Baltimore Concert Opera presents: Floyd’s Susannah
Who is Carlisle Floyd? The Gist of the Story: Setting: New Hope Valley, Tennessee in the mid 20th century; loosely inspired by the Apocryphal tale of Susannah and the Elders
WHO? Set in the 1950s in the backwoods of Tennessee Composer and Librettist: hill country, the opera centers on 18-year-old Susannah, who faces hostility from women in Carlisle Floyd her church community for her beauty and the (born June 11, 1926) attention it attracts from their husbands. As she innocently bathes in a nearby creek one day, the WHAT? church elders spy on Susannah, and their own lustful impulses drive them to accuse her of sin Floyd called this operatic and seduction. Among these hypocrites is the creation a ‘musical drama,’ newly-arrived Reverend Olin Blitch, whose focusing on both music and own inner darkness leads to heart-wrenching Born in South Carolina to a piano teacher and a text to tell the story. tragedy for Susannah. Dealing with the Methodist minister, Carlisle Floyd developed an dramatic themes of jealousy, gossip, and interest in music early on. Studying creative ‘group-think’ -- and filled with soaring folk- writing, piano and then coming to composition, WHEN? inspired melodies -- this opera has been a he found himself teaching at Florida State Premiered on favorite of opera-goers for many years. University in the mid 1950s. Always one to February 24, 1955 The Characters write both the music and texts for his operas, he (62 years prior to our believes that this process gives him greater REV. OLIN BLITCH, artistic control to tell the stories he wishes to opening night!) the town’s newly- SAM POLK, her communicate. He shares, “I always considered arrived preacher who disillusioned, myself a theatrical composer — I’ve never been takes a lustful interest in WHERE? often- intoxicated interested in writing symphonies and string Susannah brother First performance at quartets. I like to work with the written word and with drama, and I'm never happier than Florida State University, when I’m in a theater.” In addition to Susannah, followed by premieres at SUSANNAH POLK, an 18-year old his work has focused on many pieces inspired girl living in Tennessee hill country New York City Opera, San by great works of English-language literature including: Of Mice and Men, Wuthering Francisco Opera and over LITTLE BAT Heights, Cold Sassy Tree and others. After 800 subsequent worldwide McLEAN, teaching at FSU for over 30 years, he moved to productions. THE CHURCH Susannah’s simple- Houston, TX and began a long collaboration ELDERS, who shun minded admirer with Houston Grand Opera. Still composing and attack Susannah decades later, his newest work (Prince of
Players) premieres in New York City this year. Elder and Mrs. McLean Elder and Mrs. Hayes Known as the “Dean of American Music,” his Elder and Mrs. Gleaton writing incorporates both a lyricism and sense Elder and Mrs. Ott of Americana that has captured the hearts of generations of American audiences.
Baltimore Concert Opera Great performers of the roles in Floyd’s Susannah 11 W. Mount Vernon Pl. ‘Susannah’ ‘Reverend Olin Blitch’ ‘Sam Polk’ Baltimore, MD, 21201 Phyllis Curtin Norman Triegle Walter James baltimoreconcertopera.com Renee Fleming Samuel Ramey Jerry Hadley Patricia Racette Raymond Aceto Brandon Jovanovich