PROGRAM: Bravo 2009 Spring Opera and Dance

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

The Official Magazin e of the Detroit Opera House

BRAVO is a Michigan Opera Theatre publication.

Rebekah Johnson, Editor Mitch Ca rt er, Contributing Editor

Contributors

Mitch Carter

Ron Daniels

Rebekah Johnson

Steven Marlette

Roberto Mauro

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Michigan Opera Theatre is a nonprofit cu ltural organization, who se act ivities are supported in part b y the Mich iga n Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment fo r the Arts, and ot h er ind ividua ls, corporations and foundations. Michigan Opera Theatre is an Equa l Oppo rtuni ty Emplo ye r.

Greetings,

dear friends, and welcome to Michigan Opera Theatre's 2009 spring season of opera and dance.

As we begin this season , let me take this opportunity to thank the countless individuals w ho mak e up the Michigan Opera Theatre family for your generosity. Whether you have made a donation, purch ase d a ticket for a p erformance , participated in our community outreach programs, parked in our garage, or vol unte ered your tim e on our behalf, I want you to know how deeply appreciative I am for your support

Despite the challenging economic climate, we have assembled a season of world -class opera and dance presentations that is among the best we have yet offered. Our spring season opens with two very different but equally charming dance productions. On February 28th , the Grand Rapids Ballet Company will present Aladdin in the neighboring company's third trip to Detroit over the past three years . The Detroit Opera House is pleased to present this charming, comical, and magical production that the entire family can enjoy. And, after a two year hiatus , American Ballet Theatre also returns in March for their renowned production of Romeo and Juliet, a ballet staple performed by an American national treasure. An audience favorite performed by ABT since 1985 , Romeo and Juliet embodies everything that is moving and beautiful about a live ballet performance.

After less than two years in existence, the Michigan Opera Theatre Children's Chorus has grown into a 50-member group of talented boys and girls. After a very successful operatic debut with last year's The Maker of Illusions , the MOTCC has undertaken opera on an even larger scale this year, mounting Brundibar, an opera written by Jewish Czech composer Hans Krasa with libretto by Adolf Hoffmeister. Performed with a live orchestra, Brundibar will be performed entirely by the MOTCC on the Detroit Opera House main stage with professional sets and costumes. As part of our commitment to support the efforts of the MOTCC, you will find the program notes for that opera in this very program book.

Our spring 2009 opera season is a tribute to opera classics that withstand the test of time. First, our spring opera season opens with an all-new production of the lighthearted Donizetti comedy The Elixir of Love. Set in Napa Valley prior to World War I, the scenery and costumes are a refreshing slice of Americana. Both returning to Michigan Opera Theatre after their highly-antiCipated debuts la st season, Ailyn Perez and Amanda Squitieri will alt ernate in the role of Adina.

One tenor making his exciting MOT debut in the role of poor and dutiful Nemorino is Stephen Costello, who performed the role of Christian in Cyrano with Opera Company of Philadelphia.

Our 2008-09 "Casualties of Love" season closes with the return of Carmen to the Detroit Opera House , an encore production last presented in 2001. An opera classic in every sense of the word, Carmen is an audience favorite for the fiery and passionate musical score which includes "Ha banera " and the "To reador Song." The seductive gypsy Carmen will be performed alternately by Kate Aldrich , who performed the role in 2001, and Kendall Gladen , a talented, fresh young artist in the opera world. The role of Don Jose will be performed by alternately by Roger Honeywell and William Joyner, who will be making his MOT debut.

As you might imagine, the current economic climate has brought about unprecedented challenges for the entire cultural community, and Michigan Opera Theatre is no exception. And, while we ha ve weathered economic slowdowns before , this one has really hit home, especially for so many of our friends and patrons. Our organization, as ha ve the other fine non-profit arts organ iz ations in our communi ty, has experienced th e same challenges of downSizing , whil e maintaining the world -cl ass standards of opera and dance that you are accustomed to experiencing at The Detroit Opera House.

Michigan Opera Theatre has been a part of Michigan's cultural legac y for nearly 40 years, and we'd like to remain a viab le part of this community and your lives. Please keep Michigan Opera Theatre in mind for your charitable, tax deductible gifts. No gift is too small - and you can be reassured that every dollar will be utilized wisely for main stage productions that you are accustomed to attending, along with our award winning learnin g series and community outreach programs, which we have been prodUCing for audiences throughout the state for nearly 40 years.

Again , thank yo u for joining us for this exciting season of opera and dan ce, and enjoy the performance!

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

THE CAST

Aladdin Alexey Kulpin

Jasmine Dawnell Dryja

Genie Stephen Sanford

Jafar Arion Tanabe

Sultan Gordon Peirce Schmidt

Act I

Jasmine's Attendants ................................. Katie Brown, Briana Dean, Oksana Maslova

Guards

SYNOPSIS

Act I

Th e ballet opens with the Sultan and his daughter Jasmine having a quarrel over whom she is to marry. Not satisfied with the choices her father makes for her, Jasmine decides to escape from the palace and explore the market, a place she has not been allowed to visit before.

Anton Kandaurov, David Schultz, Nicholas Schultz

Market Women Chelsea Clow, Kateryna Derechyna, Mindy Mosolygo, Amy Price, Yarinet Restrepo, Laura Schultz, Larissa Tanis, Martha Bryan, Catherine Doyle , Julia Doyle, Jennifer Swanchara

Aladdin's Sidekick Victor Jarvis

Coffee / Oil Vendor.. ................................ Terry Madden

Rug Bearers ......................... .Jesse Powers, Ben Winegar

Street Urchins Antonio Allison, John Brenner, Chauntel Byrd , Aisha Carter, Reid Conlon, Elizabeth Ranck, Alysha Reimel, Ian Smith, John Vandevert

Cave Dwellers Kateryna Derechyna, Mindy Mosolygo, Nicholas Schultz

Keeper of the Lamp Attila Mosolygo

Jewels Chelsea Clow, Yarinet Restrepo, Laur a Schultz, Larissa Tanis

Vision:

Jasmin e Amy Price

Aladdin David Schultz

Sultan's Attendants .Jesse Powers, Ben Winegar

Courtiers Kateryna Derechyna, Mindy Mosolygo, Amy Price, Martha Bryan, Catherine Doyle, Julia Doyle, Jennifer Swanchara

Act II

Jasmine's Friends Katie Brown, Chelsea CloW; Briana Dean, Kateryna Derechyna , Oksana Maslova, Mindy Mosolygo, Amy Price, Yarinet Restrepo, Laura Schultz, Larissa Tanis

Guards Anton Kandaurov, David Schultz, Nicholas Schultz

Exotic Divertissement I.. Kateryna Derechyna, Nicholas Schultz

Exotic Divertissement II Amy Price, David Schultz

Jewels Chelsea Clow, Kateryna Derechyna, Mindy Mosolygo, Yarinet Restrepo, Laura Schultz, Larissa Tanis

Keeper of the Lamp Attila Mosolygo

PRODUCTION STAFF

Production Manager

.John Ferraro

StageManager Tom Mehan

Costumer........ Jamie Tinker Heeringa

Production Carpenter. Randy DeBoer

Production Properties

Stasia Savage

Production Electrician ............... .. .... Carlos Aguilar

Assistant Stage Manager Margaret Nawara

Costume Assistants Melissa Leitch, Clare Gardeski

At the market Aladdin, a young thief, is stealing his breakfa st from the shopkeepers. Keeping the palace guards busy is a daily JOY for Aladdin and he quickly outsmarts them. While playing this game Aladdin sees a beautiful new face at the market and becomes friends with her. Caught up in their new friendship they don't see the guards sneaking up on them and they are captured by jafar, the Sultan's advisor, who has been sent to find jasmine and caught Aladdin stealing as well.

jafar has jasmine taken back to the Palace, but keeps Aladdin with him. He believes Aladdin will be a useful thief to steal the magic lamp he has longed for from the Cave of Wonders. Aladdin wants nothing to do with it, butjafar convinces him that all he wants is the lamp and Aladdin can have anything else he finds in the cave. Aladdin agrees and enters.

The cave is truly filled with wonders including beautifully Jeweled statues that come to life and entice Aladdin to dance with them. Upon finishing his dance with the jewels he meets the Keeper of the Lamp who offers the treasure to Aladdin based on his pure heart. Aladdin takes the lamp, rubs it, and in doing so a Genie of great power appea r s and offers Aladdin his true hearts desire for summoning him. Aladdin is not quite sure what it is that he wants. At fir st he is enticed by the Jewels and the prospect of a magic carpet. The Genie then shows him a vision of the girl he met at the market and illustrates for him the power true lo ve holds. When Aladdin imagines them dancing together, he chooses that over material things. He says to the Genie "That's what I want, but first get me out of this cave, and make me a Sultan so jasmine will lo ve mel " In a flash the Genie does his bidding and Aladdin comes to the palace bringing gifts to jasmine and her Father.

jasmine's Father wants to know who this Su ltan is and asks jafar to find out. jafar recognizes him as the thief , and with the guards help steals the Magic Lamp from Aladdin's sidekick. The magic gone, Aladdin loses everything the Genie has granted him.

Act 2

In the Palace of the Sultan, jafar has taken over contro l of the Genie and demands that the Sultan make jasmine marry him. The Sultan succumbs to the power of the Lamp and begs Jasmine to wed jafar. She will have none of it and, despite the fact that he is no longer a Sultan, dreams of Aladdin the boy in the market. Her Father sees how distraught she is and realizes the power of true love is greater than that of the lamp.

Meanwhile the Genie is miserable doingjafar 's bidding. He finds Aladdin and jasmine together and begs for their help. Through their lo ve for each other, Aladdin and jasmine break the bonds that bind the Genie to jafar. The Genie uses his magic to entertain jasmine and Aladdin, conjuring a magical journe y of exotic interludes and dive rtissement.

Aladdin must now recover the Lamp fromjafar and return it to the Cave of Wonders to see that the Genie remains free. He and jasmine trick jafar into going into the Cave , and use the Genie's power to imprison jafar in the Lamp eternally

ALADDIN

Artistic Director 's Statement

Thi s is the story o f a yo u ng thief w ho, after hold ing the powe r of the uni ve rse in hi s hand s, gives it up for a happiness lhal ca n only co m e from a se lfl ess act. It see m s fitting , in li ght o f our current eco nomic cris is ca u sed by gree d and se lf inte res t , to b e telling th e tale of a yo un g man 's journey from the lure of mate ri al wealt h to th e ultimate n ob le ac t - freeing an o th er from th e b ond s of greed and p ower

W h e th er that was t he intent of this very, very ol d tal e we d on 't know, but it h as become appa rent in our ballet adap tati on and is actua ll y th e important th eme o f the wo rk. No t onl y does Alad d in find it within him se l f to fre e th e Gen ie from th e Lamp foreve r, thus finding gr eate r happiness; but th e Sultan , J as min e's father, d iscove rs th a t a ll Owi n g J asmi ne to fo ll ow a path not preordained b y him se lf , is th e ri gh t thing to do.

-Gordon Peirce Sc hmidt

Choreograp h y by Go rdon Pe irce Schm idt

Stagi ng and Directio n by Gordon Peirce Schmidt and Laura Be rman

Mu sic by Alexa nd er Borodin , Arranged by Gordon Peirce Sc hmidt

Scenery and Co s tumes Courtesy o f Ball etMet Columbus

Se t Des ign by Dan Gray

Costume De sign by Linda Pisano

G RA ND RAPIDS BALLET COMPANY PROFE SS IO NA L DA NCE RS

Chelsea Clow, from lJIino is , c urrently in he r fourth seaso n with the Com pany.

Kateryna Derechyna, from t h e Ukraine , currentl y in her fourt h se ason with th e Company.

Dawnell Dryja, from De troit , currentl y in h er seve nth seaso n w ith th e Co mpan y.

Anton Kandaurov, from the U krain e, currentl y in his first seaso n with the Company.

Alexey Kulpin, from Rus sia, currentl y in hi s fourt h se ason wit h the Co mpan y.

Oksana Maslova, from th e Ukraine , currentl y in h e r fir st seaso n with th e Compa n y.

Attila Mosolygo, from Hu ngary, currently in his tw elfth seaso n w ith the Com pan y.

Mind y Mosolygo, from Grand Rapids , current ly in her fift ee nth season wi th th e Company.

Amy Price, from Ontario, current ly in h er fir s t seaso n with th e Co mp a n y

Stephen Sanford, from Indi ana, currently in hi s e ig hth season with th e Company.

David Schultz, from Grand Rapid s, currentl y in hi s fourth season wit h the Co mpan y.

Laura Schultz, from Grand Rapid s, cur ren tl y in her six t h season w ith the Co mpany.

Additiona l Costume Design b y

J am ie Tinker H eer inga

Li ghting Des ign b y Matth ew Ta ylor

Tru c kin g provided by the Gainey Co rpor atio n

The Gran d Rapid s Ba lle t Company is supp orte d b y th e Mi c h igan Council for Arts and Cul tura l Affair s an d the Na ti ona l Endowme nt for the Arts.

Nicholas Schultz, [rom Grand Rapids , current ly in his sixth seaso n wit h the Co mpany.

Arion Tanabe, from Illin o is, cur ren tl y in his fir s t season with th e Co mpan y.

Larissa Tanis, from Illin o is, curre ntl y in h e r fourth season wit h t he Company.

Yarinet Restrepo - Apprentice, from Florid a, currentl y in h e r fir s t seaso n with th e Compa n y.

History of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company

Celebrating its thirty-seventh season, the Grand Rapids Ballet Company (GRBC) remains committ ed to its mission, to lift the human spirit through the art of dance. A proud recipient of the ArtServe Michigan Governor's Arts Award for Outstanding Cultural Organization, Michigan's only professional ballet company has a rich history marked by steady growth, a commitment to excellence, and strong community support.

In 1971 the Company started as the Grand Rapids Civic Ballet under foundin g Artistic Director Sally Seven. In 1983 the Grand Rapids Civic Ballet merged with the Summerfest School of Grand Rapids, a conservatory school for development of professional dancers, and subsequently was reorganized to form the Grand Rapids Ballet Company along with the Schoo l of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company Under the artistic direction of Chartel Arthur, GRBC moved into regional status and joined the Midwest Regional Ballet AssociationiRegiona l Dance America

During the 1993-1994 season, professional dancers were placed under contract for the first time.

Today, the professional company consists of sixteen full-time dancers; the School of th e Grand Rapids Ballet Company has an enrollment of over 250 students taught by instructors from professional dance backgrounds; an additional 500 students receive free introdu ctory classes through the award-winning "Steps in a New Direction" program; and the educationa l programs GRBC offers to the community are outstanding ways to foster the connect ion between the arts and education.

Since the appointment of Artistic Director Gordon Peirce Schmidt and Associate Artistic Director Laura Berman in 1999, the Company has seen tremendous growth and presented more than fifty new works, including the spectacular premieres of Caught in a Midsummer Night's Dream, Prisoner of Zenda, Can-Can, Peter Pan, and two in credib le collaborations with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. GRBC's performance season encompasses three main stage productions; three Dancers ' Th eatre Se ri es productions; and various benefit performances and tours throughout the state

Detroit Opera House

- totaling over 60 performances per season. The Company has performed in Quebec, Ca n ada, Lan sing , Detroit, Kalamazoo, Boyne City, Cadillac, Midland, Muskegon, St. Joseph and more; and with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony, Opera Grand Rapids, the Jackson Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Midland Symphony, and West Shore Symphony, among others.

Through the generosity of an artsconscious community, The Next Step Campaign allowed the Company to transform an old abandoned bus garage into a well-designed dance rehearsal space and school facility Since its opening in 2000, this permanent home has allowed the Ballet to add new opportunities for the communit y such as the popular Dancers' Theatre Series, an expanded school schedu le, and a popular field trip for students, "Escape to the Ballet," where children learn what it takes to run a professional ballet co mpany

Responding to the demand of the Dancers ' Theatre Series and tremendous growth of the Company and School, GRBC announced another exciting $7.5 million expansion in September 2006. Stage 2: A Campaign for Ballet includ es the addition of a 300-seat theatre adjacent to the Company's current facility, creating the Meijer-Royce Center for Dance. The new LEED-Certified Peter Martin Wege

Theatre opened in September 2007 and houses the Company's Dancers' Theatre Series, as well as performances by the students of the Schoo l of th e Grand Rapids Ballet Company The 300-seat design keeps the intimate feel of the Dancers ' Theatre Series that audiences have come to love, whil e also allowing access to the Series for more patrons. The space also offer s expanded opportunities for educationa l programs and any number of new ventures the Company wishes to undertake.

Original programming, inn ovative choreography, and a commitment to excellence are h allmarks of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company With artists invested in the community and a community that supports the arts, the Grand Rapids Ballet Company has created a fl ourishing arts center for all of Michigan, and continues to provide the highest level o f exce ll ence in dance theatre and education for all individuals.

For more information on the Grand Rapids Ballet Company, please visit www.grballet.com.

HERMAN CORNEJO · IRINA DVOROVENKO . MARCELO GOMES

DAVID HALLBERG · PALOMA HERRERA· JULIE KENT*

GILLIAN MURPHY· XIOMARA REYES· ETHAN STIEFEL· MICHELE WILES

STELLA ABRERA . KRIST! BOONE· MISTY COPELAND· YURIKO KAjIYA

SARAH LANE· CARLOS LOPEZ · JARED MATTHEWS· VERONIKA PART

MARIA RICCETTO CRAIG SALSTEIN GENNADI SAVELIEV DANIIL SIMKIN· CORY STEARNS

Alexe i Ago udin e . Eun Yo un g Ahn . Ge m ma Bond· Ke ll ey Boyd· Isa b ell a Boylston· julio Braga d o-You ng· Maria n Bu tler

Maria Bystrova . Ni co la Curr y· Gray Davis · Gran t D el ong· Ro dd y D ob le · Caroline Dup rot . Tobin Eason· Kenne th Eas te r

Ka rin Elli s -Wen tz· Zh on g-j ing Fan g· Th o m as Fors t er · j effrey Go llad ay · Ni co le Gr an iero Alexa nd re H am mo udi

Mel anie H amrick· Bl aine H oven· Mikha il Ilyin Ca rri e j ensen · Vi tali Kra u ch enka Isado r a Loyo la D an iel Ma n tei

Am anda McGui gan · Eliz ab e th Mer tz · Simo ne Messm er· Elina Mie tt in en . An ne Mil ewsk i * * Patr ick Ogle · Luc ian a Paris

Rena t a Pavam j oseph Phillip s · la uren Pos t · Ke ll ey Potte r · j acq u elyn Reyes · lui s Ri b agor d a j essica Sau n d Arro n Sco tt Hee Sea · Ch ri s tine Sh evc h en ko Sarah Smi th · Isaac St ap p as Sean Stewa rt · Eric Ta m m . Devo n Teuscher· Mary Mill s Tho m as Mel issa Th o ma s · l ea nn Un derwoo d · Karen U ph off j ennife r W h alen· Ka th erine W illi am s· Ro m an Zh ur bin App re ntices j ose ph Gorak . J ose Seb as ti a n

Victor Barbee A sso ci at e A rtisti c Director

Ormsby Wilkins

Music Directo r

Wes Chapman Arti s tic Direc tor, A BT II

Charles Barker Principal Condu ct o r

Ballet Masters

David LaMarche Conductor

Susan Jones· Irina Kolpakova Clinton Luckett · Georgina Parkinson· Nancy Raffa " on leave

"* 20 0 9 J enn ife r Alexander Da ncer

The Board , Dancers and Staff of American Ballet Theatre honor the enduring legacy of Peter T. joseph (1950-1998).

Saks Fifth Aven ue is the Leadin g Cor p ora te Sp on sor of Amer ican Ba ll et The atres Costume Fu nd. JP Morga n is th e Offic ial Sponsor of M a k e a B a ll et. American Air lin es is th e Offic ial Airlin e o f Am erican Ball et Th eatre.

No rthern Tru st is th e Lead ing Un derwri ter of Th e J acque line Kenne d y Onassis Schoo l at American Ballet Th ea tre.

Majo r fun d ing is provided by the Na ti ona l En dowment fo r th e Arts, th e New Yo rk State Council on the Arts, a sta te agency, and the New York City De p artment of Cu ltura l Affairs.

The ABT Artistic Director's Chair is generously supported through an endowed gift from Edward A . Fo x.

Betty, Marvin and Joanne Danto Dance Endowment Opening Night Sponsor

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

George M Zeltzer Production Sponsor

SYNOPSIS

ROM EO AN D JU LI ET

Ba ll e t in Three Ac t s

ACT I

Sce n e 1: T h e m a r k e t p lace Th e scene is Ve ron a. Ro meo , s on of Mont ag u e, tri es u ns u ccess fu lly to decla re h is love for Rosa lin e and is con sole d by h is fr ie nd s Mercut io an d Ben vo li o. As d ay breaks th e to wns p eo p le m ee t in t h e m ar ke t p lace and a qu arre l devel ops b etween Tyb alt , a n e ph ew o f Cap ul e t , and Rome o and hi s frie nd s. The Ca pul e ts and Monta gu es a re swo rn en e mi es and a fi gh t soon b egin s Th e Lord s Mo nt ag u e a nd Capule t j oin in th e fr ay, which is s topp ed by th e app earan ce of th e Prin ce o f Verona who comman ds th e famili es to end their feud

Sce n e 2: ant eroo m i n t h e Capu le t h ou se. J u li et, p layi n g wit h h e r nurse, is int e rru p te d by h e r parents, Lo rd a nd Lady Cap ul e t. Th ey prese nt h er to Pari s, a wea lthy yo ung n obl em an w h o h as as ke d fo r h er ha nd in m arriage.

