Minnesota Opera's Joseph Merrick, The Elephant Man Program

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The Schubert Club presents the Third Annual

Jennifer Larmore

Saint Paul Summer Song Festival June 9–17, 2006 Christopher Maltman, baritone Friday, June 9 • 8 PM

Joan Morris, mezzo-soprano & William Bolcom, piano Saturday, June 10 • 8 PM

The Rose Ensemble Friday, June 16 • 8 PM

Jennifer Larmore, mezzo-soprano Saturday, June 17 • 8 PM

Film Night: T h e M a g i c F l u t e Introduced by Håkan Hagegård Wednesday, June 14 • 7 PM At the McKnight Theatre, Ordway Center

A l s o Vocal Master Classes, Song Picnic on Raspberry Island, Schumann Mini-Fest with Maria Jette & friends, and more For ticket information, call The Schubert Club at 651-292-3268

The Schubert Club MAUD MOON WEYERHAEUSER SANBORN

International Artist Series 2006-2007 Season

Karita Mattila

Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin November 8, 2006

Lise de la Salle, piano January 26, 2007

Frederica von Stade, mezzo-soprano Samuel Ramey, bass-baritone February 28, 2007

Emanuel Ax, piano March 21, 2007

Karita Mattila, soprano April 25, 2007

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Saint Paul Concerts at 8:00 PM

www.schubert.org

5 • Th e E l e p h a n t M a n

Contents The Minnesota Opera Sta∂ and Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Notes from the Leadership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Background Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Laurent Petitgirard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Synopsis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The Artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 The Minnesota Opera Chorus and Orchestra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Education at the Opera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Young Professionals Group Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Opera at the Ordway Initiative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 The Minnesota Opera Annual Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 2006-2007 Opera Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

The Minnesota Opera President & CEO Artistic Director Chair, Board of Directors

Kevin Smith Dale Johnson J. A. Blanchard, III

The Minnesota Opera, 620 North First Street Minneapolis, MN 55401 (612) 333-2700 www.mnopera.org The Minnesota Opera is a member of OPERA America.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature. This project is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

May 2006

The Minnesota Opera Program is published by

Corporate Administrator/Publisher Assoc. Publisher/Director of Production Account Executive Creative Designer Graphic Designers

Todd Hyde Marsha Kitchel Liesl Hyde Stacy Hawkins Sue Sentyrz Klapmeier, Robert Ochsner, Jennifer Webb

Large-print and Braille programs are available at the Patron Services O∑ce

the minnesota opera • 6

Minnesota Opera Staff President & CEO Kevin Smith Artistic Director Dale Johnson Welcome to today’s production of Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man. For more than four decades, The Minnesota Opera has enriched the cultural life of our community by producing outstanding and innovative operas that inspire and entertain.

U.S. Bank is honored to sponsor the 2005 – 2006 season. We are proud of our 20+ year relationship with The Minnesota Opera and the spectacular Ordway in St. Paul.

At U.S. Bank, we support great dreams, great art and great arts organizations. They enrich the community with vibrancy, creativity and excellence. As the sixth largest bank in America today, U.S. Bank is the only major bank headquartered in Minnesota, and we’re deeply committed to giving back to this community.

Thank you for coming and enjoy the performance!

Rod Boren, Senior Vice President, Personal Trust Regional Manager, U.S. Bank Private Client Group Jose Peris, Senior Vice President, Private Banking Regional Manager, U.S. Bank Private Client Group and Minnesota Opera Board Member

Artistic Artistic Administrator . .Roxanne Stou∂er Cruz Artistic Associate . . . . . . Floyd Anderson Community Education Director . . . . . . . . .

Jamie Andrews Dramaturg . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Sander Production Stage Manager . . . Alex Farino Assistant Stage Managers . . . . .Kristen Burke, Angie Spencer Head of Music . . . . . . . . . . .Bruce Stasyna Resident Artists . . . . . . . . .Korey Barrett, Alison Bates, Theodore Chletsos, Jamie-Rose Guarrine, Seth Keeton, Peter Kozma, Bryan Lemke, John Michael Moore, Edward Mout RAP Faculty . . .Allysum Tai Chi Center, Nancy Boler, Peter Robinson Teaching Artist . . . . . . . . .Angela Keeton Project Opera Apprentices . . .Setara Barukzoy, Erin Marie Capello, Kyle De Graff, Daniel Segura Project Opera Director . . . . . . . Dale Kruse Project Opera Accompanists . . . . . . . . . . . .

Kathy Kraulik, Julian Ward Apprentice Stage Director . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Doug Scholz-Carlson Costumes Costume Director . . . . . . . .Gail Bakkom Assistant Costume Director . . .Beth Sanders Drapers . . . . . . .Chris Bur, Yancey Thrift, Angela Yarbrough Costume Technicians . . .Helen Ammann, Sarah Bahr, Jennifer Dawson, Mary Farrell, Michele Hoaglund, Christine Richardson, Ann Rose Painter/Dyer . . . . . . . . . .Marliss Jensen Wig/Makeup Designer . . . . .Tom Watson Wig/Makeup Assistants . . Ivy Loughbourough, Sara Opstad

Scenery Pro duction Director . . . . . . . . . . .Kevin Ramach Technical Director . . . . . . . . . . . Mike McQuiston Asst. Technical Director/ Lighting Coordinator . .Marc D. Johnson Production Administrative Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . Katherine Cattrysse Properties Master . . Stanley Dean Hawthorne Properties Assistant . . . . . . . . Mike Long Production Carpenter . . . . . . . . J.C. Amel Scene Shop Foreman . . . . . . . . Rod Aird Master Carpenter . . . . . . . . . . .Steve Rovie Carpenters . . . . . Dan Kimmerle, Eric Veldey Charge Painter . . . . . . . . . . .Debra Jensen Painters . . . . . . . . . . . .Kathleen S. Sullivan, Cate Whittemore Administration Finance Director . . . . . . . . . . Je∂ Couture Operations/Systems Manager . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Mittelholtz HR/Accounting Manager . . Jennifer Thill Executive Assistant . . . . . Theresa Murray Receptionist/Finance Assistant . .Jill Pawelak Institutional Advancement Vice President of Institutional Advancement . . . . . . . . .Patrick Dewane Institutional Advancement Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . .Kelly Clemens Development Director of the Annual Fund . .Dawn Loven Institutional Gifts Director . . Linda Johnson Institutional Gifts Associate . . .Emily Skoblik Individual Gifts Associate . .Megan Stevenson Marketing/Communications Marketing Director . . . . . . . . . . .Carl Lee Communications Director . . . Lani Willis Ticket O∑ce Manager . . . . Andrea Corich Marketing and Communications Assistant . .Janet Bertok Ticket O∑ce Assistant . . . .Carol Corich

Minnesota Opera Volunteers The following volunteers contribute their time and talent in support of key activities of The Minnesota Opera.

Catherine Ahern Ann Albertson Gerald Benson Jim Brownback* Sue Brownback Sarah Burman Christine Buss Jerry Cassidy Diane Choih Joann Cierniak Susan Cogger Caroline Coopersmith Beverly Dailey* Denis Dailey Jeanette Daun Timothy Davis Lee Drawert Judith Duncan Sally Economon Svea Forsberg Christopher Foster Hazel Francois Li-Jun Fu Jane Fuller Joan Gacki* Alex Garay Christine A. Garner*

Juhi Gupta-Gulati Mark Gustin Mary E. Hagen Mark Hahn Lucinda Hallet Merle J. Hanson John Harris* Cari Beth Head Anne Hesselroth Heather Huber Alisandra Johnson Karen Johnson Nancy Johnson Steve Johnson Jeannie Johnston Kristen Johnston Robin Keck Dawn Klassen Shannon Klonecki Eleanore Kolar Lucinda Lamont Shirley Larson Mathilda Lien Jerry Lillquist Joyce Lillquist Maura LoMonico Abby Marier

Margery Martin Joan Masuck Yasuko Matsumoto Mary McDiarmid* Beth McGuire Verne Melberg Jeanette Middleton Irma Monson Barbara Moore Doug Myhra Denise Nichols Pam Nielsen David Nifoussi Candyce Osterkamp Dan Panshin Pat Panshin Megan Pelka Holly Peterson Bill Phillips Sydney Phillips Julia Porter Carol Purvis Kathleen Riley Shannon Robinson Leigh Roethke John Rosse Emma Rotilie

Enrique Rotstein Florence Ruhland John Sauer Lynette Saucier Michael Silhavy Wendy Silhavy Angie Solomon Wendi Sott Naomi St. Gregory Karen St. John Katie Steerman Harry Swepston Dave Terwilliger Emily Thompson Doris Unger Stacey Vonderhear Carolyn Wahtera Mary Weitz Barbara Willis* Elizabeth Cutter Wilson Kathie Wojtkiewicz Eve Yang *Lead volunteer

Notes from the Leadership

This opera tells the story from Merrick’s perspective, rather than from the doctor’s as did the famous David Lynch movie. I think this is highly appropriate, because ultimately, it is the story of a beautiful soul trapped by tragic disease.

It’s the characters on the outside that distort that reality, seeing only his deformity. To highlight this perspective, acclaimed choreographer and director

J. A. Blanchard III, Chair Doug Varone approach will rely on movement rather than disfiguring makeup. Doug also uses his dance company to highlight Merrick’s inner world. They are at once his consciousness – his spirit and his connection to the spiritual realm – as well as representatives of his reality and his fate, moving his story forward.

French composer Laurent Petitgirard created a cinematic score you’ll find is at once shimmering and tender. Although he originally wrote the title role for the female contralto voice, he agreed to use the male countertenor voice, which is beautifully sung by David Walker, in this production. The countertenor voice has a lovely, unusual quality that perfectly suits the character it portrays.

Enjoy the opera!

