Cornucopia of Opera & Song

Sunday, November 6, 2016, 2pmLenfell Hall - The Mansion

Fairleigh Dickinson University285 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940

For More Information contact OAF:PO Box 343, Convent Station, NJ 07961

973-443-8620 • www.OperaatFlorham.org

Message From The PresidentJoan Del Giudice

Welcome Opera Lovers to Opera at Florham’s opening musical for the New Season 2016-2017,

Our 35th Anniversary Season at our new time of 2pm.

Thank you!

From Opera To American SongbookIn 2017, Opera At Florham will celebrate its 35th Anniversary

IN APPRECIATIONMary Pinto, Opera at Florham Vice President,

Board of Trustees & Organizer of OAF’s Musicales

Stephen DeMaio, Gerda Lissner Foundation President,OAF Board Member & Narrator of the Musicales

Board of Trustees, Opera at FlorhamOfficers:

President: Joan Del Giudice, Vice President: Mary PintoSecretary: Patricia Wickens, Treasurer: Albert Wickens

Additional Members:Stephen DeMaio, Joseph DuPont, Richard Kopp, Pauline Rush,

Barbara Ann Testa, Dee Robertson, Rhoda WolinPublic Relations - Marketing Coordinator: Amanda Zook

Sean Mehr, Sarena Giraud FDU Student Liasons

CONTRIBUTIONSAngels

Stephen DeMaio, President, The Gerda Lissner FoundationMary Pinto, Organizer & Piano Accompanist of OAF Musicales

Adrianne Petillo, Constant ContactAlbert & Patricia Wickens

Dee RobertsonWilliam Henderson, Videographer

Barbara Ann TestaSupporters

Guy Brennert • Marie BoscoMr. & Mrs. Harold Carlson • Judy Martorelli

Pauline Rush • Marietta & David AlitzDolores Croneberger • Dorothy Moxley

Betty McColganPatrons

Doris Bogert • Lucille Pierce • Rich Celler

“Al and Pat Wickens representingOpera at Florham at Madison’s Bottle

Hill Day Fair October 1, 2016with Wagnerian hats...”

Courtesy of Madison Eagle Newspaper 10/6/16 Front Page

UPDATE ON OAF’S ARTISTSExciting News about former OAF winners of Vocal Competitions and Musicale artists who have won additional awards from several recent NYC Music Foundation Competitions:

Alisdair Kent, tenor, won -Joan Sutherland award; Matthew Ciuffitelli, baritone, joining Sarasota FL Young Artists and appearing in Light Opera NJ’s The Telephone; Andre Courville, bass-baritone, -Opera Index; Galeano Salas & Fanyong Du, tenors, and Amber Daniel, soprano,- Gerda Lissner; Maria Natale & Mia Pafumi, sopranos, L. Albanese –Puccini; Vanessa Vasquez , soprano ,-Puccini and- Gari

Opera at FlorhamSunday, November 6, 2016 at 2PM

Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityLenfell Hall, Madison, NJ

Opera & SongsAround The World

Featuring:From Italy, Mia Pafumi, Soprano

From Poland, Piotr Buszewski, TenorFrom France, André Courville, Bass-Baritone

Mary Pinto, PianistStephen DeMaio, Narrator

Mangia con la famiglia di Pafumi

“Si, mi chiamano Mimi” from La Bohéme by Giacomo PucciniMia Pafumi

Mimi Introduces herself to Rodolfo

“Vechhia zimarra” from La Bohéme by Giacomo PucciniAndré Courville

Colline sings farewell to his coat, which he has decided to sell to raise money to warm Mimi’s dying hands

“O soave fanicula” from La Bohéme by Giacomo PucciniMia Pafumi and Piotr Buszewski

Mimi and Rodolfo fall in love in the moonlight

“Chi bel sogno di Doretta” from La Rondine Giacomo PucciniMia Parfumi

Magda tells a story about a woman named Doretta who dreamed of love

“Voglio dire, lo stupendo”, from L’elisir d’amore by Gaettano DonizettiPiotr Buszewski and André Courville

Love-sick Nemorino asks Dr. Dulcamara for a love potionand the snake-oil salesman has just the thing!

