Vancouver Opera Presents Amahl and the Night Visitors | House Programme | 2020–2021 Digital Season

Gian Carlo Menotti

Amahl and the Night Visitors Digital Premiere

Dec. 12, 2020 | 7:30pm

2020–2021 DIGITAL SEASON

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Gian Carlo Menotti

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISTORS Tom Wright, General Director Jonathan Darlington, Music Director Emeritus

VO Administration and Ticket Centre The Michael and Inna O’Brian Centre for Vancouver Opera 1945 McLean Drive Vancouver, BC, V5N 3J7 Administration T: 604 682 2871 F: 604 682 3981 VO Ticket Centre Sponsored by Mission Hill Family Estate T: 604 683 0222 tickets@vancouveropera.ca www.vancouveropera.ca

CONTENTS 8 Cast & Creative Team 9

Production Team

10 Synopsis 13

Notes from the Music Director

15

Notes from the Director

28

Opera Allsorts

30

Behind the Scenes

33

Patron Information

34

VO Board & Staff

16 Biographies

Vancouver Opera acknowledges that we work and perform on the unceded and traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

Publication Manager Vincent Wong Design & Layout Annie Mack

Vancouver Opera is a professional company. It operates under the jurisdiction of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association, Vancouver Musicians’ Association, and IATSE, and is a member of OPERA America and The Association for Opera in Canada

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Cover Artwork by Emily Cooper.

2020–2021 DIGITAL SEASON

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WELCOME |

GENERAL DIRECTOR

Welcome to our second digital presentation of the season, Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors. This wonderful work was commissioned by NBC-TV and originally broadcast on Christmas Eve in 1951. Menotti took inspiration for this opera while visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art and seeing the Hieronymus Bosch masterpiece, The Adoration of the Magi.

The cast consists of Amahl, a brightly imaginative but sorely misunderstood crippled shepherd boy, his poverty-stricken and beset mother, the shepherd community, and three Magi following a star seeking a king. Menotti’s libretto captures the curiosity and high spirits of childhood, which he then contrasts uncomfortably against the painful realities of parenthood. We are thrilled that Maestro Leslie Dala leads the musical forces of this opera alongside his son Andreas Dala who sings Amahl.

Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program alumna stage director Sarah Jane Pelzer returns to direct this heartwarming classic.

All the staff, artists, and production team have worked hard under stricter rules and procedures due to the rise of COVID-19 cases. Our original plan was to use members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra for this presentation, but we pivoted to the two-piano reduction in order to adhere to COVID safety protocols at the Chan Centre.

We hope that this presentation will be something special for you and your family to enjoy together over the holidays.

Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy and healthy Holiday Season.

Tom Wright General Director, Vancouver Opera

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Proud to support the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program

We are working together with Vancouver Opera. It’s just one way we are helping to open doors for a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow.

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Thank you to Vancouver Recital Society for generously providing the Hamburg Steinway piano used in this production.

WELCOME |

BOARD CHAIR

Welcome back to Vancouver Opera’s digital season. We kicked off the season with an outstanding production of Poulenc’s La Voix humaine. The feedback and reviews reflect a strong consensus on the quality of the production. Vancouver mezzo-soprano Mireille Lebel gave such a powerful performance; congratulations to her and the whole team for a terrific production.

As I write this, the province is under a more stringent public health order and we do not know how this may impact us in the coming months. Vancouver Opera has a Covid Task Force including volunteers and staff. Along with production facilities and labor unions, we are working together in compliance with regulations and recommendations to ensure the safety of staff and artists.

These are difficult times, and I am often asked how Vancouver Opera is doing. The short answer is good. With the theatres closed, significant ticket revenue has gone, but generous individual donations, digital subscribers, and government support have given us the opportunity to mount an innovative digital season. We are in a good position to present mainstage productions in the 2021–2022 season if the theatres reopen.

On behalf of Vancouver Opera and the Board, I want to acknowledge again the unstinting support of our donors and patrons, as well as all levels of government in keeping the arts alive through the pandemic. This production of Amahl and the Night Visitors is a story of light and hope, exactly what we need as we head into 2021. Enjoy the show!

Richard Rees Chair, Vancouver Opera Board of Directors

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AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS Opera in One Act | Words and Music by Gian Carlo Menotti

Music Director / Pianist

Leslie Dala

Director

Sarah Jane Pelzer

CAST Amahl Andreas Dala

Melchior

Jason Cook

Mother Stephanie Tritchew

Balthazar

Michael Mackinnon

Kaspar Sergio Augusto

Page/Chorus Henry Chen

Chorus

Karen Ydenberg, Heather Molloy, Tristan Chalcraft, Angus Bell

Répétiteur / Pianist Tina Chang Set and Costume Designer Patrick Rizzotti

Lighting Designer Jeremy Baxter English Subtitles Sarah Jane Pelzer

Stage Manager Marijka Asbeek Brusse Assistant Stage Manager Michelle Harrison

Associate Costume Designer Alaia Hamer

Premiere by NBC Television Opera Theatre in New York City, 24 December 1951 Vancouver Opera premiere December 12, 2020 at 7:30pm.

The performance will last approximately 45 minutes. In English with English subtitles.

DIGITAL SEASON SPONSOR

DIGITAL SEASON PRODUCTION PATRONS

Ms. Martha Lou Henley, C.M. Alan & Gwendoline Pyatt Foundation Yoshiko Karasawa

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS PRODUCTION PATRON

Ms. Martha Lou Henley, C.M.

