Scene It is the 1890s in the Alsace region of France. Synopsis Prelude: The dining room in the house of landowner Fritz Kobus. Rabbi David offers a bribe to Fritz s friend, Beppe, to set a romantic scene for Fritz and Suzel, the daughter of the steward on Fritz s farm. Act I: The dining room. Fritz complains to his friend, Rabbi David, who has once again asked him to provide a dowry for two neighbors who wish to get married. He himself cannot understand this strange business of falling in love. Two friends, Hanezò and Federico, come in with Caterina, Fritz s housekeeper, to wish him luck on his birthday. Caterina ushers in Suzel, who has come to give Fritz flowers as a present. Soon they hear the song of Beppe s violin outside. Beppe is asked to sing for the company. Suzel leaves to rejoin her family and her beauty is remarked upon by all. David wagers that Fritz will soon be married, and they agree that Fritz s vineyard shall be the prize. A party of orphans who have been befriended by Fritz go by to the sound of a march, and the act ends in general rejoicing. ---- 15 Minute Intermission ---- Act II: Fritz s nearby orchard which is tended by Suzel s father. Suzel sings a ballad while gathering springtime flowers for Fritz. Fritz enters and Suzel tells him she has picked some cherries especially for him. David, Hanezò, and Federico arrive in a carriage and suggest a ride in the countryside. David stays behind and has Suzel read the story of Rebecca at the well from his Bible. Fritz returns and David decides to test Fritz s newfound, secret love by telling him that a match has been arranged for Suzel. Fritz leaves in a huff, and David comforts Suzel, who watches Fritz leave without even a simple goodbye. ---- Orchestral Intermezzo without Intermission ---- Act III: The dining room. Fritz is distracted by worry that Suzel will marry another. Beppe sings to try to comfort him. David comes to ask for Fritz s consent for Suzel to marry someone else, and Fritz refuses to give it, running out. Suzel tells David of her love for Fritz and when he returns, she begs Fritz to rescue her from the unwanted marriage. They finally admit that they love each other. David wins the bet and happily gives the vineyard he won to Suzel as a wedding gift. They all sing joyfully of their future bliss.
Cast Fritz Kobus, a rich bachelor landowner Suzel, a farmer s daughter David, a Rabbi and sometime matchmaker Beppe, a young Gypsy boy Federico, a friend of Fritz Hanezò, a friend of Fritz Caterina, Fritz s housekeeper Broadus Hamilton Jennifer Gliere Mario Martinez Quinn Patrick Joe Dan Harper Chad Rushforth Danielle Falco Frink Farm-hands and Villagers Sheila Sullivan Buck, Bob Croog, Max Denler, Joanne Dennstedt, Pat Fussell, Bill Hearne, Bob Holmes, Jason Holmes, Lindsay Holmes, Kristen Kessler, Denise Kless, Mary Menzie, James Pike, Lori Romaniw, Lisa Rosenbauer, Dennis Rosenbaum, James Scott, Holley Shafer, Laura Szymanowicz, Adam Ulrich, Michael Valicenti, Dan Welch, Lynn Zicari. Production Staff Artistic Director & Conductor Gerard Floriano Stage Director JJ Hudson Stage Manager Gillian Williams Chorusmaster Amy Foster Coaches/Accompanists Amy Foster, Jason Holmes Technical Director Jim Price Costumes & Props Mary Menzie Costume Assistant Peggy Webber Set Design Steven Stubblefield Lighting Design Nic Minetor Assistant Lighting Design Dan O Donnell Set Construction Matt Scheidt Supertitles Kristin Goodkin
Program Notes Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945) is one of the most important Italian composers of the turn of the 20th century. Mascagni was once considered the "foremost living composer of opera." Around the turn of the 20th century, he was second to none in popularity and fame. The formidable success of his first masterpiece in 1890, Cavalleria Rusticana, unfortunately eluded many of his following works. Mascagni, however, wrote 15 operas, an operetta, several beautiful orchestral and vocal works, as well as songs and piano music. He enjoyed amazing operatic successes during his lifetime, and at the same time pursued a very