e Studio Buddies Newsletter f

Published semi-annually by the Houston Grand Guild Studio Buddies Winter 2007

Contents a Welcome

2007 In Review 1 Welcome to the Winter 2007 edition of the Studio Buddies Newsletter! This year brought us visits from many of our distinguished Studio alumni, including Joyce Studio Alumni News 3 DiDonato, Nikolay Didenko, Marie Lenormand, just to name a few. The reputation of the Studio continues to shine into the latter half of the 2007 as we saw the professional opera and role Studio Snippets 3 debut of Studio alumna Tamara Wilson as Amelia in .

In Memoriam 4 a 2007 in Review

Studio Artists on what 4 Winter-Spring 2007 Barton, mezzo-soprano, Janácek was on the bill for they’ve enjoyed in respectively. All three winners May with Hector Vásquez, the Buddies Program The year started off with a are now members of the baritone and Studio Program bang as Beau Gibson, , Houston Grand Opera Studio. Director, as the Forester. This in his first year as a Studio production was truly a March saw a continuation of artist, jumped in at the last showcase for the Studio as all the sold-out Recitals at Rienzi minute to perform the title the singing members of the series, recitals by Studio artists role in Faust for a Studio were on stage. Later in the intimate and beautiful performance for an that month Houston Grand setting of the European indisposed colleague. Mr. Opera presented two free Gibson was joined by fellow Decorative Arts wing of the performances of Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Studio artist Liam Bonner, Humperdinck’s Hänsel und First-year artists Albina baritone, as Wagner and Gretel at Houston’s Miller Shagimuratova, soprano, Studio alumna Marie Outdoor Theater conducted Lenormand, mezzo-soprano, Maria (Masha) Markina, by first-year Studio artist Evan mezzo-soprano, Beau Gibson performing Siébel, opposite Rogister, conducting fellow. and second-year artist Ryan Tamara Wilson, Joyce DiDonato & the ultimate Mephistopheles, This was performed entirely Catherine Cook backstage during McKinny, bass-baritone, Samuel Ramey. Houston by HGO Studio artists, with performed works by HGO’s La Cenerentola Grand Opera welcomed Fiona Murphy (Hänsel), Johannes Brahms with back Studio alumna Joyce Rebekah Camm (Gretel), pianists Kathy Kelly (HGO DiDonato, mezzo-soprano, as Jennifer Root (Mother), Ryan Studio Music Director) and Angelina in La Cenerentola, McKinny (Father), Albina Eric Melear (HGO Studio joined by fellow Studio Shagimuratova (Sandman & 2002-04). In mid-March HGO alumnus Nikolai Didenko, Dew Fairy), and last, but put on its Studio Scenes bass, as Alidoro and third- certainly not least, Liam year Studio artist Tamara program with performances Bonner as the highlight of the at Ovations. Also in March, Wilson, soprano, as Clorinda. show, the 15-foot Witch. The Evan Rogister was invited to 2006/07 Season was How do you get to Carnegie the to wrapped up with the final Hall? Ask first-year artistJamie consult on a WNET Public Recital at Rienzi and the Barton. This January Ms. Television (producers of PBS’s Buddies held their farewell Barton participated in the Great Performances) and party for Studio artists. 18th Annual Eleanor McCollum Marilyn Horne Foundation The EuroArts co-production of a Competition for Young Singers Song Continues… television broadcast and Summer 2007 Masterclass series at DVD of Kurt Weill’s The Rise Carnegie Hall and was and Fall of the City of Summer 2007 saw five Studio subsequently invited to Mahagonny. artists working together at the perform the opening recital Wolf Trap Opera Company for the Marilyn Horne Verdi’s Aïda was the highlight as part of the Filene Young Foundation On Wings of Song of April with first-year Studio Artists program: Rebekah Recital series with HGO Studio artist Beau Gibson as the Camm, Faith Sherman, Beau Music Director Kathy Kelly. Messenger and a truly Gibson, Liam Bonner, and haunting performance by James J. Kee. HGO Studio At the 18th Annual Eleanor second-year Studio artist artists were in every McCollum Competition for Tamara Wilson as the High production at Wolf Trap Young Singers, Studio alumna Priestess, with alternate-cast starting with Die Zauberflöte Joyce DiDonato served as a appearances by Ryan featuring Rebekah Camm,

guest judge. First, Second, McKinny as Ramfis, and Beau Gibson, Faith Sherman, Imelda Gott & Liam Bonner at the and Third place winners were Studio alumnus Chen-Ye and Liam Bonner in principal Farewell Party (note Liam’s hair Faith Sherman, mezzo- Yuan, baritone, singing roles, Volpone with Faith and its utter perfection) soprano, James J. Kee, Amonasro. Sherman as Erminella, L'Étoile baritone (also the Audience The Cunning Little Vixen by with James J. Kee as Choice Award), and Jamie Tapioca, and ending with

