90664_Figaro:p 1/18/10 12:40 PM Page 1 By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart January 29, 31 & February 2, 2010 Always NEAL S. BLAISDELL CONCERT HALL HAWAII OPERA T HEATRE 091224_Aria_Ad_Flanders.pdf 1/4/2010 2:40:01 PM Timeless design with a New Cast C M Y CM MY CY CMY K philpotts.net 808 523 6771 90664_Figaro:p 1/13/10 11:17 AM Page 3 HOT Founders Alexander & Baldwin Mr. & Mrs. John V. Higgins Mrs. Ruth Ballard Bruce & Pegge Hopper Bank of Hawaii Mrs. Cecily F. Johnston Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Black Dr. Arthur & Libbie Kamisugi Mr. & Mrs. Robert Brilliande Mr. & Mrs. Peter A. Lee Anniversary Message Mr. & Mrs. Elliott H. Brilliant Galen & Didi Leong from the Board President Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Bunn Dr. & Mrs. Michael J. Meagher Cades, Schutte, Fleming & Wright Mr. & Mrs. T. Clifford Melim, Jr. by Jim McCoy Mr. & Mrs. J. Russell Cades Mr. & Mrs. James F. Morgan Mr. & Mrs. Donn W. Carlsmith Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Murray Dr. & Mrs. Percival Chee Dr. & Mrs. Nobuyuki Nakasone It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Hawaii Opera Mr. & Mrs. Henry B. Clark, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Edward A. O’Neill Theatre’s 50th Anniversary Season. It’s incredible to think Mr. & Mrs. Hal Connable Orthopedic Associates of Hawaii, Inc. that 50 years ago a fledgling opera company was gearing Mr. & Mrs. Conrad G. Conrad III Mrs. Arthur E. Orvis up for the first performance in its history, Madama Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Cooke, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Patman Butterfly at McKinley High School. A lot has changed Mr. & Mrs. James M. Cribley Dr. & Mrs. G. Manning Richards over these past five decades - a small company with a Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Hale & Kekina James K. Schuler board that worked backstage and behind the scenes has Edward C. Dolbey Mr. & Mrs. Clarence R. Short given way to a fully professional company featuring some Ernst & Whinney Dr. & Mrs. Arthur Y. Sprague Mr. & Mrs. Edward Eu Dr. & Mrs. E.C. Sterling of the greatest voices of our time. Dr. & Mrs. John Henry Felix Kosta Stojanovich, M.D. Over 400 people work directly on the productions that Mrs. Gerald W. Fisher Mr. & Mrs. Clifton D. Terry you will see in this season. Many of those are paid Robert S. Flowers, M.D. Mrs. C. W. Trexler Mr. & Mrs. James F. Gary Mr. & Mrs. Thurston Twigg-Smith professionals hailing from all areas of the globe… Mrs. L.A.R. Gaspar Dr. & Mrs. Kazuo Ugajin directors, conductors, designers, artists and musicians… Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Griffith Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Wichman all at the height of their craft. Another very large cadre of Mr. & Mrs. Ernest C. Hickson Juliet Rice Wichman this number will be made up of community volunteers, from the chorus and supernumeraries on the stage to the hospitality, wig and makeup, and security detail Tom and Gloria Huber backstage. HOT has a long tradition of volunteers filling Ray Galas key roles during the season activities and we believe it is Estate of Marguerite E. one of the greatest assets of the company. The sense of Gonsalves ohana that has come from this close-knit, committed Daniel and Jane Katayama group is truly extraordinary as well. Visiting artists often Anonymous Evelyn Lance call years in advance to be considered for a return trip to Steve and Linn Alber Estate of Mireille Leitich Estate of Ruth Ballard Tom and Natalie Mahoney the HOT stage… not only because they want to work Estate of Nancy Bannick Peter and Luanna McKenney with our world-class artists and musicians, but also Nanna Bradford Margaret Montgomery because HOT hospitality is legendary in the opera field. Dr. Roger and Felice Brault Estate of Leon J. Munson Robert & Patsy Bunn Marita L. Nelson, Ph.D. As we pass this milestone we believe our future is brighter Henry Clark Norma Nichols than ever. Many of you know we moved into new Estate of Conrad G. Conrad, III Joyce Quigley headquarters on Beretania Street this past spring. If you Michael Dabney Sarah Richards have not had a chance to see the newly minted Hawaii Luryier Diamond Jean E. Rolles Opera Plaza (HOP) and the opera offices, please drop by; Estate of Hope Doyle Major General Cecil A. Ryder, Jr. it’s a wonderful space. We also have plans to continue our Sally Edwards Stephen and Dana Wilson expansion at HOP with a new rehearsal hall that will be Suzanne Engel built on the roof of the existing parking structure. It’s an Legacy Society gifts help to secure the artistic and financial exciting new chapter as we embark upon our next 50 strength of Hawaii Opera Theatre for future generations. If opera years… and of course, all of these exciting projects and has been a part of your life, make it a part of your legacy. Ask productions could not take place without all of you, our your financial advisor about the significant tax benefits of patrons and donors. including HOT in your estate