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OVERVIEW
Title: Bandits in the Valley
Composer: Benton Roark
Librettist: Julie Tepperman
Commissioned By: Tapestry Opera
Language: English
Producer: Tapestry Opera
Run Time: 55
Roles:
| Role | Voice Type | Range ? | Character Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freddy | middle | F2-G4 | Bandit, plays accordion |
| George Taylor | middle-low | F2-Bb4 | Wealthy mill-owner |
| Jeremiah | middle | B2-A4 | The leader of a local small-potatoes bandit group called The Rift Rafters, plays guitar |
| Henri | high | A3-Bb5 | Pianist in the Vagabonds, plays piano and recorder |
| Lily Pollard | high | B3-F6 | The theatre troupe's prima donna |
| Brigitta | middle-high | G#3-Ab5 | Maid in the mill house |
| A servant | silent-spoken | silent | A servant in the mill house |
| The Governor | silent-spoken | silent | The Governor |
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SYNOPSIS
Join George Taylor and the travelling Gilbert & Sullivan theatrical troupe The Vagabonds in a twenty-fifth anniversary celebration of the birth of his papermill. Unbeknownst to him, Jeremiah - the leader of a local small-potatoes bandit group called The Rift Rafters - just discovered a long-hidden secret about his identity, and coerces the audience in helping him break into Taylor’s house to obtain the evidence he needs. Bandits in the Valley is based on the local history of the Don Valley as a haven for smugglers and bandits during the late 1800s. The site-specific work was presented in the area the bandits operated in, using historic buildings they would have known and may well have robbed!
MUSIC DESCRIPTION
It should be noted that should the piece be performed as intended (immersive, site-specific theatre) performers will be on double duty as instrumentalists. However, numerous vamps are built into the music, giving performers as much time as needed for movement.
SCORES FOR PURCHASE
Arias & Excerpts:
George celebrates the 25th anniversary of his paper mill with an important announcement. Lily is introduced. Freddy gets some bad news.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Freddy | middle | F2-F4 |
| George Taylor | middle-low | Eb3-G5 |
| Jeremiah | middle | Db3-G4 |
| Henri | high | Db4-G5 |
| Lily Pollard | high | E4-G5 |
| Brigitta | middle-high | G#3-G5 |
| A servant | silent-spoken | silent |
| The Governor | silent-spoken | silent |
Jeremiah, who is in love with Lily, reveals that he is the illegitimate son of former mill owner, Skinner. He enlists Freddy's help with a scheme.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Freddy | middle | F2-F4 |
| Jeremiah | middle | B2-G4 |
Brigitta is in love with Jeremiah. Jeremiah, Freddy, and Brigitta retrieve Jeremiah's birth certificate from the Taylor house where Brigitta found it. Jeremiah gives Freddy a note for Lily - he and Lily are leaving town when Jeremiah gets his fortune.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Brigitta | middle-high | C4-Ab5 |
| Freddy | middle | Eb3-Eb4 |
| Jeremiah | middle | B2-A4 |
| Audience as witnesses | silent-spoken | silent |
Henri wonders how, after all this time, it is possible that Lily doesn't reciprocate her feelings of love.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Henri | high | A3-Bb5 |
George has a proposal for Lily. Henri has a confession. The Great Recorder Smackdown happens, and Lily is caught in the crossfire. Lily sends them all away without answering.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Henri | high | C4-Ab5 |
| George | middle-low | A2-Bb4 |
| Lily | high | Bb4-Fb5 |
| Audience as guests/witnesses | silent-spoken | silent |
A lament over the disbanding of brotherhood. Freddy wonders what will become of his friendship with Jeremiah.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Freddy | middle | D3-G4 |
The Vagabond Theatrical Troupe presents! Jeremiah gives George an ultimatum but has to prove himself first in more ways than one, and all is wrapped up in the finest paper package.
| Character | Voice Type | Range ? |
|---|---|---|
| Henri | high | B3-G5 |
| Freddy | middle | B2-G4 |
| Brigitta | middle-high | B3-Eb5 |
| Jeremiah | middle | C3-G4 |
| George | middle-low | G2-F4 |
| Lily | high | B3-F6 |
| Ensemble | high | A4-F5 |
PREMIERE PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Premiere Production: September 2-30, 2017 at Todmodern Mills, Toronto ON
Producers: Tapestry Opera
Cast:
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Freddy | Jacques Arsenault |
| George Taylor | Alex Dobson |
| Jeremiah | Keith Klassen |
| Henri | Sara Schabas |
| Lily Pollard | Jennifer Taverner |
| Brigitta | Stephanie Tritchew |
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Michael Hidetoshi Mori |
| Producer | Jaime Martino |
| Props | David Hoekstra |
| Costumes and Set | Sylvia Defend |
| Production Manager | Aidan Cosgrave |
| Stage Manager | Melania Radelicki |
| Rehearsal Pianist | Michael Shannon |
CREATION
QUOTATIONS FROM CREATIVE TEAM
When Michael approached us to create an original short comedic opera loosely based on the Don Valley bandits in late 1800s Toronto, and added that it would be performed on site at Todmorden Mills, we leapt at the chance. How amazing to write a show with this well-preserved historic location in mind: imagining what might happen where, figuring out the precision of the timing, and incorporating the property’s existing settings and historical props to the story’s advantage. Also figuring into the fun was plenty of research into the confluence of popular musical practices - jigs, reels, rags, and parlour songs that ran through the region in the late 19th century (not to mention operas such as Gilbert and Sullivan’s smash hit, The Pirates of Penzance, which opened in New York the year before our show is set and is amply riffed upon throughout). We tip our hats to this incredible cast of triple threats, singing, acting, and playing instruments to bring this musical romp to life multiple times each weekend. Thank you for traveling back in time with us – we hope you have as much fun at Bandits as we’ve had creating it!
- Benton Roark (composer) and Julie Tepperman (librettist)
AWARDS
Dora Awards - 2018 nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Bandits in the Valley - Tapestry Opera
Bandits in the Valley - Program
Supported by a Toronto Arts Council Animating Historic Spaces Grant
Supported by an Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed Grant
MEDIA
PRODUCTION PHOTOS
VIDEOS
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