Renée Fleming's “Music and the Mind”

Streaming Premiere – Thursday, April 29, 2021, 7pm

Renée Fleming’s “Music and the Mind”

featuring Renée Fleming, soprano Robert Ainsley, piano Ehud Isacoff, neuroscience

Filmed exclusively for Cal Performances at the Kreeger Museum, Washington, DC, on March 16, 2021.

1 VOCAL SELECTIONS

GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL (1685–1759) “Calm thou my soul” from Alexander Balus [Thomas Morell] “To fleeting pleasures” from Samson [Newburgh Hamilton]

HUGO WOLF (1860–1903) “Die Spröde” [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe] “Mignon III” (“So lasst mich scheinen”) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe]

GABRIEL FAURÉ (1845–1924) “Prison” [Paul Verlaine]

CLAIRE DELBOS (1906–1959) “Dors” [Cécile Sauvage]

HENRI DUPARC (1848–1933) “Le manoir de Rosemonde” [Robert de Bonnières]

GEORGE GERSHWIN (1898–1937) “Fascinating Rhythm” [Ira Gershwin]

TOD MACHOVER (b. 1953) VocaGammified (World Premiere) for soprano, string quartet, and Gamma electronics Based on Gammified, commissioned by Kronos Quartet as part of the Fifty for the Future project. Recording of string quartet used by permission of Kronos Quartet.

The Cal Performances at Home Spring 2021 season is dedicated to Gail and Dan Rubinfeld, leading supporters of Cal Performances and the well-being of our artists for almost 30 years. This performance is made possible, in part, by Patron Sponsors Michael A. Harrison and Susan Graham Harrison.

Note: following its premiere, the video recording of this concert will be available on demand through July 28, 2021.

2 ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Renée Fleming is one of the most highly ac- on his enthusiasm to others. He is an alumnus claimed singers of our time, performing on the of the University of Cambridge, Mannes Col- stages of the world’s greatest opera houses and lege of Music, and the Lindemann Young Artist concert halls. Honored with four Grammy Development Program at the Metropolitan awards and the US National Medal of Arts, she Opera. Since then, he has been the co-founder has sung for momentous occasions including the and principal conductor of the Greenwich Nobel Peace Prize ceremony and the Diamond Music Festival, guest chorus master at the Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II at Buck - English National Opera, associate music direc- ingham Palace. In 2014, Fleming brought her tor at Portland Opera, head of the music staff voice to a vast new audience as the first classical and chorus master at Minnesota Opera and artist ever to sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and a faculty the Super Bowl. On January 20, she sang for the member at Westminster Choir College’s Co - private church service attended by President-elect OPERAtive Program. Biden and Vice President-elect Harris, along with Ainsley is now the director of the Wash - congressional leaders of both parties, prior to the ington National Opera’s Cafritz Young Artists inauguration ceremony. program and the American Opera Initiative, In May, Fleming launched Music and Mind seeking out and preparing the finest young LIVE, a weekly web series exploring the inter- American singers, composers, and librettists section of music and arts with human health for international careers. His artists have per- and the brain. In 19 episodes, the show amassed formed on the world’s leading stages, won the more than 650,000 views from 70 countries. Metropolitan Opera National Council audi- Fleming was inspired to launch the series by the tions, been finalists in Operalia, and performed Sound Health initiative she leads as Artistic with Ainsley at the 2018 White House State Advisor to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Dinner for the President of France. Most re- Performing Arts, in partnership with the NIH. cently, he was featured in recital with Renée She has given presentations with scientists and Fleming as part of the Metropolitan Opera’s practitioners on this subject around the world. “Met Stars Live in Concert” series. Fleming has recorded everything from com- Ainsley has conducted his own realizations plete operas and song recitals to jazz and indie of 17th-century operas, collaborated on a string rock. Her voice is featured on the soundtracks of world premieres, presented programs of art of Best Picture Oscar winners The Shape of song in a recital series of his own creation, and Water and The Lord of the Rings: The Return lectured on everything from John Adams to of the King. In 2019, she appeared opposite Alexander von Zemlinsky. Through it all, he has Ben Whishaw in Norma Jean Baker of Troy to inspired hundreds of young artists and thou- open The Shed in New York City. Later that sands of audience members to share his pas- year, she appeared in the London premiere of sion; he prides himself on the friendships he has The Light in the Piazza, subsequently bringing formed along the way. the acclaimed production to Los Angeles and Chicago. Fleming earned a Tony Award nomi- Spearheading the Berkeley Brain Initiative, nation for her performance in the 2018 Broad - Ehud Isacoff is the director of the Helen Wills way production of Carousel. Neuroscience Institute and of the Weill Neuro- Her other awards include the Fulbright Life - hub East, which—in partnership with UC San time Achievement Medal, Germany’s Cross of Francisco and University of Washington—aims the Order of Merit, and France’s Chevalier de la to speed transformative innovations in neuro- Légion d’Honneur. www.reneefleming.com. science from basic research and technology development to clinical care. Active as an opera fanatic and factotum since Isacoff’s lab research focuses on the molecu- 2001, Rob Ainsley has explored every facet of lar and biophysical basis of the electrical sig- the art form across the country, and lives to pass naling of neurons and the chemical signaling

