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Event
The Daughter of the Regiment
Composer: Gaetano Donizetti
Librettist: Jules Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges & Jean Francois Alfred Bayard
(Performed in French with English dialogue & English supertitles)
Mill City Summer Opera (MCSO) is excited to announce Gaetano Donizetti's brilliant comedy The Daughter of the Regiment, directed by David Lefkowich, July 11-21, 2015.
The Daughter of the Regiment will be presented at 8 p.m. on Opening Night July 11, and on July 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21. Mill City Museum's dramatic Ruin Courtyard will again be the venue for all performances.
This two act opera centers on Marie, the "daughter" of a regiment of soldiers who adopted her when she was a young girl and raised her as one of their own. Marie meets a local boy, Tonio, who joins the regiment in order to marry her. They soon fall in love. But the Marquise of Birkenfeld declares she is Marie's aunt, and that Marie must leave the regiment to become a proper lady. Ultimately true love wins and Marie and Tonio are allowed to marry. The first act is set in the mountains of Tyrol, and the second takes place within the chateau of the Marquise de Birkenfeld.
Set to a French libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Jean-François Bayard, this opera is known for its lighthearted, catchy music that captures the story's humor with its playful yet challenging vocals.
Act I
The Tyrolean mountains. On their way to Austria, the terrified Marquise of Berkenfield and her butler, Hortensius, have paused in their journey because they have found the French army blocking their way. When the marquise hears from the villagers that the French troops have at last retreated, she comments on the crude ways of the French people. Hortensius asks Sulpice, sergeant of the 21st regiment, to let the marquise continue on. Sulpice is joined by Marie, the mascot, or "daughter," of the regiment, which adopted her as an orphaned child. When Sulpice questions her about a young man she has been seen with, she explains that he is a local Tyrolean whothough an enemyonce saved her life. Troops of the 21st arrive with a prisoner: this same Tyrolean, Tonio, who says he has been looking for Marie. She steps in to save him, and while he toasts his new friends, Marie sings the regimental song. Tonio is ordered to follow the soldiers, but escapes and returns to declare his love to Marie. Sulpice surprises them and Marie admits to Tonio that she can only marry a soldier from the 21st.
The Marquise of Berkenfield asks Sulpice for an escort to return her to her castle. When he hears the name Berkenfield, Sulpice remembers a letter he discovered near the young Marie when she was found. The marquise soon admits that she knew the girl's father and says that Marie is the long-lost daughter of her sister. The child had been left in the care of the marquise, but was lost on a battlefield. Shocked by the girl's rough manners, the marquise is determined to take her niece to her castle and to give her a proper education. Tonio has enlisted so that he can marry Marie but she has to leave both her regiment and the man she loves.
Act II
The marquise has arranged a marriage between Marie and the nephew of the Duchess of Krakenthorp. Sulpice has joined the marquise at the Berkenfield castle, recovering from an injury and supposed to help her with her plans. The marquise gives Marie a singing lesson, accompanying her at the piano. Encouraged by Sulpice, Marie slips in phrases of the regimental song, and the marquise loses her temper. Left alone, Marie thinks about the meaninglessness of money and position. She hears soldiers marching in the distance and is delighted when the whole regiment files into the hall. Tonio, Marie, and Sulpice are reunited. Tonio asks for Marie's hand, declaring that Marie is his whole life but the marquise declares her niece engaged to another man and dismisses Tonio. Alone with Sulpice, the marquise confesses the truth: Marie is her own illegitimate daughter whom she abandoned, fearing social disgrace.
Hortensius announces the arrival of the wedding party, headed by the Duchess of Krakenthorp. Marie refuses to leave her room, but when Sulpice tells her that the marquise is her mother, the surprised girl declares that she cannot go against her mother's wishes and agrees to marry a man that she does not love. As she is about to sign the marriage contract, the soldiers of the 21st regiment, led by Tonio, storm in to rescue their "daughter." The noble guests are horrified to learn that Marie was a canteen girl, but they change their opinion when she describes her upbringing, telling them that she can never repay the debt she owes the soldiers. The marquise is so moved that she gives her daughter permission to marry Tonio. Everyone joins in a final "Salut à la France."
[Courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera]
ARTISTIC DIRECTION
MCSO's Artistic Director David Lefkowich, known for his lively stage direction and fresh take on well-known operas, will again lead the artistic vision for this production along with Music Director Brian DeMaris, a 2013 winner of The American Prize in Opera Conducting. The limestone mill ruins will serve as a striking backdrop to Jo Winiarski's set design in both acts. Winiarski designed the gorgeous set for MSCO's 2012 production of The Barber of Seville. Jessica Jahn will design the late 18th Century-era costumes.
CAST
As in previous years, artistic director David Lefkowich has assembled a stellar cast drawn from outstanding singers of national reputation. Soprano Leah Partridge is cast as Marie, a role she has sung to critical acclaim at the Metropolitan Opera. The role of Marie has been sung by such famous coloratura sopranos as Lily Pons, Jenny Lind and Beverly Sills. Chad Johnson, tenor, will sing the famous and challenging aria "Ah, mes amis" for which he must deliver nine consecutive high Cs a spectacular feat often called the Mount Everest of tenor arias.
Acclaimed Minnesota actor and singer Bradley Greenwald plays the role of Hortensius, the butler, and will be performing with MCSO for the first time. Greenwald most recently played the role of Fagin in the Twin Cities product of "Oliver" by theatre Latte Da. Rounding out the cast are Cindy Sadler as the Marquise de Birkenfeld who will play the piano while singing in Act II and Nathan Stark as the Sergeant Sulpice.
Cast
Marie: Leah Partridge*
Tonio: Chad Johnson*
Sergeant Sulpice: Nathan Stark*
Marquise de Birkenfeld: Cindy Sadler*
Hortensius: Bradley Greenwald^
Corporal: Alex Ritchie^
Notary: Chris Kemp^
Chorus (Peasants, Soldiers and Party Guests): Matthew Abbas, Joy Amel, Stephen Cunningham, Fred Diengott, Benjamin Dutcher, Jonathan Flory, Peter Frenz, Brandon Galbraith, Debra Gilroy, Steven Halloin, Benjamin Hills, James Howes, Jennifer LeDoux, Katerina Marit Middeldorp, Eric Mellum, Mary Monson, David Nelson, Sandy Schoenecker, Brianna Shelly, Justin Spenner, Marty Swaden, Elizabeth Steffensen, Kelly Turpin, Lola Watson
Artistic Staff
Conductor: Brian DeMaris
Stage Director: David Lefkowich
Set Designer: Jo Winiarski
Costume Designer: Jessica Jahn*
Lighting Designer: Jaymi Smith
Wig and Makeup Designer: Jason Allen
Production Manager: Dylan Wright^
Production Staff
Stage Manager: Brett Finley
Repetiteur, Chorus Master: Lara Bolton^
Second Repetiteur, Outreach: Geoff Loff*^
Assistant Stage Manager: Shayna j. Houp^
Assistant Stage Director: Scott Carroll*
*Mill City Summer Opera debut! | ^Minnesota native!
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LocationMill City Museum Ruin Courtyard (View)
704 S. 2nd Street
Minneapolis, MN 55401
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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