Utah Festival Opera expands summer offerings
Utah Festival Opera’s 2003 season is loaded with opportunity for patrons to become immersed in the festive and friendly atmosphere of this all-inclusive five-week event. UFO invites everyone to travel “The Golden Road to Freedom” from Japan to Jerusalem. This year’s main stage productions include Giacomo Puccini’s tragic drama, “Madama Butterfly”; L. Frank Baum’s imaginative fairytale The Wizard of Oz; Giuseppe Verdi’s haunting masterpiece “Nabucco”; and Sheldon Harnick’s emotional musical “Fiddler on the Roof.”
“The Golden Road to Freedom” resonates clearly in this, UFO’s 11th summer festival season. A common thread weaves itself among the four productions — freedom of spirit, freedom of the heart, freedom from oppression. Life can be full of trying and even agonizing times, but it is worth it to press forward with hope and courage on that golden road to freedom. General Director Michael Ballam says, “With the world’s attention turned to the Middle East’s concerns of freedom and subjugation, never have we planned a more timely or exciting season.”
All four main stage productions run in repertory in the Ellen Eccles Theatre in Logan, Utah, from July 9 through August 9, and can be seen during a two- or three-day visit to beautiful and historic Cache Valley. Additionally, Utah Festival Opera will tour one performance of Fiddler on the Roof to the Eccles Performing Arts Center in Park City on July 28, as well as the Val A. Browning Center, Austad Auditorium in Ogden on July 29.
*Additional Opera-tunities
Arnold Friberg
UFO is presenting “The Ten Commandments” as part of its Classic Film Series this season. As chief artist and designer for The Ten Commandments, Mr. Friberg’s 15 paintings became the pictorial basis for the movie’s scenes, characters, and costumes, which earned him an Academy Award Nomination. These paintings, seen worldwide, will be on display in Logan for a limited gallery viewing. Mr. Friberg will personally introduce the film, July 14 at 7:00pm and July 18 at 1:00pm. Patrons are welcome to participate in an autograph signing session on Friday after the film. Paint Utah is also sponsoring an artist lecture hosted by Mr. Friberg on July 14 at 2:00 pm. Tickets to this event are $10.00 in advance and $12.50 at the door. Please contact 752-0026 to obtain your ticket today. All events associated with Mr. Friberg will take place in the Ellen Eccles Theatre.
Friberg is famous for his painting of George Washington and “The Prayer at Valley Forge.” He has also been commissioned to paint Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and “The Book of Mormon” scripture illustrations, as well as many others. Visit
*Carnivale Operafesta
New this year is Carnivale Operafesta, an evening concert offering indulgence in the magnificence and splendor of fabulous overtures, arias, and ensembles from remarkable operas and other musical masterworks. Traditionally, the great Carnivals of Venice uncover hidden aspirations and transform dreams into reality. Come discover your impossible dream and reach for the unreachable star at the Ellen Eccles Theatre July 15, 7:30pm. Tickets range in price from $8 to $35.
*John Gilbert Day
Augmenting the Classic Film Series in which films featuring themes, settings, or subject matter pertinent to the opera season are screened, UFO is proud to honor silent film legend John Gilbert~a native son of Logan Utah! As the screen’s leading romantic idol, Gilbert’s alluring performance made women swoon, longing to be in his arms. Known for his elegance of style and dynamic magnetism, he was the single greatest love of Greta Garbo’s life. John Gilbert Day will be made official in Logan on Friday, August 1st with a mayoral proclamation. UFO is thrilled to include Ms. Leatrice Gilbert Fountain in this historical celebration honoring her father, John Gilbert. Gilbert Day Events include the declaration ceremony at 10:00am followed by screenings in the Ellen Eccles Theatre of Flesh and the Devil and The Merry Widow. On Saturday August 2, Ms. Fountain will discuss her father’s film career with patrons in an open forum at 10:30am in the Dansante Recital Hall. A third film, La Bohème, will be screened Tuesday, August 5 at 7:00pm. Film tickets are $6 per person; the open forum is FREE and open to the public.
*Logan Tabernacle Noon Concert Series
Cache Valley community members and visitors can gain appreciation for the great professionalism and vast talent of UFO artists during the Logan Tabernacle Noon Concert Series. Orchestral members and vocal artists offer their absolute best in a 45-minute concert featuring unique and enlivening repertoire. The weekly Tuesday concerts, June 10 through August 5, are FREE and open to the public.
