George Mason University
College of Visual & Performing Arts
Dewberry School of Music
Mason Opera presents Die
Fledermaus
Operetta by Johann Strauss II
Saturday, April 29, 2023, 8pm
Sunday Matinee, April 30, 2023, 3pm
Harris Theatre
George Mason University – Fairfax Campus
October 4, 1949 –
December 10, 2022
Mason Opera dedicates the performances of Die Fledermaus to Professor John Aler, Artistic Director 2012-2022.
Die Fledermaus
Operetta by Johann Strauss II
Performed in English
Librettist: Karl Haffner & Richard Genée
Original Language: German
Premiere: 5 April, 1874
Music Translation: Ruth and Thomas Martin
Dialogue: Dr. Gene Galvin
Mason Opera Presents
Die Fledermaus
Johann Strauss II
Music Director & Conductor: Dr. Soo Han
Stage Director: Dr. Gene Galvin
Director-Producer: Professor Patricia Miller
George Mason University’s
Harris Theatre
Saturday, April 29th, 8:00pm
Sunday Matinee, April 30th, 3:00pm
Cast
Narrator
Rick Davis
Gabriel von Eisenstein
Ross Calvin
Rosalinde
Anissa Clay Zelaya
Adele
Julianne Kim
Hana Tawil*
Ida/Sally
Juliana Cardine
Rosalind Chan*
Alfred
Bronson J. Rodriguez
Dr. Falke
Luis Flores
Dr. Blind
Mikayla Mindiola
Jennifer Mills*
Frank
David Maeng
Prince Orlofsky
Madeline Manaker
Alexandra Coburn*
Yvan
Vee Errett
Frosch
Kyla Larkin
Sarah Calvino*
Guests & Party-goers
Luigi Grande, Lucia Ku, Savannah Lagana, Daniel Olenick, Joshua Slutsky
* Sunday Matinee at 3pm
Orchestra
Dr. Soo Han, Conductor
Jihyun Choi, Assistant Conductor
Violin 1
Annette Lee, concertmaster
Suyuan Carrasco, asst. concertmaster
Marianna Wolpert
Sabrina Ramirez
Violin 2
Telah Harper, principal
An Tran, asst. principal
Estefany Garci
Akanksha Padheriya
Nicolas Ahumada
Viola
Alyssa Cabassa, principal
Jessica Masterson, asst. principal
Anna Koumbis
Forest Moore
Cello
Carlos Figueroa, principal
Megan Shin, asst. principal
Bass
Nathan Coughlin, principal
Flute
Martha Molinaro Oboe
Michael Pagan
Clarinet
Benjamin Lopez
Theodore Dunn Bassoon
Andrew Bell
Horn
Melanie Boschen
Alexandra Kowalski
Trombone
Christian Marple
Percussion
Hunter Wirt
Emma Stewart
MASON OPERA MUSICAL & ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
Dr. Soo Han, Conductor
Dr. Gene Galvin, Stage Director, Mason Opera
Professor Patricia Miller, Director of Vocal Studies, Opera Director & Producer
Jihyun Choi, Assistant Conductor
Joseph Walsh, Mason Opera Principal Coach
Dr. Eunae Ko Han, Musical Coach & Principal Collaborative Pianist
GaYoung Lee, Musical Coach & Pianist
MASON OPERA PRODUCTION STAFF
GMU Production Team
Carrie Cox, Technical Director
Sean Cox, Production Designer
Laurel Dunayer, Costume Designer
Alex Hardin, Stage Manager
Dan Hobson, ASU Production Manager
Ariel Kraje, Choreographer
Alexandria Wade, Props Designer
Sarah Alspach, Costume Shop Assistant
Vicki Burroughs, Costume Shop Assistant
Gabriel Embry, Shop Artisan
Hannah Griffith, Costume Shop Intern & Wardrobe Run Crew
Lee Guber, Costume Shop Intern
Vika Hearne, Scene Shop Intern
Anna Jungkeit, Scene Shop Intern
Susan Lane, Scene Shop Intern
Angel Lee, Costume Shop Intern
Isabella Marks, Shop Artisan
Caleb McMurtry, Scene Shop Intern
Ethan Osborne, Scene Shop Supervisor
Jeremy Pritchard, Costume Shop Intern
Luke Rahman, Scene Shop Intern
Jackson Ramos, Costume Shop Intern
Chloe Scheel, Scenic Painter
Madelyn Southard, Lead Carpenter
Viann Tran, Scene Shop Intern
MASON OPERA ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF
Professor Patricia Miller, Director of Vocal Studies, Opera Director & Producer
Dr. Gene Galvin, Stage Director, Mason Opera
Dr. Soo Han, Music Director, Conductor, and Opera Coach
