Stephen Hartke's "The Greater Good" is a captivating opera that brings to life the timeless story of class conflict and human nature. Released in 2007 under the Naxos label, this two-act opera is based on Guy de Maupassant's novella "Boule de Suif" and features a libretto by Philip Lasser. With a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes, the opera is divided into 88 tracks, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the narrative.
Hartke's composition is a masterclass in blending musical sophistication with dramatic intensity. The opera revolves around a group of passengers traveling together during the Franco-Prussian War, exploring themes of morality, societal norms, and personal integrity. The ensemble cast brings depth and nuance to each character, making "The Greater Good" an immersive and thought-provoking experience.
The opera's score is a testament to Hartke's innovative approach to composition. He employs a variety of musical techniques, including the use of clanging soup spoons in an aria, to create a unique and engaging soundscape. The music seamlessly complements the libretto, enhancing the storytelling and drawing the audience deeper into the narrative.
"The Greater Good" has been praised for its powerful performances and Hartke's skillful orchestration. The opera's world premiere at the Glimmerglass Opera was met with critical acclaim, and it continues to be celebrated for its artistic merit and emotional resonance. Whether you are a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, Stephen Hartke's "The Greater Good" offers a compelling and unforgettable listening experience.
2007 Naxos2007 Naxos
Tracks
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 1, "Rouen, a Tuesday in late February, 1871, 4 AM"Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 1: Count? (Carre-Lamadon, Count, Loiseau)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 1: I know, I know, you never want to, girl (Coachman)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 1: Cigar? (Loiseau, Carre-Lamadon, Count, Coachman)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 1: A lonely street or an alley (Loiseau, Carre-Lamadon, Count)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 1: Say, know why they call her Ice Cream? (Coachman)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 1: You can get in if you want (Coachman)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 2, "Aboard the coach, starting out"Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 2: There was a boat (Coachman)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 2: These really are wonderful (The three wives)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 3, "Dawn": Darling, look! (The wives and their husbands)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 3: Do you know Mme. de Vidoudet? (The wives, later the nuns)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 3: Very bad for business, war (The husbands, later Cornudet)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 4, "10 AM": What time d'you have? (The husbands, Cornudet)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 4: If I were a big bad wolf (Loiseau)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Inter-scene, "Noon": See anything? (M. & Mme. Carre-Lamadon)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 5, "3 PM": Oh my God! (The husbands and wives, Cornudet)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 5: I gotta hand it to you, girlie! (Loiseau, Boule, Cornudet, the nuns)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 5: Gentlemen, pardon me (Boule, later Loiseau and the Count)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 5: These are the tastes of β¦ (The wives, husbands, Cornudet)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 5: Tiny gherkins, pickled onions! (The wives, husbands, Cornudet)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 5: Men don't understand (The wives, Boule)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 5: You know how it was (Boule)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 5: At first I thought I'd stay (Boule)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 5: Someone helped me out (Boule, later the wives and husbands)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 5: It's like that Badinguet (Cornudet, Boule) 1:18Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 5: God it's cold! (The wives)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 5: Nothing but snow (Coachman, later Boule and the others)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 5: I think I see lights! (Boule, the wives and husbands)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 6, "Arrival at Totes, 6 PM": Raus! Raus! Raus! (Prussian Officer)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 6: Come in, come in (The Follenvies)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 6: Monsieur Follenvie! (The Follenvies)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 6: Things are looking up! (The husbands, Follenvie, Cornudet)\Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 6: Mademoiselle Elisabeth Rousset? (Officer, Boule, later the Count)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 6: Well, you see how things are (Mme. Follenvie)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 6: It's a funny thing waking up under occupation (Mme. Follenvie)\Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 6: They're pigs! (Boule, Mme. Follenvie, the wives)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 6: An unprovoked attack is barbaric! (Cornudet, Mme. Follenvie)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 7, "In the Inn, 10 PM": What a collection! (The Loiseaus)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 7: Our little Miss has to siss (Loiseau)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 7: Come to my room (Cornudet, Boule)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act I Scene 7: Oh boy! (Loiseau, later Mme. Loiseau)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act II Scene 1, "The Inn at Totes, Wednesday, 8 AM"Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act II Scene 1: What the devil? (The husbands, Cornudet)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act II Scene 1: Yes? (Coachman, the husbands)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act II Scene 1: M. Follenvie! We demand an explanation! (The husbands, Follenvie)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act II Scene 2, "Later Wednesday afternoon": I miss my cat (Countess)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act II Scene 2: This snow. This blasted snow (Mme. Loiseau)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act II Scene 2: Oh how I wish that I was in my house (Mme. Carre-Lamadon)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
The Greater Good: Act II Scene 2: Who is it? (The wives, Carre-Lamadon, later the Count)Stephen Hartke, Caroline Worra, John De Haan, Christine Abraham, Andrew Wentzel, Matthew Worth, Jeanine Thames, Dorothy Byrne, Jill Gardner, Elaine Alvarez, Christopher Burchett, Seth Keeton, Liam Moran, Christian Reinert, Katherine Calcamuggio, Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Stewart Robertson
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