WHAT’S INSIDE Welcome From the Board Chair ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7 From the General Director & CEO ������������������������������������������������������������������� 9 Everest Sponsors...... 5 A Note from Librettist Gene Scheer ��������������������������������������������������������������� 11 Directors Note...... 13 Staff...... 15 Board...... 17 Beyond the Opera House �������������������������������������������������������������������������������20 A Tribute to Steven Barbaro ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 21 Title Page...... 23 Production Page...... 25 Synopsis...... 27 Cast...... 28 Creative Team...... 31 Chorus...... 35 Orchestra...... 37 Austin Opera Guild...... 44 Thank you to our Donors Donor Spotlight...... 43 Leadership Giving...... 45 Patron Program...... 46 Partner Program...... 47 Endowment Fund...... 49 Bravo Society...... 50 Honorarium and Memorial ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 51

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AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 3

PRESENTS Everest By Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer

This production is dedicated to the memory of Steven Barbaro.

PRODUCTION SPONSORS Polly Barbaro Eva and Marvin Womack

Jeanne and Van Hoisington Laura Gutiérrez-Witt Lynn and Brian Powell Sherrie and Jay Stewart

WINE & SPIRIT SPONSOR MEDIA SPONSOR HOSPITALITY SPONSOR

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

Dear Friends, Welcome to Everest – an incredible contemporary work that will be new to many in our audience. Also new is the augmented reality experience found in your performance program which brings Mount Everest to life. Austin Opera worked with Subvrsive, an Emmy- nominated XR studio in Austin, to develop this: our first experiment integrating immersive technology with opera. One of the endeavors I have enjoyed most as part of my Chairmanship is the company’s new commitment to innovation. In the last few years, Austin Opera has received three six-figure grants from national foundations in recognition of our work in operatic innovation and to further our efforts in this new arena. The augmented reality experience around Everest is possible thanks to funding from OPERA America and our staff’s belief that Austin, with its thriving tech scene, should play a primary role in discovering what possibilities lie ahead for opera by partnering with and learning from cutting-edge technology companies. Our efforts to drive innovation in opera include the formation of an Innovation Council comprised of local leaders in the technology, consumer behavior, and immersive experiences sectors, of which I am a member. The Council, staff, and Board of Trustees are very enthusiastic about sharing our work in innovation with you this season and beyond. Thank you for joining us on this epic operatic journey to Mount Everest. I hope you enjoy the performance. Cordially,

Jeff Kodosky Chair, Austin Opera Board of Trustees 2019 National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductee

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 7

WELCOME

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Austin Premiere of Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer’s Everest. The Austin Opera staff have been working on Everest for nearly two years now, and it has undoubtedly been one of the most galvanizing projects my team and I have ever taken on. While mounting the great classics of the operatic repertory is always a joy, the excitement of producing an opera composed by a living composer is undeniable. Everest is unique in that not only has it provided the opportunity to work with a living composer and librettist, it has also provided the extremely rare experience of producing an opera about three remarkable real people, one of whom is still living. Dr. Beck Weathers (portrayed in these performances by the brilliant bass-baritone Kevin Burdette) has inspired countless individuals with the story of his survival of the 1996 Everest tragedy. His memoir, Left for Dead, is a brutally honest and compelling account of his life before, during, and after this expedition. Dr. Weathers was an invaluable source of information and inspiration to Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer as they created this work, and we are deeply honored that Dr. Weathers will be in attendance at our Saturday performance. Of course, producing new opera isn’t possible without the enthusiastic support of our stakeholders. We are so grateful to the thousands of ticket-buyers and donors who have agreed to take this journey with us. We are especially grateful to Austin Opera Trustee and production underwriter Polly Barbaro. Polly and her late husband Steve have been long-standing stewards of Austin Opera and ardent supporters of our exploration of new repertoire. At Austin Opera we are committed to producing the most compelling operatic experiences possible – from Mozart to Puccini and beyond. While it is still a relatively new opera, we are confident thatEverest will stand the test of operatic time. Talbot’s stunning score and Scheer’s expertly crafted libretto offer a searing experience that is both epic and heart- wrenchingly intimate. I hope you enjoy the show! Warmest regards,

Annie Burridge General Director & CEO

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 9 10 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org A NOTE FROM LIBRETTIST GENE SCHEER

