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Home , Beebe Freitas, Cheryl Studer, Edda Moser, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Michael Chioldi, Opera Lyra Ottawa

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By January 29, 31 & February 2, 2010

Always

NEAL S. BLAISDELL CONCERT HALL HAWAII THEATRE 091224_Aria_Ad_Flanders.pdf 1/4/2010 2:40:01 PM

Timeless design with a New Cast

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HOT Founders Alexander & Baldwin Mr. & Mrs. John V. Higgins Mrs. Ruth Ballard Bruce & Pegge Hopper Bank of Hawaii Mrs. Cecily F. Johnston Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Black Dr. Arthur & Libbie Kamisugi Mr. & Mrs. Robert Brilliande Mr. & Mrs. Peter A. Lee Anniversary Message Mr. & Mrs. Elliott H. Brilliant Galen & Didi Leong from the Board President Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Bunn Dr. & Mrs. Michael J. Meagher Cades, Schutte, Fleming & Wright Mr. & Mrs. T. Clifford Melim, Jr. by Jim McCoy Mr. & Mrs. J. Russell Cades Mr. & Mrs. James F. Morgan Mr. & Mrs. Donn W. Carlsmith Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Murray Dr. & Mrs. Percival Chee Dr. & Mrs. Nobuyuki Nakasone It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Hawaii Opera Mr. & Mrs. Henry B. Clark, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Edward A. O’Neill Theatre’s 50th Anniversary Season. It’s incredible to think Mr. & Mrs. Hal Connable Orthopedic Associates of Hawaii, Inc. that 50 years ago a fledgling opera company was gearing Mr. & Mrs. Conrad G. Conrad III Mrs. Arthur E. Orvis up for the first performance in its history, Madama Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Cooke, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Patman Butterfly at McKinley High School. A lot has changed Mr. & Mrs. James M. Cribley Dr. & Mrs. G. Manning Richards over these past five decades - a small company with a Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Hale & Kekina James K. Schuler board that worked backstage and behind the scenes has Edward C. Dolbey Mr. & Mrs. Clarence R. Short given way to a fully professional company featuring some Ernst & Whinney Dr. & Mrs. Arthur Y. Sprague Mr. & Mrs. Edward Eu Dr. & Mrs. E.C. Sterling of the greatest voices of our time. Dr. & Mrs. John Henry Felix Kosta Stojanovich, M.D. Over 400 people work directly on the productions that Mrs. Gerald W. Fisher Mr. & Mrs. Clifton D. Terry you will see in this season. Many of those are paid Robert S. Flowers, M.D. Mrs. C. W. Trexler Mr. & Mrs. James F. Gary Mr. & Mrs. Thurston Twigg-Smith professionals hailing from all areas of the globe… Mrs. L.A.R. Gaspar Dr. & Mrs. Kazuo Ugajin directors, conductors, designers, artists and musicians… Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Griffith Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Wichman all at the height of their craft. Another very large cadre of Mr. & Mrs. Ernest C. Hickson Juliet Rice Wichman this number will be made up of community volunteers, from the chorus and supernumeraries on the stage to the hospitality, wig and makeup, and security detail Tom and Gloria Huber backstage. HOT has a long tradition of volunteers filling Ray Galas key roles during the season activities and we believe it is Estate of Marguerite E. one of the greatest assets of the company. The sense of Gonsalves ohana that has come from this close-knit, committed Daniel and Jane Katayama group is truly extraordinary as well. Visiting artists often Anonymous Evelyn Lance call years in advance to be considered for a return trip to Steve and Linn Alber Estate of Mireille Leitich Estate of Ruth Ballard Tom and Natalie Mahoney the HOT stage… not only because they want to work Estate of Nancy Bannick Peter and Luanna McKenney with our world-class artists and musicians, but also Nanna Bradford Margaret Montgomery because HOT hospitality is legendary in the opera field. Dr. Roger and Felice Brault Estate of Leon J. Munson Robert & Patsy Bunn Marita L. Nelson, Ph.D. As we pass this milestone we believe our future is brighter Henry Clark Nichols than ever. Many of you know we moved into new Estate of Conrad G. Conrad, III Joyce Quigley headquarters on Beretania Street this past spring. If you Michael Dabney Sarah Richards have not had a chance to see the newly minted Hawaii Luryier Diamond Jean E. Rolles Opera Plaza (HOP) and the opera offices, please drop by; Estate of Hope Doyle Major General Cecil A. Ryder, Jr. it’s a wonderful space. We also have plans to continue our Sally Edwards Stephen and Dana Wilson expansion at HOP with a new rehearsal hall that will be Suzanne Engel built on the roof of the existing parking structure. It’s an Legacy Society gifts help to secure the artistic and financial exciting new chapter as we embark upon our next 50 strength of for future generations. If opera years… and of course, all of these exciting projects and has been a part of your life, make it a part of your legacy. Ask productions could not take place without all of you, our your financial advisor about the significant tax benefits of patrons and donors. including HOT in your estate plans. HOT staff can also recommend confidential consultation with an estate planning We have always enjoyed great support from this expert who can answer your questions about planned giving. community and have worked hard to make sure that the Opera Legacy Society benefits include: dollars you graciously offer to support us are used wisely. • Exclusive Annual Legacy Society Brunch and other special We would not be here today without you, our volunteers programs and event invitations. and board, our artists and staff… and all of those who • Recognition, with your approval, in the HOT annual report and played each of those roles before. in season programs, Aria. For more information, contact Karen Tiller, Executive Director of Thank you all and enjoy this season’s performances! Hawaii Opera Theatre at 596-7372 x 201. 90664_Figaro:p 1/18/10 12:43 PM Page 4

