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North American Works Directory Listing
| Composer: |
Persis Anne Parshall Vehar
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| Composer Bio: |
Persis Anne Parshall Vehar's vocal and instrumental compositions, ranging from ntimate chamber music through massive large ensembles and including four operas, have been performed internationally. Among the places where her works have been heard are Carnegie Recital Hall (New York City), Royal Festival Hall (London), Graz Music Festival (Austria), McMaster & Brock Universities (Canada), Piccolo Spoleto Festival (South Carolina), Kosciuszko Foundation, (New York), and Academy of Vocal Arts (Philadelphia). An award-winning composer, Vehar has been the recipient of six Meet the Composer Grants, and 21 annual ASCAP Awards. Her publishers include C.F. Peters, Tenuto, Leyerle & Dorn, Shawnee Press, Kendor Music, Plymouth Music, Northfield Press, Almitra Music, VIF, and Boosey & Hawkes. Vehar's work may be heard on Aeolian, MMC, Fleur de Son Classics, Capstone, LOFT and MARK recordings. Her compositions have been broadcast on National Public Radio & Television, as well as internationally. Vehar holds degrees from Ithaca College and University of Michigan. Her composition studies were with Warren Benson, Ross Lee Finney, Roberto Gerhard, and Ned Rorem.
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| Librettist: |
Gabrielle Vehar
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| Librettist Bio: |
Gabrielle Vehar holds a BFA in acting and a BA in theatre/dance from Case Western Reserve University. The opera is from her one-person show George Sand: Heart Mind and Body, which she performed both in Cleveland and Buffalo, NY. She has performed major roles for the Indianapolis Shakespeare Festival and Minnesota Shakespeare Company. She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Communications from Ithaca College.
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| Other Artistic Personnel: |
Patsy Wade, piano accompanist. Sets and Costumes are minimal.
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| Original Cast: |
Sharon Mabry (mezzo-soprano) as George Sand, Thomas King (tenor) as Chopin
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| Premiere Date: |
March 13, 2005
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| Producing Company: |
Austin-Peay State University
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| Description: |
The opera is based on the letters of the 18th-century French novelist Aurore Dupin who wrote under the pseudonym George Sand. The diverse nature of relationships is explored through Sand's intimate association with Frederic Chopin. The traditional male role is userped by Sand's strong character and take-charge attitude. As each character is developed, Sand's practicality and Chopin's social, aesthetic sense are show. Chopin's intense jealousy and Sand's maternal involvement with her children are also revealed. The two personalities resolve the sexual conflict in the final duet. The opera ends with "No use asking if life will bring you pleasure. Who could answer these questions? And if they do, what lies! Now you live, now you breathe. Now," as they waltz together to a Chopinesque waltz that begins, reappears, and ends the opera to unify the form.
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| Reviews: |
NATS Journal, September 2005: "There is no question that the chamber opera discussed will have a tremendous impact on those who perform, hear, and see it…Vehar never falters as she creates a warp speed of drama, emotional contract, and character development within a musical atmosphere capable of both subtle and dramatic shifts as determined by the text…the Chopinesque waltz that begins, reappears, and ends the opera formally unifies the tonally conceived music…The work provides gorgeous intimate music for each character to sing, yet there are moments of dramatic, emotional distress, humorous satire, and rhythmically challenging duets that leave one almost breathless with excitement."
Buffalo News, April 2005: "The opera has an appropriate salon feel…Vehar's music isn't as overtly melodic as Chopin's, and the contrast between the two composers plays up the contrasts between the opera's characters…The concluding duet, when the two finally make their way toward each other and shove aside their differences -- and when the fragmented music is suddenly resolved -- can make a listener laugh out loud in delight."
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| Orchestration: |
pf
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| Musical Style: |
Accessible, tonal.
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| Contact: |
Persis Anne Parshall Vehar
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| Address: |
65 Hyledge Drive
Buffalo, NY 14226
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| E-mail Address: |
PPVehar@aol.com
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| Phone: |
716-833-7618
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What is OPERAAmerica.org?
Spring 2013 Magazine Issue
- Letter from the President/CEO
- Of One: The Quest for Asian Fusion in the Opera House
- Vancouver: Where Nature Nurtures Art
- Inheriting the Wind
- My First Time
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The building is on the same block as the train stop.
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