Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre 132ndseasonums 10111 Renee Fleming soprano Hartmut Hall piano Sun, Jan 16 I 4 PM HILL AUDITORIUM • ANN ARBOR One of the most beloved and celebrated musical ambassadors of our time, soprano Renee Fleming captivates audiences with her sumptuous voice, consummate artistry, and compelling stage presence. This great American soprano returns to VMS after her 1997 recital and her 2005 appearance in a concert version of R!chard Strauss's Daphne. MEDIA PARTNER W,GTE 91.3 FM. Liebeslieder Waltzes: Songs and Waltzes of Love Genia Kuhmeier soprano Bernarda Fink mezzo-soprano Michael Schade tenor Thomas Quasthoff bass-baritone Malcolm Martineau piano Justus Zeyen piano Sat, Apr 23 I 8 PM HILL AUDITORIUM • ANN ARBOR PROGRAM Schumann Spanische Liebeslieder, Op . 138 (1849) Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 52 (1868- 69) Brahms Four Songs from Quartets for Four Voices and Pianos, Ops. 64 & 92 (1862- 84) Brahms Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65 (1874) MEDIA PARTNER WGTE 91.3 FM . .::i\-J£RS'r)- Call or click for tickets! ~ ums 734.764.2538 I www.ums.org 6'::=::;:;.ti;.. ~ (' ... -f( SOC \ ~'\ HOURS: MONCopyright- FRI : 9 AM TO2010, 5 PM Michigan SAT: 10 AM Opera TO 1 TheatrePM . ='"'- CONTENTS Fall 2010 Th e Official MagaZine WELCPME of the Detroit Opera Hous e L ETTER FROM D AVID DICHIERA ................ ..... .... ... ... .. .. .. ..... 4 BRAVO is a Michigan Opera Theatre publication. ON STAGE Rebekah Johnson, Editor Mitch Carter, Contributing Editor T HE MIKADO ... .... .... .... .. .... .. ..... .. ..... ... ............ ...... ... ...... ... 5 THE DYNA MIC Duo: Two MEN WHO CH ANG ED ENG LI SH OPERA ...... .... 7 Contributors Fred Buchalter Mitch Can er l-A B OHEME ... ..... ... .... .... ... ........................... .............. ..... 10 Karen V DiChiera Rebekah Johnson THE CAFE MOMUS, STILL FRESH AFTER 30 yEARS. .............. .. ... ...... .. 12 Tim Lentz Publisher T HE G RAND RAPIDS B ALLET: THE N UTCRACKER .... ........ .. ....... 14 Echo Publications, Inc. Royal Oak, Michigan www.echopublications.com T oo H OT TO H ANDEL .... .... .. ........... .. ....... ... ..... .. ...... .. .... 18 Tom Putters, President Toby Faber, Advertising Sales Director T HE]OFFREY B ALLET .... ....... ...... .... ... .. .. ... ............. ...... 22 Physi cians' services provided by Henry Ford Medical Center. 40 Y EARS OF RICH H ISTORY: Pepsi-Cola is th e offi cial soft drink and juice provider of the Detroit Opera A MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE TIMELlNE ..... .... .. .. .. .. .. ...... ... .... 26 House . Cadillac Coffee is the official coffee of th e Detroit Opera House. MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE Steinway is the official piano of the Board of Directors and Trustees ......... ...... .. ............. ..... ............. .... 25 Detroit Opera House and Michi gan Opera Thealre. Steinway pi anos are Artist Profiles ... ... .............. .... ........ ... .. ...... ... .. .. ...... ..... ....... .. .. .. .. .... 28 provided by Steinway Piano Gallery of Detroit, exclusive representati ve for Community Programs and Learning Steinway and Sons in Michi gan . at the Opera House, Dance Education, and MOTCC .... ......... ....... 32 President Tuxedo is the offi cial Chorus and Orchestra ....... .... ........... ... .. .. ..... ... .... ... .. .. ... .... .. ... ...... 35 provider of formalwear for th e Detroit Opera House . Administration and Staff ... .... ....... ..... ........ ............ ..... .... ........ ....... 46 Eclipse Creative is the official media production company of the Detroit Opera House. CONTRIBUTORS Michigan Opera Theatre is a nonprofi t cultural Avanti Society .. ................................ ... .................. .................... .... 36 organization. whose acti vities are supported in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Campaign to Restore the Detroit Opera House .... .. .... .. ... ... ..... ..... 37 Cultural Affairs. the National Endowment for the Arts. and other individuals. corpo rations Michigan Opera Theatre Contributors .. .... ... .... .... ... ..... ... ....... ... ... 39 and foundati ons. Michigan Opera Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Volunteer Information ....... .. ... .. .... ..... .. .. ....... .. ... ....... ... .......... .. .... 45 General Information ... .... ... ...... .......... .. ..... ... .......... .... .. ...... .. .... .. ... 47 NATIONAL • m ;,h ;g"" """,··;t f~ · ENDOWMENT 9" ",·",,,,d ",1" ,,·,1 ajJ";n FOR THE ARTS A great nation desefves great art. Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre Detl"oit Opera H o use www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO 3 FROM THE DIRECTOR Welcome to Michigan Opera Theatre's 40th season of opera. Over its 40 year history, MOT one of the country's leading young has become known for presenting tenors. opera standards while integrating Performing the role of Mimi is groundbreaking new works, American soprano Kelly Kaduce, fulfilling our mission through four who since her MOT debut as decades of performance excellence Caroline Gaines in the world and community involvement. premiere of Margaret Gamer in 2005 , Through the years opera has been has become a major star. She will a force for positive change in our alternate with Italian soprano Grazia city, the most visible being the Doronzio, who will make her MOT opening of the Detroit Opera House debut following her performances as in our reborn Theater District. We Liu in Turandot at the Met. have also witnessed three world As the home of dance in Detroit, premieres, including the landmark the 1yh season of dance at the Margaret Gamer, Andrea Bocelli's Detroit Opera House is marked operatic debut in Werthe,; and the with audience favorites and beginnings of many opera careers. unprecedented collaborations that Stars who graced our stage early in highlight Michigan's regional dance their careers include Gregg Baker, talent. Marcello' Giordani, Leona Mitchell, Maria Ewing, The Nutcracker comes home to the Detroit Opera Kathleen Battle, and Leah Partridge. House in November with the Grand Rapids Ballet. A I'm immensely proud of what we, as a company and a beloved Detroit holiday tradition, we are pleased to community, have been able to accomplish in our 40 year welcome the company back to our stage following widely history, but there is so much work left for us to do. Main acclaimed performances of Aladdin, Where the Wild stage works that entertain, inspire, and move us are at Things Are, and Peter Pan. Another favorite returning this the core of what we do as a company. year is Too Hot to Handel, presented in partnership with As the curtain rises on Michigan Opera Theatre's 40lh the Rackham Symphony Choir. Now in its eighth year anniversary season, we commemorate this occasion with on the Detroit Opera House stage, this jazz and gospel­ a season of audience favorites. infused rendition of Handel's Messiah has become a Celebrating the 12yh anniversary of Gilbert and holiday tradition that lifts spirits and inspires danCing in Sullivan's most famous operetta, our season opens with the aisles. The Mikado - one of our most requested works, and On this, our 40lh anniversary, it is paramount to one that has not been seen on the MOT stage since 1991. thank our donors, friends, and volunteers - those who Journey to the fictitious town of Titipu, Japan as we have supported us and believed in our vision. Without witness a beloved satire of a bureaucratic society gone you, these 40 years would never have been possible. We haywire. The musical score contains some of the best­ still have much work to do, but I know that with your loved songs of all time, including "Three Little Maids," support we will continue to serve as a cultural resource "The Flowers that Bloom in the Spring" and ''I've Got for the State of Michigan for years to come. a Little List." The cast includes some familiar MOT In these difficult economic times, we espeCially favorites, including conductor Mark Flint and mezzo­ appreciate the continued and unwavering support of our soprano Melissa Parks as the fiery Katisha; along with fall opera season sponsor, Ford Motor Company. I would several MOT debuts, including Canadian tenor David also like to thank individual donors whose generosity of Curry in the role of Nanki-Poo and Andriana Chuchman time and investment in our vision is truly unparalleled. as Yum-Yum. And of course, our hardworking volunteers who serve as In November, by popular demand, Giacomo Puccini's ushers, envelope stuffers, and tour gUides, among many timeless, tragic, La Boheme returns to the Detroit Opera other duties, a heartfelt thanks to all of you. House stage. We are delighted to present the MOT debut We are delighted that you have decided to join us for of Sardinian tenor Francesco Demuro in the role of this exciting anniversary season. Enjoy the performance! Rodolfo, who has become a major tenor to watch. He will alternate in the role with Noah Stewart, who made his MOT debut in fall 2009 in Nabucco and has become Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre 4 BRAVO www.MichiganOpera.org Detroit Ope.oa House Music by ARTHUR SULLIVAN Libretto by W S. GILBERT THE MIKADO is presented in two acts World Premiere in London, England, March 14, 1885 Sung in English with English supertitles Running time: 2 1/2 hours CONDUCTOR DIRECTOR CHORUS MASTER CHOREOGRAPHER MARK FLINT MICHAEL SCAROLA SUZANNE MALLARE ACTON DAN KNECHTGES SET AND COSTUME DESIGN LIGHTING DESIGN HAIR &: MAKEUP DESIGN THIERRY BOSQUET CHRIS RYNNE JOANNE WEAVER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR STAGE MANAGER SUPERTITLES ALAN E. HICKS KEN SALTZMAN ROBERTO MAURO Scenery & costumes