*Mini-Children’s Opera Festival
UFO is pleased to present a Mini-Children’s Opera Festival during the 2003 season. Experience the magic of children involved in Opera by Children?, UFO’s education program in which they write, compose, and perform their own original operas. This is a great opportunity to affirm the imagination and creativity of local Cache Valley children. Join them in the Dansante Recital Hall July 14-18 at 10:30am. Children’s Opera performances are FREE and open to the public.
*Giacomo Puccini: Madama Butterfly
The festival season opens July 9 with “Madama Butterfly”, which is tragedy and dramatic expression at its best. The consequences of such heart-wrenching choices related to honor, loyalty, and love captivate us as much today as they did audiences in 1904. The plight of this fragile Butterfly is as eternal as Puccini’s soaring melodies. Sung in Italian with projected English titles.
Allison Charney will sing the role of Cio-Cio-San. Lisa van der Ploeg (“The Sound of Music”) is Suzuki, and Richard Sanchez (Tosca, I Pagliacci, Carmen) is Pinkerton. Michael Corvino is Sharpless, and young artist Jennifer Herzig will portray Kate Pinkerton.
Stephanie Sundine will direct Madama Butterfly and Barbara Day Turner (Die Fledermaus) will conduct. The set design is by Jack Shouse (Julius Caesar, Susannah).
*L. Frank Baum: “The Wizard of Oz”
Opening July 10 is “The Wizard of Oz”, the classic tale reminding you “there’s no place like home.” Just over the rainbow and down the yellow brick road is the Emerald City in the Land of Oz. The entire family will be captivated through rousing showstoppers such as “Over the Rainbow,” “We’re Off To See The Wizard,” and “Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead.” UFO is including the additional lyrics, music, and a production number that were cut from the final version of the 1939 film. Sung in English with projected English titles.
Leslie Ann Hendricks (“The Sound of Music,” “South Pacific”) sings the role of Dorothy. Tomas Ambt Kofod (“The Sound of Music”) is Hunk/The Scarecrow, Edwin Uhey (“The Magic Flute,” “The Desert Song”) is Hickory/The Tin Woodman, and Charles Edwin Taylor (“Susannah”, “South Pacific”) is Zeke/The Cowardly Lion. Vanessa J. Schukis (“The Sound of Music,” “The Desert Song, Susannah, South Pacific”) will portray Miss Gulch/The Wicked Witch of the West, and Bart Williams (“The Sound of Music,” “Die Fledermaus,” “Naughty Marietta,” “Pirates of Penzance”) is Professor Marvel/The Wizard of Oz.
‘The Wizard of Oz’ director is Jack Shouse (Die Fledermaus, Susannah, Carmen, The Student Prince) and Barbara Day Turner (Die Fledermaus) will conduct. The set design is also by Jack Shouse (Julius Caesar, Susannah) and costumes by Carey Hanson (The Mikado).
*Giuseppe Verdi: Nabucco
Behold the magic of grand opera when “Nabucco” opens July 11. From the greatest history book of all time~the Bible~are the dreadful trials and terrible suffering of the Jews taken into captivity. Verdi’s melodic composition cries out for their liberation! Will Abigaille, the child of slaves, rule the empire? Not as long as the Israelites trust in the Great Jehovah’s eternal aid, which is mightier t
han the false God Baal and the tyranny of King Nabucco. Witness the miracles of forgiveness, conversion, and ultimate redemption in this haunting tale of jealousy, revenge, and destruction. Sung in Italian with projected English titles.
Michael Corvino will sing the role of Nabucco, and Marie-Adele McArthur is Abigaille. Kenneth Shaw is Zaccaria, Nicholoas Coppolo is Ismaele, and Lisa van der Ploeg (The Sound of Music) is Fenena.
Nabucco will be directed by Jacobo Kaufmann (Tales of Hoffmann), and conducted by Karen Keltner (The Desert Song, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Susannah, The Mikado, Carousel, I Do! I Do!, Greenwillow). The set and costume designs are also by Jacobo Kaufmann.