The libretto of Everest is inspired by a series of tragic events, which took place on Mount Everest in May of 1996. Over the course of a year, I conducted personal interviews with a number of the survivors, and it was these conversations that informed the writing of this work. Portions of the libretto are directly drawn from comments made by those I interviewed. Much of what I wrote is an imaginative response to the almost 40 hours of interviews which I conducted with those who survived the storm. My primary desire, as I told each of the people with whom I spoke, was to find a way of using art to explore the complex emotional crucible that took place during those exceedingly difficult days. This piece would not have been possible without the generosity of Dr. Beck Weathers, Neal Beidleman, Ed Viesturs, David Breashears and Guy Cotter in sharing their experiences. I also wish to thank Dr. Jan Arnold who, in an email exchange, offered words of encouragement; describing the opera I envisioned as “a unique and quite wonderful project.” It is my profound hope that my intention to honor the memory, heroism, and heart of all concerned will be evident throughout this work. I want especially to acknowledge Dr. Beck Weathers’ contributions to the piece. All who survived the dangerous climb were changed by the experience; none more so than Beck, whose honesty about his experience and the personal transformation that took place is certainly central to the piece. It should be noted that this opera focuses on the lives of just four people. There were, of course, many others who lived or died in that terrible storm. In the process of dramatizing this story, distilling it became necessary. That said; I do want to acknowledge the suffering and strength of all of those who were there. The libretto is dedicated to Rob Hall, Dr. Jan Arnold, Doug Hansen and Dr. Beck Weathers and the families of all those who lost loved ones on Everest in May 1996.

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 11

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

When I read the first draft of Gene Scheer’s libretto for Everest, it began: 1. Prologue: ‘Is this how it ends?’ On the heights of Mt. Everest, the lights come up on a dark mist enveloping the mountain. As the chorus and orchestra establish the mystical, mysterious sound world of Everest, the first dimly illuminated outlines of the mountain slowly emerge. From this shadowy opening, we see the chorus—the spirits of all those who have died on Everest.

CHORUS Is this how it ends? How many steps… How many breaths will you take in your life? Will you only count the last ones you take? I immediately knew this opera was not going to be about mountain climbing. When I heard the first minutes of Joby Talbot’s extraordinarily evocative score it became clear the real journey this opera was going to take. This wasn’t going to be about one of the most famous landscapes in the world. The landscape we would be exploring was the landscape of the mind. “In the thin air above 17,600 feet, the oxygen-deficient atmosphere is not life-sustaining. Your body literally consumes itself for energy, a kind of slow biological death. Higher, around 25,000 feet, your body breaks down at a more rapid rate. It’s for this reason some call it the death zone.” Jon Krakauer, Into Thin Air Directing the premiere of Everest was one of the most thrilling and challenging experiences of my operatic career. Gene’s poetry combined with Joby’s stunning musical representations of the changing light, the climbers being engulfed in storm clouds, the stars coming out as the storm starts to subside, daybreak, nightfall, the warm dappled sunlight of a garden back home, the many grades of darkness, the whiteness of the snow and ice, the blackness of the stormy night, brilliantly illustrate the experience of being on Everest. Gene and Joby probed the minds of these dying men with stunning clarity and empathy. We, the spectators, are one with each of these characters, doing the most basic of human functions: striving for our next breath. —Leonard Foglia

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 13

STAFF

Annie Burridge, General Director & CEO Timothy Myers, Artistic Advisor

ARTISTIC & PRODUCTION PRODUCTION STAFF FOR EVEREST Nathan DePoint Doug Gessaman Senior Director of Artistic Operations Shane Smith Vincent E. Herod Master Carpenters Director of Production & Technical Director Ryan Gallagher Rebecca J. Graham-Forbis Master Electrician Company Manager Tyler Halo Beverly Frittelli Assistant Master Electrician Orchestra Manager C.J. Swinburn Cina Crisara Light Board Operator Chorus Master & Assistant Conductor Thomas Gentry Nyle Matsuoka William D.H. Sheffield Principal Coach & Pianist Follow Spot Operators Dan Jimenez DEVELOPMENT Audio Assistant Jennifer Basten Rachel Magee Chief Development Officer Property Master Angela M. Bonnici Kathy Lang Director of Individual Giving Wardrobe Supervisor Rhanda Luna Virginia Egal Director of Member & Partner Programs Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor Chrissy Nanton Trinka Withers Grants Manager Lead Dresser Miranda Schultz Teri Shaffer Leadership Giving Coordinator Supertitles Translator David Grant EDUCATION Supertitles Coordinator Lisa Goering Debra Erck Assistant Stage Manager Director of Education

FINANCE Eva Kuhlman Austin Opera Stage Employees are represented Senior Director of Finance by IATSE LOCAL 205

MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND AUDIENCE EXPERIENCE Melysa Rogen Senior Director of Marketing & Communications Julie Fiore Director of Audience Experience Dianne van Hulle Patron Services Manager Laura Carrisosa Communications Associate

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 15

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 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 17

BEYOND THE OPERA HOUSE

Everest tells the tale of one of the deadliest years in recorded history, 1996, at Mount Everest. This recent historical occurrence has been documented by many of the people who were there in a variety of ways. The following are memoirs and films made about this tragic event.

• Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer. This account, which inspired the opera, was written by journalist Jon Krakauer who was on assignment for Outside magazine and a member of Rob Hall’s team Adventure Consultants. It details his experience during the disaster. The book moves between the unfolding tragedy on the mountain and reflections on the events after the fact.

• Left for Dead: My Journey Home from Everest by Dr. Beck Weathers. In this powerful autobiographical book, Weathers, a Texan, describes the nightmare he went through on Mount Everest, and also describes his life before and after his climb.

