.e., between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.

Luminary $1,000 and above Dr. Philip S. Nash `73 Dr. Jody C. Asbury `94W (EdD) and Dr. Suzanne B. Seipel and Donald Seipel Robert F. Asbury `79M (Flw) Dr. A. Louise Trucks `92E (PhD) and Dr. Dr. Gloria J. Baciewicz `74, `82M (Res) H. Kenneth Cohen `74 (PhD) Jeffrey T. Caruso* Dr. Kristen E. Willmott `13W (PhD) and Stephanie C. Cooper-Clarke Benjamin Willmott Warren Crandell Craig J. Zicari and Anne C. Coon Peter T. Elliott Dr. Donna Brink Fox Patron $300 - $599 Ruth Freeman Joseph W. Blackburn `71E and Eileen E. Dr. Winston E. Gaum and Gail H. Gaum Buholtz `73E Dr. Michael B. Gehl `74M (Res)* John K. Bouman and Alexandra M. Suzanne Gouvernet Bouman Marjorie F. Grinols Robert M. Chapman and Susan E. Barbara Hamlin Chapman Rose-Marie B. Klipstein Dr. Douglas Cline P`05 and Lorraine Van Christine Long `92M (MPH) and Dr. Udo Meter-Cline Fehn Carol Crocca and Bill Crocca Christine R. McAvoy P`18E and William Dan Davies and Janet R. Davies M. McAvoy P`18E Dr. Daniel R. English and Rauni A. Daniel M. Meyers English John S. Muenter Thomas A. Fink and Janet Fink David and Marjorie Perlman Christine Doran The Plimpton Herbert Long Family Rob W. Goodling `80E Dr. Keith S. Reas `84E (DMA) and Dr. Jane S. Gorsline `63W Tomás C. Hernández George W. Hamlin IV P`00E and Mary Dr. Jamal J. Rossi `87E (DMA) and Hamlin P`00E Pamela F. Rossi Sandra Handler Jon L. Schumacher and Katherine T. Dr. Ronald W. Hansen Schumacher Dr. Robert S. Knox `58 (PhD) and Myrta Harvey D. Simmons `62S (MS) B. Knox `54E (MM) Leonard S. Simon and Elaine Simon Dr. Leo R. Landhuis and Charlotte K. Kay Wallace `83W (MSE) and Peter Landhuis Oddleifson Marcia J. Lowry John C. Williams and Chuck Lundeen* Jaime G. Magana `86 John W. May and Maureen S. May Benefactor $600 - $999 Dr. Robert H. McIver and Karen McIver Ronald F. Dow and Susan W. Dow Bliss E. Owen Dr. Eric M. Dreyfuss The Honorable Richard D. Rosenbloom Dr. Giuseppe Erba and Robert Mark P`91, P`95 and Beatrice M. Rosenbloom Pierzynski P`91, P`95 Jacqueline A. Germanow and Andrew C. Elise Rosenfeld `60W, P`92 Germanow Suzanne M. Spencer Lawrence S. Iwan and Elizabeth B. Iwan The Honorable Ann M. Taddeo `73 Dr. Joseph G. Kelly FRIENDS OF EASTMAN OPERA DONOR LIST