Dance the Plonaise with Piotr

Aria from The Haunted Manor - Stanislaw MoniuszkoPiotr Buszewski

This Polish opera focuses on themes of comedy, romance, and Polish Patriotism

Chopin Prelude Op 28. No. 15Mary Pinto

“Mów di mnie jeszcze” and “Pamiętam ciche, jasne ztote dnie” by Mieczystaw KartowiczPiotr Buszewski

These two gorgeous art songs by Polish composer Mieczystaw Kartowicz have a distinct ethereal quality. The first sone is about love beyond loss of life and the second

focuses on dreamlike visions of paradise

Vive la France! Have a beignet with andré

“Depuis le jour” from Louise by Gustave CharpentierMia Pafumi

Louise sings about how her love for Julien grows each day.

“Ah! lève-toi, soleil!” from Romeo et Juliette by Charles GounodPiotr Buszewski

Romeo sings of Juliette’s beauty while watching her from below her balcony

“Vous, qui faites l’endormie” from Faust by Charles GounondAndré Courville

Mèphistophélès sings a “serenade” to Marguerite to mock her for succumbing to Faust’s seduction

Intermission(Light refreshments will be served)

Cookies & Pastries donated by Callandra’s Bakery

“Chanson Triste” by Henri DuparcAndrè Courville

This tender piece sings of love as a cure for sadness.

“Per pietà, bell’idol mio” by Vincenzo BelliniMia Parfumi

In the bel canto ariette the singer asks for pity and reaffirms her faithfulness

“Ideale” by Francesco Paolo TostiPiotr Buszewski

This love song is filled with romantic and dreamy imagery that illuminate the singer’s passion and heartbreak

“Without a Song” from Great Day by Vincent YoumansAndré Courville

Although the 1930 movie musical Great Day was never produced, this song has survived the test of time.

“An Old Fashioned Wedding” from Annie Get Your Gun by Dorothy & Herbert FieldsMia Pafumi and André Courville

Annie and Frank argue about their wedding

“Girls Were Made to Love and Kiss” from Paganini by Franz LehárPiotr Buszewski

This operetta follows the famed violinist NiccolÒ Paganini. In this sng he sings of his love for all women.

“The Song of Songs” by Moya (Harold Vicars)Mia Pafumi

This piece is dedicated to the late soprano Licia Albanese

“Le Tambour-Major” from Le Caïd by Ambroise ThomasAndré Courville

In this comic aria, the drum major sings of his love for ladies.

Musicale, September 18, 2016

Piotr BuszewskiYoung Polish tenor Piotr Buszewski is currently a resident artist at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia where this season he will sing the role of Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor. This past summer Piotr performed the role of Nemorino in L’elisir D’amore with Oberlin in Italy. Prior to AVA, Piotr studied at the Juilliard School of Music with Doctor Robert C. White, and the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia Opera Studio in Rome under the tutelage of Renata Scotto. Prior to that Piotr studied at the Fryderyk

Chopin Music University in Warsaw. Most recent engagements include Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi at the Trentino Music Festival, Tinca in Il Tabarro and Flaminio in L’amore dei tre re at the Academy of Vocal Arts. In 2016 Piotr received third prize in the Zinka Milanov International Voice Competition, as well as Special Prize at the Otto Edelmann Voice Competition. In 2015 he was awarded second prize in the Marcella Sembrich International Voice Competition and the Hal Leonard Voice Competition. Piotr has sung in master classes with Renata Scotto, Deborah Voigt, Tito Capobianco, and Christopher Macatsoris. He is currently a student of Bill Schuman.

