Archives Scrapbooks

Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V. Rinse, repeat.

Busch-Reisinger Museum Scrapbook, 1968-1970

ARCH.2013.5.12, Rendition: 797862

Mistral, us.mistral.pixtral-large-2502-v1:0

The image is a page from a program for a theatrical production titled "Curlew River," composed by Benjamin Britten. The librettist is William Plomer. The production was staged and choreographed by Wakeen Roy-Rio, with musical direction by Karen Leader.

Cast:

  • Madwoman: James Paul
  • Ferryman: Michael Roberts
  • Traveller: Robert Turnen
  • Abbot: Richard Krause
  • Spirit of the Boy: William Wright
  • Pilgrims: Neil Fairbairn, Michael Krause, Dominic Meiman, Lewis Perry, David George

Instrumentalists:

  • Flute and piccolo: Margaret Cramer
  • Horn: James Unland
  • Viola: Rachel Port
  • Double Bass: Kathleen Klinn
  • Harp: Cindy Moreno
  • Percussion: Andrew Berner
  • Organ: Daniel Hathaway

Program Notes:
The origins of "Curlew River" date back to the composer's visit to Tokyo in 1956, where he first encountered Noh theater. Britten was inspired to collaborate with William Plomer to create this "parable for Church performance" with its own unique qualities. The story revolves around a noblewoman who, distraught over the loss of her son, searches for him along the riverbank, where she encounters a traveler and a group of pilgrims.

Production Staff:

  • Assistant Musical Director: Andrew Berner
  • Scenic Designer: John Miller
  • Costume Designers: Wakeen Roy-Rio and Allison
  • Seamstress: Anna Daily
  • Props Mistress: Linda Spohn
  • Program Design: Linda Spohn
  • Posters and Program: Linda Spohn

Special Thanks:
The program acknowledges various individuals and organizations for their contributions, including Dean Archie Epps, Mr. J. D. Farmer, the Busch-Reisinger Museum, the First Church in Cambridge, and others who provided support, costumes, and technical assistance. Special mention is also given to the Oxford University Press for arranging the play "The Play of Daniel."

The page is neatly laid out with clear sections for the cast, instrumentalists, program notes, production staff, and acknowledgments, providing a comprehensive overview of the production.

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-14b-instruct

The image is a program booklet for the opera "Curlew River," composed by Benjamin Britten with a libretto by William Plomer. Here's a detailed summary:

Title and Credits:

  • Title: Curlew River
  • Composer: Benjamin Britten
  • Librettist: William Plomer
  • Produced by: Andy Jamieson and Andrew Berner
  • Staged and Choreographed by: Wakeen Ray-Riv
  • Musical Director: Martin Kessler

Cast:

  • Madwoman: James Paul
  • Ferryman: David Evitts
  • Traveller: Robert Toren
  • Abbot: William Wright
  • Spirit of the Boy: Neil Fairbairn
  • Pilgrims: David Kramer, Dominic Meiman, Richard Gaddes, Daniel Savage

Instrumentalists:

  • Flute and piccolo: Margaret Cramer
  • Horn: Cyrus Stewart
  • Violin: Rachel Port
  • Viola: William Raskin
  • Cello: Carly Moreno
  • Harp: Andrew Berner
  • Percussion: Daniel Hathaway
  • Organ: (Not specified)

Program Notes:
The origins of "Curlew River" date back to the composer's visit to Tokyo in 1956, where he first encountered the Japanese Noh play "Sumidagawa." This experience inspired Britten to create his own operatic work, "Curlew River," which is based on a medieval legend about a church by the Fenland River.

The story revolves around a group of monks who perform a simple play to honor the spirit of a drowned boy. A noblewoman, distraught over the loss of her son, arrives at the riverbank. The ferryman and a group of pilgrims help her through her grief, eventually allowing her to come to terms with the loss and reunite with her son's spirit.

Production Staff:

  • Assistant Musical Director: Andrew Berner
  • Scenic Designer: John Miller
  • Costume Designers: Wakeen Ray-Riv and Allison Stine
  • Seamstress: Anna Daly
  • Props Mistress: Linda Spohn
  • Master Electrician: David Rusel
  • Posters and Program: Linda Spohn

Special Thanks:

  • Dean Archie Epps, Faculty Advisor
  • Mr. J.D. Farmer and the entire staff of the Busch-Reisinger Museum
  • Christ Church, Cambridge and Daniel Hathaway for the loan of furniture, costumes, and rehearsal facilities
  • Dominic Meiman for his assistance with the masks
  • Various individuals for their roles in photography, design, and technical assistance.