Julie Thompson, Executive Director, Center for the Arts
Joseph Walsh, Mason Opera Principal Coach
Dr. Eunae Ko Han, Musical Coach & Principal Collaborative Pianist
Rachel Bradley, Mason Vocal Studies and Opera Assistant
HARRIS THEATRE PRODUCTION STAFF
Adrianna Smith, Harris Theatre Venue Technical Director
Micah Stromberg, PAB Venue Technical Director
Tom Terlecki, ASU Assistant Technical Director
MASON OPERA GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES
Dr. Rick Davis, Dean, College of Visual & Performing Arts
Dr. Linda Monson, Director, Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
Julie Thompson, Executive Director, Center for the Arts
Dan Hobson & the Arts Support Staff
Mason Vocal Studies Voice Faculty
MASON VOICE FACULTY
Prof. Patricia Miller, Director of Vocal Studies; Director/Producer, Mason Opera
Prof. Lisa Berger
Dr. Gene Galvin
Dr. Alisa Jordheim
Prof. Seong Won Nam
Dr. Darden Purcell
Prof. Jim Van Slyke
Prof. Debby Wenner
Prof. Kerry Wilkerson
Dr. Mira Yang
Director’s Note
Fledermaus was the first opera I sang. It was at Catholic University, where John Aler and I both studied with the same teacher – although he was a few years ahead of me. We met after we left there, both in a circle that still exists of colleagues and friends from that time and place. We have sung together, seen each other’s work as singers and directors, shared a love of performing and teaching. John was very excited to bring Die Fledermaus to the Mason stage.
As the cast will sing at the beginning of the second act tonight, “What a joy to be here on this wonderful occasion.” It has indeed been a joy for me to be here with this wonderful group; cast, crew, orchestra, and fellow faculty. But all in all, I’d rather be sitting with John watching them. But I know he’s watching and cheering the students he so loved.
~ Gene GalvinACT I
Vienna, New Year’s Eve, 1899. Outside the Eisensteins’ apartment, the tenor Alfred serenades his old flame, Rosalinde, who is now married to Gabriel von Eisenstein. Adele, Rosalinde’s chambermaid, wonders how to get the night off to attend a glamorous New Year’s Eve ball to which her sister has invited her. She tells her mistress she must visit a sick aunt, but Rosalinde refuses to let her go. Alfred appears and declares his love to Rosalinde, who resists him until he begins to sing. Hearing someone coming, she sends Alfred away, but not before he has convinced her to let him return later. Eisenstein and his lawyer, Blind, arrive from a session in court: Eisenstein has been sentenced to eight days in jail for striking a police officer and must begin his term that very night. He furiously dismisses Blind. His friend Falke urges Eisenstein to delay going to jail until morning and instead join him at the ball, which is being given by the wealthy Prince Orlofsky. Falke tells Eisenstein to bring along his infamous pocket watch to charm the ladies. While Eisenstein changes, Falke invites Rosalinde to the ball as well, telling her that if she comes in disguise, she’ll be able to observe her husband flirting with other women. Rosalinde at first doesn’t like the idea but changes her mind when Eisenstein reappears in evening dress. She joins Adele in a bittersweet farewell as her husband heads off to “prison.” Angry at Eisenstein’s deception, she then tells Adele to go see her “aunt” and receives the ardent Alfred. Their rendezvous is interrupted by the prison warden Frank, who has come to arrest Eisenstein. Rosalinde persuades Alfred to preserve her good name by posing as her husband, and Frank carts Alfred off to jail.