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Carmen with Rebekah Camm, walking to her first day’s work Un Ballo in Maschera featuring James J. Kee, Liam Bonner, and a complete stranger the professional debut of and Beau Gibson, and walked up to her asked, Studio alumna, Tamara Wilson, featuring Studio alumna “Excuse me, are you Jamie soprano, in the role of Amelia. Denyce Graves in the title role. Barton?” First rule of being a This production also featured Buddy: don’t scare the Studio alumnus Nikolai Alicia Gianni, soprano, spent newbies, they startle easily Didenko and current Studio the summer teaching at the during their first few days. The artists including Ryan McKinny University of Washington, and following week was the Studio as Samuel, Liam Bonner as topped off her summer with a Buddies “Welcome Back” Silvano, and Beau Gibson as three-week visit to Florence to party. Studio artist Rebekah the Magistrate. study Italian. Most recently Ms. Hector Vásquez, Albina Camm was unable to attend Gianni won the district as she was performing In October, Studio artists and Shagimuratova & Fred Gott at National their community partners the Farewell Party Marzelinne in Beethoven’s Council Auditions and will be Fidelio with the Los Angeles performed the relevant attending the regionals in movements from The Refuge Opera. Studio buddy Asad 2008! In June we were Jafari was also unable to for community centers around delighted to learn that Albina Houston. Studio artists soprano attend because, at the time of Shagimuratova was awarded the party, he was in the Alicia Gianni, Faith Sherman, the gold medal in the highly Jamie Barton and James J. audience at the LA Opera prestigious International watching Rebekah Camm! Kee performed in Taste This!, Tchaikovsky Competition, held consisting of flights of wine in Moscow. Soon after this Ms. In October, the HGO Guild paired with a cabaret of songs Shagimuratova sang for the Buddies took all the Studio at the Tasting Room in President of Kazakhstan. artists for a 90-minute tour on Houston. Second-year Studio the Houston Ship Channel and artists Albina Shagimuratova, Jamie Barton was a winner of around the Port of Houston on Maria Markina, Beau Gibson, the 2007 Metropolitan Opera the M/V Sam Houston. Before and third-year artist Ryan National Council Auditions. the tour started we were McKinny performed with Da She also participated in the treated to a serenade by a full Camera of Houston. Tanglewood Music Institute Mexican mariachi band program. Ms. Barton made her performed by MECA. On the November saw the opening of professional operatic debut boat a delicious Mexican the delightful La Fille du this year with the Opera dinner was served and our Régiment by Donizetti with Theatre of St. Louis as Annina Studio appearances by Liam Studio artists got to see one of in La Traviata. the largest ports in the world. Bonner and James J. Kee making his Houston Grand Rebekah Camm & Asad Jafari During the summer, Ryan During the boat ride we were backstage at LA Opera privy to a sight both awe- Opera debut as the Corporal. McKinny returned to the It was also the first professional Aspen Music Festival to inspiring and somewhat terrifying: Liam Bonner’s hair opera that first-year artist perform Schubert’s Winterreise Joseph Li has coached & in recital accompanied on seems to defy all rules of physics and thermodynamics helped in rehearsals. Second- the piano by Richard Bado. year pianist & coach Grant He was also selected to since it is always perfect. Even on the prow of the boat as the Loehnig made his Houston represent the United States in Grand Opera stage debut as the 2007 BBC Cardiff Singer of wind was blowing, Liam’s hair did not move. the Piano Teacher, a part with the World Competition, where no speaking or singing but he was a finalist in the The first performance of the nevertheless Mr. Loehnig Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize. 2007/2008 season was a received thunderous applause He was also a Grand Finalist in Recital at Rienzi, featuring for his hilarious portrayal of the the 2007 Metropolitan Opera Maria Markina, Jamie Barton lasciviously tipsy Piano Teacher National Council Auditions. and Faith Sherman and Beau intermittently flirting with and Mr. McKinny will leave the Gibson. The following day was then succumbing to the wiles HGO Studio in January and the HGO Guild’s 17th Annual of the Majordomo of the has signed on with Columbia Awards Brunch where Buddy Marquise. Artists Management, Inc. Jo Lyday was awarded the (CAMI) and will be managed Guild’s Volunteer of the Year On November 10th, Houston by Betsy Crittenden and and HGO Artistic Administrator Grand Opera performed the Robert Scott. We wish him Diane Zola (former Studio World Premiere of The Refuge great success in all his Director) received the by Theofanidis/Lax to sold-out endeavors. coveted Bravo Award for crowds. The Refuge featured Studio artists Rebekah Camm, Fall 2007 professional excellence. Performing at the Awards Albina Shagimuratova, Beau Gibson, Liam Bonner, Ryan The HGO Guild Studio Buddies Brunch were Maria Markina, McKinny, and making their Jo Lyday & Jamie Barton at the kicked off the 2007/08 Season Ryan McKinny, and Richard Houston Grand Opera debuts HGO Guild Awards Brunch by bringing in breakfast for the Bado the pianist. were first-year mezzo-soprani Studio artists’ first day at work. Opening night for the season Jamie Barton and Faith Be sure to ask Jamie Barton was October 19th with Verdi’s Sherman. about the time she was

