Jack & Phyllis are creating a better region.

Jack Gregory’s company built the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in the 1960s. Jack and his wife Phyllis died long ago, but today they help construct Habitat for Humanity homes in Suffolk and expand the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach. Thanks to Jack’s charitable bequest, he and Phyllis will forever help build a better What are you building Hampton Roads. for the future? Adding Charity to Your Will Build your own bridge to the future or IRA through an estate gift to the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. Learn how at (757) 622-7951 or leaveabequest.org. A quick guide to the pleasure and promise

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Inspiring Philanthropy. Changing Lives.

www.leaveabequest.org (757) 622-7951 TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 From the President and CEO IN HAMPTON ROADS Street Address: 4 From the Principal Conductor Harrison Opera House and Artistic Advisor 160 W. Virginia Beach Blvd. Norfolk, VA 23510 7 From the Chairman of the Board Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2580 8 2017-2018 Board of Directors Norfolk, VA 23501-2580 9 2017-2018 Board of Governors Administration: 757.627.9545 10 From the President of the Hampton Roads 757.622.0058 fax Board of Governors Box Office: 866.673.7282 12 About Virginia Opera IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA 13 Amenities and Theater Policies Street Address: Dominion Arts Center 15 Title Page 600 East Grace Street Suite 200 16 Synopsis Richmond, VA 23219 17 Cast Listing Mailing Address: P.O. Box 784 18 Chorus, Supernumeraries and Orchestra Richmond, VA 23218 Administration: 46 Director's Notes 804.644.8168 804.644.0415 fax 47 Cast and Creative Team Biographies Box Office: 54 Virginia Opera Personnel Etix: 800.514.3849 Subscriptions: 866.673.7282 54 The Herndon Foundation Emerging IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA Artists Program Mailing Address 10660 Page Avenue #1345 55 Tributes and Memorials Fairfax, VA 22038-1345 56 Contributors Administration: 703.357.3682 61 Business/Government Support Box Office Tickets: 888.945.2468 64 Housers and Volunteers Subscriptions: 703.993.2787 ON THE WEB WWW.VAOPERA.ORG THE VISION OF VIRGINIA OPERA: We will enrich the cultural community of the Commonwealth of Virginia through the passion, power and beauty of opera.

THE MISSION OF VIRGINIA OPERA: To engage, educate and excite a diverse base of audiences, volunteers and professionals through the production of quality opera performances in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Russell P. Allen President and CEO Virginia Opera Association, Inc., The Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible non-profit organization.

THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 1 2 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO

Virginia Opera is now director Paul Curran and set designer, originally well into its 43rd Season from Chesapeake, VA, Court Watson for this with The Girl of the Golden production debut. Lillian Groag, our director West, continuing to bring for The Girl of the Golden West, has worked professional opera to our with Virginia Opera on numerous previous three main stages here in productions and is well known to Virginia the Commonwealth of audiences, following up on her sensational Virginia. It was exciting Turandot last spring. We always welcome her to have The Virginian ingenuity and creativity to any production she RUSSELL P. ALLEN Pilot, The Washington directs for our company. It has been wonderful Post and The Richmond Times-Dispatch provide to collaborate with Lillian on another fantastic the Opera with such an outstanding review of Puccini opera. Samson and Delilah ; what a great way to begin The final two productions of this season are the 2017-18 Season. Looking back over last a brand-new production of A Midsummer season’s dazzling repertory in 2016-17, we saw Night’s Dream, that Virginia Opera creates with a level of production exemplifying continued returning director Michael Shell (last seen here artistic growth and excellence and the singular with The Barber of Seville in fall 2016) and Lucia achievement of having produced four fine di Lammermoor, another original production productions of repertory diversity; Italian opera, directed by Kyle Lang (last seen here with La German opera, and 20th Century opera. You Bohéme in fall 2015). know that Virginia Opera is always pushing the envelope, bringing new and intriguing It you have not subscribed to Virginia Opera productions to our audiences; never resting on this season, it is not too late to subscribe to a trio its laurels. With our artistic leadership team subscription. You may take the full value of your committed to artistic development, Virginia single ticket to La Bohème and apply it towards Opera keeps quality foremost and strives to our already discounted trio subscription ticket continue to advance an ever-improving artistic prices. Just be sure to bring your ticket stub to experience – as any on-going performing arts the Box Office when you subscribe. You could endeavor should. As an institution, that is even do so at today’s performance. 2017-18 is a Virginia Opera’s commitment – as you will see season filled with excitement, gorgeous singing, here today, throughout 2017-18 and when we drama, dynamic orchestra, beautiful lighting and announce the 2018-19 Season in January. scenery, wonderful stories, and incredible music. And so much more! It simply is not a season to As we continue through this season with new be missed. productions for Virginia’s audiences, we have a highly-regarded production design from So join us. Fulfill that Subscription Now!! In Glimmerglass Opera with The Girl of the Golden addition to the discount off single ticket prices West; stunningly re-mounted by its original that subscriptions contain, there are other director Lillian Groag. With Virginia Opera’s benefits to being a member of the Virginia own original cast, the innovative design, so Opera subscriber family. Talk to a Box Office successful when it debuted in Glimmerglass, representative today to find out more. is produced here in Virginia with a fresh new Thanks for being with us today at The Girl of the look from Lillian that we know our audiences Golden West, and we look forward to seeing you will respond to most positively. With Maestro for the rest of this great 43rd Season. Bisantz returning to Virginia to conduct our stunning cast of incredible voices, this production will generate all kinds of excitement, Sincerely, similar to what you all experienced with Samson and with our four titles last season. The First of Firsts selection this year, as you know, was Samson and Delilah by Camille Saint- Russell P. Allen Saëns and welcomed acclaimed international President and CEO

THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 3 NOTE FROM THE ARTISTIC ADVISOR

Welcome to today’s West, offering audiences a harsh reality of rough-and- performance of Giacomo tumble characters - miners comprising a community Puccini’s The Girl of the of lost souls, bandits, and exiles. Before Minnie Golden West! Originally even makes her first appearance in Act 1, we are commissioned by the thrust into this rugged male-dominated community, Metropolitan Opera (in hearing from an entirely male chorus and four solo fact, it was the Met’s first tenors, six baritones and three basses - solo roles world premiere in 1910), primarily cast with members of VO’s Herndon Girl hasn’t been seen on our Foundation Emerging Artists Program. ADAM TURNER stages since the 1983-1984 Season. It also represents the third entry in our multi-year “Puccini Cycle”, with Virginia Opera has a history of showcasing emerging previous installments including La Bohème (’15-16) talent, providing the platform for and identifying the and Turandot (’16-17). While Puccini is largely next generation of great American singers. Singers recognized for some of his most readily performed including Reneé Fleming, Lawrence Brownlee, works (Tosca, La Bohème, Madama Butterfly), I think David Portillo, Nadine Sierra, Ginger Costa-Jackson, Girl will utterly surprise and delight your ears today and whole host of others have all sung with our with its gripping, colorful score and compelling company over the years, going on to sing at some depiction of the American West. of the world’s most distinguished opera houses. And with our Emerging Artists Program, we receive annually over 600 applications for an average of Following the initial failure of Madama Butterfly just 15-20 artist contracts! Each December we hear in its world premiere at La Scala in 1904, Puccini approximately 150 singers in New York City, all would require nearly seven years to complete Girl. vying for the opportunity to sing on the mainstage of And he sincerely had his doubts about portraying the Virginia Opera, and from those 150 singers we have American West from an Italian’s perspective, writing selected many of the soloists in this production. I to his publisher’s son Tito Ricordi in 1906: have no doubt - at today’s performance, you are most definitely hearing the “next” great American singer!

“Here too I have been trying to find new subjects, but there is nothing useful or, rather, complete With this performance of The Girl of the Golden enough. I’ve found some good hints in Belasco, West, I hope you are mesmerized by the soaring but nothing definitive, or solid or complete. The Puccinian melodies and the passionate storytelling in atmosphere of the Wild West attracts me, but in all this incredible opera. Thank you for your generous the plays I have seen I found only good scenes here support, and please enjoy today’s performance! and there. Never a clear, simple line of development. It’s all a hotchpotch and sometimes in very bad taste and old hat.” Sincerely,

With the innovative American playwright/producer/ director David Belasco (who also adapted Madama Butterfly as a play in 1900), Puccini ultimately found what he was looking for: the character of Minnie. Adam Turner Representative of a strong, independent woman Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor with wisdom and grit, Minnie is the antithesis of the vulnerable, victimized heroines portrayed in some of Puccini’s previous operas. With a strong leading lady in place, Puccini and Belasco proceeded with exploring the concerns of everyday life in the Wild

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6 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Dear friends, What a delight it is for I love her spirit (if not her choice in Virginia Opera to bring men). Minnie knows that no matter you this production of what, some things are worth moving Puccini’s The Girl of the heaven and earth to achieve. That’s how Golden West (La fanciulla we at Virginia Opera feel about bringing BETSY WOLLAN del West). Perhaps the world-class opera to our audiences. The least well known of Puccini’s finest operas, most complex of the performing arts, this wonderful piece is set not in China bringing together powerful orchestral (Madame Butterfly—the work that precedes music, stunning sets and glorious voices, The Girl of the Golden West, and also based opera is thus the most expensive of the on a play by American playwright David arts to produce and support. You can help Belasco), or in a mythical Japan (Turandot), in so many ways--by subscribing, bringing but in an equally exotic setting from Puccini’s friends, and through your donations. point of view: a California mining camp Please be as generous as you can. during the Gold Rush. Remember, excellent regional opera The Metropolitan Opera’s first ever companies are few and far between; we have world premier, The Girl of the Golden West one of the best right here. Let’s celebrate boasted an all-star cast when it opened in that, and spread the word. December 1910, starring Enrico Caruso as Dick Johnson, and conducted by Arturo Toscanini, who called the score Yours, “a great symphonic poem.” You will hear glorious music—and meet some unforgettable characters. Elisabeth Muhlenfeld Wollan Saloon owner Minnie could not be a greater contrast to her immediate Puccini predecessor, Cio-Cio-San. Minnie is as handy with poker cards as with her Bible, a tough gun-toting woman ready to take on a room full of brawling men to get her way. And she does!

THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 7 2017-2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ELISABETH M. WOLLAN | Chair Officers and Executive Committee 2017-2018 Past Chairs Elisabeth M. Wollan Kym Hemley Edythe C. Harrison | Founding Chair Chairman President, Northern Virginia 1974-1977 Peter Huber Board of Governors Stanley G. Barr, Jr., Esq. Secretary Col. James F. Deming 1978-1979 Shelloy S. Kiger Chair, Virginia Opera Foundation Edythe C. Harrison Treasurer Board 1979-1981 Chair, Finance Committee Mark Board Walter P. Conrad, Jr. Nancy Branch Chair, Guild Board 1981-1983 Chair, Artistic Advisory Allan S. Reynolds, Jr. Mary R. Albergotti Committee Immediate Past Chair 1983-1984 Paul Winslow Russell P. Allen Edward S. Stein Chair, Hampton Roads President and CEO 1984-1985 Development Committee Eleanor Bradshaw Renee Gilman Jeannie P. Baliles 1985-1986 Chair, Central Virginia Thomas H. Nicholson Development Task Force Stanley G. Barr, Jr., Emeritus 1986-1988 Marilyn Scott Lynn Carwell Dorothy Doumar Co-Chair, Education and Lucy Church, Emerita 1988-1989 Audience Development Jane Patton Browning Committee Christopher Coffing 1989-1990 Guy K. Tower Bess Decker Joyce H. Strelitz Chair, Governance and Henry Garrity 1990-1992 Nominating Committee Peter M. Huber, Esq. Dr. William T. Hark 1992-1994 Deborah Wyld Alan Hess Chair, Marketing Committee Dixie Wolf Andrea Holloway 1994-1996 Marc Kirchner Dr. Cora T. Huitt Peter M. Huber, Esq. Chair, Strategic Planning 1996-1998 Committee Lorraine Hutchinson Alan D. Albert, Esq. William (Jack) Frable, MD Kemper Hyers Member-at-Large 1998-2000 Trish Jones Robert M. Rubin, D.M.D Edith G. Grandy 2000-2001 Member-at-Large Ina D. Levy John Turbyfill Hon. James A. (Jac) Cales Edward L. Lilly, MD 2001-2003 Member-at-Large Lewis W. Maye III John Field Raymond DeFrank Valerie Neff 2003-2005 President, Hampton Roads Board Gerald J. Pepe, Ph.D Allan S. Reynolds, Jr. of Governors 2005-2007 Patti Pusey Thomas A. Grant Mark T. Cox IV President, Central Virginia Board Susan Quate 2007-2009 of Governors Dr. John Reynolds Joan B. Miller 2009-2011 S. Warren Richard Alan D. Albert, Esq. C. Jeffers Schmidt, Jr. 2011-2015 Martha Lee Shaw Allan S. Reynolds 2015-2017 Hon. Lydia C. Taylor Dr. William M. Waldrop

8 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON 2017-2018 BOARD OF GOVERNORS