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS PREMIERE PATRON

Ms. Martha Lou Henley, C.M.

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AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS PRODUCTION AND RECORDING TEAM Technical Director Autumn Coppaway

IATSE Head of Properties Brian Heath

Assistant Video Editor Aaron Graham

Assistant Technical Director Andrea Rideout

IATSE Assistant Properties Mark Ransom

Head Lighting Andrew Riter

Head of Costumes Parvin Mirhady

IATSE Carpentry Crew Lily Yuen Gavin Bakewell Vince Folgizan David Raun Tim Cardinal Don Thorsness

Head Audio Lloyd Balser

Scenic Construction Arts Club Theatre Company

Assistant Head Stage Jason Conroy Don Robinson

Producing Partner Bob Baker Audio Producer George Laverock

Stage Technicians Samuel Paige Gabriel Oakes William Grossman Michael Kerns

Audio Engineer James Perrella

COVID Safety Officer Leah Giselle Field

Sewer Ping Liu Special Effects/ Breakdown Artist Lily Yuen Head Scenic Artist Omanie Elias Continuity Team Lead Caitlin Fysh Head of Properties Michael Kerns Properties Head Builder / Buyer Stephan Elgar Properties Builder / Buyer Carol MacDonald IATSE Production Head Carpenter Scott Ellis IATSE Production Head Electrician Dave Marx IATSE Head of Video Dave Wilson

Collide Entertainment Camera Operators Mike Southworth Adam PW Smith Aaron Nathanson Dave Wilson Jib Operators Byron Kopman Kelvin Wong

Assistant Head Audio James Perrella Brad Danyluk Eric St Laurent

THANK YOUS Canadian Actors’ Equity Vancouver Musicians Association Union of British Columbia Performers UBCP/ACTRA Vancouver Recital Society IATSE Local 118

Producer, Collide Entertainment Joanna Dundas

CUPE 2950

Video Editor Mike Southworth

Still Creek Press Ltd.

Arts Club Theatre Company Bespoke AV

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SYNOPSIS

Amahl, a boy who walks with a crutch, has a lively imagination. He is sitting outside watching the sky when his mother calls for him (“Amahl! Amahl!”). After much persuasion, he enters the house but his mother does not believe him when he tells her about the amazing star “as big as a window” over their roof (“O Mother You Should Go Out and See”; “Stop Bothering Me!”).

Later that night, Amahl’s mother despairs over her son’s future, knowing that they may have to become beggars (“Don’t Cry Mother Dear”). After bedtime (“From Far Away We Come”), there is a knock at the door and the mother tells Amahl to go see who it is (“Amahl … Yes Mother!”). He is amazed when he sees three wild and strange-looking men (the Magi). At first the mother does not believe Amahl, but when she goes to the door to see for herself, she is stunned. The Magi tell the mother and Amahl they are on a long journey to give gifts to a wondrous Child and they ask to rest at their house, to which the mother agrees (“Good Evening!”; “Come In!”), saying that all she can offer is “a cold fireplace and a bed of straw”. The mother goes to fetch firewood, and Amahl seizes the opportunity to speak with the Magi.

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Balthazar answers Amahl’s questions about his life and asks Amahl what he does. Amahl responds that he was once a shepherd, but his mother had to sell his sheep. Now, he and his mother will have to go begging. Amahl then talks with Kaspar, who shows Amahl his secret treasures (“Are You A Real King?”; “This is My Box”). The mother returns (“Amahl, I Told You Not To Be A Nuisance!”) and asks Amahl to go fetch the neighbours. Alone with the Magi, she asks them about the gifts they carry, and they tell her of the Holy Child. (“All These Beautiful Things”; “Have You Seen a Child?”) Amahl returns with the neighbours as they bring gifts of food so that the Magi can be fed and entertained properly as guests (“Shepherds! Shepherds!”; “Emily! Emily”; “Olives and Quinces”; “Dance of the Shepherds”).

After the neighbours have left and the Magi are resting, the mother agonizes, imagining how even a little bit of the Magi’s gold could offer a better life for her son (“All That Gold”). Almost against her will, she sneaks over to steal some. She is thwarted by the Magi’s page (“Thief! Thief!”). When Amahl wakes to find the page threatening his mother, he attacks him (“Don’t You Dare!”). Seeing Amahl’s defense of his mother and understanding the motives for the attempted theft, Melchior says she may keep the gold as the Holy Child will not need earthly power or wealth to build his kingdom (“Oh, Woman, You Can Keep That Gold”). The mother says she has waited all her life for such a king and asks the Magi to take back the gold. She wishes to send a gift but has nothing to send. Amahl, too, has nothing to give the Child except his crutch (“Oh, No, Wait”). Emboldened by his recent outburst he offers his crutch to the Magi and walks without it (“I Walk, Mother”). His mother, realizing that her son is stronger than she thought, lets him go with the Magi to offer his gift himself.

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Prop up the artists At this very challenging time, we appreciate your support in propping up the artists and helping us return to the stage. Every dollar helps, and goes a long way. It’s not over, and we will return.

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NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR

LESLIE DALA, Music Director Although Gian Carlo Menotti’s opera Amahl and the Night Visitors was not the first piece written specifically for families and children, it was certainly the most recognized and beloved for decades.