successful career as a conductor. L Amico Fritz was Mascagni s second opera, and also the second most popular. With libretto by Nicola Daspuro and Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti, L Amico Fritz premiered at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome on October 31, 1891. The light-hearted three-act short work was enthusiastically received. Seven numbers had to be repeated and Mascagni and his performers had no fewer than three curtain calls. It may be worthy to note that it was a favorite of Gustav Mahler who conducted L Amico Fritz the following year in Hamburg. The opera has retained a popular following in Europe, but is seldom performed in the US. The opera takes place in the Alsace region of northern France in the late 1800 s, where a Jewish agricultural colony has settled. L Amico Fritz retained enough of its Jewish character so that in 1938, under pressure from Hitler, the character of the Rabbi was changed to a doctor. After the fall of the Fascist government in Italy near the end of World War II, artists involved with the Fascist movement were largely ostracized, and Mascagni was no exception. Only his greatest popular success escaped the ban on his operas. The reality is that Mascagni's involvement with Fascism was largely ornamental and opportunistic. This production of Mascagni s L Amico Fritz is Mercury Opera Rochester s first production in our premier season. We chose this opera for several reasons. It is beautiful music which is not performed often in the United States. It has grand, sweeping melodies and many memorable tunes. It has an intimate plot without the great tragedy, death, or destruction found in many grand operas. The artistic team determined that Mercury could readily do a superb production of this opera using primarily local professional musicians we have the talent here to perform these roles. The setting of this opera is not so elaborate and extensive as to be beyond our reach financially. The supertitles for our production were created from the Nico Castel literal translation used with permission from Leyerle Publications.
Orchestra Violin I Lee Wilkins, concertmaster Andrew Lisbin Jo Nardolillo Lauren Chauvin Anastasiya Filippochkina Violin II Sherry McCarthy Shana Hobin Stewart Peggy Bray Warren Sarah Camesano Amber Selzler Viola Janeen Wilkins Chrissy Albright Joanne Lowe Cello James Kirkwood Randy Calistri-Yeh Nurmira Salimbaeva Jason Wang Bass Stephen Bewlay Offstage Violin Solo Matthew Zerweck Flute Glennda Dove Pellito Diane Peters Oboe Allison Franco Clarinet Margaret Quackenbush Jun Qian Bassoon Kirsta Rodean Horn Casey Springstead Erin Simpson Trumpet Matt Osika Mark Wolfram Trombone Neal Melley Percussion Jillian Pritchard Harp Jennifer Ruggieri Banda Jason Holmes
Mercury Opera Rochester Mercury Opera Rochester is a new company which is the merging of Rochester Opera Factory, Opera Rochester, and the Opera Theatre Guild of Rochester, with the support of the Rochester Fund for Opera, the Eastman School of Music, Eastman Opera Theatre, and Friends of Eastman Opera. All of these groups consist of people who love opera and are willing to do what it takes to get more opera and better opera in Rochester. This merger of missions and organizations is unique among American opera companies. The primary mission of Mercury Opera Rochester is to produce professional opera for a growing, appreciative audience, utilizing the following principles: High artistic standards in everything we do. Fiscal responsibility. Educate present and future audiences; we want people to enjoy and appreciate opera. This includes adult education and fun events as well as structured programs in schools and colleges. Provide performance opportunities for local singers, both professional and amateur. Collaborate with other like-minded organizations in the area. For more information about Mercury Opera Rochester and any of our upcoming performances, call 585-473-6567 or check our website at www.mercuryoperarochester.org. We keep patrons informed of our projects via mail and email. If you would like