November 2011 The Atlanta Opera ARIA Lucia di Lammermoor by Encore Magazine

dennis hanthorn - Zurich General Director

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TABLE OF CONTENTS SYNOPSIS

CAST

Courtesy Opera Seattle (Rozarii Lynch Photo)

Georgia Jarman, Lucia

VOLUNTEERS

EDUCATION & OUTREACH

Stewart Searle with Zurich General Director Dennis Hanthorn (Tim Wilkerson)

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Message from the Zurich General Director Sponsors Credits Synopsis Program Notes Meet the Cast The Atlanta Opera Chorus The Atlanta Opera Orchestra Volunteers Education and Outreach

RABBIT TALES, The 2011-2012 Atlanta Opera Studio Tour (A.B. Frost)

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The Society for Artistic Excellence Community Partners Annual Fund / Individual Giving Tributes and Memorials The 2011 Atlanta Opera Ball The Encore Circle The Verdi Society The Atlanta Opera Board of Directors House Policies The Atlanta Opera Staff

(J.D. Scott)

MESSAGE FROM THE ZURICH GENERAL DIRECTOR Welcome to the Atlanta Opera’s fifth season at the magnificent Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. We are incredibly fortunate to perform in such a splendid venue, ideally suited to the spectacular art form of opera. We offer the utmost thanks to our partners in the administration of the Cobb Energy Centre and the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority for making the Cobb Energy Centre Atlanta’s premier performance venue. We also thank you, our patrons, for choosing to see opera in this great theatre. We look forward to many, many more enthralling opera performances here. In addition to celebrating our fifth anniversary at the Cobb Energy Centre, this season is noteworthy as the inaugural season with Arthur Fagen as the Atlanta Opera’s music director. Arthur has conducted many captivating Atlanta Opera productions during the past six years, and I have always enjoyed our collaborations. Now, though, I consider him my true partner in artistic planning for the Atlanta Opera’s mainstage productions here at the Cobb Energy Centre. This season, Arthur will conduct today’s Lucia di Lammermoor and our season closer, Don Giovanni.

A large part of the Atlanta Opera’s mission is to educate audiences, young and old alike, about opera. This season we have taken the bold step of commissioning a children’s opera for The Atlanta Opera Studio to perform in elementary schools across the state of Georgia. This newly commissioned opera, titled Rabbit Tales, is written by Atlanta-based artists and is based on the Br’er Rabbit stories by Joel Chandler Harris. The world premiere took place in October at The Wren’s Nest. You have the opportunity to see Rabbit Tales at Atlanta Opera Family Day on May 19, 2012. Earlier this fall, The Atlanta Opera held its largest annual fundraiser, The Atlanta Opera Ball, at the St. Regis in Buckhead. The honorees of this year’s Ball were our talented chorus master, Walter Huff, and the acclaimed Atlanta Opera Chorus. In honor of their many memorable performances on the Atlanta Opera stage, we dedicate this production of Lucia di Lammermoor to The Atlanta Opera Chorus. Enjoy and please share your opera experience with friends and family!

Dennis Hanthorn, Zurich General Director The Atlanta Opera

2011 - 2012 SEASON SPONSORS Opening Night Performance Sponsor The Coca-Cola Company Production Sponsor Dr. and Mrs. James W. Bland, Jr. Music Director Arthur Fagen Mr. and Mrs. Carl I. Gable, Jr. Stage Director Tomer Zvulun Mr. and Mrs. J. Barry Schrenk Artist Sponsors The appearance of Georgia Jarman: Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Woodward The appearance of Jonathan Boyd: Mr. and Mrs. Gregory F. Johnson The appearance of Stephen Powell: Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Yates, Jr. The appearance of Arthur Woodley: Mr. James D. Powell and Mr. Mitchell J. Czeh The appearance of Timothy Culver: Mr. and Mrs. Dieter W. Elsner The appearance of Susan Nicely: Dr. and Mrs. John S. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea The appearance of Nathan Munson: Mr. and Mrs. Baker A. Smith

Music Gaetano Donizetti

Libretto Salvatore Cammarano

The Carl and Sally Gable Music Director Arthur Fagen Stage Director Tomer Zvulun World premiere: Teatro San Carlo, Naples, September 26, 1835 Previous Atlanta Opera Performances: 1986, 1992, 2000 Sung in Italian with English supertitles Approximate Running Time: 3 hours There will be one 25-minute intermission and a second 15-minute intermission. Lucia . ................................................................................. Georgia Jarman Edgardo................................................................................ Jonathan Boyd Enrico.................................................................................. Stephen Powell Raimondo............................................................................. Arthur Woodley Arturo.................................................................................. Timothy Culver Alisa..................................................................................... Susan Nicely Normanno............................................................................ Nathan Munson Sets designed by Erhard Rom Costumes provided by Seattle Opera Lighting designed by Robert Wierzel Projections designed by Ruppert Bohle Choreography by Rosa Mercedes Chorus prepared by Walter Huff Costumes coordinated by Joanna Schmink Wigs and Makeup designed by Richard Jarvie Supertitles designed by Jonathan Dean Supertitles owned by Seattle Opera, ÂŠ 2010 Supertitles operated by Ellen Chamberlain Pianos provided by England Pianos This production is dedicated to The Atlanta Opera Chorus.

Courtesy Opera Seattle (Rozarii Lynch Photo)

SYNOPSIS Act I: Scene one – The grounds Enrico relays to Normanno that he is deeply concerned. His position as Lord Keeper of Lammermoor is a tenuous one, and the ousting of its previous owners has made a bitter enemy out of Edgardo, the last surviving heir. The political tide of Scotland alternates between Catholic and Protestant leaders, again putting his seemingly powerful situation at risk. Enrico has arranged a marriage between his sister, Lucia, and Arturo, a union that can only improve his status. Raimondo, the chaplain, cautions that she is not ready to love, citing her grief over her mother’s recent death. Normanno counters that she’s hardly grieving but full of ardor – she’s in love with another man, one who saved her from a rushing bull. She has since seen him every day at dawn. Though the identity of the man is not known, Normanno suspects it is, in fact, Edgardo. Enrico is furious at the news and vows Edgardo will pay for this insult with his own blood.

Scene two – The fountain Lucia waits with Alisa for the arrival of Edgardo. She tells her companion the mysterious lore that surrounds the fountain – it was there a Ravenswood, burning with jealousy, stabbed his beloved. She fell into the waters and remains there still. Her ghost is said to haunt the fountain and once tried to speak to Lucia. Alisa advises that only peril can follow such an experience and encourages her friend to forget Edgardo. Lucia cannot – he is her only happiness in a world filled with tears. Alisa withdraws, and Edgardo appears. In the wake of Scotland’s political turmoil he has been called to France. He plans to extend to Enrico his hand in peace and ask for her hand in return, but Lucia fears her brother’s wrath. They exchange rings as a token of their secret bond, and Edgardo promises to write while he is away. Act II: Scene one – The chamber Several months have passed with no word from Edgardo. Lucia reluctantly has agreed

to marry Arturo, and preparations are being made for the ceremony. Normanno confirms with Enrico that he has been able to suppress every one of Edgardo’s letters and, in their place, a forgery has been produced. When Lucia is presented with the fake letter, she faints after reading its contents – Edgardo has taken up with another woman and no longer loves her. Enrico berates his sister for pledging her faith to such a vile seducer and betraying her family’s honor. Raimondo provides further evidence of Edgardo’s abandonment – the chaplain has seen to it that every one of her letters reached him, yet there has been no reply until this day. Raimondo encourages Lucia to resign herself to the union. Scene two– The reception Wedding guests celebrate the impending nuptials. As Arturo is received, Enrico assures him of Lucia’s willingness to marry and that he should not be dispelled by her sorrow, clearly the result of her mother’s passing. As Lucia is presented to her bridegroom, Enrico berates her mercilessly in a series of asides. She begrudgingly signs the wedding contract, and moments later Edgardo bursts into the room. Lucia swoons and everyone is filled with shock and remorse – like a wilting rose, she hovers between life and death. Believing that Lucia still loves him, Edgardo is stunned when shown the marriage contract bearing her signature. In despair he offers his own life, but Enrico orders him out. Act III: Scene one – The tower Alone in the spare remains of his family’s estate, Edgardo rues his dismal fate as a storm rages outside. Enrico pays a return visit, needling him with details of the wedding ceremony and the reminder that Arturo and Lucia are at this very moment consummating their wedding vows. He then challenges

Edgardo to a duel, to which the latter heartily agrees – he had promised on his father’s grave to avenge the family name. Scene two – The party The wedding festivities are interrupted by news from a badly shaken Raimondo. He heard screams from the bridal chamber and, opening the door, found Arturo in a pool of blood with a wide-eyed Lucia clutching the knife that killed him. Lucia stumbles before the guests, obviously delirious, looking for Edgardo. Everyone is horrified by the tragic outcome of the day. Scene three – The tombs Edgardo waits for the duel’s appointed hour, intending to surrender himself on Enrico’s sword. He soon learns of the prior evening’s calamity and is told that Lucia has gone insane. Broken by the news, Edgardo takes his own life. Courtesy of The Minnesota Opera

Courtesy Opera Seattle (Rozarii Lynch Photo)

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PROGRAM NOTES

“The Bride of Lammermoor” (c.1878) by Sir John Everett Millais (Wikipedia)

Lucia di Lammermoor: The Murderous Maiden of Lammermoor By Faith Dawson Poor Lucia: Stuck in gloomy, Gothic Scotland, betrothed to a boy from the wrong side of the moor, caught in the middle of her brother’s blood feud … it’s enough to drive a girl mad. And it does – famously, hauntingly. In Gaetano Donizetti’s 1835 opera Lucia di Lammermoor, we see the tragic transformation of a love-struck girl into the murderous maiden of Lammermoor. This production – the fourth staging of Donizetti’s masterpiece by The Atlanta Opera – is a trip from gladness to sadness to madness in three acts. Donizetti – who also wrote L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love) and La fille du régiment (The Daughter of the Regiment) – employed in Lucia inventive melodies and a compelling family drama. Her story is so timeless that it’s mentioned in classic novels and sampled in mob movies. It can be retold in the Victorian era and in 20th-century gangland.