From our earliest days producing maverick new work as Center Opera to our highly acclaimed present-day stagings of rare Bel Canto works like last month’s Orazi & Curiazi and contemporary operas like this production of Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, we are regarded as a leader in our industry with a reputation for innovation. Next season is replete with innovative operatic

Thomas J. Foley, Treasurer Kevin Smith, President & CEO

Directors Nicky B. Carpenter Richard P. Carroll Susan J. Crockett Mary A. Dearing Sara Donaldson Chip Emery Rolf Engh Brad F. England Denver Gilliand Sharon Hawkins Karen L. Himle Ruth S. Huss Heinz F. Hutter Paula R. Johnson

Lucy Rosenberry Jones Michael F. Kelly, Jr. B. John Lindahl Becky Malkerson Tom McBurney Diana E. Murphy Brian E. Palmer Debra Paterson Jose Peris Elizabeth Redleaf Connie Remele Mitchell Stover Virginia Stringer H. Bernt von Ohlen

Dale Johnson, Artistic Director

from the President As The Minnesota Opera makes its long-awaited return to a five-opera season, the company is investing time and energy in reaching new subscribers. An opera company can best achieve artistic, institutional and programmatic heights with the loyalty of a strong subscription base. A robust subscription base engenders a strong and healthy company, one that has the degree of predictability that innovation and growth requires.

Jane M. Confer, Stephanie Simon, Vice Chairs Lynne E. Looney, Secretary

experiences for you: a company premiere and new production of Rossini’s La donna del lago, our Bel Canto offering; the first staging of The Tales of Hoffmann in a decade; a world-premiere commission, The Grapes of Wrath; another company premiere, Delibes’ gorgeous and exotic Lakmé and a fresh staging of Mozart’s comedy, The Marriage of Figaro.

A successful subscription campaign is crucial to support the innovation you enjoy on this stage. In this community, with its value for the arts, we know we can achieve that at the Opera, and we are committed to making it happen.

A national study by OPERA America indicates that people come to the opera most often when invited by others. If you enjoy your experience today at the Opera, please introduce us to your friends.

Directors Emeriti Karen Bachman Burton Cohen Julia W. Dayton Mary W. Vaughan

Honorary Directors Dominick Argento Philip Brunelle Elizabeth Close Dolly Fiterman Charles C. Fullmer Norton M. Hintz Donald W. Judkins Liz Kochiras Jevne Pennock (†) Patricia H. Sheppard

Legal Counsel James A. Rubenstein, Moss & Barnett Kevin Smith, President & CEO

(†) Deceased

7 • Th e E l e p h a n t M a n

Officers

from the Artistic Director Welcome to this season’s final production, the American premiere of Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man. This is the real-life story of a man named Joseph Merrick, who in the 1880s became a famous charity case while his debilitating condition stumped his doctors. Prior to his hospitalization, he had worked as a side-show act. You can read more about his life beginning on page 10 of this program.

Board of Directors

the minnesota opera • 8

A Festival ~ especially for children & their families.

on stage at ORDWAY CENTER Now thru May 21

Ordway Center Late Nite Catechism 2 Sister is back! Sister takes the stage in the long-awaited sequel to the smash Off-Broadway comedy that propelled her to fame a few years ago.

McKnight Theatre $20 - $30 Thurs, May 4, 7pm & Sat, May 6, 7pm

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Mozart’s Così fan tutte Roberto Abbado, conductor Daniele Abbado, stage director Wed, May 24, 8pm

The Schubert Club Maxim Vengerov, violin Fri, May 26, 8pm

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Jazzed-Up Fridays Graf conducts Ravel and Brahms Hans Graf, conductor Steven Copes, violin Fri, May 26, 10:30am & Sat, May 27, 8pm

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Graf conducts Ravel, Brahms, and Dutilleux Hans Graf, conductor Steven Copes, violin Sat, May 27, 10:30am

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Our Many Colored Musical Quilt Marlene Pauley, Director Tues, May 30, 5:30pm

Ordway Center Flint Hills International Children’s Festival Workshop: World of Music with Fawzy Al-Aiedy and Twin Cities Musicians FREE 651-282-3025 classes@ordway.org Wed., May 31, 5:30pm

International Performers for children & families on Ordway Center stages

World Party in the parks F O O D M U S I C ACTIVITI E S

Ordway Center Flint Hills International Children’s Festival Workshop: World of Theater with Big Wooden Horse Theatre Company and Twin Cities Theater Companies FREE 651-282-3025 classes@ordway.org

ARTwalk & ARTmoves Parade (Sat at 1pm)

651-224-4222 ordway.org

Ameriprise 4c

t h e m i n n e s o t a o p e r a • 10

Conductor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Antony Walker Stage Director and Choreographer . . . . . .Doug Varone Set Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christine Jones Costume Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .James Schuette Lighting Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jane Cox Video Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Darrel Maloney Wigs and Makeup . . . . . . . . .Tom Watson & Associates Assistant Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Peter Kozma Chorusmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bruce Stasyna Children’s Chorusmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Janice Kimes Dance Captain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Daniel Charon Production Stage Manager . . . . . . . . .Alexander Farino French Language Coach . . . . . . . . . . . .Peter Robinson English Captions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christopher Bergen

Music by Laurent Petitgirard Libretto by Eric Nonn World premiere at State Opera House, Prague February 7, 2002 May 13, 16, 18, 20 and 21, 2006 Ordway Center for the Performing Arts Sung in French with English captions

The Cast Joseph Merrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Walker Docteur Treves. . . . . . . . . . Christopher Schaldenbrand “Les autres” . . . . . . . . . . . . Doug Varone and Dancers John Beasant III, Lawrence Cassella, Daniel Charon, Natalie Desch, Adriane Fang, Stephanie Liapis, Catherine Miller, Eddie Taketa Tom Norman, a showman . . . . . . . . Theodore Chletsos Jimmy, his assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . Benjamin Westphal Mary, a nurse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alison Bates Eva Lückes, head nurse . . . . . . . . . Kathleen Humphrey F. C. Carr Gomm, hospital director . . . . . . Seth Keeton La Colorature, a celebrated soprano . . . . . Mary Wilson La jeune fille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erin Marie Capello Le père . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eric Vollen La mère . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jamie-Rose Guarrine Deux garçons . . . . . John Michael Moore, Edward Mout Charles Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tba People of London, doctors, nurses, hospital attendants, visitors Setting: Late 19th-century London

Background Notes by David Sander here has been a surprising degree of interest over the past three decades in the plight of Joseph Carey Merrick after a silence of some 40 years. Ashley Montagu’s book, The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity, first published in 1971, spawned four plays, one major motion picture, subsequent books and articles, a television special, and most recently, an opera. Laurent Petitgirard’s Joseph Merrick dit Elephant Man first premiered in Prague in 2002, was revived in Nice later that year and has since been released on CD and DVD . The Minnesota Opera’s production presents the American premiere of this new work.

T

This production of Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man is sponsored by By arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., sole agent in the USA, Canada and Mexico for Durand S.A. Éditions Musicales, a BMG Editions company, publisher and copyright owner.

The appearances of Christopher Schaldenbrand and David Walker, winners; Theodore Chletsos, Seth Keeton, John Michael Moore and Mary Wilson, national finalists; Alison Bates, regional finalist; and Jamie-Rose Guarrine and Edward Mout, district finalists of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, are made possible through a Minnesota Opera Endowment Fund established for Artist Enhancement by Barbara White Bemis.

Performances of Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man are being taped for delayed broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio, KSJN 99.5 in the Twin Cities.

SM

The Minnesota Opera season is sponsored by U.S. Bank, Private Client Group.

The appearances of the 2005–2006 season conductors are underwritten by SpencerStuart.

Opera Insights is sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

The 2005–2006 season Camerata Circle Dinners are sponsored by U.S. Trust.

Intermission reception sponsored by Lowry Hill Private Wealth Management.

11 • T h e E l e p h a n t M a n

Ripe for adaptation in just about any genre, Merrick’s solved the dilemma by posting in the London Times on real-life story is especially poignant, shockingly reminicent December 4, 1886, an appeal for charity, drawing a of the dark and disturbed tales authored by the Brothers surprising amount of support from society’s upper echelon.

Grimm. According to legend, his pregnant mother was Merrick was moved from a small room in the attic used for frightened and overrun by an elephant when the circus isolation to a garden level suite with access to an adjoining came to his home town of Leicester. Twenty-one months enclosed terrace.

Merrick began to hold court in his new home, receiving after his birth on August 5, 1862, symptoms of Joseph’s disfiguring illness had already become apparent. He various dignitaries of the royal family, including the attended school until the of age 12, but the death of his Princess of Wales – she would send several Christmas cards mother two years earlier put an end to any kindness he and an autographed photograph of herself. Joseph also made would receive, changing his life irrevocably. His father had the acquaintance of a famous actress, Madge Kendal, who remarried in 1874, and his new mother, a widow with managed to arrange a theater outing, using a baroness’s box children of her own, expected her stepson to support himself with a private entrance and three young nurses to sit in the and contribute to the family income. By this time Merrick first row as cover. Another lady of distinction lent her had suffered an accident, leaving him lame in one leg – this closely guarded home to Merrick, where he could spend six disability, confounded by his increasingly misshapen days in the country undisturbed.

This turn of events was by no means a perfect solution. appearance, impeded his efforts to sell haberdashery items door-to-door, and employment as a manual laborer also Merrick still felt on display and had mentioned to Treves on became futile. Several times he entered a workhouse for the at least one occasion that he wouldn’t mind returning to poor, but conditions there proved equally as harsh to those show business. In spite of parading visitors and constant nursing attention, Joseph still felt isolated from the world. he had experienced at home.

Having heard of entertainer/entrepreneur Sam Torr’s And his illness only progressed, putting a strain on his heart intention to create a show of “novelties,” Merrick realized he and prematurely aging his body. More than once he had could earn some degree of independence by exhibiting expressed a desire to “sleep like a normal person” as his himself as a “freak.” After several showings in Leicester and enlarged head forced him to slumber in a crouched position. its environs, the newly christened Elephant Man was (Norman had actually tried to create a device that would handed over to a promoter in London, Tom Norman. allow him to lie prostrate, one of his more charitable acts.)

