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Revenge has been a popular theatrical theme from the earliest Greek plays to the pinnacle of Elizabethan drama, ShakeShake-- Revenge speare’s Hamlet. Indeed, who among us has not desired (at least in secret) the dede-- struction of those who “done us wrong?” so sweet, Stephen Sondheim’sS ndheim’s epicepic musicalmusical thriller, Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, presents a startling take on this eternal theme: he blends tragedy with com- Success! so lyrical edy so persuasively that we laugh even A memorable as we cringe. The opening ballad, Attend evening of the Tale of Sweeney Todd, sets the scene: food, wine, Sondheim's genius here is a man unhinged by grief and rage song, and turns blood into song at a corrupt judge. His return to the scene supporting of the injustice unleashes a torrent of blood . More – Sweeney truly served a dark and on Page 5. a vengeful god, aided by his paramour, Mrs. Lovett, a maker of meat pies whose failing business takes a surprisingly pros- perous turn. "Inconspicuous Sweeney was, quick and quiet and clean he was. Sweeney was smooth, Sweeney was subtle, Sweeney Sweeney Todd would wink and rats would scuttle. Swee- Join us Now you can Where: Opera House ney heard music that nobody heard." When: Oct. 4, 8-11 at 7:30 p.m. support us What rescues this grim story so thor- Oct. 5, 11-12 at 2 p.m. every time oughly that it has become of the most Cost: Ticketed event. Call (800)- you shop popular musical productions ever? 745-3000 or go to lexingtonopera- at Amazon! house.com. “Quite simply, the music.” That was Check out See Page 5 operalex.org.

Attend the tale of SWEENEY TODD. His skin was PALE and his eye was ODD. BRAVO! He shaved the faces of gentle men who NEVER THEREAFTER WERE HEARD OF AGAIN.

BRAVOLEX!

Newsletter 2012-01-N06e.wpdslfe t t1er 2012-01-06.pdf 1 9/12/2012 8:07:27 A9M/12/2012 8:07:27 AM Newsletter 2012-01-06.pdf 1 9/12/2012 8:07:27 AM Page 2 Page 7 TalkingwithTedrin Listen, learn tales of Hoffmann, Todd By Tedrin Blair Lindsay, PhD mix of gorgeous music and captivating dramaturgy. The upcoming season at UK Opera Theatre is par- It is like three one-act unified by the same ticularly exciting for me, since we are presenting two hero within a framework delineated by an extended of my favorite musical stage works, Stephen Sond- prologue and brief epilogue. Sometimes the three heim’s brilliantly operatic musical Sweeney Todd and heroines are sung by the same , more of- ’s brilliantly musical-like opera The ten they are played by three singers; the reverse is Tales of Hoffmann. I want to recommend recordings of true of the three villains, since the bass-baritone vo- each so you can familiarize yourselves with them be- cal type is less diverse than the soprano parts. fore our productions, and relive them for years after! In my favorite Hoffmann recording, Stuart Burrows The original Broadway production gives a gorgeous account of the title role, with the un- of Sweeney Todd garnered eight Tony equalled bringing incisive Awards: Best Musical, Best Book of Opera 101 characterization and breathtaking vo- calism to the very different heroines. a Musical, Best Score of a Musical, Dr. Lindsay's public opera The legendary gives Best Leading Actor and Actress in a classes will resume in probably the greatest performance Musical (Len Cariou and Angela Lans- October in the Schmidt ever of the villains. With the London bury), Best Director of a Musical (Hal Vocal Arts Center. An Philharmonic conducted by Julius Prince), and Best Scenic and Costume email blast will be sent Rudel, the cast is rounded out with Designs. All this excellence comes or check operalex.org. Shareese Johson Arnold sang in Porgy and Bess at the Princeton Festival last summer. across thrillingly in the Original Broad- luminaries such as Suzanne Marsee way Cast Album (RCA 3379-2-RC), as Hoffmann’s companion Nicklausse which itself won two Grammy Awards, Best Broadway and Nico Castel in the humorous char- Into the world they went, singing acter tenor parts. This stunning recording is available Cast Album, and Best Sound Editing. The memorable characterizations,not just by Cariou and Lansbury, but on Deutsche Grammophon Westminster 4712472. UK students, graduates worked, studied around the world this summer also by the magnificent supporting cast including Merle Another extremely effective rendition stars the beau- Shareese Johnson Arnold the spring. Louise, Victor Garber, Sarah Rice, Ken Jennings, Ed- tiful-voiced Francisco Araiza as