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

2015-2016

UBCOPER A SEASON

A Nightin Venice

JOHANN STRAUSS II

Feb 4, 5, 6 // 7:30 pm Feb 7 // 2:00 pm

CHAN CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

A Midsummer Night’s DreamBENJAMIN BRITTEN

June 23, 24, 25 // 7:30 pm June 26 // 2:00 pmOLD AUDITORIUM

ManonJULES MASSENET

Nov 5, 6, 7 // 7:30 pm Nov 8 // 2:00 pm

OLD AUDITORIUM

LA TRAVIATASung in Italian with English Surtitles

Opera in Three ActsBy GIUSEPPE VERDI (1813–1901)

Libretto by FRANCESCO MARIA PIAVE (1810–1876)after Alexandre Dumas’s play La dame aux camélias

JUNE 20, 25, 26, 27* AT 7:30PM | JUNE 21, 28* AT 2:00PM

Conductor – David Agler*Conductor – Gordon Gerrard

Director – Nancy HermistonLighting Design – Jeremy Baxter

Set Design – Alessia Carpoca

UBC Opera Ensemble with members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra

There will be a 20-minute intermission after Act 2, Scene 1

This production is made possible by the David Spencer Endowment Encouragement Fund.

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A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Nancy Hermiston, O.C.

Welcome to La Traviata! It has been an absolute joy for the cast, crew, and all of the production team to bring this masterpiece by Giuseppe Verdi to life on the stage of the Old Auditorium. We are excited to be joined by Maestro David Agler and the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. We are equally delighted to welcome the Assistant Conductor of the Vancouver Symphony and longtime colleague, Gordon Gerrard, for the last two performances here in Vancouver. Gordon will travel with us to the Westben Festival in Ontario from June 29 –July 5, for performances of La Traviata. Our tour continues to the Czech Republic with performances of La Traviata led by conductor Norbert Baxa and Le Nozze di Figaro with UBC conductor, Jonathan Girard.

It has been a busy and exciting year of learning for the Ensemble. In addition to our performances here at UBC, we have had

the privilege of participating in the popular Christmas concerts presented by the Vancouver Symphony throughout the lower mainland, as well as their popular Tea and Trumpets series and Lerner and Lowe concerts. We were honoured to participate with Maestro Tovey and the VSO in the Mozart Requiem and have just finished performing in their incandescent Candide alongside Judith Forst, Tracy Dahl, Alek Shrader, J. Patrick Raftery and Richard Suart, also led by conductor Bramwell Tovey.

Aug 25th and 31st, we will relocate to the beach – Bard on the Beach. The Bard himself, Christopher Gaze, will join us in a hilarious romp through that marvellous Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire, full of wit, charm, humour and unstoppable energy. Conductor Leslie Dala and members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra will join us in these four performances of G&S favourites.

Our 2015–2016 season is shaping up to be equally inspiring as we present Massenet’s Manon, J. Strauss’s operetta A Night in Venice and Britten’s fanciful version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Of course, our ever-popular Opera Teas will continue, as well as our magical Opera Ball at the Chan Centre, with fine cuisine, incredible entertainment and non-stop dancing to the tunes of the best band in town – Dal Richards Orchestra. These are events not to be missed.

But first, back to La Traviata. I would like to thank all of our wonderful music staff, designers, crew and administration, the incredible Frederic Wood Theatre and School of Music colleagues, our professional partners, Vancouver Opera, our loyal donors and especially the Board of The David Spencer Endowment Encouragement Fund for their part in making this production possible. A very special note of appreciation to our long time friend and colleague David Agler, for his musical leadership in this masterpiece and a warm welcome and heartfelt thank you to Gordon Gerrard, who joins us here for the first time at UBC. Finally, to our talented students and special guest, tenor Owen McCausland – THANK YOU! – for the dedication, discipline, time and talent that you have brought to this production! Enjoy! Viva Verdi!!