Sce n e 3 : Ou ts ide t h e C apul e t h ous e Gu es ts arri ve for a b all at th e Capu lets' hou se. Rom eo, Mercut i o an d Ben vo li o, d isgui se d in m asks, dec id e to go in purs uit of Rosa line.

Scene 4 : T h e b all ro o m Rom eo and his fri end s a rri ve a t the h ei gh t of t he fes ti vi ties. Th e gu es ts wa tch J u lie t d an ce. Me rcuti o, see in g th a t Rom e o is en tr an ce d by h er, d an ces to d is tra c t attention from him Tyb alt recogn izes Ro m eo and ord ers him to leave, b ut Lo rd Capu le t in terven es an d welco m es him as a gu es t in hi s h ou se.

Sce n e 5 : Ou ts id e t h e Ca pul et h ou se As th e gu ests leave th e b all Lad y Ca pu let res t rai n s Tyba lt fro m pursui n g Rom eo.

Sce n e 6: b a lco ny. Un ab le to slee p , Juli e t co m es out on to h e r b alc ony and is think ing o f Rom eo wh en he sud den ly app ea rs in th e garden. They co nfess th eir love for eac h othe r.

Int ermiss i on

Rom e o and Juliet - Produ c ti o n Hi s tor y

ACT II

Sc en e 1: Th e mar k e t p la ce Ro meo can th in k on ly of J uli et , and as a we ddi ng pro ces sio n pa sses, h e d rea ms of th e d ay w h e n h e wi ll m arr y her. In th e m ea ntime, juliet's nurse pu s hes her way th ro u gh th e crow d s in s earc h of Romeo to give him a lett er from Ju li et. He read s tha t Juli et h as conse nt ed to b e h is wife

Scen e 2 : Th e chap e l. The love rs are sec re tl y marrie d by Fria r Lauren ce w h o h opes th a t th eir uni on wi ll en d th e strife b e twee n th e Mo nta gu es and th e Cap ul e ts.

Sce ne 3: T h e m ark e t p la ce. Inter rupting th e revel ry, Tyb alt fi ght s wit h Me rcuti o and kills him. Rom eo avenges the d eat h of his frien d an d is exil ed

Int ermi ss io n

ACT III

Sce n e 1: Th e bedroom At d awn n ex t m orn in g the h o u se h old is s ti rr ing an d Rome o mu s t go. He e mb races Ju lie t an d leaves as h er p arents enter wi th Pari s. Juliet refu ses to marr y Pari s, and hurt by h er rebu ff, h e lea ves J uli et'S p arent s are angr y and th reaten to di s ow n h er. J uli et ru sh es to se e Friar Lauren ce .

Sce ne 2: T h e c h ap e l. Juli et fa ll s at th e Fri ar's fee t and b egs for hi s h elp. He gives h er a vial of slee ping p o ti on tha t will ma ke h er fall int o a d eath - lik e s lee p . Her pa ren ts, b eli evin g h e r d ea d , will bur y h er in th e famil y tomb. Mea n wh il e, Rom eo, wa rn ed by Friar Laurenc e, will re turn und er cove r of da rk n ess and ta ke he r away fro m Verona.

Sce ne 3: Th e b edroom. Th a t eve ning Julie t agree s to marry Pa ris, but the nex t morn ing , when her pa rent s arrive, th ey find h er a pparent ly li fe less on the bed.

Scen e 4: Th e Capu let f amily Cl y pt. Romeo , fa il in g to rece ive th e friar 's message, re turns to Ve ro n a stunned by gr ief at th e n ews of Ju li e t's d eath Di sgUi se d as a mon k he enters t h e crypt and , fi nd ing Pari s by julie t's body, kills h im Beli evin g J uli et to b e d ead , Ro m eo drinks a via l of poiso n J uli et awakes an d, fi n d ing Rom eo dea d , s ta bs h er se l f.

Ro m eo and Juli e t rece ive d its World Pre miere b y Th e Roya l Ba ll e t at th e Royal Op era Ho u se, Cove nt Ga rden , Lond on on Feb ru ar y 9, 1965, d ance d b y Ma rgo t Fonteyn and Rud o lf Nureyev

Rom eo and Juli et was given it s Am erica n Ball e t Th eat re Comp an y Premi ere in Was hingt on , D. C. at the Kenne d y Ce nt er fo r t h e Pe rform ing Art s on J anuar y 3, 198 5, d an ce d by Les li e Browne and Rob e rt La Fosse

HISTORY

AM ERICA N BALLET THEATRE

Am erica n Balle t Th eat re is rec o gn ized as on e of t he grea t d ance co mp anie s in th e wo rld Few b all et com p ani es equa l ABT fo r its co mbin ati on o f size, sco p e, and outreach. Re c o gniz ed as a li vin g n a ti ona l treas ure since its fo u nding in 19 40 , ABT annu ally tours th e Unit ed Sta tes , p er formin g fo r more t h an 6 00 ,000 peop le, and is th e o nl y m aj or cultur al in s ti tu ti on to do so. It h as also ma d e m ore t han 3 0 int ernat iona l to ur s to 42 co unt ries as per haps th e m os t rep rese nta t ive Am eri can b all e t co mp any and h as b ee n spons ored b y th e Sta te Dep a rtm ent of the Un i ted Sta t es on many o f th ese en gage ments.

W h en Ame ri can Ball et Th eatre was lau nc h ed in th e Autum n of 1939, the aim was to deve lop a re pe rt oi re of th e b es t ba ll ets from th e pas t an d to e nco urage th e c rea tion of n ew works by gi ft e d young ch ore ograp h ers , w h ereve r they mi ght b e fo u nd. Und er th e d ir ec tion o f Lu cia Ch ase an d O li ve r Smith fro m 19 40 to 1980 , th e Co mpa n y mo re th an fulfill ed th at aim. T h e rep ert Oire, pe rha ps unma tc h ed in th e hi s tor y of ballet, includ es all o f th e grea t fu ll -lengt h ball e ts of the nin e tee nth cen tury, su ch as Swa n L a k e , T h e S lee pi ng Bea u ty and Gis e ll e, the fi nes t works from the ea rl y p art o f thi s century, su ch as Apo ll o , L es Sy lp hi d es , J ardin aux Lil as and Ro d eo and accla im ed co nt em po rary m as terpi eces su ch as A irs , Push Co m es to S h ov e and Du e t s. In ac quirin g su c h an ex traord inar y rep erto ire, ABT h as commi ssi oned work s b y all of the great ch o reogra phi c ge niuses of th e 20th ce ntur y : Geo rge Balan chin e, Antony Tudor, J e rom e Robbin s, Agnes de Mill e and Twy la Tharp , am on g o t he rs

In 198 0 , Mik h a il Bar ys hn i k ov b eca me Art is tic Directo r o f Ame rica n Ba ll e t Theatre, su cceedin g Luci a Ch ase and O live r Smit h . Und e r h is lea de rsh ip , n um ero u s class ic al ba lle ts we re s taged, restage d an d refurbi sh e d , and the Co m pa n y exp erience d a stre n gt h ening and refining of th e class ica l tr ad i ti on. In 199 0 , J an e He r mann and O li ver Sm i th su ccee d e d Bar ys hniko v an d imm ediat ely es tabli she d an age nd a that was ded i ca te d to m aint ainin g th e grea t tra dit io n s of th e past while aggressive ly p ursuin g a vi tal an d inno vati ve future

In Oc tob er 1992, for m er Ame ri can Ball et Theat re Prin ci pal Da n ce r Kevi n McKenzi e was app Ointed Arti s tic Di rector. Mc Ken zie, s tea dfa s t in hi s vis ion o f ABT as "Am erican ", is co mmitte d to m ai nt ain ing the Co mp an y's vas t re p ertoire, and to bringing the art o f d an ce t heater to th e great sta ges o f th e wo rld.

In kee ping with th e Co mp an y's lon g-s tandin g commitm ent to bringing th e fi nest in dance to th e wid es t int ern ati on a l aud ience , ABT h as rece ntly enj oye d tr iumph ant su cces ses wi th e ngage ments in To kyo, Lon do n , Paris, Buenos Aires and Mexico Ci ty.

Ove r it s 68 - ye ar hi s to ry, th e Compa n y has app eare d in a tota l of 131 ci ti es in 42 co untri es. ABT h as also app ea red in all fifty s ta tes o f th e Unite d Sta tes and embarked on it s fir st tri p to Chi na in 2001, app ea rin g in both Shangh ai an d H on g Kon g .

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

On April 27, 2006, by an act o f Con gress, Am eri ca n Ball et Th eatre became Ameri ca's Natio n al Ball e t Comp an y. BR AVO 11

BALLET THEATRE FOUNDATION, INC. BOARD OF GOVERNING TRUSTEES

Jacqueline Kenne dy Onassis (1929-1994), Honorary C hairman E m erita

Caroline Kenned y, Honorary Chairman

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Edward A. Fox, Chairman

Lewis S. Ranieri, Chairman Emeritus

Anne M. Tatlock, Honorary Chair, Executiv e Committee

Mildred C. Brinn, Susan Fal es- Hill , Andrew F Barth, Vice Chairmen

Sharon Pa trick, President

Br ia nJ Heidtke , Vice President & Treasurer

Rod Brayman , Secretary

Ali Wambold, Chair, Nominating Committee

Susan Fales-Hill, Jam es M. Orphanid es, Co-Chairs, D ev elopment Committee

Brian J Heidtke, Chair, Education Committee

Sharon Patrick , Chair, Strategic Planning & Governance Committ ee

Konr ad R. Kruge r, Chair, Finance Committee

LawrenceJ Shaw, Chair, Audit Committee

Mark Wainger, Chair, Human Resources Committee

Lisa Smi th Cas hin

Nancy H ave n s- H asty

James S. Regan

TRUSTEES

David H. Koch , Andrew F Barth , Vic e Chairmen

Martin Sosno ff, Chair, Investment Committee

ABT gratefully acknowledges support from The R. Chemers Neustein ABT Artistic Initiatives Fund.

ABT gratefully acknowledges The Linda Allard and Herbert Gall en Costume Fund

ABT gratefully acknowledges j a m es S. and Amy Regan for their endowe d gift in recognition of the PrinCipal First Violin/Concertmaster Chair.

ABT gratefully acknowledges Barbara Hemm er le Go llust and Keith Go llust for their endowed gift in recognition of th e Principal Conductor's Chair.

American Ballet Theatre gratefu lly acknowledges Karin and Sta nl ey Sc hwalb for their genero us endowed gift made in recognition of the amazing artistry and talent of ABT's dancers.

ABT gratefully acknowledgesjoellen and Tom Melone as the founding ben efactors of the ja cquelin e Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Th eatre.

David LaMarch e's performances with ABT are ge nerously supported through an endow ed gift from Nancy Havens-Hasty and]. Dozier Hasty.

AB T gratefully acknowledges Th e Peter T joseph Foundation for it s endowed gift in recognition of The Specia l Needs Fund.

ABT gratefully acknowledges MacDonald and C harlott e Mathey for their endowed sponsors hip in recognition of a Corps de Ballet m emb er.

Joan Taub Ades

Ho ward B. Adler, Esq.

Linda Allard

Adrienne Arsht

Muffie Potte r Aston

Devon F Briger

Dirk Donath

Nancy Elliso n

Susan Fe instein

Sonia Florian

William J Gillespi e

J oyce Giuffra

Audre D. Carlin

Ricki Gail Conway

Alexander C. Ewing

StephenJ Friedman

Anne Grauso

Judith M Hoffman

Wendy Evans Jo sep h

Cheryl Bergenfeld Katz

J Jeffer y Kauffman

Th er esa Khawly

Kathi Koll

Donald Kramer

Paula Mahoney

Kevin McKenzie

S. C hristopher Meigher, III Tara Milne

HONORARY TRUSTEES

Deborah , Lady MacMillan

Robin Chemers Ne u s t ein

Mrs. Byam K. Stevens , Jr

CHAIRMEN EMERITI

Hamilton E. J ames

TRUSTEES EMERITI

Lucia Chase (1897-1986)

Ch arles H. Dyson (1909-1997)

Gage Bush Englu nd (1932-2009)

Mrs. Ward S. Ha ga n ( 1927-2005)

Peter T. J oseph (1950-1998)

C harl es Payne (1909-1994)

Nora Kaye Ross (1920-1987)

Oliver Smith (1918- 1994)

Rachel S. Moore

Edward L Morse

Ruth Newman

Matth ew Rubel

Cindy L Si tes

Florence Low Sloan

Melissa Smith

Susan F Sosin

Blain e Trump

Jean Volpe

John L Warden, Esq. Mrs. William Zeckendorf Melville Straus

AB T is grateful to the follOWing sponsors o f So loists and members of the Corps de Ballet : Stella Abrera - Edward H. Smith, Jr.

Misty Copeland - Susan Fales-Hill

Veronika Part - Olga and Eric Jorgensen

Maria Riccetto - Peggy and Lewis Ranieri , in lo vi ng memory of Margaret Ranieri

Gennadi Saveliev - Brian and Darlene Heidtke

Zhong-Jing Fang - Fred and Iren e Shen

Melanie Hamrick - Margaret King Moore

Dancer Award

Luciana Paris - Adrienne Arsht

Joseph Phillips - Linda and Edward Morse

Christine Shevchenko - Theresa Khawly

Sarah Smith - Chr istian Baha

Cory Stearns - MacDonald and Charlotte Mathey

Blaine Hoven is the recipient of the 2008 Chris Hellman Award from the Princess Grace Foundation-USA.

Misty Copeland and Sarah Lane are recipients of 2008 Leonore Annenberg Fellowships in the Arts.

American Ball et Theatre wishes to express its appreciation to Theatre De velop men t Fund for its support of thi s seas on.

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

Yamaha is the official piano of the Metropolitan Opera House. Detroit Opera House

AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE STAFF

Artistic Directo r Kevin McKenzie

Executive Direc tor. Rachel S. Moore

ARTISTIC

Artist in Res id e nce

Alexei Ratmansky

Associate Artistic Director Victor Barbee

Artistic Administrator C risti na Escoda

Ba ll e t Masters Susan jon es, Irina Ko lpakova, C linton Lu ckett, Georgina Parkinson , Na nc y Raffa

Rehearsa l Coo rd inat o r j en nife r Anderson

Assistant to the Artis ti c Staff Frances H owo rth

Company Teac h ers N ancy Bielski , Ethan Brown, Wes Chapman, Rinat Imaev, Clinton Lu cken, Na nc y Raffa , Craig Sa lste in , Vlad il e n Seme no v, Lupe Serrano

COMPANY MANAGEMENT AND ADM IN ISTRATIO N

General Manager David G. Lansky

Compa n y Manager jus t in Sweeney

Associa te Company Manager Kyle P ickles

Co ntract Coo rdin ator.. Ko Tagu ch i

Assistant to the Executive Director....... Laura Simp son

PRODUCTION

Produ c tion Manager

N. james Whi tehill III

Technical Dire c tor Richard Koc h

Principal Stage Manage r

Stage Manager

Dathan Manning

Dani elle Vent im iglia

Ass istant Stage Ma n ager Matthew La cey

Li ghti n g Director Br ad Fiel d s

Assista nt Ligh ting Director. Kristina Kloss

Master Carpe nte r Fran k laMantia

Assistant Ca rp en ter Dan De Prenger

F lyman.. Daniel Hix

Master E lec tr ician Laura Carte r

Assis tant Electric ians james Wrobel , Paul Gibson

Prop e rty Master................... Paul Well s

Ass is tant Property Man , Steven Dunbar

Wardrobe Supervisor Bruce Horo wi t z

Assistant Wardrobe Hilarie jenkins, Caryn Wells, And rew Corbo

Make-up Master Ri va Pizhadze

W igs and Make-up .j ose ph Parl

MUS IC Mu s ic Direc tor.

Pri n cipa l Co n ductor..

Ormsby Wilkins

C h arles Barker

Con du cto r a n d Music Administra tor... David laMa rche

Concertmaster.. Rona ld Oakland

Orchestra Personne l Manager.. Matthew Dine

Rehearsa l Pia ni sts Barbara Bilac h , David laMarche, Henrie tta Ste rn, Daniel Waite

DEVELOPMENT

Direc tor of D evel opment

Associate Director of De velopment

Director of In s t i tuti o n al Su pp ort

Director of Majo r Gifts

D i rector of Spec ia l Events..

Assistant D irector, Ind ividua l Gi ving..

Database and Finan ce Man ager..

Coordinator, Spec ia l Events

P e ter W Lyden

Amy Brown

Mimi Bradley

Leah Cohen

Wendy Fisher

jillian Barsa lou

Carol Radel

Brie W il so n

Coo rdinator, Membe r Events and Se r vices Lauren j ohnston

Development Associate Sa rah Baker

Development Associa te.............. Kathy Liu

Developme n t Assoc iate

Brannan Osburn Berman

Member Associate, Patron Ti cket ing.. Ca itlin Diebo ld

Members hip Associa te, Dancers Circle. Lily Arbi sse r

Assista nt to Director of Development. Shell y Wolfe

MARKETING AN D COMMUNICATIONS

Dir ec tor of Press and Pnblic Rel a tions Ke lly Ryan

Direc tor of Marketing and Brand Management .J a m e s Timm

Press Associate.. Su sie Morgan

Marketing Assoc iate. Deird re H oe tmer

Gro u p Sa les Manage r.. Ellen Koga

Press Assoc iate. Rebecca Kim

Pre ss Associate and Staff Photo g rapher.. Myra Armstrong

Photographer.. Gene Schiavo n e

Associate Staff Photogra pher Rosa li e O'Connor

Detroit Opera House

F INANCE

C hief Financial Officer Ra c hel Pivnick

Payro ll a nd Benefits Ma n ager Ca therine P. Brown

Fin ance Manager Mary Sorm eley

I. T. Ma na ger.... Vin ce Lingner

Bookkeepe r Marianne Van aselj a

Office Manager Roseanne Forn i

Finance Assistant.. Sarah Surber

EDUCATION AND TRAI N ING

Direc tor of Education and Training Mary Jo Ziesel

Artist ic Directo r o f AB T II.. Wes C hapman

Principa l, jacqueline Kennedy Onass is Sc h oo l Franco De Vita

Di rector o f Trai nin g Pro gra ms.. Mo ll y Schnyde r

Di recto r of Educatio n al Outreach.. Den ni s]. Walters

Direc to r of Summer Intens ives. H e id i Gunter

Arti s ti c D i rector of Summe r Int ensives Me li ssa Alle n Bowman

Art is ti c Associate, ABTINYU Masters Pro g ram Ra ymond Lukens

ABT II Compa n y Manage r Rafael Garcia

Artistic Coo rdi nator for Educational Outreach. Richard Toda

Educat ion Programs Mana ger... Kevin Edwa rds

Artistic Assoc iate for Educational Outreach H a rriet Clar k

National Tra inin g Curriculum Coordinator j enna Bitterman

Summer Intens ive Coo rdinato r Miki Shinta ni

Train in g Programs Coord inator. Rebecca Schwa rtz

ABT ]] Assistant E li zabeth Aymong

Educat io n Intern Steve n Kaplan

PROFESSIONA L SERVICES

Co nsu ltin g Ort h o p edist.. Dr. W illi am Hamil ton Assista nt Orthopedist Dr. Ph ili p Bauman

Ph ysica l The r apis ts.. Peter Mars h all ,julie Daugh erty

Massage The ra pi s t ...Olinda Ce d eno

Imm igrati on Cou nsel Wormse r, Kiely, Ga lef & jacobs LLP

Labor Co unsel Kenneth A. Margo lis o f Kauff, McC lain, and McGuire

Acco u nti n g Lutz & Carr

Ins u rance Broke rs DeWitt Ste rn

Chai rman of t h e Medical Advisory Board Dr. Gary Wadler

American Ballet Thea tre is a memb er of the Amer ican Art s Alli ance, t h e Arts a nd Bus iness Counc il , Inc. and D a n celU.5.A.

The dancers and stage managers of Am erica n Ba ll e t Theatre are represe nte d for t he purp ose o f co ll ec ti ve ba rga ining b y t h e Am e ri can Guild of Mu sical Artists, AFL-Cl O.

Tru ck in g by Clar k Transfer Inc

Barbara Mat era, Ltd. is the Offi cial Costume Shop of Ame rican Ballet Th eatre.

Physical therapy equi pment generously donated by th e Anna-Ma ria and Step h en Kellen Foundation in recognition o f Dr. Phillip Bauman for his extraordinary work in t h e field of medicine.

IT cons u ltin g se r vice fo r ABT is provided by Ad va n ced Micrographic Systems

In corpo r a ted, www.amsnyco m.

Tour booking by j ea n-j acq u es Cesbron , Col u mbia Artists Man ageme nt , LL C.

Ha rl equ in is the officia l fl oor of America n Ba ll e t Th ea tre.