• The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest by Anatoli Boukreev. This book from Boukreev – a Russian climber and guide for Scott Fischer’s team Mountain Madness – was written in rebuttal to Into Thin Air. Boukreev provides alternative explanations of the events on May 10 and 11, 1996 from Krakauer’s account.

• Everest (2015) Universal Pictures. This biographical adventure film stars the ensemble cast of Josh Brolin, Robin Wright, Keira Knightley, Jake Gyllenhaal, Sam Worthington, Jason Clarke, John Hawkes, Michael Kelly, and Emily Watson. It is based on the real events of the Mount Everest disaster in May 1996 and is focused on the survival attempts of expedition groups Adventure Consultants led by Rob Hall (Clarke) and Mountain Madness led by Scott Fischer (Gyllenhaal).

• Everest (1998 IMAX) MacGillivray Freeman Films. This 45-minute American documentary was in production on the mountain during the 1996 Everest disaster. Focused on the struggles involved in climbing Mount Everest, this IMAX film follows a team led by Ed Viesturs and David Breashears and includes actual footage of the IMAX team assisting Dr. Beck Weathers and other survivors.

• The Dark Side of Everest (2003) Great North Productions, National Geographic. This documentary discusses climbers’ motivations, the ethics and challenge involved when climbers encounter trouble at high altitudes, and specific disasters, including the May 1996 event.

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22 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org PRESENTS Everest

An opera in 1 act Music by Joby Talbot Libretto by Gene Scheer Sung in English with projected English titles

Projections designed by Elaine J. McCarthy. Costumes designed by David C. Woolard. Production originated at Dallas Opera. By arrangement with G. Schirmer, INC. publisher and copyright owner.

PERFORMANCE TIMING One Act, 70 minutes

#EverestATX #ATXOpera

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 23

Presents Everest An opera in 1 act Music by Joby Talbot Libretto by Gene Scheer

CAST In order of vocal appearance Beck Weathers...... Kevin Burdette* Rob Hall...... Andrew Bidlack* Meg Weathers...... Charlotte Blais* Doug Hansen...... Craig Verm Mike Groom...... Stephan Maus Guy Cotter...... Matthew Treviño Jan Arnold...... Heather Johnson* Meg Weathers understudy...... Salina Mu*

CREATIVE TEAM Conductor...... Joseph Mechavich* Stage Director...... Leonard Foglia* Projection Designer ...... Elaine J. McCarthy Associate Projection Designer...... Maxwell Bowman* Projection Programmer...... Jared LeClaire Costume Designer...... David C. Woolard* Lighting Designer...... Kathryn Eader Audio Designer...... Bill Mester Production Stage Manager...... Kathleen Edwards Assistant Stage Manager...... Lisa Goering Production Assistant...... Jack Ruffer Chorus Master & Assistant Conductor...... Cina Crisara Principal Coach & Pianist...... Nyle Matsuoka Projected English Titles...... Teri Shaffer Coach, Meg Weathers...... Andrea Snouffer *Austin Opera Debut

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 25

SYNOPSIS

PERFORMANCE TIMING Once again, his daughter calls out to him in Total: Approximately 70 minutes vain. From the depths of his consciousness, ruminations on his struggle with profound From the shadows of Mount Everest, the depression slowly merge with the memory spirits of all those who have died attempting of the events that took place on the climb to reach the summit sing to Beck Weathers, earlier that same day. who is unconscious on the mountain’s South Col*. These ethereal spirits now turn their Rob is increasingly desperate. He has a attention to Rob Hall, the expedition leader disabled client on the top of the mountain as and guide, who is just reaching Everest’s the storm begins raging around them both. highest peak at 2:30 p.m., thirty minutes Jan, Rob’s wife, is contacted and told of her past the safe turnaround time. Rob sees his husband’s life-threatening situation. client Doug Hansen a mere forty feet below. Beck, beginning to emerge from his The scene shifts back to Beck Weathers. coma, sees the climbers on the South Col In his unconscious, dreamlike state, the huddling together in a frantic attempt to stranded climber hallucinates that he is in survive the storm. Beck’s internal soliloquy his backyard enjoying a Texas barbecue. slowly allows him to make sense of what is Beck holds court and begins to describe his happening, and to comprehend the cold, experiences on Everest. Suddenly, from the hard truth: he is dying. edge of Beck’s consciousness, the voice of In a quartet, Doug, Rob, Jan, and Beck sing his daughter Meg sings to him. of their plight. As the quartet concludes, As we see Rob straining to help Doug reach we see Rob propelling Doug toward a the summit, time stops and Doug sings an sheltered spot on the South Summit, where aria in which he describes the tormenting he hopes they can make it through the night. deep-seated obsession that has led him to Beck has finally awakened to the harsh this moment. Rob takes a picture of Doug reality that, if he is going to survive another at the instant he has achieved his goal, hour, he will have to save himself. and the guide is jarred by the memory of photographing his pregnant wife, Jan, *The South Col is a mountain pass often before leaving their home in New Zealand used as the location for Camp IV, the final for the Himalayas. stop in the push to reach the summit. While Rob endeavors to get his client down from the summit of Everest, we see Beck lying, delirious, on the South Col.