ACT II
In the ballroom of Prince Orlofsky’s villa, the guests gossip about their host, who has a habit of paying someone to try to make him laugh usually in vain. Orlofsky doubts that Falke’s promised evening of entertainment will brighten his spirits, but proclaims his guests should behave however they want and do anything they like. Adele arrives to the surprise of her sister Ida, a dancer in a hit musical show, who claims she never invited her. Ida worries Adele isn’t classy enough to attend the ball, so they decide to present her as a Russian actress named Olga. Eisenstein enters, posing as a Frenchman, per Falke’s instructions. He immediately identifies Adele as his wife’s maid, but she laughs him off. Frank is also posing as a Frenchman, and he and Eisenstein become fast friends. Frank is so smitten with Ida and “Olga” that he pretends to be a theatrical producer to impress them. Finally, Rosalinde arrives, disguised as a Hungarian countess. Angry to spot her husband flirting with her maid, she sings an impassioned ode to her betrayed homeland. When a smitten Eisenstein starts flirting with her, she manages to steal his pocket watch. Midnight is approaching, and Falke entertains the guests with the story of how he earned the nickname of Dr. Fledermaus: one drunken evening, when he was dressed as a bat for a costume ball, his best friend Eisenstein played a practical joke on him that made him the laughingstock of Vienna. The crowd toasts drink, love, and brotherhood until the stroke of midnight, when the new century begins. The guests dance through the night. As the clock strikes six, Eisenstein, whose attempts to retrieve his watch from Rosalinde have failed, rushes off to jail.
ACT III
Frosch the jailer is vexed by the late arrival of his boss, Frank, and by the nonstop singing of Alfred in cell number 12. Frank finally appears, tipsy and enraptured by memories of his magical evening posing as an impresario. Ida and Adele arrive, per Falke’s instructions. Adele hopes Frank might further her stage aspirations. Frank sends them off and then admits Eisenstein, who says he has come to serve his sentence. He is surprised to learn his cell is already occupied by a man who claims to be him and who was found in his apartment with Rosalinde. Blind arrives, claiming he was summoned by the man in cell 12 to handle a case of false arrest. Determined to get to the bottom of the matter, Eisenstein snatches Blind’s cloak, glasses, and wig to disguise himself as the lawyer and confront the impostor. At that moment, Rosalinde rushes in. She tries to secure Alfred’s release and asks “Blind” to press divorce charges against her errant husband, but is offended when the “lawyer” seems to take Eisenstein’s side. Dropping his disguise, Eisenstein accuses his wife of promiscuity, at which point Rosalinde produces his watch. Both lament the impasse at which they’ve arrived, admitting that divorce would be a shame, since they really do love each other. Falke arrives to gloat over the success of his plan only to find the couple falling into each other’s arms and to discover Adele, Frank, and Frosch happily embarking on new careers. As Falke bemoans that all his efforts were in vain and his life is a failure, Orlofsky arrives with his guests in tow just in time to hear the story and breaks into hysterical laughter. All sing a final paean to the joys of champagne.
Synopsis by The Metropolitan Opera from https://www.metopera.org/user-information/synopses-archive/die-fledermaus
Synopsis
MEET THE ARTISTIC & PRODUCTION TEAM
Dr. Gene Galvin (Stage Director), Bass-Baritone, praised in Opera News for his “rich voice and superb musicianship,” has appeared as a soloist with the Washington, Wolf Trap, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Sarasota and National Operas, Opera New England, Opera Theater of Northern Virginia, and Summer Opera Theater, New York Grand Opera, Opera Lafayette, North Carolina HIP Festival, Mallarmé Chamber Players, North Carolina Opera, National Symphony, Arlington Symphony and Williamsburg Symphonia, and in venues from the Kennedy and Lincoln Centers to home plate at Nationals Stadium. He has shared the stage with a wide range of colleagues, from Julius Rudel, Jerome Hines and Jennifer Lattimore to Victor Borge, Ute Lemper and Patti Lupone in dozens of roles that include Basilio, Don Giovanni, Colline, Dulcamara and Gianni Schicchi. Mr. Galvin holds a D.M.A. in Opera Performance from the University of Maryland, where he studied with Dominic Cossa. As a teacher and stage director, Mr. Galvin has been on the faculties of The University of Maryland, The University of Carolina Chapel Hill, Catholic University of America, Shenandoah Conservatory, Catholic University and George Washington University, George Mason University and as opera scenes director for the Amalfi Coast Music and Arts Festival in Maiori, Italy. He currently teaches as half of Galvin Music with his wife, pianist Mary Lou McDonald Galvin.
