Fall 2017 From the President 2 News & High Notes 3 Membership Notes 4-5 Remembrance Fund 5 Red Book Changes 5 Where Are They Now? 6 The Consul Premiers on Opera Stage Menotti Work Won Pulitzer Music Prize Under the leadership of Artistic Di- rector Thomas Bankston, Dayton Op- era will present ’s The Consul, opening October 20, tells the story of a political dissident fleeing the secret police and the gripping opera The Consul for the first indifference of his country's government in the face of his suffering. time on the opera’s stage in October. THE The Consul CONSUL delivers a punch University of Dayton Recital Highlights October 20, 22 as powerful and as Director: timely as its subject Gary Briggle matter: the struggle Range of Gian Carlo Menotti Operas Philharmonic for freedom against The University of Dayton’s "MENOTTI AND MORE" Conductor: oppression and the maddening nature “Menotti and More” recital will September 29, 7:30 p.m. Patrick provide a wonderful opportunity to of unrelenting University of Dayton/Sears Recital Hall Reynolds hear familiar Gian Carlo Menotti bureaucracy. Set in Jesse Phillips Humanities Building a large central Eu- opera selections, to experience new ropean city in the present, Menotti’s ones, to be introduced to related Contact: Dr. Sharon Davis Gratto (Graul first full-length opera played Broad- works and to prepare for Dayton Chair), [email protected], way for eight months, winning the Opera’s October performances of 937/229-3968 1950 for Music and the The Consul. The event, sponsored 1950 New York Drama Critics’ Circle by the Graul Endowed Chair in recital will highlight other Menotti award for Best Musical. Arts and Languages, is open to the operas, including Amahl and the Returning to Dayton Opera to di- public. Night Visitors, The Saint of Bleek- rect The Consul is Gary Briggle, who In addition to selections from Menotti’s 1950 work The Consul,the See RECITAL page 7 See CONSUL page 6 from the president Guild Launches New Year at Retreat The Opera Guild Board of Directors met on Monday, President August 14, for an energizing and informative annual retreat. Nancy Farkas With 25 in attendance, the dedicated group interacted with Executive Vice President each other, sharing ideas and listening to presentations Bernadine Greenwood Nancy Farkas regarding our plans for the upcoming year. Amber Rose, development director for the Dayton Per- Managing Vice Presidents “The retreat was forming Arts Alliance, joined the group and shared our new Development: Penny Wolff collaborative initiative regarding corporate fundraising. truly a wonderful Education: Kathy Brown Penny Wolff, the Guild’s newly appointed vice president of opportunity Fundraising: Carolyn Szoke development, is an important piece of this new collabora- Jane Reynolds (assistant) for everyone to tion and will be working closely with Amber and Georgie learn, share and Woessner, the new development director of the Dayton Marketing/Communications: Philharmonic Volunteer Association, to find a mutually ben- Suzanne Crippen enjoy the many eficial way of approaching and nurturing corporate relation- Diane Buchanan Johnson (assistant) things that the ships. Carole Endres, president of the DPVA, also attended Membership: Margarete Jennings Opera Guild does the retreat, demonstrating her support for this initiative. We reviewed the mission and purpose of the Guild and Special Events/Hospitality: in its mission Helen Miller then discussed how to build a competent and fully engaged to support board by reviewing the Guild’s commitment agreement. Corresponding Secretary: Linda Menz Dayton Opera Everyone was presented with a comprehensive packet con- Recording Secretary and promote taining important Guild documents and forms. Next on the Maria Castleman agenda was a review of the programs of each of the Guild’s opera in our Treasurer managing divisions. Dolores Anderson community.” Dolores Anderson, treasurer, spoke about our forms and explained how to understand the annual budget and month- Members at Large ly financial statements. Barbara Stewart Bostwick Kathy Brown, vice president of education, spoke about Betty Holton the Marionettes, the Children’s Traveling Opera and the Past President High School and College Vocal Competitions. Penny Wolff Suzanne Crippen, vice president of marketing, spoke about Opera Notes, social media, the Guild’s website and OPERA NOTES proofing requirements. Editor/Designer Margarete Jennings, vice president of membership, spoke Heather Martin (MartinInk) about membership recruitment and retention, mentoring and Proofreader orientations. Amy Lombardo Jane Reynolds, assistant vice president of fundraising, spoke briefly about our upcoming fundraising events and Photography then introduced each of the event chairs. Suzanne Crippen, Kim Coughnour Barbara Bostick, 2017 BRAVO! Fashion Show chair, (Red Leaf Photography) gave us an update on this year’s exciting show, “The Art Contributors of Fashion,” which took place on Friday, September 8, at Suzanne Crippen, Nancy Farkas, Sinclair Community College’s Ponitz Center. Get Dressed! Diane Buchanan Johnson, Angela Whitehead See RETREAT page 7 CONTACT US 126 North Main Street, Suite 210 OPERA GUILD OF DAYTON MISSION Dayton, OH 45402 | 937/224-3521, x1099 The Opera Guild of Dayton encourages and promotes opera in the Greater Dayton area and supports operaguildofdayton.org Dayton Opera through fundraising, marketing and educational activities.

