ESTHER NELSON, STANFORD CALDERWOOD GENERAL & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | DAVID ANGUS, MUSIC DIRECTOR | JOHN CONKLIN, ARTISTIC ADVISOR
THE MISSION OF BOSTON LYRIC OPERA IS TO BUILD CURIOSITY, ENTHUSIASM AND SUPPORT FOR OPERA BY CREATING MUSICALLY AND THEATRICALLY COMPELLING PRODUCTIONS, EVENTS, AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR THE BOSTON COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.
B | BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017
WELCOME Dear Patrons,
Art is often inspired by the idea of a journey. Boston Lyric Opera’s 40th Anniversary Season was a journey from Season opener to Season closer, with surprising and enlightening stories along the way, lessons learned, and strengths found. Together with you, we embraced the unexpected, and our organization was left stronger as a result. Our first year of producing works in multiple theaters was thrilling and eye-opening. Operas were staged in several of Boston’s best houses and uniformly received blockbuster reviews. We made an asset of being nimble, seizing upon the opportunity of our Anniversary Season to create and celebrate opera across our community. Best of all, our journey brought us closer than ever to our audiences.
REPORT CONTENTS
Welcome 1
It’s no coincidence that the 2016/17 Season opened with Calixto Bieito’s renowned staging of Carmen, in co-production with San Francisco Opera. The strong-willed gypsy woman and the itinerant community she adopted was a perfect metaphor for our first production on the road. Bringing opera back to the Boston Opera House was an iconic moment. Not only did Carmen become the Company’s biggest-selling show ever, it also ignited a buzz around the community that drew a younger, more diverse audience. That response continued throughout the Season: BLO exceeded its single ticket sales goals by more than 32%; we added 4,000 households to our community of patrons; and our average percentage of theater seats sold was 87%. Audiences were more engaged than ever with our productions, a direct result of being able to sell our tickets in-house, allowing for improved communication and personalized customer experiences.
2016/17 Season: By the Numbers 2
Leadership & Staff 3
40th Anniversary Kickoff 4
Carmen 6
Greek 8
The Rake’s Progress 10
The Marriage of Figaro 12
Financial Summary 14
Our 40th year also underscored the strength of the entire opera community in Boston. We started with 40 Days of Opera—nearly six weeks of news and highlights, concerts, and other opera fun. With the collective strength of more than 15 companies through the newly formed Boston Opera Alliance, we launched BostonOperaCalendar.com, which consolidated the full range of productions in this amazing music town.
Community Engagement & Education 16
Audiences of Tomorrow 20
Emerging Artists 22
While our season moved at a rapid clip, our work to identify a suitable permanent home kept pace on a parallel course. I continue to spend time with some of the most inspired leaders in the performing arts and opera industries, as well as visionary members of our community. I am certain we are on the right path to identifying a long-term home for Boston Lyric Opera, as part of a thriving arts community in a city aiming for its own vibrant and innovative future.
BLO New Works 23
BLO Orchestra, Chorus, Volunteers & Acknowledgments 24
Donors 26 40 Years of BLO: A Timeline 28
BLO ended the 40th Season with one of its best financial years ever: a significant increase in single ticket sales; an operating surplus for the seventh consecutive year; a growing endowment; and the enthusiasm and support of committed donors who encourage us to continue forging the path of an opera company for the future. At 40 years old, BLO is the longest-running opera company in Boston history. Four decades seems like a long time, but it’s noteworthy that compared to our prestigious peers in this city, BLO is barely in its young adulthood. I’m inspired by so many others who have survived their own journeys, confirming that the path we face ahead is one worth taking. We are indebted to our generous Board, all of our patrons and volunteers, our talented artists, and the entire opera community. Onward!
Esther Nelson Stanford Calderwood General & Artistic Director
Cover wrap and inside front cover: BLO’s production of Carmen by Liza Voll Photography
2016/17 SEASON: BY THE NUMBERS • 1 2 career advancements of rising
professionals through its annual class of BLO Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artists
• 1 5 inaugural member companies of the newly formed Boston Opera Alliance
•4 0 continuous days of opera programming across Boston through 40 Days of Opera
• 1 60 free tickets to Carmen given to Boston area students
•7 7 hosted events and programs •3 50 employment opportunities for artists and theater professionals
• 1 ,700 free Final Dress Rehearsal tickets given to high school and college students
•8 ,650 engaged audience members through BLO community programs— 90% of which were free
• 1 9,126 tickets sold in the 2016/17 Season 2 | BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017
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•3 ,906 new households added to database
Audiences gather in front of the Boston Opera House for BLO’s production of Carmen.
THE LEADERS OF BOSTON LYRIC OPERA “ The history of opera in Boston is rich and varied and I am grateful to be part of the City’s longest running and largest opera company. Opera is a vibrant art form and, along with the many opera producers in this area, our BLO team is committed to keeping opera a resonant force in the cultural scene for the next 4O years.”
ESTHER NELSON Stanford Calderwood General & Artistic Director, since 2008 “ What particularly sets BLO apart for me is the energy and commitment of our chorus, our orchestra and our Emerging Artists. It gives me huge pleasure to lead such a team in performances. The thing that makes opera great for me is the perfect balance between musical and dramatic values, and BLO, more than any other company that I know, takes both sides equally seriously. I am very proud to be part of this totally committed team.”
DAVID ANGUS Music Director, since 2010 “ It is a rare privilege to be part of a family (artists and administrators and audiences) that is pledged to both the hard work and the joy that comes with the creation of an experience in the theater that is at once enlightening, inspiring and entertaining.”
JOHN CONKLIN Artistic Advisor, since 2009
BLO’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON BOARD BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR Michael J. Puzo VICE-CHAIR & TREASURER Wayne Davis CLERK Susan W. Jacobs STANFORD CALDERWOOD GENERAL & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Esther Nelson, Ex Officio Linda Cabot Black Willa Bodman Miguel de Bragança Alicia Cooney Alan Dynner Susan D. Eastman‡ Andrew L. Eisenberg, Esq. Thomas D. Gill, Jr. Barbara Winter Glauber Mimi Hewlett Horace H. Irvine II
Amelia Welt Katzen Maria J. Krokidas Jeffrey E. Marshall Abigail B. Mason A. Neil Pappalardo E. Lee Perry Irving H. Plotkin William Pounds Rusty Rolland‡ David W. Scudder Susan R. Shapiro David Shukis Ray Stata Wynne W. Szeto Christopher Tadgell Lady Juliet Tadgell Frank Wisneski
‡ Deceased
BOARD OF OVERSEERS CO-CHAIRS L. Joseph LoDato Samuel Y. Parkinson Lawrence St. Clair James Ackerman Sarah E. Ashby Kimberly E. Balfour Elizabeth Barker Edward Bell Richard M. Burnes, Jr. Ellen Cabot Carol Gram Deane Amos Deinard Nicholas J. DiMauro Jessica Donohue Catherine Dunn Joseph Glenmullen Catherine E. Grein Amy Hunter William A. Hunter Louise Johnson Ellen Kaplan Stephen T. Kunian Pamela S. Kunkemueller
Russell Lopez Anita Loscalzo M. Lynne Markus Jillian McGrath Jane Pisciottoli Papa Barbara Goodwin Papesch Susanne Potts Carl Rosenberg Allison K. Ryder Alex Senchak Wendy Shattuck Frank Tempesta Richard Trant Robert Walsh Lydia Kenton Walsh Peter J. Wender Bertram Zarins Tania Zouikin EMERITI Steven P. Akin J.P. Barger Sherif A. Nada
As of May 2017
BLO’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON STAFF Esther Nelson Stanford Calderwood General & Artistic Director David Angus Music Director John Conklin Artistic Advisor ARTISTIC Nicholas G. Russell Director of Artistic Operations Steven Atwater Artistic Manager Zachary Calhoun Artistic Coordinator PRODUCTION Anna B. Labykina Production & Technical Director Jessica Johnson Brock Production Operations Manager Katherine Clanton Production Coordinator Alix Strasnick Associate Technical Director Julia Noulin-Mérat Associate Producer FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Karen T. Frost Director of Finance and Administration David J. Cullen Accounting Manager Reingard Heller Finance Manager Caitlin Hayes Finance & Office Coordinator
EXTERNAL RELATIONS Eileen Nugent Williston Director of External Relations Sarah B. Blume Director of Major Gifts Erin Coffey Associate Director of Major Gifts Cathy Emmons Director of Institutional Gifts Robin Whitney Development and Outreach Manager Narcissa McArthur Development Coordinator Amy Holland Crafton Senior Marketing Strategist Jeila Irdmusa Communications Manager Goodman Media International, Inc. Public Relations Julia Propp Director of Operations, External Relations Andrew J. Moreau Operations Manager & System Administrator Robin Schweikart Database Administrator Rebecca Kittredge Audience Services Manager Bailey Kerr Patron Services Associate Morgan McKendry Audience Services Associate Lacey Upton Director of Community Engagement Rebecca Kirk Manager of Education Programs Sara O’Brien Events Coordinator Brendan Buckley Resident Teaching Artist Heather Gallagher Resident Teaching Artist IRN Internet Services Website Leapfrog Arts Graphic Design
BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | 3
THINK BOSTON ISN’T AN OPERA TOWN? THINK AGAIN.
