Mixon The Cleveland Institute of Music Hall Theater Masters presents Series A ROMANTIC OPERA GALA Order the featuring music from entire series now! Tickets are $50 Engelbert Humperdinck’s each recital. Call 216.791.5000 or HANSEL AND GRETEL online at cim.edu. Carl Maria von Weber’s Tue., Jan. 26 DER FREISCHÜTZ 8:00 p.m. ALISA WEILERSTEIN, cello Giuseppe Verdi’s Inon Barnatan, piano LA TRAVIATA Wed., March 24 8:00 p.m. YEFIM BRONFMAN, piano David Bamberger, Director JUST ANNOUNCED! Harry Davidson, Conductor Fri., April 9 Dave Brooks, Set & Lighting Designer 8:00 p.m. Alison Garrigan, Costume, Wig & Makeup Designer “An Evening of Jazz” ANDRÉ PREVIN, piano DAVID FINCK, Kulas Hall November 11-14, 2009 8:00 p.m.

The CIM Opera Program is supported in part by a generous grant CIM applauds KeyBank Foundation for from the John P. Murphy Foundation being a top corporate donor to the 2008 –2009 Annual Fund! Bravo! Director’s Notes : – THEN AND NOW ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In the early 19th century, Romanticism was born - and it changed everything. Financial support for the CIM Opera Theater Program in 2009 has been provided by the following: Before the early 1800s, it was assumed that emotions in music would be Phyllis Donnelly-Ingold balanced by aristocratic standards of good taste. With Romanticism, Dr. Francis R. Gross and Dr. Jane Sembric emotions were permitted to reach new extremes. Ok-Sim Nam Kim ( A.D., 1987) and Dr. Chin-Tai Kim

During the 1700s, the reigning philosophy of the Enlightenment was Mr. and Mrs. S. Lee Kohrman international. The Declaration of Independence spoke to this universal- Ronald and Barbara Leirvik ism with the statement that ―all men are created equal.‖ Musical styles Mrs. Sheldon S. MacLeod crossed all borders. With Romanticism, many writers and musicians John P. Murphy Foundation dedicated themselves to the tales and tunes that were particular to their Northern Ohio Opera League own countries.

Before the French Revolution, the natural world was seen as an obstacle CIM Opera Theater gratefully acknowledges the assistance of: to transportation and migration. Nobles decorated their estates with magnificent gardens that were exquisitely designed, creating the perfect Terry Martin and Great Lakes Theater Festival order they felt nature had failed to provide. In the Romantic era, Nature Lisa Kish and Opera Cleveland in its pristine state became not only a source of meaning and inspira- Andrew Ferrel and the Cleveland Play House tion—but also a place of dangerous and mysterious beings. Aaron Benson and the CSU Theatre Department

Romantic opera was launched in 1821 with Der Freischütz. A highly emotional work, it is based on German folklore. The title refers to a The CIM Opera Theater expresses its gratitude to: marksman who, through a pact with the devil, obtains a certain number All members of the CIM faculty and staff who have made possible of bullets which will always hit their target. The contract is made in a our expansion to two full productions each year. terrifying forest where demons roam. We realize that many of you have gone above and beyond Seven decades later, Hansel and Gretel still explored similar themes. your normal duties to make this happen. The story derives from the Brothers Grimm, who were linguists and collectors of folklore. (They were not the original authors of the ―fairy tales‖ which they published.) Again, the story is a traditional German tale in which the forest is a place where an evil being dwells.

Giuseppe Verdi dealt with many aspects of Romanticism, his often proclaiming themes of nationalism (Nabucco, Macbeth) and the stormy-filled powers of nature (Rigoletto, Otello). With La traviata, however, he turned to a Romantic novel, the very personal, semi- autobiographical account of the affair of Alexandre Dumas the younger with a courtesan.

Today, we are still living with the changes that Romanticism brought to us. Public display of emotion is a prime component of talk shows and Vocal Performance. His roles include Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), ―reality TV.‖ Our world is struggling with the conflict between univers- Ben (The Telephone), Paris (Roméo et Juliette), Demetrius (A Mid- alism and nationalism. We flock to national parks to be inspired by the summer Night's Dream), Melchior (Amahl and the Night Visitors) grandeur of nature, even as we are more than ever aware of natural and Marquis/Jailer (Dialogues of the Carmelites). Mr. Wanich has forces that are far beyond our control. been a member of Nashville Opera's Fellowship program and Opera Cleveland's Short-Term Residency, and has attended the AIMS in And many remarkably popular works – the Harry Potter novels, the Graz program and the Harrower Summer Opera Workshop. Star Wars saga, The Phantom of the Opera – continue to portray the

John Gray Watson () is completing a Bachelor of Music world as a place filled with strange, demonic forces. degree at CIM where he studies with Clifford Billions. Mr. Watson has sung in Austria, Italy and Slovakia. He attended the American Institute We of CIM Opera Theater hope you will enjoy our presentation of of Music Studies in Graz, Austria. In the U.S., he has sung Antonio in three of the works which helped enshrine Romanticism as part of Le nozze di Figaro with the Duke Symphony Orchestra. His roles at our heritage. CIM include Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), Frank in Die Fledermaus, -- DB Somarone in Béatrice et Bénédict and the Poet in Salieri’s Prima la Attention Patrons: As a courtesy to others, please reduce the volume on hearing aids and other devices that may produce noise that would detract from the performance. musica poi le parole. Infrared Assistive Listening Devices are available for performances in Mixon Hall.