2 | OPERA NOTES Fall 2017 operaguildofdayton.org NEWS & HIGH NOTES BRAVO! Brunch: After 30 Years, ‘Nobody Does it Better’

Attendees toast the Opera Guild’s 30th annual BRAVO! Champagne Brunch and Fashion Show, held at Sinclair Favorite community model Diane Buchanan Johnson Community College's Ponitz Center. and second runner-up model Ramon Gaitan.

BRAVO! Emcee Shaun Yu invit- ed attendees to raise their glasses and toast the BRAVO! Champagne Brunch and Fashion Show for its 30th anniversary on September 8 at the Sinclair Community College Ponitz Center by paraphrasing the Carly Simon hit “Nobody Does It Better.” That held eminently true as Tracey Schumann, owner of Get Dressed! Boutique in Oakwood, and show producer Jackie Doss proved on the runway. The fashions were chic, ap- Dayton Firefighters Local 136 sell raffle tickets. pealing and wearable by diverse ages and body types. announcement of the community consisted of Dolores Anderson, Sam The guests had ample opportunity model who had gathered the most Bennett, Karen Brown-Fallings, to shop in the Boutique before and online votes at $5 each over the Kathy Brown, Suzanne Crippen, after the Show. Holland “Captain past month. This year’s winner was Nancy Farkas, Barbara Haller, Linda H” Makupson, a romantic balladeer, Diane Buchanan Johnson, followed Harrison, Kathy Hedges, Ann Herr, sang during the social hour and lunch. by Fran Duntz and Ramon Gaitan. Betty Holton, Valerie Jones, Helen Dancer Marlayna Locklear enlivened Other participants were Lisa Hanson, Jones-Kelley, Dana Kane, Patricia the audience with a dazzling, high-en- Stacy Thompson Speare-Hardy and Langford-Finley, Amy Lombardo, ergy performance. The clear tenor The Reverend Fr. Benjamin E. K. Belinda Mathews-Stenson, Stepha- voice of Dr. David Sievers from the Speare-Hardy. They raised more than nie Norwood, Brenda Phillips, Geri University of Dayton brought back $8,000 for their efforts, and the Guild Prada, Carol Prewitt, Jane Reynolds memories with his renditions from My sincerely appreciates their support. and Penny Wolff. Special thanks to Fair Lady and . The 2017 BRAVO! was chaired the committee and to our sponsors, The festivities concluded with the by Barbara Bostick. Her committee supporters and attendees. operaguildofdayton.org OPERA NOTES Fall 2017 | 3 MEMBERSHIP NOTES In Review: Gourmet on the Go Guests Ready for More Round one of the 2017 Gourmet on the Go events has been extreme- ly popular, and several events have sold out. Thanks to all the hosts and hostesses for creating unique expe- riences: Bob and Diane Johnson for the Anne Kearney cooking class; Mike Houser and Steve Wargo for their elegant dinner; Jerry and Mar- tha Ann Reaper for their evening of dinner and song; Suzanne and Pat- rick Crippen for the Italian wine and food pairing; and Charlotte Brown for the Afternoon Tea. Round two is being planned with more creative options to wine, dine and just have fun. Details will be coming soon regarding a cooking class with Chef David Glynn of Dayton Country Club in November. Bob and Jean Beecher are working with David to make this event one to remember. Sandra Benevento is planning an evening with an Hispan- ic flair at El Meson. Betty Holton and Toni Sprinkel are organizing the details of a Game Day. Stay tuned.

