2015 FINAL PERFORMANCE

LA TRAVIATAGIUSEPPE VERDI (1813–1901) Sung in Italian

JUNE 20, 25, 26, 27* // 7:30 PM JUNE 21, 28* // 2:00 PM

Old Auditorium

David Agler | Conductor *Gordon Gerrard | Conductor Nancy Hermiston | Director

TICKETS: 604.822.6725 or ubcopera.com

CHOIR PRACTICESung in English

Comic Opera in One Act

Composed by STEPHEN CHATMAN (b. 1950)Libretto by TARA WOHLBERG (b. 1967)

MAY 8 & 9 AT 7:30PM

Conductor – Jonathan GirardDirector – Nancy Hermiston

UBC Opera Ensemble with the UBC Symphony Orchestra

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A MESSAGE FROM THE COMPOSER Of course, writing and producing an opera has to be about teamwork, but the idea of a spousal composer-librettist team risks additional complications to what’s already a risky business. As Tara says, “I adopted a motto from Mozart: ‘The libretto is the obedient daughter of the music.’ ”

Early in the process we consulted with one of the grand old men of the arts in Canada, Mavor Moore. He gave us some great advice, including having a central character to carry the plot: in this case, it’s a conductor who can’t conduct. Then there are two soloists who are battling, and a choir of crazy characters. The opera is quite naughty – but funny! And pure fantasy. The key to the story is the blind character, Dawn. She can’t see but she can hear and she can sing. She emerges a heroine as the opera suddenly shifts from comedy to transformation and dramatic tension.

Choir Practice doesn’t explore national myths and archetypes. We’re not looking backwards to Canadian historical stories. This is not the opera about the Great White North, it is just an entertainment. But it is about the Vancouver choral community in 1985, pre-Expo, and incorporates some of my existing choral compositions.

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STEPHEN CHATMAN — Composer

One of Canada’s most prominent composers, Stephen Chatman is professor of composition at UBC. He has received many commissions and composition awards, including 2005, 2006 and 2010 Western Canadian Music Awards “Classical Composition of the Year”, 2010 and 2012 SOCAN Jan V. Matejcek New Classical Music Award, three BMI Awards (New York), multiple JUNO nominations, Dorothy Somerset Award, Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the 2001 BBC Masterprize short-list. In 2012, Dr.

Chatman was appointed to the Order of Canada.More than 100 of his works, published by E.C. Schirmer, Oxford University Press, Boosey

& Hawkes, earthsongs, Frederick Harris, Dorn, Berandol, and T. Presser, have sold 500,000 printed copies.

Dr. Chatman’s recordings include three choral collections performed by the Vancouver Chamber Choir. His choral pieces “are in wide demand in North America” (Historical Dictionary of Choral Music, 2010); his orchestral music has been commissioned by the CBC Radio Orchestra, Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Madison, and Windsor symphonies and performed by the BBC Symphony, Berlin Radio Orchestra, Montreal, Sydney, Seoul, San Francisco, Winnipeg, Quebec, St. Louis, Calgary, Detroit, Dallas, and New World symphonies.

TARA WOHLBERG — LibrettistTara Wohlberg is a poet and educator who received her early musical training in Saskatchewan and earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Manitoba’s Brandon University. After pursuing studies in England, she graduated from London’s City University with a Masters degree in Arts Criticism (Music Specialist). Upon returning to Canada, she established a private piano studio in Vancouver, where she actively

teaches and adjudicates, while writing both critically and creatively.Her lyrics have been published by E.C. Schirmer, Boston, and Oxford University Press. As

a freelance music journalist her work has been published in the Globe and Mail, Maclean’s, Vancouver Sun, Clavier and NUVO magazine. Her poetry has been short-listed for the Malahat Review Open Season award, City of Westminster (UK) Poetry Competition and most recently appeared in CV2 and Quills. Her chapbook Cold Surely Takes the Wood was published by Alfred Gustav Press in Spring 2013. She is launching a new poetry journal Cede Poetry in Spring 2015.