Kelsey Wood (mezzo-) is a sophomore from , study- ing with Jung Eun Oh. She has performed as Yum-Yum in The Mikado, the 5th Sprite in Cendrillon, and in the choruses of Suor Angelica, The Merry Widow, L'enfant et les sortilèges, L'elisir d'amore and Béatrice et Bénédict. She has been the alto soloist in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasie, soprano soloist in Schubert’s Mass in G and Britten’s Ceremony of Carols and the soloist in Mozart’s Laudate Dominum at the Mainzer Dom Cathedral in Germany. She has won first place in the Intimate Opera Competition, and her division of the NATS Competition.

Xiaohan Wu (soprano) is in her first year of the Professional Studies Program at CIM, studying with Clifford Billions. Born into a family of music teachers, Xiaohan has been performing Chinese folk songs since the age of four in the cities of the east coast in China. She received a bachelor’s degree from Shanghai Teacher’s University in 2003 and master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University at Buffalo in 2009. Last summer she performed ―Now again‖ by Bernard Rands in Ariadne auf Naxos the June in Buffalo Festival, and the title role in Suor Angelica in the “Richard Strauss in his most concise and impish mood” Colorado College Vocal Arts Symposium. CIM OPERA THEATER Helen Mattison Wyatt (soprano) is a junior from Flushing, Michigan. FEB. 24 –27 Her roles include the title role in Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience, The Monitor in Puccini's Suor Angelica, Lily Craven in The Secret Garden, A delightful romantic comedy, featuring some of Strauss's most delectable music. Maria in West Side Story, and Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music. She has also performed as the soprano soloist for The Whiting Audito- As always at CIM, a projected translation keeps you in on all of the action. rium's Christmas production of Handel's Messiah in Flint, Michigan. Ms. Wyatt is a student of Mary Schiller. Tickets: $15 adults, $10 students/seniors/groups of 10 or more Call 216.791.5000 or buy online at cim.edu. Casts (in order of singing) Adina (L'elisir d'amore), and sang selections as Fiordiligi (Cosi fan * Wednesday/Friday # Thursday/Saturday tutte), Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica) and Nerone (L'incoronazione di HANSEL AND GRETEL (1893) Poppea) with the Italian Operatic Experience program in Urbania, Italy. Previous full roles include First Touriere (Suor Angelica), and Pernille Music by ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921) (Captain Lovelock). Partial roles include Hermia (A Midsummer's Text by ADELHEID WETTE Night's Dream), Empress Ottavia (L'incoronazione di Poppea), English translation by CONSTANCE BACHE, revised by HAMILTON BENZ Gianetta (L'elisir d'amore), Elisetta (Il matrimonio segreto) and Prelude and Act 1 Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro).

GRETEL Heather Engebretson * Pamela Torrey (mezzo-soprano) is a freshman at CIM studying with April Martin # Jung Eun Oh. Her performance credits include Yum-Yum in The Mi-

HANSEL Chelsea Coyne * kado, Constance in The Sorcerer, Tiny Tim in A Gilbert and Sullivan Elizabeth Marie Tredent # Christmas Carol, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Adela in The House of Bernarda Alba, Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Ear- THE MOTHER Sarah Gardner nest, The Jester in Once Upon a Mattress, and Sister Robert Anne in Kjira Robinson (Thursday only) Nunsense. She was a finalist in the Rochester Philharmonic League Competition and was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Barbara THE FATHER John Gray Watson Staropli Voice Competition at Nazareth College in 2009. The action takes place in the hut which is home to Hansel and Gretel. Elizabeth Marie Tredent (mezzo-soprano), a junior studying with

Mary Schiller, is from Ashtabula, Ohio. Ms. Tredent spent her summer (By arrangement with G. Schirmer, Inc. publisher and copyright owner.) at the Aspen Music Festival where she studied with Vinson Cole. Her roles include Volpino in Lo speziale and Ursule in Béatrice et ~ Intermission ~ Bénédict. Her scenes include Meg (Falstaff), Dorabella (Così fan tutte), Charlotte (Werther), Mercedes (Carmen), Gertrude (Louise) and DER FREISCHÜTZ (“The Freeshooter”) (1821) Augusta (The Ballad of Baby Doe). Recently, she performed in The

Music by CARL MARIA VON WEBER (1786 - 1826) Cleveland Orchestra’s production of Le nozze di Figaro. She won Libretto by FRIEDRICH KIND second prize in the 2009 Great Lakes Regional NATS Competition and Act 2, Scene 1 first prize in the 2008 Buckeye State NATS Competition.

ÄNNCHEN Claire Connelly* Laura Anne Valles (soprano) is a second year master’s student, study- Amanda Stephens# ing with Mary Schiller. While at CIM, Ms.Valles has performed the title role in Suor Angelica, and in scenes programs has portrayed AGATHE Laura Anne Valles* Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte. A native Texan, she began performing at the Catheryne E. Shuman# age of 14. She studied with Jacqueline Barlow-Ware at Capital Univer-

sity, where she obtained a Bachelor of Music Degree. She was heard at MAX Jacob Andricks Capital University as Katisha in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, the First Lady in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and participated in several Agathe waits for the return of her fiancé Max. She is very tense, partly because of Max’s recent behavior, master classes.

partly because a picture has fallen from the wall and struck her head. Mark Wanich (baritone) is an Artist Diploma student at CIM, Her cousin, Ännchen, takes things less seriously. studying with Clifford Billions. He is a graduate of CIM (Professional Studies), Middle Tennessee State University (Master ~ Intermission ~ of Arts) and Georgia Southern University (Bachelor of Music), all in