plans. HOT staff can also recommend confidential consultation with an estate planning We have always enjoyed great support from this expert who can answer your questions about planned giving. community and have worked hard to make sure that the Opera Legacy Society benefits include: dollars you graciously offer to support us are used wisely. • Exclusive Annual Legacy Society Brunch and other special We would not be here today without you, our volunteers programs and event invitations. and board, our artists and staff… and all of those who • Recognition, with your approval, in the HOT annual report and played each of those roles before. in season programs, Aria. For more information, contact Karen Tiller, Executive Director of Thank you all and enjoy this season’s performances! Hawaii Opera Theatre at 596-7372 x 201. 90664_Figaro:p 1/18/10 12:43 PM Page 4 World Premiere: Vienna, May 1, 1786 Performed by Hawaii Opera Theatre at Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall January 29, 31 & February 2, 2010 The Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Presented in Italian with English Supertitles Conductor . .Ivan Törzs Director . .Hans Nieuwenhuis Sets designed by Susan Benson for the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts Scenic Elements Constructed by the Banff Centre Lighting Designer . .Peter Dean Beck Costumer . .Helen E. Rodgers Costumes designed by Allen Charles Klein made available by special arrangement with Malabar, Ltd. Additional costumes provided by Malabar, Ltd. Wig and Make-up Designer . .Richard Stead Stage Manager . .Gretchen Mueller Coach/Rehearsal Pianist . .Beebe Freitas English Supertitles . .Matthew Lata SPONSORS CAST Figaro . .Leon Williams Susanna, chambermaid to the Countess . .Shawnette Sulker Production: John Young Foundation Count Almaviva . .Michael Chioldi Rosina, Countess Almaviva . .Inna Dukach Orchestra: The Cades Foundation Cherubino, the Count’s page . .Buffy Baggot Bartolo, a doctor from Seville . .Valerian Ruminski Set Transportation: Horizon Lines Marcellina . .Victoria Livengood Basilio, music master/Curzio, a judge . .James Price Costume Transportation: Air Canada Cargo Antonio, the Count’s gardener and Susanna’s uncle . John Mount Alexander & Baldwin Barbarina, Antonio’s daughter . .Rosanna Perch*/Winnie So* Supertitles: Foundation Chorus of peasants, villagers, servants Conductor: Realtors® for Opera _ HOT Chorus Co-Directors: Beebe Freitas & Nola A. Nahulu Chorus Coordinator: Chris Walsh Costumes: Dentists for Opera Women Men Meet the Stars Party: Salvatore Ferragamo Bambi Brock* Mark Ah Yo Naomi Castro Dan Barnett Official Airline: Continental Airlines Stephanie Conching David Del Rocco Christine Eilers Phil M. Hidalgo Hotel Co-Sponsors: Aston Hotels & Resorts Diane Koshi Keane Ishii* Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki Pamela L. Maiava Scot Izuka Carena Montany Gary Kawasaki Hospitality: Honolulu Club Rosanna K. U. Perch* Daniel James Kunkel Rebecca Ramos Stelio Lanai Lectures: First Insurance Company Nicole Sakata Nicholas R. Walters* of Hawaii, Ltd. Winnie So* Benoit Weber* Angela Vitro Chad Williams* Season Rehearsal: ALTRES Chris Walsh Kyna Williams Wine: The Wine Stop *Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio member Season Finale: Tod’s 4 LE NOZZE DI FIGARO 01_206,3x276,2_ee:p05 1/13/10 11:19 AM Page 1 Honolulu Ala Moana Center (808) 947-3789 Royal Hawaiian Center (808) 922-5780 Hermes.com WINTER AT LAST ! 90664_Figaro:p 1/13/10 11:20 AM Page 6 Director’s Notes by Hans Nieuwenhuis From the day The Marriage of Figaro was created by Wolfgang Mozart and Lorenzo da Ponte in May 1786, the opera has never disappeared David & Verne Takagi from the standard opera repertoire all over the world. Its genius was immediately recognized by audiences and singers alike and today every season a lot of new salute the Figaro-productions are created in North America, Europe, South America and more and more Hawaii Opera Theatre also in Asia. in its 50th season, Mozart and Da Ponte took a risk when they chose a notorious play by French playwright Beaumarchais for their libretto. King Louis XVI of France himself ordered his censors to forbid inspiring us with works performances of the play because he found it ……’a mockery of everything that had to be of the highest caliber respected’. The King was afraid that plays like Figaro’s Marriage would undermine the position of the French nobility including himself. He was right and only three years later he and helping to make was removed from his throne during the French revolution and later executed together with Honolulu the his wife Marie Antoinette, daughter of the Emperor of Austria. artistic center I do not think Mozart and Da Ponte intended to make a political statement with their adaptation of the Beaumarchais play. They actually removed some of the most explosive of the Pacific. political passages. In particular, Da Ponte replaced Figaro's climactic speech against inherited nobility and assured the Emperor himself that Mozart and he had no intention to insult anybody.