The program concludes with a special note about "The Play of Daniel," arranged by special arrangement with the Oxford University Press.

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-8b-instruct

The image shows a page from a program or script for the opera "Curlew River." Here is a detailed summary of the content presented:

  1. Title and Credits:

    • Title: Curlew River
    • Composer: Benjamin Britten
    • Librettist: William Plomer
    • Produced by: Andy Jamieson and Andrew Berner
    • Staged and Choreographed by: Wakeen Ray-Riv
    • Musical Director: Martin Kessler
  2. Cast:

    • Madwoman: James Paul
    • Ferryman: David Evitts
    • Traveller: Robert Toren
    • Abbot: John Gielgud
    • Spirit of the Boy: William Wright
    • Pilgrims: Neil Fairbairn, David Kramer, Dominic Meiman, John Ferris, Daniel Savage
  3. Instrumentalists:

    • Flute and Piccolo: Margaret Cramer
    • Horn: Cyrus Stewart
    • Violin: Rachel Port
    • Viola: Sally McKinlin
    • Cello: Carlito Moreno
    • Percussion: Andrew Berner
    • Organ: Daniel Hathaway
  4. Program Notes:

    • The opera's origins are traced back to the composer's visit to Tokyo in 1956, where he encountered the Japanese Noh-play "Sumidagawa." This experience inspired Britten and his librettist, William Plomer, to create an opera that blends elements of the Noh with Western operatic traditions.
    • The story follows a group of monks performing a play about a woman who seeks her lost son. The plot centers on a ferryman who reveals the significance of the day, tying into the themes of time and place.
  5. Production Staff:

    • Assistant Musical Director: Andrew Berner
    • Scenic Designer: John Miller
    • Costume Designers: Wakeen Ray-Riv and Allison
    • Seamstress: Anna Daily
    • Props Mistress: Linda Spohn
    • Master Electrician: David Russell
    • Posters and Program: Linda Spohn
  6. Special Thanks:

    • Dean Archie Eggs and the Faculty Advisor
    • Mr. J. D. Farmer and the entire staff of the Busch-Reisinger Museum for their cooperation.
    • Christ Church, Cambridge, and Daniel Hathaway for the loan of furniture, costumes, and rehearsal facilities.
    • Masks designed and executed by Dominic Meiman.
    • Photographs by James Unland and Peter Hunsberger.
    • John Ferris, Margaret Keene and Pamela Ellisworth, Leverett House.
    • John Posner, Margaret Sowerwine, and technical assistance from Chris Ripman, Andy, and Dave.
    • Special arrangement with Oxford University Press for "The Play of Daniel."

This detailed information provides a comprehensive overview of the production elements and credits for the opera "Curlew River."

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-3b-instruct

The image is a page from a program for the opera "Curlew River" composed by Benjamin Britten and written by William Plomer. Here's a detailed summary:

Title and Credits:

  • Title: Curlew River
  • Composer: Benjamin Britten
  • Librettist: William Plomer
  • Produced by: Andy Jamieson and Andrew Berner
  • Staged and Choreographed by: Wakeen Ray-Riv
  • Musical Director: Martin Kessler

Cast:

  • Madwoman: James Paul
  • Ferryman: David Evitts
  • Traveller: Robert Toren
  • Abbess: Susan Fairbairn
  • Spirit of the Boy: William Wright
  • Pilgrims: Neil Fairbairn, David Kramer, Dominic Meiman, and Daniel Savage

Instrumentalists:

  • Flute and piccolo: Margaret Cramer
  • Horn: Cyrus Stewart
  • Violin: Rachel Port
  • Viola: Chris Ripman
  • Violin II: Carly Moreno
  • Harp: Andrew Berner
  • Percussion: David Rusel
  • Organ: Daniel Hathaway

Program Notes:

  • The opera's origins trace back to Britten's visit to Tokyo in 1956, where he encountered the Japanese Noh-play, Sumidagawa. This experience inspired the opera.
  • The story revolves around a noble woman, distraught at the loss of her son, who seeks him at the bank of the river where a ferryman and pilgrims are gathered. The ferryman explains that this day is an important one.

