Vanessa 2016

Synopsis
Artists

“Say you love me, or leave this house forever.”

Vanessa casts a spell of secrets, deception and densely layered emotion. The mirrors are shrouded and the clocks are stopped, as they have been since she was abandoned by her lover years ago. With the arrival of a handsome stranger, Anatol, a gothic love story unfolds as Erika, Vanessa’s niece falls in love with him. Is she reliving a doomed affair as her aunt’s rival?

Music By

Samuel Barber

Libretto By

Gian Carlo Menotti

Act I

For twenty years, Vanessa has awaited the return of her only love Anatol. Before the two lovers could be united, he was called away. In grief, Vanessa covered all the mirrors in her home so as not to look upon her aging face. Only when Anatol returned home would she remove the covers.

On this day, Vanessa with her niece Erika, and the Baroness (Vanessa’s mother) wait impatiently for Anatol’s return. Before he arrives, Vanessa covers up her face so that he does not see her. When he arrives, she tells him that if he still loves her she will remove her veil. After he replies he loves her still after all these years, Vanessa uncovers her face. She is taken aback by Anatol. He is not the man she remembers. After telling him she doesn’t recognize him, he confesses that he is Anatol’s son and goes by the same name as his deceased father. Vanessa is upset and leaves the room. The Baroness hurries after her to console her, which leaves Erika and Anatol alone. The two socialize over the meal that was prepared for Vanessa and her lover.

Act II

Erika speaks with the Baroness and tells her that during the first night of his stay, Anatol seduced her and they fell in love. The Baroness cannot believe it and scolds her. When Anatol asks Erika to marry him, she declines. When Vanessa converses with Erika, Vanessa, who has nearly driven herself mad, says that she still loves Anatol. Erika protests and tells her he is not the same person she fell in love with twenty years ago, but a different man altogether! The Baroness has a change of heart and tells Erika that she must fight for Anatol’s love. But when he proposes again, Erika still refuses.

Act III

During the New Year’s Eve ball, Anatol and Vanessa declare their love and their engagement. Stunned and pregnant with Anatol’s child, Erika stumbles into the bitter cold hoping to rid herself of the baby. Unaware of why Erika’s acting so strangely, Vanessa is disturbed by her behavior.

Vanessa marries Anatol. The two plan to live life anew. Vanessa visits with Erika and asks why she would run out into the cold. Erika lies and shared that she was being foolish. Vanessa explains that she and Anatol are leaving for Paris with no plans to return. They quickly depart to start their new lives. As her aunt had in earlier years, Erika withdraws from the world: “Now it is my turn to wait.” as she covers all of the mirrors in the house and promises to remove them the day her lover, Anatol returns.

Synopsis

Act I

Act II

Act III

Artists

Erin Wall

Erin Wall

Virginie Verez

Virginie Verez

Zach Borichevsky

Zach Borichevsky

James Morris

James Morris

Helene Schneiderman

Helene Schneiderman

Andrew Bogard

Andrew Bogard

Andrew Simpson

Andrew Simpson

Leonard Slatkin

Leonard Slatkin

James Robinson

James Robinson

Allen Moyer

Allen Moyer

James Schuette

James Schuette

Christopher Akerlind

Christopher Akerlind

Seán Curran

Seán Curran

Susanne Sheston

Susanne Sheston

Vanessa 2016