"Hajar: Opera in Concert" program – coming soon!

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February 21, 2025

Hajar: Opera in Concert

RONALD S. ROCHON

President, California State University, Fullerton

AMIR H. DABIRIAN

Provost and VP for Academic Affairs

ARNOLD HOLLAND, EDD

Dean, College of the Arts

DR. RANDALL GOLDBERG Director, School of Music

KIMO FURUMOTO

Assistant Director, School of Music

BONGSHIN KO

Assistant Director, School of Music

SCHOOL OF MUSIC FULL-TIME FACULTY AND STAFF

FACULTY

CONDUCTING

Kimo Furumoto instrumental

Dr. Robert Istad choral

Dr. Christopher Peterson choral

Dr. Dustin Barr instrumental

JAZZ AND COMMERCIAL MUSIC

Bill Cunliffe* jazz piano; arranging; Fullerton Jazz Orchestra, Fullerton Big Band and combo director

Rodolfo Zuñiga jazz studies, jazz percussion, and music techology; Fullerton Chamber Jazz Ensemble director

PIANO, ORGAN, PIANO PEDAGOGY

Bill Cunliffe jazz piano

Alison Edwards* piano, piano pedagogy, class piano

Myong-Joo Lee piano

Dr. Robert Watson piano

MUSIC EDUCATION, TEACHER TRAINING, AND TEACHING CREDENTIAL

Dr. Christopher Peterson choral

Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore* instrumental

MUSIC IN GENERAL EDUCATION

Dr. John Koegel*

Dr. Katherine Reed

MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE

Dr. Vivianne Asturizaga musicology

Dr. John Koegel* musicology

Dr. Katherine Powers musicology

Dr. Katherine Reed musicology

STRINGS

Kimo Furumoto Director of Orchestra Studies and University Symphony Orchestra conductor

Bongshin Ko cello

Dr. Ernest Salem* violin

THEORY AND COMPOSITION

Dr. Pamela Madsen, composition, theory

Dr. Ken Walicki* composition, theory

VOCAL, CHORAL, AND OPERA

Dr. Robert Istad Director of Choral Studies and University Singers conductor

Dr. Kerry Jennings* Director of Opera

Dr. Christopher Peterson CSUF Concert Choir and Singing Titans conductor

Dr. Joni Y. Prado voice, academic voice courses

Dr. Bri’Ann Wright general education

WOODWINDS, BRASS, AND PERCUSSION

Dr. Dustin Barr Director of Wind Band Studies, University Wind Symphony, University Band

Jean Ferrandis flute

Sycil Mathai* trumpet

Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore University Symphonic Winds conductor

STAFF

Michael August Production Manager

Eric Dries Music Librarian

Gretchen Estes-Parker Office Coordinator

Will Lemley Audio Technician

Jeff Lewis Audio Engineer

Chris Searight Musical Instrument Services

Paul Shirts Administrative Assistant

Elizabeth Williams Business Manager

* denotes Area Coordinator

Welcome to the College of the Arts Spring 2025 Season. As we come together to enjoy incredible art, dance, music and theatre programming from across the college, I know we are all still reeling from the recent fires that tore through the communities of Altadena and Pacific Palisades. In many ways, we are all Angelenos and when our city breaks, we break. Many of our students, faculty, and staff are finding comfort in processing complex thoughts and emotions the only way we know how: through the arts. It is our calling and what ties us to our community. Through our programming, we hope to provide a bit of respite to all of you during this time of regrouping and rebuilding.

In the College of the Arts, every note, every movement, and every word spoken on stage brings opportunity for discovery and connection. Whether you are a fellow Titan, family member, or community supporter, we are thrilled to have you here. You are now part of something much larger than this single performance. You are joining a vibrant and diverse collective of artists and technicians working together to push the boundaries of their craft.

Spring 2025 brings us a season of fresh programming to challenge our perceptions and immerse us in new perspectives. Later this month, the School of Music presents “Hajar,” a contemporary opera synthesizing ancient Jewish and Islamic stories into a modern immigration tale. Theatre begins their season with “Significant Other,” a heartfelt tale of love and longing in 21st century New York City. If you haven’t yet seen our spectacular new gallery building, make time to see “Chris O’Leary: Gravity Well” – an exploration of the cosmic phenomena of gravitational waves using video, sound, and images. In May, our dancers and choreographers return to the intimate Hallberg Theatre in “Spring Dance Theatre: From All Sides,” where viewers will experience a variety of dance forms from every angle of the stage.

It takes more than just the emotional support of friends, family, professors, and mentors to enable students to take creative risks of expression. As a college, we remain committed to providing these aspiring arts professionals with scholarships, financial assistance, and the industry-ready equipment, facilities, and opportunities to further develop their skills outside the classroom. Our resolve is steadfast, but we need your continued support to sustain and expand our educational mission, ensuring our students have the tools necessary to succeed. Please consider a donation of any amount to the Dean’s Fund for Excellence today.

