Post on 30-Mar-2018
Student/SeniorDressRehearsalFriday,December15, 2017, 11am
SuzanneMallareActon,ConductorFEATURINGAlfreda Burke, SopranoRodrick Dixon, TenorKarenMarieRichardson,Alto
Rackham ChoirToo Hot To Handel Orchestra With the Too Hot Trio: MarionHayden,DavidTaylor,andAlvinWaddles
LightingDesigner:KendallSmithStageManager:EllenPeck
OriginalconceptbyMarinAlsopCo-arrangedandorchestratedbyBobChristianson and Gary Anderson
Too Hot To Handel isaco-productionofRackhamChoirandtheDetroit Opera House
TheConcordiaOrchestraofNewYorkCitycommissionedToo Hot To Handel in1993,fromarrangersBobChristiansonandGaryAnderson.SincethefirstperformanceatLincolnCenter,crowdshavesmiled,cheeredanddancedintheirseats(andsometimesintheaisles!)Too Hot captures theessentialcoreofHandel’sfamousmasterworkandreinterpretsitwithchordsofrhythmandblues,jazzandgospel.Theendresult?Adynamicandupliftingcelebrationthatmustbeexperienced.Simplyput:TooHotToHandelisMessiahre-created.
MusiconloanfromthearchivesoftheConcordiaOrchestra,MarinAlsop,foundingmusicdirectorandconductor.
Too Hot To Handel
PART ISinfony
Comfort yeEvery valley
AndthegloryoftheLordshallberevealedThus saith the Lord
ButwhomayabidethedayofHiscomingAnd He shall purify
Behold,avirginshallconceiveOthouthattellestgoodtidingstoZion
For behold, darkness shall cover the earthThepeoplethatwalkedindarkness
For unto us a child is bornTherewereshepherdsabidinginthefield
AndsuddenlytherewastheangelGlory to God
Intermission
Part IIRejoicegreatly
Then shall the eyes of the blind be openedHe shall feed his flock
His yoke is easyBehold the Lamb of God
SurelyHehathborneourgriefs**Allwelikesheephavegoneastray
Behold, I tell you a mysteryThe trumpet shall soundTheLordgavetheword
WhydothenationssofuriouslyrageHallelujah!
**withDavidVaughn,bass-baritone
THE JAZZ GOSPEL MESSIAH • Saturday, December 16, 2017
22 BRAVO•Fall2017 www.MichiganOpera.org MichiganOperaTheatre
TOO HOT TO HANDEL
Rackham ChoirRackhamChoiriscommittedtothehigheststandardsofmusicalexcellence.SuzanneMallareActon,Rackham’sartistic and music director, sets the tone. Her inspired visionbringstogetheruniqueblendsofcomposers,instrumentalists, soloists and choristers from local, nationalandinternationalcircles,creatingunforgettableconcerts. Founded in 1949, Rackham Choir is Detroit’s oldest choir, and the only ensemble of its kind in the city. In nearly six decades of existence, Rackham has continually adapted, reinvented and transformed itself,energizingaudiencesofallageswithitsexcitingchoralproductions.Anall-volunteerchoir,Rackhamisapowerhouseofsoundwithnearly80members. In2016,RackhamperformedtheU.S.premiereofJonathon Dove’s church opera The Walk from the Garden and the annual Voices of Tomorrow: The High School Vocal Intern Showcase. Forit’s2017/2018seasonRackhamChoirperformedwithAlvinWaddlesandDetroitCountryDaySchoolattheSeligmanPerformingArtsCenter.InMarch,RackhamChoirwillbeperformingRichardEinhorn’soratorioVoicesofLight,incollaborationwiththe Detroit Institute of Art and the Detroit Film Theatre. For more information visit us at rackhamchoir.org RackhamChoirissupportedinpartbygrantsfromtheKresgeFoundation,theMichiganCouncilforArtsandCulturalAffairs,andtheNationalEndowmentfortheArts,aswellasnumerousindividualdonorsandcorporatesponsors.
