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Home , Alan Spaulding, Alms, At the Opera House, Daniel Okulitch, Michigan Opera Theatre, Nicole Cabell

FALL 2019 SEASON B R AVO

Don Giovanni OCTOBER 19-27, 2019

Sweeney Todd NOVEMBER 16-24, 2019

2019 Fall Opera Season Sponsor e Katherine McGregor Dessert Parlor …at e Whitney. Named a er David Whitney’s daughter, Katherine Whitney McGregor, our intimate dessert parlor on the Mansion’s third  oor features a variety of decadent cakes, tortes, and miniature desserts.  e menu also includes chef-prepared specialties, pies, and “Drinkable Desserts.” Don’t miss the amazing  aming dessert station featuring Bananas Foster and Cherries Jubilee.

Reserve tonight’s table online at www.thewhitney.com or call 313-832-5700 4421 Woodward Ave.,

Pre- eater Menu Available on performance date with today’s ticket. Choose one from each course:

FIRST COURSE Caesar Side Salad Chef’s Soup of the Day e Whitney Duet MAIN COURSE Grilled Lamb Chops Lake Superior White sh Pan Roasted “Brick” Chicken Sautéed Gnocchi View current menus DESSERT and reserve online at Chocolate Mousse or www.thewhitney.com Mixed Berry Sorbet with Fresh Berries or call 313-832-5700 $39.95 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit

e Katherine McGregor Dessert Parlor …at e Whitney. Named a er David Whitney’s daughter, Katherine Whitney McGregor, our intimate dessert parlor on the Mansion’s third  oor features a variety of decadent cakes, tortes, and miniature desserts.  e menu also includes chef-prepared specialties, pies, and “Drinkable Desserts.” Don’t miss the amazing  aming dessert station featuring Bananas Foster and Cherries Jubilee.

Reserve tonight’s table online at www.thewhitney.com or call 313-832-5700 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit

Pre- eater Menu Available on performance date with today’s ticket. Choose one from each course:

FIRST COURSE Caesar Side Salad Chef’s Soup of the Day e Whitney Duet MAIN COURSE Grilled Lamb Chops Lake Superior White sh Pan Roasted “Brick” Chicken Sautéed Gnocchi View current menus DESSERT and reserve online at Chocolate Mousse or www.thewhitney.com Mixed Berry Sorbet with Fresh Berries or call 313-832-5700 $39.95 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit Fall 2019 bravo Contents Opera Season The Official Magazine of Opera Theatre 1526 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226 ON STAGE Don Giovanni...... 6 Erica Hobbs, Editor FEATURE: Defining Donna Elvira: ...... 8 Publisher: FEATURE: Ron Raines reigns supreme as an MOT stage Echo Publications, Inc. Royal Oak, Michigan favorite and the company’s longest performing singer...... 9 www.echopublications.com ...... 10 Tom Putters, President FEATURE STORY: Physicians’ services provided by Opera v. Musical Theater: The Case for Sweeney Todd...... 12 Henry Ford Medical Center. Artist Profiles...... 14 Comet Interactive is the official media production company of the Detroit Education and Community Programs...... 22 Opera House. Studio Overview...... 23 Michigan Opera Theatre is a nonprofit cultural organization, whose activities are supported Profiles from the Pit...... 24 in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, and other individuals, corporations, MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE and foundations. Michigan Opera Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Boards of Directors and Trustees...... 4 Welcome...... 5 Michigan Opera Theatre Contributors...... 26 Administration and Staff...... 31 General ...... 32

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2019-2020 July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020

R. Jamison Williams Margaret Allesee Marianne Endicott Sara Pozzi DIRECTORS EMERITUS Chairman Pernilla Ammann Paul E. Ewing Paul Ragheb Shelly Cooper Lee Barthel Barbara Frankel Ruth Rattner Marjorie M. Fisher Wayne S. Brown Richard A. Brodie Herman Frankel Ankur Rungta Jennifer Nasser President and CEO Elizabeth Brooks Dean Friedman Terry Shea Audrey Rose Enrico Digirolamo Robert Brown Richard G. Goetz Matthew Simoncini William Sandy Chair, Finance James Ciroli John P. Hale Richard Sonenklar Richard Webb Committee Françoise Colpron Devon Hoover Lorna Thomas Joanne Danto Danialle Karmanos C. Thomas Toppin Cameron B. Duncan Julia Donovan Darlow Barbara Kratchman Jesse Venegas Treasurer Ethan Davidson Thomas M. Krikorian Ellen Hill Zeringue Kevin Dennis Alphonse S. Lucarelli Gene P. Bowen Shauna Ryder Diggs Donald Manvel Secretary Sonal Dubey Moiin Michael Einheuser Peter Oleksiak

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2019-2020 July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020

Kenn and Liz Allen Karen V. DiChiera Gary and Gwenn Johnson Spencer and R. Jamison and Robert and Lisa DiChiera George Johnson Myrna Partrich Karen Williams Margaret Allesee Shauna Ryder Diggs Jill Johnson Daniel and Joan Young and Sarah Allison Enrico and Ellen Kahn Margaret Pehrson Thomas L. Schellenberg Pernilla Ammann Kathleen Digirolamo Peter and Sara Pozzi Mary Lou Zieve Lourdes V. Andaya Debbie Dingell Danialle Karmanos Waltraud Prechter Ellen Hill Zeringue Harold Mitchell Arrington Mary Jane Doerr Stephanie Germack Kerzic Paul and Amy Ragheb Beverly Avadenka Dilip and Sonal Dubey Michael and John and Terry Rakolta TRUSTEES EMERITI Lee and Floy Barthel Cameron B. Duncan Barbara Kratchman Ruth F. Rattner Marcia Applebaum Mark and Caprice Baun Michael Einheuser Thomas and Roy and Maureen Roberts Agustin Arbulu Debra Bernstein-Siegel Kenneth and Deborah Krikorian Patricia H. Rodzik Marvin A. Frenkel Joseph and Barbra Bloch Frances Eisenberg Melvin A. Lester David and Preston and Mary Happel Gene P. Bowen Marianne Endicott Linda Dresner Levy and Jacqueline Roessler E. Jan and Pat Hartmann Richard and Gwen Bowlby Alex Erdeljan Edward Levy Audrey Rose Robert and Wally Klein Betty J. Bright Fern R. Espino and Mado Lie Carolyn L. Ross William and Richard and Thomas Short Arthur and Nancy Liebler Anthony and Marjorie Sandy Joanne Brodie Paul and Mary Sue Ewing Stephan and Sabrina Rugiero Roberta Starkweather Elizabeth Brooks Margo Cohen Feinberg Marian Loginsky Ankur Rungta and Paul and Janet Victor Robert Brown and and Robert Feinberg Mary Alice Lomason Mayssoun Bydon Amelia H. Wilhelm Geraldine Ford-Brown Oscar and Dede Feldman James LoPrete Hershel and Wayne S. Brown Carl and Alphonse S. Lucarelli Dorothy Sandberg FOUNDING MEMBERS and Brenda Kee Mary Ann Fontana Denise Lutz Donald and Kim Schmidt Mr.† & Mrs.† Lynn A. Charles D. Bullock Elaine Fontana Donald Manvel Mark and Lois Shaevsky Townsend, Michael and Mary Chirco Barbara Frankel and Florine Mark Arlene Shaler Founding Chairman James and Elizabeth Ciroli Ron Michalak Ronald and Terry Shea Mr. & Mrs.† Avern L. Cohn Gloria Clark Herman and Zvezdana Martella Matthew and Dr. & Mrs. John H. DeCarlo Avern and Lois Cohn Sharon Frankel Jack Martin and Mona Simoncini Dr. † & Mrs. David DiChiera Thomas Cohn Dean and Aviva Friedman Bettye Arrington-Martin Sheila Sloan Mr.† & Mrs.† Aaron H. Françoise Colpron Barbara Garavaglia Dexter Mason William H. Smith Gershenson William and Kelly Connell Yousif and Mara Ghafari Benjamin Meeker and Phyllis F. Snow Mr. & Mrs. Donald C. Peter and Shelly Cooper Richard and Aurora Goetz Meredith Korneffel Richard A. Sonenklar Graves † † Joanne Danto Carolyn Gordon Eugene and Lois Miller and Gregory Haynes Mr. & Mrs. John C. Griffin and Arnold Weingarden Samuel and Phillip D. and Dawn Minch Mary Anne Stella Mr. & Mrs. Harry L. Jones Helen Daoud Toby Haberman Ali Moiin and Ronald F. Switzer and The Hon.†& Mrs.†Wade H. Julia D. Darlow and Alice Berberian Haidostian William Kupsky Jim F. McClure McCree, Jr. John C. O’Meara John and Kristan Hale Donald and Lorna Thomas Mr. Harry J. Nederlander Jerry and Eugene and Antoinette Morelock C. Thomas and Mr. E. Harwood Rydholm† Maureen D’Avanzo Donna Hartwig E. Michael and Bernie Toppin Mr. & Mrs. Neil Snow Lawrence and Doreen Hermelin Dolores Mutchler James G. Vella Mr. & Mrs. Richard Dodie David Derek and Karen Hodgson Allan and Joy Nachman Jesse and Strichartz Ethan and Devon Hoover Barbara Nusbaum Yesenia Venegas Mr.† & Mrs.† Robert C. Gretchen Davidson Alan and Eleanor Israel Juliette Okotie-Eboh Marilyn Victor VanderKloot Kevin Dennis and Una Jackman Peter Oleksiak Inge Vincent Dr.† & Mrs.† Sam B. Williams Jeremy Zeltzer Don Jensen Linda Orlans Bradley Wakefield and Mr.† & Mrs.† Theodore O. Cristina DiChiera and Leo Dovelle Richard and Meghann Rutherford Yntema Kent and Amy Jidov Debra Partrich

4 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org † Deceased Michigan Opera Theatre WELCOME

elcome to the at the of MOT, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Rick. David DiChiera Center for the Performing Arts In addition, we look forward to welcoming Ethan to the Wand to Michigan Opera Theatre’s 49th season! new Board leadership team. In keeping with our mission to create exceptional and MOT is pleased to acknowledge the generosity of the innovative experiences, MOT’s 2019–2020 season William Davidson as our premier sponsor of features opera classics alongside contemporary works the 49th season. In addition we appreciate the leading that blur the boundaries between , musical theatre support of the Ford Motor Company as our fall sponsor and traditional art forms. This autumn, we are thrilled and the generosity of the many local and regional to present Mozart’s Don Giovanni partners who make our work possible. We invite you and Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. now to relax enjoy the performance, and we hope to see Written in 1787, Mozart’s you again soon at the Detroit Opera House. take on the Don Juan legend has withstood the test of time, exploring the best and worst of human nature with dark humor and exquisite music. This Wayne S. Brown production features beautiful President and CEO period costumes, designed by our Michigan Opera Theatre Don Giovanni director John Pascoe. Sweeney Todd returns to our stage after a 35- year absence from MOT’s repertoire. In addition to welcoming debut performances, you will recognize several familiar faces, as the ensemble cast for Sweeney Todd allows us to showcase many exceptional artists who hail from right here in Southeast Michigan. Looking forward to our winter/ spring season, we are excited to present the resident artists of the MOT Studio in a regional performance of and Buoso’s Ghost at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts. That performance is followed by Terence Blanchard’s “opera in jazz,” Champion, and Pagliacci, both at the Detroit Opera House. In addition to the exciting presentations this season, MOT is pleased to announce the election of Ethan Davidson as Chairman of our Board of Directors and Trustees. Ethan succeeds long- term Chair R. Jamison “Rick” Williams after a remarkable 17- year tenure. In recognition of his exemplary leadership and unwavering generosity, the Detroit For more info, please contact Opera House stage will be named Colin Knapp, Manager of Donor Engagement, in his honor as the “R. Jamison 313.965.4271 or [email protected] Williams Grand Stage.” On behalf

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 5 Don Giovanni OCTOBER 19-27, 2019

MUSIC

LIBRETTO Lorenzo Da Ponte

WORLD PREMIERE Estates Theatre, Prague Oct. 29, 1787

2019 Fall Opera Season Sponsor

CONDUCTOR DIRECTOR Christopher Allen John Pascoe

CHORUS MASTER CHOREOGRAPHER FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER Suzanne Mallare Acton JoAnn Cusmano Michael Brian Ogden

SET/COSTUME DESIGN LIGHTING DESIGN WIG & MAKEUP DESIGN John Pascoe Kendall Smith Joanne Weaver

ASST. DIRECTOR REPETITEUR STAGE MANAGER Christopher Hazlett Jean Schneider Ken Saltzman

6 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre DON GIOVANNI

CAST Act II (In order of vocal appearance) Having exchanged clothes with Leporello...... Matthew Burns Giovanni, Leporello takes Elvira on a nighttime walk, leaving his master free Donna Anna...... Ellie Dehn to serenade her maid. When Masetto Don Giovanni...... Dan Okulitch arrives with a band of peasants to hunt Commendatore...... Ricardo Lugo down Giovanni, the disguised Don sends them off in various directions, Don Ottavio...... Geoffrey Agpalo then beats up Masetto. Zerlina finds Donna Elvira...... Nicole Cabell her bruised fiancé and comforts him. Later that night, Leporello—still Zerlina...... Avery Boettcher* believed by Elvira to be Giovanni—is Masetto...... Allen Michael Jones* surprised by Anna, Ottavio, Zerlina, and Masetto, who all denounce the *Michigan Opera Theatre Studio Artist supposed Don. Fearing for his life, Leporello reveals his true identity before making his escape. Ottavio SYNOPSIS urges Zerlina to flee her suitor. She proclaims that he will take revenge on Giovanni and asks the others to Setting: Spain, mid-18th century also warns Anna, who is still unaware of the identity of her father’s murderer look after Anna. Elvira thinks about Act I and has asked Giovanni for help in Giovanni, whom she still loves in spite Leporello, servant to the nobleman finding the man. Giovanni, for his part, of everything. Don Giovanni, keeps watch outside insists that Elvira is mad, and Anna In a cemetery, Giovanni and the Commendatore’s home at night. and Ottavio wonder what to believe. Leporello meet the statue of the Suddenly, the Commendatore’s As Giovanni leaves, Anna suddenly Commendatore, who warns Giovanni daughter, Donna Anna, rushes out, recognizes his voice as that of the that by morning he will laugh no longer. struggling with the masked Giovanni murderer. Devastated but determined, Giovanni forces the terrified Leporello and followed by her father. The she once more asks Ottavio to avenge to invite the statue to dinner. The Commendatore challenges Giovanni her. He wonders how to restore her statue accepts. to a duel and is killed. Giovanni and peace of mind. Giovanni, who has Once again, Ottavio asks Anna to Leporello escape. Anna asks her fiancé, invited the entire wedding party to his marry him, but she replies that she will Don Ottavio, to avenge her father’s home, looks forward to an evening of not until her father’s death has been death. drinking and dancing. avenged. In the morning, Giovanni and Outside Giovanni’s home, Zerlina Elvira arrives at Giovanni’s home. Leporello encounter one of Giovanni’s asks Masetto to forgive her. Giovanni She makes a last desperate attempt former conquests, Donna Elvira, who enters and leads them both inside. to persuade him to change his life, but is devastated by his betrayal. Leporello Anna, Elvira and Ottavio appear he only laughs at her. The figure of tells her she is neither the first nor the masked and are invited in by Leporello. the Commendatore enters and asks last woman to fall victim to Giovanni In the ballroom, Giovanni dances with Giovanni to repent. When he boldly and shows her his catalogue with the Zerlina, then tries to drag her into the refuses he is consumed by flames. name of every woman Giovanni has adjoining room. When she cries for Elvira, Anna, Ottavio, Zerlina, Masetto seduced. help, Giovanni blames Leporello. Anna, and Leporello appear, contemplating Peasants celebrate the marriage Elvira, and Ottavio take off their masks their futures and the fate of an immoral of Masetto and Zerlina. Giovanni and, along with Zerlina and Masetto, man. flirts with the bride, telling her she is accuse Giovanni, who is momentarily destined for a better life. But Elvira surprised but manages to slip away.