Surprisingly, Merrick embraced the changed lifestyle with On April 11, 1890, without warning he was found lying grace, now able to generate financial gain in the reasonable across his bed, his death determined to be caused either by comfort Norman provided. It was certainly preferable to suffocation or spinal injury. No recent change in his being paraded unclothed in front of curious doctors as a behavior indicated that it had been a suicide.

Interest in the Elephant Man’s unfortunate unusual specimen of nature. By the early 1880s he had come to the attention of a young surgeon, Dr. Frederick Treves, predicament remained dormant after the memoirs of Dr. and had visited the London Hospital several times for Treves, Mrs. Kendal and Tom Norman, dating from the examination. Treves’s most recent invitation, however, had early part of the 20th century, faded into oblivion. It was been rejected. not until the early 1970s that interest was rekindled with Merrick’s fortunes changed with public taste. Victorian Montagu’s book, which begins as a biography, then consciousness was coming to grips with the display of segues into an exploration into maternal love, the oddities for the delight of the working class that populated psychology of human nature and our perceptions of the East End’s Whitechapel Road. The police shut down people with disabling conditions.

Norman’s enterprise, forcing Merrick to seek his fortunes Several interpretations popped up soon afterwards. on the Continent in the hands of Thomas Gibbons finished his play The another promoter. Unfortunately, “…It tells us something not only Exhibition in February 1977, utilizing sentiment toward such shows proved two characters, Merrick and Dr. about the darker but also about the only to be similar in Brussels, and they were Treves. His duodrama utilizes the banned by the public authority. The brighter sides of human nature, of memoirs of Treves (reprinted in the backer stole Merrick’s savings, forcing the spontaneous kindness to which back of Montagu’s book) and him to pawn his few personal human beings are disposed, as well Merrick’s own “autobiography,” used possessions in order to return to as the unfeeling cruelty of which as show propaganda back when he was London. With Treves’s card in his others are capable, but above all else on display. Interspersed is the pocket, he was found exhausted and Man’s (as he is referred to in of the supreme human integrity Elephant alone in the Liverpool Station. the text) wistful realization of his Treves was faced with the uneasy which some members of the species otherness, a loneliness he feels he must predicament of admitting a patient Homo sapiens are able to maintain in share with a select group of human with an incurable illness, which was the face of never-ending adversities beings unable to find love. For his part, against hospital policy. The chief of the most devastating kind.”

Treves understands his patient’s manly administrator, F. C. Carr Gomm, needs and offers to secure the services —Ashley Montagu, The Elephant Man: Background Notes continue on page 12 A Study in Human Dignity

through the three women – the of a prostitute, sufficiently liquored distant head nurse Eva Lückes to endure his grotesque appearance. (reintroduced from history), the The fourth and final scene is Treves flighty and fictive soprano (a tidy alone with the death mask of the operatic replacement for the Elephant Man, reminiscing over his theatrical, “loosely moraled” career – he could cure the King of Kendal) and the nurse/confidant England of appendicitis on the eve of Mary, who has no direct historical his coronation, but could provide ancestry other than her name nothing for “John” (he consistently (which is the same as Merrick’s cited Merrick’s first name incorrectly beloved mother), serving both as a in his account). He picks up the mask maternal force and one of to see the world through Joseph’s emotional, and perhaps even eyes. sexual, awakening.

William Turner’s Elephant Man The Minnesota Opera’s premiered on December 16, 1978 in production of this new work will Pittsburgh. Replacing Dr. Treves as feature a few variations from the confidant is Princess Alexandra, who, original operatic staging. Like afflicted with deafness, syphilis and Pomerance’s drama, heavy makeup Victorian-era female repression, poses will not be employed to portray the an equalizing counterpart to Merrick Elephant Man’s deformity, which (at least in her own eyes). But Roy instead will be implied through Faudree’s Elephant Man, first movement. In a recent interview, produced in October 1975, Artistic Director Dale Johnson introduced the subject into the realm observed, “The moment I heard [the of comedy, turning Joseph Merrick’s new opera], I felt like it needed to be widening social circle into a bawdy, choreographed. Joseph Merrick was cross-dressing romp. [Apparently not really able to express himself one of Treves’ medical papers, The The Elephant Man: right profile, ca. 1886 physically, and yet Petitgirard Influence of Clothing on Health (referenced in the play), had some bearing on a proposed created this music that is so expressive.” Director and choreographer Doug Varone noted, “The key is obviously the banishment of corsetting.]

The most popular dramatic interpretations of Merrick’s title character, to try to find a movement vocabulary for life, however, was a play by Bernard Pomerance, first Merrick that defines his continuing emotional state. I produced in London on November 7, 1977, and later wanted to set that off with a company of dancers that is finding its way to Broadway two years later (the title role continually surrounding him, reflective of his situation. … eventually being played by pop singer David Bowie). There is a beautiful soul inside of this hideous human being.

Pomerance indicated in his stage directions that no heavy For me, that’s the basis of the entire opera. How do we stage makeup was to be used; rather that Merrick’s perceive beauty? How do we see the extraordinary in the deformity should be indicated through movement and ordinary? How do we see the ordinary in the extraordinary?”

Another departure is a casting of the title role as a emotion. Among other variants and interpolations, Pomerance’s play is an essay in psychology, investigating countertenor rather than a contralto. Conductor Antony in particular Merrick’s sublimated sexuality by way of his Walker explains. “On a purely phonic level, it will help conversations and encounters with Madge Kendal. Treves create the individual nature of Joseph Merrick. He won’t had remarked in his memoirs that women were somewhat sound like anyone else on stage. Joseph needs a great deal of a mystery to the Elephant Man, always to be observed of warmth, sincerity and vulnerability, and I think the countertenor voice will help express this.” Countertenor from a distance.

Since Pomerance’s play (and David Lynch’s equally David Walker (no relation) added: “It’s very challenging to famous film, which, in addition to taking other liberties, do this role and not get overwhelmed. This is a real person, includes a disturbing opening sequence as to how the a real man, and the composer and librettist have really Elephant Man came into being), authors Michael Howell captured that. … It is a very emotional journey. Joseph and Peter Ford have made a thorough investigation of Merrick was a deep and sensitive person. The opera shows Merrick’s life and published their findings in 1980. In his decency and kindness, but it also shows him getting crafting their own story, Petitgirard and librettist Eric Nonn angry and frustrated. That’s why it succeeds so well, I may have had this source at their disposal (as well as the think. It doesn’t try to make him anything but human.” * motion picture), and they approach the story with a little quotations from “Opera of the Month: Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man” more attention to the facts. By shedding the long list of by Kelley Rourke. OPERA America Newsline Volume 15, Number 7 (April hangers-on, the focus becomes more human, in particular 2006), pp. 16–17 © Corvis

t h e m i n n e s o t a o p e r a • 12

Background Notes continued from page 11

*

Laurent Petitgirard aurent Petitgirard studied the piano with Serge Petitgirard and composition with Alain Kremski. An eclectic musician, his career as a composer of symphonic music (more than 20 works) and of film music (150 scores) is matched by his activity as a guest conductor worldwide, performing with ensembles such as Paris Opera Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo, Orchestre National de France, Orchestre National de Lyon, Bamberger Philharmoniker, Berliner Symphoniker, Orchestras of the Tonhalle, La Fenice and BBC, Utah Symphony Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, CBS Orchestra, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and the National Orchestra of Spain. In 1989 Petitgirard founded the Orchestre Symphonique Français, which he conducted until 1996, and from 1986 to 1997, he also directed the Festival and the Academy of Flaine (Haute-Savoie). In December 2004, he was elected music director of the Orchestre Colonne in Paris.

Petitgirard has made some 30 recordings, notably of Honegger’s Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher and several world premiere recordings, including Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit with orchestration by Marius Constant. For the label Chant du Monde he recorded his Cello Concerto with the cellist Gary Hoffman and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo, and Le légendaire for violin, chorus and orchestra with soloist Augustin Dumay, to whom the work is dedicated.

Petitgirard’s first opera, Joseph Merrick dit Elephant Man, was first performed in February 2002 at the Prague State Opera, in French, conducted by the composer with stage direction by Daniel Mesguich. It has been recorded with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo and with Nathalie Stutzmann in the title role. The opera was restaged at Opéra de Nice later that year and a DVD of those performances, released on Marco Polo label, was broadcast on TF1 and Mezzo French television networks.

Petitgirard has just begun work on his second opera, Guru, to a libretto he wrote in collaboration with Xavier Maurel,

L

to be premiered by Opéra de Nice at the end of 2008, with stage direction by Daniel Mesguich.

In April 2003, Petitgirard recorded his Poème for large string orchestra with the Orchestre National de France, which he also conducted in November 2003 as part of a tour in the Netherlands with the Brabant Orchestra. In April 2004, he conducted two concerts at the Opéra Bastille in Paris with the Paris Opera Orchestra (Gance-Honegger-Constant’s Napoléon). Petitgirard also continues to collaborate on a regular basis with the Berliner Symphoniker, which he conducted twice during the 2004–2005 season in concerts of music by Beethoven and Brahms.

In addition to Le fou d’Elsa, a cycle of six songs to poems by Aragon for mezzo-soprano and orchestra, Petitgirard’s latest works include Le plus ardent à vivre (septet with harp, premiered by soloist Marielle Nordmann), Poème for large string orchestra and Dialogue for viola and orchestra, which he recorded in September 2005 with soloist Gérard Caussé and the Orchestre National de Bordeaux Aquitaine. The composer just completed a symphonic poem, Les douze gardiens du temple (commissioned by Radio-France), which he premiered with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg at the Présences Festival in February 2006 in Paris. Recordings of Dialogue and Les douze gardiens will follow, to be released on the Naxos label, as well as the complete Daphnis et Chloé ballet by Maurice Ravel, both recorded with the Bordeaux National Orchestra.