Repeatedly dismissed by critics for being “naive, sentimental, melodramatic”, Menotti is a much underappreciated composer who stayed true to his own inner artistic voice as the librettist and composer of 27 opera and stage works despite all the negative criticism. His music is perfectly suited to the singing voice in an approachable tonal language which was certainly not an acceptable style of composition in the increasingly conservative world of the 1950’s (musical, social, political).

And yet, here is this charming story inspired by a magnificent Bosch painting and Menotti’s own magical childhood memories of Christmas far removed from the commercialism that it has so sadly become burdened with today. The message of hope and charity and love are central to our human experience and Menotti captures these so perfectly throughout the work. From the very outset with the hauntingly beautiful introduction we are transported to another world. The music is rich and varied from the joyful shepherd’s tune that Amahl plays on his pipes, the mysterious and majestic aura of the entrance of the Magi, the exuberance and zest of the shepherd’s chorus, the anguished thoughts and fears of Amahl’s mother are so immediately tangible through Menotti’s carefully crafted work.

For me personally, the greatest gift of this piece has been the opportunity to share the experience with my son, Andreas, in the title role. Music captures and portrays the strongest emotional connections and my sincere hope is that the experience of this piece can connect us all with our inner child to reclaim the wondrous, magical world as seen through the eyes of Amahl.

Maestro Leslie Dala is Associate Conductor, Chorus Director, and Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program Director at Vancouver Opera as well as Music Director of the Vancouver Bach Choir.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SCORE OF AMAHL Listen to some of the musical highlights from this opera in this video with Leslie Dala, Music Director

WATCH NOW

and Pianist of Amahl and the Night Visitors.

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#my opening night SHARE YOUR OPENING NIGHT! We’d love to see how you’re enjoying Amahl and The Night Visitors from the comfort of your home.

Post an image of yourselves enjoying opening night on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and tag us using our handle @Vancouveropera and hashtag #MyOpeningNight. We’ll select our favourite post to win a dinner for two at Nuba*!

*$50 cash value. Photo must be posted by noon on December 13.

NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR

SARAH JANE PELZER, Director In 1951, Amahl and the Night Visitors became the first opera written expressly for television, but of course, this piece has had a long life as a holiday classic off-screen. In fact, Menotti wrote Amahl with the theatre in mind, despite its being first performed on camera. In his own words: “On television you're lucky if they ever repeat anything. Writing an opera is a big effort and to give it away for one performance is stupid.”

Still, the legacy of TV is strong in the opera. Television opera required small casts, expressive acting and a clearly articulated story. It’s this, as much as the music, that makes Amahl such a touching piece.

Now, the interesting challenge is gathering a group of stage professionals and tasking them with producing for the camera (in a pandemic no less). I’m very proud of how we’ve tackled these curveballs and allowed them to shape how we’ve told the story. A strong group of artists will not only thrive in adversity, but turn it to their advantage, and I’m grateful for the resilience shown by every member of the artistic team and producing staff.

The story we’re telling is one of adversity. We’re meeting a mother at the lowest point in her life and watching as the stress of poverty causes her to cling tightly to what she can control. It’s also the story of a boy who doesn’t let his reality hold him back from dreaming big, and whose seemingly frivolous optimism eventually helps them find a way through their despair (with the help of some surprise visitors).

Whether that story helps you find some light through this season, or the pleasure of seeing art is what’s lighting your way through, I know that creating it for you has been a powerful experience, and I’m glad you’re here.

Sarah Jane Pelzer is a Canadian stage director and co-artistic director of Lucky Penny Opera.

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DIRECTOR Meet Stage Director Sarah Jane Pelzer as she speaks about the universal themes within the story

WATCH NOW

and the influences, inspiration, and people that make this production special.

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BIOGRAPHIES

LESLIE DALA | MUSIC DIRECTOR Maestro Dala began his career with Vancouver Opera as a pianist and répétiteur, but now enjoys a multifaceted career spanning the genres of opera, symphonic music, choral and contemporary works.

Leslie's national profile has grown steadily with guest conducting appearances at Pacific Opera Victoria, Edmonton Opera, Saskatoon Opera, Tapastry Opera, Toronto Symphony Orchestra (backing the Indigo Girls), the VSO (backing Sarah McLachlan), Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, Kamloops Symphony, Thirteen Strings of Ottawa, the COSI Festival in Sulmona, Italy, the Goh Ballet, UBC Opera, University of Toronto Opera Department and the Glenn Gould School Opera Program.

On the international stage, Leslie has toured Beijing, China and Taipei, Taiwan, as guest conductor with Toronto’s Soundstreams, and has conducted William Bolcom's Dinner at Eight at the Wexford Opera Festival in Ireland. Leslie has also been a member of the music staff with Santa Fe Opera, L'Opera National du Rhin (France). He has conducted in Italy and the Czech Republic and last year made his debut at Carnegie Hall.

SARAH JANE PELZER | DIRECTOR Sarah Jane Pelzer is a Vancouver–based stage director and teacher.

She has directed, assisted and taught across the country at Vancouver, Edmonton and Manitoba Opera, Opera on the Avalon, Pacific Opera Victoria, and the Victoria Conservatory.

Recent career highlights include Jonathan Dove's Siren Song for the Glenn Gould School, and an original adaptation of The Fairy Queen for the VCM's Opera Studio. She has also recently founded Lucky Penny Opera, an indie company focused on experimental work.

Prior to her transition to directing and teaching, Sarah was a performer and theatre-maker most known for creating the role of Jane Doe in the international award-winning musical Ride the Cyclone and as artistic associate and co-founder of SNAFU Dance Theatre.

