South Dakota Symphony Orchestra

Opera in three acts in English
Music By Douglas Moore
Libretto by Arnold Sundgaard, based on the novel by Ole Edvart Rølvaag
First performed on March 28, 1951 by the Columbia Opera Workshop

South Dakota Symphony Orchestra
Delta David Gier, conductor
South Dakota Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Dr. Timothy J. Campbell, chorus director
Robert Neu, stage director

Michael J. Hawk, Baritone (Per Hansa)
Meredith Lustig, Soprano (Beret Hansa)
Jude Lundeby, (Ola Hansa)
Lucille Lundeby, (Anna Hansa)
Andrew Gilstrap, Bass-Baritone (Hans Olsa)
Sarah Nordin, Mezzo-Soprano (Sorrine Olsa)
Dylan Morrongiello, Tenor (Syvert Tonsenten)
Megan Koch, Soprano (Kjersti Tonsenten)
Benjamin Dutcher, Tenor (Henry Solum)
Abby Brodnick, Soprano (Dagmar)
Joshua Jeremiah, Bass (Preacher)
Steve Pence, Bass (O'Hara)
Peter Tuff, Pantomime (Sullivan)

Douglas Moore
(1893 - 1969)

Act I
The crest of a low hill, early morning in the spring.

Act II
Interior of the sod hut of Per Hansa, a June afternoon.

INTERMISSION

Act III - Scene I
Outside the hut. A Sunday morning in September.

Act III - Scene II
Interior of the hut. Late at night in February.

The revival of Giants in the Earth is made possible through the generous support of Dean and Rosemarie Buntrock, whose contribution has been invaluable in making this vision a reality.

The SDSO also thanks Reliabank and the Bob and Rita Family Elmen Foundation for their support.

Saturday's performance is generously sponsored by
Woods Fuller
Sunday's performance is generously sponsored by
Dacotah Bank

ALL PERFORMANCES OF GIANTS IN THE EARTH WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED, AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDED FOR ARCHIVAL AND PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES. AUDIENCE MAY BE INCLUDED.

Community Support

The Giants in the Earth production has had a profound and far-reaching impact on our community and region. From its inception, individuals and organizations across South Dakota and beyond have shown immense support and enthusiasm. The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra extends its heartfelt thanks to these partners who have championed Giants in the Earth, leveraging their resources to help bring this important work back to life and unite our community.

Augustana University
James and Susan Berdahl
The John and Tamme Berdahl Family
Dean and Rosemarie Buntrock
Center for Western Studies
Columbia University
Dacotah Bank
Dakota News Now
Douglas Moore Fund for American Opera
Bob and Rita Elmen Family Foundation
Giants of the Earth Heritage Center
Gilchrist Foundation
Holiday Inn City Centre
Minnehaha County Historical Society
Natural Grocers
Norwegian American Historical Association
Prairie West Library
Reliabank
Scandinavia House
Siouxland Libraries
Sons of Norway
South Dakota Arts Council
South Dakota Historical Society
South Dakota Humanities Council
South Dakota Public Broadcasting
Telelaget of America
Washington Pavilion
Woods Fuller

QR Code Sponsor

Thank you to QR Code Sponsor MarketBeat for supporting
the SDSO Digital Program.

Program Notes

Giants in the Earth

Singers and Actors

Children of Per and Beret Hansa

South Dakota Symphony Orchestra Chorus

Ensemble Cast

Molly Augspurger
Haley Dahl
Meg DeBoer
Jason Douma
Kate Friesen
Zander Larson
Ally Quanbeck
Andrew Ridder
Anna Stemstrud
Anders Stemstrud
Anders Svenningsen
Elizabeth Trygstad
Peter Tuff
Kasidy Tvedt
Eric Wicks
Shane Wuebben

Stage Director

Robert Neu

Stage Director

Stage Manager, Erin joy Swank

Erin Joy Swank (she/her) is pleased to work with stage director Bob Neu again on this historic project, having worked on his other semi-staged productions of Bach's St. Matthew Passion for Boulder Philharmonic/Central City Opera and another Passion, as well as The Music Man in Concert for Colorado Symphony.

They will next join forces for Sioux City Symphony Orchestra's Carmen. Swank is a Denver-based freelancer whose recent credits include theatre (Human Race, Opera House Arts, Northern Sky), The Nutcracker with Texas Ballet, a Star Wars burlesque parody, a Jennifer Holliday concert, a hybrid opera/circus (Opera North), and hosting a popular industry blog. Her favorite cast members ever remain the three adorable camels in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Production Team

Larissa Giddings, Assistant Stage Manager
Anne Waltner, Rehearsal Accompanist
Antonio Colaruotolo, Lighting/Projection Designer
Matt Cook, Lighting Assistant
Sarah Larson, Costume Designer
Victor Shonk, Set Designer
Cal Metts, Set Builder
Jocelyn Cartwright, Props Designer
Krissy Sneshkoff, Wigs/Make-Up Designer
Solveig Zempel, Norwegian Coach
Tasteful Titles, Jay Reeve & Katherine Peterson, supertitles

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