*Jerry Bock & Sheldon Harnick: “Fiddler on the Roof” Fiddler on the Roof, one of the most emotional musicals ever on Broadway, opens July 12. Faced with a changing world, balancing religious traditions and matters of the heart seems impossible~like a fiddler standing on a roof. As persecution mounts, the faith of the Jewish community sustains them through turbulent times. Freedom! Love! Happiness! The final exodus from Anatevka will bring hope to everyone. Reminisce in the magic of “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were A Rich Man,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” and “Far From The Home I Love.”
Bill Theisen will sing the role of Tevye and Rachel Joselson is Golde. Their daughters include Megan McCorkle, Kristina Driskill, Vanessa Ballam Brenchley, Ester Ballam (The Sound of Music), and Olivia Ballam (The Sound of Music). The persuasive and lovable husbands include Simeon Esper, Christopher Holloway, and Eric VanTielen. Theodore Weis is Lazar Wolf, Maribeth Evensen-Hengge is Yente, and Vanessa J. Schukis (The Sound of Music, The Desert Song, Susannah, South Pacific) is Frumasarah.
Directing “Fiddler on the Roof” is Dorothy Danner (The Desert Song, South Pacific, I Do! I Do!, The Merry Widow) and Karen Keltner, resident conductor of the San Diego Opera, is conducting. The set design is by Dennis Hassan (Tales of Hoffmann, I Do! I Do!) and costumes by Andrea Varga.
*Ticket Information
Single ticket prices for the main stage productions in Logan and Park City range from $15 to $50. Season subscriptions ranging in price from $40 to $152 are also available. To order by phone, call the Dansante Box Office at 800-262-0074 or 435-750-0300, ext. 106. Tickets are also available at the Dansante Box Office, 59 South 100 West, Logan, Utah 84321, through all ArtTix outlets, and on-line at
*Special Performances and Programs
Musica Magnifica, featuring the UFO orchestra, ensemble, and soloists, will feature favorite patriotic and musical theatre selections in honor of Pioneer Day on July 24 at 7:30pm in the Ellen Eccles Theatre. Tickets range in price from $8 to $35.
Two performances of The Face on the Barroom Floor by Henry Mollicone and John S. Bowman will be offered in the Opera House at the American West Heritage Center 11am and 12pm July 30. No tickets are necessary, although there is an admission fee for the Festival of the American West. Patrons are also welcome to enjoy the one-act production after the evening performances outside the Ellen Eccles Theatre July 31 and August 8.
Literary Seminars led by well-known scholars and experts highlighting the repertory productions are offered throughout the season. Patrons can add depth and meaning to their opera and musical theatre experience by probing each main stage work. Literary Seminars are one hour in length and are FREE and open to the public. Rabbi Frederick Wenger, first Rabbi of the Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City, will discuss Nabucco; Tony and Grammy Award winner Sheldon Harnick will discuss his vision in the creation of Fiddler on the Roof; Gina Wickwar will discuss The Wizard of Oz, incorporating her knowledge and expertise as the Royal Historian of Oz; and Jean Irwin will talk about Madama Butterfly from “Sorrow’s ” perspective, as she also is a Japanese child abandoned by her American Naval officer father. Lectures take place July 17, 26, 31, and August 7 at 10:30am.
Production Seminars given by conductors, designers, and other behind-the-scenes personnel are available Thursdays and Saturdays beginning July 17 in the Ellen Eccles Theatre at 9:30am. A special seminar by the directors will take place July 11 at 2:00pm. Production Seminars offer exclusive festival insights and are FREE and open to the public.
Other events include the popular Classic Film Series, a tour of the Ellen Eccles Theatre and Dansante Building, Breakfast with the Stars in the charming open-air Café des Artistes, a Gala Dinner, opening night receptions, and pre-performance informances.
*About Utah Festival Opera
UFO’s inaugural performances were presented in the summer of 1993. The company is located in northern Utah’s Cache Valley, a setting of spectacular mountain scenery. Productions take place in Logan’s Ellen Eccles Theatre, an 1100-seat European-style theatre featuring neo-classical design; built in 1923, it has been exquisitely restored to state-of-the-art theatrical capability. Performers are drawn from the national and international professional pool. Money Magazine ranked the eleven-year-old extravaganza one of the top 20 summer opera festivals in the world.
http://www.ufoc.org