World Première: Bernard Rands - Vincent

On Friday, April 8, Indiana University Opera Theatre presents the world premiere of Bernard Rands' Vincent, a two-act opera based on the life and work of Vincent van Gogh with a libretto by celebrated American poet J.D. McClatchy.

The premiere run of Vincent brings to fulfillment Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Bernard Rands' long-held wish to write an opera on Van Gogh's life. Rands' inspiration was originally sparked in 1973 when he was one of the first to enter the new Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Though familiar with much of Van Gogh's work at that time, Rands was nonetheless overwhelmed by the experience and in particular the top floor of the museum which exhibited all of the artist's drawings in pencil, charcoal and gouache. Rands began reading, researching, and sketching for the new opera at that time; one such sketch developed into the beautiful and ethereal Le Tambourin Suites 1 & 2, recorded by Riccardo Muti and The Philadelphia Orchestra in 1995. Rands comments further:

Based on an original libretto by American poet J.D. McClatchy (which draws on the letters of Van Gogh) the two-act opera unfolds as a succession of ‘tableaux' placing Vincent in the context of real-life experiences and thus revealing his complex character: that of genius artist, religious fanatic, alcoholic, epileptic, and unstable of temperament resulting in behavior ranging unpredictably between affability and violent aggression.

The scenes suggest a more-or-less chronological outline of his late years: a transition from the 'dark' environment of his early years, full of positive enthusiasms amid the dark surroundings, to the darkening of his inner light amid the brightness of "the south."

Vincent explores the drama of Van Gogh’s private vision and the extremes to which it drove him, culminating in his haunting madness, as well as in his triumph as an artist who gave the world a new image of itself. Vincent Liotta directs the premiere production and Arthur Fagen conducts. The title role is taken up by David Adam Moore and Christopher Burchett in alternating casts. Costume Designer Linda Pisano, Production Designer Barry Steele and Choreographer Michael Vernon round out the creative team for Vincent. Repeat performances are scheduled for April 9, 15 and 16.

Bernard Rands
Vincent (2010)
opera in two acts
libretto (En) by J.D. McClatchy
Commissioned by the Board of Trustees of Indiana University, in honor of the Jacobs School's 100th anniversary as a department.
for 2 sopranos, mezzo-soprano, tenor, countertenor, 2 baritones, 3 basses and SATB chorus 3(3.pic.afl).2.3(3.bcl).2-4.3.2.btbn.1-timp.2perc-hp.cel.acc.pno-str
110‘

• Bernard Rands - profile
• Information on the production on the Indiana University website