VOLUNTEERS

Va ler ie Addas, julio Alegria, Caro l Bec k er, Melvin A. Be rnstei n , Paul Cahill, Anuar Carvaja l, judi Chan don , Katherin e Cole, Eva T. Co mita , john Condon, Chris tina

A. Cowe ll , jos ep h Davis, Barbara DefaziO , Vivien Delugg, Indira Devi , Marjorie Faver, Anne Frankel, Rebecca Friedman , Adam Roy Gale, jud y Ginesi , Norma and Ted G latzer, Bob Greene an d Chris All en, Brad H arlan, Yvonne an d Warren H erbst, Hon ey Hil zen, Teresa H ood, Laura In ge, Wa n da j ones, An d rew Cha r les Ki n g, Kit Kreilick, Soraya Kurban, Lu cy Lee, Maggie Le mont , She lley Limmer, H o lly Martin , Keiko Mats umura, Ka th y McDonald , j ess ica McMe n a min , Su e Gayle Merk, Audrey

M. Messer, Ina M. Mishkin , Ange la Modena, Barba ra Q. Mye rs, Mic h ael Norma n dy, Ger ry Os ter, Me li ssa Ozawa, Ma ril yn Pesk in, Es p e ran za Reguera , Ma rce lla Raphae l, Geri Richards, Be tsy Rum l, Gail Ryan, Na n cy Salis bury,jua nita Seidel , Ms. Este ll e Se lze r, David Sham il zadeh, Beth Sh apiro, Nancy L Sifto n , Lind a Sitnick, Marianne Stegela nd , Sidn ey Su garman, jennifer Sutt meier, j en nifer Tarlow, Steven Toback , Donna Tur ian, Tom Vasi loff, Sta cey Warady Gillett, johanna Webe r , Per i Winkler, Anthony Yazzett i.

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

Brundibar Synopsis

THE CAST

In order of vocal appearance

Teacher Mary Lou Zieve

Annette Brooke Bliznik

Joe ' .Alexander Borello

Ice Cream Woman

Baker

Milkmaid Policeman

Brundibar

Bird

Cat Dog

Sara h Pid geon

Clare DeLamiellure

Rachel Curtis

Ryan Hurley ............. Maggie Malaney

Kayla Marie Lumpkin

Veronica Battersby

Madeline Thibault

Chorus Michigan Opera Theatre Children 's Chorus

Understudies

Annette: Olivia Motzer

Joe: Nicholas Fuller

Ice Cream Woman: Malaya Watson

Baker: Ethan Anderson

Milkmaid: Malaya Watson

Policeman: Ethan Anderson

Brundibar: Madeline Thibault

Bird : Nico le Huot

Cat: Brittany John so n

Dog: Kristine Overman

Original Production by Th e Graduate Ce nt er; CUNY, Office of Cont inuing Education and Public Programs:

Thaddeus Strassberger; set designer

Mattie Ullrich, costume designer

Shawn Kaufman, lighting designer

By arrang ement with Bot e & Bock Berlin and Boosey & Hawkes, In c.

Brundibar is the story of two children, Little Joe and Annette, who have no money to buy milk for their ailing mother. Seeing passersby givin g coins to the organ grinder Brundibar, the children try to earn money by singing on the street corner. Brundibar chases them away, but a friendly Dog, Cat, and Sparrow help them round up the oth er children in town , who form a choir large enough to compe te with the organ grinder When Brundibar steals Little J oe's hatful of coins, the children overpowe r him. Littl e Jo e succeeds in hi s quest to buy milk, and t h e children are victorious!

Brundibar History

By lAU REN M CC ONNELL, PHD

The chi ldren 's opera Brundibar has enjoye d renewed interest in recent years, in part because of the book adaptation with beautiful illustrations by Maurice Sendak that came out in 2003. Brundibar's performance history is as dramatic as the story it tells. The opera was written before World War II , but it became famous because of its extended run in the Terezin Concentrat ion camp in German -occup ied Czechoslovakia. As sc h o lar Bl anka Cervinkova notes "it helped make th e tra gic fate of the prisoners more hum an and b earable - both of those who played in the opera and of those w ho we nt to see the more than fifty performances of it. " In a few cases, it may have saved lives as well. Though most of the young performers in Brundibar were tran sported to extermination camps where th ey died, some the children, espec ially those in leading roles, had their transports d ela yed. Though they still were eventually taken to camps as we ll , a few, such as Rudolph Freudendfe ld (la ter Franek) and Ela Weissberger miraculously survived the war. Michiga n Opera Theatre is trul y honored to present thi s bra ve, ch arming op era and to welcome holocaust survivor Ela Weissberger, who played the ro le o f the Cat in the origin al Terezin production.

D,: Lauren McConnell is an assistant professor in the departm ent of Communication and Dramatic Arts at Central Michigan University. Her area of scholarly interest is East European theatre and drama, particularly in Czechoslovakia. She was a Fulbright professor in the Slovak Repub lic in 1996, and receive d a Boren Graduate Int ernational Fellowship to st udy censorship in Czechoslovakia for a year in 2001-2002.

Mandell L. and Madeleine H. Berman Foundation, Chorus Spo nsor Brundibar Chorus:

Ethan Anderson

Londarius Anderson

Elena Baka luca

Breanna Betancourt

Ann Marie Calvaneso

Mary Grace Calvaneso

Hannah Cheriyan

Natalie Chaiken

Caroline Hofman

Dylan Drean Nicole Huot

Al yssa Dsouza

Brittany Johnson

Nicho las Fuller Jade Kitchen

Greta Ginter Kaylynn Lear

Natalie Gratsch Sh erene Leve rt

Emma Hintzen Alaina Matt h ews

Kelly McGraw

Emily Michielutti

Olivia Motzer

Ellen O'Brien

Christina O'Neil

Kristine Overman

Anna li se Poco

MI CHIGAN OPERA TH EATRE CHILDREN'S CHORUS STA FF:

Suzanne Mallare Acton, Director

Dianna Hochella, Asst. Director/Conductor

Megan Landry, Chorus Administrator

Jos eph J ackson, Accompanist

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

Chad Schultze

Taylor Stark

Jessica Tifft

Elizabeth Watson

Malaya Watson

Lauren Wickett

Taylor Wizner

We would like to thank Ela Stein Weissberger for appearing as our special guest for the performances of Brundibar.

Ela Stein Weissberger (Special Guest): is an original Brundibar cast member from the Terezin concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. A renowned speaker, lecturer and advocate, Ms. Weissberger is dedicated to traveling the world to te ll her story in honor of the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Born in Prague, she currently resides in Tappan , New York. Ms. Weissberger is one of 100 Terezin children who survived Worlel War II. She was born to Max and Marketa Stein in 1930. In 1942, Ela , her sister, mother, grandmother and uncle were deported to Terezin for three and a half years While there, Ela was a cast member in the children's opera Brundibar, and played the role of the Cat in 55 performances while at Terezin. Ela and her family were liberated on May 5 , 1945, and in 1949 they moved to Israel. It was there she met and married her husband , Leopold Weissberger. Ela has two children.

Artist Profiles

Veronica Battersby (Cat) is 14 years old and attends Mercy High School. She l oves singing, acting , and dancing. This is Veronica 's 2nd year with the MOTCC. Veronica has been on stage numerous times, including Les Miserables (Young Cosette) , Beauty and the Beast (Chip), Sound of Music (Louisa) , The Little Princess (Sarah Crewe), Meet Me is St Louis (Miss Duffy) , and MOTCC's 2008 production of Mak er of Illusions (Genie) She was also part of the children 's chorus of Turandot at MOT.

Brooke Bliznik (Annette) is an 11 year old student at Hartland Farms Intermediate. She enjoys singing, acting , writing poetry, reading, skiing, piano, and p l aying the clarinet. She is a member of the Livingston County Children 's Choir and the 2008 MI El ementary Honors Choir. Brooke has performed with the Howell Community Theatre , including Alice in Alice in Wonderland She has sung the National Anthem at various community and professional events.

Destination Theatre . Rachel also has vocal and dance training.

Clare DeLamielleure (Baker) is 15 years old and a freshman at South Lyon High School. She loves to sing , act , and see her friends in her spare time. Clare has been singing since she was 3 years old and recently played Dorothy in the Wizard of OZ at her school.

Eric Einhorn (Director) made his MOT debut as the assistant director for The Magic Flute (2004) and returned most recently for Faust (2005). He has recently directed Alcina for Wolf Trap Opera , Orpheus in the Underworld for Glimmerglass Opera, The Diary of One Who Vanished for Gotham Chamber Opera, Cosi fan Tutte for Florida Grand Opera outreach, Oedipus the King for Klasikos Theater in Pittsburgh , as well as Xerxes for the Pittsburgh Opera. Eric has served on the directing staff of the Metropolitan Opera since 2005.

11

Ensemble Theatre. Her most recent appearances include performances with Second City in Detroit performing with a New York cast of "The Vagina Monologues." Since 1955, she has been a commercial announcer, actress, spokesperson and narrator on local and national television and radio , slide, and industrial film. She was a frequent reporter for many auto shows and conventions, and was awarded a CLIO and two Golden Mike Awards (1973 , 1974) for outstanding female announcer in Detroit.

Alexander Borrello (Joe) is 13 years old and attends Our Lad y of Sorrows. He loves acting , singing, dancing , and golf. Alexander has performed in over 20 theatre productions , including A Christmas Carol (Tiny Tim) at the Detroit Music Hall, Nutcracker at the Fox Theatre His on-camera work consists of one feature film , a TBS movie , and an HBO pilot.

Elizabeth Geck (Wig & Makeup DeSigner) has been coordinating the Michigan Opera Theatre wig and make -up crew for the l ast five years, as well as assisting the Wig and Make-up designer for main stage opera productions. Ms. Geck has assisted with several new productions including Aida, Cyrano, Margaret Gamer and Pearl Fisher. Elizabeth designed wigs and make-up for Motor City Lyric 's production of Amahl and the Night Visitors as well as Grosse Pointe Theater 's production of West Side Story.

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

www Mich i ganOpera.org

Detroit Opera House

Suzanne Hanna (Costume Designer) is the Costu m e Director for Michigan Opera Theatre. She assisted John Pascoe with th e costume design for David DiChiera's Cyrano. In addition , she has served as costume design er for Michigan Opera Theatre (Madame Cadillac), The New Studio Theatre (A ngels in America, Millenium Approaches , Master Class) , Performance Network (Doubt , Candida, Boston Marriage , Kimberly Ahimbo , I Am My Own WiJe) , a nd The Motor City Lyric Opera (Amah l and the Night Visitors).

Dianna Hochella (Conductor) is the assistant director and conductor of the Michigan Opera Theatre Children's Chorus. She is presently Director of Music at Littlefield Presbyt erian Church in Dearborn , Michigan. Ms. Hochella serves as a vocal instructor for Shrine Catholic High School in Royal Oak and has a private voice studio in Ann Arbor As a member of the Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus , Ms. Hochella has performed on the MOT main stage produ ctions in the world premiere of Margaret Gamer, Madama Butterfly, L es Pecheurs de Perles , and Un Ballo in Maschera.

Ryan Hurley (Policeman) is 10 years old and attends Burton Elementary School in Huntington Woods He plays the piano and is beginning the saxophone. He likes to sing, dance, draw, and enjoys playing tennis and soccer He is also on the HWAC swim team. Ryan was a supernumerary in the World Premiere of Cyrano at the MOT. He attended Camp Broadway in New York at the age of 7. He has attended theatre camp at th e Marquis Theatre in Northville and the Community House in Birmingham

Kayla Marie Lumpkin (Bird) is 11 years old and in the sixth grade at the Cranbrook Kingswood Middle School. She enjoys getting lost in a good book. Kayla Marie has performed in several musicals and plays; Sound oj Music (Marta), Honk Jr. (Beaky), Charlie and the C h oco lat e Factory (Mrs. Bucket), Cat on a Hot Tin RooJ (D ix ie ) , Wizard oj OZ, Maker oj Illusions and Les Miserables.

Maggie Malaney (Brundibar) is 14 and attends Our Lady of Sorrows School. She loves Irish dancing, ballet, reading , and theatre. Maggie played the Queen in the MOTCC production of Maker oj Illusions, and Susan in Irving Berlin's White Christmas. She performed with the MOT in Carmen , Turandot, Dead Man Walking, and La Boheme. Maggie has been a competitive Irish dancer for 9 years with Tim O 'Hare School of Dance.

Sarah Pidgeon (Ice Cream Woman) is a 12 year old 7th grader at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills . Sarah has studied piano for 5 years. She also enjoys cook ing , drawing , fashion, and running crosscountry. Sarah has appeared in several yout h theater productions at the Birmingham Community House. Last summer, she participated in the Interm ediate Musical Theater Production program at the Interlochen Arts Camp.

BRUNDIBAR

Thaddeus Strassberger (Set Designer) is active as both a scenic designer and director in the US and Europe Recent new productions include: Orfeo Ed Euridice (Augsburg) , La Cenerentola (Opera IrelancllStaatstheater Wiesbaden), La Gazzetta (Ro'ssini in Wildbad Festival), Aida (Lyric Opera Of Kansas City), The Magic Flute (Uta h Opera/Arizona Opera) , Ariadne AuJNaxos (Wo lftrap ) , La Fanciulla del West de Montreal) and La Traviata (Arizona Opera). Upcoming productions includ e Hamlet (Washingto n National Opera), Le Nozze de Figaro (Norwegian National Opera), The Tum oj the Screw (Opera Les Azuriales) and Les Huguenots (Bard Summerscape).

Madeline Thibault (Dog) is 14 and a freshman at Regina Catholic High School in Warren. She loves singing , acting , youth ministry, tennis , piano , and guitar. This is Madeline 's second year with the MOTCe. She was also part of Turandot with the MOT, and has performed in Pirates oj Penzance (Edith) and Iolanthe (Iolanthe).

News from the Michigan Opera Theatre Children's Chorus

MOTCC Returns for Carmen

The MOTCC will return to the Detroit Opera House stage to perform as the children's chorus in MOT's main stage production of Carmen! This fiery and famous tale of the gypsy Carmen will run at the Detroit Opera House May 9-17, 2009.

Know a Boy or Girl Who Loves to

Sing?

The Michigan Opera Theatre Chi ldren's Chorus will hold auditions for the 2009-10 season on May 27 and May 30, 2009. Times will be announced. Contact chorus administrator, Megan Landry, for more information at mlandry@motopera.org.

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

THE CAST

[n order of vocal appearanc e

.......... See Program In sert

Ailyn Perez (28, 4 )

Amanda Squitieri (27, 29)

Stephen Costello* (28,4) See Pro gr am In se rt

Dalibor jenis

Doctor Dulcamara ... .... Burak Bilgili

*Michigan Opera Theatre debut

The la s t Michigan Opera Theatre performance of The Elixir of Lov e was May 9-17, 1998.

SYNOPSIS Act I

Scene 1

Nemorino, a shy and simple young man is in love with Adina , a wealthy country girl. But Adina is willful, and his offers of lo ve are constantly rejected. Adina is seated apart from a group of townspeople reading, and Nemorino wonders how he could possibly win her love since she is so wonderful and much better than him. She has just come across the legend of the potion, which bound Tristan and Isolde with undying love and reads it aloud to amuse the others.

At this point a drum is heard, and a platoon of soldiers enters, headed by the dashing and bombastic Sergeant Belcore. Belcore at once begins to woo Adina , and in spite of his self-assurance and arrogance , she is flattered; however, to his hasty proposal of marriage she answers that she would like a little time to think it over. Nemorino, naturally, is very jealous and when everyone else leaves, he begs Adina to return his love, but in vain; she prefers to remain fancy free.

Scene 2

Dr. Dulcamara, a picturesque and loquacious quack, arrives in the town square, and, before the assembled townspeople, he sings the praises of his wonderful remedy, guaranteed to cure all ills. The naive Nemorino is impressed and asks whether he also sells the love potion of Queen Isolde. Naturally Dulcamara obliges him , but warns him that the potion will take effect only after twenty-four hours - which will give him enough time to leave town - and that no one must know about it. Nemorino is now so pleased and sure of himself that Adina is surprised to find him in a cheerful and confident mood; he assures her that his heart will be cured within one day In a fit of pique, she then tells Belcore that she will marry him in six days ' time. Nemorino is not worried· he knows that tomorrow she will fall at'his feet. But a message reaches Belcore with an order to leave town in the morning , so Adina agrees to marry him that very day Nemorino is now desperate, but his entreaties to Adina to postpone the wedding for just one day are all in vain. She invites everyone to the marriage feast, and they all mock the distraught Nemorino.

Act II

Scene 1

The marriage feast in anticipation of the wedding is in progress and Dulcamara is among the guests. When the minister arrives, Adina hesitates to sign the marriage contract , as Nemorino is not there and her vengeance would not be complete without him As the company goes off elsewhere, he enters and finding Dulcamara alone , asks for help. Dulcamara prescribes another dose of his remedy, but Nemorino has no [mlore money The doctor gives him a quarter of an hour to find it. Belcore now enters and persuades Nemorino to enlist in the arm y if he wants money, commenting to himself with glee that to enlist one 's own ri val is quite a clever stroke. Nemorino accepts in the hope of winning Adina 's love before having to leave.

Scene 2

The news is spreading throughout the town that Nemorino's rich uncle has died, leaving him sole heir. All the local girls surround him with attention and

then Nemorino, in his simplicity, belie ves this to be the effect of the potion. Adina is astonished at his popularity, and so is Dulcamara, who tells her about the potion. She is deeply moved, especially when she hears that Nemorino has sold his freedom for her. She realizes that she is , in fact , in love with him. Nemorino notices that she is weakening and is delighted. When Adina comes back with the enlistment papers, which she has just bought from Belcore, she admits to Nemorino that she loves him; and when Dulcamara lets slip the news he has just heard about the inheritance , Nemorino 's happiness is complete. Dulcamara , of course, attributes all this good fortune to his own magic elixir , and all the townspeople rush to buy it. Finally everyone except Belcore blesses him as he departs for the next town.

Synopsis Courtesy Opera Colorado

Synopsis partially provided by: John I Gates, Stephen F Austin State University School of Music.

Donizetti and his Miracle Elixir

By Roberto Mauro

It is generally accepted that life in the nineteenth century moved at a slower, saner pace than the e-mail, instant communication, computer-driven culture of today. However, in at least one area, that of opera composition, life was actually more stressfu l 150 years ago. During this era, the passion for new operas and new music was far greater than today, and composers, along with librettists were kept busy trying to fulfill the public 's voracious appetite. It was into this environment that Gaetano Donizetti was born in the northern Italian town of Bergamo in 1797 - a mere six years after the death of Mozart A series of tragedies prompted him to settle in Paris in 1838 Suffering from the effects of his exhaustive work schedu le and syph ili s, the musician finally went mad and had to be confined to an asylum in his native town in 1846.

Although Donizetti lived only 5 1 years, music seemed to literally flow from his pen. Occasiona ll y he managed to produce more than 3 operas in a single calendar year. In total, he gave us some 70 operas - both comic and dramatic , liturgical masses and numerous chamber works. However, not everyone was impressed with Donizetti 's rapid compositional skill. These staggering statistics prompted the German Philosop h er and Wagner disciple Heinrich H eine to remark sarcas tically, "in fecundity Donizetti is surpassed only by rabbits." Donizetti's fame peaked in 1835 after the premiere of his most famous opera, Lucia

di Lamm ermoor. Th e year 1835 also marked the death of Vincenzo Bellini and the retirement of Gioachino Rossini, the two composers who are synonymous with the bel canto school.

As noted above, Donizetti 's composit ion al period was characterized as somewhat of an operatic factory Composers and

librettists were expected to churn out new compositions at an extremely rapid rate. Donizetti's fellow bel canto exponent, Rossini, also left a prodigious body of work. Future king of the Italian Operatic Mountain, Giuseppe Verdi characterized his early period as "the ga ll ey years ." It was only Bellini who bucked the system, refusing to compose at such a rapid rate, leaving only ten operas.

It was precisely Donizetti's ability to whip something up quickly that brought the evergreen Elixir of Love into being. When another composer reneged on his commission for the Teatro alia Canaobbiana, its impresario turned to Donizetti. The impresario suggested that Donizetti simply revi se one of his earlier works, the composer replied. ''I'm not accustomed to patching up my own works. You 'll soon see that I am quite energetic enough to make you a brand new I opera in 14 days. I give yo u my word Now, you give me Felice Romani. "

Romani was a well-known librettist who had provided libretti for Bellini and also collaborated previously with Donizetti

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

on Anna Bolena. For th e subj ect, Romani borrowed the text by Eugene Scribe from Auber's opera Le Philtre. This opera had been a smash hit at its 1831 Paris premiere, and wou ld receive close to another 250 performance s over the next 30 years. Romani kept the plot line intact - a village boy is duped into buying a love philter that will supposedly make him irresistib le to every girl in town. Despite Donizetti 's admiration for his librettist, their collaboration was not always smooth. For examp le, when Donizetti asked for an aria for the tenor in the 2nd act , Romani bristled , "what's the point of that rustic bumpkin coming in and whining pathetically when everything must be festive and gay?" Fortunately, Donizetti won out, for what would Italian Opera be without the ravishing aria, "Una Furti va Lacrima"7 It has been the show piece for every tenor from Caruso to Pavarotti, and is un decidedly the best known piece of the opera.

Amazingly, Donizetti met his deadline, giving us one of the world's most popular comedic operas. When told of Rossini 's ability to turn out an opera in 18 days, Donizetti is said to have remarked, "Ah, yes, but then Rossini was a lways lazy!" The opera premiered on May 12 , 1832 to unanimous high praise. Soon after, the world was drunk (as I'm sure Michigan Opera Theatre audiences will be!) on this intoxicating opera.

Roberto Mauro is the Artistic Consultant for Michigan Opera Theatre and Senior Director of Artistic Operations for Arizona Opera.

