Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre The Official Magazine 1Sla of the Detroit Opera House ~~~eM~_---. Michigan Opera TheatreS 2000-2001 Season is lovingly dedicated to the memory of Lynn A. Townsend and Robert E. Dewar BRAVO IS A MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE PUBLICATION Dr. David DiChiera, General Director Laura Wyss, Editor CONTRIBUTORS MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE STAFF Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Staff American Ballet Theatre Staff Arts'League of Michigan Staff Ballet Internationale Staff University Musical Society Staff PUBLISHER Live Publishing Company Frank Cucciarre, Design and Art Direction Chuck Rosenberg, Copy Editor Toby Faber, Director of Advertising Sales COVER PHOTO Detail from the Detroit Opera House, Mark]. Mancinelli, MJM Photography A special thanks to Jeanette Pawlaczyk and Bill Carroll Michigan Opera Theatre would like to thank Harmony House Records for donating season recordings and videos. Michigan Opera Theatre's 2000-2001 subscription and Single tickets have been graciously sponsored by Hunter House, Harmonie Park. METAL RESTORATION Physicians' service provided by Henry Ford Medical Center. Dent and scratcl-l. removal Re-a ttachmen t Alitalia is the official airline ~f Michigan Opera Theatre. • Sterling, brass, copper, bronze, and plate Pepsi-Cola is the official soft drink and juice provider for the Detroit Opera House. Starbucks Coffee is the official coffee of the Detroit Opera House. Ben Wearley, silversmith Steinway is the official piano of the Detroit Opera House and Michigan Opera Theatre. Steinway pianos are (248) 549-3016 provided by Hammel MuSiC, exclusive representative for Steinway and Sons in Michigan. President Tuxedo is the official provider of fonnal wear for the Detroit Opera House. Wearley Studio Gallery Michigan Opera Theatre is a nonprofit cultural organization whose activities are supported in part by the Michigan 1719 West Fourteen Mile Road Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts. and other individuals. corporations and Royal Oak foundations. Michigan Opera Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer. • (East of Woodward Ave., at Crooks Rd., next to tbe sw corner) 'f City of Detroit Open Tuesday through Saturday Cultural Affairs ;t', j~ett ~m~;i L Department References avaJable upon request Detroit Opera House Copyright 2010,www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre BRAVO 3 MICHIGAN :2000 Win er eason MESSAGE From the General Director . .. .. ... ... ... .. ... .. 7 VERDI FESTIVAL . .... .... ...... .......... 8 ON STAGE Rent . ......... ....... .. .. ... .. .. ...... .... 11 The Nutcracker . .. .. .. ........ .. ................. 21 ORCHESTRA Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra . .. ... ........... ... 28 ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER ... 29 Message from the Partners ........................ .. .. 30 Singers . ....... .. .. ...... .............. 31 Performances ....... ..... ...... .... .... 32 Biographies . .... .. .. ..... .. .... ...... .... 36 University Musical Society . .. .. .. .... .. ... ... 40 Letter from the Arts League of Michigan ..... .. ......... 41 Volunteer Corps and Community Advisory Council. .... .... 42 AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE The Merry Wtdow ............................ .. .. 43 MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE Board of Directors and Trustees . .. .. ..... .. ...... .. 51 Avanti Society . .. ..... .. .. .. .. .. 52 OUTREACH &. EDUCATION Community Programs . ..... ....... ..... .. ... .... 54 CONTRIBUTORS New Century Fund ...... ... ..... ................ 56 Named Gifts ............ ... ... .. .... .. ... 57 Michigan Opera Theatre Contributors . .. ........ .. .. 58 MICHIGAN ·OPERA THEATRE Administration and Staff. .. .. ..... .. ....... .. 61 General Information ................ ........... .... 62 4 BRAVO Copyright 2010,www.MichiganOp Michiganera.org Opera Theatre Detroit Opera House Our cars are not the only things that can really move you. DaimlerChrysler salutes Michigan Op era Theatre for bringing thirty years of memorable and moving performance s. Join us in celebrating the 30th gala anniversary season at one of Metro Detroit's premiere cultural resources. DAIMLERCHRYSLER www.daimierchrys ier.com Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre )€ EBEL the architects of time BELUGA Steel with diamonds, mother-of-pearl dial, water resistant to 30 m so u v .D <l) ~ DIAMONrtlfE{WELRY Orchard Mall. West Bloomfield, MI Copyright248-932-7700 2010, Michigan .800-337-GIFT Opera Theatre MESSAGE Our Commitment to Dance at the Detroit Opera House Dear Friends, de Monte-Carlos production of Cinderella , It is my great pleasure to welcome you which launched our 2000-2001 dance to the Detroit Opera House, home of season. Michigan Opera Theatre. We are so In addition to our corporate sponsors, ple~se