HAMPTON ROADS Homer Smith, Jr. Marjorie Grier HONORARY MEMBERS BOARD OF GOVERNORS Hon. Lydia Taylor Eva Teig Hardy The Honorable Sen. Mark Raymond DeFrank, Guy K. Tower Dr. James Hayes Warner (D-VA) President Carrie White Denise Keane The Honorable Sen. Tim Donna Allen Millie Wilkerson Ginni MacKenzie Kaine (D-VA) Russell P. Allen Paul Winslow Mary Ellen Bundy Murray The Honorable Rep. Scott Allen Baker Dr. William M. Waldrop Dorothy Pauley Rigell (R-VA) Stanley G. Barr, Deborah Wyld Betty Pratt The Honorable Rep. Robert Wittman (R-VA) Jr., Emeritus Mrs. William T. Reed III Nancy Branch CENTRAL VIRGINIA The Honorable H. Chapman BOARD OF GOVERNORS Pamela Reynolds Hon. James Cales, Jr. Petersen, Senator, Thomas A. Grant, Lynn Carwell Virginia General Assembly President The Honorable Janet Capt. John M. Chandler, NORTHERN VIRGINIA Russell P. Allen Howell, Senator, Virginia Ret. BOARD OF GOVERNORS Mary Virginia Andraos General Assembly Christopher Coffing Kym Hemley, President Jeannie P. Baliles The Honorable George Bess Decker Russell P. Allen Langdon T. Christian IV Barker, Senator, Virginia Col. James F. Deming Sean Foohey Josée Covington General Assembly Dorothy Doumar, Emerita Lorraine Hutchinson Ammon G. Dunton, Jr. The Honorable David L. Henry Garrity Harris N. Miller Bulova, Delegate, Virginia Sharon Ferranti Marilyn Gindroz General Assembly Cary Fountain Edith G. Grandy The Honorable Kenneth R. Dr. William Jackson Frable Laura Gross BOARD OF TRUSTEES Plum, Delegate, Virginia Renee Gilman Andrea Holloway OF THE VIRGINIA OPERA General Assembly Dr. William T. Hark FOUNDATION 2016-2017 Nancy Huber The Honorable Vivian Billy Harper Col. James F. Deming, Peter M. Huber, Esq. Watts, Delegate, Virginia Alan C. Hess Chair General Assembly Trish Jones Anne Hodges Henry Garrity The Honorable Sharon Mary Anne Kellam-Canada Cynthia Holmes Peter Huber Bulova, Chairman, Shelloy S. Kiger Dr. Cora T. Huitt James A. Kitz Fairfax County Board of Brian Kint Supervisors Kemper Hyers Allan S. Reynolds, Jr., Marc C. Kirchner Rick Davis, Dean, College Anne-Marie Irani Ex-Officio James Kitz of Visual and Performing Esta Kornstein The Honorable Lydia C. Robert Kuhlo Taylor Arts, George Mason Dr. Susan Kornstein Ina D. Levy Dr. William M. Waldrop University Michael Lott Edward L. Lilly, MD Elisabeth Wollan, Ex- Maestro Christopher Patricia Pusey Linda H. Lilly Officio Zimmerman, Music Marika A. Rawles Director, Fairfax Lewis W. Maye, III Mary “Bucci” Z. Zeugner Dr. John Reynolds Symphony Orchestra Sarah McCoy Russell P. Allen, Ex-Officio C. Jeffers Schmidt, Jr. Earl McLain Marilyn Scott Richard Miller J. Kenneth Timmons, Jr. AUDIT COMMITTEE Rhonda Murray Dr. Elisabeth Muhlenfeld Richard Miller, Shantell Nashatka Wollan Chair Valerie Neff Mary “Bucci” Z. Zeugner Ed Lilly Thomas Nicholson, III James A. Kitz Gerald J. Pepe, Ph. D James F. Deming CENTRAL VIRGINIA Susan Quate Shelloy S. Kiger, Ex-Officio Allan S. Reynolds, Jr. ADVISORY COUNCIL S. Warren Richard Eldridge Blanton Dede Schneider Elizabeth M. Bredrup Dr. Stephen Scoper Amy Bridge Martha Lee Shaw Mark T. Cox IV Lisa Sinclair Judy Gonzalez Floyd. D. Gottwald, Jr.

THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 9 FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE HAMPTON ROADS BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Dear Virginia Opera don’t have to travel far to see and enjoy Patrons, the best of the best the arts have to offer. Becoming a Virginia Opera subscriber, Welcome to this artist patron, production sponsor or Annual performance of Fund contributor, will ensure our continued Puccini’s The Girl of the success and that of all of the performing arts Golden West. Sit back, organizations and artists we currently employ. relax and enjoy the beauty and artistry of Please invite your friends and family to RAYMOND DEFRANK this thrilling and heartfelt join you on your next visit or if you would production. You don’t like to simply show your appreciation for have to understand every word or note or our programming efforts by making a nuance to appreciate what you are about to contribution, use the convenient mailing experience. The idea of opera, in general, is envelope located in your program books. to be challenged, moved and spiritually or intellectually awakened. I promise this rare Again, sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty nugget will overwhelm with its beauty and and artistry that is Virginia Opera and I look leave you…breathless. Ah, the age-old saga of forward to seeing you at the remainder of this love and redemption can move even the most daring and adventurous season! cynical among us. This return to the 1849 With gratitude for your support, California Gold Rush and brief respite at the Polka Saloon comes complete with a visit from a Wells Fargo Agent! Raymond DeFrank , President On a more serious note, prior to attending Hampton Roads Board of Governors our last production, I enjoyed an excellent meal at a local tavern whose proprietor is a long-time friend and supporter of Virginia Opera. While there, it was explained to me that the chef-owner maintains a farm which provides the fresh fruits and vegetables and locally-sourced meat and seafood comprising the eatery’s menu. I realized how lucky we were to reside in a region that offers fine farm- to-table dining and world-class productions of opera, music and theatre.

And speaking of our regional communities, our local arts organizations need your continued support and patronage. You

10 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE HAMPTON ROADS BOARD OF GOVERNORS

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THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 11 ABOUT VIRGINIA OPERA

Russell P. Allen, President and CEO of the major local operatic events of the year” by Adam Turner, Principal Conductor & The Washington Post, and deemed a special day in Artistic Advisor music history for the Washington D.C. area by Peter Mark, Artistic Director Emeritus Opera News.

Virginia Opera Association, Inc., in its 43rd Virginia Opera has presented some of the year of operation, is known and respected nation’s most promising young singers on nationwide for the identification and presentation its stages including Diana Soviero, Jeannine of the finest young artists, for the musical Altmeyer, John Aler, Rockwell Blake, Renée and dramatic integrity of its productions, and Fleming, Barbara Dever, Frank Porretta, for the ingenuity and variety of its education Grant Youngblood, Fabiana Bravo, Lawrence and outreach programs. The Company has a Brownlee, Nmon Ford, Jeniece Goldbourne working budget of $5.3 million with over 28 and Mary Elizabeth Williams. Attracting mainstage performances, reaching nearly 50,000 acclaimed directors from the theater and opera attendees. In March of 1994, by unanimous world, audiences have enjoyed the work of vote of the Virginia General Assembly, Virginia Gian Carlo Menotti, Gordon Davidson, Greg Opera was named The Official Opera Company Ganakas, Arvin Brown, Dorothy Danner, Lillian of the Commonwealth of Virginia in recognition Groag, Sam Helfrich and Stephen Lawless, of the organization’s contribution to the among others, in new productions designed by Commonwealth and to the world of opera. the nation’s top opera and theater designers. Virginia Opera has continued its tradition of Organized in 1974 by founding chair Edythe commissioning/co-commissioning new works as C. Harrison, Virginia Opera was launched with illustrated by the world premieres of A Christmas two productions in the Norfolk Center Theater. Carol, Harriet - The Woman Called Moses, Simón Shortly thereafter, Peter Mark was appointed Bolivar, Pocahontas, and, most recently, Artistic Director, a position he held for over 35 Rappahannock County. years. Peter Mark was named Artistic Director Emeritus in 2012. Russell P. Allen, appointed The company produces four mainstage President and CEO in 2011, currently leads the productions including performances at the Edythe company – returning to Virginia Opera after six C. and Stanley L. Harrison Opera House in years as General Manager from 1994-2000. In Norfolk, Dominion Arts Center in Richmond, 2013, Virginia Opera appointed Adam Turner and at George Mason University’s Center for the (formerly Resident Conductor)as Principal Arts in Fairfax. Virginia Opera is the only opera Conductor and Artistic Advisor- a move endorsed company to perform a full season of opera in by many as bringing exciting new artistic energy multiple mainstage venues and to reach more to the company. than 150,000 students and community members Virginia Opera’s statewide expansion began each year through its innovative Education and by producing in Richmond in 1977 with the Community Outreach Program. Building upon encouragement of Governor Mills Godwin past accomplishments, the 2017-2018 Season and Mrs. T. Fleetwood (Anna) Garner. Under features an exciting level of artistry and diverse their leadership, The Richmond Friends of programming. While remaining committed Opera was formed to present Virginia Opera to securing the highest caliber of vocal talent, productions annually in the capital city. By 1983, the Opera will invite brilliant conductors and the Richmond and Central Virginia Board of directors, assisted by the next generation of Virginia Opera formed and a Richmond office gifted artists, to challenge audiences and create was opened. In November 1992, the Company new opera experiences. presented its first mainstage performance at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University LEARN MORE ABOUT VIRGINIA OPERA AT in Fairfax. This development was hailed as “one WWW.VAOPERA.ORG

12 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON AMENITIES AND THEATER POLICIES

NORFOLK – Edythe C. and • In Case of Emergency, patrons • In Case of Emergency, the Stanley L. Harrison Opera House expecting emergency calls Concierge phone number is (services or babysitters) may 804.592.3350. • Refreshments are available on direct them to 757.627.9545, ext. the Lower and Grand Lobby 3378 and leave their seat number • Children Virginia Opera reserves levels. No food or drink is with the House Manager, who will the right to deny admission permitted in the theater. locate the patron immediately if a to children under the age of call is received. five. Babies in arms will not be • ADA Seating may be reserved by admitted to the theater. Patrons contacting Virginia Opera’s Box • Children Virginia Opera reserves of any age must have a ticket to Office at 757.623.1223 prior to the right to deny admission to enter the theater. performances. children under the age of five. Patrons of any age must have a • Smoking is not allowed in any ticket to enter the theater. FAIRFAX – George Mason part of the building. University Center for the Arts

• Parking is available for $5.00 RICHMOND – Carpenter Theatre • Refreshments are available in the in the city-run parking lots at at Dominion Arts Center main lobby. No food or drink is the Harrison Opera House permitted in the theatre. for main stage Virginia Opera • Refreshments are available on performances (Parking is on a the Lower and Mezzanine levels • ADA Seating all Center for the first come, first serve basis; while of the theatre. No food in the Arts facilities have accessible supplies last. Parking regulations theatre. Beverages without ice seating available. and reserved parking must be are permissible. observed at all times). Additional • Parking those patrons wishing • ADA Seating may be reserved by accessible parking will find three free, on-street parking is also locations close to the building. The available, subject to Norfolk contacting Virginia Opera’s Box first is located in the Mason Hall parking restrictions. The City of Office at 866.673.7282 prior to parking lot. The second location is Norfolk enforces “No Parking” performances. in the Parking Deck located next to regulations on Llewellyn Avenue the Concert Hall. The third location and other streets surrounding • Smoking is not allowed in any is located along Mason Pond the Harrison Opera House part of the building. Drive across the street from the Concert Hall. At any time, patrons where “No Parking” signs are • Parking Public parking is may drop off and pick up in front posted. Virginia Opera is not available at the lot on 5th and of the Concert Hall. The Concert responsible for any parking Broad Streets, and the garage Hall does have a wheelchair that tickets received by patrons and at 5th Street. Handicap parking can be used to transport patrons discourages using other privately is available at the lot at Grace from the drop off zone to their and commercially owned lots Street, and at the garage at 6th seats and back. in the vicinity of the Harrison and Franklin Streets. Opera House for parking. When • Assistive Hearing The Center coming to a Virginia Opera event, • Late Seating is at Opera for the Arts offers FM listening please allow ample time to park, management’s discretion. devices for any patron that and take care to obey all posted Virginia Opera reserves the may need assistive hearing. parking regulations and Harrison right to have late seating at The receivers are located in the Opera House parking attendant intermission only. Concert Hall at the Courtesy staff. Desk opposite the Box Office. • Assistive Listening Devices The system is available on a first • Late Seating is at Opera are available in the lobby at no come basis. management’s discretion. charge. Virginia Opera reserves the • Children Contact the Center for right to have late seating at • Electronic Devices, cameras and the Arts regarding children’s intermission only. recording equipment are strictly admissions and policies. All prohibited. Illegal recordings may persons occupying a seat in • Electronic Devices, cameras and be confiscated. All electronic the Center for the Arts will be recording equipment are strictly devices must be silenced; required to purchase a ticket. prohibited. Illegal recordings may including but not limited to cell be confiscated. All electronic phones, pagers, PDAs, and devices must be silenced; wristwatches. including cell phones, pagers, PDAs, and wristwatches.

THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 13 14 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON La fanciulla del West

Sung in Italian with English Supertitles

Virginia Opera is The Official Opera Company of the Commonwealth of Virginia Russell P. Allen, President and CEO

Edythe C. and Stanley L. Harrison Opera House Dominion Arts Center November 17 & 19, 2017 November 10, 12 & 14, 2017

GMU’s Center for the Arts December 2 & 3, 2017

special thanks to our sponsors

THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 15 SYNOPSIS

The Girl of the Golden West

ACT I ACT II Time: 1849. Place: The interior of the Polka Saloon in Time: the same evening. Scene: a mining camp at the base of the Cloudy Mountains in Minnie’s mountain cabin. California. Billy and Wowkle, alone with their baby, plan their A group of gold-rush miners converge on the Polka wedding. Minnie enters; sending Billy away, she primps at sunset. Poker games begin at gaming tables as Nick while Wowkle prepares a supper for two. Johnson arrives; pours out glasses of whiskey. A traveling minstrel, Jake Minnie describes her simple but happy life. Wowkle Wallace, sings a sentimental song, causing a homesick leaves amid a raging snowstorm. Alone now, Johnson man to break down in tears. The miners all chip in and Minnie kiss. Suddenly ashamed, Johnson begins to to finance his passage home. Nick is approached by leave but the trail has been covered with snow. He and two miners, each of whom quietly asks for his help in Minnie declare their love. When they are interrupted by wooing Minnie, the owner of the saloon; he assures Rance, Ashby and Nick; Johnson hides. Rance brings each in turn that Minnie returns their affection. When the news that Johnson is the bandit Ramírez. When Sid is discovered to be cheating, the miners prepare to Rance says Ramirez’s trail ends at Minnie’s cabin, she lynch him; Sheriff Rance steps in to settle the dispute. denies having seen him. As the men depart, Minnie Ashby enters; the Wells Fargo agent is hot on the trail angrily accuses Johnson of lying. He denies that he of the notorious bandit Ramírez. Tempers flare when would have robbed the Polka, claiming that Minnie has Rance and Sonora argue over which of them will marry inspired him to seek a new life. Minnie orders him to Minnie. Before violence can erupt, Minnie enters; order leave; he plunges into the snowstorm. Shots are heard; is quickly restored. A few miners gather around to hear Minnie finds Johnson at her door, badly wounded. She Minnie’s Bible lesson on Psalm 51. The men disperse, helps him into the loft of her cabin. Rance returns, leaving Rance alone with Minnie. When he confesses convinced that Johnson is there. Minnie defiantly says his feelings for her, she quickly reminds him that he is she is alone. As Rance declares his love for her, drops married; recalling her happy childhood, she describes of Johnson’s blood fall onto his hand. In desperation, her own vision of romantic happiness. Minnie proposes a game of cards. Should Rance win, Minnie will offer herself to him; if Minnie wins, Rance A stranger enters, introducing himself as Dick Johnson must let Johnson go. Hiding cards in her stocking to from Sacramento, Minnie recognizes him from a prior cheat, Minnie wins the game; Rance abruptly leaves. encounter. Rance is suspicious of Johnson, but Minnie vouches for him. Minnie and Johnson dance as some miners hum a simple waltz tune. A bandit named Castro INTERMISSION is brought in; he offers to lead Rance to Ramírez hideout. In an aside to Johnson, Castro discloses his purpose in being captured is to lead the men on a wild goose chase, ACT III giving Johnson (in reality Ramírez.) the opportunity to rob the Polka. The men depart with Castro; leaving Time: one week later, early dawn. Scene: the edge Minnie and Johnson alone. They exchange confidences, of a pine forest. with Minnie confessing she has never been kissed. Minnie Rance and Nick marvel that Minnie could love a bandit shows Johnson the miner’s hiding-place for their gold; he like Ramírez. Ashby and some miners excitedly bring vows to protect it. Minnie invites him to visit her that news that Wells Fargo agents are hot on the bandit’s evening in her cabin. trail. Johnson, bound with ropes, is led into the forest clearing to an exultant Rance. The men prepare to hang Johnson on the spot. Johnson makes one final request: that Minnie not know his fate and believe him free. INTERMISSION As the noose is lowered, Minnie enters on horseback with pistol drawn. Holding the men at gunpoint, Minnie demands Johnson’s release, reminding them of the kindness she has always shown them. One by one, the miners relent, unable to deny Minnie her chance at happiness. As the miners bid her farewell, Johnson and Minnie ride away to begin a new life together.

