The Browning School

The Browning School cordially invites you

to the induction of the second recipient of the 

Stephen M. Clement, III Chair for the Humanities

 Dr. Gerald J. Protheroe

Chair, History Department 

Upper School History

Model UN

Middle and Upper School Soccer

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

5:30 to 7:00 pm 

52 East 62nd Street

New York City

R.s.v.p. [email protected]

Browning boys, with box lunches in tow, took a path through Central Park as they headed to the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center on January 14. With temperatures in the balmy 50s, the strains of “While Strolling Through the Park One Day” came to mind. Music Department Chairman David Prestigiacomo and a group of Form IV boys in his Music Survey class, chaperoned by Head Librarian Sarah Murphy, enjoyed a morning dress rehearsal performance of Rossini’s “Le Comte Ory” featuring the debut of Pretty Yende, the 26-year-old South African soprano who won first prize (female division) in Plácido Domingo’s Operalia competition in 2011. Ms. Yende, who performs frequently at Milan’s La Scala, plays Countess Adèle.  She is joined on stage by tenor Juan Diego Flórez and baritone Nathan Gunn. The Metropolitan Opera notes, “Reviving his turn in the comic sensation of the 2010–11 season, tenor Juan Diego Flórez once again demonstrates his unsurpassed bel canto mastery in this Rossini gem, rediscovered – and reinvigorated – in Bartlett Sher’s charming and witty production.” Click here to view photos.

One critic described the opera, which takes place in the French countryside in the Middle Ages during the Crusades, as “a comic tale of disguise, seduction and the victory of virtue.” A young nobleman, Count Ory, will do just about anything to win the affection of Countess Adèle; his page, Isolier, hopes to win her love as well. The result is a triangle of intrigue. Rossini’s opera, which made its world premiere on August 20, 1828, at the Paris Opéra, is described by The New York Times as “one of Rossini’s wittiest and most seamless and sophisticated works.” The opera is sung in French with the Met’s handy seatback subtitles (in English, German and Spanish) available for added enjoyment. Mr. Sher’s production, which The Times describes as “lively, colorful and inventive,” is actually “an opera within an opera.” The Times describes the stage setting as follows: “[The set is] a miniature theater with a low platform stage and a curtain in back. A nonspeaking, invented character called the Prompter plays a bedraggled old stage manager for a performance of ‘Le Comte Ory.’ He issues silent orders to his crew members, who roll trees and staircases into place and manipulate thunder and wind machines during a storm scene.”

Mr. Prestigiacomo explained that his class has been studying the history of opera as part of their music course work. Each boy will write a review of his experience at the Metropolitan Opera. The boys jotted notes during the opera and were appreciative of the opportunity to enjoy such a fine performance in person. (Surely a wonderful way to spend a Monday morning!) “Le Comte Ory” will be performed at the Met through February 5. In a video interview on the Met’s website, Mr. Sher calls Rossini “one of the great theatrical minds” in terms of comedic opera; he notes that by the end of any work by Rossini, one has a better understanding of love. To read more about the performance and view the interview with Mr. Sher, click here.

The 2013 Middle School Shakespeare Play, Much Ado About Nothing (in one hour), will be held on Wednesday, January 23 and Thursday, January 24. Both shows at 7pm. We hope to see you there!

With Joy! as the theme of this year’s holiday program held in Temple Emanu-El on December 21, the School community enjoyed a joyful and lively mix of music, including performances by the Browning boys from Pre-Primary through Form VI. Musical selections included such traditional carols as “Joy to the World,” “We Three Kings” and “Carol of the Bells,” as well as favorites such as “Feliz Navidad,” "A Wish for Hanukkah," "African Noel," "Issay, Issay" and “Uptight (Everything’s Alright).” After a warm greeting by Headmaster Clement, students proceeded to present readings from a wide range of authors. Selections included “A Song of Joys” from Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman; “Blow Thou Winter Wind” from As You Like It by William Shakespeare; and “Poem for Chanukah” by Shalom Freedman, among others.

Music Directors David Prestigiacomo and Lucy Warner and the Browning boys practiced for weeks to prepare for this impressive program, and their efforts were evident. The congregation of community members, including parents, were pleased to join in the singing.



Art for the colorful program cover was based on work accomplished by students under the direction of art teachers Zachary Davis and Nicolaos Vlahos. As in previous years, this holiday program set the tone for the season with all in attendance anticipating a relaxing – and joyous – winter vacation. Click here to view photos.

Science teacher Emilie Wolf reports on a recent excursion taken by her class: "The conservation biology students walked to Central Park to perform a basic biodiversity survey. They compared the diversity and abundance found in areas of high human activity to a more removed area. The boys walked around the Hallett Nature Sanctuary, a piece of land that has been kept sheltered from human activity since 1934. They observed sycamores, oaks, rhododendrons, holly, squirrels, blue jays, Northern cardinals, house sparrows and a tufted titmouse." Click here to view photos.

Ms. Wolf added, "In our next class, the boys will be testing out various statistical tools to attribute a biodiversity index to each area. Even without calculations, though, it was clear to see the site near the protected area had a much higher diversity."