Top photo, left to right: Dick and Myrna Cunningham, Nancy Farkas, Barbara Bostick, Mike Houser, Robert Bostick. Bottom photo: Chef Anne Kearney, back center, gives cooking tips to guests at the home of Robert and Diane Johnson.

Let’s Get Digital! Log on to operaguildofdayton.org to access the electronic edition of Opera Notes.

4 | OPERA NOTES Fall 2017 operaguildofdayton.org MEMBERSHIP NOTES

MINI NOTES Luncheon Honors Past Guild Leaders On the beautiful, sunny Sunday af- and other beverages while toasting Guild members are out and ternoon of August 19, opera devotees many fundraising, hospitality and about in the community support- gathered to honor past Opera Guild production successes. Soprano Olivia ing a variety of initiatives and and Dayton Opera board mem- Yokers entertained the crowd with organizations. We are proud to bers at the Opera Emeriti Picnic, at operatic arias and popular songs, acknowledge recognition they the homes and in the backyards of with accompaniment by Jeffrey receive for their efforts. Mike Houser and Steve Wargo. The Powell. hard-working supporters of Dayton Bruce Kline, the long-time organiz- Long-time board member and former Opera and the Opera Guild social- er of this event, was sorely missed but Guild President Toni Winger has received ized and enjoyed great food, wine remembered most fondly. Oakwood High School’s Distinguished Alumni Award for her philanthropic endeavors. In the last 50 years she has supported such organiza- tions as Dayton Opera, the Sigma Beta Sorority, the National Kidney Foundation, the Oakwood REMEMBRANCE FUND DONATIONS Schools and Education Foundation, Dayton History, the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, The Remembrance Fund helps The Opera Guild of Dayton Culture Works, The Dayton Art Institute, Victoria support the Guild’s High School and Theatre Association and the Oakwood Business Tri-State College Vocal Competitions. Bill Lockwood and Professional Association. A gift to honor a birthday, an anni- Jack & Betty Darst Board member Dr. Hyacinth Paul Dey versary or a loved one or to promote Lois Sutherland has been named a Woman of the Year by the an event helps the dreams of talented Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the world’s young people come true. To contrib- largest voluntary agency dedicated to curing In honor of ute, call Evie Lewis, 937/299-4825. blood cancer. Hyacinth and the other seven Linda Rountree (Bravo Award) honorees raised more than $386,000 for the William & Carolyn (Toni) Winger cause. In memory of Board member Dr. Sharon Davis Bruce Kline Toni Winger (Membership Luncheon) Gratto has been named the new Graul Chair Paul & Dolores Anderson The Opera Guild of Dayton in Arts and Languages at the University of James & Sue Falter Dayton. She succeeds Dr. Richard Chenoweth Dana Kane Penny Wolff (Opera Ball Chair) and is the first woman to hold the position. William & Carolyn (Toni) Winger The Opera Guild of Dayton Among her proposed initiatives is making sure students who study abroad have some basic training in the conversational language of the country they visit. RED BOOK UPDATES: Board member Jenell Ross is one of NEW MEMBERS, CHANGES & CORRECTIONS three winners of the 2017 Everest Award pre- sented by the West Chester-Liberty Chamber New Member Changes & Alliance. This award recognizes leaders who Corrections have made a significant and positive impact Laurie Verson on business, the community and/or the qual- 7179 Hunters Creek Drive Sally Bruggemann ity of life in the Interstate 75 Growth Corridor. Dayton, OH 45459 [email protected] She was recognized at a July 27 event for her Home: 937/353-4165 contributions and accomplishments. Cell: 615/496-0868 Karen Marshall [email protected] [email protected] operaguildofdayton.org OPERA NOTES Fall 2017 | 5