Patricia Miller (Director of Vocal Studies, Director/Producer Mason Opera) is a Distinguished University Professor of Music at George Mason University, received her Bachelor of Music from Boston University, her Master of Music from New England Conservatory, and, as a Fulbright scholar, her Artist Diploma from the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome. She completed advanced studies at the Schubert Institute in Baden-bei-Wien and the Mozarteum in Salzburg. Miller is a distinguished international opera and concert artist and an esteemed music educator. Included in her extensive artistic career as a leading mezzo-soprano are performances with San Francisco Opera, New York City Opera, Theatre Châtélèt Paris, Alte Oper Frankfurt, Victoria State Opera (Melbourne), Arena di Verona (Italy), and Deutsche Oper (Berlin), among others. Her concert appearances include the Musikverein (Vienna), Beethovenhalle (Bonn), Avery Fisher Hall-Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, Strathmore Music Center, and the Smithsonian. Her master classes and lecture recitals at universities and conservatories around the world include Moscow State University, Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine, Hochschule für Musik Franz Lizst in
Weimar, Germany, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea. Miller’s students have garnered top awards in state, regional, national, and international competitions, including First Place at the National Opera Association Collegiate Scenes Competition. She has trained extraordinary young student artists who are now singing with major opera companies domestically and internationally, including Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, Virginia Opera, Netherlands Opera, the “President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band and U.S. Army Chorus, and a Tony Award-winning Broadway revival. Miller has provided Mason students opportunities to study and perform abroad in Italy, Germany, France, Russia, and Korea. Professor Miller is a 2018 recipient of the John Toups Presidential Medal for Excellence in Teaching at George Mason University.
Dr. Soo Han (Music Director/Conductor) is the Director of Orchestral Studies at Reva and Dew Berry Family School of Music at George Mason University, Music Director of the Elkhart County Symphony Orchestra, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. He is also a contributing editor for Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements for Strings, and a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician. As an active conductor, he has appeared with several orchestras throughout the country in addition to numerous college and university orchestra. He is a frequent conductor for AllState, regional, and honor orchestras appearing in over 30 states and has conducted internationally in Austria, China, Thailand, and Australia. He has collaborated with numerous artists, groups, and conductors such as Lynn Harrell, David Kim, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He has produced multiple recordings of complete symphonies and has premiered several commissioned works for strings and full orchestras. He has presented workshops and clinics internationally and for nearly every major national and state music conference including, Australian String Teacher Conference, Maryborough National Australia Conference, Midwest Clinic, ASTA National Conference, NAfME National Conference, and Ohio University Summer String Teacher Workshop. He served as the Director of Orchestral Studies at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music in Bera, OH and was the program coordinator and faculty member with Los Angeles Philharmonic’s summer YOLA program.
Dr. Eunae Ko Han (Opera Coach/Pianist) received her DMA in Collaborative Piano at the University of Maryland in College Park (UMCP). She has extensive experience as an accompanist and a chamber musician, performing in numerous concerts and recitals throughout United States, Korea, China and Japan. She held positions as opera coach at Seoul National University and UMCP, and has wide repertoire of vocal works including operas, oratorios, choral and song literatures.