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 27 CAST

ANDREW BIDLACK Rob Hall tenor (Baltimore, MD) Austin Opera Debut Recently: Andy, Stonewall (New York City Opera); Greenhorn, Moby Dick (Chicago Opera Theatre); Nikolaus Sprink, Silent Night (Arizona Opera) Upcoming: Eugene Onegin, Eugene Onegin (Palm Beach Opera); Rob Hall, Everest (BBC Symphony Orchestra); Tonio, I Pagliacci (Portland Opera) Andrew Bidlack, Tenor www.andrewbidlack.com

CRAIG VERM Doug Hansen baritone (Houston, TX) Austin Opera Debut: Marcello, La bohème (2009) Previously at Austin Opera: Minskman, Flight (2011); Ping, Turandot (2012), Lieutenant Gordon, Silent Night (2019) Recently: Don Giovanni, Don Giovanni (Pittsburgh Opera); Billy Budd, Billy Budd (Des Moines Metro Opera); Haly, Italian Girl in Algiers (Santa Fe Opera) Upcoming: Jupiter, Orpheus in the Underworld (Madison Opera); Doug Hansen, Everest (BBC Symphony Orchestra) www.craigverm.com

KEVIN BURDETTE Beck Weathers bass (Knoxville, TN) Austin Opera Debut Recently: Señor Russell, The Exterminating Angel (Metropolitan Opera); Sulpice, La fille du regiment, (Santa Fe Opera, Washington National Opera, San Diego Opera); Pangloss/Cacambo/Martin, Candide (Gran Teatre del Liceu) Upcoming: Bartolo, Il barbiere di Siviglia (Santa Fe Opera, Utah Opera); Soloist, Veronika Ágnes Fáncsik Op. 46 (World Premiere with Fort Worth Symphony); Toulon/Judge, M. Butterfly (World Premiere with Santa Fe Opera) @burdette_kevin www.kevinburdette.com

28 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org CAST

HEATHER JOHNSON Jan Arnold mezzo-soprano (St. Paul, MN) Austin Opera Debut Recently: Laura, Luisa Miller (Metropolitan Opera); Despina, Cosi fan tutte (Mill City Summer Opera); Dinah, Trouble in Tahiti/Arias and Barcarolles (Boston Lyric Opera) Upcoming:Fierce Grace: Jeannette Rankin (Nova Chamber Music Series); Alzheimer Stories, National Concerts (Carnegie Hall) heathermezzo www.heatherjohnsonmezzo.com

MATTHEW TREVIÑO Guy Cotter bass (Austin, TX) Austin Opera Debut: Dr. P, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat (2010) Previously at Austin Opera: Baron Douphol, La traviata (2011); Timur, Turandot (2012); Doctor, La traviata (2018) Recently: Seneca, L’incoronazione di Poppea (Florentine Opera) Upcoming: Capellio, I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Opera San Antonio) www.matthrewtrevino.com

CHARLOTTE BLAIS Meg Weathers mezzo-soprano (Austin, TX) Austin Opera Debut Recently: Cinderella, Cinderella (KidsActing Austin, TX); Belle, Beauty and the Beast (KidsActing Austin, TX); Amahl, Amahl and the Night Visitors (Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church)

SALINA MU Meg Weathers cover mezzo-soprano (Austin, TX) Austin Opera Debut Recently: US National Gold Medalist, Royal Conservatory of Music Voice Exam; Second place, junior division, US China Stars; Top Ten in age group, Cultures of China Water Cube Cup Upcoming: Hal Leonard Vocal Competition

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 29 CREATIVE TEAM

JOBY TALBOT Composer Joby Talbot was born in London in 1971. He studied composition privately with Brian Elias and at Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, before completing a Master of Music (Composition) at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under Simon Bainbridge.

Talbot’s diverse catalogue includes the narrative ballets Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (2011) and The Winter’s Tale (2014), both collaborations with choreographer Christopher Wheeldon for The Royal Ballet and National Ballet of Canada that have since entered the repertory of companies worldwide; the choral Path of Miracles (2005), a 60-minute a cappella journey along the Camino de Santiago commissioned by Nigel Short’s Tenebrae and performed regularly by international ensembles; arrangements of songs by Detroit rock duo The White Stripes alongside Talbot’s original works for choreographer Wayne McGregor’s unparalleled Chroma (The Royal Ballet, 2006); Worlds, Stars, Systems, Infinity (2012), an additional movement to Holst’s The Planets for the Philharmonia Orchestra’s interactive digital installation, Universe of Sound under Esa- Pekka Salonen; Genus Quartet (2013) for Los Angeles’ acclaimed Calder Quartet, premiered as part of the Barbican’s weekend of new music curated by Nico Muhly; and the hugely popular animated feature Sing (Garth Jennings, 2016) for Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me, Minions). For the BBC Proms, Talbot has written The Wishing Tree (The King’s Singers, 2002); Sneaker Wave (BBC National Orchestra of Wales, 2004); an arrangement of Purcell’s Chacony in G Minor (BBC Symphony Orchestra, 2011); and Ink Dark Moon, a concerto for the acclaimed guitarist Miloš Karadaglić (BBC Symphony orchestra, 2018).