-Dr. Glenn Winters

16 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON Sung in Italian with English Supertitles Conductor ANDREW BISANTZ Director LILLIAN GROAG Lighting Designer ADAM GREENE Wig and Makeup Designer JAMES P. MCGOUGH Fight Director ERIK GADEN CAST Minnie JILL GARDNER * Dick Johnson ROGER HONEYWELL * Jack Rance MARK WALTERS Nick CHRIS CARR * Sonora JOSEPH LATTANZI * Ashby JAKE GARDNER Jake Wallace JOSHUA ARKY *† Wowkle MELISA BONETTI † Trin BILLE BRULEY † Harry STEPHEN CARROLL *† Larkens JOSEPH HUBBARD *† Joe MATT KELLY *† Billy Jackrabbit/ Castro BRANDON MORALES † Handsome ANDREW PAULSON † Sid JAMES MCCLURE * Happy BRET THOM * Courier JOHN HOLMAN Canine Actor BEETHOVEN * Assistant Director HALEY STAMATS Production Stage Manager MARGARET KELLNER Principal Coach and Chorus Master SHELBY RHOADES Rehearsal Pianists MICHAEL SHERMAN CHAN MI JEAN † *Mainstage Debut †Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist

Scenery designed by John Conklin The scenery was originally created for Glimmerglass Festival Costumes designed by Constance Hoffman The costumes were originally created for Glimmerglass Festival This performance concludes after two hours and fifty-five minutes. Projected titles design by Kelley Rourke originally for Glimmerglass Festival.

THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 17 CHORUS, SUPERNUMERARIES AND ORCHESTRA

VIRGINIA OPERA CHORUS TENOR BARITONE BASS John Holman James McClure Pervis Blake Andri Gowens Garney Johnson James Harris Brian Moody Stanley Baldwin Walter Swan Nicholas Hill Michael Singleton Jason Young Barry Greene Rafael Collazo Ken Krantz Andy Li Ezekiel Covenant

SUPERNUMERARIES Nick Aviles Joshua Cross Erik Gaden

VIRGINIA OPERA ORCHESTRA

The orchestra for this production is provided by

VIOLIN I CELLO CLARINET TROMBONE Vahn Armstrong Michael Daniels Michael Byerly Scott McElroy Amanda Gates Rebecca Gilmore Scott Boyer Chris Espy Kirsty Barnett Green Nancy Keevan Rodney Martell Jonathan Richards Carter Melin BASSOON Mayu Cipriano Laura Leisring TIMPANI Jorge Aguirre BASS Lesa McCoy David Savige Michael Laubach Chris White Scott Harris HORN PERCUSSION VIOLIN II Tom Reel Simon Lapointe Jacob Wilder Tim Bishop Kimberly Gilman Scott Jackson Tara-Louise Montour FLUTE Seiko Syvertsen Everett Burns Reid Stockdill Angelina Gandolfo Debra Wendells Cross John Shawger Wesi Chong Boyer Rachel Ordaz HARP TRUMPET Barbara Chapman VIOLA OBOE David Vonderheide Adam Gandolfo Beverly Kane Baker Sherie Lake- Aguirre Satoko Rickenbacker George Corbett Matthew Umlauf Jocelyn Smith

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DIRECTOR'S NOTES

We live in cynical is to save a man from sure lynching, followed times. If there is by an interest in a stricken (and broke) young something that miner and an overall concern to protect the “The Girl” is not, is motley crew in his care from thieving marauders cynical. Not for a and murderers, followed by a painful declaration moment, a note, a of love (after a loveless life) to a Girl who … word. Is it possible to doesn’t love him back, who carries a loaded be a cynic and still be pistol in her bodice and a lot of poetic fluff touched by Puccini’s in her brain. And he follows this rebuff with “Girl”? He was. He the strict keeping of his word as a gentleman called it “La mia Girl” when he was working on gambler and a man of honor even when it it. Now I’ve always thought that a cynic is just involves protecting his rival. How does this man a romantic sulking, and so a prime candidate to come to be inevitably played as a second Scarpia? be vulnerable to “The Girl”. The answer is, of course, the usual haphazard, inattentive reading of the libretto. The story is not simple-minded brain-sugar, as some would have it. Minnie puts it to Rance What does it all amount to? Redemption, very clearly: “we’re all alike, we three, you’re a not through Reason as in the 18th century gambler, he’s a bandit and I make a living off Enlightenment manner of Mozart, but through gold and whisky.” Hardly what we would call faith and love. The 19th century has just passed role models. But something rings true about through. It’s all emotional – just listen to the the lonely, fraught, arid life they all three live musical climaxes in the opera. The final “battle” in that fabular Far West of the Gold Rush among the three protagonists is all about Love. which legend so often gilds with adventure and Love is the only thing that could have “saved” glamour. In fact, according to Minnie again, Jack Rance from bitterness and the above the men who left home and family behind to mentioned cynicism. If Minnie had loved him, come across continents and seas in order to what a man he could have been! It worked for put food in their mouths and a roof over their the unworthy Johnson, after all. If good people heads, live and work in mud holes, preyed upon loved us, what “folks” we might turn out to be! by disease, harsh nature and criminals, where bandits (like our hero, Johnson) think nothing Minnie is America. Minnie is the Girl who fights of robbing the precious little gold scraped out with Heart – not always cleanly. Think of the of the hard mine with their bare hands. And end of Act II. Minnie is why Immigrants from for company? There is the Saloon, whisky and all over the world passed through Ellis Island. cards, and a Girl with a “$30 dollar education” Minnie is "the Girl" we all wish we were again. who reads bits of the Bible to them and tries to keep them human. I bet we can. What is irresistible about this story is the Heart of it all. However they err, and they all do, it’s -Lillian Groag with great heart. Even tough Jack Rance, the gambling Sheriff whose first action in the opera

46 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON CAST & CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

ANDREW BISANTZ Sisters is available on Navona Records on CD, as well as through iTunes Conductor and Spotify.

Recently celebrating his 50th operatic Artist Underwriting for Andrew Bisantz provided by Allan and production as conductor, Andrew Bisantz Harriet Reynolds. has received rave reviews from Opera News, the New York Times, the Washington Post, LILLIAN GROAG and the Boston Globe; three of his recent Director productions have been counted among the top 10 musical events of the season in their respective cities. Mr. Renowned playwright Lillian Groag has Bisantz is the newly named Artistic Director and Conductor of Eugene directed at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Opera, this season conducting Il barbiere di Siviglia and María de the Old Globe Theatre, Actors Theatre of Buenos Aires; he has been principal conductor and Music Director Louisville, Mark Taper Forum’s Taper Too, there for a decade. Past productions for Eugene include Little Women, New York City Opera, Chicago Opera Theatre, Eugene Onegin, Lucia di Lammermoor, L’elisir d’amore, La fanciulla del Boston Lyric Opera, Florida Grand Opera, West, La traviata, Dead Man Walking, The Pirates of Penzance, Nixon in Center Stage, The People’s Light and Theatre Company, Berkeley China, Carmen, The Mikado, La bohème, Le nozze di Figaro, Faust, Don Repertory, Milwaukee Repertory, Missouri Repertory, Seattle Repertory, Giovanni, and Orphée aux enfers. Glimmerglass Opera, Asolo Repertory Theatre, San Jose Repertory, A.C.T. in San Francisco, The Juilliard School of Music, Florentine Opera, La Fanciulla del West marks Mr. Bisantz’s second production for Virginia Kentucky Opera, Arizona Opera, the Sundance Institute Playwrights’ Opera, having conducted 2015’s La traviata. The Virginia Pilot wrote Lab, the Virginia Opera, Opera San Jose and the Company of Angels. that, in his VO debut, his conducting “…elicits an exquisite performance Her plays The Ladies of the Camellias, The White Rose (AT&T award from his musicians with meticulous attacks, bravura playing and for New American Plays), The Magic Fire (Kennedy Center Fund for breathtaking dynamics.” New American Plays), Menocchio and Midons have been produced variously by the Old Globe Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Mr. Bisantz returned last fall to Boston Lyric Opera, conducting a Kennedy Center, The Guthrie Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, critically-acclaimed production of Mark Anthony Turnage’s GREEK; in Yale Repertory, Denver Center, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Seattle previous seasons, he has led BLO in Madama Butterfly, Turn of the Repertory, the Asolo Theatre, The Wilma Theatre, The People’s Light Screw, and Tosca. Mr. Bisantz has conducted both Carmen and Don and Theatre Company, as well as in Mexico, Italy, and Japan. She is Giovanni for the Savannah Voice Festival, as well as appearing jointly an Associate Artist of the Old Globe Theatre. Master’s and PhD degrees in concert with SVF and the Savannah Music Festival. This summer from Northwestern University in Romance Languages and Literature, also saw his debut with the renowned CU NOW Festival at University of Theatre Thesis, and an Honorary PhD from Lake Forest College. She Colorado Boulder, conducting the premier of the revised version of Mark has directed countless productions at Virginia Opera to great acclaim. Adamo’s The Gospel of Mary Magdalene, as well as making his debut at the Seagle Music Colony to lead the world premier of Herschel Garfein’s Artist Underwriting for Director Lillian Groag provided by John and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. He recently has had debuts Irene Field. with Opera Saratoga (Le nozze di Figaro), Opera Omaha (La fanciulla del West), Opera San Jose (Le nozze di Figaro), and Tri-Cities Opera (Rigoletto); he has also led Wolf Trap Opera, the Brevard Music Center’s ADAM H. GREENE Janiec Opera Company, McGill University, and Shreveport Opera. Lighting Designer

Mr. Bisantz has had a decade-long association with Florida Grand Opera Returning to Virginia Opera this season in Miami; he made his main-stage debut there in 2006 conducting with La Fancuilla del West, Adam H. Greene performances of Carmen, and has subsequently led FGO in Manon is thrilled to be working again with Lillian Lescaut, La bohème, La cenerentola, Pagliacci and Suor Angelica, Groag, having previously collaborated Don Giovanni, Rigoletto, and Die Zauberflöte. His recent production of on Carmen at Lyric Opera Virginia. Adam Menotti’s The Consul with FGO was named the number one classical has designed lighting for HMS Pinafore music event of 2015 in South Florida. He was FGO’s 2007 Henry C. directed by Nicola Bowie at Virginia Opera, The Little Prince directed Clark Conductor. by Katie DeVrie at St. Michael’s Church, NYC, Julius Ceasar directed by Michael Shell at Michigan Opera Theatre, La Traviata directed by Michael Shell at Lyric Opera Virginia. For Glimmerglass Opera, Mr. Bisantz began his tenure in 2001 as an assistant conductor, and made his main-stage debut there in 2004, conducting Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience, and in 2005 conducted As Resident Lighting Director for New Jersey Association of Verismo Massenet’s Le portrait de Manon, which was then broadcast on NPR’s Opera, Adam designs include La Boheme, Suor Angelica, Madama World of Opera. Orchestrally, he has appeared with the Orquestra Butterfly, Il Trovatore, Tosca, Aida, and Un Ballo in Maschera all Sinfónica do Porto in Portugal, the Virginia Symphony, the Western directed by Evelyn LaQuaif. New York Chamber Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic, the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, and was Apprentice Conductor of the Buffalo Adam’s career spans across Opera, Theatre, Dance, Television, Philharmonic for two seasons. Fashion and Corporate Events.

Upcoming engagements include returning to the Buffalo Philharmonic in Adam H. Greene’s New York theater designs include The Actors’ Gang January 2017 for a program featuring Mozart and DaPonte’s legendary Embedded at The Public Theater with Writer / Director Tim Robbins, operatic collaboration, as well as making his Opera Tampa debut in The Taste of It, Broken Fences, and America Amerique (National Tour) April conducting Verdi’s Macbeth and returning to Opera Saratoga to directed by Alex Levy for Ballybeg, The Angel of History directed by lead a new production of The Consul next summer. His recent recording Matt Torney at HERE Arts Center, Beau Brummel and Cooking for of composer Fredrick Kaufman’s Stars and Distances and The Seven Kings directed by Simon Green at 59E59 Theaters, and CSSA’s Moon Festival at Lincoln Center.

THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 47 CAST & CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Recent design credits include Dance Bistro Festival for TuTu Theater). On the concert stage, she has performed with such ensembles Foundation, Lucia di Lammermoor for NJ Verismo Opera, and Ash as the Washington Chorus in a Puccini Concert; the Charlotte Symphony and Honey for Christina Noel & the Creature. Orchestra in a Verdi/Mascagni/Wagner Concert; the role of Madame Lidoine in Poulenc’s operatic tragedy Dialogues des Carmélites with Adam has received The Garland award for his design of Sinan Unel’s the Portland Symphony Orchestra and the Winston-Salem Symphony; Pera Palas directed by Michael Micheti at The Boston Court. Gala Concerts for Opera Carolina, Greensboro Opera and Anchorage Opera; Verdi’s Requiem in Dallas; Beethoven’s Mass in C Major with the To see Adam’s work, please visit : www.greenelightdesign.com Wichita Symphony; Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music with the Syracuse Symphony as well as the Brahms Requiem and Holiday Pops Concerts with the Binghamton Philharmonic.

JILL GARDNER An alumna of the Young Artist Programs of Glimmerglass Opera Festival Minnie and Tri-Cities Opera in upstate New York, Ms. Gardner created the role of Madame Loiseau in the world premiere of Stephen Hartke’s The Greater “Jill Gardner’s beautifully crafted ‘Vissi d’arte’ Good, which was recorded live in the Alice Busch Opera House of the was even more of a standout. Gardner’s Glimmerglass Festival for the Naxos Label. She has been a Southeast Tosca looked the part and was well acted Regional Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and sensitively sung. Her clear, even soprano and holds a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the had adequate power when needed, but what University of North Carolina at Greensboro as well as a Bachelor of Music was most satisfying was the vocal nuance degree in Piano Performance from Centenary College of Louisiana. she used to depict the many moods demanded by the role. This was an impressive performance.” Ms. Gardner currently resides in Kernersville, NC with her husband, bass-baritone Jake Gardner. —Luther Wade, Opera News Artist Underwriting for Jill Gardner provided by Richard Miller & Vince NOTED FOR HER “EFFORTLESSLY PRODUCED, RICH VOICE” (OPERA and Sharon Ferranti. NEWS), AMERICAN SOPRANO JILL GARDNER IS SWIFTLY ESTABLISHING HERSELF AMONG TODAY’S LEADING OPERATIC HEROINES. Recognized as a “lyrico spinto, Puccini girl through and through,” Ms. Gardner has sung over 50 performances of her signature role of Tosca in recent ROGER HONEYWELL seasons with such notable American companies as Opera Carolina, Dick Johnson Arizona Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Hawai’i Opera Theater, Toledo Opera, Lyric Opera of Baltimore, Piedmont Opera and in a new production with Canadian tenor Roger Honeywell has been Mill City Summer Opera. Opera News calls Ms. Gardner’s interpretation acclaimed by Anthony Tommasini as a of Tosca “fresh and focused” and states “in Gardner’s hands, her Act performer who brings “burnished sound and II aria, ‘Vissi d’arte’, was not merely a famous showstopper but an crisp diction to sweeping vocal lines, full of opportunity to reveal layers of Tosca’s character…” In the 2017–2018 leaps and dips.” In the 2017-2018 season, season, Ms. Gardner makes anticipated company debuts with Virginia Mr. Honeywell will perform the role of Ahab in Opera as Minnie in Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West and with Opera Jake Heggie’s Moby Dick at both Utah Opera and Pittsburgh Opera. He Tampa as Lady MacBeth in Verdi’s Macbeth. will also sing Dick Johnson in La Fanciulla del West with Virginia Opera, and reprise the role of Veasey in Jennifer Higdon’s Cold Mountain with Ms. Gardner has received critical acclaim for her many portrayals of North Carolina Opera. Concert highlights include the Glagolitic Mass the leading ladies of the verismo repertoire as well as contemporary with Madison Symphony. heroines. This past season, the Southern soprano made her debut in the iconic role of Blanche Dubois in André Previn’s A Streetcar Named Desire In the 2016-2017 season, Mr. Honeywell returned to Boston Lyric for Hawai’i Opera Theater as well as creating the role of Mildred in the Opera for Don José in Carmen, Calgary Opera as Eisenstein in Die highly-anticipated world premiere production of Richard Auldon Clark’s Fledermaus and Capt. Vere in Billy Budd with Des Moines Metro Opera. and Kurt Vonnegut’s Happy Birthday Wanda June for Indianapolis Opera. Internationally, he will join Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for In previous seasons, Ms. Gardner performed Manon Lescaut with Opera Thomas Adès new piece, The Exterminating Angel. In the 2015-2016 Grand Rapids; Madama Butterfly with Arizona Opera, Tri-Cities Opera season, Roger Honeywell made his company debut with the Théâtre and Piedmont Opera; Georgetta/Il Tabarro and Suor Angelica with Opera du Châtelet as Torasso in Sondheim’s Passion, Boston Lyric Opera Carolina; Lady Macbeth in Verdi’s Macbeth with Michigan Opera Theater as Danilo in The Merry Widow, as joined the roster of LA Opera for and Chautauqua Opera; Tatiana in Eugene Onegin with Eugene Opera; Jake Heggie’s Moby Dick. Highlights of Mr. Honeywell’s 2014-2015 Mimì in La Bohème with Boston Lyric Opera; Musetta in La Bohème with season included his return to Santa Fe Opera for the world premiere Florida Grand Opera; Marguerite in Faust with Madison Opera; Minnie of Jennifer Higdon’s Cold Mountain, in the role of Veasey, directed by in La Fanciulla del West with Opera Coeur d’Alene, in her role début; Leonard Foglia. He also returned to Calgary Opera as Nikolaus Sprink and Nedda in Pagliacci with Michigan Opera Theater, Mill City Summer for the Canadian premiere of Kevin Puts’ Silent Night, Eisenstein in Die Opera and in her début with Lyric Opera of Chicago. Other highlights Fledermaus with Vancouver Opera, and Danilo in The Merry Widow at from recent seasons include portrayals of Leonora in Il Trovatore with Michigan Opera Theatre. Piedmont Opera, Liù in Turandot with Arizona Opera, Helmwige in Die Walküre with Hawai‘i Opera Theater and joining the roster of Washington Mr. Honeywell’s recent seasons have featured performances with National Opera for their production of Manon Lescaut. Des Moines Metro Opera as Peter Grimes, which Opera News lauded as “a career-defining interpretation,” delivering “a prodigious vocal Equally at home in the operetta and musical theater traditions, Ms. performance impressive for its remarkable skill in dynamic shading, Gardner gave the first inaugural opera house performances of the role of as well as its dramatic power”; Lyric Opera of Chicago as Aegist in Sir Margaret Johnson in Adam Guettel’s Light in the Piazza with Piedmont David McVicar’s production of Elektra conducted by Sir Andrew Davis; Opera and enjoyed success in Lehar’s The Merry Widow (Syracuse Portland Opera to sing Cavaradossi in Tosca and Pinkerton in Madama Opera) as well as Sondheim’s A Little Night Music (Hawai‘i Opera Butterfly; Vancouver Opera to sing Frederic in Gilbert and Sullivan’sThe

48 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON CAST & CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Pirates of Penzance; Canadian Opera Company as Bob Boles in Peter Last season, Walters sang the role of Peter in Hänsel und Gretel with Grimes; Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro as Captain Vere in Marcelo Seattle Opera, Scarpia in Tosca with Opera Tampa, the title role in a Lombardero’s production of Billy Budd, originally staged in Santiago, concert version of Don Giovanni with Kalamazoo Symphony, in the Chile; Pacific Opera Victoria as Bacchus inAriadne auf Naxos; Fort Centennial Celebration Concert with Opera Tampa, and in the 10th Worth Opera as Cavaradossi in Tosca; and the Bard Music Festival as Anniversary Gala with Opera Louisiane. In concert, he sang Händel’s Midas in Die Liebe der Dannae. Messiah with Augustana College, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Traverse City Symphony, and a concert of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Career highlights include the role of James Nolan in Doctor Atomic and Vaughn Williams Serenade with Springfield Symphony. This season, with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, which he then reprised with the Mr. Walters sings Jack Rance in La fanciulla del West with Virginia Opera Metropolitan Opera for his debut there in 2008; Danilo in The Merry and Don Pizaro in Fidelio with Boston Baroque. Widow with the Lyric Opera of Chicago; with Santa Fe Opera in Lewis Spratlan’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Life Is a Dream; his role debut of Recent engagements include a company début as Scarpia in Tosca with Cavaradossi in Tosca with the Florida Grand Opera; Troilus in Troilus Minnesota Opera and a return for their world première of The Shining and Cressida with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis; Narraboth in Salome as Mark Torrance; the title role of Rigoletto with Florida Grand Opera with the Opéra de Montréal; the American premiere of Tan Dun’s Tea: and Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra; the title role in Don Giovanni with A Mirror of Soul with Santa Fe Opera; the world premiere of Ricky Ian Seattle Opera; Germont in La traviata with Arizona Opera, Florentine Gordon’s The Grapes of Wrath at the Minnesota Opera and Utah Opera; Opera, and Finger Lakes Opera; Don Pizarro in Fidelio with Kentucky Macduff in Macbeth with the Opéra de Montréal; his debut with the Opera and Opera Omaha; Marcello in La bohème with Florida Grand Fort Worth Opera as Don Jose in Carmen; and a world premiere of Paul Opera and Opera Coeur d’Alene; Zurga in Les pêcheurs de perles with Moravec’s The Letter with the Santa Fe Opera. He has also made role Opera Carolina; Renato in Un ballo in maschera with Opera Tampa; debuts of Erik in the Flying Dutchman for Utah Opera and Don Jose in Valentin in Faust and Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor with Arizona Opera; Carmen with Opera Calgary to great critical acclaim, as well as Rodolfo a production of Peter Grimes with Canadian Opera Company; Jack Rance in La Boheme for the Opera Company of Philadelphia and Dick Johnson in La fanciulla del West with Mobile Opera; his début with the Spoleto in La Fanciulla del West for the Glimmerglass Opera. Festival USA in John Adams’ El Niño; début with Opera Santa Barbara in the title role in Don Giovanni; Scarpia in Tosca with Sarasota Opera; and Other notable performances include the role of Laca in a new Sharpless in Madama Butterfly with Florentine Opera. production of Jenufa by Jonathan Miller for the Glimmerglass Opera, a new production of Daphne in the role of Leukippos at the New York Career highlights include the world première of Rappahannock County by City Opera, Pinkerton in a new production of Madama Butterfly by Jun American composer Ricky Ian Gordon recorded on the Naxos label. His Kaneko for Opera Omaha, and the world premiere of Margaret Garner European début as Germont in La traviata with Den Nye Opera, Norway and for Michigan Opera Theatre, Cincinnati Opera and the Opera Company his Asian début as Don Giovanni in Osaka, Japan. He also portrayed the of Philadelphia. After a career as an actor in Canada working at many Reverend Olin Blitch in a special 50th anniversary production of Susannah, of the country’s foremost companies, including five seasons with the personally overseen by Carlisle Floyd. Shaw Festival and five seasons with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada, Mr. Honeywell joined the Canadian Opera Company’s young Walters’ oratorio work includes his Carnegie Hall début in Orff’s Carmina artist program, where he was heard in the title role of Giulio Cesare by Burana and Fauré’s Requiem conducted by John Rutter; Beethoven’s Antonio Sartario and Narraboth in Salome. Symphony No. 9 with the Tallahassee Symphony, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and the Lima Symphony; Verdi’s Requiem with the Mississippi In addition to his opera engagements, Mr. Honeywell has performed Symphony; the Brahms Requiem with Arizona Music Festival and Händel’s concert work with the Montreal Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Tucson Messiah with the Mississippi Symphony and the Händel Oratorio Society. Symphony, Albany Symphony, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Calgary As a featured soloist, Mr. Walters has sung in the Milnes Voice Gala Honors Philharmonic, Nashville Symphony, and the Vancouver Symphony James Morris, in the Baritones on the Bayou with Opera Louisiane, as Elijah Orchestra. with the Pensacola Choral Society, and in a Gala concert for the Canterbury Festival, UK. He is a graduate of the Ryerson Theatre School in Toronto and has received numerous awards, among which are a Dora Mavor Moore Artist Underwriting for Mark Walters is provided by Vern and Nancy Award for his role of Arnaud de Tilh in The House of Martin Guerre, Barham & Joe Murillo and Caroline Orlando. a Maureen Forrester Award, and a Tyrone Guthrie Award from the Stratford Festival.

CHRIS CARR Nick MARK WALTERS A “confident, energetic” performer with “warmth Jack Rance and beauty in his voice”, tenor Chris Carr is making his way onto stages across the country. Being touted as one of the next great American Raised in the small town of Quasqueton, IA, Verdi baritones, Opera News describes Mark Mr. Carr has most recently performed roles at Walters as “a force to be reckoned with.” He Arizona Opera, Washington National Opera, is lauded for his performances throughout the The Glimmerglass Festival, The Merola Opera United States as Scarpia in Tosca, Germont Program, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Central City Opera, and Des Moines in La traviata, and Pizarro in Fidelio. For his Metro Opera, among others. performance in La forza del destino, The Chicago Sun Times commended his “vocal fury.” Walters is now foraying into richer, more dramatic roles including: Die fliegende Holländer, Jochanaan in Salome, Wotan in Der Mr. Carr opens this season with a debut with Madison Opera as Tybalt in Ring des Nibelungen, the title role of Sweeney Todd, and Iago in Otello. Romeo et Juliette, and joins Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre as Beppe in Pagliacci. He will also appear with the Jacksonville Symphony for Handel’s Messiah, and make a debut with the Berkshire Opera Festival in summer 2017. Last season,

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Mr. Carr returned to Des Moines Metro Opera singing two roles: Dr. Caius in From 2015 – 2017, Mr. Lattanzi was a member of the Marion Roose Pullin Falstaff, and Older Galileo in Galileo Galilei. Arizona Opera Studio. During his time with the company, he was heard in the title role of Don Giovanni, as Dandini in La Cenerentola, Riolobo in Florencia en After several seasons performing as a baritone in some of the country’s most el Amazonas, and was featured in the company’s Sapphire Celebration with respected houses and festivals, in the summer of 2015 Mr. Carr made a Frederica von Stade. Additional performances included Moralès and Dancaïre in Carmen, Yamadori in Madama Butterfly, and as the Gamekeeper in Rusalka. successful transition to tenor repertoire. He made his company debut with During this period, he also returned to Seattle Opera as Kuligin in Katya Arizona Opera in 2013 as part of the Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio. While Kabanová and joined San Francisco Opera for their production of Don Giovanni. there he performed many roles including, Eugene Onegin in Eugene Onegin, Malatesta in Don Pasquale, and Schaunard in La bohème. In February of zEqually at home in standard and new repertoire, Lattanzi has created roles in 2014 Mr. Carr was announced the recipient of the Igor Gorin Memorial Award. workshops of operas by Gregory Spears (Fellow Travelers), Jake Heggie (Great That year he made his debut at The Glimmerglass Festival where he sang, Scott), Daniel Catán (Meet John Doe), and Clint Borzoni (The Copper Queen). In among other assignments, Billy Bigelow in Carousel, and Washington National the 2011-2012 season, Mr. Lattanzi was recognized by Opera News Magazine Opera where he sang The Pilot in The Little Prince. for his “fresh, bright baritone voice” as Moralès with Seattle Opera. As a member of Seattle Opera’s Young Artist Program, he also performed the roles of The summer of 2013 took Mr. Carr to San Francisco to sing in the Merola Dr. Malatesta in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale and Albert in Massenet’s Werther. The Opera Program as Tarquinius (Rape of Lucretia). The opening of the 2012-’13 Mableton, GA native has studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the season marked Mr. Carr’s mainstage debut with the Lyric Opera of Kansas University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). In addition to two Citywhere he performed Yamadori (Madame Butterfly) and later Pish-Tush summers at the Merola Opera Program, he has participated in programs at the (The Mikado). Brevard Music Center and the Chautauqua Institute Voice Program.

