´ La BohemeA Vivid Original Design Production!

Artistic Director Steffanie Pearce Music Director Greg Ritchey Stage Director Josh Shaw Assistant Conductor & Chorus Master Brian Holman Set Designer Ardean Landhuis Lighting & Projections Designer January 24, 2021 | 6:30pm Tlaloc Lopez-Waterman Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Center Wardrobe Supervisor Caitlin Durrance

The Blagojevic Sponsored -Sazonov Group In Part By: at A Message From The ARTISTIC DIRECTOR For our highly anticipated Barbara B. Mann debut, we present a fresh new look at this most popular Puccini opera. The idea came when I was searching for a poster image. Mindful that Puccini composed the work at the height of the Impressionist movement, I started looking at Paris street scenes of that period and came across Van Gogh’s Terrace Cafe at Night. The painting sparked a vision of the characters in the opera living upstairs from that cafe and coming down to hang out there, just like Van Gogh and the Paris Impressionists would have. A vibrant young creative team from across the United States have been collaborating since October to bring this original design production of Puccini’s most loved grand opera to Southwest Florida. Stage director, Josh Shaw, describing this new production explains, “La Bohème is a timeless story with themes as relevant today, as they were in the original setting. In the late 1880s Paris was filled with a concentration of larger than life artistic characters -- Van Gogh, Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec, and others. In our production, we are imagining our bohemian lovers as moving in the same circles as the great Impressionist artists who rebelled against classical subject matter and embraced modernity, creating works that reflected the world in which they lived. The colorful style of Van Gogh offers a vibrant canvas on which to paint Puccini’s masterpiece in a heightened, but believable setting.” Set designer Ardean Landhuis, video projections and lighting designer Tlaloc Lopez- Waterman and costume designers Amanda McGee and myself are using Van Gogh and other great impressionists as muses for our design concepts. Van Gogh’s Café Terrace at Night (1888) actually comes to life in Act 2 when the painting is rendered into the three dimensional set of the Café Momus in the Latin-Quarter of Paris on Christmas Eve. The use of Van Gogh’s dynamic colors carry through the design concept, providing a vivid, artist’s view of the bohemians lifestyle in Paris near the turn of the century. With Regards,

Van Gogh portraits which inspired costumes for Rudolpho, Marcello, Colline and Schaunard. LA BOHÈME ACT I | An attic in Paris, December 24, evening. In their shabby attic home, the painter Marcello and the poet Rodolfo complain of the cold. Colline, the philosopher, arrives having failed to sell some books. However, the musician, Schaunard, arrives triumphantly with wood, food, wine and money. They decide to spend Christmas Eve at the Cafe Monmus. Rodolfo decides to stay behind in order to finish some work. Their neighbor, Mimì, knocks and asks Rodolfo to light her candle. After Rodolfo lights her candle she realizes that she lost her key. They search for it until his hand touches Mimi’s hand. “Your tiny hand is frozen,” says Rodolfo and in a beautiful aria tells her that he is a poet who loves life. She, in turn, describes her life as a seamstress. Rodolfo’s friends call out to him. Rodolfo offers his arm to Mimi and they leave together singing of their love to each other. ACT II | Outside the Cafe Momus, later that evening. The Bohemians discover that there is no free table inside the Cafe Momus and they decide to dine outside on the pavement. Rodolfo buys Mimi a bonnet and introduces her to his friends. Suddenly Marcello notices his old flame, Musetta, walking by on the arm of the old yet wealthy Alcindoro. Musetta also notices Marcello and sits close to him, trying to attract his attention. Pretending that one of her shoes is pinching her feet she sends Alcindoro to get a new one and throws herself into Marcello’s arms. As the six merry makers are about to depart, a waiter brings their bill, but they have no money left. Musetta adds their bill to hers and they all leave the happily. ACT III | Outside a tavern. A cold February dawn. Mimì approaches Musetta looking for Marcello. She begs him to intervene on her behalf with Rodolfo as his jealousy has made their life together miserable. She hides when Ro- dolfo comes out of the tavern. He tells Marcello that he has had enough of Mimì and that he cannot stand her flirtations. Marcello reveals the truth: Mimi is very ill and his life of poverty will kill her, which is why they must part. Mimì overhears their conversation and faints. When she comes to her senses, her and Rodolfo agree to stay together until spring. Musetta argues that she cannot stand Marcello’s jealousy. Rodolfo and Mimì leave hand in hand. ACT IV | The attic, early summer. Marcello and Rodolfo are trying to work, but without any success. Both are alone and neither can forget the memory of his love. Colline and Schaunard come in with some food, but this time only bread and herring. They improvise a meal and fool around and dance. Musetta bursts in telling them that Mimì is very ill. Rodolfo rushes outside and brings Mimì in. Musetta tells them how Mimì expressed one wish only, to come and die near Rodolfo. Colline goes to pawn his coat and bring a doctor. The others give Rodolfo time with Mimì. Alone with each other, Mimi recalls their first meeting, their short spell of happiness, their dreams and their love. She thanks her friends as they return and closes her eyes. As Musetta prays for Mimì’s health, Schaunard discovers that Mimì is dead and Marcello tries in vein to comfort Rodolfo. CAST Rodolfo, a poet...... Peter Lake Mimì, a seamstress...... Sara Tucker Marcello, a painter...... Kenneth Stavert Musetta, a singer...... Chelsea Lehnea Schaunard, a musician...... Andrew Pardini Colline, a philosopher...... Tyler Putnam Benoit, their landlord...... Andrew Allan Hiers Alcindoro, a state councillor...... Andrew Allan Hiers Parpignol, a toy vendor...... Christopher Waite Custom House Officer...... Salomon Cardenas Tollgate Officer/Sergeant...... Joseph Brauer