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THE CAST* JUNE 20, 26, 28 JUNE 21, 25, 27

Violetta Valéry Natascia Dell’Erba Laura WidgettAlfredo Germont Tony Caruso Owen McCauslandGiorgio Germont Sheldon Baxter Kyle LehmannFlora Bervoix Charlotte Beglinger Elena RazlogDoctor Grenvil Elliot Harder Duncan Watts-GrantMarchese d’Obigny Duncan Watts-Grant Elliot HarderGastone William Grossman Alireza MojibianAnnina Joseryl Beckley Gwendolyn YearwoodGiuseppe Tony Bittar-Sayegh Ian McCloyBaron Douphol Jason Klippenstein Luka KawabataFlora’s Servant Matthew McLellan Matthew McLellanMessenger Matthew McLellan Matthew McLellanMatador Stanislov Galimkhanov Stanislov GalimkhanovMajordomo Iain Taylor Iain Taylor

UBC OPERA ENSEMBLE CHORUS**

Soprano: Melodie Corbett, Roan Shankaruk, Elizabeth Harris, Kate Medcalf, Taryn Plater, Angelica de Bonis, Colleen Donnelly, Emanuelle Lyons, Gwendolyn Yearwood.

Mezzo-soprano: Charlotte Beglinger, Elena Razlog, Rory Shade, Chandra Curry, Joseryl Beckley, Sasha Kaye, Sara Sum, Simran Claire, Yeeun Lee.

Tenor: Ian McCloy, Alireza Mojibian, Ian Backstrom, William Grossman, Thomas Lamont, Tony Bittar-Sayegh.

Baritone/Bass: Duncan Watts-Grant, Elliot Harder, Jason Klippenstein, Justin Chen, Matthew McLellan, Luka Kawabata, Iain Taylor.*All cast and chorus are subject to change. **Appearing courtesy of Actors Equity

SYNOPSISACT IA party is taking place at the house of Violetta Valéry, a beautiful Parisian demimondaine. Gastone, a nobleman, arrives and presents his friend, Alfredo Germont, telling Violetta that Alfredo has long been a silent admirer and had called daily during her illness. Baron Douphol, Violetta’s current protector, is angered by the conversation and refuses Gastone’s invitation to propose a toast. Alfredo accepts the invitation instead and sings an impassioned tribute to beauty and love. As the others go into another room to dance, Violetta suffers a fainting spell. Alfredo stays behind and confesses that he has been in love with her for a year. Violetta offers him friendship rather than love and gives him a flower, asking him to return when it has withered. Alfredo is overjoyed and bids her good night. When her guests leave, Violetta reflects on Alfredo’s proffered love, but finally decides that she must remain as she is, forever free to pass from pleasure to pleasure.

ACT IIScene one Violetta is living with Alfredo in the country, having abandoned her life of ease and luxury in town. Annina, Violetta’s maid and confidante, enters and tells Alfredo that she has been away to make arrangements to sell Violetta’s belongings to pay their debts. Alfredo, suddenly understanding what Violetta has sacrificed in order to live with him, leaves for Paris, determined to settle matters at his own cost.

Violetta arrives and finds an invitation to a party at her friend Flora’s that evening. She has no intention of going back to her former life and decides to stay at home. A visitor is announced. Giorgio Germont, Alfredo’s father, enters and declares that keeping Violetta as his mistress is ruining Alfredo. When Germont comments on the luxury of the country retreat, Violetta shows him the letters that have been prepared for the sale of all her possessions. He asks her to renounce Alfredo, explaining that the liaison threatens the engagement of Alfredo’s younger sister. Germont is insistent, and Violetta finally surrenders and agrees to leave Alfredo forever.

As Violetta sits down to write her farewell note, Alfredo enters. Not realizing that his father is at the house, he tells Violetta that Germont had written him a severe letter, but it does not disturb him for he is certain that Germont will approve of Violetta as soon as he sees her. Violetta goes out, pretending to leave the house so as not to be present during the meeting between Alfredo and his father, who has been waiting in the garden. A messenger enters with her farewell note. Alfredo is stricken with grief. His father tries to console him and persuade him to return to his family, but Alfredo refuses. Finding Flora’s invitation, he determines to go to the party and confront Violetta.