In case you are not familiar with the plot of Lucia di Lammermoor, the basic story goes like this. Lucia is in love with Edgardo, the leader of the rival Ravenswood clan. Her deceitful brother, Enrico, schemes to marry her off to Arturo to restore the Lammermoor family fortune. Lucia goes mad on her wedding night, kills her new husband and dies of insanity. Edgardo, heartsick at the loss of his one true love, kills himself. Described at times as a “chilling” and sometimes “lurid” tragedy, Lucia flows on pulses of hopefulness, foolish optimism and blind faith in true love. Lucia is a virgin sacrifice in her family’s political schemes, much like Donizetti’s earlier heroine, Anna Bolena. And like Anna Bolena, Lucia di Lammermoor has factual roots, sort of, in that it’s loosely based on an old Scottish legend, that Sir Walter Scott turned into a novel in 1819. The real-life bride of Lammermoor lived nearly a century before, but still, it’s a true story! Ripped from the headlines! “We sympathize with her and want her to be happy,” says director Tomer Zvulun, “but as the story unfolds, we see her backed into a corner: She is used and abused by her brother, her ‘forced groom,’ the priest, society and even the memories of her dead mother.” Lucia’s lover, Edgardo, doesn’t have much to recommend him either. Destitute and homeless, he skulks about the castle grounds, hiding out and arranging clandestine meetings with her. When he leaves Scotland on a secret French mission, the two pledge their eternal love in a tender duet (“Verranno a te sull’aure”). But fragile, naïve Lucia has ignored the red flags – ghostly visions at the fountain, and dire warnings from her BFF, Alisa.

PROGRAM NOTES Enrico’s treachery is dastardly and intricate. While the complexity of his plot against Edgardo is echoed in the elaborate delivery of Act II’s sextet (“Chi mi frena”), the audience soon realizes that time is running out for the heroine. Boyfriends may come and go, but beautiful arias are eternal. Thanks to Donizetti’s bel canto writing, Lucia’s crystalline voice meanders high and low – seemingly searching and yearning – like a traveler lost among misty Scottish glens and mountains. “Donizetti has written an opera that melds beautifully with this libretto,” says Atlanta Opera’s new music director, Arthur Fagen, who conducts this production of Lucia di Lammermoor. “We find a perfect synthesis between word and music.” The role of Lucia has attracted sopranos such as Maria Callas, Dame Joan Sutherland, Beverly Sills, Natalie Dessay and Anna Netrebko. The Atlanta Opera’s performances feature Georgia Jarman, already a veteran of several Donizetti roles, as the title character. This production is her role debut. “I am tremendously excited,” Jarman says. “It’s been topping my ‘wish list’ for as long as I can remember … I plan to do some of the traditional ornamentation as well as some of my own.” Lucia may not be a symbol of feminist empowerment, but she’s no feckless pawn, either. “Lucia fights tooth and nail in this opera,” Jarman points out. “I have the feeling she may be one of the most powerful female characters I’ve played yet.” As the guests make merry at the reception, with voices as light and crisp as wedding champagne, Lucia commits her sole act of defiance – slaying Arturo on their

wedding night. But the dark and twisted deed isn’t her fault, not really – today, wouldn’t she plead not guilty by reason of insanity? (On the other hand, the audience may wonder what, exactly, Arturo said to her in the bedchamber.) In this production, the famous “mad scene” (“Il dolce suono”) will be accompanied by the glass armonica, an unusual instrument that produces a smooth but spooky sound. “It was Donizetti’s original intention to use the glass armonica [for this scene], which creates an eerie, otherworldly atmosphere perfectly in synch with Lucia’s madness,” Fagen says. “Donizetti has created music… depicting the psychological state of Lucia, in a far more profound manner than was the norm during the bel canto period.” And still, if you close your eyes and try to forget the bloodied gown, you can still hear hope in her voice as she hallucinates a reunion with Edgardo. Donizetti’s own life ended in episodes of dementia in 1848, popularly attributed to syphilis. He left behind more than 70 operas, various orchestral and vocal pieces, and a heroine whose legacy is innocence lost, and spread with bitter tears.

Gaetano Donizetti (Wikipedia)

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PROGRAM NOTES

Dennis James plays the Glass Armonica at the Poncan Theatre, 2011. (Hugh Pickens)

The Glass Armonica Instrument of Madness By Dennis James People have been tapping and striking glass objects as a means of making music for more than 600 years. By the early 1700’s European musicians began serious study of causing goblets to ring by friction, rubbing a moistened finger around the rim. Benjamin Franklin, the Philadelphia inventor and American Colonies’ ambassador to England, enjoyed a concert featuring musical glasses in 1761. The performance inspired him to develop his own mechanized version resulting in the invention of the first truly American musical instrument. Franklin called it the armonica, and his original design included 37 tuned glass bowls mounted horizontally, in progressive size and tonal order, on a rotating spindle set in motion by the foot. The sound was produced by rubbing the spinning bowls with water-moistened fingers. The result was an incomparably delicate tone with a soothingly ethereal effect. Leopold Roellig summed up the thoughts of many when he described the invention as “the most beautiful and satisfying musical instrument man has ever known.” The armonica soon became the rage of Europe’s music community and enjoyed a 50-year popularity throughout the Old World’s salons and concert halls. Thousands of the

fragile instruments were produced between 1770 and 1795. Hundreds of armonica compositions were written, and a number of virtuosi dedicated their performing careers to the music of the glass. Listeners were so intrigued by the alluring sound of the armonica that many actually ascribed magical powers to the instrument. Its mystical tones were reputed to make women faint, send dogs into ecstatic convulsions and even bring the dead back to life. Illness and even death for children and deep hypnotic states were said to occur. The careers of many who frequently performed upon the armonica ended mysteriously, their nerves shattered, most were said to have gone mad. At one point, police in some towns banned the public playing of the instrument, and by the mid-19th century, most European countries had banned the instrument. The instruments soon became historical curiosities in the realm of defunct musical instruments. The beauty and enchantment of glass armonica music is now being revived internationally by Dennis James. Currently showing no signs of the mysterious illness, James performs nearly forgotten original compositions for the device by Mozart, Beethoven, Reichardt and many others, plus compositions transcribed by James from other musical sources. An ardent and imaginative devotee of music history, Dennis James assembled his armonica using customtuned pure-crystal glass bowls from Germany. A delight for children and fascinating to adults, James’ bewitching armonica presentations are novel and entertaining explorations to the unique world of the “vitreous vibrators.” Donizetti’s famous “mad scene” in Lucia di Lammermoor is accompanied by the glass armonica.

MEET THE CAST Arthur Fagen Conductor Atlanta Opera Debut: La traviata, 2005 Arthur Fagen is the Carl and Sally Gable Music Director at The Atlanta Opera. He is a regular guest at the most prestigious opera houses, concert halls, and music festivals at home and abroad, and his career has been marked by a string of notable appearances including The Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Staatsoper Berlin, Munich State Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and New York City Opera. From  to , Mr. Fagen was invited regularly as Guest Conductor at the Vienna State Opera. On the concert podium, Mr. Fagen has appeared with such internationally known orchestras as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Czech Philharmonic, Munich Radio Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie, RAI Orchestras of Turin, Naples, Milan, and Rome, to name but a few. A former assistant of Christoph von Dohnanyi and James Levine, he has served as Principal Conductor in Kassel and Brunswick, as Chief Conductor of the Flanders Opera of Antwerp and Ghent, as Music Director of the Queens Symphony Orchestra, and as a member of the conducting staff of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. In , he was the Music Director of the Dortmund Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera. In , he was appointed as Professor at Indiana University in Bloomington. Born in New York, he studied with Laszlo Halasz, Max Rudolf, and Hans Swarowsky. Mr. Fagen has an opera repertoire of more than  works and has recorded for Naxos and BMG. The

recent Naxos recording of Martinu˚’s works was awarded an Editor’s Choice in the March  issue of Gramophone Magazine. Tomer Zvulun Stage Director Atlanta Opera Debut: The Flying Dutchman,  Establishing himself as one of opera’s most exciting young directors, Tomer Zvulun has consistently received praise for his theatrical and creative vision. A former member of the directing staffs of the Seattle and New York City operas, he is in his fifth season on the directing staff of The Metropolitan Opera. Zvulun’s upcoming projects include his Metropolitan Opera directing debut with Tosca, a return to Seattle Opera to direct two new productions in  and , a return to Cincinnati Opera in , his Boston debut with Jake Heggie’s 3 Decembers and his company debuts at Arizona Opera and Opera Company of Philadelphia. This fall, Zvulun returns to Indiana University for his third new production following his groundbreaking productions of Die Zauberflöte and Faust. Georgia Jarman Lucia Atlanta Opera Debut Hailed by the New York Times for her “luminous, appealing, and agile voice,” and crystalline coloratura, Georgia Jarman makes her Atlanta Opera debut in Lucia di Lammermoor. Also this season, she debuts at English National Opera singing the Three Heroines in Les contes d’Hoffmann, sings her first performances of Manon in a