CHORUS Soprano I I Christina Clements* Christopher Waite* Marie Talley Salomon Cardenas Aurora Badia Tenor II Soprano II Leo Williams* Lauren Davis* David Brown Erika Ramirez Emma Jones Joseph Brauer* Alto I Nancy Saint Pierre* Ardean Landhuis* Daniela Magura Fernando Gonzales Alto II Lydia Howery* Brie Schafer * Denotes Section Leader SUPERNUMARIES Rich Man...... Alex Blagojevic Rich Lady...... Carol Fabiano Maitre D’...... Greg Wojciechowski Waiter...... Jeff McCann Children...... Basia Howery, Winter Talley & Aria Vasquez

PRODUCTION STAFF Artistic Director...... Steffanie Pearce Music Director & Conductor...... Greg Ritchey Stage Director...... Josh Shaw Production Manager...... Sherrie Dee Brewer Stage Manager...... Jeremy Phillips Assistant Stage Manager & Props Master...... Carson Gilmore Assistant Conductor & Chorus Master ...... Brian Holman Set Designer...... Ardean Landhuis Lighting, Video, Projections Designer...... Tlaloc Lopez-Waterman Wig, Hair, Makeup Designer...... Erma Sandora Wardrobe Supervisor...... Caitlin Durrance Production Assistant...... Marie Talley Supertitles...... Josh Shaw

ORCHESTRA Flute/Piccolo...... Beth Larsen Oboe...... Bradley Shoemaker- Webster Clarinet 1*...... Stacey McColley Bassoon...... Patrick Broder Horn 1...... Sharon Janezic Horn 2...... Audrey Destito-Stutt Tr ump et...... Randolph Lee Bass Trombone...... Steven Eckert Concertmaster*...... Yordan Tenev Violin 1...... Katherine Baloff Violin 1...... Gregory Carreño Violin 1c...... Ileana Ciumac Violin 2*...... Ekaterina Gorkhover Violin 2...... Wallace Depue * Denotes Section Leader ORCHESTRA (CONTD.) Violin 2...... Dale Sandvold Viola 1*...... Yaniv Cohen Viola 1...... Karen Hebermehl Cello 1*...... Christopher Glasendorp Cello 2...... Michael Amos Double Bass...... Scott Davis Harp Stop/Piano...... Brian Holman Timpani/Percussion...... Chris Nolin * Denotes Section Leader THE ARTISTS Peter Lake, Tenor — Rodolfo Peter Lake is joining Gulfshore Opera as a tenor Professional Artist. He is described as “…relatably earnest, his voice carries a lush, warm timbre”. Mr. Lake is an internationally performing lyric-tenor who made his role and house debuts as Pinkerton in the ground-breaking English - Japanese production of Madame Butterfly with Pacific Opera Project and Opera in the Heights! this past April. In May of 2019 Peter made is Role debut as Rodolfo in Natchez Music Festival’s production of La Bohème. This summer he joined the Savannah Voice Festival where he performed Jinx in their production of Forever Plaid. In the summer of 2018 made his role debut as in Natchez Festival of Music’s production of Faust, and sang Pang in Mississippi Opera’s Turandot. Also, in 2018 Peter joined Mobile Opera as Don José in . In September 2018 Peter wrote and starred in a one-man tribute to the life and works of Frank Sinatra with the Mississippi Opera cabaret series.