Mr. Carr spent two seasons with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City as a Resident Artist Underwriting for Joseph Lattanzi provided by Richard Staub and Ina Levy. artist beginning in 2011, while he was also at the University of Missouri Kansas City. During his time there, he covered the roles of Ping (Turandot), JAKE GARDNER Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), Chou en Lai and Richard Nixon (Nixon in China) and Figaro (Il barbiere di Siviglia) at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and also sang Ashby Don Giovanni (Don Giovanni) and Count Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro) at the Boasting a career of performances with major University of Missouri Kansas City. opera companies and orchestras worldwide, bass- baritone Jake Gardner remains one of the opera In the summer of 2012 Mr. Carr made his debut as Schaunard (La bohème) world’s most sought-after singing actors. Having at Central City Opera where he was also the recipient of the John Moriarty sung a decade as principal baritone with Oper der award. That year Mr. Carr was a District Winner in the Metropolitan Opera Stadt Köln under the baton of James Conlon, his National Council Auditions and received a Career Development Award from long and distinguished career has included performances with such notable The Sullivan Foundation. Mr. Carr participated in the Des Moines Metro Opera companies as Wiener Volksopera, Dresden’s Semper Oper, Glyndebourne Young Artist Program in both the summer of 2010 and 2011. In 2011 he Festival, De Nederlandse Opera, Edinburgh Festival as well as Lyric Opera performed with The Cedar Rapids Opera Theater as the Sacristan (Tosca) and of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Houston Grand Opera, he was also a District Winner in Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Washington National Opera, New York City Opera, Florida Grand Opera and a and the winner of the Vocal Division of the NAFTZGER Competition. host of excellent American regional companies.

Mr. Carr has performed concert work such as Orff’s Carmina Burana, Career highlights include a world tour and film of Peter Brook’sLe Tragédie de Monteverdi’s Vespers, Faure’s Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah. He has Carmen; a landmark production of Così fan Tutte with Trevor Nunn and Simon performed in recital with the Cedar Rapids Opera Theater and Kansas City’s Rattle at the Glyndebourne Festival, and the world premier of William Bolcom’s Bach Aria Soloists. A Wedding directed by Robert Altman commemorating Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 50th Anniversary season. Mr. Carr graduated with a Master’s in Music from the University of Missouri Equally at home in the operetta and musical theater traditions, Mr. Gardner has Kansas City and a Bachelor’s of Music from Simpson College in Indianola, IA. recently appeared in productions of Annie Get Your Gun (Buffalo Bill) and The Music Man (Mayor Shin) with the Glimmerglass Festival, Merry Widow (Baron Artist Underwriting for Chris Carr provided by Valerie Neff and Zeta) with Los Angeles Opera, A Little Night Music (Frederic) with Hawaii Opera Edward Kelly. Theater, Die Fledermaus (Frank) and HMS Pinafore (Sir Joseph Porter) as well as a critically-acclaimed portrayal of Judge Turpin (Sweeney Todd), all with Virginia Opera. He returned to the role of Judge Turpin in the recent seasons with JOSEPH LATTANZI Houston Grand Opera, Mill City Summer Opera as well as Eugene Opera where Sonora he also made a triumphant debut in the role of Prince Gremin in Eugene Onegin. A 2017 Sullivan Foundation Award recipient, baritone Joseph Lattanzi established himself “For the 2016–2017 season, Mr. Gardner made his Indianapolis Opera debut as a young singer to watch with his portrayal as Harold Ryan in the highly-anticipated world premiere production of Richard of Hawkins Fuller in the world premiere of Greg Auldon Clark’s and Kurt Vonnegut’s Happy Birthday Wanda June, celebrated Spears’ Fellow Travelers with Cincinnati Opera. his 100th role performance as the Hermit in Der Freischütz for Virginia Opera, The New York Times said “Jospeh Lattanzi was made his debut with Anchorage Opera in the company’s 55th Anniversary Gala splendid as Hawk, his buttery baritone luxuriant Concerts as well as Opera San Antonio in the role of Dr. Bartolo, and sang the and robust.” and Opera News described him as a “confident, handsome role of Scarpia opposite his wife, soprano Jill Gardner’s Tosca, for Piedmont presence, and a resonant baritone suggesting wells of feeling that the character Opera and Opera Coeur d’Alene. For the upcoming 2017–2018 season, Mr. might prefer to leave untapped.” The 2017-18 season brings a series of debuts Gardner will sing the role of Ashby in Virginia Opera’s La Fanciulla del West, for Mr. Lattanzi. He begins the season with his Virginia Opera debut as Sonora returns to Eugene Opera for Dr. Bartolo in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, debuts the role in La fanciulla del West and returns to the company later in the season as of Sulpice in La Fille du Régiment with Hawai’i Opera Theater and returns to Demetrius in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Following performances Opera San Antonio for performances of Benoit/Alcindoro in Puccini’s La Bohème. of Hawkins Fuller at the PROTOTYPE Festival for his New York City debut, he Future seasons include performances with Lyric Opera of Chicago.” also debuts at Lyric Opera of Chicago in the same role for a new production of Fellow Travelers. He finishes the season with his return to The Atlanta Opera as Anthony in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. Artist Underwriting for Jake Gardner provided by Tom and Christie Nicholson. 50 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON CAST & CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

JOSHUA ARKY BILLE BRULEY Jake Wallace Trin Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Hometown: Montgomery, TX Education: Education: Columbia University, B.A. Sustainable Indiana University Development Baylor University Manhattan School of Music, M.M Voice The Glimmerglass Festival Central City Opera, Apprentice Artist Central City Opera Palm Beach Opera, Apprentice Artist Awards: Awards: MONC Semi-Finalist Rohatyn Great Promise Award, Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition Finalist Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Eastern Region)Regional Finalist, Iris Henwood Richards Memorial Award – Central City Opera Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Eastern Region)Rohatyn Past Highlights: Great Promise Award Nebuchadnezzar, The Burning Fiery Furnace, Central City Opera President’s Award, Manhattan School of Music Peter Grimes, Peter Grimes, Indiana University Past Highlights: Giles Corey, The Crucible, The Glimmerglass Festival Figaro, Le nozze di Figaro, Point Loma Opera Theatre Beadle Bamford, Sweeney Todd, The Glimmerglass Festival Hidraot, Armide, OperaNEO Ferrando, Così fan tutte, Indiana University Sergeant of Police, The Pirates of Penzance, Palm Beach Opera Solo Recital, Millenium Stage, John F. Kennedy Center Alidoro, La Cenerentola, Opéra Louisiane Previously at VO: Colline, La bohème, Manhattan School of Music The Father/Tenor 1, The Seven Deadly Sins Virginia Opera Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist Virginia Opera Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist This Season at VO: This Season at VO: Jake Wallace, Ashby (cover), Girl of the Golden West 1st Philistine, Samson et Dalila Trin, La fanciulla del West Flute, A Midsummer Night’s Dream MELISA BONETTI Arturo, Lucia di Lammermoor Wowkle Artist Underwriting for Bille Bruley provided by Homer and Martha Hometown: Queens, NY Smith. Education: University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music – MM STEPHEN CARROLL Queens College – BM Harry Nashville Opera- 2017 Des Moines Metro Opera – 2015, 2016 Hometown: Scotch Plains, NJ Dayton Opera 2015-2016 Education: Kentucky Opera – 2014-2015 University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Wolf Trap Studio Artist – 2012 Music – AD I Sing Beijing – 2011 University of North Texas – MM University of Delaware – BM Recent Highlights: Santa Fe Opera Apprentice – 2016, 2017 Die Hexe, Hänsel und Gretel, Union Avenue Opera Glimmerglass Festival Apprentice – 2015 Zerlina, Don Giovanni, Queen City Opera Carmen COVER, Carmen, Nashville Opera Past Highlights: Mercedes, Carmen, Nashville Opera & Opera Columbus Blind, Fledermaus, Santa Fe Opera Tyler, Three Way (tour), co-production American Opera Projects Gvidon cover, The Golden Cockerel, Santa Fe Opera & Nashville Opera Malcolm, Macbeth, The Glimmerglass Festival Abuela, La Vida Breve, Cincinnati Chamber Opera First Armored Man, The Magic Flute, The Glimmerglass Festival Lilith, Dracula: Bloodlines (ballet-opera), Dayton Ballet Cassio, Otello, Dayton Opera Maria Maddalena & Scribe, Galileo Galilei, Des Moines Metro Opera Virginia Opera Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist Emilia, Otello, Dayton Opera This Season at VO: Flora, La Traviata, Shippensburg Festival & Kentucky Opera Concert Tour Philistine, Samson et Dalila Virginia Opera Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist Harry, La fanciulla del West This Season at VO: Snout/Lysander cover, A Midsummer Night’s Dream Normanno/Edgardo cover, Lucia di Lammermoor Delilah (cover), Samson and Delilah Wowkle, Girl of the Golden West Hermia/Hippolyta (cover), A Midsummer Night’s Dream Alisa, Lucia di Lammermoor

THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 51 CAST & CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES JOSEPH HUBBARD Past Highlights: Larkens Duke in Romeo et Juliette, Bonzo in Madama Butterfly at Toledo Opera 2nd Armored Man in Die Zauberflöte at Dayton Opera Hometown: Pflugerville, Texas Brundibar in Brundibar, Lautsprecher in Der Kaiser von Atlantis, Plutone/ Caronte in L’Orfeo, Polyphemus in Acis and Galatea with Cincinnati Education: Chamber Opera Boston University (Cert.) Omar in Abu Hussan, Osmin in Zaide with Queen City Chamber Opera Northwestern University (M.Mus) Malatesta in Don Pasquale with San Antonio Opera Piccola University of North Texas (B.Mus) Title Role in Don Giovanni with Opera in the Ozarks Aldeburgh Festival Britten-Pears Programme Frank Maurrant in Street Scene at Texas State University Aspen Music Festival Previously at VO: Awards: Bass/Mother, The Seven Deadly Sins Phyllis Curtin Award, 2016 Caspar (cover), Der Freischütz Past Highlights: Timur (cover), Turandot Figaro, Le nozze di Figaro, Opera Institute at Boston University Dr. Bartolo (cover), Il Barbiere di Siviglia Bottom, , Opera Institute at Boston A Midsummer Night’s Dream Virginia Opera Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist University Colline, La Bohème, Opera Southwest This Season at VO: Orazio, Amleto, Opera Southwest 2nd Philistine, Abimélech (cover), Samson and Delilah Sarastro, Die Zauberflöte, Aspen Music Festival Billy Jackrabbit/Jose Castro, The Girl of the Golden West Virginia Opera Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist Quince/Prologue, A Midsummer Night’s Dream This Season at VO: Old Hebrew cover, Samson and Delilah Larkens, La Fanciulla del West ANDREW PAULSON Snug, A Midsummer Night’s Dream Handsome Raimondo (cover, student performance), Lucia di Lammermoor Hometown: Great Falls, VA Education: MATT KELLY B.M. Voice Performance Westminster Choir Joe College M.M. Voice Performance Florida State University Hometown: Manassas, Virginia Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Artist Sarasota Opera Studio Artist Education: Christopher Newport University, Honors Bachelor Awards: of Music with Distinction 3rd Place Denver Lyric Opera Guild University of Notre Dame, Master of Sacred Music 2nd Place Mobile Opera Competition Ohio Light Opera – Young Artist 2015 & 2016 Past Highlights: Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s School for the Visual and Papageno, Die Zauberflote, Opera Colorado Performing Arts Paul Jobs, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, Santa Fe Opera Past Highlights: Happy, La Fanciulla del West, Santa Fe Opera Don Ottavio, Don Giovanni, Hawaii Performing Arts Festival Baritone Soloist, Carmina Burana, Delta State University Foster Wilson, Annie Get Your Gun!, Ohio Light Opera Clayton McAllister, Cold Sassy Tree, Sugar Creek Opera Gontran, La vie Parisienne, Ohio Light Opera Previously at VO: Don Basilio / Curzio, Le nozze di Figaro, Zeiders American Dream Theater Silvio (cover), Pagliacci King Solomon, Paradiso, by Robert Kyr (world premier), International Brother (cover), Seven Deadly Sins Dante Project Figaro, Il Barbiere di Siviglia Previously at VO: Prince Ottokar, Der Freischutz 1st Priest/1st Armored Man (cover), The Magic Flute Mandarin, Turandot This Season at VO: Virginia Opera Herndon Foundation Emerging Artist Joe, The Girl of the Golden West Educational Outreach Tour, Spring 2018 This Season at VO: High Priest (cover), Samson and Delilah Bello, Sonora (cover), The Girl of the Golden West BRANDON MORALES Starvling/Moon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream Billy Jackrabbit / Castro Enrico (cover, student performance), Lucia di Lammermoor Hometown: San Antonio, TX Education: Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Texas State University