4 | BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017
In honor of Boston Lyric Opera’s 4Oth Anniversary, the Company kicked off the Season with a community-wide celebration of the art form, titled 4O Days of Opera. 4O Days of Opera featured opera-themed activities across the city—from performances to film screenings, lectures, walking tours, parties, online articles, one-ofa-kind videos and more! The initiative culminated in the launch of Boston Opera Calendar, an online listing of opera performances in the greater Boston area curated by the Boston Opera Alliance, a community-driven consortium of Bostonarea opera organizations and producers.
4O DAYS OF OPERA PARTNERS BLO was honored to collaborate with many of Boston’s leading opera producers to create opportunities for opera-goers and novices to experience opera throughout Boston and beyond. Our 4O Days of Opera partners included: ArtsBoston ArtsEmerson Beth Morrison Projects Boston Baroque Boston By Foot Boston Center for Adult Education Boston Conservatory Boston Early Music Festival Boston Midsummer Opera Boston Opera Collaborative The Boston Opera Guy Boston Opera House Boston Public Library Boston Public Schools Visual & Performing Arts Office Brighter Boston
Celebrity Series of Boston Emmanuel Music Friends of Madame White Snake Guerilla Opera Handel and Haydn Society Henry Purcell Society of Boston Longwood Opera MetroWest Opera NEMPAC Opera Project New England Historic Genealogical Society New England Opera Club Odyssey Opera Opera on Tap OperaHub Opus Affair Somerville Theatre
AUG 23 – OCT 2 | 2017
PAUL MAROTTA, PERFECT BOKEH PHOTOGRAPHY
ROBERT LEGER
Clockwise from left: BLO’s PRIMA Social for Carmen at Barcelona Restaurant; Alex Davis, Joseph Yonaitis, Richard Wingert, and Dave Ginsberg of BLO’s production of Carmen; 4O Days of Opera Walking Tour Phone App; Heather Gallagher performs at the Boston Public Library; The website bostonoperacalendar.org BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | 5
“ SEARING IMAGERY THAT SITS WITH YOU FOR A LONG TIME” – WGBH “ JENNIFER JOHNSON CANO WAS IN TOTAL CONTROL DRAMATICALLY AND VOCALLY…A CONVINCING AND PASSIONATE HEROINE…AND A WONDERFUL CARMEN.”– EDGE MEDIA “ A SIMPLE BUT STARTLING COUP DE THEÂTRE—IN 2016, IT’S NICE TO HEAR A GASP FROM AUDIENCE MEMBERS CONVINCED THAT THEY CAN BY SURPRISED BY NOTHING.” – BOSTON MUSICAL INTELLIGENCER
T. CHARLES ERICKSON
Jennifer Johnson Cano and BLO chorus in Carmen.
SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 2 | 2016 BOSTON OPERA HOUSE
A co-production between Boston Lyric Opera and San Francisco Opera
Conductor David Angus Production Calixto Bieito* Revival Director Joan Anton Rechi* Scenic Design Alfons Flores* Costume Design Mercè Paloma* Lighting Design Robert Wierzel Associate Lighting Designer Amith Chandrashaker* Fight Director Andrew Kenneth Moss Wig & Makeup Designer Jason Allen Surtitle Designer Allison Voth
BLO Chorus and Orchestra
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Music Georges Bizet Libretto Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy
CAST in order of vocal appearance
Don José (Roger Honeywell) and Carmen (Jennifer Johnson Cano)
T. CHARLES ERICKSON
Yusef Lambert* as Lillas Pastia Vincent Turregano† as Moralès Chelsea Basler‡ as Micaëla Liam Moran‡ as Zuniga Gina DeFreitas as Manuelita Jennifer Johnson Cano as Carmen Roger Honeywell as Don José Lily Waters* as Girl Kathryn Skemp Moran as Frasquita Heather Gallagher‡ as Mercédès Michael Mayes as Escamillo Andrew Garland as El Dancairo Samuel Levine as El Remendado Junichi Fukuda* as Torero
* BLO Debut † BLO Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artist ‡ BLO Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artist Alumnus
THE OPERA GALA u
Guests at The Opera Gala 2016
BLO’s 40th Anniversary Season launched with the explosive vision of director Calixto Bieito in an exciting bi-coastal premiere that marked his long awaited U.S. opera debut. Set in the arid earthiness of 1970s post-Franco Spanish North Africa, Carmen featured the largest chorus and orchestra in BLO’s history and brought opera to the Boston Opera House for the first time in over 25 years. BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | 7
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Our 40th Anniversary Season Gala was inspired by a retrospective of BLO’s 40 years of opera in Boston, with past (and current) Board Chairs serving as Honorary Chairs, and representatives from BLO’s founding companies honored during the evening’s festivities. All told, over $590,000 was raised in support of BLO’s work on the stage and in the community.
“ DISTURBINGLY CURRENT IN ITS DEPICTION OF A DESENSITIZED, TURBULENT TIME.” – THE BOSTON GLOBE “ A SMART PRODUCTION BY BOSTON LYRIC OPERA AS PART OF ITS OPERA ANNEX PROGRAM. CRACKLES WITH YOUTH AND BRASHNESS.” – WALL STREET JOURNAL
“ OUTSTANDING, ENGAGING AND REWARDING… DESERVES TO BE SEEN BY ANY SERIOUS OPERA BUFF.” – SOUTH SHORE CRITIC
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Amanda Crider and Marcus Farnsworth in Greek.
NOVEMBER 16 – 20 | 2016 EMERSON/PARAMOUNT CENTER Opera Annex and New England Premiere A New BLO Production
Music Mark-Anthony Turnage Based on Steven Berkoff’s stage play of the same title Libretto adapted by Mark-Anthony Turnage and Jonathan Moore
Mum (Caroline Worra) and Dad (Christopher Burchett)
Conductor Andrew Bisantz Stage Director Sam Helfrich Set Designer John Conklin Costume Designer Nancy Leary Lighting Designer Chris Hudacs* Fight Director Andrew Kenneth Moss Wig and Makeup Designer Jason Allen Dramaturg John Conklin Surtitle Designer Allison Voth
CAST
Marcus Farnsworth* as Eddy Caroline Worra as Eddy’s Mum | Waitress | Sphinx Amanda Crider* as Doreen | Waitress who becomes Eddy’s Wife | Sphinx Christopher Burchett as Dad | Café Manager | Chief of Police Actors: Dani Berkowitz*, Erin Eva Butcher*, Caleb Cedrone*, Nile Hawver*
Eddy (Marcus Farnsworth) and Waitress (Amanda Crider)
* BLO Debut
BLO’s acclaimed Opera Annex series featured Mark-Anthony Turnage’s cult classic Greek, a political and indelible retelling of Sophocles’ tragedy, Oedipus the King. With a stellar cast and daring score, Greek transported audiences to London’s East End during the tumultuous 1980s with an aggressive, defiant and profane detonation of a story millennia old. BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | 9
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Doreen (Amanda Crider), Mum (Caroline Worra), Dad (Christopher Burchett) and Eddy (Marcus Farnsworth)
“ A STUNNING EXPERIENCE VISUALLY AND VOCALLY…ENOUGH GOOD THINGS CANNOT BE SAID ABOUT THE CAST.” – THE BOSTON GLOBE “ OPERA COMPOSITION OF THE HIGHEST ORDER… CONDUCTOR DAVID ANGUS WORKED WONDERS WITH THE GORGEOUS SCORE.”– WBUR ARTERY “ THE BOSTON LYRIC OPERA’S POSITIVELY DAZZLING NEW PRODUCTION BRINGS THE WORK TO LIFE IN EXEMPLARY FASHION.” – EDGE MEDIA
Tom Rakewell (Ben Bliss) and BLO Chorus in The Rake’s Progress
MARCH 12 – 19 | 2017 EMERSON/CUTLER MAJESTIC THEATRE A New BLO Production
Music Igor Stravinsky Libretto W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman
Sellem the auctioneer (Jon Jurgens)
Conductor David Angus Stage Director Allegra Libonati Set Designer Julia Noulin-Mérat Costume Designers John Conklin and Neil Fortin* Lighting Designer Mark Stanley Magic Designer Christopher Rose* Movement Director Yury Yanowsky Wig-Makeup Designer Jason Allen Dramaturg John Conklin Surtitle Designer Allison Voth
CAST in order of vocal appearance Anya Matanovic as Anne Trulove Ben Bliss* as Tom Rakewell David Cushing‡ as Trulove Kevin Burdette as Nick Shadow Jane Eaglen* as Mother Goose Heather Johnson as Baba the Turk Jon Jurgens† as Sellem Simon Dyer† as Keeper of the Madhouse Yury Yanowsky as Stravinsky
Baba the Turk (Heather Johnson)
* BLO Debut † BLO Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artist ‡ BLO Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artist Alumnus
BLO’s production of The Rake’s Progress served as a theatrically vivid staging seen through the eyes of Stravinsky himself—a slam-up of 50s pop icons, Hollywood and 18th century London. With its beautiful arias contrasting against episodes of high drama and low comedy, Rake’s created a dramatic operatic event that invited audiences into the inner landscape of the artist in the 20th century. BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | 11
ALL: T. CHARLES ERICKSON
Igor Stravinsky (Yury Yanowsky) and BLO Chorus
“ A CAST OF SINGERS SO MARVELOUS THAT ONE WOULD BE LUCKY TO HEAR THEM DO MARRIAGE OF FIGARO ANYWHERE THEY OFFERED IT.”– THE BOSTON GLOBE
Susanna (Emily Birsan) and Bartolo (David Cushing) in The Marriage of Figaro.