Sarah Tucker, Soprano — Mimì Praised by Opera News for “impeccable pitch and phrasing,” and by Opera Today for “pure, clear tones,” soprano Sarah Tucker is demanding attention for her captivating vocal timbre and engaging stage presence. Sarah made her San Diego Opera debut in March this year as Micaëla in Carmen. In April, Sarah became Tatiana for Intermountain Opera’s first mounting of Tchaikovsky’s most famous opera, Eugene Onegin. Last season, Ms. Tucker made her debut as Frasquita in Carmen. Last summer she sang the role of Echo in Ariadne auf Naxos at Santa Fe Opera, returning as as a second-year apprentice. Earlier last spring, she made her international debut as Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi with the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy in Japan, and performed as the soprano soloist in Stravinsky’s Les Noces with the New York City Ballet in Lincoln Center. Sarah made her debut in 2017 as Jano in Jenufa, and performed at Utah Opera as Micaëla in Carmen in the fall of 2016. Ms. Tucker was a National Semifinalist in the 2014 National Council Auditions. THE ARTISTS Kenneth Stavert, Baritone — Marcello Praised for his strong “sense of theatricality,” Baritone Kenneth Stavert has performed on operatic, concert and recital stages throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. Some of his recent highlights include Silvio in , Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Ping in Turandot (Dayton Opera), Harlekin in Ariadne auf Naxos (Palm Beach Opera), Yamadori in (Santa Fe Opera), Renato in Un ballo in maschera, Scarpia in (Opera in the Heights) and Sharpless in Madama Butterfly (POP). Kenneth’s orchestral credits include Berlioz’s Lélio, Fauré’s Requiem, Orff ’s Carmina Burana, Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore. He has also been a featured recitalist throughout the United States specializing in less performed English art song.

Chelsea Lehnea, Soprano — Musetta Hailed for her “warm, agile and full voice”, soprano Chelsea Lehnea will be the soprano Professional Artist in Residence performing in various concerts during high season. Ms. Lehnea joined the prestigious Merola Opera Program at the San Francisco Opera Center this year where she performed the roles of Lucia in and Elisabetta in Maria Stuarda. In the 2019-2020 season, she returned to Bel Cantanti Opera with a role debut as Gilda in as well as make a house debut as Musetta in La Bohème with Gulfshore Opera. Chelsea made her Washington National Opera debut as Sister Catherine in Francesca Zambello’s 2017 production of Dead Man Walking. Other recent engagements include Sarasota Opera as Frasquita in Carmen and Adalgisa in , St. Petersburg Opera (Florida) as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, and Bel Cantanti Opera (Washington DC) as Euridice in Orfeo ed Euridice.

Andrew Pardini, Baritone — Schaunard Extolled by The Baltimore Sun for his “robust work” and DC Metro Theater Arts for “a heart-stopping, high voltage bass-baritone voice.” Pardini is thrilled to be making his company debut with Gulfshore Opera as Schaunard/La Bohème. Earlier this season, Pardini made his company debut as Dr. Falke/ at Opera Orlando, which was the first live indoor opera performance in the USA since March 2020. During the 2019-2020 Season, Pardini made his company and role debuts as Nils Krogstad at Voice Afire Opera-Cabaret in the World Premiere of Raymond Luedeke’s A Doll’s House, role debut as Edmund Bertram/Mansfield Park at Opera Modesto, role debut as The Pirate King/The Pirates of Penzance at Winter Opera Saint Louis, and role debut as Silvio/Pagliacci at Salt Marsh Opera. Pardini made his company and European debuts at Berkeley Community Chorus & Orchestra as part of its 2018- 2019 Season, where he performed the Baritone Soloist/Ein deutsches Requiem at such venues as Hertz Hall (Berkeley, USA), Alexela Kontserdimaja (Tallinn, Estonia), Rīgas Doms (Riga, Latvia), and Konserthuset Stockholm (Stockholm, Sweden). Upcoming engagements during the 2020-2021 Season include company and role debuts with Opera Orlando as Peter (Cover)/Hansel and Gretel, and Dancaïre & Escamillo (Cover)/ Carmen, in addition to serving as a 2020-2021 Opera Orlando Studio Artist. THE ARTISTS Tyler Putnam, Baritone — Colline Tyler Putnam’s 2021 engagements include Dulcamara in The Elixir of Love (Gulf Coast Symphony) and Alidoro in (Geneva Light Opera.) Notable past engagements include The Pirate King inThe Pirates of Penzance (Opera Tampa), Sparafucile in Rigoletto (Gulfshore Opera), Banquo in Lady M (Heartbeat Opera’s new adaptation of Verdi’s Macbeth) Luther Billis in South Pacific (Opera North and St. Petersburg Opera), Kobun in the Santa Fe Opera workshop of Mason Bates’ The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, and the title role in Markheim Off-Broaway at 59E59 (Little Opera Theatre of NY.) Originally from Chebeague Island, Maine, Tyler Putnam attended Dartmouth College.

