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1st Trio Member -- Jenny Schuler
2nd Trio Member -- Jonathan Zeng
3rd Trio Member -- Tobias Wright
Sam, a business man -- Aaron Wardell
Dinah, his wife -- Julia Elise Hardin
Conductor -- Codrut Birsan
Stage Director -- George Cederquist
Répétiteur -- Sheldon Miller
Lighting Designer -- Claire Sangster
Choreographer -- Natalja Aicardi
Drums -- Sean Kimzey
Bass -- Scott Bakshis
There will be a 30 minute jazz set prior to the opera and a 15 minute jazz set following the performance.
When Leonard Bernstein wrote Trouble in Tahiti in 1951, his theme – that life in suburbia is not necessarily as perfect as it seems – was an original and surprising idea, perhaps even a shocking one.
My, how America has changed in the last sixty years.
As portrayed in the art of today, there is nothing really shocking about the tension between the surface dream and the hidden nightmare of suburban life. Every medium has had its take on the topic, from Ben Folds to Arcade Fire, from Desperate Housewives to Weeds, and in many other songs, TV shows and films in between.
Why, then, does Trouble in Tahiti still affect us so deeply? The score hasn’t changed since its original composition, apart from the opera being subsumed by a larger, separate Bernstein work from the 1980s called A Quiet Place. The opera’s music is as striking as ever, featuring chromaticism and syncopated rhythms that only Bernstein could have composed. It combines legit operatic motives (sung by Sam and Dinah, a married couple in crisis) with the swing and jive of a hip jazz trio who drive the narrative forward and comment on the story.
But beyond the score, it’s the slowly souring relationship between Sam and Dinah that moves us as much now as then. We may no longer be shocked by the idea of the suburbs hiding dark secrets, but we will always be taken aback when we hear the news that a couple we know and love has begun to drift apart.
Sam and Dinah are not bad people. They have their proclivities, like all of us, but they do want their ten-year-old marriage to succeed. No, they are not the problem: their surroundings are. The quest for a perfect suburban life has led them not to a quiet place (a phrase Dinah uses in describing a dream she had), but to an empty place. In possessing more than they could possibly ever need – a goal which suburban society has told them is right and good – Sam and Dinah fail to realize that they’ve been sold a false bill of goods. Two cars, good schools, a big backyard, and plentiful malls are no substitute for contentment or for deep, personal connection. They work hard for the dream, and get it, but at the expense of their marriage.
That conflict is what lies in the hearts of Sam and Dinah, in the heart of this opera, and in the hearts of many of us today.
Choreographer
Natalja Aicardi is an interdisciplinary artist from Italy; sheʼs worked as movement director and choreographer for musical theatre, new operas and childrenʼs theatre, with the Theatre Building Chicago, Caffeine Theatre, Stockyard theatre Project and Chicago Opera Vanguard. She danced with The New Yiddish Dance Ensemble for DanceBridge, Theatre Un Speak Able and CocoDanceGroup. She was the recipient of the 2014 “In The Works” residency for DCASE at the cultural center and developed and performed her own original work, with her grandfatherʼs music. She has collaborated before with George Cederquist on “Sweeney Todd” and the new opera “Reaganʼs children” at Northwestern University. Sheʼs also a student at The School For Theatre Creators, a movement teacher, a reiki master and the mother of two wonderful children.
Stage Director | CFO Head of Production
George was the Resident Artist Stage Director at Pittsburgh Opera during the 2013-2014 season. He served as Assistant Director for each of the company's four main stage productions, and directed new productions of Nico Muhly's DARK SISTERS and Gregory Spears' PAUL'S CASE. As the Summer 2013 Apprentice Stage Director at the Merola Opera Program, George directed the Merola Grand Finale at the War Memorial Opera House, collaborating with conductor John DeMain and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. George's production of Kevin Puts' SILENT NIGHT was chosen as a winner of Opera America's Director-Designer competition. In May 2013, he presented this production concept to artistic directors and industry professionals during a special session of Opera America's annual National Opera Conference in Vancouver, Canada. George was one of ten Americans to receive the 2011-12 German Chancellor Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the first Stage Director ever to win this prestigious award. During his fellowship in Germany, George served as a Regieassistent at the Staatstheater Darmstadt. George has directed new productions and opera scenes with Chautauqua Opera, Roosevelt University, the Bay View Music Festival, and Chicago Opera Vanguard. George's training includes an MFA in Directing from Northwestern University, a BA in Theatre Studies and English from Yale University, and a Directing Fellowship at Wolf Trap Opera. A dual US-UK citizen, George is also an ensemble member of Steep Theatre Company (Chicago) and a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists.
