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.”
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