— Intermission —

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SYNOPSISACT IIScene twoAlfredo arrives at Flora’s house as the guests begin to gamble. Violetta enters escorted by Baron Douphol. Alfredo is enjoying great success gambling and explains that he who is unlucky in love is lucky in cards. The Baron, incensed by Alfredo’s insolence, challenges him to a game. Alfredo accepts, and the Baron loses a small fortune to him. As the others go in for dinner, Violetta remains behind with Alfredo. She entreats him to leave lest the Baron challenge him to a duel. Alfredo says that he will leave only if she accompanies him. Unable to reveal the real grounds for her departure, Violetta declares that she is in love with the Baron. Alfredo, in a fit of jealous rage, calls in all the guests, denounces his former love and hurls his winnings at her feet, calling upon the guests to witness that he has paid Violetta in full.

Germont enters in time to witness Alfredo’s rash behavior and joins the others in rebuking him for his conduct. Alfredo, realizing the lengths to which his jealousy has carried him, is contrite but knows that he is helpless to make amends. The Baron tells Alfredo that he must answer for the insult on the field of honor.

ACT IIIVioletta’s illness has brought her to the point of death. Her physician, Dr. Grenvil, examines her and tells Annina that her mistress has but a few hours to live. Alone, Violetta rereads a letter from Germont saying that Alfredo has gone abroad after wounding the Baron in their duel. He has been made aware of Violetta’s great sacrifice and is now returning to beg her forgiveness.

Alfredo arrives. The lovers are united at last, but it is too late. Germont arrives only to see Violetta die in her beloved Alfredo’s arms.

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NANCY HERMISTON, O.C. — Director & Soprano

Canadian-born lyric coloratura soprano Nancy Hermiston has performed throughout Europe and North America. Parallel to her extensive singing career, Miss Hermiston worked as a voice teacher, stage director, and Co-coordinator with the University of Toronto’s Opera and Performance Divisions.

In 1995, she joined the University of British Columbia’s School of Music as the Head of the Voice and Opera Divisions, where she established the UBC Opera Ensemble. In 2004, Miss Hermiston was

named the UBC University Marshal, and in 2008, UBC awarded her the Dorothy Somerset Award for Performance and Development in the Visual and Performing Arts. She was also honoured with a Killam Teaching Prize in 2010. In October 2011, she received an Opera Canada Rubie Award for her contributions to opera in Canada.

Miss Hermiston is also a favourite guest for master classes throughout Canada, the United States, China and Germany. Her UBC Opera Ensemble regularly tours to the Czech Republic, Germany, Ontario, and throughout British Columbia. The Opera Ensemble gave their first performances in Beijing and Chengdu in May of 2009 and returned to Shanghai in 2010 for concerts at the Shanghai Conservatory and the Shanghai Normal University. In May 2011, the Ensemble returned to the Shanghai Conservatory for a production of Giulio Cesare. Most recently, Miss Hermiston appeared with the VOA as Stage Director for their 2012/13 Season’s Opening production of La Bohème and returned in 2015 to direct their production of Die Fledermaus. She will open the Vancouver Opera season in September, directing their production of Verdi’s Rigoletto, starring UBC Alumna, Simone Osborne. On December 30, 2013, Miss Hermiston was honoured with the Order of Canada.

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DAVID AGLER — Conductor (June 20, 21, 25, 26)David Agler is Artistic Director of the Wexford Festival Opera. He has previously served as Music Director of the Vancouver Opera, Principal Conductor of the Australian Opera, Resident Conductor of the Oper der Stadt Köln, conductor and Administrator of the Spoleto Festival, Artistic Director of the Opera Festival of New Jersey, and Music Director of the Syracuse Opera. He served as Music Director of the Banff Center’s Opera as Theatre Programme from 2008–2012.

Notable guest conducting engagements include productions with the Wexford Festival Opera, Teatro Colón, Santa Fe Opera, Seattle Opera, Netherlands Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Opera Theater of St. Louis, New York City Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, l’Opéra de Montréal, Minnesota Opera, Manitoba Opera, and Opera Colorado.

As a symphonic conductor, he has led concerts with the San Francisco Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony, Warsaw Philharmonic, Edmonton Symphony, National Arts Centre (Ottawa) Orchestra, CBC Radio Orchestra, Netherlands Radio Symphony, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, and San Francisco Chamber Symphony.

