Intelligence • 2023
Libretto by Gene Scheer
Inspired by the true story of two Civil War spies, Elizabeth Van Lew and Mary Jane Bowser
Opera
in two acts
World Premiere: October 20, 2023
Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera and Produced in Collaboration with Urban Bush Women
Conceived by Jake Heggie, Gene Scheer, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar
Duration: 125’
About
The Civil War is raging, and the country is burning. Men are slaughtering each other on the battlefield, but it is two women who possess the deadliest weapon of all: intelligence, made more powerful by its invisibility. Who would guess that Elizabeth Van Lew, from a prominent Confederate family, is running a secret pro-Union spy ring? That Mary Jane Bowser, born into slavery in the Van Lew household, not only has been taught to read and write, but is also possessed of a photographic memory? The HGO-commissioned world-premiere opera Intelligence, inspired by the little-known true story of these two unlikely spies, unfolds as Elizabeth sends Mary Jane to live in the Confederate White House. As Mary Jane uncovers the secrets of the Confederacy to share with Union military commanders, she also uncovers the secrets of her own history and identity. Shared through a fusion of music, words, and dance, this new American epic is the creation of a powerhouse trio: composer Jake Heggie, librettist Gene Scheer, and director/choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, founder of Urban Bush Women.
Courtesy of Houston Grand Opera
“Houston Grand Opera has a hit with Intelligence. Heggie, Scheer, Zollar and their superb team of collaborators have delivered a gorgeous, nuanced, layered and suspenseful masterpiece that deftly balances drama and wit.”
Premiere Cast & Creative Team
Conductor: Kwamé Ryan
Production/Choreography: Jawole Willa Jo Zollar
Set Designer: Mimi Lien
Costume Designer: Carlos Soto
Costume Realizer/Designer of Dancer Costumes: Clair Hummel
Lighting Designer: John Torres
Projection Designers: Wendall K. Harrington, Rasean Davonté Johnson
Associate Director: Colter Shoenfish
Associate Choreographer: Vincent Thomas
Dialect Coach: Jim Johnson
Dramaturg: Jeremy Johnson
Stage Manager: Annie Wheller
Fight Director: Luke Fedell
Intimacy Director: Skye Bronfenbrenner
Sound Effects Designer: Edwardo Hawkins
Houston Grand Opera Orchestra
Urban Bush Women Dance Company
Elizabeth Van Lew: Jamie Barton
Mary Jane Bowser: Janai Brugger
Lucinda: J‘Nai Bridges
Callie Van Lew: Caitlin Lynch
Henry: Nicholas Newton
Travis Briggs: Michael Mayes
Wilson: Joshua Blue
Urban Bush Women Company Dancers: Courtney J. Cook, Loren Davidson, Kentoria Earle, Roobi Gaskins, Symara Johnson, Bianca Leticia Medina, Love Muwwakkil, Mikaila Ware
Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera and supported by extraordinary gifts from Sara & Bill Morgan, The Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation, Mr. John L. Nau III, The Carol Buck Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation, Diane B. Wilsey