He discovered the earth revolved around the sun and dared to defend the truth, only to suffer the persecution of the church and his peers in turn. Madison Opera celebrates the 75th birthday of iconic American composer Philip Glass with a new production of one of his most acclaimed recent works, Galileo Galilei. The opera offers a moving portrait of the famous astronomer's life, told backwards in time from his final days to explore questions of science, religion, and, ultimately, humanity.
Renowned tenor William Joyner is Galileo Galilei and the vibrant soprano Jamie-Rose Guarrine is his daughter, Maria Celeste. Baritone John Arnold is featured as the Young Galileo. A. Scott Parry (The Marriage of Figaro, 2010) directs and Kelly Kuo (Così fan tutte, 2009) conducts members of the Madison Symphony Orchestra.
Please note:
Ticket availability is very limited. Purchase tickets online here, or call the Box Office at (608) 258-4141 for most current information.
Cast
Production
Music by Philip Glass
Libretto by Mary Zimmerman, with Philip Glass and Arnold Weinstein
Conductor: Kelly Kuo
Director: A. Scott Parry
Sung in English with projected text
Run time: appr. 90 minutes, no intermission
Related Events
Galileo's Heavens, Hosted by Space Place / January 14, 2012
Opera Up Close: The Galileo Galilei Preview / January 22, 2012
Scene 1 • “Opening” – Galileo’s Portico, Florence
An old man stands in the middle of an ever-expanding universe. He is Galileo Galilei, at his end. He questions the actions of his life, recounting his dreams, doubting his beliefs, still trying to scrutinize the stars with his now blind eyes. The planets encircle him, shifting closer and then sliding away. Galileo recalls his recantation to the Church of years ago and the sky seems to melt around him.
Scene 2 • “Recantation” – The Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome
Sunlight attempts to pervade the Cathedral window’s glass, but is transformed into color, dimmed and diffused from its intended brilliance. Galileo is brought forward to recant his views in front of three Cardinals and Pope Urban VIII. Heavy tension pervades the air. The Cardinals pronounce their sentence of solitary confinement. The Pope remembers a happier time he shared with Galileo in his garden, and the scene fades away, receding into memory.
Scene 3 • “Pears” – Outside the Convent of San Matteo, Arcetri
Galileo rereads a letter from his daughter, Maria Celeste, writing him from the confines of her cloistered cell. He imagines her delivering him a package in which there are candies and pears and a rose. It begins to snow. Softly at first, and then gaining in momentum. Wordlessly, Maria Celeste sings out against the storm. She drifts away, disappears into the mists, leaving the old man alone and in darkness.
Scene 4 • “Trial” – The Holy Offices at the Vatican
A Scribe recounts the records of the Inquisition. Two Inquisitors enter and take their positions, referencing their documents. Galileo answers their strings of questions in his own defense. With the continual ringing of chimes, time shifts and days pass. Under threat of torture, Galileo determines to make a confession. The Inquisitors leave him. He holds tight his seminal book and addresses an imagined audience, presenting his work, which comes to vivid life.
Scene 5 • “Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief Systems of the World” – Venice
Three philosophers appear in conversation. The scene is a wide-open sky with an occasional cloud. It is an imaginary Venice. As the men discuss their conjectures about life and its meaning, fantastical images appear in the sky above them, elucidating their thoughts. They argue physical theories and the intertwined glories of man and God, but still leave together remaining companions on a journey of discovery. The sky becomes a brilliant white.
Scene 6 • “Incline Plane” – The Piazza della Signora, Florence
A younger Galileo speaks to himself, working out his ideas of scientific and physical principals. He sits on the floor, books and papers surrounding him in the bright clear space that is his mind. He formulates, thinks, crosses out, redraws. His sketching appears on the floor and then floats up into the air above him. He determines that he will write a book. He exits as his inner world fades into reality.