Talbot has considerable experience writing for the screen, including classic BBC comedy series The League of Gentlemen and feature films The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Garth Jennings, 2005) and Closed Circuit (John Crowley, 2013); and has been twice commissioned by the British Film Institute, to re-score silent films The Lodger (1999) and The Dying Swan (2002). A new score to Carl Theodor Dreyer’s 1932 Vampyr for LA Opera’s Off Grand season at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles was presented on 27 October 2018.

Talbot’s critically acclaimed first opera, Everest, was given its premiere in 2015 by The Dallas Opera. In the same year, he was awarded the prestigious Prix Benois de la Danse for The Winter’s Tale. Future works include a Cantata commissioned by Independent Opera for Britten Sinfonia and Britten Sinfonia Voices; a second opera for Dallas; and a third narrative ballet with Christopher Wheeldon.

30 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org CREATIVE TEAM

GENE SCHEER Librettist Mr. Scheer’s work is noted for its scope and versatility. With the composer Jake Heggie, he has collaborated on many projects, including the critically acclaimed 2010 Dallas Opera world premiere, Moby-Dick, starring Ben Heppner as Captain Ahab; Three Decembers (Houston Grand Opera), which starred Frederica von Stade; and the lyric drama To Hell and Back (Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra), which featured Patti LuPone. Other works by Scheer and Heggie include Camille Claudel: Into the fire, a song cycle premiered by Joyce di Donato and the Alexander String Quartet.

Mr. Scheer worked as librettist with Tobias Picker on An American Tragedy, which premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in 2005. Other collaborations include the lyrics for Wynton Marsalis’s It Never Goes Away, featured in Mr. Marsalis’s work Congo Square. With the composer Steven Stucky, Mr. Scheer wrote the oratorio August 4, 1964, for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The work was nominated for a Grammy® in 2012 for best classical composition. In 2015, Mr. Scheer collaborated with Joby Talbot on the opera Everest, based on the doomed 1996 Everest expedition.

With Jennifer Higdon, Mr. Scheer wrote an operatic adaptation of Cold Mountain, which premiered in the summer of 2015 at the Santa Fe Opera. This work won the International Opera award, presented in London, for the best world premiere in 2015. Recently, along with Ms. Higdon, Mr. Scheer was nominated for a Grammy® for his work on Cold Mountain for best classical composition. In December of 2016, Mr. Scheer and Jake Heggie premiered an operatic adaptation of It’s a Wonderful Life for the Houston Grand Opera.

Also a composer in his own right, Mr. Scheer has written a number of songs for singers such as Renée Fleming, Sylvia McNair, Stephanie Blythe, Jennifer Larmore, Denyce Graves, and Nathan Gunn. The distinguished documentary filmmaker, Ken Burns, prominently featured Mr. Scheer’s song “American Anthem” (as sung by Norah Jones) in his Emmy® Award-winning World War II documentary for PBS entitled The War.

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 31 CREATIVE TEAM

JOSEPH MECHAVICH Conductor Conductor Joseph Mechavich’s passion and commitment to excellence in the art form has helped to forge lasting and career-defining relationships with numerous opera companies, composers and orchestras in the United States and abroad. Maestro Mechavich has presided over productions of Porgy and Bess for Deutsche Oper Berlin, Nixon in China for Auckland Philharmonia/New Zealand Opera, Il barbiere di Siviglia for The Washington National Opera, Madama Butterfly for New York City Opera, and Dead Man Walking for Atlanta Opera. The Miami Herald lauded Mechavich’s artistry in a recent production of Werther at Florida Grand Opera: “An astute conductor realizes that Massenet’s music must be as emotive and expressive as the action on stage. Joseph Mechavich brings out the French Romantic’s lilting emphasis on strings and woodwinds in the opening strains and throughout the first act, and pushes his orchestra to full throttle for the tumultuous, dark, and dissonant third and fourth acts. Onstage the tug of war between duty and desire continues to build, while in the orchestra pit, the music heightens the tension.” His 2019-2020 season includes Il barbiere di Siviglia for Minnesota Opera, Everest for Austin Opera, Macbeth for Florentine Opera, Die Zauberflöte for North Carolina Opera, Riders of the Purple Sage for Arizona Opera, and Carmen for Kentucky Opera.