World Premiere: Vienna, May 1, 1786 Performed by Hawaii Opera Theatre at Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall January 29, 31 & February 2, 2010 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Presented in Italian with English Supertitles

Conductor ...... Ivan Törzs Director ...... Hans Nieuwenhuis Sets designed by Susan Benson for the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts Scenic Elements Constructed by the Banff Centre Lighting Designer ...... Peter Dean Beck Costumer ...... Helen E. Rodgers Costumes designed by Allen Charles Klein made available by special arrangement with Malabar, Ltd. Additional costumes provided by Malabar, Ltd. Wig and Make-up Designer ...... Richard Stead Stage Manager ...... Gretchen Mueller Coach/Rehearsal Pianist ...... Beebe Freitas English Supertitles ...... Matthew Lata SPONSORS CAST Figaro ...... Leon Williams Susanna, chambermaid to the Countess ...... Shawnette Sulker Production: John Young Foundation Count Almaviva ...... Michael Chioldi Rosina, Countess Almaviva ...... Inna Dukach Orchestra: The Cades Foundation Cherubino, the Count’s page ...... Buffy Baggot Bartolo, a doctor from Seville ...... Set Transportation: Horizon Lines Marcellina ...... Victoria Livengood Basilio, music master/Curzio, a judge ...... James Price Costume Transportation: Air Canada Cargo Antonio, the Count’s gardener and Susanna’s uncle ...... John Mount Alexander & Baldwin Barbarina, Antonio’s daughter ...... Rosanna Perch*/Winnie So* Supertitles: Foundation

Chorus of peasants, villagers, servants Conductor: Realtors® for Opera _ HOT Chorus Co-Directors: Beebe Freitas & Nola A. Nahulu Chorus Coordinator: Chris Walsh Costumes: Dentists for Opera Women Men Meet the Stars Party: Salvatore Ferragamo Bambi Brock* Mark Ah Yo Naomi Castro Dan Barnett Official Airline: Continental Airlines Stephanie Conching David Del Rocco Christine Eilers Phil M. Hidalgo Hotel Co-Sponsors: Aston Hotels & Resorts Diane Koshi Keane Ishii* Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki Pamela L. Maiava Scot Izuka Carena Montany Gary Kawasaki Hospitality: Club Rosanna K. U. Perch* Daniel James Kunkel Rebecca Ramos Stelio Lanai Lectures: First Insurance Company Nicole Sakata Nicholas R. Walters* of Hawaii, Ltd. Winnie So* Benoit Weber* Angela Vitro Chad Williams* Season Rehearsal: ALTRES Chris Walsh Kyna Williams Wine: The Wine Stop *Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio member Season Finale: Tod’s

4 LE NOZZE DI FIGARO 01_206,3x276,2_ee:p05 1/13/10 11:19 AM Page 1

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Director’s Notes by Hans Nieuwenhuis 

From the day The Marriage of Figaro was created by Wolfgang Mozart and Lorenzo da Ponte in May 1786, the opera has never disappeared David & Verne Takagi from the standard opera repertoire all over the world. Its genius was immediately recognized by audiences and singers alike and today every season a lot of new salute the Figaro-productions are created in North America, Europe, South America and more and more Hawaii Opera Theatre also in Asia. in its 50th season, Mozart and Da Ponte took a risk when they chose a notorious play by French playwright Beaumarchais for their libretto. King Louis XVI of France himself ordered his censors to forbid inspiring us with works performances of the play because he found it ……’a mockery of everything that had to be of the highest caliber respected’. The King was afraid that plays like Figaro’s Marriage would undermine the position of the French nobility including himself. He was right and only three years later he and helping to make was removed from his throne during the French revolution and later executed together with Honolulu the his wife Marie Antoinette, daughter of the Emperor of Austria. artistic center I do not think Mozart and Da Ponte intended to make a political statement with their adaptation of the Beaumarchais play. They actually removed some of the most explosive of the Pacific. political passages. In particular, Da Ponte replaced Figaro's climactic speech against inherited nobility and assured the Emperor himself that Mozart and he had no intention to insult anybody. INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE OFFICES OF So, why were Lorenzo and Wolfgang so attracted to the play? The answer lies in the other TAKAGI &TAKAGI two they created together: and Così fan tutte. In their first collaboration, Two Waterfront Plaza they introduce the theme that returns in their two other works: the force of physical attraction 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 301 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 or simply said, lust versus love. In Figaro, not only are the page Cherubino and the Count (808)523-6840 FAX: (808) 531-2399 controlled by their hormones, but the Countess and Susanna are also trapped in a situation Property & Casualty Insurance that involves physical attraction. In the last play of Beaumarchais about Figaro (The Guilty offered through John H. Connors Agency Securities offered through Mother 1792) we can read that the Contessa has a child not from her husband but from…. Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. Cherubino. Such a development would not have been strange in “Dynasty” or “Dallas” or Member FINRA/SIPC any other soap opera. Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro has a second title that most people do not know: La folle journée…The crazy day. I find that subtitle very important because our story starts early morning and ends about 24 hours later in a park. Within this time span, we witness an incredible amount of funny, crazy, tragic, unbelievable and unpredictable events. Mozart and AIA ARCHITECTS Da Ponte called the work an ‘opera buffa’. It is indeed a brilliant comedy and, like comedies by Shakespeare, it is not only funny but also tells us a lot about how men and women deal for OPERA with the power of love and lust…. This is not only found in Da Ponte’s text but most of all in Amy Blagriff, EVP, AIA Honolulu Mozart’s music. We can hear extensively what the characters feel or think through their Robert & Janice Freeburg music. That was Mozart’s music revolution because with his genius he makes every person Lee Manfredi, Assoc. AIA in the opera a three dimensional and real human being. MGA Architecture In+Form Design, Inc.