Photos by Matthew Staver, courtesy Opera Colorado

Barry Banks as Nemorino

Maria Kanyova as Adina (reading) with Opera Colorado chorus

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Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

THE CAST

III order of vocal appearance

Morales Wes Mason

Micaela Janinah Burnett

Don Jose Roger H on eywe ll (9,13, 16 )

W illiam Jo yner (10, 15 , 1 7)

Zuniga Stephen Lu smann

Carmen ......... Kate Aldrich (9, 13, 16)

Kenda ll Gladen (l0, 15, 17)*

Frasquita

Mercedes

See Program In se rt .... Lisa Agazzi *

Homero Vel ho * Escamillo

Le Dancairo Wes Mason

Le Remendado See Pro gram Ins ert

*M ichi gan Opera Theatre debut

The last Michigan Opera Th eat r e production of Carmen was October 1321,2001

SYNOPSIS

ACTl

In a square in Seville , town sp e opl e and so ldi ers rela x in the sun A pretty co untr y girl , Micaela, co mes in looking for h er sweet h eart, Corporal Don Jo se; an o ffi ce r, Morales, tells h er J ose wi ll be th ere later, and sh e leaves. As the guard is ch an ge d , a band of chi ldre n parade around , imit ati ng the so ldi ers ("Avec la grande mont ant e") wh ose numb er now include s Jo se. To th e sound of th e n oon bell , girls from th e n ea rb y Cigarette fa ctor y wa nd er in to s moke and chat , as passersb y look on in fascination (" Dans l' ai r ") Carm en enters las t , flirtin g, joking an d exp laining h er philosophy of life: Love is a wild b ird th at ca nn o t be tam ed (Habane ra: 'Tamour est un oisea u rebe ll e") J ose sits apa rt , s ull en and distracted. Drawn b y hi s indifference, Carmen tosses him a flo wer as th e wo rk b ell ca ll s the girls back. Th e square grows quiet, and Micaela returns to give Jo se n ews o f hi s mother (" Parle-moi de ma m ere"). No soo n er ha s she left than a disturb anc e is h eard in the fac tor y; Carmen is in vo lve d in a fi ght , and the gi rl s run out arguin g over who sta rt ed it. Cap tain Zuniga orders J ose to arrest Ca rmen , but sh e res ists their questions with brazen nonc h alance. Her wrists bound , s h e sin gs "to herself" about th e rendezvo us sh e might arrange with Jose (Seq uidill a: "Pres des ramp art s de Sevill e"). Fal li ng und er h er spe ll , he loosens h er bonds. Th e crow d returns to see Car m en led to pri son, roaring with d elight when sh e escapes; J ose is arrested for letting h er get away.

D e troit Opera House

AC T II

A month later, at Pastias Inn , Ca rm en jo ins h er companions in a gypsy so n g (" Le s tringles des sistres ti ntaie nt ") and exe rts h er charms on the matador Escamillo, who boasts o f hi s exp loi ts in th e aren a ("Vo ne toast ") . W h en th e inn clo ses, Carme n te ll s four fri end s - Frasquita, Me rcedes, Dan ca iro, Rem end ado - that love for Jo se keeps her from go ing alon g on their next smugglin g tr ip (quint et: "Nous avo ns en te[ insert h at over fir st el te une affa ire") They laugh at h er, then hide as Jo se is h eard approaching. Carm en si n gs and dances [or him , but a bugle is h eard so unding th e retrea t , and h e starts to return to his barra ck s. Thi s an gers h er, and he pauses to show h er the fl ower sh e threw at him , telling gwh at it m eant to him in prison (" Le fl eur qu e tu m'ava is jetee ") Sh e invites him to join h er wild mountain life, but h e refu ses. Suddnl y, Zuniga brea ks in , pro vo king an atta ck b y J ose. Carmen ca ll s the gypsies , w h o se ize Zuniga. Jose is now for ce d to join th e ou tlaws.

ACT III

In their m ou n ta in hid eo ut , the smugglers congratu late themselves on th ei r su ccess ful career, but Jo se is unhappy in their midst. Carmen find s hi s home sickne ss tire so m e and bu sies h er self with her friends in telling their fortun es at card s. Frasq uita sees an ardent lover, Mercedes a

CARMEN

wea lth y hu sband and Carmen on ly death ("E n va in pour evi ter ") Th e gypsies leave , and Micaela ente rs in sea rch of J ose (,Je dis que ri e n n e m'e pou va nt "). A shot rin gs out , and s h e flees. It was Jo ses gun , aimed at Escam illo , w h o has co me looking for Carm en. The two sta rt to fight wi th kni ves and are se parat ed b y the gypsies; Escami ll o in vites th em all to his n ext bullfi ght and leaves a fte r in sultin g J ose, wh ose j ealo usy is reach in g dangerous bound s. Remen d ado brings in Micaela, and sh e begs J ose to return h om e. Car men , tired as sh e is of him, agrees, but h e knows w h at's on h er mind and vows to find h er after he h as seen his mother.

ACT IV

In Sevi ll e's P laza de Toros, th e crowd gathers for th e bu llfi ght, hailin g Esca millo. Carmen is with him an d assure s him of h er lo ve; s h e wa it s in th e square, though h er gi rlfri end s wa rn that Jo se ha s been seen prowling aro und , looking desperate . Ca rm en is a fatalist ; s h e knows sh e must fa ce J ose eventua ll y. Sure enough , he enters ("C'est toi? " "C'es t moW ), d e mandin g that sh e give up Escami ll o. But she and J ose are fini shed, s h e says, tossing his ring in hi s face, as th e crow d is h eard ch ee rin g for Escamill o. W h en Carme n trie s to run pas t J ose into the arena, h e s tab s h er, fallin g in despair b y h er bod y.

Notes on Carmen from Director Ron Daniels

Th e question that immediately springs to mind on thin king about Carmen is why is a platoon of so ldiers stationed near a cigar factory in the heart of the indu stria l district of Sevilla ? This is no remote border outpost and no foreign invasion is expected There is n o terrorist ale rt. Why, then, are the soldiers there, in stea d of confrontin g some enemy on foreign soil?

The answer perhaps lies in Carmen, the original novel by Prosper Merimee on which the Georges Bizet's opera is based.

In the novel, we lea rn that Daniels in the large fa ctory "four or five hundred women work in th e manufacture of cigars and men are not permitted to enter the building because, in the intolerable heat the women, especia lly the you n g ones, work in a state of undress" What 's more, in the previous chap ter of the novel Merimee has already described how, when the angelus str ike s, the young working class women take o ff their clothes and go down to the Guadalquivir River to bathe whi le high above them, on the quay side, men gather to stare with bulging eyes at the naked bathers

In th e opera, of course, th e women come ou t of the hot factory into the fre sh air to smokeand it's worth remembering that for a Victorian man, a woman smoking a cigarette was a sure sign of her questionable morality! - and to sing about love, not as the m ainstay of stable marriage, but of a love as transient and as insubstantial as the smoke that rises from their cigarettes. Not exact ly the foundation upon which respectab le, bourgeois SOCiety is built.

What a wonderfu l image! Young bucks from as far away as Paris, M. Merimee's hero amo n g them, gaping in awe at the nearly naked, cigare tt e smoking women'

Could this be why the soldiers are stationed near the factory - to prevent a possible breach of the pea ce by keepin g these eXCita ble , lu sty young men at bay and at a safe distance from so many tempting young women?

Perhaps. However, these are not prim, proper, refined yo ung ladi es who delicately sip tea in elegant, cosmopolitan drawing rooms. They are strong, uninhibited women who earn their living by the sweat of their labor and who, b ecause they are financially independent, can claim as much freedom as their male counterparts. They are an unruly, combustib le work force that cou ld str ike at any moment, enda ngering production, or become, as in fact in the opera they do become, vio lent and create a riot!

And then of course, there's la Carmencita, the beautiful, se nsuou s, and fearless gypsy, not

Lili del Castillo in Carmen

Irina Mishura as Carmen in Michigan Opera Theatre's 2001 production.

to be trusted, who scoffs at authority and is ready to pick a quarrel with her fellow workers if she feels in any way slighted. As lethal with her tongue as she is with a navaja - she draws an X in blood on the face of her adversary - she is the ultimate outsider, who meditates on the elusive, turbulent nature of love and her own affections - "lo ve is a bird that cannot be caged love is a gypsy child who knows no law"l

One look at Carmen and Don j ose is doomed. The title Don means he is an aristocrat - he calls hims elf a "vieux

Chretien" because his is an ancient, impoverished Christian family of landowners that predates the in vasio n of Spain by the Moors. Though he was destined for the priesthood, he is no limp wrist ed effete , but a man prone to vio lenc e, having killed a companion over a friendly game of paume. Impulsive and insanely jealous, he cannot fathom or tolerate the freedom that Carmen claims fo r herself.

The gypsy and the aristocrat. Chien et loup ne font pas longt emps bon menage. The dog and the wolf do not live together long. The gypsy Carmen is the quintessential free spirit, for whom love is an exhilaratin g adventure and wh o prizes her fr eedom above life itself. On the other hand, the aristocra t Don jose wants to have and to hold all for himself - and if he cannot possess her, he wi ll make her eternally his own by ta king her life.

We can imagine the creator of these extraord inary

characters, Prosper Merimee himself, perhaps, (with Georges Bizet follOwing in his footsteps some years later) and many other Parisian gentlemen, leavin g the chilly banks of the Seine, heading southwards to warmer climes and the stunning sight of the naked women bathing in the Guadalquivir. Exchanging for a moment - in the imagination, at least - their bourgeois respectability for a life of daring adventure and sensual bliss in the company of cigarette smoking girl s, freedom loving smuggl ers and death defying bullfighters. Imagining th emselves seduced by the exotic gypsy, the "strange and savage" witch with her magically scented flowers and irresistible, devilish charms, a woman to be had but never possessed. Knowing all the time that this elu sive dream wou ld be almost too much to bear, and would inevitably come to a tragic end.

And as we watch and listen to the opera, we also travel towards the bright, warm colors of the So uth and we too share in the vision of beauty as the scanti ly clad women pour out of the Cigar factory. Like Don jose, we too are seduced by the beguiling Carmen, though she warns us that h er love cannot be trusted. And when indeed her love starts slipping away, we share in Don jose's increasing despair and finally, as the knife plunges into her heart, in his sense of devastation and loss.

And I wonder if, beyond the glorious music which is so familiar to us but still always takes our breath away, one of the reasons we feel so attracted to the opera is because these two mythic characters, Carmen and Don jose, somehow embody con flicting tendencies within each one of us - our dream of riding forever on horseback over fields and mountains, free from the travails of our humdrum daily lives, as well as our realization that this freedom is, sad ly, utterly impossible.

By Ron Daniels

Michigan Opera Theatre's 2001 production of Carmen

Photos: Mark Mancinelli

Artist Profiles

SUZANNE MALLARE ACTON

Chorus Master, The Elixir of Love, Cannen

As MOT's long term Assistant Music Director and Chorus Master, Suzanne Mallare Acton has prepared the adult and children choruses for more than 125 -

•productions. She is the Director of Michigan Opera Theatre Ch il dren 's Chorus and also serves as th e company resident conductor. For MOT, conducting credits include West Side Story, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Music Man , Th e Pirates of Pen z anc e, The Mikado , Di e Fledennaus , Th e Daught er of th e Regim ent , La Boh em e, Th e Tend er Land, and La Traviata

Additional conducting credits include My Fair Lady and La Jj -aviata for Dayton Opera , Th e Merry Widow and Madama Butterfly for Artpark , and Tosca for Augusta Opera. As gu est conductor, Ms. Acton has worked with the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra , The Auditorium Theatre , Lexington Bach Festi val Orchestra , and the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra.

LISA AGAZZI

Merc e des , Carmen

American Mezzo-Soprano Lisa Agazzi makes h er Michigan Opera Theatre debut in the rol e of Mercedes in Carmen, a role she has also sung with San Diego Opera , Utah Opera and Musica Riva Festival in Italy. She most recently sang the role of Feodor in Boris Godunov opposite Ferruccio Furlanetto and the Third Lad y in The Magic Flute, both with San Diego Opera. She won first place and th e Audience Choice Award in the San Diego District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and a Borsa di Studio Award in the Riccardo Zandonai International Opera Competition. A Metro Detroit native , she is active as a so loist here, most recentl y singing a solo concert including Les Nuits d'ete at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts with the Warren Symphony Orchestra.

KATE ALDRICH

Carmen , Cannen (9 , 13 , 16)

American mezzo-soprano Kate Aldrich made her Michigan Opera Theatre debut in 2001 , performing in both Falstaff and the title role in Carmen. She is rapidly earning international recognition as one of today 's leading vocal artists, and has been heard at leading theaters throughout the world including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera , Sa lzburg Festival, Teatro Co lon in Buenos Aires, the Hamburg State Opera, Teatro Regio of Torino, Los Angeles Opera , [Opera de Montreal , th e Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Duesseldorf, Teatro Sao Carlos in Lisbon, New York City Opera, and many more. Recent engagements include Theatre du Capitole as Giulietta in Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann , her first Verdi Requiem at the Sanxay Soirees Lyrique , La Pulcinella in the Montpellier Festival with Daniele Gatti, and Adalgisa in Nonna with the Orches tre Symphonique de Montreal. Upcomin g engagements include the title role in Cannen with Deutsche Oper Berlin, Lenore in La Favorite in Spain and Oktavian in Der Rosenkavalier with Opera Marseille.

BURAK BILGILl

Dulcamara , The Elixir of Love

JANINAH BURNETT

Micaela , Cannen

Soprano Janinah Burnett made her Michigan Opera Theatre debut in the fall 2006 season as Bess in Porgy and Bess. A winner of the 2008 Sull ivan Foundation Award , her timeless vocal qualit y is evident in her poignant portrayals of signature roles , such as Micaela in Car m en.

Ms. Burnett was a member of the sister group to Three Mo ' Tenors entitled Three Mo ' Divas and recently toured to Austria, Sweden, and Japan wi th the New York Harlem Productions company performing the roles of Clara and Bess in Porgy and Bess. Additionally, Ms. Burnett has performed with Ray Charles , Dr. Billy Taylor, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and at Oprah Winfrey's personal birthday celebra ti on at the home of Maya Angelou. Upcoming engagements include Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Opera Cleveland.

STEPHEN COSTELLO

Turkish bass Burak Bilgili returns to Michigan Opera Theatre to perform the role of Dulcamara in The Elixir of Love, aft er his debut in the fall 2004 season production of Rigol etto. From the time of his professional operatic debut at the Teatro all a Scala in the 2002-03 season as Don Alfonso in Lucrezia Borgia, bass Burak Bilgili has enjoyed a busy international schedule of engagements. He opened the 2007 -2008 season as the Villains in Les Contes d'Hoffinann at the Virginia Opera , followed by his debut at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino as Guardiano in La Forza del Destino, Don Basilio in Toronto , and Nourabad in Les Pecheurs de Perles at the Florida Grand Opera in Miami. Future engagements include II Piccolo Marat at Teatro Gratticielo and Ferrando in II Trovatore at Grand Th eatre Geneve and San Francisco Opera.

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

www

N emorino , The Elixir of Love (28, 4) American tenor Stephen Costello makes his Michigan Opera Theatre debut as Nemorino in The Elixir of Love during the spring 2009 season. His recent engagements included the ro le of Christian in David DiChiera 's Cyrano at Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Duke in Rigoletto with Deutsche Oper Berlin, Cassio in Otello at the Salzburg Festival with Riccardo Muti, and Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor with Fort Worth Opera. A graduate of the Academy of Voca l Arts in Philadelphia , Mr. Costello won first prize in the 2006 George London Foundation For Singe r s Competition as well as first prize and audience prize in the Giargiari Competition. Future projects include opening the 2009-2010 Covent Garden season, a return to the Metropolitan Opera, for the opening production of the 20 11-2012 season , Rodolfo in La Boheme with Deutsche Oper Berlin and Cincinnati Opera , and a debut with Lyric Opera of Chicago. Detroit Opera House

RON DANIELS

Stage Direc tor , Carmen Ron Daniel s return s to Mi ch i gan Opera Th ea tre in the sprin g 2009 season t o sta ge Carmen , aft er hi s de but wi th th e compan y d irec tin g th e sa m e p roduction in 20 0 1. Bo rn in Brazil and c urrently re sidin g in New York , Ron Daniel s is an H on or ar y Assoc ia te Direc tor o f th e Roya l Sh akesp eare Comp an y and form e r Art is ti c Dire ctor o f the RSC's Th e Oth er Pl ace Th ea tre at Stra tford -uponAvo n , England . Hi s wo r k ove r 15 year s wi th the RSC includ es m an y pro du ction s of Shak es p ea re pl ays including The Tempest , A Midsummer Dream , tw o produ c ti on s o f Haml e t as we ll as m ajor n ew wo rk s b y Da vi d Ed ga r , Da vid Rudk in , Pa m Gems, Paul a Miln e , Nao mi Walla ce, Steph en Poliak o ff an d Anthon y Burgess, with whom h e co ll ab or a ted on an adapt a tion o f A Clockwork Orange , wi th mu sic specia lly written for the p rodu ction by Bono and Th e Edge o f U2

LILI DEL CASTILLO

Choreogr ap h er , Ca rm en Choreogr ap h er Lili d el Castill o mad e h er MO T deb ut in th e 2 0 0 1 p ro du c ti on of Carm en an d r e turn s in 2 009 in the sa m e ro le . Sh e train ed in Spain wh er e sh e b ec am e a m em ber o f the An to ni o Alon s o Trou p. Aft e r h er re turn to th e U.S. , sh e fo r m ed her own gro up , Ri nco n Flam en co. As i ts direc to r sh e h as app eare d in venu es throu gh out the So uth wes t an d p erforme d as a so loist in co njun cti on with oth er comp an ies Sh e h as app ea r ed with p artner Manolo Ri ve ra in th e op er a Car men in O rl ando , New O rl ea n s , an d wi th th e Flo re ntin e O p era . As a so lo ist , sh e h as b een a chor eo grapher , d an ce and mo ve m ent coach as we ll as a p er form er in Carm en and La Travia ta wit h H ou ston Gra nd Opera, Ope ra Pacifi c , and Atlant a O p er a. W ith Kentu cky Opera, sh e p a rtne red wi th Ant oni o Hid algo in Carm e n and w as as k ed t o return for their produ ct ion of La Tra vi a ta O ther cre dit s includ e p erform an ces wi th New Mex ico O p era The at re and O pe r a Sou th west in Prod u c tion s o f Car m en , La Die Fleder mau s, and A mahl an d the Nig ht Vi sit ors

MARK FLINT

Co ndu c tor , Carm en Condu cto r Ma rk D. Flint return s to Mi chigan O pe r a Th eatre to co ndu c t C armen , hi s 28 th p rodu ct ion wi th the co mp an y, and th e o p era th at h e co ndu c ted in hi s debut wi th MO T in 1977. Mos t r ece ntly, Mr. Flint co ndu cted th e wo rld p r emi er e produ cti on o f Davi d DiChi er a's Cy rano , w hich h e also orch es tr at ed. A n ative of Wes t Virginia , h e p revio u sly serve d as Mu sic Direc tor and Prin cipa l Gu es t Condu ctor for Michi gan O p er a Th ea tre, Mu sic Direc tor o f Sa n Fra n cisco O p era 's Wes tern O p era Th eatre, and Arti s tic an d Mu sic Director of the Illinois Ope ra Thea tre at th e Uni ve r si ty of Illi no is. Au gu s ta Ope r a Arti s ti c Di rec tor and Princip al Co n d u ctor, h e h as led th e maj o rit y o f or ch es tr as in wo rl d -re n owne d op era hou ses and symph oni es throu ghout th e Unit ed States and Canada.

KENDALL GLADEN

Ca rmen , Carm en ( 10 , 15 , 1 7)

Young Am erica n mezz o -sop r ano Ke nd all Gl ad en m akes her Mi chi ga n Ope r a Thea tre de but in the s pring 2 009 produ cti on o f Carmen Sh e is qui ckl y earnin g a reputation as an import ant yo un g arti st and h as b ee n h eard th ro u gh out the Uni ted Sta tes at the Was hing ton Na tional Op er a, Op era Thea tre o f St. Loui s, Sar aso ta Ope ra and Op era No rth. Sh e is currently in h er seco n d yea r as an Adl er Fell ow wi th Sa n Fran cisco O p era , wh er e sh e was p reviou sly a p arti ci p ant in th e Merola Op er a Program. Rece nt en gage m ents includ e perform an ces o f Beet ho ve n 's Sy mphony No 9 wi th th e Sa n Fra ncis co Sym ph on y in Sa n Fra n cisco and New Yo rk a t Ca rn egie Hall , and a p erforman ce as Merce de s in Carm en with Los Angeles Ope ra.

SARAH HATTEN

fall 200 8 seaso n 's M adam e Bu t terfly. Previou sly, sh e h as al so wo r k ed as an Assistant Wig and Make up DeSigne r [o r Centr al Ci ty Ope ra , Cl evela nd O p era , Om ah a O p era and Neva d a O p era.

CONSTANCE HOFFMAN

Cos tum e Design er, C arm en

A gr a dua te o f the universities o f New York and Californi a, Co n s tanc e H o ffman is Assoc iat e Pro fesso r and Hea d o f Co stum e Des ign at New Yo r k Uni ve r sity, and was th e r ec ipi ent o f th e Out er Critics Circl e Award in 2000 O p era cred its includ e Grendel , Der Fli egend er Hollander, La Grande-Duchess e d e G eralst ein (Los An geles); Giulio C esare (Virgini a, Fl orid a); Lucia di Lamm e rmoor (Mi nn eso ta); Ri g ol e tto (Sa n Fr an cisco); Salsipu edes , Carm en (Houston ); Orph ee, [ E toile , Tasca, Madama Butterfly, La Janciulla del W est , Acis and Galat ea (G li m m erglass/NYCO); The M erchant and th e Paup er (Sa int Lo u is); La Traviata (Tel Aviv); Salom e (Li thu ani an Op er a); Th e Qu ee n oj Spad es (Baye ri sc h e Staato p er); Tannhiiuser (Op era Na tional d e Pari s, Tokyo Op era No m ori) Th eatr e credi ts inclu de The Green Bird (Broad way); Mr. Marmalad e (Round ab ou t Th eat re Compa n y); Tin y Alic e (Se cond Stage); A Midsummer Dream (Sh ak espea re Th ea tre, Wa shingto n , Ce nt er St age, Ba lt imo re).