In addition to his impressive command of the standard operatic repertoire, Maestro Mechavich is also known for his deep commitment to American opera. Of his Nixon in China at San Diego Opera, Broadway World extolled “The expertise in 21st century operatic repertoire that conductor Joseph Mechavich demonstrated in 2012’s Moby-Dick has surely increased exponentially as portrayed in his rendering of John Adam’s complex score. Mechavich showed great command and sensitivity throughout, both controlling and supporting the orchestra in their task of performing parts that were most difficult and intricate.” He is a champion of the music of Carlisle Floyd and Jake Heggie. He has conducted productions of Floyd’s Susannah, Of Mice and Men, and Cold Sassy Tree and recorded Wuthering Heights, which is the first recording in a multi-year project to record Floyd’s unrecorded operas. Of his recording of Wuthering Heights, Milwaukee Magazine states “but the real star here is Mechavich, who guided the orchestra and voices through Carlisle Floyd’s often tempestuous orchestrations. He and the orchestra painted wonderful sonic pictures, but always in the service of the story and drama.”

This is Mechavich’s Austin Opera Debut.

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LEONARD FOGLIA Stage Director Leonard Foglia is a theater and opera director as well as librettist. He directed the world premieres of Moby-Dick, (Dallas Opera, San Francisco Opera etc.—filmed for PBS), Everest (Dallas Opera, etc.); Cold Mountain (Santa Fe Opera, etc.); The End of the Affair (Houston Grand Opera, etc.); Three Decembers (HGO, etc.); It’s a Wonderful Life (HGO, etc); Stonewall (New York City Opera). His production of Dead Man Walking was produced by New York City Opera and continues to been seen across the U.S. and has played Teatro Real in Madrid and The Barbican in London.

For Broadway he directed: Master Class with Zoe Caldwell, Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald, Wait Until Dark with Marisa Tomei and Quentin Tarantino, Thurgood with Laurence Fishburne (filmed for HBO), The People in the Picture, On Golden Pond with James Earl Jones, The Gin Game with Cecily Tyson and Mr. Jones. Off-Broadway: Anna Deavere Smith’s Notes From The Field (filmed for HBO) and Let Me Down Easy (filmed for PBS), One Touch of Venus at Encores!, The Stendhal Syndrome, If Memory Serves, Calvin Trillin’s About Alice.

As a librettist, he wrote and directed Cruzar la Cara de la Luna/To Cross the Face of the Moon with composer José “Pepe” Martínez which premiered at Houston Grand Opera, A Coffin in Egypt with composer Ricky Ian Gordon which also premiered at HGO, El Pasado Nunca Se Termina/The Past Is Never Finished, with composer Martínez which premiered at Lyric Opera of Chicago; El Milagro Del Recuerdo/ The Miracle of Remembering with composer Javier Martinez which premiered at HGO. His “mariachi operas” have played across the country and on three continents.

ELAINE J. McCARTHY Projection Designer (Arlington, MA) Austin Opera Debut Recently: Dead Man Walking (Lyric Opera of Chicago); Das Wunder der Heliane (Bard Summerscape), It’s a Wonderful Life (San Francisco Opera) Upcoming: Everest (Barbican Center, UK); The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (The Dallas Opera)

MAXWELL BOWMAN Associate Projection Designer (Tumwater, WA) Austin Opera Debut Recently: Contributing member of GLMMR (New York City, NY); Collaborations with Santa Fe Opera, Houston Grand Opera, The Dallas Opera, and National Sawdust Factory. Upcoming: Lighting Designer and Video Engineer, Winterreise (Austin Opera’s Opera ATX) www.maxwellbowman.com

DAVID C. WOOLARD Costume Designer (Houston, TX) Austin Opera Debut Recently: Stonewall (New York City Opera); L’Italiana in Algeri (Santa Fe Opera) Upcoming: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Dallas Opera); The King’s Speech (National Theatre, Washington, D.C.) www.davidcwoolard.com

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 33 CREATIVE TEAM

KATHRYN EADER Lighting Designer (Austin, TX) Austin Opera Debut: Lucia di Lammermoor (2012) Recently: Carmen (Tulsa Opera); La clemenza di Tito (Butler Opera Center); La traviata (San Antonio Opera) Upcoming: Pippin (Mary Moody Northen Theatre) keader

BILL MESTER Audio Designer (Austin, TX) Austin Opera Debut: Salome (1999) Previously at Austin Opera: Ariadne auf Naxos, La traviata, Otello (2018); Silent Night, La bohème, Rigoletto (2019) Recently: Nutcracker (Ballet Austin); Lush Life (Austin Symphony Pops); Andrew Cyrille Quartet (University of Texas Performing Arts) Upcoming: Restless Hearts (Ballet Austin); Raiders of the Lost Ark (Austin Symphony Pops); Turandot (Austin Opera) Stage Tech Austin @stagetechatx www.stagetechaustin.com

KATHLEEN EDWARDS Production Stage Manager (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Austin Opera Debut: Il trovatore (2005) Previously at Austin Opera: Ariadne auf Naxos, La traviata, Otello (2018); Silent Night, La bohème, Rigoletto (2019) Recently: 27 (Intermountain Opera); Stage Manager/Assistant Director, Dialogues des Carmélites (Oberlin Conservatory) Upcoming: Turandot (Austin Opera); Così fan tutte (Oberlin Conservatory)

