​Elysia Ann Arntzen, DMA
Composer, Soprano
THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO
An Opera in Three Acts
Adapted from a Short Story by Edgar Allan Poe
Music and Libretto by Elysia Ann Arntzen
World Premiere
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STAFF
Stage Director, Choral Director, Costume Coordinator Elysia Arntzen
Conductor David Galant
Scenic/Lighting Designer, Technical Director Josiah Morgan
Stage Manager, Assistant Director Laura Linder
Rehearsal Accompanist, Vocal Coach Graham House
There will be one 10-minute intermission
CAST
Montresor Tremayne Perryman
Fortunato David Ricart
Lady Fortunato Mary Dowd
Page Caitlyn Royal
Maid Crystal Dunning
Cook Connor Husa
Old Man Isaiah Kluver
Chorus Karin Berg
Charlie Leftridge
Michael O’Brien
Reed Westerhoff
ORCHESTRA
Clarinet Season Cowley
Horn Aaron Pettorini, Anna Filipcic
Trumpet Krista Connelly
Synthesizer Graham House
Percussion Josh Spaulding
Violin Alex Rogers, Kelsey Arntzen
Viola Jordan Ellis, Michael Anderson
Cello Sam Stanley
Bass Stephen Cantarero
SYNOPSIS
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Act I, Scene 1
The opera opens with people enjoying Carnival and commenting on the costumes and festivities. Amidst this celebration, two wine connoisseurs get into an argument in which Fortunato compares Montresor to Luchesi, who drinks a lot, but is not a connoisseur. Montresor, tired of Fortunato’s arrogance, storms off. Lady Fortunato warns her husband that Montresor seems seriously angry this time, but Fortunato is not worried.
Act I, Scene 2
Montresor gets home and rants about “the thousand injuries of Fortunato,” and he comes up with a plan to get rid of him. As he is writing, his energetic servants horse around. Montresor tells the servants that he will be out at Carnival all night and they need to watch the house while he is gone. They promise to stay home and behave.
Act I, Scene 3
Fortunato is relaxing with a glass of wine when he receives a letter from Montresor, who seemingly concedes that he needs Fortunato’s expertise in identifying the “Amontillado” which he has just bought. Fortunato praises Amontillado and compares it with other sherries, adding that he is much better than Luchesi. Lady Fortunato catches him preparing to leave and assumes that Montresor must have challenged him to a duel. They get into an argument about two separate things, and Fortunato leaves. Lady Fortunato reads the letter and is somewhat relieved, but still suspicious.
Act II, Scene 1
The Cook rehearses his excuses as to why he deserves the night off. The Maid overhears him and tells him why she too deserves to go out to Carnival. The Old Man, hearing their conversation, comes in to find out what they are planning, and right as the Cook is about to explain himself, the Page comes running in, already in costume. The Old Man concedes that if the younger servants are gone all night, they cannot mess up the house, and the Page invites him to come with. The four servants get in costume and join the Carnival crowd.
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Act II, Scene 2
Seeing that his plan has succeeded, and there are not servants at home, Montresor waits for Fortunato to arrive. Fortunato seems to be suffering from a cold, and Montresor tells him to go home, he will ask Luchesi’s opinion. Fortunato is offended by this and insists that they go try the Amontillado, and that he will not die of a cough. Montresor concedes.
Act II, Scene 3
At Carnival, the servants enjoy being out of the house and in the company of the partygoers. The Cook has found a companion, the Maid enjoys showing off the dress she designed, the Page steals coins from the adults, and the Old Man drinks with Luchesi. The Old Man tells them they no longer have a curfew, and they can stay out all night. Everyone sings “life will be there in the morn, don’t give it any thought!”
INTERMISSION
Act III, Scene 1
Lady Fortunato waits impatiently by the door. It is evening, and they should have left for Carnival by now, but Fortunato has not yet returned. Lady Fortunato calms herself by praying for her husband’s safety, but is suspicious of his meeting with Montresor, who seemed very angry last time she saw him.
Act III, Scene 2
Montresor and Fortunato walk through Montresor’s vaults, which are long and twisted like a labyrinth. Montresor warns Fortunato that the damp atmosphere will be bad for his cough, but Fortunato insists they keep going. Montresor gives him some wine to help his cough, and they continue. Eventually Fortunato asks for another drink. As Montresor reaches for the wine under his cloak, Fortunato sees that he is carrying a mason’s trowel. Montresor sings a Masonic toast as Fortunato finishes much of the wine. They arrive, and as Fortunato is walking, Montresor says something distracting and he runs into the end of the hallway. Montresor quickly builds a wall to block him in. At first, Fortunato thinks it is a prank, but Montresor finishes the wall and walks away, leaving him there to die.