She received the McCoy Award for Collaborative Pianist, First Place in Ulrich Competition at UMCP and received rave reviews from the Washington Post for her performance of Mozart’s opera, The Impresario, at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. She made several recordings including a chamber music CD and a classical CD with renowned artists. She currently is the music director for New Life Foundation (NLF), a non-profit organization that supports young, underprivileged musicians; music director for Christian Art Mission (CAM); and an Adjunct Professor of Music at George Mason University. She actively performs throughout the Greater Washington Metropolitan area as well as in New York/New Jersey. Recently, she performed with chamber groups at various conservatories at Turkey, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyztan.
GaYoung Lee (Opera Coach/Pianist), a native of Seoul, South Korea, is a doctoral candidate in Piano Performance at George Mason University and a piano student of Dr. Linda Apple Monson, Director of School of Music. GaYoung is also currently a Graduate Teaching Assistant as a collaborative pianist. She earned her Master of Music degree in Piano Performance at George Mason University, Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance at the Catholic University of Korea, and pursued additional studies at the Ewha Womans Graduate School of Music in Seoul. She won First prize from The Piano Society of Korea and was the second place winner in both the Young Artist Piano Concours and Brahms Concours. In addition, GaYoung has participated in numerous masterclasses for such artists as Simone Dinnerstein, Philipp Vogker, Yonghee Chun, and Barry Snyder and music festivals held in Saint Petersburg Conservatory, Russia, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow, New England. GaYoung has performed as a collaborative pianist for Mason’s opera productions and accompanied many instrumental and voice studios at George Mason University. GaYoung was a recipient of Achievement Award in Graduate Performance, Dr. Linda Apple Monson Endowment Award and the College of Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship Award in 2019. She has been a featured piano soloist of the Mason Honors Recital, Grand Piano Celebration Recital, and Arts by George since 2017. She is a founding member of Potomac Piano Trio and had the first trio recital in 2021. GaYoung recently won a gold medal in the prestigious 2021 Grand Maestro International Music Competition and a silver medal in the 2021 North American Virtuoso International Music Competition. She was also selected as a winner of Mason’s 2022 Concerto competition where she performed Beethoven Piano Concerto No.4 with the Mason Symphony Orchestra.
Sean Cox (Production Designer) is the Assistant Director of Event Services at George Mason University and is thrilled to join the creative team for the Mason Opera for this production. A graduate of George Mason University with a MA in Arts Management and Auburn University with a BFA in Theatrical Production & Stage Management, he served as Production & Company Manager for Olney Theatre Center from 2008 to 2010. He also has worked on the creative team for several productions and attractions at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, including scenic designs for Entwined, Gloria, and Open Casket. Previous designs have been featured at NextStop Theatre Company in Herndon, VA, including lighting design for Snow White, The Giver, and 45 Plays for 45 Presidents as well as projections design for Urinetown, 45 Plays for 45 Presidents, and Godspell.
Laurel Dunayer (Costume Designer/Costume Shop Supervisor) has been at GMU since 2006. After graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with an MFA in Theater-Costume Design in 1998, Mrs. Dunayer moved to New York City and worked at Carelli Costumes, a Broadway costume shop. Favorite Broadway costume credits include Kiss Me Kate, The Rocky Horror Show, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Other previous work experience includes Draper at Colorado Shakespeare Festival for seven summer seasons and American Players Theater in Wisconsin.
Alexandria Hardin (Stage Manager) is a recent alum of George Mason's Arts Management program. She is returning to work on the stage management team for Mason Opera with past credits including the Acts of Love and Marriage, Mesdames de la Halle, The Medium, and Suor Angelica.
Ariel Kraje (Choreographer) is a professional performer, choreographer, dance teacher, and video editor located in the DMV area. Performance credits include Workhouse Arts Center: The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Wendy/Dance Captain); Synetic Theater: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), The Madness of Poe (Ensemble), and Dracula (Wives Understudy). Choreography credits include The Mason Opera: Cendrillon; The Mason Players: The Boy Detective Fails; Academy Center of the Arts: Matilda. She also assistant directed and choreographed Synetic Theater’s Teen Twelfth Night. Ariel received her B.F.A. in Theater with a concentration in Musical Theater from George Mason University. She would like to thank her friends and family for their constant support! Luke 1:37 @ariel.kraje | arielkraje.com
MEET THE CAST
Ross Calvin (Eisenstein) is a junior Vocal Performance Major studying under the tutelage of Dr. Gene Galvin. Ross performs with the University Singers and serves as section leader in the Church of the Good Shepherd Senior Choir in Burke. Ross has performed with GMU Opera in the chorus of La Cenerentola and most recently as the Page in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors.