Shirkey is finishing her senior year in the Bachelor of Music program, LA TRAVIATA (1853) studying with Jung Eun Oh. Music by GIUSEPPE VERDI (1813-1901) Hee Chang Shin (), a native of Korea, is in his second year of the Libretto by FRANCESCO MARIA PIAVE Artist Diploma at CIM with Clifford Billions. After graduating from Act 3 and Act 4 Chugye Arts University in Korea, Mr. Shin studied voice at Peabody Conservatory as a Graduate Performance Diploma student with Stanley FLORA BERVOIX Lindsey Anderson* Cornett. He has performed Alfredo in La traviata, Rodolfo in La Helen Mattison Wyatt# bohème, Cavaradossi in Tosca, Bardolfo in Falstaff, Hoffmann in Les contes d’Hoffmann and Bènèdict in Bèatrice et Bènèdict. He won the MARQUIS D’OBIGNY Troy Bruchwalski* First Place Award in Korea’s Eumhyup Vocal Competition. In 2005, he Joseph Lenehan# was the Encouragement Award Winner at the Mario Lanza Competition. DOCTOR GRENVIL John Gray Watson

Catheryne E. Shuman (soprano) is completing a master’s degree, ALFREDO GERMONT Hee Chang Shin * studying with Clifford Billions. She has performed both in Paris, as part Enrique Bernardo # of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, and in Vienna, as a soloist. At DePauw University, where she received her bachelor’s degree, Ms. VIOLETTA Anjin Stewart-Funai* Shuman performed scenes as Countess Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, Megan Crews# Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Mimi in La bohème and Alice Ford in Falstaff. At CIM, she performed scenes from both Così fan tutte and Le BARON DOUPHOL Andrew Manea nozze di Figaro. Her complete roles include Mama Geno in P.D.Q. Bach’s The Abduction of Figaro and La Badessa in Suor Angelica. GASTON Marcel Worrell Miller* Tyler Houston Oldham# Kevin Simmons (tenor) is in his second semester at CIM studying with Clifford Billions. Mr. Simmons’ oratorio performances include solo A SERVANT Raymond James Irwin roles in The Creation and The Messiah. He has also been cast in various opera roles, appearing as Leporello in a scene from Don Gio- GIORGIO GERMONT, Alfredo’s Father Ryan Downey* vanni, as Monsieur Birdsong in The Impresario, and as Martin in a Robert Pierce# scene from The Tender Land. Last year he was cast at CIM as Jaquino in the opening scene from Fidelio. ANNINA, Violetta’s Companion Antonia Botti-Lodovico* Amanda Stephens (soprano) is a second year master’s student and Kristen Shirkey# studies with Mary Schiller. She sang Gilda in Rigoletto and Baby Doe in The Ballad of Baby Doe for CIM's 2009 spring scenes, and was a FRIENDS OF FLORA Novice in CIM's spring production of Suor Angelica. She completed a Jacob Andricks, Troy Bruchwalski, Marisa Buchheit, Ashley R. Close, bachelor’s degree at the University of Tennessee, studied with Marjorie Jilda Farias, Elizabeth Frey, Chelsea Rose Friedlander, Nathaniel Fryml, Bennett Stephens, and sang Zerlina in scenes, Second Hillary Huebler, Raymond James Irwin, Joseph Lenehan, Spirit in Die Zauberflöte scenes, and chorus in Sweeney Todd, Little Agostina Migoni, Marcel Worrell Miller, Sarah Mossman, Women and A Little Night Music. She won First Place in the Advanced Garrett Rhodes Murphy, Katharine Murphy, Caitlin O’Connor, Women division of the Tennessee-Kentucky NATS competition. Tyler Houston Oldham, Kjira Robinson, Jessika Roy, Anjin Stewart-Funai (soprano) is a second year CIM graduate student Kellie Rumba, Autumn Schultz, Kevin Simmons, Pamela Torrey, studying with Mary Schiller. This past summer, she covered the role of Kelsey Wood, Xiaohan Wu

The action takes place in Paris about 1850 at a party given by the performed in several productions such as Carmen with Bay Shore Lyric courtesan Flora Bervoix, and in the bedroom of Violetta. Opera and Il Trovatore with Opera San Jose in California. Her roles with the University of the Pacific Conservatory include The Countess in The courtesan Violetta Valery has left Paris to live an idyllic life Le nozze di Figaro, Ottavia in L’incoronazione di Poppea, Cat in Brun- with her lover, Alfredo Germont. His father, however, convinces dibar and Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus. She was a soloist with the her that the affair cannot last, and that she should leave him before Opera, Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca, Italy, and in the Oregon the scandalous relationship is disastrous for his family. Bach Festival Youth Choral Academy. She returns to her former liaison, Baron Douphol, and agrees to attend a party given by Flora. She does not realize that Alfredo Jessika Roy (soprano), born in Montreal, Canada, is a freshman study- (and later his father) will also be there. ing with Jung Eun Oh. She has been performing since the age of seven. She was part of Young Singers of the Palm Beaches for four years and a member of the elite choir in her school. In the summer of 2006, she th ~ ~ ~ performed at the American Celebration of Music for Mozart’s 250 Anniversary in Austria. Her featured roles in musical theatre include Covers Lady Thiang in The King and I and Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn in The An announcement will be made if the following replace the listed Music Man.

singers in their assigned roles: Antonia Botti-Lodovico, Gretel; Kellie Rumba (soprano) is a first year Master of Music student at CIM, Elizabeth Frey, Hansel; Mark Wanich, Father; studying with Mary Schiller. During her undergraduate studies, Ms. Kjirsti Petersen Foutz, Ännchen; Enrique Bernardo, Max; Rumba performed the role of Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Sesto Ji Eun Park, Violetta; Jilda Farias, Flora. in Handel’s Julius Caesar in Egypt and Norina in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale. Ms. Rumba enjoys choral and oratorio repertoire, and has sung as a soloist in Haydn’s Lord Nelson’s Mass and John Rutter’s Requiem, as well as in choruses of Verdi’s Requiem and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Ms. Rumba also has a BA in Spanish, and is a member of the Opera Theater Latin American Art Song Alliance.