Production Staff:

  • Assistant Musical Director: Andrew Berner
  • Scenic Designer: John Miller
  • Costume Designer: Wakeen Ray-Riv and Allison
  • Seamstress: Anna Daily
  • Props Mistress: Linda Spohn
  • Master Electrician: David Rusel
  • Posters and Program: Linda Spohn

Special Thanks:

  • Dean Archie Eggs - Faculty Advisor
  • Mr. J.D. Farmer and the entire staff of the Busch-Reisinger Museum for their cooperation.
  • Christ Church, Cambridge, and Daniel Hathaway for loan of furniture, costumes, and rehearsal facilities.
  • Marks designed and executed by Dominic Meiman
  • Photographs by James Unland and Peter Hunsberger
  • John Ferris
  • Margaret Keene and Pamela Ellisworth, Leverett House
  • John Posner
  • Special thanks to Margaret Sowerwine
  • For technical assistance: Chris Ripman, Andy and Dave
  • The Play of Daniel - by special arrangement with the Oxford University Press.

This program gives an in-depth look into the production of the opera, highlighting the background, cast, instrumentalists, and production team involved.

Mistral, mistral.magistral-small-2509

The image displays a program for a production of "Curlew River," an opera by Benjamin Britten with a libretto by William Plomer. The program includes the following details:

  • Title and Creators:

    • Title: Curlew River
    • Composer: Benjamin Britten
    • Librettist: William Plomer
    • Produced by: Andy Jamieson and Andrew Berner
    • Staged and Choreographed by: Wakeen Ray-Riv
    • Musical Director: Martin Kessler
  • Cast:

    • Madwoman: James Paul
    • Ferryman: David Evitts
    • Traveler: Robert Toren
    • Abbot: John McNaughton
    • Spirit of the Boy: William Wright
    • Pilgrims: Neil Fairbarn, David Kramer, Dominic Meiman, Peter Hunsberger, Daniel Savage
  • Instrumentalists:

    • Flute and piccolo: Margaret Cramer
    • Oboe: Cyrus Stewart
    • Violin: Rachel Port
    • Viola: Paul Leland
    • Double Bass: Andrew Berner
    • Harp: Carly Moreno
    • Percussion: Daniel Hathaway
  • Program Notes:

    • The opera originated from the composer’s visit to Tokyo in 1956, where he encountered the Japanese Noh-play, "Sumidagawa." This experience led to the creation of "Curlew River," which retains the spirit of Noh but is set in an early medieval English context. The story centers on a woman searching for her lost son, ultimately finding solace with a group of pilgrims by the Fenland River.
  • Production Staff:

    • Assistant Musical Director: Andrew Berner
    • Scenic Designer: John Miller
    • Costume Designers: Wakeen Ray-Riv and Allison
    • Seamstress: Linda Spohn
    • Props Mistress: Linda Spohn
    • Master Electrician: David Russel
    • Posters and Program: Linda Spohn
  • Special Thanks:

    • Dean Archie Eggs - Faculty Advisor
    • Appreciation to Mr. J.D. Farmer and the staff of the Busch-Reisinger Museum for their cooperation.
    • Thanks to Christ Church, Cambridge, and Daniel Hathaway for the loan of furniture, costumes, and rehearsal facilities.
    • Make-up designed and executed by Dominic Meiman.
    • Photographs by James Unland and Peter Hunsberger, John Ferris, Margaret Keene, and Pamela Ellisworth, Leverett House, John Posner.
    • Special thanks to Margaret Sowerwine, Andy, Dave, and Chris Ripman.

The program is well-organized, providing comprehensive information about the production, its creators, cast, instrumentalists, and production staff, along with acknowledgments and context about the opera's origins.

Mistral, mistral.mistral-large-3-675b-instruct

The image is a playbill for a production of the opera "Curlew River" by Benjamin Britten. Here are the detailed components:

Title and Creators:

  • Title: Curlew River
  • Composer: Benjamin Britten
  • Librettist: William Plomer
  • Producers: Andy Jamieson and Andrew Berner
  • Staged and Choreographed by: Wakefield Ry-Riu
  • Musical Director: Martin Kasloor

Cast:

  • Madwoman: James Paul
  • Ferryman: David Butts
  • Traveler: Robert Toren
  • Abbot: William Wright
  • Spirit of the Boy: Neil Fairbairn
  • Pilgrims:
    • David Kramer
    • Dominic Meo
    • Andrew Berner
    • Daniel Sauvage

Instrumentalists:

  • Flute and Piccolo: Margaret Cramer
  • Horn: Cyrus Stewart
  • Double Bass: Rachel Port
  • Percussion: Michael Skilins
  • Harp: Carry Moreno
  • Organ: Andrew Berner
  • Daniel Hathaway

Program Notes:

The program notes explain the origins of "Curlew River," which stem from Britten's visit to Tokyo in 1956. Inspired by the Japanese Noh-play "Sumidagawa," Britten and Plomer created this new opera. The story centers on a madwoman searching for her lost child, who encounters a ferryman and travelers. The narrative unfolds near a river and culminates in a poignant revelation.