Mia PafumiMaking her debut with the Opera Orchestra of New York, Soprano Mia Pafumi,graduated Montclair State University (2013) and is currently obtaining a Master’s Degree at the University of Tennessee in the Opera Theater program where she resides as a Studio Artist for the Knoxville Opera. Recent roles include the Dew Fairy in the Knoxville Opera’s 2016 production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, the Foreign Woman in Menotti’s The Consul (2015) and Donna Anna (cover) in Mozart’s Don Giovanni (2016) with the UT Opera Theater. She appeared as an Apprentice Artist in the

Sarasota Opera’s 2014 Winter Festival Season. Her recent awards include 3rd Place Winner of the 2015 Gerda Lissner Foundation International Vocal Competition, a Grant Winner of the 2015 Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation International Vocal Competition, 2nd Place Winner of the 2014 Violetta DuPont International Vocal Competition, and a Grant Winner of the 2014 Giulio Gari Foundation International Vocal Competition. Pafumi studied at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory of Milan in Italy (2012). She extends a word of thanks and appreciation to each of these foundations, her institutions, the orchestra and cast of Parisina d’Este, Maestra Eve Queler, her friends and to her family, especially, Mary Pinto.

Mary Pintois an acclaimed accompanist and vocal coach who have worked with international opera singers and major American opera companies for the past 25 years. During the past year, Mary has had the pleasure of coaching for Metropolitan Opera star and international soprano, Deborah Voigt. As Ms. Voigt prepared the three Brünnhilde’s for the Met’s new production of the Ring Cycle during the 2011 and 2012 season, Mary served as lesson and rehearsal pianist and private coach. Ms. Pinto can be seen in the documentary, Wagner’s Dream: The Making of the

Met’s Ring which premiered at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival. The film has since been broadcast globally as part of the HD Broadcasts and will be shown this season on American PBS channels as part of the “Great Performances” series. Mary is a student of John Wustman, the renowned accompanist for Luciano Pavarotti. She began her professional career as a rehearsal pianist for Dayton Opera, Omaha Opera and Augusta Opera. While at Omaha Opera, Mary privately coached many singers, including a young Susan Graham. She went on to coach for the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera Center preparing performances of Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte, and the world premieres of Bright Sheng’s The Song of Majnun and Bruce Saylor’s Orpheus Descending. More recently, Ms. Pinto worked as a rehearsal pianist and coach at Florentine Opera of Milwaukee, where she prepared singers for Tosca, Otello and André Chénier. From 1995 to 1999, Mary was a staff rehearsal pianist for Dallas Opera, working on Carmen with Denyce Graves as well as preparing performances of Billy Budd, Kát’a Kabanová, and Aida. Following Dallas, Mary worked at Opera San Antonio, where in addition to coaching and rehearsal pianist duties, she served as the audition pianist for Metropolitan Opera National Council Regional Auditions, an honor she repeated in Chicago several years later. Since returning to her home state of New Jersey, Mary joined the faculty at Montclair State University, where she coaches for the opera departments, as well as giving private lessons.

She served as rehearsal pianist and harpsichordist for 2013’s New Jersey State Opera’s production of II Barbiere di Siviglia under Jason Tramm. 2015 saw Mary coaching the winners of Gerda Lissner and Giulio Gari’s Grant awards, serving as Vice President of Opera at Florham’s Board of Trustees plus planning and accompanying their Musical events. Mary maintains a busy private coaching studio in New York City.

