Edition 1 | 2019-2020

Home , Austin Opera, Michael Chioldi

2 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org WHAT'S INSIDE Welcome From the Board Chair �� 7 Q&A with Austin Opera General Director & CEO Annie Burridge...... 9 Rigoletto Sponsors �� 5 Spotlight Artist: Carolyn Hoehle �� 13 Directors Note...... 15 Staff �� 18 Board �� 19 Title Page �� 21 Production Page ��23 Synopsis ��24 Cast ��28 Creative Team ��32 Chorus ��35 Orchestra ��37 Honoring Vince Herod ��38 Past Productions ��39 Austin Opera Guild �� 41 Opera + Tech ��52 Thank you to our Donors Donor Spotlight ��42 Leadership Giving ��43 Patron Program ��44 Partner Program ��45 Endowment Fund ��47 Bravo Society ��48 Honorarium and Memorial ��49

This program is published in association with Onstage Publications, ADVERTISING 1612 Prosser Avenue, Kettering, OH 45409. This program may not be Onstage Publications reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the 937-424-0529 | 866-503-1966 publisher. JBI Publishing is a division of Onstage Publications, Inc. e-mail: [email protected] Contents © 2019. www.onstagepublications.com All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 3

PRESENTS Rigoletto By Giuseppe Verdi

PRODUCTION SPONSORS

Maria and Stephen Kahng

Patty and Mike Erspamer Gail and Jeff Kodosky

Paula and Stuart Damore

Hootan Khatami and Daryl Fox Sissi and Gerard O’Reilly Martha Rochelle

WINE & SPIRIT SPONSOR MEDIA SPONSOR HOSPITALITY SPONSOR

AUSTIN OPERA IS A MEMBER OF OPERA AMERICA, INC.

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 5 6 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

Welcome to the opening of Austin Opera’s 2019-2020 Season, our 33rd year of producing exceptional opera in the Live Music Capital of the World. Our opera company is proud to present an artistically vibrant and exciting season designed to engage all Austinites and opera lovers throughout Central Texas. The 2018-2019 Season was one of our best yet, marked by artistic excellence, exceptional ticket sales and fundraising, strengthened community partnerships, and expanded education program reach. Last season, both Otello and Silent Night were nominated for best concert/performance by the Austin Critics Table Awards with the contemporary masterpiece, Silent Night, taking home the grand prize. We launched our bold new series, Opera ATX, and welcomed 1,000 community members to the historic Paramount Theatre to experience the multimedia work, Soldier Songs. The spring production of La bohème had record ticket sales, exceeding all shows of the past five seasons. We proudly announced our formal partnership with the Butler School of Music at The University of Texas at Austin, and we saw a generous increase in support from our donor family, achieving the highest amount of annual contributions in the company’s history. As we look forward to another thrilling season beginning with Verdi’s masterpiece Rigoletto, our gratitude extends to every individual, collaborator, and partner who have made Austin Opera the dynamic company it has become today, especially you, our loyal patrons. With all the myriad of entertainment choices one has today, we appreciate your enthusiastic participation and generous support of Austin Opera. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, please enjoy the performance. Cordially,

Jeff Kodosky Chair

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 7

Q&A WITH AUSTIN OPERA GENERAL DIRECTOR & CEO ANNIE BURRIDGE

Q: Why Rigoletto?

A: It has been 10 years since Austin Opera has produced this Verdi masterpiece! We think it is a perfect piece to open our 2019-2020 Season, which furthers our commitment to offering our audiences a thrilling combination of beloved favorites (Rigoletto and Turandot) and engaging new experiences (Everest and Winter Journey).

Rigoletto contains some of the most passionate and tuneful music in the operatic repertory—from the Duke’s swaggering “La donna è mobile,” to Gilda’s stunning “Caro nome,” to Rigoletto’s devastating “Cortigiani.” It is clear why Verdi is considered the patriarch of Italian opera.

And while the opera is based on a Victor Hugo play that debuted in 1832, its characters—a philandering Duke; an innocent, love struck young woman; and her overprotective, vindictive father—all seem to resonate as much today as they did 187 years ago.

Q: What is special about this production?

A: We could not be prouder of the outstanding cast we have assembled for our production. There is a very special chemistry that can result from combining returning favorites like Michael Chioldi and Peter Volpe with artists making their Austin Opera debut, like the stunning Madison Leonard. Ms. Leonard came to our attention when she won the 2018 Metropolitan Opera competition singing “Caro nome,” and we are so excited that she is making her Austin Opera debut in a role that will surely come to be known as a signature role for her. We are also delighted to welcome back tenor Kang Wang, who made his Austin Opera debut as Rodolfo in La bohème last season. The Duke is a very different character than the poor poet Rodolfo!

It has also been a pleasure to work with conductor Robert Wood, who makes his Austin Opera debut in this production. As we work toward naming a Principal Conductor for the company, we have been so grateful for the very talented artists who have taken the podium as part of that process.

Q: What’s up next at Austin Opera?

A: Everest! This 70-minute opera will be like nothing else our audiences have experienced before. It is one of the most epic and emotionally searing operas I have ever encountered, and the Austin Opera staff has learned a great deal about mountain climbing in the process. I encourage everyone to read Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air or Dr. Beck Weathers’ memoir, Left for Dead, in anticipation of this historic Austin premiere. You won’t regret it!

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 9

INTRODUCING EVEREST COMPOSER JOBY TALBOT

British composer Joby Talbot is one of the most versatile and prolific of our time. While Everest marks his first opera, his distinguished catalogue includes numerous symphonic works, instrumental ensembles, choral works, ballets, and film and television scores. For television, Joby Talbot earned early notoriety for his award-winning score and theme for the BBC Comedy Series The League of Gentlemen. Among Mr. Talbot’s most popular film scores are The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005) and the 2016 animated hit Sing, starring Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon, for which he won an Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music. Mr. Talbot’s striking ability to capture and convey drama is easily heard in his classical compositions, as well. He created two narrative ballets with choreographer Christopher Wheeldon—Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Winter’s Tale—which both opened to considerable critical acclaim at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Talbot won the prestigious Prix Benois de la Danse for The Winter’s Tale. Everest opened in 2015 at the Dallas Opera to equally high praise and has since been seen at Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Calgary Opera, Dallas Opera (reprised), and Theater Hagen in Germany. This season, the work is featured at Chicago Opera Theatre and the Barbican in London, in addition to Austin Opera. “Gripping, edge of your seat story-telling” wrote one critic after its premiere. “It’s easy to imagine Everest as a lasting work.”

A remarkable first opera... This 70-minute juggernaut makes you feel disturbingly in the moment, living—and dying— along with the characters. –Heidi Waleson, The Wall Street Journal

12 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

Eleven Things You May Not Know About Giuseppe Verdi & Rigoletto

by Stage Director Tara Faircloth

1. Known especially for his tuneful music and gripping dramas, Giuseppe Verdi (along with Richard Wagner) is considered one of the two most important opera composers of the nineteenth century. Verdi wrote over 25 operas, and several of his masterworks, such as Rigoletto, La traviata, and Il trovatore, are in the standard repertory of every opera company producing today.

2. During Verdi’s early years as a composer, Italy was not a unified country, but a collection of nation-states under foreign rule. The 1800s were a time of political and military upheaval, and during Italy’s struggle for independence, the slogan “Viva Verdi” became a rallying cry. The letters VERDI spelled out the name of the King of Sardinia: Victor Emmanuele Re D’Italia. In 1861, he became king of Italy, unified for the first time since the 6th Century, and Verdi joined the country’s first parliament, where he served for four years.

3. Rigoletto (1851) is based on a play by Victor Hugo: Le roi s’amuse (The King Amuses Himself). The play was highly controversial, depicting King Louis Philippe as a “debauched, lecherous figure,” and it was banned by the French government after just one performance. Verdi thought the story would make a thrilling opera. He wrote his librettist Francesco Maria Piave: “The subject is grand, immense and there’s a character in it who is one of the greatest creations that the theatre of all countries and all time can boast.”