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 7 Defining Donna Elvira: Nicole Cabell on the Strength and Humanity of One of Don Giovanni’s Most Complex Characters BY ERICA HOBBS

s the and angular during some of her solos. interest of the audience. I’m thankful relentless However, her music is also very soft for the change, and I don’t believe it Ascorned and feminine in parts, and this reflects will affect my interpretation. lover of Don her dual nature. I try to play her in Giovanni, some both respects, to simply do what the What do you hope audiences take have considered music tells me to. She is one of the away from Donna Elvira’s story? Donna Elvira a more complex characters in opera and I think she is relatable, which is mad woman. should never be played as hysterical unfortunate given how badly she’s Despite learning or manic. We see her duality, her been scorned. But no one can say of Don Giovanni’s thousands of constant push and pull away from they haven’t been the victim of conquests, murder and attempted Don Giovanni, her anger coupled with some bad behavior in their lives, and rape, she continues her pursuit of him, pity and love and her ulterior motives hopefully in this production I can convinced he will eventually change dancing alongside her transparency. In portray a character that is a fighter, his ways and return her love. actuality, she is very human. that reflects the (albeit doomed, in But Nicole Cabell has a different her case) beauty of perseverance and perspective. Donna Elvira has become Has the way you portrayed Donna determination. Also, Donna Elvira’s a signature role for the soprano, Elvira evolved over time? capacity to love even the most wicked one she has performed throughout While my understanding of her of men is something many can relate the world in Cologne, Berlin, Tokyo, has grown deeper over the years, to. While she gives into weakness Cincinnati, Milwaukee, San Sebastian, my portrayal has stayed and now, Detroit. steadfast. Many of the Below she discusses her approach productions I’ve been to her staple role and why Donna involved with have been Elvira is anything but mad. contemporary, but even then, Donna Elvira’s How would you describe the complex, beautiful character and her relationship with character has not been Don Giovanni? tampered with by Donna Elvira is a noblewoman directors to the point of who will not take her betrayal lying altering her motivations. I down. Don Giovanni has left her in a simply sing her the way precarious position of compromised she is written, which is so honor after seducing her, and she is detailed and interesting. in fierce pursuit of him. She wishes Don’t mess with a good to find him, convert him into an thing! honorable man and eventually marry him, no matter how angered she is How do you feel about with him in the present moment. portraying the role When she does find him, she attempts during today’s social to steer his other victims away from climate? Does that affect him. It is debatable whether or not this your interpretation? is because she wants him all to herself, I’ve always played her or she is trying to protect them, but tough, so that will not it’s probably a little of both. She is change. I know of old really the only woman in the opera productions where my that truly loves him, and she , character (along with at least for a moment, that he is the other woman on capable of change. stage) might be put in compromising positions How do you approach portraying on stage. These days, the role? intimate or violent stage I believe she must be portrayed work has to be approached in a way here and there, she is constantly with incredible strength and that avoids the gratuitous, which is rebounding from her abuse and ferocity. The music is written with often unnecessary to get ideas across, comes across as a survivor rather than this in mind, as it can be very militant but used to be a way of stimulating the a victim.

8 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre Ron Raines reigns supreme as an MOT stage favorite and the company’s longest performing singer BY LISA DICHIERA AND ERICA HOBBS

AWARD-WINNING SINGER AND Raines said he still remembers While it marks Raines’ first MOT ACTOR RON RAINES has become the day DiChiera took him to see performance without DiChiera at the famous for many things. Some may the dilapidated building that would helm, he said he and his wife have know him from Broadway, starring eventually become the Detroit Opera always felt at home in Detroit and as as Daddy Warbucks in , Joseph House. part of the DiChiera family. Pulitzer in and Billy Flynn “He dragged Nancy Dussault, Bill “He was a mentor,” he said, “but in . To others, he is Alan Hayes and me out of a Side By Side more importantly, a dear friend.” Spaulding from , CBS’s rehearsal at Music Hall over to the Grand Circus Theater. The place was a disaster,” he said. “He assured us this would be Detroit’s new state-of-the-art opera house. It was a ‘Dream the Impossible Dream’ moment and, no surprise, David made it come true.” Raines returned to MOT to honor DiChiera during DiChiera’s 2017 Grand Salute retirement Ron Raines as Ravenal, 1990 concert. Following DiChiera’s passing in September of 2018, he came back to Detroit to Ron Raines as Pagageno, as Pamina in The perform at his memorial Magic Flute, 1977 service by special request of DiChiera’s daughters. longest running daytime drama. But Reflecting on his career, Raines said at Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT), DiChiera was an important factor in Raines is a cherished opera singer his success. and the company’s longest-running “He was the first to cast me in performer. key roles that would become my In 1975, Raines was a recent music repertoire,” he said. “One of those graduate of roles was Ben Stone in . Years and an apprentice with Santa Fe later, I was nominated for a Tony in Ron Raines, Grand Salute 2017 Opera. After auditioning with MOT that role on Broadway.” Founder and General Director David This season, Raines portrays Judge DiChiera in Santa Fe, Raines was Turpin in Sweeney Todd. Ron Raines’ Michigan Opera cast in the 1976 world premiere Theatre Performances of Washington Square. The role • Washington Square – Oct. 1976 marked the beginning of a close • – Feb. 1977 relationship with both MOT and DiChiera. • – Nov. 1983 Throughout the next • – Oct. 1984 five decades, Raines’ MOT • Follies – Oct. 1988 performances would include The • Show Boat – Nov. 1990 Magic Flute, A Little Night Music, • Side By Side By Sondheim – Oct. The Merry Widow, Follies, Show 1992 Boat and Side By Side. It also featured several gala concerts, • The Merry Widow – Nov. 1993 including a 1994 New Year’s Eve • New Year’s Eve Gala – Dec. 1994 celebration and the 1996 Detroit • A Little Night Music – Nov. 2009 Opera House grand opening • DiChiera Grande Salute Concert – with and Joan Juliet Prowse as Phyllis Stone, Ron Raines as Ben May 2017 Sutherland. Stone, Follies, 1988

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 9 NOVEMBER 16-24, 2019 SWEENEY TODD The Demon Barber of Fleet Street A Musical Thriller Music & Lyrics by Book by STEPHEN SONDHEIM HUGH WHEELER

From an Adaptation by CHRISTOPHER BOND

Originally Directed On Broadway by HAROLD PRINCE

Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick

Originally Produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards in Association with Dean and Judy Manos

2019 Fall Opera Season Sponsor

CONDUCTOR DIRECTOR Rob Fisher Ron Daniels

CHORUS MASTER CHOREOGRAPHER Suzanne Mallare Acton Sean Curran

SET DESIGN COSTUME DESIGN LIGHTING DESIGN WIG & MAKEUP DESIGN Eugene Lee Emily Rebholz Christopher Akerlind Joanne Weaver

BLOOD EFFECTS DESIGN SOUND ENGINEER ASST. DIRECTOR Brad and Louise Holoday Chris Baker James Blasko

REPETITEUR STAGE MANAGER Jean Schneider Ken Saltzman

Scenery designed by Eugene Lee, The videotaping or other video or Sweeney Todd is presented through special owned by Portland Opera audio recording of this production arrangement with Music Theatre International is strictly prohibited. (MTI). All authorized performance materials are Costumes are the property of also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

10 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre SWEENEY TODD

about his impending marriage, CAST Sweeney shaves him, enjoying the (In order of appearance) anticipation of his revenge. But before he can slit the Judge’s throat, Anthony Anthony Hope...... Nathaniel Hackmann bursts in and blurts out his plan to Sweeney Todd...... Stephen Powell save . The Judge storms out, declaring that he will lock Johanna up Beggar Woman...... Margaret Lattimore and never come to the barber shop Mrs. Lovett...... Karen Ziemba again. Sweeney swears to kill as many people as possible, punishing the rich ...... Ron Raines and corrupt and relieving the poor Beadle...... Scott Ramsay from their misery. Mrs. Lovett sees an opportunity: they can dispose of the Johanna...... Amy Owens bodies by using the meat for her pies, Bird Seller...... David Moan and a new enterprise is born.

Tobias Ragg...... Kyle Knapp Act II Pirelli...... John Riesen Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop is now bustling, and Toby helps with Jonas Fogg...... David Moan customers. Sweeney has a new barber chair with custom modifications for disposing his victims. When Anthony discovers that the Judge has locked SYNOPSIS set of silver shaving razors to Sweeney, up Johanna in the asylum, he gets who vows to use them to get his Sweeney to help him plan an escape. Act I revenge. Anthony will go to the asylum It is 1845 and Anthony, a young In Judge Turpin’s house, Johanna pretending to be a wigmaker looking sailor, has arrived home to London. He sits at a window. Anthony happens for hair from the inmates. Seeing an is accompanied by a man he rescued to wander by and immediately falls opportunity to lure the Judge back drowning off the coast of Australia, in love with the beautiful young to his shop, Sweeney writes a letter, Sweeney Todd. As they disembark, woman. Threats from the Beadle only warning him of Anthony’s plan, and they are accosted by a beggar woman strengthen his resolve to save her. that Anthony and Johanna could be who alternates between for Barber Signor Pirrelli’s assistant, captured at the barber shop. alms and soliciting sex but seems to Tobias, hawks a miracle elixir that Toby has begun to suspect that recognize Sweeney. regrows hair. After exposing the elixir there is something awry at the pie Anthony is thrilled to have returned as a fraud, Sweeney challenges Pirrelli shop and tries to warn Mrs. Lovett. to London but Sweeney is not — he to a shaving contest, which Sweeney Mrs. Lovett sends him down to the tells Anthony the tale of a young wins easily. Beadle Bamford, who bakehouse and locks him in. She barber who was sent into exile by a judged the contest, is impressed. returns upstairs to find the Beadle powerful man with designs on the Sweeney invites him to come in for a waiting; he has come to investigate the barber’s beautiful wife. Sweeney complimentary shave. reported strange smells and smoke enters a Fleet Street pie shop, owned Anthony, not knowing that coming from her chimneys. Sweeney by the energetic Mrs. Lovett. She Johanna is Sweeney’s daughter, asks comes in and offers the Beadle his free bemoans the hard times and the the barber for help. He intends to shave. Toby is still in the basement scarcity of meat. Sweeney asks about rescue Johanna and wants to use the when the Beadle’s body tumbles the empty apartment upstairs, and shop as a safe house. Pirelli arrives to down, and he runs off. Mrs. Lovett tells him about the barber, pay Sweeney a visit. Mrs. Lovett takes The asylum owner, Jonas Fogg, Benjamin Barker, who was falsely Toby downstairs for a pie, and Pirelli tries to stop Anthony from rescuing accused by Judge Turpin so that the drops his false accent and reveals Johanna. She shoots Fogg, leaving the Judge could get to Barker’s wife, that he used to be Benjamin Barker’s rest of the inmates to wander through Lucy. The Judge and Beadle Bramford assistant. Rather than give in to the streets of London, as Sweeney then lured Lucy to the Judge’s house blackmail, Sweeney kills Pirelli. and Mrs. Lovett search for Toby. Back where he tormented and raped her. Johanna is terrified because at Sweeney’s shop, Johanna hides to Sweeney’s anger confirms what Mrs. the Judge intends to marry her on avoid the beggar woman, and Anthony Lovett had suspected — that he is Monday, but Anthony has a plan goes looking for Sweeney. When indeed Benjamin Barker. to help her escape. Meanwhile, the Sweeney arrives and finds the beggar Mrs. Lovett tells Sweeney that Beadle suggests that the Judge clean woman in his parlor, he slits her throat. Lucy had poisoned herself and that up a bit to be more attractive to The Judge arrives, and Sweeney lures his daughter Johanna is now a ward Johanna and sends him to Sweeney him into the chair, reveals his true of Judge Turpin. Mrs. Lovett returns a Todd. As the Judge tells Sweeney identity, then kills him. Johanna comes

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 11 out of hiding and barely escapes Opera v. Musical Theater: Sweeney’s knife. Mrs. Lovett struggles with the The Case for Sweeney Todd bodies in the basement. Sweeney arrives, and in the oven’s light BY ERICA HOBBS finally recognizes the beggar woman as his long-lost wife, Lucy. For jealous love Mrs. Lovett ne way to make opera- had let Sweeney believe that lovers cringe is to tell them Lucy was dead. Sweeney shoves that The Phantom of the Lovett into the oven. Opera is their favorite opera.O The show features a classical As Sweeney holds the body of his murdered wife, Toby appears singing style, a dramatic plot and even and slits Todd’s throat. Johanna, has “opera” in its name. But Andrew Anthony and the police arrive. Lloyd Weber’s long-running favorite is, —Courtesy in fact, considered a musical. Sweeney Todd is also considered a musical but one that is often performed by opera companies. The Music Theatre International same is true for works like West Side Music Theatre International Story, Show Boat, A Little Night Music (MTI) is one of the world’s leading and Candide, which MOT produced theatrical licensing agencies, in March. So what exactly is the granting theatres from around difference? the world the rights to perform Some will say that are the greatest selection of musicals completely sung through while from Broadway and beyond. musicals feature spoken dialogue in- Founded in 1952 by composer between songs. However, productions Frank Loesser, and orchestrator on both sides don’t follow that rule: Don Walker, MTI is a driving force Les Misérables, Rent and Hamilton in advancing musical theatre as a are completely sung through while vibrant and engaging art form. operas like , The Magic Flute MTI works directly with the and The Daughter of the Regiment the difference between opera and composers, lyricists and book have spoken dialogue. musical theater even applies to the writers of these musicals to The is, the answer is not approach for auditioning. provide official scripts, musical always clear. While the line is blurry, “An opera singer knows that his/ materials and dynamic theatrical these are some primary distinctions her musical pitch, tone, musicality resources to over 70,000 between the two: and facility are top priorities to the professional, community and ones writing the checks. If a vowel school theatres in the US and in FOCUS or emotion must be modified or over 60 countries worldwide. underplayed in order to serve the As a general rule, operas prioritize MTI is particularly dedicated music, that sacrifice is made,” he said. music over acting, and musicals to educational theatre, and has “Likewise, a Broadway hopeful knows prioritize acting and the overall story created special collections to when walking into a musical theater over singing. meet the needs of various types audition that the producers want “Both contain characters telling of performers and audiences. subtlety, contrast of emotion and stories through music, whether MTI’s Broadway Junior™ shows truthfulness, so if a pitch or beat or singing, dancing or playing an are 30- and 60-minute musicals vocal timbre is less than pristine, but instrument,” said Karen Ziemba, a for performance by elementary it serves the character and story, that Tony-nominated Broadway performer and middle school-aged sacrifice is made.” who portrays Mrs. Lovett in MOT’s performers, while MTI’s School While acting may reign supreme Sweeney Todd. “However, a performer Editions are musicals annotated for musical theater, MOT Director must have a large, well-trained voice for performance by high school of External Affairs Arthur White with nuance to play on an opera students. said opera tends to be much more stage. There are well-trained vocalists MTI maintains its global melodramatic than those of Broadway in musical theater too, but acting headquarters in New York City shows. takes precedence.” with additional offices in London “Musicals don’t typically have the Broadway and opera performer (MTI Europe) and Melbourne drama, death and great suffering Nathaniel Hackmann, who plays (MTI Australasia). which is often the cornerstone of Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd, said Grand Opera,” he said. “Musicals are