I thank you for being here, for your ongoing support, and for your conviction in the power of the arts. Together, we can accomplish the extraordinary.

Sincerely,

PROGRAM HAJAR

Libretto and Music by

David Bergstedt, piano

Bryce Rivera, conductor

Characters

Hajar – late 20’s Syrian mother

Ismail – 6-10 year-old son of Hajar, loves soccer

Teta – Hajar’s mother

Bram – 30’s Syrian-American father of Ismail, lives in DC

Omar – Neighbor/family friend of Hajar, Ismail, and Teta

Rima, Iman, and Farid – Syrians crossing the border to Turkey

Jamal – Smuggler taking groups across the Turkish border

Adalet and Büsra – Turkish refugee camp officials

Nevada – Homeland Security officer at BWI Airport

Sarai – Homeland Security officer, immigration detention facility near Baltimore

Aminah – Somali refugee

Mario – Salvadoran refugee

Thura – Burmese refugee

Jibril – Director of the NGO Safia-Marwa in Mexico

Xóchitl – New arrivals liaison for Safa-Marwa

Jaime – Mexican 10-year-old playing soccer

I. Syria

Hajar, Ismail, Teta, Bram, Omar

II. Turkey

Hajar, Ismail, Rima, Iman, Farid, Jamal, Bram, Adalet, Büsra

III. BWI

Hajar, Ismail, Nevada, Sarai, Bram, Aminah, Mario, Thura, Jibril

IV: Mexico

Hajar, Ismail, Sari, Jibril, Rima, Xóchitl

CAST

Hajar ............................................................... Martina Goldring

Ismail ............................................................ Benjee Benjelloun

Teta/Adalet ............................................................ Emily Nelms

Bram................................................................ Malek Sammour

Omar/Jaime................................................. Yngwie Zamarippa

Rima Olivia Siri

Iman/Aminah/Xóchitl .............................................Katelyn Cruz

Farid .................................................................... Joshua Evans

Jamal/Mario ........................................................... Evan Banks

Büsra ............................................................. Gabriela Atkinson

Nevada Dominic Preston

Sarai ................................................................. Rachel Williams

Thura ......................................................................... Hart Chen

Jibirl ...................................................................Adam Daruvala

PROGRAM NOTES

Elisabeth Mehl Greene’s new opera retells the Jewish and Islamic stories of Hagar/Hajar, casting Hajar as a contemporary Syrian refugee mother trying to reach safety in America with her young son. Hajar confronts the immigration crisis in the United States and worldwide, challenging the acceptance of policies that resist compassion.

The person of Hagar/Hajar is something of a mystery in both Jewish and Islamic traditions. In Hebrew, the name Hagar might be understood as fugitive or immigrant. In Arabic, we might read migration in the name Hajar. There are gaps in her stories, contradictions, surprising plot twists. Though she emerges as a strong woman and fierce protector of her son, her movements are fraught with danger and difficulty. She is left alone in the desert where only God can guide her steps. And in the religious source material, Hajar’s voice is often absent, her point of view obscured.

In this new opera, Hajar’s travels take mother and son further than the spring beside the road to Shur in the Hebrew Bible, or the hills of Safa and Marwa in the Islamic tradition. Hajar contemplates a journey across borders governed by policies that locate the young family in xenophobic narratives about refugees. Again, her obstacles are great, and her resources are few, but here Hajar’s voice is finally central.

Hajar begins in her home country of Syria with her young soccer-loving son Ismail, where she must decide whether to risk staying in a country torn by conflict, or to seek refuge in the United States. Bram, Ismail’s father, has settled in the DC area, and Hajar expresses her hopes to reunite with her love and bring together father and son, dreaming in English. Hajar debates the merits of the migration

with her mother Teta and neighbor Omar, but ultimately makes the choice on her own. Hajar prepares to leave and bids her mother goodbye.

Hajar and Ismail meet a smuggler who agrees to take them across the border to Turkey with a group of other Syrians. Despite a difficult crossing, they make it to a refugee camp in Turkey and seek help from the UNHCR for refugee status in the US. The camp’s baffling bureaucracy and dire conditions make the situation seem hopeless, and their endeavor is further imperiled by a new executive travel ban. Time passes in the camp, and Hajar wonders if she has chosen the wrong path, bringing her son to this in-between place, but she carries an email from Bram which sustains her belief in the dream of America.

On arrival at Baltimore, immigration officials separate Hajar from her son, and rigorously interrogate her. Ismail pleads with officials in broken English to bring back his mother. Bram reveals that he is now married to Homeland Security agent Sarai and denies remaining feelings for Hajar after their long separation. Hajar’s heart is broken, facing betrayal by Bram, the death of her plan to live in the United States, and potentially losing her son forever. Hajar and the other refugees in detention grapple with their losses, confronting desperate uncertainties.