4. Much to Verdi’s dismay, the libretto had to undergo substantial revisions in order to satisfy the censors. “I find it, in fact, very beautiful to portray this character externally deformed and ridiculous, and internally passionate and full of love. I chose this subject precisely for all these qualities and if all these original features are removed, I cannot set it to music any longer.”

5. Rigoletto was a triumph at its 1851 Venice premiere, and opened in New York just 4 years later (1855).

6. Verdi knew that the tenor’s final aria (“La donna è mobile”) was an irresistible tune, and if they heard it, competitors might steal and publish it before the show opened. Thus, the composer kept this music out of rehearsal until a few days before the opening, and forbade the tenor from even whistling it in public.

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 15 DIRECTOR’S NOTE (CONT.)

7� Verdi had a personal connection with the deep parental love and protective urges of his title character. He lost his only two children while working on his first opera and, shortly afterwards, his wife Margherita, who was only 26 years old. Verdi was devastated by their deaths.

8. Verdi was a great philanthropist, and in 1896, established the Casa di Riposo per Musicisti (literally ‘rest home for musicians’), a home for retired opera singers and musicians in Milan, “Of all my works, that which pleases me the most is the Casa that I had built in Milan to shelter elderly singers who have not been favored by fortune, or who when they were young did not have the virtue of saving their money. Poor and dear companions of my life!” The institution is still in operation today.

9. Verdi’s funeral in 1901 remains the largest public assembly of any event in the history of Italy. Taking place at dawn, almost a quarter of a million people took to the streets, marching to the “Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves” from Nabucco, accompanied by a huge orchestra and choir comprised of musicians from throughout the country, under the baton of celebrated maestro Arturo Toscanini.

10. The name Rigoletto was taken from the title of another Victor Hugo play. Rigolo means “funny” in French.

11. Verdi wrote most of the score for Rigoletto over a period of 40 days.

16 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org

STAFF

Annie Burridge, General Director & CEO Timothy Myers, Artistic Advisor ARTISTIC & PRODUCTION PRODUCTION STAFF FOR RIGOLETTO Nathan DePoint Doug Gessaman Senior Director of Artistic Operations Shane Smith Vincent E. Herod Master Carpenters Director of Production & Technical Director Martin Blacker Rebecca J. Graham-Forbis Patrick Crowley Company Manager Richard Nance Beverly Frittelli Assistant Carpenters Orchestra Manager Larry Jameson Cina Crisara Master Flyman Chorus Master & Assistant Conductor Ryan Gallagher Nyle Matsuoka Master Electrician Principal Coach & Pianist Tyler Halo Assistant Master Electrician DEVELOPMENT C.J. Swinburn Jennifer Basten Light Board Operator Chief Development Officer Jon Vickers, Lead Angela M. Bonnici Thomas Gentry Director of Individual Giving William D.H. Sheffield Rhanda Luna Follow Spot Operators Director of Member & Partner Programs Dan Jimenez Chrissy Nanton Audio Assistant Grants Manager Rachel Magee Miranda Schultz Property Master Leadership Giving Coordinator Kirk Grander G. Austin Wenning EDUCATION Assistant Property Masters Debra Erck Anthony Celenza Director of Education Property Crew Kathy Lang FINANCE Wardrobe Supervisor Eva Kuhlman Virginia Egal Senior Director of Finance Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor Trinka Withers MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS, Lead Dresser AND AUDIENCE EXPERIENCE Mona Garner Melysa Rogen Wig & Makeup Assistant Senior Director of Marketing & Communications Karl Hesser Julie Fiore Supertitles Translator Director of Audience Experience David Grant Dianne van Hulle Supertitles Coordinator Patron Services Manager Elisabeth Barnes-Flint Laura Carrisosa Lisa Goering Communications Associate Assistant Stage Managers Victoria Kelly* Carli Kerr* Chris Morrow Matt O’Flynn Laura Redfern Ryan Redfern Sharon Meadows Sneed* Catherine Treviño Supernumeraries Austin Opera Stage Employees are represented by IATSE LOCAL 205 *Austin Opera Debut

18 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org BOARD

OFFICERS Jeff Kodosky Susanne Tetzlaff Stephen S. Jeffrey Chair Legal Counsel, Chair-Elect Special Funds Chair Michael Erspamer James D. Green, Jr. Endowment Board Chair President Finance & Audit Chair Polly Barbaro Elisabeth Juen Waltz Tina Barrett, Ph.D. Development Chair Past Chair Education Chair Brian H. Powell William W. Krumpack Trustees Chair Secretary

TRUSTEES

Mary Ellen Borgelt Andrew Heller Kenneth W. Smith Christopher H. Cheever David Jabour Jay B. Stewart Cathy Collins Maria Kahng David N. Tobey, Jr., M.D. Curby Conoley Hootan Khatami, M.D. Steven Tyler Paula Damore Carol Angela Logan Joni K. Wallace, D.D.S. Dennis J. Eakin Carlos Lowenberg, Jr. Stephen R. Watson John English Michael S. Metteauer Jim Whorton Laura Gutiérrez-Witt Sissi O’Reilly Eva Womack Rob Hagelberg Jonathan Sessler Cornelia Foster Wood Colleen Halbrook

ADVISORY TRUSTEES

Ray Benson William B. Mitchell Andrew Schwartz Thomas B. Martin

TRUSTEES EMERITUS

Frederick S. Addy Harvey Evans, D.D.S. Gay Ratliff Ada Anderson Doyle M. Fellers Harriet Rutland Sandy Ball David Harrington Katharine Shields Philip W. Barnes Lloyd Lochridge Suzanne Shore Amelia Bullock Susan Lubin R. Clint Smith Paul Burns, M.D. Robert Mettlen, Ph.D. Connie Webb Tana Christie Ambassador Lyndon Olson, Jr. Catherine Wildermuth, Ph.D. Suzannah Cox William B. Paddock Nell Dale, Ph.D. H. Robert Powell

Special thanks to Dr. David N. Tobey, Jr. for his services as company physician.

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 19 20 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org PRESENTS Rigoletto

An opera in 3 acts Music by Giuseppe Verdi Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave Sung in Italian with projected English titles

Scenery designed by Lawrence Shafer Costumes designed by Susan Memmott Allred Production originated at New Orleans Opera

PERFORMANCE TIMINGS Act I: 60 Minutes Intermission: 20 Minutes Act II: 30 Minutes Intermission: 20 Minutes Act III: 30 Minutes Total: Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes

#RigolettoATX #VerdiATX #ATXOpera

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 21

Presents Rigoletto An opera in 3 acts Music by Giuseppe Verdi Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave

CAST In order of vocal appearance Duke of Mantua...... Kang Wang Borsa...... Brian Wallin* Countess Ceprano...... Carolyn Hoehle* Rigoletto...... Michael Chioldi Marullo...... Conor McDonald* Count Ceprano...... Erik Earl Larson* Count Monterone...... Timothy Bruno* Sparafucile...... Peter Volpe Gilda...... Madison Leonard* Giovanna...... Liz Cass Page...... Julie Silva Usher...... Stephen Maus Maddalena...... Allegra de Vita*

CREATIVE TEAM Conductor...... Robert Wood* Stage Director...... Tara Faircloth* Scenic Designer...... Lawrence Shafer Costume Designer...... Susan Memmott Allred Lighting Designer...... Chad R. Jung* Wig & Make-up Designer...... Melanie Steele Audio Designer...... Bill Mester Fight Choreographer...... Kevin Squires Production Stage Manager...... Kathleen Edwards Assistant Director...... Rebecca A. Herman Chorus Master & Assistant Conductor...... Cina Crisara Principal Coach & Pianist...... Nyle Matsuoka Projected English Titles...... Karl Hesser