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THE CAST* MAY 8 MAY 9

William Stroker Sheldon Baxter Sheldon BaxterDawn Charlotte Beglinger Katie MillerCorey Jeremiah Carag Alireza MojibianHeather Gwendolyn Yearwood Gwendolyn YearwoodJulia Mariah Muehler Isabella HalladayMarilyn Camille Holland Paula BerryAmy Elena Razlog Rachel StewartRichard Geoffrey Schellenberg Geoffrey SchellenbergDr. Dave Duncan Watts-Grant Scott BrooksKenny the Clown Elliot Harder Duncan Watts-BrownDiva Chelsi Walsh Sierra CampbellAngry Man Jack Foster Jack FosterGerhardt William Grossman William GrossmanSally Shante van Horlick Leanne KaufmanAdonia Tamar Simon Tamar Simon

UBC OPERA ENSEMBLE CHORUS**

Shante van Horlick, Camille Holland, Sawyer Craig, Chelsi Walsh, Zoë Mix, Melodie Corbett, Mariah Muehler, Sierra Campbell, Hannah Fettis, Paula Berry, Gwendolyn Yearwood, Katie Miller, Charlotte Beglinger, Rachel Stewart, Elena Razlog, Leanne Kaufman, Isabella Halladay, Gwendolyn Yearwood, Jeremiah Carag, Alireza Mojibian, William Grossman, Duncan Watts-Grant, Elliot Harder, Jack Foster, Justin Chen, Scott Brooks, Geoffrey Schellenberg, Sheldon Baxter.*All cast and chorus are subject to change. **Appearing courtesy of Actors Equity

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SYNOPSISVancouver, BC circa 1985

It is choir night in a community hall in Vancouver, circa 1985. Dawn, the blind woman, arrives for her first rehearsal and Corey, the stuttering tenor, arrives for his entrance audition. Marilyn sings about her infatuation with him. Warm-ups, roll call and plenty of innuendos follow as the rehearsal for the national competition in Toronto begins. Frustrated by interruptions of Kenny the Clown, a Diva, Adonia the belly dancer, and an Angry Man, the director Willie Stroker (a serious womanizer) attempts to conduct. He fails miserably. The two competing soloists in The Grand Hotel, Heather the drunk and Julia, engage in insults during Ladies’ Duel, their mutual hatred culminating in attempted murder. After a Policeman’s gunshot, signaling a blackout, Fantasy Time – Dawn’s Miracle emerges on the dimly lit stage of ‘frozen’ choristers. Dawn sings Seeing is Believing, magically leading the choir into a world of light, harmony, understanding and musical perfection – a miraculous transformation. The choir’s problems are resolved in the rousing Finale: Darkness to Delight.

NANCY HERMISTON, O.C. — Director & SopranoCanadian-born lyric coloratura soprano Nancy Hermiston has performed throughout Europe and North America. Parallel to her extensive singing career, Miss Hermiston worked as voice teacher, stage director, and Co-coordinator with the University of Toronto’s Opera and Performance Divisions.

In 1995, she joined the University of British Columbia’s School of Music as the Head of the Voice and Opera Divisions, where she established the UBC Opera Ensemble. In 2004, Miss Hermiston was named the UBC University Marshal, and in 2008, UBC awarded her the Dorothy Somerset Award for Performance and Development in the Visual and Performing Arts. She was also honoured with a Killam Teaching prize in 2010. In October 2011, she

received an Opera Canada Rubie Award for her contributions to opera in Canada.Miss Hermiston is also a favourite guest for master classes throughout Canada, the United States,

China and Germany. Her UBC Opera Ensemble tours regularly to the Czech Republic, Germany, Ontario, and throughout British Columbia. The Opera Ensemble gave their first performances in Beijing and Chengdu in May of 2009, and returned to Shanghai in 2010 for concerts at the Shanghai Conservatory and the Shanghai Normal University. In May 2011, the Ensemble returned to the Shanghai Conservatory for a production of Giulio Cesare. Most recently, Miss Hermiston appeared with the VOA as Stage Director for their 2014/15 Season’s production of Die Fledermaus. On December 30, 2013, Miss Hermiston was honoured with the Order of Canada.

JONATHAN GIRARD — ConductorDr. Girard, Director of UBC Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Professor of Conducting and Ensembles, most recently served as cover conductor for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and made his debut with that orchestra conducting a program of Russian music. Dr. Girard is also currently assistant conductor of The Ohio Light Opera.