3 ABOUT THE ARTISTS

that occurs at synaptic connections between also Academic Head and directs the Opera of neurons. He has pioneered optical neurotech- the Future group. Machover’s compositions nologies to observe and remote control the ac- have been commissioned and performed by tivity of brain cells and synapses. Innovations many of the world’s most prestigious ensembles from his lab enable precise mapping of the and soloists, and he is particularly well known functional strength and experience-dependent for his groundbreaking operas, including the “plasticity” of synapses that underlie memory audience-interactive Brain Opera and the “ro- and go awry in psychiatric disorders. Isocoff is botic” Death and the Powers. Machover is also applying these approaches to restore vision in recognized for designing new technologies for cases of diseases that cause blindness and move- music such as Hyperinstru ments, “smart” per- ment disorders. formance systems that extend expression for A member of the National Academy of virtuosi from Yo-Yo Ma to Prince, and also for Sciences, Isacoff received his education at the general public. The popular video game McGill University and UCSF before joining UC Guitar Hero grew out of Machover’s lab, and his Berkeley as a professor of neurobiology. He Hyperscore software is used throughout the finds the beauty and mystery of music and lit- world to teach music composition and creativ- erature as motivating as those of the brain and ity to young people. Machover’s City Sym- sees that much is to be gained by exploring the phony projects “have reinvented the symphony connections between the natural and social sci- as a community event” (Musical America), ences and the humanities. and travel next to India, the Koreas, and throughout the United States. Machover is also Tod Machover has been called a “musical vi- devoted to discovering theories, techniques, sionary” by the New York Times and “America’s and tones that allow music to promote well- most wired composer” by the Los Angeles Times. being and combat diseases that range from He is the Muriel R. Cooper Professor of Music Alzheimer’s to depression to a variety of and Media at the MIT Media Lab, where he is COVID-related conditions.

TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS

GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL

“Calm thou my soul” from Alexander Balus “To fleeting pleasures” fromSamson [Thomas Morell] [Newburgh Hamilton] Calm thou my soul, kind Isis, Sung by Dalila and based on Milton's with a noble scorn of life, Samson Agonistes ideal joys, and momentary pains, To fleeting pleasures make your court, that scatter, or disturb this waking dream. no moment to lose, for life is short! The present now’s our only time, Convey me to some peaceful shore, the missing that our only crime. where no tumultuous billows roar, where life, though joyless, still is calm, and sweet content is sorrow’s balm. There, free from pomp and care to wait, forgetting and forgot, the will of fate.

4 TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS

HUGO WOLF

“Die Spröde” “The coy shepherdess” [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe] An dem reinsten Frühlingsmorgen On the clearest of spring mornings Ging die Schäferin und sang, The shepherdess went out and sang, Jung und schön und ohne Sorgen, Carefree, young and beautiful, Daß es durch die Felder klang, Till it echoed through the fields, So la la! le ralla! So la la! le ralla!

Thyrsis bot ihr für ein Mäulchen Thyrsis offered her for a kiss Zwei, drei Schäfchen gleich am Ort, Two, three lambs without delay, Schalkhaft blickte sie ein Weilchen; She looked on archly for a while; Doch sie sang und lachte fort: But went laughing and singing on her way, So la la! le ralla! So la la! le ralla!

Und ein Andrer bot ihr Bänder, And another offered ribbons, Und der Dritte bot sein Herz; And a third bid his heart; Doch sie trieb mit Herz und Bändern But she made fun of heart and ribbons, So wie mit den Lämmern Scherz, As she had done with the lambs, Nur la la! le ralla! Only la la! le ralla!