“ A STUPENDOUS PRODUCTION... INVENTIVELY STAGED, WITH EXCELLENT SINGING, PLAYING, ACTING.” – BOSTON ARTS DIARY
APRIL 28 – MAY 7 | 2017 JOHN HANCOCK HALL AT THE BACK BAY EVENTS CENTER A New BLO Production
Music Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Libretto Lorenzo Da Ponte Conductor David Angus Stage Director Rosetta Cucchi Set Designer John Conklin Lighting Designer D. M. Wood Wig-Makeup Designer Jason Allen Dramaturg John Conklin Surtitle Designer Allison Voth
CAST in order of vocal appearance Evan Hughes* as Figaro Emily Birsan as Susanna David Cushing‡ as Bartolo Michelle Trainor‡ as Marcellina Emily Fons* as Cherubino David Pershall* as Count Almaviva Matthew DiBattista as Basilio Nicole Heaston* as Countess Almaviva Simon Dyer† as Antonio Brad Raymond‡ as Don Curzio Sara Womble† as Barbarina Bridesmaids: Felicia Gavilanes† and Emma Sorenson†
Cherubino (Emily Fons) and Countess Almaviva (Nicole Heaston)
* BLO Debut † BLO Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artist ‡ BLO Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artist Alumnus
BLO closed the Season with a rousing production of The Marriage of Figaro. Amidst the passions and perils of love and marriage, identities were concealed, manners upended, plots foiled...all in one uproarious day. Featuring a glorious cast and the return of beloved director Rosetta Cucchi, BLO’s Season had a soaring close with the music of Mozart’s masterpiece. BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | 13
ALL: T. CHARLES ERICKSON
The cast of The Marriage of Figaro.
FY17 OPERATING REVENUES
EARNED REVENUE: 26%
INDIVIDUALS: 52%
EVENTS: 7% INSTITUTIONS: 15%
FY17 OPERATING EXPENSES GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE: 9% MARKETING & PROMOTION: 15%
PROGRAMS: 66%
DEVELOPMENT: 10%
BLO ENDOWMENT $16
$ IN MILLIONS
$14 $12
TOTAL ENDOWMENT TOTAL INVESTMENTS
$10 $8 $6 $4 $2 2013
2014
2015
19% ANNUAL GROWTH RATE Audiences at Carmen in The Boston Opera House. 14 | BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017
2016
2017
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$0
BLO FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2013 - 2017 OPERATING RESULTS ($ THOUSANDS)
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Operating Revenue
$7,351.2
$7,943.2 $8,055.9 $8,443.1 $8,953.6
Operating Expenses
$7,153.2
$7,801.3 $7,994.0 $8,396.4 $8,891.1
% Expenses Spent on Programs Surplus
67% 67% 66% 64% 66% $198.0 $141.9 $61.9 $46.7 $62.5
BALANCE SHEET ($ MILLIONS) TOTAL ASSETS
$13.5
$16.2
$20.3
$19.5
$18.8
NET ASSETS
$12.4
$15.1
$19.2
$17.6
$17.3
AVERAGE HOUSE CAPACITY OF RUN
NEW PATRONS
EARNED REVENUE | DETAILS 2016/17 SEASON
TICKETS SOLD
Carmen
9,335 95% 2,281
Greek
1,848
The Rake’s Progress
3,356 80% 380
The Marriage of Figaro
4,587 91% 745
GRAND TOTALS
19,126
81%
87%
134
3,540
Fiscal years ended June 30; source: audited financial statements.
“ The 40th Season at BLO was a blockbuster in many ways. Opening with the highest-grossing show in our history and ending with a 7th straight year of surplus, we also saw an extraordinary increase in our single ticket sales—more than 30%. This season also saw BLO step up its role as a community leader while adding thousands of new names to our list of buyers and supporters. Through the continuing generosity of a host of donors, and with credit to Esther and BLO’s leadership team, who managed our expenses with great skill and care, we rose to the challenge presented by a year without a permanent home. We proved what we can deliver with artistic skill and administrative flexibility. Quite an achievement for a performing arts organization of BLO’s size.” – M ICHAEL PUZO, CHAIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | 15
The mission of BLO’s Community Engagement department is to provide equitable access to quality arts experiences in the field of opera to its community. BLO accomplishes this goal by offering programs, events, and initiatives designed to appeal to multiple levels of opera and arts knowledge, to stimulate a variety of learning and engagement styles, and to connect with a broad range of ages, cultural heritages and identities, and socio-economic statuses. Our core value is that opera is for everyone.
BRINGING OPERA TO SCHOOLS & COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGHOUT GREATER BOSTON: 2016/17 “ I’M LEARNING THAT I CAN BE MUCH MORE THAN I THINK I CAN BE.” – BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 4TH GRADE STUDENT
Create Your Own Opera Partnership: Thirteen original classroom operas were created this year in nine schools across the greater Boston area. BLO’s flagship school partnership program, centered in the national arts-integrated curriculum Music! Words! Opera!, guides teachers and students through the process of writing, composing, and performing original works. Educator Professional Development: BLO provides professional development for teachers, providing lesson plans that teach the arts and core subjects including reading, writing, and math. This includes our annual summer week-long intensive, as well as three Saturday sessions throughout the Season. Customized School Partnerships: BLO completed its second year partnering with Boston Arts Academy Vocal Music Department, with workshops taught by BLO Teaching Artists, as well as opportunities to observe BLO’s professional rehearsal process. BLO also had the unique opportunity to introduce opera to Boston high school students by bringing the principal artists in BLO’s production of Carmen to a Boston Public High School. For over 200 students in attendance, this was their first experience of opera. Artist Classroom Visits: Students ages 2-18 were introduced to opera by BLO artists who presented an experiential, abridged version of Hansel and Gretel. Boston Public Library: BLO partnered with the children’s department to bring our abridged Hansel and Gretel to six library branch locations during the February school vacation week, providing free programming to diverse Boston neighborhoods. VOICES Boston: BLO launched a partnership with the children’s choir VOICES Boston, co-producing a sold-out weekend workshop focused on audition technique for middle school singers. cont’d page 19 16 | BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017
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YOUTH & EDUCATION PROGRAMS
EDUCATION BY THE NUMBERS •4 3 hours of free Professional Development Instruction for Classroom Teachers was provided by BLO
• 1 6 professional artists were employed by
BLO’s Education Department over the course of the school year
•3 86 students participated in creating and performing an original opera, ages 6–18
• 1 ,394 students, teachers, and parents in the greater Boston area attended a Classroom Opera in their community
• B LO served students in 9 different school
districts across Greater Boston as well as 10 neighborhoods within the city of Boston
Above: BLO teaching artist Patricia Au (bottom left) works with students at Joseph Lee K–8 School in Dorchester on their classroom opera. | Right, from top: BLO Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artists Felicia Gavilanes & Vincent Turregano perform in the MFA European Galleries; A Brighter Boston student lighting intern speaks during the Q&A portion of BLO’s Carmen School Performance; Students at Joseph Lee K-8 school perform their original classroom opera; Antonia Tamer performs at a BPL event; BLO Resident Teaching Artist Brendan Buckley leads an Artist Classroom Visit for young students.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION AT BLO: 2016/17 IMPACT
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8,650
Community members, students and educators served through community engagement and education programs during the Season.
School and community partner organizations
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Hours of direct service to students by BLO Teaching Artists
Programs and events that were offered free of charge to participants
1,220
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170
38
90%
Students introduced to opera through an Artist Classroom Visit—ages 2–18!
BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | 17
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS: 2016/17 COMMUNITY PARTNERS Somerville Theatre Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Boston Athenæum Boston Public Library Dudley Branch of the Boston Public Library Codman Square Branch of the Boston Public Library Egleston Square Branch of the Boston Public Library West End Branch of the Boston Public Library Faneuil Branch of the Boston Public Library Adams Street Branch of the Boston Public Library Boston Center for Adult Education Beacon Hill Seminars Boston By Foot Boston Public Market Boston Symphony Orchestra
EDUCATION PARTNERS Boston Public Schools Visual & Performing Arts Office The English High School Charlestown High School Joseph Lee K-8 School Jackson/Mann K-8 School Winship Elementary School Cambridge-Ellis School Cambridgeport School Saltonstall School Captain Samuel Brown Elementary School St Brendan School Randolph High School Match Community Day Charter Public School Miles River Middle School Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Boston Arts Academy Brighter Boston VOICES Boston
Boston Opera House Emerson/Paramount Theatre Emerson/Cutler Majestic Theatre John Hancock Hall at the Back Bay Events Center
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EARTHEXPLORER.USGS.GOV / DAN MAHR
2017 VENUES
COMMUNITY & ADULT PROGRAMS
Boston Public Library: BLO held four “Opera Nights at the BPL,” a cornerstone of its community programming that focuses on the operatic form and works in our Season. BLO also joined the BPL’s popular Concerts in the Courtyard summer series, and created a concert of arias and songs which toured three branch locations, inspired by the BPL’s exhibition “Shakespeare Unauthorized.” Adult & Community Programming: Education and events for lifelong learners included partnerships with the Boston Center for Adult Education (Carmen), Boston By Foot (Boston’s opera history), and Beacon Hill Seminars (The Marriage of Figaro). BLO also worked with partner organizations to create unique and inviting programs to celebrate Boston ArtWeek in the fall and spring, including tours of the Boston Opera House and a children’s performance at Boston Public Market. Boston Opera Alliance: BLO was a lead partner in the formation of the Boston Opera Alliance, a community consortium of opera producers in the greater Boston area. Launched during “40 Days of Opera,” the Boston Opera Alliance oversees the curation of a new website and resource for the Boston opera-going community, BostonOperaCalendar.org. Coda Magazine and Dramaturgy: The Community Engagement department takes the lead in researching, developing, writing, and engaging freelance experts on a range of operatic topics for articles in print and online, including the BLO Blog, “In the Wings,” Student Study Guides, and our twice-yearly magazine, Coda.