MEET THE CAST return to Ópera de Colombia, returns to Florentine Opera for Elettra in Idomeneo, and sings Musetta in La bohème with the Pacific Symphony. Recent highlights include performances of the Three Heroines in Les contes d’Hoffmann (Polish National Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Ópera de Colombia); Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni (Dallas Opera, Florida Grand Opera); Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Violetta in La traviata, Norina in Don Pasquale, and Handel’s Deidamia (Caramoor Music Festival). She sang Violetta in La traviata (Minnesota Opera, New Orleans Opera, Palm Beach Opera); Giulietta in I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Gilda in Rigoletto and Marie in La fille du régiment (Florentine Opera); Adina in L’elisir d’amore (New York City Opera); Mimì in La bohème (New Orleans Opera, Ópera de Colombia); Elisetta in Il matrimonio segreto (Brooklyn Academy of Music); Thais and Micaela in Carmen (Palm Beach Opera); Amelia in Gustave III ou le bal masque (Opéra de Metz); Musetta in La bohème (Cincinnati Opera); and both Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia and Eurydice in Glass’ Orpheus (Portland Opera). She joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for Musetta in La bohème (released on the Telarc label) as well as for Orff ’s Carmina burana. Other concert performances include Handel’s Messiah (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra), Rozenn in Le roi d’Ys (American Symphony Orchestra), and Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem (Portland Symphonic Choir). Jonathan Boyd Edgardo Atlanta Opera Debut

Tenor Jonathan Boyd continually performs throughout Europe, North America and South America. Upcoming engagements include his San Diego Opera debut in Jake Heggie’s Moby Dick as Ishmael, the title role of Candide at Portland Opera and Sam in Susannah with Florentine Opera. Noted European engagements over the past few seasons include debuts at Opéra de Nice and Opéra de Toulon as Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Teatro Colón in a live television broadcast of Werther; Opera Royal de Wallonie in Belgium as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni; Le Grand Théâtre de Limoges as Belmonte in Die Entführung aus dem Serail; Malta National Theater and Festival Lyrique-en-mer de Belle Île as Tamino in Die Zauberflöte; Opera Faber in Portugal, Théâtre de l’Athénée and St-Quentin en Yvelines in France as Tom Rakewell in The Rake’s Progress; and Alfredo in La traviata with Akouna, Opéra en plein air in France. Stephen Powell  Enrico Atlanta Opera Debut In -, Stephen Powell returns to Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra in Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Baltimore Symphony and Philadelphia orchestras in Messiah, Pittsburgh Opera as Germont in La traviata, and Music of the Baroque in Bach’s Mass in B Minor. He also debuts with Fort Worth Symphony in Beethoven’s Symphony No. . Recent highlights include De Guiche in Cyrano de Bergerac with San Francisco Opera; Rachmaninoff’s Spring Cantata with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Fauré’s

MEET THE CAST Requiem with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; Rigoletto with Cincinnati Opera; Schoenberg’s Gurrelieder with the Montreux Festival; Germont in La traviata with the Minnesota, Los Angeles and San Francisco operas; Scarpia in Tosca with Palm Beach Opera; and Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. He has sung under David Zinman, Robert Spano, Paavo Järvi, Andrew Litton, Charles Dutoit, Leonard Slatkin, Edo de Waart, Rossen Milanov, Christopher Seaman, David Robertson, James Conlon, Christoph Eschenbach, and Michael Tilson Thomas, among others. He recorded Bach’s Magnificat with Boston Baroque, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 for RCA with Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich.

Arthur Woodley Raimondo Atlanta Opera Debut Arthur Woodley regularly appears at Seattle Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, The Dallas Opera, and Cincinnati Opera. He recently made his debuts at San Francisco Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. His many roles have included Varlaam in Boris Godunov, Bartolo in Le nozze di Figaro, the Four Villains in Les contes d’Hoffmann, Kuno in Die Freischütz, Banquo in Macbeth, Nick Shadow in The Rake’s Progress, Sulpice in La fille du régiment, Leporello in Don Giovanni, Rocco in Fidelio, Publio in La clemenza di Tito, Angelotti in Tosca, Achillas in Guilio Cesare, and Dansker in Billy Budd. Mr. Woodley has sung the role of Porgy in concert performances of Porgy and Bess with San Francisco Symphony,

National Symphony Orchestra and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and on tour in Italy. In staged performances, he has appeared with Opera Company of Philadelphia, Indianapolis Opera, Opera Colorado, the Bregenz Festival, the Savolinna International Festival in Finland and the Catfish Row Opera Company of Charleston, S.C., in a gala celebration of the th anniversary of the opera’s debut. In concert, Mr. Woodley most recently sang Handel’s Messiah in Chicago, and Rossini’s Stabat Mater with Madison Symphony Orchestra. He also sang the world premiere of God, Mississippi, and Medgar Evers with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and was the bass soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No.  in Mexico City with Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.  Timothy Culver Arturo Atlanta Opera Debut Equally at home in both operatic and musical theatre works, tenor Timothy Culver has performed with Cleveland Opera, Lyric Opera Cleveland, Canton Symphony Orchestra, Porthouse Theatre, Huron Playhouse, Bar Harbor Music Festival and The Cleveland Orchestra. Recent roles include Luigi in Il tabarro, Arturo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Il duca di Mantua in Rigoletto, Alfredo in La traviata and Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore. During the inaugural season of the Opera Theatre of Lucca in Lucca, Italy, Mr. Culver performed and studied under the direction of internationally renowned baritone, Lorenzo Malfatti. A frequent recitalist, oratorio and concert soloist, Mr. Culver sang in the U.S. premiere of Erwin Schulhoff’s H.M.S. Royal

MEET THE CAST Oak with the Cleveland Chamber Symphony. In , Mr. Culver began as an Assistant Professor of Voice at the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Currently, he resides in Stow, Ohio, with his wife and three children. Susan Nicely Alisa Atlanta Opera Debut: La traviata,  Mezzo-soprano Susan Nicely is known for her rich voice and vivid characterizations. Her highly acclaimed “lively comic presence” in roles such as Dame Marthe in Faust, Old Lady in Candide, Katasha in The Mikado, and Marcellina in Le nozze di Figaro, as well as dramatic portrayals in Cavalleria rusticana as Mamma Lucia and The Ballad of Baby Doe as Mama McCourt, make the character mezzo an “audience darling,” says the Austin American-Statesman. Next season and beyond, she performs as Annina in La traviata at The Dallas Opera, and Mamma Lucia in Cavalleria rusticana at Arizona Opera. Nathan Munson Normanno Atlanta Opera Debut Nathan Munson was a finalist in the 2010 National Opera Association Competition (Artist Division) and was the first-ever recipient of the Jerry Hadley Memorial Award from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In the 2010-11 season, Mr. Munson appeared as Valére in Tartuffe with Capitol City Opera and Rodolfo in abridged performances of

La bohème with The Atlanta Opera. Other performances included Bach’s Magnificat with the Cobb Symphony Orchestra, Mass in B Minor with Atlanta Sacred Chorale, and Handel’s Messiah with the Michael O’Neal Singers. Additional credits include Dr. Baglioni in La hija de Rappaccini at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (Urbana, IL), Le Dancaïre in Carmen with Opera North and Mozart’s Requiem with the Opera North Orchestra and Dartmouth College Glee Club. A former Young Artist with Opera North, Mr. Munson holds a master’s degree in voice performance from the University of Kentucky, and has completed his coursework towards a doctorate of musical arts in voice performance and literature at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Erhard Rom Set Designer Atlanta Opera Debut Erhard Rom has designed more than  productions across North America, recently designing the Canadian premiere of John Adams’ opera Nixon in China for Vancouver Opera. The production will be expanded for the San Francisco Opera, where it will be seen again in . Several of his designs have been featured in the Prague Quadrennial, the most important theatre design exhibition in the world. He has been responsible for the designs of numerous world premieres, including A Blizzard on Marblehead Neck by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner and composer Jeanine Tesori, and directed by Francesca Zambello. His work has been seen regularly at Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Virginia

MEET THE CAST Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Minnesota Opera, Syracuse Stage and Geva Theatre Center. Other companies include: Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Folger Shakespeare Theatre, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Kentucky Opera, Opera Cleveland and ABC television. Recent projects include La bohème for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Così fan tutte and Ariadne auf Naxos for Wolf Trap Opera; Aida, Don Giovanni and The Tales of Hoffmann for Virginia Opera; and La cenerentola for Minnesota Opera. Originally from Seattle, he now lives in the New York City area and teaches design at Montclair State University. Robert Wierzel Lighting Designer Atlanta Opera Debut Robert Wierzel has worked with artists from diverse disciplines and backgrounds in theatre, dance, contemporary music, museums and opera. Productions with the opera companies of Paris-Garnier, Opera Chushingura, New York City Opera, Toronto, Glimmerglass, Seattle, Boston Lyric, Minnesota, San Francisco, Houston, Washington, Virginia, Lyric Opera, Chicago Opera Theatre, Montreal, Vancouver, Portland, Wolf Trap, and San Diego, among others. In New York, his work has been seen on and off Broadway, including the musical Fela! (Tony Award nomination; Broadway; Royal National Theatre, London; Lagos, Nigeria and U.S. Tour). Other productions include David Copperfield’s Broadway debut, Dreams and Nightmares, Grace Jones’ Hurricane Show at the Hammerstein Ballroom, productions

at the New York Shakespeare Festival/Public Theatre, The Signature Theatre, MCC, The Roundabout, Classic Stage Company, Playwrights Horizons, Mostly Mozart Festival, BAM and Gotham Chamber Opera (Tears of the Night/ Voices of rhe Forest). He has collaborated with choreographer Bill T. Jones and the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company and has won several Bessie Awards, including Walking the Line at The Louvre Museum, Paris. Mr. Wierzel has collaborated with the composer Philip Glass. His extensive regional theatre work includes productions at A.C.T. San Francisco, Center Stage, Arena Stage, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Shakespeare Theatre, Hartford Stage, Long Wharf Theatre, Westport Country Playhouse, Goodman Theatre, the Guthrie, Mark Taper Forum, Geva Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Old Globe, Yale Rep and Berkley Rep. Ruppert Bohle Projections Designer Atlanta Opera Debut Ruppert Bohle is a photographer and projection designer specializing in the performing arts. His first design work for the production of 36 Views at the New York Public Theater was nominated for Drama Desk and Henry Hewes awards in 2002. He received a Henry Hewes Award for his contribution to Ping Chong’s Cathay in 2006.In addition to his design work, he has collaborated and been technical consultant for artists and projection designers such as Lenore Malen, Kurt Hentschläger, Marie Sester, Jan Hartley, Peter Nigrini, Zachary Borovay, Batwin+Robin and Wendall Harrington.