ROGER HONEYWELL

Do n J ose, Carm en (9, 13 , 16)

Canadian ten or Roge r Hon eywe ll m ad e hi s MOT d eb ut in the s prin g 200 5 season in the wo rld p remier e o f Ma rga ret Ga rn er, an d retu rn s this season in the role of Don J ose in Carmen Rece ntly Mr Hon eywe ll ma d e hi s d ebu t wi th th e Me trop o li tan O p er a in a ne w p ro d uc ti on o f Doctor Atomic, wh er e h e r epri se d the rol e of Capt ain J ames No lan . O th er rece nt en gage m ents inclu de Ma cduff in M acbe th wi th O p er a d e Mo ntreal and hi s d ebut wi th Fort Worth Opera as Don J ose in Car m en Foll owing hi s p erform ances in De tro it , he

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

W ig and Make u p Des ign e r, Th e Elixir oj Love, Ca rm en Sarah Ha tt en re turns to Mi chi ga n O p era Th eatre in th e spring 200 9 se ason to d es ign h air and m akeup for Th e Elixir oj Love and Carme n Sh e ha s r ece ntl y d eS igned wigs an d m ake up for Des Moines Me tr o O p er a and Mi ch iga n O p era Thea tre, and h er las t design s includ ed th e www.MichiganOpera Ol g

will perform the role of Geo ff Hammond in th e wo rld premiere of Paul Moravec 's The Lett er with the Sa nta Fe Opera.

JIM INGALLS

Lighting D esigner , Carmen

Lighting designer Jim Ingall s mak es his MOT d ebu t in the spring 2009 season designing lighting for Carmen. For Lyri c Opera of Ch ica go, Mr. Ingall s has desi gn e d J ohn Adams ' Dr. Atomic direc te d b y Peter Sell ars; Salome , direc te d b y Francesca Za mb e llo

Metropolitan Opera: Orfeo et Eurydice , directed by Mark Morris; Salome; Les Troyens ; War and Peace; The Gambler; Wozz ec k For Op era Na tion a le de Paris, h e h as d es i gne d Tristan und Isolde , with Bill Viola video; Kaija Saa riaho 's Adriana Mater and de Loin. Recent produ c tions include: Caroline , or Change for Baltimore's Ce nter Stage ; Romeo and Juliet, On Motifs of Shakespeare for Mark Morris Danc e Group ; Kafka on th e Shore for C hica go's Steppenwolf Theatre. H e frequently co llab o r a tes with Melanie Rios-Glaser and Saint Jo seph Balle t in Sa nt a Ana, CA.

DALIBORJENIS

Belcore , The Elixir of Lov e Slova ki a n baritone Dalibor J en is made hi s Michigan O pera Theatre d ebut as Figaro in Th e Barb er of S ev ille in the fall 2006 season, and returns in the spring 2009 season in the role of Belcore in Th e Elixir of Lov e. In the 2007 -200 8 Season, Mr J e ni s perfo r med Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor a t th e O pera de Oviedo in Spa in , fo llo we d b y performances as Renato in Un Ballo in Mas chera at th e Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin with J ossi W iel er-Sergi o Morabito and Philipp e J ordan . He debuted a t th e Bayerische Staat sope r Munchen in the titl e role of Eugene Onegin , which h e su bs e quentl y performed in Tokyo. He returned to the Staat sope r H am burg as Germont in La Traviata and performed Lescaut in Manon Lescaut at th e Pal ermo Ope ra.

WILLIAM JOYNER

Don J ose, Carmen (10, 15, 17)

American teno r William Jo yner m akes hi s Mi chigan O pera Theatre d ebut in the

s prin g 2009 product ion of Carmen A native of North Carolina , Mr. J oyner has esta bli sh e d him self as one of the most so ught after tenors o n the international opera scene. Mr. J oyner has performed wi th m ore than 40 opera co mp anies and symphony o rchestras aro und the wo rld , including Th e Wash ingto n Opera, the New York City Opera, Hou sto n Grand Opera, Teatro alla Sca la in Milan , the Rome Opera, Opera Na tional d e Paris, the D eu tsc h e Oper Berlin , an d the D eu tsc h e Staa tsoper Berlin. Recent e n gage m ent s include performances with Opera Memphis as Alfredo in La Traviata , D on Jo se in Carmen at Austin Lyric Opera, and Arind al in Di e Feen at Theatre du Chatel e t. In July 2009 William J oyne r wi ll crea te t h e role of Le J ournaliste in the wo rld premiere of Wainwright 's Prima Donna.

STEPHEN LORD

Co ndu cto r , The Elixir of Love Maestro Ste ph en Lord made his MOT co ndu cting debut in the spring 2004 prod u ctio n o f The Magic Flute, and returns to cond u ct the spring 2009 produ c ti on of Th e Elixir of Lov e Maestro Lord is co ntinually praised for cond u cting both tradi tional an d co nt em por ary op erati c works, an d is current ly music director for Ope ra Th e atre of St. Louis. Recent co ndu ct in g engageme nt s this sea son included a production of La Traviata with Portland Opera, Madama Butterfly for O per a Co lorado and Macbeth with Opera de Montreal.

STEPHEN LUSMANN

Zu ni ga, Carmen American baritone Stephen Lusmann made his Michigan Opera Theatre d ebu t in Jak e H eggie's Dead Man Walking in 2003. For the 200 9 Sprin g Op era Season h e returns as Zuni ga in Carmen During the course of hi s rich o p era ti c career, Mr. Lu s mann ha s performed more than forty l ea din g ro les, wi th m a n y of th e wo rld 's leading ope ra co mp anies, includin g Op er der

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

Sta dt Bonn, O p era d e Monte Carlo, Stadtth ea ter Luz ern, Washi n gton Opera , C incinnati Opera, Boston Lyric Opera and Opera Caro lina among others Mr Lusm an n is an Associate Professor of Vo ic e at th e Univers ity of Michigan a nd is a lso a member of the voice fac ul ty a t the Seag le Music Co lon y H e can b e heard on recordings of Strau ss' Der Friedenstag on the Koch Intern ational lab e l , Op era ngala on Ton s tudi o AMOS and on E. E. Cummings: An American Circus o n Ce nt aur Records.

WES MASON

Dancairo, Morales, Carmen Bari ton e Wes Maso n made his Michigan Opera Theatre debut as a Barbara Gibson Youn g App renti ce in the 2008 sp rin g season as Peric haud in La Rondine and returns thi s sprin g season as Dan ca iro and Mora les in C armen Re cen tl y, Mr. Maso n a pp eared as Sid in th e U niversity of Michigan's production of Albert H errin g as we ll as the titl e ro le in Eugene Onegin. This past summer, h e returned to Seagle Music Colo n y for hi s fourth seaso n , performing the roles of Marce ll o in La Boheme , Curly in Oklahoma! , Cascada in The M erry Widow and Harry in Ri cky Ian Gord on's Morning Star. In May of 2010 , he wi ll app ear in the s taring ro l e of Reinaldo Are n as in the wor ld premiere of Jorge Martin's Before N ight Falls with Fort Worth Opera Wes, a 2008 Mid-South Regional Fina li s t of th e Me trop oli tan Opera Na ti ona l Counc il Audition s, rece ntly graduated from th e Un iversi ty of Michigan wit h his Bachelor's in voice performance und er Professor Ste ph en Lu smann.

ALLEN MOYER

Se t Designer, The Elixir of Love

Set designer Allen M oye r is a gra du a te of New York Univers ity Tisch Sc h oo l of the Arts, and h as d es ign ed n um ero us productions fo r opera and musical theater. Hi s credits include Street Scene for th e Wil li amstown Th eatre Festival; Moth er Courage for Stepp enwolf ; The Abduction From Th e Seraglio for Houston Grand Opera; Miss Havisham s Fire for Opera Theatre o f St. Louis; L e Nozze di Figaro for Dallas Opera; Detroit Opera House

La Boheme and The Mother of Us All for New York City Opera and Glimmerglass Opera; Luisa Miller for Spoleto Festival ; Friend of The People for Scottish Opera; A Streetcar Named Desire for the Gate Theatre in Dublin.

MARTIN P AKLEDINAZ

Costume Designer, The Elixir of Love

A graduate of Wayne State University and the University of Michigan , Martin Pakledinaz designed the costumes for the new MOT spring 2009 production of The Elixir of Love. His work in opera includes works with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Seattle Opera, Los Angeles Opera , Opera Theatre of St. Louis , Santa Fe Opera, and Houston Grand Opera. Mr. Pakledinaz 's work in dance includes an extensive collaboration with Mark Morris , and dances for such diverse choreographers as George Balanchine, Eliot Feld , Deborah Hay, Daniel Pelzig, Kent Stowell, and Lila York. Among other awards , Mr. Pakledinaz is the recipient of Tony Awards, a Drama Desk , and Obie Award

PAUL PALAZZO

Lighting Designer, The Elixir of Love

A graduate of the New York University MFA program in theatrical design, Paul Palazzo has worked in opera, theatre , and ballet all over the world. On Broadway he has been part of the lighting design team for such hit musicals as Sunset Boulevard, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Big, and Falsettos. He has designed lighting for the Houston Grand, Los Angeles , Portland, Minnesota, and Wolftrap Operas, in addition to numerous North American regional theatres. Recent engagements include lighting design for The Elixir of Love with Opera Colorado , Nabucco with the Dallas Opera, Don Pasquale with Houston Grand Opera, and Der Rosenkavalier with the Seattle Opera.

AlLYN PEREZ

Adina, The Elixir of Love (28 , 4)

American soprano Ailyn Perez made her Michigan Opera Theatre debut as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro during the fall 2007 opera season. A native of Chicago, Ms. Perez's "inner radiance combined with vocal luster " has made her one of the most promising and exciting young artists today Recently, Ms. Perez appeared as Marzelline in Fidelio with Opera Company of Philadelphia and at the Salzburg Festival singing Juliette in Romeo etJuliette. This past summer, she bowed as the Four Heroines in The Tales of Hoffmann with Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Prior to this engagement, she appeared as the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro with the Salzburg Festival on tour to Japan. Future engagements include a performance as Le il a in The Pearl Fishers with Teatro Municipal in Santiago, Juliette in Romeo and Juliet with San Diego Opera , and Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi at Opera Company of Philadelphia.

JAMES ROBINSON

Stage Director, The Elixir of Love

American stage director James Robinson makes his Michigan Opera Theatre staging debut with the spring 2009 production of The Elixir of Love. Regarded as one of America 's most inventive and sought after directors, he has won wide acclaim for productions that range from the standard repertory to world premieres to seldom performed works. The 2007 -08 season included productions of Abduction from the Seraglio and La Boheme for Houston Grand Opera, The Elixir of Love for Boston Lyric Opera and his widely seen production of Nixon in China for Opera Colorado. Upcoming engagements include Il Trittico for San Francisco Opera, Nixon in China for The Canadian Opera Company, and Abduction from the Seraglio for Welsh National Opera.

AMANDA SQUITIERI

Adina, The Elixir of Love (27, 29)

Soprano Amanda Squitieri made her Michigan Opera Theatre debut as Lisette in last season 's production of La Rondine. Praised for her "warm soprano " voice, "bright, ripe" sound, and "crystalline" soprano tones, Ms. Squitieri recently made her debut with Opera National de Paris as Esmera lda in The Bartered Bride. Other recent engagements include La Rondine with Los Angeles Opera, Don Giovanni with Washington N ational Opera, and the New York City premiere of What!> Next? She also recently sang the role of Papagena in Die Zauberjlote at Los Angeles Opera conducted by James Conlon, and she will return to Los Angeles Opera in 2009 for the world premiere of Daniel Catan's Il Postino with Placido Domingo and Rolando Villazon.

A Landmark Year for MOT:

Learning at th e Op era Hou se Cel ebrat es 10 Years!

News from the Michigan Opera Theatre Department of Community Pro gram s and Learnin g at the Opera House

Karen V. DiCh iera, Dire ctor

Better than ever ... Learning at the Opera House Returns for 2009

Dreaming of a Career in Opera?

Learning at the Opera House Celebrates 10 years!

In a landmark yea r ce lebr a ti ng the 3 0th annive rsar y o f th e MOT Co mmuni ty Prog ram s Departm ent, an o ther important anniver sar y thi s ye ar include s the 10th annive rsa ry of Learnin g a t the Op er a Ho u se.

Buildin g on in p ut and in sigh ts from the communit y, Learning at the Op era H ou se b ega n it s groundbreaking se ri es of summer p rog r ams ove r ten years ago. Communit y Programs Director Kar en V DiChiera d eve lop ed the c onc ept and co llabo ra ted wi th loca l lea d ers to form the edu ca ti on al proj ec t. W ith a group of influenti al Detroiter s - includin g Frank Angelo , H arri et and Irvin g Be rg, Dr. Wa lla ce Peace, Martin Herm an , M. L. Li ebler and h elp from Co mmunity Programs staff, including Dolo res Tobis , Ma rk Vo ndrak and "Time Out fo r Opera " pro duc er J o n a than Swift - LAT O H w as b orn.

The LATOH effort s r es ulted in p rog ram s fo r all ages and abiliti es, including subj ects th at are a pa rt o f op era but not u su ally prese nt e d b y op er a co mpani es, su ch as mu sic comp osition , ar chit ec ture, art , hi stor y, po e tr y, w riting , d ec orative pl as ter, p erso nal or al hi stori es of p eopl e in volved in arts and edu cation, d ay time wo rk shop s for yo un gs ters of all ages, and co ll ege -age "p re-profess io nals " h oping to ent er th e o p er a field . As a r es u lt, Learning at th e Opera Hou se has created un iqu e opp o rtunities t o all ow gi fted p eop le of all ages tra ining for a ca r eer in the arts

Learnin g at the O p era Ho u se is on ce again th e pl ace to lea rn thi s su mmer. Running June 22 through Augu s t 2 , ther e are pro gr ams , cla sses, and wo rk shop s for eve ryon e : children , adults , and eve r yon e in-b etwee n Re turning Learn in g at th e Opera House pro gr ams includ e the popular Cr eate and Perform cl ass, O pere tt a Wo rksh o p , poetr y cl asses, op era lectures, archite c ture lectures in partnership with Preservation Wayne, and Op er a Cam p. Thi s year 's LATOH pro gr ams wi ll h ave a Gr ee k th em e.

Returning thi s summer is a uniqu e famil y learning pro gram. More d etai ls on th e famil y p rogram and oth er LATOH programs will be available onlin e at www. MichiganOp era.org

If yo u 're in hi gh school and dream o f sin gin g professionally, the Michigan Op era Th ea tre Voca l Art s Perform an ce Int en sive is a p erfec t opp o rtunit y to ad van ce your pre- profes sion al voi ce caree r. Taught by re no wne d voc al h ea lth profess iona l an d Department of Community Progra ms Singing Voic e Sp eci ali s t Bett y Lan e, th e p rog ram w ill give a jump start to h igh sc h o ol stud ent s with a p as sion for sin ging to pr ep ar e for voic e e du cation a t th e coll ege level. The inten sive will take place ove r fi ve Saturd ays in Marc h and April , wi th a con cluding stud ent recital on Saturda y, April 4. For more informa ti on , conta ct Betty Lan e at (313) 237- 3238, b lan e@ motope r a o rg o r visi t th e MO T we b site, www.MichiganO p era.org .

Department of Community Programs Launches New Touring Shows

The spring 2009 season includes the foll owing exc iting new programs th at will trav el to schoo ls, churches, an d commu nity groups.

Footst e p s to Free dom

Footst eps to Free dom chronicles the histo r y of b lack Americans and the AfricanAmerican ex p erience. Stu dents will learn about the rich legacy and many contributions of African Americans in to da y's society, grown ou t of the sounds, songs, rituals, music , d an ce, spo k en word , and rhythms of ancient Kemet, now known as Africa.

Th e Pi e d Pip e r of Hamelin

Fo ll ow along with Michigan Opera Theat r e's to urin g progr am s as they present th e Pied Pi per of Hamelin b y Seymour Ba r ab as the latest touring production offe ring . The Pied Piper of Hame lin promises the loca l village th at h e can rid the town of i ts rats , and in return, the town will p ay h im h an dso m ely. Whe n th e town does not fu lfill its promise of p ayment, the Pied Piper teaches th e towns p eople a lesson. Like the Grim m legend Co nly with a h appy en di ng) , children learn th e value o f keeping prom ises.

To b ook an y touring programs for yo ur sc h oo l or gro u p , co ntact Do lores To b is at (313) 237 -3429.

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

Stude nts from Opera Camp 2008

News from the Margo V. Cohen Center for Dance at the Detroit Opera House

Carol Halsted, Director

Cozy Up for a Dance Film Night

Dance lovers from all over the Detroit metro area are finding their way to the Opera House on Tuesday nights for the biggest bargain and hottest ticket in town - the Dance Film series. On Tuesday, February 24 there will be a special showing of the film "Burn the Floor" plus other clips of ballroom dance from the 20th and 21st century

And on Tuesday March 24, our curator of films, Larry Glowczewski, has chosen the complete ballet Sylvia w ith choreography by Frederick Ashton and music by Leo Delibes On April 21, there will be an special showing of excerpts from the choreography of George Balanchine to the music of Tchaikovsky The season ends May 19 with an ABT Summer

dancers performing excerpts from "Swan Lake." evening of dance in musicals

- remember Busby Berkley? Come in from the cold, sip some wine and enJoy the films.

Learn from Professional Dancers at the Detroit Opera House!

Master classes with professional companies continue to be a popular and well attended event. Coming up this winter will be the Grand Rapids Ballet special ballet class for 10 - 13 year olds on Saturday February 28 at 10 a.m. followed by a master class with American Ballet Theatre on Saturday March 14 for intermediate/advanced dancers from ages 14 - adult. Classes are free with corresponding Opera House performance ticket or ticket stub. Without a ticket, the master classes are $25 per class. For information email dance@motopera.org.

Dream of Being on Stage with ABT?

The Opera House is offering a very special opportunity for dancers and actors to perform in American Ballet Theatre's Romeo and Juliet as supers March 13 - 15 with rehearsals beginning March 6. For registration forms email dance@motopera.org or visit www.michiganopera.org. Imagine dancing on the same stage as David Hallberg or Gillian Murphy and see the entire performance from the stage!

Special Dance Studio Fundraising Opportunity

The Detroit Opera House launched a new fundraising program for area dance schools this past fall. For each ticket sold by the studio or school, the Opera House will send back $10.00 to your dance studio. For example, Sherry'S Academy in Carleton, Michigan , made over $1,000 from Nutcracker tickets alone l For information on this program contact Kim Curtis at (313) 237-3251.

Ballet Renaissance Now Offers Classes at the Detroit Opera House

Ballet Renaissance is now teaching weekly ballet classes at the Detroit Opera House. Classes are held on Monday and Tuesday evenin gs from 5:15 - 8:15. Mr. Radoslaw Kokoszka and Ms. Brianna Furnish are co-directors. Ca ll 313-4690694 for further information and registration.

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

Intensive

ABT Summer Intensive 2008 students in the final performance at the Detroit Opera House

Students at the Detroit Opera House summer intensive 2008

Mr. R Jami son Williams, Jr., C hairman

Dr. David Di Ch ier a, Pres ide nt

Mr. Ca m eron B Duncan , Treasurer

Mr. C Thom as To ppin , Sec reta ry

Mrs Robert A. All es ee

Mr Doug la s F Allison

Mr. Joseph Angil eri

M r. Lee Barth e l

Mr. Ste ph en E. Biegun

Mr. Richard A. Brod ie

Mrs. William C Brooks

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2008-09

Mr. Thomas Celani

Mrs. Frederick H. Cl ar k

Mrs. Peter Cooper

Ms. J oanne Danto

Mr. Ta rik S. Daou d

Juli a Donovan Darlow

Mr. Lawre nce N. David

Mr. Rich ard G Goetz

Mr. David H a ndleman

Mr. Kenneth E. H art

Mr. Ga ry E. J oh nson

Mr. Odell J ones 1Il

Mrs. Pet er Kar manos

Mr s. Charles Kessler

Mrs. C h arles M. En dico ll M r. Thom as M. Krikorian

Mrs. Alex Erdeljan

Mr. Pau l E. Ewin g

Mrs. David Fisch e r

Dr. Marjorie M. Fisher

M rs. Barbara F rankel

Mr. Herma n Fran ke l

Mr. Dea n Friedman

Mr. J ames M. Garavaglia

Dr. Melvin A. Lester

Mr. A. C Li eb ler

Mr. Harry A. Lomason II

Mr. Al phonse S. Lucarelli

Mrs. Ro bert A. Lutz

Mr. Steven Mar lette

Mrs Manu el Moroun

D r. Steph en Munk

Mrs. Jennifer Nasser

Mr. Timothy Nasso

Mr. J a m es Nicho ls

Mr Daniel Pehrson

D r. Cha rl otte Podowski

Mr. W J ames Pro wse

Mrs Ruth Rattn er

Mr. Roy S. Ro b erts

Ms. Pa t ricia H Rodz ik

Mr. W illiam Sandy

Mr. Gregory Schwartz

Ms Elham Shayot a

Mr. F ran k D. Ste ll a

Mrs. George Strum b os

Dr. Lo rna T h omas

Mr. Michael Twe ddl e

Mr. George C Vincent

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2007-2008

Dr. &: Mrs . Roger M. Ajluni

Mr. &: Mrs. Robert A. Allesee

Mr. &: Mrs. Doug las F Alli son

Dr. Lourdes V Andaya

Juli e Douse-An g il e ri &: Joseph Angileri

Mrs. Thom as V An gott

Mr. &: Mrs. Ge br an S. Anton

Mr. &: Mrs. Eu ge n e Ap plebaum

Dr. &: Mr s Ag u s tin Arbulu

Dr. Harold M. Arr ing ton

Dr. &: Mrs. In gi da Asfaw

Mr s. Donald j. Atwood

D r. &: Mrs. Donald C Austin

T h e Hon &: Mrs. Edward Ava d enk a

Mr. J on Barfi e ld

Mr. &: Mrs. Le e Barthel

Mr. j. Ad diso n Bartush

Mr. &: Mrs. Mark Alan Baun

Mr. W Vi cto r Benjamin

Mrs. Ara Berb eria n

Mr &: Mrs. Mand e ll Berman

Ms. Debra Bernstei n-Sie gel

Mr. Ste phen E. Biegun

Mr. &: Mrs. Josep h Blo ch

Mr. &: Mrs. Jo hn A. Boll , Sr.

