VermontPhilharmonic59th season

Lou Kosma, Music Director & Conductor

Lisa Jablow, Assistant Conductor

Italian Operatic and Orchestral Delights

f e at u r i n g

Helle Gössler, soprano, 2017 Bel Canto Institute Orchestral

Performance Award Winner

and

Letitia Quante, violin

the A nnual O pera Gala

Saturday, October 14 • 8:00 pm • Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe

Sunday, October 15 • 2:00 pm • Barre Opera House

— Concert Sponsor —

Rock of Ages, Barre

Central Vermont’s Community Orchestra & Chorus | Resident Orchestra of the Barre Opera House | www.vermontphilharmonic.org

2 | The Annual Opera Gala

Lou Kosma, Music Director and Conductor, has traveled for 17 years from New York City to lead the Vermont Philharmonic. Until very recently Kosma was a member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. He is now able to devote more time to his many

other interests, including teaching privately and as an adjunct double bass instructor at New Jersey City University. Kosma is music director and conductor of the Junior Orchestra of the Youth Orchestras of Essex County (NJ) and has guest-conducted district, regional and all-state festival concerts in New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, North Dakota, and Vermont. Kosma’s appointments include music director and conductor of the Thurnauer Symphony Orchestra in Tenafly, NJ, artistic director of the Stokes Forest Music Camp and Festival, and conductor of the New Jersey City University Orchestra. Kosma performs with the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra at Lincoln Center and continues to play radio and television jingles and industrials. In 2014 he was honored by the New Jersey Music Educators’ Association with their Distinguished Service Award.

Helle Gössler Christensen, soprano, received her Bachelor’s Degree from the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen where she is now pursuing her Master’s Degree. Ms. Christensen has sung in concerts and oratorios in

Europe, Asia and the United States, has performed on Danish Radio as well as for the Queen of Denmark and the Danish Prime Minister. Some of the awards she has received include the Danish Friends of the Opera, Audience Prize, Young Singers in Denmark Prize, and Talent of the Year Prize. She is recipient of the 2017 Bel Canto Institute Performance Award and the 2017 Bel Canto Institute Orchestral Performance Award.

Letitia Quante, violin, studied at the Hartt Music School and performed around the world as a youngster. At age 11 she entered Juilliard pre-college, studying violin with Louise Behrend and minoring in conducting until she graduated

at age 15. She completed her BMA, with full scholarship at the Peabody Conservatory.

While living in Maryland she was principal with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony and assistant concertmaster with Lancaster Symphony, and concertized both as a soloist and chamber musician with other ensembles in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. She has performed with diverse musicians such as Mikhail Kopelman, Leon Fleisher, Eugene Drucker, Phil Setzer, Sarah Chang, Kanye West, Bajofondo, and Natalia Lafourcade. She has also performed with orchestras here and abroad.

Since moving to Vermont in 2012, Letitia performs with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Burlington Chamber Orchestra, Middlebury Opera, Handel Society at Dartmouth, Vermont Contemporary Ensemble, Vermont Virtuosi, and the Stellaria Trio. She joins the Vermont Philharmonic as concertmaster with this concert. Letitia is playing on an 1840 Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume on generous loan from Vermont Violins.

The Bel Canto Connection – Since 2007 Lou Kosma and the Vermont Philharmonic have been affiliated with the Bel Canto Institute of Florence, Italy, and its founder and artistic director, Jane Bakken Klaviter, an assistant conductor and prompter with the New York Metropolitan Opera Company.

Every year, Klaviter and colleagues from the NY Metropolitan Opera conduct a four-week seminar in Florence, Italy for young opera singers from around the world. Winners of the Bel Canto summer vocal competitions debut with the Vermont Philharmonic at its annual fall concert—bringing some of the finest young opera singers in the world to perform for our audiences in Northern and Central Vermont.

