The Hours
An Opera in Two Acts
Based on the book by Michael Cunningham and the Paramount Pictures film
Music by Kevin Puts
Libretto by Greg Pierce
Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Renée Fleming Soprano (Clarissa Vaughan)
Jennifer Johnson Cano Mezzo-soprano (Virginia Woolf)
Kelli O’Hara Soprano (Laura Brown)
Brett Polegato Baritone (Richard, Clarissa’s best friend)
Jamez McCorkle Tenor (Leonard, Virginia’s husband)
Deborah Nansteel Mezzo-soprano (Sally, Clarissa’s partner)
Brandon Cedel Bass-baritone (Dan, Laura’s husband)
Additional cast and creative team
Puts The Hours (concert version—world premiere)
Program Notes
The Hours, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Michael Cunningham and an award-winning film, chronicles a day in the life of three women from three different eras with interwoven stories connected to Virginia Woolf’s novel Mrs. Dalloway.
Though separated through time by nearly 80 years, Virginia Woolf, Laura Brown, and Clarissa Vaughan (a modern-day Mrs. Dalloway herself) struggle with the notion of living their lives for someone else. Grammy winner and Tony nominee Renée Fleming will sing the role of Clarissa, with Tony winner Kelli O'Hara (currently appearing on HBO's The Gilded Age) as Laura, and Jennifer Johnson Cano as Virginia Woolf.
This spring, Yannick and the Orchestra, joined by a brilliant cast, bring this compelling story to life on the Verizon Hall stage.
Additional Cast and Creative Team
William Burden Tenor (Louis, Richard’s ex-boyfriend)
Sylvia D’Eramo Soprano (Kitty, Laura’s neighbor/Vanessa, Virginia’s sister)
Raven McMillon Soprano (Barbara, a florist/Mrs. Latch, Richie’s babysitter)
Richard Troxell Tenor (Walter, a novelist/Michael, a novelist)
Chuanyuan Liu Countertenor (Man Under the Arch/Hotel Clerk)
Jonah Serotta Boy Soprano (Richie, Laura and Dan’s son)
Chelsea Laggan Mezzo-soprano (Nelly, the Woolf’s cook/Heather, Sally’s ex-girlfriend)Thomas FitzGerald Boy Soprano (Julian, Vanessa’s oldest child)
Elliet Brown Boy Soprano (Quentin, Vanessa’s middle child) (Friday only)
Devan Truax Boy Soprano (Quentin, Vanessa’s middle child) (Sunday only)
Sarah Shoff Soprano (Angelica, Vanessa’s youngest child) (Friday only)
Sydney Parson Soprano (Angelica, Vanessa’s youngest child) (Sunday only)
Philadelphia Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller Director
Paula Suozzi Stage Director
Michael Panayos Supertitles
Paul Cremo Dramaturg