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The Story of

Synopsis... ACT I. A country estate outside Seville, the servants' quarters. While preparing for their wedding, the valet Figaro learns from the maid Susanna that their employer, Count Almaviva, has designs on her. At this the servant vows to outwit his master. Before long Doctor Bartolo enters with his housekeeper, Marcellina, who wants Figaro to marry her to cancel a debt he cannot pay. After Marcellina and Susanna trade insults, the amorous adolescent page Cherubino, arrives, reveling in his infatuation with all women. He hides when the Count shows up, who is furious because he caught Cherubino flirting with Barbarina, the gardener's daughter. The Count pursues Susanna but conceals himself when music master Don Basilio enters the room. The Count steps forward, however, when Basilio suggests that Cherubino has a crush on the Countess. Almaviva is enraged further when he discovers Cherubino in the room. Figaro returns with fellow servants, who praise the Count's progressive reform in abolishing the right of a noble to take a manservant's place on his wedding night. Almaviva assigns Cherubino to his regiment and leaves Figaro to cheer up the unhappy boy.

ACT II. Boudoir of Countess Almaviva. The Countess laments her husband's waning love but plots to chasten him, encouraged by Figaro and Susanna. They will send Cherubino, disguised as Susanna, to a romantic assignation with the Count. Cherubino, smitten with the Countess, appears, and the two women begin to dress the page for his farcical rendezvous. While Susanna goes out to find a ribbon, the Count knocks at the door, furious to find it locked. Cherubino quickly hides in a closet, and the Countess admits her husband, who is skeptical of her story that Susanna is inside the wardrobe. He takes his wife to fetch some tools with which to force the closet door. Meanwhile, Susanna, having observed everything secretly, helps Cherubino out a window, then takes his place in the closet. Both Count and Countess are amazed to find her there. All seems well until the gardener, Antonio, storms in with crushed geraniums from a flowerbed below the window. Figaro, who has run in to announce that everything is ready for his wedding is ready, pretends it was he who jumped from the window, faking a sprained ankle. Marcellina, Bartolo and Basilio burst into the room waving a court summons for Figaro, which delights the Count, as this gives him an excuse to delay the wedding.

ACT III. In an audience room. Susanna leads the Count on with promises of a rendezvous in the garden. The nobleman, however, grows doubtful when he spies her conspiring with Figaro; he vows revenge. Marcellina is astonished but thrilled to discover that Figaro is in fact her long-lost natural son by Bartolo. Mother and son embrace, provoking Susanna's anger until she too learns the truth. Finding a quiet moment, the Countess recalls her past happiness, then joins Susanna in composing a letter that invites the Count to the garden that night. Later, during the marriage ceremony of Figaro and Susanna, the bride manages to slip the letter, sealed with a hatpin, to the Count, He drops the pin by accident but Figaro retrieves it. THE INCOMPARABLE ACT IV. A corrider, later in a moonlit garden. SINGING VOICE OF Barbarina, after trying to find the lost hatpin, tells Figaro and Marcellina about the coming BÖSENDORFER, assignation between the Count and Susanna. ACCLAIMED Figaro inveighs against women and leaves, missing Susanna and the Countess, ready for their WORLDWIDE masquerade. Alone, Susanna rhapsodizes on her love for Figaro, but he, overhearing, thinks she SINCE means the Count. Susanna hides in time to see 1828. Cherubino woo the Countess — now disguised in Susanna's dress — until Almaviva chases him away and sends his wife, who he thinks is Susanna, to an arbor, to which he follows. By now Figaro understands the joke and makes exaggerated love to Susanna in her Countess disguise. The Count returns, seeing, or so he thinks, Figaro with his wife. Outraged, he calls everyone to witness his judgment, but then the real Countess appears and reveals the ruse. Grasping the truth at last, the Count begs her pardon. So ends this "crazy day" at the court of From Vienna the Almavivas. to Honolulu, found only at -provided by the New York MOZART HOUSE Model Shown: 720 Iwilei Road, Ste. 322 Johann Strauss 537-3441

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love lately lost and finally Susanna's seductive invitation, "Deh vieni," Opera Insights which manages to be both archly teasing and sweetly sincere. Other sketches are equally deft, from jealous Figaro's malicious minuet, "Se on The Marriage of Figaro vuol ballare," to silly Barbarina's mock-tragic lament over a lost pin. (Mozart also composed two brilliant musical parodies in fourth-act star by Kelley Rourke, Opera America Magazine turns for Marcellina and Basilio; however, these are often cut on the grounds that they slow the movement toward the denouement.) For Le Nozze di Figaro keeps regular company with the bloodier operas all the glories in the procession of arias, the real magic lies in the usually found on the operatic "Top 10" and, next to favorites like ensembles. Figaro's plot is a maze of misunderstandings, disguises and , it seems like a sweet — even bland — throwback. But and machinations; Mozart neatly untangles the knots (or further this work, the combined effort of a revolutionary, a rake, and a rascally confuses things, when appropriate), all the while weaving together genius, contains some pointed social commentary — not to mention several voices, each with perfect musical-emotional pitch. virtually perfect musical characterizations and groundbreaking use of the ensemble. Le Nozze di Figaro was apparently well- received from the start. The emperor In 1784, the playwright Beaumarchais penned La Folle journée ou Le saw the need to ban excessive Mariage de Figaro, a sequel to his successful Le Barbier de Séville (later encores during performance. set to music by Rossini and Paisiello). The play, with its pointed barbs Before the end of the 18th at the ruling class, caused an uproar, predictably exciting the people century, it had been seen in and infuriating the nobles. Florence, Amsterdam and Paris, as well as Prague, Leipzig, Although the play was banned from the Viennese stage, Mozart and Graz and Frankfurt. To this his librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte, recognized a good story when they day, it remains a favorite found one and were not the types to shrink from controversy. (They among opera lovers were also clever enough to fashion a libretto that could pass muster worldwide. with the censors.) Da Ponte, the well-read, social-climbing son of a tanner, wrote numerous libretti for Mozart, Salieri, Soler, and other contemporary composers. He also left memoirs, poems, numerous translations and assorted prose. If his memoirs are to be believed, his prodigious verbal output was matched only by his romantic conquests, but most remember him chiefly for the three libretti he provided for Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro, Così fan tutte and Don Giovanni.

