PROGRAM: Bravo 1971 Opera

OVERTURE TO OPERA (90MPANY

Dr. David Di Chiera General Director

OVERTURE TO OPERA

What is it? Overture t o Opera is a non-profit Detroit- based organization that, sinc e 1961, has served as the Detroit Grand Opera Association ' s producing arm . Guided by the principle that opera should be musical theater , Overlure to Opera emphasizes freshness and youth in its productions All the operas but one have been presented in English to provide audien ces with a total theatrical experience The audiences have included opera buffs as well as young people and adults who have never heard or seen operatic entertainment before. The company ' s productions have gained considera ble popular and critical acclaim .

Why is it? Three reasons mainly .

1 To create supportive audiences for opera in the future by performing to young audiences today Overture to Opera has brought performances to over 200,000 young peopJe at minimal prices The generosity of patrons, organizations and foundations has enabled free performances for inner-city students.

2. To pr o vide the people of greater Detroit wi th an opportunity to enjoy a wider diversity of operati c experien c e . For example , this season Overture to Opera will present as one of its works Gian -Carlo Menotti ' s new space -age multi - media opera , "Help Help , The Globolinks!"

3 To provide an outstanding opportunity for talented young artists to perform . Overture to Opera is proud that it has helped launch many singers who have become leading artists in opera houses in the U .S. and abroad .

THE

Who is it?

The best young singers, dancers, actors, designers and directors from Michigan in addition to highly regarded national and internationa l performers. Many world-famous artists have enhanced the company ' s creative impact, including !talo Tajo (star of Metropolitan Opera , La Scala, re c ords and movies) , Muriel Greenspon (star of N"ew York City Opera and Festival 01 Two Worlds), John Broom (Director and Choreographer for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the original London production of Stop the World) and Richard Conrad ( renowned coloratura tenor , and featured artist on London Records) These assembled great talents and technicians are all under the inventive supervision of Overture to Opera's brilliant young General Director , Dr . David Di Chiera

mOl'e about David.'

Dr David D i Chiera , Phi Beta Kappa graduate of U.C.L A , holder of a Masters Degree in Composition and a Ph.D in Musicology, Member of the National Association for American Composers and Conductors , and Chairman of the Depa r tment of Musi c at Oakland University . Since 1963 , when he became General Director of Overture to Opera, Dr D i Chiera has contributed his services to the commitment of building opera as an integral c ultural force in Michigan . His extensive scholarly background is combined with practica l experience in the coaching, directing and producing of opera Dr. Di Chiera has received international re cognition in the field of Musicology and has contributed numerous articles on opera to professional journals and the world ' s most authoritative encyclopedias of music _

FUTURE OF OPERA IN AMERICA RESTS UPON THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF REGIONAL COMPANIES SUCH AS OVERTURE T O OPERA I

GALENDAR OF

February 23 (Tuesday) 1 :15 P M

"SCENES"

(Student Matinee) Roosevelt High School Auditorium, Wyandotte •

February 26 (Friday) 8 :15 P M _

"SCENES"

Fries Auditorium , Grosse Pointe War

Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe

Ticket Information : 881-7511 •

March 21 (Sunday) 2:30 P.M .

" HELP, HELP, THE GLOBOLINKSI"

(Pn;view) L. E. Schmidt Auditorium, Clarenceville High School, 20155 Middleoelt, Livonia

Ticket Information : 476 - 1871 or 476-8127

March 27 (Saturday) 11:00 A.M. & 2 :00 P M.

'HELP, HELP, THE GLOBOUNKSI"

(Michigan Premiere) Ford Auditorium

Jefferson & Woodward, Detroit (with the Detroi Symphony Orchestra)

Ticket Information ; 961-0700

March 29 (Monday) 1 :30 P M

"SCENES"

(Student Matinee) Dearborn Higb School Auditorium , 19501 W. Outer Drive, Dearborn

April 3 (Saturday) 8:15 P .M .