Petitgirard received the Young Composer’s Prize of the SACD in 1987, the SACEM Prize in 1990, the Grand Prix Lycéen for Composers in 2000 for his Cello Concerto and the Prix Musique 2001 of the SACD for his opera Joseph Merrick dit Elephant Man. In December 2000 he was elected Member of the French Institute, in the seat of Marcel Landowski at the Académie des Beaux-Arts. Petitgirard is also a Commandeur des Arts et Lettres.

13 • T h e E l e p h a n t M a n

b Paris, June 10, 1950

t h e m i n n e s o t a o p e r a • 14

Synopsis act i A fairground in the East End Tom Norman and his assistant Jimmy prepare for their next event. The sideshow features the Elephant Man, so named for a disfiguring illness that covers the body of Joseph Merrick, save one arm and a single delicate hand.

Norman discusses with Jimmy the merits of his chosen profession, a presenter of novelties and curiosities.

As Joseph remains in his tent, two boys anticipating the show prod him with insults. Norman chases them off and reassures his charge with the glories and riches that will be gained by his continued performances. Perhaps they will take his act to America or even the Far East. Jimmy draws the crowd and Norman begins his show by priming the audience – it is said that Merrick received his disease when his beautiful mother was thrown to the ground by an elephant during a parade of circus animals. Jimmy pulls the red curtain and the Elephant Man is revealed to the shocked and disgusted spectators.

After Merrick has retreated, Dr. Frederick Treves arrives and reproaches Norman. The showman counters by asking if the good doctor has yet found a cure. Treves is adamant that Joseph belongs in a hospital, but Norman insists that it is his choice to remain at the fair, where he is well cared for and not the object of medical scrutiny. Treves’s quiet entreaties delivered directly to Merrick prove pointless, but he leaves his card in case he changes his mind.

act ii The London Hospital Treves has found Merrick at the Liverpool railroad station, broken, exhausted and abandoned by Norman. He is brought to the hospital where Eva Lückes, the charge nurse, advises the doctor that there are no beds available, except in the isolation room. As Eva lightly bathes him, another nurse, Mary, enters the room and is shocked by Merrick’s appearance. She apologizes for her reaction, but the Elephant Man just wants to be left alone – he is not a sight for a young girl. Mary tries to comfort him with a lullaby as he falls asleep.

The next morning, after a short

Act II, scene five — Set design by Christine Jones

conversation with Merrick, Treves is taken aside by the hospital’s director, Carr Gomm, who reminds him that the hospital is only for seriously ill patients.

He is not unsympathetic to Merrick’s case and agrees to delay the next meeting of the governance committee so that Treves can find the financial means to maintain the Elephant Man’s stay.

Though Treves still considers Merrick an imbecile, in further conversations Mary learns that he is merely deformed and quite intelligent.

For his part, Joseph discovers he is attracted to her.

— intermission —

Carr Gomm and the hospital committee confirm that an open letter will be published in the London Times, alongside a recent photograph of Joseph.

The hope is to raise enough money to ensure his continued care. Treves feels a pang of remorse for treating the Elephant Man much like Tom Norman, without regard to his greater intellect. The doctor also reveals that Merrick does not have much longer to live.

Joseph refuses to speak with the journalist and again confides in Mary that he does not want his story to be told.

He has little hope, but Mary admits that their friendship has given her something truly meaningful.

act iii

act iv

An examination gallery at the hospital Merrick’s case is presented to a panel of doctors. Treves discounts the theories that his illness was caused by elephantiasis or maternal impression and offers alternate possibilities. A photographer takes pictures.

Mary is horrified by the impersonal examination and the careless disregard of Joseph’s dignity. Eva suggests that the young woman remove herself from her emotions – as nurses they must not get too close to their patients’ problems.

Treves observes Joseph reading a book given to him by Mary and is surprised to discover the depth of his knowledge.

They discuss his future and upon further examination, Treves discovers that his patient’s heart is weakening.

An apartment Thanks to the Times article, Joseph is now able to live comfortably in his own home. He has become somewhat of a celebrity and entertains a salon of people, including a famous soprano who monopolizes his attention. Mary takes Treves aside, and begs him not to tell Merrick that he is dying.

Alone with Merrick, Treves listens to his heart and admits he has done all he can. Merrick senses the end is near, but is grateful. After the doctor departs, Joseph sums up his existence and realizes he has never slept soundly, having had to rest in a crouched, upright position as a result of his deformity. Determined to sleep at least once as a normal person, he stretches out on the bed and dies.

The Artists

DOUG VARONE AND DANCERS performs a body of work heralded by critics as “among the most compelling in the contemporary repertory.” In 2005–2006 the company celebrates its nineteenth season with repertory performances throughout the United States and Europe and projects in opera and theater. Doug Varone and Dancers has been presented by major venues and festivals worldwide including: The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, The Joyce Theater; London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall; Moscow’s Stanislavsky Theater; The Venice Biennale; and the Tokyo, Jacob’s Pillow and American Dance Festivals. To date, the Company has performed in more than one hundred cities, in thirty-five of the fifty U. S. states and a dozen nations. Under Doug Varone’s direction, the Company has also performed in several opera productions including Gluck’s Orphée et Eurydice (2001) and Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia (2004) for Opera Colorado and Stravinsky! Le sacre du printemps (2004) for the Metropolitan Opera.

Doug Varone’s unique artistic output has earned the company numerous honors including eight New York Dance and Performance Awards (Bessies), the American Dance Festival’s Doris Duke Award for New Work and three National Dance Project Awards. The company’s dances have been commissioned by such leading institutions as Jacob’s Pillow, The Joyce Theater, Whitebird (Portland, OR), the Carlsen Center (Overland, KS) and the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.

In addition to concert tours in the USA and Europe, this season the company partnered with Lincoln Center on the world premiere production of Ricky Ian Gordon’s Orpheus and Euridice, for the Great Performers and American Song Book series and with Aquila Theatre Company for a production inspired by H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man. Both productions were directed and choreographed by Varone. The company is currently creating two new works: Boats Leaving, set to music by Arvo Pärt, an American Dance Festival commission, which will premiere at the Festival in July 2006; and 29 Lives, an evening-length dance/opera with an original score by the award-winning film composer Nathan Larson, which will premiere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in May 2007.

ABOUT THE DANCERS John Beasant III joined the Company in 2001. Opera productions: Il barbiere di Siviglia, Stravinsky!, and Orpheus and Euridice. Other dancing credits: Shapiro & Smith, ARENA Dances; Keith Johnson and Dancers and Repertory Dance Theater of Utah. Education: MFA, University of Utah.

Daniel Charon joined the Company in 1999. Opera productions: Orphée et Eurydice, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Stravinsky!, Orpheus and Euridice. Other dancing credits: Limón Dance Company, Dance Kaleidoscope, Mordine & Company, Mary Anthony Dance Theatre and AM/FM Tap Chicago. Education: BFA, North Carolina School of the Arts.

Natalie Desch joined the Company in 2001. Opera productions: Il barbiere di Siviglia, Stravinsky!, Orpheus and Euridice. Other dancing credits: Limón Dance Company. Education: BFA, Juilliard.

Adriane Fang joined the Company in 1996. Opera productions: Orphée et Eurydice, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Stravinsky!, Orpheus and Euridice. Other dancing credits: Wally Cardonna, Penny Vercelline. Education: BA, University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.

Stephanie Liapis joined the Company in 2002. Opera productions: Stravinsky!, Orpheus and Euridice. Other dancing credits: Jamie Bishton Dance, nicholasleichterdance, Netta Yerushalmy’s Dancing People, Nancy Bannon and Tina Croll and James Cunningham’s The Horses Mouth. Education: BFA, New York University, Tisch School of the Arts.

Catherine Miller joined the Company in 2002. Opera productions: Il barbiere di Siviglia, Stravinsky!, and Orpheus and Euridice. Other dancing credits: Carolyn Dorfman & Dancers, Mark Dendy Dance Theater, Ze’eva Cohen and Friends, Fiona Marcotty’s Beat Upon Beat and Karla Wolfangle. Education: BFA, North Carolina School of Arts.

Eddie Taketa joined the Company in 1994. Opera productions: Orphée et Eurydice, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Stravinsky! Other dancing credits: Lar Lubovitch Dance Company; Murray Louis Dance Company, Nikolais Dance Theater and Men Dancers: The Ted Shawn Legacy. 1998 NY Dance and Performance Award (Bessie).

Education: BFA, University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Lawrence Cassella has worked with Doug Varone on several projects including: Les Troyens and Stravinsky! for the Metropolitan Opera. Education: BFA, State University of New York at Brockport.

Doug Varone and Dancers’ creative activities and performances are supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Lila Acheson Wallace Theater Fund, the Alphawood Foundation, the Shubert Foundation, the Trust for Mutual Understanding, the Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Altria, the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, among others.

Doug Varone and Dancers, 37 West 32nd St. #4A, NYC, NY 10001 ph/fax: 212-279-3344 or email: dova@mindspring.com

15 • T h e E l e p h a n t M a n

ABOUT THE COMPANY

t h e m i n n e s o t a o p e r a • 16

The Artists

For more biographical information about these artists, visit our website at www.mnopera.org

Alison Bates

Theodore Chletsos

Mary Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Recently Don Giovanni, The Minnesota Opera A View from the Bridge; Abduction from the Seraglio; Little Women; Giulio Cesare, Indiana University Opera Theater Symphony No. 2; Israel in Egypt, Columbus Indiana Phil.

