Archives Scrapbooks

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

Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, October 1955-March 1958

ARCH.2003.33, Rendition: 803250

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

The image is a page from a program for an opera performance. It contains information about the opera "Dido and Aeneas" and a choral piece "Missa Je suis desheritee."

About the Opera:

The text on the left side describes the opera "Dido and Aeneas." It explains that the characters Dido and Aeneas are people whose lives met for a short while, and Virgil wrote the drama of their meeting. The opera explores the idea that these characters still lie somewhere in the attic of their memories and come to life when people read about them. The story is set in Carthage and revolves around the love between Dido, Queen of Carthage, and Aeneas, a Trojan hero. The libretto by David Kuhn is noted for its simplicity and clarity, influenced by the libretto and parody by a figure in a play. The music is divided into chants or timbres, each functioning independently. The performance aims to make the words as clear as possible to the audience.

Program Details:

On the right side, the program lists the details of the performances:

Missa Je suis desheritee:

  • Composer: Nicholas Gombert
  • Sopranos: Cynthia Adams, Virginia Di Bonaventura
  • Altos: Edith Gould, Elaine Paneketos
  • Tenors: Sam Di Bonaventura, Franklin van Halsema
  • Basses: Allan Miller, Warren H. Pyle
  • Chorus under the direction of Allan Miller

The text provides a brief background on Nicholas Gombert and his composition "Missa Je suis desheritee," which is a parody mass based on a popular chanson.

Dido and Aeneas:

  • Libretto by David Kuhn, 1957
  • Music by Thomas Beveridge, 1959
  • Cast:
    • Dido: Barbara Blanchard
    • Aeneas: Thomas Beveridge
    • Chorus: Cornelia Montgomery, O'Brien Nicholas, Anne Belkford, Edith Churchill, Barbara Lingelbach, John Felstiner, John Scully, Cyrus Haven, George Patterson, Alan Ripley
  • Stage Direction: Margaret Fairbank
  • Music Direction: Michael Senturia
  • Produced by Noel Tyl

The program provides a comprehensive overview of the performances, including the cast, directors, and a brief historical context for the pieces being performed.

Mistral, mistral.magistral-small-2509

The image displays a program for an opera event. The left page is titled "ABOUT THE OPERA" and provides a detailed description of the opera "Dido and Aeneas." The text discusses the characters, their backgrounds, and the themes of the opera, which explores the meeting of Dido and Aeneas and their subsequent dilemmas. It mentions that the opera was influenced by the simplicity of the libretto and aims to create chamber music, with the orchestra divided into choirs. The text is attributed to David Kuhn and Thomas Beveridge, who are likely the authors of the libretto and the music, respectively.

The right page is titled "PROGRAM" and lists the musical pieces to be performed. The first piece is "MISSA JE SUIS DESHERITÉE" by Nicholas Gombert, featuring a list of performers for various vocal parts (sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses) and choral direction by Allan Miller. A description of the piece and its historical context is provided, explaining that it is a parody mass based on a popular chanson.

The second listed piece is "DIDO AND AENEAS," with a libretto by David Kuhn (1957) and music by Thomas Beveridge (1959). It includes a cast list for the characters Dido (Barbara Blanchard) and Aeneas (Thomas Beveridge), along with other performers for the chorus. The stage direction is credited to Margaret Fairbank, and the music direction to Michael Senturia, with the production managed by Noel Tyl.

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

The image is a page from a program for a performance that includes two operas: "Missa Je Suis Desheritée" and "Dido and Aeneas."

  1. About the Opera (Dido and Aeneas):

    • Characters and Context: The opera revolves around Dido and Aeneas, characters from Virgil's "Aeneid." The characters act as ghosts, revisiting their past meeting and the choices they made.
    • Themes and Analysis: The text discusses the dilemma faced by Dido and Aeneas, comparing it to the choices made by Achilles in the "Iliad." It explores how they grapple with the recollection of past events and the consequences of their actions.
    • Musical Style: The composer Thomas Beveridge created a simplified, chamber-music style, with each instrument having a distinct role, and the score is designed to be integral to the drama.
  2. Program Details:

    • Missa Je Suis Desheritée: Composed by Nicholas Gombert.