12 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre generally stories which have some a pitch, is used almost continuously musical theater orchestras is created conflict, but mostly end happily. Grand in opera, while musical theater by electronic synthesizers which a Operas fall typically into serious singers often save vibrato for the vocalist’s sound must be ‘mixed’ with dramas which are not considered end of a sustained note or may instead of competing to be heard.” comic or in the Opera Buffa (comic remove it altogether. Enunciation opera) category.” is also a priority for musical theater LANGUAGE as opposed to opera, with musical quality sometimes sacrificed in order While not a requirement, to be understood. operas are typically performed in “The vocal range in an operatic foreign languages while musicals score, whether for grand opera are performed in English. Opera or intimate chamber opera, is originated in Europe, which is why different than the type of singing the classics tend to be sung in Italian, needed to perform a pop score for a French or German. Musical theater, contemporary musical,” Ziemba said. rather, is an American art form. “Traditional musicals, however, like However, as opera has become Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & popular worldwide, more and more Lowe, Kurt Weill and some Sondheim, are composed in other languages, are classically-based, musically, and including English. Additionally, require some voices of operatic both musicals and operas are often proportion and quality.” translated and sung in different While music is generally champion in languages than their original. opera, MOT Assistant Music Director and Chorus Master Suzanne said WHAT ABOUT things are changing. SWEENEY TODD? “Opera singers are being cast not only vocally but how they fit the “Sweeney is one of those works that character, and musicals have actors is certainly a crossover,” said Acton. who are trained as legit singers too,” “It has demands for specific singers she said. “The two are so closely that are more operatic, yet need the related. It’s hard to define but easier to acting skills necessary in traditional understand when you hear it.” musicals.” White said he considers Sweeney Todd an opera, because it possesses a SINGING STYLE AMPLIFICATION lot of death and great suffering and is Opera singers train for years to hone quite dramatic in its writing. However, The singing styles of opera and and perfect the quality of their voices, he said the in-between nature of the musical theater are arguably the most which includes learning to sing to be work is found within the music itself, notable differences between the two. heard throughout an entire opera especially in the difference in the Opera singers are classically-trained, house without the assistance of a characters’ social classes. which often requires undergraduate microphone. This level of projection While the role of Joanna sings in a and graduate degrees, private vocal requires full-body exertion, so much high register, Mrs. Lovett belts in a coaching and apprenticeships with so that opera singers rarely sing more cockney accent. Others, like Sweeney opera companies. In fact, the voice than three performances a week and Todd himself or can float isn’t considered to be fully matured almost never back-to-back. somewhere in-between. until a singer reaches his or her later Musical theater performers are “You don’t have to be an opera 20s or early 30s. assisted through microphone singer to play Pirelli,” he said, “but you In modern Broadway shows, most amplification, requiring less effort to have to be a damn good singer.” songs are sung with the “chest voice,” project their voices throughout an For Hackmann, Sweeney Todd offers the powerful “belting” also found in entire theater. As a result, musical opera and musical theater the best of pop music. Chest voice is closer to the theater singers are typically expected both worlds. speaking register with the vibrations to perform up to eight shows a week, “Sweeney is an unequaled work of felt in the chest. In classical style, including back-to-back matinee and genius in many facets,” he said. “But female singers also sing in “head voice,” evening performances. the marriage of the epic and sophisti- the higher registers where the sound Ziemba said the modern cated score, the gripping and macabre vibrations are felt in the head. The instrumentation in many musical examination of human emotion and, difference between the two was not theater shows also requires the use of most prominently, vengeance in the always as distinct. Older musicals, like amplification. story, make it a worthwhile venture. It , and The “The theatre-going public has has endless challenges and delights for Music Man, use head voice more than become used to hearing voices the performers and audiences in equal contemporary Broadway shows do. through microphones,” she said. measure.” Vibrato, the pulsating change of “The instrumentation in many

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 13 ARTIST PROFILES

Suzanne Mallare Acton Christopher Akerlind seasons, in addition to leading the (Chorus Master) (Lighting Designer, Sweeney Cincinnati Symphony in the annual Washington Park Concert each Suzanne Mallare Acton has received Todd) summer. In the 2019/20 season, wide acclaim for her work as Chorus Christopher Akerlind is an American Maestro Allen returns to Florida Grand Master. For Michigan lighting designer for theatre, opera Opera and Michigan Opera Theatre Opera Theatre, she and dance and has to conduct Don Giovanni. He makes has prepared over designed for more conducting debuts at Arizona Opera 150 productions than 650 productions in La bohème, Opera Omaha’s One in eight languages around the world. He Festival in and and has conducted won the Tony Award with Opéra de Montréal for Mozart’s 35 operas. She is for Best Lighting The Magic Flute. In the spring, he tours also the founder Design and the the United States as Music Director and director of the Michigan Drama Desk Award of the Bel Canto Trio, followed by a Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus. for Outstanding Lighting Design for return to for Aida in Guest conducting credits include The Light in the Piazza and an Obie their 100th Anniversary Season. productions with Dayton Opera, Award for sustained excellence for his Augusta Opera, Artpark, Saginaw work Off-Broadway. He is noted for Symphony, Dearborn Symphony, Avery Boettcher* (Zerlina, his work for director Lloyd Richards Don Giovanni) Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony on the first productions of the plays Avery Boettcher is the resident and Lexington Bach Festival. In of August Wilson, including The soprano of the Michigan Opera addition to her work at MOT, Acton is Piano Lesson and Seven Guitars. He Theatre Studio. She the artistic director of Rackham Choir was the Resident Lighting Designer has performed a wide and is the conductor of the Detroit for 12 years at the Opera Theatre of array of roles both holiday favorite, Too Hot To Handel, Saint Louis. Akerland was Head of in the United States a work she also premiered in Chicago Lighting Design and Director of the and abroad, ranging at The Auditorium Theatre and in Design & Production Programs at the from Susanna in The Memphis at the Orpheum Theatre. CalArts School of Theater. He was Marriage of Figaro also a Visiting Associate Professor with La Musica Lirica Geoffrey Agpalo (Don and Director of Production at the in Italy to the lighter operetta and Ottavio, Don Giovanni) University of Southern musical theater roles of Yum-Yum in Following his portrayal of Jim Casy School of the Theatre (now the The Mikado with Viterbo University. in Michigan Opera Theatre’s spring School of Dramatic Arts) and has She recently performed the role of production of The guest taught at New York University, the Countess in Grapes of Wrath, the University of Connecticut, Yale at the Aspen Music Festival, Donna Geoffrey Agpalo University and for the Broadway Elvira in Don Giovanni at Indiana returns to Detroit, Lighting Master Classes. He attended University Opera Theater and Zweite making his role debut Boston University and the Yale School Dame in The Magic Flute with the as Don Ottavio in Don of Drama. Giovanni. He recently Indianapolis City Orchestra. Prior to MOT, Boettcher was an opera fellow performed Tamino in Christopher Allen in the Aspen Music Festival where she The Magic Flute with Opera Maine and (Conductor, Don Giovanni) is a frequent performer with Opera performed John Harbison’s “Mirabai Recipient of the 2017 Sir Songs” with the Aspen Contemporary Theatre of Saint Louis, where he has Conducting Award, Christopher performed in La Traviata, The Barber Ensemble, as well as Mahler’s Allen is featured in “Symphony No. 4” with the Aspen of Seville, Emmeline and the world Opera News as “one premiere of Shalimar the Clown, where Conductors Orchestra. In addition to of the fastest-rising Don Giovanni he created the role of Gopinath. He Zerlina in , she will sing podium stars in Gianni Schicchi has also performed in The Cousin the role of Lauretta in North America.” He Buoso’s Ghost from Nowhere and The Land of Smiles and with MOT this has led acclaimed season. with Chicago Folks Operetta and The performances Merry Widow, The Consul, The Barber with the Atlanta of Seville and The Ghosts of Versailles Matthew Burns (Leporello, Symphony, Los Angeles Opera, Don Giovanni) while at Northwestern University’s Opera Philadelphia, English National -baritone Bienen School of Music. He is a Opera, , Opera Matthew Burns recipient of the The William Matheus Theatre of Saint Louis, Washington returns to the Sullivan Musical Foundation Career National Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Detroit Opera House Grant. He has performed as a soloist Atlanta Opera and Daegu Opera following his Michigan in the Verdi Requiem, Beethoven’s House in South Korea. As The John Opera Theatre debut 9th Symphony, Bach’s Mass in B Minor L. Magro Resident Conductor for as Dr. Bartolo in and Medelssohn’s Lobgesang. Cincinnati Opera, Allen has joined 2017’s production the company for three consecutive of The Marriage

14 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org *MOT Studio Artist Michigan Opera Theatre ARTIST PROFILES of Figaro. A master interpreter of Sean Curran (Choreographer, has toured Curran’s contemporary comedic roles, Burns is highly sought- Sweeney Todd) dance work internationally, including after as Leporello in Don Giovanni, performances at Brooklyn Academy of Sean Curran began which he has performed with Utah Music, The Joyce Theater and Dance his training with Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Austin Theater Workshop. Artistic excellence traditional Irish step Lyric Opera, Opera Memphis, Opera has been recognized by the National dancing as a child Cleveland and Opera Omaha. He is Endowment for the Arts, the National in Boston and went also well-known for his performances Dance Project, New Music USA, the on to perform with of Don Basilio in NYC Dance & Performance “Bessie” the Bill T. Jones/ (Dayton Opera, Florida Grand Opera, awards and others. A graduate of Arnie Zane Dance Sarasota Opera) and Figaro in The New York University’s Tisch School of Company (1983–1993) and in the Marriage of Figaro (Virginia Opera, the Arts, Curran currently serves as original cast of STOMP! (1994–1998). Opera Grand Rapids). He has recently Chair of the Department of Dance. A performed Suplice in The Daughter Since 1997, Sean Curran Company of the Regiment with Opera Carolina, Dulcamara in The Elixir of Love with Virginia Opera, Dr. Bartolo in The Barber of Seville with Opera Roanoke and Dansker in Billy Budd with Central City Opera. Future seasons will see him join the 430 NORTH OLD WOODWARD, BIRMINGHAM 248-642-2650 | WWW.GREENSTONESJEWELERS.COM roster for productions of Manon and The Magic Flute and return to Opera Omaha as Lorenzo in The Capulets and The Montagues.

Nicole Cabell (Donna Elvira, Don Giovanni) Lyric soprano Nicole Cabell returns to Michigan Opera Theatre as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni. Her previous MOT credits include Countess Almaviva in 2017’s The Marriage of Figaro, Mimi in 2015’s La bohème, Violetta in 2013’s La Traviata are Trade Marks used under license from De Beers Group. are Trade Marks used under license from and Musetta in ™ 2005’s La bohème. She is the 2005 winner of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, and her recent release, Mademoiselle: Première Audience, was nominated for a

Grammy award. Recent engagements and include Bess in the award-winning ™ production of with the English National Opera, Mimi , Atacama Sky with Pittsburgh Opera, Violetta ™ I AM THE ATACAMA SKY. I AM ONE OF ONE. with the Minnesota Opera and THE EXCEPTIONAL DIAMOND COLLECTION Romeo and Juliet with the Cincinnati ,

Opera. Cabell’s 2019-20 season ® ,

includes performances of Gloria with ® the Boston Symphony and Mater Gloriosa in Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with the Atlanta Symphony. Future engagements include debuts at the Theater an der Wien and with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. © Forevermark 2018.

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 15 ARTIST PROFILES sought-after choreographer/director the LA Opera, which was then seen Rob Fisher (Conductor, for opera and theater, notable in Paris, Vienna, Madrid, Mexico Sweeney Todd) productions include Salome (Opera City and Santiago Rob Fisher is an internationally- Theatre of Saint Louis, San de Chile, as well recognized music director, conductor Charlie Parker’s Francisco Opera, Opera Montreal, as and pianist and a leading figure in Yardbird San Diego Opera); Much Ado for Opera American music and musical theater. About Nothing, A Midsummer Philadelphia, which He has been a guest of virtually Night’s Dream (Shakespeare was also performed every major orchestra in the country Theater); Shalimar the Clown, Ariadne at the Apollo Theatre, as a conductor or pianist. Fisher is on Naxos, Pirates of Penzance, Nixon in Madison Opera, the currently represented China, Champion, 27, and Daughter of Chicago Lyric Opera and the English on Broadway as the the Regiment (Opera Theater of Saint National Opera. Other productions score supervisor Morning Star Louis), among others. include for the Cincinnati and arranger for Opera, Carmen for the LA Opera, Don An American in Giovanni Lucia di Lammermoor JoAnn Cusmano and Paris (Grammy Sweeney (Choreographer, for the and nomination). Todd, Pagliacci, Il Tabarro, La bohème Don Giovanni) Additionally, he is Orfeo and Euridice JoAnn Cusmano has enjoyed a long and for the Opera represented as the music supervisor and diverse career as an accomplished Theatre of Saint Louis. In the summer and arranger for Chicago, which academic and arts administrator and of 2018 he directed a revival of his recently celebrated 20 years on Madama Butterfly as a professional production of for Broadway. He was the founding music choreographer the Kansas City Opera, 21 years after director and conductor of Encores! and dancer. She its premiere in San Francisco. Daniels at New York City Center until 2005, has worked with is an Honorary Associate Director of a series that earned a 2000 Tony Michigan Opera Royal Shakespeare Company and a Award. Fisher was awarded the Lucille Theatre in numerous former Artistic Director of the RSC’s Lortel Award for Outstanding Special capacities since 1975. The Other Place Theatre. Achievement in 1997 for his work on She choreographed Encores!, and he conducted the series’ productions of La Traviata and Ellie Dehn (Donna Anna, Grammy Award–winning Chicago cast Falstaff and danced in , Don Giovanni) . Last season, Fisher served as Die Fledermaus, The Merry Widow, American soprano Ellie Dehn makes music supervisor of the Tony-winning El Capitan and Seven Deadly Sins at her Michigan Opera Theatre debut as Broadway revival of Anything Goes, MOT. She also performed the ballet Donna Anna in Don Giovanni. She has and in April of 2012, he conducted roles of Lady Capulet in Romeo and performed in many of the world’s finest a one-night gala performance of Juliet, the nurse in The Sleeping Beauty opera houses and The Sound of Music at Carnegie and various roles in orchestras, including Hall. Fisher has been the producer/ with MOT. Since 2000, she has been the Metropolitan music director of Lincoln Center’s the Children’s Rehearsal Director for Opera, Teatro alla American Songbook Series’ tributes MOT’s production of The Nutcracker Scala, Royal Opera to Gershwin, Porter and Bernstein. working with the , House, Bayerische Recent collaborations have included Cincinnati Ballet Company, Ballet Staatsoper, San performances with such artists as International, BalletMet and the Francisco Opera, Kristin Chenoweth, Kelli O’Hara, Idina Grand Rapids Ballet Company. She Los Angeles Opera, Houston Grand Menzel and David Hyde Pierce. has also served as the local Rehearsal Opera, San Diego Opera and the opera Director for ’s houses of Geneva, Rome and Bologna. Nathaniel Hackmann production of The Sleeping Beauty at Dehn specializes in works by Mozart, (Anthony Hope, Sweeney the Detroit Opera House. In addition with signature roles including the Todd) to her work with MOT, Cusmano Countess in The Marriage of Figaro and Central Michigan University graduate performed with Detroit City Ballet Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte, in addition to Nathaniel Hackmann has emerged as Company, Michigan Ballet Theatre, Donna Anna. Recent career highlights a singer and actor of Dance Detroit, Max Davey Singers and include the title role in Manon with San international renown. Dancers, University of Detroit Theatre, Francisco Opera, the Countess in Figaro He has been seen Macomb College Barn Theatre and the Gets a Divorce with Grand Théâtre de on stage in some of Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Genève, Mrs. Naidoo in Satyagraha with the repertoire’s most the Metropolitan Opera and Antonia in demanding roles with Les Contes d’Hoffmann with Teatro alla Ron Daniels (Director, many of the world’s Scala. This season, she performs Mimi Sweeney Todd) greatest orchestras in La bohéme with Arizona Opera and Following 2016’s Carmen, Ron Daniels and companies. He has portrayed Jean debuts Boston’s Odyssey Opera for returns to Michigan Opera Theatre Valjean and Javert on Broadway in Les concert performances of Catherine of to direct Sweeney Todd. The Brazilian Miserables as well as the titular roles Aragon in Henry VIII. director’s recent productions include in Jekyll and Hyde and The Hunchback the world premieres Il Postino for of Norte Dame. For the BBC Proms he