Andrew Allan Hiers, Baritone — Benoit & Alcindoro Andrew Allan Hiers is an emerging bass-baritone making his debut with Gulfshore Opera. Originally from West Palm Beach, FL, he has performed with the Merola Opera Program, Opera Colorado, and Sarasota Opera just to name a few. He has been hailed for his “mature musicianship and superb comic timing” with and an ability to sing “with ease and warmth.” Highlights include Olin Blitch in Susannah, Don Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola, as well as the title characters in Falstaff and Don Pasquale. Mr. Hiers is a graduate of Florida State University and received his masters from SUNY Binghamton, where he studied with David Okerlund and Thomas Goodheart, respectively.

Gregory Ritchey — Music Director Maestro Ritchey returns for his fourth season. He has conducted Madama Butterfly, Rigoletto, and La Traviata with Gulfshore Opera. A versatile musician on the podium and at the keyboard, Mr. Ritchey has held positions with companies both in the US and internationally, including the Wexford Opera Festival, Palm Beach Opera, the Amalfi Coast Music Festival and Opera Theatre of St. Louis. He is currently Associate Conductor at Palm Beach Opera and is also in his first season as the newly appointed music director of the Palm Beach Atlantic Symphony. Last summer Mr. Ritchey returned to the Amalfi Coast Music Festival conducting Suor Angelica. A graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, Mr. Ritchey maintains an active chamber music, collaborative and solo piano career, performing throughout the United States and Europe. THE ARTISTS Josh Shaw — Stage Director Named as one of Musical America’s Top 30 Innovators in Classical Music, Josh Shaw is the Executive and Artistic Director of Pacific Opera Project (POP), which has been described as “L.A.’s most exciting new opera company.” Mr. Shaw’s reimagining of Die Entführung aus dem Serail as an episode of Star Trek has gained national attention and has been produced by eight companies selling out houses with record-breaking numbers. Mr. Shaw has directed over 75 productions at companies across the USA. His work as a director has been described as “Brave and unflinching,” “Ingenious,” “Relentlessly and adorably rambunctious,” “with enough good comic ideas for at least three productions.” Upcoming projects include, L’elisir d’amore and Tosca at the Illinois Music Festival, and Gianni Schicchi at Opera Columbus. Recent projects include productions of Don Giovanni, La Gazzetta (Rossini), La Traviata, Guillaume Tell and Carmen. In addition to directing, Mr. Shaw has written several English version librettos for operas including the highly successful Star Trek Abduction, a Wild West setting of Die Lustige Witwe, a contemporary setting of Die Schauspieldirektor, and Madame Butterfly sung in Japanese and English, a co-production of POP and Opera in Heights (Houston).

Brian Homan - Assistant Conductor American conductor Brian Holman is an accomplished pianist. Brian has appeared with a singers across a broad musical spectrum: Nelly Miricioiu, Laquita Mitchell, Aprile Millo, Stella Zambalis, Francisco Casanova, Hans-Pieter Herman, John Mac Master, James Valenti, Lester Lynch, Daniel Borowski, Nini Cáffaro, Dawn Padmore, Kofo the Wonderman. Brian has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, Salle Cortot, Teatro Nacional de Santo Domingo, Feinstein’s 54 Below, MGM Grand Detroit, Casino du Liban, The Duplex, Don’t Tell Mama, The Rainbow Room, the UN, and has been featured on international radio and television (WQXR, Classic FM, Sirius XM, Esimora Cultural RAC Colombia, Alhurra, LBCI, Tele- Occidente Sicilia). As a conductor, Brian has performed on five continents to great acclaim. He is Music Director of New Rochelle Opera and Associate Conductor of Modus Opera Orchestra. Recent credits: World Premiere of Larry Delinger’s ShadowLight (Marble City Opera), Les contes d’Hoffmann (Opera Orlando), Le nozze di Figaro (Inland Northwest Opera), La Traviata, La Bohème (New Rochelle Opera), Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, La Cenerentola (Red River Lyric Opera), Amelia Lost (Cleveland Opera Theater, Marble City Opera), Rape of Lucretia (New Camerata Opera). Festivals: Harare International Festival of the Arts, Mediterranean Opera Festival, Film Fest Tucson. Orchestras: Orlando Philharmonic, Lebanese Philharmonic, Spokane Symphony, Tucson Symphony, Tucson Pops, Baroque2000 Chamber Orchestra Durban. Assistant Conductor: , Opera Africa, Treasure Coast Opera, Montclair State University Opera. Thank Youto Our Sponsors Event Partner