Sarah Calvino (Frosch) is a junior Vocal Performance Major in the studio of Professor Patricia Miller. Sarah performs with the University Singers and the Washington Master Chorale and has appeared in the Mason Opera productions of Cendrillon and Amahl and the Night Visitors. She also sang as Marcellina in scenes from Le Nozze di Figaro. She is currently the music director at Queen of Apostles Church in Alexandria.
Juliana Cardine (Sally) is a Junior Vocal Performance Major in the studio of Professor Patricia Miller. Juliana sings with George Mason Chamber Singers and St. Patrick Orthodox Church choir. Juliana has previously performed the Fairy Godmother in Mason Opera's Cendrillon, Servilia in La Clemenza di Tito for the Opera Scenes Recital, and Amahl in Amahl and the Night Visitors.
Rosalind Chan (Sally) is a senior Musical Theater BFA student in the studio of Professor Kerry Wilkerson. Rosalind Chan has participated in both school of music and school of theater productions including Amahl and the Night Visitors (Amahl), L’incoronazione di Poppea (chamber maid), Cenerentola, Mesdames de la Halle, Women of Lockerbie, Love's Labors, and Rags.
Anissa Clay Zelaya (Rosalinda) Anissa Clay Zelaya is a first- year grad student at George Mason studying with Professor Patricia Miller. She has performed Rosalinda (Die Fledermaus), First Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Musetta (La Boheme), and Susanna (Le Nozze do Figaro) in a scenes performance with George Mason Opera. In May 2022, Anissa graduated with a BM in Voice Performance from Baldwin Wallace University, studying with Dr. JR Fralick. She performed Countess Almaviva in Baldwin Wallace University’s production of Le Nozze di Figaro in March 2022. Anissa performed Zelda '18 in The Ghosts of Gatsby, a partnership with Baldwin Wallace and Cleveland Opera Theater as part of the
National Opera Association (NOA) conference in January 2020. Anissa was an apprentice with Pittsburgh Festival Opera during the summer of 2020, performing Countess Almaviva in their young artist scenes program. She graduated from Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in 2018. Mrs. Clay Zelaya has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as a member of the Junior Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. Anissa was a high school apprentice with the Pittsburgh Opera, where she has performed in two mini-lecture recitals.
Alexandra Coburn (Prince Orlofsky) is a professional mezzo-soprano from Houston, TX. She began her undergraduate degree at Louisiana State University and had many lead roles in the operas during her time there including Mistress Quickly in Falstaff, Katasha in The Mikado, Zulma in L’italiana in Algeri, Mother Goose in The Rake’s Progress and performed with local opera companies in the area. She was also asked to perform as the La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica with OperaFestival di Roma in 2017. She returned to Italy on scholarship to study at the Bel Canto in Tuscany School of Opera in 2018 and performed all over Italy. After finishing at LSU she moved to Virginia to continue her study of voice with The Potomac Vocal Institute. Alexandra was also hired by Washington National Opera with the Kennedy Center in 2019 and is still an active member. She will be in their 2022-23 season in Verdi’s Il Trovatore and Puccini’s La Boheme. Alexandra is at Mason finishing her undergraduate degree with a BA in Music and a minor in Arts Management. In her time with Mason Opera, she has appeared as Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors. She is currently a junior in the studio of Professor Patricia Miller.
