Mansfield Park (opera)

Mansfield Park is a 2011 chamber opera in two acts by Jonathan Dove with a libretto by Alasdair Middleton based on the novel by Jane Austen. It tells the story of poor relation Fanny Price, sent at age 10 to live with her uncle, Sir Thomas Bertram, at his family estate, Mansfield Park.[1]

History

The opera was commissioned by Heritage Opera, and the world premiere performance was at Boughton House in Northamptonshire on July 30, 2011. The opera is scored for four handed piano (two pianists playing one piano) and was accompanied by Paul Greenhalgh and Jonathan Ellis, under the musical direction of Chris Gill. The world premiere tour comprised mainly heritage venues in the northwest of England, and one performance at the Arcola Theatre in Dalston, East London, as part of the Grimeborn Festival.[1] Royal Academy Opera gave two performances of the opera in May 2012,[2] and Hampstead Garden Opera gave ten performances in a new production directed by Bruno Ravella in April 2013.

In 2015 the opera received its American premiere in Baltimore, Maryland. It was performed by the Peabody Conservatory of Music at the local Theatre Project of Baltimore. Eileen Cornett served as music director, with Mark Streshinsky as artistic director. Johanna Kvam and Hanna Shin performed the score for four hands piano.

The opera was given its Australian premiere in April 2016 by Sydney-based independent opera company, Operantics.

Roles and premiere casts


Role Voice type Premiere cast,
2011 - Heritage Opera
(Conductor: Chris Gill)		 American Premiere,
2015 - Peabody Conservatory
Chamber Opera		 Australian Premiere,
2016 - Operantics[3]		 Orchestral Premiere,
2017 - The Grange Festival
(Conductor: David Parry (conductor))
Fanny Price mezzo-soprano Serenna Wagner Claire Weber Sonya Holywell Martha Jones
Lady Bertram contralto Nuala Willis Rebecca Roy Jermaine Chau Sarah Pring
Sir Thomas baritone John Rawnsley Karl Buttermann Ian Warwick Grant Doyle
Edmund Bertram baritone Thomas Eaglen Thomas Hochla Tristan Entwistle Henry Neill
Maria Bertram soprano Eloise Rutledge Natanya Washer Katie Miller-Crispe Emily Vine
Julia Bertram mezzo-soprano Paloma Bruce Brittani McNeill Amy Balls Angharad Lyddon
Aunt Norris soprano Birgit Rohowska Shayna Jones Jessica Harper Jeni Bern
Mary Crawford soprano Sarah Helsby Hughes Lauren Kirsch Samanta Lestavel Shelley Jackson
Henry Crawford tenor Nicholas Sales Joshua Glassman Daniel Folesi Nick Pritchard
Mr. Rushworth tenor Darren Clarke Michael Dodge Spencer Darby Oliver Johnston

List of scenes

Act One

  • Scene 1: Chapter One: The Bertrams Observed
    In which we meet the inhabitants of Mansfield Park.
  • Scene 2: Chapter Two: First Impressions
    In which we discover that Miss Mary Crawford has twenty thousand pounds and that Mr Henry Crawford is not handsome.
  • Scene 3: Chapter Three: Sir Thomas Bertram's Farewell
    In which Sir Thomas Bertram leaves for Antigua.
  • Scene 4: Chapter Four: Landscape Gardening
    In which Mr Rushworth proposes a trip to Sotherton, his estate.
  • Scene 5: Chapter Five: In the Wilderness
    In which the estate is explored.
  • Scene 6: Chapter Six: Music and Astronomy
    In which songs are sung and stars observed.
  • Scene 7: Chapter Seven: Lovers' Vows
    In which Amateur Theatricals are undertaken.
  • Scene 8: Chapter Eight: Persuasion
    In which Edmund's resolution is tested.
  • Scene 9: Chapter Nine: The Rehearsal Interrupted
    In which Sir Thomas returns.
  • Scene 10: Chapter Ten: Independence and Splendour, or, Twelve Thousand a Year
    In which happiness is defined.
  • Scene 11: Chapter Eleven: A View of a Wedding
    In which a wedding is celebrated, a honeymoon begun, a revelation made and plot hatched.

Act Two

  • Scene 1: Chapter One: Preparations for a Ball
    In which Miss Fanny Price accepts a present from Miss Mary Crawford.
  • Scene 2: Chapter Two: A Ball
    In which partners are chosen.
  • Scene 3: Chapter Three: A Proposal
    In which the Bertram family are variously surprised, delighted, disappointed, confused and outraged.
  • Scene 4: Chapter Four: Some Correspondence
    In which much ink is spilt.
  • Scene 5: Chapter Five: Follies and Grottoes
    In which the Rushworths meet an old acquaintance.
  • Scene 6: Chapter Six: A Newspaper Paragraph
    In which occurs a matrimonial fracas.
  • Scene 7: Chapter The Last
    In which Mr Edmund Bertram declares his feelings to his future bride.

Notes

  1. 1 2 Quirke, Kieron Mansfield Park, Arcola Theatre – Review, Evening Standard, August 16, 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  2. ↑ Morrison, Richard. "Mansfield Park", The Times, 20 May 2012
  3. ↑ Lancaster, Lynne. "Mansfield Park". ArtsHub.com. Retrieved 12 February 2018.

References

  • Reinventing Opera, ITV London feature, 15 August 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  • Mansfield Park feature on Heritage Opera's website Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  • Smith, Tim. "Peabody Chamber Opera to give U.S. premiere of 'Mansfield Park'". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
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