"The Tender Land is in every respect a major statement by Copland and an essential American opera," states American Music magazine. "It presents a tale resonant with meaning and emotion for everyone who cares deeply about America's history and culture. The Tender Land addresses issues of continuity and discontinuity that explain much about the American character..."

"Aaron Copland got it right...He got it right in a way that no one in serious American music but Charles Ives had ever done before, and no one has ever done since," wrote David Denby of The New York Times. "In his opera, The Tender Land, [he] sounds like a man who loves to make music."

The Tender Land is a simple story set in the mid-1930s. Laurie, a young farm girl, longs for a life beyond the one set before her on the day of her graduation from high school. She is faced with choices when she falls in love with a young man, traveling with a friend, who arrives at the farm looking for work.

Seen through Copland's eyes, the story of Midwestern farm people becomes an earnest and beautiful tale of the cycles of life, and of being joined with one's homeland, and thus one's people.

Musically, The Tender Land brings every bit of what we love about Copland to bear. The traditional orchestral melodies that are so easy to listen to, the simple and yet deeply harmonic musical cadence that he wrote to express his interest in rural America - and the influence of Walker Evans' photography upon Copland's librettist, Erik Johns.

The Tender Land bears the distinct imprint of "this simple and great man in our midst," to use the words of Julia Smith, Copland's first biographer. Marin Alsop notes that Copland is the composer who embodied 20th Century America more than any other: he composed for all media and all occasions, including orchestra, film, radio, television, opera, even amateur and high school productions.

Not often performed, The Tender Land offers the chance for excellent theater, with a simple story made glorious by the voices of the cast.

Soprano Lisa Vroman plays the starring role as "Laurie." After garnering Theatre Critics Awards as Christine in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera in a record-setting run in San Francisco, and performances this year for Queen Elizabeth, President Clinton, and Vice President Gore, Vroman makes her debut at the Festival. She is joined by mezzo-soprano Milagro Vargas playing "Ma Moss," a role she creates on the 1999 Koch recording of the work. Tenor Gualtiero Negrini stars as "Martin," bass-baritone Milton Williams plays "Grandpa Moss," and baritone Douglas Webster returns this summer - after his magnificent portrayal of the Celebrant last season in Bernstein's Mass - to reprise his role as "Top," which he sings on the Koch CD.

Music Director/Conductor Marin Alsop is joined by Stage Director Michael Scarola, who boasts among his many credits years of work with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Matthew Antaky returns to the Festival as Scenic and Lighting Designer after his spectacular debut last summer. And Milton Williams returns as Chorus Master.

Copland was one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, and now, on the dawn of the 21st century, audiences will have a rare opportunity to see one of his most important works on the professional stage. With only two performances, you're encouraged to order tickets early!