Artistic Director. . . David Bamberger Autumn Schultz (soprano) is a senior at CIM studying with Jung Eun Music Director & Conductor. . . Harry Davidson Oh. Ms. Schultz spent the past summer in Munich, Germany complet- Opera Coach & Chorus Master. . . John Simmons ing a German minor, which included a performance of American Opera Theater Administrator . . . Chelsea Coyne musical theater selections for a German audience. In past productions at Production Manager . . . Sarah Stewart CIM, she was chosen to play Ida in Die Fledermaus, Second Spirit in The Magic Flute and a chorus member in Suor Angelica. Ms. Schultz spent her senior year of high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy, where she performed Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro and a witch in Voice Department Dido and Aeneas.

Kristen Shirkey (soprano) is a native of Michigan. She attended the Mary Schiller, Head Interlochen Arts Academy in 2005, where she studied with Jeffrey Clifford Billions Norris. She has been in many musicals and opera scenes, including the Jung Eun Oh CIM fall scenes program as Clorinda in Rossini's La Cenerentola, the Vinson Cole, Visiting Artist spring scenes program as Frasquita in Bizet’s Carmen, and was a mem- ber of the chorus of Puccini’s Suor Angelica. She completed the 2009 CIM year in the role of Gianetta in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. Ms. CIM Orchestra in Giulio Cesare, Peter in Hansel and Gretel, and Assan and Mr. Kof- ner in The Consul. VIOLIN I HORN Lisa Kim, concertmaster Ian Petruzzi* Katharine Murphy (soprano) is a senior Vocal Performance major, Keelin Davis Olivia Sedlack # and a student of Jung Eun Oh. After attending the Oberlin Summer Juyong Park Erin Schilling* Voice Institute in 2005, she placed third in the Buckeye Chapter of the John Heffernan Zane Biddle NATS competition in fall 2006. At CIM, she performed the role of The Emily Nebel Thomas Park Countess in a scene from Le nozze di Figaro in 2008 and portrayed Amanda Lee Suor Dolcina in CIM’s 2009 production of Suor Angelica. Katharine VIOLIN II has also participated in the choruses for CIM’s productions of Mozart’s Andrea Daigle, principal TRUMPET The Magic Flute and Berlioz’s Béatrice et Bénédict. Jimin Shin Mark Fucito* Erica Tursi Daniel Lewis Caitlin O'Connor (soprano) is a freshman at CIM studying with Mary Hyun Shil Kim Schiller. Ms. O'Connor previously studied with Stephen Totter at the TROMBONE Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Academy. She has been seen with the VIOLA Christopher Graham* # Pittsburgh CLO in Joseph…Dreamcoat, Evita, The Wizard of Oz, Annie nd Adam Klarfeld, principal Corbitt Vann and The Music Man. Elsewhere, Ms. O'Connor has been featured in 42 Allison George Jonathan Borgetti Street, Grease (Jan) and Joseph…Dreamcoat (Narrator). Most recently, Jamie Sachay she was nominated for Best Actress at the Gene Kelly Awards for Excel- TUBA lence in High School Musical Theater, a county-wide awards show VIOLONCELLO Americo Lara patterned after the Tony Awards, for her role as Dolly in Hello, Dolly! Pei-Shih Yang, principal

Tyler Houston Oldham (tenor) is a freshman in the Bachelor of Music Jessica Cho TIMPANI program at CIM, studying with Clifford Billions. His repertoire and Timothy Bontje William DeLellis experiences involve a wide spectrum of musical styles including lead roles in musical theater ranging from Marius in Les Misérables to Jesus BASS PERCUSSION in Godspell. While still in high school, he was invited to perform both Brenton Carter Michael Jarrett at Carnegie Hall and the 2008 Beijing Olympics Music Festival with the Nauset Massachusetts Honors Chorus. He was also the first place FLUTE winner in the Classical Singer Competition hosted by CIM in 2009. Maria Haller* Jeiran Hasan # (piccolo) * Humperdinck and von Weber Robert Pierce (baritone) is a second-year master’s student at CIM study- # Verdi ing with Clifford Billions. Last year at CIM, he sang Claudio in Béatrice et OBOE Bénédict and the title role in Haydn’s The Apothecary. He received a Sara Scofidio* Bachelor of Music from Otterbein College, where he sang Mr. Ford in Timothy Feil # Nicolai’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Husband in Menotti’s Amelia Goes to the Ball and Frank in Die Fledermaus. He was also a soloist for CLARINET performances of the Mozart Coronation Mass and the Fauré Requiem. Mr. Jay Dubin* Pierce is currently an Opera Western Reserve Young Artist, performing in Benjamin Chen # outreach programs throughout northeastern Ohio. BASSOON Kjira Robinson (soprano) is earning her Master of Music in Vocal Kevin Pfister* Performance from CIM studying with Mary Schiller. Ms. Robinson has Anthony Slusser # Production Staff she performed in a master class with Danish baritone Boje (Bo) Set and Lighting Designer . . . Dave Brooks Skovhus. In June, she performed scenes from Don Pasquale, L'elisir d'amore, and Francesca da Rimini in Urbania, Italy, where she was Costumes, Wig & Makeup Designer . . . Alison Garrigan coached by Benton Hess, Bob Cowart, and Hugh Murphy. Technical Director & Master Electrician . . . Ed Schmieding Agostina Migoni (soprano) is in her first year of the Bachelor of Music Production Manager & Properties Mistress . . . Sarah Stewart program CIM, studying with Mary Schiller. She made her solo concert Scenic Artist . . . Terry Tufts debut with the Irving Philharmonic Orchestra singing Mimi’s aria, ―Donde lieta uscì,” from La bohème. She appeared as Gretel in Supertitles . . . Paul & Kathleen Zweifel Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, and has also sung in Verdi’s Aida, Electrician . . . Bob Henninge Bernstein’s Candide and Bizet’s Carmen in various theatre venues throughout Dallas. Her jazz combo opened for Diana Ross at the Set Construction Carpenters . . . Dan Kargle, Les Wegling, Meyerson Symphony Center, and her high school choir was privileged John Englehart, Michael Sinclair to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Wig/Makeup Assistant . . . Krista Tomorowitz Marcel Worrell Miller (tenor) is a native of Washington, D.C., and a Wardrobe Crew . . . Kathleen Raab, Jan Wolf graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Mr. Miller has performed a number of roles with CIM Opera Theater, including Stage Manager . . . Autumn Schultz Gastone in La Traviata (Verdi), Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus (Strauss), Assistant Stage Manager . . . Stephanie Klock Basilio and Don Curzio in (Mozart), Monosta- tos in The Magic Flute (Mozart), Tarara in Utopia, Limited (Gilbert & Rehearsal Pianists . . . John Simmons, Alicja Basinska Sullivan), and the Clerk in The Ballad of Baby Doe (Moore). Mr. Miller Properties Mistress . . . Sarah Stewart is in his last semester of undergraduate studies at CIM, studying with Clifford Billions.