Betty j. Bright

Mr. &: Mrs. Ri chard A. Brodie

Mr. &: Mrs. Wil li am C Brooks

Mr. &: Mrs. Roy Calcagno

Mr. &: Mrs. Th omas Celani

Mr. &: Mrs. Alfred Cheesebro u gh 1Il

Mr. &: Mrs. Michael C hirco

Mr. &: Mrs. Freder ic k H. C lar k

The Hon. &: Mrs. Ave rn L Co hn

Mr. Thomas Co hn

Mr. &: Mrs. Peter Coo per

Ms. J oa nne D anto &: Dr. Arnold We ingarden

Mr. &: Mrs. Marvi n I. Danto

Mr. &: Mrs. Tarik S. Daou d

Juli a Donovan Darlow &: John C O' Mea ra

Mr. &: Mrs. J erry P. D'Avanzo

Mr. &: Mrs. Lawrence N.

D avi d

Mr. &: Mrs. Ethan Davidson

Mr. Thomas H Del a ne y

Ms. Annette De Lore nzo

Mrs. Margaret Demant

Mr. Kevin Dennis &: Mr. Jeremy Zeltzer

Dr. David Di Chi era

Mrs. Kare n Va n de rKloo t

DiChiera

The Hon. &: Mrs. John

Dingell

Ms. Mary Jan e Doerr

Mr. &: Mrs. Cameron B. Dun ca n

Mr. &: Mrs. Kenneth Eisenberg

Mrs. C h a rl es M. Endi co tt

Mr. &: Mrs. Alex Erdeljan

Dr. Fern R Espino &: Mr. Thomas Sh ort

Mr. &: Mrs. Roland C Eugenio

Mr. &: Mrs. Paul E. Ewing

Dr. Haifa Fakhouri

Margo Cohen Fei nb e rg &: Robert Fein berg

Mr. &: Mrs. Oscar Feldman

Mr. &: Mrs. John Ferron

Mr. &: Mrs. Davi d Fischer

Mr. &: Mrs. Alfred J. Fisher, Jr.

Dr. Marjorie M. Fisher

Mrs. Elaine Fontana

Mr &: M rs. Ca rl B. F o nt a na

Mr. &: Mrs. Mitc h e ll B. F os ter

Mrs. Barbara Frank e l &: Mr. Ron Michal ak

Mr. &: Mrs. Herm an Frankel

Mr. Marvin A. Frenkel

Mr. &: Mrs. Dean Friedman

Mr. &: Mrs. Jame s Garavaglia

Mr. &: Mrs. Lawre n ce Garberding

Amb assador &: Mrs. Yousif Ghafari

Mr. &: Mrs. Vito P. Gio ia

Mr. &: Mrs. Richard G. Goetz

Mr. &: M rs. Arnold Go rdon

Mr. &: M rs. Harvey Grace

Mr. &: M rs. Sa mu el Hab erma n

Mrs. Berj H Haido s ti an

Mr. &: Mrs. David H an dl e m a n

Mr. Kenneth E. H art

Mr. &: Mrs. Eugen e Hartwig

Mrs. David B. Herm e lin

Mr. &: Mrs. Derek H odgson

T he H o n &: Mrs. J osep h N. Impastato

Mr. &: Mrs. Alan Is ra el

Mrs. Una Jackman

Mr. &: Mrs. Darn e ll D Ja ck so n

Mr. &: Mrs. john P. J agger

Mrs. Syb il Jaques

Mr. Don J ense n

Mr. &: Mrs KentJ id ov

Mr. &: Mrs. Gary E. Johnson

Mr. &: M rs. La wre n ce S. Jones

Mr. Odell J o nes 1Il &: Ms. Cec ily H oag lan d

Mrs. Wi lliam Kahn

Mr. &: Mrs. J o hn Kaplan

Mr. &: Mrs Peter Karm an os

Mr. Patrick J Kerzic &: Mrs. Ste ph ani e Germack Kerzic

Mrs. Charles Kessler

Mr. &: Mrs. Eu gene L. Kl e in

Mr. &: Mrs. Robert Kl ei n

Mr. &: Mrs. Mike Kojaian

Mr. &: Mrs. Th o mas M. Krikorian

Dr. &: Mrs. Ri c hard W Kuli s

Dr &: Mrs. James Lab es

Dr. &: Mrs. Alde n Leib

D r. Melvin A. Les ter

Ms. Linda Dresner Le vy &: Mr. Edward Levy

Dr. &: Mrs Kim K. Lie

Mr. &: Mrs. A. C Liebl er

Dr. &: Mrs. Robert P. Li sak

Mr. &: Mrs . H arry A. Lomason II

M rs. Lawren ce LoPatin

Mr. &: Mrs. J ames H LoPre te

Mr. Alphon se S. Luc are lli

Mr. &: Mrs. Robe rt A. Lutz

Ca rdinal Adam Maida

Ms. Florine Mark

Mr. &: Mrs. Steven Marlette

D r. &: Mrs. Ronald Martella

The Hon J ac k Martin &: Dr. Bettye ArringtonMartin

Mr. &: Mrs. Ri c h ard McB rie n

Mr. &: Mrs. Eugene A. Miller

Mr. &: Mrs. J effrey Miro

Mr. &: Mrs. Glen Mitchell

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Dr. Ali Moiin &: Dr. Wi ll iam Kupsky

Mr. &: Mrs. Th eo dore Monolidis

Mr. &: Mrs. Manue l Morou n

Mr. &: Mrs. E Clarence Mularoni

Dr. &: Mrs Ste phen Munk

Mr. &: Mrs. E. Michael Mu tchler

Mrs. Jennife r Nasser

Mr. &: Mrs. Timothy L Nasso

Mr. &: Mrs. J ames Nichols

M r. &: Mrs. I rvi n g N u sbaum

Dr. Juliett e Okotie-E b oh

Mr &: Mrs. Gra h a m O rl ey

Mr. &: Mrs. J ames Pame l

Mr. &: Mrs. Spe n ce r Partri c h

Mr. &: Mr s. Daniel Pehrson

Dr. Rob e rt E. L Perkin s

Mr. &: Mrs. Brock E. Plu m b

Dr. C harlotte &: Mr. Charles Podowski

Mrs. H e inz Prechter

Mr. &: Mrs. W Jame s P rowse

Mr. &: Mrs. J ohn Rakolt a, Jr.

Mrs. Ruth Rattner

Mr. &: Mrs. Anthony Rea

www.Michiga n Opera . org

Chairmen Emeri t us

Mr. Robert E. Dewar t

Mr. Lyn n A. Townsend t

Directors Emeritus

Mrs. Dona ld C Austin

Mr. j. Addison Bartu s h

Mr. Frank W Do n ovan t

Mr. James H Gram t

Mrs. William J ohnston t

Mr. Da vid Pollack t

Mrs. Ir ving Rose

Mr. Ro bert Vande r KloOl t

Mr. Rich ard Webb

Mr. George M. Zeltzer

Mr. Mort Zieve t

Dr. I rvin D. Reid

&: D r. Pamela Tro tman Reid

Dr. &: Mrs. James Rigby

Mr. &: M rs . Roy S. Roberts

Ms. Patricia H. Ro d zik

Mr. &: Mrs. Pete r Ronan

M r. &: M rs. Ir ving Rose

Mr. &: Mrs. Norma n Rosenfeld

Mrs. Ca rolyn L. Ro ss

Mr. &: Mrs. Anthony Rugi ero

Dr. &: M rs. Hers hel Sandb erg

Mr. &: Mrs. W illi a m Sa nd y

Dr. &: Mrs. Norman R. Sc hakne

Mr. &: Mrs D ona ld Sc hmidt

M r. &: M rs. D o ug las A.

Sc hubo t

Mr. &: Mrs. Alan E. Sc hwartz

Mr. &: Mrs. Gregory j.

Sc hw artz

Mr. &: Mrs. D o n ald E.

Schwe ndema nn

Mr &: Mrs. Merton Segal

Mr. &: Mrs. Mark Shaev sky

Mrs. F ra nk C Sh aler

Ms. El ha m Sha yota

Mr. &: Mrs. Roger F Sh e r ma n

Mr. &: Mrs. Ri chard Sloa n

Mr. Wi lli am H. Sm ith

Ms. P h y lli s Funk Sn ow

Mr. &: Mrs. David Snyd er

Mr. Ant hony L. Soave

M r. Richard A. Sone nklar

Mr. &: Mrs. Ri chard D. Starkweather

Mr. Frank D . Ste ll a

Ms. Mary Ann Ste ll a

Dr. Ca lvin Stevens

Mr. &: Mrs. William Stone

Mr. &: Mrs. Ste ph en Strom e

Mr. &: Mrs. George Strumb os

Dr. J onat han Swift

Mr. Ronald F Switzer

Mr. &: Mrs. Jo e l Taube r

Dr. &: Mrs. Anthony R. Tersigni

Dr. Lorna Thomas

Dr. Rob erta &: Mr. Sh eldon

To ll

Mr. &: Mrs. C Thomas Topp in

Mr. &: Mrs. George Torreano

Mrs. Lynn A. Townse nd

Mr. Mi c hael Twedd le

Mr. &: Mrs. Melvin Van d erB ru g

Mr. &: M rs. Pau l Victor

Mr. &: Mrs. Steve n I. Victor

Mr. &: Mrs. George C Vi n ce nt

Mr. Gary L Wasse r man

Mr. &: Mrs Richard C Webb

Mrs. Amelia H Wilhelm

Dr. &: Mrs. C hri s top h er D. Wilhelm

Mr. &: Mrs. R. Jam ison Williams, Jr.

Dr. &: Mrs Sa m B. Williams

The Hon J oa n E. Young &: Mr. Th o m as L. Sche ll enbe rg

Mr. George M. Ze ltze r

Mrs. Morton Zieve

Mrs. P a ul Zucke rm an

Trustees Emeritu s

Mrs. J ames Me rriam Barnest

Mr. t Mrs. t Robert E. Dewar

Dr. t &: Mrs. t Rob ert Gerisch

Mrs. Aaron Gersh enson t

Mr. t &: Mrs. J ames Gram

Mrs. Kath e rine Gribbs

Mrs Rob ert Ham a d y t

Mrs. &: M rs. E. Jan Hartma nn

Mr. &: Mrs. Maxwell j ospey

Dr. Zophia and Mr. Mitchell Kafars ki t

Mrs. Walton Lewis t

Mrs. Jesse Mann t

Mrs. Wa d e H. McCreejr.

Mr. &: Mrs. Jul es L. Pollone

Mrs. Ralph Polk t

Mr. t &: Mrs. t David Po ll oc k

Mr. &: Mrs. t Fred Schneidewind

Mrs. Mark C Stevens t

Mr. t &: Mrs. t Rob er t VanderKloot

Mrs. R. Alexa nder Wrigley

Founding Members

Mr. t &: Mr s. Lynn A. Townsend, Found in g Chairman

The H on. &: Mrs. tAvern L. Cohn

Dr. &: Mrs. John DeCa rl o

Dr. &: Mrs. Da vid DiChiera

Mr. t &: Mrs. t Aaron H Gershenson

Mr. &: Mrs. Donald C Graves

Mr. t &: Mrs. t john C Gri ffin

Mr &: Mrs. Harry L J ones

The H on. t &: Mrs. Wa d e Mc Cree Jr.

Mr. H arry j. Ne derla nde r

Mr. E. Harwood Ryd h o lm t

Mr. &: Mrs. Nei l Sn ow

Mr. &: Mrs. Richard Strichartz

Mr. t &: Mrs. t Rob ert C VanderK loot

Dr. &: Mrs. Sa m H . W i lliams

Mr. t &: Mrs. t Th eodore O. Ynt ema

Administration & Staff

D AV ID DI C HI E RA , FOUND ER & GENERA L DIR E CTO R

John Eckstrom, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTORS

Karen VanderKloot DiChiera, Director of Community Programs

Caro l Halsted , Director of Dance

Dewan Mitchell , Director of Bookings & Events Management

Rock Monroe , Director of Safety & Security

Laura R. Nea lssohn , Director of Communications

David W Osborne, Director of Production Mary Parkhill, Director of Development

Jason Warzecha, Director of Theatre and Parking Center Operations

ADMINISTRATION

William Austin , Executive Assistant to the General Director

Timothy Lentz, Archivist & Administrative Assistant for Ford Center for Arts and

COMMUNICATIONS

Kimberly A. Mogielski, Patron & Ticket Services Manager

Michael Hauser, Marketing Manager

Kimberly Gray, Ticket Servic es Assistant Manager

Jane Kenned y Coe, Ticket Services Assistant Manager

Tunisia Brown , Communication & Ticket Services Associate

Felicia Burgess, Administrativ e Assistant

Mitchell Carter, Website Coordinator

Rebekah Johnson , Public Relations Coordinator

John Grigaitis, Photographer

Crystal G. Ratledge, Account Executive, Solomon Friedman Advertising

Bill Carro ll , Public Relations Volunteer

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Mark Vondrak, Associate Director & Tour Manager

Betty Lane, Operations Manager & Singing Voice Specialist

Dolores Tobis, Marketing Manager

Trish Sha nd or, Special Projects Coordinator

TOURING ARTISTS OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Bets y Bronson , Maria Cimarelli , Bernard Holcomb , Joseph Jackson , Betty Lane , Amy Dolan Malaney, Madelyn Porter, David Pulice , Amanda Sabelhaus , Karl Schmidt , Trish Shand or, Chris Vaught, Mark Vondrak, Alvin Waddles, Karin White

COMPUTER SERVICES

John Grigaitis , Information Technology Manager

Shelly Ratliff , LAN Administrator

DANCE

Kim Curtis , Administrative Assistant

DEVELOPMENT

Kim-Lan Trinh , Associate Director of Development , Plann ed Giving & Major Gifts

Danielle DeFau w, Boutique Manager

Michelle DeLand, Corporate Campaign Manager

Heather Hamilton , Special Projects Manager

Katherine Kucharski, M embership Manager, Database Consultant

Matthew Talbot , Foundation & Government Grants Manager

Stephani Yates, Dance Patron Circle Campaign Manager

FINANCE

Derrick Lewis, Controller

Kimberly Burgess-Riv ers, Rita Winters, Accountants

Holly Eckstrom , Accounting Assistant

DETROIT OPERA HOUSE

Angela Donald son, Food & Beverage Manager

Bernard Williams , Building Maintenance

Corey Scott , Executive Chef

Dennis Wells , Faciliti es Manager

Demetrius Barn es, Building Engineer

Jesse Carter, Senior Building Engineer

Lashanya Littlejohn, Assistant Food & Beverage Manager

Randy Elliott , House Manager

Robert Mettetal , Building Engineer

Timothy John son, Building Maintenance

Ben Latimer , Building Maintenance

SAFETY & SECURITY

Lt. Lorraine Monroe , Supervisor

Lero y Banks , Gernell Cardwell , Marcellus Wheeler, Da ve Williams , Stage Door Officers

Dondra Mainor, Pamela Sco tt , Kevin Stafford, Sgt. Daryl Stuckey, Derrick Sykes, Control Center Officers

DETROIT OPERA HOUSE

PARKING CENTER

Rob e rt Nei l , Manager

Paul Bolden , Event Manager for Parking

PRODUCTION

ADMINISTRATION

Elizabeth Anderson, Production Coordinator

Sharon Faulkner, Production Administrator

Matt J ackso n+ *, 7+*, Assistant Stage Managers

Nancy Krolikowski , Production Volunteer

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

David DiChiera , Music Director

Rob e rto Mauro, Artistic Consultant

Suzanne Mallare Acton, Assistant Music Director & Chorus Master

Dian e Bredesen, Orchestra Personnel Manager

Jean Schneider, Repetiteur

TECHNICAL & DESIGN STAFF

Daniel T. Brinker, Technical Director

Monika Essen , Property Master & Scenic Artist

Kendall Smith , Lighting Coordinator

Andrew Griffin , Asst. Lighting Designer & Asst. Technical Director

Dee Dorsey, Supertitle Operator

Rudi Lauermann, Recording Engineer

Adriene Goloda, Technical Assistant

COSTUMES

Suzanne M. Hanna , Costume Director

Laura Brinker, Cutter/Draper

Alice Moss, Wardrobe Mistress

Katie Hein , First Hand

Su san A. Fox, Margaret Bronder, Stitchers

Monika Essen, Costume Painter

MAKEUP & HAIR

Sarah Hatten , Designer

Elizabeth Geck, Assistant Wig & Makeup Designer

Detroit Local Wig & Makeup Crew

STAGE CREW

J ohn Kinsora , Head Carpenter

Robert Mesinar , Head Electrician

Alan Bigelow, Head Property man

Paul Moraites, Head Sound

Robert Martin, Head Flyman

Gary Gilmore, Production Electrician

Mary Ellen Shuffett, Head of Wardrobe

lATSE Loca l #38 , Stage Crew

lATSE Lo cal #786, Wardrobe

* The Elixir of Love + Carmen

Family Album

Margaret Garner Gala

Opera Ball

Kent and Amy Jidov, Floy and Lee Barthel, Dolores Levey and Ken Hart

Karen V DiCh·lera and Dr DI Ch·lera

Opera Ball honorees receive their gifts from general chair Betty Brooks, committee member Nora Moroun, and co-chairs Stephanie Germack Kerzic, Danialle Karmanos, and Denise Lutz.

Barbara Munk, Monique Poitrinal-Fournier

Stephen Munk, Karen and Derek and guest.

Opera Ball co-chair Stephanie Germack Kerzic, Dr. DiChiera, and Opera Ball general chair Betty and Bill Brooks

(L-R) 20080 Okotie-Eb pera Ball honor Nelso oh, Karla Hall K· ees Pamela Alex Glenda Price, Shirllmberlydawn juliette Pt n, Barbara Mah ey Stancato L· m, Faye a nCla Bennett one, Vivian p. k ' Inda Forte K th , and Monica Em IC ard, Carol Go' a ryn erson. ss,

Photos by John Grigaitis

Violin I

Charlotte Merkerson, Concertmaster* +

Laura Leigh Roelofs, Assistant Concertmaster +

Velda Kelly+

Bryan Johnston+

AndrewWu+

Beth Kirton+

Molly Hughes+

Kevin Filewych +

Violin II

Victoria Haltom * +

Brooke Hoplamazian+

Daniel Stachyra +

Henrik Karapet yan+

Anna Weller+

Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra

Viola

John Madison*+

Scott Stefanko+

Oboe

Kristen Beene*+

Sally Pituch+

James Greer+ -OboelEnglish Horn

Kathleen Grimes+

Cello

Nadine Deleury*+

Diane Bredesen+

Robert Reed+

Bass

Derek Weller * +

Clark Suttle+

Flute

Pamela Hill * +

Laura Larson+

Clarinet

Brian Bowman*+

J William King+

Bassoon

Pawel Wnuk+

Horn

Andrew Pelletier +

Carrie Banfield+

Trumpets

David Ammer+

Gordon Simmons+

Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus

Kara Alfano

Carol Ambrogio

Ryan Banar

Patrick Barnard

Victoria Bigelow

Heidi Bowen

Kim W Brooks

Cynthian Brundage

Fred Buchalter

Amanda Cantu

Adam Diekhoff

Isaac Droscha

Rebecca Eaddy

Ken Ebaugh

Jacqueline Echols

Brandy Ellis

Rebecca Engelhard

Louise Fisher

Nicholas Fitzer

Charles Freeman

Yvonne Friday

Jeremy Gilpatric

Conda Green

Lenora Green

Rosaline Guastella

Edward Hanlon

Celeste Headlee

Leslie Hill

Terrence Horn

Richard Jackson

Jacqueline King

Brian Leduc

Jonathan Lowrie

Susan Lowrie

Anthony Lynch

Amy Malane y

Leslie Mason

Anthony McGlaun

Kim Millard

Elizabeth Mitchell

Rachel Nofziger

Annie Radcliffe

Valerie Said

Dustin Scott

Ken Shepherd

Ramesh Srinvasan

Stephen Stewart

Gregory Stinson

Trombone

Maury Okun*+

Greg Near+

Harp

Patricia Terry-Ross*+

Timpani

Leonardo Soto*+

Percussion

John Dorsey*+

* Principal + Michigan Opera Theatre

Core Orchestra

Detroit Federation of Musicians Local #5 American Federation of Musicians

Lucy Thompson

Carie Volkar

Tiffanie Waldron

Justin Watson

Norman Weber

Tamara Whitty

Amber Williams

The American Guild of Musical Artists is the official union of the Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus

Ensuring the Future

Imaginea gift that outlives you-that touches future generatIOns m yo ur absence- to expenence and enjo y the world of opera.