Tosca, Chautauqua Opera (Studio Artist) Gianni Schicchi, MasterWorks Festival (Young Artist) Upcoming Gianni Schicchi; The Gondoliers, Chautauqua Opera La donna del lago; Tales of Hoffmann, Minnesota Opera

Tom Norman Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Recently Orazi e Curiazi; Don Giovanni; Carmen; Maria Padilla; Madame Butterfly, The Minnesota Opera Vanessa, Central City Opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, Minnesota Orchestra Les contes d’Hoffmann; Student Prince; others, Central City Op. Roméo et Juliette; La bohème, Indianapolis Opera L’elisir d’amore; Roméo et Juliette, Lyric Opera of Kansas City Upcoming Gianni Schicchi, Opera Theater of New Jersey

Kathleen Humphrey

Seth Keeton

Eva Lückes Minnesota Opera Debut My Fair Lady, 1990 Recently Mozart Requiem, Minnesota Orchestra Beethoven Symphony No. 9, South Dakota Symphony Beauty and the Beast; The Sound of Music, Chanhassen Theaters A Christmas Carol, Guthrie Theater La belle Hélène, North Star Opera Madame Butterfly; Passion; The Handmaid’s Tale; Little Women; Street Scene; Le nozze di Figaro; Faust; Cinderella; Carmen; others, The Minnesota Opera

F. C. Carr Gomm Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Recently Death in Venice; Lucie de Lammermoor, Glimmerglass Op. Orazi e Curiazi; Don Giovanni; Tosca; Carmen; Maria Padilla; Madame Butterfly; Magic Flute; Passion; Lucrezia Borgia; Rigoletto, The Minnesota Opera La bohème; Roméo et Juliette; Don Giovanni, Chautauqua Op. La bohème; Dead Man Walking; La traviata, Austin Lyric Op. Upcoming Jenufa; The Greater Good, Glimmerglass Opera Madame Butterfly; Falstaff, Fort Worth Opera

Christopher Schaldenbrand

David Walker

Dr. Treves Minnesota Opera Debut La bohème, 2002 Recently Don Giovanni; Don Pasquale, New York City Opera L’elisir d’amore, New Israeli Opera; Gran Teatre del Liceu Werther; La bohème; Così fan tutte, Metropolitan Opera Cold Sassy Tree, Houston Grand Opera Béatrice et Bénédict, Netherlands Opera La bohème; Die Fledermaus, Opéra National de Paris Upcoming Le nozze di Figaro, Staatsoper (Hamburg)

Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man Minnesota Opera Debut Recently Rodelinda, Metropolitan Opera Xerxes; Flavio; Partenope, New York City Opera Rinaldo, Bayerische Staatsoper; Berkshire Opera Agrippina, Santa Fe Opera; New York City Opera Akhnaten, Opéra National du Rhin (Strasbourg) Flight, Adelaide Int’l Music Fest.; Boston Lyric Opera A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Utah Opera; Central City Op. Upcoming L’incoronazione di Poppea, Central City Opera

Benjamin Westphal

Mary Wilson

Jimmy Minnesota Opera Debut Recently Tosca; Nixon in China; Carmen, The Minnesota Opera The Wizard of Oz; Showboat; The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; A Christmas Carol, Mankato State University The Virgin’s Slumber Song (Reger); O For the Wings of a Dove (Mendelssohn), Mankato Symphony Chichester Psalms, St. Louis Symphony Garden of Light, Minnesota Orchestra Member – Metropolitan Boys Choir

La Colorature Minnesota Opera Debut Recently Ariadne auf Naxos, Tulsa Opera Flight, Boston Lyric Opera Le nozze di Figaro; Die Zauberflöte, Dayton Opera Gloriana; Flight, Opera Theatre of St. Louis Galileo Galilei, Goodman Theatre; Brooklyn Academy Upcoming Le nozze di Figaro, Arizona Opera Carmina burana, L. A. Philharmonic (Hollywood Bowl) The Abduction from the Seraglio, Israel Phil. Orchestra

Jane Cox Lighting Designer Minnesota Opera Debut Recently Invisible Man, Aquila Theater Company Castles; Approaching Something Higher; Agora; Bottomland, Doug Varone and Dancers Dame Edna – Back with a Vengeance, (Broadway) Brooklyn Academy of Music; Playwrights Horizons; Vineyard Theatre; Signature Theatre; NYSF/Public Theater; CSC; Primary Stages, (New York) Guthrie Theater; CenterStage; McCarter; Alliance; Arena Stage; Denver Center; National Theatre (UK), (Regional/Int’l)

Janice Kimes Children’s Chorusmaster Minnesota Opera Debut Hansel and Gretel, 1981 Recently Carmen; Pagliacci/Carmina burana; Street Scene; Turandot; Madame Butterfly; The Turn of the Screw; Tosca; The Magic Flute; La bohème; Rigoletto; Bok Choy Variations; others, The Minnesota Opera Founder and Artistic Director – Bel Canto Voices Macbeth; others (ensemble), The Minnesota Opera

Christine Jones

photo not available

Set Designer Minnesota Opera Debut Lucia di Lammermoor, 2001 Recently Spring Awakening, Atlantic Theatre Co.; Burn This, Signature Theatre; Flesh and Blood; Nocturne, NYTW; True Love, The Zipper (Off-Broadway) The Green Bird, The Victory Theatre (Broadway) Giulio Cesare, Houston Grand Opera The Barber of Seville, Opera Colorado Resurrection Blues; Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Guthrie Theater

Peter Kozma Assistant Director Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Recently Orazi e Curiazi; Il Signor Bruschino (SD); Don Giovanni; Tosca (AD), The Minnesota Opera La tragédie de Carmen; Poppea; The Telephone (SD), University of Texas (Austin) L’Orfeo (SD), Budapest Chamber Opera Don Giovanni; Le nozze di Figaro; L’elisir d’amore; The Magic Flute (SD), Ars Classica Chamber Opera (Gödölló) Das Rheingold; Le nozze di Figaro; Madame Butterfly, La Cenerentola; others (AD), Hungarian State Opera

For more biographical information about these artists, visit our website at www.mnopera.org

Costume Designer Minnesota Opera Debut Transatlantic, 1998 Recently Nixon in China, The Minnesota Opera Esperanza Rising, Children’s Theatre Co.; Hotel Cassiopeia, SITI Company; after the quake, Long Wharf Theatre New York City Opera; Houston Grand Opera; Opera Theatre of St. Louis; Seattle Opera; Opera Colorado; Glimmerglass Op. Upcoming The Unmentionables, Steppenwolf; Hello Dolly (Papermill Playhouse; Oedipus Complex (Goodman Theatre)

Doug Varone Stage Director and Choreographer Minnesota Opera Debut Transatlantic, 1998 Recently American Tragedy; Salome; Stravinsky; Les Troyens, Met. Opera Il barbiere di Siviglia; Orphée et Eurydice, Opera Colorado The Invisible Man, Aquila Theater Company Die Walküre, Washington National Opera Artistic Director – Doug Varone and Dancers Upcoming 29 Lives, Brooklyn Academy of Music The Grapes of Wrath, The Minnesota Opera

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Bruce Stasyna Chorusmaster Minnesota Opera Debut Der Rosenkavalier, 2000 Recently Carmina burana, Avery Fisher Hall Shakespeare Unplugged, Dallas Art Museum Orazi; Don Giovanni; Tosca; others, The Minnesota Opera Fidelio; Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Minnesota Orchestra Die ägyptische Helena, American Symphony Orchestra Sweeney Todd; The Barber of Seville; Tito, Wolf Trap Opera Upcoming Secrets of the Sky and Sea, Southeastern Festival of Song

Antony Walker Conductor Minnesota Opera Debut Le nozze di Figaro, 2000 Recently Tosca, Hawaii Opera Theatre; Dardanus, Pinchgut Opera Esclarmonde; Luisa Miller, others, Washington Concert Op. Orlando, New York City Opera Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria, Pittsburgh Opera Theater Nixon in China; Madame Butterfly; others, Minnesota Opera Upcoming Vanessa, Chautauqua Opera; Semele, New York City Opera Idomeneo, Pinchgut Opera; Alcina, Opera Australia

17 • T h e E l e p h a n t M a n

James Schuette

The Artists

For you and your business

Computer Education

t h e m i n n e s o t a o p e r a • 18

The Minnesota Opera Chorus Diverse class selections

Interactive training Convenient half-day sessions

Setara Barukzoy** Kelsey Bruso Karen Bushby Erin Marie Capello** Steve Dahlberg Jennifer Eckes Carole Finneran Peter Frenz Jamie-Rose Guarrine* Anna-Lisa Hackett Katherine Haugen Michelle Hayes Robin Helgen Sandra Henderson Paul Hindemith

Ben Johnson Matthew Johnson Brian Jorgensen Mark Josephsen Michelle Liebl Elizabeth Longhurst Jeffrey Madison Tom Matchinsky Mary Monson John Michael Moore* Edward Mout* Bill Murray Peter Robinson Joy Scheib Robert Schmidt

Sandra Schoenecker Daniel Segura** Lu-Cheng Shih Anne Storlie Eric Vollen * denotes Resident Artist ** denotes Project Opera Apprentice

Principal Covers Wolfgang Bruce-Peralta – Jimmy John Michael Moore – Dr. Treves Edward Mout – Tom Norman

CHORUS AUDITIONS • May 24, 25, 26 & 27, 2006 The Minnesota Opera Center, 620 North First Street in Minneapolis

Auditions are by appointment only and must be scheduled in advance. All appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call 612-333-2700 weekdays between 10 am till 4 pm. Prepare

one operatic aria of choice, in original language. Bring current resume and photo.

Singer must provide own accompanist. A list of accompanists can be made available upon request.