He recently conducted the U.S. première of a chamber orchestra version of Alban Berg’s Wozzeck. In November 2003 he conducted and recorded a newly-revised version of Ned Rorem’s opera Miss Julie.

As Music Director in Vancouver, Mr. Agler earned special acclaim for productions of repertoire from the twentieth century, including Peter Grimes, The Makropolous Case, The Dialogues of the Carmelites, Jenůfa, Bluebeard’s Castle, Erwartung and the Canadian première of Susannah.

As Principal Conductor of the Australian Opera, Mr. Agler conducted new productions of Un Ballo in Maschera, Carmen, Peter Grimes, The Turn of the Screw, L’Incoronazione di Poppea, and The Rake’s Progress, in addition to numerous revivals. He also headed the establishment of the Young Artist Centre at the Australian Opera.

Notable accomplishments during his tenure in San Francisco were the formation of a new orchestra for the opera and the development of the San Francisco Opera Center and the American Opera Project. For a time, he was Director of the EXXON/Affiliate Artists Program. He also conducted the world premieres of John Harbison’s Winter’s Tale, Kirk Mecham’s Tartuffe, and the American première of Tippett’s Midsummer Marriage, and new productions of The Rake’s Progress, L’Incoronazione di Poppea, Pique Dame, Death in Venice, and Elegy for Young Lovers.

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GORDON GERRARD — Conductor (June 27, 28)

Gordon Gerrard is a respected figure in the new generation of Canadian musicians. Trained first as a pianist and subsequently as a specialist in operatic repertoire, Gordon brings a fresh perspective to the podium. His passion and his dedication to producing thrilling musical experiences have endeared him to his fellow musicians and the public alike.

Gordon is the Music Director Designate of the Regina Symphony Orchestra, and will take over artistic leadership of the RSO in

September 2016. Gordon is also the Associate Conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, a position that was created for him after two highly successful seasons there as Assistant Conductor. For four seasons, Gordon held the positions of Resident Conductor and Repetiteur for Calgary Opera. He led many productions while in residence in Calgary, including the Canadian premiere of Mark Adamo’s Little Women recorded for national broadcast on CBC’s Saturday Afternoon at the Opera; and a highly successful production of La Bohème chosen specifically to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the company. He was invited back to help launch Calgary Opera’s summer opera festival Opera in the Village with productions of Candide and The Pirates of Penzance. During his tenure at Calgary Opera, Gordon was honoured with the Mayor’s Award for Emerging Artists for his contribution to the musical life of the city of Calgary. Gordon has also conducted productions for Opera Hamilton to critical acclaim and was Assistant Conductor for several productions at Opera Lyra Ottawa. Gordon is also a regular guest conductor for Opera McGill, where he has led productions of Don Giovanni and Le Nozze di Figaro.

A passionate and gifted educator, Gordon has been engaged as a conductor and lecturer by many institutions, including McGill University, the University of Manitoba and Iowa State University. He has served as conductor for Opera Nuova (Edmonton) since 2001 and has been part of the music staffs of the Opera as Theatre Programme at the Banff Centre for the Arts, the Canadian Vocal Arts Institute (Montreal), Halifax Summer Opera Workshop and the Undergraduate Opera Studio at the Manhattan School of Music. He has been a regular vocal coach for Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist Program and l’Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier Lyrique.

The 2015/16 season sees Gordon lead productions of La Traviata at the Westben Festival in Campbellford, Ontario; Lakmé for Calgary Opera; and The Nutcracker for the National Ballet of Canada. He continues as Associate Conductor for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and will make appearances with the Regina, Kamloops and Sudbury Symphony Orchestras.

