THREE PADEREWSKIS, a new opera by Jenni Brandon, explores the life and work of composer and founder of the Polish nation, Ignace Jan Paderewski. With book by University of Southern California professor and playwright Oliver Mayer and music by award-winning composer Jenni Brandon, this work is being expanded to 60 minutes for multiple premieres during the Fall of 2019. Commissioned by The Adam Mickiewicz Institute and Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland as part of the multi-annual program NIEPODLEGŁA 2017-2022.
This expanded work (originally a 40 minute version premiered in 2018) looks at three versions of the great Paderewski (one of them female) as they sift through a lifetime of memories far too large for any one person. Ignace the pianist/composer, Jan the visionary statesman, and Paderewski the viticulturist assess a lifetime of love and loss, exile, war and wine. But when the ghost of Antonina, their long-departed wife, rejoins them, memories become immediate with a vibrancy that sheds light on the depths of their endless love.
Jenni will serve as the music director and conductor for all upcoming performances:
Saturday, October 12th, 2019 – 8pm – Newman Recital Hall, University of Southern California: Paderewski Lecture Recital sponsored by the Polish Music Center
Friday, October 18, 2019 – Poznan, Poland (location TBA): Part of a four day festival celebrating Paderewski. Jenni will also present workshops to Polish composers, musicians, and give talks on the creation of THREE PADEREWSKIS. Cast will include Polish singers and musicians
Wednesday, November 20th, 2019 – 7:30pm – Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center-Washington, DC
Cast and Musicians:
Antonina (Soprano): Katherine Powers
Ignace (Mezzo-Soprano): Maria Dominique Lopez
Jan (Tenor): Todd Strange
Paderewski (Baritone): Steve Pence
SATB Chorus: Ariel Pisturino, Omar Crook, E. Scott Levin
Piano Quartet (Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano): Central4 Piano Quartet
Director: David Bridel
Stage Manger: Seira Murakami
Music Director and Conductor: Jenni Brandon
Producer: Ian-Julian Williams
Watch clips from the performance at the University of
Southern California in December 2018