Gary P. VanGraafeiland and Marie Sarah Carr and Gary Carr VanGraafeiland John Casella Jean G. Whitney `65W (MA), `75W (EdM) Nancy A. Colbaugh Dr. Peggy D. Dettwiler `91E (DMA) and Sponsor $150 - $299 Dr. Jurgen Thym Djusmin Adi Orlando Diaz Jr. `14E Dr. E. David Appelbaum `59 and Barbara Dr. W. B. Gorman `97W (EdD) and Joseph G. Appelbaum J. Nardone Asish R. Basu and Susan Basu Barbara Guhde and Robert Guhde Dr. Agneta D. Borgstedt `61M (Res) Lane Hemaspaandra and Edith Kathleen Bride and J. Gaven Hurley Hemaspaandra Dr. Laurel H. Carney and David Cameron Joanna B. Hodgman `74 (MA) Stephen H. Crowley and Pamela Norton Christopher J. Husson `70 (MS) and Ruth Margaret Dundas and Peter Dundas A. Unzicker Dean W. Ekberg `87E (MM) and Judith Deborah F. Lattime and R. Alan Lattime Ekberg Dr. John P. Leddy and Alice E. Leddy Marcia L. Elwitt Stephen G. Mascilo Donald A. Fischman and Barbara Lohse Richard A. Moncrief and Sandra D. Cathy L. Flowers Moncrief Brenda Grosswirth `79E (MM), `93W (MS) Trevor Pinker and Raymond A. Grosswirth Dr. Gloria L. Pleger `65 (MS), `70 (PhD) Dr. Charles E. Heckler `81 (MS), `86 (MA), and Karl F. Pleger `89 (PhD), P`07 and Rick Runyan Mary M. Rapp `71, `79W (MA) and Dr. Roberta H. Ierardi Howard Kirschenbaum Dr. Albert P. Jones Jr. `79M (Res) Richard Reisem Sarah C. Jones and James D. Aldrich- John B. Rumsey Moodie Gloria S. Sciolino `67, `68W (MA), P`98E Dr. Martin W. Korn `66M (Res), P`88 and and The Honorable Anthony J. Sciolino Phyllis S. Korn P`98E Laurence J. Kovalsky `75, P`08, P`10 and Charles H. Speirs Paulina D. Kovalsky Michael C. Stern `76S (MS) and Donna F. Joan Lehman and Michael Lehman Stern David A. Leidig `50, P`81, P`82, P`85, P`87 Robert W. Swensen P`15E and Kathryn C. Russell Miller Cowdrick P`15E Sanford Miller and Jill Miller Bernard Winterman and Carol S. Winterman Ilene Montana Rowena Zemel `59 Paul F. Morgan and Helga B. Morgan Jan Opalach and Katharine L. Edmonds Associate Up to $75 Dolores F. Parlato Anonymous Paul E. Petersen Nancy Cangiano `62H (DPL) and Albert Sonja C. Shelton Cangiano Mark A. Smith Dr. Edward L. Deci Helga Strasser Joy Goodman James P. Van Meter J. Perry Howland and Dorothy M. Howland Joan D. Van Ness and Paul Van Ness Dr. Arnold H. Matlin `71M (Res) and Dr. Catharine J. Wise Margaret W. Matlin Carol D. Menchel* Friend $75 - $149 Nancy S. Newton `81 (MS) Deena Ambush Rankin Richard W. Schaeffer and Marcella Klein Scott Ashley and Kristen Ashley Linda B. Smith Joel C. Atella `09E Dr. Judit S. Wagner `76M (Res) and John R. Angela Bonazinga and M. Catherine Lewis Wagner Jr. Judith V. Boyd Margaret J. Carnall *Deceased FRIENDS OF EASTMAN OPERA DONOR LIST

MEMORIALS TRIBUTES In Memory of Mr. Terrance M. Carney In Honor of Ms. Eileen E. Buholtz Harvey D. Simmons `62S (MS) Dr. Kristen E. Willmott `13W (PhD) and Benjamin Willmott In Memory of Mr. Chet English Dr. Daniel R. English and Rauni A. In Honor of Mr. Terrance M. Carney* English Dr. Laurel H. Carney and David Cameron In Memory of Mr. Daniel G. Harvey Peter T. Elliott In Honor of Mr. Stephen Carr Bliss E. Owen In Memory of Mr. Chuck Lundeen Dr. Giuseppe Erba and R. Mark In Honor of Ms. Rose-Marie B. Pierzynski Klipstein, Prof. Carol S. Webber Deena Ambush Rankin Christine R. McAvoy P`18E and William M. McAvoy P`18E In Memory of Mr. Chuck Lundeen and In Honor of John Williams In Honor of Prof. Udo Fehn Daniel M. Meyers Donald A. Fischman and Barbara Lohse In Memory of our parents —Dorothy and Stanley W. Opalach and Helen and In Honor of Ms. Rose-Marie B. Klipstein Aubrey Edmonds Barbara Hamlin `79 Jan Opalach and Katharine L. Edmonds In Honor of Stella Dyer Long, Choctaw Story Teller, and mother of Timothy In Memory of Dr. Stephen I. Rosenfeld George Long, Music Director, Elise Rosenfeld `60W, P`92 Eastman Opera Theatre The Plimpton Herbert Long Family

FRIENDS OF EASTMAN OPERA

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list, occasional errors and omissions do occur. The ‘Honor Roll’ name formats are consistent with the listing guidelines by the University of Rochester Advancement Office. FEO and UR would be happy to accommodate individual preferences. Please contact the Friends of Eastman Opera at [email protected] with any changes or corrections. Thank you.