Students pose for selfies with cast members after the Carmen School Performance.
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Signature Series: BLO’s popular and thought-provoking Signature Series explored the intersection of visual arts, film, drama, literature, and opera through partnership events with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Somerville Theatre, and the Boston Athenæum.
Guest speakers Joseph Auner and Tod Machover discuss Stravinsky and The Rake’s Progress at a BPL event.
Pre-Performance Talks & Talkbacks: Pre-Performance Talks were held one hour before each performance for Carmen, The Rake’s Progress, and The Marriage of Figaro, while Talkbacks were offered immediately following Opera Annex: Greek performances.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BY THE NUMBERS
BLO partnership educators and Resident Teaching Artist Heather Gallagher participate in a Professional Development Workshop at BLO on how to compose music with students.
•8 38 attendees at Signature Series events at three partnering cultural institutions
•4 2.5 hours of adult educational programming delivered
• 1 ,695 ticketholders engaged in
• 1 8,200 words of engaging operatic content in the 2016/17 issues of Coda magazine
Guest lecturer Laurence Senelick speaks at a Boston Athenæum Signature Series event. BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | 19
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Pre-Performance and Talkback discussions
BUILDING OPERA’S AUDIENCES OF TOMORROW For an opera company to thrive over the course of four decades, being in tune with ongoing trends and the constantly changing digital landscape is crucial. Boston Lyric Opera has established itself as a lead player in the space where the opera world and the digital world collide. #TWEETSQUAD
The Company has a strong and growing Tweet Seat campaign, that generated national coverage including The Wall Street Journal, in which invited theatergoers are encouraged to live tweet during dress rehearsals. On each occasion the #TWEETSQUAD convened, they created so much buzz that they put the opera hashtags to a top trending slot in Boston.
360˚ VIDEO
BLO’s latest initiative is 360˚ video. In our 40th Season, BLO created a video that immerses viewers in a rehearsal for The Rake’s Progress. To close out the Season, BLO created a video that allows viewers to be center stage in The Marriage of Figaro. These videos can be viewed on a virtual reality headset, or on a smartphone in the adapted YouTube and Facebook technology.
PRIMA
BLO’s social group for young arts lovers got a makeover this Season, turning a discounted ticket program into a social community. The new PRIMA model featured a membership program that launched in November, offering specially priced tickets in addition to benefits such as prime seating and invitations to social events. Moving into next Season, PRIMA offers a special subscription package to BLO’s young professionals.
Clockwise from left: 360˚ Video Shoot of The Marriage of Figaro; BLO’s Tweet Squad at the final dress rehearsal for Carmen; PRIMA Members at the Carmen Social; PRIMA Members and BLO Staff at the Opening Night of The Marriage of Figaro
20 | BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017
BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | 21
“ BEING AN EMERGING ARTIST AND BEING AT BLO IS LIKE BEING IN A BIG POND WITHOUT BEING THROWN INTO THE DEEP END.”
MEET AN EMERGING ARTIST Simon Dyer grew up as an athlete, but as fate would have it, an injury led him to join a chorus in an afterschool program. With a little encouragement and some nurturing, Simon went on to pursue a degree in Voice Performance from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. As a student, Simon attended BLO’s performance of The Magic Flute in 2013 and learned about our Emerging Artist initiative from the program book.
– SIMON DYER, 2016/17 EMERGING ARTIST
BOSTON LYRIC OPERA JANE AND STEVEN AKIN EMERGING ARTISTS The pursuit of a successful career in opera is a challenging— and expensive—undertaking. Singers must continually hone their talent with regular coaching, expand their repertoire by learning new roles, and find opportunities to make themselves heard. BLO recognizes that the next generation of opera stars needs to be nurtured in order to flourish, and that the future of the art form depends on their success. To that end, BLO has proudly expanded the opportunities we provide to Emerging Artists.
Simon Dyer (right) as Antonio and David Pershall as Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro.
Simon has accomplished quite a bit outside of BLO as well as within. Perhaps you saw Simon in the chorus of Carmen. He was also behind the scenes in Greek as the English Diction Coach—well-suited for the role, having grown up neighboring the East End. His goal for Greek was to convey not only the East End accent but along with it, the culture and subtle aspects of the area making this a unique performance. Other roles this Season included the Keeper in The Rake’s Progress and as Antonio in The Marriage of Figaro, two roles that marked a new phase his exciting career.
Antonia Tamer soprano
Sara Womble soprano
Felicia Gavilanes mezzo-soprano
Vera Savage mezzo-soprano
Emma Sorenson mezzo-soprano
Jon Jurgens tenor
Vincent Turregano baritone
Simon Dyer bass
Maja Tremiszewska pianist
Anderson Nunnelley director
Nathan Troup director
Rachel Arditi stage manager
22 | BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017
T. CHARLES ERICKSON
Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artists are identified during the casting process of each Season’s repertoire. The Artists have, in most cases, already established themselves professionally and are drawn primarily from the post-graduate and post-young artist fields. In certain exceptional cases, younger candidates who are appropriate for specific repertoire with the Company are considered.
The rest is history—today Simon is one of BLO’s 12 Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artists. As a member of the 2016/17 class, Simon received support and advice from professionals in the field and from BLO staff, while also being encouraged to go out in the world and make his own way. Simon singled out this “free-spirited” attitude as one of the things he has enjoyed most about being an Emerging Artist.
ERIC ANTONIOU
Christine Abraham and David Kravitz in Clemency.
“ COMMISSIONING NEW WORKS AND BRINGING THEM TO BOSTON AUDIENCES FIRST IS ONE OF MY HIGHEST PRIORITIES FOR BOSTON LYRIC OPERA’S NEXT DECADE”– STANFORD CALDERWOOD GENERAL & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ESTHER NELSON Boston Lyric Opera is committed to the opera of tomorrow—and the Company is proud to do our part to give the composers and writers of today a stage to help those works find a voice. In recent Seasons, BLO has reaffirmed its commitment to new works and has built relationships with today’s leading composers and librettists, often in conjunction with the Company’s acclaimed Opera Annex series. New works like these push the boundaries of the operatic art form forward, challenge audiences to listen and experience opera anew, and provide opportunities for artists at every level, from singers to composers, writers to designers, from Boston and from around the world.
WORKS IN DEVELOPMENT COMING FALL 2017
The Nefarious, Immoral but Highly Profitable Enterprise of Mr. Burke & Mr. Hare Music by Julian Grant Libretto by Mark Campbell Commissioned by Music-Theatre Group with additional support from Boston Lyric Opera COMING IN THE 2018/19 SEASON
Schoenberg in Hollywood An Opera by Tod Machover Music by Tod Machover Libretto by Simon Robson Based on a Scenario by Braham Murray David Angus conducts an NYC run-through of Burke & Hare.