Artists

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Future Concert Dates

MessiahFriday, December 1, 2017, 7:30 pm

St. Augustine Church, Montpelier

Sunday, December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm Barre Opera House

Featuring the Vermont Philharmonic Community Chorus Lisa Jablow, Conductor

Winter ConcertSaturday, February 10, 2018, 7:30 pm

Elley-Long Music Center at St. Michael’s College, Colchester

Sunday, February 11, 2018, 2:00 pm Barre Opera House

Featuring the winner of the Jon Borowicz Student Scholarship

Family ConcertSunday, March 11, 2018, 2:00 pm

Barre Opera House

With the Green Mountain Youth Symphony – Robert Blais, Conductor

Spring ConcertSaturday, May 5, 2018, 7:30 pm

Chandler Music Hall, Randolph

Sunday, May 6, 2018, 2:00 pm Barre Opera House

Summer Pops ConcertSunday, August 12, 2018, 4:00 pm

Moose Meadow Lodge, Duxbury

Open for picnicking at 3:00 pm

Program

Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) Caro nome from Rigoletto Helle Gössler Christensen, soprano

Giuseppe martucci (1856-1909) Notturno Op. 70 No. 1

Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) Volta la terrea fronte from Un ballo in maschera 

Helle Gössler Christensen

— Intermission —

antonio ViValdi (1678-1741) Concerto for Violin in A minor, Op. 3 No. 6 1. Allegro 2. Largo 3. Presto

Letitia Quante, violin

Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) Saper vorreste from Un ballo in maschera Helle Gössler Christensen

Gaetano donizetti (1797-1848) Quel guardo il cavaliere … so anch’io la virtù magica from Don Pasquale Helle Gössler Christensen

ottorino respiGhi (1879-1936) Fontane di Roma

4 | The Annual Opera Gala

Orchestra

VIOLIN I

Letitia Quante, Concertmaster, Underhill

Alison Anand, RichmondJason Bergman, BarnetMarta Cambra, BerlinTom Charpentier, BurlingtonWillie Docto, DuxburyGail Miller, Monroe, NHGranthia Preston, Hanover, NHMargaret Smith, EssexLotta Suter, Berlin

VIOLIN II

Jan Miller, Principal, E. ElmoreCathy Cameron, MontpelierShannon DeSantis, WaterburyHannah Morvan, NorthfieldConnie Story, MontpelierBruce Story, MontpelierCynthia Swartz, St. Johnsbury

VIOLA

Drusilla Macy, Principal, BarreMolly Bidwell, BristolClara Carlson-Kirigin, MiddlesexEllen Drysdale, BerlinJill Leavitt, E. Barnard

VIOLONCELLO

Deborah Black, Principal (Sun), Plainfield

Joan Thompson, Principal (Sat), Morrisville

Ellen Krajewski, BarreAndreas Lehner, WaitsfieldPolly McMurtry, MoretownEdith Miller, E. MontpelierMichael Read, MontpelierLiz Ryan, Jericho

BASS

Laura Ellenwood, Principal, Montpelier

Eben Bodach-Turner, MontpelierAndrew Albright, JerichoLarry Medsker, ShelburneRodney Yeh, Underhill

FLUTE/PICCOLO

Kara Krikorian, Principal, WinooskiMarcia Clark, BerlinRebecca Bowen, Montpelier

OBOE

Andrea Brightenback, Principal, Hardwick

Elaine Stasny, Concord

ENGLISH HORN

Kris Hammer, Montpelier

CLARINET

Wesley Christensen, Principal, Waterbury

Paul Silver, Co-principal, JohnsonDiane Holland, Worcester

BASS CLARINET

John Klimenok Jr., Plainfield

BASSOON

Jonna Goulding, Principal, Randolph Center

Barry Cohen, Rutland

TRUMPET

Don Wheater, Principal, HinesburgPhyllis Kadlub, S. RoyaltonDean Williams, S Burlington

