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AMERICAN OPERA at YSU
YSU to stage Copland’s ‘The Tender Land’
YOUNGSTOWN — “The Tender Land” is a very accessible American opera that deserves to be heard more often, according to Allan R. Mosher, who is directing its production as part of Youngstown State University’s performing arts series
The Aaron Copland opera (libretto by Eric Johns and orchestral arrangement by Murry Sidlin) opens April 16 in YSU’s Ford Theater for four performances. Copland wrote the music \in the early 1950s.
“It strikes an American chord, and it has a beautiful score,” said Mosher, who noted the work hasn’t been performed locally since the mid-’80s. “It’s not frequently done,” he said. “Most shy away from American opera, preferring the Puccinis and the Verdis.”
“The Tender Land” is set in a farming community in the American Midwest in the 1930s at spring time.
“If you like Copland’s ‘Appalachian Spring,’ you are going to like this,” said Mosher, referring to Copland’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1945 orchestral piece. “It has a feeling of folk music to it at times.”
Musically, “Tender Land” shares the warmth and homespun feelings of “Appalachian Spring.” It also has a hoedown dance scene that “will get the blood pumping,” said Mosher.
“The Tender Land” focuses on Laurie, a young girl who becomes the first in her family to graduate. She longs for her own independence and new experiences apart from her overprotective family and small-town life.
As the entire town gathers together to dance and celebrate Laurie’s graduation from high school, she meets two drifters, Martin and Top, who were recently hired by her grandfather as field hands. Love soon blossoms between Laurie and Martin, and they plan to run away together.
But the two outsiders are viewed warily by the townsfolk.
The story ends tragically when Martin leaves without Laurie and she is broken-hearted. But she is determined to find a new life of her own. She leaves, with a single suitcase in hand, and walks down the road toward her new life.
Several roles are double cast. Laurie is sung by Carrie Minenok and Shafica Kaleel (April 17). Elizabeth Walker and Shawna Jones handle the role of Ma, while Trevor Coleman and Joshua Taylor sing the part of Grandpa.
Patrick McGuire and Matthew J. Miles are Top and Martin, respectively.
Rounding out the all-student cast are Natalie Modarelli, Christopher Anderson, David Munnell, Leeann Phillips, Katie Gaggini, Alecia Hetrick, Cory Hrycko, Abby Smith, Kayla Wilson, Max Pivik and Lynn Sabeh. Deanna Scott is stage manager.
In addition, the Girard City Schools Children’s Chorus will be a part of the performance.
Mosher has surrounded himself with some of the area’s top opera talent, including Jon Simsic, music director/conductor; David Vosburgh, stage director and set designer; Barbara Luce, costume designer; Kevin Wolfgang, lighting; and Jerome Rezanka, rehearsal accompanist and music preparation.
The assistant director is Cory Hrycko; choreographer, David L. Munnell; Girard City Schools Children’s Chorus director, Sue Ellen Harris Davis; master carpenter, Frank Bongen; makeup designer, Dana Chauvin; production stage manager, Johnnethen C. Pierce; and assistant stage manager, Deanna Scott.