16 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre ARTIST PROFILES appeared as Curly with John Wilson Georgia State University and is also awards include the Eleanor McCollum Orchestra in the acclaimed production a professional voice-over and radio Award from the Houston Grand Opera of Oklahoma! As a member of artist. This season, he will perform Studio, a Jacobson Study Grant from the Merola Opera Program at San Masetto in Don Giovanni and Betto di the Richard Tucker Foundation and Francisco Opera, Hackmann appeared Signa in Gianni Schicchi/Buoso’s Ghost the prestigious Vienna Award from as Raul in the world premiere of with MOT. the George London Foundation. The Hotel Casablanca. He has also Lattimore was also a member of appeared with such companies as Kyle Knapp (, the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Hong Kong Philharmonic, Opera Sweeney Todd) Young Artist Development Program. Theater of Saint Louis, Virginia Opera Tenor Kyle Knapp is a singer, composer and Sun Valley Opera. and pianist. His performances include Eugene Lee (Set Design, Flute in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sweeney Todd) Brad and Louise Holoday Tobias in Sweeney Eugene Lee has designed sets and (Blood Effects Design, Todd and Count productions ranging from Broadway Sweeney Todd) Almaviva with to film to television. On Broadway, Brad and Louise Holoday are excited Opera Theatre of he won a Tony award for his work to provide the special blood effects Saint Louis, the title on Sweeney Todd, for Sweeney Todd. They also created role in Jason and Candide and Wicked. the customized the Argonauts at His Broadway work foam latex the Lyric Opera of also includes Bright prosthetics for Chicago, The Scarlet Letter with Opera Star, Ragtime and Michigan Opera Colorado and Cinderella with the New Show Boat. His film Theatre’s 2017 Jersey Festival Orchestra. He has also credits include production of performed with Palm Beach Opera, Hammett, Mr. North, Cyrano. Additional local special Pennsicola Opera, the Crested Butte Malle’s Vanya on 42nd Street and effects design includes Dracula, Into Music festival and Ohio Light Opera A Master Builder. On TV he is the the Woods, Frankenstein, Wit, and has sung concerts at Carnegie production designer of Saturday Night Arsenic and Old Lace and The Hall, with the Finger Lakes Choral Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Addams Family. Louise Holoday is Festival and with the New Jersey Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers. an accomplished makeup artist with Festival Orchestra. His recordings In addition to his , Lee has experience in theatre, television and include John Philip Sousa’s El Capitan received the American Theatre Wing’s film. Brad Holoday is an experienced and Victor Herbert’s The Only Girl, as Design Award, the Outer Critics’ Circle special effects and makeup artist well as Gilbert & Sullivan’s Patience Award, the Drama Desk Award, the that enjoys making and teaching the and Mikado with Albany Records. Lucille Lortel Award, the Elliot Norton practical effects for theatre. They are He also sung a recording with Lori Award for Sustained Achievement and a husband and wife team of over 30 Laitman’s The Scarlet Letter with the Pell Award and is a recent inductee years that enjoy working together in Naxos Records. into the New York Theater Hall of the local theatre community. They are Fame. He is the resident designer of avid bikers in the summer and switch Margaret Lattimore (Beggar the Trinity Repertory Company and a to skiing in the winter months. Woman, Sweeney Todd) resident artist at Long Wharf Theatre. This season, Grammy-nominated Allen Michael Jones* mezzo-soprano Margaret Lattimore Ricardo Lugo (Masetto, Don Giovanni) performs the role of (Commendatore, Don Atlanta native Allen Michael Jones the Beggar Woman Giovanni) is the resident bass of the Michigan in Sweeney Todd Puerto Rican bass Ricardo Lugo Opera Theatre with Michigan Opera returns to Michigan Opera Theatre as Studio. He recently Theatre. Shortly after the Commendatore in Don Giovanni performed her engagement in after previous roles Maximilian in Detroit, Lattimore in MOT’s Silent Night, Candide, Balthazar in will perform the role A View from the Amahl and the Night of Aunt Hannah in Emmeline with Bridge, Turandot and Visitors and Zaretsky Tulsa Opera. Career highlights include Fidelio. Having made in Eugene Onegin the role of Mrs. Patrick Derocher his Metropolitan with MOT. Previous roles include Don in , Praskowia in Opera debut as Bartolo in The Marriage of Figaro with The Merry Widow, Mother Goose in Un Barnabotto the University of Georgia, Sarastro in The Rake’s , and the mezzo- in La Gioconda, Lugo has since been The Magic Flute, Colline in La bohème soprano solo in Verdi’s Requiem and involved in multiple productions with with Georgia State University and Don Rossini’s Le comte Ory. Lattimore the company including The Nose, Basilio in The Barber of Seville with has been a house favorite at The Otello, Tannhäuser, Tosca, Turandot, both Georgia State University and Metropolitan Opera after winning the Manon Lescaut, Madama Butterfly, Die Atlanta Opera’s Touring Company. He Metropolitan Opera National Council Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Ariadne holds a master’s degree in Voice from Auditions at the age of 24. Additional on Naxos, The Khovansky Affair,

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 17 ARTIST PROFILES

Billy Budd, The Girl of the Golden He has been an Artist and Playwright Her operatic engagements have West, Adriana Lecouvreur, Macbeth, in Residence for Jeff Daniels’ The taken her to Santa Fe Opera, Houston The Gambler, The Magic Flute Purple Rose Theatre Company in Grand Opera and Dallas Opera, and and Salome. Additional roles include Chelsea, Mich. writing Corktown and she appears regularly with the New Dulcamara in The Elixir of Love with Bleeding Red for the theater as well as York Festival of Song. Her debut Opera Memphis, Mr. Page in The performing in Our Town, Bleeding Red, album of original music, HAETHOR, Merry Wives of Windsor with Boston Apartment 3A and Growing Pretty. was released last year to acclaim Midsummer Opera and the Sacristan Other credits include performances in the electronica world, and she in Tosca and Bartolo in The Marriage with the Royal Shakespeare Company, recently released an album of Leonard of Figaro with Sarasota Opera. This Moscow Art Theatre and Tipping Bernstein songs, including previously season he will perform Beethoven’s Point Theatre. unrecorded pieces, with pianist Mass with the Phoenix Symphony, Michael Barrett. She performed at the Il Pedone in La Wally with Sarasota Daniel Okulitch (Don 50th annual New Orleans Jazz Fest Opera and return to the Metropolitan Giovanni, Don Giovanni) with the renowned musician Glen Opera for Tosca. Canadian bass-baritone Daniel David Andrews, and as a budding Okulitch is a leading interpreter conductor, she was selected to audit David Moan (Jonas Fogg, of Mozart roles, in the Hart Institute for Women Bird Seller, Sweeney Todd) most notably Don Conductors at Dallas Opera and the David Moan returns to Michigan Giovanni, Count International Conducting Workshop Opera Theatre following his Almaviva and Festival in Bulgaria. She has received performance of Martin in Candide last Figaro, which he has awards from the Sullivan Foundation, spring. Originally from Pittsburgh, performed at New the George London Foundation, Moan received a bachelor’s degree in York City Opera, the Jensen Foundation and the Vocal Performance Teatro Colón, Los Metropolitan Opera National Council. from Manchester Angeles Opera, Santa Fe Opera, University where he Palm Beach Opera, Opera Warsaw, John Pascoe (Director, Set currently serves as Vancouver Opera and Dallas Opera. and Costume Design, Don Instructor of Diction. Okulitch also excels in creating Giovanni) Previously, Moan leading roles in contemporary opera, Don Giovanni director and production has performed with including Ennis del Mar in Brokeback designer John Pascoe celebrates the MOT as Edward G. Mountain at Teatro Real; Seth Brundle 40th anniversary of Robinson and a Calveras in Frida, in The Fly at Théâtre du Châtelet and his career in opera Mike in A View from the Bridge and Los Angeles Opera; Willy Wonka in this fall. He made St. Brioche in The Merry Widow. He The Golden Ticket at Opera Theatre of his professional also performed the title role in the Saint Louis and Atlanta Opera; Lyndon debut with his 1979 MOT Touring Company’s production B. Johnson in JFK at Fort Worth Opera production of Julius of Jack and the Beanstalk, and he is and Herman Broder in Enemies, A Love Caesar at English a frequent performer with the MOT Story at Palm Beach Opera. Future National Opera, Chorus. Other notable local credits engagements include his Tokyo debut which was later presented by the include John Wilkes Booth in Assassins as Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Metropolitan Opera. He had a close (Wilde Award Winner) and Sweeney Dream, his Opera Barcelona relationship with Michigan Opera Todd in Sweeney Todd (Wilde Award debut and a return to Theatre du Theatre’s late founder David DiChiera, Nominated) at the Encore Musical Chatelet in Lessons in Love and for whom he created multiple Theatre Company, Cinderella’s Violence. His first solo recording, The productions including , Prince/Wolf in Into The Woods at The New American Art Song, was released Norma, Don Giovanni, Don Pasquale Ringwald Theatre and God/Himself in on GPR Records in 2011. and Fidelio, as well as DiChiera’s an Act of God at The Dio Theatre. own opera, Cyrano. Internationally, Amy Owens (Johanna, Pascoe’s productions have been Michael Brian Ogden Sweeney Todd) presented at London’s Royal Opera (Fight Choreographer, Amy Owens enjoys a diverse career House, Rome’s Teatro dell’Opera, Don Giovanni) in concert work, opera, new music, the United States and Italy’s Spoleto Michael Brian Ogden is a performer alternative pop Festivals, Australia’s Sydney Opera and a playwright. He is a member and jazz. She has House and Canada’s Toronto, Ottowa of the Society of appeared in concert and Quebec opera companies. His American Fight in venues ranging productions have also appeared Directors and holds from Wolf Trap with opera companies throughout his Master of Fine to Carnegie Hall the United States in Chicago, San Arts degree in Acting with renowned Francisco, Washington, Los Angeles, from the Hilberry orchestras across Dallas and Houston. Throughout his Theatre at Wayne the United States, including the career many of operas most luminous State University and National Symphony Orchestra, Utah figures have specifically requested a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Symphony, Omaha Symphony, Virginia that Pascoe create their productions, from Western Michigan University. Symphony and Buffalo Philharmonic. including , Renée

18 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre ARTIST PROFILES

Fleming, Plácido Domingo, Gian Boat, Nick Longworth in Teddy & the Boston Pops, the Philly Pops, Carlo Menotti and Vittorio Grigolo. Alice and Benjamin Stone in Follies, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the DVDs featuring Pascoe’s work for which he was nominated for both Jerusalem Symphony and the Israel include Julius Caesar, (1980 English a Tony and Grammy in 2012. Other Philharmonic. He has also performed National Opera), Lucrezia Borgia (1980 Broadway credits include roles in A at Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood and ), Anna Bolena, Little Night Music, The Unsinkable London’s Palladium. His TV work (1984 Canadian Opera), the award- Molly Brown, Can Can, , includes his Emmy-nominated winning Ercole su’l Termodonte, (2006 Rose Marie, Oklahoma!, Carousel, Side portrayal of Alan Spaulding on CBS’s Spoleto Festival) Ariodante (2007 by Side by Sondheim, longest running daytime drama Spoleto Festival) and Lucrezia and . He has been a Guiding Light. He has also appeared on Borgia (San Francisco 2013). Pascoe soloist with over 60 major American CBS primetime in Elementary, Person dedicates this production of Don and international orchestras, including of Interest and The Good Wife. Giovanni to DiChiera.

Stephen Powell (Sweeney Todd, Sweeney Todd) The dynamic American baritone Stephen Powell brings his handsome voice, elegant musicianship and robust stage SUPPORTING presence to a wide range of music, from Monteverdi THE ARTS and Handel through Verdi and Puccini to Sondheim and John Adams. The Wall Street Journal has lauded his “rich, Honigman celebrates lyric baritone, commanding presence, and thoughtful musicianship.” Powell Michigan Opera Theatre’s has previously sung with Michigan Opera Theatre in the title role of 2019-2020 season Macbeth, Germont in La Traviata, and Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro. He also performed as part of the Grand Salute tribute concert for MOT Founder David DiChiera. Known for his performances of the title roles of Rigoletto and Simon Boccanegra, and Scarpia in Tosca, Powell has sung leading roles with San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Minnesota Opera, San Diego Opera, and Cincinnati Opera, and has appeared as a soloist with the orchestras of Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston, Minnesota, Dallas, Detroit and Zürich.

Ron Raines (Judge Turpin, Sweeney Todd) Ron Raines is an award-winning singer and actor who has performed all over the world on both stage and television. His Broadway credits www.honigman.com include starring roles as Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Joseph Pulitzer in Newsies, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Gaylord Ravenal in Show

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 19 ARTIST PROFILES

Scott Ramsay (Beadle, Rodolfo in La bohème (Shreveport Indiana Repertory Theatre, Alabama Sweeney Todd) Opera). In 2019, he will be performing Shakespeare, Weston Playhouse, Syracuse Stage and North Shore Music Following tenor Scott Ramsay’s across the United States in roles Theatre. portrayal of Edgardo in Lucia di including Lensky in Eugene Onegin Lammermoor with Lyric Opera of (Intermountain Opera Bozeman), Chicago, the critic of the Chicago Prince Charmant in Cendrillon (Opera Stephen Sondheim (Music Sun-Times proclaimed, “He brought Company of Middlebury and Opera and Lyrics, Sweeney Todd) a passionate intensity to the role that Birmingham) and Romeo in Romeo Stephen Sondheim wrote the music matched the fire of Dessay’s riveting and Juliet (Brevard Music Festival and lyrics for Saturday Night (1954), Lucia.” Of his Verdi’s guest artist) as well as appearing in A Funny Thing Hap- Requiem with the concert with Berkshire Opera Festival. pened on the Way to Toronto Symphony the Forum (1962), Orchestra, the critic Emily Rebholz (Costume Anyone Can Whistle of Toronto Globe Design, Sweeney Todd) (1964), Compa- & Mail declared, Costume designer and stylist Emily ny (1970), Follies “He proved a real Rebholz has created costumes (1971), A Little Night find. His Ingemisco, for opera and musical theater Music (1973), The Hostias and solo in the Lux Aeterna, productions throughout the country. Frogs (1974), Pacific Overtures had a sweetness and modest purity Her opera credits include Don (1976), Sweeney Todd (1979), Merrily reminiscent of vintage Bjoerling Giovanni, Pagliacci, We Roll Along (1981), Sunday in the and Simoneau.” Sweeney Todd is La bohème and Il Park with George (1984), Into the Ramsay’s debut with Michigan Opera Tabarro. Additional Woods (1987), Assassins (1991), Theatre. His past performances in theater credits Passion (1994) and Road Show (2008) Detroit include Narraboth in Salome include Dear Evan as well as lyrics for West Side and Dum Dee Tweedle with the Hansen, If/Then, Into Story (1957), Gypsy (1959) and Do I Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Other the Woods, Othello, Hear a Waltz? (1965) and additional highlights include performances The Tempest, The lyrics for Candide (1973). Anthologies with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Last of his work include Side by Side by Theatre of Saint Louis, Virginia Opera, Five Years and Bloody Bloody Andrew Sondheim (1976), Marry Me a Chicago Opera Theater, Long Beach Jackson, among numerous others Little (1981), You’re Gonna Love Opera, Portland Opera, Madison both on and off Broadway. Rebholz’s Tomorrow (1983), Putting it Together Opera, Pacific Symphony, Jacksonville goal is to understand people through (1993/99) and Sondheim on Sondheim Symphony and West Virginia the observation of what they wear and (2010). He composed the scores of the Symphony. to help tell their stories through the films Stavisky (1974) and Reds (1981) language of clothing. Her inspirations and songs for Dick Tracy (1990) and Jonathan Riesen (Pirelli, range of travel destinations the television production Evening Sweeney Todd) throughout the world, including Paris, Primrose (1966). His collected lyrics Italy and India, as well as places closer Hailed as “impassioned…and vibrant” with attendant essays have been pub- to home, including the NYC Subway, Finishing the by Opera Today, award-winning lished in two volumes: Upstate New York, The Dutchess Hat Look, I Made a Hat American tenor John Riesen is (2010) and County Fair and her favorite magazine consistently impressing audiences (2011). In 2010 the Broadway theater and tobacco shop. in the world of opera with his formerly known as Henry Miller’s the- “fantastic, powerful voice” (Texarkana atre was renamed in his honor. Gazette). Recent roles include Kendall Smith (Lighting Alfredo in La Traviata Design, Don Giovanni) Joanne Middleton Weaver (Gulfshore Opera, As Resident Designer for Michigan (Wig and Makeup Design, Tri-Cities Opera Theatre for the past 30 years, Don Giovanni, Sweeney Todd) Opera), Younger Don Giovanni marks Kendall Smith’s Born in England, Joanne Weaver Thompson in Glory 75th opera with the company. Regional came to the United States in the Denied (Opera Opera companies late 1980s. She began apprenticing Birmingham, include Florida Grand with what was then Des Moines Opera, San Diego Washington Opera, Metro Opera), Candide in Candide Opera, Minnesota now Washington (Chautauqua Opera), Tony in West Opera, Kentucky National Opera. Side Story (Central City Opera/ Opera, Lyric Opera Weaver has since Boulder Philharmonic), Tony in of Kansas City and designed at many the Suite (New Virginia Opera. Ballet opera companies York City Ballet), Pinkerton companies include Royal New Zealand throughout the in Madama Butterfly (Pensacola Ballet and Queensland Ballet. Theatre United States, including Glimmerglass Opera), Frederic in The Pirates credits include Oregon Shakespeare Opera, Central City Opera, Sarasota of Penzance (Opera Ithaca) and Festival, Walnut Street, GEVA Theatre, Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City

20 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre ARTIST PROFILES

and Des Moines Metro Opera. Her notable Michigan Opera Theatre credits include The Magic Flute, Macbeth, The Passenger, Frida, The Merry Widow, Faust, , Cyrano and The Pearl Fishers.