*Austin Opera Debut

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 23 SYNOPSIS

PERFORMANCE TIMINGS Duke from the hatred of the courtiers whom Act I: 60 Minutes he has antagonized. These courtiers decide Intermission: 20 Minutes to take revenge on the jester; they will meet Act II: 30 Minutes that night to formulate a plan. Intermission: 20 Minutes Act III: 30 Minutes Suddenly Count Monterone bursts in. Total: Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes His daughter has been ravished by the Duke and he swears revenge. The jester ACT ONE mocks him with a mixture of buffoonery Scene 1: A grand room in the palace of and evil. His lurching music depicts his own the Duke of Mantua. In contrast to the hunchbacked deformity (Voi congiuraste— somber prelude, dance music can be heard You conspired). When the distraught father from offstage as gentlemen and their wives curses both the jester and the Duke with circulate through the room. The Duke tells a father’s curse, the worst kind, Rigoletto the courtier Borsa about the woman he recoils in horror. has seen in church every Sunday for the last three months. He is impatient to bring Scene 2: An alley with Rigoletto’s house his seduction of her to a head, and has on one side and the Ceprano’s on the discovered she lives in a remote alley other. A shaken Rigoletto enters, still where a mysterious man visits her every muttering about the curse. He is accosted evening. Among the ladies at the ball is the by Sparafucile, an assassin for hire (his Countess Ceprano. They comment on her name is literally Shoot Gun), who offers beauty and the Duke decides he will make- his services to Rigoletto. He can have his do with her for now. Borsa warns the Duke sister lure any victim to his inn and dispose that Count Ceprano may overhear them, of him there. If Rigoletto has no use for his but the Duke does not care, one woman is services just then, he can be found every just like another and fidelity is detestable evening at the same place. After Sparafucile (Questa o quella—This one or that). He leaves, Rigoletto broods that they are the flirts with the Countess and leads her off same: both of them kill, Rigoletto with his stage. Her jealous husband is following tongue and Sparafucile with his dagger as Rigoletto enters and implies Ceprano (Pari siamo—We are the same). He blames has horns on his head. He also comments his own corruption on nature which made on the doings at court and on the Duke’s him a hunchback and on the sneering seductions. An excited Marullo enters; he courtiers with whom he serves. has discovered that Rigoletto has a mistress! Still thinking about the curse, he enters his The Duke and Rigoletto discuss how they house to be greeted by his loving daughter, can get rid of Ceprano in order to leave Gilda. She begs him to tell her about her the field clear for the Duke. Rigoletto makes family; she doesn’t even know her father’s several sarcastic and boorish suggestions name! He changes the subject. Has she which an angry Ceprano overhears. been out? Only to mass. He finally says The jester’s master reproves Rigoletto for her angelic mother felt pity for his sorrows always going too far with a joke. Rigoletto and loved him in spite of his hunchback. just laughs; he knows he is protected by the She begs to be allowed to see the city and is asked again if she ever goes out. She

24 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org SYNOPSIS (CONT.) lies and says no. Terrified that the courtiers drag the terrified Gilda away, she drops who hate him will discover her existence, her scarf. Wondering what is happening, Rigoletto begs her to keep her promise Rigoletto discovers the blindfold and tears it and stay home. He summons Giovanna, off to find the open door and Gilda’s scarf. her companion, and asks if she locks the He utters an anguished La maledizione!— door every night, admonishing her to The curse! keep his daughter safe (Veglia, o donna— Watch woman). INTERMISSION

Thinking he hears something, he goes out ACT TWO: A room in the palace. to the street giving the disguised Duke a The Duke has been to Rigoletto’s house chance to sneak in and hide. (The Duke and found the door open and Gilda gone. slips Giovanna a purse to keep her silent.) He is distressed, mostly for his loss (Ella To his surprise, he recognizes Rigoletto mi fu rapita—She was stolen from me), and realizes it is the jester’s daughter upon but then thinks of her tears (Parmi veder whom he has designs. When Rigoletto le lagrime—I seem to see those tears). leaves, Gilda regrets that she has lied to her When the courtiers come to tell him of the father by not telling him of the handsome abduction, he realizes the victim is Gilda young man who has followed her to church. and rushes off to ‘comfort’ her (Possente Although he seems noble, she would prefer amor—Powerful love). a poor man (Signor nè principe—Neither nobleman nor prince). The duke emerges Rigoletto appears, feigning nonchalance from hiding and ardently declares his love and still playing the fool, but furtively (È il sol dell’anima— [Love] is the sunshine looking around for signs of Gilda (this is the of the soul). He tells her he is a poor first time the courtiers realize Gilda is the student named Gualtier Maldè. As she jester’s daughter rather than his mistress.) confesses her love for him, the sound of the Realizing that the abducted woman is his conspirators in the street makes her beg him daughter and that she is with the Duke, the to leave. They sing a long and fond farewell jester first asks for her return. When this is (Addio, addio). of no avail, he falls to weeping and begs to know where she is. Finally, he abjectly Left alone, Gilda rapturously thinks of throws off the fool and begs them to restore her suitor’s name (Caro nome—Dear his daughter to him (Cortigiani—Courtiers). name). She can be seen by the masked conspirators on the street who admire her Gilda rushes into the room and throws beauty. Suddenly Rigoletto appears, called herself into her father’s arms. She confesses back by new fears and still thinking of the all to him (Tutte le feste al tempio—Every curse. Identifying themselves, the courtiers Sunday in church). He comforts her (Piangi approach him and ask him to help abduct fanciulla—Weep child). Monterone is the Countess Ceprano. He agrees and led across the stage on his way to prison, asks for a mask of his own. While putting distraught because, in spite of his curse, the it on they manage to blindfold him. He is Duke remains unscathed. Rigoletto swears told to hold the ladder while they do the that he will seek vengeance for them both abduction, and they gloat that they will now (Sì vendetta). Gilda begs him to forgive the have their revenge on their torturer. As they Duke; she still loves him.

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 25 SYNOPSIS (CONT.)

INTERMISSION terrible storm is approaching, and he asks for a room for the night. Maddalena begs ACT THREE: Sparafucile’s Inn. Sparafucile to spare the handsome young We are able to see both the inside of the man, but he refuses. She tries to persuade inn and the deserted riverbank outside. The him to kill the jester instead and keep all of people in the respective locations cannot the money, but the assassin has pride in his hear or see each other. Sparafucile is profession. He would never betray a paying inside. Rigoletto has brought Gilda, who customer. Gilda appears outside, dressed still believes the Duke loves her, to observe as a man, and overhears them agreeing his perfidy for herself. The Duke appears to kill the first person who appears before inside, demands a room and some wine midnight. Determined to save the Duke’s life and then sings the famous aria La donna at the expense of her own life, she knocks at è mobile (Woman is fickle). When he the door. The door is opened, there is a cry, returns with the wine, Sparafucile knocks and then silence. on the ceiling to call his sister. In a quartet, a crestfallen Gilda watches the Duke flirt Rigoletto returns, gleefully anticipating his with Maddalena, and Rigoletto swears revenge. Midnight strikes and Sparafucile revenge (Bella figlia dell’amore—Beautiful comes out with a sack supposedly holding daughter of love). the Duke’s body. The jester is about to drag it to the river when he hears the Duke’s Rigoletto, thinking Gilda has finally been La donna è mobile. Horrified he opens convinced of the Duke’s true nature, tells the sack to find his dying daughter. She her to go to safety in Verona where he will begs his forgiveness and says she will pray meet her soon. Sparafucile comes out and for him in heaven (Lassù in cielo—There Rigoletto gives him half of the agreed upon up in heaven). Instead of the customary sum. He will return at midnight to collect the concerted finale, Verdi ends the opera as body and pay the rest. Maddalena tries Gilda dies and a heartbroken Rigoletto to save the Duke by telling him to go but a once more cries, “La maledizione!”

Double Your Donation!

Did you know that over 18 million individuals work for companies that offer matching gift programs, and that an additional $2–$3 billion is donated through matching gifts annually?