Sarah Mossman (soprano) is in her first year of the Bachelor of Music About the Staff program at CIM, studying with Mary Schiller. Among her many leading stage roles, Sarah has performed Marian in The Music Man, David Bamberger (Artistic Director) has staged some 200 productions Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Rapunzel in Into the Woods on three continents in styles from grand opera to musicals. A founder of and Lucy in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. She performed as a Cleveland Opera, he was the company’s General Director from 1976 to High Holidays Cantor in 2007. In 2008, Sarah received an Honorable 2004, building it into one of America's major regional opera companies. Mention in the National Foundation for Arts Advancement Young Arts He secured The Three in Concert to celebrate its 25th anniver- Competition, and in 2009, she won the Cincinnati Overture Award as a sary. At the insistence of Jerome Robbins, Mr. Bamberger staged the Vocalist. dialogue scenes for West Side Story, thus gaining permission for Cleve- land Opera to be the only opera company in the Western hemisphere Garrett Rhodes Murphy (baritone) is from Boston, Massachusetts, permitted to re-create Robbins’ original choreography. Mr. Bamber- and is in his second year at CIM, studying with Clifford Billions. He ger’s work from coast to coast ranges from at Lin- has performed in an array of solo and ensemble settings with organiza- coln Center (New York City Opera) to The Ballad of Baby Doe (Los tions such as Masterworks Chorale, Winsor Music Inc., Cleveland’s Angeles Music Center), with such stars as Roberta Peters, Beverly Sills Church of the Covenant and the New England Conservatory. His and Sherrill Milnes. For Santiago, Chile, he staged Rigoletto and Lucia conducting experience includes Handel’s Theodora and Messiah, di Lammermoor and, for the Israel Vocal Arts Institute, La Bohème and several Bach cantatas and Mass in B minor, Mozart’s Le nozze di La Cenerentola. In 1990, he represented the opera industry before Figaro, and numerous world premieres. Operatic roles include Achilla church's children's choir and was a cantor at two local parishes. He has Congress, testifying in a successful effort to garner support for the been involved in productions from Disney to Sondheim playing Willy National Endowment for the Arts. He has served on the Board of Direc- Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Albert in Bye, Bye tors of OPERA America and of the National Alliance for Musical Birdie and Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd. He has also performed Theater, of which he was a founder. At home on the non-musical stage, leading roles in Annie, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and Mr. Bamberger directed the first major New York production of Sopho- Cinderella. This past year he was privileged to sing "Happy Birthday" cles’ classic tragedy Oedipus at Colonus and a national tour of Shake- to Angela Gheorghiu and appear on "Good Day Sacramento." speare’s Much Ado About Nothing. His writings include several articles for Opera News and best-selling textbooks for religious schools. His Stephanie Klock (soprano) is a freshman in the Bachelor of Music two-volume history of the Jews based on Abba Eban’s My People, program at CIM, studying with Jung Eun Oh. She has been performing banned in the former Soviet Union, is now being used in Russian trans- since the age of three. Ms. Klock’s musical theatre credits include Polly lation in both Russia and Israel. Mr. Bamberger’s many honors include the Ohio Governor’s Award for Arts Administration and honorary in The Boy Friend, Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, and the ensemble of doctorates from Swarthmore College (his alma mater), Cleveland State Les Misérables. She attended Illinois Summer Youth Music Workshop University and CIM. in 2005, Interlochen Arts Camp in 2007 and 2008 where she studied with Beverley Rinaldi, and Austin Lyric Opera Vocal Workshop in Harry Davidson (Music Director & Conductor) is in his tenth season 2009. Ms. Klock received the Outstanding Performer award at the as Music Director and Conductor of the Duke Symphony Orchestra and Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest in 2009. Professor of the Practice of Music at Duke University. In spring 2007, he was named Music Director and Conductor of Opera at CIM, where Joseph Lenehan (baritone) is a freshman studying under Clifford he appeared for the previous two seasons as a guest conductor. In July Billions. He was a finalist in the high school Classical Singer Competi- 2000, he made his major orchestra conducting debut, leading the tion at the Cleveland Institute of Music in the spring of 2009. He was a National Symphony Orchestra in concert at the Kennedy Center in cast member of the Ohio Light Opera in