Hugh Wheeler (Book, Sweeney Todd) Hugh Wheeler was a novelist, MUSIC AND TRAVEL INSPIRE. playwright and screen writer. CHOOSE FROM A WORLD OF INCREDIBLE JOURNEYS. He wrote more than 30 mystery Experts in luxury travel for more than 50 years, Abercrombie & Kent novels under the o ers incredible travel experiences in over 100 countries and on all pseudonyms Q. seven continents. From small-group journeys and Luxury Expedition Patrick and Patrick CruisesSM to Private Jet adventures and privately guided Luxury Tailor Quentin, and four Made Travel, every journey we lead is backed by an unmatched network of his novels were of over 55 local o ces in more than 30 countries around the globe. transformed into films: Black Widow, Man in the Net, The Green-Eyed Monster and The

Man with Two Wives. For films, he ©2019 Abercrombie & Kent, USA, CST LLC #2007274-20 wrote the screenplays for Travels with My Aunt, Something for Everyone, A Little Night Music and Nijinsky. His plays include Big Fish, Little Fish (1961), Look: We’ve Come Through (1961) and We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1966, adapted “Kareem George designed a truly from the Shirley Jackson novel), he beautiful journey for us, tailored co-authored with Joseph Stein the to our interests. His partnership book for a new production of the with Abercrombie & Kent (and 1919 musical Irene (1973), wrote the our wonderful guide, Achraf!) books for A Little Night Music (1973), granted us insider access to this a new production of Candide (1973), magical land. We will never Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of forget our camel ride over the dunes and the Sahara sunrise.” Fleet Street (1979, based on a version -Cindy & Leonard Slatkin of the play by Christopher Bond), and Meet Me in St. Louis (adapted from the 1949 M-G-M musical), ® contributed additional material for the musical Pacific Overtures (1976), and wrote a new adaptation of the ContactContact Kareem George George at at Culture Culture Traveler Traveler to learnto learn about about our our Kurt Weill opera Silverlake, which specialspecial offeringso erings toto patrons patrons of of the the Detroit Detroit Symphony Opera Orchestra:House: was directed by Harold Prince at the 313.451.2491313.451.2491 or [email protected]@culturetraveler.com New York Opera. He received Tony and Drama Desk Awards for A Little Night Music, Candide and Sweeney Todd. Prior to his death in 1987, Wheeler was working on two new musicals, Bodo and Fu Manchu and a new adaptation of The Merry Widow. born in St. Joseph and later attended Theatre of Saint Louis, The Boston middle and high school in Farmington Pops, Encores! at City Center and Karen Ziemba (Mrs. Lovett, Hills. She has appeared in 10 in PBS’ Great Performances in “My Sweeney Todd) Broadway shows, including A Chorus Favorite Broadway: The Leading Karen Ziemba is Line, 42nd Street and Chicago, and Ladies”, “ at 100 — A thrilled to be making is a four-time Tony Award nominee. Celebration at Carnegie Hall” and her Michigan Opera She received the Tony, Drama Desk “Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Theatre debut and Outer Critics Circle awards for Hall”. Her TV credits include roles on as Mrs. Lovett in her performance in Contact at Lincoln Law & Order, The Good Wife, Madam Sweeney Todd. She is Center Theatre. She has also starred Secretary, Scrubs and Elementary. a proud Michigander, with The , Opera

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 21 EDUCATION COMMUNITY &PROGRAMS

TOURING ENSEMBLE Taking opera to the community, last season the Michigan Opera Opera & Theatre Touring Ensemble presented more than 70 performances to students, seniors and adults throughout the state of Michigan, bringing Broadway opera to over 17,000 individuals. Performances are 30-60 minutes in length and include a Q&A session with the cast immediately following Revues: the production. Our 2019-20 touring season includes a variety of From the American Songbook performances; call today to bring opera to your community! Classics of Irving Berlin and Jerome Kern to the operatic favorites of I, Too, Sing America Bizet, Puccini, and Verdi, our Opera By Chris Jakob with poetry & Broadway revues continue to by jessica Care moore delight audiences of all ages! (Grades 6-12) A favorite in a variety of venues This new multi-media including: schools, libraries, senior performance incorporates living communities, theaters and video, live song, narrative community centers. and poetry to highlight the stories and achievements of African American artists and athletes who defied Summer limitations and paved the way for integration in their fields. (Subjects: American History, Programming Humanities, English Language Arts, Arts Education- Music and Theatre.) Summer Serenade: Jack and the Beanstalk Michigan Opera Theatre hosts Arranged by John Davies with compositions by Sir Arthur Sullivan outdoor Grand Opera concerts (Grades K-6) throughout the Metro Detroit area. When Jack sells the family cow to a mysterious man for a handful of Recent concerts include venues beans, he has no idea what such as Grand Circus Park, the kind of adventure awaits him! Grosse Pointe War Memorial and When the beans take root, the Detroit Zoo. and a magical stalk grows to JACK & THE the sky, Jack will discover a Learning at the Opera House: July BEANSTALK land of giants, a golden hen 2020 and an important lesson Students ages 8-18 work with about treating other people professional singers, directors, with kindness. MOT’s new choreographers and writers to JACK & THE production sets the story in explore and strengthen skills in BEANSTALK the ancient West African Mali singing, acting, writing, composition, Empire and tells the tale through music from the operettas of Sir Arthur healthy vocal care and stage Sullivan. This new twist on an old favorite is a must-see for children of all movement. All programs culminate ages! (Subjects: English Language Arts, Social Studies, early Math, Arts in a final performance at the Detroit Education — Visual Arts, Music and Theater). Opera House.

To learn more about any of these programs e-mail [email protected].

22 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre From left to right: Darren Lekeith Drone, Edward Graves, Avery Boettcher, Katherine DeYoung and Allen Michael Jones. Michigan Opera Theatre Studio Overview

The five resident artists of the Supported by a major grant from Michigan Opera Theatre Studio the William Davidson Foundation, represent some of the most exciting the program serves as a central “ The Michigan Opera emerging talent in opera today. component of MOT’s enhanced Coming to Detroit from all presence in the community through Theatre Studio serves different areas of the country, these productions in the Detroit Opera as a central component early career opera professionals gain House, community venues, recitals valuable experience through myriad and special events. MOT’s community of MOT’s enhanced performance opportunities in main initiative productions are now presence in the stage and community productions selected and mounted specifically and hone their skills through master for the Studio Program. Studio community. The Studio classes and training with an array Artists filled lead and featured roles of world-class professionals, guest in Leonard Bernstein’s Candide last Artists benefit from the artists and coaches. season, ’s 27 in 2018, guidance of some of Throughout their residency, Mark Adamo’s Little Women in 2017 Studio Artists receive advanced and The Tender Land in 2016. They the leading coaches in individual training from MOT’s will present a double bill of Giacomo the opera industry.” Director of Resident Artist Programs, Puccini’s Gianni Schicci and Michael renowned American tenor Richard Ching’s Buoso’s Ghost Feb. 29-March — W ayne S. Brown, Leech, Principal Coach/Accompanist 1. Through these productions, MOT President and CEO of Michael Sherman and MOT’s Assistant fulfills its community initiative to Michigan Opera Theatre Music Director Suzanne Mallare produce a full-scale opera annually in Acton. venues throughout Metro Detroit.

RICHARD LEECH 2019-20 Michigan Opera Director of Resident Artist Programs Theatre Studio Artists American tenor Richard Leech is one of the most Avery Boettcher – soprano celebrated tenors of his generation. From the Met to Vienna, and Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl, Katherine DeYoung – for more than three decades he has made his home mezzo-soprano on the stages of the world’s great opera houses and Edward Graves – tenor symphonies. In addition to singing, he is also a professor of voice and opera with Rutgers University. His Darren Lekeith Drone – leadership role with the MOT Studio allows Mr. Leech to utilize all aspects baritone of his broad experience as he oversees the development of some of opera’s Allen Michael Jones – bass most exciting emerging artists and brings their performances to our stage and into our community.

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 23 t 55, Italian dancer Alessandra Ferri has enjoyed a ballet career longer PROFILESthan most. The renowned FROM THE PIT Aballerina has performed with the world’s most prestigious companies including the Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and La Scala Theatre Molly Hughes olly Hughes has a unique position Certificate in Orchestral Studies from Min the Michigan Opera Theatre . Orchestra. She is both a violinist and “There are so many varied musical the Orchestra Personnel Manager, a opportunities to be had throughout role she describes as a conduit between Michigan,” she said. “In one week, you management and the musicians. can be in the studio recording for an This season marks her seventh in R&B artist, performing a collaborative the double role, and she said shifting concert at an art museum, playing for between a manager and a musician a wedding ceremony and performing continues to be a learning process. with an orchestra on the weekend. “I wear many hats, which requires The variety keeps life interesting from a little bit of juggling,” she said. “Even week to week!” when we are deep in rehearsing, At MOT, she said she’s passionate I have my eye on the clock for calling about ballet, especially performing a break time or keeping tabs on the works like Stravinsky’s Firebird and temperature in the pit to be sure it does Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. Her Ballet, as well as with the best not pass a certain degree mark.” favorite opera composer is Puccini, choreographers and dancers in the Molly has been with the orchestra especially Turandot. for 17 years and is a Michigan girl Outside of music, Molly enjoys through and through. She’s a Berkley, studying the Bible, being outdoors, Mich. native and current resident who paper crafts, hand lettering, modern has lived on the same street her entire calligraphy, dog walks, tennis with her life. She also holds a Bachelor of Music husband and time spent with family. in Violin Performance and a Graduate

Gordon Simmons t 72, trumpet player Gordon It was challenging to say the least.” ASimmons has the honor of being Gordon began playing trumpet the oldest member of the Michigan when he was nine years old, eventually Opera Theatre Orchestra. He is also attending Taylor University, Wheaton one of the orchestra’s longest-serving College and Wayne State University, members, embarking on his 40th season studying trumpet with Arnold Jacobs, with MOT this fall. Frank Kaderabeck, and Donald Green. One of Gordon’s favorite things Now, he teaches trumpet himself, both about being in the orchestra is at Oakland University and through his performing with his colleagues, own private studio. especially during the Three Tenors “For many musicians teaching and concert in 1999. But one of his most performing go hand in hand,” he said. memorable moments was in Don “I tend to be a people person which Pasquale with a dog. helps immensely in the area of “One day just before our first teaching.” rehearsal, I got a call from the director of He said his life as a musician production wanting to know if I would in Michigan has given him great do the trumpet solo on stage,” he said. experiences. “That is hard enough, but then he said “Working in Detroit has allowed me they want me to be a blind trumpet to play a variety of musical work,” he player with a dog. I had to hurry from the said. “Having spent several years on pit get on a simple costume and go on the road has helped me to appreciate stage with a dog in a matter of minutes. Michigan.”

24 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre industry. “Ballet is not my job, it’s not my life,” Ferri said. “Being a ballerina is my DNA.” DNA or not, a long, successful career is not the only thing that sets Ferri apart from other dancers. She is also one of the few to be designated as a prima MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE ORCHESTRA — DON GIOVANNI

VIOLIN I Florina Petrescu BASS BASSOON TIMPANI Eliot Heaton+ Judith Teasdle Derek Weller+ Francisco Delgado+ John Dorsey+ Concertmaster Principal Principal Acting Principal Laura Roelofs+ VIOLA Clark Suttle+ Gregory Quick+ Assistant John Madison+ MANDOLIN Concertmaster Principal FLUTE HORN Al Ayoub Beth Kirton+ Jacqueline Hanson+ Seo Hee Choi+ Andrew Pelletier+ Jenny Wan+ Scott Stefanko+ Principal Principal Anna Bittar-Weller+ Barbara Zmich- Laura Larson+ Carrie Banfield-Taplin+ + Michigan Opera Andrew Wu+ McClellan+ Theatre Core Daniel Stachyra+ James Greer OBOE TRUMPET Orchestra Mallory Tabb Sally Heffelfinger- David Ammer+ David Ormai CELLO Pituch+ Principal Detroit Federation of Jonathan Tortolano+ Principal Gordon Simmons+ Musicians Local #5 VIOLIN II Principal Yuki Harding American Federation of Henrik Karapetyan+ Yuliya Kim+ TROMBONE Musicians Principal Andrea Yun+ CLARINET Brittany Lasch+ Kevin Filewych+ Eugene Zenzen Brian Bowman+ Principal Molly Hughes+ Principal Gary Hellick Yuri Popowycz J. William King+ Bryan Pokorney Melody Wootton MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE ORCHESTRA — SWEENEY TODD

VIOLIN I VIOLA FLUTE HORN PERCUSSION Eliot Heaton+ John Madison+ Seo Hee Choi+ Andrew Pelletier+ John Dorsey+ Concertmaster Principal Principal Principal Principal Laura Roelofs+ Jacqueline Hanson+ Laura Larson+ Assistant Scott Stefanko+ TRUMPET HARP Concertmaster Barbara Zmich- OBOE Robert White Patricia Terry-Ross+ Beth Kirton+ McClellan+ Sally Heffelfinger- Acting Principal Velda Kelly + Pituch+ Gordon Simmons+ ORGAN Anna Bittar-Weller+ CELLO Principal Jean Schneider Bryan Johnston+ Jonathan Tortolano+ TROMBONE Jenny Wan+ Principal CLARINET Brittany Lasch+ David Ormai Andrea Yun+ Brian Bowman+ Principal + Michigan Opera Yuliya Kim+ Principal Gary Hellick Theatre Core VIOLIN II David Huckaby J. William King+ Bryan Pokorney Orchestra Victoria Haltom+ Principal BASS BASSOON TIMPANI Detroit Federation of Kevin Filewych+ Derek Weller+ Francisco Delgado+ Alison Chang+ Musicians Local #5 Molly Hughes+ Principal Principal Principal American Federation of Henrik Karapetyan+ Clark Suttle+ Musicians Andrew Wu+ Daniel Stachyra+ MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE CHORUS — DON GIOVANNI Soprano Tenor Alto Bass Brandy Adams Fred Buchalter Andrea Apel Kurt Frank Claire Chardon Dorian Dillard Rachel Ann Girty Branden C.S. Hood Fidelia Darmahkasih Mark Istratie Olivia Johnson Matthew Konopacki Sandra Periord Richard Jackson, Jr. Tiffanie Waldron Frank Pitts Heidi Bowen Zook Robert Skylis Tamara Whitty Kevin Starnes

MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE CHORUS — SWEENEY TODD ENSEMBLE OFFSTAGE CHORUS Soprano Alto Soprano Alto Alaina Brown Brandy Adams Kimberley Sanders Andrea Apel Claire Chardon Hillary LaBonte Suzanne Grogan Serafina Belletini Nicole Joseph Tiffanie Waldron Audrey Kline Antona Yost Tenor Bass Brett Thompson Brandon Spencer Tenor Bass Fred Buchalter Branden C.S. Hood Dorian Dillard Kurt Frank Richard Jackson, Jr. Matthew Konopacki Adrian Leskiw David Moan The American Guild of Musical Artists is the offical union Robert Skylis Kevin Starnes of the Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 25 Michigan Opera Theatre Donor Honor Roll Michigan Opera Theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous donors for their cumulative life-time giving. Their support has played a key role in the establishment of Michigan Opera Theatre since its founding in 1971 along with the building of the Detroit Opera House. Their leadership has and continues to play an integral part in the company’s viability, underwriting quality opera and dance performances, alongside award-winning community and educational programs.

