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EVANSTON CHAMBER
OPERA COMPANY presents
Comedy Again?!? A Comic Opera Double Bill
featuring Chabrier's An Incomplete Education and
d'Albert's The Departure
James Janssen, Music Director
Sally Craige Christensen, Stage Director
Mark Crayton, Production Coordinator
Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church
2120 Lincoln Street
Evanston IL 60201
Friday, March 13, 2020 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 4:00 pm
Now Showing: A Video of the
March 14 Performance!
Click below to watch each
opera:
AN
INCOMPLETE EDUCATION
THE
DEPARTURE
Meet our fabulous cast!
An Incomplete Education (Une éducation manquée)
Libretto by Eugène Leterrier and Albert Vanloo
English Version by Francis L. Lynch
Music by Emmanuel Chabrier (1841-1894)
First performed May 1, 1879
Arranged for Flute, Clarinet, Triangle, and Piano by Francis L.
Lynch
Synopsis: Arriving directly from their (teenage)
wedding, the young Count Gontran and his wife Hélène, are both
expecting some adult advice from their relations. Their annoyance
is interrupted by the arrival of Pausanias, Gontran's tutor.
Slightly tipsy, Pausanias explains in song that a certain wine
that was sent to him in celebration of his student's wedding was
to blame -- he had ended by drinking twelve glasses. Then
Pausanias explains that although Hélène's aunt is ready to see
her, as Gontran?s grandfather is ill he can't come to talk to the
young man, but has sent a letter instead.
Alone, Gontran reads the letter (in song) which ends by saying
that there is nothing Gontran's grandfather can teach him...
Gontran hastily pens a letter to Pausanias, asking him to return
and give him wedding-night advice. Hélène enters, and it turns out
that her aunt's advice was simply to be kind and obedient to her
husband. In a duet they exchange a kiss but realize that there
must be something more to being husband and wife...
Alone again, Gontran gets more irritated, as Pausanias returns,
hinting that he might be interrupting something. Gontran complains
that Pausanias was engaged to teach him all that a man should know
about life. In a buffo duo, Pausanias rejects this, insisting that
he has taught Gontran Hebrew, Hindi, algebra, chemistry, Greek,
trigonometry, metaphysics, therapeutics, mechanics, dialectics,
aesthetics, statistics, mythology, metallurgy, and so on. Gontran
rebuts "no, a thousand times, no, that's not enough!" Finally,
Pausanias admits that he doesn't know -- he is too busy, and it
wasn't on the curriculum. But he promises to find out and return
immediately.
Gontran curses his tutor, but, as a storm gathers, confesses his
discomfort with stormy weather; as thunder sounds Hélène rushes
into the room with her nightdress undone, and explains that she is
really frightened of thunder. Gontran is struck by how attractive
she looks and tells her the best way to remain calm in a storm is
to come closer and hold hands. As their duo takes flight they get
closer still and kiss more and more -- and find the answer to
their question.
But they are interrupted as Pausanias returns. Gontran orders
him out -- asking the indulgence of the audience. After a quick
reprise of the previous duo the curtain falls.
The Departure (Die Abreise)
Libretto by Ferdinand Count von Sporck after a Comedy by Ludovic
Halévy
English Version by Clayne W. Robison
Music by Eugen d'Albert (1864-1932)
First performed October 20, 1898
Arranged for Flute, Clarinet, and Piano by Francis L. Lynch
Synopsis: Gilfen and Luise have been married
for many years, and the passion in their relationship has dimmed
considerably. The evening of his planned departure on a long
journey that will keep him away from his wife for months, Gilfen
questions the wisdom of leaving. He is suspicious of his friend
Trott, who seems all too fond of Luise. Trott enters and professes
his deep friendship with Gilfen, and offers his services to assist
in Gilfen's preparations for departure. Sensing his friend's true
intentions, he sets Trott on a series of tasks that will take him
from one end to the other of the city, then leaves to attend to
some last minute letters.
As Trott is about to set out on his tasks, Luise enters and asks
why he is off in such a hurry. Trott tells her that her husband is
leaving, and suggests that this is an opportunity for the two of
them. Gilfen returns just as he professes his love, and asks why
he has not left yet. Trott hurries off to perform his tasks. Luise
remains alone and sings sadly of Gilfen's remembered love and
laments his desire to leave her. Gilfen then returns and asks her
what she was singing about. She avoids an answer but expresses her
regret that they no longer seem to mean enough to each other for
him to stay. After she exits, Gilfen wonders if she truly wants
him to stay.
Trott returns in a state of exhaustion from his tasks. Gilfen,
about to leave, puts Trott on the spot by saying, "You should be
going with me." Trott replies, "You don't want me!" and Gilfen
leaves. When Luise enters, Trott imagines himself at the goal of
his yearning desires. But Luise remains steadfast. Suddenly they
hear a noise, and Gilfen steps through the veranda door. One of
Gilfen's horses, he explains, has run away, and Trott wearily goes
off to track it down. Gilfen then confesses to Luise that that he
set the horse free deliberately, and that he has returned for her
love. When Trott returns with the news that the the horses are
ready, his dreams are dashed when Gilfen declares, "My wife has
asked me to stay... it's time for you to go!" Resigned, Trott
starts to leave but receives a new glimmer of hope when Luise
appears and throws him a letter. Much to his dismay, he discovers
it's a farewell letter. Trott finally realizes his carefully laid
plans have come to nothing, and he is the one who must depart.
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