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Ausrine Stundyte as Cio-Cio-San, Elizabeth Janes as Butterfly’s child and Sarah Larsen as Suzuki in Seattle Opera's production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Photo by Elise Bakketun.
North American Works Directory Listing
Bertha
Composer: Ned Rorem
Librettist: Kenneth Koch
Other Artistic Personnel: James Holmes (Conductor)
Original Cast: Beverly Wolff (Bertha)
Premiere Date: November 26, 1973
Producing Company: Alice Tully Hall
Description: The work depicts the rise, fall, and eventual triumph of a mad queen who, while her kingdom is in ruins, attacks Scotland and her own nation (Norway), orders her teacher beheaded, dismisses her council, and abolishes young love before she dies—all the while supported by her loyal subjects.
Reviews: Opera News, Jerry Floyd, 1-19-85; The New York Times, Peter G. Davis, 3-2-81; Opera News, Robert Jacobson, 1-19-74; The New York Times, Donal Henahan, 11-28-73
Comments: "In style the text, with its pseudo-Elizabethan tone, satirizes Shakespeare's ‘King' plays; in subject, with its picture of absolute monarchy, it satirizes our civilized barbarism. Bertha could be performed by a Cast of Thousands, or by as few as six. But given the ironically grandiose situations, not to mention the orchestra which consists of one piano, economy would seem to be the keynote: stylization rather than luxury. Thus I have indicated how the sixteen characters, plus chorus, can be sung by just six singers." —N. Rorem
Length: 00:25
Total Acts: Not Available
Chorus: SATB chorus
Orchestration: Piano.
Musical Style: Masterful treatment of the vocal line and the text; tonal
Contact: Boosey & Hawkes, Inc.
Address: 229 W 28th Street, Floor 11
New York, NY 10001
E-mail Address: bhsales@ny.boosey.com
Phone: 212-358-5300
Publisher Web Site: http://www.boosey.com

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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From Grand Central Station:
Take the Train to the 42nd/Times Square station and transfer to the Train.
Take the Train to the 28th Street stop and walk north on 7th Avenue.
The building is on the same block as the train stop.

From 42nd Street/Times Square:
Take the Train to the 28th Street stop and walk north on 7th Avenue.
The building is on the same block as the train stop.

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