Hoffmann and Samuel Ramey as the villains, under the direction of Jeffrey Tate Soprano Shareese Johnson Arnold returned for a mund Lyndeck, Jack Eric Williams, and Joaquin Ro- Manuel Castillo leading the Staatskapelle . It offers three sopra- second year at the Princeton Festival in Princeton, NJ maguera fairly pop off the recording, in all their humor Doctoral graduate Manuel Castillo spent a second sum- nos: Eva Lind as the doll Olympia, as where she sang in the ensemble of Porgy and Bess, and horror, with incredible pathos. The orchestrations mer in his hometown, Guadalajara, Mexico, directing the singer Antonia, and Cheryl Studer as the courtesan including one of the Funeral Solos, and was the perfor- by Sondheim’s longtime collaborator Jonathan Tunick and teaching for Opera Guadalajara, the opera company Giulietta. All three sing wonderfully, but none is a match mance cover for the role of Serena. are both brilliant and brilliantly rendered by perhaps the he created. Some 26 artists from Mexico and Argentina for Sills. One aspect of this recording, though, exceeds Many of the artists at Princeton had UK connections. most outstanding pit orchestra in Broadway history. studied with teachers from London, Mexico City, Panama, the Rudel version – it includes the sometimes omit- “There is so much talent walking the halls of UK,” she The 1982 live television performance starring Lans- Cincinnati, and, of course, UK. Students performed in ted “Violin Aria” for Nicklausse, performed superbly by said. “It was quite encouraging to know that you do not bury and the great George Hearn in the title role is concerts, recitals, conferences, acting classes, master Anne Sofie von Otter, which I feel is the central thesis need a degree from Juilliard to be competitive with other also a worthy representation of the show, infinitely classes, individual lessons/coaching, and in Puccini's statement of the opera (“love vanquishes every- artists from well-known programs.” superior to the recent Tim Burton film, and still Suor Angelica. available as a DVD on Warner Home Video. one”), and which will certainly be included in Robert Bosworth UKOT’s spring production. This recording is Rebecca Farley Co-starring Cris Groenendaal, Sara Woods, Recent UK graduate Robert Bosworth attended the Mu- available through Decca Operas 4784151. Recent graduate Rebecca Farley worked with the Sum- and Betsy Joslyn, this production won three sic Academy of the West and began work on a Master's Get to know these works to enhance mer Music Festival in Chatauqua, NY, where she sang in Emmys, and still renders up all the thrills, Degree in Accompanying at the Manhattan School of Mu- your enjoyment of our productions. three recitals and performed Yvette in La Rondine. She chills, and weird beauty of this mile- sic this fall. I predict you will come to adore studied with Marlena Malas (Curtis, Juilliard) and Craig stone in the American theater. both of them as much as I Wanessa Campelo Rutenberg (). Like Sweeney Todd, The Tales of Hoffman com- do, in all their unusually After completing her Master's Degree in Voice, Wan- Stakar Fripp bines humor, horror and captivating originality. essa Campelo spent time with her family in Brazil before Stakar Fripp rehearsed the role of Macedonia Guerra in romance in a heady Dr. Lindsay is your returning to Lexington to sing with SOOP in the fall and guide to the opera. perform the role of Nicklausse in in See Page3

BRAVOLEX! FALL 2014 Page 6 Page 3 Opera online, on the road ...Serena, Stanley, even Shrek! From Page 2 Speech-Language Pathology this fall at the University of Lexington to host District and Regional Met auditions The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz, Tennessee. OperaLex joins interactive campaign with music provided by the Central Kentucky Youth presented by Actors Guild of Lexington in late summer. Mary Joy Nelson Orchestra under the direction of Dan Chetel, a first- You can help us keep the magic of musical storytell- Ellen Graham Mary Joy Nelson is performing in the Cabaret Concert time collaboration between the two organizations. ing through opera alive by participating in the Bluegrass After completing her DMA, Ellen Graham sang in the Series for The Golden Apple in Regina, Saskatchewan, in The historic Lyric Theatre will host three per- Community Foundation’s Good Giving Campaign this fall. Cincinnati Opera Chorus in Carmen and Madama But- September. She is vocal director for UK’s Cabaret in the formances, December 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m.; 