Rick Davis (Narrator) is Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Executive Director of the Hylton Performing Arts Center, and Professor of Theater. From 1991 until the company’s closure in 2012, he was artistic director of Mason’s professional theater company, Theater of the First Amendment (TFA). Under his leadership, TFA became one of the Washington area’s most respected theaters, winning twelve Helen Hayes Awards and producing more than twenty world premieres. Before coming to Mason, Rick was Associate Artistic Director of Baltimore Center Stage, and has directed both theater and opera across the country at venues such as Center Stage, Delaware Theatre Company, the IN Series (more than a dozen productions), Opera Idaho, Lake George Opera, and the Kennedy Center. His books include Calderon de la Barca: Four Great Plays of the Golden Age, as well as two volumes co-authored with Brian Johnston (Ibsen: Four Major Plays and Ibsen In an Hour), and Writing About Theatre with Christopher Thaiss.
His translations have been produced in regional theaters and universities from coast to coast. He is the librettist for Stations of Mychal, a song cycle that premiered in New York City on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, with music by Kevin Salfen, and Love’s Comedy, an opera with music by Kim D. Sherman, with whom he also wrote a critically acclaimed oratorio, The Songbird and the Eagle, premiered (and revived) by the San José Chamber Orchestra. He has received the Mason Teaching Excellence Award and was named Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year. He holds a B.A. from Lawrence University and an M.F.A. and D.F.A. from the Yale School of Drama. He dedicates this performance to the memory of his friend, colleague, and (all too briefly) teacher, John Aler.
Vee Errett (Yvan) is a sophomore Vocal Performance Major learning in the studio of Dr. Alisa Jordheim. Previously, they sang in the chorus for Amahl and the Night Visitors and have been a part of various musical theater performances. Vee has also performed with the George Mason Chamber Singers for two years now.
Luis Flores (Falke) is a senior studying Vocal Performance at George Mason University, studying with Professor Debby Wenner. He has performed with various ensembles including the George Mason University Chorale and Chamber Singers, Liberty University Chorale and Singers, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and Maryland Lyric Opera Chorus. Mr. Flores has sung at prestigious venues such as The White House, The Washington National’s stage, The Kennedy Center, The Strathmore Music Center and Carnegie Hall. Mr. Flores has sung roles with Mason Opera including Liberto in Claudio Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea and Count Barigoule in Pauline Viardot’s Cendrillon, Melchior in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, as well as scenes in Die Zauberflöte as Papageno, and La Bohème as Marcelo.
Luigi Grande (Party Guest) is a senior citizen and a veteran of the United States Army. He retired in 2014 after working for 36 years as a senior architect for a reputable Engineering/Architectural Firm. Approximately six years ago, Luigi decided to take voice lessons at Northern Virginia Community College. Under the guidance of Prof. Eun-Ah Roh, Luigi began to follow his passion to become an opera singer. After 5 years with Prof. Roh, he began taking lessons at George Mason this semester from the talented Prof. Patricia Miller and Dr. Gene Galvin. Mr. Grande has performed on numerous occasions as a vocalist, including singing the National Anthem for NOVA’s 56th Commencement ceremony, performing in the chorus for La Bohème and scenes from Tamerlano in the La Musica Lirica
program 2022, and performing in a collaborative recital at The Mansion at Strathmore.
Julianne Kim (Adele) Julianne Kim is a senior Music and Psychology student in the studio of Dr. Alisa Jordheim. Julianne has performed with Mason Opera as La Fée and Maguelonne in Massanet’s Cendrillon, Frasquita in excerpts from Carmen, and Papagena and Second Lady in excerpts from Die Zauberflöte.
Lucia Ku (Party Guest) is in her second semester as a BM in vocal performance working under Dr. Alisa Jordheim. She is excitedly making her debut with the Mason Opera.
Savannah Lagana (Party Guest) is a junior Theater major with a performance concentration. She has recently been seen as Mrs. Cratchit in Rooftop Productions’ A Christmas Carol and an ensemble member in Prince William Little Theater’s The Sound of Music. She is very excited for this production, as this is her first opera credit.
David Maeng (Frank) is a Senior Vocal Performance student in the studio of Dr. Gene Galvin. David performs with the George Mason University Singers and University Chorale. David has previously performed with Mason Opera as Balthazaar in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, Alidoro in Rossini’s La Cenerentola, Baron Pictordu in Viardot’s Cendrillon, and Antonio in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, Act II Finale.