Wooster, Ohio, during the Washington, D.C. Mr. Davidson has guest-conducted orchestras in summers of 2006, 2007 and 2008, singing in the ensemble of such Austria, Finland and the U.S., including the Charlotte and Akron works as Oklahoma!, The Desert Song, The Cabaret Girl, Der Vogel- symphonies, and completed a month-long residency at the Oberlin händler, Bluebeard, Princess Ida, The Queen’s Lace Handkerchief and College Conservatory of Music, where he taught conducting and guest- The Music Man. Mr. Lenehan is from Mansfield, Ohio. conducted the Symphony Orchestra and Oberlin Musical Union in a performance of Brahms’ Requiem. During the 1998/99 season, he held Andrew G. Manea (baritone) is in his first year of the Bachelor of the position of Associate Conductor of the Wichita Symphony Orches- Music program at CIM, studying with Clifford Billions. He is from tra and Professor of Music and Director of Orchestras at Wichita State Troy, Michigan, where he attended Bethany Christian School from University. In his capacity as a music director and educator, Mr. David- preschool through senior year. He began singing when he was in son has served as Conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orches- seventh grade and began taking private lessons at the age of fifteen. He tra and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Akron. He won the Michigan Association of Christian School’s male vocal solo frequently serves as cover conductor for the North Carolina Symphony, two years in a row, and won second place in the Southfield Madrigal and he has also served in this role for The Cleveland Orchestra. Mr. Chorale scholarship competition. He also played Teddy in a school Davidson was a finalist in both the Antal Dorati Conducting Competi- production of Arsenic and Old Lace. tion with the Detroit Symphony and the Hans Swarowsky Conducting Competition in Vienna, Austria. April Martin (soprano) is a first-year Master's student of Mary Schiller. She completed her undergraduate degree at Maryville College where she John Simmons (Opera Coach & Chorus Master) has appeared in performed arias from Giulio Cesare and Die Fledermaus with the Mary- numerous recitals in Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, ville College Orchestra. Ms. Martin attended the American Institute of Italy and in the U.S. at Weill Recital Hall and Merkin Hall in New York Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria, in the summer of 2008 where City. A student of Yoheved Kaplinsky, he received a Master of Music degree in piano performance from Peabody Conservatory. He also Chelsea Rose Friedlander (soprano) is a senior pursuing a bachelor’s holds a diploma in piano performance from the Hochschule für Musik degree in Vocal Performance. At CIM, she sang the role of Cherubino und Darstellende Kunst in Vienna, Austria, where he studied with Paul in Le nozze di Figaro (Act II). In 2008, Ms. Friedlander sang Sophie in Badura-Skoda. Mr. Simmons has coached, taught and performed at the Werther in "All the World's a Musical Stage." Last spring, Ms. Fried- American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria, the lander sang Marie from La fille du Régiment in "Great Scenes from the Spoleto Festival USA, the Centro Studi Italiani, the Amalfi Coast Festi- World of Opera." She has won first in three consecutive NATS compe- val, the Shaker Mountain Festival and the Lincoln Center Festival. He titions. This past summer, Chelsea was in Operaworks’ Advanced Artist was on the coaching faculty at the C.W. Post campus of Long Island Program in California. Ms. Friedlander studies with Mary Schiller. University, was appointed music director of the Elysium Festival in Bernried, Germany in 2004, and was in residence at Rutgers University Nathan Fryml (bass) hails from Greenville, South Carolina, where he as guest professor of collaborative piano for 2004-2005. Mr. Simmons received a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance and Music was music director and pianist for New York Opera Project’s produc- Theory/Composition from Furman University. He began studying piano tion of Samuel Barber’s Vanessa in spring 2004. He has collaborated in at the age of 8 and writing music shortly thereafter. His compositions to recital with tenor John Aler, and has performed with the London Sym- date reflect an eclectic style both in their instrumentation and subject phony Chorus, the Westminster Choir, the Joffrey Ballet of matter. Mr. Fryml is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Piano and was featured as a soloist with the Spoleto Festival Orchestra. He Performance at CIM and is a student of Emanuela Friscioni. He is a was on the coaching faculty of Juilliard Opera Center and worked with member of the music honor society Pi Kappa Lambda and the Music tenors John Aler and Jonas Kaufmann. Teacher’s National Association.