$10,000,000 and above Ford Motor Company Fund $7,500,000 and above $5,000,000 and above General Motors Foundation Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs The Kresge Foundation William Davidson Foundation

$2,000,000 and above Mr.† & Mrs. Douglas Allison Mr. & Mrs. Herman Frankel The Skillman Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Barthel John S. & James L. Knight Foundation The State of Michigan Community Foundation for Southeast Lear Corporation R. Jamison & Karen Williams Michigan McGregor Fund Marvin, Betty and Joanne Danto Dance Endowment & Marvin and Betty Danto Family Foundation

$1,000,000 and above Mr. & Mrs. Robert Allesee Mrs. Barbara Frankel & Mr. Ronald Masco Corporation Mr.† & Mrs. Eugene Applebaum Michalak Matilda R. Wilson Fund † AT & T Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Frankel Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Bank of America Hudson-Webber Foundation Foundation Mr. & Mrs. John A. Boll Sr. JPMorgan Chase National Endowment of the Arts DTE Energy Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Peter Karmanos Dr. & Mrs. Sam B. Williams Mrs. Margo Cohen Feinberg & Mr. Mrs. Linda Dresner Levy The Andrew W. Mellon Robert Feinberg & Mr. Edward Levy, Jr. Foundation Forest 6 Advisors Mandell L. & Madeleine H. Berman Foundation Contributors to Michigan Opera Theatre Michigan Opera Theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous corporate, foundation, government, and individual donors whose annual cumulative contributions were made between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. Their generosity is vital to the company’s financial stability, which is necessary to sustain MOT’s position as a valued cultural resource.

FOUNDATION, CORPORATE, $50,000 - $99,999 $10,000 - $24,999 Henry E. and Consuelo Wenger & GOVERNMENT SUPPORT J. Addison Bartush and Marion M. AVL Michigan Holdings Corporation Foundation Bartush Family Foundation (Don Manvel) The Karen & Drew Peslar Foundation $500,000+ J. Ernest & Almena Gray Wilde Fund DTE Energy Foundation MGM Grand Detroit The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation The Kresge Foundation Fifth Generation, Inc. Michigan Humanities Council Ford Motor Company Fund Marvin and Betty Danto Family Ida and Conrad H. Smith Endowment Ralph L. and Winifred E. Polk William Davidson Foundation Foundation for MOT Foundation Penske Corporation Kyyba Kidz Foundation The Samuel L. Westerman $250,000+ The State of Michigan Making Waves USA, LLC Foundation Community Foundation for Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC The Mary Thompson Foundation Southeast Michigan Worthington Family Foundation Michigan Council for Arts and $1,000 - $4,999 John S. and James L. Knight Cultural Affairs 4th Wall Theatre Company, LLC Foundation $25,000 - $49,999 Milner Hotels Foundation Albert Kahn Associates DeRoy Testamentary Foundation Moroun Family Foundation Antonio’s Cucina Italiana $100,000+ The Fred A. & Barbara M. Erb Family MOT Development Anonymous AOM, LLC The Dolores And Paul Lavins Foundation OPERA America Arts Midwest Foundation Hudson-Webber Foundation The Rattner and Katz Charitable The Ashley General Motors Corporation Masco Corporation Foundation Center For Financial Planning Lear Corporation Matilda R. Wilson Fund Comerica Incorporated Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher MGM Resorts Foundation $5,000 - $9,999 Foundation National Endowment of the Arts Allegra Print & Imaging Detroit 300 Conservancy University Musical Society Oliver Dewey Marcks Foundation Duran Healthcare Advisory Detroit Industrial School Flagstar Foundation Detroit Rotary Foundation

26 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org † Deceased Michigan Opera Theatre FOUNDATION, CORPORATE, & GOVERNMENT SUPPORT continued…

Detroit Zoological Society Joyce Cohn Young Artist Fund Northern Trust Bank Techmode Edward C And Linda Dresner Levy Key Private Bank Pepsico Foundation Inc. UBS Financial Services, Inc. Foundation Lee & Maxine Peck Foundation Planterra UHY LLP Forte Belanger Matrix Human Services Real Integrated VDV Concessions, LLC Fox Run Retirement Community Morgan Stanley Sigmund and Sophie Rohlik Wayne State Univ. Music Dept. Grosse Pointe War Memorial Moroch Partners LP Foundation Young Woman’s Home Association Huron Valley Council for the Arts Neogen Corporation Smith Family Foundation Your Cause, LLC James & Lynelle Holden Fund Nerds Xpress, LLC Somerset Collection Charitable Josephine Kleiner Foundation Foundation

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT Julia Donovan Darlow & Brock & Katherine L. Plumb Mr. Benjamin C. Meeker John C. O’Meara Prof. Sara A. Pozzi Ph. D Benjamin Meeker & $100,000+ Shauna Diggs Hershel & Dorothy Sandberg Meredith Korneffel The Estate of Robert C. & Mr. Michael Einheuser Mark & Lois Shaevsky Dr. Lisa Meils RoseAnn B. Comstock Marianne Endicott Susan Sills-Levey & Michael Levey Van Momon & Pamela L. Berry Mrs. Linda Dresner Levy Alex Erdeljan Frank & Susan Sonye E. & Dolores A. Mutchler & Mr. Edward Levy, Jr. Dr. Raina Ernstoff & Dr. Gregory Stephens Dr. & Mrs. Peter Nickles Mr. & Mrs. Peter Karmanos Mr. Sanford Hansell Ms. Danielle R. Stewart Barbara Nusbaum Richard Sonenklar & Lloyd Fell & Kathleen Lieder Ronald Switzer & Jim McClure Juliette Okotie-Eboh, Ph.D. Gregory Haynes Dr. Marjorie M. Fisher Joel & Shelley Tauber Richard & Debra Partrich Carl & Mary Ann Fontana Thomas & Kae Terrell Spencer & Myrna Partrich $50,000 - $99,999 Dean & Aviva Friedman Norman Thorpe Daniel & Margaret Pehrson Richard & Mona Alonzo Priscilla R. Greenberg PhD John & Barbara Tierney John & Terry Rakolta David & Jacqueline Roessler Joanne Danto & Arnold Weingarden James & Nancy Grosfeld Dr. John Weber & Dr. Dana Zakalik Audrey Rose Ethan & Gretchen Davidson Mr. Robert Hage David & Bernadine Wu Anthony & Sabrina Rugiero R. Jamison & Karen Williams John & Kristan Hale Mary Lou Zieve Addison & Deborah Igleheart Laurence & Barbara Schiff Donald & Kim Schmidt $20,000 - $49,999 Kent & Amy Jidov $2,500 - $2,999 Alan Schwartz Mr. & Mrs. John A. Boll Sr. Ellen Kahn Kenn & Liz Allen Marvin, Betty and Joanne Danto Dance Endowment & Marvin and Betty Danto Family Foundation Rosalind Sell Ms. Edith S. Briskin Thomas & Deborah Krikorian Sarah Allison John & Arlene Lewis Beverly Avadenka Arlene Shaler Robert Brown & Geraldine Ford- Sheila Sloan Brown Stephan & Marian Loginsky Mark & Caprice Baun Ms. Debra Bernstein-Siegel Mrs. Phyllis F. Snow James & Elizabeth Ciroli James LoPrete Joseph & Barbra Bloch Ms. Mary Anne Stella Avern Cohn & Lois Pincus Stephen & Paulette Mancuso Mr. Ronald Michalak Richard & Gwen Bowlby Jeffrey Tranchida & Noel Baril Mrs. Elaine Fontana Mrs. L. William Moll Betty Bright Mr. James G. Vella Mrs. Barbara Frankel & Donald & Antoinette Morelock Thomas & Dorothy Carson Marilyn Victor Mr. Ronald Michalak Ms. Anne Moroun Michael & Mary Chirco Inge A. Vincent Mr. & Mrs. Herman Frankel Allan & Joy Nachman Philanthropic Gloria Clark Bradley Wakefield & Michael & Barbara Kratchman Fund William & Kelly Connell Meghann Rutherford Alphonse Lucarelli Graham & Sally Orley Peter & Rochelle Cooper Stanley Waldon Susanne McMillan Charlotte & Charles Podowski Helen Daoud Ms. Margaret Winters Ali Moiin & William Kupsky Waltraud Prechter Jerry & Maureen D’Avanzo Joan Young & Thomas Schellenberg Mrs. Ruth F. Rattner Paul & Amy Ragheb Walter & Lillian Dean Roy & Maureen Roberts Irvin & Pamela Reid Mrs. Karen V. DiChiera $1,000 - $2,499 Ms. Patricia H. Rodzik Mrs. Carolyn L. Ross Lisa DiChiera & John Kane Nina & Howard Abrams Ankur Rungta & Mayssoun Bydon Bernard & Donna Rubin Debbie Dingell Mr. James Anderson Ms. Merle H. Scheibner Dr. Mildred Ponder Stennis Ms. Mary J. Doerr Ms. Deborah L. Anthony Jesse & Yesenia Venegas Dorothy Tomei Kenneth & Frances Eisenberg Dr. Harold M. Arrington C. Thomas & Bernie Toppin Robert & Margo Feinberg Mrs. Chacona Baugh $10,000 - $19,999 Barbara Van Dusen Oscar & Dede Feldman Cecilia Benner Mr. Stanislaw Bialoglowski Dr. Lourdes V. Andaya Ms. Anne Wilczak Adrienne & Robert Z. Feldstein Maurice & Linda Binkow Stephen & Jana Brownell Ned & Joan Winkelman Robert & Amy Folberg Herbert Danziger Barbara Garavaglia Eugene & Roselyn Blanchard Richard & Joanne Brodie Kevin Dennis & Jeremy Zeltzer $3,000 - $4,999 Glendon M. Gardner & Mr. Charles D. Bullock Enrico & Kathleen Digirolamo Mr. & Mrs. Barthel Leslie Landau Edward & Judith Christian Dilip & Sonal Dubey Richard & Susan Bingham Yousif & Mara Ghafari Douglas & Minka Cornelsen Mr. Cameron B. Duncan Ms. Nicole A. Boelstler Keith & Eileen L. Gifford Harvey & Edith Covensky Paul & Mary Sue Ewing Bob & Rosemary Brasie Allan Gilmour & Eric Jirgens Daniel & Susan Drucker Richard & Aurora Goetz Dr. Lynne Carter Dr. Judie R. Goodman Fern Espino & Tom Short Dr. Devon Hoover Dr. Mary Carol Conroy Carolyn Gordon Mr. George Evans Donald Manvel Lawrence & Doris David Samuel & Toby Haberman Ms. Mary C. Mazure Mrs. Alice B. Haidostian Mr. John Fleming Dr. David DiChiera Burke & Carol Fossee Mr. Cyril Moscow Dr. & Mrs. Saul Forman Eugene & Donna Hartwig William & Wendy Powers Gerhardt & Rebecca P. Hein Ms. Sharlene F. Gage Harvey & Lois Freeman Thomas M. Gervasi Matthew & Mona Simoncini Ralph & Erica Gerson Doreen Hermelin Ms. Una C. Jackman Mr. Lawrence Glowczewski Joe Skoney & Luisa Di Lorenzo Derek & Karen Hodgson Don Jensen & Leo Dovelle Mr. William Greene William Smith Mr. William Hulsker Gary & Gwenn Johnson Robert & Ann Greenstone Mr. Richard D. Ventura Ann Katz Mr. George Johnson Mr. Mark J. Harbeck Gary Wasserman & Charles Kashner Mrs. Stephanie Germack Kerzic Ms. Jill Johnson Myke & Tonya Hawkins Chak & Beth Lai Maxwell & Marjorie Jospey Fay & Allen Herman $5,000 - $9,999 Arthur & Nancy Liebler Linda & Thomas Klein Paul & Nancy Hillegonds Mr. & Mrs. Robert Allesee Mr. & Mrs. Emanuel N. Maisel Mark Kolins & Maria Abrahamsen Eleanor & Alan Israel Daniel Ammann The Hon. Jack & Dr. Bettye Paul Lavins Mrs. Esther Jaruga Thomas & Gretchen Anderson Arrington Martin Melvin Lester Richard & Involut Jessup Gene P. Bowen Eugene & Lois Miller Mado Lie David & Theresa Joswick Elizabeth Brooks Phillip & Dawn Minch Mary Alice Lomason Robert & Julia Kelly Kevin Browett Xavier & Maeva Mosquet Ida King Wayne Brown & Brenda Kee Ms. Denise Lutz Mr. George & Mrs. Jo Elyn Nyman Ms. Florine Mark Mr. & Mrs. David Kinsella Ilse Calcagno Mr. Jonathan Orser & Joyce Urba Mr. Thomas Cohn Ronald & Zvjezdana Martella David Osborne & Suzanne Acton Mr. Dexter C. Mason William & Jean Kroger Françoise Colpron-Schwyn Ms. Susan Peslar