VO audiences have been enjoying Sarah’s work as Surtitlist for the past few seasons, and she is an alumna of the Vancouver Opera Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program.

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ANDREAS DALA | AMAHL 14 year old Andreas Dala has actively been involved in the Vancouver music scene for several years. Andreas started piano at the age of 6 and has been a member of Vancouver Bach Choir from the age of 5. He has been involved in numerous operatic productions including Lillian Alling at the Banff Centre, and his Vancouver Opera résumé includes Evita, Turandot, The Elixir of Love, Dead Man Walking and Eugene Onegin.

He had the honour of singing a duet with acclaimed soprano Simone Osborne at the Wall Centre Gala for the Vancouver Bach Choir and had the solo boy soprano part in Elijah at the Orpheum Theatre with the Vancouver Symphony.

Andreas was also a scholarship winner at the Barbara Clague Competition. In June 2016, Andreas was a member of the Children’s chorus of Midsummer Night’s Dream at UBC, sharing the role of Moth with his brother, Christopher. He also participated in VO's summer opera camp in 2016 and 2017. Last year, Andreas appeared as the soloist in The Snowman with the VSO. Andreas first sang the title role of Amahl in Amahl and the Night Visitors with Opera Kelowna in 2019.

STEPHANIE TRITCHEW | MOTHER Canadian mezzo soprano Stephanie Tritchew is a steadily rising young singer, at home in the realms of both contemporary and standard repertoire. A native of St. Catharines, she has been a member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program at Vancouver Opera, a Gerdine Young Artist for two seasons with the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and an Emerging Artist at Calgary Opera.

The 2019–2020 season saw Stephanie perform a role debut as Mother in Opera Kelowna’s production of Amahl and the Night Visitors, her Vancouver Bach Choir debut as the alto soloist in Messiah and most recently, a role debut as Cherubino in Edmonton Opera’s production of Le nozze di Figaro.

This season, Stephanie was going to make her Niagara Symphony Orchestra debut, her Kamloops Symphony debut and her Regina Symphony Orchestra debut as the Alto Soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and return to Edmonton Opera as Dorabella in Cosí fan tutte (all cancelled due to COVID-19). She is grateful to be making her Vancouver Opera debut as Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors for VO’s Digital Season.

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A co-production with Vancouver Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria

BIOGRAPHIES

SERGIO AUGUSTO | KASPAR Mexican-Canadian tenor Sergio Augusto has a burning passion for operatic music and its proven power to move the human heart.

His latest singing ventures took him to the U.K. where he performed leading roles such as Orombello in Bellini’s tragic and rarely performed Beatrice di Tenda with the London Bel Canto Festival.

Alfredo in Verdi’s La Traviata with Hampstead Garden Opera, and Robert, Earl of Leicester in Donizetti’s tragic opera Maria Stuarda in Pavilion Opera’s closing season.

His most recent performances in Canada include: Nemorino in Burnaby Lyric Opera’s latest production of Donizetti’s master comedy L’elisir d’amore, and as Giuseppe in his Vancouver Opera debut in Verdi's La Traviata.

He has studied with Canadian soprano Heidi Klassen and operatic legend Virginia Zeani. Currently he studies with bel canto tenor and scholar Dr. Kenneth Querns-Langley and soprano Francesca Mondanaro.

JASON COOK | MELCHIOR Vancouver–born baritone and UBC School of Music graduate, Jason Cook, makes his Vancouver Opera solo debut with the role of Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors.

Jason has had the privilege of performing across Canada, Europe, China and Australia representing Canadian opera singers in a variety of styles and languages. Last summer, following his appearance in the world première of East Van Opera’s Beauty’s Beast, Schmopera wrote, “vocally, [he] is a force of nature… and is positively breathtaking.”

Other recent credits include Marco in Gianni Schicchi (Pacific Opera Victoria); Marcello in La bohème (Opera Nanaimo); Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro (Vancouver Island Opera); Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf in Into the Woods (Fighting Chance Productions); Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia and Escamillo in Carmen (Burnaby Lyric Opera). Opera Canada claimed his portrayal of the famed Toreador was “brilliantly sung and pricelessly acted”.

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BIOGRAPHIES

MICHAEL MACKINNON | BALTHAZAR Michael first sang in the Vancouver Opera chorus in 2008, and joined the VOIS tour for Jack Pine in 2009. He has since performed with local companies such as City Opera, Burnaby Lyric, Opera Nanaimo and Vancouver Island Opera.

He made his European debut in 2013 for the Young Opera Company (Freiburg) and later performed for companies including Landestheater Detmold, Ticino Music Festival (Lugano), The Opera Factory (Freiburg), Operafabriken (Malmö), Opera Bohemia (Glasgow), and the Edinburgh International Festival. His roles have included Dulcamara in L’elisir d’amore, Bartolo in The Barber of Seville, Leporello and Il Commendatore in Don Giovanni, Colline in La bohème, Méphistophélès in Faust, Don Alfonso in Cosi fan tutte, Don Inigo in L'heure espagnole, Alvise in La Gioconda, Nourabad in The Pearl Fishers and many more. Michael feels very fortunate to be singing for VO this season in Amahl and the Night Visitors.