Conductor | CFO Artistic Director
Born in Brasov, Romania, Codrut Birsan began piano lessons at age 6 and at 17 accompanied for Opera Brasov. A former singer, Birsan studied at the Bucharest Conservatory and as a young musician he received instruction from Prof. Georgeta Stoleriu. In 2005, Birsan moved to the United States and obtained his Master of Music after receiving a scholarship from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Here Birsan began collaborations as an accompanist to singers and instrumentalists. Later, as an accompanist at the University of Wisconsin, Birsan began conducting larger instrumental ensembles and coached a wider range of singers, primarily focusing on opera, style, and performance practice. These collaborations would later become the catalyst and framework from which he would build Candid Concert Opera. Birsan is a regular collaborator with Lyric Opera of Chicago and has served as music director for Opera in the Neighborhoods, Lyric's vibrant outreach which brings opera productions to suburban and city schools. Recently, Birsan also accompanied a masterclass taught by renowned soprano, Renee Fleming. He has worn a number of professional hats and his musical credits include accompanist and opera coach with the San Francisco Lyric Opera, Livermoore Opera, Bay Area Summer Opera Theater Institute (BASOTI), and with the Opera Academy of California. Also a capable and respected composer, in 2010 Birsan composed a portion of the score to "The World According to Ion B," an acclaimed documentary originally premiering on HBO which later received an International Emmy Award.
Répétiteur
Most recent: A Flowering Tree - Opera Omaha, Fanciulla Del West - Kentucky Opera, Bluebeard's Castle - New Millennium Orchestra, Macbeth - Chicago Opera Theater
Upcoming: Die Zauberflote - Opera Colorado, Die Zauberflote - Sugar Creek Opera
Lighting Designer
Claire Sangster is a Lighting Designer and Master electrician. Recent design work include Crumble, Exit Strategy, The Killing of Michael X (Jackalope Theater), The Fly Honey Show V (The Inconvenience), Red Death (The Runaways), Partners (Live Wire Theater). She is the Resident Lighting Designer for Jackalope Theatre and holds a BA in Theater Design from Columbia College Chicago. She was the recipient of the 2012 John Murbach Prize for Collaborative Design.
Dinah, Sam’s wife | CFO Co-General Manager
Julia Elise Hardin, a native of Lawrence, KS, has been touted as a "powerful" and "expressive" singer drawing from her extensive acting background. As a singer, she has performed principal and featured roles as a coloratura mezzo-soprano with Lyric Opera of Chicago's Opera in the Neighborhoods, Chicago Opera Theater, the Castleton Festival founded by the late Maestro Lorin Maazel, Florentine Opera, Central City Opera, the Fondazione Lirico in Bari, Italy, and more. Orchestral engagements have included works the Milwaukee Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, Rockford and Ft. Wayne Symphonies. Ms. Hardin garners accolades from foundations such as NATSAA, Neue Stimmen, Chicago Union League, and the Friends of Austria. Julia performs regularly with Chicago groups Music of the Baroque and William Ferris Chorale. In 2011, she joined in celebrating the Grammy wins of Florentine Opera's recording of Aldridge's Elmer Gantry from the Naxos label, on which she is featured as Mrs. Baines. In 2013, Hardin became the head of Development and Engagement for Twickenham Fest, a premiere chamber music festival located in Huntsville, AL. She because a company member and Co-Company Manager of Chicago Fringe Opera upon its founding in fall of 2014. Beginning with a career primarily based in theater, Julia Elise Hardin continued with strict vocal training at Northwestern University. She continues study with Julia Faulkner. Hardin holds a bachelors degree from the University of Kansas and a Masters from Northwestern University. She currently resides in Chicago with her husband.
1st Trio Member | CFO Design & Marketing
Jenny Schuler is an emerging artist in the Chicago area and looking forward to an eventful season. Most recently she performed the role of Female Chorus in Chicago Fringe Opera's The Rape of Lucretia and Alice Ford in /kor/ Production’s Falstaff. In November she will be singing the role of Female Chorus in Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia with Chicago Fringe Opera, formerly Candid Concert Opera. Some of her recent roles include: Line and Lenora* in Maskarade with VOX 3 Collective, Prima Cercatrice in Suor Angelica, and Nella* in Gianni Schicchi with Main Street Opera, Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte, and Donna Elvira* in Don Giovanni with Roosevelt, Chicago College of Performing Arts, Susannah* in Susannah, and Vanessa* in Vanessa with Chicago Opera Initiative. Other recent engagements include an ensemble role in La Traviata with Verismo Opera Theater, and Spectacle Lunatique with Redmoon and American Chamber Opera. In addition she continues to pursue her love for American repertoire. As a founding member of Chicago Opera Initiative, she continues to promote these passions through the performance of 20th & 21st century American opera, art song, and musical theater.