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Studio Snippets November was concluded all the Studio singing artists in musical direction from Kathy with a Recital at Rienzi entitled Studio Scenes December 7th, Kelly, assisted by Studio Hector Vásquez, on working “Waiting…” featuring all of the where the artists performed piano/coaching artists Grant with all the Studio artists for singers and pianist/coaches scenes from Das Rheingold, Loehnig and Joseph Li. The The Cunning Little Vixen, “A from the Studio, and joined by , A Studio repeated the Scenes big highlight for this year was Kathy Kelly on the piano. Streetcar Named Desire, and Il program in San Antonio on the experience of singing Barbiere di Siviglia, directed by December 11th. with these artists, who are so The year drew to a close with Sandra Bernhard and with talented. I was really nervous to do it. I have such respect for them as artists a Studio Alumni News and felt I had to measure Tamara Wilson (2005-07), has the Canada Arts Council. Domingo at the Teatro Real up.” recently signed with Betsy Additionally, Mr. Hopkins in Madrid, Wiesbaden,

Crittenden at Columbia Artists received a grant from the Germany, in Rebekah Camm is a force to Management, Inc. (CAMI) and Canada Arts Council to study Chicago, and at the Salzburg be reckoned with in Trivial will be appearing as First Lady Marcello from La Bohemè and Festival, in an all Zarzuela Pursuit since she has a in Die Zauberflöte in Houston in Britten’s in London this concert for TV entitled, ridiculous amount of the Spring. In 2009, Ms. Wilson Fall. In personal news, Mr. "Amor, Vida de Mi Vida." This random facts in her head. will be appearing in the title Hopkins and his wife celebrated year Ms. Martinez received

Alicia Gianni would one day role in Aïda with Opera their 10th wedding anniversary in the best birthday gift of all.

love to be on the Food Australia in Sydney. Paris and we wish him the On March 11th Ms. Martínez

Network with her own show heartiest of congratulations and and her husband Chad

called The Singing Contessa. Fiona Murphy (2004-07), has look forward to his return to Shelton (1997-2000)

performed numerous concerts Houston this spring. welcomed their son Lucas Jamie Barton used to teach in England and her native Alexander Martínez Shelton wood carving at Boy Scout Ireland, including selections Angela Niederloh (2001-04), a into the world, weighing in at camp during the summers. from Mozart, Verdi, and Bellini native of Portland, Oregon, is 6 lb. 14 oz. Our

Masha Markina is a huge at The Great Hall, Downshire performing on the same stage congratulations and well

film buff, especially because Estate outside of Belfast, as her mother did – Ms. wishes go out to them.

a lot of her classmates were Northern Ireland, and Durufle’s Niederloh’s mother was a

studying cinema in college. Requie,Colin Mawby’s A Song member of the Portland Opera Laquita Mitchell (2002-05),