André CourvillePraised by Opera News for his “splendid, lush bass-baritone”, André Courville is quickly establishing himself as one of America’s foremost young singers. He has garnered attention for his recent role debut as Méphistophélès in Faust at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, where he is a resident artist. Last season brought other debuts at Carnegie Hall in Opera Orchestra of New York’s acclaimed production of Roberto Devereux, with Caramoor International Music Festival as Monterone in Rigoletto, and with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra as Masetto in Don Giovanni. In 2013, he sang Marquis d’Obigny in

Santa Fe Opera’s production of La Traviata as a member of the Apprentice Singer Program. Other operatic roles include Mustafà in I, Colline in La bohème, Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte, Baron Douphol in La Traviata, and de Brétigny in Manon all at AVA, roles in Double Exposure with Opera Philadelphia, Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro with Vancouver Summer Opera, Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte, Rambaldo in La rondine, and Hermann/Schlémil/Crespel in Les contes d’Hoffman all with the Martina Arroyo Foundation in New York City, Colline in La bohème with Chorale Acadienne, Escalus in the world premiere of Burke’s Isabel with the Louisiana Opera Theatre, and Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Simone in Gianni Schicchi, and Marquis d’Obigny in La Traviata at Opera in the Ozarks. He performed roles in The Gondoliers and Lakmé with Loyola Opera Theatre, and has performed with the New Orleans Opera Association. An equally busy concert performer, Courville recently appeared with the Marina del Rey Summer Symphony in Los Angeles. Last season, he was soloist in Bach’s B minor Mass with Vox Ama Deus and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 the Philadelphia Sinfonia. He frequently appears with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, and has been featured in Bach’s Cantata 82, Beethoven’s Mass in C, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, the requiems of Mozart and Fauré, and several other concerts and recitals. Recent engagements include Leporello in Don Giovanni and Archibaldo in L’amore dei tre re at the Academy of Vocal Arts. A Louisiana native, Courville attended Loyola University New Orleans. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including first place in the 2015 Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition, first place in the 2014 Giargiari Bel Canto Competition, second place in the 2015 Giulio Gari International Vocal Competition, encouragement awards from the 2014 Gerda Lissner International Vocal Competition and the 2014 Opera Index Competition, a grant from the 2015 Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation International Vocal Competition, as well as district prizes and two consecutive second place wins in the regional competition of the Metropolitan.

Stephen De MaioBorn in Newark NJ. His father was an avid musician and he saw to it that his son received extensive instructions in piano and choral music. He also studied music and drama at New York University, Fordham, Kean College and Seton Hall University in New Jersey. Was Director of American English Program and Opera Master Classes for Marymount Manhattan College. Founder of The Mayo Theater and Music Workshop in New York presenting shows and concerts at Off Broadway Theaters. Elected President of the Gerda Lissner Foundation and it was cited by Opera News as one of the most prestigious

Foundations fostering the careers of young artists with very generous financial awards . He serves as Administrative and Artistic Director of the Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation, Artistic Adviser of The Giulio Gari Foundation, Loren L. Zachary Society for The Performing Arts, Opera At Florham NJ, Assistant to Director Musician Emergency Fund and is on the Advisory Boards of the Martina Arroyo Foundation, Opera Index, American Center For Musical Arts.Through his association with the Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation, he has brought back to opera loving audiences favored retired artists including Virgina Zeani, Leyla Gencer, Inge Borkh, Jon Vickers, Giorgio Tozzi, Evelyn Lear, Teresa Stratas, Brenda Lewis, Thomas Stewart, Franco Corelli, Carlo Bergonzi, Alfredo Kraus, James King, Fedora Barbieri, Marta Eggerth and countless other great artists. He continues to serve on numerous juries for world renowned international vocal competitions and has received a number of awards which include:The New York Crystal Apple for outstanding service to the New York Community and the world of music presented by Our Town newspaper. Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation, The Loren L. Zachary Society for The Performing Arts, The Martina Arroyo Foundation and Opera Index.

THE HISTORY of THE MANSION-‘FLORHAM,’ A MASTERPIECE OF THE GILDED AGE.