"HELP, HELP, THE GLOBOLINKSI" and "RITA'

Midland Center for the Arts, Midland , Michigan

Ticket Information : (517) 631- 1600

April 6 (Tuesday) 12 :30 P M.

" RITA "

(Student Matinee) Institute of Arts

5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit

Ticket Information : 832-2730 •

AprU 7 (Wednesday) ) 2:30 P M

"HELP, HELP, THE G LOBOLINKS'"

(Student Matinee) Detroit Institute of Arts

5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit

Ticket Info r mation : 832-2730

April 22 (Thursday) 8:00 P M " SCENES"

Churchill High School Auditorium 8900 Newburgh, Livonia

Ticket Information : 476 ·6907 •

April 29 (Thursday) 1 :00 P M " SCENES "

Pontiac N o rthern High School •

April 30 (Friday) 1:00 P M

"SCENES "

Pontiac Northern High Schoo l

May 5 (Wednesday) 12 :30 P M

"SCENES" (Student Matinee)

C enterline High Scho ol Au ditorium

Arsenal St . between 10 & 11 Mile Road

Ma y 5 (Wednesday) 8:00 P M

"SCENES"

Centerlin e High School Auditorium

Arsenal St betwt:en 10 & 11 Mile Road

Ticket Information : 757 -6600

May 6 (Thursday) 1 :00 P M " RITA " (Student Matinee)

H a mtramckBigh School Auditorium 2361 Hewitt , Hamtramck

May 8 (Saturday) 1:30 P.M. & 3 :30 P .M. "HELP, HELP , THE GLOBOLfNKS! "

Kenlwood H igh School Auditorium , Grand Rapids

(with tht: Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra)

Ticket Information : (616 ) 454 9451

May 13 (Thursday) 9 : 15 A M

"SCENES"

(Student) Oak Park Senior High School Auditorium

Oak Park Blvd . & Coolidge

betwt:en 9 & 10 Mile Road

Ticket Information : Mrs . White , 548-0200

Ap r il 8 (Thursday ) 8:00 P.M. 'RITA" and "HELP, HELP, THE GLOBOLlNKS!"

(Orchestra Performance) Detro it Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit

General Admission: $5, $4 & $3; Students : $4, $3 & $2; Tickets Available : The J. L . Hudson Co. & Grinne ll B rothers, or send your name and address to Overture to Opera, 385 Performing Arts Building, O akland University , Rochester, Michigan 48063, or call 377-2000, ext . 3771.

A program of exciting highlights drawn from four varied operas , which will be brought to Detroit in May by the Metropolitan Opera Company of New York These contrasts of comedy and stirring drama are clothed in som e of th e world ' s most beautiful music

WERTHER

by

Jules

Massene t

from Act III

Directed by J Michael Bloom

Charlotte : Roma Riddell , Christina Lypeckyj

Sophie : Nan cy Hoover

CARMEN

by George Bizet

from Act II and Ac t IV

Directed and Choreographed by Thomas As t on Carmen: Elsie Inselman Don Jose : Edward IGngins

Frasquita : Nancy Ho o ver Mercedes : Jacqueline Turri

AIDA

by Giuseppe Verdi

Act IV, Scene 1

Directed by J . M ichael Bloom

Amneris : Barbara Windham Radames : Robert Angus Guard: James Wells

LA PERICHOLE

by Jacque s Offenbach

Act III , Scene 1

Directed by Roge r Thurgaland

Choreography by Wendy Olson

PaquiUo: Edward Kingins Perichole : Roma Riddell

Don Andres : Conwell Carrington Guard: James Wells

Old Prisoner : R o ger Thurgaland

Understudies : Paquillo: James Wells

Perichole : Nancy Hoover

Music Director David Oi Chiera

Assistan t Music Director

. David Syme Designer Thomas Aston

Assistant to the Designer

. Jeffrey Kulick

WELP, WELP, THE gWBOLINKS

HELP, HELP, THE GLOBOLINKS

Michigan Premiere

by Gian-Carlo Menotti

An exciting new opera for children and those who love children. In this story of an invasion of earth by creat ures from oute r space who can only be repelled by the sound of music, Menotti 's message is clear. Only music that speaks to the heart can save human beings from an over-mechanized age and impersonal art forms.