MEET THE CAST Rosa Mercedes Choreographer Atlanta Opera Debut: Aida,  Born in Barcelona, Spain, Rosa Mercedes has had her talents as both a dancer and choreographer featured by The Metropolitan Opera, Opera di Roma, Seattle Opera, The Dallas Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, The Atlanta Opera, Florentine Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Baltimore Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Tulsa Opera, Washington Summer Opera, Austin Lyric Opera and Opera Naples. As a soloist and principal dancer, she has received great critical acclaim touring the United States, Europe, South America and Canada. In the - season, she will choreograph Rigoletto for Florida Grand Opera and will be principal dancer and choreographer for the Dallas Opera’s production of La traviata. She will return to Florida Grand Opera as assistant director for a production of Luisa Fernanda, which will feature Plácido Domingo. Last season, Ms. Mercedes choreographed Lucia di Lammermoor, Il barbiere di Siviglia and Die Zauberflöte for Seattle Opera, and was assistant director and choreographer for their young artist production of Don Giovanni. In that same season, she choreographed Turandot for Florida Grand Opera and was principal dancer and choreographer for Carmen with Opera Naples. Ms. Mercedes is founder and artistic director of Duende Ballet Español. She is a recipient of several awards, including the Dance Miami Choreographers Fellowship and the ACCA Critics Choice Award in dance. Ms. Mercedes gives master classes and workshops throughout the

United States as well as teaching movement classes for singers, and is a dance panelist and master teacher for the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. Walter Huff Chorus Master Atlanta Opera Debut: Tosca,  Walter Huff has been chorus master for The Atlanta Opera for  years. Mr. Huff studied piano with Sarah Martin, Peter Takacs and Lillian Freundlich. He has performed with singers throughout Europe and the United States and served as coach with the Peabody Opera Theatre, Washington National Opera, and Baltimore Opera Company. Mr. Huff has performed in master classes given by renowned singers and pianists such as Sir Peter Pears, Licia Albanese, Eileen Farrell, Dalton Baldwin, Leon Fleisher, and Elly Ameling. In , he received Tanglewood’s C.D. Jackson Master Award for Excellence, presented by Seiji Ozawa and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He has been musical director for The Atlanta Opera Studio, Georgia State University Opera and Actor’s Express. Mr. Huff was one of four Atlanta artists chosen for the first Loridans Arts Awards, given to Atlanta artists who have made exceptional contributions to the arts life of Atlanta over a long period of time. In , The Atlanta Opera Chorus under Mr. Huff’s direction sang critically acclaimed performances of Porgy and Bess at OpéraComique in Paris and on tour in Granada, Normandy and Luxembourg. Earlier this year, Mr. Huff served as chorus master for Faust and Der Rosenkavalier with San Diego Opera.

THE ATLANTA OPERA CHORUS Chorus Master Walter Huff

Jayme Alilaw Lynnette Anderson Shana Barge Melissa Fontaine Jennye Guy Jennifer Hamilton Valerie Hamm Melissa Kelly Amy Little Lara Longsworth Megan Mashburn Brishelle Miller Noelle Miller Nadeen Paul Rebecca Shipley Amanda Smolek Laurie Tossing Lenna Turner

Chorus

Kyle Barnes Charles Baugh Keith Blount Chris Boggs Josh Borden Christopher Connelly Rob Cromwell Michael Gaare C. Augustus Godbee Christopher Hawkins Zachary Heath Marcus Hopkins-Turner Grant Jones Ben Larkin Stephen McCool Scott Morris Brandon Odom Marc Porlier Stuart Schleuse Ivรกn Segovia Thiago Soares Trenton Tunnell

Supernumeraries Malaika Alilaw Jeffery Brown Jerry Hunter Alex Porlier Jacques Rice David Silverstein Wendel Stephens Beth Suryan Steve Tracewell Tye Wheatt Dancer Alana Cheshire

THE ATLANTA OPERA ORCHESTRA Violin Peter Ciaschini, Concertmaster Helen Kim, Assistant Concertmaster Linda Cherniavsky, Principal, Second Violin Adelaide Federici, Assistant Principal, Second Violin Fia Mancini Durrett Robert Givens Patti Gouvas Alison James Jeanne Johnson Michele Mariage-Volz Sally Wilson Martin Lisa Morrison Lee Nicholson Patrick Ryan Angele Sherwood-Lawless Mimi Tam Elonia Varfi Rafael Veytsblum

Oboe Diana Dunn, Principal (Acting) Lara Dahl

Viola William Johnston, Principal Elizabeth Derderian-Wood, Assistant Principal Allyson Fleck Karen McClary Karl Schab Joli Wu

Trombone Mark McConnell, Principal Ed Nicholson Richard Brady, Bass Trombone

Cello Charae Krueger, Principal Cynthia Sulko, Assistant Principal (Acting) Martin Gueorguiev David Hancock Mary Kenney Bass Lyn DeRamus, Principal Christina Caterino Emory Clements Jonathan Bradley Rouse Flute James Zellers, Principal Wendy Cohen Kelly Bryant, piccolo

Clarinet David Odom, Principal John Warren Bassoon Mike Muszynski, Principal Debra Grove Horn David Bradley, Principal Julie Spencer Kathy Wood Mike Daly Trumpet Yvonne Toll, Principal Kevin Lyons

Timpani Scott Douglas, Principal (Acting) Percussion Michael Cebulski, Principal Jeff Kershner Courtney McDonald Harp Susan Brady, Principal Glass Armonica Dennis James Personnel Manager Mark McConnell *String sections are listed in alphabetical order

THE ATLANTA OPERA ON THE MAINSTAGE

Top: The Atlanta Opera’s La bohème, 2010. Middle Left: Laquita Mitchell and Michael Redding in Porgy & Bess, 2011. Middle Right: The Atlanta Opera Chorus in Porgy & Bess, 2011. Bottom: Phillip Addis, Jennifer Holloway, Keri Alkema, and Matthew Plenk in Così fan tutte, 2011. (Photos: Tim Wilkerson)

THE ATLANTA OPERA ON THE MAINSTAGE Top Left: Grazia Doronzio and Bryan Hymel in La bohème, 2010. Top Right: Jan Cornelius as Musetta in La bohème, 2010. Middle: Laquita Mitchell as Bess in Porgy & Bess, 2011. Bottom Left: Keri Alkema and Jennifer Holloway in Così fan tutte, 2011. Bottom Right: Matthew Plenk, Jason Hardy, and Phillip Addis, in Così fan tutte, 2011. (Photos: Tim Wilkerson)

THE ATLANTA OPERA IN THE COMMUNITY

Top Left: Andrea Green, Dennis Shuman, and Vivian Clifton in Scrub a Dub-Raw, as part of the 24-Hour Opera Project. Top Right: A Toast for All Toasts 24-Hour Opera Project. Middle Left: Opera Family Day, 2011. Middle Right: The Pirates of Penzance, The Atlanta Opera Studio Tour, 2011. Bottom: Faculty and Students of the 2011 High School Opera Institute. (Photos: Tim Wilkerson)

THE ATLANTA OPERA IN THE COMMUNITY Top: Members of the Music!Words!Opera! Workshop Middle Left: Opera Chat, 2011. Middle Right: Participants of the “Ethical Themes in Porgy & Bess” Seminar at the Emory Center for Ethics, 2011 (Photo: Carlton Mackey). Bottom Left: A Girl Scout Workshop at The Atlanta Opera Center, 2011. Bottom Right: Susan Nicely in Bon Appetit! at The Cook’s Warehouse, 2011. (Photo: Dallas Franklin)

ATLANTA OPERA SOCIAL EVENTS

Top: Governor and Mrs. Nathan Deal, Conductor Keith Lockhart, Dennis Hanthorn, and board member Barry Schrenk with Cast Members of Porgy & Bess, 2011. Middle Left: Dennis and Becky Hanthorn, George and Dale Levert, and Heather and Eli Flint at La Belle Soirée, 2011. Middle Right: Megan Mashburn and Brent Davis at La Belle Soirée, 2011. Bottom Left: Sonia Oxman and Helen Kraus at the 2011 Volunteer Reception. Bottom Right: Dennis Hanthorn with Stewart Searle and Mary Ruth McDonald at the 2011 Volunteer Reception. (Photos: Tim Wilkerson)