HENRY CHEN | PAGE/CHORUS Henry is a lyric baritone who has been part of Vancouver’s flourishing opera scene for over a decade. After completing his studies at the Vancouver Academy of Music under the direction of David Meek, he keeps himself engaged with various productions in opera companies large and small, performing minor and major roles. He’s at his best when singing and acting on stage, performing operas and operettas. He also has an undeniable passion for art song, especially German Lieder.

Henry started his journey with Vancouver Opera during the revival of Naomi’s Road, a VOIS opera by Ramona Luengen based on Joy Kogawa’s novel of the same name. Since then he’s become a regular member of the men’s chorus.

In 2016, he shared the great fortune of joining the artists of The Kettle Society with a few of his VO colleagues in Requiem for a Lost Girl.

His latest engagements saw him performing alongside the rest of the Vancouver Opera ensemble as a chorister in the 2019–2020 season in La Traviata and The Barber of Seville.

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JEREMY BAXTER | LIGHTING DESIGNER Jeremy has worked in Vancouver’s arts community for the past 25 years—mostly as a technical director and lighting designer. He is currently the Technical Director for: Théâtre La Seizième, PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, Vancouver International Children’s Festival, Vancouver Folk Music Festival, and Vancouver International Dance Festival.

He has designed lights for numerous theatre and dance productions (most recently with Théâtre La Seizième, EDAM Dance and Circadia Indigena) and has been the Lighting Designer for the UBC Opera Ensemble for 25 seasons (more than 70 opera productions at the Chan Centre Concert Hall, the Old Auditorium and other venues around BC). Jeremy is also a cofounder and artistic staff member of Some Assembly Arts Society which focuses on producing original theatre productions written and performed by youth.

ANGUS BELL | CHORUS Angus Bell is a versatile singer in both opera and oratorio who has performed throughout Canada and the United States. Born in Australia, Angus spent his formative years in Vancouver. His musical studies took him to Houston, Texas and Montreal, Quebec where he earned music degrees from Rice University and McGill respectively. He is a regular chorus member at Vancouver Opera and soloist, most recently as Doctor Grenvil in La Traviata. Aside from Vancouver Opera Angus has appeared with Pacific Opera Victoria, Vancouver Island Opera, Burnaby Lyric Opera, and at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina. His repertoire has ranged from Rossini’s Doctor Bartolo in Il barbiere de Siviglia to Wagner’s Alberich in Das Rheingold. As a concert performer Angus has performed many of the great oratorios including Handel's Messiah, the requiems of Brahms, Verdi, Mozart, Fauré, and Duruflé, as well as Haydn’s Creation, and Bach’s Weinachts-Oratorium.

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VANCOUVER OPERA OFFSTAGE CELEBRATING 21 EPISODES! Join host Les Dala for this audio podcast series as he chats with opera experts, artists, and others to explore the world of opera on and off the stage.

Check out our Wednesday, December 2 episode. Les Dala, Music Director of Amahl and the Night Visitors, takes you behind the scenes of creating our holiday opera. Les will be speaking with Director Sarah Jane Pelzer and select members of the cast.

Subscribe to #VOffstage on your favourite podcast apps!

Les Dala. Photo by Michael O'Shea.

OFFSTAGE

BIOGRAPHIES

MARIJKA ASBEEK BRUSSE | STAGE MANAGER Marijka is a Vancouver–based performing arts stage manager.

Select stage management credits include: The Flight of the Hummingbird (Vancouver Opera / Pacific Opera Victoria), La Traviata (Vancouver Opera), Silent Light (Opera in the 21st Century at the Banff Centre for Performing Arts), Mom’s the Word 3: Nest 1/2 Empty (Belfry Theatre), Hir (Pi Theatre), C’Mon, Angie!

(Touchstone Theatre), and Mixed Huts (Arts Umbrella Dance Company). As an ASM at Vancouver Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria, she has worked on productions such as La boheme, The Overcoat (co-produced with Canadian Stage and Tapestry Opera), Fidelio, Turandot, Dead Man Walking, Hansel & Gretel, and Evita, among others. Marijka is a graduate of UBC Theatre’s Production & Design program, where she also taught stage management for seven seasons.

TRISTAN CHALCRAFT | CHORUS Tristan began his post-secondary music education at Capilano University where he obtained diplomas in piano, voice and conducting. He later graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice from the University of Victoria, where he studied under the instruction of Benjamin Butterfield. During this time he was the recipient of the Bea Scott Voice Scholarship in 2014. Aside from his vocal studies, Tristan is an accomplished pianist and organist having performed internationally in various regions of Italy. He has sung with several highly acclaimed vocal ensembles such as Laudate Singers, Vox Humana, Vancouver Opera Chorus, and Vancouver Chamber Choir. Furthermore, Tristan has been actively teaching and performing for many years, having appeared as a tenor soloist with the University of Victoria orchestra, University of Victoria Chamber Singers, Vancouver Chamber Choir and Vancouver Bach Choir.

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BIOGRAPHIES

TINA CHANG | RÉPÉTITEUR / PIANIST Pianist and coach, Tina Chang, is currently on the music staff at Vancouver Opera, and most recently at Wexford Festival Opera in Ireland. Based in Vancouver, she has been involved with various musical organizations in town, including Chor Leoni, re:Naissance Opera, Health Arts Society, and Queer Arts Festival. She is currently on faculty at the Vancouver Academy of Music, and is also on the coaching staff at the University of British Columbia.

