Séance on a Wet Afternoon (opera)

Séance on a Wet Afternoon is an opera in two acts by Stephen Schwartz to his own libretto, based on the novel by Mark McShane and the screenplay by Bryan Forbes to the 1964 film of the same name. The work, Schwartz's first opera after a string of Broadway musicals (Godspell, Pippin, Wicked), premiered on 26 September 2009 at the Granada Theatre of Opera Santa Barbara which commissioned the work. The work lasts for about 2 hours 50 minutes.

Performances The work received its New York debut at the New York City Opera in April 2011, this time with an additional aria for the character of Myra in act 2. It was scheduled for an Australian premiere in 2012 at Opera Queensland;"Turf wars with operatic overtones" by Rosemary Sorensen, The Australian (8 July 2011) both companies were co-producers of the Santa Barbara staging."Seasons 2010" at Stage Whispers That project was however shelved in late 2011., Opera Insider (1 October 2011)

Roles +RoleVoice typePremiere cast, 26 September 2009Conductor: Valery RyvkinMyra FostersopranoLauren FlaniganBill FosterbaritoneKim JosephsonArthur Foster, their son Aaron RefvemMrs ClaytonsopranoHila PlitmannMr ClaytontenorJohn KimberlingAdriana Clayton, their daughter Kelsey Lee SmithInspector WattsbassCraig HartMrs Wintrymezzo-sopranoJane ShaulisMiss RosesopranoCaroline WorraMr Bennett /Irish TenortenorMichael MarcotteMr ColetenorBenjamin BrecherPolicemantenorBray WilkinsChorus (Reporters)DirectorScott SchwartzScenic designerHeidi EttingerLighting designerDavid LanderCostume designerAlejo ViettiOrchestratorWilliam D. Brohn/Stephen SchwartzCopyistNathan Kelly, Don OliverChoreographerMatt WilliamsExecutive producerMichael Jackowitz

Synopsis

While the opera is based on the film, there are significant differences, including a change from the film's detached atmosphere to a breezier, feel-good air, and a very different ending.

References

External links "Séance on a Wet Afternoon – Stephen Schwartz's First Opera", musicalschwartz.com; "Séance on a Wet Afternoon Opera – Q&A", stephenschwartz.com Séance on a Wet Afternoon review by Bob Verini, Variety (26 September 2009)