King David
Symphonic Psalm after a drama by
René Morax
composed by
arthur honegger
THE UNIVERSITY CHORUS
And CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Bruce Borton, conductor
Peter Browne, accompanist
assisted by
Amanda Chmela, soprano
Ashley Maynard, mezzo soprano
Daniel Ibeling, tenor
Andrew Walkling, narrator
Rose-Emma Lunderman
As the Witch of Endor
Saturday, April 17, 2010
8:00 p.m.
Osterhout Concert Theater
PROGRAM
King David Arthur Honegger
(1892-1955)
1. Introduction Orchestra
2. The Song of David, the shepherd Mezzo soprano
3. Fanfare and Entry of Goliath Orchesta
4. Song of Victory Chorus
5. March Orchestra
6. Psalm: In the Lord I Put my Faith Tenor
7. Psalm: O had I Wings Like a Dove Soprano
8. Song of the Prophets Men’s Chorus
9. Psalm: Pity me, Lord Tenor
10. Saul’s Camp Orchestra
11. Psalm: God the Lord Shall be my Light Chorus
12. Incantation of the Witch of Endor Speaker
13. March of the Philistines Orchestra
14. Lament of Gilboa Soli and Women’s Chorus
15. Song of the Daughters of Israel Soprano and Chorus
16. The Dance before the Ark Soli and Chorus
INTERMISSION
17. Song: Now my Voice in Song Up-soaring Chorus
18. Song of the Handmaid Mezzo soprano
19. Psalm of Penitence Chorus
20. Psalm: Behold in Evil I was Born Chorus
21. Psalm: Oh, Shall I Raise my Eyes? Tenor
22. The Song of Ephraim Soprano and Women’s Chorus
23. March of the Hebrews Orchestra
24. Psalm: Thee Will I Love, O Lord Chorus
25. Psalm: In my Distress Chorus
26. The Crowning of Solomon Orchestra
27. The Death of David Chorus and Soloists
This performance by special arrangement with
Boosey and Hawkes , Inc.
PROGRAM NOTES
In the early months of 1921, Swiss playwright Rene Morax was seeking a composer to write music for his newest production, an epic tale on the life of David the Old Testament shepherd, warrior, king, and “sinner”. This monumental production was intended to mark the reopening of Morax’s Theatre Jorat near Lausanne, which had been closed since the First World War. This open-air theater was located in view of Mt. Jorat. The stage was enclosed in a large wooden structure, around which the audience sat among flowering apple trees. Since its opening in 1903, it had been presenting summer productions of often-elaborate events including live animals and large casts of professional and amateur performers.
After approaching several other composers, Morax, on the recommendations of conductor Ernst Ansermet and composer Igor Stravinsky, finally engaged the young and unknown Arthur Honegger for the task. In a period of less than two months, Honegger produced a score for chorus, soloists, and a small ensemble of wind and percussion instruments recruited from one of the local town bands.
The first performance was a staged production in which the music served as drama, commentary, and background support for the action on stage. Elaborate scenery and costumes combined with live horses pulling chariots to create considerable realism. The music proved to be an immediate success and quickly established Honegger as a major composer. Very soon after the original production, Honegger adapted the original score into a concert version with spoken narration filling in the dramatic action between musical numbers. He also expanded the original instrumentation to full orchestra. Our performance today represents a hybrid of the two versions with spoken narration but employing the original “theater” orchestra.
--Bruce Borton
Synopsis
The Lord has grown angry with Saul, the king of Israel, who has disobeyed the commandments of God. Jehovah commands the prophet Samuel to find David, the shepherd of Bethlehem, and anoint him king. David does not immediately become king, but serves under Saul as long as he lives.
The Philistines and Israel are at war and the giant Goliath defies the army of Israel. No one dare meet him but David, who, with his sling puts the Philistine to death.
David takes Michal, the daughter of Saul, as his bride, but the people’s acclaim of David arouses the jealousy of the king who tries to kill him. Jonathan, the son of Saul, swears eternal friendship to David.
David flees from the wrath of Saul to the wilderness. He goes over to the Philistines, and in a new war, Saul becomes afraid of the hosts of the enemy. Saul seeks out the Witch of Endor who invokes the spirit of Samuel who foretells the doom of Saul and three of his sons, including Jonathan, David’s dearest friend.
With the death of Saul, David becomes king, and establishes Jerusalem as the new capitol. To solidify political and religious power in one place, he brings the Ark of the Covenent to Jerusalem. The people rejoice, and David dances before the Ark. The Angel tells David that one will be born of him who will rule the nations.
The Lord blesses David, but sin enters his heart, for David has taken Bathsheba to wife, and caused her husband to be killed. The anger of the Lord falls upon the child she bares, and Nathan is sent by the Lord to reproach the king and queen for their sin.
David repents, but further calamities befall his house. Absalom, his son, rises up against the father, who flees into the desert. David gathers an army about him, and Absalom is killed in the forest of Ephraim. The king weeps over the dead son, and returns to Jerusalem in solemn procession.