Past engagements include: faculty coach and pianist at Hawaii Performing Arts Festival; coach at UBC Summer Vocal Workshop; staff pianist and coach at soundSCAPE New Music Festival in Cesena, Italy; music director with Fear No Opera in Victoria; coach and répétiteur at Mill City Summer Opera in Minneapolis; pianist and coach with the Atelier lyrique at the Opéra de Montréal; assistant coach at Glimmerglass Opera Festival; staff coach and sessional lecturer at Dalhousie University; pianist and coach at SongFest; and fellowships at Aspen Opera Theatre Center, Music Academy of the West, and the Vancouver International Song Institute (VISI). She has toured with Vancouver Opera In Schools (VOIS), and various members of the musical community to bring classical music to communities throughout British Columbia.

Tina holds a Bachelor of Music degree from University of British Columbia and a Master of Music degree from University of Minnesota.

ALAIA HAMER | ASSOCIATE COSTUME DESIGNER Alaia Hamer is an emerging theatre designer and artist located in Vancouver, BC. Recent projects include costume design on The Birds and the Bees, assistant costume design for Sweat,The Humans (Artsclub Theatre Company); set design for The Drawer Boy (ETC); assistant costume for Three Winters (Amiel Gladstone); costume for C'mon Angie (Touchstone), assistant costume for Coriolanus, Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth (Bard on the Beach); set design for She Kills Monsters (UBC); along with wardrobe work and design for a variety of smaller shows and companies. Alaia is a graduate of the UBC Theatre Design program in 2017 and holds an English literature degree from 2012.

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MICHELLE HARRISON | ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Michelle is delighted to be back at Vancouver Opera for Amahl and the Night Visitors. A Vancouver–based stage manager, select credits include The Barber of Seville, La Traviata, La Cenerentola, La Bohème, Eugene Onegin (Vancouver Opera), It’s a Wonderful Life (Patrick Street Productions), The Barber of Seville (Burnaby Lyric Opera), A Christmas Carol (Gateway Theatre), Peter and the Starcatcher, Mary Poppins, Red Rock Diner, It’s Snowing on Saltspring (Arts Club), Uncle Vanya (Blackbird), Mies Julie (Baxter Theatre Centre). Many thanks and best wishes to everyone!

PARVIN MIRHADY | HEAD OF COSTUMES Parvin has been Head of Costumes with Vancouver Opera since 2002. In addition to her work as Head of Costumes she has been the Costume Designer and Costume Design Consultant on several of Vancouver Opera’s productions including Costume Design for the critically acclaimed Nixon in China, The Barber of Seville and Dark Sisters. Parvin has worked with UBC Opera Ensemble as Costume Designer on many productions including Pasazerka (The Passenger) and Silent Night. In addition to her work in opera and theatre Parvin has worked extensively in the film industry. She is a successful businessperson having made and designed her own line of clothing.

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BIOGRAPHIES

HEATHER MOLLOY | CHORUS Heather has been singing with Vancouver Opera since 2013 and received her Master’s Degree in Opera Performance from the University of British Columbia. She is an advocate for new music and has been involved in debuts of several new Canadian works, including the Vancouver premiere of Bramwell Tovey’s opera, The Inventor, the world premieres of Missing by Brian Current and Marie Clement, and Stickboy by Shane Koyczan and Neil Weisensel.

Recently she collaborated on a new project, Jesse – an ASL Opera, which aims to integrate Opera, ASL and Deaf theatre practices.

PATRICK RIZZOTTI | SET AND COSTUME DESIGNER Patrick Rizzotti designs for live performance, film & television, and mixed reality. Design credits include the world premieres of: The Assignment (A.R.T./NY), Snow Orchid and Money Grubbin’ Whores (Theatre Row, NYC), Jasper in Deadland (Prospect Theater), On The Other Side Of the River (new translation, HERE), Party In The USA, Victor Frange Presents Gas (Incubator Arts) and the Canadian premiere of Hir (Pi Theatre). Additional designs include productions throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe for companies including: Pittsburgh Opera, Vancouver Opera, Pi Theatre, Premiere Stages, Florida Rep, and numerous Off Broadway productions in NYC. TV credits include Art Direction for America’s Got Talent, The Dr. Oz Show, and The Today Show.

Patrick has received a Jessie nomination, the USITT Scenic Design Award, is a winner of the OPERA America Director-Designer Showcase, and a Lincoln Center Director’s Lab Alumni. M.F.A Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. Memberships: ADC, USA 829, and Vancouver Design Forum.

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KAREN YDENBERG | CHORUS Soprano Karen Ydenberg has performed many roles with Vancouver Opera, including Kitty Hart in Dead Man Walking, The Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, Almera in Dark Sisters, Frasquita in Carmen and First Lady in The Magic Flute. Karen has also performed with Edmonton Opera, the Canadian Opera Company and the Playhouse Theatre Company. She is a regular member of the VO chorus. Karen is also a trained editor and dramaturg.

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Opera Allsorts

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS

A mix of tidbits and tales about Menotti's holiday classic

INSPIRED BY THE GIFT OF ART In 1951, Peter Herman Adler, NBC’s director of new opera programming commissioned composer and librettist Gian Carlo Menotti to write the first opera for television. Struggling to find a subject for the new opera, Menotti was inspired by the distant blue hills of Hieronymus Bosch’s painting The Adoration of the Magi while visiting New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Amahl and the Night Visitors was the result. Menotti considered this inspiration to be his gift from the three Magi in the painting.

The original broadcast of the opera is available on YouTube.