FRENCH HORN

Thea Calitri-Martin, Principal, N. Pomfret

Cynthia Smith, MonktonIan Campbell, WillistonMardee Sanchez, W. Brookfield

TROMBONE

Stephen Shires, Principal, Waterbury Center

Aram Barsumian, Burlington

BASS TROMBONE

Frank Mehaffey Jr., St. Albans

TUBA

James Diette, Principal, Starksboro

PERCUSSION

Susanna Guthmann, Principal, Morrisville

Lisa Jablow, BrattleboroPatricia Jacob, Jeffersonville

TIMPANI

Peter Waldman, Principal, Morrisville

KEYBOARD

Kristie Kapusta, Underhill

CELESTA

Susanna Guthmann, Morrisville

HARP

Abigail Stockman, Irasburg

The Annual Opera Gala | 5

Program Notes

Caro nome from Rigoletto Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

After a first secret meeting with her love, Rigoletto’s daughter, Gilda, reflects on her happiness at being in love with the man who claims to be student Gualtier Maldè—when actually he is the Duke of Mantua. In this aria, Gilda rhapsodizes on her new love — Caro nome — “Dearest name.”

Notturno, Op. 70, No. 1 Giuseppe Martucci (1856-1909) Martucci demonstrated early musical talent when he performed one of his own compositions on the piano at age 11. By the age of 25, he was well-known and accom-plished as a composer, pianist, and conductor. He was a leading Italian composer of his time and was the prin-cipal teacher of Ottorino Respighi, another composer featured on today’s program.

Though he lived during the heyday of Italian opera, he is a rarity among composers of his generation in that his prolific works do not include a single opera. His early compositions were mainly smaller pieces for piano before he moved on to classic larger works including symphonies and concertos. He earned a reputation for bringing an Italian “sensibility” to the German-Austrian tradition.

This nocturne, first written in 1891 for solo piano, was orchestrated ten years later and in this form is one of Martucci’s most frequently performed works. In creating an atmosphere of nighttime, it is thought of as a premier example of the Italian gift for explicit expression and natural singing melody.

Volta la terrea…Ogni cura si doni al diletto from Un Ballo in Maschera Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

Un Ballo in Maschera is a tale of political intrigue and forbidden love which, in the end, explores right and wrong, innocence and remorse. In Act 1 Scene 1, King Riccardo, in love with his friend’s wife Amelia, receives a complaint that Ulrica the fortune-teller is practicing witchcraft and urges her exile. In this aria, his page, Oscar defends the seer and urges Riccardo to visit her himself to investigate the complaint.

Violin Concerto Opus 3, No. 6 Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Antonio Vivaldi was a prominent Venetian musician not only as a composer—as we remember him today—but also as a violinist of renown.

Today’s concerto is part of a set, (Opus 3) for stringed instruments and one, two, or four soloists, first pub-lished in 1711 and named L’estro armonico (the “har-monic inspiration” or “musical rapture”). The title captures the qualities that so enchanted Vivaldi’s con-temporaries and continue to affect modern audiences today. The concerti demonstrate Vivaldi’s invention, rhythmic energy, melodic and harmonic intensity, and textural qualities, all translating into brilliant and dra-matic performance.

Opus 3 had significant influence on European taste (Bach transcribed six of them) and established the three-movement solo concerto as the norm. According to one violinist, “These pieces are truly exhilarating to play and perform and their fresh impact never fails to hit some target or other, judging by the reaction of a live au-dience.” They project a general feeling of Italian passion and good humor.

Today’s selection, No 6, is an important piece in the Suzuki Violin Method, where students are first intro-duced to playing in higher positions.

Saper vorreste from Un Ballo in Maschera Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) At the masked ball, Riccardo’s friend Renato, unaware that Riccardo has vowed to abandon his illicit love for Renato’s wife, is on a mission to revenge the adulterous affair. He pressures Oscar, the page, to describe the costume that Riccardo is wearing, so Renato can identify him in the crowd. In this aria, Oscar initially refuses to divulge the information, but finally relents when Renato says he has urgent business to discuss with Riccardo.

Quel guardo il cavaliere from Don Pasquale Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)

In this introduction to Norina in Act I, we hear her laughing while reading a silly romance novel. She only half-kiddingly compares her ability to seduce with wom-anly guiles, sighs and glances with those of the woman in the book. The end of each verse in the aria features increasingly virtuosic passages, showcasing Norina’s bubbly, witty personality.

