It’s a Wonderful Life • 2016

Libretto by Gene Scheer

Based on the 1946 Frank Capra movie (by permission of Paramount Licensing, Inc) and on The Greatest Gift, by Philip Van Doren Stern

Opera in two acts

World Premiere: December 2, 2016
Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera, San Francisco Opera and Indiana University

Duration: 2 hours, 10 minutes

 

About

Banker George Bailey has fallen on tough times. With his company potentially on the brink of collapse, George is ready to end it all, and has a bridge in mind. When he arrives though, he’s met by a guardian angel, in the literal sense. Confronted with the positive impact he’s had on his hometown, suddenly George is aware of just how much good he’s done in his life: and maybe, just maybe, life would be a little less wonderful without him in it. 

Courtesy of English National Opera

 

“Heggie is a born melodist, a purveyor of the most grateful, ‘singable’ vocal lines and a word-setter of real eloquence.”

Gramophone


Premiere Cast & Creative Team

Conductor: Patrick Summers
Production: Leonard Foglia

Set Designer: Robert Brill
Costume Designer: David Woolard
Lighting Designer: Brian Nason
Projection Designer: Elaine J. McCarthy
Sound Designer: Andrew Harper

Choreography: Keturah Stickann
Chorus Director: Bradley Moore
Stage Manager: Christopher Staub
Assistant Director: Meg Edwards

Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and Chorus

George Bailey: William Burden
Clara: Talise Trevigne
Mary Bailey: Andrea Carroll
Mr. Gower / Mr. Potter: Rod Gilfry
Uncle Billy: Anthony Dean Griffey
Harry Bailey: Joshua Hopkins
Ernie: Heath Martin
Mother Bailey: Frankie Hickman

Quartet of Angels: D’Ana Lombard, Zoie Reams, Yongzhau Yu, Ben Edquist


Supported by generous gifts from Mr. & Mrs. William V. Morgan, Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation, Diane B. Wilsey, Potrello Family Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Cullen Foundation, The Cullen Foundation, The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, Stephen & Diane Heiman

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Moby-Dick Orchestra Suite • 2017

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Two Remain • 2016