EMIL Y (14 years o ld) . . . . ... Gail White

MADAME EUTERPOVA , the Music Teacher . . Doralene Davis

DR. STONE, Dean of St Pa ul's School Richard Conrad

TONY, the Bus D r i ver Kenneth Young

TIMOTHY , the School Janitor. Joseph E. M Ryan

MISS PENELOPE NEWKIRK, the Mathemati cs Teacher . . ..... Elsie lnselman

MR. LAVENDER-GAS , the Literature Professor Conw ell Carr ington

DR. TURTLESPIT , the Science Professor Bro. G abriel Balassone

CHILDREN Carl Allvin , Bruce Brunsdon, Heather Campbell , Gary Cobb , Lori Demlow John Dillworth , Sue Ellis , Jeffrey H epner, Pamela Lippa , Paul Miller, Janet R ogers, Rachel Rue , Dale Stineman , Melody Stre ngth , Tim Thomas, Stephen Vann. Car ol Weiss wasser, Johnny White, Diann Wo1fe

GLOBOLlNKS Harriet Freedman, La uTa Freedman , Erica Herman , Melinda Hufana , Denise Szykula , Lori V erier

B y arcl\ngement with G Schirmer, Inc

Production Staff

STAGE DIRECTOR.

MUSIC DIRECTOR .

CHORUS MASTER

CHOREOGRAPHER

PRODUCTION DESIGNER

LIGHTING CONSULTANT

ELECTRONIC LIGHTING EFFECTS FOR COSTUMES

John Reid Klein

· ... William C . Byrd

· . ... Raynold Allvin Harriet Berg

·T imothy R. Dewart

Mason P awlak

Mark Anzicek

RI TA

by Gaetano Donizetti

This French comic opera in one act to a text by Gustave Vaez , was composed in 1841, but never staged during Donizetti's lifetime It was first performed, posthumously, at the O pera-Comique on May 7 , 1860, and since its revival in Verona in 1924 has been frequently produced in Europe Tllis farcical story of a henpecked husband who finally gets the upper hand over his battle -axe wife is laced with de lightful melodies and comic situations .

RIT A, mistress of an inn BEPPE, her husband . GASPARD, a traveller

Suzanne LaCroix

. Richard Conrad

, Andreas Poulimenos

Production Staff

Stage Director , , , , , , J Michael Bloom

Music Director William C. Byrd

Special Voice Consultant . .

. Barbara Williams

Designer . . .. . T h omas Aston

Assistant to the Designer Jeffrey Kulick

OVERTURE TO OPERA (90MPANY

The O ver tur e to Oper a C ompany o f t he D e troit Gr and Oper a Association

General Director

Man ager

Production M anager

Stage M anager

Accompan ist

R e h ea rs a l Pianist.

Co mm itt ee

Mr. & Mr s Lynn A T ow nsend, Co Chalrmen

M r. & Mrs Av em L Cohn

Mr & Mrs John DeCarl o

Dr & Mrs. David Di Chi era

Mr . & Mr s. Aaron Gershenson

Mr & Mrs Donald C. G raves

Hon. & Mr s. Roman S Gribbs

Mr & Mrs John C Griffi n

Ex Offici o Affiliated Institutions

The Ov erture to Op e ra C ompany is not self· supporting, an d is therefore dependent upon personal a nd fin a ncial upport It is with gratitude that we ackno wl edge the co ntributions of other FRIENDS OF OVER· TURE TO OPERA :*

Mr & M rs Fr ank W Donov a n

Mr & Mrs Charl e s T Fi sh er III

Oak land Universit y

Un iversity of Detroi

W ayn e S tate Uni v eTsi ty

Adv ertis ing lIIust ration In c

Mr & Mrs Don E. Ahrens

Mr & Mrs. Virgil E Boyd

Mr & Mrs H A llen Campbell

Chop e S tevens Paper Co.

