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