Bob Christianson (Co-arranger and Orchestrator)Mr.Christiansonisamusician,composer,arranger,andconductor. He has scored HBO’s Sex and the Cityseries,wasnominatedforanEmmyAwardforhismusic for ABC Sports and scored the series Wildlife Emergency for Animal Planet.BobreceivedhisbachelordegreefromSUNYatPotsdam(CraneSchoolofMusic)andcompletedhisgraduateworkincompositionattheUniversityofMichigan.Aftercollege,hestartedoutinNewYorkCityasamusicaldirectorandconductorforBroadwayshows,includingGodspell, The Magic Show, and Gilda Radner – Live from New York. In the concert arena he has had the goodfortunetoworkonseveralprojectswithlongtimefriendMarinAlsop,hisfavoritebeingToo Hot To Handel, withco-arrangerGaryAnderson.
Gary Anderson (Co-arranger and Orchestrator)Composer, producer, and artist Gary Anderson is acclaimedforhisdiversity,andhehasaccumulatedawiderangeofworktoproveit.Fromtheworld-knownthemesof ABC and CNN to the critically acclaimed underscore for theanimationofRalphBakshiandMattGroening….fromFrank Sinatra to Chaka Khan to Judy Collins. A summa cumlaudegraduateoftheBerkleeCollegeofMusicinBoston.Mr.Andersonbeganhiscareerwithafour-yeartenureasafulltimeprofessorattheworld-renownedschool.Hewasawardedhisalmamater’sOutstandingAchievementAwardandwasnamedoneofthecollege’s
50outstandinggraduates,alongwithfellowalumniQuincyJones,ArifMardin,AlfClausen,andGaryBurton.Innetworkandcabletelevision,hismusiccanbeheardonABC,CNN,CBS,PBS,andNBC:and,nottoforgetBartSimpson’s favorite….the theme from The Itchy and Scratchy Show.
Suzanne Mallare ActonFromHandel’sMessiahtocontemporaryjazz,ConductorSuzanneMallareActonisrecognizedforherversatilityanddynamicstyle.ForMichiganOperaTheatre,Ms.Acton’sconductingcreditsinclude West Side Story, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, The Music Man, The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, La Boheme, Die Fledermaus, La Traviata, A Little Night Music, The Daughter of the Regiment, Carmina BuranawithmembersofCirque du Soleil, The Medium, and Les Pecheurs de Perles. Additional credits include My Fair Lady and La Traviata for Dayton Opera, The Merry Widow and Madama Butterfly for Artpark, La Traviata, Gianni Schicchi and L’Elisir D’Amore for Verdi Opera Theatre, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, La Traviata and Carmen for the Wharton Center, and Tosca forAugustaOpera. Symphonic concerts include the Detroit Chamber WindsandStrings,theBirmingham-BloomfieldSymphonyOrchestra,TheLexingtonBachFestival,andtheSaginawBaySymphonyOrchestra.In1996,Ms.ActonwasappointedArtisticandMusicDirectorofRackhamChoir.Underherleadership,theRackhamChoirwasawardedthe2008Governor’sAwardforArts&Culture.
Karen Marie RichardsonAnativeoftheChicagolandarea,KarenMarie(thoughknownnationallyforhervocals)isasongwriter,actress,teacher,and musician. She has performed in Too Hot To Handel as the Alto soloist (AuditoriumTheatre,ChicagoandDetroitOperaHouse)forthelasteightseasons.SheiscurrentlystarringintheOff-Broadwaysensation,Sleep No More, asjazzchanteuseStellaSinclair.There,shehassungduetswithPinkandJohnLegend.KarenisscheduledtoappearintheupcomingfilmadaptationoftheMichaelJohnLachiusamusical, Hello Again. You may have also seen Karen Marieontelevisionoflate,vocallysupportingGrammyAwardnominatedartistAndraDayonThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, or Live with Kelly. She is featured on the pilot episode of HBO’s Vinyl, directed by MartinScorsese.SheisoneofthefewartiststoperforminDukeEllington’sQueenie Pie inthetitlerole.(LongBeachOperaandChicagoOperaTheatre).ShealsoperformedinthewindowofBarney’sNewYorkunderthedirectionof Baz Luhrmann. She can also be seen via You Tube as a featuredvocalistinafew“viralvideos”.SheiscurrentlyafacultymemberatBroadwayDanceTheatreinPlainfield,NewJersey.(voice).SheholdsaBFAinMusicalTheatrefromMillikinUniversity.
MichiganOperaTheatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO•Fall2017 23
Marion HaydenBorninDetroit,MarionHaydenisoneof the nations’s finest proponents of the acoustic bass. An early lover of jazz,HaydenwasmentoredbymastertrumpeterMarcusBelgraveandbeganperformingjazzattheageof15.Shehasperformedwithsuchjazzluminariesas Lionel Hampton, Nancy Wilson, Hank Jones, Benny Gholson, Frank Foster, JonHendricks,ReginaCarter,andGeriAllen.Sheisco-founderofthetouringjazzensembleStraightAhead.Haydenis on faculty at the Department of Jazz and Contemporary Improvisational Studies at the UniversityofMichiganandhasservedasaclinicianandadjudicatoratcollegesanduniversitiesacrossthecountry.Currentprojectsinclude: Middle Passage Exiles – a collaboration projectwith2015KresgeFellow,husband,M.SaffellGardnerandI Sell the Shadow, musical reflections of the touringartexhibit30 Americans.
Alvin B. WaddlesA native of Detroit, Alvin Waddles studied at Interlochen Arts Academy and the University of MichiganSchoolofMusic.HehasworkedintheFineArts Departments of the Detroit and Ann Arbor Public Schools systems. Since 1994, he has served as Director ofMusicforHopeUnitedMethodistChurchinSouthfield,Michigan.Inadditiontoregularappearancesatlocal venues and events such as the DirtyDogJazzCafé,theDetroitFestivaloftheArts,theMichiganJazzFestival, and the Detroit International Jazz Festival, he has traveled across the country and abroad both as a solo artist and as musical director for Cook,DixonandYoung,formerlyoftheThreeMo’Tenors.
Rodrick DixonRodrick Dixon’s notable operatic engagementsincludeperformancesinLosAngelesOpera’sproductionsof Zemlink’s Der Zwerg in the title role, conducted by James Conlon,
andofWagner’sTannhauser as WalthervonderVogelweider.OtherperformancesincluderoleswithMichiganOperaTheatreasTonioinLa fille du regiment, Todi International MusicMastersFestival as Lensky in Eugene Onegin, and Portland Opera in the role of Tales of Hoffman. On the concertstage,heisaregularguestoftheCincinnatiMayFestival,wherehehas performed Orff’s Carmina Burana, Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex, Janacek’s Glogolitic Mass, Mahler’sDas Klagende Lied, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Rachmaninoff’s The Bells, and Rossini’s Stabat Mater. Other notable appearances include performanceswiththePhiladelphiaOrchestra for Der Zwerg and Los AngelesPhilharmonicinStravinsky’sOedipus Rex,conductedbyEsa-PekkaSalonen and directed by Peter Sellars. Mr.DixonhasperformedinToo Hot to Handel since its Detroit premiere in 2002.
Alfreda BurkeAlfreda Burke’s vocal artistry has been described as “voluptuous, creamy and luxuriant” (Chicago Tribune). She has appeared in concertthroughoutNorth America and in Europe. Ms.BurkemadeherCarnegieHall(NYC)andOrchestraHall(Chicago)debuts in Strauss’ Elektra withtheChicagoSymphonyOrchestraledbyDanielBarenboim.HighlightedperformancesincludetheChicagoSymphony at Ravinia under Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops Symphony Orchestra,DetroitOperaHouse/Rackham Symphony Choir under SuzanneActon,PraguePhilharmonic,UmbriaMusicFestival(Italy),TodiMusicFest,MissWorld(China,UK),HoldersSeasonGala(Barbados),Lancaster Festival, Corrales Cultural ArtsCouncil(NewMexico),GrantParkMusicFestival,MilleniumParkGala,MilwaukeeSymphonyOrchestra,Kennedy Center, Auditorium Theatre, Auditorium Theatre 125 Living the History, ChicagoOperaTheater,