Through the intervention of a mysterious new friend, Jibril, Mexico accepts Hajar and her son Ismail’s request for asylum, and US officials reunite mother and son, arranging for their permanent departure from the US. Hajar and Ismail discover home in Mexico to be the unexpected provision of God, though reality is vastly different from their former American dreams.

OPERA DIRECTOR’S NOTE

Since arriving here at Cal State Fullerton, it has been my dream and my goal to add an additional component to our opera ‘season’, beyond the already successful fall semester scenes program and spring semester full production. In this, the maiden year for this venture, the graduate students of the CSUF Opera Theatre, assisted by a few of our seniors, we are very proud to present to you this concert version of Elisabeth Mehl Greene’s wonderful and powerful new opera, Hajar. I hope this will be the springboard for presenting chamber and/ or new operas each year, and for many reasons, this is the perfect way to begin that tradition. The opera was premiered by the Maryland Opera Studio at the University of Maryland, my alma mater, the opera was suggested to me by Michael Ching, who worked with our students when we presented his opera Buoso’s Ghost in 2022, and I was an adjudicator for the National Opera Association’s Dominick Argento Chamber Opera Competition, in which Hajar was a finalist. And lastly, the unforeseen timeliness of this performance, a story of those seeking a new and better life being turned away, cannot be overstated. Please know that we are thrilled that you are here and that you are always welcome. I hope you enjoy tonight’s performance.

Kerry Jennings

ABOUT THE OPERA COMPOSER

Elisabeth Mehl Greene is a composer of music and words working in the Washington DC area with a doctorate from the University of Maryland. Her opera Hajar won a commission from the University of Maryland and was a finalist for the Dominick Argento Chamber Opera Competition. Her scenes written at Tapestry Opera’s Composer-Librettist Laboratory receive performances around the US and Canada. DC area choir, Six Degree Singers, premiered her choral works including COLOR, an eleven-movement piece for choir and instruments. Greene’s bilingual children’s opera, Ce que raconte le conte / How the Story Goes was performed at Lycée Rochambeau. Her first opera, Reading Lolita in Tehran, was read by the Maryland Opera Studio’s New Works Initiative. She is the author of Tobit Detours and Lady Midrash: Poems Reclaiming the Voices of Biblical Women; her literary work appears in 45th Parallel, CIRQUE, Lucky Jefferson, NonBinary Review, Mid-Atlantic Review, Untold Volumes, VoiceCatcher, Mizna, and the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion

shape the future of the arts

The College of the Arts at Cal State Fullerton is one of the largest comprehensive arts campuses in the CSU system. We proudly serve as an academic institution of regional focus with national impact that combines rigorous arts training with cross-disciplinary exploration to encourage the artistic expression and individual achievement of thousands of arts students daily.

Many of these students face personal and financial challenges that prevent them from continuing their education. You can help! The Dean’s Fund for Excellence provides students in need with funding for immersive, off- and oncampus experiences that contribute to their academic success, including CSU Summer Arts, conferences, and study abroad programs.

Shape the future of the arts! Consider making a gift of any amount to the Dean’s Fund for Excellence today.

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DONOR APPLAUSE

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Southern California Arts Council

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$1,000-$4,999

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D Barry Schmitt Trust

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Fullerton Families & Friends Foundation

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Mrs. Margret Hoonsbeen

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*deceased

Very special care has been given to the prepartion of this donor list. For questions or concerns, please contact: Ann Steichen | 657-278-3347

Ronald L. Katz

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Gifts received from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024

ONTIVEROS SOCIETY

The Ontiveros Society includes individuals who have provided a gift for Cal State Fullerton through their estate plan. We extend our deep appreciation to the following Ontiveros Society members, whose gifts will benefit the students and mission of the College of the Arts:

ANONYMOUS

JOHN ALEXANDER

LEE & DR. NICHOLAS A.* BEGOVICH

GAIL & MICHAEL COCHRAN

MARC R. DICKEY

JOANN DRIGGERS

BETTY EVERETT

CAROL J. GEISBAUER

& JOHN* GEISBAUER

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MARYLOUISE & ED HLAVAC

GRETCHEN KANNE

DR. BURTON L. KARSON

ANNE L. KRUZIC*

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WILLIAM J. MCGARVEY*

DR. SALLIE MITCHELL*

ELEANORE P. & JAMES L. MONROE

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DR. JUNE POLLAK

& MR. GEORGE POLLAK*

DR. STEPHEN M. ROCHFORD

MR. STAN MARK RYAN ‘75

MARY K. & WILLIAM SAMPSON

LORENA SIKORSKI

DOUGLAS G. STEWART

ANDREA J. & JEFFREY E. SWARD

RICHARD J. TAYLOR

VERNE WAGNER

RICHARD WULFF

DR. JAMES D. & DOTTIE YOUNG*

The College of the Arts Proudly Recognizes the 300+ Members of Our VOLUNTEER SUPPORT GROUPS

ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS: The Alliance for the Performing Arts (formerly MAMM) benefits performing arts students through underwriting visiting artists; special theatre, dance, and music performances; and other unique experiences for members.