Chrysler Corporatio n

Mr & Mrs Av ern L Co hn

D etr oit Gra nd Op era Association

Mr. & Mrs. Frank D onovan

Mr & Mrs. R o b ert Doran

Me. & Mrs David Emerson

.....

Dr. David Di Chi era

Rog er Thurgaland

Thomas Aston

W illiam H ar p e r

David Sym e

Walter Cor y

Mr & Mrs. H a rry L Jones

Hon &; Mrs Wade H McCre e , Jr.

Mr & Mrs Harry ] N ederlander

Mr . E . .Harwood Rydbolm

Mr & Mrs. Neil Snow

M r & Mrs Richard Strichartz

Mr & Mrs C Vand er Kloo t

Mr. & Sam B Willi ams

Mr & Mrs Theodore O Vntem a

M r . & Mrs . Wi lb er H . M ac k

University Ce n ter for Ad u lt Educati on

Mr Victor W Klein

Me. & Mrs Semon E Knudsen

Me. & Mrs. Edward C Levy

Mr & Mrs Ralph T McElvenny

Mr . & Mrs. Irving J . Min ett

Mr & Mrs. Thomas F Morrow

Mr & Mrs. Harry J . Nederland er

Mr. & Mrs John S : Pinge l

Mr . & Mrs . Dav id Pollack

Mr & Mrs. Philip Mistretta

Mr & Mrs John Riccardo

Me. & M rs. Ch arles T Fisher , 3rd

M e. & M rs. Ma x M Fisher

Dr & Mrs W A Riddell

Mr. & M rs. L eslie Ros e

Mr . & Mrs . H arold A . Fitzg erald Ross Roy, Inc .

G e neral M otors C orporation

Mr & Mrs Aaron H . Gershenson

Me & Mrs L C Goad

Mr. & Mrs James Gr am

Mr . & Mrs . D onald C . Graves

Mr & Mrs John C Griffin

Mr & M rs D avid H and leman

M,·. & Mrs Paul Handl eman

Mr & Mrs Erne t A Jones

Mr & Mrs Harry Jones

Mr . & Mrs. Maxwell Jospey

Junior L eague of Birmingham, Inc

Mrs George Roumell

Mr E Harwood Rydhol m

Mr & Mrs Nathan Schlafer

MI'. & Mrs Sidney Solomon

Mr . & Mrs. Neil Snow

Mr & Mrs. Lynn Townsend

Mr & Mrs Robert C. Vander Kloot

Mr & Mrs. WiHi a m M Walk er , Jr

Mr & Mrs. Edward Wellock

George WiHens & Compan y

Mr . & Mrs . Sam B. Williams

Mr & Mrs Theodore O. Yntema

Contribut ion s, which are ta.'{ deductible, may be made by check , payabl e to Detroit Grand Oper a Association, and mailed to Overtur e to Opera Fund, 385 Performing Arts Building, Oakland University , Rochest er, Michigan 48063 .

W e re:&-re the omission of Friend s. whose a,e.ocrosity WB S expressed after publicati on .

Joseph and tIle'

Amazing T echnicolor Dreamcoat

Mllsic fJy Andrew Lloyd Wevber Lyrics by Tim Rice

La Rondine (The Swallow)

by Giacomo Puceini

The Overture to Opera Company of the Detroit Grand Opera Association

JOSEf'l1 AND TIlE

AMAZING TECDNICOLOn D.lIEilMCOAT

music by ANDREW

LLOYD \X'EBBER

NOVEMBER 4, 5, 6, 1971

lyrics by TIM

RICE

COMPANJ: W ARM·UP

Supporting Dancer - DONALD SCHUMAN

CHORUS

Gary Adam, Carl Allvin, Kerstin Al1vin, Brunsctol1, Brunsdon, Heather Campbell, Kathy Cloutier, Julie Demlow, Dcmlow, John Dillworth, Michelle Dillworth, Mary Carol Dunn, Dwayne Eggleston, Karen Susan Ellis, Mike Hepner, Mitchell Kopnick. Marty

Pam Lippa, Litwak, David McKay. Cheri Rlyea, Janet Rogers, Rioa Rooks, Ann Savaglio, Jeff Schneider, Linda Shallow, Dale Stimemann, Thomas, Beth T omliosn, Steve Tomlinson, Wise, Wise, Dianne Wolf.

