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It's a Wonderful Life

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San Francisco Opera Premiere
Composer
Librettist
Based On

the 1946 Frank Capra movie of the same name (by permission of Paramount Licensing, Inc.).

Company
San Francisco Opera Association
Location
San Francisco, CA
Venue
War Memorial Opera House
Season
2018-2019
Language
English
Commission

Co-commission with San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

Creative/Crew

Conductor
Director
Set Designer(s)
Costume Designer(s)
Lighting Designer
Projection Designer
Choreographer
Chorus Director
Dance Master
Projection Design Associate
Sound Coordinator
Assistant Conductor
Musical Preparation
Diction
Assistant Director(s)
Stage Manager(s)
Assistant Stage Manager(s)
Costume Supervisor
Head of Wig and Makeup

Cast

Clara
Golda Schultz(11/17, 20, 24, 25, 29, 12/01, 04, 07)
Voice
George Bailey
Young Sam
Young George
Young Mary
Young Harry
Harry Bailey
Uncle Billy Bailey
Mother Bailey
Mary's Suitor
Mary Hatch
Mr. Potter
Sam Wainwright
Helen Bailey
Randall
Mrs. Thompson
Woman
Mr. Delgado
Mrs. Delgado
Tommy
Mr. Rufino
Mr. Martini
Mrs. O'Malley

Show Dates

Time and Place

PLACE AND TIME: The Heavens and Bedford Falls, New York; 1916-1945.

Scenes

Act I
Intermission
Act II

Media

Sponsors

This production is made possible, in part, by John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn.

This production is made possible, in part, by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

This production is made possible, in part, by San Francisco Opera Guild.

This production is made possible, in part, by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ms. Schultz's appearances are made possible by the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Emerging Stars Fund.

Ms. Chuchman's appearances are made possible by the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Emerging Stars Fund.

Additional funding is provided by Stephen and Diane Heiman.

Additional funding is provided by Dr. Susan and Mark R. Kroll.

Additional funding is provided by Bernice Lindstrom, in memory of John W. Lindstrom.

Additional funding is provided by Sara and Bill Morgan.

San Francisco Opera gratefully acknowledges December 7 Performance Sponsor, Kaiser Permanente.

Special thanks to the following for their support of the 2016 premiere: The Cullen Foundation; Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation; Stephen and Diane Heiman; The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation; The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; Sara and Bill Morgan; Petrello Family Foundation; and Diane B. Wilsey.

Legacy Commission

Sung in English with English supertitles

Notes

Co-commission and Co-production with San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

First performance: Houston Grand Opera, 2016.

--------------------

A co-commission and co-production with Houston Grand Opera (premier 2016) and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, the opera was performed at Indiana University in November 2017. 

Based on the 1946 Frank Capra movie of the same name (by permission of Paramount Licensing, Inc.) and the short story "The Greatest Gift" by Philip Van Doren Stern.

Townspeople.

SUPERNUMERARIES:
James Crow

Please note that the opera has undergone significant revisions and cuts since its world premiere. Its opening music (which was originally atmospheric and ethereal-sounding) has become more festive and holiday appropriate. Furthermore, in the interest of dramatic flow, the role of Mr. Gower, the local pharmacist, has been excised, and additional music was created for George and Mary in Act I, as well as new Act II duets between Clara and Mary and George and Mr. Potter.

12/01/2018 Due to illness, Mr. Fröhlich was unable to sing the role of Ed, and cover Mr. Filipowicz was in role for the performance this evening. Mr. Fröhlich did perform his role as Sam Wainwright (mute) as well as his regular chorus role.

12/04/2018 Due to illness, Mr. Fröhlich was unable to sing the role of Ed, and cover Mr. Filipowicz was in role for the performance this evening. Mr. Fröhlich did perform his role as Sam Wainwright (mute) as well as his regular chorus role.
 

Supernumeraries