The Minnesota Opera Orchestra 651-221-4722 comped.smm.org

Violin I

Bass

Trumpet

Kristen Christensen concertmaster Julia Persitz David Mickens Allison Ostrander Judy Thon-Jones Kari Giles Andrea Een Angela Hanson Megan McClendon

John Michael Smith Constance Martin Jason Hagelie

John G. Koopmann Christopher Volpe

Trombone Flute

Phillip Ostrander Sue Roberts Michele Frisch David Stevens Amy Morris (double piccolo and alto flute)

Tuba Oboe

Ralph Hepola

Marilyn Ford Tina James (double English Horn)

Timpani

Clarinet

Percussion

Sandra Powers Nina Olsen

Matthew Barber Steve Kimball

Bass Clarinet

Harp

Karrin Meffert-Nelson

Min Kim

Viola

Bassoon

Celeste

Vivi Erickson Laurel Browne Jenny Lind Nilsson Susan Janda James Bartsch

Coreen Nordling Laurie Hatcher Merz Cheryl Kelley (double contrabassoon)

Bruce Stasyna

Violin II Laurie Petruconis Elizabeth Decker Stephan Orsak Melinda Marshall Carolin Kiesel Johnson Margaret Humphrey Conor O’Brien Clara Zahler

Horn Cello Jim Jacobson Adriana LaRosa Ransom Rebecca Arons Thomas Austin Sally Dorer

Charles Kavalovski Charles Hodgson Neal Bolter Lawrence Barnhart

Kory Andry

Personnel Manager Steve Lund

TBD

t h e m i n n e s o t a o p e r a • 20

Education at the Opera Mozart Mania was a hit!

The Minnesota Opera’s Apprentices sang for more than 2000 children in March with Mozart Mania, a joint education concert with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Schubert Club. The Apprentices performed an abridged version of Mozart’s first opera, Bastien and Bastienna.

Project Opera Project Opera presents Hansel and Gretel See this classic children’s tale, sung in English, performed

by Project Opera’s Giovani ensemble. Featuring talented teens from around the metropolitan area, these shows are the culmination of their year of opera training.

Rehearsal of Hansel and Gretel

Performances will be held at the Minnesota Opera Center and are free and open to the public.

May 19 at 7:00 pm May 20 at 2:00 & 7:00 pm May 21 at 2:00 pm

opera. From September through May, participants meet once or twice a week to rehearse music and practice acting skills. In the spring, the ensembles perform a fully staged, age-appropriate opera. Other performances next season include concerts with the Minnesota Orchestra.

Please call Jamie Andrews at 612.342.9573 for reservations.

Project Opera is looking for talented singers!

Project Opera is still looking for boys and girls in grades 4-12 who are interested in singing and learning about

Project Opera’s Music Director, Dale Kruse, is preparing for an exciting year of music and theater. Enrollment in Project Opera is by audition only; scholarships are available.

To audition, call Jamie Andrews at 612.342.9573.

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21 • T h e E l e p h a n t M a n

t h e m i n n e s o t a o p e r a • 22

Cultivating a new generation of opera-goers in the Twin Cities Are you a 20- or 30-something who’s curious about opera?

Looking for something new and fun to look forward to?

Join other young professionals for the hottest ticket in town — The Minnesota Opera’s Young Professionals Group!

YPG TIX Season tickets now available for 2006-2007!

Call 612-333-6669 by June 2 and pay only 1/3 down.

To join, visit www.mnopera.org/ypg.htm, email ypg@mnopera.org, or call 612.342.9550

The low-cost YPG membership (only $30 per season) entitles members to great seats at the Opera for rock-bottom prices, as well as post-opera cocktail parties and special events throughout the season.

YPG season tickets are now available for 2006-2007.

Great Waters is the official venue for Opera Nights Out

t h e m i n n e s o t a o p e r a • 24

Good listening

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TBD

t h e m i n n e s o t a o p e r a • 26

The following are all individual, corporate and foundation donors over $25,000: Andersen Foundation • Anonymous • Estate of Mrs. Judson Bemis • Julia W. Dayton John and Ruth Huss • The McKnight Foundation • Target Foundation Mary W. Vaughan Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation F. R. Bigelow Foundation • Cargill Foundation • General Mills Foundation 3M Foundation • Alfred and Ingrid Lenz Harrison • Estate of Jean Lemberg The Medtronic Foundation • The Saint Paul Foundation • Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota C. Angus and Margaret Wurtele Karen Bachman • Alexandra O. Bjorklund • Mary and Gus Blanchard • Mary Lee Dayton Ecolab Foundation • The William Randolph Hearst Foundation • Lucy Rosenberry Jones Constance and Daniel Kunin • The Art and Martha Kaemmer Fund of HRK Foundation Keller Trust • The MAHADH Fund of HRK Foundation • Mardag Foundation John G. Ordway, Jr. • RBC Dain Rauscher Foundation • Saint Paul Travelers The Harriet and Edson Spencer Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Rebecca Rand and E. Thomas Binger • Ellie and Tom Crosby, Jr. • Heinz and Sisi Hutter Diana and Joe Murphy • Mr. and Mrs. William Phillips • Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rothschild 1997 Irrevocable Trust of Frederick T. Weyerhaeuser Rod and Susan Boren • Mrs. Thomas B. Carpenter • Carolyn Foundation Darlene J. and Richard P. Carroll • Cleveland Foundation • Rusty and Burt Cohen Jane M. and Ogden W. Confer • Sara and Jock Donaldson Dorsey & Whitney Foundation • Vicki and Chip Emery • Brad and Diane England Faegre & Benson • Sharon and Bill Hawkins • Bill and Hella Mears Hueg Connie Fladeland and Steve Fox • Erwin and Miriam Kelen • R. C. Lilly Foundation Mary Bigelow McMillan • Thomas and Barbara McBurney • Stephanie Simon and Craig Bentdahl Kevin and Lynn Smith • Virginia L. and Edward C. Stringer • The Southways Foundation Bernt von Ohlen and Thomas Nichol • Nelson Family Foundation

27 • T h e E l e p h a n t M a n

As of April 28, 2006, $12.6 million has been raised toward the $20 million Opera at the Ordway Initiative. These funds have already begun to transform the company through new productions, expanded education programs and a momentum that will expand the number of productions. The initiative will also add to The Opera’s endowment, ensuring the future of the company performing here, at the Ordway.

t h e m i n n e s o t a o p e r a • 28

The Minnesota Opera Annual Fund Individual Giving It is with deep appreciation that The Minnesota Opera recognizes and thanks all of the individual donors whose annual support helps bring great opera to life. It is our pleasure to give special recognition to the following individuals whose leadership support provides the financial foundation which makes the Opera’s artistic excellence possible.

For information on making a contribution to The Minnesota Opera, please call Dawn Loven, Director of the Annual Fund, at 612-342-9567.

Bel Canto Circle Platinum $20,000 and above

Gold $15,000–$19,999

Silver $10,000–$14,999

Mary and Gus Blanchard Julia W. Dayton John and Ruth Huss Lucy Rosenberry Jones Patricia Lund Mrs. George T. Pennock (†)* Stephanie Simon and Craig Bentdahl Mary W. Vaughan Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation C. Angus and Margaret Wurtele

Karen Bachman* Mrs. Thomas B. Carpenter Darlene J. and Richard P. Carroll* Dolly J. Fiterman Heinz and Sisi Hutter The Art and Martha Kaemmer Fund of HRK Foundation* Warren and Patricia Kelly*

Anonymous (2) Allegro Fund of the Saint Paul Foundation* Rebecca Rand and E. Thomas Binger Rod and Susan Boren Rusty and Burt Cohen Ellie and Tom Crosby, Jr. Mary Dearing and Barry Lazarus Cy and Paula Decosse Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation The Denny Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation

Connie Fladeland and Steve Fox Denver and Nicole Gilliand David Hanson and William Biermaier Karen and John Himle Erwin and Miriam Kelen Constance and Daniel Kunin Ilo and Margaret Leppik Mr. and Mrs. B. John Lindahl, Jr. Ms. Becky Malkerson Ted and Roberta Mann Foundation Diana and Joe Murphy Elizabeth Musser Trust— Fir Tree Fund Albin and Susan Nelson Nelson Family Foundation Brian and Julia Palmer Kevin and Lynn Smith Mitchell and Kendall Stover Mr. and Mrs. James Swartz Catie Tobin and Brian Naas Charles Allen Ward Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation Anonymous (2) Chloe D. Ackman Lowell Anderson and Kathy Welte Martha Goldberg Aronson and

Daniel Aronson Martha and Bruce Atwater Dr. Ford and Amy Bell Alexandra O. Bjorklund Steve Chirhart Cleveland Foundation Dr. Stephen and Beth Cragle John and Arlene Dayton Thomas and Mary Lou Detwiler Rondi Erickson and Sandy Lewis Leslie and Alain Frecon Christine and W. Michael Garner Mr. and Mrs. R. James Gesell Meg and Wayne Gisslen Mrs. Myrtle Grette Dorothy J. Horns, M.D., and James P. Richardson Ken and Tina Hughes Jay and Cynthia Ihlenfeld Dale A. Johnson Jacqueline Nolte Jones Robert and Susan Josselson Stan and Jeanne Kagin Samuel L. Kaplan and Sylvia Chessen Kaplan Michael F. and Gretchen G. Kelly and the Kelly Family Foundation Lyndel and Blaine King Mrs. James S. Kochiras David MacMillan and Judy Krow

Mahley Family Foundation Roy and Dorothy Ann Mayeske James and Judith Mellinger Richard and Nancy Nicholson – Nicholson Family Foundation Dwight D. Opperman Luis Pagan-Carlo William and Barbara Pearce Marge and Dwight Peterson Mr. and Mrs. William Phillips Stephanie Prem and Tom Owens Robert and Mary Price Lois and John Rogers Ken and Nina Rothchild Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rothschild Sampson Family Charitable Foundation Kay Savik and Joe Tashjian Fred and Gloria Sewell Drs. Joseph and Kristina Sha∂er Frank and Lynda Sharbrough Julie Jackley Steiner Tanrydoon Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation William Voedisch and Laurie Carlson Nancy and Ted Weyerhaeuser

Jeff and Barb Couture Bruce Coppock and Lucia May* Mrs. Thomas M. Crosby, Sr. Ruth and Bruce Dayton Amos and Sue Deinard Jack and Claire Dempsey Mona Bergman Dewane and Patrick Dewane John and Maureen Drewitz Susan Engel and Arthur Eisenberg* Ester and John Fesler Salvatore S. Franco Patricia R. Freeburg James and Mary Frey Terence Fruth and Mary McEvoy Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Bradley A. Fuller and Elizabeth Lincoln