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 27 Al & Susan LaCroix Michael & Margaret Keefe Ms. Laura Lamberti IN TRIBUTE Mr. Lawrence Larson Charles H. Keys & Barbara Levin Meria Larson Mrs. Mary L. Elwart-Keys William & Jacqueline Lockwood In memory of Gerard Beneteau Congressman Andrew & Mary Levin Gregory Knas Mrs. Mary Loria Anita Krebs Mr. Ron Lipson Express Employment Professionals Mr. John Lovegren & Stephen Lord Troy & Rochester Hills Mr. Daniel Isenschmid In memory of Bill Brooks Barbara Frankel & Ronald Michalak Tamara Luchini Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Levin John & Vivienne Lucksom Mr. Joe Luther Ms. Lynne M. Metty Bridget MacDonald In memory of Marvin Frankel Robert & Terri Lutz Dr. James L. Moseley Ms. Margaret MacTavish Ellsworth & Janet Levine, Ms. Christy Mr. Loreto A. Manzo Ms. Nicole New Steven & Jennifer Marlette C. Torgler, Lewis & Cindi Wagner Ms. Janet Groening Marsh Walter & Elizabeth Newgeon Mr. Jeffrey D. Marraccini George & Tatyana Matish George & Nancy Nicholson Mr. John McElroy In memory of Nicholas Kondak Ms. Mary McGough Mrs. Rosalva Parada Patrick & Patricia McKeever Mrs. Diane Binkowski, Mr. George Ms. Patricia A. McKanna Peter & Teresa Roddy Brian & Lisa Meer Hirth, Mrs. Christine Mason, Mrs. Sylvia P. Whitmer Mr. Benjamin Meeker & James Rodgers & Kathleen Mrs. Carmen R. Mejia-Sosa Dr. Meredith Korneffel Brozowski-Rodgers Ms. Evelyn Micheletti In memory of Eduardo Munoz Ms. Laurie Mickiewicz Ms. Charlotte Singewald Chuck & Alice Moss Perou Bruce Miller Gabriel & Stahl Brian & Toni Sanchez Murphy Mr. & Mrs. Nestor A. Kleer Dr. Anne Missavage & Mr. Robert Ms. Lois Norman Borcherding $500 - $749 Mr. Ronald Northrup In memory of Eduardo and Katty Manuel & Nora Moroun James & Catherine Allen Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Nuyen Munoz Perou Peter Robert & Catherine Anthony Jennifer L. Pajak James & Cristina Sunstrum Ms. Linda Orlans Dennis Archer & Trudy Duncombe Mr. D. Sean Panikkar Archer In memory of James Michael Ryan Anne Parsons & Donald Dietz Mr. Michael Parisi Ms. Shelzy Ryan Mark & Kyle Peterson Angie & Rick Armstrong Charles & Mary Parkhill Peter & Marguerite Polidori Fred & Erika Baer Nicole Patrick In memory of Maritza Sabbagh- Mrs. Janet Pounds Emily Belcher Ms. Haryani Permana Kozora Rob & Linda Powers Mr. Brian Benson Phil Phillips Andrea Guttilla, Norman & Solange Rip & Gail Rapson William & Marcia Betz Richard Rattner & Linnea Lannon Messelian, Ms. Lucille Sabbagh, Dr. & Dr. Monique Reeves Ms. Kanta Bhambhani Ms. Paula Rausch Mrs. Michael Wayne Mr. Dennis C. Regan & Ms. Barbara A. Blanock Benjamin & Florence Rhodes In memory of Hector & Catherine Miss Ellen M. Strand Gerald & Marceline Bright Adam D. Rubin, M.D, Lakeshore Dr. & Mrs. Ronald T. Burkman Somerville Jeanne Reichert Professional Voice Center Ms. Lee A. Somerville Ms. Cheryl Reynolds Mrs. Beverly H. Burns Charles & Adam Russman Brenda & Howard Rosenberg Glenn & Joan Carpenter Professor Alvin & Mrs. Harriet In memory of Deborah Weathers George & Aphrodite Roumell Tonino & Sarah Corsetti Saperstein Alaina & Aria Williams William & Marjorie Sandy James & Christine Cortez Johanne & Claus Schaefer Mary Schlaff & Sanford Koltonow Cristina DiChiera & Neal Walsh Drs. Franziska & Robert Schoenfeld In honor of Suzanne Acton Dr. Christina Shanti Dr. Joshua Dilworth Diane & Morton Scholnick Mr. George Evans Ms. Cynthia Shaw Mr. Leonard R. Dimsa Mr. David Schon Donald & Anne Ditmars In honor of Joanne Danto and Ms. Bethany Shorb Marc & Naomi Shaberman Arnie Weingarten Ms. Margo Downes Mr. Zon Shumway Herbert & Melody Shanbaum Ms. Carole Slotkin Mr. Michael Smith & Eugene & Elaine Driker Mrs. Cynthia B. Shaw & Mrs. Katie Williams Smith Dr. Alan Eiser Mr. Tom Kirvan In honor of Douglass Diggs Ms. Theresa Spear & James Eng Mr. Terry Shea Joanne Danto & Arnold Weingarden Mr. Jeff Douma Mr. Robert E. Epstein Patrick & Carol Sheehy Mr. Theodore J. St. Antoine Mrs. Shirley M. Flanagan Donald & Joyce Sherman In honor of Feodora Earls Mrs. Ruth F. Rattner James & Cristina Sunstrum Ms. Sue Force Ted & Mary Ann Simon Dr. Lorna Thomas Daniel & Susan Fox Mr. & Mrs. Anthony R. Skwiers Daniel & Katharine Frohardt-Lane In honor of Marvin Frankel Michele & Scott Toenniges Ms. Carole Slotkin Ms. Mary E. Sestok Mathew & Barbara Vanderkloot Lawrence & Ann Garberding Mr. Carl R. Smith Gerrit & Beate Vreeken Lawrence & Irene Garcia Wesley & Sheila Smith In honor of Priscilla and John William Waak William & Janet Goudie Ms. Janet Stevens Kirlin Robert & Liina M. Wallin Philip & Martha Gray Gretchen Thams & James Bowman Stephen & Jana Brownell William & Martha Walsh Verna Green Buzz Thomas & Daniel Vander Ley Kenneth & Marilyn Way Anonymous Alice & Paul Tomboulian In honor of Dr. William Kupsky and Dr. Ali Moiin Ms. Leslie Wise Kristina K. Gregg Stuart & Barbara Trager Giacinta Gualtieri David Kupsky Law Group LLC, Mrs. Jose & Jocelyne Yanez Anne Marie Turnage Elizabeth S. Kupsky Anthony & Ellen Zeringue Jamie Hall, MD Leo & Jennifer Wasageshik Gregory & Julia Hays Prof. Michael Wellman In honor of Donald Morelock $750 - $999 Mr. Stephan Hodge Meredith Weston-Band & Gerson & Beverly Geltner Joshua & Judith Lowitz Adler Beth Hoger & Lisa Swem Jeffery Band Ali & Hanaan Alhimiri Anonymous Mrs. Jennifer R. Whip In honor of Patricia Nieman Robert & Elaine Appel Mario & Jane Iacobelli Christopher & Susan Wilhelm Ms. Helen C. Bauer Ms. Geraldine Atkinson Nezha Jioudi Ms. Kathryn Wilson Vernon & Hilary Blevins Geraldine & Jacqueline Keller In honor of Ruth Rattner Mr. Curtis Wolfe Lila Silverman Paul & Lee Blizman Shelley & Eric Kerr Mrs. Cathy C. Wood Frank & Jenny Brzenk Steve & Judith A. Kesler Mr. David D. Woodard Ms. Joyce E. Delamarter Mr. Daniel W. Ketelaar Dr. Ruth A. Worthington Mr. Terry Dewey Mr. & Mrs. Gerd H Keuffel Thomas & Cynthia Yates Howard & Nedra Downing Harvey & Aileen Kleiman Mr. Dominick Zaccone Ms. Carole Hardy Justin & Joanne Klimko Dr. Susan E. Harold M.D. Drs. Richard & Valmy Kulbersh

28 BRAVO • Fall 2019 † Deceased www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre AVANTI SOCIETY Ensuring the Future Imagine a that outlives you, allowing future generations Avanti Society Members are Invited: to experience and enjoy the world of opera and dance. • To exclusive special events and previews. That’s the goal of The Avanti Society, Michigan Opera Theatre’s planned gift recognition program. Michigan Opera Theatre is honored that so many patron have chosen to declare their membership in the Avanti The Italian word avanti means “ahead,” or “forward.” The Society and has designed a small lapel pin for members to Avanti Society at Michigan Opera Theatre represents a wear proudly at Michigan Opera Theatre events. designated group of patrons Michigan Opera Theatre who have made plans to include the organization in their estates– AN AVANTI FOR TOMORROW whether by will, trust, insurance, or life income arrangement. The growth of Michigan Opera Theatre’s permanent Membership in The Avanti Society is open to all. Endowment Fund ensures the growth and future vitality of one of the region’s greatest cultural assets. You are invited In thanks for their generous support, Avanti Society to create your own legacy – your Avanti – through Michigan members are given special benefits and recognition for their Opera Theatre. heartfelt commitment to Michigan Opera Theatre. Please fill-out and mail in the confidential reply form to Avanti Society Members are Recognized: indicate your gift or contact • In “Bravo” opera and dance program books Angela Nelson-Heesch, Director of Development, at and the Annual Report. 313.237.3416 or [email protected].

AVANTI SOCIETY MEMBERS In recognition of their foresight and commitment, Michigan Opera Theatre profoundly thanks and recognizes members of the Avant Society.

Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Allesee# Ms. Pamela R. Francis*† Mr. † & Mrs. Daniel Kolton Mr. & Mrs. Harold Siebert Mr.† and Mrs. Doug Allison Ms. Barbara Frankel & Mr. Ronald Misses Phyllis & Selma Korn*† Mrs. Marge Slezak Mrs. Adel Amerman*#+ Michalak*# Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Krolikowski* Mr.† & Mrs. Richard Sloan† Dr. Lourdes V. Andaya* Mr. & Mrs. Herman Frankel*# Mr. Max Lepler & Mr. Rex Dotson Ms. Anne Sullivan Smith Mr. & Mrs. Agustin Arbulu* Mrs. Rema Frankel*#† Mr. Philip Leon† Ms. Phyllis Funk Snow* Mr.† & Mrs. Chester Arnold* Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Freeman Mr. Stephen H. Lord Mr.† & Mrs. Richard Mr. & Mrs. Lee Barthel Mrs. Jane Shoemaker French Ms. Jane McKee* Starkweather*#+ Mr. & Mrs. J. Addison Bartush*#† Dr. & Mrs. Byron P. Georgeson* Drs. Orlando & Dorothy Miller* Mr. Stanford C. Stoddard Mr. & Mrs. Brett Batterson* Priscilla R. Greenberg, Ph.D.*#† Ms. Monica Moffat & Mr. Pat Dr. Jonathan Swift† & Mr. Thomas Mr.† & Mrs. Mandell Berman Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Hagopian McGuire A. St. Charles* Mr.† & Mrs. Art Blair* Mr. Lawrence W. Hall* Demetra & Theodore Monolidis† Mr. Ronald F. Switzer* Mr. Robert Bomier Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Halperin* Drs. Stephen & Barbara Munk Mr. Edward D. Tusset* Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bowlby Ms. Heather Hamilton Mr. Jonathan F. Orser Mr.† & Mrs. George Mr.† & Mrs. Roy E. Calcagno* Mr. Kenneth E. Hart* Ms. Julie A. Owens Vincent*#+ Dr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Carson Mr. & Mrs. Eugene L. Hartwig* Mr. Dale J. Pangonis* Mrs. Amelia H. Wilhelm*# Dr.† & Mrs. Victor J. Cervenak* Dr. & Mrs. Gerhardt A. Hein Mr. & Mrs. Charles A. Parkhill Mr. & Mrs. Walter P. Work* Miss Halla Claffey† Ms. Nancy B. Henk Mr. Richard M. Raisin* Mr. & Mrs. Larry Zangerle Prof. Kenneth Collinson Mrs. Fay Herman Mrs. Ruth F. Rattner*# Mr. & Mrs. George M. Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Comstock#† Mr. & Mrs. Derek Hodgson Ms. Deborah Remer Zeltzer*† Dr. Robert A. Cornette*# Mr. Andrew Howell Dr. Joshua Rest Mrs. Mary Rita Cuddohy Ms. Carol Howell Mr. & Mrs. James Rigby* Avanti Logo & Pin Design: Ms. Mattie Cunningham† Dr. Cindy Hung* Mr. Bryan L. Rives Ms. Monica Moffat Mr.† & Mrs. Tarik Daoud*# Alan & Eleanor Israel Ms. Patricia Rodzik* & Mr. Pat McGuire Mr. & Mrs. Marvin I. Danto† Drs. Heidi & Dale Jacobs Ms. Joanne B. Rooney† Mr. Thomas J. Delaney Ms. Kristin Jaramillo* Mr.† & Mrs. Giles L. Ross Key: Dr. David DiChiera†# Mr. Donald Jensen* Aphrodite & George Roumell *Founding Members Mrs. Karen V. DiChiera*# Mr. John Jesser† Ms. Merle H. Scheibner† #Touch the Future donors Ms. Mary Jane Doerr# Mr. Patrick J.† & Mrs. Stephanie Ms. Susan Schooner* +Avanti Society sponsors Dr. & Mrs. Charles H. Duncan*† Germack Kerzic Drs. Heinz & Alice Platt Schwarz* †deceased members (italicized) Mrs. Charles M. Endicott*# Mr. & Mrs. Robert Klein# Mrs. Frank C. Shaler* Mr. & Mrs. Herb Fisher* Mrs. Josephine Kleiner† Mr. Stephan Sharf† Mrs. Anne E. Ford† Mr. & Mrs. Erwin H. Klopfer*# Ms. Laura Sias

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 29 Historic Path to a Bold Future The Campaign for Michigan Opera Theatre

Pursuant to a comprehensive strategic plan, the Board and Trustees of Michigan Opera Theatre have launched a Historic Path to a Bold Future campaign to invest $50 million in exceptional artistic experiences, broad-based community initiatives, enhanced institutional efficiencies, and facilities improvement. This campaign is designed to ensure that the David DiChiera legacy thrives beyond his tenure by positioning MOT for continued artistic success and community engagement well into the future. The following individuals, businesses, and foundations have declared their initial leadership to the campaign. As of October 31, 2018, more than $25.7 million has been committed.

$1 Million and above $100,000 - $249,999 Sarah and Doug† Allison AVL — Don Manvel William Davidson Foundation Avern Cohn, Lois Pincus and Thomas Cohn Ford Motor Company Mary Rita Cuddohy† Danialle and Peter Karmanos Gretchen and Ethan Davidson John S. and James L. Knight Foundation DeRoy Testamentary Foundation Lear Corporation Barbara Frankel and Ronald Michalak Linda Dresner Levy and Edward Levy, Jr. Alphonse Lucarelli The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Ali Moiin and William Kupsky Ruth F. Rattner $500,000 - $999,999 Maureen and Roy Roberts Floy and Lee Barthel Mona and Matthew Simoncini Sharon and Herman Frankel Anthony Soave Karen and R. Jamison Williams $50,000 - $99,999 $250,000 - $499,999 Elizabeth and James Ciroli Joanne Danto and Arnold Weingarden Gloria Clark Marvin and Betty Danto Foundation Cameron Duncan Ann E. Ford† Michael Einheuser Rema Frankel† Aviva and Dean Friedman Richard Sonenklar and Gregory Haynes Kristan and John Hale Donna and Bernard Rubin Ankur Rungta and Mayssoun Bydon Yesenia and Jessie Venegas World Heritage Foundation-Prechter Family Fund † = Avanti Society

30 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre Administration & Staff

