The Colorado College Music Department presents

OPERA SCENES

MOZART, MENOTTI AND MORE!

Featuring students of the Colorado College Vocal Music Program

November 7 & November 8, 2014

7:30 PM Packard Hall

Free and open to the public. Kindly refrain from using electronic devices during the performance

Dido and Aeneas Henry Purcell (1659-1695) Belinda Ellen Levish '15, Soprano Dido Sarah Hupper '15, Mezzo-Soprano Aeneas Raquel Vasquez '14, Mezzo-Soprano Stage Direction: Ann Brink*

Cosí fan Tutte W. A. Mozart (1756-1791) Ferrando Daniel Butler '15, Tenor Guglielmo Sean Fite '18, Baritone Don Alfonso Soeren Walls '17, Bass-Baritone Fiordiligi Arianne Beckman '15, Soprano Dorabella Mariah Weaver '16, Soprano Despina Chanel Jeon '15, Soprano Stage Direction: Daniel Fosha*

Interlude

Amelia Goes To the Ball Giancarlo Menotti (1911-2007) Amelia Robin Hinson '15, Soprano L’Amica Sarah Hupper '15, Mezzo-Soprano 1st Chambermaid Mariah Weaver '16, Soprano 2nd Chambermaid Allyson Moore '15, Mezzo-Soprano Stage Direction: Ann Brink*

Street Scene Kurt Weill (1900-1950) Mrs. Fiorentino Arianne Beckman '15, Soprano Mrs. Jones Ellen Levish '15, Soprano Mrs. Olsen Sarah Hupper '15, Mezzo-Soprano Mr. Olsen Gabriel Sun '16, Baritone Mr. Kaplan Soeren Walls '17, Bass-Baritone Easter Sean Fite '18, Baritone Rose Robin Hinson '15, Soprano 1st Woman/1st Nursemaid Chanel Jeon '15, Soprano 2nd Woman/2nd Nursemaid Raquel Vasquez '14, Mezzo-Soprano Stage Direction: Judeth Comstock* Production Crew

Music Direction: Daniel Brink* Production Coordinator: Ann Brink* Stage Manager: Trevon Newmann '18 Costumes: Jan Avramov* Running Crew: Danny Sponseller, '15; Caroline Olin, '18; Celia O’Brien, '18; Kexin Wang, '17

* CC Faculty

Directors’ Notes

Dido and Aeneas: Although Purcell wrote many songs, he wrote only one opera. Dido and Aeneas, taken from Virgil’s Aeneid, is the story of Dido, Queen of Carthage, her love for the Trojan hero, Aeneas, and her utter despair when he leaves her to go to war. Originally written for a girls’ school, it is so performed here. In this piece you will hear recitativo accompagnato, a more metered form than secco, meant to be accompanied by keyboard and more like spoken dialogue, which you will hear in the Mozart. -AB

Cosi fan Tutte: Mozart's Così fan tutte, ossia La scuola degli amanti (Thus do all women, or the school for lovers) premiered in Vienna in 1790. The opera treats a recurrent theme in European literature of 'fiancé swapping' that dates to the 14th century, in Boccaccio's The Decameron. The characters Ferrando and Guglielmo open the opera describing how faithful their fiancées are, while Don Alfonso expresses deep skepticism of their claims. He bets the two young soldiers that their beliefs are misplaced, and has them pretend to be shipped away to the front, only to return later in the opera disguised as 'Albanians', at which point they attempt to seduce each other's lover as a test of fidelity. Meanwhile, Despina, the maid of the two betrothed women Fiordiligi and Dorabella, upon hearing the young men are going away, tells the women to expect that their husbands-to-be will have a roving eye. For tonight's program, we have chosen the scenes that introduce the characters and set the story for the rest of the opera. - DF

Amelia Goes To The Ball: This work premiered in 1937 in Philadelphia in an English translation of the original Italian. It was Menotti’s first mature opera and critical success. We find Amelia in her boudoir getting ready for the first ball of the season in Milan. Fichu: a woman’s kerchief or shawl, generally triangular in shape, worn draped over the shoulders or around the neck. -AB

Street Scene: The subtitle of Street Scene is "An American Opera" and composer Kurt Weill (1900-1950) often referred to it as the Broadway opera. It is based on the 1929 Pulitzer Prize winning play by Elmer Rice (1892-1967), with lyrics by Langston Hughes (1902-1967). The action takes place during two sweltering summer days in "a mean quarter of New York" and revolves around a tenement brownstone, it's mainly immigrant inhabitants, and their dreams of a better life. Musically the form of the opera harkens back to the German Singspiel, with elements of Broadway, jazz, blues and popular song woven throughout, reflecting the grand melting pot of New York City. The first scene this evening introduces us to various residents of the brownstone, the second to Rose Maurrant and her boss and suitor Harry Easter. The third scene, the darkly comic 'Lullaby', takes place after the murder of Rose's mother by her father. -JC

Acknowledgements

The Colorado Springs Chorale Paul Martin, Theatre Technical Director Dan Wiencek, A/V Services Coordinator Stormy Burns, Music Office Coordinator Gina Abendroth, Music Events Coordinator

Upcoming Events in the CC Music Department

Faculty Recital Featuring a full length performance of Stravinsky's The Soldier’s Tale Jeremy Van Hoy, bass trombone Sunday, November 9, 3:00 pm

Music at Midday Instrumental and vocal student performances Wednesday, November 12, 12:15 pm

Faculty Recital Rex Matzke, saxophone Tuesday, November 18, 2014, 7:30 pm

Bluegrass Ensembles Concert Keith Reed, director Thursday, December 4, 7:30 pm

Colorado College Choir and Chamber Chorus Deborah Teske, director Friday, December 5, 7:30 pm Shove Chapel

Unless indicated, all concerts are in Packard Hall, are free and require no tickets. http://www.coloradocollege.edu/academics/dept/music/ For more event information: http://www.coloradocollege.edu/newsevents/calendar/