ATLANTA OPERA SOCIAL EVENTS Top Left: Atlanta Opera Comprimarios and Staff at Nakato. Top Right: Chorus Members at a Comprimario Happy Hour. Middle Left: Elizabeth Lynch and Dr. William Helvie at The Atlanta Opera Ball Patron Party, 2011. Middle Right: Brad Champion and Cathy Cooper with Joanne and Alex Gross at the Opera Ball Patron Party, 2011. Bottom: Elecia Crowley, Megan Mashburn; Maria Clark; Brent Davis; Chorus Master Walter Huff; Melissa Kelly; Nathan Munson; Kathye J. Gary; and Rob Cromwell at The Atlanta Opera Ball, 2011. (Photos: Tim Wilkerson)

Dennis Hanthorn presents Mary Ruth McDonald with the 10-11 Rachel Lehmann Volunteer Award (Tim Wilkerson) â&#x20AC;˘ Staff Members with Denise Andersen (center), the 10-11 Volunteer of the Year

THE ATLANTA OPERA VOLUNTEERS The Atlanta Opera volunteers are dedicated, resourceful, and passionate in their commitment to keep opera alive and well in Atlanta. The volunteers below participated in service activities during the 2010-2011 season, including mass mailings, special events, backstage assistance, education activities and more. The Atlanta Opera is deeply grateful to its volunteers, without whom it could not exist. If you would like to volunteer, please call The Atlanta Opera at 404.591.2918 or go to www.atlantaopera.org/volunteer.aspx. Barbara Ambus Denise Andersen Brent Atwater Emily Balfour Joan Baskin Sanford Baskin Sandra R. Blackwood Inna Borok Sandra Bravo Heather Bulla Terrisha Bullock Charley Burney Debra Caldwell Jessica Callaham Brandon Clivens Noreen Conort Jean Cornn Eman Crusoe Marilyn Daniels Seth Davis Chris Deutschler Kevin Dew Richard Dodder Brad Dorfman Hillary Eason Jessica Ellis Joel Emerson Angela Fairley Sonya Faniel

Frank Faust Genevieve Fink Jane Fishman Sara Frooman Pete Fujimoto Gurinder Garcha Peg Gary Joyce M. Gelzer Maxi George Jean Goffaux James Gregg Antoine Griggs Fern Hallman Elizabeth Harven Jennifer Hawk Anne Hayes Lauren Hayes Suzanne Hayes Jessica Helllgeth Julie Hentz Cherilyn O. Heyliger Frances Holland Kimberly Hunter Nancy Ickes Gloria Jackson Carol Jaeger Willie Jones David G. Kerr Paula Kocher

Patty Kramer-Lake Helen and Steve Kraus Virginia J. Lam Lydia L. Lee Peg and Jim Lowman Michael Malihi William A. Markle Alfreda Martin Mary Ruth McDonald Joseph Mills Sumbul Mirza Fatimah Mustafaa Vernon Norris Kim Ong Sarah Otto Sonia Oxman Polly Pater Alexandra Perrotta Faye Popper R. Scott Pyron Tandi Reddick Nancy Reed Zabrina Rios Diana Robinson Melecia Ross Catherine Sanchez Cherylene Sands Clarke Savage Joyce M. Schechter

Gail Shattah Dan Shumate Ruth Siegel Virginia Simms Verna Slade Ann Smith Caroline Smith Melinda Smith Patricia Smith Jennifer Spivey Eleanor and Jim Strain Beth Suryan Linda Taylor Katherine Teixeira Carol Thurman Donald Thurman Ruth Vaught Mark Vogelgesang Alice Wade Janice H. Walker Hilary Wayne Harold Whitney David Wilkes Laura Williams Daniel Wilson Jerry Xi

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The Director and Cast of RABBIT TALES, The 2011-12 Atlanta Opera Studio Tour • Members of the 2010-11 High School Opera Institute (Photos: Tim Wilkerson)

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH For more than 30 years, The Atlanta Opera has been committed to producing operas of the highest caliber and presenting them to audiences all over the metro Atlanta area. An integral part of our organizational mission is our commitment to educating the community about the art form through enjoyable performances and creative programs. This fall, The Atlanta Opera was one of nearly 100 opera companies joining together with Opera America to celebrate National Opera Week. Opera companies throughout the country provided free programs and performances for the purpose of audience development. National Opera Week was particularly exciting here in Atlanta. The celebration kicked off with the world premiere of our brand-new opera for children, Rabbit Tales, which was presented in collaboration with The Wren’s Nest house museum and support from NBAF, presenters of the National Black Arts Festival. The celebration of opera continued with the annual season kickoff event, “Opera With an Edge.” Opera aficionado and Atlanta Opera board member Bob Edge delighted audiences with his witty introduction to our season, highlighting selections from each

of the three mainstage productions. The Atlanta Opera Comprimarios, a fun group for young professionals, celebrated National Opera Week with a happy hour at The Sound Table with opera entertainment. We are thrilled to be presenting Rabbit Tales this fall and again this coming spring, for our 2011-12 Studio Tour program. Rabbit Tales is the company’s first opera commission. Written and composed by Atlanta-based artists, the opera has strong regional ties and is based on the Br’er Rabbit stories of Georgian author Joel Chandler Harris. Instruction continues this year for budding opera talent through The Atlanta Opera High School Opera Institute. Now in its third year, the Institute provides high school voice students with the opportunity to work with leading professionals in the field. During this eight-month program, the students attend workshops and coachings, and their work is showcased in a culminating performance in June 2012. Stay tuned to The Atlanta Opera website for more details! For more information about our education and outreach programs, please contact Emmalee Iden, Director of Education, at 404.881.8883, or eiden@atlantaopera.org.

A Membership Group for Young Professionals Are you interested in socializing, networking, and having fun with fellow arts enthusiasts? The Atlanta Opera Comprimarios enjoy benefits such as specially priced tickets and seating, an intermission lounge, a season listing in the ARIA for Young Professionals, invitations to special events and more! For more information and 2OII-2OI2 event listings, pick up a copy of the ARIA for Young Professionals in the lobby or follow us online: facebook.com/TheAtlantaOpera twitter.com/TheAtlantaOpera

World Premiere!

Bring Opera to Your School!

The Atlanta Opera Studio Tour Based on the antics of Br’er Rabbit, Rabbit Tales incorporates Joel Chandler Harris’ famous tales with other stories from Native American, African and Cajun Folklore. Join Br’er Rabbit, Teenchy Duck, Sister Fox and King Lion on this exciting cross-cultural journey! One-Hour Performance for Grades K-5. Opera Guide corresponds directly with Common Core Georgia Performance Standards For booking information, visit www.AtlantaOpera.org or email education@AtlantaOpera.org

THE SOCIETY FOR ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE Membership in the Atlanta Opera’s Society for Artistic Excellence represents a minimum pledge of $20,000 over a three-year period. These vital gifts help The Atlanta Opera improve its capacity both artistically and financially while building on a tradition of world-class opera in the Atlanta area. Below is a list of patrons who made three-year commitments ending 20112013. All donors below are listed both here in the ARIA and online at www.AtlantaOpera.org. For more information, contact Bert Huffman at bhuffman@atlantaopera.org. New Production Patron $300,000+ Dr. and Mrs. James W. Bland Jr. Doug and Donna Curling Revival Production Patron $150,000+ Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. Ms. Barbara D. Stewart* Director Patron $75,000+ Candy and Greg Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Harmon B. Miller III Jerry and Dulcy Rosenberg Bob and Cappa Woodward Artist Patron $45,000+ The Laura & Montague Boyd Foundation The John & Rosemary Brown Family Foundation Dr. Alexander Gross and Mrs. Joanne Chesler Gross Mr. and Mrs. William J. Hayes III Mr. William F. Snyder and Mr. Louis A. Peneguy Mr. and Mrs. J. Barry Schrenk Rhys and Carolyn Wilson The Mary and Charlie Yates Family Fund Charlie and Dorothy Yates Family Fund

Conductor Patron $20,000+ Shepard and Boyce Ansley Mr. and Mrs. Jim Balloun Mr. Bryan H. Barnes Mr. and Mrs. Andy Berg Mr. Mario Concha Mr. and Mrs. David Dorman Heike and Dieter Elsner John L. Hammaker Mr. and Mrs. John Michael Hancock Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Keough Peggy and Jack McDowell Clara M. and John S. O’Shea Mr. William E. Pennington Edward W. Phares Mr. James D. Powell Mr. Charles Sharbaugh Baker and Debby Smith Mr. and Mrs. William E. Tucker Thomas R. Williams Family Additional Multi-Year Gifts $15,000+ Ms. Cathy C. Adams Mr. and Mrs. Timothy E. Sheehan $7,500+ Mr. and Mrs. Robert Edge Tom and Sandy Teepen *Deceased

Arthur Fagen conducting The Atlanta Opera’s THE MAGIC FLUTE, 2010. (Tim Wilkerson)