ChorusAngelorum,ChicagolandPops Orchestra, Siamsa nan Gael, and NATOChicagoSummit.Ms.Burkefilmed2010PraguePBSspecial, Hallelujah Broadway, recordedonEMI/Manhattanlabel.Otherrecordingsinclude her solo CD, From the Heart (2002);andtheChicagoOlympic2016BidAnthem,andI Will Stand (2008).AcycleofthreePaulLaurenceDunbar Songs waswrittenforMs.BurkebyDr.EdwardHart,CollegeofCharleston(2015).AuditoriumTheatre&DiBurke,Inc.haveco-producedaduoshow,Songs of a Dream, national tour and CD release. ShereceivedMMandBMdegreesfromRooseveltUniversity;servesonthe RU CCPA Advisory Board. She is honored to be a History Maker and a permanent part of their collection attheLibraryofCongress.VisitMs.Burke at www.sopranoalfredaburke.com, www.theHistoryMakers.com,www.songsofadream.com, You Tube andonFacebook.FollowMs.BurkeonTwitter@AldredaBurke17
David TaylorDavid Taylor studied percussion performance at the University of Cincinnati/College-Conservatory of MusicwherehisprincipalteacherwasWilliam Youhass. Other teachers include Salvatore Rabbio, Gordon Stout,andTimHagans.SinceretuningtoDetroit,Mr.TaylorhasperformedshowsattheFox,Masonic,andFisherTheatres. In addition, he performs regularlywiththeMichiganOperaTheatre Ochestra and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. David has been a member of Wayne State University’sjazzfacultysince1991and has toured Europe and South AfricawithsaxophonistChrisCollins.Hehasbeenoncountlessrecordings,includingworkwithEmmyawardwinningcomposer/producerJosephLoDuca.DavidhastaughtattheInterlochenNationalMusicCamp.Heis a Vic Firth Artist.
24 BRAVO•Fall2017 www.MichiganOpera.org MichiganOperaTheatre
RACKHAMCHOIRSOPRANO
VictoriaBigelow*RyanBlankenberg**
Kathy BoettcherLaura Casai
Deanna ChristyJennifer Clancy
NatalieCorrigan**JoanCrawford
Hannah CressmanBeth Deuel
MichelleDrummondLauren FisherGillian Frank
Emily GayMollyGole
Avital GranotAmy GuffeyKelly Jakes
RachelMiltimore**Kate Pierce Judith Szefi
AndreaTawilDiana Turner
AnneMarieViviano-Poltorak
Kim WittenAndrea Ylipoti
TENORGregoryAshe*
AlexBartley-Livingston**MichaelBoettcher
Tony CamillettiJosephDluzniewski
Jonathan FrankelJeff Fritz
Donald GayScott Johnston
Chris JonesJeffKrueger
Aditya NambiarBill Steiner
Brett ThompsonHarry Williams, Jr.
ALTOMaureenAbele
Beth AdamsFran Bachmann
Deb NeroEmily Eichenhorn
Susan A. FoxYvonneFriday*
Anna GiammarcoLindaHagopian
Kimberly HendersonVictoria IsabellCrystal IversonWendy KeeblerMeghanKehoeJennifer LopezAnneMaters
PatriciaMinnickNancy Nelson
Sarah PiperKennedyRobinson**
PatriciaStewartAlana Tucker
MaggieTurnerLinda Van BurenLoriWeatherwax
BASSCharlieArnett*Simone Bonino
DrewGaleGary Hasley
Paul KellermanGary Lindell
ScottMaggartPaolo Pacheco
StevenP.PejuanViragaPerera
Laverne SchenkAlan Sebastian
Brandon Spencer DavidTwigg
Bud UhlDavidVaughnJack Walpuck
Will Yeats
Too Hot To Handel OrchestraVIOLIN I
EliotHeaton- ConcertmasterBryan Johnston
AndrewWuCharlotteMerkerson
Beth Kirton
VIOLIN II Victoria HaltomDaniel Stachyra
Henrik KarapetyanAnnaBittar-Weller
MollyHughes
VIOLA JohnMadisonScott Stefanko
James GreerJulianne Zinn
CELLO Nadine Deleury
Andrea YunDaniel Thomas
Stefan Koch
BASS Derek Weller
SAXOPHONEChristopher Collins
RussellMillerRussellMallareJoseMallare
Keith Kaminski
HORNAndrewPelletierTamara KosinskiDavid Denniston
TRUMPETWalter White
Gordon SimmonsKenneth Robinson
TROMBONEVincent Chandler
GregNearJohn Rutherford
TIMPANIAlisonChang
PERCUSSIONJohn Dorsey
DRUMSETDavid Taylor
PIANO Alvin Waddles
ORGAN FredHughesJr.