ORCHESTRA Robert Resseger, Conductor

Podorsek, Bob Babbitt, BaJJ

Andrew Smith, Drtlm5

Jack Brokensha, Percu.rsion

Marc Abel, Keyboard

Onita Harp

John TLUdell, Tmmptt

Dan Shaw, Trumpet

Linda , TrombOlle

Tony Russo, BaH Trombone

Allen \'\1arner, FIII/e, Picoolo Gasper Constatini; Alia, FIIlJe, B.:moon

Violin

Morris Hochberg, Violin

Thomas A Aston-Stage Jeffrey Kulick""":"Teclmicai Directioll, Bob Sc:hlorff-Alldio, Jim Admns--Ugh15, Mark Bennett, Donna Valatka, Joseph Elwart Construction, Rachclle Dwaihy, Jeffrey Kulick - Slides, Office Manager, Samuel Miszewski-Promolion.

Program Notes

AND AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOA T is a rock oratorio technically speaking. An oratorio is a large, dramatic musical composition, based 011 a religious theme. But this production of "JOSEPH" is much more than an oratorio. It is an affirmation of the fact that substantial creative talent is alive and well in Motown.

All of us are aware of .the Bi?lical of Joseph and his beautiful coat of many We also know that he was quite at the business pretiug dreams; he managed to guide through seven years of famine because he understood the Pharoah's nightmare. And after the calamity, his love and wisdom helped create a

Joseph had 3. dream, and a portion of that presented here tonight. With the music and lyrics a new you are invited to help us make dream come true.

The Overture to Opera Company's next producton is Puccini's LA RONDINE on November 18, 19, 20, 1971. This production win be fully with. orchestra. Tickets are NOW on sale at the Music Hall Box Office (963-3717) and at Hudson's and Grinnel!'s.

Dr. Robert

DiChiera ..................... General Heuer ..................... Managing

OVERTURE TO OPERA? Overture to a Detroit-based organization that, since served as the Detroit Grand Opera Association's l)l'()ducing arm. Guided by the principle that opera should be mU::31eal theater, Overture to Opera and youth in its productions. An but one have been presented in English to provide with a total theatrical

The audiences have included opera buffs as wen as young people and adults who have never or seen entertainment before. company's productions gained considerable popular critical acclaim.

WHY IS IT?

1. To create supportive audiences for opera future by performing to young today.

2: provide the peClple of greater Detroit with an tunity to enjoy a diversity of operati'c experience including rock mUSIC.

3. To provide an outstanding opportunity for young artists to perform.

"* "* * *

'rhe to Opera Company is not self-suppOl'ting, and therefore dependent upon personal and financial ...."".PlJv Contrjbutions, which are deductible, be check, payable to Detroit Opera As.sociatiOl:l-UV.el'tul'e and mailed Overture to Fund, Performing Arts Building, University, Rochester, Michigan 480G3.

Joseph and the Amazing T echnicolor Dreamcoat

Music by Andrew Lloyd W e bber

Lyrics by Tim Rice

La Rondine (The Swallow)

by Giacomo Puccini

The Overture to Opera Company of the Detroit Grand Opera Association

LA RONDINE

NOVEMBER 18, 19, 20, 1971 MUSIC HALL THEATRE

Director Carolyn Lockwood

Music Director and Conductor William Byrd

Chorus Master Raynold Allvin

Set Desi1!ner Richard Davis

Costumes Desif!TIed and Executed by Davvid B. Warda

ACT I - An elegant salon in Maszda's house in Paris.