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

42 Corporate Partners $100,000 AT&T The Coca-Cola Company Zurich American Insurance Company

$2,500+ Gifts In Kind Camp-Younts Foundation Here to Serve Restaurants Herbert and Marian Haley Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Peter O. Holliday Hills Family Foundation Jada Loveless Lois and Lucy Lampkin Foundation King’s Home Furnishings The Ray M. and Mary Elizabeth Lee Instead of Flowers $50,000+ Foundation IO Salon Delta Air Lines, Inc. J. Thomas Designs $1,000+ Lime Taqueria and Tequila Bar $10,000+ The Mary Brown Fund of Atlanta Local Three Affordable Equity Partners, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Mills $500+ $2,500+ Kate Spade Bright Wings Foundation Anonymous Kathy Davis Designs C.D. Moody Construction – Mr. C. David Local & Government Funding Kramer Protraits Moody, Jr. $30,000+ Lanier Parking Solutions Inmark Inc. Georgia Council for the Arts Mrs. Dale Levert and Mr. George W. Levert PricewaterhouseCoopers Mr. and Mrs. Paul Melroy Gifts In Kind The 680 Group at UBS Financial Services, Inc. Moroccanoil A Legendary Event National Distributing Company $1,000+ Ann Roth Shoes NBC Experience Store Atlanta Opera Guild Aria Restaurant Nakato Japanese Restaurant Barclays Wealth – Mr. Jamie Weeks, III Sari Bernstein Neiman Marcus Bobi Dimond Creative Photography Foundations Olympus Media LLC Ms. Melanie Boltax $400,000+ Renaissance Massage Melissa Fontaine and Frank Briscoe The Goizueta Foundation Saks Fifth Avenue John and Rosemary Brown Mr. Don Sayles Bulgari $100,000+ Shell Hospitality - Vino Bello Resort Caesar’s Entertainment The Sara Giles Moore Foundation Baker and Debby Smith Stephanie Cantillo Wells Fargo Ms. Susan Soper Cartier St. John Boutique $50,000+ Ms. Sona Chambers St. Regis Atlanta Atlanta Music Festival Association Champion Beauty Supply Taverna Florentina Cirquelde $25,000+ The Cooks Warehouse Condition Kettlebell Gym Molly Blank Charitable The Patty Burns Salon David Yurman The George M. Brown Trust Fund Theory Eduard de Guardiola J. Marshall and Lucile G. Powell Charitable Trust Tim Wilkerson Photography Divine Designs Jewelry Tony Brewer & Company, Inc. $10,000+ Dunaway Gardens Tootsies Bank of America Charitable Foundation Heike and Dieter Elsner Turner Enterprises JPMorgan Chase Foundation Ms. Elizabeth DuPree Lynch and Trinity Press OPERA America Dr. William Helvie Valentino The Rich Foundation, Inc. Emly Benham Atlanta Vis-A-Vis The Salon Eric S. Barr, Inc. $5,000+ Dr. and Mrs. W. Kingsley Weatherly Ermenegildo Zegna The John and Mary Franklin Foundation, Inc. Rae J. Weimer Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation Wes Gordon Fendi North America Inc. The Home Depot Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Kevin P. Wojcik Flight Options Fraser-Parker Foundation Wolford America, Inc Heather and Eli Flint JBS Foundation Woodfire Grill Georgia Dermatology Center Abraham J. & Phyllis Katz Foundation Diane Gordon Gifts made between July 1, 2010 The Charles Loridans Foundation, Inc. H. Stockton-Park Place and September 12, 2011 Nordson Corporation Foundation Harrison Design Associates Turner Broadcasting System/Turner Voices Mark Hawn Frances Wood Wilson Foundation, Inc.

ANNUAL FUND

The following names represent gifts from individuals, family foundations, The Atlanta Opera Board of Directors, staff, chorus and orchestra. We express our most sincere thanks and appreciation to every donor. The ongoing support you provide allows The Atlanta Opera to continue building on a tradition of excellence, and makes possible quality productions just like you are experiencing now! For a full list of donors, including gifts under $350, visit us online at www.AtlantaOpera.org. Listed on the following pages are friends who contributed $350 or more to The Atlanta Opera between July 1, 2010, and September 12, 2011. Composer ($10,000+) Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Anderson Mrs. Elizabeth Tufts Bennett Mr. David Boatwright Mr. and Mrs. John L. Connolly Mrs. Olga Casteleiro de Goizueta Stewart and Mary Searle Mrs. W. Harry Willson Conductor ($5,000+) Cathy and Mark Adams R. Dwain Blackston Carl and Sally Gable Nancy and Holcombe Green Mrs. Joseph B. Hutchison Victoria and Howard Palefsky Mrs. Polly N. Pater Judith and Mark Taylor Thomas and Loraine Williams Foundation Principal ($2,500+) Mr. and Mrs. C. Duncan Beard Col. and Mrs. Edgar W. Duskin Ms. Dorothy E. Edwards Ms. Rebecca Y. Frazer and Mr. Jon Buttrey Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Gilham Jr. Gucci Dr. Thomas N. Guffin, Jr. Mrs. P. Frank Hagerty Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Hantula Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Hardin Mr. and Mrs. Steven Harless Hills Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Howard Mrs. Joseph W. Jones James M. and Andrea Braslavsky Kane Dr. and Mrs. James Lowman Sally and Allen McDaniel Carol and Jorge Pisarello Dr. and Mrs. Richard M. Robinson

($2,500+) John and Barbara Ross Morton and Angela Sherzer Yee-Wan and John Stevens Thomas and Katherine Stevenson Mr. and Mrs. George B. Taylor, Jr. The Devereaux F. & Dorothy M. McClatchey Foundation Chorus ($1,000+) Mr. Keith E. Adams Dr. Joseph C. Barnett and Dr. Florence C. Barnett Michael L. and Valerie W. Benoit Mrs. Enrique E. Bledel Mrs. Gwendolyn Halstead Brooker Dr. & Mrs. W. Brantley Burns Chris Casey and Douglas Weiss Ms. Carol Uhl and Ms. Lillianette Cook Jean and Jerry Cooper Mr. Randy L. Craven Mr. and Mrs. Stephen E. Crowley Dr. and Mrs. F. Thomas Daly Jr. Mr. Robert S. Devins Heike and Dieter Elsner Cynthia and John C. Ethridge Jr. Ms. DeeAnn E. Evans Dr. and Mrs. Arnoldo Fiedotin Dr. Mary M. Finn Mr. and Mrs. Philip Folger Peg Simms Gary R. Derril Gay, Ph.D. Mr. and Mrs. John W. Grant III Mr. Thomas Gregory Sylvia Halleck, MD Ann P. and Ezra F. Howington Richard and Linda Hubert Mr. Bert W. Huffman Mr. and Mrs. David C. Huffman Gail and Tim Hughes Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth D. Johnson

($1,000+) Mr. Frank M. Monger Mr. Stephen J. Kalista and Ms. Pamela San Martin Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Keough Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Kessenich Marsha and David King Mr. Lewis H. Larson Mrs. Treville Lawrence Mr. Matthew A. Lieberman Jeanie and Albert Marx Dan D. Maslia Anna Louise McCormack and Beatrice McCormack Mary Ruth McDonald Mr. Gene Milner and Dr. Rhonda D. Milner Robert and Suzanne Minarcine Terri and Stephen Nagler Mr. and Mrs. William A. Parker, Jr. Lucy S. Perry Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence S. Phillips George and Libba Pickett Mr. and Mrs. Rezin E. Pidgeon, Jr. Dr. Michael F. Pratt and Nancy Peterman Mr. and Mrs. George P. Rodrigue Milton J. Sams Mr. Nicholas Shreiber Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Slappey Dr. and Mrs. Patton P. Smith Dr. Paul V. Spiegl and Ms. Leigh Ann Wilder Mr. Peter James Stelling Marty Stephens and Linda August Dr. Marilyn Stockton Dr. Jane T. St. Clair and Mr. James E. Sustman Mr. and Mrs. Ben J. Tarbutton, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Terry Taylor Mr. James Todd Constance W. Treloar Dr. Nicholas Valerio III Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Weeks III Rae and George Weimer Mrs. Wadleigh C. Winship Ms. Bunny Winter and Mr. Michael Doyle Drs. Martin and Holly York

ANNUAL FUND Sustainer ($500+) Mr. and Mrs. Phillip E. Alvelda Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bailey Bank of America Charitable Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Michael Barker Dr. Asad Bashey Ms. Jan P. Beaves Mr. Eugene Boeke, Jr. Dr. Harold Brody Dr. Lawrence T. Brueckner Dr. J. Bricker Burns Calvin and Irma B. Bently Charitable Foundation Mrs. Wallace Carpenter Dr. Bruce Cassidy and Dr. Eda Hochgelerent Mr. and Mrs. Albert H. Conrad, Jr. Mr. Henry Copeland Dr. Kristin R. Corgan June and James Crawford Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Curry Mr. Robert P. Dean and Mr. Robert Epstein Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Denny, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. William D. Duckworth Dr. and Mrs. David J. Frolich Mr. and Mrs. John Gam Dr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Giovinco Dr. and Mrs. Martin Goldstein Mr. and Mrs. Donald Goldstein Refrigiwear Mr. and Mrs. George Gundersen Ms. Louise S. Gunn Ms. Helen K. Hammonds Mr. Ronald L. Harris and Mrs. Jacqueline Pownall Mr. George Hickman, III Mr. L. D. Holland Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Hosch Mr. Howard Hunter Dr. and Mrs. Duke Jackson, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne James Mr. Speight Jenkins III Mr. Alfred D. Kennedy and Dr. Bill Kenny Joan and Arnold Kurth Dr. Jason Liebzeit Mr. and Mrs. J. David Lifsey Mr. John Trevor Lumb Dr. Jill Mabley Stanley and Elaine Mager Belinda and Gino Massafra