d you could Join us for this perfor­ I would like to thank those individuals mance, and we look forward to seeing who help make dance at the Detroit you often t~roughout the coming months. Opera House possible. Our gratitude The winter season at the Detroit Opera to Maggie and Bob Allesee, David House epitomizes our mission to provide Handleman, Pearl and George Zeltzer, a diversity of programming and provides Shirley Schlafer and Audrey and Irving something [or everyone. In these four ~ Rose. We are deeply grateful to the months, we presentJonathan Larsons ~ generosity of these individuals, who have demonstrated a strong commitment to smash hit musical Rent (an appropriate ~ :!i follow-up to our La Boheme) and launch the cultural well-being of our community Detroit's largest dance series. and recognize the importance of dance to the arts in our city As you can see by our winter offerings, hardy Though there were many obstacles we are deeply committed to staging the to overcome, through the vision, dedication, While we remain steadfast in our greatest in dance programming. This cooperation and hard work o[ many, the commitment to presenting a world-class November, we proudly continue Detroit's dream has been realized, and on a grander dance series, we still have a great deal of holiday tradition by staging a lavish, full­ scale than we could have imagined. work to do to ensure its future. We can't length production of The Nutcracker, per­ Today, we face many of the same chal­ go it alone; we need your support. We formed by Ballet Internati onale and fea­ lenges, as we pursue our vision to make hope you will introduce a friend to the turing our own Michigan Opera dance a major force in our community world of dance you love to help create Theatre Orchestra. In partnership with We are optimistic about the growing the audiences of tomorrow and ensure The Arts League of Michigan and the enthusiasm and support for dance pro­ the future of dance in Detroit. University Musical Society, we present gramming at the Detroit Opera House. the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Since we first began presenting a dance this February. In March, American Ballet series in 1997, we have seen an increase Enjoy the performance I Theatre returns to its midwest home for a in ticket sales and subscriptions. In fact , breathtaking, full-length production of the 2000-2001 DaimlerChrysler Dance The Merry Widow, featuring the enchanting Series at the Detroit Opera House represents music of Franz Lehar. And, before our our most ambitious dance season to date. dance season ends, we will introduce the I am very grateful to DaimlerChrysler, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. which has sponsored every dance series David DiChiera Thirty years ago, our dream to produce since the opening of the Detroit Opera Founder and General Director opera in Detroit was considered fool- House and sponsored Les Ballets Michigan Opera Theatre Detroit Opera House Copyright 2010,www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre BRAVO 7 Starring Luciano Pavarotti Thursday, December 21,2000 7:00 p.m. Michigan Opera Theatre's Verdi Festival begins in grand style with an extraordi­ nary one-night-only performance of Aida in Concert, starring Luciano Pavarotti as Radames, the Verdi hero and leader of the Egyptian army The legendary tenor will be accompanied by the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra, along with a combined Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus and Rackham Symphony Choir. Parma 0E,era Ensemble* Saturday, January 27,2001 8:00 p.m. On January 27, 2001,100 years from the exact date of the master composer's death, Michigan Opera Theatre will present the North American premiere of the Parma Opera Ensemble. In cooperation with Teatro Reggio of Parma and The Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan, the Parma Opera Ensemble, featuring Italian bass Michele Pertusi, will perform themes from Verdi's most beloved operas along with some of his lesser-known song collections. VivaVerdi!* Thursday, April 5, 2001 8:00 p.m. Viva Verdi is a special Michigan Opera Theatre concert of Verdi's best-loved arias, duets, choral and orchestral music. The concert features world­ renowned Italian tenor Marcello Giordani, soprano Indra Thomas, the Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus and Maestro Steven Mercurio leading the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra. · Part of the Verdi Festival Pac kage Michigan Opera Theatre's Verdi Festival is sponsored by Ford Motor Company Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre April 21-29, 2001 May 12-20, 2001 Verdi's romantic tragedy centers on "the "Everything in this world is in jest" was not fallen woman" who proves more virtuous exactly Giuseppe Verdi's credo; he dedicated than the polite Parisian society that his long life to perfecting the art of tragic opera. judges her. Violetta, a courtesan