Le Nozze di Figaro was Mozart and Da Ponte's first operatic collaboration. Mozart began work on the music in 1785; the opera had its premiere in Vienna the following year. Its treasures are many, beginning with arias reflecting the many facets of love: Cherubino's eager adolescent yearning, the Countess's bittersweet recollection of a

REALTORS® for OPERA Frankie Anderson Josette Marsh Brian Benton Regina C. Mass Margo Brower Mary Matsuda Jackie Collins-Buck Jim Mazzola Toan Doran Liz Moore Pamela & Fred Russell K. Nishimoto Ferguson-Brey Christine O'Brien Mary Flood Joe Paikai Gaylien S. Hall Pakinee Portmore Marie A. Hansen Yukiko Sato Lee Alden Johnson Helen H. Skov Judith Kalbrener Jennifer Stellmacher Anne I.W. Keamo Judy Sykes Nick LaCarra Bob Vieira Sandra C. Liu Maggie Walker Helen MacNeil Wendell Wong 1978 Samson and Dalila 25 90664_Figaro:p 1/13/10 11:29 AM Page 26

Hawaii Opera Theatre’s 50th Anniversary Orchestra

VIOLIN I CELLO ENGLISH HORN TROMBONE Ignace Jang, Concertmaster Andrew Eckard, Principal Catherine Weinfield Jason Byerlotzer, Principal Claire Sakai Hazzard, Karen Bechtel Associate Concertmaster Louise Ching CLARINET TROMBONE Judy Barrett, Joanna Fleming Scott Anderson, Principal Jared Lantzy Assistant Concertmaster Joanna Morrison James Moffitt, Associate Principal Johanna Bourkova Norman F. Foster TUBA Rami Gepner BASS Jason Doherty, Principal Katharine Hafner Kirby Nunez, Principal BASSOON Elaine Lu Michael Gorman, Paul H. Barrett, Principal TIMPANI Sasha Margolis Associate Principal Marsha Schweitzer, Stephen Dinion, Principal Sheryl Shohet John Gallagher Associate Principal Stan Muncy, Associate Principal Geoffrey Stone Philip Gottling III VIOLIN II PERCUSSION Hung Wu, Principal FLUTE CONTRABASSOON Eric Shin, Principal Darel Stark, Associate Principal Claire Starz Butin, Principal Philip Gottling III Jordan Schifino, Ann Krinitsky Matthew Roitstein, Associate Principal Timothy Leong Associate Principal HORN Daniel Padilla Daniel Alexander George Warnock, Principal HARP Nikki Kurata Routman Jonathan Parrish, Constance Uejio, Principal Duane White PICCOLO Associate Principal Daniel Alexander Michiko Singh VIOLA Matthew Eckenhoff Mark Butin, Principal OBOE Mellissa Lund Steven Flanter, J. Scott Janusch, Principal Associate Principal Pavel Morunov, TRUMPET Jean-Michel Jacquon Associate Principal Kenneth Hafner, Principal Melvin Whitney Catherine Weinfield Donald Hazzard Anna Womack Russell Ishida Sandra Wong