She is a big fan of Spanish of Hope (World Premiere), and Chorus for 20 years. Local Musetta in La Bohème (Los

director Pedro Almodóvar. Gareth Valentine’s as newswriters have used the Angeles), Clara in Porgy and part of the Concert for World phrase ‘Cinderella story’ to Bess (Los Angeles), and

Beau Gibson’s favorite color Aids Day at Cadogan Hall in describe this innovative young Micaëla in (Costa is orange. London. This Fall Ms. Murphy singer who has undertaken Mesa) other news, Ms. was with the English National initiatives to make opera more Mitchell was married in April Liam Bonner has had eight Opera in London performing accessible. At the Portland to Captain David Patton. years of Irish Step Dancing. the role of Mercedes in Sally Opera earlier this year she sang Studio alums Norman Ryan McKinny loves to golf Potter’s production of Carmen in a production of Die Reinhardt and Jeremy Frank and go sailing. and covering the role of Zauberflöte , and this November performed, and the Carmen, played by Alice she performed the lead role of reception was held at Joseph Li has never chewed Coote. When Ms. Coote fell ill, Angelina in La Cenerentola, Buddies Bill and Lucila a piece of gum in his life, Ms. Murphy had to step up to realizing a true Cinderella story. Haase’s house. Other Buddies and is an expert foosball the plate and she sang the participating in the wedding player. lead role of Carmen for three Nicholas Phan (2002-05), Lindoro included Janet Sims, Adelma in L’italiana in Algeri (Caen), Grant Loehnig’s first paid performances at the Coliseum, Graham, Jo Lyday, Roxanne (Lille), and Lurcanio in Ariodante music gig was when he was and was very warmly received. Cargill, and Peter Weston. (Frankfurt). 8, singing with his sister at an Joshua Hopkins (2003-05), Chen-Ye Yuan (1998-01), event emceed by Miss Barbara Quintiliani (2000-02), started the year in Chou En-Lai in Nixon in China Missouri. “I thought I was Marguerite in Faust (New Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci and (Cincinnati), Captain pretty hot stuff,” he says. Orleans). Falla’s La Vida Breve with Anckarström in Un Ballo in Opera Carolina. In February he Scott Scully (1999-02), Raoul de Maschera (Boston), and sang Brahms' Ein Deutsches St Brioche in The Merry Widow Amonasro in Aïda (Houston)). Requiem with the Houston (Dallas), and Don José in Symphony. Mr. Hopkins then Nikolay Didenko (2003-05), Carmen (Edmonton). Samuel in Un Ballo in went to L’Opéra de Montréal to sing Masetto in Don Ana María Martínez (1994-95), Maschera (Houston Grand Giovanni followed by Momus in had another exciting her as the Opera), Sarastro in Die Rameau's Platée with the opera world saw her performing Zauberflöte (Bilbao), Alidoro Santa Fe Opera. In September Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte in La Cenerentola (Houston), Mr. Hopkins performed Peer (Miami), and Donna Elvira in and was featured as the Gynt with the Cleveland (Covent Garden, guest soloist at the Alte Oper Orchestra. In July of this year London, Opéra National de (Frankfurt), the Rheingau Mr. Hopkins was honored as Paris, and Houston). 2007 also Musikfestival, and at the the recipient of the Sylva saw Ms. Martinez performing in Tchaikovsky Concert Hall Gelber Foundation Award from four concerts with Plácido (Moscow).

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Jon Kolbet (1992-94), Joyce DiDonato, mezzo- Complesso Barocco, which Studio Artists on what

Monostatos in Die Zauberflöte soprano (HGO Studio 1996-98) included recordings and they’ve enjoyed in the (Eugene, Oregon), and the experienced a year of concerts at the MITO Festival Buddies Program Schoolmaster and Mosquito in tremendous triumphs in 2007. In in Milan and Poissy, Paris. This

Janácek’s The Cunning Little April Ms. DiDonato was was followed by the title role

Vixen (Houston). honored with the Metropolitan in Ariodante, Grand Théâtre Albina Shagimuratova likes the