Sam, a businessman
Aaron Wardell has been praised for his attractive, versatile baritone and is a sought-after performer in both opera and concert. He recently sang Yamadori in the Castleton Festival's production of Madama Butterfly, where he was called a “young, handsome hunk” by the Washington Post. He has appeared with Opera Tampa, Dayton Opera, Elgin Opera, Chamber Opera Chicago, Central City Opera and internationally at Teatro National de Sucre in numerous roles including Dancaïro (Carmen), Marcello (La Bohème), Marco (Gianni Schicchi) and the title role in Don Giovanni. Equally at home on the concert stage, his oratorio credits include Adam in Haydn’s Die Schöpfung, Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, Stravinsky's Les Noces, Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony, Handel's Messiah, Brahms' Requiem, and both Bach Passions. Aaron holds a Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University, and earned a Master of Music in vocal performance and an Artist Diploma in opera from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
3rd Trio Member
Tobias Wright, tenor, a Northwestern University alumnus, was most recently seen as Raoul de St. Brioche in the Light Opera Works production of The Merry Widow and Don Ottavio in Mozart’s Don Giovanni with Lawrence Opera Theatre, in Lawrence, Kansas. While at Northwestern University he portrayed Al Joad in the Chicago premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s The Grapes of Wrath and Lorenzo in William Bolcom’s Lucrezia. Other engagements have included Laurie in Little Women and Alfred in Die Fledermaus with Opera in the Ozarks, Jim in Christian McLeer’s G-Train with Nevada Opera, and Richard Dauntless in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore with the University of Kansas. A native Kansan, and graduate of the University of Kansas, Mr. Wright now resides in Chicago and is an active teacher and performer.
2nd Trio Member
Accomplished in Musical Theater, Opera, Oratorio and Concert repertoire, Jonathan Zeng has performed throughout the United States with companies such as Cincinnati Opera, Central City Opera, Tulsa Opera, Opera Memphis, and Utah Festival Opera. This season, Jonathan performs as soloist in the American premiere of John Joubert’s Five Songs of Incarnation and Bonaventura Somma’s Missa Pro Defunctis with the William Ferris Chorale in Chicago and on tour as Frederic in Pirates of Penzance with Cincinnati Opera Outbound. An avid proponent for arts education, Jonathan serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Preparatory Department at the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and maintains a private voice studio. He has experience teaching elementary and middle school general music, middle school choir, and music directing theater productions at the high school level. Jonathan received a BA in Music Education from Western IL University and an MM in vocal performance from the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Jonathan also writes and records his own music.
The Chopin Theater
Edgebrook Lutheran Church
Olympic Carpet
Codrut Birsan, Matthan Black, Robin Bradley, Kevin Byrne, Katy Compton, Katy Coy, Benjamin De Los Monteros, Carley DeFranco, Robert Delonis, Bernadette DiCarlo, Bernadette DiCarlo, Patricia Dickerson, Victoria Dietrich, Peter Elliott, Marc Embree, James Floyd, Candace Forest, Robert Glassman, Robert Glassman, Stacy Hancock, Walter Hansen, Amy Hardin, Richard and Virgina Hardin, Mark Hendren, Trina Kakacek, Ms. Linda Karn, Linda Karn, Heather Keith, Kathryn Knauer, Marc Lapinski, Claudiu Laurentiu, Collettee and Alan Leonhardt, Paul Lim, Melanie Lunardi, Cristian Luput, Maricca Lutz, Joanna Maclay, Kathy Manilla, Stephanie Manilla, Morgan McCarthy, Kaileen Miller, Daniel Dudici Mirela Galatanu, Susan Nelson, Frank Perabo, Nicholas Photinos, Noah Pligge, Nik Pugmire, Christopher Remmel, Allison Shapp, Glenn B. Smith, Daniel Smith, Arthur S. Pietz, Jerry Tietz, Nathan Troup, Antoine Van Den Bogert, Vlad Vitoc, Lauren Washington, Ryan Wells, Karen Willoughby, April Winney
Turn of the Screw by Benjamin Britten | Fall 2015
Chicago Fringe Opera is a part of Candid Concert Opera Inc.