CINA CRISARA Chorus Master & Assistant Conductor (Austin, TX) Austin Opera Debut: Carmen (2017) Previously at Austin Opera: Ariadne auf Naxos, La traviata, Otello (2018); Silent Night, La bohème, Rigoletto (2019) Recently: Section Leader, Mass (Conspirare); Section Leader, Carmina Burana (Ballet Austin, Austin Symphony and Conspirare) Upcoming: Turandot (Austin Opera); Assistant Conductor, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (Conspirare and Austin Symphony)

NYLE MATSUOKA Principal Coach & Pianist (Austin, TX) 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, Rigoletto (2019) Recently: Guest Soloist (Magic Valley Symphony) Upcoming: Schubert’s Winter Journey (Winterreise) & Turandot (Austin Opera)

34 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org CHORUS

SOPRANO

Ivy Cantu Emily Holguin Elise Leung Kotara Lena Hill Abigail B. Jackson Alyssa Muir

MEZZO-SOPRANO

Cheryl Boyle Kimberly Clemons Jenny Ohrstrom Gabryella Carrelii Alyssa Kemp Julie Silva

TENOR

Brendan Boyle Jeffrey Jones-Ragona Brian Minnick Michael Kelley Dixon Robbie La Banca

BASS

Jake Jacobsen Jeff W. Phillips Peter Wheeler Stephen Maus Robert Veihman Gil Zilkha

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 35 36 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org ORCHESTRA

VIOLIN I FLUTE TRUMPET Joseph D. Smith, Concertmaster **Adah Toland Jones, Principal **Robert Cannon, Principal Eugene Gratovich, **Beverly Frittelli, Tim Shaffer, Associate Concertmaster Assistant Principal Assistant Principal **Vincent Frittelli, Adrienne Inglis* Kyle Koronka* Concertmaster Emeritus Bruce Colson PICCOLO/ALTO FLUTE TROMBONE Audrey Lee **Beverly Frittelli Brenda Sansig Salas, Principal Matthew Lee Owen Homayoun, Christabel Lin PICCOLO Assistant Principal Yi Ching Fong* **Philip Arno Changming Li* Adrienne Inglis* Megan Zapfe* OBOE TUBA VIOLIN II Ian Bruce Davidson, Principal Brian Edwards, Principal Leigh Mahoney, Julianne Webner, Acting Principal Assistant Principal TIMPANI Steve Merson, Rebecca Haskins* **Hsueh-Yung Shen, Principal Acting Assistant Principal* Risa Ando ENGLISH HORN PERCUSSION **Georgeann Dubell-Shockley Julianne Webner Genaro Gonzalez, Principal Haeni Lee Tony Edwards, Sha Zhu CLARINET Assistant Principal Leigh Wallenhaupt* Kari Klier* Sophie Verhaeghe* Vanguel Tangarov, Principal Valerie Bugh, Bobby Lopez* Assistant Principal VIOLA HARP Ames Asbell, Principal BASS/EB CLARINET Carly Nelson* Daniel Gee Cordova, Valerie Bugh Assistant Principal PIANO Sara Driver Vincent Marks BASS/CONTRA BASS Nyle Matsuoka Mary Powers* CLARINET Tim Washecka Mary Schani* KEYBOARD/CELESTE John T. Elam* CELLO BASSOON Douglas Harvey, Principal **William D. Lewis, Principal ORCHESTRA MANAGER **Muriel B. Sanders, Daniel Chrisman, Beverly Frittelli Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Colin Ferguson ORCHESTRA ASSISTANT Sara Nelson CONTRA BASSOON Adam “Flash” Graves **Dr. Shawn Sanders Daniel Chrisman LIBRARIAN BASS HORN William D. Lewis David Dawson, Principal **Thomas Hale, Principal Jonathan Rouse, Jill Smith Rodriguez, *Extra Musician Assistant Principal Assistant Principal **Charter member since 1987 Christopher R. Flores Roger Simmons Joe Ferris* Ed Tschoepe* A special thank you to the Austin Symphony Orchestra and Cele Middle School for graciously providing some of the orchestral instruments that you hear tonight!