Production Staff:

  • Assistant Musical Director: Andrew Berner
  • Scene Designer: John Miller
  • Costume Designers: Wakefield Ray-Riu and Allison
  • Seamstress: Linda Spohn
  • Props Mistress: Anna Daily
  • Master Electrician: David Rusek
  • Posters and Program: Daniel Sauvage

Special Thanks:

  • Dean Archie Epps and Faculty Advisor for their support.
  • Mr. J. D. Farmer and the staff of the Busch-Reisinger Museum.
  • Christ Church, Cambridge, and Daniel Hathaway for costumes, furniture, and rehearsal space.
  • Margaret Keene and Pamela Ellaworth of Leverett House.
  • John Poirier for photography.
  • James Uniand and Peter Huenberger for manuscript preparation.
  • Margaret Sourwine for technical assistance.
  • Chris Ripman, Andy, and Dave.
  • Special arrangement of "The Play of Daniel" with the Oxford University Press.

This detailed playbill provides an overview of the production team, cast, instrumentalists, and the background of the opera.

Azure OpenAI Service, gpt-4

The image shows an open book with text and a design on its pages. The left-hand page has a decorative large initial capital "C" with a foliate design. The text on both pages reads as follows, although it's slightly cut off by the page border:

[Cut-off]URLAW RIDER

Composer - Benjamin Britten
Librettist - William Plomer
Produced by Andy Jamieson and Andrew Berner

Staged and Choreographed by Wakeen Ray-Rio

Musical Director Martin Keisler

CAST
Madwoman James Paul
Ferryman David Rentz
Traveller Robert Ettelson
Abbot Martin Keisler
Spirit of the Boy Will Frears
Pilgrims: William Wright
David Kramer
Dominic Marini
Leslie Perry
Daniel Savage

INSTRUMENTALISTS
Flute and piccolo Margaret Cramer
Violin Cynthia Stewart
Horn Marcel Peper
Double Bass Michael Franken
Percussion Carly Moreno
Organ Andrew Berner
Harpsichord Daniel Hathaway

PROGRAM NOTES
The origins of Curlew River date from the composer's visit to Tokyo in 196 [cut-off]ere he first encountered the Japanese Noh play, "Sumidagawa". This totally new operatic experience led Britten and his librettist, William Plomer to the "Parable for Church performance" units with its own audacity with respect to time and place - "a church this side of time in this medieval tale."
The story which the company of monks perform is a simple one. A noble woman, distraught at the loss of her son, comes in search of him to the bank of a river where a traveler and a group of pilgrims are about to cross. After finally letting her come into the boat, the ferryman explains why this day is "an important day."

PRODUCTION STAFF
Assistant Musical Director Andrew Berner
Scenic Designers Wakeen Ray-Rio and Allison [...] (cut off)
Costume designers John Miller
Seamstresses A Duncan
Linda Day
Props Mistress Anne Spohn
Master Electrician David Russel
Posters and Program Linda Spohn

SPECIAL THANKS
Dean Archie Epps - Faculty Advisor
Deepest Appreciation is extended to Mr. J. D. Farmer and the entire staff of the Busch-Reisinger Museum for their gracious cooperation.
Chair [cut-off] , Cambridge
Christa Mecham, facilities and Daniel Hathaway for the loan of furniture, costumes and
Props designed and executed by Dormer Hidinger
Photos [cut-off] - James Unius and Peter Huberman
Mak [cut-off]
John Parker
Margaret Keane and George Elmore
Mary Casey
For technical assistance - Chris Ripman, Andy and Dane
The Play of Daniel - by special arrangement with the Oxford University Press.

The image includes a bookmark and shows the bindings of the book, which indicate that this might be a program or a publication related to a musical production, possibly of Benjamin Britten's "Curlew River".

