Jules Pegram: J.T.'s Aria "In Your Arms Again" from HIGHER GROUND (2018)-John Daugherty, baritone 

J.T.'s Aria: "In Your Arms Again"
featuring John Daugherty (baritone) as J.T. Fitzgerald
from HIGHER GROUND (2018) Opera in One Act
Composed & Conducted by Jules Pegram
Libretto by Jim Whiteside
Upon learning of Hattie's safe arrival in Chicago, J.T. pens this sweeping love letter, assuring his wife of their hometown's safety as they brace for the "flood of the century."
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Jules Pegram
HIGHER GROUND (2018)
Opera in One Act
Libretto by Jim Whiteside
• Jules Pegram: HIGHER G...
Duration: ca. 60 minutes
Premiere Performances: April 4-5, 2018
McIntosh Theatre, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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CAST
JOHN DAUGHERTY: J.T. Fitzgerald (baritone)
ANTONA YOST: Hattie Fitzgerald (mezzo-soprano)
MADELINE THIBAULT: Emily Fitzgerald (soprano)
SAMUEL KIDD: Stephen Daniels (baritone)
CHRISTOPHER WOLF: Darwin Harris (tenor)
MICHELLE POPA: Liza Harris (soprano)
CHORUS
Sam Grace Buyers, Ally Dellgren, James Fischer, Allyssa Kemp, Andrew Kohler, Cinderella Ksebati, Michelle Popa, Jaime Sharp, Christopher Wolf, and Timothy Zajdela
ORCHESTRA
Flute/Piccolo/Alto Flute: Maguette Ndiaye
Oboe/English Horn: Sagar Anupindi
Clarinet/Bass Clarinet: Nick Thompson
Bassoon: Daniel Fendrick
Horn: Tommy Militello
Percussion: Chris Weber
Piano: Steven McGhee
Harp: Kristin Quint
Violin I: Adam Millstein
Violin II: Mina Hong
Viola: Zoie Hightower
Violoncello: Josh DeVries
Contrabass: Maggie Hasspacher
PRODUCTION TEAM
Composer & Conductor: Jules Pegram
Librettist: Jim Whiteside
Stage Director, Lighting Design: Colter Schoenfish
Scenic & Lighting Design: Grace Linzner
Costume Design: Peri Macinic
Vocal Coach: Steven McGhee
Chorus Master: Shohei Kobayashi
Video & Audio Recording: Sly Pup Productions
Special thanks to Arts at Michigan, Rackham Graduate School, Michael Daugherty, Kathy Kelly, Robert Swedberg, University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and the Meta Weiser EXCEL Fund.
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HIGHER GROUND (2018) is an opera in one act with a libretto by North Carolina-based writer Jim Whiteside and music by Jules Pegram, submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition in The University of Michigan. Set in 1913 and situated in a small Missouri town facing a record-setting "flood of the century," the opera focuses on J.T. Fitzgerald and his decision to fortify the family's homestead while wife Hattie evacuates north to Chicago with infant Lucy in tow. Prompted by the guilt of losing another daughter to a previous year's flood, J.T. stays behind against Hattie's wishes, promising a letter every day to assure her of his and the town's safety. Through the intimate lens of a family tested by external crisis, the story tackles broader issues of honor and loyalty, of love's ability to transcend space and time, and of the true meaning of home.
For more information, please visit www.julespegram.com