Newsletter May 2011 Brunch with the Opera Bunch DAte June 5, 2011 PlACe: la estancia, an historic los Gatos Villa tIMe: 11:00 AM PrOGrAM; san José state University Opera theater ensenble, directed by layna Chianakas the Board of Directors of the san José Opera Guild is looking forward to being with you at this affair. we will be sharing in an afternoon of delightful music enhanced by a gourmet brunch in an elegant setting. there will be a raffle and/or silent auction. It is because of these events that we are able to offer a lecture series about upcoming operas and to contribute monetarily to various opera programs in the area. It is our goal to continue to do so but this goal cannot be fulfilled without your assistance. to learn more about the Guild and its programs, visit our website at www.sjoperaguild.org. Brunch will be $80 for members, $90 for non-members. Many thanks for your continued sup- port. For information concerning this event, please telephone 408-395-2035 or 408-395-1308. Newsletter by email Beginning with this issue we are sending copies of the newsletter will be mailed only the Guild’s newsletter via email link to our to opera guild members who have requested website, www.sjoperaguild.org. Courtesy cop- this service. Please consider using the forms ies have been mailed this month to those on on the back page to join or renew if your mem- our mailing list who do not have email ad- bership is not up to date and/or you would like dresses or have requested they receive mailed to continue to receive the newsletter via UsPs copies. starting with our August newsletter, mail. ### Opera Devotees Need to welcome related Musical theater Forms by Mort levine the recent revival in san Jose of rogers frequently provide airing of the great central and Hammerstein’s monumental Carousel re- european operetta repertoire, many of which minds one that the roots and branches of the gave rise to the Broadway musicals like those varied forms of musical theater are, and al- by Kurt weill and others forced to leave eu- ways have been, in a symbiotic relationship to rope before wwII. opera. Not only does this remarkable Ameri- reflecting on the way all of these musical can musical as presented by lyric Opera have mediums are linked, brings the conclusion that many characteristics of a full-scale operatic all too often the dedicated opera lover might work, but it provides great opportunity for put down these other forms as being of lesser young singers to perfect their art. value. while a case can be made for that point Battling the tiny stage and orchestra pit of view, there are valid reasons why such at- of the Montgomerytheatre with its awkward titudes need to be rethought. acoustics, the company last month success- to the list above could also be added the fully staged a competent and satisfying work body of vocal music which operates under the to enthusiastic audiences. recall, it was not broad umbrella of religious music such as can- that many years ago that the stage hosted all tatas and oratorios, great classical symphonic of Opera san José’s productions. works with soloists and chorus ranging from Carousel was written to be sung by oper- Beethoven’s Ninth to Verdi’s Requiem and atic voices, and the lyric’s cast was heavily Bernstein’s Mass. augmented by performers who have previous- Appreciating these diverse genres adds to ly graced Opera san José and other regional the appreciation of opera itself. It may even opera groups. the leads like sopranos Kerie be time for the san José Opera Guild to think Darner-Moss, Beth Anne wells and baritone of how it can broaden its scope of support for sascha Joggerst all exemplified richard rod- some of these worthy organizations which gers’ intentions. continue to enrich our local cultural scene. the presence of this all-volunteer local ### company, which goes back many decades as Publisher the Gilbert and sullivan society, carries on the San José Opera Guild President worthwhile enterprise of encouraging and de- Susan English veloping singing, dancing and acting talents Editor Argo Gherardi along with keeping alive these great works Publicity which are close cousins of the operatic art Jan Eurich 408 243-9793 form. Career Updates Nina Gherardi Many european opera houses regularly Calendar schedule American musicals like Bernstein’s Connie Zilles Published quarterly in West Side Story, Frank loesser’s Guys and February, May, August, and November by Dolls, as well as the treasures of rodgers, San José Opera Guild, sondheim, Cole Porter and others. they also P.O. Box 33025, Los Gatos, CA 95031-3025. Page 2 San JoSé oPera guild Career Updates where Are they Now? lyric tenor Eleazar Rodriguez (s.F. Con- (Merola) and directed by John Cox. servatory; Merola 2009-2010) is with the