Welcome to Delaware Valley Opera! We are looking forward to an exciting summer season in 2009, with performances of Puccini’s La Boheme, Lehar’s The Merry Widow, and Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief.
La boheme, by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini (1858 – 1924) with libretto by Giuseppi Giacosa, tells the story of poor, bohemian artists, their romantic entanglements, and their ultimate loyalties. This opera is one of Puccini’s contributions to the mainstays of the operatic stage; others are Tosca and Madame Butterfly. Sound clips of famous arias from his operas and many interesting facts about his life and works are available at http://www.puccini.com.
The Merry Widow (or in German, Die lustige Witwe) is an operetta by the Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehar, with libretto by Viktor Leon and Leo Stein. The story, which was drawn from an 1861 comedy play by Henri Meilhac entitled L’attache d’ambassade, concerns a rich widow, Hanna Glawari, and her attempt to find a husband. Let the fun begin!
Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief and a selection of opera arias will round out the summer’s offerings.
In November, the Chamber Orchestra presented the 18th annual concert of music by composers living in or near Sullivan County. This year’s “MUSIC OF OUR TIME” concert took place on Saturday, November 1, 2008, at 7:30 p.m., in Tusten Theatre, 210 Bridge Street, Narrowsburg, New York. The concert was a “60th Birthdays Celebration” of two very skillful and talented composers living in Sullivan County: Sergio Garcia-Marruz and Thurman Barker. Both wrote premieres for this concert. Mr. Garcia-Marruz is a Cuban expatriate whose composition “Estampas Cubanas” draws on his intimate knowledge of Cuban rhythms. Mr. Barker is known to many in our area: a consummate jazz musician, he also plays classical music and teaches at Bard. He will be playing vibraphones in his composition for vibraphone and woodwind quintet, combining elements of classical and jazz in his unique way.
Special guest artists Sweet Plantain created the perfect string section for Mr. Garcia-Marruz’s composition. Sweet Plantain is the classical group of two violins, viola and cello, and they put their very, very strong playing skills to the service of strong Latin rhythms. They performed as the core string section of the Delaware Valley Chamber Orchestra, and also played a composition by first violinist Eddie Venegas. Mr. Venegas will in turn play with Narrowsburg resident Chacho Ramirez in a composition for violin and percussion by Carolyn Steinberg.
The evening’s program is as follows:
Thurman Barker - Memories of Days Past, for woodwind quintet and vibraphone, the composer on vibraphone. World Premiere.
Sergio Garcia-Marrúz — Estampas Cubanas, for chamber orchestra. World Premiere.
Stephen Mayer — Symphony No. 1, for chamber orchestra. Narrowsburg Premiere.
Eddie Venegas — String Quartet. Narrowsburg Premiere.
Carolyn Steinberg — The Jester and the Necklace, for violin and percussion. Narrowsburg Premiere.
David Tcimpidis — For ‘Cello and Tape. Narrowsburg Premiere.
DVO announces the creation of its first endowed fund: the Gloria Krause Endowment Fund. The Board of Directors of Delaware Valley Opera has unanimously voted to establish the Gloria Krause Endowment Fund to honor Gloria’s many years of dedicated service to DVO, her community and her County. We thank you, Gloria! The principal investment of this endowed fund will remain untouched, while the interest income will be dedicated to the payment of singers’ or musicians’ performance fees. This fund will help DVO to bring excellent singers and musicians to our opera performances on an ongoing basis. Your donation in any amount is most welcome as we seek to ensure the excellence of our performances and our future growth. Call the DVO office at (845) 252-3136 or mail a check to DVO, P.O. Box 446, Narrowsburg, NY 12764. Your donation is fully tax deductible.