University of Toronto Opera: The Tender Land

University of Toronto Opera presents The Tender Land
by Aaron Copland
Libretto by Erik Johns (writing as Horace Everett)
March 20, 2022 | 2:30pm
Livestreamed from MacMillan Theatre
Sandra Horst, Conductor
Tim Albery, Director
Michelle Tracey, Costume & Set Design
Siobhan Sleath, Lighting Design
Nathan Bruce, Projection Design
Mario Pacheco, Assistant Director
The Faculty of Music Opera Division is grateful for the support of The Azrieli Foundation Opera Visiting Artist Program.
The closing night performance is made possible by a generous gift from Marilyn Cook
For more details, including the program, visit:
music.utoronto...
We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.
Thank you for watching our performance. Please consider supporting our students and programming: visit engage.utoront... to make a gift today!

[@susanquapp4804]

This was incredible. So enjoyed! Heidi Duncan and Angelo Moretti were awesome 💕

[@heididuncansoprano]

Thank you so much Susan!💕

[@jgesselberty]

When did the Quintet ending Act I become a Sextet? And, frankly, the other voices drown out the soprano and her high notes.

[@anthonymccarthy4164]

Interesting production. Love the music except I'm always resistant to Copland's orchestration when he reaches for the bells. The libretto is so uneven but opera is one of the most difficult arts to pull off. I'll listen to it several more times.

[@gerthenriksen8818]

Anrhonymccarthy4164 This is not Copland's own orchestration. This is an adaption/downsizing for 13 instruments, Copland orchestrated the opera for full symphony orchestra.(can be found other places on youtube)

[@anthonymccarthy4164]

@@gerthenriksen8818 I'm familiar with the original orchestration. My biggest problem with it is the libretto which can be embarrassing. I remember reading that once when the Boston Symphony was rehearsing either a concert version or a suite of music from it that some of them snarkily called it "The tender gland." Orchestral musicians can be so mean. I wouldn't be that mean but sometimes it can get a bit too sweet. I often prefer Copland's orchestral music in a piano reduction, such as the suite from Our Town. I absolutely love his chamber music and piano music.

[@jgesselberty]

I suggest you listen to it in a better production than this. It can be a revelation.

[@anthonymccarthy4164]

@@jgesselberty I have. It's an all right opera, if you can get past the sometimes cringe provoking libretto.