Opera’s Beverly Sills Artist de Genève, and Ms. Buddies program since it Aaron Judisch (2001-03), von Award. In August 2006 Ms. DiDonato can currently be provides a lot of support for Asterberg in The Student DiDonato was married to her seen reprising her role as singers who come from other Prince, Figaro in Il Barbiere di “real-life Lindoro,” conductor Angelina in La Cenerentola countries with completely Siviglia, Prinz Sternschnuppe in Leonardo Vordoni. Ms. in Barcelona. different cultures. Frau Luna, Albert in Werther, DiDonato and her husband Alvaro in Florencia en el Recently Ms. DiDonato was Jamie Barton really enjoyed the were finally able to take their Amazonas, and Principe asked to fill in for Susan boat tour and drinking honeymoon this past summer Yamadori in Madama Butterfly Graham who had fallen ill margaritas on the bayou! and they visited South Africa (all in Heidelberg). and was unable to sing at where Ms. DiDonato was able Masha Markina is a big reader the Richard Tucker Music to indulge in her newly and her buddy, Alice Gates, Oren Gradus (1999-02), Colline Foundation Annual Gala in acquired passion for introduced her to works of in La Bohème (Los Angeles), New York. Ms. DiDonato also photography. Oscar Wilde that she didn’t The Old Hebrew in Samson et gave recitals at La Scala, know existed before. Dalila (), Ms. DiDonato started 2007 with Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall,

Leporello in Don Giovanni (San the title role in La Cenerentola and the BBC Proms, just to Liam Bonner enjoyed drag

Francisco Opera), and Timur in at Houston Grand Opera name a few. racing down Main St for last Turandot (Metropolitan followed by a triumphant run as season's Buddy Welcome Party Opera), Sir Giorgio in I puritani Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia at Ms. DiDonato released two Treasure Hunt. (Metropolitan Opera). the Met. She made role debuts CDs this year, ¡Pasión!, a Ryan McKinny and his wife as Octavian in Der recital of 20th century works Nicole Heaston (1995-97), Tonya fondly remember the Rosenkavalier in San Francisco on Spanish themes, and Musetta in La Bohème baby shower Bill and Lucilla and the title role in Handel’s Handel’s Floridante, with Il (alternating with Laquita Haase hosted for them. It was Alcina with Alan Curtis and Il Complesso Barocco, under Mitchell) (Los Angeles), Sabina a generous way to be the baton of Alan Curtis. in Adriano in Siria (Jesi),and welcomed into the Houston

Pamina in Die Zauberflöte Grand Opera family.

(Metropolitan Opera). Beverly Sills, Joyce Joseph Li is a big admirer of Art

Denyce Graves (1988-90), DiDonato & Agnes Pryde’s “Hall of Baseball”. He Baba the Turk in Rake’s Varis says, “It is a thing of beauty Progress (San Francisco and wonder. I highly Opera), Carmen in Carmen encourage all studio baseball (Wolf Trap, Athens), Dalila in fans to spend a day (or several) Samson et Dalila (Miami, San browsing his collection.” Diego), and Judit in A kékszakállú herceg vára Faith Sherman says, “The (Bluebeard's Castle) (Dallas). Buddies program is amazing. To have a group of people around whose main purpose is to make our lives easier and to In Memoriam be nice to us...I can't even say how great that is. We're so used Houston Grand Opera lost a beloved member of its family this year. Jean Mallandaine passed to fending for ourselves that it's away after a long illness on November 14, 2007, aged 73. Houston Grand Opera welcomed overwhelming (in a good way) Ms. Mallandaine into its family in 1977 when she came as Head of Musical Studies for the new to hear things like ‘You should Studio program, originally only for a two-year appointment. She held this position for five years never ever take a taxi to the and also served as Head of HGO’s Musical Staff in 1992. From 1982 to 1992 she held the title of airport!!! Never!! Call me and I'll Artistic Supervisor. She will be missed. take you. And if I can't take you, one of the other Buddies Dear readers, will!’ The Buddies are so loving, generous, and attentive, and We hope you’ve enjoyed this issue of the Houston Grand Opera Studio Buddies Newsletter. If they make us feel like superstars we have made any omission or errors, please accept our apologies. all the time. They're our Houston family.” If you have news to report about yourself or about a Studio member, alumnus/alumna, staff member, or Buddy, or if you have any comments or suggestions, please email: HGO Guild Studio Buddies Trustee, Wynne Mattison: [email protected] Thank you and see you in the Spring! Asad S. Jafari HGO Guild Buddies Volunteer & Newsletter Editor