AMERICAN OPERA CLASSICS BERNARD RANDS Vincent Burchett • Perkins • Eck • Kruse Linville • Conyers • Walton Morstein • Grundy • Leonard Indiana University Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera Chorus Arthur Fagen Bernard Cast (in order of appearance) RANDS Vincent van Gogh: Christopher Burchett (b. 1934) Theo van Gogh: Will Perkins Theodorus van Gogh: Jason Eck Vincent (2011) Gallery Director: Zachary Coates Lady No. 1: Jacquelyn Matava Opera in Two Acts Man No. 1: Daniel Lentz Lady No. 2: Hye Jung Lee Libretto by J. D. McClatchy (b. 1945) Daughter No. 1: Margaret Music Commissioned by the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Daughter No. 2: Eileen Jennings Strolling Couples: Michael Day, Robin Freeman, Rainelle Krause, Shannon Love, Sarah Martin, Benjamin McVety, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Julian Morris, Eric Mowery, Charles Lyon Stewart the Indiana University Department of Music Woman No. 1: Angela Kloc Vincent van Gogh . Christopher Burchett, Baritone Woman No. 2: Lisa Runion Theo van Gogh . Will Perkins, Tenor Miner No. 1: James Martinez Miner No. 2: Stephen Pace Theodorus van Gogh . Jason Eck, Bass-baritone Anna: Rainelle Krause Sien . Kelly Kruse, Soprano Elders: Daniel Lentz, Benjamin McVety, Charles Lyon Stewart Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec . Steven Linville, Tenor Sien: Kelly Kruse Agostina Segatori . Laura Conyers, Mezzo-soprano Potato Eaters: Emily Blair, Zachary Coates, Andrew Richardson, Lisa Runion, Jennylynn Vidas Paul Gauguin . Adam Walton, Bass-baritone Painter No. 1: Jay Bennett Painter No. 2: Zachary Coates Dr. Peyron . Andrew Morstein, Tenor Painter No. 3: Eric Mowery Dr. Paul Gachet . Christopher Grundy, Baritone Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec: Steven Linville Marguerite Gachet . Jami Leonard, Soprano Customers: James Martinez, Max Zander Paul Gauguin: Adam Walton Indiana University Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera Chorus Agostina Segatori: Laura Conyers Dancers at Arles: Jay Bennett, Michael Day, Robin Freeman, Eileen Jennings, Jennifer Jones, Rainelle Krause, Arthur Fagen Stephen Pace, Jordan Rininger, Charles Lyon Stewart, Jennylynn Vidas, Katherine Weber, Max Zander Prostitute: Angela Kloc Vincent Liotta, Stage Director • Linda Pisano, Costume Designer Dr. Peyron: Andrew Morstein Barry Steele, Production Designer • Michael Vernon, Choreographer Inmates: Zachary Coates, Michael Day, Daniel Lentz, Benjamin McVety, Julian Morris, Eric Mowery, Stephen Pace, Andrew Richardson Recorded live at the Musical Arts Center, Indiana University Dr. Paul Gachet: Christopher Grundy Marguerite Gachet: Jami Leonard Jacobs School of Music, Bloomington, Indiana, USA, on 9th and 15th April, 2011 Ensemble: Jay Bennett, Emily Blair, Zachary Coates, Brian Darsie, Michael Day, Laura Denney, Siena Forest, Robin Freeman, Eileen Jennings, Jennifer Jones, Angela Kloc, Rainelle Krause, Hye Jung Lee, Daniel Lentz, Producer and editor: Konrad Strauss Shannon Love, Gabriel Ma, Sarah Martin, James Martinez, Jacquelyn Matava, Benjamin McVety, Julian Morris, Engineers: Wayne Jackson, Fallon Stillman and Konrad Strauss Eric Mowery, Margaret Musick, Stephen Pace, Shelly Ploss, Andrew Richardson, Jordan Rininger, Lisa Runion, Assistant engineers: Devin Bean and Kyle Zucker Charles Lyon Stewart, Joe Uthup, Jennylynn Vidas, Laura Waters, Katherine Weber, Max Zander CD 1 74:01 Bernard Rands (b. 1934) Act I Vincent 1 Scene 1: Saint-Rémy, 1889 (Vincent, Theo) 7:45 Background Synopsis 2 Scene 1a: Van Gogh’s family home, The Netherlands, 1876 I happened to be in Amsterdam playing concerts when CD 1: Act I (Theodorus, Theo) 2:36 the then-new Van Gogh Museum opened, and so was 3 Scene 2: Paris, 1876 one of the first in the building as soon as it was open to 1 Scene 1: Saint-Rémy, 1889 (Director, Vincent, Man 1, Lady 1, Couples, Lady 2, Daughter 1, Daughter 2) 9:08 the general public. Though I was familiar with much of his Vincent van Gogh is writing a letter to his brother, Theo, in work from visits to many museums in Europe, I was Paris. 4 Orchestral Interlude 2:16 overwhelmed by the Amsterdam experience. In particular, 5 Scene 3: The Borinage, Belgium: 1878 (Woman 1, Woman 2, Miner 1, Vincent, the top floor exhibited all his drawings in pencil, charcoal, 2 Scene 1A: Van Gogh’s family home, Miner 2, Miner 3, Miner 4, Miner 5, Woman 3, Woman 4, Woman 5, Chorus) 8:44 gouache and so on, and I thought “maybe one day I will The Netherlands, 1876 make an opera about this man!” That was the early Theo convinces their father, Theodorus, a Protestant 6 Scene 4: A Missionary church in the Borinage, Belgium, 1878 1970s, and the subsequent 40 years were spent reading, pastor, to allow Vincent to pursue a career in art. (Theo, Vincent, Anna, Theodorus, Elders) 8:26 