Opera Highlights: The Trial at Rouen

In 1950, Boston-based Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Norman Dello Joio premiered his first opera, The Triumph of Saint Joan. Unhappy with the results he withdrew the work. Still fascinated with the subject, he was commissioned by the NBC Television Opera Theatre to produce an original 75-minute opera for television. The resulting work in two acts, The Trial at Rouen, premiered April 8, 1956, on NBC. In collaboration with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Odyssey Opera’s performance marks the first time The Trial at Rouen was performed off screen and on stage in front of a live audience.

Gil Rose // Conductor

Heather Buck Joan
Stephen Powell Pierre Cauchon
Luke Scott Father Julien
Ryan Stoll The Jailer
Jeremy Ayres Fischer Soldier

The Trial at Rouen by Norman Dello Joio
Produced in collaboration with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP)

December 1, 2017
New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall

Video by Kathy Wittman, Ball Square Films
audio recording by Antonio Oliart

[joeledwards]

I’m still fascinated by this music even after almost performing it almost 4 months ago. The cast was spectacular and Heather Buck was electrifying on stage with her vocal and stage presence, along with being such an incredible and inspiring colleague!