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 37

42 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org

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

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 45 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 Cindy & Gerald Stone* PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL COUNCIL $5,000 TO $9,999 Jeff Straathof & Mafalda Tan $2,000 TO $3,499 Maureen Alexander, M.D. Dr. David N. Tobey, Jr. & A Friend* Ronny & Valerie Armstrong Dr. Michelle Berger* Anonymous Mary Bakatsa & Clark Wilkinson Steven Tyler Karen Artzt Sandy Ball Eileen Vanderlee Bonnie Bain, Peter Bay & Mela Dr. Joni K. Wallace In Memory of Ann McKain Sarajane Dailey Donald R. Wertz* Mrs. Mary Bohls Laurence Bjorkman Sandra & Walter Wilkie Keith & Sheryl Brown Frances E. Blank Pierre & Nancy Bulhon Mary Ellen & Roger Borgelt CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL Dr. & Mrs. G.G. Cloyd Martha A. Boyd $3,500 TO $4,999 Suzannah Cox* Marvin Brittman Sheila & Dan Beckett Jill A. Davis Joe & Tana Christie Richard Boner & Susan Pryor* Mrs. Ronald K. DeFord* Bonnie & Jerry Claiborne Suzanne Breitbach Claude & Susan Ducloux Curby Conoley Annie Burridge & Paul Richichi Angela & Steven Eisert Peter G. Dorson Dr. & Mrs. Hugh Collins Zeina El-Azzi & Kenneth Loyde Chris & Jenn Ellerman Dr. William Deaton & Chris & Carol Elms Dianne Smith Goggan Mrs. Cecilia Neuhaus Deaton Martha & Cliff Ernst Foundation Kenneth W. Egan Gail A. Findlay Elena & Everardo Goyanes Debra & Marc Erck Joe & Carol Fisher Jim & Jo Green * Dr. Harvey Evans & Bill Gaston, Inc. Paricia & James Hadden, Gloria Evans* Wendy L. George In Memory of Peggy Hadden Julia & Paddy Flanagan Alice Glasco Rob & Meri Hagelberg Michael Garza & Roger Kahlbau Douglas Gullickson Mr. & Mrs. James G. Halbrook, Jr. Scott & Cathy Harris Manuela Gutt Karen Hansen The Hebel Family Marion & Joe Haas Richard Hartgrove & Karl Henion Joe S. Ham & Florence S. Ham Gary Cooper Col. Harry Jaffers Charitable Trust Mari & Dudley Houghton Bryce M. Johnson Robert L. Hardgrave Stephen & Lauren Jeffrey Drs. Kenneth & JoAnn Judy & David Harris Allen Kemp & Jo Carol Snowden Hunter Johnson E. Stephen & Joyce Hunt King Family, In Memory of Carol & Kelley Knutson Dana & Dennis Jakubowicz Alfred & Ellen King* Diane Lipsitz Ida Jeppesen & Ken Zink William Lanagan Craig & Cynthia Pence Evonne Greene Jones Dr. Tadd S. Lazarus Emily Rhea Mary Kevorkian Carol Angela Logan Alyce & Terry Richardson Kintzel Family Charitable Fund Amy McCaffrey Mike & Delia Russell Mike Don Miguel Le Burkien Mr. & Mrs. Michael Metteauer Colette & John Sirhal Linda & Leonard Leff Drs. Rodney & Cathy Nairn Dr. David W. Sloan Eric Leibrock Mr. & Mrs. Charles J. Parker Drs. Sharon & David Sneed Melanie Lewis Fran & George Ramsey Dr. Laura Starks M&H Machining, Inc. and Charitable Fund* Anne-Margrethe & Diane & Hudson Ingram Wanda A. Reynolds Jens Steenstrup Ren & Flo MacNary Peter Schram* David & Catherine Wildermuth* Julia M. Marsden Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Shields Jacqueline Towns McCall

46 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org Partner Program

Dr. & Mrs. John McFarlane* Riebe Pumo Wealth Management Peggy & Don Ugent Colonel & Mrs. Andrew J. Amalia Rodriguez-Mendoza James Valdes McVeigh, III Robert G. Rutishauser* Thomas Villalta & Phillip Muth Harriet Rutland* Austin | 180 Advisory Group Karen Neeley Edward Z. Safady Stephanie & Bill Whitehurst* Cathy & Don Neville Ronald A. Seeliger Rose Betty & Allan Williams* Gai & Gerry Newkirk Todd Sloan Cynthia Wilson The Honorable & Evonne & Tom Smith Janice L. Wilson Mrs. Raymond L. Orbach Mr. & Mrs. Blake Stanford Custis Wright* The Pacey Family Foundation Dr. & Mrs. Paul E. Stubbs Mr. & Mrs. William Paddock* Susan & Hardy Thompson *Founding Donors of Austin Opera Debbie & Jim Parish Marcia & Anthony Toprac Marcia Raff Diane & Dick Trabulsi

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

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 47 Partner Program Con’t

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

Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy; however, if we have not listed you correctly, please call 737-228-1442. List as of December 10, 2019.

48 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 Artist 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 49 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 *In Memorium

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.

50 AUSTIN OPERA austinopera.org Honorarium and Memorial

IN HONOR OF AMY & GREG VALENTINE Paul Smith

IN HONOR OF KEN ZINK & IDA JEPPESON Anonymous

IN MEMORY OF MARY HELEN ERCK Marc & Debra Erck

IN MEMORY OF PEGGY HADDEN Patricia & James Hadden

IN MEMORY OF LARRY PEEL Cindy & Gerald Stone

IN LOVING MEMORY OF HARRY EMIL ULLMANN Cindy & Gerald Stone

Gifts received from October 1, 2019 to December 23, 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.

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

AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 51