SPECIAL SUPPORT AND EVENT UNDERWRITING

Judy Atwell

Drs. Voiza & Joe Arnold

Dr. Margaret Faulwell Gordon

Susan Hallman

Norma Morris Richard Odle Estate

Kerry & John Phelps

Jeanie Stockwell Verne Wagner

ART ALLIANCE: Art Alliance promotes excellence and enjoyment in the visual arts, and their fundraising efforts contribute to student scholarship, gallery exhibitions, opening receptions and sculpture acquisition on campus.

SPECIAL SUPPORT AND EVENT UNDERWRITING

Fay Colmar

John DeLoof

Joann Driggers & Steve Collier

Loraine Walkington

MUSIC ASSOCIATES: Music Associates maintains a tradition of active involvement and community support, and raises scholarship funds for School of Music students through annual fundraising events and membership dues.

SPECIAL SUPPORT AND EVENT UNDERWRITING

Marilyn Carlson

Evelyn K. Francuz

Sandy & Norm Johnson

Marti & Bill Kurschat

Karen & George Mast

Thelma & Earl Mellott

Bettina Murphy

Grace & Ujinobu Niwa

Kerry & John Phelps

Mary & Jerry Reinhart

Ann & Thad Sandford

Dodo V. Standring

Carolyn & Tom Toby

John Van Wey

MORE INFORMATION: Haley Sanford • 657-278-2663

There are many ways to support the College of the Arts, the School of Music, Department of Theatre and Dance, and Department of Visual Arts

COLLEGE OF THE ARTS • SELECT

College of the Arts Galleries Exhibitions

Vitae: A New Generation

Chris O’Leary: Gravity Well

Michelle Emami: Arcana Past Forward (Redux) Through May 17

Sergei Babayan, piano

February 16 • Meng Concert Hall

Sō Percussion*

February 20 • Meng Concert Hall

Hajar: Opera In Concert

February 21 • Recital Hall

University Symphony Orchestra feat. Music Associates’ Student Concerto/Aria

Competition Winner

February 23 • Meng Concert Hall

World Citizen Band with Fullerton Chamber Jazz Ensemble

February 26 • Meng Concert Hall

Advanced Vocal Workshop with guest Michael Schütze, piano

March 6 • Recital Hall

Significant Other March 6–15 • Hallberg Theatre

Collage: 18th Annual Benefit Concert

March 8 • Meng Concert Hall

Dr. Joni Prado, soprano & Dr. Kerry Jennings, tenor, with Michael Schütze, piano

March 9 • Meng Concert Hall

Mela Quartet

March 12 • Meng Concert Hall

University Singers & Concert Choir

March 15 • Meng Concert Hall

Bill Cunliffe & Alison Edwards, duo piano

March 16 • Meng Concert Hall

Tuesday Matinée

March 18 • Recital Hall

Ralph Farris, viola, with CSUF Wind Symphony and Rodolfo Zuniga, percussion

March 18 • Meng Concert Hall

Spring Awakening

March 20–29 • Young Theatre

Talich Quartet

March 28 • Meng Concert Hall

University Symphony Orchestra with the Talich Quartet

March 30 • Meng Concert Hall

Inna Faliks, piano

April 8 • Meng Concert Hall

Brightwork New Music and HEX Vocal Ensemble*

April 9 • Meng Concert Hall

Ernest Salem, violin and Alison Edwards, piano

April 13 • Meng Concert Hall

Mozart’s The Magic Flute

April 17–26 • Little Theatre

Fullerton Jazz Chamber Ensemble and Fullerton Latin Ensemble

April 22 • Meng Concert Hall

Cello Choir

April 25 • Recital Hall

University Symphonic Winds

April 27 • Meng Concert Hall

CSUF New Music Ensemble and CSUF Contemporary Chamber Music Ensemble*

April 30 • CPAC 119

University Band

April 30 • Meng Concert Hall

Spring Dance Theatre

May 1–10 • Little Theatre

Fullerton Jazz Orchestra

May 2 • Meng Concert Hall

University Wind Symphony

May 3 • Meng Concert Hall

Jazz Singers

May 5 • Meng Concert Hall

Titan Voices & Singing Titans

May 7 • Meng Concert Hall

University Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Chorus

Gustav Mahler’s Ein deutsches Requiem

May 10 • Meng Concert Hall

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