The UNCG School of Music has been recognized for years as one of the elite
music institutions in the United States. Fully accredited by the National
Association of Schools of Music since 1938, the School offers the only
comprehensive music program from undergraduate through doctoral study in
both performance and music education in North Carolina. From a total
population of approximately 12,700 university students, the UNCG School of
Music serves over 575 music majors with a full-time faculty and staff of sixty.
As such, the UNCG School of Music ranks among the largest Schools of Music
in the South.
The UNCG School of Music now occupies a new 26 million dollar music
building which is among the finest music facilities in the nation. In fact, the
new music building is the largest academic building on the UNCG Campus. A
large music library with state-of-the-art playback, study and research facilities
houses all music reference materials. Greatly expanded classroom, studio,
practice room, and rehearsal hall spaces are key components of the new
structure. Two new recital halls, a large computer lab, a psycho-acoustics lab,
electronic music labs, and recording studio space are additional features of the
new facility. In addition, an enclosed multi-level parking deck adjoins the new
music building to serve students, faculty and concert patrons.
Living in the artistically thriving Greensboro—Winston-Salem—High Point
“Triad” area, students enjoy regular opportunities to attend and perform in
concerts sponsored by such organizations as the Greensboro Symphony
Orchestra, the Greensboro Opera Company, and the Eastern Music Festival. In
addition, UNCG students interact first-hand with some of the world’s major
artists who frequently schedule informal discussions, open rehearsals, and
master classes at UNCG.
Costs of attending public universities in North Carolina, both for in-state and
out-of-state students, represent a truly exceptional value in higher education.
For further information regarding music as a major or minor field of study,
please write:
Dr. John J. Deal, Dean
UNCG School of Music
P.O. Box 26167
Greensboro, North Carolina 27402-6167
(336) 334-5789
On the Web: www.uncg.edu/mus/
Cavalleria
Rusticana
by Pietro mascagni
Thursday, January 24, 2002
Saturday, January 26, 2002
Aycock Auditorium
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Music presents:
Cavalleria Rusticana
Melodrama in One Act
Music by
Pietro Mascagni
Libretto by
Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasci
after the novella and the play of the same name by Giovanni Verga
First performed 17th May 1890 at the Teatro Costanzi, Rome
Cast
(in order of vocal appearance)
Turiddu .................................................................................... Brian Carter
Mamma Lucia ..........................................................................Renée Sokol
Santuzza ....................................................................................Jessica Van Ord
Alfio ...........................................................................................Warren Coker
Lola ............................................................................................Jennifer Mello
A Priest ......................................................................................Doug Biedenweg
Ensemble of Townspeople
Erin Cates Corky Carmichael Bob Owen
Julia Carlson Clyde Christmas Jay Parsons
Anne Coltrane Bud Crumpacker Glenn Patterson
Elizabeth Harvey Todd DeBra Matt Philmon
Kelly Krepelka Larry Dettman Tony Philmon
Gretchen Marsden Louis Elledge Jim Pryor
Yajaira Morales Richard Fuller Frank Roesell
Sarah Nifong Al Griffin Tom Rotante
Allison Ring Nate Kling Dave Schumacher
Sarah Roche Jeffery Maggs Jerry Smith
Laura Rummage David Meck Scotty Speas
Ariya Sawadivong Ben Newnam Ed Summerell
Kathryn Seymour Don Newnam Robert Summerell
Jenn Simpkins Neil Oerter Nicholas Tamagna
Crystal Stroupe Sidney Outlaw David Trudgen
Jessica Tarter Wayne Vestal Meghann Vaughn Wayne Yancey
Production Staff
Stage Director/Producer David Holley
Musical Director/Conductor Robert Gutter
Associate Conductor/Chorus Master Richard Cook
Assistant Conductor Travis Newton
Rehearsal Pianist Angela Lowry
Lighting Designer/Technical Director Erin Doll
Sound Carol Whited
Costumes Eastern Costume
Scenery Stivanello Costume
Scenery Transport D. Paul Strickland
Aycock Auditorium Manager Jan Hullihan
Supertitle Author David Holley
Supertitle Operator Angela Lowry
Opera Theatre Graduate Assistants Jennifer Odom
Rita Dottor
Synopsis and Background Notes Anne Lawson, OperaResource
www.r-ds.com/opera/resource/
The UNCG Opera Theatre Presents:
The Magic Flute
April 11, 12, and 14, 2002
Aycock Auditorium
Please contact the University Box Office at (336) 334-4849 or visit our campus locations at either
Aycock Auditorium or the School of Music.