WATCH NOW HIERONYMUS BOSCH’S THE ADORATION OF THE MAGI

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WON’T YOU BE MY OPERA? The floor manager on the original 1951 NBC broadcast of Amahl and the Night Visitors was a 23-year-old recent college graduate by the name of Fred Rogers. Mister Rogers, as he would come to be known, would go on to stage several short operas during the run of his prolific children’s television show.

FRED ROGERS ON THE SET OF 'MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD.'

THE PROHIBITED PRODUCTION Since its debut in 1951, Amahl and the Night Visitors was restaged with much of the same cast and crew and broadcast live each Christmas season for over a decade. In 1963, NBC recorded one final production of the opera, for the first time on videotape. It featured an all-new cast, but composer and librettist Gian Carlo Menotti wasn’t available to attend the taping. NBC went ahead without him, enraging Menotti, who refused to allow it to be rebroadcast after 1965. A record of the cast from this production was released—also a first to be recorded in stereo—and this production can now be watched on YouTube.

WATCH NOW STILL FROM NBC'S 1963 PRODUCTION OF AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS

A CELEBRATED COMPOSER Not only did Menotti compose the very first opera for television, he also won two Pulitzer Prizes in five years: first, for his opera The Consul in 1950, and subsequently for The Saint of Bleecker Street in 1954. He wrote his very first opera The Death of Pierrot by the age of 11 and kept his Italian citizenship even though he emigrated to the United States during the 1920s and produced a significant body of work there.

GIAN CARLO MENOTTI, 1956.

PHOTO BY YOUSUF KARSH.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

A Green Approach to Bringing the World of Amahl to Life VO's production team is conscious of our energy

For example, Jeremy Baxter’s lighting design

and materials waste and inefficiencies, common

encompassed low wattage stage electrics and

within the industry. To address and improve

LED washes. Patrick Rizzotti’s set and costume

this, we have put into practice initial education

design allowed us to curate on principles of low

and policy applications for Climate Smart

impact through repurposing, fabric reclamation,

Certification. This award-winning program will

and timber recovery. We utilized mostly stock

help us build an implementation plan to reduce

materials, costumes and properties which we

our carbon footprint.

then textured, distressed and recoloured. A collection of old barn boards and recovered

Over the summer, Vancouver Opera’s costume

skinply created the upstage brambled nest wall.

department was manufacturing cloth masks in

We extend a huge thank you to the Arts Club's

a community initiative to help those on the front

Scenic Shop who assisted us in this process.

lines of the pandemic. Through this process, we assisted several international physicians and

We are mindful of the impact that the creative

laboratories in testing a new biodegradable

process has on the world around us. It is

fabric for Personal Protective Equipment. To

especially important to ensure our legacy has a

minimize the environmental impact of disposable

positive impact that lays groundwork for future

equipment, we also sourced biodegradable

artistic endeavours and our planet. Vancouver

wipes and gloves for all departments.

Opera is committed to meeting these new challenges, adapting with the creativity, ingenuity

Green initiatives on the set involve everyone

and the resourcefulness of the creative heart.

from the outset, from director to stage crew.

For Amahl, we worked collaboratively on

Autumn Coppaway is Technical Director at Vancouver Opera.

sustainable solutions that achieve the artistic vision within the budget for the production.

FACING PAGE PHOTOS (clockwise from top left): 1. Leslie Dala and Tina Chang on The Chan Centre stage

2. Stage Manager Marijka Asbeek Brusse busy at work

3. Cast members peeking out of their dressing rooms

4. Sarah Jane Pelzer, Jason Cook (Melchior), Andreas Dala (Amahl)

5. Sarah Jane Pelzer and Marijka Asbeek Brusse

6. Sergio Augusto (Kaspar) backstage

7. Michael MacKinnon (Balthazar) dancing onstage

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Since 2004, the

David Spencer Endowment Encouragement Fund has been investing in emerging artists at Vancouver Opera. This assistance has permitted many artists a boost as they become professional performers and complements our other young artist development programming.

In this producction of Amahl and the Night Visitors, we recognize Andreas Dala, Stephanie Tritchew, Karen Ydenberg and Tina Chang as the David Spencer Artists.

We thank the Fund trustees and express our sincere gratitude for their role in helping VO become a focal point for young artist training in Canada.

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PATRON INFORMATION

PRE-SHOW TALKS Learn more about the Vancouver Opera production you’re about to see with our Pre-Show Talk videos! Topics range from the composer’s life and repertoire, to historical context about the work, to more details about the artists involved with the production.

WATCH THE PRE-SHOW TALK

TICKET SERVICES Our in-person ticket centre is temporarily closed.

Digital Season subscriptions can be purchased online only at digital.vancouveropera.ca To use your credit on account or value on a gift certificate, please call the VO Ticket Centre at 604 683 0222, Monday–Wednesday, 9am–12pm. Closed December 24–January 3.

YOUR SUBSCRIPTION The 2020–2021 Digital Season subscription includes unlimited on-demand access to all four performances for you and your household to enjoy. Each opera will be available on-demand from its designated Digital Premiere date until the end of the season, June 2021.

HOW TO WATCH The performance videos will be available only with a digital subscription at digital.vancouveropera.ca. To access these videos, log in to the Digital Season website with your email and password. Content cannot be downloaded.

DEVICE COMPATIBILITY You will be able to access our Digital Season website from any iOS or Android smartphone, tablet, desktop or laptop computer through an internet browser.