Scene 7 • “A Walk in the Garden” – Cardinal Barberini’s Garden Villa, Rome
The scene awakens on a lush garden overlooking Rome as Cardinal Barberini walks with Galileo, a young Maria Celeste in tow. The future Pope is warm and congenial with the burgeoning scientist and offers him kindness and protection. The Cardinal reads a poem on the purpose of the stars. Nature is praised. Hope abounds. The men exit together as a cover is placed on the natural world, dimming its light and censoring the freshness of its air.
Scene 8 • “Lamps” – The Cathedral at Pisa
A musty sense pervades as a Priest processes followed by monks and nuns. Galileo translates the Liturgy for his daughter who is inquisitive of its meaning. The lamp above them begins to sway. Galileo explains the workings of a pendulum, using his daughter’s own pulse to show his ideas. Great discoveries are attributed to God’s perfection. Maria Celeste leaves her father, who intently watches the lamp above.
Scene 9 • “Presentation of the Telescope” – The Medici Court, Tuscany
The room is transformed to a courtly space as a Herald appears to announce three highly titled women. There is great exuberance as the ladies cannot hide their fascination with Galileo’s new invention. He unveils his telescope and explains its development and usage to them. The women are agog. The Duchess reminds him that the two of them had met before. Galileo retreats into the memory of that moment years ago at his own father’s opera.
Scene 10 • “Opera Within the Opera” – The Theatre at the Medici Court
Singers and dancers arrive and the story of Orion is played. The Greek hero falls in love but is tricked. His eyes are plucked out. He sails to the edge of the Earth and finds Eos who heals him. The company praises the mythic hunter as they scan the sky for his constellation’s image. An old, blind Galileo emerges from the crowd as the company exits, unaware of his presence. Galileo raises his empty eyes heavenward and reaches up towards the stars.
Synopsis written by A. Scott Parry
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Production photos will be posted closer to the production dates.
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To date, there is no recording of Galileo Galilei. However, there are numerous resources for exploring the works of composer Philip Glass and the life of famed astronomer Galileo. Here is a recommendation for a CD of the masterworks of Philip Glass, and an audio recording and DVD of two works concerning Galileo's life.
Glassworks. Compositions by Philip Glass, conducted by Michael Riesman, performed by the Philip Glass Ensemble.
The Life of Galileo. Unabridged dramatization of Bertolt Brecht's play about the genius and persecution of Galileo. Recording by L.A. Theatre Works.
Galileo's Battle for the Heavens DVD is based on Dava Sobel's best-selling novel, Galileo's Daughter.
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Role: Older Galileo
Madison Opera debut
Recent Performances: Don José, in Carmen (Washington National Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Austin Lyric Opera); Cavaradossi in Tosca (Minnesota Opera, Indianapolis Opera); Malatestino in Francesca da Rimini (Opéra National de Paris); Radames in Aida (Calgary Opera); des Grieux in Manon (Teatro alla Scala); Stiva in Anna Karenina (Florida Grand Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis).
Praise: “One really should not talk about the principal tenor before the titular diva, but William Joyner (Cavaradossi) almost walked off with the show and earned the audience's cheers. Deeply involved, Joyner was by turns clarion and heroic, ardently passionate, then deep in the depths of despair, fine-tuning his large, bright voice to fit both the drama and the music.” –Charles H. Parsons, Opera News
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Role: Pope / Cardinal Barbarini / Simplicio / Father of Merope
Previously at Madison Opera: Daland in The Flying Dutchman.
Recent Performances: Commendatore in Don Giovanni (Opera Omaha); Four Villains in The Tales of Hoffman (Metropolitan Opera, Minnesota Opera, The Dallas Opera); Don Basilio in The Barber of Seville (Metropolitan Opera).
Praise: “The potent-voiced bass Dean Peterson as Bluebeard…gave an accomplished performance.” –Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times
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Role: 1st Cardinal / 1st Inquisitor / 1st Oracle
Madison Opera debut
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Role: Maria Celeste / Maria de Medici / Eos
Previously at Madison Opera: Shepherd in Tosca.