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Hawaii Opera Theatre Principal Cast Leon Williams, (Figaro) Inna Dukach, Soprano (Countess Almaviva) American baritone Leon Williams enjoys a fine Born in Moscow and raised in New York, reputation on several continents for his soprano Inna Dukach made her Covent Garden distinctive voice, charismatic personality and debut as Musetta this past winter. Her repertoire superb musicianship. Concert appearances includes Mimì ( Opera), for which include Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Honolulu praised her as Symphony; Orff’s Carmina Burana with the “understated, with warm corners to a voice that Florida Orchestra, Baltimore, Reading, Alabama, moved smoothly up and down the staff and was Westchester, Grand Rapids, Hartford and enlisted in the service of the acting”, and for Colorado Symphonies, National Philharmonic, and at the Berkshire which Opera News commended her as “golden-toned” with Choral Festival; Britten’s War , the Mozart and Fauré “appealing emotional vulnerability.” She recently performed Violetta Requiems and Haydn’s Creation with the Colorado Symphony; (Croatian National Opera), Liù (Savonlinna Opera Festival), Tatiana Vaughan-Williams’ A Sea Symphony with the Portland and Illinois (Opera Lyra ), Donna Anna (Orlando Opera and Opera Symphonies and Florida Orchestra; Fauré’s Requiem with Raymond Carolina), Pamina (Opera Hong Kong), and Xenia in Boris Godunov Leppard and the Kansas City Symphony; Brahms’ Requiem with the (San Diego Opera). Ms. Dukach’s international concert appearances Alabama and Santa Barbara Symphonies; Haydn’s Il Ritorno di Tobia include Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis and Ninth Symphony, Strauss’ and Harold Farberman’s War Cry on a Prayer Feather with the Vier Letzte Lieder, Shostakovich’s Songs from Yiddish Folk Poetry, American Symphony Orchestra at Alice Tully Hall, ; Rachmaninov’s The Bells, Verdi’s Requiem, and Brahms’ Requiem. Weill’s Lindberghflug with Dennis Russell Davies and the American Plans include Walter in La Wally (Concertgebouw, Amsterdam), Composers Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Marguerite (Opera New Jersey) and Strauss’ Vier Letzte Lieder (Reading Symphony). Shawnette Sulker, Soprano (Susanna) Shawnette Sulker has been described by the Buffy Baggot, Mezzo-Soprano (Cherubino) San Francisco Chronicle as a singer California-native Buffy Baggott has gained “…displaying a bright, superbly controlled recognition throughout the U.S. as an soprano with perfectly placed coloratura.” A accomplished and versatile mezzo-soprano. She native of Guyana, Ms. Sulker has been a is an alumnus of the prestigious Lyric Opera featured artist in two Center for American Artists and has appeared productions: The Mother of Us All and Louise. numerous times on the ’s She was also a part of the joint production of stage. Notable performances there include between San Francisco Opera and , (Carmen), Stephano (Roméo et Juliette), singing the roles of Second Woman and Second Witch. This young Dryade (), Siegrune (Die Walküre) and ) and a trio soprano has sung leading roles with many other companies, of characters: The Dresser, Schoolboy and Groom in Lulu. Other including Union Avenue Opera, Natchez Opera Festival, West Bay performances include Schwertleite (Ring Cycle), Sonyetka (Lady Opera, Berkeley Opera, North Bay Opera, San Francisco Lyric of Mtsensk), Flora () and Maddalena (Rigoletto) Opera, Livermore Valley Opera, Cinnabar Opera Theater, and for the Canadian Opera, Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd) for Arizona Oakland Opera Theater. She performed concert versions of the Opera, Flosshilde () for San Francisco Opera and American classic Porgy and Bess, first in the role of Clara with Flosshilde (Das Rheingold) for Indianapolis Opera. Ms. Baggott’s Redwood Symphony and then in the role of Serena with the upcoming performances include Siegrune (Die Walküre) for the Los Mendocino Music Festival. Angeles Opera Ring Cycle and she serves as Mezzo Soprano Vocalist and faculty for the Bay View Music Festival in Northern Michael Chioldi, Baritone (Count Almaviva) Michigan. Michael Chioldi, baritone, known for his "riveting stage presence and beautiful, powerful Valerian Ruminski, Bass (Bartolo) voice" (The New York Times), has performed Valerian Ruminski is a graduate of The Academy leading roles across the and of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. He has appeared throughout the world. He made his with the Metropolitan Opera, NYCO, Dallas Metropolitan Opera debut in 1996 with Luciano Opera, Florida Grand Opera, , Pavarotti, and has also performed with the San , Opera Oreland, Opera de Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, New Montreal, , New Israeli Opera York City Opera (over 150 performances), Santa Fe Opera, and many more. His Carnegie Hall debut was in Washington National Opera, LA Opera, San Diego Opera, Spoleto La Juive with the Opera Orchestra of NY. Mr. USA, Minnesota Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Macau International Ruminski has been featured in the PBS broadcast of with Music Festival China, L'Opera de Montpellier in France, Opera de the Metropolitan Opera which is available on Deutsche Oviedo in Spain, Tokyo Japan (tour with Maestro ), Grammaphone and on the Naxos CD Night at the Opera. Canada's , the Stadtteater Pforzheim in Germany and Upcoming engagements include Boris Godunov at the Metropolitan numerous other companies. Upcoming performances include: Opera, with Hawaii Opera Theatre, Rigoletto Nixon/Nixon in China with Long Beach, The Prince in La Grand with Nickel City Opera (Buffalo) and with Opera de Duchesse with Opera Boston, Escamillo in Carmen with L'Opera Montreal. Mr. Ruminski is adjunct Professor at SUNY- Westchester National de Bordeaux, France, and a return to WNO for Sharpless CC in NY and is Artistic Director of Nickel City Opera in Buffalo, NY. in Butterfly conducted by Placido Domingo.

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Hawaii Opera Theatre Principal Cast Victoria Livengood, Rosanna Perch, Soprano (Barbarina) Mezzo-Soprano (Marcellina) Rosanna Perch is a young emerging artist. She Career highlights include the title role in received her bachelor's degree in vocal Carmen, Herodias in , Orlovsky in Die performance from the University of Hawaii at Fledermaus, Hélène in War and Peace, Madame Manoa. As a member of the Hawai‘i Opera Akhrosimova in War and Peace, Madame Larina Theatre Mae Z. Orvis Opera Studio, Rosanna in Eugene Onegin, Sonetka in Lady MacBeth of has performed extensively with the Opera Mtsensk, and Waltraute in Die Walküre with the Express and Opera Residency educational Metropolitan Opera; Lampito in Lysistrata with programs, portraying such roles as Gretel from Houston Grand Opera and ; Jocasta in Hansel and Gretel, Mabel from and most Oedipus Rex with the Festival; title role in La Lenorita recently, the Witch from Hansel and Gretel and Carmen; she made Cristina with Madrid’s Teatro Real; title role in The Medium with her company debut as the Nursing Sister in . Rosanna L’Opéra de Monte Carlo; Ortrud in with Italy’s Spoleto has also performed with the Hawai‘i Vocal Arts Ensemble, the Festival; the Old Prioress in The Dialogues of the Carmelites with Fort Honolulu Symphony, numerous University of Hawaii Ensembles, the Worth Opera; Klytämnestra in with Las Palmas Opera; and Manoa Voices and as an adjunct lecturer at the Chaminade the Witch in Hansel and Gretel with Kentucky Opera. Upcoming University of Honolulu; she enjoys singing a wide variety of engagements include the Marquise in La Fille du Regiment with repertoire including Spirituals, Gospel, Hawaiian Music and Jazz. Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del and Marcellina in Le Nozze di While continually developing her skills, Rosanna strives towards Figaro with Washington National Opera. artistic excellence and building a serious performance career.