That 's the goal of the Avanti Society, Michigan Op era Theatre's Planned Gift Recognition Program

The Avanti Society represents a designat ed group of friends of Michigan Opera Theatre who have made plans to include the organization in their estate plans- whether by will , trust , insurance , or life income arrangement. Membership in the Avanti Society is open to all.

Members of the Avanti Society receive a beautifully designed lapel pin , recognition at th e annual Avanti Evening and invitations to special events and performances , and are listed as members in our program books throughout each season.

AN AVANTI FO R T O M ORRO W

The growth of Michigan Opera Theatre 's permanent Endowment Fund ensures the growth and future vitality of one of the region 's greatest cultura l assets. You are invited to create your own lega cyyo ur Avanti-through Michigan Opera Theatre

You may use the attached confidential reply card to indicate yo ur gift, or contact Kim-Lan Trinh at (313) 237-3408 to discuss gift options that may benefit you , yo ur heirs and Michigan Opera Theatre .

THE AVANTI SOCIETY MEMBERS

Mr Robert G. Abgarian

Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Al lesee #

Mrs. Adel Amerman* # +

Dr. Lourdes V Andaya*

Mr. & Mrs. Agustin Arbulu*

Chester & Emelia Arno ld *

Mr. & Mrs. Lee Barthel

Mr. & Mrs. J. Addison Bartush *#

Mr. & Mrs. Brett Batterson*

Mr. & Mrs. Mandell Berman

Mr. & Mrs. Art B1air *

Mr. Robert Bomier

Gwen & Richard Bowlby

Roy E. & lise Calcagno*

Gladys Caldroney*

Dr. & Mrs. Victo r J Cervenak*

Mr Allen B. Christman

Mr & Mrs. Robert C. Comstock #

Dr. Robert A Cornette* #

Mr. & Mrs. Tarik D aoud* #

Mr. Thoma s J. Delaney

Ms. Mwjorie Adele DeVlieg

Mr & Mrs. Robert E. Dewar' #

M,: James P Diamond

Dr. David DiChiera #

Karen VanderKloot DiChiera' #

Ms. Mary Jane Doerr #

Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Duncan'

Mrs. Charles M. Endi cott' #

Mrs. Charlotte Bush Failing

Mr. & Mrs. Herb Fisher'

Mrs. Anne E. Ford

Pamela R. Francis'

Barbara Frankel & Ronald

Michalak' #

Mr. & Mrs. Herman Frankel' #

Mrs. Rema Frankel' #

Confidential Rep ly: Please return this fonn to Kim-Lan Trinh, Michigan Opera Theat re , 1526 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226, or e-mail ktrinh@ motopera.org

Na me(s) ___

Address _______________________ City ______________________ State _ Zip ________

Phone (day) _____________

(eve) ____

Best time to ca ll: __________

o Yes, pl ease send information regarding planned gifts.

o Vwe already qualify for the Avanti Society

Please briefl y describe the estate gift that qualifies you for membership (a ll information submitted will be kept confidential):

Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Freeman

Mrs. Jane Shoemake r French

Mr Edward P Frohlich

Dr. & Mrs. Byron P. Georgeson'

Priscilla A B. Goodell

Mr Ernest Goodman

Mrs. Freda K. Goodman

Priscilla R. Greenberg, Ph.D.' #

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen H agopian

Mr. Lawrence W Hall '

Mr. & Mrs. J erome Halp eri n'

Mrs Robert M. Hamady

Mr. David Ha nd leman ' #

Mr. Kenneth E. Hart'

Mr. & Mrs. Eugene L. Hartwig'

Dr. & Mrs. Gerhardt A. Hein

Ms. Nancy B. Henk

Ms. Mwy A Hester

Mr Bruce Hillman

Karen & Derek Hodgson

Mr Gord on V Hoialmen

Dr. Cindy Hung*

Mr Carl). Huss

Mrs. Ilen e). Intihar

Kristin Jaramillo*

Mr. Donald Jensen'

Ms. Helen Barbara Johnston

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Klein #

Mrs. Josephine Kleiner

Mr. & Mrs. Erwin H. Klopfer' #

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Kolton

Misses Phyllis & Selma Korn'

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Krolikowski'

Mr. Max Lep ler & Mr. Rex Dotson

Mr. Philip Leon '*

Mrs. Wade H McCree'

Ms. Jane McKee*

Mrs. Lucie B. Meininger

Drs. Orlando & Dorothy Miller'

Monica Moffat & Pat McGuire

Mrs. Ella M. Montroy

Mr. Ronald K. Morrison'

Ruth Rawlings Matt

Mrs. Betty]. Mue ller

Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Munk

Ms. Julie A. Owe ns "

Mr. Dale J Pangonis*

Mary & Charles A. Parkhill

Mrs. Elizabeth Pecsenye

Clwice Odgers Percox

Mr Thomas G. Porter

Mr. Richard M. Raisin *

Mrs. Ruth F Rattner' #

Mr. Jo shua Rest

Marguerite & James Rigby'

Mr. Bryan L. Riv es

Ms. Patricia Rodzik *

Mr Mitchell). Romanowski

Ms. Joanne B. Rooney

Ms. Susan Schooner'

Drs. Heinz & Alice Platt

Sc h warz *

Mrs. Frank C. Shaler*

Ms. Laura Sias

June & Harold Siebert

Mrs. Marge Slezak

Ms. Anne Sullivan Smith"

Ms. Phyllis Funk Snow'

Mr Edward L. Stahl

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Starkwea th er* # +

Mrs. Mark C. Stevens' #

Mr. Stanford C. Stoddard

J onatha n Swift & Thomas A. St. Charles'

Mr. Ronald F Switzer*

Ms. Mary Ellen Tappan * #

Donald & Margaret Thurb er'

Mr. Edward D. Tusset*

Mr. & Mrs. George Vincent* # +

Mr J. Ernest Wilde

Mrs. Amelia H. Wilhelm' #

Mrs. Helen B. Wittenberg

Elizabeth & Walter P Work'

Mr. & Mrs. George M. Zeltzer*

Avanti Logo &: Pin Design

Monica Moffat & Pat McGu ire

Keys: , Founding Membe rs

# Touch the Future donors + Avanti Society Sponsors

Italics = deceased members

'* = new members since 2008 Fall Program Boo k was published

Contributors to Michigan Opera Theatre's Campaign to Restore the Detroit Opera House

Michigan Opera Theatre extends appreciation to t h e many donors w h o co ntribut ed so ge n e rousl y to the three phases of the De troit Opera Hou se fund rai si n g initiative from 1989 t02004. Followin g is a cumulati ve li st ing of gifts of $5,0 00 and above to The Capital Campai gn to Resto re the D etroit

$5,000,000 + Ford Motor Co mp any

The Kresge Foundation

$2,000,000 to $4 ,999,999

The Chrys ler Foundation

Genera l Moto rs Corporat ion

The State of Michi ga n

$1,000 ,000 to $1 ,999,999

Mr. & Mrs. Robert A.

Alle see Eugene Appleba um Family

Founda tion

Lee & Floy Barthel

Mr. & Mrs. John A. Boll , Sr.

H erman & Sh aro n Franke l

Danialle & Peter Karma no s

John S. and J ames L. Kni ght

Found a ti on

The Skillman Foundation

$500,000 TO $999,999

Anonymou s

Bank of Am e ri ca

JPMorganChase

Th e Coh e n Family

Philanthropic Fund of th e Community Foundation for South eas t e rn Michigan

Comerica

De troit Grand Opera Association

DTE Energy Fo undation

M r. & Mrs. Max M. Fisher

H e rman & Barbara Frankel

Mr. & Mrs. Sam ue l Franke l

Mr. David Handl e man , Sr.

Lear Corpo ration

Mr. & Mrs. Harry A.

Lomason

McGregor Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Ro ger S. Penske

Ralph L. & Winifred E. Polk

Founda t ion

Mr. & Mrs. R. J a mi son Williams, Sr.

$25 0 ,000 TO $499 ,999

AAA

AT&T

BASF Corporation

Mr. & Mrs. Philip E.

Benton, Jr.

Mandell & Madeleine H

Be rm an Fou nd ation

Blu e Cross and Blu e Sh ield of Michigan

Dayton Hu dso n

FoundationlHudson's

Mr. & Mrs. Rob ert E. Dewar

Ghafari Associates, In c.

Robert & Ali ce Gus tafson

Hudson -Webber

Founda t ion

Kmart Corporation

Mr. & Mrs. Pa ul Lavins

Masco Corporation

Nonprofit Fa c iliti es Center

Raymond C Sm ith

Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan

Mr. & Mrs. George

Strumbo s

Mr. & Mrs. Lynn A.

Townsend

Detroit

TRW Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. George C

Vincent

Mr. & Mrs. Alvin

Wasserman

Mr. R. Jamison Williams, J r.

$100,000 TO $249,999

Ms. J ane E. Agostinelli

Dr. & Mrs. Donald C

Austin

Ms. Anne Loma so n Bray

Mr. & Mrs. Richa rd A.

Brodie

Vicki & Tom Celani

The Hon. & Mrs. Avern L.

Cohn

Coma u Pico

Da iml erChrysle r Services

Mr. & Mrs. Tarik Daoud

De Roy Testamentary

Foundatio n

Dickinson Wrigh t PLLC

Downtown Developme nt

Authori ty, City of Detroit

DTE EnergylMichCon

Foun dation

El Paso Energy Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Roland C

Eugenio

Mr. & Mrs. Paul E. Ewing

Jennifer & David Fischer

Barbara Frankel & Ron

Michalak

Mr. & Mrs. Preston B.

Happel

Mr & Mrs. Rob ert Klein

Mr. & Mrs. Th omas M

Krikorian

O li ve r Dewey Marcks

Foundation

Na ti ona l City Ban k of Michigan

O pu s One

Karen & Drew Pe s la r foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Irving Rose

Mrs. Caro lyn L. Ross

Mr. Anthony L. Soave

Wa lbrid ge Aldinger

Compa n y

Mr. & Mrs. Charles L.

W il so n,Jr.

World H eritage Found ation

Mr. & Mrs. George M.

Zeltzer

$5 0,000 TO $99 ,999

Dr. & Mrs Roger M. Aj luni

AlliedSignal Found atio n , Inc.

Dr. Lourdes V Andaya

Anonymous

Dr & Mrs. Agustin Arbulu

Mr. William P Bae r

Mr. & Mrs. Don H. Barden

Mr. & Mrs. ]. Addison

Bartush

Mr. Thomas Cohn

Consumers Ene rgy

Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Marvin I. Danto

Del oitte & Tou che LLP

Th e Detroi t News/Gann ett Foundation

Dr. David DiChi e ra

Rosanne & Sand y Duncan

Op era House (1989 -1998) , The New Century Fund Campa ign (1999 - 2001) and Th e Crow n ing Achi evement Ca mpaign (2002 -2004).

We a lso thank the many donors who contributed gifts below $5, 000 for their commitment and belief in th e Detroit Opera House proj ect.

Mrs. Cha rl es M. Endicott

Mr. & Mrs. Alex Erd eljan

Mr. & Mrs. Alfred]. Fisher, Jr

Dr. Marjorie M. Fish e r

Anne E. ford

Mr. & Mrs Stanley Frankel

Mr. Edward P Frohli ch

Th e GM Card

Mr. & Mrs. Alan L. Gornick

Mr. & Mrs. John C Griffin

Handleman Co mpan y

Da vi d & Rose Handlem an

Mr. & Mrs. E.]. Hartm ann

Alice Kales Hartwick

Found at ion

Mrs. David B. Herm e lin

Huntington Na tional Bank

Mr. & Mrs. Ve rne G. Istoc k

Mr. & Mrs. Ri chard J anes

Mrs. Syb il Jaques

John so n Contro ls

Foundation

William & Ellen Kahn

Chaim, Fanny, Louis, Benj a m in & Anne

fl o rence Kaufman

Memoria l Trust

Mr. Gera ld Knechtel

Mr. & Mrs. Mike Kojaian

Nancy & Bud Liebler

Mr. Alp h onse S. Lu ca re lli

Mr. & Mrs. Eugene A. Miller

Milli ke n & Company

Ne ima n Marcus

Lind en D. Ne lson

Foundation

Mr. & Mrs. Irving Nusbaum

Mr. & Mrs. Graham A Or ley

Mr. & Mrs. Jo se ph O rl ey

Mr. & Mrs. Donald E.

Pe t er se n

Mr. & Mrs. Harold A. Poling

Mr. & Mrs. David Polla ck

PVS C h em ica ls Inc.

Mrs. Ruth Rattner/Ann F.

Katz & Norman D Katz

Mr. & Mrs. Alan E. Sch wartz

Mr. & Mrs. Donald E. Sc h we nd ema nn

Mrs. Rosemary Skupny

Mr. & Mrs S. Kinnie Smith , Jr.

Mr. Richard A. Sonenklar

Mr. Stan fo rd C Stodd a rd

T h yssen Inc., N.A.

Mr. & Mrs. C Thom as

Toppin

Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Tyn er

The Sa muel L. Westerman

Foun d a tion

Dr. & Mrs. Clyde Wu

$ 25 ,000 TO $49 ,999

Mr. & Mrs. Dougla s F. Alli so n

Anon ymous

Mr. & Mrs. Gebran S. Anton

Mrs. J o hn V Balian

Mrs. Loris G. Birnkrant

The Wayne Booke r Ch aritable Founda ti on

Th e Budd Compan y Covansys Cor poration

Crain Communications Inc.

www MichiganOpera.org

Julia D. Dar low & John C

O' Meara

Larry & Dodi e David

Dr. & Mrs. George A. Dean

Delphi Foundation

Mrs. Margaret Demant

Detroit Int ernat ional Bridge

Company

Eaton Corporation

Ernst and Young

Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Fish er

Mrs. Aaron H Gershenson

Andrew & Wanda

Giancamilli

The Gilmour Fund

Hilda & Jo el Ham burger

Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth E. Hart

Julius & Cyn thia Huebner

Found ation

Mario & Jan e Iacobell i

The Hon & Mrs. Jo se ph N

Impasta to

Kenwal Steel Co rporation

Mr. & Mrs. Rona ld C

Lam pa rter

Robert & Vic to ria Li ggett

Ma gna Int ernation al

The Hon Ja ck & Dr. Bettye

Arrington-Martin

Ann & William McCormick,

Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. E. R. Milner

Mr. & Mrs. E. Michael

Mutchler

Mrs Jennifer Nasse r

Mr. & Mrs. Harry

Nosanchuk

Mr. & Mrs Robert T.

O'Conn e ll

Franc es H Parcells

Memorial

Mr. & Mrs. Hughes L.

Potiker

Mr. & Mrs. W James

Pro wse

Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Reuss

Roy & Maureen Roberts

Mr. & Mrs. Jack Robinson

Mr. & Mrs. Richard H.

Rogel

Mrs. Louis R. Ross

Dr. Hers hel & Lois Sandb erg

Mr Richard Sand ers

The Sand y Family

Foundati o n

Mrs. Emm a L. Sc ha ve r

Mrs. Shirley K. Sc hl a fer

Dia ne & Morton Scho lnick

Mr. & Mrs. Gregory J.

Sc hw artz

Mr. Jos e ph Sc hwartz

Mr. & Mrs. Frank C Shaler

Mr. Mickey Sh apiro

Elham Shayota

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Slo an

Mr. & Mrs. William H. Smith

Mrs. Mark C Steve ns

United American Health Care Corporation

Mr. & Mrs. Melvin C

Vande rBru g

Mr. & Mrs. Art Van Elsland er

Mr. and Mrs . Steve n I. Victor

Neva William s Art s

Foundation

Matilda R. W il so n Fund

Paul Zu ck e rm an

$15,000 TO $24,999

Al ca n Aluminum

Corpo ration

Aldoa Compan y

Dr. & Mrs. Ro byn ].

Arr in gton , Sr.

Mrs. Dona ld]. Atwoo d

Mr. & Mrs. Geral d Bri gh t

Betty & Bill Brook s

Mr. David Chi vas

Gloria & Fred Clark

Mr. & Mrs. Pet er D.

C ummings

Mr. & Mrs. Do na ld Cutler

Mr. & Mrs. John W Da y, J r.

Da vi d & Joanne De nn

Mrs. Karen VanderKloot

DiChiera

Mr. & Mrs. John R. Edm an

Mr. & Mrs. Burton D. Farbman

El ain e Fontana

Mr. Kenneth H Fox

Ann & Larry Garberding

Ke ith & Eileen Gifford

Great Lakes Exteriors

Mrs. Robert M. Hamady

Mrs. Robert Hami lt o n

Eugene & Donna Hartwig

Loui se H odgson

Gordon V Hoialm en Tru s t

Mrs. David Ja cknow

Mrs. William E. Johns ton

Mr. & Mrs. Maxw e ll Jo spey

Mr. & Mrs. John Kaplan

Bruno & Mollie Leo n ell i

Mr. & Mrs. David Baker

Lewis

Mr. & Mrs. Walton A. Lewis

Richard & Fl orence

McBrien

Dr. & Mrs. Step h en A.

Munk

Mr. & Mrs. H enry Nicko l

Mr. & Mrs. Eino Nurm e

Mr. & Mrs. S penc er Partric h

Mr. John E. Perry

Phillips Service Industrie s, Inc.

D r. Cha rlotte & Mr. Ch arles

Podowski

Meyer & Anna Pre nti s

Family Founda tio n , In c.

Antonio & Suzanne Rea

Family

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Sc hmidt

St. John Health Ca re

Sys tems

Roberta & Di ck

Sta rk wea th e r

Mr. Fra nk D Ste lla

Mr. Ronald F. Switzer

Dr. & Mrs. Anth ony R

Tersigni

Mr. & Mrs. Rob ert C

VanderKloot

Mrs. Richard Van Du sen

Venture In dus tries

Mr. & Mrs. Gary L. Wasserman

Ric hard & Kathl een Webb

Mr. & Mrs. Ke ith Weber

Danialle &: Peter Karmanos

Broadway Fa,ade

William &: Ellen Kahn

Co-Star Dressing Room

Chaim, Fanny, Louis, Benjamin &: Ann Florence

Kaufman Memorial Trust

Grand Lobby Side

Chandelier

Wallis &: Robert M Klein

Grand Lobby Staircase

Mirror

Delores &: Paul Lavins

Grand Lobby Side

Chandelier

Grand Lobby Staircase

Mirror

Lear Corporation

Rehearsal Studio I Lobby

Trustee Circle Level in

Opera Hall

The Lomason Family

The William K & Neva

Lomason Opera Lounge

Oliver Dewey Marcks

Foundation

Third Floor Promenade

Staircase Lobby to 2""

Floor, Madison

MichCon Foundation

Grand Lobby Boutique

The Karen &: Drew Peslar

Foundation

Co-Star Dressing Room

Mr &: Mrs. John Rakolta

Rehearsa l Studio II

Me. &: Mrs. Irving Rose

Patron Elevator, John R

Tower

Mrs. Carolyn L Ross

Grand Lobby Staircase

Mirror

Raymond C. Smith

Foundation Fund of the

Community Foundation

for

Contributors to Annual Campaigns

Southeast Michigan

Raymond C. Smith Lobby

Mr &: Mrs. Lynn Townsend

D'Ustee Circle Lobby, Broadway

Mr &: Mrs. George C.

