Fifty Years Together: a Celebration of Wolf Trap
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ANNIVERSARY CONCERT FIFTY YEARS TOGETHER: A CELEBRATION OF WOLF TRAP JULY 1, 2021 WELCOME BACK TO WOLF TRAP Dear Friends, Fifty years ago tonight, the National Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Julius Rudel, joined pianist Van Cliburn, opera star Norman Treigle, and more on the Filene Center stage for the very first performance at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. That evening marked the birth of a national cultural treasure, a place where families and friends could experience the magic of the performing arts in an enchanting natural setting. Our beloved Wolf Trap was gifted to the nation by Catherine Filene Shouse (1896-1994), who donated the land and funds necessary to establish our country’s only National Park for the Performing Arts. Driven by her love for the arts, education, and nature, she created a performing arts destination with first-class performances for all interests presented in a unique bucolic setting. Over these past 50 years, the responsibility for carrying out this vision has fallen to Wolf Trap Foundation and the National Park Service, partners committed to ensuring that Wolf Trap is a vibrant asset for all Americans long into the future. It is with great pride and humility that we, along with our dedicated Board of Directors and staff, welcome you to this celebration of 50 years together—which is even more meaningful after a year devoid of live performances. Tonight we honor Mrs. Shouse’s legacy, her lifelong dedication to public service, and the impact Wolf Trap has had on the community for the last five decades. This evening’s performance features our longest artistic partner, the National Symphony Orchestra, with four world-renowned female artists paying homage to Mrs. Shouse’s commitment to the advancement of women and inspired by the breadth of our first concert on July 1, 1971. We continue to be in awe of the power that music has to unite us, move us, change us, and fill us with joy. Thank you for being part of the Wolf Trap tradition and family. Your passion and support have enabled Wolf Trap to thrive for 50 strong years. As we look to the next exciting 50 years, we know that Wolf Trap will remain a home for shared celebrations, incredible arts experiences, and treasured moments together. We are forever grateful for your continued patronage and philanthropy. DANIEL A. D’ANIELLO ARVIND MANOCHA Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and CEO, Wolf Trap Foundation Wolf Trap Foundation 1 1 Welcome from Wolf Trap Foundation Leadership 3 Greetings from the National Park Service 4 50 Years Together at Wolf Trap 13 Tonight’s Performance 15 Meet the Artists 19 National Symphony Orchestra 23 National Park Service Staff 24 Wolf Trap Philanthropic Support 29 Wolf Trap Foundation Staff 30 Wolf Trap Foundation Board CONTRIBUTORS ARVIND MANOCHA President & CEO SARA P. JAFFE Vice President, Development ©2021 by Wolf Trap Foundation All rights reserved. JO L BRECQUE Vice President, Communications & Marketing CENTER LINES is published by Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts LEE ANNE MYSLEWSKI 1645 Trap Road | Vienna, Virginia 22182 Vice President, Opera and Classical Programming WOLFTRAP.ORG | 703.255.1927 ERICK HOFFMAN TICKETS: wolftrap.org Director, Communications MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION: SARA SHAFFER wolftrap.org/membership • 703.255.1927 Art Director Wolf Trap Foundation is a 501(c)(3) EMILY HUNT nonprofit organization. Manager, Publications Dan and Gayle D’Aniello, CHERLYN REBULTAN, ANNIE HUNT, Wolf Trap 2021 Season Underwriters CLARISSE GAILLARD Contributing Designers A.E. LANDES, ANGELINA NAMKUNG, DAVID ADAM BELOFF, KNOWLES ARCHITECTURE Premier Sponsor ARCHIVES, LORI CROCKETT, NPS, ROBERT 2021 Summer Season BOAG, SCOTT SUCHMAN, TERRELL MULLIN, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR Photographers 50 YEARS TOGETHER 2 A MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Thank you for joining us in this 50th Anniversary Season of performances at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. On behalf of the National Park Service staff and volunteers, we sincerely hope you enjoy your visit to America’s only national park dedicated to the performing arts. This unique Park is a direct result of one woman’s dream to present world-class performances to the public in a splendid natural setting. In 1966, Mrs. Catherine Filene Shouse generously donated 100 acres of her Wolf Trap Farm to the National Park Service along with funds to construct a performing arts center. Through the partnership between the National Park Service and Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, millions of people have enriched their spirit through live performances at the Park. