2015-2016

UBC OPERA SEASON

Manon / A Night in Venice / A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Opera productions made possible with the assistance of The David Spencer Endowment Encouragement Fund and The Chan Endowment Fund of the University of British Columbia

PHOTO: TIM MATHESON

WELCOME

It is with great pleasure that I announce the UBC Opera Ensemble’s 2015–2016 season, a season that celebrates the University of British Columbia’s Centennial year! In October, we begin with our ever-popular Opera Teas at the UBC Botanical Garden and on stage at the UBC Old Auditorium. This intimate setting gives our audiences a chance to really get to know our talented young performers.

In November, we present our first production, Jules Massenet’s Manon, one of the great classics of the French operatic repertoire. Manon is a work rich in French Romanticism, passion and drama. We welcome back Metropolitan Opera Competition winner Phillipe Castagner, a former member of the UBC Opera Ensemble, in the role of Des Grieux. In February, to celebrate the Carnival season, we present Johann Strauss’s operetta Eine Nacht in Venedig (A Night in Venice), a romantic comedy full of the mysteries of Venice and the incredible beauty of Strauss’s rich melodies. In March, we invite you to our Centennial Opera Ball at the Chan Centre for an evening of entertainment by the Ensemble, a delicious three-course meal and a night of dancing to the sounds of Dal Richards and his Orchestra. In June, we end our season with Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Considered to be one of the best and most successful opera adaptations of Shakespeare, this magical opera is the perfect way to greet the arrival of our beautiful Vancouver summer. I hope you will enjoy our talented students in this rich season of opera, take part in the wealth of cultural events in the UBC arts and cultural district and join the UBC Opera Ensemble and the University in celebrating our first 100 years!

Nancy Hermiston, O.C., Head, Voice and Opera Divisions

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MANON

Opéra Comique in Five Acts | Sung in French

JULES MASSENET | Composer HENRI MEILHAC and PHILIPPE GILLE | Libretto November 5, 6, 7 // 7:30 pm | November 8 // 2:00 pm Old Auditorium Manon is thought to be Jules Massenet’s most famous opera. It includes many different styles of music both lyrical and melodramatic. First performed in Paris in 1884, it is a fine example of French Romanticism and immediately became an opera mainstay at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. So popular was this work that after its premiere it reached its 1000th performance in 1919, its 1500th performance in 1931, and 2000th in 1952. The music is a quintessential example of Parisian charm and culture, with the role of Manon performed by many famous sopranos such as Anna Moffo, Beverly Sills, Edita Gruberova and Renée Fleming. Due to its heavy vocal demands the role of Manon was described by Sills as “the French Isolde”. The opera begins with the Chevalier des Grieux, who meets and falls passionately in love with Manon Lescaut, an innocent but lively young lady. Her cousin, Lescaut has been charged with bringing her safely to a convent for her schooling. It is love at first sight for Manon as well and01 she and the young cavalier des Grieux swiftly agree to elope. 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 Des Grieux’s father intervenes to part the two young lovers, through an alliance with Lescaut and the wealthy nobleman de Bretigny. De Bretigny warns Manon that her 12 lover’s father will have him kidnapped 11 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01 to bring him home, and she will be left alone to fend for herself. He convinces her that she must leave des Grieux, as much for the young des Grieux’s sake as for her own. She submits to the overtures of de Bretigny. Heartbroken, des Grieux retreats to a monastic life until their ill-fated reunion finally leads them into a dissipated lifestyle of gambling and prostitution, and ultimately to Manon’s downfall and death.

TBA | Conductor NANCY HERMISTON | Director Members of the VANCOUVER OPERA ORCHESTRA

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A NIGHT IN VENICE (Eine Nacht in Venedig)

Operetta in Three Acts | Sung in German

JOHANN STRAUSS II | Composer F. ZELL AND RICHARD GENÉE | Libretto February 4, 5, 6 // 7:30 pm | February 7 // 2:00 pm Chan Centre for the Performing Arts Eine Nacht in Venedig (A Night in Venice) is considered to be one of the most beautiful of the Strauss operettas and interestingly, his only operetta to be premiered outside Vienna. Although the music was praised, many criticized the libretto as banal and silly however Strauss, unperturbed, worked with librettists F. Zell and Richard Genée and made several alterations. As a result, Eine Nacht in Venedig became established as one of the world’s three most recognized operettas alongside Die Fledermaus and The Merry Widow. Though largely unknown in North America, this Viennese treasure is a favourite in Germany and Austria. The plot of this farcical, romantic comedy is as full of twists and turns as the city of Venice itself. The Duke of Urbino, a notorious womanizer, is bored in Venice when he meets Barbara, the wife of an elderly senator. Flirtation and intrigue ensue during a Carnival ball, with a colourful cast of characters including a barber, fisherman’s daughter, macaroni chef, and a naval officer. The men might try to dupe the women, but the women are too sharp to be fooled!

