Spring 2003

Heroes, Heroines and Rogues:
American Musical Theatre and Opera through the 20th century

OTNV presented a musical journey through the music of 20th century American operetta, musical theatre and opera narrated by Judy Gruber, the Host of Classical Weekend on WETA-FM (90.9).

Cast:
Reginald Allen
Cynthia Ballentine
Lewis Freeman
Lori Lind
Scott Priest
with narration by Judy Gruber

Favorite Heroes, Heroines, and Rogues came alive again through the following scenes and songs:

• "Blue Heaven and You and I" (The Desert Song, 1926), Sigmund Romberg

• "What Shall It Be" and "The Best Thing of All (Regina, 1949), Marc Blitzstein

• "Lonely House" (Street Scene, 1947), Kurt Weill

• "Standin' in the Need of Prayer" (The Emperor Jones, 1933), Louis Gruenberg

• "The Promise of Living" (Tender Land, 1954), Aaron Copland

• "Ah Sweet Mystery of Life" (Naughty Marietta, 1910), Victor Herbert

• "I Took the Open Door as an Invitation" (Summer and Smoke, 1971), Lee Holby

• "New York Lights" (View from the Bridge, 1999), William Bolcom

• "Romance" (The Desert Song, 1926), Sigmund Romberg

• "Make Your Garden Grow" (Finale, Candide, 1956), Leonard Bernstein

Review: Joseph McLellan, Washington Post, April 28, 2003

American opera and operetta provided the material for "Heroes, Heroines and Rogues" at Saturday night's thoughtfully planned and smoothly presented program by the Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia. Music Director John Niles led five solo singers and a small orchestra (violin, cello, horn, piano and percussion) in a program that ranged from old popular melodies such as "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life" to serious selections from William Bolcom's "A View From the Bridge," Louis Gruenberg's "The Emperor Jones" and Lee Hoiby's "Summer and Smoke." Judy Gruber of WETA-FM introduced each selection with historic background and commentary.

The program in the Rosslyn Spectrum highlighted many unifying links between popular and classical styles in the tradition of American musical theater. The earliest selections were the Eurocentric operettas of Sigmund Romberg and Victor Herbert. At the other extreme were the intensely American styles of Aaron Copland ("The Tender Land"), Marc Blitzstein ("Regina"), Gruenberg, Bolcom and Hoiby. In the middle of the spectrum, balancing European and American popular and operatic styles, were selections from Kurt Weill's "Street Scene" and Leonard Bernstein's "Candide."

All the singers performed well, but three stood out. Lori Lind, who usually sings Verdi and Puccini, proved to be at home as well, radiant in voice and striking in stage presence in American repertoire, popular and classical. Baritone Reginald Allen and tenor Scott Priest were equally impressive. Mezzo soprano Cynthia Ballentine opened the program brilliantly in "Blue Heaven" from Romberg's "Desert Song" and projected a strong presence in a selection from "Regina." Stalwart baritone Lewis Freeman's voice had some rough edges in "Blue Heaven" but had mellowed nicely by the time he and Lind sang "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life."