David and Kathy Galligan* Richard Geyerman Lois and Larry Gibson Howard and Heidi Gilbert Micheal and Elizabeth Gorman Sima and Clark Griffith Frank Guzzetta* The Hackensack Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation Rosalie He∂elfinger Hall Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Don Helgeson John S. and Rosmarie Helling Sarah Henry Diane Hoey John and Jean McGough Holten Bill and Hella Mears Hueg Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hull

James L. Jelinek and Marilyn Wall Linda Johnson Markle Karlen Jessie L. Kelly E. Robert and Margaret V. Kinney Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Kenneth Kixmoeller and Kim Otness Mr. and Mrs. William Kling Gerard Knight Lisa C. Kochiras Maria Kochiras Kyle Kossol and Tom Becker Robert L. Kriel and Linda E. Krach Helen L. Kuehn Anita Kunin Mark and Elaine Landergan Robert L. Lee and Mary E. Scha∂ner Carl Lee and Linda Talcott Lee

Sara and Jock Donaldson Alfred and Ingrid Lenz Harrison* Mr. and Mrs. Philip Isaacson* Peter J. King Lynne Looney Thomas and Barbara McBurney Harvey T. McLain Mary Bigelow McMillan Mrs. Walter Meyers Bruce and Sandy Nelson Jose Peris and Diana Gulden Elizabeth and Andrew Redleaf

Camerata Circle Platinum $7,500–$9,999 Anonymous Jane M. and Ogden W. Confer Rolf and Nancy Engh N. Bud and Beverly Grossman Foundation Sharon and Bill Hawkins Bryce and Paula Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rothschild Timothy and Gayle Ober Bernt von Ohlen and Thomas Nichol Connie and Lew Remele Virginia L. and Edward C. Stringer

Gold $5,000-$7,499 Anonymous (2) Eric and Tracy Aanenson Daniel and Christine Buss Rachelle Dockman Chase Dr. James E. and Gisela Corbett Susan and Richard Crockett David and Vanessa Dayton Mary Lee Dayton Sally J. Economon Chip and Vicki Emery Brad and Diane England Tom and Lori Foley Mr. and Mrs. John Forsythe

Silver $2,500–$4,999

Artist Circle $1,000–$2,499 Anonymous (4) Floyd Anderson Paula Anderson Kim A. Anderson John Andrus, III Mr. and Mrs. Edmund P. Babcock Dr. Thomas and Ann Bagnoli James Baldwin and Mary Atmore Mr. and Mrs. Paul G. Boening Jan and Ellen Breyer Judith and Arnold Brier Conley Brooks Family Elwood F. and Florence A. Caldwell Bruce and Deanna Carlson Joan and George Carlson Joe and Judy Carlson Wanda and David Cline

The Minnesota Opera Annual Fund Artist Circle (continued) Susan Lenthe Stefanie Lenway and Tom Murtha Diane and Sid Levin Michael and Diane Levy Sy and Ginny Levy Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Jerry and Joyce Lillquist Benjamin Y. H. and Helen C. Liu Bill Long Dawn M. Loven Mr. and Mrs. Donald Lucker Margery Martin Lois and Rick Marsh Gilah Mashaal

C.S. McCrossan Samuel D. and Patricia McCullough William Messerli Sandy and Bob Morris Mrs. John H. Myers Susan Okie Ruth and Ahmad Orandi Kelly and Michael Palmer Allegra Parker Karen B. Paul William and Suzanne Payne Jodi and Todd Peterson* Mary Ingebrand Pohlad James and Connie Pries

Tim and Elin Raymond Frances and George Reid Kit Reynolds and Mike Schwimmer John and Sandra Roe Mrs. John C. Rowland Leland T. Lynch and Terry Saario Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Patty and Barney Saunders Jim Scarpetta Dr. and Mrs. Richard J. Schindler Stanislaw and Krystyna Skrowaczewski Je∂ and Helene Slocum Don and Leslie Stiles Robert and Barbara Struyk

James and Susan Sullivan Henry and Virginia Sweatt Michael Symeonides Mr. and Mrs. George H. Tesar Lois and Lance Thorkelson Emily Anne and Gedney Tuttle Allan Valgemae and Robert Harding Mr. and Mrs. Philip Von Blon Andrea Walsh Fred and Ellen Wells Ms. Wendy Wenger Teresa Williams

Marjorie and Joseph Grinnell Bruce and Jean Grussing Roger L. Hale and Nor Hall Ruth E. Hanold Kristin Hayes and Greg Sochacki Franz and Jeannie Hofmeister Joe and Nancy Holmberg Thomas Hunt and John Wheelihan Ekdahl Hutchinson Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation David and Sally Hyslop Diane and Paul Jacobson Andrzej and Urszula Jaworski Mrs. Owen Jenkins Dr. and Mrs. Charles R. Jorgensen Jane and Jim Kaufman Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Jessie L. Kelly Steve and Jolie Klapmeier Roy and Mary Letourneau Jonathan and Lisa Lewis Joan E. Madden Orpha McDiarmid Family Fund Sheila McNally L. David Mech Charles and Victoria Mogilevsky Mr. John Murphy Theresa A. Murray and Jim Murray Paul C. Muzio Lowell and Sonja Noteboom Bradley Nuss Dennis R. Olson Mr. and Mrs. G. Richard Palen Dan and Pat Panshin Paula Patineau Kern and Kathryn Peterson James J. Phelps and Nancy McGlynn Phelps Nicole and Charles Prescott Elsie L. Quam Lawrence M. Redmond Ann M. Rock Liane A. and Richard G. Rosel James and Andrea Rubenstein Janet and Bill Schaeder Karen A. Schaffer Mahlon and Karen Schneider Marcia and Stephen Schultz Bill and Althea Sell Janet and Irving Shapiro Peter and Bonnie Sipkins Jim and Cindie Smart Daniel and Marilyn Spiegel Warren Stortroen Roxanne Stouffer and Joseph Cruz Joanne Strakosch and William Umscheid Dana and Stephen Strand

Valerie Couch Sage and John Cowles Jr. Susan G. Crawford Stephanie Daily and James Hughes Norma Danielson Robert and Marilyn Davidson Betty Davis James J. DeMay Mary Jean and John deRosier Dennis and Nickie Dillon Keith and Linda Donaldson Linda Donaldson Mr. Carl B. Drake Jr. Associate ($250-$499) Dale Dramstad Anonymous (3) Dorothy R. Drummond Paul and Val Ackerman Joan R. Duddingston Dr. and Mrs. Donald S. Anderson Gep Durenberger Katherine Anderson Nancy and Pierre Dussol Nancy P. Anderson John and Diana Eagon Nina Archabal Robert Englund Dr. and Mrs. Orn Arnar Ann Fankhanel Christine Aubry Roland Faricy Ronald and Kay Bach Barbara J. Felt Mrs. Gordon Bailey Charles Ferrell Kent and Maria Bales David Fettig Robert F. Ball III Beverly Balos and Mary Louise Fellows Hal and Joyce Field Jr. Brian Finstad Douglas Bellrichard Victoria Rico-Flakne and Brian Flakne Sue A. Bennett Richard Flenniken Steven and Mindy Benton Barbara Fogel Kenneth J. Berglund Susanne Haas and Ross Formell Anna and Rollin Bergquist Jinnet Fowles Mr. and Mrs. John F Beaukema Charlotte and Gene Frampton Diane and David Blake Jeanette Frantes Robert P. Bloom Jane Fuller Marilyn and Paul Bockley Joan and William Gacki Fred and Carolyn Bogott Jon Galloway Ken Bonneville Carol and Mike Garbisch Rose Boughton Greta and Paul Garmers Drs. William W. and Reanna Gislason Barbara M. Brauer Charlotte L Grantier Dennis Breining Robert and Ellen Green Dava and David Briggs Lee Gremillion Barbara A. Brin Robert and Ann Groover David and Barbara Preston Broesder Fred Hahn Allen Brookins-Brown Jerold and Kathleen Hahn Hannelore Brucker Albert and Janice Hammond Philip and Ellen Bruner Lowell Hanson Stephen Bubul Miriam Hanson Dr. Alan E. and Ruth Carp Patricia S. Hart Paul Chase Stefan and Lonnie Helgeson Mr. and Mrs. Edward D. Clapp Frederick J. Hey Jr. Elly and Ray Clark Jacqueline J. Hill and Bobby and Elliot Cohen Donald J. Christensen Debra Cohen Andrew Holey and Gary Whitford Mary S. Comfort Gary and Mary Holmes Michael Connaughton Reverend and Mrs. Henry H. Hoover Jane Connett Liesl and Todd Hyde Kay Constantine

Patron Circle Gold $750–$999 Anonymous (1) Quentin and Mary Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Clessler Joe Dowling and Siobahn Cleary Jeff and Barb Couture C.D.F. Foundation Drs. Greg and Angie Hatfield Joan and Richard Newmark Nicole and Charles Prescott Thomas D. and Nancy J. Rohde The Harriet and Edson Spencer Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Keith and Catherine Stevenson Frank and Frances Wilkinson

Silver $500–$749 Anonymous (1) Fred Amram and Sandra Brick Woodbury H. and Cynthia Andrews Genevive Antonello Satoru and Sheila Asato Ruth and Dale Bachman James and Gail Bakkom Mrs. Harvey O. Beek Barbara S. Belk Gerald and Phyllis Benson Michael and Paige Bingham Thomas and Joyce Bruckner Patrick and Kristen Burton Gerald and Sarah Caruso Paul Cavall Bruce and Ann Christensen Joann M. D. Cierniak J.P. Collins Edward Conway and Kathleen Jerde Bill and Kate Cullen Fran Davis Amos and Sue Deinard Joe Dowling and Siobahn Cleary Joyce and Hugh Edmondson Ekdahl Hutchinson Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Herbert and Betty Fantle Catherine C. Finch Donald and Gail Fiskewold Carolyn Fiterman Cheryl Kreofsky and Michael Fitzgerald Henry and Anice Flesh Dr. Stanley M. and Luella G. Goldberg Alan Goldbloom Robert Goodell and Renee Brown Paul and Margot Grangaard Deanne and John Greco Robert and Ellen Green Sarah Green