6 | The Annual Opera Gala

Fontane di Roma Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936)

Respighi’s most popular works are three symphonic po-ems celebrating the glories of his adopted city: Fountains of Rome, Pines of Rome (which the VP played in 2013) and Roman Festivals. Each is orchestrated on a “lavish, virtually cinematic scale” filled with evocative musical descriptions.

For Respighi, water is the lifeblood of history and the fountains are Rome’s circulatory system. Commenting on his effort, he described the marble monuments them-selves as “the very voice of the city.” He describes this work as follows:

“In this symphonic poem the composer has endeavored to give expression to the sentiments and visions suggested to him by four of Rome’s fountains contemplated at the hour in which their character is most in harmony with the surrounding landscape, or in which their beauty appears most impressive to the observer.

The first part…, inspired by the fountain of Valle Giulia, depicts a pastoral landscape: droves of cattle pass and disappear in the fresh damp mists of a Roman dawn. A sudden loud and insistent blast of horns above the whole orchestra introduces the second part, The Triton Fountain. It is like a joyous call, summoning troops of naiads and tritons, who come running up, pursuing each other and mingling in a frenzied dance between the jets of water.

Next there appears a solemn theme borne on the undulations of the orchestra... the fountain of Trevi at mid-day. The…theme, passing from woodwind to the brass instruments, assumes a triumphal character. Trumpets peal: across the radiant surface of the water there passes Neptune’s chariot drawn by sea-horses, and followed by a train of sirens and tritons. The procession then vanishes while faint trumpet blasts resound in the distance. The fourth part, The Villa Medici Fountain, is announced by a sad theme which rises above a subdued warbling. It is the nostalgic hour of sunset. The air is full of the sound of tolling bells, birds twittering, leaves rustling. Then all dies peacefully into the silence of the night.”

Join our Conductor’s Club

The Vermont Philharmonic Conductor’s Club exists to encourage, acknowledge, and thank

community members who support the talent of a fine community orchestra in our area. Conductor’s

Club members and other generous supporters make it possible for us to fulfill our mission of

making outstanding symphonic music available to communities in Central and Northern Vermont. For information on joining, please stop by the

membership table in the lobby or contact us by mail or online.

The Vermont Philharmonic is a 501(c)(3) organization.P.O. Box 425, Montpelier, VT 05601

www.vermontphilharmonic.org

Board of Directors

Michael Read, presidentPeter Waldman, secretary

Carrie Youngblood, treasurerPolly McMurtry, orchestra representative

Becky BowenMarta CambraDavid Dudey

Jo Anne EdwardsBenjamin KingEllen Krajewski

The Vermont Philharmonic is seeking to enlarge its Board of Directors with community members who have business and financial experience. Please contact Michael Read at

802-223-9855 or mike@calcreek.com.

Program Notes

Staff Members

Dan Cambra, personnel manager Robert Post, stage manager

Joanne Puente, orchestra administratorJoan Thompson, librarian

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Conductor’s Club

Benefactor ($2,500+)

Susanna E. GuthmannS. Thatcher Hoyt

Patron ($1,000-2,499)

AnonymousJonna Goulding & Marcus CoxonBenjamin W. & Harriet H. King Karen & Larry MedskerMartin & Edith MillerNancy & Michael Read

Platinum ($500-999)

AnonymousJohn & Charlotte EllenwoodBruce & Connie StoryPeter & Ellen Waldman

Gold ($250-499)

Deborah BlackScott & Cathy CameronDeidre GouldingKurt Guthmann

Drusilla Macy & Don WhiteRobert & Louise MessnerEd PerantoniJoannie & Bill PinchbeckCarol Talbot Silver ($100-249)

AnonymousKathleen BasileBurton BellBetty BreerJan BroughDan & Marta CambraMr. & Mrs. Manuel CarcobaJoseph & Jeanette DevallCatherine Gates & Mark YorraKaren HennigGloria & Chris KrahnKenneth & Pauline McMurtryRobert & Lynda MurphyGary & Sylvia Parker Robert PerantoniDavid & Elinor PetersRobert & Nancy Pope