Sponsors The Blagojevic -Sazonov Group at

Artist Sponsor Mr. Bill Lindsay Production Partners Florida Repertory Theatre for furniture and props on loan Venice Theater for chorus costumes on loan Naples Players for costumes on loan Our Volunteers To our volunteers who have made extra efforts to ensure this event is a memorable one for those attending, our sincere thanks. Costume Design Team Ena Gleeson Geraldine Meaney Patricia Garbino Marty Pearce Gisela Malzer Marilyn Tully Rehearsal Space Partners St. Leo the Great Catholic Church · Gulfshore Ballet · Legacy Church Finally, to our patrons, thank you for supporting Gulfshore Opera. Your donations allow us to continue providing high quality opera theater and choral work, to nurture young local artists and to serve our community by providing after-school music programs to under-served students across Collier, Lee and Charlotte Counties. Gulfshore Opera IMPRESSARIO CIRCLE Cumulative Gift of $100,000+ Clement J. Deliso Charitable Trust The Fabianos Mary McVay Jay Paul Clem Deliso, Larry Waller, Steffanie Pearce and Jay Paul Michael & Karin Standen

ENCORE! A Fund for the Future Take a Bow! Current Members Clement Deliso Marie Fabiano Mary McVay Above: Bruce Novark Beverly Novark, Linday Robertson Lindsay Robertson and Steffanie Pearce Gordon Robertson Left: Stephanie Schwetz Stephanie Schwetz and Patricia Racette Michael Standen Larry Waller John & Beverly Wernette SEASON 7 MAESTRO CLUB MEMBERS PUCCINI ($25,000+) MOZART (CONTINUED) Clement J. Deliso Charitable Trust Jacke McCurdy Mary McVay Selma Nettles Jay R. Paul Bruce & Beverly Novark Michael & Karin Standen John & Marti Odle Jack & Marty Pearce VERDI ($10,000-$24,999) Nancy Potter Paula Davidson James & Joyce Richter Mark Dreyer & Linda Coyle Robert G. Robertson Tad Connerton & Stephanie Schwetz Barry & Eva Sands John & Beverly Wernette Ivan Seligman Larry Waller & Becky Wilder Jeremiah & Lorna Shafir ​ WAGNER ($5,000-$9,999) Raymond & Isabelle Staffeldt Alex Blagojevic James & Joan Talano Thomas Cappiello Constantine Tsiros & Brenda Acconcia Carole Fabiano Sam & Steffanie Vasquez Anthony Fabiano Gregory Wojciechowski Johnson Family Foundation Richard Wrosch William Lindsay James & Marguerite Yost Gordon Robertson Doug & Joan Zipes Ryan Rupert Anthony Zollo Roman Sazonov HANDEL ($500-$999) Dyan Smith Debra Allegretto John R. Wright Dr. Evelyn Bluhm MOZART ($1,000-$4,999) Katherine Caldwell Peter & Lee Bewley Edith Coleman Peter & Linda Biscardi Ross & Noreen Edlund Aubrey & Kathleen Bourgeois Mike & Nanette Finkle Skip & Chris Brown Susan Galvin Elaine Christian Stephen & ​Diana Gray Richard & Diane Caruso Dr. David & Stephanie Klein Tim & Colette Dieigel Michael & Natalie Marsalli Raquel Dunning Geraldine Meaney William Gianola Nancy Nichols Terry & Ena Gleason Jerry & Linda Platt Bill & Joan Gruver Maxine Reichhardt Linda Greene Lindsay Robertson Beverly Haas Giselle Wagner Henry & Jan Holzkamper Chris & Michelle Westley Arden McCurdy Maestro Club Members as of 1/12/2021