James Price, Tenor (Basilio/Curzi) Winnie So, Soprano (Barbarina) Versatile American tenor James Price’s 2008- After singing in Spoleto, Italy this summer, 2009 engagements included Gherardo/Gianni soprano Winnie So returns to HOT’s mainstage Schicchi for Macau International Music Festival, where she has sung the roles of the Mother in Handel’s Messiah/Central Union Church, and the Celestial Voice in Don Lamplighter and Hairdresser/ Carlo. As a member of the Mae Z. Orvis Opera and Dancäire/Carmen for HOT, Metropolitan Studio, Ms. So is a frequent performer with the Opera Chorus/Götterdämmerung. Concert and HOT Opera Express, singing the roles of convention requests have taken Mr. Price Cinderella in Cenerentola, Gretel in Hansel and around the world including Santa Fe, New York, Chicago, Hawaii, Gretel, Rosina in , and Yum Yum in The and Las Vegas in the US, and Belgium, England, Hong Kong and Mikado. Ms. So has also performed in Bay Area Summer Opera Holland abroad. His 2009-2010 engagements include Theater Institute’s production of Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo. Most Aldolpho/The Drowsy Chaperone for Diamond Head Theatre, recently, she sang in Spoleto Vocal Arts Symposium’s scenes returning to Macau as Curzio/Marriage of Figaro, Tenor program, appearing as Nannetta in , Euridice in Orfeo ed Soloist/Beethoven’s Ninth with the Honolulu Symphony, a debut Euridice, and Cunegonde in Candide. Ms. So holds a Master’s with Finland’s Savonlinna Festival as Goro/Madama Butterfly and degree in Vocal Performance from The Boston Conservatory. concerts throughout Hawaii. Mr. Price is Artistic Administrator of Hawaii Opera Theatre and Artistic Advisor of Nickel City Opera in Buffalo, NY. To engage Mr. Price for stage engagements, voice HAWAII OPERA THEATRE lessons, or artistic consultation, please visit www.jamesprice.com. Staff & Associates John Mount, Bass (Antonio) General & Artistic Director . . . . . Henry G. Akina John Mount, bass-baritone is Professor of Music Executive Director ...... Karen Tiller and Director of Opera Workshop at the Associate Artistic Director ...... Beebe Freitas University of Hawaii at Manoa. John has sung Artistic Administrator...... Jim Price nearly eighty roles with HOT as well as Director of Finance...... Sue Ruiz numerous mainland companies. In September Director of Development . . . . Suzanne Watanabe John sang in Don Carlo with Opera Hong Kong Development Associate ...... Nikki Nielsen and staged The Mini Opera, a short educational Director of Education ...... Erik D. Haines Education Coordinator ...... Kristin Stone opera created by John and his wife Lorna. The Education Assistant ...... Eric Schank Mini Opera is being presented in several Hong Kong area schools. Office Manager...... Tracy Jefferson Previous HOT appearances include A Little Night Music, Don Carlo, Box Office Manager ...... Gayleen Williams and Die Zauberflöte. John has been bass soloist with the Box Office Assistants ...... Lorelei Ramiro Honolulu Symphony in such works as the requiems of Verdi, & Robert Pierce Mozart and Brahms, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and Mendelssohn’s Director of Production ...... T. H. Stettler Elijah. As a teacher, his students have sung in opera houses Production/ Operations Manager . . Barett Hoover throughout the world and musical theater on Broadway and in Production Coordination ...... S. Beth Crumrine Europe. He is also Director of Music at Kailua United Methodist HOT Orchestra Librarian ...... Kim Kiyabu Church. Marketing ...... LaReaux Communications

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Principal Artistic Team Ivan Törzs, Conductor American by birth, Ivan Törzs has lived and worked in Europe since 1985. From 2002 through 2008 he was music director of Flanders Opera in Antwerp, Belgium. Prior to that, he served as principal conductor and artistic director of the Mecklenburg State Theater in Schwerin, Germany. As a guest conductor, Törzs has appeared at the , , and in Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Nüremberg, Strasbourg, Prague, Budapest, Moscow, Warsaw, Tirana and many other cities. His conducting of Wagner’s Ring Cycle was hailed as “sensational” in the German press. When not on the podium, Ivan Törzs is in demand as a pianist. He has played recitals of Lieder with such artists as Cheryl Studer, Kurt Moll, and Edda Moser. Ivan Törzs holds a conducting diploma from the Mannes College of Music and a B.A. in mathematics from Princeton University. Marriage of Figaro is his ninth production for HOT. Singers Beyond Borders Hans Nieuwenhuis, Director presents Hans Nieuwenhuis began his international career in 1981, staging the USA premiere of Philip Glass' Satyagraha for the Brooklyn Opera Rocks! Academy of Music and the Art Park Festival (Lewiston, NY). He’s directed over a hundred productions for L’Opéra de Nice in France, A Benefit Concert for Hawaii Theatre Center The , , L'Opéra de Montreal, Opera Colorado, Long Beach Opera, San Francisco Opera, Western Thursday, March 11, 2010 Opera Theater, Opera Omaha, Lincoln Center New York, Pacific 7:30 p.m. at the Hawaii Theatre Opera Victoria, Bangkok Opera. He has taught and directed for the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble, the San Francisco Opera Merola Program, the Curtis Institute of Music, Yale En route to their tour in Asia, this remarkable group of University, Michigan University, McGill University in Montreal, opera singers brings their exciting new program to the and the music conservatories in Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Hawaii Theatre stage. Opera Rocks! is a musical journey Maastricht in the Netherlands, the Sichuan Conservatory in encompassing five languages and seven countries in an Chengdu (China), the Tchaikovsky Conservatorium in Moscow eclectic program of famous arias, jazz and pop classics, and and the Music Conservatory in Tomsk. Mr. Nieuwenhuis is founder and General Director of Opera Studio Nederland in even hit songs from favorite Disney films. Amerstdam. A delight for music-lovers of all genres!