David offers thanksgiving to God, but his pride speaks out again, and God promises three future plagues. The story ends with David’s death and the crowning of his son Solomon as the new king.
--Herrold E. Hedley (The Choral Works of Arthur Honegger)
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS
AMANDA CHMELA, originally from Lindenhurst, New York, is currently pursuing a Master’s in Opera Performance under the direction of Mary Burgess. She is also a member of the Tri-Cities Opera Resident Artist Training Program. Roles with Tri-Cities include Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), Barbarina (Le Nozze di Figaro), Ms. Pinkerton (The Old Maid and the Thief), Page (Amahl and the Night Visitors), and Page (Rigoletto). Upcoming performances include the role of Ciesca (Gianni Schicchi), and as the soprano soloist in Honegger’s King David with the Binghamton University Chorus and Orchestra. During the summer of 2009, she performed with the CRS Barn Studio as Edith (Pirates of Penzance) and with the Summer Savoyards as Josephine (H.M.S. Pinafore). Ms. Chmela received her undergraduate degree in Musical Theatre from SUNY Fredonia where she studied under Julie Newell. She performed the roles of Ann (A Little Night Music), the Sandman (Hansel and Gretel), and Mrs. Cratchit (A Christmas Carol), in addition to several scenes programs, a commencement eve concert, and performance trips to both Italy (2008) and Japan (2006).
ASHLEY MAYNARD, a native of Connecticut, is pursuing a Master of Music in Opera degree at Binghamton University and is a Resident Artist with Tri-Cities Opera. She is a student of Professor Mary Burgess, and also works with Duane Skrabalak, Peter Sicilian, and Diane Richardson. Ms. Maynard graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Nyack College. She has performed with Nyack College Opera, singing the roles of Giovanna (Rigoletto), Mercedes (Carmen), Carmen (Carmen), and Mary Magdalene in the sacred opera I Am the Way by Jerome Hines. She has also sung the Cousin (Madama Butterfly) and First Alms Nun (Suor Angelica) with Opera Theater of Connecticut. With Tri-Cities Opera, Ms. Maynard has performed the roles of Giovanna (Rigoletto), Marcellina (The Marriage of Figaro), the Mother (Amahl and the Night Visitors), Miss Todd (Old Maid and the Thief), and Siebel (Faust). In the spring of 2009, she was alto soloist in Haydn’s Theresienmesse with the Binghamton University Chamber Chorus and Orchestra. After graduation, Ms. Maynard plans to continue to sing with Tri-Cities Opera, and in December will be performing the roles of the Mother and Hansel in Hansel and Gretel.
DAN IBELING is from Roselle, Illinois, and is currently pursuing his Masters of Opera degree with Binghamton University under the direction of Profs. Skrabalak and Sicilian, and is also a member of the Tri-Cities Opera Resident Artist Training Program. Over the last two seasons, he has appeared as Borsa in Rigoletto, Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Don Curzio in Le nozze di Figaro, and Spoletta in Tosca. Upcoming performances include the title role in Honegger’s King David with the Binghamton University Chorus and Orchestra, and Gherardo in Gianni Schicchi at TCO. Dan has also been an apprentice with the Des Metro Opera, and spent a summer in Graz, Austria studying at the American Institute of Musical Studies. Dan received his B.A. in Music from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
ANDREW WALKLING is Dean's Assistant Professor of Early Modern Studies and teaches in the Departments of Art History, English, and Theatre. He is a scholar of seventeenth-century England, specializing in the music of Henry Purcell. He is also a baroque cellist and a singer, and is Director of the Binghamton Baroque Ensemble and a member of the Binghamton Vocal Consort. His most recent stage credit is as Theseus in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
ROSE-EMMA LUNDERMAN is a senior from Syracuse, NY, majoring in Philosophy, Politics, & Law with a Minor in Theatre. She was recently Henry V in the BU theatre department's mainstage production. Other mainstage credits include Three Penny Opera (Old Whore), House of Bernarda Alba (Magdelena), Fuddy Meers (Heidi), House of Yes (Lesly), Little Women (Jo), and Rabbit Hole (Becca). Rose-Emma would like to thank Bruce for this incredible opportunity, as well as Anne and all of her friends who've come to support her!
