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Séance on a Wet Afternoon (opera)

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Séance on a Wet Afternoon is an opera in two acts by Stephen Schwartz to a libretto by the composer and lyricist, based on the novel by Mark McShane and the screenplay by Bryan Forbes to the 1964 film of the same name. The work, Schwartz's first opera after a string of Broadway musicals (Godspell, Pippin, Wicked), premiered on 26 September 2009 at the Granada Theatre of Opera Santa Barbara which commissioned the work. The work lasts for about 2 hours 50 minutes.

Performances

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The work received its New York debut at the New York City Opera in April 2011, this time with an additional aria for the character of Myra in act 2.[1] It was scheduled for an Australian premiere in 2012 at Opera Queensland;[2] both companies were co-producers of the Santa Barbara staging.[3] That project was however shelved in late 2011.[4]

Roles

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Role Voice type Premiere cast, 26 September 2009
Conductor: Valery Ryvkin
Myra Foster soprano Lauren Flanigan
Bill Foster baritone Kim Josephson
Arthur Foster, their son   Aaron Refvem
Mrs Clayton soprano Hila Plitmann
Mr Clayton tenor John Kimberling
Adriana Clayton, their daughter   Kelsey Lee Smith
Inspector Watts bass Craig Hart
Mrs Wintry mezzo-soprano Jane Shaulis
Miss Rose soprano Caroline Worra
Mr Bennett /Irish Tenor tenor Michael Marcotte
Mr Cole tenor Benjamin Brecher
Policeman tenor Bray Wilkins
Chorus (Reporters)
Director Scott Schwartz
Scenic designer Heidi Ettinger
Lighting designer David Lander
Costume designer Alejo Vietti
Orchestrator William D. Brohn/Stephen Schwartz
Copyist Nathan Kelly, Don Oliver
Choreographer Matt Williams
Executive producer Michael Jackowitz

Synopsis

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References

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  1. ^ Anthony Tommasini (April 20, 2011). "A Crime Lurks on the Dark Side of a Clairvoyant Realm". The New York Times.
  2. ^ "Turf wars with operatic overtones" by Rosemary Sorensen, The Australian (8 July 2011)
  3. ^ "Seasons 2010" at Stage Whispers
  4. ^ "What is happening with Opera Queensland?", Opera Insider (1 October 2011)
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