BASSMarionHayden
ELECTRIC GUITARAl Ayoub
ELECTRIC BASSJames Simonson
RACKHAM CHOIR ADMINISTRATION
SuzanneMallareActon,ArtisticDirectorMaximilianFuhrig,ManagingDirector
PatMinnick,ChoirManagerJoseph Jackson, Accompanist
VictoriaBigelow,PhD,EducationCoordinator
Rackham Board of TrusteesTom Deuel, President
Crystal Iverson, Vice PresidentRogerNelson,Treasurer
Wendy Keebler, Secretary
SuzanneMallareActonGregoryAshe
VictoriaBigelow,PhDWilliam Day
Emily EichenhornSusan A. Fox
MaximilianFuhrigClarence Jones
Ray LittPatriciaMinnickLaverne Schenk
Bud Uhl
www.rackhamchoir.orgadministration@rackhamchoir.org
313.404.0222
FollowusonFacebookandTwitterformoreinformationaboutthechoir,oureducationwork,
and our outreach efforts.
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MichiganOperaTheatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO•Fall2017 25
CONTRIBUTORS TO TOO HOT TO HANDEL
Gold FriendsDrs. John & Janice BernickDr.&Mrs.RichardBingham
Nola & Art Chester William & Pamela Day
Josh & Emily Eichenhorn
MaryC.MazureBarbaraFrankel&RonaldMichalak
Roger&NancyNelsonJim & Sarah Piper
Glen & Cynthia Solomon
Corporate and Foundation Support
TheKresgeFoundationMichiganCouncilforArts&CulturalAffairs
DTEEnergyFoundationSt. John Providence
CommunityFoundationforSoutheastMichiganFlint Community Fund
Silver FriendsPhilip&MaureenAbele
Fran Bachmann & Bruce BisballeLare&MarleneBlum
Tom & Beth DeuelJoan E. Emerick & Pedro P. Saldan
Fifth Third Bank Daniel & Susan Fox
Jeff & Germaine FritzMaximilianFuhrig&ChristinePavelka
Dennis&MarjorieGlazaDerek&KarenHodgsonJohn & Wendy Keebler
Patrick&PatriciaMinnickAnne-MariePoltorakFrank & Susan Sonye
Bud Uhl MaryLouZieve
Singing for DetroitSupport Rackham ChoirBecome a Friend today
www.rackhamchoir.org 313 404 0222
Richard EinhornVoices of Lightwith Carl Dreyer’s classic film
La Passion de Jeanne d’ArcDetroit Chamber Winds and StringsSuzanne Mallare Acton, ConductorAngela Theis, SopranoRicardo Lugo, baritone Saturday, March 24 at 8:00 pm & Sunday, March 25 at 3 pmDetroit Film Theatre, Detroit Institute of Art
Considered by most critics to be among the greatest films ever made, Voices of Light is an oratorio combining the magic of classic cinema with the power of live performance. “This overwhelming combination of film and live musical performance generates an emotional pull unparalleled in my experience.” -Eliliot Wilhelm, Curator of Film, Detroit Institute of Art
In collaboration with the Friends of the Detroit Film Theatre
Rackham Choir presents:
Vocal Internship Showcase Voices of TomorrowFriday, May 4 at 7:30Kirk in the Hills
Each year Rackham Choir takes on up to five high school students to join our Internship program. Through lessons, coachings and choir rehearsals these talented young individuals are given a unique chance to realize theirdreams of becoming full fledged performers.
26 BRAVO•Fall2017 www.MichiganOpera.org MichiganOperaTheatre
PHOTOGRAPHY,RECORDING&COMMUNICATIONSDEVICESPhotography or recording during any performance is strictlyprohibited.Youarewelcometotakephotographsinthelobbybefore or after a performance and during intermission. As acourtesy to our guests, please switch all electronic devices tosilentmodeandrefrainfromusingthemduringtheperformance.
