February 8-10, 2019
Southern Theatre
World premiere! Co-commissioned by Opera Columbus and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Composed by Korine Fujiwara with a libretto by Stephen Wadsworth, The Flood tells the story of human connection through loss and shared tragedy, centered around the devastation of Columbus’ Franklinton neighborhood in the Great Flood of 1913.
The Flood will show the intense human impact of the disaster and its lingering effect through multiple generations of a family. Onstage will be four rooms in a row, linked by doors (left to right: 1913, 1940, 1970, 2014). Four stories unfold simultaneously, moving between rooms, occasionally joining together, often overlapping, and gradually revealing a web of relationships.
The commissioning of Korine Fujiwara for The Flood received funding from OPERA America’s Opera Grants for Female Composers program, supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
The production of The Flood received funding from OPERA America’s Opera Fund.
Photo credit: Terry Gilliam
FULL SYNOPSIS
The Great Flood was a transformative event in the history of Columbus and Ohio. A 1913 superstorm caused the largest flood in 100 years, sending tsunami-like waters into unsuspecting communities in central and western Ohio, killing hundreds and leaving thousands homeless. In Columbus, the Scioto River flooded Franklinton – a diverse, working-class neighborhood – with waters up to 17 feet deep, killing 96 people, injuring hundreds, and destroying over 500 buildings.
The Flood will show the intense human impact of the disaster and its lingering effect through multiple generations of a family. Onstage will be four rooms in a row, linked by doors (left to right: 1913, 1940, 1970, 2014). Four stories unfold simultaneously, moving between rooms, occasionally joining together, often overlapping, and gradually revealing a web of relationships.
Images credit: LifeCare Alliance
CAST & CREATIVE
CAST
Schatzi – Melissa Harvey
Clement – Kevin Deas
Alice – Lacey Jo Benter
Hans – Szymon Komasa
Anna – Naomi Louisa O’Connell
Frances – Amanda Bottoms
William – Daniel Stein
Annie –Meroë Khalia Adeeb
Doctor 1 – Robert Kerr
Doctor 2 – Bill Hafner
Mother/Nurse – Krista Lively Stauffer
CREATIVE
Composer – Korine Fujiwara
Director/Librettist – Stephen Wadsworth
Conductor – Steven Osgood
Assistant Director – Noam Shapiro
Assistant Conductor – Jason Hiester
Lighting Designer – David Lander
Costume Designer – Anita Yavich
Set Designer – Charles Corcoran
Rehearsal Pianist – Barbara Sahr
IN THE NEWS
Review: Opera Columbus and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra’s “The Flood”
February 9, 2019 – Columbus Underground
Lesbian Singer Finds “Wonderfully Open, Safe and Caring Community” in Opera
February 8, 2019 – PRIZM
Review: New Original Opera “The Flood” Centers Around 1913 Franklinton Flood
February 7, 2019 – WOSU
Original opera ‘The Flood’ reflects ripple effects of Columbus catastrophe
February 7, 2019 – Columbus Dispatch
Life in the 614 podcast: Opera Columbus draws on the city’s tragic flood of 1913 for new, original show
February 7, 2019 – Columbus Dispatch
The Cast and Crew of The Flood
February 7, 2019 – Speak Easily with Krista Stauffer
Opera, orchestra team up to tell story of deadly 1913 flood
February 7, 2019 – Associated Press
Opera Columbus draws on the city’s tragic flood of 1913 for new, original show
February 6, 2019 – From the Newsroom: The Columbus Dispatch
Opera Columbus, ProMusica to Co-Produce Opera based on Ohio Flood of 1913
January 30, 2019 – Columbus Underground
All Sides Weekend Arts: Opera Columbus “The Flood”
January 25, 2019 – WOSU
Opera Columbus, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra Collaborate on New Chamber Opera Based on Columbus History
– Columbus Underground
Opera, orchestra team up to tell story of 1913 Ohio flood
– Chicago Tribune