Peter Dean Beck, Lighting Designer Featuring: Peter Dean Beck is happy to be returning to Lea Woods Almanza, Soprano HOT for his twenty-ninth season. He has Fenlon Lamb, Mezzo-Soprano designed scenery and/or lighting for over Victor Ryan Robertson, Tenor two hundred fifty productions around North Ryan Taylor, Baritone America. Among his opera credits are Falstaff, , Manon, Don Giovanni, Joseph Li, Piano Madama Butterfly, Hansel and Gretel, A Wes Yoakam, Guitar Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Romeo et Juliette for such companies as Atlanta Opera, Florida Grand $45 & $75 Reserved Seating Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, , , and Chautauqua Opera. He has also been designing opera $150 Preview Package productions for the University of Colorado for sixteen seasons. (includes buffet dinner and concert preview with the artists at a He designed Firebird and Petrushka for Eugene Ballet in Oregon private home on March 9 plus premium orchestra seating for the concert) and Nutcracker for Ballet Hawaii. He designed a double bill of Le Rossignol, and for Sakai City Opera in Japan (built and painted by HOT Scene Shop), lit Cavalleria Hawaii Theatre Box Office Rusticana/I in Macao, and Don Carlo in Hong Kong. (808) 528-0506 www.hawaiitheatre.com

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Hawaii Opera Theatre Principal Artistic Team Helen E. Rodgers, Costumer as Yo Yo Ma, , and ; has been rehearsal Helen E. Rodgers is delighted to return to Hawaii pianist for many conductors such as , Thomas Opera Theatre. She has designed costumes for Schippers, Robert Shaw, and William Steinberg. She has been the many productions here, including A Little Night recipient of honors bestowed by the National Society of Arts and Music, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, The King & I, Il Letters, the YWCA, a Honpa Hongwanji Mission's Living Treasure Trittico, Susannah, La Bohème, and Così fan tutte. Award, the City and County of Honolulu Commission on Culture Work at other companies includes costume and the Arts Award, and the Hawaii Arts Alliance's prestigious Alfred designs for Così fan tutte and Le Nozze di Figaro Preis Award. for Chautauqua Opera, Street Scene for _ Chautauqua and Manhattan School of Music, and and Nola A. Nahulu, Co-Chorus Director for Mannes Opera in New York. Ms. Rodgers Ms. Nahulu is a native of Makaha, Oahu. She designed costumes for a Wild West production of for received her education from Waianae the San Diego Opera, which has since been presented at companies Elementary School, Kamehameha Schools, across the United States and Canada. Other company credits Whitman College (B.A. Psychology) and include Hong Kong Opera, Lincoln Center Festival, Baryshnikov Universtiy of Hawai'i, Manoa (M.A. Music Productions, New Orleans Opera, Sarasota Opera, Canadian Opera Education, Choral). Ms. Nahulu has been Company, Virginia Opera, Opera Memphis, Utah Festival Opera, involved as a music educator/director in choral Miami City Ballet, and Radio City Music Hall. music here in Hawaii since 1977. Organizations she has served include the Unitarian Church, Bishop Memorial Richard Stead, Wig & Make-up Designer Church of the Kamehameha Schools, Molokai Children's Chorus, This season, Mr. Stead celebrates his 28th Hawaii Children's Chorus interim director for the Honolulu consecutive season with HOT. He has been Symphony Chorus and the Kamehameha Alumni Glee Club. She is Wigmaster at The San Francisco Opera where presently choral director for Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club (since he won an Emmy Nomination. He has worked 1977), Kawaiahao Church (since 1990), Hawaii Opera Theatre with Netherlands Opera, Royal Shakespeare Chorus (since 1992), and Kawaiolaonapukanileo (since 1997). She is Company, Central City Opera, , also lecturer in Hawaiian Choral music at the University of Hawaii, Boston Opera, Minnesota Opera, American Manoa Music Department (since 1982) and the Executive & Artistic Conservatory Theatre, Spoleto Festival USA, Director for the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus (since 1986). She with Bolshoi Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Ballet Hawaii, films and television. her family are owners of Bete Muu. He was on the faculty of San Francisco State University and University of California. Mr. Stead operates his own wig and make- up company.

Gretchen Mueller, Stage Manager Happy Birthday Ms. Mueller has stage-managed for San Francisco Opera, , the Happy Washington Opera, Seattle Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Anniversary Wolf Trap, Banff School of Fine Arts, and Thank You Tanglewood Music Center. During her career she has worked on two productions of The Hey, Let’s Go Out! Ring Cycle, two productions of War and Peace, and other Russian epics including Boris Godunov and ...say it with a HOT Gift Card! Khovanshchina, and world premieres written by Osvaldo Golijov, Robert Zuidam, Minoru Miki, and Paul Schofield. Recently, she spent two years as the Scheduling Manager for the San Francisco Opera. Although she specializes in opera production, she has also served as Company Manager, Stage Manager and Technical Liaison for International Attractions’ tours of The Rustavi Company of Tbilisi, Georgia, and of The Peking Opera of Chongching, China. This year Gretchen also stage-managed several presentations of modern dance in the Bay Area.