JONATHAN GIRARD | Conductor NANCY HERMISTON | Director UBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 7

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A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Opera in Three Acts | Sung in English

BENJAMIN BRITTEN | Composer BENJAMIN BRITTEN and PETER PEARS | Libretto June 23, 24, 25 // 7:30 pm | June 26 // 2:00 pm Old Auditorium A Midsummer’s Night Dream is called an “ingenious and subtle evocation of Shakespeare’s play”. Benjamin Britten’s magical opera contains some of the composer’s most inventive music, as well as providing a parody of operatic conventions. The work is considered to be one of the best and most successful opera adaptations of Shakespeare. His music evokes the multiple worlds of the original play focusing on three parallel stories: the trials of two sets of lovers camping in a magical forest, the world of the Fairy King and Queen, and a group of rough craftsmen attempting to stage a production of “Pyramus and Thisby” for the wedding of the Duke of Athens. Hermia is in love with Lysander, but her father wants her to marry Demetrius. To escape the arranged marriage, they elope into the woods. Demetrius follows them and is pursued by Helena, who nurses an unrequited passion for him. A love quadrangle develops among them when mischievous Puck plays Cupid. Meanwhile, a group of amateur actors rehearses a badly written play in the woods and soon all find their lives changed by the acts of Oberon and Titania, the warring king and queen of the fairies. Magic, action, love and humour are the ingredients for this unforgettable spell. Will love win out in the end?

LESLIE DALA | Conductor NANCY HERMISTON | Director Members of the VANCOUVER OPERA ORCHESTRA Presented in cooperation with Vancouver Opera

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OPERA TEA SERIES AN AFTERNOON CLASSIC AND PERENNIAL FAVOURITE

October 4+ October 25, 2015 // April 3, 2016 2:00 pm // UBC Botanical Garden November 22, 2015 // March 6, 2016 2:00 pm // Old Auditorium Opera Teas bring you closer to the performers on stage. Enjoy a concert of opera arias and song favourites in a casual setting in our theatre or the UBC Botanical Garden. Coffee, tea, and light refreshments are served.

CENTENNIAL OPERA BALL FUNDRAISER

FEATURING THE DAL RICHARDS ORCHESTRA March 17 + March 18, 2016 7:00 pm // Chan Centre Come celebrate UBC’s 100th Anniversary! Enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner on the stage of the Chan Centre with serenades from our young stars. Cap off the evening with an incredible night of dancing to the fantastic music of the legendary Dal Richards and his Orchestra. Tickets must be purchased in advance and include a $100 tax receipt.

UBC THEATRE & OPERA SEASON 2015/16 www.theatrefilm.ubc.ca

THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL





Based on the novel by Anne Brontë Adapted by Jacqueline Firkins October 1–17, 2015

EURYDICE

by Sarah Ruhl Directed by MFA Candidate Keltie Forsyth January 21 – February 6, 2016

THE ARABIAN NIGHTS

by Mary Zimmerman Directed by MFA candidate Evan Frayne March 17 – April 2, 2016

SUBSCRIBER BONUS: Screening of Naked Cinema 2.0 Directed by Tom Scholte www.ubcopera.com

MANON







by Jules Massenet Directed by Nancy Hermiston Conductor TBA November 5–8, 2015 Old Auditorium

A NIGHT IN VENICE

by Johann Strauss II Directed by Nancy Hermiston Conducted by Jonathan Girard February 4–7, 2016 Chan Centre for the Performing Arts

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

by Benjamin Britten Directed by Nancy Hermiston Conducted by Leslie Dala June 23–26, 2016 | Old Auditorium In cooperation with Vancouver Opera

Subscription packages from $33 / Flexible options available online! BOX OFFICE: 604.822.2678

TICKET NITTY-GRITTY Single tickets go on sale in September. Subscriptions are now available. Buy tickets for the Old Auditorium online at www.ubcopera.com, by phone 604.822.6725, or in‑person at the Old Auditorium box office. Buy tickets for the Chan Centre online at www.chancentre.com, by phone at 604-822-2697 or in‑person at the Chan Centre box office (fees may apply). CHAN CENTRE: 6265 Crescent Road OLD AUDITORIUM: 6344 Memorial Road (across the plaza from the UBC Music Building) MAIN OPERAS

ADULT

Single Ticket

Subscription (3 operas)

$39

$93

OPERA TEA

OPERA BALL

$24

$150 (includes a $100 tax receipt)

SENIOR

$29

$66

$19

STUDENT

$15/ $20

$42

$15

Please note that UBC students are $15.00, Non UBC students $20.00 Season subscribers can purchase tickets for the Opera Tea for $17.00 each.