To view a performance on your television, we recommend an AppleTV or Chromecast streaming media device, or a smart TV with a built-in internet browser. Other streaming media devices may also be compatible.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) VISIT OUR FAQ PAGE FOR ANSWERS

E-NEWSLETTER AND SOCIAL MEDIA Sign up for our e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on all of the latest Vancouver Opera news.

SIGN UP FOR ENEWS You can also find us on social media with the handle @VancouverOpera and use our hashtag #VOgoesdigital

QUESTIONS? Contact VO Ticket Centre 604 683 0222 Monday–Wednesday, 9am–12pm tickets@vancouveropera.ca

VIEW OUR "HOW TO WATCH" VIDEO

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ADMINISTRATION DISTINGUISHED HONORARY PATRON Martha Lou Henley, C.M.

VANCOUVER OPERA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020–2021 SEASON Chair: Richard Rees Vice Chair: Meera Bawa Mass Abedi Alexander Bjornson Catherine Dangerfield

Treasurer: Roger Flowerdew Secretary: Susan Van der Flier Judy Halbert Kirk LaPointe Maria Leone

Past Chair: Bill Maclagan

Jennifer Muench Jan Sampson Carol Tsuyuki

Alexi White Andrea Wood Nancy Wu

VANCOUVER OPERA STAFF Tom Wright, General Director Director of Artistic Planning Adrianne Wurz

Jonathan Darlington, Music Director Emeritus

Chief Development Officer

Director of Marketing

Lisa Westermark

Sarah Hitner

Director of Finance and Administration Doug Querns

ARTISTIC PLANNING Artistic Associate: Leslie Dala Artistic Planning Administrator: Theresa Tsang

DEVELOPMENT Director, Donor Development: Carmen Murphy Manager, Strategic Partnerships: Erin Reddekopp

Music Associate Conductor / Chorus Director: Leslie Dala Principal Répétiteur / Assistant Conductor /

Assistant Chorus Director: Kinza Tyrrell Répétiteur: Tina Chang Orchestra Manager: Jim Littleford Music Librarian: Tom Shorthouse Orchestra Stage Manager: Jim Tranquilla

MARKETING Creative Director: Annie Mack Marketing and Sales Manager: Vincent Wong Ticket Centre Associate: Charlene Hibbard Ticket Centre Associate: Kathryn Dobbs Publicist: Cynnamon Schreinert

Production Technical Director: Autumn Coppaway Scenic Team Lead: Andrea Joy Rideout Wardrobe Team Lead: Caitlin Fysh Head of Costumes: Parvin Mirhady

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Chief Financial Officer (On Leave): Catriona Cheng Director of Information Technology: Hali Autio Accountant & Payroll Administrator:

William Murgatroyd Building Manager: Kevin MacLeod Office Services Administrator: Keltie Laidlaw

YULANDA M. FARIS YOUNG ARTISTS PROGRAM Program Head: Leslie Dala Jonelle Sills Amanda Weatherall

Head Coach: Kinza Tyrrell

Coach: Tina Chang

Ian Cleary Luka Kawabata

Amy Seulky Lee Dana Fradkin

VANCOUVER OPERA FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2020–2021 SEASON Chair: Paul McEwen Jill Bodkin Jake Boxer Neil Carnell

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Treasurer and Secretary: Jim MacCallum Catherine Dangerfield Yuri Fulmer Michael Gallagher

Emily MacKinnon Bill Maclagan Jennifer Muench

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Terry Pask Richard Rees Russell Smith

COMING NEXT CHAN CENTRE STAFF Director T. Patrick CarrabrĂŠ Events and Customer Service Manager Carl Armstrong Rentals and Programming Manager Wendy Atkinson Head Audio Technician Lloyd Balser Development Officer, Faculty of Arts Simone Doust Marketing and Communications Manager Kara Gibbs Production Manager David Humphrey Production Clerk Rebecca Isaac Finance Manager Flora Lew Rentals & Programming Assistant Janice Lew Financial and Programming Clerk Glenda Makela Ticket Operations Manager Trevor Mangion Operations Clerk Chloe Martin-Cabanne Administration and Finance Clerk Veronica Maynard

Richard Wargo

The Music Shop A charming comedy

Presenting Manager Caitlin Mckee Associate Marketing and PR Manager Claire Mohun Associate Presenting Manager Kirsty Munro Assistant Head Audio/Stage Technician James Perrella Assistant Head Stage Technician Liz Kraft Assistant Technical Director / Head Lighting Technician Andrew Riter Events and Front of House Coordinator Nadia Roberts Ticket Office Supervisor Lyndsey Roberts

Digital premiere: Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 7:30PM Featuring Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program participants.

Production Patron: Signe Jurcic Premiere Patrons: Mike & Kathy Gallagher

2020–2021 DIGITAL SEASON

REIMAGINED FOR THE SCREEN

vancouveropera.ca

VO’s 2020—2021 digital season artwork is by Vancouver artist and photographer, Emily Cooper.

DIGITAL SEASON SPONSOR

DIGITAL SEASON PRODUCTION PATRONS

Ms. Martha Lou Henley, C.M. Alan & Gwendoline Pyatt Foundation Yoshiko Karasawa

OFFICIAL WINERY

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS PRODUCTION PATRON

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS PREMIERE PATRON

Ms. Martha Lou Henley, C.M.

Ms. Martha Lou Henley, C.M.

TICKET CENTRE SPONSOR

WITH CONTINUING SUPPORT FROM