Where Are They Now? Dr. Cross Shines Academically The Guild’s Tri-State College Vocal 2002. the International Alliance for Wom- Competition is a launching pad for Dr. Cross en in Music, has performed at many the careers of many operatic students; has performed IAWM events and has published CDs however, not all choose to tour and in a variety of on the organization’s behalf. perform regularly on stage. venues, includ- Her passion is the promotion and For example, mezzo-soprano Dr. ing the Opera performance of new music, and she Julie Cross from Oberlin Conserva- Theatre of St. has served on the faculty at such tory of Music and winner of the 1999 Louis, Lincoln revered institutions as the Seattle competition continued her studies, Center Out-of- Conservatory of Music, University of earning a master’s degree in voice Dr. Julie Cross Doors Festival, Wisconsin-Whitewater, Barry Univer- performance at the Manhattan School Chautauqua sity and Florida International Univer- of Music and earning her doctor of Institution, Lake Chelan Bach Festival sity. Dr. Cross is now on the faculty musical arts in voice performance and the Ann Arbor Art Song Festival. of SNJ Studio of Music in Omaha, from the University of Michigan in She also has been an active member of Nebraska.

CONSUL continued from page 1 has tackled some of Dayton Opera’s role of Magda Sorel in The Consul. artists, including baritone Tyler Ales- most challenging productions, includ- praised Kara’s si, mezzo-soprano Layna Chianakas, ing Stella Sung’s The Book Collector presence and vocal prowess with this bass-baritone Kenneth Shaw, tenor combined with Carl Orff’s Carmina recent review: “From the first phras- Robert Norman, bass-baritone Thom- Burana in May 2016, as well as the es sung by Kara Shay Thomson, a as Hammons and baritone Alexander groundbreaking Dayton premiere of compelling American soprano with a Harper. Dead Man Walking in February 2015. plush, vibrant, powerful voice, you do Dayton Opera also welcomes back Conducting the Dayton Philhar- not know whether to pity or fear her.” three Dayton-area artists: soprano monic Orchestra for this production Making her Dayton Opera debut Andrea Chenoweth Wells, soprano is Patrick Reynolds. Now in his 20th in the impassioned role of the Mother Minnita Daniel-Cox and mezzo-so- season with the Dayton Philharmonic is mezzo-soprano Cindy Sadler, an prano Ryu-Kyung Kim. Orchestra, Reynolds conducted past artist who has been heralded as much Want to learn more about The Con- Dayton Opera productions of La for her rich, satiny voice as for her sul? Come to the Mead Theatre one Traviata, Roméo et Juliette and Die impeccable characterizations. hour prior to the performances to hear Zauberflöte. Returning to Dayton Opera in other pre-performance talks by University Soprano Kara Shay Thomson pivotal roles in this moving drama of Dayton Music Professor Dr. Sam returns to Dayton Opera for the lead are some of Dayton Opera’s favorite Dorf. Live in HD 3 These local cinemas will present The Metropolitan Opera’s 2017-2018 season on the big screen.

Huber Heights 16 Hollywood Stadium 20/Fairfield Commons with IMAX Dayton South 16 7737 Waynetowne Blvd. 2651 Fairfield Commons Blvd. 195 Mall Woods Drive Dayton, OH 45424 Beavercreek, OH 45431 Dayton, OH 45449

