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1964 - 1965

Song of Norway

A musical extravaganza, Song of Norway is based on incidents in the life of the composer Edvard Grieg. The story opens with a prologue set in Troldhaugen, just outside Bergen. Bergen itself is high in the foothils of the mountains of Norway, and slopes deeply down to blue-watered fjords, flanked by tall trees and snow-capped mountains. It is Midsummer's Eve in 1860, and the poet Rikard Nordraak recounts the legend of Norway. Grieg is a humble, unknown and struggling composer whose genius is recognized only by his close friends, Nina, his sweetheart, and Nordraak, his great friend.


Edvard and Nina have misunderstandings, however, brought about largely by the appearance of the glamorous and unconventional Countess, Louisa Giovanni. Finally, the sweethearts are married. The Countess exerts a strong fascination for Grieg, and he follows her to Rome, ostensibly to study music. There he is caught up in the frivolity of society, achieves world fame and wealth, but becomes increasingly unhappy. With the news of the death of his friend Nordraak, he immediately returns to Norway, and rejoins Nina. Together they devote their lives to fulfilling the dreams they had as children. Among the dreams is a 'Vision of Norway,' presented in a spectacular ballet that ends the production, set to the music of the Piano Concerto in A Minor, which Grieg dedicated to Nordraak.


Dramatic Director: Tibor Feheregyhazi

Musical and Chorus Director: Robert Van Dine

Choreographer: Madame Nesta Toumine

Cast

Ann Phillips

Christa, Ensemble

Bob Koloff

Gunnar

Claire Laver

Elvera, Ensemble

Clesson Goodhue

Count Peppi LeLoup

Don Coates

Eric, Ensemble

Don Laver

Rikard Nordraak

Eddie Nunn

Father Grieg

Elieen Wright

Countess Louisa Giovanni

Elizabeth Knight

Mother Nordraak

Elsa Pritchett

Miss Norden

Frederic Braun

Freddy, Ensemble

Gwendoline Taschereau

Mother Grieg

Irene Aldrich

Greta, Ensemble

Isabel Amey

Grima, Ensemble

Jean Halley

Miss Anders, Ensemble

Jean Wheeler

Maid, Ensemble

Joanne Ashe

Adelina, Ensemble

Linda Murdock

Hedwig, Ensemble

Micki Amy

Helga, Ensemble

Milt Wright

Henrik Ibsen

Nancy Wilson

Sigrid, Ensemble

Nick Michelis

Einar, Ensemble

Sally Murphy

Nina Hagerup

Sonia Donaldson

Gina

Stuart MacKinnon

Edvard Grieg

Sylvia Carter

Marghareta, Ensemble

William Roberts

Pisoni

Albert Davey

Ensemble

Ann Ridley

Ensemble

Boris Kotelewetz

Ensemble

Carol Barrett

Ensemble

Carol Rose

Ensemble

Charles King

Ensemble

Christopher Bannerman

Ensemble

Doreen Brule

Ensemble

Dorothy Gough

Ensemble

Evelyn Witwicki

Ensemble

Gerry Sheehan

Ensemble

Gordon Scott

Ensemble

Guy Bannerman

Ensemble

Janet Ferguson

Ensemble

Janet Galuga

Ensemble

Janice Charleson

Ensemble

Jill Craig

Ensemble

Leo Harinen

Ensemble

Margaret Cattell

Ensemble

Margaret Owens

Ensemble

Marilee Williams

Ensemble

May Boyer

Ensemble

Norma Coll

Ensemble

Robert Koloff

Ensemble

Sandi Thomas

Ensemble

Sharron McCormick

Ensemble

Wayne Blatchly

Ensemble

Production

Carolynne Salter

Properties Chairman

Classical Ballet of Ottawa

Dances by

Faye Lavell

Ticket Manager

Guy Harrison

Assistant Stage Manager

James "Bud" May

Stage Manager

Ken Meyer

Production Manager

Kyle Graham

Publicity Chairman and House Manager

Lorna Rice

Accompanist

Louise Cameron

Canteen

Margaret Mahoney

Script Assistant

Mary Barrette

Programme Distributor Chairman

Milt Wright

Set Designer and Costumes

Milt Wright

Co-Lighting Designer

Monsieur Jean

Hair Styling and Make-Up

Percy Scobie

Accompanist

Peter A. Carter

Business and Programme Manager

Riet Morel

Costume Mistress

Winifred Canty

Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor

Song of Norway
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