Many companies in Austin have matching gift programs–contact your company’s personnel office to find out if your donation can be matched, you’ll make your gift go twice as far while receiving additional donor benefits! • 3M • Chevron • Google • Microsoft • Apple • Cirrus Logic • Hewlett-Packard • National • Applied • Cisco • IBM Instruments Materials • Dell • Johnson & • Pfizer • AT&T • Exxon Johnson • Silicon Labs

26 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org

CAST

MICHAEL CHIOLDI Rigoletto baritone (New York, New York) Austin Opera Debut: Rodrigo, Don Carlo (2013) Previously at Austin Opera: Iago, Otello (2018); Georgio Germont, La traviata (2018); Sharpless, Madame Butterfly (2017) Recently: Miller, Luisa Miller (Gran Teatre del Liceu); Scarpia, Tosca (Opera San Antonio); Germont, La Traviata (Utah Opera) Upcoming: Eugene Onegin, Eugene Onegin (Palm Beach Opera); Sharpless, Madama Butterfly (Atlanta Opera); Tonio, I Pagliacci (Portland Opera) @michaelchioldi michaelchioldi.com

KANG WANG Duke of Mantua tenor (Harbin, China) Austin Opera Debut: Rodolfo, La bohème (2019) Recently: Alfredo, La traviata (Glimmerglass Festival); Tamino, The Magic Flute (Opera North) Upcoming: Rodolfo, La bohème (Opera Australia); Alfredo, La traviata (Hong Kong Opera) Kang Wang Tenor @kangwang kangwangtenor.com

MADISON LEONARD Gilda soprano (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho) Austin Opera Debut Recently: Gilda, Rigoletto (Seattle Opera); Ilia, Idomeneo & Juliette, Roméo et Juliette (Wolf Trap Opera); Morgana, Alcina (Washington National Opera) Upcoming: Pamina, Die Zauberflöte (North Carolina Opera); Emmeline, Emmeline (Tulsa Opera) MadisonLeonardSoprano @maddogleonard Madison-leonard.com

PETER VOLPE Sparafucile bass (Bloomington, Indiana) Austin Opera Debut: Gala Concert (2007); Austin Opera Role Debut: Sparafucile, Rigoletto (2009) Previously at Austin Opera: Daland, The Flying Dutchman (2016); Ramfis, Aida (2015); Frere Laurent, Roméo et Juliette (2015) Recently: King Philip/Monk, Don Carlos (Washington National Opera); Gremin, Eugene Onegin (Spoleto Opera); Basilio, Il barbiere di Siviglia (Florentine Opera) Upcoming: Old Hebrew, Samson et Delila (Washington National Opera); Comendatore, Don Giovanni (Washington National Opera) petervolpe.com

28 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org CAST

ALLEGRA De VITA Maddalena mezzo-soprano (Trumbull, Connecticut) Austin Opera Debut Recently: Siebel, Faust (Washington National Opera); Angelina, La Cenerentola (Boston Midsummer Opera); Page, Salome (Spoleto USA) Upcoming: Mezzo Soloist, Handel’s Messiah (University of Michigan University Musical Society) @lavitaallegra @AllegraDeVita allegradevita.com

TIMOTHY BRUNO Count Monterone/Sparafucile cover bass (Toledo, Ohio) Austin Opera Debut Recently: Colline, La bohème (Des Moines Metro Opera); French General, Silent Night (Washington National Opera, Glimmerglass Festival); Osmin, Die Enführung aus dem Serail (New Orleans Opera) Upcoming: Don Basilio, Il barbiere di Siviglia (Palm Beach Opera); Commendatore, Don Giovanni (Glimmerglass Festival); Gernot and Groma, Die Feen (Glimmerglass Festival) timothyjbruno.com

CONOR McDONALD Marullo baritone (New York, New York) Austin Opera Debut Recently: Merlin, L’île de Merlin (Wolf Trap Opera); Marquis d’Obigny, La traviata (Atlanta Opera); Ponchel, Silent Night (Glimmerglass Festival)

BRIAN WALLIN Borsa tenor (New Brighton, Minnesota) Austin Opera Debut Recently: Count Almaviva, The Ghosts of Versailles (Glimmerglass Festival); Tenor Soloist, St. John Passion (Shreveport Symphony Orchestra); Abe Attell, The Fix (Minnesota Opera–World Premiere) Upcoming: Count Almaviva, The Ghosts of Versailles (Château de Versailles Spectacles); Sam/Max/Joe, Independence Eve (Opera Birmingham)

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 29 CAST

LIZ CASS Giovanna mezzo-soprano (Austin, Texas) Austin Opera Debut: 3rd Maid, Elektra (2005) Previously at Austin Opera: Flora, La traviata (2018); Mrs. Lowe, Dora, & Coro, The Manchurian Candidate (2016); Gala Concert (2015) Recently: Soloist, Schumann-Cass Cabaret (Austin Chamber Music Festival); Soloist, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis (Georgetown Festival); Dinah LeFarge, Lardo Weeping (LOLA [Local Opera Local Artists] Austin) Upcoming: Sorceress, Dido and Aeneas (LOLA Austin and Panoramic Voices) Dinah LeFarge, Lardo Weeping (LOLA Austin) Liz Cass @travelshowqueen LizCassOpera.com

CAROLYN HOEHLE Countess Ceprano soprano (Austin, Texas) Austin Opera Debut Recently: High Priestess, Aida (Opera Theatre of the Rockies); Aida cover, Aida (Opera Theatre of the Rockies); Vitellia, La clemenza di Tito (LOLA Austin) @chojotoho @chojotoho carolynhoehle.com

ERIK EARL LARSON Count Ceprano/Monterone cover baritone (Evansville, Wisconsin) Austin Opera debut Recently: Peter, Hansel and Gretel (Fort Worth Opera); Ford, Falstaff (Texas Christian University Opera Studio); Golaud, Pelléas et Mélisande (Boston University Opera Institute) Upcoming: Marcello (cover), La bohème (Fort Worth Opera); Baritone Soloist, Carmina Burana (Memphis Symphony Orchestra) @voiceofearl @voiceofearl

30 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org CONDUCTOR

ROBERT WOOD Conductor Conductor Robert Wood founded UrbanArias in 2009. Under his guidance, the company has achieved national recognition as an innovator in the field of opera, and has given over 100 performances in Arlington, DC, and New York City. He conducts all of UrbanArias’ productions. Highlights include Glory Denied (Cipullo), Before Breakfast (Pasatieri/ Corsaro), The Filthy Habit (Hilliard/Boresi), Paul’s Case (Spears/Walat–World Premiere), Three Decembers (Heggie/Scheer), Blue Viola (Hilliard/ Boresi–World Premiere, UrbanArias commission), As One (Kaminsky/Campbell/Reed), After Life and Josephine (Cipullo–World Premiere/UrbanArias commission), and Independence Eve (Boquiren/Neer–World Premiere).

Maestro Wood made his debut with the San Francisco Opera in 2004 with Verdi’s La traviata; he also conducted L’italiana in Algeri there, as well as several concerts. He recently conducted Roméo et Juliette and Carmen at Opera Colorado, Die Fledermaus at Hawaii Opera Theater, and Three Decembers at Kentucky Opera. Maestro Wood returned to Hawaii Opera Theater in 2018 to conduct Laura Kaminsky’s As One, which he will also conduct at Lyric Opera Kansas City this season.

Mr. Wood has conducted L’italiana in Algeri at Vancouver Opera, Die Entführung aus dem Serail for Hawaii Opera Theater, The Love for Three Oranges at Indiana University Opera Theater, La cenerentola at New Jersey Opera Theater, and The Nutcracker for San Francisco Ballet. Mr. Wood’s collaborations with the Wolf Trap Opera Company include Le Comte Ory and Die Zauberflöte. Additionally, Maestro Wood was appointed Conductor in Residence at the Minnesota Opera from 2006-2008, leading productions of L’italiana in Algeri, Le nozze di Figaro, La donna del lago, Rusalka, and Il barbiere di Siviglia.

Mr. Wood held the position of Chorus Master at The Santa Fe Opera from 2001 to 2004, where he received critical acclaim for the choral contribution to the world premiere of Bright Sheng’s Madame Mao, and the American premiere of Kaija Saariaho’s L’amour de loin. Mr. Wood was a 1998 Merola Opera Program and Western Opera Theater participant, and spent several years in Vienna studying voice and singing in the Arnold Schönberg Chor.