Amazon, us.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0

The image depicts an open book, specifically a program or booklet for the opera Curlew River. The layout is clean and organized, featuring a mix of text and design elements. Here is a detailed description:

Layout and Design:

  1. Title and Header:

    • At the top of the page, the title "CURLEW RIDER" is prominently displayed in large, bold, black serif font. The font is elegant and eye-catching, drawing immediate attention to the title.
    • Below the title, smaller text provides credits:
      • Composer: Benjamin Britten
      • Librettist: William Plomer
      • Produced by: Andy Jamieson and Andrea Berner
      • Staged and Choreographed by: Waken Ray-Ru
      • Musical Director: Martin Kessler
  2. Cast Section:

    • Under the heading "CAST," the roles and actors are listed:
      • Madwoman: James Paul
      • Ferryman: David Euitts
      • Toweller: Robert Toren
      • Abbot: Martin Kessler
      • Spirit of the Boy: William Wright
      • Pilgrims: Neil Fairbairn, David Kramer, Dominic Meiman, Lewis Perry, Daniel Savage
  3. Instrumentalists Section:

    • Under the heading "INSTRUMENTALISTS," the musicians are listed:
      • Flute and piccolo: Margaret Cramer
      • Horn: Cyrus Stewart
      • Viola: Rachel Port
      • Double Bass: Michael Franklin
      • Harp: Carly Moreno
      • Percussion: Andrew Berner
      • Organ: Daniel Hathaway
  4. Program Notes:

    • A section titled "PROGRAM NOTES" provides background information about the opera. It explains the origins of Curlew River, noting that it was inspired by Benjamin Britten's visit to Tokyo in 1956, where he encountered the Japanese Noh-play Sumidagawa. The notes describe the story, which revolves around a noblewoman searching for her lost son, who has become a ferryman on the river. The narrative highlights the themes of loss, pilgrimage, and the significance of the day.
  5. Production Staff:

    • Under the heading "PRODUCTION STAFF," the key crew members are listed:
      • Assistant Musical Director: Andrew Berner
      • Scenic Designer: John Miller
      • Costume designers: Waken Ray-Ru and Allison Duncar
      • Seamstress: Anna Daly
      • Props Mistress: Linda Spohn
      • Master Electrician: David Rusell
      • Posters and Program: Linda Spohn
  6. Special Thanks:

    • The section titled "SPECIAL THANKS" acknowledges contributions from various individuals and institutions:
      • Dean Archie Epps (Faculty Advisor)
      • Deepest appreciation to Mr. J. D. Farmer and the Busch-Reisinger Museum
      • Christ Church, Cambridge, and Daniel Hathaway (for furniture, costumes, and rehearsal facilities)
      • Masks designed and executed by Dominic Meiman
      • Photography by James Unland and Peter Husberger
      • John Ferris
      • Margaret Keene and Pamela Ellsworth (Leverett House)
      • John Poener
      • Mary Courney (Margaret Sourwine)
      • For technical assistance: Chris Ripman, Andy, and Dave
      • The Play of Daniel (special arrangement with the Oxford University Press)
  7. Decorative Element:

    • On the left side of the page, there is an ornate, black-and-white illustration or design that resembles a stylized letter "C" or a decorative motif. It adds an artistic touch to the otherwise text-heavy layout.

Overall Impression:

The booklet is professional and well-organized, typical of a theater or opera program. It provides comprehensive details about the production, including credits, cast, crew, and background information. The design is clean, with a balance of text and visual elements, making it both informative and aesthetically pleasing. The inclusion of program notes offers insight into the opera’s inspiration and themes, enriching the reader's understanding.

Amazon, amazon.nova-lite-v1:0

The image shows an open book, likely a program or libretto for a performance. The cover features a stylized letter "C" with intricate designs, possibly representing the title of the work, "Curlew River." The title is printed in bold black letters across the top of the page. Below the title, there are sections listing the composer, librettist, producer, stage director, and cast members. The cast list includes names of the characters and the actors who played them. There is also a section for instrumentalists and production staff. The program notes provide background information on the work, including its origins and the story it tells. The bottom of the page contains special thanks and credits for various individuals and organizations that contributed to the production.

Amazon, amazon.nova-pro-v1:0

The image is of an open book. The book is open to a page that contains a title, names, and text. The title of the book is "Curlew River." The page is white with black text. The title is in large, bold letters at the top of the page. The text is divided into sections, with headings such as "Composer," "Librettist," "Produced by," "Staged and Choreographed by," "Musical Director," "Cast," "Instrumentalists," "Program Notes," "Production Staff," and "Special Thanks." The names listed under each heading include individuals such as Benjamin Britten, William Plomer, Andy Jamieson, Andrew Berner, and others. The text provides information about the production of the play, including the composer, librettist, director, cast, and crew. The page also includes a decorative border on the left side and a small illustration in the top left corner.