Recent Performances: Olympia in The Tales of Hoffman (Wolf Trap Opera); Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro (Santa Fe Opera); Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro (Utah Opera); Papagena in The Magic Flute (Santa Fe Opera, Austin Lyric Opera).
Praise: “Guarrine displayed sparkling coloratura clarity.” –The Wall Street Journal
“…Jamie-Rose Guarrine, whose fresh, vibrant soprano voice was especially showcased "Laudamus te," from the "Gloria" of a Rossini Mass. This was an operatic aria, basically, with many Rossini opportunities for vocal acrobatics, all of which Guarrine flew through with ease.” –John Aehl, The Wisconsin State Journal
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Role: Scribe / Maria Madelena
Previously at Madison Opera: Madame Larina in Eugene Onegin, Annina in La Traviata.
Recent Performances: Aunt March in Little Women (Children’s Theatre of Madison); Lady Sophy in Utopia, Limited (Madison Savoyards).
Praise: “Allisanne Apple gives a humorous lesson on English maidenhood. Apple is a joy to watch…” –Lindsay Christians, The Capital Times
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Role: Young Galileo / Salvati
Madison Opera debut
Recent Performances: Papageno in The Magic Flute (Cincinnati Opera Outreach); title role in Gianni Schicchi (University Opera, Madison); title role in Don Giovanni (University of Tennessee – Knoxville); Sergeant in La boheme and Notary in Don Pasquale (Des Moines Metro Opera).
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Role: Sagredo / Duchess Christina
Previously at Madison Opera: Opera in the Park 2011.
Recent Performances: Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance and the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute (Opera for the Young); title roles in The Merry Widow and Alcina (University Opera, Madison); Dueling Divas and Ding Dong The Diva’s Dead (Fresco Opera Theatre).
Praise: “Saira Frank…was fantastic, confident and expressive, a clear winner.” –Lindsay Christians, The Capital Times
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Role: Young Maria Celeste
Previously at Madison Opera: Flora in The Turn of the Screw.
Recent Performances: Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes and Rosemary in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Edgewood High School).
Praise: “The children, played by Alistair Sewell and Jennifer DeMain…add a refreshing energy to the production.” –Lindsay Christians, The Capital Times
“The two (supposedly bewitched) children, Miles and Flora, were played by Alistair Sewell and Jennifer DeMain, offspring of our local conductors: their acting was wonderful…” –John W. Barker, The Isthmus
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Role: 2nd Cardinal/2nd Inquisitor/2nd Oracle
Madison Opera debut
Recent Performances: Wagner in Faust (The Santa Fe Opera); Philosopher in The Last Savage (The Santa Fe Opera); Arcas in Medée (Chicago Opera Theater).
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Role: 3rd Cardinal/Priest
Madison Opera debut
Recent Performances: Luisa Miller and The Magic Flute (Chautauqua Opera); Figaro in Ghosts of Versailles, Figaro in Le Nozze de Figaro, and Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia (Bienen School of Music, Northwestern University); covered the role of Pish-Tush in The Mikado (Opera New Jersey).
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Galileo's Heavens, Hosted by Space Place
January 14, 2012 | 4 p.m.
Free and open to the public (reservations required)
Reservation deadline: January 11, 2012
Space Place is located at 2300 S. Park Street in the Villager Mall.
The adventurous and curious are invited to learn more about Galileo’s work and inventions through a special event hosted by UW Madison’s Space Place. Tour the Space Place exhibit hall, receive an introduction to Galileo’s amazing discoveries from Space Place Director Dr. James Lattis, and view Jupiter and Venus through a telescope from the Space Place observation deck (weather permitting). In addition to these free activities, you can try your hand at invention and continue astronomical observing at home by purchasing a Galileoscope telescope kit ($20). Space Place will offer assistance with kit assembly. The event and all-you-can-drink hot cocoa are free; the Galileoscope kits are $20 each (cash or check only).
Space is limited. Reservations can be made online here or over the phone by calling Madison Opera at (608) 238-8085.
For more information about Space Place, visit them online!
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