The Philharmonia of Greensboro
Robert Gutter, Conductor
*Richard Cook, Associate Conductor
VIOLIN I
Jane York, Principal
Frank Barefoot
Michelle Clontz
Katie Costello
Jody Gaedtke
John Gooch
Harold James
Tim Kim
Travis Newton
Tiffany Sutherland
Shanna Swaringen
VIOLIN II
Theresa Fox, Principal
Erin Abernethy
Tom Berry
Melissa Ellis
Susan Gray
Dawn McNairy
Laura Poe
Lilla Robinson
VIOLA
Angela Toney, Principal
Nancy Barrett
Alton Corpening
Ronnal Ford
Martha Shannon
CELLO
Nancy Clark, Co-Principal
David Gilbert
Brian Hoffman , Co-Principal
Kerrianne McMurdo
Melanie Tuttle
BASS
Andy Hawks, Principal
Ben Wolf
*Mr. Cook will conduct the performance on
January 26.
FLUTE
Chuck Coltrane, Principal
Kirsten Button
Veroniek Fraeye
Jane O'Hara
OBOE
Ann-Renee Gargrave, Principal
Jim Bain
CLARINET
Caite McKinney, Principal
Kevin Erixson
BASSOON
Phil Atkins, Principal
Jacky Miller
FRENCH HORN
Mary Pritchett, Principal
Tara Cates
Kate Hopper
John Horn
TRUMPET
Richard Woodbury, Principal
Janera Harris
Stephanie Wilson
TROMBONE
Bob Foreman, Principal
Mike Arnold
Bart Stofferis
TIMPANI
Eric Corwin
PERCUSSION
Leah Bowman
Laura Jackson
HARP
Carol Rauch
ORGAN
Jennifer Odom
Synopsis
Easter Sunday, a Sicilian village square, c. 1880
Lola and Turiddu once were sweethearts, but when Turiddu went to do his military
service, she married the local carrier Alfio. When Turiddu found out on his return, he
wanted to make Lola jealous by starting a casual affair with Santuzza, who was in love
with him. Santuzza was excommunicated from the church for her illicit affair with
Turiddu.
The old passion breaks out again, though. Embedded in the prelude, Turiddu is heard
serenading Lola before dawn as he leaves her house, where he has spent the night with
her, as Alfio is conveniently away on business.
Santuzza goes to see Turiddu's mother, Mamma Lucia, who keeps a tavern in the village.
Lucia is under the impression that Turiddu has gone to a nearby town to fetch some wine
and is startled to learn from Santuzza that her son was seen in the village that very
morning. Alfio returns, and he too hints that Turiddu was seen sneaking round his
cottage. Mamma Lucia invites Santuzza into the house, but she refuses, saying that in her
dishonored state she cannot enter, and neither can she join the other villagers who are at
this moment making their way to church for the Easter service. She pours out her
frustration and grief to Turiddu's mother.
Mamma Lucia leaves for the church and Turiddu enters, his night with Lola still in his
thoughts. He is most surprised and annoyed to find Santuzza there; she questions and
pleads with him. Turiddu is not a cad, but neither is he a gentleman - in a way he feels
sorry for her, and sorry for what he has done to her. But he is so preoccupied with his
secret passion for Lola that he gets more and more quarrelsome towards Santuzza.
Suddenly, Lola appears on the scene, taunting Santuzza about not going to church - she
well knows the reason why. When she leaves, Santuzza begs him to stay to talk things
out. He feels so tied down and angry that he finally knocks her to the ground to make his
escape.