($500+) Ms. Priscilla M. Moran Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Morelli II Jane and Jim Murray John and Agnes Nelson Mrs. Amy Wynn Norman The Honorable and Mrs. George A. Novak Mr. John Owens Ms. Beverley Paquette Mr. and Mrs. Michael Paulhus Personal Care Inc. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ms. Martha Clinkscales Mr. D. V. Pompilio and The Honorable S. L. Ingram Dr. and Mrs. Garratt Ponder Mr. Tony Powers Ms. Regena J. Riffey Ms. Barbara Rivenbark The Honorable Judge Dorothy A. Robinson Ms. Heidi M. Rockwood Sidney and Phyllis Rodbell Dr. and Mrs. Mark Rowles Sharon Schachter Mrs. Helen A. Schellman Mr. Dustin B. Schneider Mr. Rudolf Sedlacek-Parker Sachin Shailendra Mr. Fred B. Smith Mr. Brenn Smith Gail and Barry Spurlock Ms. Antoinette L. Stewart Judge and Mrs. Mike Stoddard Mr. N. Jerold Cohen and Ms. Andrea Strickland Steve and Christine Strong Mr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Stuart Ms. Melinda R. Stuk Mr. and Mrs. Hugh M. Tarbutton Mr. Eric Taylor Mr. Richard Thio Kathryn E. Townsend Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Turner Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Walden Dr. and Mrs. James O. Wells, Jr. Larry and Beverly Willson Mrs. Frank Wilson, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. David Wingert Mrs. Geraldine S. Woodward Sherrilyn and Donn Wright Ms. Mary L. Yost Mr. and Mrs. John Zellner

45 Supporter ($350+) Anonymous Ms. Katherine P. Adams Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Blumenthal Dr. Raymond Allen Mr. and Mrs. Ronald R. Antinori Mr. and Mrs. Steven M. Astriab Mr. and Mrs. David S. Baker Dr. and Mrs. John Barnes Mr. and Mrs. Wallace F. Beard Ms. Lauren Benevich Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Betor Mr. and Mrs. Michael Blackwood Barbara S. Bruner, M.D. Mr. Robert Bunker Marissa A. Camrud, MD Mrs. Stella M. Carlson Mr. and Mrs. Raymond H. Chenault Mr. Michael Clutter Mr. Lawrence M. Cohen Ms. Celeste Condit Ms. Marcia Cupery Maureen and Michael Dailey Mr. Philip D. Dawson Mr. and Mrs. Arthur R. Dugger Janice and Charles M. Edwards III Mrs. William Elmore Mr. John Fischer Dr. and Mrs. T. Gray Fountain Mr. Glen Galbaugh Ms. Lois M. Grant Mr. and Mrs. Dean Haulton Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey M. Havel James E. Honkisz and Catherine A. Binns Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas C. Howard Mrs. Gail G. Johnson Raymond and Doris Kadish Mr. and Mrs. Edward Katze Mr. and Mrs. Fred R. Keith Dr. Gail M. Kendall Ms. Eleanor Kinsey Mrs. Emma Lankford Chris and Jill Le Ms. Salli LeVan Dr. and Mrs. P. Mather Lindsay Livvy Kazer Lipson Dr. Robert and Judge Stephanie Manis Mr. Thomas L. McCook Ms. Elizabeth F. Meeker Mr. and Mrs. Norman Miller Ms. Sharon Mills

ANNUAL FUND

46 ($350+) Mr. M. Sean Molley Dr. Patricia S. Moulton Barbara and Mark Murovitz Ms. Carol Niemi Mr. Edward R. Nudd Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Parrish III Mr. and Mrs. Guy Paschal Mr. and Mrs. Andreas Penninger Lynn and Kent Regenstein Mr. Hervey S. Ross Mr. and Mrs. James Schiwal Ludmila Schubert Ms. Janine Brown and Mr. Alex J. Simmons, Jr. Dr. Susan Y. Stevens Linda P. Stewart Mrs. Sarah Tate Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth G. Taylor Ms. Virginia S. Taylor Raymond C. Townsend Mrs. Ruth E. Trager Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Tuller Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Ventulett III Ms. Juliana T. Vincenzino

Ms. Christina Wall Henry Waszkowski and Patty Thomas Ms. Reba P. Welch Dr. and Mrs. Sam Williams Mr. and Mrs. Alexander M. Williams Emily Willingham and Dixon Adair Ms. Judith D. Wilson For more information about the Atlanta Opera’s Annual Fund, contact Rebecca Bowden at rbowden@atlantaopera.org.

End Your Evening on a High Note. Walk home after the show! Enjoy special Atlanta Opera weekend rates for all three AO productions this season beginning as low as $89. With our spacious suites and a generous host of amenities like our Complimentary Parking, Evening Reception* and Hot Breakfast, the Embassy Suites Atlanta-Galleria adjacent to the Cobb Energy Centre gives you a harmonious retreat to relax the way you want after each show. MORE REASONS TO STAY®

For reservations, call 678-460-2567or visit atlantagalleria.embassysuites.com.

Offer subject to availability; date restrictions and length-of-stay requirements may apply. Advance reservations required, request "Atlanta Opera Patron" rate or "Arts Centre Package" rate. *Service of alcoholic beverages subject to state and local laws. Must be of legal drinking age. ™ indicates a trademark of Hilton Worldwide. ©2011 Hilton Worldwide.

TRIBUTES AND MEMORIALS In Honor of Marlene Alexander, Monica Dioda and Jack Sawyer Mr. and Mrs. Hilton H. Howell , Jr. Dr.* and Mrs. Hugh C. McLeod, III IN HONOR OF Dr. and Mrs. James W. Bland, Jr. Mrs. George Baird Mrs. Carol J. Clark Judy and Tinsley Ellis Mrs. Sally Hawkins Mr. and Mrs. Ben J. Tarbutton, Jr. Constance W. Treloar Dr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Yuschok IN HONOR OF MERRY CARLOS AND CATHY COOPER Dr.* and Mrs. Hugh C. McLeod, III In Honor of Doug and Donna Curling Judie Raiford and Jere Wood Ms. Jean Goffaux In Honor of Ann Curry Mrs. Rae Weimer In Memory of Sylvia Debenport Shelley McGehee In Honor of Dr. and Mrs. Hamilton Dixon Mr. and Mrs. William L. Morris In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Edge Friends of Robert Edge Mr. and Mrs. David Lowance Julia and Gary Suters In Honor of Marc Graney Mrs. Christina L. Graney In Memory of Betsey Hansen Harald Hansen The Tull Charitable Foundation

In Honor of Virginia Lam Debra and Scott Pyron In Honor of Joseph Lattanzi The Reverend Neal P. Ponder, Jr. In Memory of Rachel Lehmann Helen and Steven Kraus Jim and Eleanor Strain Ms. Bunny Winter and Mr. Michael Doyle In Honor of Madge and Philip F. L’Engle and Elizabeth L’Engle Tufts Mrs. Elizabeth Tufts Bennett In Honor of Paul Melroy Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Schwartz In Memory of Robert W. Nordman Kara Koverman In Honor of Polly Pater Mr. Brian D. Beem Mr. and Mrs. Charles Slick Mr. Thomas B. Slick In Honor of Don Schreiber Mrs. Margaret Dulin In Memory of Barbara Stewart Bill Gunter & Associates Mr. Cotton M. Cleveland and Mr. John B. Garvey Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Edge Main Street America Group – NGM Charitable Foundation Sally and Allen McDaniel Elizabeth and James Morley Tom and Sandy Teepen Mr. and Mrs. Edus H. Warren, Jr. Williams Benator & Libby, LLP Bob and Cappa Woodward

In Honor of Walter Huff Ms. Rina Rosenberg

In Memory of Nancy Taffel Cheryl and William Hadley Ms. Leslie Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Silvermintz Mr. Alan S. Yaillen and Ms. Laurie R. Dien

In Memory of Ms. Eileen Kent Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Anderson

In memory of Marya Gabrielle Williams Marilon Jone Williams

In Memory of dr. marion leathers kuntz Tanya Bertsch Georgia State University Foundation Mr. William Porter Dennis Romano Mr. and Mrs. Jamison Shaw

In Honor of Bob and Cappa Woodward Ms. Sarah Story

In Honor of Harriet Harris Ms. Freya Harris

In Honor of Charlie and Mary Yates Dr. David E. Sutherland II and Mrs. Sarah F. Yates Sutherland *Deceased

THE 2011 ATLANTA OPERA BALL On Saturday, September 17, nearly 300 guests indulged their senses at the 2011 Atlanta Opera Ball. The annual fundraiser benefiting The Atlanta Opera was held at the St. Regis Atlanta. Longtime supporters and many new friends shared in the celebration of the company’s history and its promising future. Thanks to the efforts of the event CoChairs Merry Carlos and Cathy Cooper, and Advisor Joanne Chesler Gross, along with a group of dedicated and talented volunteers, the evening was a huge success and raised more than $100,000. This year’s honorees were Atlanta Opera Chorus Master Walter Huff and The Atlanta Opera Chorus. The Atlanta Opera has been honored to have Walter Huff as its Chorus Master for more than 20 years. Through his leadership, The Atlanta Opera Chorus has become one of the most highly respected opera choruses in the world. Attendees were treated to a festive cocktail reception and silent auction, and a delicious dinner followed by dancing in Tony Brewer and Company’s opulently decorated ballroom. The live auction included a week at a villa in St. Bart’s, a week at Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.V., and His & Hers Ballon Bleu Stainless Steel Watches from the evening’s Platinum Sponsor, Cartier. There also were many other luxury items from Atlanta’s most popular jewelers, restaurants, salons, and boutiques. The true highlight of the evening was a vocal performance by selected members of The Atlanta Opera Chorus. Thank you to all of the extremely generous sponsors and patrons of this year’s ball; to Merry and Cathy for their leadership and their remarkable committee of volunteers, and to Walter Huff and the Chorus, whose extraordinary talents we were proud to honor at this event. We hope to see you next year!