ACT II - Ch;z Bullier.

ACf III -A small summer house on the French Riviera .

CAST

Magda ......... ... ............................ Nancy Shade

Lizette Onita Sanders

Ruggero David Hall-Sundquist

Prunier ...................................... Richard Conrad

Rambaldo Charles Roe

Nrichaud ....................................... Willie Tones

Gobin .......................... ....... . . . . . .. Gene Wabeke

Crebillon Kenneth Younl!

Y'Vette Tan Albril!ht

Bianca ........................

SUZy

Nancy Hoover

Elsie Inselman

The Butler Tom Murphy

a-IORUS

Mike Albriszht. Tames Anderson. Horace Beasley. Rosemary Burza. Ron Castorri. Cannen Cavallero. Tim Davis. Tames Dutcher. Catherine Grimshaw. Cynthia Tackson. Georl!e Tahn. Nina Kim. Tom Murphy. Kay Nottingham. Roberta Nottinl!ham. Kathleen Peery. Mariiane Stomberg. Carol Weisswasser.lim Wells. Gail White. Larry Wolf. Lee Wolf. Diann Wolfe.

PRODUCfION CREW

STAGE CREW: William Harper-Sta1!e Manager; Donna Val atkaLi1!hts; Kent Mount-Prot!s; Teffrey Kulick. Mark Bennett. Timothy Himes. Richard Riehle. Mike Vargo. Lyalls Phillips. Tohn Morris. Mark Choinski-Crew.

COSTUME CREW: Mary Boone. Mila Tackson. Tames BeaudoinCostume Assistants: Stephen Foster. Richard Bexfield Bunn. Tina Marie Sevich.

NANCY SHADE (Magda) Miss Shade is a member of the New York City Opera where she made her debut this September in "La Boheme." Her sumptuous voice has received unanimous praise from critics allover the United States. She has worked with the Kansas City Opera, the Boris Goldovsky Opera Theatre, and the Metropolitan Opera Studio, specializing in Verdi and Puccini heroines Possessing all the attributes for an outstanding opera career, Miss Shade gives every evidence of emerging as one of the major soprano talents of this era.

DAVID HALL-SUNDQUIST (Ruggero)

Mr. Hall-Sundquist joins this production of "La Rondine" after a very successful season with ·the Tanglewood Music Theatre. He has appeared with opera companies throughout the United States, singing major tenor roles in "La Boheme," "Gianni Schicchi," and "Cosi Fan Tutte." This last September, he performed the role of Lt. Pinkerton in the Augusta Opera Company's production of "Madame Butterfly." The Swedish-American tenor has received excellent critical notices wherever he has appeared

ON ITA SANDERS (Lisette) Miss Sanders is a native Detroiter with considerable background in opera. She is a member of the Celeste Cole Opera Theatre and has toured Canada and the United States with that organization. Gifted with a fine soprano voice, Miss Sanders has pleased many local audiences with her performances of Violetta in "La Traviata," Mimi in "La Boheme," in addition to her guest appearances with the Detroit Symphony in the popular Rackham series.

RICHARD CONRAD (Prunier) ... a member of the faculty of Oakland University, Mr. Conrad is considered one of the finest "bel canto" tenors in the United States. He has performed with Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne in a series of programs for NET, entitled Coloratura, and has appeared in numerous productions in Europe, Canada and the United States.

CAROLYN LOCKWOOD (Director) is one of the main creative forces responsible for the development of the critically acclaimed Santa Fe Opera. She has been a director for the Santa Fe Company since 1959, during which Vime she has staged a wide variety of successful productions, including the highly praised performances of "Barber of Seville" and "Salome." She also directs the Apprentice Artist Program which has trained many of today's outstanding young opera talents, including David Hall-Sundquist who appears as the lead in this production of "La Rondine " Carolyn is married to Hans Busch, well-known stage director for the Metropolitan Opera.

