Andrew Foldi, Theodor Uppmann, William McDonald and Ruth Welting were featured in Wolf Trap Company’s 1973 Don Pasquale. Young artists included the late Melvin Lowery as the Notary. Recent trends have forced Filene Center repertoire into a top-ten corner… I have to say I’m a bit jealous about the range of rep the Company did
Read MorePosts Categorized: WTOC History
WTC 1973: The Saint of Bleecker Street
The 1973 production of Menotti’s Saint of Bleecker Street featured a gentleman who was to become an important force behind the developing Wolf Trap Company: Francis Rizzo (director). This production also featured the professional opera conducting debut of a young man named John Mauceri. The cast also included young artists Ron Raines (yes, Guiding Light
Read MoreWTC 1973: The Most Happy Fella
Featured roles in the July 1973 Wolf Trap Company’s production of Frank Loesser’s The Most Happy Fella were sung by guest artists including William Chapman, Jerry Lanning, Rita Gardner, Pamela Myers, James Tushar and Muriel Greenspon. Anton Coppola conducted. Young artists sang supporting and ensemble roles, including Chris Merritt as Jake and Neil Rosenshein as
Read MoreWolf Trap Company 1972: Overview
The second year of the Company featured four full-length productions: The King and I (with guest artist Roberta Peters), Roméo et Juliette, Treemonisha, and The Marriage of Figaro (with guest artists including Phyllis Curtin, Norman Treigle and John Fiorito). The Company comprised 49 singers and 23 dancers. In addition, WTC singers performed with the National
Read MoreWTC 1972: Roméo et Juliette
The summer of 1972 featured three full-length productions from the Wolf Trap Company. Romeo et Juliette was performed at the Filene Center on August 1, 3 & 5. Guest artists were joined by Company members in supporting roles and chorus in three performances conducted by Anton Guadagno.
Read MoreWTC 1972: The King and I
The Wolf Trap Company’s first full-length production took place in July 1972 at the Filene Center. Guest artist Roberta Peters was the headliner in The King and I. Young artists in the company sang supporting roles and formed the ensemble – the default configuration for many of the Company’s productions in the 1970’s.
Read MoreWTC 1972: The Marriage of Figaro
Guest artists Phyllis Curtin, Norman Treigle and John Fiorito led a Figaro cast that included Wolf Trap Company young artists in supporting roles for two performances in September 1972. It was the beginning of a long and wonderful relationship with Figaro – the first of nine productions during the Company’s first 40 years. (Figaro is
Read MoreWTC 1972: Treemonisha
Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha was composed in 1910 but didn’t receive its first production until January 1972 (in Atlanta, GA), shortly after the piano/vocal score was rediscovered. In July of that same year, Treemonisha came to the Filene Center, in an orchestration by William Bolcom. Guest artists included Simon Estes (as Ned), and the Wolf Trap
Read MoreWTC 1971: A Musical Theater Cavalcade
Welcome to August 1971, with the first performances of the Wolf Trap Company, at the original Filene Center. 1971: A Musical Theater Cavalcade Spanning the history of musical theatre from Beggar’s Opera through Hair A Musical Theater Cavalcade, by Robert Lewis & John Green, was a fitting vehicle for the inauguration of this ambitious undertaking
Read MoreHappy 40th!
And so we enter our fifth decade. Wolf Trap Opera turns 40 this summer, and we’re getting ready to kick up our heels and have a wonderful midlife adventure. More details on the summer festivities as soon as I’m able to (February 7), but until then, come with me on another kind of journey. Starting
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