Commissioned by Boston Lyric Opera BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | 23
BLO 2016/17 ORCHESTRA VIOLIN Sandra Kott, Concert Master Annie Rabbat, Principal 2nd Violin Stacey Alden Heidi Braun-Hill Robert Curtis Colin Davis Natalie Favaloro Tera Gorsett Rohan Gregory Jodi Hagen Gerald Mordis Pattison Story Melanie Auclair-Fortier Heather Braun-Bakken Sasha Callahan Susan Carrai Angelia Cho Cynthia Cummings Rose Drucker Andrew Eng Maynard Goldman Peter Hanly Nivedita Sarnath Roksana Sudol Asuka Usui Lena Wong VIOLA Kenneth Stalberg, Principal Abigail Cross David Feltner Donna Jerome Anne Black Joan Ellersick Jean Haig Don Krishnaswami Emily Rome Andra Voldins Russell Wilson CELLO Loewi Lin, Principal Melanie Dyball Jan Pfeiffer-Rios Aron Zelkowicz Michael Curry Jolene Kessler Eugene Kim Steven Laven Patrick Owen Rafael Popper-Keizer
BASS Robert Lynam, Principal Barry Boettger Katherine Foss Kevin Green Susan Hagen Julianne Russell FLUTE Linda Toote, Principal Iva Milch Ann Bobo Alexandra Conway Lisa Hennessey OBOE Nancy Dimock, Principal Lynda Jacquin Mary Cicconetti CLARINET Jan Halloran, Principal Steven Jackson Karen Heninger David Martins Ryan Yure BASSOON Donald Bravo, Principal Ronald Haroutunian Elah Grandel Sally Merriman
BLO 2016/17 CHORUS TROMBONE Robert Couture, Principal Brian Diehl Donald Robinson TIMPANI Jeffrey Fischer, Principal John Tanzer PERCUSSION Richard Flanagan, Principal Craig McNutt Abraham Finch Nancy Smith HARP Ina Zdorovetchi, Principal Judy Saiki PIANO/ FORTEPIANO/ HARPSICHORD, REHEARSAL PIANIST Brett Hodgdon Maja Tremiszewska LIBRARIAN Kate Ellingston ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL MANAGER Maynard Goldman
HORN Kevin Owen, Principal Whitacre Hill Dirk Hillyer Iris Rosenstein Kate Gascoigne Robert Marlatt Josh Michal Sarah Sutherland TRUMPET Bruce Hall, Principal Jesse Levine Terry Everson Dana Oakes Greg Whitaker
Bold Name indicates tenured orchestra member
24 | BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017
SOPRANO Alisa Cassola Molly Crookedacre Celeste Fraser Kirsten Hart Jennifer Jaroslavsky Marie McCarville Kathryn McKellar Abigail Smith Janani Sridhar Antonia Tamer Dana Varga Ruby White Sara Womble ALTO Tascha Anderson Brittany Brown Elizabeth Eschen Heather Gallagher Felicia Gavilanes Jessica Johnson Brock Jaime Korkos Vera Savage Stephanie Scarcella Vanessa Schukis Elena Snow Emma Sorenson Haley Steinberger Hilary Walker Laura Zahn
TENOR Ethan Bremner Matthew Corcoran Kevin Courtemanche Jesse Darden Rafael Helbig-Kostka Jon Jurgens Paulo Lapa Frank Levar Chris Maher Steven Myles John Nevergall Thomas Oesterling Brad Raymond Christopher Sokolowski Fred Van Ness Patrick Waters BASS Joshua Arky Scott Ballantine Zachary Ballard Samuel Bowen Jorgeandres Camargo Christopher Carbin Ryne Cherry Junhan Choi Jonathan Cole Attila Dobak Simon Dyer Fred Furnari Taylor Horner
Devon Morin Andy Papas Ethan Sagin Paul Soper Ron Williams 2016/17 ACTORS & SUPERNUMERARIES Dani Berkowitz James Broad Mitchell Buckley Erin Butcher Caleb Cedrone Alexander Davis Gina DeFreitas Tanner Efinger Junichi Fukuda Harsh Gagoomal David Ginsberg Dalton Gordon Mencken Graham Nile Hawver Marcus Hunter Natalie Logan Tara Lynch Domenico Mastrototaro Malcolm Purinton Nick Sulfaro Geoff Van-Wyck Nicole Vander Laan Richard Wingert Joseph Yonaitis
VOLUNTEER CORPS Jose Alberto Jeannie Ackerman Sharon Barry Katie Bauer Laima Bobelis Lynn Bregman Jane Cammack Susan Cavalieri Michelle Chen Caroline Cole Karla de Greef Ann D’Angelo Marsha de Poo Mary DePoto Frances Driscoll Marian Ead Susan Eastman‡ Lee Forgosh Audley Fuller
Linda George Mencken Graham James Karg Eva Karger Milling Kinard Esther Lable Melissa Lanouelle Richard Leccese Dan Levin Tiphanie Levesque du Rosta Nancy Lynn Domenico Mastrototaro Terri Mazzulli Patti McGovern Anne McGuire Meg Morton Kameel Nasr Gail Neff
Amy O’Connell Cosmo Papa Jane Papa Barbara Papesch Jeffrey Penta Elizabeth Sarafin Alexandra Sherman Barbara Trachtenberg Amy Walba Gerry Weisenberg Debbie Wiess Beverly Wiggins Alfred Williams Lynn Williams Sybil Williams
‡ Deceased
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Boston Lyric Opera extends its gratitude to the following vendors, partners, individuals, community organizations, and school partners for their extraordinary courtesy in making our 2016/17 Season possible: Abby Lane Acentech, Inc. | Carl Rosenberg, Ben Markham Advanced Lighting and Production Services | Jim DeVeer, Rui Alvez, Mike Texeira Alexander Aronson Finning American Repertory Theater | Stephen Setterlun ArtsBoston ArtWeek Boston Patricia Au Back Bay Events Center Backstage Hardware Battery Park Barcelona Beacon Hill Seminars Bell in Hand Tavern Susan Bennett, M.D., Company Physician Consultant, Associate Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital BOCA Systems Boston Arts Academy | Christina DeVaughn Boston Athenæum Boston Ballet | Jonathan McPhee Music Director and Principal Conductor Boston By Foot Boston Center for Adult Education Boston Center for the Arts | Gregory Ruffer Boston Opera House | Michael Marchetti Boston Public Library Boston Public Market Boston Public Schools Visual & Performing Arts Office Boston Symphony Orchestra The Brahmin Brighter Boston | Daniel H. Jentzen Caffé Nero Cambridge-Ellis School | Katie Clark Cambridgeport School | Andrea Gaudette Captain Samuel Brown Elementary School | Cynthia Kreyling Cartage America Catherine Truman Architects | Catherine Truman Central Bistro Chandler Inn Charlestown High School | Alex Kalamaroff Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP | Andrew Eisenberg and Will Krasnow Costume Works, Inc. | Liz Perlman Douglas MacArthur Elementary School | Judith Zuckerman Elderhostel, Inc. | Road Scholar Emerson College | Office of the Arts
The English High School | David Carkner, Esmirna Soto Erbaluce Eric Antoniou Photography T. Charles Erickson Joel Esher Fessenden & Sykes Films Around the World, Inc. | Alexander W. Kogan, Jr. Glimmerglass Opera | Abby Rodd Goldstar Goodman Media International, Inc. Grand Image, Inc. Grill 23 | Susan Earabino Tim Hamilton Harpsichord Clearing House Harvard Business School High Output Inc. Mark Howard Hubspot, Inc. HUM Properties | Casey Smith Huntington Theatre Company | Joey Riddle, Katie Most The HYM Investment Group IATSE Local #11 JACET | Colleen Glynn Jackson/Mann K–8 School | Jay Gates, Sarah Hogan, Lisa Pierce-Goldstein Jayne’s Flowers Inc. Joseph Lee K–8 School | Yolanda Knight, Katie Manning, Roland Mirabal, Colum Whyte Josiah Quincy Orchestra Project IRN Internet Services | Jay Williston Leapfrog Arts | Melissa Wagner-O’Malley Eric Levenson Legal Crossing Liza Voll Photography Maggiano’s Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Match Community Day Charter Public School | Ana Teresa Black Veino Miles River Middle School | Wendy Linkin mindSHIFT Technologies Inc. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston James Myers Myles Standish Business Condominiums NEPS Primary Freight New England Professional Systems | Bill Miller Andrew Nicklas Pierce Harman Photography Post 390 | Susan Earabino Production Advantage Opus Affair | Graham Wright ProPrint Boston Quality Graphics, Inc.
Randolph High School | Jacqueline Carvey Raymond Reyes Eric Ritter The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Robert Silman Associates Structural Engineers | Michael Auren, Ben Rosenberg Ryder Transportation San Francisco Opera | DeAnna Sherer Music Planning Manager, Michael Bragg Music Planning Associate and Opera Librarian, Daniel Knapp Director of Production, Allen Pitaccio Production and Events Coordinator, Events Coordinator, Eric Walstad Technical Director Saint Brendan School | Carola Tabela Saltonstall School | Kathleen Dailey Santander Scalped Productions Sebastians | Maureen Carey Seyfarth Shaw LLP | Brian Michaelis Brendon Shapiro Somerville Theater Starburst Printing | Jason Grondin Steriti Rink | Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Stoddard’s | Jamie Walsh Tessitura Theatre Project Consultants Tillingers Concierge, Inc. United Staging & Rigging | Eric Frishman Vantage Technology Consulting Group | Geoffrey Tritsch VOICES Boston WBUR WGBH/WCRB Winship Elementary School | Ana Patricia Montoya Winston Flowers
BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | 25
DONORS We are honored to recognize our donors who generously support the mission of Boston Lyric Opera to build curiosity, enthusiasm, and support for opera by creating musically and theatrically compelling productions, events, and educational resources for our community and beyond. We are deeply grateful for the following contributions made to Boston Lyric Opera between July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017. CRESCENDO ($100,000+) Anonymous (2) Jane & Steven Akin Barr Foundation Linda Cabot Black*†§ Willa & Taylor Bodman* Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP Jody & Tom Gill*† Horace H. Irvine II*§ The Klarman Family Foundation Jane & Jeffrey Marshall*† Mattina R. Proctor Foundation Paul & Sandra Montrone Mr. & Mrs. E. Lee Perry*† William & Helen Pounds* David & Marie Louise Scudder*§ Mr. & Mrs. Ray Stata* Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation Miss Wallace Minot Leonard Foundation FIORITURA ($66,666 - $99,999) Timothy & Rebecca Blodgett† Gerard & Sherryl Cohen Wayne Davis & Ann Merrifield* Miguel & Suki de Bragança*† Alan & Lisa Dynner*§ Pamela S. Kunkemueller*§ Ms. Abigail Mason*†§ Wendy Shattuck & Sam Plimpton* VIVACE ($33,333 - $66,665) Anonymous Katie & Paul Buttenwieser Cabot Family Charitable Trust Estate of Fay M. Chandler‡ Alicia Cooney*§ Mr. & Mrs. Timothy & Jessica Donohue* Robert & Susan‡ Eastman*†§ Susan W. Jacobs*† Maria Krokidas & Bruce Bullen* Massachusetts Cultural Council National Endowment for the Arts Mr. & Mrs. Neil Pappalardo* Mr. & Mrs. Michael Puzo*† State Street Foundation Dr. Robert Walsh & Lydia Kenton Walsh* Lynn Dale & Frank Wisneski* PRESTO ($25,000 - $33,332) Anonymous Nonnie & Rick Burnes*§ Karen Johansen & Gardner Hendrie Mr. & Mrs. Amos B. Hostetter, Jr. Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund Janet & Irv Plotkin*† Susan & Dennis Shapiro*
Board Member * Lyric Circle Member † Goldovsky Society Member § Deceased ‡
The Orfeo Society and Friends of BLO make up BLO’s core community of supporters. Members share a passion for opera and receive exclusive access to a range of benefits that enriches the operatic experience. BLO gratefully acknowledges their generous support. This list includes gifts and pledges made to the Annual Fund, restricted funds, and event sponsorships through June 30, 2017. For more information or to become a member of the Orfeo Society or Friends of BLO, please call Sarah Blume at 617.542.4912 x2280. CON BRIO ($15,000 TO $24,999) Dr. & Mrs. Eric & Elaine Bucher† Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Mimi Hewlett*§ Ellen & Robert Kaplan*†§ Ms. Amelia Katzen*† Dr. Joseph & Mrs. Anita Loscalzo*† MEDITECH Anne M. Morgan Esther Nelson & Bernd Ulken John & Susanne Potts* Allison K. Ryder & David B. Jones* Gregory E. Moore & Wynne W. Szeto* Lady Juliet & Dr. Christopher Tadgell* ALLEGRO ($10,000 - $14,999) Anonymous (2) Ms. Ann Beha & Mr. Robert A. Radloff Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Blumenthal Boston Private Mrs. Edmund Cabot Ms. Ellen Cabot*† Corning Incorporated Foundation Frank Reed & Margaret Jane Peters Memorial Fund I, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee Nick & Marjorie Greville Harold Alfond Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Edward C. Johnson Joe & Pam LoDato*†§ David Shukis & Susan Blair* Larry & Beverly St. Clair*† State Street Corporation Susan A. Babson Opera Fund for Emerging Artists John H. Deknatel & Carol M. Taylor Mr. Richard Trant* Peter Wender*§ Ms. Tania Zouikin*§ ADAGIO ($5,000 - $9,999) Anonymous (2) Sam & Nancy Altschuler Ann & Gordon Getty Foundation Sarah E. Ashby* Edward Bell* Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Bennett*† BPS Arts Expansion Fund at EdVestors Mr. John Conklin Dr. Amos Deinard*† Dr. Nicholas J. DiMauro* Ms. Catherine Dunn*† Mr. Eijmberts & Mr. Tinga
William C. & Joyce K. Fletcher Lise Olney & Tim Fulham Mr. Joseph Glenmullen* Kathy & Ron Groves Graham & Ann Gund Mr. & Mrs. Don & Pat Hillman Emily C. Hood Amy Hunter & Steven Maguire*†§ William A. Hunter* Ms. Louise Johnson* Stephen & Lois Kunian*† Mr. Edward J. Leary Karen Levy Andrew Sherman & Russ Lopez*†§ Ms. M. Lynne Markus*§ Jillian C McGrath* Ms. Karen McShane Ms. Faith Moore Mr. & Mrs. John O’Brien Mr. & Mrs. Richard Olney III Barbara Goodwin Papesch* Dr. Kurt D. Gress & Mr. Samuel Y. Parkinson*† Suzanne & Peter Read§ Mr. & Mrs. John Remondi Stephen & Geraldine Ricci Mr. Carl Rosenberg* Donald & Abby Rosenfeld Rumena & Alex Senchak* Mr. Jan Steenbrugge & Ms. Young-Shin Choi Takeda Employee Giving Program Mr. & Mrs. Frank Tempesta*† Sandra A. Urie & Frank F. Herron Jeannie Ackerman Curhan & Joseph C. Williams† Drs. Bertram & Laima Zarins* GRAZIOSO ($3,000 TO $4,999) Anonymous (2) Anchor Capital Advisors Michael Barza & Judith Robinson Drs. Susan E. Bennett & Gerald B. Pier Ronald & Ellen Brown Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Cabot Judge & Mrs. Levin H. Campbell Nancy & Laury Coolidge Mr. & Mrs. Ron Feinstein Kathryn G. Freed§, in memory of Dean & Patti Freed Fuller Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Dozier Gardner
26 | BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017
Dr. Alfred Goldberg & Dr. Joan Goldberg Mr. Joseph Hammer Dr. Maydee G. Lande, in memory of her father Judith K. Marquis & Keith F. Nelson Dr. Harold Michlewitz Mr. & Mrs. Gerard Moufflet Shari & Christopher Noe D. Cosmo & Jane P. Papa* Mr. Winfield Perry, in memory of Shirley & Kenneth Perry Dr. & Mrs. John William Poduska, Sr. Melinda & James Rabb Deborah Rose & Dr. Noel Rose Dr. Jordan S. Ruboy Charitable Fund‡§ Dr. & Mrs. R. Michael Scott Mr. & Mrs. Jeremiah Shafir Tee Taggart & Jack Turner BRAVISSIMO ($2,000 - $2,999) Anonymous (2) Alliance Bernstein Matching Gift Program Beard Family Charitable Trust John & Molly Beard Bessie Pappas Charitable Foundation, Inc. Boston Cultural Council Dorothy & Hale Bradt Mr. & Mrs. John Cabot David J. Chavolla, in honor of Pamela Kunkemueller Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Inc. Mark Kritzman & Elizabeth Gorman Catherine & Frederick Grein§ Arthur & Eloise Hodges Mrs. Charles Hood Eva R. Karger§ Milling Kinard, in memory of Susan D. Eastman Mary & Sherif Nada†§ William & Lia Poorvu Mr. Rod Rohda Mr. Jonathan F. Saxton & Ms. Barbara Fox UBS Financial Services, Inc. Mr. John Whittlesey Mr. Michael Wyzga & Ms. Judy Ozbun ENCORE ($1,000 - $1,999) Mr. & Mrs. David Bakalar Mr. Martin S. Berman, in memory of Lila Gross Dr. Rudolph & Prof. Suzanne Blier Veronika & Bert Breer John & Irene Briedis Ms. Jane Carr & Mr. Andrew Hertig Harold Carroll Marjorie B. & Martin Cohn Mr. & Mrs. Linzee Coolidge Gene & Lloyd Dahmen Ms. Jennifer Eckert Marie-Pierre & Michael Ellmann Mr. David Firestone Mr. Mark Gebhardt Mr. & Mrs. Morton Hoffman Doris & Howard Hunter Mr. Anthony S. Lucas Mr. Andrew Marconi Mr. Stephen Mormoris & Mr. Robert L. Cornell OPERA America Jack Osgood§ Robert & Carolyn Osteen