2SHUD/H[LVMRLQLQJPRUHWKDQQRQSUR¿WRUJDQL]DWLRQV terfly. She also hosted and performed at the Opera Night spring and, as the director of ACE, has cast 42 children to December 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 and in this interactive approach to “giving for good.” concert, featuring members of the Chorus performing take to the Junior Theatre Festival in January 2015. $22 and can be purchased at the Lyric. In the past, OperaLex sent hundreds of letters each year solo and ensemble repertoire from opera (859) 280-2218. [email protected] Jonathan Parham DVNLQJIRU¿QDQFLDOVXSSRUWZKLFKODQGHGLQPDLOER[HVDW and musical theater. This fall she began at Jonathan Parham debuted with year's end, competing with many other groups. Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH, the Princeton Festival where he per- The Good Giving campaign, November 3 through SOOP taking Alice on the road teaching voice lessons and directing Opera SOOP, the Schmidt Opera Outreach Program that formed Robbins in Porgy and Bess. December 12, will help us Studio. appeal cost-effectively to a has brought opera to tens of thousands of young Laikin Simons larger audience and make it Kentucky students, will be on the road again this fall, Thomas Gunther UK graduate Laikin Simons began easy to give through the BGCF presenting The Adventures of Alice in Opera Land. Doctoral student Thomas Gunther spent graduate school at Cincinnati Col- website, goodgiving.net. There By early September SOOP had booked the summer in San Francisco with the lege-Conservatory of Music in the fall. will also be matching oppor- 58 shows in 40 schools and four perform- Merola Opera Program, where he per- tunities to make donations go ing arts centers in 27 counties. formed Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Reginald Smith Jr. further. We will send reminders SOOP's shows also include instructional materials Named Desire. “The other artists were all, Alumnus Reginald Smith, Jr. per- via email and on social media. for use both before and after the performances. The and I mean every one of them, superb. … formed the role of Lo Zio Bonzo in Goodgiving.net also ac- singers, many recent UKOT graduates, come out on This has been an incredible experience and Madama Butterfly with the Cincinnati cepts donations to OperaLex stage after each show to answer students' questions, I would relish the opportunity to be a part of Opera. throughout the year. Kathrin Thawley, who is pursuing a Mas- this experience again.” The Bluegrass Community Foundation (BGCF), bgcf. ter's Degree in Music Performance at UK, has Samuel Themer Wesley Hammond Thomas Gunther sang Stanley RUJKHOSVLQGLYLGXDOVIDPLOLHVEXVLQHVVHVDQGQRQSUR¿WV taken on the role of SOOP scheduler from Court- Samuel Themer completed his Kowalski in A Streetcar Named ney Turay, who resigned to teach full time. Wesley Hammond was a featured ensem- bachelor’s degree and is excited to accomplish their philanthropic goals by establishing chari- Desire at the Merola Opera ble member in The Stephen Foster Story return to work and sing with SOOP table funds and endowments. OperaLex has established Central Kentuckians will have a chance to see Program in San Francisco and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown in LWV¿UVWHQGRZPHQWIXQGWKLV\HDU:HDUHYHU\H[FLWHG SOOP's Alice at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 25 this fall. at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington. The per- Bardstown. to offer this option to donors who are looking for ways to Clay Thompson make tax advantaged contributions of more substance. If formance, free and open to the public, is spon- Christopher Kenney Clay Thompson performed the roles of Rev. Blitch in this interests you or someone you know, please contact sored by the National Society of Arts & Letters. Incoming graduate student Christopher Kenney, the Susannah and Mustafa in L’italiana in Algeri at Seagle our treasurer, Wes Omohundro, at womohundro@blueand- 2014 Alltech 1st Place Graduate Winner, began his sum- Music Colony in Schroon Lake, NY. company.com, or call him at 859-559-2111. OperaLex hosting Met Auditions mer with a month of study in Italy taking intensive courses For those who prefer to write a check to show support for Young singers participating in the Metropolitan Op- in Italian and opera. An avid aviator, Kenney has been Matt Turner OperaLex, we’re happy to receive these as well. Checks era National Council Auditions have their eyes on pursuing his private pilot’s license and landed a summer Alumnus Matt Turner