photo courtesy of the Florentine Opera

Of Mice & Men Premieres in Milwaukee 

Of Mice & Men Premieres in Milwaukee 
With a special appearance by composer, Carlisle Floyd
 

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN…
Florentine Opera Company will premiere Carlisle Floyd’s operatic adaptation 
of John Steinbeck’s literary classic, Of Mice and Men, March 7, 9 & 11, 2003
at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. 

The Milwaukee premiere is the second production of Florentine’s 70th Season,
and debuts within weeks of the 100th anniversary of Steinbeck’s birth. 
The production will feature a dynamic cast experienced in performing Floyd’s
richly moving work.

SPECIAL NOTE

Composer Carlisle Floyd will make a special appearance at the Florentine’s 
March 2nd pre-opera symposium.  This event will be held at the Milwaukee 
County Historical Center and will feature the composer as well as live musical 
excerpts from his work.

“This production offers a truly unrivaled opportunity for Milwaukee audiences,” 
comments General Director Dennis Hanthorn.  “It will appeal to both seasoned 
opera goers as well as first time attendees.”

OF MICE AND MEN 
By Carlisle Floyd

Oh, life will be good when we get us a farm.  Everything peaceful, nothin’
to fear…

Set in rural America during the 1930s, this is the story of companions George 
and Lennie, two migrant ranch hands in search of their dream – to own a 
small farm.  Carlisle Floyd’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men 
brings the marriage of an enduring literary classic to stunning musical theatre. 
The Depression-age tale follows Lennie and George as they pursue their dream. 
 

About the cast

In a role he has made his own, world-renown tenor Anthony Dean Griffey 
will bring his highly praised interpretation of Lennie to the Florentine stage. 
The New York Times commented in 1998 on his performance of the role: 
“…as an actor, [Griffey] astutely conveys the nuances of Lennie’s childlike 
personality; as a singer with an attractive, focused tenor, he conveys the 
full measure of Lennie’s vulnerability.”   Mr. Griffey is experienced in 
performing the works of many contemporary composers, especially those 
of Carlisle Floyd and Benjamin Britten. 

The role of George Milton will be interpreted by Rod Nelman, bass-baritone. 
Mr. Nelman has performed with numerous companies in North America, 
including New York City Opera, Washington Opera, Florida Grand Opera,
Portland Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Dayton Opera, Kentucky 
Opera, and Glimmerglass Opera.

Victor Benedetti, baritone, debuts with Florentine as Slim.  A former 
member of Chicago Lyric Opera Center for American Artists, Mr. Benedetti
has quickly established himself throughout the U.S. in opera and concert. 

Bass Ryan Allen will debut with the Florentine as the role of Candy. 
Known for his lively acting and resonant voice, Mr. Allen has achieved 
special recognition for his interpretations of the great “buffo” repertoire.
. 
Soprano Diane Alexander has performed Of Mice and Men for San Diego 
Opera, Utah Opera, and Washington Opera.  She will debut with the 
Florentine Opera as Curley’s Wife. 

The Stage Director for Of Mice and Men will be Rhoda Levine. 
Complementing Ms. Levine’s vision and leading the Milwaukee Symphony
Orchestra will be David Agler, a highly respected guest conductor on 
opera and concert podiums throughout the world. 
 
 

OF MICE AND MEN
Friday, March 7, 2003 at 7:30pm
Sunday, March 9, 2003 at 2:30pm
Tuesday, March 11, 2003 at 7:30pm

All performances are at The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 
929 N. Water St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
 

FOR TICKETS

Single tickets for all performances are now available. 
· Marcus Center Box Office: (414) 273-7206 or (888) 612-3500
· Florentine Opera: (414) 291-5700 x224 or (800) 326-7372 x224
· Mail order: 
Florentine Opera Company 
700 N. Water St., Suite 950
Milwaukee, WI 53202
· Online: www.florentineopera.org through www.ticketmaster.com 
· Walk-up service: Marcus Center Box Office, 929 N. Water St., 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Florentine Opera, Milwaukee’s Grand Opera Company, celebrates its 
70th Anniversary Season in 2002-2003.

Florentine Opera Company is supported by funding from the Wisconsin 
Arts Board, Milwaukee County, the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), 
and the Milwaukee Florentine Opera Club, Inc.

290 (Eisenhower) West to 294 North Toll road (Wisconsin)
94 North to Wisconsin then 794 East to Downtown
Milwaukee.  The road forks and you go to the left, North.
The road turns away from the lake and you are now of the
Expressway.  Proceed west until Water Street.  Turn right,
North, on Water Street and go several blocks north until
you reach the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
929 N. Water Street.  Parking is across the street and
connected by an above ground crosswalk.