After he exits into the church Alfio appears, and Santuzza, not caring (for now) what
effect her words will have, opens his eyes about Lola's illicit affair with Turiddu. Alfio
flies into a rage and swears that he will avenge her, and himself. Santuzza suddenly
realizes what is going to happen, but it is too late to stop the inevitable - the code of
honor requires Turiddu's blood to be shed.
After the church service, Turiddu invites all the villagers to a glass of wine. He is
glowing, toasting Lola with a drinking song. He offers some wine to Alfio, unaware that
Alfio has found out about his affair with Lola. When the glass is refused in no uncertain
terms, he knows that he must accept Alfio's challenge, which he does according to the
local custom by biting Alfio's ear as the two men embrace prior to the fight. The
villagers, who have witnessed this scene, disperse in expectant silence. Turiddu
expresses his remorse to Alfio and his sorrow about what will happen to Santuzza should
he be killed, but he is ready to accept his fate.
When Alfio exits, Turiddu asks his unsuspecting mother for her blessing and bids her to
take care of Santuzza. Mamma Lucia is alarmed when he runs out towards the fields at
the back of the village. Santuzza enters and embraces Lucia, as excited voices are heard
from afar and a woman screams: Turiddu has been killed.
Cavalleria Rusticana background
In 1888, the Milan publishing house Casa Sonzogno announced its
second competition for young Italian composers; the subject:
unpublished one-act operas. Mascagni, in his early twenties and
fairly unsuccessful as a composer, decided to take part and set to
work on a short opera that was to be called Serafina. His friend
and librettist Targioni-Tozzetti, however (after seeing the play)
suggested Cavalleria Rusticana and Mascagni - who had been
present at the Milan premiere of the play some years earlier, and
who had been fascinated by the subject - agreed to start afresh.
Mascagni worked feverishly up to 18 hours a day to meet the
deadline set by the Casa Sonzogno, and on May 6th, 1890, the jury
shortlisted his Cavalleria Rusticana, Niccolò Spinelli's Labilia and
Vincenzo Ferrari's Rudello for performances at the Teatro Costanzi
later that month.
Immediately, Mascagni left for Rome, supervising the rehearsals
and making last-minute changes in the instrumentation. The
premiere on 17th May, just 11 days after the jury's announcement,
was a staggering success, with no fewer than 25 or 30 (according
to most sources) or 60 (according to Mascagni) enthusiastic curtain
calls.
Within the next 18 months, and on its own - the eternal twin
Pagliacci was as yet uncomposed – Cavalleria Rusticana was
acclaimed in Livorno, Florence, Turin, Bologna, Palermo,
Stockholm, Madrid, Budapest, at La Scala in Milan, Genoa,
Naples, Venice, Trieste, Munich, Hamburg, St. Petersburg,
Dresden, Prague, Buenos Aires, Vienna, Bucharest, Barcelona,
Berlin, Philadelphia, Rio de Janeiro, Basel, Copenhagen, New
York, Amsterdam and London.
In October 1891, Mascagni's second opera L'Amico Fritz was
premiered at the Teatro Costanzi. No more than a 'succès
d'estime', neither it nor any of his other 14 operas ever approached
the immense and lasting popularity of Cavalleria Rusticana.
The Artists
Brian Carter (Turiddu) performed the roles of Benoit and Parpignol in La Bohème
and Torquemada in L'Heure espagnole with Opera North in the summer of 2000. A
native of High Point, Brian is a first year Master's student at UNCG, where he has
appeared as Aristeus/Pluto in Orpheus in the Underworld, the Learned Judge in
Trial By Jury and Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors. He has been a member of
the ensemble in Greensboro Opera's productions of Otello, Carmen, Don Pasquale,
Tosca, and Un ballo in Maschera. Mr. Carter recently won the district Metropolitan
Opera auditions and will compete in the regional auditions in Atlanta next month.
