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Adapted many times for stage and screen, the
Louisa May Alcott classic now comes to the opera house in this commission
by the Houston Grand Opera, featuring a score and libretto by acclaimed
young American composer Mark Adamo. Conducted by Patrick Summers,
"Little Women" is the poignant coming-of-age chronicle of the four
March sisters -- Jo, Beth, Meg, and Amy -- in 19th-century New England.
The production features mezzo-sopranos Stephanie Novacek and Joyce
DiDonato as Jo and Meg, with tenor Chad Shelton as Jo's long-suffering
suitor Laurie. Also featured are sopranos Margaret Lloyd as Amy and
Stacey Tappan as Beth, and mezzo-soprano Gwendolyn Jones as Alma March.
In a performance acclaimed by THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE as "a vigorous
yet seductive debut ... filled with kinetic energy," completing the
cast are Daniel Belcher, James Maddalena, and Katherine Ciesinski.
Background on the Houston Grand Opera and its current general director
David Gockley; a synopsis of the opera, with commentary by Mark Adamo
on adapting the novel for the stage; and an interview with one of
classical music's rising stars, composer Mark Adamo.
Click here to explore the Web companion
for this program, which originally aired on August 29, 2001.
Top banner photos: The March sisters -- Amy,
Beth, Jo, and Meg; Friedrich Bhaer (Chen-Ye-Yuan) with Jo March (Stephanie
Novacek); Amy March (Margaret Lloyd) and Laurie (Chad Shelton).
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Jo March is played by
Stephanie Novacek. |
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Joyce DiDonato as Meg
March. |
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