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is one of 423 national park sites across the country that exist to preserve our landscapes and our history, tell the stories of all Americans, and provide myriad opportunities for outdoor recreation. We are delighted that you are here today to enjoy a live performance on your public lands. Enjoy the show! KENNETH G. BIGLEY Acting Superintendent, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts 43 50 YEARS TOGETHER On July 1, 1971, thousands of families and friends traveled to Wolf Trap and gathered together for the first time under the soaring splendor of the Filene Center. Even with a bit of light rain, patrons stepped into the magnificent wooden structure in awe. As the first notes of the orchestra played over a hushed and eager audience, Mrs. Catherine Filene Shouse watched as her dream came to life. 50 YEARS TOGETHER 4 (L-R) Architect Edward Knowles, Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall, and Mrs. Shouse review a model of the Filene Center. Wolf Trap's degree in education from Harvard University, founding the Early Years Institute of Women’s Professional Long before that first Relations, and working alongside performance, the trailblazing every U.S. president from and influential Mrs. Shouse Franklin D. Roosevelt to Bill Clinton began acquiring farmland in the to advance women’s rights, 1930s outside of D.C. to create a education, and access to the arts. refreshing retreat from city life. As the development of Northern Over the years, Mrs. Shouse Virginia encroached, Mrs. Shouse had become one of the most began envisioning an oasis accomplished women of her where the arts could be time, leading a life dedicated enjoyed in harmony with to public service, fundraising beautiful natural surroundings. efforts, and creating career In 1966, at the age of 71, opportunities for women. Mrs. Shouse donated 100 acres Her impact and advocacy came of her farm to the American largely from the examples she set people, as well as the funds for herself, including being the to build an amphitheater. first woman to obtain a master’s That same year, Congress and 5 (L-R clockwise) Mrs. Catherine Filene Shouse; the majestic Filene Center interior; an early performance at Wolf Trap. President Lyndon B. Johnson spectacular Filene Center for the accepted Mrs. Shouse’s gift and first performance on July 1, 1971. designated the area as Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Featuring the National Arts. In the ensuing years, a Symphony Orchestra with unique partnership formed famed conductor Julius Rudel, between the National Park acclaimed pianist Van Cliburn, Service and the newly founded and opera luminary Norman Wolf Trap Foundation. Treigle; “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band; Mrs. Shouse recruited renowned The Choral Arts Society architects Edward F. Knowles of Washington; and more, and John H. MacFadyen to the inaugural performance design the original amphitheater, kicked off an unforgettable and construction began soon first summer season with an after. Not one to be dissuaded incredible 73 performances. from a challenge and a series of setbacks—including a devastating fire just months before the opening—Mrs. Shouse welcomed patrons to the 50 YEARS TOGETHER 6 Wolf Trap audiences enjoy performances from world-class artists in all genres like Motown icon Diana Ross (left) and legendary rock star Lenny Kravitz (right). 50 Years of Artists Over the decades, the massive Filene Center stage saw Since day one, the Filene Center appearances by some of the has attracted major artists world’s most renowned artists from around the globe and in including Leonard Bernstein, every genre of the performing B.B. King, Sting, The Avett arts—many of whom return Brothers, Aretha Franklin, year after year because of the Celine Dion, Tony Bennett, extraordinary setting in a National Ricky Martin, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Park. Whether it’s rock, pop, Yo-Yo Ma, Dolly Parton, Americana, jazz, country, musical Lady Gaga, Sufjan Stevens, and theater, opera, dance, classical, Earth, Wind & Fire. comedy, or more, there is always something for everyone during a And, who could forget Wolf Trap summer. Wolf Trap’s special ties with the National Symphony Orchestra and “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band? 87 "The President's Own" Marine Band plays for the Filene Center Topping Out Ceremony in 1970. Both have performed at the Starting with the first show’s Filene Center for 50 years and inclusion of famed bass-baritone remain beloved Wolf Trap Norman Treigle, Mrs. Shouse’s artistic partners. passion for opera performances has been evident throughout Thanks to the Filene Center’s each season. Her commitment significant stage size and its to showcasing great opera led technical capabilities, to the creation of Wolf Trap Wolf Trap also became a notable Opera and its exceptional training program—one that has excelled touring stop for large companies for decades and offers one of the like American Ballet Theatre, best performance experiences The Metropolitan Opera, The for emerging artists around the Philadelphia Orchestra, the country. With more than 700 Scottish Military Tattoo, and the alumni, Wolf Trap Opera has Kirov Ballet—which appeared in helped launch careers of some of 1986 as part of its first U.S.