Hei- In January, 2011, she appeared with the delberg Opera, singing tamino (Magic Flute) Cinncinati symphony Orchestra singing Fau- for his european debut, then Jaquino (Fidelio, ré’s Requiem. In November, 2010 she por- opening on Nov. 7), and then Cassio (Otello) trayed the title role in Donizetti’s Lucia di this spring. Lammermoor. lyric tenor Alek Shrader (Adler Sean Panikkar (Merola 2004) and re- 2008/2009) shrader’s roles in November: cent graduate of san Francisco Opera Adler Belmonte in Mozart’s Abduction from the Fellowship made his Metropolitan Opera de- Seraglio, egeo in Giovanni simone Mayr’s but in the 2007-2008 season as edmondo in Medeo in Corinto, and tamino in Mozart’s Manon Lescaut, conducted by James levine, The Magic Flute. and his european operatic debut as Gomatz in soprano Anna Netrebko (Merola, 1996) Mozart’s Zaide at the Aix-en Provence Festi- is starring in the current Metropolitan Opera val. During the present season, the tenor de- production of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, with buts as Narraboth in Salome at washington Matthew Polenzani, Mariusz Kwiecien, and Opera. He will portray Prince tamino in Die John Del Carlo (Merola 1977), conducted by Zauberflöte both in New Orleans Opera and James levine. with the Minnesota Orchestra. He will per- tenor David Lomelí (Adler 2009/2010) form the role of Kodana in Menotti’s rarely is having a banner year. His appearances in- produced The Last Savage in santa Fé. He re- cluded edgardo in the Pittsburgh Opera’s pro- turns both to Pittsburgh Opera as Chevalier de duction of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, la Force in Dialogues of the Carmelites and to Alfredo in Verdi’s La Traviata with Deutsche the Metropolitan Opera as tybalt in Roméo et Oper, Nemorino in Donizetti’s The Elixir of Juliette sharing the stage with Angela Gheo- Love with New York City Opera, MacDuff in rghiu and Pitor Beczala.the san José Opera Verdi’s Macbeth with Opéra de lille, and ro- Guild was a sponsor of sean’s participation in dolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème with santa Fé the Merola program. Opera. Future appearances are scheduled with Sidney Outlaw(2010), who was sponsored the san Francisco Opera, Glyndebourne, Ca- in part by the sJOG, was named the 2010 grand nadian Opera Company, Houston Grand Op- prize winner of the Concurso Internacional de era, Oper Frankfurt, and Oper Köln. Canto Montserratt Caballe. He made his inter- Laura Claycomb will be singing the role national debut as Guglielmo (Cosi Fan Tutte) of Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto opposite Paolo in both Germany and Izrael. Gavanelli. she will also be performng the role David Okerland’s (1993) recent engage- of Zerbinetta in strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos. ments have included: Mozart’s Requiem with she will be joined by a stellar cast including the toledo symphony, Fauré’s Requiem in Christine Goerke as Ariadne and Susan Gra- Pittsburgh, Henry in the world premiere work- ham (Merola) as the composer. the produc- shop of Jake Heggie’s End of The Affair at tion will be conducted by Patrick Summers Bucknell University and Personaje Mysterioso May, 2011 Page 3 Career Updates Continued from P. 3 in the world premiere recording of leonardo staged production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte Balada’s La Muerte de Colon for the Naxos with the Baltimore symphony Orchestra and label. Mr. Okerlund has also given master Music Director Marin Alsop. Other roles per- classes at the University of British Columbia formed recently include Demetrius (Midsum- in Vancouver, University of Nebraska, Uni- mer’s Night Dream) with Des Moines Metro versity of Memphis and the Queen elizabeth Opera, Painter Monk (Le Jongleur de Notre school of Music in Brandon, Manitoba. Dame) at Central City Opera, Bion/Geezer (Lysistrata) world premiere at Houston Grand OPerA sAN JOsÉ Opera, Jake wallace (La Fanciulla del West) FOrMer resIDeNt ARTIsts with Utah Opera, tarquinius (The Rape of Lu- Lori Philips (1995-96) the highlight of cretia) at san Francisco lyric Opera, lescaut lori’s 2009-10 season includes her triumphant (Manon Lescaut) with west Bay Opera, schau- debut at the Met as senta in The Flying Dutch- nard (La Bohème) with Amarillo Opera. man when she filled in for Deborah Voight. His special interest in art song and lieder Ms Philips received a standing ovation. Other has lead Mr. Cilli to Baden bei wien, Aus- engagements this season include Brunhilde in tria as a performing participant at the Franz Die Walküre with Hawaii Opera theater, and schubert Institute and to robert schumann’s the title role in Turandot with Opera lyra Ot- birthplace of Zwickau to take part in the Inter- tawa, and Portland Opera.