Previously, Dr. Girard was at the University of Northern Iowa School of Music as a Visiting Artist Conductor from 2010–2011. There he conducted the symphony orchestra performances, including one attended by First Lady

Michelle Obama, and a production of Die Fledermaus that was broadcast live on Iowa Public Radio. At the Eastman School of Music Dr. Girard studied conducting with Neil Varon and was the assistant conductor of the Eastman Symphony Orchestra, the Eastman Philharmonia, and the Eastman Opera Theatre. A champion of new music, he conducted numerous world premieres at Eastman with Ossia New Music including a North American premiere of Richard Ayres NONcerto for Trumpet and Orchestra.

He has held positions as the music director of the New Eastman Outreach Orchestra and Waltham Philharmonic (MA), associate conductor of the Brockton Symphony Orchestra (MA), principal guest conductor of the Boston Orpheus Ensemble and assistant conductor of the Portland (ME) Opera Repertory Theatre. Dr. Girard has conducted many prestigious ensembles, including the American Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Scottish Academy Symphony Orchestra, Alea III, the Brown University Symphony Orchestra, the Boston University Symphony Orchestras, and the Harvard-Radcliffe Gilbert and Sullivan Players. Dr. Girard received his D.M.A. from the Eastman School of Music in 2012. He also holds music degrees from Boston University and The Hartt School of Music.

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THE UBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAThe 100-member orchestra performs symphonic works from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, giving several concerts during the year, both on and of campus, and often featuring soloists. The Orchestra also performs with the University Singers and UBC Choral Union under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Girard, Director of Orchestras and Assistant Professor of Conducting and Ensembles. A wide variety of music is offered including the standard orchestral repertoire, new music and lesser-known works, providing the players with in-depth experience in orchestral performance. The Orchestra was featured in the Inaugural concerts of the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.Violin I Billie SmithViolin II Maria DemcakViola Angela ChenVioloncello Laine Longton

Bass Jesse Lu Flute Ryan EsauOboe Kristen CookeClarinet Liam Hockley

Saxophone Mia GazleyPiano David Boothroyd

SPECIAL THANKS TO:Donors have played a very special role in tonight’s premiere. Your generosity and support of this project have offset the costs of producing music scores and parts, and will also enable an upcoming recording project. Thank you for helping to bring this new work of art to life!

PRODUCTION TEAMDirector Nancy HermistonConductor Jonathan GirardOpera Coaches David Boothroyd Michael Onwood Tina ChangLighting & Sound Effects Duncan Watts-GrantSound & Lighting Operator Jason Klippenstein Wig for Marilyn Elke Englicht

Properties Lynn BurtonWardrobe Work-studies Francesca Corrado Charlotte BeglingerWardrobe Assistants Spencer BrittenProgram Sheldon BaxterProgram Printing East Van GraphicsOffice Assistant Sheldon BaxterGraphic Design Miles Linklater

Opera Librarian Katie MillerScenic Carpenters Elliot Harder William Grossman Geoffrey Schellenberg Duncan Watts-GrantStudent Technical Director William GrossmanStage Crew Elliot Harder Duncan Watts-Grant Geoffrey Schellenberg

UBC THEATRE & OPERA SEASON 2015/16

THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL Based on the novel by Anne Brontë Adapted by Jacqueline Firkins October 1–17, 2015

EURYDICE by Sarah Ruhl Directed by MFA Candidate Keltie Forsyth January 21 – February 6, 2016

THE ARABIAN NIGHTS by Mary Zimmerman Directed by MFA candidate Evan Frayne March 17 – April 2, 2016

SUBSCRIBER BONUS: Screening of Naked Cinema 2.0 Directed by Tom Scholte

MANON by Jules Massenet Directed by Nancy Hermiston Conductor TBA November 5–8, 2015 Old Auditorium

EINE NACHT IN VENEDIG by Johann Strauss II Directed by Nancy Hermiston Conducted by Jonathan Girard February 4–7, 2016 Chan Centre for the Performing Arts

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by Benjamin Britten Directed by Nancy Hermiston Conducted by Leslie Dala June 23–26, 2016 | Old Auditorium In cooperation with Vancouver Opera

Subscription packages from $33 / Flexible options available online!BOX OFFICE: 604.822.2678

www.theatrefilm.ubc.ca

www.ubcopera.com

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