Vincent

Madison Lobby

Mr &: Mrs. Alvin

Wasserman

Box Level Promenade

Dr &: Mrs. Sam Williams

Barbara Gibson Stairway

Exhibit, Broadway

World Heritage Foundation

Conductor's Dressing Roo m

Michigan Opera Theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous corporate, foundation, government and individual donors whose contributions were made between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008. Their generosity plays an integral part in the company's financial stability, necessary for prodUcing quality grand opera and dance, and award-winning educational activities. CORPORATE

OPERA

Compuware

Supporter Cyrano Festival Weekend Ford Motor Company Fund General Operating Meadowbrook Insurance

Signal Benefactor Fall Opera Season Sponsor Support Golf Outing Lunch $500 - $999 DeRoy Testamentary Cyrano Festival Weekend

Advanced Air Services Foundation Signal Benefactor BENEFACTOR Metropolitan Title Golf Outing Tee Sponsor Young Artist Apprentice Opera Ball Platinum $15,000 - $24,999

Crystal Leaf Albert Kahn Associates Program Sponsor

AAA Michigan Sponsor American Premium Blends La Traviata Performance

Alvin Ai ley American Opera Ball Silver Sponsor Peace Tree Investments BravoBravo Terra Cotta Sponsor Dance Theater Golf

Sponsor Alvin Ailey American Products Golf Outing Tee Sponsor BravoBravo Gold Sponsor Dance Theater BravoBravo Crystal Leaf Mel Ball Entertainment BENEFACTOR

Dow Automotive Performance Sponsor Sponsor

Golf Outing Tee Sponsor $15,000 - $24,999

Cyrano Production Moffat McGuire, Inc. Hudson-Webber

Sponsor FELLOW DONOR Golf Outing Tee Sponsor Foundation

Haberman Fabrics $10,000 - $14,999

$1,000 - $2,499

Cyrano Fabric &: Costume Danialle Karmanos ' Work Ash Stevens

Benefactor It Out Community Programs

Paychex Ida &: Conrad H. Smith

Golf Outing Tee Sponsor Fund of the Community

Preferred Building Services, Foundation for Southeast

JP Morgan Chase Golf Outing Presenting Support LLC Michigan

Cyrano Student Matinee Sponsor Africa Channel RenKim Corporation La Traviata Performance

Sponsor MGM Grand Detroit African Footprint Student Golf Outing Tee Sponsor Sponsor

Miami C ity Ba ll et Cyrano Patron Tickets Sponsor Russell Industrial Center Sage Foundation

Performance Sponsor Alvin Ai ley American Barris, Sott, Denn &: Driker, Golf Outing Tee Sponsor Whitney Fund

Peter Pan Performance Dance Theater Adopt-a- PLLC

Whole Foods Market

Sponsor School Sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of BravoBravo Terra Cotta

Alvin Ailey American Michigan

FELLOW

Sponsor $10,000 - $14 ,999

Dance Theater SUSTAINER African Footprint Adopt-a- Williams Williams Rattner Ann and Gordon Getty

Performance Sponsor $5,000 - $9,999 Schoo l Sponsor &: Plunkett, PC Foundation

Giselle Performance Dyketna Gossett Comcast Cable

Golf Outing Tee Sponsor The Elizabeth, Allan and Sponsor Cyrano Patron African Footprint Student Warren Shelden Fund

MAJOR BENEFACTOR

$25,000 - $49,999

Great Lakes Beverage Tickets Sponsor

BravoBravo Gold Sponsor CN

FOUNDATION &: Four County Community

GOVERNMENT Foundation

Grunwell-Cashero Commercial Maintenance, SUPPORT Mary Thompson

ATvinMeritor Company, Inc. Inc.

OPERA &: DANCE Foundation

The Samuel L Westerman La Rondine Per ormance HospitalitylBeverage Sponsor

Cyrano Artist SFc0nsor Golf Outing Dinner/ Golf Outing Titanium

Sponsor Sponsor Comcast Cable

GOVERNMENT Foundation

$298,800

Golf Outing Bronze Hog Brothers Recycling Alvin Ailey American Michigan Council for Arts

Sponsor BravoBravo Silver Leaf Dance Theater Sponsor and Cultural Affairs

Detroit Opera House Sponsor www.Mic h iga n Opera . org BRAVO 39 Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

Status Quo Marketing Go l f O u ti n g 2008 The Detroit Zoo

Andiamo Dearborn La Bistecca Italian Grille Street Vision 110 Couture The Tennis & Golf Company

Areo Containers La Zingara Trattoria Sydney Frank Co. jill Admonius Ticketmaster

Asian Vi ll age of Detroit Lorien Studios - john The Century Grille. Allegra Print & I maging Bl ake Williams

Bacardi Sobczak Photography The Designate Renaissance Cente r Vintage Wine

Bell & Sons Majestic Ca fe' The Hill Seafood & Beau jack's Food & Spiri t s Vitamin Water

Bourbon Steak and Salt Mario's Restaurant Choph ouse Big Rock Chophouse AndrewWu

Water Mason Rad io/l07.5 Th e Town Pump Carl's GolOand Harvey Yates, LB Office

Braylon Edwards Maverick Med ia Three Olives Vodka Carter Wi ll iams Supply

Foundation McNab Carpet Tommy Bahama Rum Chen Ch ow Brasserie

Cadillac Cafe at the Detroit Melting Pot Traque I nternationa l Model Comerica Bank

MA]ORGIFTS

Opera H ouse MetroMix & Ta lent Management crave restaurant + sushi bar OPERA

Canad ian Club MGM Catering Two Unique Caterer + lounge

Canape ' Cart, In c. MGM Grand Detroit Un ion Street Saloon , In c. Culinary Associates "A Taste Grand Benefactor

Cannella Patisserie & Michigan Green Safe Urban Life Promo of Excellence " $2 00 ,000 +

Creperie Products US Foods Dalgleish Cadillac Mr. & Mrs. Lee Barthel

CENTAUR Bar Milagaro Post Veritas Wine Deaton Go lf

Cheli's Chili Bar Monjin Lau Vicente's Cuban Cuisine Dick Scott Dodge $30,000

Chen C ho w Brasserie Moo Moo's Vegetarian Vintage Wine Firefly Phones Michael Tweddle

Ciroc Cuis in e Viviano Wine First Class Valet janet Pau l Victor

Colonia l Party & Rent al Mosaic WDlV Fla sh Accessor ies

Com m e rcia l Ma intenience Octane Design Whole Foods Market Fuschia Frog Benefactor

Como's Opus One/Opus To Go Wolfgang Puck Grille Gem & Centur y Theatres $20,000

Corporate Optics Patron Woodford Reserve Great American Chopper Danialle & Peter Karmanos

Creat ive Gourmet Paxahau Zodiac Vodka

Allesee Dance and Opera Resource Library Going Online in June 2009!

Michigan Opera Theatre is pleased to announce that the Allesee Dance and Opera Resource Library is going digital!

Starting i n June 2009, the library will be offe r ing its catalog to the public, including books, scores, CDs, videos, and hundreds of unique items from the history of MOT productions. From reviews of thirty years of performances, to photographs, to an immense recording collection, MOT i s proud to offer this unique resource to the public All library and historical items will be easily searchable using an innovative new search system specifically developed for Michigan Opera Theatre by Wayne State University

Intern Paul Gallagher

With assistance from the Wayne State University Library and Information Science Program, the

library is currently cataloging and digitizing the MOT archives, both helping to preserve the history of dance and opera in Michigan, and providing a unique training experience for a large, talented Dr Tim Lentz and Paul G all agh e r in the Allesee Dance group of WSU and Opera Res o urce Library Library Interns , Archivist and professionals." library director Dr Tim Lentz says, Keep an eye on the MOT "In bringing the Allesee Library website (www.MichiganOpera. to life over these last two and a org), starting in June, for a half years, we have been thrilled "Library/Archive" tab to preserve history, support Please contact Dr. Tim Lentz, MOT and create this Dance and Archivist & Administrative Opera Resource Library, as well as help educate WSU Library's next generation of information

Assistant for the Ford Center for Arts and Learning for more information: tlentz@motopera.org ,

Copyright 2010, Michigan Opera Theatre

Michigan Opera Theatre and the Detroit Opera House present two of the finest and most diverse opera an d dance series in the country Such an achievement requires many voices and many willing hands helping out behind the scenes. The talented, giving hands of each volunteer has a significant impact on the overa ll operation of the company

We all thank you for your dedication and support I We thank them for their extraordinary gifts of talent and time that help to make Mich igan Opera Theatre a success year after year.

MOTVA Executive Committee

Steven Marlette, President

Nancy Moore, Secretary

John McMullin, Treasurer

Judith Slo tkin, Past President

Dodie David, Past President

Gloria Clark, Past President

Betty Brooks, Past President

MOTVA Board of Directors and Committee Chairs

Melinda Anderson, Young

Professsionals, BravoBravo l Liason

Helen Arnoldi-Rowe, DivaslDivos

Gwen Bowlby, Publicity &: Development

Gloria Clark, Dodie David, Opera league

Danielle DeFauw, Boutique

Annette Delorenzo, Dance Council

Kevin Dennis , Technology

Marianne Endicott, Community Programs

Don Jensen, Board Member

Amy Jidov, Membership

Helen Millen, Ambassadors

Ali Moiin, Supers

Wallace Peace , Vol unt eer Education

Curtis Posuniak, Footlights

Elaine Schonberger, Board Member

Terry Shea, Board Member

Roberta Starkweather, OVI Rep. Board Member

Gail Urso, Board Member

Jeremy Zeltzer, Board Member

TBD , Office Vo lunte ers

TBD, Opera House Ushers

TBD , Volunteer Voice

2008 OPERAtors

Helen Arnoldi-Rowe

Gloria Clark

Dodie David

Marianne Endicott

Alan Israel

Steven &: Jennifer Marlette

Robert Martin

Dr. John Novak

Eva Powers

Anthony Ruda

Mark &: Elaine Schonberger

Carole Tibbitts

Detroit Opera House

Volunteers

Greetings from the Michigan Opera Theatre Volunteer Association!

Over the past year, we have accomplished great things with the assistance of the many dedicated vo lunteer members who make up our association. As we celebrate our 15 th year, the members of MOTVA continue to provi d e service, ed uc ation and advocacy in support of Michigan Opera Theatre

like many of you, I was first introduced to staged opera and dance productions lo cally through Michigan Opera Theatre. Over the years, I have co m e to appreciate the many vo lunte ers required to bring these world-class performances to life. In short, volu nte ers are the h eart of Michigan Opera Theatre. There isn't a better way to perpetuate Detroit's opera and dance scene than by engagin g in one of our many volunteer groups.

Your tax-deductible membership entitles you to participate in as many of the individua l volunteer groups as you wis h In these difficult economic times, Michigan Opera Theatre truly appreciates the support of its volunteer members who help to make each season a success.

If yo u wou ld lik e to join our organization, please comp let e the membership form and return it along with your dues. We will contact you and get you engaged in the groups o f your cho ice.

We look forward to working with you and thank you for your interest and involvement in the Michigan Opera Theatre Volunteer Association.

Steve n Marlette President MOTVA

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Sa ndra Tifft

Michigan Opera Theatre Children's Chorus vo lunt eer Sandra Tifft is a committed hard-working parent and a true asset to the MOTCe. She was comm itted from the very beginning to helping the Michigan Opera Theatre Children's Chorus get off the ground.

San dr a has served as the Committee Chair for both the fund ra ising and uniform!spiritwear committees for both the past two seasons. She helped raise funds for the chorus during the Winter Fantasy silent auction for the past two years, found donors (both monetary and in-kind), helped design the MOTCC logo an d spirit wear, sized for and ordered blazers and spirit wear several times, distributed and collected blazers, and performed any other necessary tasks asked of her.

Sandra manages meetings with both committees alm ost every week, all without needing any direction from the MOTCC staff.

"Sandra is a real team worker! " says MOTCC Director Suzanne Acton. "She understands what needs to be done, and how to accomplish it. "

The MOTCC staff, along with all of us at Mic higan Opera Theatre, thank Sandra for her hard work l Bravo l

For more information on one of the many ways to volunteer at Michigan Opera Theatre, please contact Kathi Kucharski at (313) 237-3433 or email kkucharski@motopera.org.

MOTVA Soiree Hosts

Joanne Danto & Arnold Weingarden

Susan &John Entenman

Deborah Meade

Dr. Ali Moiin & Dr. William Kupsk y Gloria & Stanle y Nycek

Endow Your Gift and Build the MOT Endowment Fund!

"'\ X Th at does endo wi n g yo ur gi ft m ea n ?

V V It m ea n s to m ak e yo ur gi ft las t for ever.

For ex ampl e, tak e an annu al gift o f $ 1 ,5 00 H ow mu ch wo uld it ta k e to end ow the gift so that a ch a rit abl e organization could receive th at am ount ind e finitel y? Since the m aj orit y o f n onp ro fit s have a poli cy for s p end in g end owme nt in com e at ab out 5% an n uall y, sim ply di vi d e the annu al gift am ou n t o f $ 1,5 00 b y 5 % and yo u ge t $30,0 0 0. Consequ entl y, m akin g an end owment gift o f $30, 000 ca n co ntinu e th e $ 1 ,5 00 an nu al gift ind efini tely Give twen ty times the amo unt o f your annu al co ntributi o n t od ay, and yo u will h ave a p erp etu al gift endo wm ent. In other word s, give a littl e n ow and m ak e the gift las t for eve r.

In a wea k en ed ec on om y a nd h ars h econo m ic times, we ar e m or e conscio u s and d ili ge nt th an eve r in our e fforts to r aise en d owm ent fun ds an d hope that yo u wi ll co n t inu e to supp ort u s wi th yo ur ge n ero sity It 's a way for yo u to p laya spec ial part in p erp etu ati n g a ca u se th at m ea n s a lot to yo u an d will

p ro vi d e a steady, d epen d abl e so urce of inc om e to Mi chi ga n Opera Thea tre. W ith a signifi ca nt en d owmen t , MO T will b e able to expand its r eperto ire, d evelop n ew produ cti on s, fund the Ford Cent er fo r Arts and Lea rnin g pro gr am s , and continue it s rich tr aditi on of featuring minority arti sts. In additi on , as this fund gro w s , we wi ll b e ab le to rece ive large r annu al di stri b u tions to h elp wi th our ge n era l op er a ti on s. Co n sequ ently, you help u s en sure th e future and su p port the prese nt at th e same tim e w ith yo ur gift s

You m ay co ntri bu te to th e Unres t ricted Gen era l End owme nt Fund a t MOT at an y level, o r set up a spe cifi c N amed End owm ent Fu n d for th e purpose of yo ur choic e Se ttin g up an endo wm ent co uld b e th e mo st farsi ghted an d enduring act of your life time !

If yo u h ave q u es ti ons abo ut es tat e p lanning, pl ann ed givi n g and end owm ent , p lease d o n ot h esi ta te to call Kim-La n Tri nh , Associa te Direc tor, Pl ann ed Givin g and Maj or Gi ft s, a t (313) 237-3 4 08 or emai l h er a t k trinh @ motop era .o rg

MOT Endowment Fun d Donors

Allison, Sarah and Do u g

Berman, Made le ine an d Mandell

Bla ir, Arthur

Cohn, joyce H.

Damo, Betty and Marvin

Damo, Joanne

De t ro it Grand Oper a Associa tio n

Gibson, Barbara an d Sam W illiams

Goodma n, Freda K.

H amb urge r, Hilda and J oel

Hoialmen, Gordon V

Jo h n S. and J ames L. Kn ight F o und ati on

Ke ll er, Caro le

Lep le r, Max and Rex Dotson

Masco Corpora ti on Fou n dati o n

Meininge,; Lucie B.

Wittenberg, Helen B.

Zeltzer, Pearl an d George

Keys:

Italics = deceased

MOT ENDOWMENT FUND @ CFSEM DONORS

Mr. and Mrs Robel't A Aliesee

Mr and Mrs Douglas f Allison

Bar-Levav Family Foundation/Dr Leora Bar-Levav

Mr and Mrs.). Addison Ba rtush

Mr W Victor Benjamin

Betty and Art Blair

Mr Robert Bomiel'

Mrs. Doreen Bull

Rev. Paul Chateau

Hon. and Mrs. Avem L Cohn

Minka and Douglas R Comelsen

Dr. Robert A Comette and Mr. Alan Mu rdock

Ms joanne Danto

Mr Randa l Darby

Dr. David DiChie ra

M,'s. Charles M. Endicott

Mr Wayne C Everly

Mr and Mrs. David T Fischer

Ms. Barbara Fmni1el and Mr. Ron Michalak

Mr. and Mrs. Albert L. Glover

Dr Robel't A Green

M,: Ernest B. Gutie 'Tez

Mr. and Mrs. jerome Halperin

Mr. and Mrs. Preston B Hap pel

Mr. Kenneth E. Hart

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene L. Ha rtwig

Ms. Rebecca P Hein

Ms. Nancy B Henk

Mr. and Mrs. Ste rling C j ones jr.

Mrs. josephine Kess ler

Barba"a and Edward L. Klarman

M aking a gift to the end o wment o f the Michigan Opera The atre is a wa y of leaving an indelible imprint. Find o ut more b y callin g

Kim-Lan Tr i nh o f the Mi c hig an Oper a Theatre at 313.23 7. 3408.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Kolt on

Dr and Mrs Myro n laBan

Mr. Edward C Levy]l: and Ms. Linda Dresner Levy

Mr. Hannan Lis

Ms. Florence LaPatin

Mr and Mrs. Robe rt A Lutz

Mrs. Mitchell Malicki

Mr. Bruce A Miller

Mrs Betty Mueller

Ms. Ruth f Rattner

D,: and Mrs David B. Rorabacher

Mr. and Mrs. Norman H Rosenfeld

Mr. and Mrs. Gera ld f Ross

Mrs. Ha "riet Sapel'stein

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sc hwa rtz

Ms. Ellen Sha rp

Mrs. LNetta Skewes

Ms. Ma ,y Anne Stella

Mr and Mrs. Norman). Tabor}/:

Mr and Mrs. Peter P Thurber

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Tombo ulian

Salome & jonathan T Walton

Mr. Andrew N. Wise

Foundations

The McG "ego/' Fund

The Kresge Fo undation

"I was here" while you're still here.

General Information

PHOTOGRAPHY, RECORDING & COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES

Unauthorized cameras and recording devices are not allowed inside the lobby or theater at any time. The taking of photographs of the theater or any performance is strictly prohibited. As a courtesy to our guests , we ask that all paging devices, cellular telephones and alarm watches be switched to silent mode prior to the start of all performances.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Doctors and parents are advised to leave their seat location (located on ticket) and our emergency number, (313) 237-3257 , with the serv ice or sitter in case of an emergency Please observe the lighted exit signs located throughout the theater. In event of fire or similar emergency, please remain calm and walk - do not run - to the nearest exit. Our ushers are trained to lead you out of the building safely A trained Emergency Medical Technician (EM T) is onsite during most events. Please see an usher or staff member to contact the EMT.

RESTROOMS

Ladies' restrooms are located off the Ford Lobby (Broadway Street entrance), down the stairs and also on the third floor (Madison Street entrance) - please press "3R" on the elevator to reach this facility Gentlemen's restrooms are located under the Grand Staircase and also in the third floor (Broadway Street side) - please press "3" on the elevator to reach this facility Please note: All third floor restrooms are wheelchair accessible. A unisex , wheelchair accessible restroom is located in the Cadillac Opera Cafe.

NO SMOKING

The Detroit Opera House is a smoke-free faCility Ash receptacles are provided on the exterior of all entry doors for those who wish to smoke.

USHERS

Ushers are stationed at the top of each aisle. If you have a question or concern, please inform an usher, and they will contact management. If yo u are interested in becoming a vo lunteer usher , please call the usher hotline at (313) 237-3253.

LATE SEATING

Latecomers will be seated only during an appropriate pause in the program. Late seating policies are at the discretion of the production, not opera house management.

Detroit Opera House

LOST & FOUND

Lost and Found is located in the Safety and Security Department. Please see an usher if you have misplaced an article, or call (313) 961-3500 if you ha ve already left the theater. Items will be held in Lost and Found for 30 days.

PARKING

The Detroit Opera House Parking Center, located next to the Detroit Opera House, is now open. This new state-of-the-art faCilit y is reserved specifically for Detroit Opera House patrons during regularlyscheduled performances. Entrances and exits are located on both John R. Street and Grand River Ave. for added convenience. Prepaid parking is available. Call (313) 237-SING (7464) for more information.

ACCESSIBILITY

Accessible seating locations for patrons in wheelchairs are located in all price ranges on the orchestra level. When inquiring about tickets, please ask about these locations if you require special accommodations.

Assisted Listening Devices are available on a first -come , first -served basis. Please see an usher to request this service, or visit the Guest Services desk located in the Vincent Lobby (Madison Street entrance) Although this is a complimentary service, we will request to hold a piece of personal identification while yo u are using the device. Please contact the ticket office at (313) 237SING (7464), should yo u desire special consideration.

CHILDREN

Children are welcome However, all guests, regardless of age, are required to hold a ticket. Babes in arms are not permitted.

ATM

A National City ATM is available 2417 inside the Parking Center.

SERVICES

Concessions stands are located on all levels. Please note that food and drinks are not allowed in the auditorium at any time. Coat Check is located at the Guest Services desk , in the Vincent Lobby (Madison Street side) . Cost is $2 .00 per coat. Please note that the Detroit Opera House does not accept responsibility for any personal articles that are not checked at the coat check. www

CONCEALED WEAPONS

Be advised that, for purposes of Michigan Compiled Laws, Section 2842500)(0, this is an entertainment facility which has a seating capacity of more than 2,500 individuals. It is therefore against the law to carry a concealed weapon on the premises.

RENTAL INFORMATION

The Detroit Opera House is available for rent by your organization. Please call (313) 961-3500, and ask to be directed to the Special Events Department.

TICKET INFORMATION

The Detroit Opera House ticket office hours are as follows: Non-performance weeks - Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Performance days - 1000 a.ill. through the first intermission of the evening's performance , except Saturdays and Sundays, when the ticket office will open two hours prior to curtain time. Tickets for all public events at the Detroit Opera House are also available through all TicketMaster outlets, by phone at (248) 645-6666, or at wwwTicketMaster.com.

DETROIT OPERA HOUSE TOURS

Come join the Opera House Ambassadors for a backstage tour of the Detroit Opera House. Learn about the histor y of the Opera House and its restoration Meet the people behind the scenes, tour the stage and see how it operates. Tours are $10.00 per person. For more information, please call (313) 237-3407, or v isit www. MichiganOpera.org.

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS EMERGENCIES....(313) 237-3257

Michigan Opera Theatre (313) 961-3500

General Information ....... (313) 961-3500

Lost and Found ....... .. (313) 961-3500

Ticket Office. (313) 23 7 -SIN G (7464)

Usher Hotline..... (313) 23 7-3253

Theater Rental Information (313) 961-3500

Detroit Opera House Fax. (313) 23 7- 3412

Press and Public Relations. (313) 237-3403

Detroit Opera House

Parking Center ...(313) 965-4052

Website. www.MichiganOpera.org