Dave Brooks (Set Designer & Lighting Designer) recently celebrated Sarah Gardner (soprano) in the title role of Suor Angelica was noted 25 years as a set and lighting designer in the Cleveland area. Eight of for her ―sunlit soprano and poignant phrasing‖ by the Cleveland Plain those years were spent at CIM as designer/technical director for the Dealer. Ms. Gardner hails from Berwick, Pennsylvania and is in the Opera Theater. A list of his favorite CIM productions includes Hansel Professional Studies program at CIM studying with Mary Schiller. Her and Gretel, The Rake’s Progress, The Medium and Die Zauberflöte. opera credits include 1st Lady (Die Zauberflöte) and Lady Billows Mr. Brooks is a Project Manager for EventWorks, Inc., a company that (Albert Herring). Ms. Gardner recently took 1st place in the Ohio produces corporate theater and special events nationwide. A recent NATS competition, where she also won the Richard Miller highlight among these events was the Presidential Debate held Septem- Award. Other awards include 1st prize in the Akron Symphony ber 2008 at the University of Mississippi. Orchestra Chorus Competition and 2nd place in the Great Lakes Regional NATS competition. Ed Schmieding (Technical Director) has been working in technical theater and opera since the early 1990s. Mr. Schmieding has been the Hillary Huebler (soprano) is a freshman at CIM, studying with Mary master electrician and or lighting assistant for The Great Lakes Theater Schiller. She has performed with the Saginaw Bay Symphony and Bijou Festival, Lyric Opera Cleveland, Cleveland Opera, CIM Opera Theater, Orchestra. In 2007, she attended Interlochen Fine Arts Camp on a full Sesame Street Live and Vincent Lighting Systems. Some scenic construc- scholarship. She has been in many theatrical productions, notably The tion credits include CIM operas, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, We Empress in Obama, which was written and produced by the Detroit Gotta Bingo and Respect, the Musical. He and his wife Terri are owners of Theatre for the Dramatic Arts and performed at the Kennedy Center Griffin Decorative Painting Studio, Inc. They provide commercial/ during inauguration week. Her operatic roles include Monica in The residential specialty painting and theatrical scenic construction. Medium. She placed first in her division at the 2009 Regional NATS competition and was awarded the Most Promising High School Singer Alison Garrigan has designed and acted for professional theater in this Award. area for many years. Here at CIM, she recently designed costumes, wigs and hair for Die Fledermaus, "DO Make a Scene" (with Molly Raymond James Irwin (baritone) is a freshman at CIM studying with Taylor) and Béatrice et Bénédict. Other production designs include The Clifford Billions. Before coming to Cleveland, Raymond directed his Downey spent the last two summers in Rome with Operafestival di Rocky Horror Show, Our Town, Nickel and Dimed, Uncle Tom's Cabin Roma performing scenes and roles including Priest 2 and Man of and Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Cleveland Public Theatre; Jekyll & Armor in Die Zauberflöte and Antonio in Le nozze di Figaro. Hyde, Anne Frank, Urinetown, Aida (co-designer), Miss Saigon and at the Beck Center; Othello, Santaland Diaries, Sin, Lysis- Heather Engebretson (soprano) is a senior studying with Mary trata and Hamlet for the Bad Epitaph Theater; Hot Mikado and Carmen Schiller and is also pursuing a minor in music theory. Former teachers Jones for Great Lakes Theater Festival/All City. include Sandra Walker and Robert Lipsett. Ms. Engebretson’s roles include the Queen of the Night and Papagena (Die Zauberflöte), Gril- Sarah Stewart (Production Manager) joined the CIM Opera Staff last letta (Lo Speziale) and Héro (cover; Béatrice et Bénédict). As a 2009 year after completing four seasons with Playhouse Square Center, Crested Butte Music Festival Young Artist, Ms. Engebretson performed where she served as Line Producer and Production Stage Manager for the role of Barbarina (Le nozze di Figaro) under the baton of Covent seven long-running shows in the Hanna Theatre (including Love, Janis Garden’s David Syrus. Ms. Engebretson soloed with the Interlochen and Forbidden Broadway). Previously, she completed a 20-year tenure Intermediate, Tuscaloosa, Muscle Shoals and Huxford Symphony at Cleveland Opera as Director of Production and Artistic Administra- Orchestras, and was a 2006 Davidson Fellow Laureate in Music. tor, while also serving as a member of Opera America's Production/ Technical Committee for eight years. Other local credits include work Jilda Farias (soprano) is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree at CIM at The Cleveland Play House, Great Lakes Theater Festival and Cain where she is studying with Mary Schiller. Ms. Farias is an alumna of Park, where she stage managed for their 50th anniversary production of Interlochen Arts Academy, where she studied with Ron Gentry and Follies. Ms. Stewart has been proud to be a member of Actor's Equity appeared as Mimi in Act II of La bohème and The Mother in a for 25 years. condensed version of Hansel and Gretel. During her time at CIM she has had performance opportunities such as the role of the Nursing Sister in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and the title role in a scene from Gilbert & About the Cast Sullivan’s Patience.

