Proving Up
NEW YORK PREMIERE
Wednesday, September 26, 2018, 8pm
Miller Theatre at Columbia University
Music by Missy Mazzoli
Libretto by Royce Vavrek
Adapted from the short story Proving Up by Karen Russell
Co-commissioned by Washington National Opera, Opera Omaha, and Miller Theatre at Columbia University
© 2018 G. Schirmer Inc.
In a new production by Opera Omaha
Composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek thrilled audiences and critics alike in 2016 with the premiere of their opera Breaking the Waves. This dynamic creative duo reunites for Proving Up, a harrowing tale of a family's pursuit of the American Dream set in post-Civil War Nebraska. Miller's 30th Anniversary Season opens with the New York premiere of this chamber opera that is by turns optimistic, exultant, and menacing.
Learn more about the opera, creative team, and cast.
Additional performance: Friday, September 28, 8:00 p.m.
- Missy Mazzoli Composer
- Royce Vavrek Librettist
- Christopher Rountree Conductor
- James Darrah Production
- Nathan Troup Director
- Michael Slattery Miles Zegner
- John Moore Mr. Johannes "Pa" Zegner
- Talise Trevigne Mrs. Johannes "Ma" Zegner
- Cree Carrico Zegner Daughter, Littler
- Abigail Nims Zegner Daughter, Taller
- Andrew Harris The Sodbuster
- Sam Shapiro Peter Zegner
- International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)
Major support for Proving Up is provided by Francis Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts and H.F. Lenfest Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation
Photo by James Matthew Daniel, courtesy of Opera Omaha
Performances and commissioning activities during the 2018-19 concert season are made possible by the generous support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, Booth Ferris Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Jerome Foundation, A.N. and Pearl G. Barnett Family Foundation, Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, Francis Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts, Amphion Foundation, The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, Pacific Harmony Foundation, Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, The Casement Fund, BMI Foundation, as well as public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council for the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. Yamaha Artist Services New York is the exclusive piano provider for ICE.