WILLIAM C. BYRD (Music Director) Acclaimed for his conducting of symphony and opera, Mr. Byrd annually conducts major orchestras in Scandinavia and Great Britain, in addition to his regular duties as musical director of the Flint Symphony He has conducted many pr e vious productions for the Overture Company, including "The Medium," "Barber of Seville," and "Help, Help, The Globolinks."

PROGRAM NOTES

Giacomo Puccini began writing LA RONDINE (The Swallow) just before the First World War. The opera was originally scheduled for a Vienna premiere, but the outbreak of the war caused those plans to be abandoned, and th.e first production was held in Monte Carlo in 1917. The bittersweet love story involVing a poet's prophesy and a young woman's broken dreams is set in Paris at the turn of the century. The music is fille'd with lush, romantic melodies, and two of the arias are considered by many critics to be among the best that Puccini ever created. This production, in English, is the Michigan premiere of the work which is now enjoying a much-deserved and long overdue revival in opera theatres here and abroad.

Dr. David DiChiera ..................... General Director

Robert M. Heuer ..................... Managing Director

WHAT IS OVERTURE TO OPERA?

Overture

to Opera

is a non-profit Detroit-based organization that, since 1961, has served as the Detroit Grand Opera Association's producing arm. Guided by the principle that opera should be musical theater, Overture to Opera emphasizes freshness and youth in :its productions. All the operas but one have been presented in English to provide audiences with a total theatrical experience. The audiences have included opera buffs as well as young people and adults who have never heard or seen operatic entertainment before. The company's productions have gained considerable popular and critical acclaim.

WHY IS IT?

1. To create supportive audiences for opera in the future by performing to young audiences today.

2. To provide the people of greater Detroit with an opportunity to enjoy a wider diversity of operatic experience including rock music.

3. To provide an outstanding opportunity for talented young artists to perform. * * * *

The Overture to Opera Company is not self-supporting, and is therefore dependent upon personal and financial support. Contributions, which are tax deductible, may be made by check, payable to Detroit Grand Opera Association-Overture, and mailed to Overture to Opera Fund, 383 Performing Arts Building, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan 48063.

Saturday, February 26 , 1972, at 11 a .m. and 2 p .m .

PIERRE HETU, conducting OVERTURE TO OPERA COMPANY

DAVID DI CHlERA , General Director

THE PERFECT FOOL

ONE -ACf OPERA BY GUSTAV HOLST (American Premiere)

THE WIZARD _....... Davis Gloff

THE MOTHER ....... _....... _.......... .............. ... _

TIiE FOOL _ _

THE PRINCESS __

THE TROUBADOUR .........................

THE TRAYELLER

Barbara Windham

Christopher Flynn

Betsy Roe

Richard Conrad

Carroll Strickland

WELL MAIDENS ................ Alana eargle , Roberta Nottingham , Gail White

Managing Director ..... .. .... _......................_

Stage Director and Designer

Chorus

Choreographer

Ballet Mistress

Robert M . Heuer

_ Thomas A Aston

Raynold Allvin

Christopher Flynn

Tamara Woshakiwska

Costumes Designed and executed by Dayvid B Warda

Stage Manager _

Accompanist

CHORUS

George Dusincki

Beverly Labuta

Mike Albright, John Allen James Anderson , Jay Bartush , LawIence Bobo, Ronald Bobo, Cheryl Crider, Linda Dewey, Leala Dockelt, Anthony Donato , James Dutcher, Paula Elliott, Tom Emmott , Mary Fardell , Ray Granburg, Jan Greene. Marily Rae

Mercer , Michael Jordan , Carole Maloof , Lila Miller, Dennis Murphy, Glenna Pittman, John Raleeh, Phyllis Snow, Roman Terlackyj, Grace Vicklund , Louise Jim Wells, Carol Weiswasser, Sue Williams, Diann Wolfe .

