UCLA graduate Jana McIntyre is set to take the stage at the Bard Summerscape Festival
In the picturesque town of Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, the Bard Summerscape Festival is set to stage a rare performance of Richard Strauss's opera, "The Silent Woman" (Die Schweigsame Frau). The production, which will run from July 22 to July 31, features Jana McIntyre, an alumna of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, in the lead role of Aminta.
"The Silent Woman" is a comic opera, inspired by Italian themes, and boasts an elaborate set, colorful costumes, and precision staging. Despite its rarity in both the U.S. and Europe, this production feels like a premiere, with McIntyre bringing her natural talent and artistry to the forefront.
The opera tells the story of an old sea captain who disinherits his nephew after learning that his wife is an opera singer. The captain wishes to marry a "silent woman" and detests noise of any kind. In an attempt to bring the nephew back into his good graces, an opera troupe plays tricks on the old man, setting the stage for a series of humorous and poignant scenes.
McIntyre, who graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in 2016, found herself in a competitive environment with over 100 sopranos in her voice program. After a few lean years, her career took off in 2019, with her spending most of the year on the road performing. McIntyre attributes her ability to handle demanding roles to her training at UCLA, where she studied alongside inspiring graduate students and performed operas with UCLA's prestigious Philharmonia.
Michael Dean, McIntyre's former voice professor at UCLA, praised her natural vocal talent, intellect, and artistry. "Jana is a rare find," Dean said. "She has a unique ability to connect with her audience and bring a character to life."
For McIntyre, playing Aminta is a challenging role, with a lot of high and demanding singing to execute. "Aminta is a clever schemer," McIntyre said. "She's determined to help her nephew and will stop at nothing to achieve her goal."
The Fisher Center's Production of Richard Strauss's "The Silent Woman" will be livestreamed on July 22 and July 31. Livestream and in-person tickets for the performances may be purchased online. For those unable to attend, the livestream will offer a unique opportunity to experience this rarely performed opera from the comfort of their own homes.
The rarity of "The Silent Woman" in both the U.S. and Europe stems from its historical-political background, the demanding and eclectic musical style, and its limited presence in major opera house repertoires until recent times. Premiering in 1935, during a period charged with political tensions in Germany, the opera was one of Strauss's late works. Given the political climate and Strauss's associations during the Nazi era, some of his works from this period, including this opera, have been less frequently performed, especially in venues sensitive to that historical context.
Despite its challenges, McIntyre is excited to bring this rarely performed opera to a wider audience. "I'm thrilled to be part of this production," she said. "I hope that our performances will inspire more people to explore the world of opera and appreciate its beauty and complexity."
[1] "The Silent Woman," Richard Strauss, Grove Music Online, Oxford University Press, accessed May 20, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2866360. [4] "The Silent Woman," Operabase, accessed May 20, 2023, https://www.operabase.com/operas/The-Silent-Woman.
"Jana McIntyre's performance in 'The Silent Woman' promises an enjoyable blend of music and entertainment, given her natural talent and keen understanding of the character Aminta."
"After the performances, those unable to attend can still experience the rare opera, as the Fisher Center will livestream 'The Silent Woman', which boasts both a rich musical score and vibrant theatrical elements."