6 | OPERA NOTES Fall 2017 operaguildofdayton.org

RECITAL continued from page 1 er Street, The Medium and The Old John Benjamin and Jeffrey Powell of an embassy in an unidentified Maid and the Thief. Excerpts from will collaborate with the singers at the European totalitarian country also Samuel Barber’s Vanessa will illus- piano, and Patrick Reynolds, conduc- connects well to America’s immigra- trate Menotti’s skill in writing opera tor of The Consul performances, will tion issues today. Two selections on libretti. Soloists on the program will provide recital narration. the recital by other composers relate include Dayton Opera cast members The Consul is this year’s Human- to this theme—an excerpt from Alan Kara Shay Thomson, soprano; Tyler ities Commons first-year experience Louis Smith’s song cycle “Vignettes: Alessi, baritone; Minnita Daniel-Cox, for all of UD’s entering students. This Ellis Island” and Gene Scheer’s “At soprano; Andrea Chenoweth Wells, large student group will attend the Howard Hawks’ House” from Voices soprano; and Ryu-Kyung Kim, mezzo afternoon performance on Sunday, of World War II. The “Ellis Island” soprano, along with tenor David October 22. The theme for the Hu- song cycle is based on oral histories Sievers. Daniel-Cox, Wells, Kim and manities Commons course is “Hos- collected from the Ellis Island Oral Sievers are full-time voice faculty pitality—Welcoming the Other”; the History Project for the Ellis Island members at the University of Dayton. opera’s setting in a consular section Immigration Museum.

RETREAT continued from page 2 Boutique in The Shoppes of Oakwood again next season. NEW GUILD EVENT CHAIRS provided the fashions for the show, Next on the agenda was an exciting while Simply Hyacinth at the Dayton announcement regarding the 2018 2018 Garden Party Bernadine Greenwood Mall provided the apparel for the fe- Opera Ball. We have a new chair, male community models and Linwood Kathy Thornburg, who is a new board 2018 BRAVO! Fashion Show Men’s Specialty Shoppe in downtown member, and we are pleased to an- Hyacinth Paul Dayton provided apparel for the male nounce that we also have an exciting 2018 Opera Ball models. Bostick encouraged everyone new venue, the recently reopened Kathy Thornburg to vote online for their favorite models Dayton Metro Library. We all are and make their donations to the Guild. looking forward to that special event, Paul, also a brand new board member, Carolyn Szoke, the incoming vice which will be held on April 28, 2018. will be chairing the 2018 BRAVO! president of fundraising and chair of In addition, we have a chair and venue Fashion Show. Gourmet on the Go, spoke about the for the 2018 Garden Party, which will The retreat was truly a wonderful upcoming classic tea at 10 Wilmington be held at the home of Barbara Haller opportunity for everyone to learn, Place and told the group that the new and chaired by Bernadine Greenwood, share and enjoy the many things that season will be just as exciting as the our new executive vice president. The the Opera Guild does in its mission to last. Due to their enormous popularity, final announcement regarding our up- support Dayton Opera and promote many of the events are on the schedule coming fundraisers was that Hyacinth opera in our community. Live in HD 3 Mark your calendars for the first three performances of The Metropolitan Opera’s 2017-2018 on-screen series. NORMA DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL Bellini Mozart Thomas Adès October 7, 12:55 p.m. October 14, 12:55 p.m. November 18, 12:55 p.m. October 11, 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m. October 18, 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m. November 29, 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m. operaguildofdayton.org OPERA NOTES Fall 2017 | 7 126 North Main St., Suite 210 Dayton, OH 45402' 937/224-3521, x1099 operaguildofdayton.org

Working to win new friends for opera. COMING EVENTS October 20, 8 p.m. October 22, 3 p.m. THE CONSUL The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center 1 West Second St. Dayton, OH 45402

March 2, 2018, 8 p.m. March 4, 2018, 3 p.m. THE BARBER OF SEVILLE The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center 1 West Second St. Dayton, OH 45402

May 18, 2018, 8 p.m. May 20, 2018, 3 p.m. THE TURANDOT Save The Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center DATES 1 West Second St. 2018 Dayton, OH 45402 Membership Luncheon Thursday, February 8, 2018 For information contact Margarete Jennings: [email protected]

Opera Ball Saturday, April 28, 2018 Dayton Metro Library – Main Branch For information contact Jane Reynolds: [email protected]

BRAVO! Friday, September 7, 2018 Ponitz Center, Sinclair Community College For information contact Jane Reynolds: [email protected]

www.operaguildofdayton.org MARK YOUR MARK YOUR CALENDAR!