Alban & Margaret RicheyDiana & Brian StoneAllan & Elisa StortiGerry & Paul SweterlitschBruce & Susan TalmadgeEllen & Francis VoigtIn honor of the marriage of Tom Wald-

man & Ruben BejaranRichard & Catherine Wilson

Friend ($50-99)

Jane M. Austin & Wheaton V. SimisHedi BallantyneGary & Nancy BanksLiz ButlerDouglas & Birgit CorriganPatricia CrawfordLouis DonnetMarguerite Elizabeth DriscollKuno & Pat OlsonCarla PayneJane SprengerPaul & Ruth Wallace-Brodeur

Borowicz Scholarship Fund

Joel & Elizabeth SilversteinBill & Dhyano PiersonMarta & Dan Cambra

Guthmann Memorial Fund

Patricia CapraJudith DanielsMr. & Mrs. H. Alfred DorainLee & Margaret DansieE. Harl Hoffman & Beth-Ann WilleyDavid B. Knight

In addition, we’d like to thank the following for their generous donations:

Ronald & Pauline BarnesSteven & Cynthia BersonAllen & Virginia ChurchThomas & Delores DavisStanley & Janet FlinkPeggy & Paul IronsJohn & Jeannette Van Blarcom

Musician’s Chair Sponsor

Susan Janes, Concertmaster Richard LegerMarta Cambra, Violin I Erik, Jenn, Maria, & Jackson Cambra; John, Kristina Michael & Daniel YaylagulCynthia Swartz, Violin II Jacqueline & Donald SwartzLaura Ellenwood, Principal Bass John & Charlotte EllenwoodPeter Waldman, Principal Timpani Richard & Catherine Wilson

Business Sponsors

Brent Miller Real Estate, MorrisvilleReal Estate Services for Lamoille County and Beyond

Community National Bank, Barre & St. JohnsburyServing Vermont communities since 1851,

including four locations in Caledonia County

Compucount, Inc., RandolphFull service bookkeeping, payroll, and tax preparation

Frankenburg Agency, RandolphPersonal, Business, and Farm Insurance

The Herald of RandolphThe weekly newspaper of choice in the towns

along the White River

ImageRe: Digital Works, MoretownSpecializing in document layout, website design,

and digital image manipulation; Ed Schwartzreich, official photographer of the orchestra

King Family Law Group, Practicing Throughout VermontCommon sense solutions in Family & Matrimonial Law

Kinney Pike Insurance – The Holden Agency, RandolphProtecting families and businesses in the Northeast

for over 100 years

Lake Sunapee Bank, RandolphBanking, Insurance and Wealth Management

Main Street Dentistry, MontpelierWe treat our patients like family

Martin & Associates, P.C., BarreProviding high-quality legal services to central-

Vermont residents for over 30 years

Merchants Bank, St. Johnsbury, Barre, Northfield, Waterbury & Hardwick

Vermont Matters

Miller’s Country Outfitters, MorrisvilleCountry apparel and footwear for over 40 years

Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, E. MontpelierEight generations of maple dedication

Noyle W. Johnson Insurance, MontpelierIndependent thinking individually focused; we work for you

Ormsby Computer Systems, BarreFor 20 years, a leader in meeting Central Vermont’s

computer needs

Paige & Campbell, Inc., BarreProviding for the insurance needs of Vermonters

for more than 100 years

Pepsico Foundation, Princeton, NJInvesting in a healthier future for people and our planet

Rock of Ages Corp., BarreLegendary quality and craftsmanship; proudly serving Barre since 1885

Sperry Tents Vermont, WaitsfieldHandcrafted tents for all occasions

Stowe Street Emporium, WaterburyReflecting your good taste

Times Argus, Barre & MontpelierGreat Arts & Entertainment coverage every Friday, in print & online

WDEV Radio, WaterburyThe friendly pioneer radio voice of northern New England

Sustaining Sponsors ($2,500+)

Major Sponsors ($1,000-$2,499)

Lamson Howell Foundation, Inc.