researching, sketching (Le Tambourin Suites 1 and 2), hoping to find the right librettist, the right opportunity, 3 Scene 2: Paris, 1876 7 Scene 5: The Hague, 1882 (Vincent, Theo, Sien) 14:50 which arrived in the form of a commission to make The scene opens in the Goupil Art Gallery in Paris in 8 Scene 6: Neunen, 1885 (Vincent) 5:40 Vincent for the 100th anniversary of the Indiana University 1875, when Vincent is 22 years old. The gallery director, 9 Orchestral Interlude 2:07 Department of Music. Vincent’s Uncle Cent, is speaking with the young Van Although much of the detail of Van Gogh’s life in Gogh, whom he has hired as a favor to his father and is 0 Scene 7: Paris, 1887 (Chorus, Painter 1, Painter 2, Painter 3, Toulouse-Lautrec, general is represented (he was a genius, a religious encouraging him to learn the business of art so that he Customer 1, Customer 2, Agostina, Gauguin, Vincent, Theo) 12:30 fanatic, an epileptic, an alcoholic with a short-fuse can become a success. Vincent is still highly religious and temper), the opera mainly deals with the late years – his passionate about God and art. A couple stops in front of a CD 2 44:53 attempt to work in his uncle’s gallery as a “salesman” (a painting and the director sends Vincent to try and close failure); his attempt to placate his father’s wishes by the sale. But as he interacts with them and other Act II becoming a missionary in the coal-mining community in prospective buyers, Vincent is disgusted at the the Borinage (a failure); his desire to be a family man by superficiality of the patrons. Unable to contain himself, he 1 Prelude 4:12 living with Sien, a prostitute, and her child (a failure); and confronts a lady patron and challenges her, thus highly 2 Scene 1: Arles, 1888 (Vincent, Gauguin) 4:58 finally meeting Gauguin in the Café Le Tambourin and offending her. Uncle Cent and Vincent determine that the 3 Scene 1a: The Dance at Arles 3:23 leaving to go to “the south”, where I end Act I. Act II finds gallery is not the place for him. Van Gogh in the Yellow House preparing for Gauguin’s 4 Scene 2: Arles, 1888 (Vincent, Gauguin) 7:41 arrival – he comes, stays, they work together for a while 5 Scene 3: The Borinage, Belgium, 1878 5 Scene 3: Saint-Rémy, 1889 – The courtyard of the asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole and then have a vicious falling-out – Gauguin leaves Vincent is now at the Borinage, where he has gone as a (Theo, Dr. Peyron, Inmates, Vincent) 7:14 (another failure) and from then on is the rapid decline of missionary to preach. The scene opens at a pithead of the physical and mental health leading to “the ear” episode, mine. The mine underground has collapsed, trapping 6 Scene 4: Auvers-sur-Oise, 1890 – The house of Dr. Gachet the sanatorium, the suicide attempt (almost a failure!), several miners. The atmosphere is grim as friends and (Marguerite, Dr. Gachet, Vincent) 5:18 and his death with Theo, his brother, at his bedside. families anxiously gather around the pithead. As the 7 Orchestral Interlude 1:58 miners begin to see their rescue attempt as futile, Vincent begins to preach, leading the crowd in a rousing hymn of 8 Scene 5: Auvers-sur-Oise, 1890 – A field (Vincent) 4:26 praise. As he continues to preach, he begins to stutter, 9 Scene 6: Auvers-sur-Oise, two days later (Vincent, Theo) 5:42 becomes disoriented and collapses. 6 Scene 4: A Missionary church in the Borinage, he is doing the work of God, using the colors of God’s abandonment by Gauguin. In desperation, he takes a away from painting, which only upsets him. Vincent Belgium, 1878 canvas. He is creating the picture known as The Potato razor and cuts his ear. comes in, overhears the conversation, and offers to leave. Theo arrives in search of Vincent and is astounded at the Eaters. Dr. Gachet will not have it. Vincent gratefully thanks Dr. beauty of the paintings Vincent has laying around. Again, 5 Scene 3: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, 1889 – Gachet for believing in him. He now understands his Theo asks Vincent why he is “wasting his time” here when 0 Scene 7: Paris, 1887 The courtyard of the asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole illness and knows the attacks will return, but painting he could be using his great talent to paint. Vincent Vincent and Theo are at the Café Le Tambourin, a lively Theo enters and sits on a bench where he is joined by Dr. helps him. Vincent also attempts to share his feelings of responds that nothing is any use unless we bring the word artists’ bar in Montmartre. Its patroness, Agostina Peyron. The doctor informs Theo that Vincent is love for Marguerite, who rejects him. As he talks with Dr. of God to His people. He asserts that he belongs here, Segatori, with whom Vincent has been having an affair, recovering and will be glad to see him.