TOURING ARTISTS OF COMMUNITY Wayne S. Brown PRODUCTION President and Chief Executive Officer PROGRAMS Soprano: Clodagh Earls ADMINISTRATION Mezzo-Sopranos: Aja Dier, Olivia Johnson Elizabeth Anderson, Production Coordinator DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS Tenor: David Moan and Artistic Administrator Richard Leech, Director of Resident Artist Baritones: Branden C.S. Hood, Kathleen Bennett, Production Administrator Programs DeVonte King Ken Saltzman, Stage Manager Nancy Mims, Director of Human Resources Pianist: Joseph Jackson Nan Luchini, Hailli Ridsdale, Assistant Stage Rock Monroe, Director of Safety and Security, Percussionist: Marwan Aman-Ra Managers DOH and DOHPC Laura Nealssohn, Director of MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE MUSIC Communications CHILDREN’S CHORUS STAFF Suzanne Mallare Acton, Assistant Music Angela Nelson-Heesch, Director of Suzanne Mallare Acton, Director Director and Chorus Master Development Dianna Hochella, Assistant Director, Molly Hughes, Orchestra Personnel Manager David W. Osborne, Director of Production Principal Chorus Conductor Jean Posekany, Orchestra Librarian Andrea Scobie, Director of Education Jane Panikkar, Preparatory Chorus Jean Schneider, Repetiteur Patricia Walker, Chief Administrative Officer Conductor TECHNICAL AND DESIGN STAFF Arthur White, Director of External Affairs Twannette Nash, Chorus Administrator Daniel T. Brinker, Technical Director Joseph Jackson, Principal Chorus ADMINISTRATION Monika Essen, Property Master and Scenic Accompanist William Austin, Executive Assistant Artist Maria Cimarelli, Preparatory Chorus Timothy Lentz, Archivist and Director, Heather DeFauw, Assistant Lighting Designer Accompanist Allesee Dance and Opera Resource Library and Assistant Technical Director Emily Crombez, Theory Teacher Bryce Rudder, Senior Librarian, Allesee Dance Kevin Neuman, Assistant Technical Director and Opera Resource Library Dee Dorsey, Supertitle Operator COMPUTER SERVICES Catherine Nicolia-Staples, Archivist Shane O’Connor, Technical Assistant Chris Farr, Network Administrator PATRON SERVICES John Grigaitis, Information Technology COSTUMES Development Manager Suzanne M Hanna, Costume Director Jocelyn Aptowitz, Development Associate, Rosemarie Di Rita, Wardrobe Mistress Individual Giving DANCE Susan A. Fox, First Hand Christy Gray, Development Administrator Jon Teeuwissen, Artistic Advisor to Dance Maureen Abele, Emily Christianson, Colin Knapp, Manager of Donor Engagement Kim Smith, Dance Coordinator Kristina Hales, Mary Ellen Shuffett, Maery Simmons, Assistant Manager – Patricia Sova, Stitchers CRM Operations FINANCE MAKEUP AND HAIR Sonya Thompson, Development Resource Desiree Seltzer, Controller Elizabeth Geck, Assistant Wig and Makeup Coordinator Kimberley Burgess, Rita Winters, Accountants Designer Marketing/Public Relations Kathy Kercorian, CFO Don Giovanni: Brad Holoday, Louise Holoday, Mitchell Carter, Website Coordinator Cedasha Randolph, Moni Schoenberg, John Grigaitis, Photographer Shannon Schoenberg, Carol Taylor, Dayna DETROIT OPERA HOUSE Michael Hauser, Marketing Manager Winalis HOUSE MANAGEMENT Erica Hobbs, Communications Manager Sweeney Todd: Guilia Bernardini, Erika Randy Elliott, House Manager Jon Rosemond, Marketing Operations Broderdorf, Kristine Clifton-Higgins, Paige Associate Parks, Shannon Schoenberg, Denitra FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Maery Simmons, Assistant Manager Townsend, Dayna Winalis, Jessica Wood Juan Benavides, Building Engineer CRM Operations Jesse Carter, Senior Building Engineer STAGE CREW Ticket Office Dennis Wells, Facilities Manager John Kinsora, Head Carpenter Tunisia Brown, Box Office Manager David Bradley, Building Maintenance Frederick Graham, Jr., Head Electrician Evan Carr, Keontay Carter, Patron Services Pat McGee, Head Propertyman Associate, Ticketing CATERING AND SPECIAL EVENTS Chris Baker, Head of Sound Holly Clement, Events Manager Mary Ellen Shuffett, Head of Wardrobe EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY Bridgette Leising, Associate Director of Sales, Robert Martin, Head Flyman PROGRAMS Detroit Opera House Gary Gilmore, Production Electrician Mark Vondrak, Associate Director of Tiiko Reese-Douglas, Events Assistant Community Programs Jennifer Consiglio-George, Events IATSE Local #38, Stage Crew Matthew Murray, Education and Community IATSE Local #786, Wardrobe Programs Coordinator SAFETY AND SECURITY Darrin Cato, Stage Door Sergeant MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE STUDIO A.M. Hightower, Control Center Officer Michael Sherman, Principal Coach/ Lt. Lorraine Monroe, Supervisor Accompanist Demetrius Newbold, Control Center Officer Edward Graves, Tenor Kenneth Blue, Stage Door Officer Avery Boettcher, Soprano Darren Lekeith Drone, Baritone Katherine DeYoung, Mezzo-soprano Allen Michael Jones, Bass

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 31 General Information

PHOTOGRAPHY, RECORDING & COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES Photography or recording during any performance is strictly prohibited. You are welcome to take photographs in the lobby before or after a performance and during intermission. As a VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION courtesy to our guests, please switch all electronic devices to silent mode and refrain from using them during the performance.

Greetings from the MOT Volunteer Association. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY Doctors and parents are advised to leave their seat location (located on ticket) and our emergency number, (313) 237-3257, I have been a music lover for many years and with their service or sitter in case of an emergency. Please Michigan Opera Theatre is very important to me. observe the lighted exit signs located throughout the theater. Our MOTVA volunteers provide the company a In the event of an emergency, please remain calm and walk – tremendous level of support. We have over 700 do not run – to the nearest exit. Our ushers are trained to lead members who serve as ushers, tour guides, and you out of the building safely. A trained Emergency Medical Boutique volunteers. Our Divas and Divos provide Technician (EMT) is onsite during most events. Please see an artist hospitality, and the Opera League and Dance usher or staff member to contact the EMT. Council members host parties to celebrate events RESTROOMS such as opening night performances. Last year our Ladies’ restrooms are located off the Ford Lobby (Broadway members logged almost 20,000 volunteer hours. Street entrance), down the stairs; and on the third floor (Madison Bravi! Street entrance) – press “3R” on the elevator to reach this facility. Gentlemen’s restrooms are located under the Grand Staircase If you are hearing about our and also on the third floor (Broadway Street side) – press “3” on volunteer programs for the first the elevator to reach this facility. All third floor restrooms are time and you would be interested wheelchair accessible. A unisex, wheelchair accessible restroom is located in the Cadillac Opera Café. in joining us, please give us a call. is a great way NO SMOKING to meet other interesting and The Detroit Opera House is a smoke-free facility. involved patrons. Membership information is located on USHERS the MOTVA web page at Ushers are stationed at the top of each aisle. If you have a question michiganopera.org/get-involved/volunteers/ or concern, please inform an usher, who will contact management. or call Colin Knapp at (313) 965-4271 or email If you are interested in becoming a volunteer usher, please call [email protected]. Colin will be happy to the House Manager at (313) 237-3252. speak with you and connect you with a volunteer LOST & FOUND opportunity to meet your needs. Lost and Found is located in the Safety and Security Department. Please see an usher if you have misplaced an article, or call I offer my sincere thanks to all of our current (313) 961-3500 if you have already left the theater. Items will be volunteers. You are THE BEST! held in Lost and Found for 30 days.

Sincerely, SERVICES Concessions stands are located on all levels. Please note that food and drinks are not permitted in the auditorium at any time. Coat Check is located at the Guest Services desk in the Vincent Lobby (Madison Street side). Please note that the Detroit Opera Terry Shea, President, MOTVA House does not accept responsibility for any personal articles that are not checked at the coat check.

MOTVA Committees, Chair(s) IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION Dance Films, Larry Glowczewski Website...... www.MichiganOpera.org Divas and Divos, Helen Arnoldi-Rowe EMERGENCIES...... (313) 237-3257 Opera House Tour Guides, Myrna Mazure Opera League, Dodie David Michigan Opera Theatre...... (313) 961-3500 Publicity, Annette Marchesi General Information...... (313) 961-3500 Secretary, Nancy Moore Lost and Found...... (313) 961-3500 Sp ecial Events, Gwen Bowlby, Don Jensen & Curtis Posuniak Ticket Office...... (313) 237-7464 Ushers, Kathie Booth Theater Rental Information...... (313) 961-3500 Detroit Opera House Fax...... (313) 237-3412 Past Presidents Steven Marlette, Dodie David, Press and Public Relations...... (313) 237-3403 Betty Brooks, Gloria Clark Herman Frankel | Opera House Parking Center...... (313) 965-4052

32 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre CindiJonesPhotography.com The Very Last Green Thing

The Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus (MOTCC) is a groundbreaking ensemble and the first of its kind for Metro Detroit children. Founded in 2007, the MOTCC, with children ranging from 8-16 years old, has charmed audiences of all ages, embracing The Very Last Green Thing — diverse cultures and traditions in an extensive MOTCC Children’s Opera range of genres from folk songs to opera. Come By Cary John Franklin see the MOTCC perform! Presented at the Fisher Theatre inside the at 3011 W. Grand Blvd, Detroit A Winter Fantasy: Holiday Concert and Fundraiser A timeless environmental message of hope makes The Very Last Green Thing a must-see for all ages! Joining MOTCC Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 4 p.m. will be the Michigan Science Center sharing a 15-minute Join us for our annual showcase concert interactive presentation about what we can do to be good featuring beautiful choral music by the MOTCC. stewards of our planet. Volunteers will be invited on stage to Tickets are $30 for adults 18 and older, $50 for help demonstrate different scenarios. box seats, $15 for ages 5 and up, and free for children 4 and younger. Student Dress Rehearsal Friday, April 24, 2020 at 11 a.m. in the Fisher Theatre Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Detroit Opera Concert at 1st Presbyterian Church, House box office: $10/Student; 529 Hendrie Blvd, Royal Oak 1 FREE Chaperone Ticket for every 10 tickets Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 2 p.m. Public Performance: Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 2:30 p.m., Fisher Theatre MOTCC Staff Suzanne Mallare Acton, Director MOTCC’s Earth Day Celebration begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Dianna Hochella, Assistant Director, Principal Fisher Theatre lobby with family-friendly activities. Chorus Conductor Jane Panikkar, Preparatory Chorus Conductor Tickets include parking: Twannette Nash, Chorus Administrator Premium Seats: $55 • Adult: $40 • Children: $15 Joseph Jackson, Principal Chorus Accompanist Maria Cimarelli, Preparatory Chorus For more information about the MOTCC and to order tickets Accompanist visit www.motcc.org or contact MOTCC Chorus Administrator, Emily Crombez, Theory Teacher Twannette Nash at [email protected]

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 33 In remembrance of our founder and long term general director, The David DiChiera Artistic Fund has been established to support and honor his artistic vision. This fund enables Michigan Opera Theatre to produce compelling opera, present innovative dance, and engage with thousands of students and members of our community through our educational and outreach programs. Most importantly, it allows MOT to preserve David’s legacy and his dedication to the young people of Southeast Michigan and young emerging artists from all over the country. To contribute or for more info, please visit www.michiganopera.org or contact Colin Knapp, Manager of Donor Engagement at 313.965.4271 or [email protected].

Michigan Opera Theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous corporate, foundation, and individual donors Michigan Opera Theatrewhose gifts gratefully to The acknowledgesDavid DiChiera theArtistic generous Fund were corporate, made before foundation, June 30, and 2019. individual donors whos gifts to The David DiChiera Artistic Fund were made before March 14, 2019. Individuals Nick Dorochoff & John Beason Lisa Meils Buzz Thomas & Daniel Vander Ley Richard & Mona Alonzo Keith O. Edwards Lynne M. Metty Patricia Thull CarlINDIVIDUALS Angott LuisaMarianne Di Lorenzo Endicott & Joe Skoney ReneeSarah Lounsberry Mumford BuzzJeffrey Thomas Tranchida & Daniel & VanderNoel Baril Ley Hon.Carl Angott Dennis & W. Tom Archer & Hon. Trudy ElaineDaniel Ellison Enright EvanAli Moiin Luskin & William Kupsky PatriciaElliott Thull & Patti Trumbull Hon.Duncombe Trudy Duncombe Archer Archer MarianneAndrew Fisher Endicott AlexMOT May Orchestra Fund c/o William PattiMathew & Elliott & Barbara Trumbull Vanderkloot Gordon & Hon. & Dennis Pauline W. Arndt Archer DanielBarbara Enright Fisher & William Gould MaryKing Mazure — in honor of Nadine Deleury’s BarbaraWilliam & &Mathew Martha Vanderkloot Walsh TimothyPauline & & Gordon Linda Arr Arndt AndrewCarl & Mary Fisher Ann Fontana LisaRetirement Meils MarthaGary Wasserman& William Walsh & Charles Kashner Jeffrey Atto Barbara Frankel & Ronald Michalak Julia O’Brien Kevin & Andrea Webber Linda & Timothy Arr Nancy & Peter Gaess Sarah Mumford Andrea & Kevin Webber Virginia Berberian BarbaraPeter & FisherNancy & Gaess William Gould JuliaGraham O'Brien & Sally Orley CarolBradford & Bradford & Carol White White JereJeffrey & CaroleAtto Berkey Lawrence & Ann Garberding Charles & Mary Parkhill R. Jamison & Karen Williams Mary Ann & Carl Fontana Sally & Graham Orley Karen & R. Jamison Williams HenriNoel Baril & Anaruth & Jeffrey Bernard Tranchida Gary & Sylvia Graham Nicole Patrick Peter Wilson DouglasJoe Beason & Rhonda & Nick DorochoBonnet ff BarbaraWilliam FrankelGreene & & Ronald Peter McGreevy Michalak MaryChristopher & Charles Patten Parkhill Mary Lou Zieve PriscillaVirginia BowenBerberian AnnKristina & Lawrence Gregg Garberding NicoleMichael Patrick Poris CORPORATIONS & WayneCarole &Brown Jere Berkey& Brenda Kee SylviaStephen & Gary & Jean Graham Hartle ChristopherRip & Gail Rapson Patten FOUNDATIONSCorporations & Foundations PatriciaAnaruth Byrne & Henri Bernard WilliamRhea Hill Greene & Peter McGreevy LoisMarija Pincus Rich & Hon. Avern Cohn NorthernAOM,LLC Trust Bank Frank & Jenny Bzrenk Rita Hoffmeister Pamela Rowland Northern Trust Bank Rhonda & Douglas Bonnet Kristina Gregg Michael Poris Community Foundation for JamesPriscilla & Bowen Susan Catlette JeanAnne & & Stephen Bob Horner Hartle MarijaBarry Rich & Deane Safir Community Foundation for Richard Cavaler Patricia Jeflyn Diana Marro Salazar SoutheasternSoutheastern Michigan Michigan Patricia Byrne Rhea Hill Pamela Rowland DeRoy Testamentary Foundation Ed & Judy Christian RitaMartin Ho ffKaganmeister DeaneBill & &Marge Barry Sandy Safir DeRoy Testamentary Foundation HowardSusan & &James Judith Catlette Christie Francine King Alvin & Harriet Saperstein EdwardEdward C &C Linda& Linda Dresner Dresner Levy Levy Anne & Bob Horner Marge & Bill Sandy TheRichard Honorable Cavaler Avern Cohn & Lois Dr. Sanford Koltonow & Dr. Mary David Schon FoundationFoundation JudyPincus & Ed Christian MartinSchlaff Kagan MaryChristine Schla ffSchlesinger & Sanford Koltonow FidelityFidelity Charitable Charitable Fund Fund MartinJudith &Collica Howard Christie CharlesMichael Kashner & Barbara & Gary Kratchman Wasserman DavidTerry Schon Shea HermanHerman & andSharon Sharon Frankel Frankel Foundation DeborahMartin Collica L Connelly BrendaArthur Kee& Nancy & Wayne Ann BrownKrolikowski ChristineDorienne Schlesinger Sherrod LegacyFoundation Foundation HollyCarmen Conroy & Telmer Constan FrancineJames & King Ellen Labes DoriennePeter & MarySherrod Siciliano LoPreteLegacy Family Foundation Foundation Telmer Constan Chak & Lizabeth Lai Diana & James Cornell Colin Knapp & Frank Kong MonaMatthew & Matthew & Mona Simoncini Simoncini TheLoPrete Eugene Family & Marcia Foundation Applebaum JamesJohn Craib-Cox & Diana Cornell NancyMado LieAnn & Arthur Krolikowski BettyeKendall & LeeSmith Smith Pal Properties John Craib-Cox Family Foundation Ann & Stephen Cybulski WilliamWilliam Kupsky & Jacqueline & Ali Moiin Lockwood KendallLee & BettyeSmith Smith The Eugene & Marcia Applebaum Stephen & Ann Cybulski Stephan & Marian Loginsky Loretta Snyder The FamilyJ. 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