This is Maestro Wood’s Austin Opera Debut.

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 31 CREATIVE TEAM

TARA FAIRCLOTH Stage Director (Houston, Texas) Austin Opera Debut Recently: The Little Prince (Utah Opera); The Coronation of Poppea (Boston Baroque); Ariadne auf Naxos (Wolf Trap Opera) Upcoming: Emmeline (Tulsa Opera); Le nozze di Figaro (Hawaii Opera); Monkey: A Kung Fu Opera (White Snake Projects) fairclothdirector @airstreamdiva @airstreamdiva

SUSAN MEMMOTT ALLRED Costume Designer (Salt Lake City, Utah) Austin Opera Debut: Le nozze di Figaro (2005) Previously at Austin Opera: Of Mice and Men, Il barbiere di Siviglia (2016); La traviata (2018) Recently: Governor’s Award Recipient for Contribution to the Arts, Utah (2015); Mayor’s Award and Pioneer Award for Contribution to the Arts in Salt Lake City & Utah (2017); Roméo et Juliette, Gianni Schicchi, Die Fledermaus (Utah Symphony and Opera) ; Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (2018) Upcoming: 15th year as Costume Designer for Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (2019)

CHAD R. JUNG Lighting Designer (Fort Worth, Texas) Austin Opera Debut Recently: JFK (Opéra de Montréal); Don Quichotte (Sydney Opera House); María de Buenos Aires (Arizona Opera) chadrjungdesign.com

KEVIN SQUIRES Fight Choreographer (Austin, TX) Austin Opera Debut: Of Mice and Men (2015) Previously at Austin Opera: Silent Night (2019) Recently: The Transcendents (Feature Film) Upcoming: Macbeth (Westlake High School Theater); Turandot (Austin Opera); The Myth Of Mathew (Feature Film) Squires Combat Choreography

MELANIE STEELE Wig and Make-up Designer (Cumming, Georgia) Austin Opera Debut: Carmen (2001) Previously at Austin Opera: Daughter of the Regiment, Madame Butterfly, Carmen (2017); Ariadne auf Naxos, La traviata (2018); Silent Night, La bohème (2019) Recently: Dialogue des Carmélites (Oberlin Conservatory); Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre); Aladdin (Fox Theatre) Upcoming: Cats (Fox Theater); Turandot (Austin Opera), Rock of Ages (Cobb Energy Performance Arts Centre) Steele Beauty @Melaniedsteele

32 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org CREATIVE TEAM

BILL MESTER Audio Designer (Austin, Texas) Austin Opera Debut: Salome (1999) Previously at Austin Opera: Daughter of the Regiment, Madame Butterfly, Carmen (2017); Ariadne auf Naxos, La traviata, Otello (2018); Silent Night, La bohème (2019) Recently: Austin Symphony Orchestra 4th of July (Auditorium Shores); 91st Texas FFA Convention (Fort Worth); Carmina Burana (Ballet Austin) Upcoming: Nutcracker (Ballet Austin); Lush Life (Austin Symphony Pops); Andrew Cyrille Quartet (University of Texas Performing Arts) Stage Tech Austin @stagetechatx stagetechaustin.com

KATHLEEN EDWARDS Production Stage Manager (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) Austin Opera Debut: Il trovatore (2005) Previously at Austin Opera: Daughter of the Regiment, Madame Butterfly, Carmen (2017); Ariadne auf Naxos, La traviata, Otello (2018); Silent Night, La bohème (2019) Recently: 27 (Intermountain Opera); Stage Manager/Assistant Director, Dialogues des Carmélites (Oberlin Conservatory) Upcoming: Everest, Turandot (Austin Opera); Così fan tutte (Oberlin Conservatory)

REBECCA A. HERMAN Assistant Director (Austin, Texas) Austin Opera Debut: Dialogues des Carmélites (2009) Previously at Austin Opera: Daughter of the Regiment, Madame Butterfly, Carmen (2017); Ariadne auf Naxos, La traviata, Otello (2018); Silent Night, La bohème (2019) Recently: Die Walküre Act I (Queen City Opera), La Finta Giardiniera (Portland Opera); The Breasts of Tiresias (Portland State University) Upcoming: Everest (Austin Opera); Dido and Aeneas (LOLA Austin & Panoramic Voices); Fidelio (Queen City Opera)

CINA CRISARA Chorus Master & Assistant Conductor (Austin, Texas) Austin Opera Debut: Carmen (2017) Previously at Austin Opera: Ariadne auf Naxos, La traviata, Otello (2018); Silent Night, La bohème (2019) Recently: Conspirare Symphonic Choir, Brahms Requiem (Austin Symphony Orchestra) Upcoming: Everest, Turandot (Austin Opera); Assistant Conductor, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (Conspirare and Austin Symphony)

NYLE MATSUOKA Principal Coach & Pianist (Austin, Texas) Austin Opera Debut: A Masked Ball (2014) Previously at Austin Opera: The Flying Dutchman (2016); Daughter of the Regiment, Madame Butterfly, Carmen (2017); La traviata, Otello (2018); Silent Night, La bohème (2019) Recently: Guest Soloist (Magic Valley Symphony) Upcoming: Everest, Winterreise, & Turandot (Austin Opera)

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 33

CHORUS

TENOR

Brendan Boyle Carey Dietert Jeff Keogh Evan K. Brown Michael Kelley Dixon Brian Minnick Jeffrey Jones-Ragona

BASS

Trinidad Tejadas Agosto Ev Lunning, Jr. Robert Veihman Christopher James Auchter Stephen Maus Jay Young Matthew J. Carter Jeff W. Phillips Julius Young Jake Jacobsen

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 35

ORCHESTRA

VIOLIN I BASS TRUMPET Joseph D. Smith, Concertmaster David Dawson, Principal **Robert Cannon, Principal Eugene Gratovich, Jonathan Rouse, Tim Shaffer, Assistant Principal Associate Concertmaster Assistant Principal **Vincent Frittelli, Christopher R. Flores TROMBONE Concertmaster Emeritus Joe Ferris* Brenda Sansig Salas, Principal Patrice Calixte Owen Homayoun, Bruce Colson FLUTE Assistant Principal Audrey Lee **Adah Toland Jones, Principal **Philip Arno Matthew Lee **Beverly Frittelli, Christabel Lin Assistant Principal TUBA Yi Ching Fong* Brian Edwards, Principal Changming Li* PICCOLO **Beverly Frittelli TIMPANI VIOLIN II **Hsueh-Yung Shen, Principal Leigh Mahoney, Acting Principal OBOE Steve Merson, Acting Ian Bruce Davidson, Principal PERCUSSION Assistant Principal* Julianne Webner, Genaro Gonzalez, Principal Risa Ando Assistant Principal Tony Edwards, Assistant Principal **Georgeann Dubell-Shockley Haeni Lee ENGLISH HORN ORCHESTRA MANAGER Sha Zhu Julianne Webner Leigh Wallenhaupt* Beverly Frittelli Megan Zapfe* CLARINET ORCHESTRA ASSISTANT Vanguel Tangarov, Principal Adam “Flash” Graves VIOLA Valerie Bugh, Assistant Principal Ames Asbell, Principal LIBRARIAN Daniel Gee Cordova, BASSOON William D. Lewis Assistant Principal **William D. Lewis, Principal Vincent Marks Daniel Chrisman, *Extra Musician Tim Washecka Assistant Principal **Charter member since 1987 Blake Turner* Michael Zahlit* HORN **Thomas Hale, Principal A special thank you to the CELLO Jill Smith Rodriguez, Austin Symphony Orchestra **Muriel B. Sanders, Assistant Principal for graciously providing some Acting Principal Brett Kroening* of the orchestral instruments Anna Park*, Joel Ockerman* that you hear tonight! Acting Assistant Principal Colin Ferguson **Dr. Shawn Sanders Nora Karakousoglou*