to be added to our private mailing list or would like to receive our newsletter, please let us know. Co-Artistic Directors: Gerard Floriano & Benton Hess Executive Director: Kristen Kessler Board of Directors Sarah Collins, President C. Gavin Strakosh, Vice President William Hearne, Treasurer Agneta Borgstedt, Secretary Arthur Axelrod Robert Croog Gill Dechario Peter Durant Ron Fondiller David Friedman Jack Langerak Craig Larson Mary McNamara Mary Menzie Rosalba Pisaturo Judy Ricker Haskell & Sunny Rosenberg Justin Runke C. Gavin Strakosh Helga Strasser James Undercofler Margaret Webber Anne Wells Kristin Goodkin, Intern
Charter Donors Special thanks go to the following donors whose contributions, large and small, have been essential to establishing Mercury Opera Rochester and to our ability to put on this production. James & Catherine Aquavella Arthur & Jeanette Axelrod Agneta D. Borgstedt Alan & Nancy Cameros Margaret J. Carnall Sarah S. Clapp Allen Cohen Sarah H. Collins John & Carol Condemi Robert & Ellen Croog Vito P. & Marge D'Ambruso Peter & Suzanne Durant Irving & Mildred Fierman Susan Fischer David & Linda Friedman Frances & Gary Goins Gerard & Suzanne Gouvernet Phyllis Harris Bill & Deven Hearne Benton Hess Robert & Lindsay Holmes Gloria Horwitz Kristen Kessler & Michael Williams Rose-Marie B. Klipstein Sandra D. Koon Paulina & Laurence Kovalsky Jack & Gail Langerak Craig & Susan Larson James & Jane Littwitz Mary E. McNamara Mary Menzie Janet Patlow Thomas & Esther Paul Rosalba & John Pisaturo Peter Plummer Joanne Prives Jean Merell Reid Haskell & Sunny Rosenberg Philip G. & Ettie Rubenstein Ruth Schnabel Jon & Katherine Schumacher Alexander L. & Helga Strasser Paul O. & Karin Stuart Teresia Taylor James & Wendy Undercofler Anne & Robert Wells Additional Special Thanks To: Eastman School of Music Meeting rooms, staff assistance, and support in a multitude of ways Bethlehem Lutheran Church Rehearsal Space William Leyerle & Leyerle Publications Nico Castel s literal translation of the Italian for use in creating supertitles Tax-deductible contributions are gratefully accepted by Mercury Opera Rochester, 300 Winton Road South, Rochester, NY 14610.
The Future of Mercury Opera Rochester We need your help to make the vision of Mercury Opera Rochester a reality. We are asking for financial support to help establish the company and keep great opera coming your way. Our first fundraising campaign begins soon. With your support, professional opera can flourish and grow in Rochester. If you like our performance and our philosophy, please support our future. Consider a donation to help more people understand and enjoy opera. Tax-deductible donations are gratefully accepted by Mercury Opera Rochester, 300 Winton Road South, Rochester, NY, 14610. Future Performances Opera Selections Ensembles from Operas Known & Unknown Friday, November 18 at 8 PM Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fairport Duets and quartets from a variety of operas performed by members of the Mercury Opera Rochester company. No admission charge - free will offerings will be accepted at the door. Opera Gala Benefit Concert and Reception Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 PM Linehan Chapel at Nazareth College. World-renowned soprano Kaori Sato, who will be Mercury s Cio-Cio-San, will perform along with several other well-known singers in this benefit event for Mercury Opera, co-sponsored by Nazareth s Casa Italiana. Tickets are $100; call (585) 247-7300 for more information and tickets. Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini Friday, Jan. 27 at 8 PM and Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2 PM Eastman Theatre Accompanied by the Rochester Philharmonic and under the baton of Maestro Benton Hess, Mercury s second production is not to be missed. Tickets are $20-$50 and $15 for students, available from the RPO Box Office at 108 East Ave, by phone at (585) 454-2100, online at www.rpo.org, and at all Wegman s video locations. 300 WINTON ROAD SOUTH ROCHESTER, NY 14610 www.mercuryoperarochester.org 585-473-6567