52 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON CAST & CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES JAMES MCCLURE Simpson, she has performed in the Festival of Short Plays as Harper Wëird Sid in Wëird and Gros-René in Molière’s Sganarelle or The Imaginary Cuckhold. Stamats graduated this past May with a Bachelor of Arts in Music for voice James A. McClure received his Bachelor of Mu- with a theatre emphasis at Simpson College in Indianola, IA. sic from Appalachian State University and Master of Music from UNC-Greensboro. Since joining Virginia Opera in 2015, Mr. McClure has covered ERIK GADEN the role of Kilian in Der Freischütz, performed in the Celebrate Fairfax Festival, and is an active Fight Director member of the Opera chorus. He has been invited to perform as a guest Erik Gaden is a New York/New Jersey based artist with Brevard Chamber Orchestra and the Wilmington Symphony fight director and actor. He received his B.A. Orchestra. Some of his most memorable roles include: Lord Chancellor in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Acting in Iolanthe, Leporello in Don Giovanni, Le Marquis in Dialogues des Car- from Centenary University. He has performed mélites, Gianni Schicchi in Gianni Schicchi, and Germont in La Traviata. in various theaters in northern New Jersey and A native of Charlotte, NC, Mr. McClure is a local emerging artist currently Pennsylvania. As the resident fight director for residing in Richmond, VA. interACT Productions in New Jersey he has worked on The Crucible, The Full Monty, Into the Woods, Carrie: The Musical, Night of the Living Dead LIVE!, Almost, Maine, Deathtrap, The Complete Works of William BRET N. THOM Shakespeare (Abridged), and Sister Act. He has also been Fight Director Happy on Peter Pan Jr. with the Morrow Theater Camp, The Hired Man at Briar- cliff High School, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea with Alliance Repertory Bret Thom is a Norfolk native returning for his Company and the short web film Wasteland Radio. He also teaches second season with the Virginia Opera. Thom stage combat and special effects makeup workshops. Erik is thrilled has studied and performed in Italy and France to be involved with his first production at the Virginia Opera Company. as a guest artist in the New York based program, He would like to thank his family for their love and support, and his Classic Lyric Arts. Thom shows diversity and amazing wife for everything. comfort in both operatic and classical repertoire, having performed the role of Guglielmo in Mozart’s Così fan tutte and the role of Sky Masterson in Frank Loesser’s Guys and Dolls. Thom is pleased to join the Virginia Opera for his debut performance as “Happy” in Puccini’s La fanciulla del West, along with chorus performances in SHELBY RHOADES Samson and Delilah and Lucia di Lammermoor. Principal Coach and Director of Emerging Artists Program Ohio native Shelby Rhoades returns to BEETHOVEN Virginia Opera for her fifth season as Canine Actor Principal Coach/Director of Emerging Artists. She most recently was based in New York Beethoven is the proud owner of human, Bille City, where she was among the coaching Bruley. Beethoven was born December 31, 2010 faculty at The Juilliard School since the fall of 2008. Ms. Rhoades in Waco, Texas to a proud Saint Bernard father currently resides as Principal Coach/Director of Young Artists and a Border Collie mother. A proud graduate of for the Ash Lawn Opera Festival, in Charlottesville, VA. Previous the PetSmart School of Obedience, he has always engagements include Coach Fellow for the Aspen Music Festival enjoyed the performing arts and is thrilled to be Opera Theater 2003-2008, music staff for Seattle Opera/Young making his Virginia Opera debut. Beethoven enjoys napping, chasing Artists Program, and Tacoma Opera. Ms. Rhoades has prepared squirrels, playing with his toys, and chasing cows on the farm most of all. singers for premieres by composers Jake Heggie, Thomas Pasatieri, Elliott Carter, among others, and has also worked with renowned singers Isabel Leonard, Anthony Roth Costanzo, HALEY STAMATS Lawrence Brownlee, Morgan Smith, Vinson Cole and Jane Assistant Director Eaglen. She has worked with Maestros such as Julius Rudel, George Manahan, Gary Thor Wedow, Dean Williamson, and Anne Haley Stamats makes her debut as Assistant Direc- Manson. She holds degrees in Piano Performance, Chamber tor for Virginia Opera’s production of La Fanciulla Accompanying, and Vocal Performance. In addition to her tenure del West. Her previous assistant directing credits at Juilliard, she has also served at the University of Washington/ include La Calisto, L’Enfant et les sortilèges, Gianni Seattle, Pacific Lutheran University, and Anderson University. Schicchi, Le Nozze di Figaro, Venus and Adonis, Dido and Aeneas and Hansel and Gretel with Simpson College Opera. She also assistant directed The Man of La Mancha, South Pacific, Pagliacci and Cavalleria Rusticana with Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre. Other production credits include La Traviata with Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre and The Grapes of Wrath with Sugar Creek Opera. After La Fanciulla del West, she will return to CROT for their production of Turandot. Stamats started performing with CROT’s opera chorus at the age of 14 for its productions of Tosca, La Bohème and The Merry Widow. In her under- graduate, she performed in Simpson College’s productions of Street Scene, Suor Angelica as Sister Dolcina and Carousel as Mrs. Mullin. With Theatre

THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 53 VIRGINIA OPERA PERSONNEL

Russell P. Allen HARRISON OPERA HOUSE Shoshana Cohen President and CEO Roberta Brennan Properties Intern Adam Turner Facilities Manager Pat Seyller Principal Conductor and Velma Morgan Costume Director Artistic Advisor Housekeeping Supervisor Justin Collings Lisa Stewart Draper ADMINISTRATION House Manager/Usher Coordinator Vicki Burroughs First Hand Jamie Wilson Office Coordinator Kaylah Duling MARKETING & PATRON Stitcher/Wardrobe Head Central/Northern Virginia SERVICES Kyle Davis Elizabeth Kump Lana Sadowski Executive/Artistic Assistant Craftsperson Director of Marketing, Hampton Joyce Seyller JoJo Chittum Roads Receptionist/Administrative Assistant Costume Maintenance Ellen Bender Lam Doan ARTISTIC Director of Marketing, Central and Costume Intern Northern Virginia Shelby Rhoades James McGough Principal Coach and Amanda Jo Ely Resident Wig & Makeup Designer Director of Emerging Artists Group Sales & Audience Services Manager Elyse Messick ACCOUNTING Wig and Make-up Shop Manager Briana Klingaman Robert Veland Box Office Associate Kathleen Moore Director of Finance & Human Heidi Mallett Resources Kendall Dodson Wigs/Makeup Assistants Box Office Associate, Social Media Andrew Mieggs Coordinator Staff Accountant Caroline Emmert PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT Supertitle Operator Lee Marc Molnar Jeff Shook Howard Bender Director of Production Deck Electrician Vice President of Central and Northern Virginia Operations Katie Ritter Derrion Hawkins Company Manager Lisa Sands Light Board Operator Director of Development, Hampton Roberta Brennan John-Luke Whitten Roads Properties Manager Rail Katie Lowenhagen Ellen Bender Emanuel Jones Resident Stage Manager Director of Development, Central and Ryan Davy Northern Virginia Jenna A. Fink AJ Saunders Susan Porter Resident Assistant Stage Manager Sr. Development Writer & Research Ken Steadman Alan Terrell Analyst Lighting Supervisor William Wells EDUCATION/OUTREACH Kyle Parham Deck Crew Assistant Technical Director Dr. Joseph DeSota Will Dowdy Director of Education Robert Garner Master Carpenter Kim Fuller Dr. Glenn Winters Edilen Obdmos Community Outreach Director Jessica Ciccolella Prop/Orch Stage Op Fellowspots Kelsey Cordrey Education Program Assistant

THE HERNDON FOUNDATION EMERGING ARTISTS PROGRAM

Mary-Hollis Hundley, Soprano Bille Bruley, Tenor Brandon Morales, Bass April Martin, Soprano Matthew Kelly, Tenor Joseph Hubbard, Bass Teresa Castillo, Soprano Stephen Carroll, Tenor Joshua Arky, Bass Rachel Mikol, Soprano Andrew Paulson, Baritone Johanna Kvam, Pianist Melisa Bonetti, Mezzo-Soprano Matthew Peterson, Baritone Chan Mi Jean, Pianist Talin Nalbandian, Mezzo-Soprano Philip Bullock, Baritone

54 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR AND ARTISTIC ADVISOR

ADAM TURNER Turner first gained recognition at age 25 during his tenure at Principal Conductor & Stadttheater Pforzheim in Germany while taking over conducting responsibilities of a production of Les Misérables. Musicals – Artistic Advisor Das Musicalmagazin, Germany’s premier musical theater pub- American conductor Adam Turner is lication lauded his work: “Les Mis reveals even here its magical quickly gaining momentum as a conductor effectiveness… The main reason for this is the performance of to watch on international opera stages. the orchestra, led by a young American conductor, Adam Turner, Currently in his fourth season as Principal who brings to the piece a suspenseful drama that one does not Conductor and Artistic Advisor at Virginia Opera, Maestro Turner always hear, even on the legendary, anniversary recording at the garners critical acclaim for the breadth of his repertoire, artistic Royal Albert Hall. During the dramatic dialogues, he pushes the vision, and polished technique. Of his recent performance of Der action forward but one is nonetheless able to understand every Freischütz with Virginia Opera, Opera News hailed: “Conductor single word…he builds up the aria-like solos with great crescen- Adam Turner…ensured crackling rhythms as much as lyrical dos yet purposefully does not turn the first Thénardier-Song into spaciousness, resulting in a performance that felt vital and a homely operetta number…” There, he also conducted Lehár’s spontaneous throughout.” Paganini and Cole Porter’s High Society.

Continuing in his post at Virginia Opera, Maestro Turner will Prior to his appointment as one of the youngest artistic leaders conduct performances of Samson and Delilah and A Midsummer in Virginia Opera’s history, Turner proved he has a vision for the Night’s Dream during the 2017-2018 season. On top of his pro- future of the industry as a member of the next generation of ductions at Virginia Opera, he will also conduct Händel’s Messiah leaders while holding several administrative and music staff ap- with the Virginia Symphony and Theo Popov’s The Halloween pointments at houses across the country including Seattle Opera, Tree, which he conducted last season as well, with American Florida Grand Opera, Central City Opera, Portland Opera, Tulsa Lyric Theater at Arizona State University. Last season, Mo. Opera, Syracuse Opera, and Ash Lawn Opera. In these positions, Turner conducted Three Decembers with Hawaii Opera Theatre, Turner worked side-by-side with world-renowned maestri a Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program Holiday Concert with including Asher Fisch, Steuart Bedford, John DeMain, Gary Thor Washington National Opera, Carmen with Central City Opera, Wedow, and Broadway veteran Rob Fisher. Turner holds a Bache- and Der Freischütz and a double bill of The Seven Deadly Sins/ lor of Music degree from Morehead State University, and a Mas- Pagliacci in his post as Principal Conductor at Virginia Opera. As ter of Music degree from The Catholic University of America. He the inaugural recipient of the Julius Rudel/Kurt Weill Conducting furthered his training with internationally acclaimed conductors Fellowship in 2015, he collaborated with renowned conductor and pedagogues Neeme Järvi, Paavo Järvi, Marin Alsop, Jorma John DeMain on Washington National Opera’s production of Kurt Panula, Gustav Meier, Kenneth Kiesler, and Kate Tamarkin. Weill’s final stage compositionLost in the Stars. TRIBUTES AND MEMORIAL GIFTS Tribute and Memorial Gifts are made each season to the Virginia Opera Foundation and are listed throughout the season in which the contribution is given. Tribute gifts may celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, or any special occasion. The following donors have contributed this year and were received by October 20, 2017.

MEMORIAL GIFTS Dr. & Mrs. Glenn Carwell In Honor of Diane Kaufman and Charles Peter and Nancy Huber Stanton In Memory of Lewis T. Booker Martha Lee and Mark Shaw Bill and Melissa Thrasher Nancy Booker Ina Levy and Richard Staub In Honor of Bill and Rose McAree In Memory of Robert Claude In Memory of Alexander Veland Ms. Ina Levy and Mr. Richard Staub Bruce and Lelia Koplin Ms. JoJo Chittum Mr. & Mrs. Cy Grandy In Honor of Allan and Harriet Reynolds In Memory of Joan Dolmetsch Mr. & Mrs. Peter Huber Mr. & Mrs. Peter Huber Anonymous Martha Lee and Mark Shaw Elizabeth Paul In Memory of Barbara Hudgins In Memory of Samuel I. White In Honor of Lisa Sands and Lisa Sinclair Evangeline and JT Cutler Mrs. Harriet White Mary Anne Kellam Canada James and Naomi Michie Ms. Sandra Milburn In Memory of Col. John C. Dashiell In Honor of Martha Lee Shaw Opera for Everyone Class Ms. Cathy Lee Barlow Mr. & Mrs. Peter Huber Mr. & Mrs. LJ Richman In Memory of Martha A. Smith In Honor of Diana Soviero In Memory of Joan B. Miller Mr. Homer Smith Martha Lee and Mark Shaw (The Joan B. Miller Fund) Richard Miller In Honor of Dr. Robert Spiro TRIBUTE GIFTS Ms. Mary Jane Spiro In Memory of Allen Morrison Ms. Ina Levy and Mr. Richard Staub In Honor of Bess Decker In Honor of Mary Stafford Mr. & Mrs. Darryl Samsell Martha Lee and Mark Shaw Millie Wilkerson In Memory of Nancy Gilpin Robertson In Honor of Peter and Nancy Huber In Honor of Glenn Winters Stratford Opera Babes Sarah Huber Marilyn Buxbaum and the Opera for Everyone Class In Memory of Joyce Strelitz In Honor of Anne Marie Irani Marilyn Stuart Buxbaum Ms. Natalie Schwartz

THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 55 CONTRIBUTORS Virginia Opera is grateful to the following contributors for their support of either our 2016-17 Annual Fund Campaign or our 2017-2018 Annual Fund Campaign through October 20, 2017 Director's Circle Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation: York County Arts Commission ($25,000 and above) Foundation The Community Foundation Department of Parks & The Helen G. Gifford Serving Richmond and Recreation Corporate: Foundation Central Virginia-The Foundation: Altria Group The Richard and Caroline T. Richmond Fund for Opera Burford Leimenstoll Business Consortium for Arts Gwathmey Memorial Trust, J.L. Camp Foundation, Inc. Foundation Support Bank of America, N.A, Elmwood Fund The John A. Cable Foundation Dominion Energy Trustee Individual: Rouse Bottom Foundation Norfolk Southern Foundation The John Jacob And Rena L. Niles Fund Anonymous Individual: Foundation: R.E.B. Foundation Vern and Nancy Barham Russell P. Allen Anonymous Richard S. Reynolds Mr. & Mrs. Stanley G. Barr, Jr. Anonymous The Robert G. Cabell III and Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Cabell Birdsong Lilli & William Beyer Maude Morgan Cabell Foundation The Tomato Fund of the Kym Hemley Butz & Joe Butz Mr. & Mrs. George Y. Birdsong Community Foundation The Louise B. Cochrane Capt. & Mrs. John M. Drs. Bruce & Cassianne Booth Serving Richmond and Chandler, USN (Ret.) Charitable Foundation Central Virginia Capt. & Mrs. Malcolm Parker E. Rhodes and Leona B. Frances T. & Robert B. Claytor Branch Carpenter Foundation Government: Fund Dr. & Mrs. O. Christian Bredrup Franklin Southampton CultureWorks and The Col. James F. Deming & Maj. Mr. & Mrs. Christopher J. Charities Arts and Cultural Funding Mark E. Board Coffing Consortium The Hampton Roads Hon. & Mrs. Robert G. Doumar Mrs. Peter G. Decker, Jr. Hanover County Community Foundation Judge & Mrs. Robert B. Mr. Ammon G. Dunton, Jr. Chesterfield County Edwards Herndon Foundation Mrs. Renee Gilman The Kurt Weill Foundation for Newport News Arts Mr. Sean P. Foohey Commission Dr. William Hark and Music Mr. Thomas A. Grant Katherine DeLoyht Mary Morton Parsons Portsmouth Museum and Fine Mrs. Karen Guliano Arts Commission Mr. & Mrs. Barry Hodges Foundation Eva & Michael Hardy Mr. & Mrs. Philip C. Holladay, Slatten-MacDonald Fund Virginia Beach Arts and Mr. James Hixon Humanities Commission Jr. Government: Mr. & Mrs. Peter M. Huber, Dr. & Mrs. Glenn Jones City of Norfolk Individual: Esq. Mrs. Denise Keane & Mr. Anonymous Virginia Commission for the Mr. & Mrs. Kemper K. Hyers Leonard Mandl Arts Mrs. Rudolph E. Bunzl Dr. Anne-Marie Irani & Dr. Mr. Edward Kelly, Jr. Virginia Tourism Corporation Hon. & Mrs. James Cales, Jr. Lawrence Schwartz Ms. Shelloy Kiger Mr. & Mrs. Langdon T. Mr. & Mrs. Marcellus C. Mr. & Mrs. James Kitz Individual: Christian IV Kirchner Dr. & Mrs. Edward L. Lilly Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Mark Thomas Robert C. & Mary Nell Kuhlo Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Modlin Anonymous Cox IV Ms. Ina Levy & Mr. Richard Dr. & Mrs. William D. Mr. & Mrs. Vince Ferranti Staub Mr. & Mrs. Frank Monroe, Jr. Covington Ms. Cary Fountain Mr. Harris Miller and Ms. Mr. & Mrs. Johnson C. Moss Dr. & Mrs. William Jackson Mr. Henry A. Garrity Deborah Kahn Mrs. Valerie Neff Frable Mr. & Mrs. Cyrus W. Grandy, V Dr. & Mrs. Gerald Pepe Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mr. & Mrs. David R. Goode Nicholson III Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Hill Mr. & Mrs. Allan S. Reynolds, Mr. & Mrs. Floyd D. Gottwald, Jr Susan & Dale Oller Mr. Richard I. Miller Jr. – The Herndon Foundation Dr. John Reynolds Mr. & Mrs. Robert Petterson Mr. & Mrs. Jose Luis Murillo Mrs. Bucci and Mr. John Warren Richard & Lynn Cobb Larry & Susan Quate Zeugner Patricia Pusey James & Diane Schneider Mrs. Virginia Redick Ms. Carole J. Yaley Producer’s Circle Mr. & Mrs. John S. Shannon Mr. & Mrs. Richard D. Roberts ($10,000 - $24,999) Artist Patron Society Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Webster Ms. Donna Scassera Corporate: ($5,000 - $9,999) Mrs. Deborah Wyld Mr. & Mrs. C. Jeffers Schmidt Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Scoper National Endowment for the Corporate: Bravo Society Arts Chandler Realty, Inc. Ms. Marilyn Scott ($2,500 - $4,999) Mr. & Mrs. Homer A. Smith Virginia Eye Consultants Government: Wilmington Trust/M&T Alexandria Commission for Corporate: Mrs. Joyce Strelitz Charitable Foundation the Arts AAA Tidewater Virginia Ms. Page Styles Foundation: Arts Council of Fairfax County Alpha Omega Investment Mr. J. Kenneth Timmons Advisors Anonymous Chesapeake Fine Arts Mr. & Hon. Guy Tower Birdsong Corporation The Fannie, Milton and Leslie Commission Mr. & Mrs. William D. Friedman Foundation Williamsburg Area Arts Rutter Mills, LLP Ungerman Commission Government: Dr. & Mrs. William M. Waldrop *deceased

56 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON CONTRIBUTORS

Eleanor & Henry Watts Mrs. Eleanor Marshall Mrs. Harriet White Mr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Kerwin Dr. Elisabeth Muhlenfeld Mr. Lewis W. Maye III Mrs. Faye G. Whitlock Mr. Christopher Kogut Wollan Ms. Donna Noonan Ms. Millie Wilkerson Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Koplin Ms. Evangeline Yoder Mr. Myron H. Reinhart Peter M. & Jodi L. Koste Opera Sustainer Mr. & Mrs. Laurens Sartoris Ms. Anne Lankford Benefactor Society ($500 - $999) ($1,500 - $2,499) Mr. James Satterwhite Dr. Velimir Luketic Ms. Lisa Sinclair Corporate: Col. & Mrs. David Maltby Corporate: Mrs. Jane Spilman Merrill Lynch Earl & Soozi McLain Mahoney, Nashatka, Richmond Omni Medical Group, LLC PLLC Hon. Lydia Calvert Taylor Mr. H.T. McLoughlin Virginia Opera Guild John and Joanne Theon Foundation: Col. & Mrs. Thomas H. Meurer Dr. & Mrs. Aaron Vinik Yvonne and Charles Gold Joetta Miller Foundation: Mr. & Mrs. Paul Winslow Donor Advised Fund of Diane and Reynold Monach Eugenia Smith Kennedy Fund Richmond Jewish Foundation Dr. & Mrs. Wilhelm Zuelzer Ms. Rhonda Murray Suffolk Foundation The Oakenwold Fund Mr. Fred Napolitano, II C.D. L. and M.T.B. Perkins Opera Partner Ula and Janne Motekat Fund Mrs. Walter T. Niedermayer Fund of The Community ($1,000 - $1,499) Sis Nash Memorial Fund of the Foundation Serving Hampton Roads Community Mr. & Mrs. James Noone Richmond Foundation: Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Robert Pacek Virginia & John L. Sinclair Mr. Aldo Panizo Education Coalition: Foundation Individual: Mr. Raymond DeFrank Mrs. Toni Parson-Mobley Southeast Virginia Community Capt. & Mrs. Robert Adler Ms. Rebecca Hess Foundation – Give 757 Anonymous Don and Anne Perry Ms. Jeri Mullarkey Mr. James Baber Powers Peterson, M.D. & Dr. Government: Daniel Alonso Susan Thomas Earl R. Blankenship Jr. Visit Fairfax Mrs. C. Cotesworth Pinckney Government: Mr. & Mrs. Todd Budlong Visit Norfolk Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Pratt City of Fairfax Commission on Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Brown, the Arts Individual: Esq.* Mr. & Mrs. David Rennolds Anonymous Suffolk Fine Arts Commission Mr. & Mrs. John Bruner William T. & Joanne K. Roos Ms. Donna Allen Philanthropic Fund Mr. & Mrs. C. Robert Clark Individual: Ms. Judy Bland The Routszong’s Mr. Alan Albert Dr. Sarah B. Clarkson and Dr. Mr. & Mrs. S. L. Boglio Dr. Paul Sayegh Mr. Allen E. Anderson John Herre Mrs. Caroline Y. Brandt Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Sease Mary Virginia Andraos Dr. & Mrs. Herbert A. Ms. Sherry Bremer Claiborne, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Robert Seeherman Anonymous Dr. Kevin M. Campbell Dr. and Mrs. J. Floyd Mr. & Mrs. John Schiffer Mr. Allen Baker Charles & Minette Cooper Clingenpeel Mr. & Mrs. James Schloss Ms. Jeannie Baliles Mrs. Robin Covatta H H Cooper Mrs. Desta Shaw Mr. & Mrs. J. Temple Bayliss Mr. & Mrs. Walter Dotts Mrs. Mary Connell Mr. Benjamin Smith Marilyn B. Buxbaum Mr. & Mrs. Frederick S. Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Connelly Dr. and Mrs. David C. Smith Mr. Paul Campsen and Ms. Fisher III Dr. & Mrs. W. Stephen Corrie Carrie White, PhD Mr. Marc G. Stadiem Mr. & Mrs. James J. Gildea Drs. Georgean & Mark DeBlois Mr. Raymond DeFrank Capt. & Mrs. Robert J. Swain, Ms. Vesta Lee Gordon Hon. & Mrs. Rodham T. Delk USCG Mr. Thomas L. Disharoon Mr. & Mrs. Louis S. Harris Ms. Lisa Delevie Mr. C. Wayne Tucker Mrs. Audrey B Douglas-Cooke Ms. Spring Helligrath Juanita G. Felton (Tom) Mr. & Mrs. Kirk Tucker Ms. Margaret P. Edgerton Mrs. Sarah B. Huber Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Fiveash Mr. & Mrs. J. Dirk Walecka Mr. & Mrs. Richard Furiga Ms. Patricia Flowers Jacobina Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Fleming Capt. & Mrs. Robert Adm. & Mrs. Harold W. Warakomsky Gehman, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Jones Mrs. Harry Frazier, IV Juan & Linda Whittington Mr. & Mrs. Ray Gindroz Greg & Janet Kim John Page Garrett Mr. & Mrs. Charles Wintzer Mr. & Mrs. Robert Glasser Ms. Diana Livingston Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Gayner Ms. Isabella G. Witt Mr. & Mrs. George L. Hart Michael & Nancy Lott Mr. Charles Gibbons Mrs. Simone Wojan-Coleman Mr. & Mrs. Alan C. Hess Mr. Guillermo Maquivar Mrs. Susan Givens Dr. & Mrs. G. Byron Work Mr. & Mrs. John E. Holloway Mr. & Mrs. William B. McAree, Ms. Dorothy P. Grandstaff II Mrs. Frances Zehmer Mr. & Mrs. Jimmie Mr. William Graves III Lee Huitt, Jr. Mrs. Oriana McKinnon Dr. & Mrs. Fred Gross Ms. Mary Anne Kellam-Canada Mr. William H. Mears William Graves III & Elizabeth Drs. Edward and Eileen Kitces Mr. & Mrs. Robert Pacek Nybakken Ms. Esta Kornstein Mr. & Mrs. Gary Pitts Lee and Jane Harris Dr. Susan Kornstein Mr. Frank Raysor Capt. & Mrs. Joel Heaton Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Krantz Ms. Eileen Schein Pamela Hyatt and James Graham Ms. Marilyn Larsen Paul and Bonita Stockmeyer Dr. & Mrs. Bernard F. Jamison Mr. and Dr. Lenard Lexier Dr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Kent,III Henry & Angelica Light

THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 57 CONTRIBUTORS

Opera Family Mr. Thomas Horsch & Ms. Howard and Martha Zaritsky Dessert Sponsor: ($250 - $499) Barbara Boslego Robert & Karen Zelnick Barnes, Thompson & Singor/ Gil & Karen Hoy UBS Financial Services, Inc. Corporate: Mr. Roger Zoccolillo Connie and Marc Jacobson Scherzo Music Club Rev. Martha Jenkins Sponsors of the Virginia Photography Sponsor: Foundation: Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Johnson Opera Gala at The Main- Fresh Look Photography Adele M. Thomas Charitable Dr. & Mrs. Warren G. Karesh Hampton Roads Foundation, Inc. Dr. & Mrs. Edward H. Karotkin Floral Sponsor: Alan & Esther Fleder Mr. & Mrs. John Klemenc Chairman: Black Iris Events Foundation Lawrence F. Kruger Lisa Sinclair Fife Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Robert H Large Patrons: Individual: Capt. & Mrs. Keith Larson Gala Committee: Charles Barker Automotive Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Alby Mr. Bob Liverman Donna Agresto Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Barr Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Neill H. Alford III Capt. & Mrs. Carl V. Mallett Miriam Blake Judge and Mrs. James Mr. John A. Anderson Ms. Sylvia Maume Bess Decker Cales Jr. Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Randall Mayes Dana Decker Mr. and Mrs. John Field Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel L. McCoy Nancy Huber Amy Grayson Pesesky Ms. Patricia Arant Shannon Thomas McCrory Mary Anne Kellam Canada RK Chevrolet Ms. Anne Askew Mr. & Mrs. S. Randall McDaniel Ina Levy Chandler Realty Friends Mr. John Baril Mr. Graham Meech Rebecca Maywald Deb and Peter Segaloff & Mr. Richard Barry & Ms. Betty Jean Meyer Fred Napolitano Jacqueline Silverberg Linda Cox Mrs. Hope Mihalap Valerie Neff Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm Bell Mr. Robert Misbin Susan Quate Friends: Mrs. Carter Grandy Bernert Ms. Susan G. Mouser Reva Stein Mr. and Mrs. Art Sandler Dr. & Mrs. William Blake, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Murcko Dr. and Mrs. Gerald J. Pepe Mr. William Bolean Sr. Ms. Pauline Narcavage Gold Sponsors: Lydia C. Taylor Dr. & Mrs. Larry Borish Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Naughton SunTrust Bank Tidewater Jewish Foundation Rick & Jeannine Boyd Mr. Brian O’Connor Troutman Sanders & United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Ms. Celeste Bremer Mr. & Mrs. Michael Overstreet All Strings Attached Marvin & Libby Burge Mr. Frank Parrish Arists Underwriters: Leslie Friedman Charles & Elisabeth Burgess Mr. & Mrs. Michael Plett Mr. Richard Miller Ms. Ann T. Burks Mr. Alfred Ponce & Ms. Alice The Nicholson Companies Mr. & Mrs. William Burnette Clay Sinclair Communications Donations: Mrs. Barbara Carr Ms. JoAnn Porter Mr. Raymond Bottom Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Glenn Carwell Mrs. Ann Prince Silver Sponsors: Joanne K. Roos Ms. Kathryn Copeland & Dr. Dr. & Mrs. Andrew Quicke The Bradshaw Group, Merrill Beth Reshefsky and Gregory Hood Mrs. Robin Reeves Lynch Bonnie Reshefsky Mr. & Mrs. Britton B Culpepper Mr. & Mrs. Joe Riss The Cosmopolitan Club Mr. Bruce Curran John & Barbara Rose Cotrell Contracting Corporation Ms. Melanie Kohn Day and Mr. Bess Decker Mary Stuart and Ted Ruhnke Sponsors of the 2017 Roland A. Karnatz Mr. James Schmalz Dana Jo and Peter G. Decker III Ms. Nicole Dejesus Dr. James K. Schmitt Edith and Cy Grandy Gala: WILD NIGHT– Mr. & Mrs. Stanwood Dickman Dr. & Mrs. Robert B. Scoggins Fred Napolitano Central Virginia Mr. Howard J. Ellis Jane & Win Short Valerie Neff and Ed Kelly Gala Co-Chairs: Michael and Janet Emsley Mr. & Mrs. Michael Shutterly Palladium Investment Advisors Renee Gilman Dr. Ronald Flenner Mrs. Madeline Sly Harriet and Allan Reynolds Mrs. Patricia P. Pusey Dr. & Mrs. Joseph V. Formica Ms. Lori Smithson Rutter Mills Mr. & Mrs. Carter B Furr Mary Jane Spiro Bonnie & David Brand and Amy Presenting Co-Sponsors: Mr. William Gatling, Jr. & Brian Strelitz and Haynes Mr. Lawrence L. Steingold Altria Dr. & Mrs. Dean R Goplerud Furniture Harry & Linda Stemple Dominion Dr. & Mrs. T. Winston Gouldin Ms. Roberta Stewart Mr. George Grant Wine Sponsor: Ms. Joan Sussman Corporate Table Sponsors: Mary and Charles Haines Williamsburg Winery Ms. Phyllis Szymanski Covington Travel Ms. Linda L. Hansell Mr. Tommy Tavenner Davenport & Company, LLC Ms. Ruth Hansen Music Sponsors: Mrs. Dora Lee Taylor SunTrust Mr. & Mrs. Eric Hanson Mary Anne Kellam Canada Mr. W. Mcllwaine Thompson, UPS Freight Dr. & Mrs. Dwight Harrison Jr. Wells Fargo Advisors Dr. & Mrs. H. Keith Hellems Dr. Ashton Trice Corporate Sponsors: Drs. Barry and Cynthia Auction Sponsors: Mr. Larry G. Valade CSC Leasing Hellman MacArthur Center Mrs. Jeanette H. Wallace* KPMG Ms. Julia Henley Mr. Nicholas Wheeler TowneBank Dr. & Mrs. E. Beaumont Hodge Mr. Andrew L. Wilson Individual Table Sponsors: Drs. Warren & Jane Hopkins Mr. Robert Witajewski Cocktail Sponsor: Kym Hemley Butz and Joe Butz Mr. Russell P. Allen

58 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON CONTRIBUTORS

Mr. & Mrs. Langdon T. Auctioneer: Corporations Making Christian IV Swisher Auctions Contributions Mr. and Mrs. Vince Ferranti Dr. & Mrs. William J. Frable Ninth Annual Opera in Through Matching Gift Chris and Renee Gilman the Park Programs: Altria Ms. Eva Teig Hardy The City of Norfolk Bank of America Mr. and Mrs. James Huitt Mr. Leroy S Benz Mrs. Patricia P. Pusey The Boeing Company Mr. Richard Miller Brink’s Foundation Dr. Elisabeth Muhlenfeld Virginia Eye Consultants Wollan The Capital Group Companies, Sinclair Communications Inc. WHRO Individual Sponsors Caterpillar Foundation Williamsburg Winery Dr. & Mrs. William J. CIGNA Foundation Frable Chatham Vineyards Dominion Energy (Auctioneer co-sponsor) Mermaid Winery Dominion Virginia Power/N.C. Power Ms. Cary Fountain Festevents ExxonMobil Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Hill Southern Auto Group Fannie Mae Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Barry Hodges Freddie Mac Foundation Mr. and Mrs. J. Robert Mooney Next Generation IBM Matching Grants Program Ms. Marilyn Scott John Hancock Mutual Life Dr. Elisabeth Muhlenfeld Campaign Insurance Co. Wollan Anonymous LandAmerica (Auctioneer co-sponsor) Anonymous Mass Mutual Financial Group Anonymous Merrill Lynch Contributors (Dessert): Anonymous Norfolk Southern Foundation Laura Cameron and Lee Dr. & Mrs. Edward Lilly SunTrust Bank McCown W.F. Magann Corp Teagle Foundation Mrs. Herbert A. Claiborne Mr. & Mrs. Allan Reynolds Thomson Tax & Accounting Emily Warren Cox Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Webster Wachovia Wells Fargo James A. and Mary F. Devoe Foundation Fred and Muschi Fisher In-Kind Donations UBS Foundation Diana Livingston Barboursville Vineyards Pate and Bill Mears Ms. Elizabeth Britt-Kelly C. Christopher and Emily Custom Printing Louise Remke The Dancing Tomato Nancy King Scoggins Lynn Peyer Jane Spilman Massimo Zanetti Mrs. William T. Reed III Contributors (Prism Tables): Quirk Hotel Dr. William J. Frable Richmond Times-Dispatch Mr. Thomas A. Grant Shirley’s Catering Mr. and Mrs. Barry Hodges Tom French Flowers Mr. Guillermo Maquivar Virginia Living Magazine and Ms. Leslie Lamers WHRO Public Media Dr. John Reynolds Williamsburg Winery Jeffers and Sallie Schmidt Dr. Elisabeth Muhlenfeld Wollan Mrs. Bucci Zeugner

Sponsors In-Kind: Katherine Godin – The Community Idea Stations Although space limitations only allow us to list donations of $250 Richmond Performing Arts or more, we gratefully acknowledge the generosity of all our Alliance, Janet Starke, contributors. Every gift received helps us fulfill our commitment to Executive Director quality opera in your community. We thank all of you. White House Flowers If your name was inadvertently omitted or incorrectly listed, please advise us by calling Lisa Sands at 757.213.4554. Facility and Food: The Commonwealth Club Contributions and pledges received after October 20, 2017 will be acknowledged in future programs. Thank you for your support. Photography: Wolfgang Jasper Photography

THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 59 Imagine a gi) that will live forever.

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Performance for the Next Genera2on VIRGINIA OPERA SALUTES BUSINESS CONSORTIUM FOR ARTS SUPPORT Contributors to the Business Consortium for Arts Support have generously endorsed Virginia Opera’s programs and activities this season. Imagine a gi) that will live forever. This distinguished group of donors annually contributes to the Business Consortium to support arts organizations throughout Hampton Roads thus improving the quality of life in our local communities. The Virginia Opera both salutes the following and extends its sincerest thanks for their continued generosity. A gi% that will touch future genera2ons.

A gi% that will provide a las2ng impression. Atlantic Dominion The Dragas Companies Norfolk Southern Foundation Southern Bank Distributors/Hoffman Foundation (anonymous) O’Connor Brewing Company Virginia Natural Gas, Inc. Beverage A gi% that is the magic of Virginia Opera. Fulton Bank Palladium Registered The Virginian-Pilot Bank of America Hampton Roads Community Investment Advisors Wells Fargo Foundation Birdsong Corporation Foundation Patricia and Douglas Perry Wilbanks, Smith & Thomas Davenport & Company, LLC Haynes Furniture Company, Inc. Foundation Asset Management, LLC Dixon Hughes Goodman Kaufman & Canoles Southeast Virginia Willcox & Savage, P.C. The Encore Society represents those though,ul individuals who have included the Virginia Opera in their estate Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. McGuire Woods Community Foundation Williams Mullen plan by will, trust, insurance, or through a life-income arrangement or current income gi<. Consider joining this vital group of arts supporters today. Learn how to name Virginia Opera as a beneficiary, find out how to Arts Ally level contributors at www.bcartsupport.org make the most highly tax-efficient bequest to charity, and be inspired by the stories of some of our bequest donors. Members of The Encore Society receive invitaGons to private events and are listed in our Program Book throughout the season. Virginia Opera recommends that you seek the advice of your tax advisor, VIRGINIA OPERA GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES aJorney and/or financial planner to review your best giving opGon. SUPPORT FROM THESE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES Help build on the legacy started by dedicated individuals 43 years ago at Virginia Opera. Support from the following will enable us to provide mainstage and outreach programs Make that legacy live forever! for over 150,000 students and adults throughout the Commonwealth this season.

To noGfy us of your intent to include Virginia Opera in your estate plans please contact: Alexandria Commission for the Arts City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts City of Norfolk Newport News Arts Commission Lisa Sands Howard Bender CultureWorks and The Arts and Portsmouth Museum and Fine Arts Commission Cultural Funding Consortium Suffolk Fine Arts Commission Director of Development Vice President OperaGons City of Richmond Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission Henrico County Virginia Commission for the Arts Hampton Roads Northern and Central Virginia Arts Council of Fairfax County Williamsburg Area Arts Commission Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission York County Arts Commission 757.213.4554 804. 644-8168 X 3398 Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation [email protected] [email protected] VIRGINIA OPERA SINCERELY APPRECIATES THE EFFORTS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE VIRGINIA OPERA GUILD

Chairman - Mark E. Board Allen Anderson Vice chair - Marianne Nicholson Cy Grandy Vice chair - Jim Graham Dora Lee Taylor Vice chair - Valerie Neff Martha Lee Shaw Secretary - Powers Peterson, M.D. Gwendolyn Brown Treasurer - Robert C. Kuhlo Millie Cole Historian - Amber Taylor Reeves Holly Tracy Joanne Rentner Valerie Neff Board of Directors: Barbara Boslego < Mark Board Tom Horsch Marianne Nicholson Jim Graham Performance for the Next Genera2on Powers Peterson Committee Chairs Bob Kuhlo Artist Transportation - Holly Tracy Amber Taylor-Reeves Communications - Pamela Hyatt Janita Burgess Hess Gift Shop - Janita Burgess Hess Pamela Hyatt Fundraising - Barbara Buchmann Barbara Buchmann Events - Allen Anderson Elena Stevens Membership - Jim Graham

THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 61 62 VIRGINIA OPERA 2017–2018 SEASON THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST | GIACOMO PUCCINI 63 HOUSERS AND VOLUNTEERS

HOUSERS Meredith Carson Kathy Boyd Brunhild Rawlings Byron Baker Susan Cavalieri Judith and Richard Brown Brenda Roundtree Carolyn Baker Ellie Cesnaros Jenny & Gennie Cannon Amor Sales James Deming Claudia Clarke Yolima Carr John B. Samuel Henry Garrity Cassie Davies Eleonora Anna Cavallin Jack and Barbara Seligman John & Mary Jane Hall Anne Davis Robert O Clapp Camilla Shannon Drs. John Herre & Sally Marie Deegan Susan Clarke Pat Sova Clarkson Sara Dowless Lorenz Connelly, Jr. Zulma Spatz Holly Hubler Ana Haley Margie Conner Florence Mercier Speight Trevor & Kim Kurtz Jarod Haley Joan Cowan Mercy Stephens The Rev. Canon Win Lewis Harry Hudome Peggy Crabtree Dorothy (Dolly) Streit and Cathy Lewis Hayden Jones Mary K. Daniels Rosemary Swider Julie McDonald Trish Jones Mary Delaney Ruby Tillie Robert Mills Randy Keller Barbara Desler Bernice Van Aalten Marianne Nicholson Tanya Keller Loretta DiCamillo David and Elizabeth Van Thomas Nicholson III & Hook Christie Dixon Katherine LaFave Donald and Sandra Donato Larry Van Hoose Robert & Miriam Palmer Rebecca Litt Barbara Edoff Teresita Veloso Thomas Pinion & Robert Warren Maddox Joanne Fischer Seaton Marta San Jose Marin Kameron Foreman Jack and Kathie Wahl Duane Wilson Marisa Marsey Brenda Frech Don Warmke Steve Marsey Mike and Cindy Freedman Joan Warnalis Charles Warthen RICHMOND VOLUNTEERS Isaac Martin John Grant Saverio Anselmo, Volunteer Jennifer Palestrant Bob Greene Martha G. Weaver Coordinator Lois Patten Margaret Hackett Mo Wheatley Justin Ayars Lucia Perez-Pastor Madeline Hadaway Gloria and Hal Wilkinson Shirley Budlong Marcia Potts Sharal Halcomb Donna Williams Pat Hartsock Jame Noglic Anne Haworth Colleen C. Wood Darrell Hedrick Viann Nguyen Loyce Jarvis Joanne Woodruff Bob Jones Josh Sands Robert A. and Carol Jean Barbara Young Elizabeth Munt Ken Sands Johnson Lidia Zappacosta Bernice Oppenhimer Pam Saunders Patricia B. Jones Norma S. Zinn Vivian White Liam Sherron Anne Lewis Jocelyn Reiter Ellison John Wisk Brad Small Joyce Lindahl Holly Hubler Kelly Stefanko Joan Malone Julie McDonald Ardell McCoy NORFOLK VOLUNTEERS Caitlyn Stuck Nancy Barham Vero Tucker Pat McGlinchy Vern Barham Ellie White Penny Mignacca Betty Baucom Shelby Wilber Colleen Miller David Blake Kamila Williams Helen and Sid Mittleman Miriam Blake Christine Monson Brian Blair NORFOLK VOLUNTEER Ruth & Edd Nixon Ellie Brann USHERS Jimmy Nugroho Wendy Briggs Lorrene Anderson Aaron and Gloria Ostroff Emily Budlong Janice Anten Marion D. Palmer Ivy Carpenter Beverly Bachman Sarah “Sally” Palmerton Chad Carson Eureka & Mareka Belcher Dick and Gayle Paradiso Lana Cary Joe and Maureen Bernard Bob and Carol Pettyjohn Elizabeth Carson Dick Blessington Roberta Phipps Robin Casteen Doris B. Bonner Marilyn Ranhorn

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