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 37

PAST PRODUCTIONS

Inaugural Production 1998-1999 Season 2009-2010 Season January 9-11, 1987 Otello, Verdi La bohème, Puccini Die Zauberflöte, Mozart Salome, R. Strauss L’étoile, Chabrier 1987-1988 Season Tosca, Puccini Hansel and Gretel, Roméo et Juliette, Gounod 1999-2000 Season Humperdinck Un ballo in maschera, Verdi Don Giovanni, Mozart 2010-2011 Season Festival of Stars 1988 Candide, Bernstein Man Who Mistook His Wife 1988-1989 Season Aïda, Verdi for a Hat, Nyman La traviata, Verdi 2000-2001 Season La traviata, Verdi Die Fledermaus, J. Strauss II Madama Butterfly, Puccini L’italiana in Algeri, Rossini Festival of Stars 1989 Cold Sassy Tree, Floyd Flight, Dove 1989-1990 Season Die Walküre, Wagner 2011-2012 Season Carmen, Bizet Carmen, Bizet Die Zauberflöte, Mozart Madama Butterfly, Puccini 2001-2002 Season Lucia di Lammermoor, Donizetti La Cenerentola, Rossini Faust, Gounod Turandot, Puccini 1990-1991 Season A Streetcar Named Desire, 2012-2013 Season Il trovatore, Verdi Previn Pagliacci, Leoncavallo Don Giovanni, Mozart La fanciulla del West, Puccini Le nozze di Figaro, Mozart Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Rossini Rigoletto, Verdi Faust, Gounod 1991-1992 Season 2002-2003 Season 2013-2014 Season Aïda, Verdi La traviata, Verdi Don Carlo, Verdi La bohème, Puccini Dead Man Walking, Heggie Tosca, Puccini La pietra del paragone, Rossini La bohème, Puccini L’Elisir d’Amore, Donizetti 1992-1993 Season 2003-2004 Season 2014-2015 Season Fidelio, Beethoven Turandot, Puccini A Masked Ball, Verdi Tosca, Puccini Cosi fan tutte, Mozart Roméo et Juliette, Gounod Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Der fliegende Holländer, Don Giovanni, Mozart Mozart Wagner 2015-2016 Season 1993-1994 Season 2004-2005 Season Strauss/Wagner Concert Turandot, Puccini Tosca, Puccini Aïda, Verdi Le nozze di Figaro, Mozart Elektra, R. Strauss Of Mice and Men, Floyd Don Pasquale, Donizetti Le nozze di Figaro, Mozart Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Rossini 1994-1995 Season 2005-2006 Season 2016-2017 Season Faust, Gounod Il trovatore, Verdi The Manchurian Candidate, Rigoletto, Verdi Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Puts and Campbell Madama Butterfly, Puccini Shostakovich Der fliegende Holländer, Don Giovanni, Mozart Wagner 1995-1996 Season 2006-2007 Season La fille du Régiment, Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor, Donizetti Madama Butterfly, Puccini Tannhäuser, Wagner Madama Butterfly, Puccini La traviata, Verdi Waiting for the Barbarians, 2017-2018 Season Glass Carmen, Bizet 1996-1997 Season Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Rossini Ariadne auf Naxos, R. Strauss Die Zauberflöte, Mozart La traviata, Verdi The Ballad of Baby Doe, Moore 2007-2008 Season La bohème, Puccini Simply the Best Concert 2018-2019 Season 10 Year Anniversary Gala Carmen, Bizet Otello, Verdi The Bat, J. Strauss II Silent Night, Puts and Campbell 1997-1998 Season 2008-2009 Season Soldier Songs, David T. Little Andrea Chénier, Giordano La bohème, Puccini Cavalleria rusticana/Pagliacci, La Cenerentola, Rossini Mascagni/Leoncavallo Rigoletto, Verdi Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Rossini Dialogues of the Carmelites, Poulenc

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 39

Leadership Giving

The Board of Trustees, artists, and staff of Austin Opera gratefully acknowledge Austin Opera’s Leadership Giving Donors, whose generous annual contributions provide the necessary support for Austin Opera’s continued artistic excellence.

GRAND FOUNDER’S CIRCLE CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE UNDERWRITER’S $25,000 TO $49,999 $10,000 TO $14,999 CIRCLE $100,000+ David Booth Anonymous Anonymous Sarah & Ernest Butler Paul & Clara Bancroft Austin Opera Guild Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Eakin Tina & Michael Barrett Bloomberg Philanthropies Mike & Patty Erspamer Thom Brooks Andrew & Mary Ann Heller Amelia Bullock & UNDERWRITER’S CIRCLE Jeff & Gail Kodosky Bill Krumpack $75,000 TO $99,999 Lowenberg Group, LLC and Gail Commagere Elisabeth Juen Waltz, Carlos Lowenberg Mr. & Mrs. John English Steffen Waltz, and Mr. & Mrs. Brian H. Powell Laura Gutiérrez-Witt Robert W. Garrett Neil & Nancy Schaffel and Dr. Hootan Khatami & Eva & Marvin Womack Murar Foundation, Inc. Daryl Fox Ken & Paula Smith Margery & Mack Lindsey* PRODUCER’S CIRCLE Dr. Eric Tiblier & Sissi & Gerard O’Reilly $50,000 TO $74,999 Susanne Tetzlaff Ambassador & Polly Barbaro Mrs. Lyndon L. Olson, Jr.* Patrick & Judy Cantilo DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE Martha P. Rochelle Christopher H. Cheever $15,000 TO $24,999 Jonathan Sessler Maria & Stephen Kahng Toni & Paul Burns* Cornelia & John Wood OPERA America Dr. & Mrs. Stuart Damore Marilyn T. Gaddis, Ph.D. & George C. Carruthers *Founding Donors of Hoisington Investment Austin Opera Management Co. and Van & Jeanne Hoisington Whorton Insurance Services and Mr. & Mrs. Jim Whorton

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 43 Patron Program

Austin Opera is proud to acknowledge the individuals and foundations that generously support our productions and education programs. We extend our deepest gratitude to members of the General Director’s Council, Chairman’s Council, and President’s Council who provide essential funding for our productions.

GENERAL DIRECTOR’S Steven Tyler PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL COUNCIL Eileen Vanderlee $2,000 TO $3,499 $5,000 TO $9,999 Dr. Joni K. Wallace Anonymous Maureen Alexander, M.D. Donald R. Wertz* Karen Artzt Ronny & Valerie Armstrong Sandra & Walter Wilkie Bonnie Bain, In Memory of Mary Bakatsa & Clark Wilkinson Ann McKain Sandy Ball CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL Mrs. Mary Bohls Peter Bay & Mela Sarajane Dailey $3,500 TO $4,999 Keith & Sheryl Brown Laurence Bjorkman Sheila & Dan Beckett Pierre & Nancy Bulhon Frances E. Blank Richard Boner & Susan Pryor* Dr. & Mrs. G.G. Cloyd Mary Ellen & Roger Borgelt Suzanne Breitbach Suzannah Cox* Martha A. Boyd Annie Burridge & Paul Richichi Jill A. Davis Marvin Brittman Dr. & Mrs. Hugh Collins Mrs. Ronald K. Deford* Joe & Tana Christie Dr. William Deaton & Claude & Susan Ducloux Bonnie & Jerry Claiborne Mrs. Cecilia Neuhaus Deaton Angela & Steven Eisert Curby Conoley Kenneth W. Egan Zeina El-Azzi & Kenneth Loyde Peter G. Dorson Debra & Marc Erck Chris & Carol Elms Chris & Jenn Ellerman Dr. Harvey Evans & Gloria Evans* Martha & Cliff Ernst Dianne Smith Goggan Julia & Paddy Flanagan Gail A. Findlay Foundation Michael Garza & Roger Kahlbau Joe & Carol Fisher Elena & Everardo Goyanes Scott & Cathy Harris Bill Gaston, Inc. Jim & Jo Green * The Hebel Family Alice Glasco Rob & Meri Hagelberg Karl Henion Douglas Gullickson Mr. & Mrs. James G. Halbrook, Jr. Col. Harry Jaffers Manuela Gutt Karen Hansen Drs. Kenneth & JoAnn Marion & Joe Haas Richard Hartgrove & Gary Cooper Hunter Johnson Joe S. Ham & Florence S. Ham Mari & Dudley Houghton Carol & Kelley Knutson Charitable Trust Stephen & Lauren Jeffrey Diane Lipsitz Robert L. Hardgrave Allen Kemp & Jo Carol Snowden Craig & Cynthia Pence Judy & David Harris King Family, In Memory of Emily Rhea Bryce M. Johnson Alfred & Ellen King* Alyce & Terry Richardson E. Stephen & Joyce Hunt William Lanagan Mike & Delia Russell Dana & Dennis Jakubowicz Dr. Tadd S. Lazarus Colette & John Sirhal Ida Jeppesen & Ken Zink Carol Angela Logan Dr. David W. Sloan Evonne Greene Jones Amy McCaffrey Drs. Sharon & David Sneed Mary Kevorkian Mr. & Mrs. Michael Metteauer Dr. Laura Starks Kintzel Family Charitable Fund Drs. Rodney & Cathy Nairn Jeff Straathof & Mafalda Tan Mike Don Miguel Le Burkien Mr. & Mrs. Charles J. Parker Anne-Margrethe & Linda & Leonard Leff Fran & George Ramsey Jens Steenstrup Eric Leibrock Charitable Fund* David & Catherine Wildermuth* Melanie Lewis Wanda A. Reynolds M&H Machining, Inc. and Peter Schram* Diane & Hudson Ingram Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Shields Ren & Flo MacNary Cindy & Gerald Stone* Julia M. Marsden Dr. David N. Tobey, Jr. & Jacqueline Towns McCall Dr. Michelle Berger* Dr. & Mrs. John McFarlane*