is working with Wolf Trap Opera may be made payable to OperaLex and mailed to: P.O. reaching the fabled stage of the Metropolitan Opera. job in aircraft maintenance. Company as a Studio Artist and will return to UK to per- Box 8463, Lexington, KY 40533. This year's Kentucky District Auditions will be hosted form the title role in Sweeney Todd and Crespel in Tales No matter how you support the magic of musical story- by OperaLex at Memorial Hall on Saturday, Novem- Sarah Klopfenstein-Wear of Hoffmann. telling, we are grateful for your contribution. ber 22, with a Master Class Sunday, November 23. Sarah Klopfenstein-Wear performed as a chorus mem- Jacob Waid On February 22, 2015, OperaLex will also ber in Carmen and Madama Butterfly this summer with Jacob Waid had an exciting run of opportunities after Undergraduates present Amahl host the Mid South Region Auditions. Cincinnati Opera. This year she will maintain a private graduating, including Jean Val-Jean in The Prizery’s UKOT’s Undergraduate Studio will present Professor Cliff Jackson will be the official accompanist voice studio in Lexington and collaborate with ACE on production of Les Misérables. He’s also been cast for the holiday classic, Amahl and the Night Visi- for the events. Starting times will be determined by the some projects. the six-month run of a new musical, Half-Stitched, in tors by in December. number of entrants and will be announced later, as will Sarah Lawson Ohio, and in the title role of Shrek in the Broadway Na- The production is directed by UK’s Gregory Turay the names of the judges. Sarah Lawson began work on her Master's Degree in tional Tour!

BRAVOLEX! FALL 2014 Page 4 Page 5 Bravo for Encore! Singing in Germany, SWEENEY TODD From Page1 Soirée supports opera living her dream UKOT Artistic Director Everett McCorvey's answer when asked why he chose Sweeney Todd to open UKOT’s Revamped, renamed fundraiser Joy in music nurtured at UK 2014/15 season. Sondheim’s jaunty tunes and sophisti- cated, devilishly hilarious lyrics transform this revenger’s Living and working in Germany, soprano Anne mixed music, food, wine, and fun tragedy to high dark comedy. Fuchs, a 2007 UK graduate, is realizing a dream. “Ger- Perhaps the best example is the duet A Little Priest, in This spring’s soirée of the season, Encore!, was many was where I wanted to be for my opera career which Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett contemplate the plump built on the tradition of Prelude, an annual fund and for my life. I love the language and the culture.” corpse of Senor Pirelli, Sweeney's first murder victim: raising event of the Lexington Opera Society. Anne sang featured roles at UK in La Traviata and "For what's the sound of the world out there? Those For this year’s event, OperaLex was fortunate to again Madama Butterfly, and won the district round of the crunching noises pervading the air! It's man devouring have the sponsorship of Liquor Barn and Bryant’s Rent- Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 2005. man, my dear! … The history of the world, my love, is All, Inc., as well as our new venue sponsor, Keeneland, Happenings She earned a Master's Degree in Vocal Performance who gets eaten, and who gets to eat!" They then launch which hosted Encore! in its historic sales pavilion. at Westminster Choir College and attended the Lyric into a rhyming contest of future victims and their culinary The active bidding during the silent and live auc- Opera Studio in Weimar, Germany. Her pull toward Ger- potential – "the politician, so oily it's served with a doily." tions created a record-setting Encore! With the gener- October many stemmed from study abroad through the Kentucky It’s catchy, and profoundly unsettling – the anthem of a ous donations of our guests, Encore! raised $20,000 Sweeney Todd Institute for International Studies plus her studies with the bloody potboiler starring a couple of serial murderers trans- for Tom Getchell scholarships, thanks to a matching Where: Opera House. late Gail Robinson and her husband, formed by Sondheim's genius into a magical and elegant grant from Marilyn Getchell. Donations were also en- When: Oct. 4, 8-11 at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5, 11-12 at Henno Lohmeyer. Anne also felt a revenge fantasy, gruesome yet heartbreakingly human. 