THE WATERBURY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
AND
ENCOMPASS NEW OPERA THEATRE
combined resources and presented staged highlights in 1996 from
TRANSATLANTIC
by George Antheil
See Encompass 1981 American Premiere of Transatlantic
“For all that the [1930 European] premiere was counted as a success, the opera had to wait 51 years for its second production. That came in 1981, in Trenton, N.J., the city of Antheil’s birth. The production was mounted by the New York-based group Encompass, which specializes in neglected works of American opera and musical theater. - Steve Metcalf, The Hartford Courant
“The opera, which has only been performed three times, was staged by the Encompass Theatre in 1981, said Nancy Rhodes, the group’s artistic director. When Symphony Director Leif Bjaland expressed interest in the World War II era opera, a partnership was formed.”
- Cindy Gillis, Republican-American
“The clever, resourceful staging was done by Nancy Rhodes of the New York-based Encompass Music Theatre, a group devoted to American opera and musical comedy. Rhodes had also directed the 1981 Trenton production.”
- Steve Metcalf, The Hartford Courant
STAFF
Nancy Rhodes, Stage Director
Mary Ann Hoag, Lighting Designer
Christina Giannini, Costumer
John Farrell, Set Designer
Matt Gonzales, Set Pieces and Props
Diane Ericson, Props
Laurie Rogers, Rehearsal Pianist
OVERTURE
Scene I: On board the ocean liner Transatlantic, as it steams into New York harbor.
Scene II: Next evening at the Trouville Club, a stylish New York speakeasy.
Scene III: Next day, at the Hector Jackson for President campaign headquarters.
Scene IV Finalé: Election morning on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Helena (Darynn Zimmer)
Hector (Christopher Schumann)
Ajax (Eugene Green)
Jason (Fausto Pineda)
Gladys (Jane Romanos)
SOLO CHORUS
Sybil Haggard, Karen Weaver, soprano
Aaron-Noel Jeanin, Sue Rumanow, alto
Greg Marzullo, tenor
Scott Schmelder, Tom Cochrane, bass
Tina Lorusso, Director
CHORUS
Chamber Singers of the Connecticut Choral Society
Tina Johns Heidrich, Director