44 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org Partner Program

Colonel & Mrs. The Riebe Pumo Group, Marcia & Anthony Toprac Andrew J. McVeigh, III Stephen D. Riebe, ChFC, & Diane & Dick Trabulsi Phillip Muth UBS Financial Services Peggy & Don Ugent Karen Neeley Amalia Rodriguez-Mendoza James Valdes Cathy & Don Neville Robert G. Rutishauser* Stephanie & Bill Whitehurst* Gai & Gerry Newkirk Harriet Rutland* Rose Betty & Allan Williams* The Honorable & Edward Z. Safady Cynthia Wilson Mrs.Raymond L. Orbach Ronald A. Seeliger Janice L. Wilson The Pacey Family Foundation Todd Sloan Custis Wright* Mr. & Mrs. William Paddock* Evonne & Tom Smith Debbie & Jim Parish Mr. and Mrs. Blake Stanford Marcia Raff Dr. & Mrs. Paul E. Stubbs *Founding Donors of Austin Opera Susan & Hardy Thompson

Austin Opera is grateful to members of the Partner Program for their annual contribution. Thank you for your partnership in bringing thrilling performances and engaging programs to our community!

BENEFACTOR Stephen & Dale Sonnenberg Mr. Stephen Watson $1,000 TO $1,999 Mr. Steven Wolfe Richard & Sherry Wilkison A Friend* David and Leslie Wolff Heather and Reed Arnos SUSTAINER $500 TO $749 Dr. and Mrs. Paul B. Woodruff Jennifer Basten Tom & Nan Anson* Hilary Young Dana Blanton Emily & Kenneth Ashworth Douglas Bower & Daniela Bini CONTRIBUTOR $250 TO $499 Bonny Gardner, Ph.D. The Brunetti Foundation Dr. Thomas J. Ashbaugh Dean & Nell Dale Sanders Mr. Philip Cochran John & Heather Beliveau Dr. Dee Fruchter and Judy Fruchter Jyl Cole Nancy Bogart-Thorpe Wendy L. George Mr. Thomas H. Edwards Jim & Rosalie Boldin James M. Hicks, M.D. & Mr. and Mrs. Joe S. Ham K.C. Cerny and Karen Kerkering Julie A. Nelson Sara Jarvis Jones Cheryl and Scott Christians Bob and Judy Belle Horick Dr. and Mrs. Craig Kuglen Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Denson Patrick Landrum Mr. and Mrs. Paul Leeke Ruth Dyar Rex and Roberta Ling Annette S. Lucksinger Anne and Raymond Ellison Ms. Catherine Lizcano Dr. and Mrs. Becky and Jim Engle Mark Nodine William E. McCaleb* Rosemary W. Estes Sam R. Perry Mr. Laurence B. McCullough Dr. Stanley I. Fisch Leslie Powell Prof. A.P.D. Mourelatos* Mr. Andy Fleming Mr. George Schaefer Cmdr. James F. O'Leary Dr. Sergey Fomel Leslie Thomas Mr. and Mrs. John C. Schmidt Mr. Michael W. Fox Polly & Jay Westbrook Ryan Schooler Mr. Mark Gagnon Susan Seymour Michael & Barbara Gentry GUARANTOR $750 TO $999 Mr. Clemens Sialm and Ms. Suzanne Gonzalez Jesus Alcantar Mrs. Wei Li Lino & Carolyn Graglia Wilhelmina & Exalton Delco Sandra P. Sigman Ms. Fabiola Guajardo Ms. Sylvia B. Fatzer Jean C. St. Clair Mr. and Mrs. Margaret Furse John C. R. Taylor, III & Daniel S. Hamermesh Teresa Lyson, M.D. & Peter Flagg Maxson Ms. Priscilla Jarvis Krys Lyson, M.D. Mr. and Mrs. Greg Valentine Mrs. Jacqueline Johnson William K. Wallace Mr. and Mrs. Jack Josel

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 45 Partner Program Con’t

Orion & Jan Knox Mr. and Mrs. Eric Chance Mr. and Mrs. William C. Nelson Dr. Christopher Colvin & Scott & Cheryl Christians Ms. Caroline Nentwich Behice Kutay Ms. Julianna D. Chung Dr. William Nethercut Marilyn Lindgren Jack & Susan Clagett Lisa & Karl Pallmeyer Georgia and Lloyd Lochridge Ms. Anne S. Clark Ms. Mary Parse Mr. Peter Lohman & Debbie Valker & Doris Coward Dr. Frank Perez Ms. Sondra Lomax Mr. and Mrs. Michael Debner Dewayne Phillips Mr. Reid Long Mr. and Mrs. Jack Downing Ms. Linda Picazo Mr. Noah A. Longley Dr. and Mrs. F. Ellsworth Peterson Debbie Pike Linda Masters Ms. Diana Ferguson Ms. Keely Rhodes Mr. and Mrs. Jerome P. Niemiec Ms. Patricia Fernos Mr. Peter Roll Dr. and Mrs. F. Michael Pestorius Michael Finan Robert & Sondra Ryan David N. Pollack Ms. Sheila Fitlin Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Sansom Drs. Linda G. & James A. Prentice Shiree Flume, M.D. Ms. Julia Schuler Wayne & Marlette Rebhorn Dr. Thomas George Mr. Paul Scripko Joanne & Hamilton Richards Mrs. Ruth Gordon Mrs. Dawn H. Shackelford and Mrs. Lisa W. Roebuck Kathy A. Guajardo Dr. Stacy Shackelford Dr. Charles A. Roeckle and Patricia & James Hadden Dr. John Sharp Mrs. Hermelinda Zamarripa Mrs. Russel Hain Judy Shipway and Leon Grizzard Ms. Cricket B. Rose Mr. and Mrs. Stefan Hardie Mr. Paul Smith Ms. April Schweighart Mr. and Mrs. James Harris Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Smootz Steve and Tacy D. Slade Ms. Ann M. Harrison Annette Stachowitz Dr. Vicky Spradling Ms. Karen Haschke Mr. and Mrs. Kent Stewart Mr. and Mrs. Brad Sprague Mr. and Mrs. Larry Hearn Ms. Kim Stewart Ms. Joy Standefer Mr. and Mrs. Michael Herman Mr. Richard H. Suman Ms. Carole Stockton Ms. Rebecca Herrington Renee & Eugene Sutton Mrs. Jeannie Strange Ms. Lydia Hewett Mr. and Mrs. Tom Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Michael Tita Mrs. Richard Hocker Mr. Calan Thurow Ms. Gwen Vu Mr. John Hrncir Ms. Carolyn Trigg & Mr. Michael Walters Loretta L. Hughes Mr. Joe Haggard Mrs. Carol Wood Mr. Howard Hyten Mr. Bryan Uecker Mr. Michael Woodward Pat & John Ireland Kerry and Duncan VanDusen Mr. and Mrs. Joe A. Young Dr. Judith Jellison Ms. Judith Walther Mr. Todd J. Jermstad Ms. Patricia B. Wamsted DONOR $150 TO $249 Thomas Kelman Dr. Robert Warren Ms. Sarah Allen Joanne B. Jones Dr. Mary Weed Mr. Donald Gene Anderson Paula Kothmann Mr. and Mrs. James West Mr. Ryan Barden Bernt Kuhlmann Dr. Barbara Williamson Ms. Jacqueline M. Benz Mr. Wayne Langham Handy and Barbara Williamson Mechthild Bernhard Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Lapham Ms. Cynthia Wilson Mr. William Blanchard Mr. and Mrs. Chong S. Lee Sharon M. Wilson Mrs. Jackson W. Bosley Mr. and Mrs. Luis Lidsky Gretchen Woellner Ms. Sue Breuer Mary McDonald Ms. Dorothy C. Brown Ms. Teresa Milburn FRIEND UP TO $149 Mr. Mark Campbell Mrs. Joan E. Miller A special thank you to the nearly Mr. Frank Cardenas Milton Miller, II 400 Central Texan households Ms. Ruth Casarez Gail Minault who have made a gift to Austin Dr. Michael Casey Ms. Jennifer Moser Opera at the Friend level

Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy; however, if we have not listed you correctly, please call Rhanda Luna, Director of Member & Partner Programs, at 737-228-1442.

List as of October 18, 2019.

46 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org Endowment Fund

We are especially honored to be able to recognize those members of the Austin Opera family who have made a special commitment to the Endowment Fund, in addition to their annual patronage, to ensure that Austin Opera continues to bring the joy of great opera to future generations of audiences.

$1,000,000 OR MORE $25,000 OR MORE The Marilyn Addy Endowment for Austin Opera General Endowment Fund Artistic Excellence Amelia Bullock & Bill Krumpack Mr. & Mrs. Frederick S. Addy Mr. & Mrs. Stephen L. Davis Alfred & Ellen King Society The Sarah and Ernest Butler Artistic Director Mr. & Mrs. William B. Mitchell Dr. & Mrs. Ernest C. Butler Estate of Edythe Rose Schmidt Kruger Estate of Willa Stewart Setseck The Kodosky Family Endowment for In Memory of Helen G. Smith, Richard Tucker, Artistic Excellence & Aaron Kruger Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey L. Kodosky Wesley Tobey Memorial Fund for the Chorus $150,000 OR MORE David N. Tobey, Jr., M.D. Chair of the Concertmaster & Performing Young Artists $10,000 OR MORE Mr. & Mrs. Brian Kushner Austin Opera General Endowment Fund Jo A. & Billie Jo Graves Family Foundation $100,000 OR MORE Van & Jeanne Hoisington Austin Opera General Endowment Fund William Henry Kirchner, III Mr. & Mrs. Thomas B. Martin Mr. & Mrs. Howard W. Parker Brenda & Larry Smith $50,000 OR MORE Wesley Tobey Memorial Fund for the Chorus Austin Opera General Endowment Fund James C. Armstrong Gordon & Loretta Dancer & Family Estate of Aneta S. Mitchell Jo Anne Martin Christian Memorial Fund Estate of Mary Perry Taylor Friends of Jo Anne Christian Wesley Tobey Memorial Fund for the Chorus $5,000 OR MORE Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey L. Kodosky Austin Opera General Endowment Fund Austin Opera General Endowment Fund honoring Alfred & Ellen King La Noche de Opera Dr. & Mrs. Craig Lubin Curby Conoley Joanne M. Ravel Peter Schram Estate of Charlotte Schumacher

To learn more about supporting Austin Opera’s Endowment Fund, please call Jennifer Basten, Chief Development Officer, at 512-610-7671.

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 47 Bravo Society

“From my experience as a classroom docent for the Austin Opera Guild, I know that opera enriches kids’ lives like nothing else can. I want the young people of Central Texas to benefit from the gift of music for many years to come.” – Lissa Anderson, Bravo Society Member

The Bravo Society honors the many friends who have helped provide for our future by remembering Austin Opera in their estate plans. Planned gifts help ensure the continuance of great music on the stage for generations to come. If you have already included Austin Opera in your plans, please let us know so that we may thank you and invite you to become a member of this special group.

We take this opportunity to thank and recognize the members of the Bravo Society:

Mr. & Mrs. Frederick S. Addy Aneta S. Mitchell* Lissa Anderson Olly & Bob Modersohn Andrea & Jack Angelo Mrs. W.A. Morrison Jeanette & Ernest Auerbach Jeanette & Ferris Nassour* Charles Edward Cooper* Joanne Ravel* Suzannah Cox Carol & Charles Reynolds Dr. Bill Crouch* Frances & George Ricker Dr. Harvey Evans & Gloria Evans Peter Schram, Jr. Eve Everett Fish* Charlotte E. Schumacher* Drs. Dee & Ben* Fruchter Willa Stewart Setseck* Anne N. Gibbs* Mary Perry Taylor* Jeanette M. Goodfriend Reeta Wadzeck Andrew & Mary Ann Heller John Whisenhunt* Ellen & Alfred King* David & Catherine Wildermuth William Henry Kirchner, III* Ruth Gracy Wise Edythe Rose Schmidt Kruger* Raymond D. Woods* Eva Kuhlman Mike Don Miguel Le Burkien *Deceased

For more information about how you can support Austin Opera through a planned gift, please contact Jennifer Basten, Chief Development Officer, at 512-610-7671.

48 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org Honorarium and Memorial

IN MEMORY OF IN MEMORY OF SOPHIA ELIZABETH BALAGIA KAREN CHRISTIANSEN HAVERLAH Cindy & Gerald Stone The Family of Karen Christiansen Haverlah

IN MEMORY OF IN MEMORY OF STEPHEN DANIEL BARBARO ALICEAN ROSE RUTTER KALTEYER Julie & Robert Botsford Amelia Bullock & Bill Krumpack Marvin Brittman Diane & Hudson Ingram Amelia Bullock & Bill Krumpack Cindy & Gerald Stone Christopher H. Cheever Curby Conoley IN MEMORY OF Paula & Stuart Damore CHARLES FREDERICK KALTEYER Jo & Jim Green Amelia Bullock & Bill Krumpack Sylvia & David Jabour Diane & Hudson Ingram Mary Lenz Cindy & Gerald Stone Diane Lipsitz Barbara Smith IN MEMORY OF Paula & Ken Smith MIKE MULLAN Carole J. Stockton Susan Seymour Cindy & Gerald Stone Connee & Kent Sullivan IN MEMORY OF Lawrence & Karen Turner DAVID NANCARROW Elisabeth & Steffen Waltz McGraw-Hill Education Helping Hands Women's Golf Association, Program Austin Country Club IN LOVING MEMORY OF IN MEMORY OF JEANETTE FERRIS NASSOUR HELEN MURRAY BAXTER Cindy & Gerald Stone Amelia Bullock & Bill Krumpack IN MEMORY OF IN MEMORY OF DAN ROBERTSON STEPHEN LEWIS DAVIS Maggi Miller Amelia Bullock & Bill Krumpack

Gifts received from April 9, 2019 to October 1, 2019.

Honorariums and memorial contributions are a meaningful way to mark an important occasion or pay tribute to someone to whom Austin Opera was an important part of their life. If you would like to make a gift, which will be recognized in our upcoming program, please call 512-610-7668. You will receive an acknowledgement, and the recipient or recipient’s family will receive a gift card, telling them of your thoughtful contribution.

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 49

52 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org