The Honorable & Mrs. Lawrence Perera Mr. & Mrs. Richard S. Perkins, Jr. Finley & Patricia Perry Rusty Rolland‡ & The Schick Fund* Ms. Diana Rowan Rockefeller Mr. Max Russell Michael Tomich Ms. Melissa Tully Brad Vernatter Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Winthrop Mr. & Mrs. Hans Ziegler ENSEMBLE ($500 - $999) Anonymous (2) Donald A. Antonioli & Robert H. Goepfert Mr. Daniel Berkenblit Leonard & Jane Bernstein Luis & Anita Berrizbeitia Ms. Petrina Biondo Dr. Paul Bleicher & Dr. Julia Greenstein Mr. Peter Blume, in honor of Sarah Blume Ms. Kathleen Boyce Mrs. Jane Bradley Pam & Lee Bromberg Thomas Burger & Andree Robert Susan Cavalieri, in memory of Eurydice Cavalieri Mr. Howard Chadwick Ms. Mei Po Cheung Rachel & Thomas Claflin Mr. & Mrs. John Conley Mr. Eugene Cox Mr. Terry O. Decima Janice Mancini Del Sesto§, in memory of Susan D. Eastman Mr. James DeVeer Mr. Lawrence M. Devito Mr. John Douhan Mr. Edward N. Gadsby Nathaniel & Nancy Gardiner GE Foundation Ms. Martha Gentry Dr. David Golan & Dr. Laura Green Ms. Elizabeth Goodfellow Ms. Sandra Steele & Mr. Paul Greenfield Mr. Stephen Grubaugh & Ms. Carol McGeehan Anne & Neil Harper Ms. Jasjit Heckathorn Pauline Ho Bynum Ms. Stephanie Hood Mr. Ted & the Rev. Canon Cynthia P. Hubbard Mr. Craig S. Hughes Elizabeth V. Foote & Howell E. Jackson Ms. Karen Jeng Ms. Elizabeth Kastner Mr. Michael King Dr. David Korn & Carol Scheman Ms. Karen Koumjian Pam Lassiter William B. Lawrence III Drs. Lynne & Sidney Levitsky Professor Deidre Lynch Mr. & Mrs. Brian Lyson Tod Machover & June Kinoshita Peter & Betsy Madsen Ms. Kathleen Malley Mr. Domenico Mastrototaro§ Kate Meany Ms. Jo Frances Meyer, in honor of Linda Cabot Black Dr. & Mrs. Douglas Moore Ms. Sandra Moose
Melissa & David Norton Paul & Elaine O’Connell Mr. Lee Pelton Mr. John W. Pershall Mr. & Mrs. Frank Porcelli Mr. & Mrs. Francois Poulet Robert & Elizabeth Pozen Ms. Patricia Pratt Mr. & Mrs. Patrick & Ute Prevost Mr. & Mrs. E. Ricardo Quiñones Mrs. Adrienne Rabkin Peter & Sheila Rawson Sally Reid & John Sigel Ms. Patricia Rosenblatt Donald & Nancy Rosenfield Nicholas G. Russell, in memory of Susan D. Eastman John & Ruth Schey Lisa G. Shaw Sayre Sheldon Mr. Andrew Szentgyorgyi Edward H. Tate II Diane C. Tillotson Mr. Scott Utzinger Mr. & Mrs. Walter H. Weld Ms. Mary Wolfson Mr. David Wood Mr. & Mrs. Robert Wulff Albert & Judith Zabin Maestro Ben Zander ARIA ($250 - $499) Anonymous (4) Mr. Peter Ambler & Ms. Lindsay Miller Mr. Bernard Aserkoff Joseph & Janet Aucoin Marc & Carol Bard John Belchers Ms. Andrea Benoit & Mr. Michael Parsons Ms. Deborah Davis Berman Mr. Peter A. Biagetti Mr. Morris Birnbaum Carolyn Bitetti & T. Christopher Donnelly Ms. Elizabeth Bjorkman Ms. Holly Bodman Dr. Roger Boshes Ms. Christine Bradt Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Cabot Mr. Claude Canizares Ms. Mary Chamberlain Cary Coen, in honor of Gerry & Sherri Cohen John F. Cogan, Jr. & Mary L. Cornille Ms. Elizabeth Coleman James F. Crowley, Jr. Rita & George Cuker Mr. Paul Curtis Dr. James Dalsimer Mrs. Elinor Davidson Ms. Francoise Delaforcade Mr. Mark Donohoe Dr. David B. Doolittle Mr. Philip E. DuPont Mr. Michael Egholm Bill & Susan Elsbree Mr. Martin Elvis Andrew & Karen Epstein Mr. & Mrs. Glenn L. Fencer Mr. George Flesh Mr. Valéry Freland Mr. Clayton Geiger Ruth Golden Dr. Philip L. Goldsmith & Melissa Boshco Pamela & Alan Goodman Mr. Kurt Hakansson Sylvia Hammer Mr. & Mrs. James J. Harper
Richard Hermon-Taylor & Southie Bundy Ms. Leni Herzog Mr. & Mrs. Thomas High Mr. C Anthony Broh & Ms. Jennifer Hochschild Dr. Susan Hockfield & Dr. Thomas Byrne Fred Hoppin Mr. Thomas Hotaling Mr. Benn Howard Mr. Michael Jacoff & Ms. Jeanne Vanecko Mr. Sam Jones Mr. Stanley Keller Mr. Richard Kimball Ms. Susan Lamb Leo Waldemar Ms. Joy Lucas Mr. Joseph Mari Mr. Holt Massey & Ms. Sandra Ourusoff Ms. Nina Masters Dr. Nicholas & Mrs. Charlotte Mastroianni Mr. Arthur Mattuck James & Caroline McCloy Mr. & Mrs. Kilmer McCully Margaret McDormand, in memory of Anna Elizabeth McDormand Mr. & Mrs. Russell P. Mead Ms. Virginia Meany Ms. Amy Merrill Ms. Karen Metcalf Mr. Frederick Meyer Mr. Scott Minick Ms. Gwendalyn Moore Mr. & Mrs. Philip & Patricia Morehead Claudia J. Morner & Leonard S. Jones Ms. Anne Morris Mr. Kameel Nasr Mr. Maury Newburger Suzanne Ogden & Peter Rogers Mr. Richard Ortner Mr. William Pananos Ms. Anita Patterson Mr. & Mrs. Roy & Jean Perkinson Ms. Elisabeth Peterson Pfizer Foundation Matching Gift Program Eric & Jane Philippi Mr. Allan Ponn Mr. Gerald Powers Qualcomm Matching Grant Program Mr. Jaime Ramos Martin Mr. Jack Reynolds Barbara Robinson Mr. Allan Rodgers Mr. Paul Ryan Ms. Diane Savarese Mr. Javier Segovia & Rosario Sanchez-Gomez Stephen & Peg Senturia Varda & Dr. Israel Shaked Mr. Jeffrey Shapiro Ms. Deborah Siegal & Mr. Richard E. Payne Ms. Elizabeth Sluder Mr. & Mrs. Lionel Spiro Ms. Joan Suit Mr. Michael Szeto Marcos & Faith Szydlo Mr. Thaemert & Mr. Gokey Mr. Michael Tronic Ms. Sonia Turek Mr. Konstantin Tyurin & Ms. Kirstin Ilse Ms. Martha Ulken Mr. Brian J. Walker Mr. James Walsh
Linda & Harvey Weiner Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Weinstein Ms. Denise Wernikoff Mr. Jerry Wheelock Mr. Stephen Wohler Dr. Ioannis Yannas Ms. Linda Zaitlin Mr. & Mrs. Andy Zelleke OVERTURE ($100 - $249) Anonymous (8) Alice Adler & Edward Ginsberg Susan Alexander & Jim Gammill, in honor of Susan Howe Mrs. Betty Allen Mr. Spiros Antoniadis Ms. Gwen Art Dr. & Mrs. Harvey Atkins Dr. & Mrs. Donald Bachman Ms. Kay Barned-Smith Mr. John Barstow & Ms. Eugenia Ware Paula Jacobs & Howard Beale Dr. & Mrs. Robert M. Beazley Mr. Dwight Bell Mr. Milton Berglund Mr. Bill Bertram Dr. & Mrs. Stuart R. Bless Cyrus Hopkins & Betty Blume Sarah B. Blume Mrs. Cynthia Bradley Brogna Law Ms. Denise Brogna Carol V. Brown Mr. Arthur Buckland Ms. Janet Buecker Dr. Ross Cardarelli Ms. Sarah Carleton Ms. Wei-Wei Chang Ms. Ann Chiacchieri Mr. James Christensen Ms. Ingrid Christiansen Ms. Elisabeth Clark Dr. Brian J. Clifton John Adams & Patricia Comeau Mr. Thomas Cooper Mr. Robert Coren & Mr. John W. Gintell Ms. Xiomara Corral Mr. Paul Doerr Ms. Catharine-Mary Donovan Mr. & Mrs. Paul Dratch Mr. Gerald Dreher Ms. Carol Duncan Willis & Zach Durant-Emmons Ms. Christina Englund Ms. Diana Eusse Jack Fabiano & Noel McCoy Howard & Dorothy Fairweather Mr. Martin Fantozzi Ms. Nicole Faulkner Ms. Kristen Field Mr. Lloyd Fillion Dr. & Mrs. Christopher Fincham Ms. Colleen Fitzpatrick Michael S. Flier & David E. Trueblood Katherine & Richard Floyd Ms. Constance Franciosi Mr. William Fregosi RADM & Mrs. S. David Frost Ms. Teresa M. Gallinaro Sarah Gallivan & Gopal Kadagathur Mr. Joseph Galvin Mr. & Mrs. Peter R. Gates Mr. David Gaynor Ms. Catherine Luchini Gerson Mr. Walter Gilbert Paul Golden Laurie Gould & Stephen Ansolabehere
Dr. Edward Gross & Ms. Margaret Reid Ms. Joan P. Gulovsen Mr. & Ms. Sam Gutmann Newell & Betty Hale Fund of Greater Worcester Ms. Christine G. Hannon George & Daphne Hatsopoulos Mr. John Hayes Dr. & Mrs. Bernhard Heersink Mr. & Mrs. John Henn Mr. Roger Hinman Ms. Lucia Hotton Ms. Maisie Houghton Dr. Kathleen Hull & Ernest Jacob Ms. Marcia Hunkins Akira Iriye Ms. Janet Jankowiak Ms. Mary Jennings David & Joanna Jerison Ms. Kathleen Jick Prof. & Mrs. John Joannopoulos Dr. Lori Jurgens Elinore C. Kagan & Herbert M. Kagan Mr. Robert Kauffman & Ms. Susan Porter Ms. Anne Kelly Ms. Anne Kelly Mr. Daniel Knapp Dr. & Mrs. John Kubert Bruce & Margret Langmuir Mr. Thomas Lavin Ms. Dorothy Leef Mr. Ricardo Lewitus Mr. Mark Lippolt Mr. & Mrs. Boardman Lloyd Laurence & Maryel Locke Mr. Quinn MacKenzie Barbara P. Madden Ms. Judith A. Manelis Ms. Deena Matowik Mr. David McFerrin & Erin Doherty, in memory of Susan D. Eastman Ms. Carol McKeen & Mr. John Dunton Mr. & Mrs. Robert McKersie Ms. Carol R.H. Miller Mr. Stephan Miller Ms. Dolores Mitchell Alec & Donna Morgan Daniel & Mayo Morgan Ms. Linda Morgan Dr. Phyllis Moriarty Ms. Eva Morse Mr. James Murphy Ms. Mary Mutschler Dr. Carol Nadelson Mr. Fred Nagle Mr. Adam G. Neilly Mr. Raymond Nied Bill Nigreen & Kathleen McDermott Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Nunes Mr. & Mrs. Martin O’Donnell, in honor of Wynne Szeto & Gregory Moore Mr. Herbert G. Ogden Ms. Diana Olney Ms. Diane Ota Dr. Eileen Ouellette Mr. Martin Owens & Mrs. Barbara Wolfenden Pari Pandharipande Mr. Eugene Papa Mr. Mark Pasternack & Ms. Judy Meyers Ms. Alison Payne Ms. Marie Pereto-Hedin Dr. Allan E. Pineda Ms. Genevieve Pluhowski Mr. Gene Pokorny