      • Casting:
        • Sopranos: Cynthia Adams, Virginia Di Bonaventura
        • Altos: Edith Gould, Elaine Paneretos
        • Tenors: Sam Di Bonaventura, Franklin van Halsema
        • Basses: Allan Miller, Warren H. Pyle
      • Chorus: Directed by Allan Miller.
      • Description: This piece is a secular mass from the 16th century, representing a polyphonic complex with a harmonic structure and vocal lines in various combinations.
    • Dido and Aeneas:

      • Libretto: Written by David Kuhn ('57).
      • Music: Composed by Thomas Beveridge ('59).
      • Characters:
        • Dido: Barbara Blanchard
        • Aeneas: John Felstiner
      • Chorus: Comprising Corelia Montgomery, O’Brien Nicholas, Anne Belford, Edith Churchill, Barbara Lingelbach, John Scullin, Cyrus Hamlin, Christian Provenshon, Alan Rinzler.
      • Stage Direction: Margaret Fairbank
      • Music Direction: Michael Senturia
      • Production: Noel Tyl

The program seems to be part of a detailed artistic and theatrical presentation, highlighting both the narrative and musical aspects of the operas.

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

The image displays a program from a classical music performance or opera event, featuring two distinct works.

  1. Missa Je Suis Desheritee by Nicholas Gombert:

    • Roles and Performers:
      • Sopranos: Cynthia Adams, Virginia Di Bonaventura
      • Altos: Edith Gould, Elaine Panaretos
      • Tenors: Sam Di Bonaventura, Franklin VanHalsema
      • Basses: Allan Miller, Warren H. Pyle
    • Chorus: Under the direction of Allan Miller
    • Description: The program provides context for Gombert's work. Gombert was a composer from the first half of the 16th century. The "Missa Je suis desheritee" is a parody mass based on a popular chanson from the period. It features a polyphonic complex structure with five different vocal lines in various combinations, providing the material for the five sections of the mass. The program notes that the chanson "Je suis desheritee" will be sung first.
  2. Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell (Libretto by David Kuhn, Music by Thomas Beveridge):

    • Characters and Performers:
      • Dido: Barbara Blanchard
      • Aeneas: Thomas Beveridge
      • Chorus: Cornelia Montgomery, O'Brien Nicholas, Anne Belford, Edith Churchill, Barbara Lingelbach
      • Additional Chorus Members: John Felstiner, John Scullin, Cyrus Hamlin, Christian Provenson, Alan Rinzler
    • Stage and Music Direction:
      • Stage Direction: Margaret Fairbank
      • Music Direction: Michael Senturia
      • Produced by Noel Tyl
    • Description:
      • About the Opera: David Kuhn discusses the opera, explaining that Dido and Aeneas are characters whose lives intersect briefly. The characters are ghosts revisiting their memories. The stage serves as a place to explore these memories and the problems they raise. Kuhn relates this to the choice between a short, glorious life and a long, happy one, similar to the dilemma faced by Achilles and Carthage.
      • Scoring and Performance Notes: Thomas Beveridge discusses the scoring of the opera, influenced by simplicity and a desire for chamber music-like quality. The orchestra is divided into various sections, and each instrument is given a distinct role. Beveridge emphasizes the importance of the libretto and the need for the music to complement the words without overshadowing them, suggesting a new approach to opera performance.

The program also includes a note by David Kuhn on the relevance of the opera's themes and the challenges of balancing musical and dramatic elements in opera performances.

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

The image shows a program for a musical performance featuring two operas: "Missa Je suis déshéritée" by Nicholas Gombert and "Dido and Aeneas" by Henry Purcell.

  1. Missa Je suis déshéritée by Nicholas Gombert:

    • Performers:
      • Sopranos: Cynthia Adams, Virginia Di Bonaventura
      • Altos: Edith Gould, Elaine Panaretos
      • Tenors: Sam Di Bonaventura, Franklin van Halsema
      • Basses: Allan Miller, Warren H. Pyle
    • Chorus: Directed by Allan Miller
    • Details: This piece is from the first half of the sixteenth century, a parody mass based on the chanson "Je suis déshéritée." The mass includes five vocal lines and employs a polyphonic complex of the chanson's phrases. The performance will start with the chanson.
  2. Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell:

    • Libretto: David Kuhn, ’57
    • Music: Thomas Beveridge, ’59
    • Cast:
      • Dido: Barbara Blanchard
      • Aeneas: Thomas Beveridge
      • Chorus: Cornelia Montgomery, O'Brien Nicholas, Anne Belford, Edith Churchill, Barbara Lingelbach, John Felstiner, John Scullin, Cyrus Hamlin, Christian Provenson, Alan Rinzel
    • Stage Direction: Margaret Fairbank
    • Music Direction: Michael Senturia
    • Production: Noel Tyl
  3. About the Opera (Dido and Aeneas):