THE ORCHESTRA
FLUTE
Georgetta Maiolo
Melanie Adler
OBOE
Kathy Karlsen
CLARINET
Timothy Perry
Heather Worden
Kimberly Metaxas
BASSOON
Dan Bessel
TRUMPET
Dan Fein
Nicholas Polacco
HORN
Robert Muller
TROMBONE
Bill Marsiglia
HARMONIUM/CELESTE
Mark Rossnagel
PIANO
Peter Browne
PERCUSSION
Caleb DeGroote
Marc Silvagni
THE UNIVERSITY CHORUS
Bruce Borton, conductor
Peter Browne, accompanist
Soprano 1
Nicole Cameron
April Drumm
Lorrina Fuentes
Mary Gilda
MayBelle Golis
Julie Gregg
Margaret Hays
Connie Lamando
Susan MacLennan
Cathie Makowka
Mary Barb Martin
Marilyn Ross
Ligita Roznere
Christine Ryder
Siobhan Sculley
Barbara Thamasett
Faith Vis
Lorissa Witkowski
Soprano 2
Sarina Barrera
Ann Blair
Rachel Christian
Joanne Corey
Christina Cussen
Jennifer Easley
Elise Francisco
Barbara Herne
Sandy Kirchen
Rebecca Nebel
Sioux Petrow
Kelly Pueschel
Brenda Rood
Megan L. Roppolo
Dorothy Rota
Susan Sarzynski
Jennifer Walsh
Lois Wilston
Alto 1
Kristie Ambrosino
Carolyn E. Blake
Nanette Borton
Maria Luisa Cook
Michelle Doherty
Tahnee Fallis
Diane A. Ferraccioli
Sylvia Horowitz
Grace Houghton
Cheryl Jacobson
Claudia Kachmarik
Pat Labzentis
Yan Lin
Adina Lowry
Anna Nicholas
Joyce Printz
Constanze
Schönermark
Jane Shear
Danielle Sisson
Anni Smith
Archana Susarla
Susan Szczotka
Mary Woestman
Alto 2
Kathryn Baine
Phyllis S. Burr
Jeanne Fenzel
Rosemary Gillard
Elizabeth Holloway
Judy James
Ida Amelia Jones
Cheryl Labban
Marisa Levy
Lucy Loewenstein
Abba Mallette
Judie Meador
Ethel F. Molessa
Elizabeth Price
Shirley Rodgers
Grace Senia
Betty J. Zechman
Tenor
Barbara Barno
Martin Bidney
Kevin Doherty
H. B. King
Dennis Leipold
David W. Martin
Lindsay Lake Morgan
Justin Padilla
Brian Presser
Carlton Sackett Jr.
Lee Shepherd
Judson Wallis
Sherry Williamson
Bass 1
Eric Bare
Ronald Beauchamp
Michael Brenner
Nick DeFeo
Richard Dutko
Brian Frank
Matthew Francis
Charles Gawors
Frank Gerold
Michael Jabo, J.D.
Brian Koralewski
Tom Lamphere
Ken Morgan
Edward J. Orosz
N. David Pastor
Joshua Perry
Myron F. Shlatz
Zach Straus
Michael Turek
Bass 2
Cameron Cribbs
Emanuele Delucchi
Benjamin Elling
Mark Epstein
Adam Geier
David Hanson
Sean Marrin
Arlo H. Meeker
Joseph E. Nelson
Isaiah J. Rothstein
David L. Schriber*
Bob Sullivan
*The Voice of Samuel
The Binghamton University Chorus has been performing major works for chorus and orchestra since 1971. Its 125+ members include university students, faculty, staff, and a large and loyal group of community singers from throughout the Southern Tier and northern Pennsylvania. With representatives of all ages and singing experience, it is the most diverse of all of the ensembles at the University. Its repertoire has included virtually all the major choral works in the standard repertoire including the major works of Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Verdi, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Haydn, and a sizable number of twentieth and twenty-first century composers. They perform regularly with the Binghamton University Symphony and the Binghamton Philharmonic including recent performances of Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem and Beethoven Symphony No. 9 under conductor José-Luis Novo.
Binghamton University Music Department’s
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, April 18th Junior Recital: Laura MacAvoy, soprano,
3:00 PM, Casadesus Recital Hall, FREE
Sunday, April 18th Senior Honors Recital: Stephen Kong, piano,
7:30 PM, Casadesus Recital Hall, FREE
Tuesday, April 20th String Fever: String Studio & Chamber Recital,
8:30 PM, Casadesus Recital Hall, FREE
Thursday, April 22nd Mid-Day Concert, 1:20 PM – FREE
Casadesus Recital Hall
Friday, April 23rd Junior Recital: Mengru Zeng, piano,
8:00 PM, Casadesus Recital Hall, FREE
Saturday, April 24th Master’s Recital: Robert Muller, French horn,
3:00 PM, Casadesus Recital Hall, FREE
Saturday, April 24th Master’s Recital: Julie Williams, soprano,
8:00 PM, Casadesus Recital Hall, FREE
Sunday, April 25th Wind Symphony, 3:00 PM – FREE
Anderson Center Chamber Hall
Sunday, April 25th Piano Extravaganza from the studio of
Michael Salmirs, 7:30 PM, Casadesus Recital Hall, FREE
Tuesday, April 27th Percussion Ensemble, 8:00 PM – FREE
Anderson Center Chamber Hall
Thursday, April 29th Mid-Day Concert, 1:20 PM – FREE
Casadesus Recital Hall
Thursday, April 29th Brass Studio Recital, 8:00 PM – FREE
Casadesus Recital Hall
For ticket information, please call the
Anderson Center Box Office at 777-ARTS
To see all events, please visit music.binghamton.edu
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Binghamton University Music Department