—Translation © Richard Stokes

“Mignon III” (“So lasst mich scheinen”) “Mignon III” [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe] So lasst mich scheinen, bis ich werde, Let me appear an angel till I become one; Zieht mir das weisse Kleid nicht aus! Do not take my white dress from me! Ich eile von der schönen Erde I hasten from the beautiful earth Hinab in jenes feste Haus. Down to that impregnable house.

Dort ruh’ ich eine kleine Stille, There in brief repose I’ll rest, Dann öffnet sich der frische Blick; Then my eyes will open, renewed; Ich lasse dann die reine Hülle, My pure raiment then I’ll leave, Den Gürtel und den Kranz zurück. With girdle and rosary, behind.

Und jene himmlischen Gestalten, And those heavenly beings, Sie fragen nicht nach Mann und Weib, They do not ask who is man or woman, Und keine Kleider, keine Falten And no garments, no folds Umgeben den verklärten Leib. Cover the transfigured body.

Zwar lebt’ ich ohne Sorg’ und Mühe, Though I lived without trouble and toil, Doch fühlt’ ich tiefen Schmerz genung. I have felt deep pain enough. Vor Kummer altert’ ich zu frühe; I grew old with grief before my time; Macht mich auf ewig wieder jung! O make me forever young again!

—Translation © Richard Stokes

5 TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS

GABRIEL FAURÉ

[Paul Verlaine] “Prison” Le ciel est, par-dessus le toit, The sky, up above the roof, Si bleu, si calme! So blue, so calm! Un arbre, par-dessus le toit, A tree, up above the roof, Berce sa palme. Waves its foliage.

La cloche, dans le ciel qu’on voit, The bell, in the sky that one can see, Doucement tinte. Softly rings. Un oiseau sur l’arbre qu’on voit A bird, on the tree that one can see, Chante sa plainte. Sings her lament.

Mon Dieu, mon Dieu, la vie est là, My God, my God, life is there, Simple et tranquille. Simple and tranquil. Cette paisible rumeur-là This peaceful murmuring Vient de la ville. Comes from the town.

Qu’as-tu fait, ô toi que voilà What have you done, O you there, Pleurant sans cesse, Weeping ceaselessly, Dis, qu’as-tu fait, toi que voilà, Say, what have you done, you there, De ta jeunesse? With your youth?

CLAIRE DELBOS

“Dors” “Sleep” [Cécile Sauvage] Dors dans le nid douillet Sleep in the cozy nest de ma chair maternelle of my maternal flesh; Dors sans émoi, Sleep without emotion, sans rêve et sans larmes encore; Without dreams and as yet without tears; Demain tu connaîtras ce que pèse ton aile Tomorrow you will know the weight on your wings Et ton coeur tremblera de pressentir la mort. And your heart will tremble with the foreboding of death.

6 TEXTS & TRANSLATIONS

HENRI DUPARC

“Le manoir de Rosemonde” “The manor of Rosemonde” [Robert de Bonnières] De sa dent soudaine et vorace, With his sudden and voracious tooth, Comme un chien l’amour m’a mordu… Like a dog, love has bitten me… En suivant mon sang répandu, Following my spilled blood, Va, tu pourras suivre ma trace… Go, you will be able to track me.

Prends un cheval de bonne race, Take a thoroughbred horse, Pars, et suis mon chemin ardu, Set out, and follow my arduous way, Fondrière ou sentier perdu, Through ravine and lost trails, Si la course ne te harasse! if the race doesn’t fatigue you!

En passant par où j’ai passé, Passing where I passed, Tu verras que seul et blessé you will see that alone and hurt J’ai parcouru ce triste monde. I traveled through this sad world,

Et qu’ainsi je m’en fus mourir And this is how I came to die Bien loin, bien loin, sans découvrir far away, far away, without ever finding Le bleu manoir de Rosemonde. the blue manor of Rosemonde.

GEORGE GERSHWIN

“Fascinating Rhythm” [Ira Gershwin] Got a little rhythm, a rhythm, a rhythm Just like a flivver. That pit-a-pats through my brain. Each morning I get up with the sun, So darn persistent, the day isn't distant (Start a-hopping never stopping) When it'll drive me insane. To find at night, no work has been done. Comes in the morning without any warning, I know that And hangs around all day. Once it didn't matter I'll have to sneak up to it, But now you're doing wrong; Someday, and speak up to it, When you start to patter I hope it listens when I say: I'm so unhappy. “Fascinating Rhythm Won't you take a day off? You've got me on the go! Decide to run along Fascinating Rhythm Somewhere far away off I'm all a-quiver. And make it snappy! What a mess you're making! Oh, how I long to be the man I used to be! The neighbors want to know Fascinating Rhythm, Why I'm always shaking Oh, won't you stop picking on me!”