The story of ‘THE MANSION-Florham,’ the centerpiece of the Florham-Madison Campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University, youngest of the three campuses, began over 120 years ago. The name given to the estate by its original owners is a combination of both their first names: Florence and Hamilton Twombly. The estate’s owners were Heiress Florence Adele Vanderbilt, favored granddaughter of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, renowned as one of the richest tycoons in America and her husband financier Hamilton McKown Twombly, a member of an old New England family. The area’s exclusive atmosphere of “Millionaires Row” and the rural charm of Morris County countryside appealed to them. They married in 1877 and had four children, three girls and one son. Historic Landscape and Architecture In 1890 the couple purchased 1,200 acres to fulfill their dream of a fancied English-style country mansion in a stately part setting. Florham, one of the America’s finest Gilded Age homes was the result. The foremost landscape architect of the 19th century, Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of New York’s Central Park, was commissioned to transform about 150 acres into a park of lawn, terraces and formal gardens with fountain behind The Mansion and the Italian Gardens with pergolas and parterre alongside the Mansion. In 1894 they commissioned the renowned architectural New York firm of McKim, Mead with their partner, the flamboyant Stanford White, the architects of many neo-Gothic and Renaissance structures in America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to design The Mansion. The Mansion’s brick trimmed with Indiana limestone originally contained 110-rooms, 23 bathrooms and many fireplaces, was completed in 1897. Its Georgian Revival design, inspired by the Christopher Wren’s wing of Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace, was sited to overlook the 150 acre park and nearby valley. Most of its interior decorations (such as staircases, columns, floors and fireplaces) are in Italian Carrara marble, by Italian immigrant craftsmen (600). Thomas Edison, a friend of Hamilton, designed the heating system. At the turn of the 20th century, The Mansion, centerpiece of the park, was one of the great houses of America with the grounds laid out like those of an English country estate, employing 125 servants including grounds keepers with 25 living in The Mansion. The Twombly’s resided at ‘Florham’ during the spring and early Fall, spending the summer in their other homes in Newport, Rhode Island, and the winter in New York City. The greater part of this estate, over 900 acres behind the Mansion, was developed into an 18 hole mini golf course and a working Farm where Hamilton’s raised world-renowned herd of Guernsey cattle, extended across what is now Park Avenue. In 1958, Exxon Research Center purchased 187 acres for its headquarters and currently of BASF and the New Jersey Jets’ Training Park. The town of Florham Park took its name from the estate. FDU Purchases its Third Campus -Florham Florham Park solidified its reputation as a college town when Fairleigh Dickinson University purchased 187 acres in1958, including the splendid Mansion and related buildings; the academic campus opened in the same year. The College at Florham bridges the towns of Florham Park and Madison. FDU has replicated its historical architectural designs in its newer added facilities carefully sited to preserve specimen trees and original vistas of The Mansion. The Mansion Today and its RestorationThe Mansion’s magnificence faded, the current 100 rooms and its outer buildings were converted to academic purposes to meet today’s needs of the University. The Mansion’s first floor now houses the administrative offices of the President, Provost and other Deans’ offices. Restorations took place over time: The Great Hall, grand McKim interior, 2001 with its marble ionic columns capped in gold leaf on marble tiled floor; the chestnut-paneled Hartman Lounge in 2012(former billiard room), Sullivan Lounge (family breakfast room) . In 1999, Lenfell Hall, centerpiece of The Mansion (ballroom and drawing room) accommodates 240 people, is now used for meetings and special events. The second floor contains classrooms, lounges and other formal meeting rooms. The Basement, contained the main kitchen, food storage and servants’ lounge, now has administrative offices. The Outbuildings

included an Orangerie (now the Monninger Center with Library and auditorium), greenhouses, gate lodge at the Main Gate (Credit Union), and Carriage House (Science Building) are alive for University activity. The recognition of the historical significance of The Mansion began with its restoration starting in 1994 and continues to the present by the organization, Friends of Florham, in conjunction with the University.

…Joan Del Giudice (pictured at left) compiled this history from several of FDU’s links and Friends of Florham book “Florham –The Lives of an American Estate” available online and FDU’s Library.

Gerda Lissner Foundation

Proudly Supports

Opera at Florham

In Residence At

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Madison, New Jersey