INCASEOFEMERGENCYDoctors and parents are advised to leave their seat location (locatedon ticket) andour emergencynumber, (313) 237-3257,with their service or sitter in case of an emergency. Pleaseobserve the lightedexit signs located throughout the theater.In the event of an emergency, please remain calm andwalk – do not run – to the nearest exit. Our ushers are trained to lead you out of the building safely. A trained Emergency MedicalTechnician (EMT) is onsite during most events. Please see anusherorstaffmembertocontacttheEMT.
RESTROOMSLadies’ restrooms are located off the Ford Lobby (BroadwayStreetentrance),downthestairs;andonthethirdfloor(MadisonStreetentrance)–press“3R”ontheelevatortoreachthisfacility.Gentlemen’s restrooms are located under the Grand Staircase andalsoonthethirdfloor(BroadwayStreetside)–press“3”onthe elevator to reach this facility. All third floor restrooms are wheelchairaccessible.Aunisex,wheelchairaccessiblerestroomislocatedintheCadillacOperaCafé.
NOSMOKINGTheDetroitOperaHouseisasmoke-freefacility.
USHERSUshers are stationed at the top of each aisle. If you have a question orconcern,pleaseinformanusher,whowillcontactmanagement. Ifyouareinterestedinbecomingavolunteerusher,pleasecalltheHouseManagerat(313)237-3252.
LOST & FOUNDLost and Found is located in the Safety and Security Department. Please see an usher if you have misplaced an article, or call (313)961-3500ifyouhavealreadyleftthetheater.ItemswillbeheldinLostandFoundfor30days.
SERVICESConcessions stands are located on all levels. Please note that food and drinks are not permitted in the auditorium at any time. Coat Check is located at the Guest Services desk in the Vincent Lobby(MadisonStreetside).PleasenotethattheDetroitOperaHouse does not accept responsibility for any personal articles that are not checked at the coat check.
IMPORTANTCONTACTINFORMATIONWebsite ..............................................................www.MichiganOpera.org
EMERGENCIES .......................................................................(313)237-3257
MichiganOperaTheatre .................................................. (313)961-3500
General Information .......................................................... (313)961-3500
Lost and Found .................................................................... (313)961-3500
Ticket Office ...........................................................................(313)237-7464
Theater Rental Information ............................................ (313)961-3500
Detroit Opera House Fax ................................................... (313)237-3412
Press and Public Relations ................................................(313)237-3403
HermanFrankel|OperaHouseParkingCenter ..... (313)965-4052
General Information
GreetingsfromtheMOTVolunteerAssociation. I have been an opera lover for many years and MichiganOperaTheatreisveryimportanttome.OurMOTVAvolunteersprovidethecompanywithatremendouslevelofsupport.Wehavemorethan700memberswhoserveasushers,tourguides,andBoutiquevolunteers.OurDivasandDivos provide artist hospitality, and the Opera LeagueandDanceCouncilmembersholdpartiestocelebratemomentssuchasopeningnightperformances.Ourmembersloggedalmost20,000volunteer hours last year. Bravi!! If you are not yet a volunteer please consider joiningus!Volunteeringisagreatwaytomeetotherinterestingandinvolvedpatrons.FormembershipinformationpleaseviewtheMOTVAwebpageatmichiganopera.org/working-with-us/volunteerorcallChristinaWagnerat313.237.3236.ChristinawouldbehappytospeakwithyouandconnectyouwiththosevolunteeringinsupportofMichiganOperaTheatre. Tothosewhocurrentlysupportusthroughthegiftsof your time, I offer my sincere thanks.Tothosereadingaboutourvolunteerprogramforthe first time, please consider joining. Sincerely,
TerryShea,President,MOTVA MOTVA Committees, Chair(s)Boutique, Leo DovelleDanceFilms,LarryGlowczewskiDivasandDivos,HelenArnoldi-RoweOperaHouseTourGuides,MyrnaMazureOperaLeague,DodieDavidPublicity,AnnetteMarchesiSecretary,NancyMooreSpecialEvents,GwenBowlby,DonJensen
& Curtis PosuniakUshers, Kathie Booth Past PresidentsStevenMarlette,DodieDavid,BettyBrooks, Gloria Clark
VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION
38 BRAVO•Fall2017 www.MichiganOpera.org MichiganOperaTheatre