Brian and Mia Sullivan Cindy Vilks Will and Li Volk Elaine B. Walker The Wallin Foundation David M. and Mary Ann Barrows Wark Mr. and Mrs. Charles Webster James and Sharon Weinel Lani Willis and Joel Spoonheim Mary Wong

29 • O r a z i & C u r i a z i

Individual Giving

t h e m i n n e s o t a o p e r a • 30

The Minnesota Opera Annual Fund Individual Giving Patron Circle (continued) Nancy and Guy Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Keith E. Jacob Deborah and Ronald Jans Julie Johnson Robert Johnson Janet N. Jones Ruth E. Jones Annette Atkins and Tom Joyce Erika and Herb Kahler Dr. Morton and Merle Kane Jim Karges Jeanette Karjala Mary H. Keithahn Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Keller III Christopher Kemp Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Kenney Janet Keyes and Mark Hatherly Carole and Joseph Killpatrick Kerry J. S. Kincaid Louise King Eleanore Kolar Andrew Kramer Dr. and Mrs. James D. Lakin Dean and Kristen Lambert Robert Langford Judy Larkins Shirley A. Larson Lucinda F. Legel Alice H. Lesney Gene A. Letendre Wen Li Katy and Mark Lindblad Eleanor J. Lindsay Rebecca Lowe Judy and Neilan Lund Steve Lund Thomas Kleinschmit and Liana Magee Maren and Mark Mahowald Lawrence Mantini

Carolyn and Charles Mayo David Mayo Christopher and Cheryl McHugh Curtis and Verne Melberg Joan Mellen Velia R. Melrose Eileen and Lester Meltzer James Meunier Dorothy B. Meyering David and LaVonne Middleton Monica Millsap John Milton John E. Mitchell Steven J. Mittelholtz Michael J. and Judith Mollerus Shirley Moore in memory of Dave Jeff Moravec LeVonne D. Mulrooney John Murphy Mina Fisher and Fritz Nelson Joann Nelson Lucia Newell William and Sharon Nichols Joe Niedermayr Charles Nolte Patricia A. O'Gorman George O'Neill Reverend and Mrs. Robert A. Onkka Kay Smith and Arnold Ostebee Constance S. Otis Derril M. Pankow Kathy and Don Park James A. Payne Lana K. Wareham Deane G. Peters Joseph Petronio Edward Phares Sandra Resnick and Walter Pickhardt John and Norma Pierson Richard Pietz

Mrs. John S. Pillsbury Jr. Marcos and Barbara Pinto Laura Platt Fred W. Pollman Mr. and Mrs. Michael Porcaro Lawrence Poston Stephen and Julianne Prager Albert Quie Hemchand Ramroop Joan K. Regal Mrs. Emma B Robbins William and Sue Roberts Robert E. Rocknem Bob and Donna Rose Margaret Rosine Trish and Steve Rowley Mr. and Mrs. Burton Rudolph James Salutz Warren Sampson Karen and Stephen Sanger John and Janice Sargent Mary Savina Karen A. Schaffer Karen Schnatterly and Bob Doljanac Deborah Schneider Ralph Schneider Paul L. Schroeder John Setterholm Beatrice C Sexton Jean and James Sharer William K. Sheffield Lester Shen Mr. and Mrs. Morris Sherman Cherie and Bob Shreck Sylvia Siggelkow Roy A. Sjoberg Arthur and Marilynn Skantz Jon Y. Spoerri Karen Sternal Farrell Stiegler

John Strom Craig and Janet Swan Charles O. and Marlys R. Taflin Erika Tallman Anthony Thein Irma J Thies Dr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Thomas Mrs. Phyllis M. Thompson Curt and Kay Thorpe David Tidaback Stephanie C. Van D'Elden John Vilandre Terry L. Wade Emily Wadsworth Janet Goehle and Ron Wahlberg James Wall Harry M. Walsh David Warner Elizabeth Wattenberg and John Wike Mr. and Mrs. Charles Webster Howard Weiner Ken and Elizabeth Weir Evelyn and Robert Welsh David and Karen Wendt Barbara and Carl White Helen and J. Kimball Whitney Jean and Gil Whitson Paul and Carolynn Wiggin Craig Wildfang Barbara and James Willis Mr. John W. Windhorst Jr. Eleanor and Frederick Winston James Wire Virginia and Tony Woodcock Dr. James A. Zeese John and Gwen Zieska *Includes Gala Fund-a-Dream support.

Estate and Planned Gifts The Minnesota Opera thanks the following donors who, through their foresight and generosity, have included the Opera in their wills or estate plans. We invite you to join other opera-lovers by leaving a legacy gift to The Minnesota Opera. If you have already made such a provision, we encourage you to notify us that so we may appropriately recognize your generosity.

For more information on possible gift arrangements, please contact Dawn Loven, Director of the Annual Fund, at 612-342-9567. Your attorney or financial advisor can then help determine which methods are most appropriate for you.

Anonymous (2) Mary A. Andres Mr. and Mrs. Rolf Andreassen Karen Bachman Mark and Pat Bauer Barbara and Sandy Bemis (†) Darlene J. and Richard P. Carroll Judy and Kenneth (†) Dayton Mrs. George Doty Rudolph Driscoll (†) Sally Economon

Paul Froeschl Robert and Ellen Green Ieva Grundmanis (†) Norton M. Hintz Jean McGough Holten Charles Hudgins Dale and Pat Johnson Robert and Susan Josselson Mrs. Markle Karlen (†) Steve Keller Blaine and Lyndel King

Gretchen Klein (†) Bill and Sally Kling Gisela Knoblauch (†) Mr. and Mrs. James Krezowski Robert Kriel and Linda Krach Robert Lawser, Jr. Jean Lemberg (†) Gerald and Joyce Lillquist Margaret L. and Walter S. (†) Meyers Edith Mueller (†) Scott Pakudiatis

Sydney and William Phillips Mrs. Berneen Rudolph Mary Savina Frank and Lynda Sharbrough Andrew H. Stewart, Jr. Barbara and Robert Struyk James and Susan Sullivan Gregory C. Swinehart Stephanie Van D’Elden Mary Vaughan Dale and Sandra Wick

These lists are current as of April 1, 2006, and include donors who gave gifts of $250 or more to The Minnesota Opera Fund since July 1, 2004.

If your name is not listed appropriately, please accept our apologies, and call Megan Stevenson, Individual Gifts Associate, at 612-342-9569. (†) Deceased

The Minnesota Opera Annual Fund Corporations and Foundations Sponsors $25,000+ 3M Ameriprise Financial The Bush Foundation General Mills Foundation The MAHADH Fund of HRK Foundation The McKnight Foundation OPERA America’s Opera Fund St. Paul Travelers Target Foundation Twin Cities Opera Guild U.S. Bancorp Foundation U.S. Bank, Private Client Group

Platinum $10,000-$24,999 Allianz Life Insurance of North America Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation Cargill Foundation Deloitte Deluxe Corporation Foundation Dorsey & Whitney Foundation Ecolab Foundation Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation Anna M. Heilmaier Charitable Foundation Lowry Hill Private Wealth Management The Medtronic Foundation Rider Bennett SpencerStuart SUPERVALU Stores, Inc. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans U. S. Trust Company Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota Wenger Foundation

Gold $5,000-$9,999 ADC Telecommunications AT&T Foundation Bemis Company Foundation Briggs and Morgan Faegre & Benson Lindquist & Vennum R. C. Lilly Foundation Onan Family Foundation Pentair Foundation Piper Ja∂ray

Carl and Eloise Pohlad Foundation Rahr Foundation RBC Dain Rauscher Foundation Star Tribune Foundation Valspar Foundation Xcel Energy Foundation Boss Foundation Dellwood Foundation Mary Livingston Griggs and Mary Griggs Burke Foundation Hutter Family Foundation Alice M. O’Brien Foundation The Elizabeth C. Quinlan Foundation Margaret Rivers Fund Peregrine Capital Management Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, PA Tennant Foundation Thomson West Arts & Custom Publishing Co., Inc. Best Buy Children’s Foundation Brock-White Co., LLC The Burdick-Craddick Family Foundation Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation Digital Excellence, Inc. Gunkelmans Interior Design Hogan & Hartson Horton, Inc. LeJeune Investment, Inc. Leonard, Street & Deinard Maslon, Edelman, Borman & Brand Mayo Clinic McVay Foundation Lawrence M. and Elizabeth Ann O’Shaughnessy Charitable Income Trust The Regis Foundation Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Securian Foundation The Southways Foundation St. Croix Foundation Charles B. Sweatt Foundation Tozer Foundation

Minnesota Opera Sponsors Season Sponsor

Conductor Appearances

U.S. Bank, Private Client Group

SpencerStuart

Production Sponsors

Evening Intermission Sponsor

Tosca, U.S. Bank, Private Client Group Don Giovanni, Target Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, Ameriprise Financial

Lowry Hill Private Wealth Management

Opening Night Gala Sponsor U.S. Bank, Private Client Group Marshall Field’s Gives Okabena Advisors

RAP Teaching Artists Wenger Foundation

SM

$50,000 – $99,999

Corporate Circle $1,000-$2,499

City of Saint Paul’s Cultural STAR Program Minnesota State Arts Board National Endowment for the Arts

General Mills

$100,000 +

Silver $2,500-$4,999

Government

Production Innovation System

The Minnesota Opera gratefully acknowledges its major corporate supporters:

Promotional Support Minnesota Monthly

Opera Insights Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

$25,000 – $49,999

$10,000 – $24,999

31 • T h e E l e p h a n t M a n

Institutional Giving

TBD

t h e m i n n e s o t a o p e r a • 34

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