    • The synopsis explains that the opera is based on the ancient tale of Dido and Aeneas, who met briefly but whose lives were intertwined by fate. Virgil's story is revisited, focusing on the characters' memories and the problems they faced due to their meeting. The opera explores themes of choice and consequence, with the characters' lives serving as a metaphor for broader human experiences.
    • The scoring of the opera is influenced by the simplicity of the libretto and the desire to create music that might evoke chamber music. The orchestration includes instruments such as the viola and winds to create a reflective and intimate atmosphere.
    • The performance aims to make the words as prominent as possible, ensuring the music does not overshadow the libretto, and that the music and words work harmoniously together.

The program also includes notes from the composer and director, emphasizing the importance of the words in the opera and the reflective nature of the music.

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

The image contains a program for an opera performance, specifically focusing on two pieces: "Dido and Aeneas" by Thomas Beveridge and "Missa Je suis desheritée" by Nicholas Gombert.

About the Opera

The text discusses the opera "Dido and Aeneas," emphasizing its reflective nature on the lives of its characters, Dido and Aeneas, who are portrayed as ghosts trying to resolve lingering issues from their past. The opera serves as a platform to explore personal and public problems through art.

David Kuhn, the librettist, explains that the opera addresses a choice similar to the one faced by the mythological figures Achilles and Aeneas: a choice between a long but impactful life and an early death with lasting fame. The characters revisit their experiences to find resolution.

Thomas Beveridge, the composer, describes the musical composition's simplicity and its alignment with the libretto. The scoring includes a chamber music feel, with a focus on the use of winds and strings, and sometimes no accompaniment to let the words stand out clearly. He mentions that the opera should be performed with the words integrated into the music for a seamless experience.

Program Details

Missa Je suis desheritée by Nicholas Gombert

  • Sopranos: Cynthia Adams, Virginia Di Bonaventura
  • Altos: Edith Gould, Elaine Panagretos
  • Tenors: Sam Di Bonaventura, Franklin van Halsema
  • Basses: Allan Miller, Warren H. Pyle
  • Chorus: Directed by Allan Miller

This mass, written in the early to mid-16th century, is based on a popular chanson and incorporates complex polyphonic structures.

Dido and Aeneas by Thomas Beveridge

  • Libretto: David Kuhn (1957, revised 1959)
  • Music: Thomas Beveridge (1959)

Cast:

  • Dido: Barbara Blanchard
  • Aeneas: Thomas Beveridge
  • Chorus:
    • Cornelia Montgomery
    • O’Brien Nicholas
    • Anne Belford
    • Edith Churchhill
    • Barbara Lingelbach
  • Soloists:
    • John Felstiner
    • John Sculin
    • Cyrus Hamlin
    • Christian Provenson
    • Alan Rinzler

Production Team:

  • Stage Direction: Margaret Fairbank
  • Music Direction: Michael Senturia
  • Produced by: Noel Tyl

The program notes that the performance of "Je suis desheritée" will be sung first.

Azure OpenAI Service, gpt-4.1-mini-2025-04-14

The image shows an open booklet with two pages related to an opera performance.

The left page is titled "ABOUT THE OPERA" and contains explanatory text by David Kuhn and Thomas Beveridge discussing the themes and musical style of the opera. It explains that the opera is about the brief meeting between Dido and Aeneas, written by Virgil, and describes the characters as "ghosts" reliving their memories on stage. It also mentions the philosophical ideas behind the opera and the composition techniques, emphasizing the importance of the libretto alongside the music.

The right page is titled "PROGRAM" and lists the performance details for a piece called "MISSA JE SUIS DESHERITÉE" by Nicholas Gombert. It includes the names of the soprano, alto, tenor, and bass singers, along with the chorus director Allan Miller. Below this, it introduces the main opera "DIDO AND AENEAS," with a libretto by David Kuhn (1957) and music by Thomas Beveridge (1959). It lists the lead roles, chorus members, stage director Margaret Fairbank, music director Michael Senturia, and producer Noel Tyl.

The program provides a detailed view of the performers and creative team involved in this particular staging of the opera "Dido and Aeneas." There are some water stains visible on the right page.

Azure OpenAI Service, gpt-4

This image displays a vintage program for the opera, with sections titled "ABOUT THE OPERA" on the left side and "PROGRAM" on the right side.