7 CREDITS

Renée Fleming appears by arrangement ARTISTIC PLANNING with IMG Artists, www.imgartists.com. Katy Tucker, Director of Artistic Planning Robin Pomerance, Artistic Administrator Ms. Fleming is an exclusive recording artist for Decca and Mercury Records (UK). DEVELOPMENT Taun Miller Wright, Chief Development Officer Ms. Fleming’s jewelry is by Ann Ziff for Tamsen Z. Elizabeth Meyer, Director of Institutional Giving Jennifer Sime, Associate Director of reneefleming.com Development, Individual Giving Jamie McClave, Individual Giving and Special Events Officer For Cal Performances at Home Jocelyn Aptowitz, Major Gifts Associate Tiffani Snow, Producer Jeremy Little, Technical Director EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Jeremy Robins, Executive Video Producer Rica Anderson, Interim Director, Artistic Literacy

For Long Story Short Media HUMAN RESOURCES Jessica Stuart, Executive Producer Judy Hatch, Human Resources Director Joshua Hall, Producer Shan Whitney, Human Resources Generalist De’Anthony Lucas, Production Manager James Curry, Director of Photography MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Theodore Jones, Camera Operator/Editor Jenny Reik, Director of Marketing and Evan Sevilla, Camera Operator Communications Noah White, Camera Operator Ron Foster-Smith, Associate Director Chris Varga, Lighting Director of Marketing Sam Grodnitzky, Grip Mark Van Oss, Communications Editor Juan Rocha, Audio Louisa Spier, Public Relations Manager James Bazen, Audio Assist Cheryl Games, Web and Digital Marketing Aaron Hoffman, Media Manager Manager Phil Blankenship, Teleprompter Jeanette Peach, Public Relations Senior Associate Andrew Strasel, Editor Elise Chen, Email Production Associate Lynn Zummo, New Technology Coordinator For Future Tense Media Terri Washington, Social Media and Digital Jesse Yang, Creative Director Content Specialist

OPERATIONS For Cal Performances Jeremy Little, Production Manager EXECUTIVE OFFICE Alan Herro, Production Admin Manager Jeremy Geffen, Executive and Artistic Director Kevin Riggall, Head Carpenter Kelly Brown, Executive Assistant to the Director Matt Norman, Head Electrician Tom Craft, Audio/Video Department Head ADMINISTRATION Jo Parks, Video Engineer Andy Kraus, Director of Strategy and Tiffani Snow, Event Manager Administration Ginarose Perino, Rental Business Manager Calvin Eng, Chief Financial Officer Rob Bean, Event Operations Manager Rafael Soto, Finance Specialist Marilyn Stanley, Finance Specialist Gawain Lavers, Applications Programmer Ingrid Williams, IT Support Analyst Sean Nittner, Systems Administrator

8 CREDITS

STAGE CREW TICKET OFFICE Charles Clear, Senior Scene Technician Liz Baqir, Ticket Services Manager David Ambrose, Senior Scene Technician Gordon Young, Assistant Ticket Office Manager Jacob Heule, Senior Scene Technician Sherice Jones, Assistant Ticket Office Manager Jorg Peter “Winter” Sichelschmidt, Jeffrey Mason, Patron Services Associate Senior Scene Technician Joseph Swails, Senior Scene Technician Mark Mensch, Senior Scene Technician Opening fanfare used by permission from Jordi Mathison Ott, Senior Scene Technician Savall from his 2015 recording of Monteverdi's Mike Bragg, Senior Scene Technician L'Orfeo on Alia Vox. Ricky Artis, Senior Scene Technician Robert Haycock, Senior Scene Technician Major support for the Cal Performances Digital Classroom is provided by Wells Fargo. STUDENT MUSICAL ACTIVITIES Mark Sumner, Director, UC Choral Ensembles Major support for Beyond the Stage is provided Bill Ganz, Associate Director, by Bank of America. UC Choral Ensembles calperformances.org Matthew Sadowski, Director of Bands/ Interim Department Manager © 2021 Regents of the University of California Ted Moore, Director, UC Jazz Ensembles Brittney Nguyen, SMA Coordinator