TICKETS HOTLINE: 604.822.6725 TICKETS ONLINE: www.ubcopera.com

SUPPORT US We provide the best platform for young opera performers in Canada. Your gift is an investment in our young artists. It is your way to make a positive difference now and leave a lasting legacy. Contact us to discover the different ways you can get involved.

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2015–2016 SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE THURSDAY 7:30 PM

FRIDAY 7:30 PM

SATURDAY 7:30 PM

SUNDAY 2:00 PM

Manon

Nov 5

Nov 6

Nov 7

Nov 8

A Night in Venice

Feb 4

Feb 5

Feb 6

Feb 7

June 23

June 24

June 25

June 26

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

SUBSCRIPTION

PRICE

QUANTITY

TOTALS

Adult

$93

x

______

=

Senior (65+)

$66

x

______

=

Student

$42

x

______

=

STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR SEATS CHAN CENTRE

check your preferred seating areas

Section A

1

2

3

Section B

1

2

3

KEEP MY SEATS

1 H

OLD AUDITORIUM

4

5

Accessible Seating Available

Main Floor

Lower Balconies

check your preferred seating areas

Section A

1

2

3

Section B

1

2

3

KEEP MY SEATS

1 H

4

5

Accessible Seating Available

Main Floor and Balcony [B4]

STEP 3: ADD-ONS Subscribers have the opportunity to add individual tickets for the Opera Tea Series performances to their subscription for only $15 each! Or add an evening of delicious cuisine and dancing at the Opera Ball featuring the Dal Richards Orchestra. Opera Tea in the Garden

Oct 4

Oct 25

Opera Tea on the Stage

Nov 22

Mar 6

Opera Ball

Mar 17

Mar 18

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PRICE

April 3

QUANTITY

TOTALS

Opera Tea

$15

x

______

=

Opera Ball

$150

x

______

=

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ADD UBC THEATRE TICKETS AT SPECIAL RATES October 1 – 17, 2015

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Preferred Date* _______________________

*No performances Sundays – Tuesdays

Naked Cinema**

February 1 & 2, 2016

Preferred Date _____________

Eurydice

January 21 – February 6, 2016

Preferred Date* _______________________

*No performances Sundays – Tuesdays

March 17 – April 2, 2016

The Arabian Nights

Preferred Date* _______________________

*No performances Sundays – Tuesdays PRICE

QUANTITY

TOTALS

Adult

$18

x

______

=

Senior (65+)

$14

x

______

=

Student

$8

x

______

=

**Naked Cinema

$9

x

______

=

STEP 4: CONTACT AND PAYMENT INFORMATION Name____________________________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________________________ City_______________________________ Prov _________ Postal Code ________________ Phone_____________________________ Email _________________________________ Yes! I would like to add a tax-deductible donation to the UBC Opera Ensemble GRAND TOTAL Method of payment:

VISA

MasterCard

Cheque

Name as it appears on Credit Card_________________________________________________ Credit Card Number__________________________________________________________ 3-digit CVC code ____________ Expiry Date (mm/yy) ____________ Prices include all applicable taxes and fees. Prices subject to change. All purchases are non-refundable and nontransferable. All purchased are subject to our ticket policy and privacy policy. For credit card transactions, a separate total for UBC Theatre tickets will appear on your statement. All totals will display as “University of British Columbia”.

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BRING YOUR GROUP Bring your group for a memorable and affordable opera experience. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Discounted school group rates are also available. Please contact UBC Opera at 604.822.6725 for more information.

PARKING AT UBC For performances in the Old Auditorium, 24-hour secure parking is available at the Fraser River Parkade, a short 2-minute walk from the theatre. The Armories Parking Lot adjacent to UBC Music Building is open to the public after 5 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends. Event parking is available at these lots for 50% off the posted rate. For performances in the Chan Centre, event parking is adjacent to the venue at the Rose Garden Parkade, posted rates apply.

CONNECT WITH UBC OPERA CALL 604.822.6725 (box office) 604.827.4937 (administration) FAX

604.822.4884

MAIL

UBC School of Music Attn: UBC Opera 6361 Memorial Road Vancouver BC, V6T 1Z2

WEB www.ubcopera.com www.facebook.com/ubcopera www.operatonic.com (blog) EMAIL [email protected]

PHOTO: TIM MATHESON

UBC School of Music 6361 Memorial Road, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z2 www.ubcopera.com 604.822.6725 DESIGN: MILES LINKLATER, WWW.24PT-HELVETICA.COM