The Eastman School of Music gratefully acknowledges the Friends of Eastman Opera for partnering with the school to provide super-titles for the stage of Eastman Opera Theatre, state-of-the-art recording equipment for the opera department, and sponsoring master classes.

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REPRESENTATION MATTERS HONOR ROLL Friends of Eastman Opera and Representation Matters wish to thank the following individuals who generously support Representation Matters in efforts to advocate for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) artists in the classical music industry. The goal of Representation Matters is to create virtual performance experiences that will introduce and welcome (middle and high school) students to the world of classical music through the lens of people of color. This alphabetical listing includes gifts received and recorded for contributions made between October 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

Anonymous Talya Matz Dr. Derrell Acon Peter Maurer Veena W. Akama-Makia `19E (MM) Russell Miller Robert Amponsah `10 (MS) John S. Muenter Dr. Jody C. Asbury `94W (EdD) and Dr. Trevor Nelson Robert F. Asbury `79M (Flw) Lisa M. Newton `91E Dr. Gloria J. Baciewicz `74, `82M (Res) Dallas Oestara Lindsay Baker Jan Opalach and Katharine L. Edmonds Jessica Baldwin Jean Pedersen Erin A. Bollacker `10, `11E (MA) and Gregory H. Partridge `80 and Dr. Douglas Mark E. Hardison `09 Potter Amy Burris Paul Quiram, Jr. Stephen Carr `00E, `07E (MM) Varun Rangaswamy `20E Adam M. Catangui Schwartz, Marc Allen Anne C. Coon and Craig J. Zicari Veronica M. Siebert Kathryn C. Cowdrick P`15E and Robert Candace Speed P`21E and Jason Speed W. Swensen P`15E P`21E Steven Daigle and Lee Ann Daigle Suzanne M. Spencer Samira Darabzand Kevin J. Spooner Susan W. Dow and Ronald F. Dow Kristine K. Thompson Kathleen T. Egan `85E (MM) Sophie P. Thompson `20E (MM) Peter T. Elliott Sonja A. Thoms `03E Dr. Udo Fehn and Christine Long Sarah M. Tipton and Steven Tipton Brianna B. Garcon Dana F. Wendel Beryl W. Garver `99E (MM) Patricia White Rebecca A. Golub `17E Kendra M. Wieneke `11E, `14E (MM) and Emma S. Grettenberger `12E Dr. Robert J. Carroll `14 (MA), `15 (PhD) Anthony D. Griffey `01E (MM) Dr. Diana R. Williams `94M (Res) and Dr. Rose E. Hegele `16E Kevin W. Williams Dr. Keith S. Reas `84E (DMA) and Dr. Dr. Kristen E. Willmott `13W (PhD) and Tomás C. Hernández Benjamin Willmott Alexandra R. Hotz `20E (MM) Ashleigh D. Wolf Liesa Hotz and Paul Hotz Dr. Lee S. Wright `03E, `18E (DMA) Valerie Lashley Anna C. Lenti `11E Joseph D. Lerangis `19E (MM) Ava L. Linvog Timothy G. Long `92E (MM) Ayla H. Martinelli

UPCOMING VIRTUAL OPERA EVENTS AT EASTMAN

Friends of Eastman Opera Voice Competition Details to be announced Spring 2021

EASTMAN OPERA THEATRE Elizabeth Cree By Kevin Puts ‘99E (DMA) Details to be announced Spring 2021

EASTMAN OPERA THEATRE Mozart May-hem Details to be announced Spring 2021

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Kilbourn Hall fire exits are located along the Supporting the Eastman School of Music: right and left sides, and at the back of the hall. In We at the Eastman School of Music are grate- the event of an emergency, you will be notified by ful for the generous contributions made by friends, parents, and alumni, as well as local and the stage manager. If notified, please move in a national foundations and corporations. Gifts calm and orderly fashion to the nearest exit. and grants to the School support student schol- arships, performance and academic facilities, Please note: The use of unauthorized photo- educational initiatives, and programs open to graphic and recording equipment is not allowed in the greater Rochester community. Every gift, this building. We reserve the right to ask anyone no matter the size, is vital to enhancing East- disrupting a performance to leave the hall. man’s commitment to excellence. For more information on making a gift, please visit Restrooms are located on the main floor of Kil- www.esm.rochester.edu/advancement or con- bourn Hall. Fully-accessible restrooms are available tact the Advancement Office by calling (585) on the first floor of the Eastman School. Our 274-1040. Thank you! ushers will be happy to direct you to them.