Beebe Freitas, Coach/Rehearsal Pianist, Co-Chorus Director A graduate of Oberlin College, Ms. Freitas received her Master's Degree from Boston University and was in the Special Studies Give a HOT Gift Card, good towards the purchase Program at Juilliard. She has been soloist with of opera tickets! Available in any amount. several orchestras including the Boston 'Pops', Contact the HOT Box Office at 596-7858 or go to the Youngstown and the Honolulu Symphonies. www.hawaiiopera.org She has performed with such renowned soloists

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Theatre Staff & Volunteers HOT also wishes to acknowledge those volunteers who graciously offered their services after Aria went to print. and could not appear on this list.

Director of Production Wardrobe Mistress Ginet U‘ilani Hayes Vickie Sakai Backstage Hospitality Jonathan Hughes Lucille Mistysyn T. H. Stettler Terri Lynn Laigo Sue E. Hubbard Christine Sakihama Janet Archy Elaine Jay Alina Morrow Linda Kaneshiro Douglas K. Stiles Geoffrey Howard Jeffrey Jay Jean Seu Security Scenic Artist Carole Kasamoto Lauren Stoecker-Sylvia Christina Iwaida Mary Judd Helen Zane Kiekie Productions M. Emi Yabuta Lindsay Kemp* Beti Suetsugu Gloria Z. King Bridget Kanakaole Peter Lee Sharon Takara Edean Kitamura April Katsura Special Events Assistant Stage Construction Crew Lesley-Ann Y. Loon Kathy Teruya Elaine Lam Mary Alice Kordof Ann Arnone Managers Ed Koshi Tyesha B. Looper* Christine Valles Diana Lee Jerome Landfield Charlotte Corrigan Kale Okazaki E. Kahi Logan Diego A. Maldonado- Anne Vitro Agnes Leong Jura Landfield Ann Dankulich Figaro C. Kahea Chock Santos Abby Williamson Nobu Nakamura Winnie Lee Kathy Doering & La Bohème B. Wayne Kekuewa Janice Olbrich Carlynn Wolfe Jean Okino Charles Lindberg Mary Gabrielson Jason Ichiyama Mathew Chang Ilona Penzes-Paczolay Gregory Wong Janice Olbrich Pauline Lindberg Janice Henry Die Walküre Sarah Robinson Laurie Wong Joshua Olbrich Jane Lipp Erik Herschend I.A.T.S.E. Union Sarah Shanahan Marcia B. Wright Nate Olbrich Gail Longstreth Valerie Kato 2nd Asst. Steward Joy Silverthorn Pearl Yamanouchi William R. Oman Robert Longstreth Louann Kromer Stage Managers Al Omo Jan Marie Smith Babette Simon Rudy McIntyre Susan P. Lamb Dana Anderson Morris Umeno Music Readers Jean Simon David Murray Linda Mendonca Figaro Running Crew Janet Weick Eleanore G. Akina Stephanie M. L. Wong Tom Murray Renate Ryan Sarah Eggleston I.A.T.S.E..Local 665 Laurie Wong Glenn Nagatoshi Eugenia Woodward Vivian Murray Shari Sakami Die Walküre Joanne Watanabe Norma J. Wright David Oman Richard Sullivan Soni Nandoskar Assistant to Wig & Wardrobe Crew William Yee Letty Pang Joy Tengan La Bohème Make-up Master Rowena Adachi Supertitles Thomas Pang Jennifer Waihee David Kasper Arnold Albiar Ann Ogino MacNeill Backstage Security Connie Patton Elizabeth Zack Assistant Costumer Sharon Amoy Neva Rego Coordinator Michael Riordan Jessie June Shipley Wig & Make-Up Crew Carol Barretto Chiori Shively Miu Lan Oman Penny Rogers Production Runners Charles Monoiki Beth E. Barry Richard Rogers Jim Denny Master Carpenter AhNee Sandy Chandler Light Walkers Backstage Security Raymond Trombley Gus Gustafson Al Omo Terry Ah Yo Cassandra deKramer Dana Anderson Romy Alexander Harriet Weissman Susan L. Arnett Mook Lan Fan Gus Gustafson Louise Barr Ileen Wong Master Electrician Marjorie Au Janice Henry Kiku Kealoha Betsy Behnke ShOpera Sandy Sandelin Wade E. Bahn Michele M. Ikeda Patricia Meyer Martha Chock Birgit Ball-Eisner Carol A. Jenkins Simone Carerra Eileen Cooney Master Flyman Dianne Boons Yukiko Kiriu Notetakers Georgia Cismil Bertha C. Fong Kepoi Lyons Julie Bernardino Boyd Lari Koga Robbie Brandt Jim Connors Beatrice Kong Em Carnett Stan Kuniyuki Sister Grace Capellas Mary Dixon Lucille Malouche Prop Master Juliana Chaize Winnie Law Randy Encarnacion Regina V. Ewing Linda Mendonca Gen Boyer Lida G. Chase Vana Lee Arlene Koh Don E. Flaminio Jennifer Miele Hannah Cordill Dennis Lynch Marita L. Nelson Carolyn Hilton Sound & Video Eliana Crestani Sharon Nakasone James Hilton * Opera For Everyone participant Charles Roberts Lyn Hamamura Janice Olbrich Gwyneth Hinostroza

2011 Early Bird Renewal Discount! Renew your same seats for next year at the lowest discount price Now through March 31, 2010 3 Grand Operas ~ 1 great price! Savings $$ Today. Call the Box Office for Details.

by by by Jan 28, 30 & Feb 1, 2011 Feb 11, 13 & 15, 2011 Feb 25, 27 & Mar 1, 2011

Always Early Savings Deadline: March 31, 2010! HOT Box Office: 596-7858 Ask about HOT’s “Save My Seat” Guarantee! HAWAII OPERA THEATRE

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