Kjirsti Petersen Foutz (soprano) was, at age sixteen, the youngest Lindsey Anderson (mezzo-soprano) is a Professional Studies student member of Utah Festival Opera Company’s young artist program and studying with Mary Schiller. At CIM, Ms. Anderson has performed the soloed with the Mid-Columbia Symphony. She performed lead roles in roles of La Zia Principessa (Suor Angelica), Ursule (Béatrice et ballets such as Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella. While attending the Bénédict), and Dritte Dame (Die Zauberflöte), as well as portions of Oberlin Conservatory she performed scenes from Il barbiere di Seviglia Augusta (The Ballad of Baby Doe), Maddalena (Rigoletto), Nicklausse (Rosina), Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Blonde), L’Egisto (Amore) (Les contes d’Hoffmann), and Carmen. Ms. Anderson attended the Bay and Too Many (Just Jeanette). Her European debut was in Area Summer Opera Theatre Institute in . There she sang Urbania, Italy, where she sang the title role in La bella dormente nel Zita in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and performed in several scenes from bosco. Ms. Foutz is a second- year master’s student, studying with Clif- Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia and Bizet’s Carmen. She is a Young ford Billions. Artist with Northeast Ohio’s Opera Western Reserve.

Elizabeth Frey (mezzo-soprano) is a junior at CIM, studying with Jacob Andricks (tenor) is from Bryan, Ohio. He received his Bachelor Mary Schiller. She transferred from the University of California-Davis of Arts degree (Applied Voice/Church Music) from Indiana Wesleyan where she was heard in the leading role of The Mother in Amahl and University in 2009. He competed in the Indiana chapter of the National the Night Visitors. For the past three years, she was a member of the Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) classical singing competi- UC Davis University Chorus, where she performed in Carmen with the tion from 2005-2009, receiving third place in his second and fourth San Francisco Adler Fellows. She received the Wildflower Scholarship years. While on the opera stage at IWU, Mr. Andricks performed as for Voice and the UC Davis Vocal Recognition award in 2009. Ms. Harold the Herald in Meanwhile, Back at Cinderella’s and as Tamino in Frey has also appeared in several musical theater performances includ- Die Zauberflöte. He is currently pursuing his Master of Music degree in ing the role of Rizzo in Grease. Vocal Performance at CIM, studying with Clifford Billions.

Enrique Bernardo (tenor) was born in 1980 in Peru. During the sum- School of Music SUNY Potsdam where she received her Bachelor of mer of 2009, he performed the role of Nemorino (L’elisir d’amore) Music degree. At Crane, she played the lead role of Kate in the world with Undercroft Opera as well as the tenor solo for La Misa Criolla by premiere of scenes from The Highwayman. She has performed in mas- Ariel Ramirez. He will be performing with Undercroft Opera next sum- ter classes with Stephanie Blythe and Melody Racine. Ms. Close also mer in the role of Alfredo in La Traviata. He has performed the roles of worked with Stephanie Blythe in the world premiere of the opera The Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Don Basilio/Don Curzio (Le Nozze di Sailor Boy and the Falcon performed at SUNY Potsdam where Ms. Figaro), as well as cover Haroun (Djamileh) for Opera Theatre of Pitts- Close was the cover for the Falcon. burgh and Duquesne Opera Workshop. He has also worked as a repeti- tiour for Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh. Claire Connelly (soprano) is a second year master’s student studying with Mary Schiller. She began her opera career with the Tulsa Opera Antonia Botti-Lodovico (soprano) is a senior studying with Mary performing as The Grasshopper in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Schiller. Her past credits with the CIM Opera Theater include the Vixen. While completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Nursing Sister in Suor Angelica, Third Spirit in Die Zauberflöte, Ida in Oklahoma, Ms. Connelly performed leading roles with Cimarron Cir- Die Fledermaus and Chorus in Béatrice et Bénédict. Her scene credits cuit Opera Company as well as with the University of Oklahoma Opera at CIM include Giannetta in L'elisir d'amore, Marguerite in Louise and Theatre. Most recently she sang with Light Opera Oklahoma. Her roles Un Esprit in Cendrillon. Ms. Botti-Lodovico has also performed scenes include Gianetta in The Gondoliers, Mrs. Nordstrom in A Little Night from Hansel and Gretel (Gretel), Le nozze di Figaro (Susanna) and The Music, Me in The Owl, the Tree, and Me and Pauline in The Toy Shop. Fairy Queen (First Fairy) with the Crittenden Opera Workshop. She is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Chelsea Coyne (mezzo-soprano), a native of Fort Worth, Texas, is an Artist Diploma student of Mary Schiller. She holds a Master of Music Troy Bruchwalski (baritone) is a sophomore undergraduate studying degree from CIM and a Bachelor of Music degree from Texas Christian with Clifford Billions. Mr. Bruchwalski has a diverse and interesting University. Ms. Coyne’s roles include Béatrice (Béatrice et Bénédict), background in music, including leading roles in Fiddler on the Roof; Carmen (La Tragédie de Carmen), Dorabella (Così fan tutte), Volpino Bye, Bye Birdie and Thoroughly Modern Millie. In 2008, he won Clas- (Lo Speziale), Third Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Pamina (The Cypress sical Singer magazine’s regional competition at CIM, moving on to Grove) and Rosine (Signor Deluso). Ms. Coyne won first place prizes compete in the national convention in New York City. In 2009, Mr. at the 2008 NATS Buckeye Chapter Vocal Competition and the FSOM Bruchwalski placed Second in the Buckeye State NATS competition. In Vocal Competition in Salzburg, Austria. She is also an active recitalist his first year at CIM, Troy performed in the chorus of Béatrice et in Ohio and Texas. Bénédict and also portrayed Phantis in a scene from Gilbert and Sulli- van’s Utopia, Limited. Megan Crews (soprano) is a native of Oklahoma and is pursuing a Professional Studies certificate at CIM, studying with Mary Marisa Buchheit (soprano) is a junior studying with Jung Eun Oh. Her Schiller. She received a Bachelor of Music at Southeastern Oklahoma experience on the opera stage includes Lay Sister II in Suor Angelica, State University under the tutelage of Betty Wintle. She has appeared as Carolina in Il Matrimonio Segreto, and Slave #3 and chorus in Die Suor Genevieve in Suor Angelica, Alice in Alice in Wonderland, The Zauberflöte. With a background in musical theater, she has portrayed Princess in The Goose Girl, Little Red Riding Hood, The Dew Fairy in Julie in Carousel, Mary Sunshine in Chicago, Liesl in The Sound of Hänsel und Gretel and Pamina in The Magic Flute. Music and Maria in West Side Story. Ms. Buchheit spent the past two summers performing in international music festivals, including the Op- Ryan Downey (baritone) is beginning his master’s degree at CIM with era Theater & Music Festival of Lucca, Italy and AIMS in Graz, Aus- Clifford Billions. Mr. Downey recently graduated from Arizona State tria. She is a native of Chicago. University with a bachelor’s in Voice Performance. During his years at ASU, Ryan sang the bass solos in Fauré’s Requiem and Handel’s Mes- Ashley R. Close (soprano) is a graduate student studying with Jung siah. He performed with the Lyric Opera Theater at ASU in Dido and Eun Oh. She graduated summa cum laude in May 2009 from the Crane Aeneas, Don Pasquale and played Betto in Gianni Schicchi. Mr.