2 p.m. couraged to support the Schmidt Opera Outreach strong connection through her grand- McCorvey has assembled a new directorial team for Cost: Ticketed event. Program (SOOP) of the University of Kentucky Op- father, a German immigrant. the production. Guest Director Richard Gammon makes era Theatre and $9,500 was raised for this program UK Competition for Young Singers Still, it took a lot of courage to his UK Opera Theatre debut. He has a rich background that takes opera into schools throughout Kentucky. Where: Singletary Center, UK Campus pack up and move to Germany in of imaginative use of modern dance and movement in Beverage and food tastings were featured in the When: Oct. 11 at 10 a.m.. November 2012. Anne sold every- productions of contemporary operas. Assistant director Pavilion Bar area, where guests could also view the Cost: Free and open to public. thing and moved. The State Theater Cassey Kikichi Kivnic, also new to UKOT, brings experi- elegant silent auction boutiques. SOOP's Alice in Opera Land of Oldenburg soon asked her to be Anne Fuchs ence as a performer and designer in New York and else- In the Limestone Café, patrons’ Encore! Where: Joseph-Beth Booksellers an Einspringerin or "jump in" for a where. Another new team member new is guest scenic sick Papagena in Die Zauberflöte. With only two days table guests were treated to raised When: Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. designer Carolyn Mraz, known for her experimental to learn the part, she literally jumped into her German works and radical reconstructions of classics. Her design four courses of featured wine $20,000 for Cost: Free and open to public. professional debut. A full guest contract followed, as includes “magic” devices such as the devil’s own barber and food pairings. UKOT stu- Tom Getchell dents accompanied by Tedrin November Ida, and cover for Adele, in 25 performances of Die chair, and sets the action in a timeless, yet unmistakably scholarships. Blair Lindsay and Nan McSwain Metropolitan District Auditions Fledermaus. "An absolute dream!" she says. modern era, complemented perfectly by Susan Dudley serenaded guests with selec- Auditions: Nov. 22, Memorial Hall, time to be an- She meets singers who complain that voice studies Wigglesworth’s brilliant costumes. Tedrin Blair Lindsay is tions from Broadway musicals. nounced. kill their love of singing. “But my UK family taught me music director, and John Nardolillo conducts the Univer- that if you have a song in your heart, nobody can ever A new feature was the electronic bidding sys- Master Class: Nov. 23, time and place to be an- sity of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. steal it. Gail Robinson ... is the only voice teacher in tem called BidPal, which allowed guests to view nounced. The major roles are double cast, thanks to UKOT’s Cost: Free and open to the public. the world who could truly teach the SPIRIT of singing their favorite items on their phones and con- deep bench of outstanding talent. Sweeney is a perfect instead of just the technique of it.” Anne's also grateful tinue bidding throughout the evening. vehicle for Thomas Gunther and Matt Turner, both seen to Dr. McCorvey and Professor Cliff Jackson ("a true last season in Les Misérables and . Mrs. The evening concluded with an amazing finale from the December godsend"). Lovett is richly brought to life by Holly Dodson and Ra- UKOT stars of selections from Les Misérables, Phantom Amahl and the Night Visitors Introduced by Lohmeyer, Anne now studies with chel Snyder. Zachery Morris and Peter LaPrade perform of the Opera, and this season’s Sweeney Todd. What Where: Lyric Theater. renowned soprano Edda Moser, "an amazing power- as the aptly named young sailor Anthony Hope, part- a fabulous way to end the marvelous spring season! When: Dec. 12-13 at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. house and a tiger of a woman." nered by Gabrielle Barker and Mary Catherine Wright as We are most grateful to everyone who contributed his or Cost: Free and open to the public. Anne's now preparing for the European audition sea- Sweeney’s lovely daughter, Joanna. UKOT alum Chris- her time and talents to making this event such a success! Alltech Holiday Celebration son, and loving it. topher Baker returns to sing the villainous Judge Turpin, Plans are underway for an encore ap- Where: The Square. “UK gave me the spirit of song and didn't let it die in and Jonathan Parham embodies Sweeney's tonsorial pearance at Keeneland in 2015. It will be an When: Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. my heart just because it was being studied.” rival, the Italian barber Senor Pirelli. event that you will not want to miss! Cost: Free and open to the public. –– Anne Taul –– Mary Powell BRAVOLEX! FALL 2014