DANCERS (courtesy of The Christopher Ballet)

SPIRITS OF EARTH

Nancie Wilson with Jean Caudle , Shelley Dwaihy, Leslie Fair, Carol Fenwick, Renee Stewart and James Bouse, Michael Comstock , Keitb Oulla, Robert Elliott

SP1RIT OF WATER _ _ Loi Kail

SPIRITS OF F I RE _ _ _ __ Elisa Harris and James Murray with Sharon Clouse, Karen Dulla, Andrea Mazur , Karen Mills, Barbara Rinaldo, Maryann Winoughby

SCENERY AND COSTUMES

Steven Leighton , Timothy Gilbert , Maurine Conine, Mary M Boone, Mjla Jackson, Kathy Graybruck, Sleve Foster , Chris Shaheen , Tim Rupple

SPECIAL THANKS TO . . .

Meadow Brook Theatre ; Richard Foster (Earth 's Head-dress) ; O ' OO-DA DAY

DYES INC , Flint , Michigan (Tie Dying) ; Phyllis Snow and Jim Segadi.

THE STORY

Once an old wizard who had many magical powers called up the spirits of Earth Water and Fire ; it was his wish to marry the beautiful princess As the spirits danced. the wizard stirred up a magic brew to make hlmseif appear young ami handsome Before he could drink the potion , a mother and her son came walking by . While most people believed her son to be a fool , the mother recalled a prophesy made at his birth which said, "He wins a bride with a glance of his eye: With a look he kills a foe . He acbieves where others fail , with one word."

The mother lea rued of the magic potion f rom the wizard and t hought that it could perhaps make her son appear attractive to the princess . The wizard fell asleep and the mother fed the drink to her son and refilled the glass with water

The princess arrived with aU of her courtiers The wizard awoke and drank w ha t he thought was the magic brew. Assuming he had been turned into a handsome young man he then announced that he was going to marry the princess The princess and her courtiers laugbed at the old man and made him very angry He rushed away saying that he would destroy all of them . Meanwhile the princess kept rejecting all her suitors , including the traveller and the troubadour , but suddenly she saw the fool and fell deeply in love with him . Yet when the foo l was asked if he loved the princess, his reply was, "No!" So the first part of the propbesy came true

The wizard chose tbis moment for bis revenge and called upon the Spirit of Fire to destroy everyone Bul the mother raised the head of her so n the fool. and with one look the wizard was made powerless and was consumed by the Fire . Thlls the second part of the prophesy was fulfilled. The fool was crowned, and be and the princess lived happily ever aIter

A WORD FOR THE ADULTS ...

While The Perfe c t Fool is an opera which can be enjoyed by children, it is also filled with satirical references to traditional opera that will interest adults as well. The magic potion and the traveller are obvious spoofs of Wagnerian opera, while the troubadour imitate the middle period of Verdi operas Rossini also makes a bow as the troubadour and the traveller argue over the princess . All of this is masterfully combined with Gustav Holst's own musical language which can best be described as a blend of impressionistic barmonies , modal melodies and asymmetric rhythms.

Tir e Perf ect F o ol is performed by arrangement with Belwin-Mills , Inc

Overture to Opera is a non-profit Detroit based organization that, since 1961, has served as the Detroit Grand Opera Association ' s produc· ing arm Guided by the principle that opera should be musical theater , Overture to Opera empbasizes freshness and youth in its productions. All the operas but one have been presented in English to provide audiences witb a total theatrical experience. The audiences have included opera buffs as well as young people and adults who have never heard or seen operatic entertainment before The company 's productions have gained considerable popular and critical acclaim

WHAT IS OVERTURE TO OPERA,!

Next Yo u ng P eo pl e's Concer t s

SAT ., APRIL 15 - EMILY FRANKEL, dancer and mime

Interpreting " The Carnival of the Animals" and "The Sorcerer 's Apprentice ."

Pierre Helu conducts . 11 a.m . and 2 p .m .

Ticket information : Ford Auditorium Box Office (961 -0700)