Madeline Manaker (Prince Orlofsky) is a second year Master’s student in Vocal Performance in the studio of Dr. Alisa Jordheim. Recent performances with Mason Opera include the Mother in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, the title role in Rossini’s La Cenerentola, Armenlinde in Pauline Viardot’s Cendrillon, and in scenes from Bizet’s Carmen as Carmen, Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte as Dritte Dame, and Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin as Olga. In 2022, Madeline performed with the Mason Symphony Orchestra as a winner of George Mason University’s annual Concerto Competition. Outside of George Mason, Madeline performs regularly as a chorus member with the Maryland Lyric Opera.
Jennifer Mills (Blind) is a junior Vocal Performance Major in the studio of Prof. Patricia Miller. Jennifer performed with La Musica Lirica program in 2021 as Una
Novizia in Suor Angelica and ensemble in La Traviata. This is Jennifer’s second semester performing with Mason Opera. She was Annio from La Clemenza di Tito for the Opera Scenes Recital and sang in the chorus for Amahl and the Night Visitors. Jennifer also performs with the George Mason Chamber Singers.
Mikayla Mindiola (Blind) is a Masters student in Vocal Performance in the studio of Patricia Miller. Last summer she was seen as Jeanie in Hair with the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival. During her undergraduate studies at Illinois State, she performed and filled various leadership roles with the Gamma Phi Circus. She is currently the alto soloist/sectional leader at Westmoreland Congregational UCC.
Daniel Olenick (Party Guest) is a first-year Undergraduate student in Music Education with a focus in Voice in the studio of Dr. Eugene Galvin. While being an experienced choral singer, this is Daniel's first appearance with the Mason Opera as he has no prior experience in any theatre or opera performance.
Bronson J. Rodriguez (Alfred) is a senior Vocal Performance Major in the Studio of Dr. Gene Galvin. Bronson performed with Mason Opera last semester as Kaspar in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors and Tamino in scenes from Die Zauberflöte. Bronson also performs with the George Mason University Chamber Singers and recently appeared as Roderigo in Verdi’s Otello and Kaspar again with Shakespeare Opera Theater.
Joshua Slutsky (Party Guest) is a sophomore Vocal Performance major who sings bass and is studying with Dr. Gene Galvin.
Hana Tawil (Adele) is a junior Theatre major thrilled to be in her first opera! She played Philoclea in last fall’s production of Head Over Heels. Other theatre roles include Brooklyn in BKLYN (Silhouette Stages), Lucy Harris in Jekyll & Hyde (The Fredericktowne Players), Heather McNamara in Heathers (Dominion Stage), and Helena Landless in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Workhouse Arts Center). Hana was a NATS Musical Theatre Competition national semifinalist and sang the national anthem at the 61st Ramallah Convention.
Die Fledermaus
Mason Opera Angels
The Vocal Studies Division and Mason Opera gratefully acknowledge Carolyn Peterson and the Peterson Family Foundation for their generous Leadership Support of Mason Opera and Vocal Studies Endowed Scholarships.
Daniel and Judith Burkett
Pat and Pat Carroll
Lucy C. Church
Joyce Grimes
Mrs. Jacqueline Badger Mars
Ms. Patricia A. Miller
Mrs. Carolyn Peterson & The Peterson Family Foundation
Robert and Ida Portland
Mary Ballard Postma
Drs. James and Wanda Trefil
Daniel J. Tucciarone and Thomas Sabal
Bob and Pat Warakomsky
Sherry Watkins
The Vocal Studies Division would like to sincerely thank all who have contributed to Mason Vocal Studies & Mason Opera.
George Mason University
Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
For more information and a complete listing of concerts and recitals, visit the web site at music.gmu.edu
George Mason University is a registered All-Steinway School
The use of cameras and video or tape recorders without prior permission is strictly prohibited.
Notice: For your own safety, LOOK for your nearest EXIT. In case of emergency, WALK; do not RUN, to that EXIT.