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UBC OPERA ENSEMBLEThe University of British Columbia Opera Ensemble was founded by Canadian lyric coloratura, Nancy Hermiston, in 1995. Beginning with a core of seven performers, Ms. Hermiston has built the program to a 90-member company, performing three main productions at UBC every season, seven Opera Tea Concerts, and several engagements with local community partners. The Ensemble’s mission is to educate young, gifted opera singers, preparing them for international careers. The UBC Opera Program was also recognized with the 2011–2012 Alfred Scow Award. This annual award is given to an undergraduate program or department that has had a significant positive impact on student life and student development at UBC. Past main-stage productions have included Le Nozze di Figaro, Die Zauberflöte, Die Gärtnerin aus Liebe, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Suor Angelica, La Bohème, Dido and Aeneas, The Bartered Bride, Manon, Eugene Onegin, Florence: the Lady with the Lamp, Dreamhealer, Falstaff, Don Giovanni, Cendrillon, Albert Herring, the Western Canadian Premiere of Harry Somer’s Louis Riel, The Crucible, Die Lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow), Rusalka, Così fan tutte, Dialogues des Carmélites, Carmen, The Tales of Hoffmann, and The Florentine Straw Hat. The 2014/2015 Season includes The Bartered Bride, Le Nozze di Figaro and La Traviata. They will be travelling to the Czech Republic this summer performing both La Traviata and Le Nozze di Figaro.

Photo: Tim Matheson

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VANCOUVER OPERA ORCHESTRAThe Vancouver Opera Orchestra was established in 1977, replacing an orchestra made up of members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Comprised of the region’s leading freelance players, the Vancouver Opera Orchestra has developed into a fine ensemble that has taken the specialized and demanding art of pit performance to a very high level. Several of the current roster of musicians were in the pit for the orchestra’s inaugural performances, in 1977, of Massenet’s Le Roi de Lahore, starring Joan Sutherland and conducted by founding Music Director Richard Bonynge. There have since been two music directors: David Agler (1992–1999) and Jonathan Darlington (2002 to the present).

Violin IMark Ferris* (Concert Master)Angela Cavadas Lawrie HillEvelyn Creaser

Violin IIPatricia Armstrong*Andrea SiradzeDom Ivanovic

ViolaTawnya Popoff*Marcus Takizawa

VioloncelloHeather Hay*Susan Round

BassLes Kasprzak*

Flute/PiccoloBrenda Fedoruk*

Oboe David Owen*

ClarinetsMary Backun*Michelle Anderson

BassoonIngrid Chiang* Horns Laurel Spencer*Stephen Denroche

Trumpet Tom Shorthouse*Jim Littleford

Trombone Jeremy Berkman*

Timpani Philip Crewe*

Orchestra ContractorJim Littleford

* denotes principal

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PRODUCTION TEAMDirectorNancy Hermiston

ConductorsDavid AglerGordon Gerrard

Lighting Design Jeremy Baxter

Set Design Alessia Carpoca

Opera CoachesDavid Boothroyd Tina Chang

Stage ManagerCollette Brown

PropertiesLynn Burton

Hairdressing & WigsElke Englicht

Make-upCarmen Garcia

WardrobeCharlotte BeglingerFrancesca CorradoSpencer Britten

SeamstressLian Tran

ProgrammeSheldon Baxter

Program PrintingEast Van Graphics

Office AssistantSheldon Baxter

SurtitlesScott Brooks

Surtitles OperatorScott Brooks

Marketing Coordination & Graphic DesignMiles Linklater

Opera LibrarianKatie Miller

Manager, Technical Theatre Production Jay Henrickson

Technical Director Keith Smith

Scenic Painter Alessia Carpoca

Scenic Carpenters Keith SmithJim Ferguson

Lighting Operator Ryan Yee

Student Technical DirectorWilliam Grossman

Stage CrewElliot HarderDuncan Watts-GrantGeoffrey SchellenbergMatthew McLellanJason Klippenstein

SPECIAL THANKS TO:David Spencer Endowment Fund Vancouver Opera Guild Robert Dales Martha Lou Henley Charitable Foundation Judith and Graham Forst Milena JandaDean of Arts, Gage AverillSOM Director, Richard KurthDirector of UBC Theatre, Robert GardinerAssistant Dean, Gerald VanderwoudeSOM Manager, Administration, Isabel da Silva

Stephen Quigley and Colborne Architects Vancouver OperaParvin Mirhady Valerie MoffatCatherine Alkenbrack and Suzanne PoohkayBradley PowersLynn BurtonJay HenricksonKeith SmithJim Ferguson

UBC THEATRE & OPERA SEASON 2015/16

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

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

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