Warren Coker (Alfio), a baritone from Asheboro, is pursuing his MM degree in
voice at UNCG, where he also earned his Bachelor's degree. He sang the title roles
in Don Giovanni and Gianni Schicchi, productions which both won awards from the
National Opera Association. Since graduating, Warren has participated in the opera
program of the Aspen Music Festival, and has sung the role of Mr. Ford in The
Merry Wives of Windsor at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Mr. Coker has
appeared in the ensembles of Otello and Un ballo in Maschera with the Greensboro
Opera company.
Jennifer Mello (Lola) makes her solo operatic debut in the role of Lola. She has
sung with the Musica Mundi program in Rome, Italy (under the direction of Doreen
Roe), and as a soloist in selections from Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel with the
New Sussex Symphony in New Jersey. Originally from Newton, New Jersey, she is
a junior Music Education major. Ms. Mello was in the UNCG Opera Theatre
production of Amahl and the Night Visitors, and recently appeared in the ensemble
of Greensboro Opera Company’s 2001 production of Otello.
Renée Sokol (Mamma Lucia) is a mezzo-soprano from Smithfield, North Carolina
and is in the DMA program at UNCG. Recently seen as Calliope in Orpheus in the
Underworld, she has also appeared as the Mother in The Consul, the Crone in The
Wise Women, and the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors at UNCG. She has
toured the United States giving solo and promotional concerts as well as soloing
with symphonies in NY, FL, MS, NC, and NM. Renée has sung Suzuki in Gulf
Coast Opera Theatre’s Madame Butterfly and has also appeared in musical theatre
roles such as Maria in The Sound of Music, the title role in Evita, Mrs. Cratchit in
Scrooge, Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Jenny in
The Three Penny Opera.
Jessica Van Ord (Santuzza) is from Russell, PA, and is pursuing a DMA degree in
Vocal Performance at UNCG, where she also received her MM. Most recently, she
appeared as Magda in UNCG's award-winning production of The Consul. She has
also appeared as the Witch in UNCG's production of Hansel and Gretel, the Mother
in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro, and in the
title role of the "Tour to the Schools" production of Rumpelstiltskin. Ms. Van Ord
received her Bachelor's degree from SUNY-Fredonia, where she sang the role of
Florence Pike in Albert Herring. In 1995, she participated in the music program at
the Chautauqua Institution.
Cavalleria
Rusticana
by Pietro mascagni
Thursday, January 24, 2002
Saturday, January 26, 2002
Aycock Auditorium
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Music presents:
Cavalleria Rusticana
Melodrama in One Act
Music by
Pietro Mascagni
Libretto by
Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasci
after the novella and the play of the same name by Giovanni Verga
First performed 17th May 1890 at the Teatro Costanzi, Rome
Cast
(in order of vocal appearance)
Turiddu .................................................................................... Brian Carter
Mamma Lucia ..........................................................................Renée Sokol
Santuzza ....................................................................................Jessica Van Ord
Alfio ...........................................................................................Warren Coker
Lola ............................................................................................Jennifer Mello
A Priest ......................................................................................Doug Biedenweg
Ensemble of Townspeople
Erin Cates Corky Carmichael Bob Owen
Julia Carlson Clyde Christmas Jay Parsons
Anne Coltrane Bud Crumpacker Glenn Patterson
Elizabeth Harvey Todd DeBra Matt Philmon
Kelly Krepelka Larry Dettman Tony Philmon
Gretchen Marsden Louis Elledge Jim Pryor
Yajaira Morales Richard Fuller Frank Roesell
Sarah Nifong Al Griffin Tom Rotante
Allison Ring Nate Kling Dave Schumacher
Sarah Roche Jeffery Maggs Jerry Smith
Laura Rummage David Meck Scotty Speas
Ariya Sawadivong Ben Newnam Ed Summerell
Kathryn Seymour Don Newnam Robert Summerell
Jenn Simpkins Neil Oerter Nicholas Tamagna
Crystal Stroupe Sidney Outlaw David Trudgen
Jessica Tarter Wayne Vestal Meghann Vaughn Wayne Yancey
