A decidedly Stanford take on Leonard Bernstein

Justin Cavazos, a senior majoring in music; Hannah Pho, a sophomore majoring in CS+Music; and John Ribeiro-Broomhead, a junior majoring in public policy, are the jazz trio performing in Trouble in Tahiti. Photo: Mia Farinelli

The Department of Music and the student-run troupe Stanford Savoyards are combining forces to present a LEONARD BERNSTEIN double feature in Dinkelspiel Auditorium: the satiric operetta Candide and the opera Trouble in Tahiti.

Bernstein’s Candide, drawing inspiration from Voltaire’s novella that blends comedy, tragedy and farce, has been transposed to the Farm, using projections of images drawn from the Stanford Historical Photograph Collection. GRANT PARKER, associate professor and chair of the Department of Classics, plays the role of the president of Stanford in Candide. In stark contrast, Trouble in Tahiti explores the intimate pain hidden within the outwardly happy existence of a small suburban family.

Two free preview performances for students, staff and faculty will be held at 7:30 p.m. on both Thursday, Feb. 18, and Friday, Feb. 19. Ticketed public performances will take place Saturday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 21, at 2:30 p.m.

This double feature production is the first collaboration between the Music Department and the Savoyards. Both were keen to bring more opera to campus.

MARIE-LOUISE CATSALIS, lecturer in the Department of Music and the musical director of the Bernstein production, traces the collaboration involved in bringing opera to campus:

“For many years, the Savoyards have performed Gilbert and Sullivan, but have wanted to broaden their repertoire. What better way than with an operetta by Bernstein? The Music Department’s mission of bring opera to the campus is fulfilled by the one-act opera Trouble in Tahiti, so this is a very happy collaboration.”

MIA FARINELLI, the student president of the Savoyards, said the Savoyards have sought to collaborate with the Department of Music for some time.

“The resources and expertise that the faculty bring to the table is especially helpful as we begin to make the transition into other forms of classical theater beyond Gilbert and Sullivan, which has been our focus for many years,” she said.

The Stanford Savoyards is a student-run theater company that includes Stanford students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the community. They have been presenting the light operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, typically two fully staged operettas with orchestra per season, since 1973. This year they are expanding their repertoire to promote a wider range of classical musical theater, starting with the Bernstein double feature.

There are performers in the orchestra who have participated in Savoyards productions dating back to 2000, and one returning community cast member who performed with the Savoyards in its infancy in 1974.

On Feb. 28, the Bernstein productions continue with a 5:30 p.m. recital in Stanford’s Toyon Hall featuring the song cycle I Hate Music, as well as the composer’s last, semi-autobiographical work, Arias and Barcarolles, which will be performed by Music Department students with direction by Catsalis.

A saxophone ensemble will open with their rendition of the overture from Candide, directed by junior CODY STOCKER. The recital, sponsored by Residential Education and the Department of Music, is free and open to the public.