The left section discusses the opera "Dido and Aeneas," explaining that the characters of Dido and Aeneas are like "ghosts" today, re-enacting past dramas. It mentions Virgil, who wrote the original story, and explores the themes of the opera, which revolve around issues such as public perception and private emotions, the limitations of life, and lost happiness. This section ends with a signature, "David Kun," indicating the author of the text.

The right section lists the program details, which starts with "MISSA JE SUIS DESHERITÉE" by Nicholas Gombert followed by a list of Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, and Basses who performed in the piece, as well as the chorus director and a brief historical note on Nicholas Gombert. Then it moves onto the specific opera, "DIDO AND AENEAS," listing the libretto by David Kun, music by Thomas Beveridge, and the roles of Dido and Aeneas along with the names of other performers in the chorus. Stage direction, music direction, and production details are also provided.

The physical condition of the program indicates it is an aged document, showing wear and tear and some discoloration, such as a coffee stain on the right side. Overall, the program provides historical information on the musical pieces and features the names of various artists and contributors involved in the performances.

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

The image shows a program booklet for a theatrical or operatic production titled "Dido and Aeneas." The layout is clean and organized, with text primarily in a serif font, giving it a formal and classic appearance. Here is a detailed description:

Left Side:

  • Header: The top left corner includes a partial view of text from a larger document or book, likely discussing themes or context related to the opera. The visible text appears to reference ideas about societal issues, art, and public discourse, though the full content is not entirely clear due to the cropping.
  • Main Content:
    • Title: The main title, "DIDO AND AENEAS," is prominently displayed near the top center.
    • About the Opera: A section titled "ABOUT THE OPERA" provides background on the story of Dido and Aeneas. It explains that the characters are "ghosts" from the past, reflecting on their experiences and seeking resolution. The text discusses the themes of choice, societal problems, and the characters' journey to find meaning and reconciliation.
    • Composer and Librettist: The opera is attributed to Thomas Beveridge (music) and David Kuhn (libretto), with the years '57 and '59 noted, likely indicating the years of composition or production.
    • Cast Listing: The cast includes:
      • Dido: Barbara Blanchard
      • Aeneas: Thomas Beveridge
      • Chorus: Cornelia Montgomery, Anne Belfour, Edith Churchill, Barbara Lingelbach
      • Additional Chorus Members: John Felstiner, John Sculin, Cyrus Hamlin, Christian Provenson, Alan Rinzler
    • Stage and Music Direction:
      • Stage Direction: Margaret Fairbank
      • Music Direction: Michael Senturia
    • Producer: Produced by Noel Tyl.

Right Side:

  • Program Title: The word "PROGRAM" is prominently displayed at the top, indicating that this is a program booklet.
  • Opera Title and Composer: Below the header, the opera is titled "MISSA JE SUIS DESHERITÉE" by Nicholas Gombert.
  • Cast Listing for "Missa Je Suis Desheritée":
    • Sopranos: Cynthia Adams, Virginia Di Bonaventura
    • Altos: Edith Gould, Elaine Panaretos
    • Tenors: Sam Di Bonaventura, Franklyn vanHalsema
    • Basses: Allan Miller, Warren H. Pyle
    • Chorus: Under the direction of Allan Miller
  • Description of the Mass: A brief explanation of the mass, noting that it is a popular chanson of the period, published in 1557, and based on a polyphonic complex of the entire mass. It mentions that the harmonic structure and vocal lines provide material for five different sections of the mass.
  • Performance Note: The chanson "Je suis desheritée" will be sung first.

Overall Design:

  • The layout is symmetrical and structured, with clear headings and subheadings.
  • The text is neatly aligned, with a mix of justified and centered text for emphasis.
  • The design is simple yet elegant, typical of a formal program booklet for a classical or operatic performance.

This program provides essential information about the production, including the opera's background, cast, creative team, and additional performance details.

Amazon, amazon.nova-pro-v1:0

The image is a photograph of an open book with two pages visible. The left page has a heading "ABOUT THE OPERA" at the top, followed by a paragraph of text that appears to be an introduction or synopsis of an opera. The text is written in a smaller font and is centered on the page. The right page has a heading "PROGRAM" at the top, followed by a list of names and titles that seem to be the cast and crew of the opera. The names are listed in a larger font and are centered on the page. The book is open to the middle, and the pages are slightly curled. The background is dark, and the text is illuminated by a light source, possibly a lamp or a flashlight.