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan & Lois Pond Thomas & Elena Powers Ms. Virginia Prescott Ms. Ellen Previte Dr. Ned Price Mr. Kenneth Proctor Ms. Emerzette J. Rand Mr. & Mrs. Tom Rapoport Mr. John Reed Mr. & Mrs. James Righter Ms. Dina Roberts & Mr. Bob Bray Sherry & William Rogers Family Fund of the Essex County Community Foundation Mr. Christian Rogowski Simon Rosenthal & Nouri Newman Ms. Janet Rountree Mark & Lori Roux Mr. & Mrs. Pasquale Rullo, in memory of Carmine Rullo Deirdre Russell & Jean Kates Mr. Frank Santangelo Mr. Michael Schaefer Peter Schmidt Mrs. Richard Schmidt Dr. & Mrs. Arthur Schneider Robin Schweikart, in memory of Susan D. Eastman Ms. Margaret Setchkarev Mr. Joel L. Shapiro Michael Skatrud Mr. Richard W. Smith Ms. Anna Snitkovsky R. S. Steinberg Mr. John Stevens & Ms. Virginia McIntyre Mr. Scott Stewart Lise & Myles Striar Mrs. Marilyn Swanson Michael & Vivian Szeto, in honor of Wynne Szeto Mr. David Teller Ms. Beth Thomson Ms. Antra Thrasher Mr. Michael Tomasic, in memory of Susan D. Eastman Amy & Matthew Torrey Mr. & Mrs. Anthony & Melanie Trecek-King Dr. Ed Tronick Ms. Amy Tsurumi Andrea Urban Mr. Robert Volante Leslie Warshaw Sinclair Weeks & Julia Hinman Weeks Leonce Welt Ms. Ashley Wisneski Elizabeth Wylde & Lance Drane Joan & Michael Yogg Mr. John Zinky MEMBER ($50 - $99) Anonymous (3) Rajiv Agarwal Ms. Alexandra L. Bartsch Dr. & Mrs. Allen Berliner Dr. Bruce A. Beutel Mr. Jesse Blumberg Ms. Sally Bradford Ms. Phyllis Brooks Ms. Kristen Brown Mr. Joseph Carey Ms. Maria Ann Catino Ms. Susan Challenger Dr. John Chapin Ms. Antonia H. Chayes Ms. Regina Clifton Mr. & Mrs. Frederic Cohen Ms. Heather Coulter, in memory of Susan D. Eastman
Ms. Gabrielle Dean Mrs. Mary DeGarmo Ms. Toni Delisi Robert Doane Ms. Janice A. Dolan Ms. Mary Dolbear & Ms. Gabriella Gonzenbach Ms. Claire Dondis Ms. Judith A. Ehle Ms. June Carolyn Erlick Ms. Roxanne Etmekjian Mr. & Mrs. Dean Fairbrother Ms. Mary Jean Farrington Ms Cassidy Fitzpatrick, in memory of Susan D. Eastman Ms. Deborah Flagg Mr. & Mrs. John B. Fox, Jr. Mr. Walter Freiberg Ms. Susan Garland Wood Lucretia Giese Mr. Ralph Gioncardi, in memory of Susan D. Eastman Dr. Rachel F. Haft & Dr. Jeffrey S. Brown Mr. Christopher Haimendorf Ms. Janice Hickey Mr. Geoffrey D. Hicks Mr. Joseph Hollweg Ms. Marianne Ichbiah Cerise Lim Jacobs, for Charles Mr. Keith Kanemoto Mr. Robert Kruszyna Ms. Erin Lamb Mr. Benjamin Lambert The Leblang Charitable Foundation Beverly Lewis Deborah R. Litvin, in memory of Sylvia J. Riese Mr. Merrill Mack Ms. Judith Mason Grant Meachum & Renata C. Steve, in memory of Susan D. Eastman Mr. & Mrs. Robert Menger Ms. Eileen Meny Ms. Beverly Merz Ms. Joyce Mills Mr. Andrew Moreau Ms. Eva Moseley Ms. Diane J. Murphy Ms. Helen Netos Ms. Virginia Newes Ms. Connie Parrish Ms. Mary Crain Penniman Ms. Elana Pierkowski Ms. Mary Poulin Mr. Rafael Quintanar Mr. Phillip L. Radoff Sheila Roberge Mrs. Sharon Ryan Ms. Renee Sack Ms. Uzma Saghir Dr. Susan Shnidman Ms. Carole Simon Barbara B. Simons Mrs. Ellen K. Sklar Beverly Smith Mr. Henry Stone Ms. Heather Tanguay Mr. David Themo Mr. Jeremy Thompson Ms. Loyce Thomson Mr. Frederick G. Tilley Mr. & Mrs. David Trevvett Cameron Tucker Mr. Louis Vaickus Mr. Stephen Weiner Mr. Scott Wheeler Ms. Linda Welsh Whitney Ms. Robin Whitney Ms. Nancy Wilford Dr. John Willins Jingning Wu
BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | 27
4O YEARS OF BLO:
BLO ARCHIVES
RICHARD FELDMAN
A TIMELINE From left: Lorraine Hunt as Carmen and John Fowler as Don José. Deborah Voigt and Erie Mills in Ariadne auf Naxos.
1976: Three small Boston opera companies, New England
Regional Opera, Associate Artists Opera, and New England Chamber Opera Group, joined forces to form Boston Lyric Opera. The fledgling Company had its first performance on December 26, 1976: Amahl and the Night Visitors.
1989-90: BLO moved to the Majestic Theatre (now the Emerson/Cutler Majestic).
1991: Emerging star Deborah Voigt sang her breakout
performance in BLO’s Ariadne auf Naxos. Ms. Voigt became one of the most sought-after sopranos in opera, performing regularly at top opera houses around the world.
1981: BLO performed Aida with the Brookline Symphony at the Edward A. Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade— complete with a live elephant tethered near the stage—and reportedly attracted about 10,000 audience members.
1992: BLO joined forces with Boston Opera Theater, seeking to ensure the future of professional opera in Boston.
1981: BLO became company-in-residence at Northeastern
1994: BLO forged a major partnership with WGBH public
University, performing at the Alumni Auditorium.
1985: Mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt made her BLO debut in Agrippina; she also sang the title roles in BLO’s productions of Beatrice and Benedict (1992/93 Season) and Carmen (1993/94). She went on to a storied career including performances at the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, and Salzburg Festival. 1987: BLO produced the first entirely computer-assisted opera ever, entitled Countdown, after winning an OPERA America “Opera for the Eighties and Beyond” grant.
28 | BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017
radio, and the Company began broadcasting its performances throughout New England, beginning with Carmen that Season and continuing through 2008.
Visit us online for an in-depth history of BLO’s 4O Seasons at blog.BLO.org!
“ Over the last few years, under the general and artistic direction of Esther Nelson, BLO has become a less predictable place. The company has been quietly reinventing itself, reaching broader audiences, rethinking its theatrical values, deepening its community involvement, and pushing the boundaries of its repertoire.” – THE BOSTON GLOBE
JEFFREY DUNN
BEN GEBO PHOTOGRAPHY
BLO ARCHIVES
ERIC ANTONIOU
Clockwise from left: Jossie Pérez and Alan Schneider in Carmen on the Common. Christine Abraham and David Kravitz in Clemency. Joyce Castle in The Turn of the Screw, projected above from L-R are Rebecca Nash, Kathryn Skemp Moran, Aidan Gent, and Vale Rideout. BLO and the Landmarks Orchestra at the Hatch Shell.
1998: Opera New England (ONE), which presented children’s
The initiative was renamed BLO Jane and Steven Akin Emerging Artists in 2015 in honor of the couple’s longstanding commitment to BLO.
1998: BLO transitioned to the Shubert Theatre (now the Boch
Center Shubert Theatre), in the 1998/99 Season; the Shubert would serve as BLO’s home for 18 years.
2010: BLO launched Opera Annex, an annual presentation of a chamber opera in a non-traditional space, with Britten’s The Turn of the Screw.
2002: BLO celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a gift to the
2014: BLO released its first commercial recording, of MacMillan’s
operas, joined BLO and subsequently became BLO’s Education and Community Programs Department.
city of Boston: Carmen on the Common. Performed on Boston Common twice—for free—more than 140,000 people attended, and the event garnered awards from the Boston City Council, Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston, and OPERA America.
2009: BLO partnered with Boston Landmarks Orchestra
for a free, staged concert at the Edward A. Hatch Memorial Shell. This collaboration became an annual event attracting approximately 10,000 people each year through 2014.
2010: BLO formalized its Emerging Artists initiative, which offers
paid performance opportunities, job training, and artistic coaching to professional singers, pianists, stage directors, stage managers, and conductors who are poised to make breakthroughs in their careers.
Clemency, the 2013 Opera Annex selection.
2016: Celebrating its 40th Anniversary Season, BLO moved to produce its Season’s four operas in four unique and historic venues: Carmen in the Boston Opera House—the first time local opera has been performed there since the days of Sarah Caldwell’s Opera Company of Boston; Opera Annex: Greek at the Emerson/ Paramount Center; The Rake’s Progress at the Emerson/Cutler Majestic Theatre—a return to the Majestic after nearly 20 years; and The Marriage of Figaro at John Hancock Hall at the Back Bay Events Center.
BOSTON LYRIC OPERA OVERVIEW: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 | 29
YOU WERE PART OF HISTORY. THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF BLO’S 4OTH ANNIVERSARY SEASON