Merry Carlos and Cathy Cooper, The 2011 Atlanta Opera Ball Co-Chairs (Tim Wilkerson)

Sponsors Platinum Cartier Gold Fidelity Bank St. Regis Atlanta Wilmington Trust Chris and Merry Carlos Ruthie Rollins Media Sponsor The Atlantan

Silver KPMG LLC Moroccanoil Tony Brewer & Company, Inc. Eric S. Barr, Inc. Jewelry Dr. and Mrs. Alexander Gross Darrell J. Mays Carol and Jorge Pisarello Bronze Laura and Montague Boyd Cathy Cooper and Brad Champion Candy and Greg Johnson

Ladies & Gentlemen’s Committee Mr. and Mrs. Daniel S. Baldwin Ms. Rita A. Bissell Dr. and Mrs. James W. Bland, Jr. Chris and Merry Carlos Mrs. Wallace Carpenter Mrs. Overton A. Currie Dr. and Mrs. F. Thomas Daly, Jr. Heather and Eli Flint Ms. Ursula Graats Ms. Louise S. Gunn Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Hardin Ms. Donna Hiller Frank and Maxine Hyland Mr. James B. Miller, Jr. Mr. Don Robinson Dr. and Mrs. Mark Rowles Anne and Tim Sheehan Baker and Debby Smith Dottie and Jerry Smith Mr. Fred B. Smith Jim and Eleanor Strain Mr. and Mrs. George B. Taylor, Jr. Tom and Sandy Teepen Ms. Linda D. Wickham Mrs. W. Harry Willson Sherrilyn and Donn Wright

The Atlanta Opera Holiday Concert Tuesday December 13, 2011 at 7:30 pm • ONE NIGHT ONLY! All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 634 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, Georgia, 30308 Selected soloists from The Atlanta Opera Chorus present a Holiday Concert directed by Atlanta Opera Chorus Master Walter Huff and accompanied by organist Peter Marshall. Tickets: $30 General Admission • Visit www.atlantaopera.org to learn more.

Opera Family Day Saturday May 19, 2012 from 10 am - 3 pm • The Atlanta Opera Center Opera Family Day is a fun event for young children and families to learn about and celebrate opera. Grades: PreK - 3. Activities include: • Performances of Rabbit Tales • Instrument petting zoo • Interactive costume shop

• Stage combat demonstrations • Stage makeup demonstrations • Crafts

Sponsored by Publix Super Markets Charities

THE ENCORE CIRCLE

Support Tomorrow, Today! Build a Legacy with The Atlanta Opera. We at The Atlanta Opera sincerely appreciate your generous support and belief in our mission of bringing the highest-quality opera productions and education to the greater Atlanta community. By building a legacy through the creation of a planned gift with The Atlanta Opera, you can help ensure that future generations of Atlantans are exposed to the highestquality opera for generations to come. Developing an estate plan requires advice from a professional, so we suggest you consult your personal adviser to make sure your gift will accomplish the intended goals for both The Atlanta Opera and you. A member of our development team will

be happy to meet with and assist you in exploring the options that are most beneficial for everyone involved. Your planned gift can make a tremendous difference and help preserve the future of The Atlanta Opera! The IRA Charitable Rollover, which expires Dec. 31, 2011, allows individuals age 70Â˝ and older to make direct transfers totaling up to $100,000 per year to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, like The Atlanta Opera, without having to count the transfers as income for federal income tax purposes. For more information on this limited-time opportunity, contact Rae Weimer at 404.343.7125 or rweimer@ atlantaopera.org.

The Encore Circle The Atlanta Opera established the Encore Circle to recognize donors who have designated the Opera as a beneficiary in their estate plan. Gifts from these individuals ensure our progress for generations to come. Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Shepard B. Ansley Mr. and Mrs. Wallace F. Beard Estate of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Sims Bickers Ms. Mary D. Bray Mr. Robert Colgin Estate of Mrs. Judy Darby Ms. Dorothy E. Edwards Mr. and Mrs. Dieter Elsner Dr. Emile T. Fisher Carl and Sally Gable Rebecca and Sidney Guberman Ms. Judy Hanenkrat Estate of Mr. Albert L. Hibbard Estate of Walter T. Heist Estate of Mr. Robert N. Hoehn, Jr. Mr. Hilson Hudson Mrs. Joseph B. Hutchison Mr. Alfred D. Kennedy

Estate of Mrs. Isabelle Woolford Kennedy Ms. Corina M. LaFrossia Mr. Louis L. Lawson Mr. and Mrs. John G. Malcolm Mr. Robert Lee Mays Mr. and Mrs. Allen P. McDaniel Estate of Michael A. McDowell Mr. and Mrs. Jack C. McDowell Mr. and Mrs. Craig N. Miller Miss Helen D. Moffitt Mr. J. Robert Morring Mr. and Mrs. Bertil D. Nordin Clara M. and John S. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea Mrs. Polly Pater Estate of Mr. Jack Poole Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sanger Kevin J. Saunders Mr. D. Jack Sawyer, Jr. Estate of Barbara D. Stewart

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Teepen Mr. Richard F. Tigner William E. Torres, M.D. Dr. and Mrs. Harold Whitney Estate of Mrs. Ruth D. Williams Ms. Bunny Winter and Mr. Michael Doyle Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Yates, Sr. Mr. Charles R. Yates, Jr. and Mrs. Mary Mitchell Yates Ms. Mary L. Yost

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THE VERDI SOCIETY

The Verdi Society, the Atlanta Operaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest-donor honor, is reserved for those who have provided philanthropic support and dedication at a transformative level. These dedicated friends have been instrumental in building a tradition of excellence at The Atlanta Opera. The Verdi Society is limited to those individuals, corporations and organizations whose gifts have accumulated to $100,000 or more. The current membership of the Verdi Society represents a staggering $31 million in cumulative giving over the years. $1,000,000+ Atlanta Music Festival Association Dr. and Mrs. James W. Bland, Jr. Georgia Council for the Arts The Goizueta Foundation Sara Giles Moore Foundation Estate of Barbara D. Stewart* Mrs. W. Harry Willson The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Inc.

$100,000+ Atlanta Bureau of Cultural Affairs The Atlanta Foundation Bank of America Mr. Robert O. Breitling, Jr.* Ms. Janine Brown and Mr. Alex J. Simmons, Jr. John and Rosemary Brown The Coca-Cola Foundation Mr. and Mrs.* Robert Colgin $500,000+ Cumberland Community Anonymous (2) Improvement District AT&T Delta Air Lines, Inc.** The Coca-Cola Company Mr. Robert S. Devins Fulton County Arts Council Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. Mrs. Alfred D. Kennedy, Sr.* Georgia-Pacific Corporation Estate of Michael A. McDowell* Gertrude & William C. Wardlaw Fund The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation Carl and Sally Gable Zurich American Insurance Company Mr. and Mrs. John S. Gillfillan Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Gluck* $250,000+ Mr. and Mrs. Joe D. Goodwin Anonymous (2) Mr. and Mrs. Henry D. Gregory, Jr. Atlanta Journal-Constitution** John L. Hammaker Charles Loridans Foundation Mr. and Mrs. William J. Hayes III Mrs. Olga Casteleiro de Goizueta Mrs. Joseph B. Hutchison Mr. and Mrs. Holcombe T. Green, Jr. J. Marshall and Lucile G. Powell Candy and Greg Johnson Charitable Trust The Kendeda Fund The Jim Cox, Jr. Foundation Mr. Alfred D. Kennedy and Dr. Bill Kenny The Junior League of Atlanta Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Keough The Katherine John Murphy Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Klump Peggy and Jack McDowell Livingston Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Arturo Melosi Mr. and Mrs. John G. Malcolm The Rich Foundation The Mary Allen Lindsey Branan Foundation StarEnterprise Sally and Allen McDaniel Ms. Alyce Toonk Mellon - Private Wealth Management David, Helen and Marian Woodward Fund Mr. and Mrs.* James B. Miller, Jr. Bob and Cappa Woodward Mrs. O. Ray Moore National Endowment for the Arts $100,000+ Clara M. and John S. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea American Color Graphics** Mrs. Polly N. Pater Shepard and Boyce Ansley Mr. William E. Pennington Mr. and Mrs. Ronald R. Antinori Mr. Jack Poole The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation The Price Gilbert, Jr. Charitable Fund

$100,000+ PricewaterhouseCoopers The Residence Inn by Marriott** Jerry and Dulcy Rosenberg Mrs. Deen Day Sanders Mr. D. Jack Sawyer, Jr. and Dr. William E. Torres Mr. and Mrs. J. Barry Schrenk Mr. and Mrs. Stewart A. Searle Mr. William F. Snyder and Mr. Louis A. Peneguy Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Roth SunTrust Banks, Inc. Judith and Mark Taylor The Tull Charitable Foundation Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Thomas and Loraine Williams Foundation Ms. Ruth Dimick Williams Jean and John Wilson Rhys and Carolyn Wilson Wadleigh C. Winship* Ms. Bunny Winter and Mr. Michael Doyle The Mary and Charlie Yates Family Fund Zeist Foundation * Deceased ** Gift-In-Kind

THE ATLANTA OPERA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman Emeritus, Mrs. Shepard B. Ansley OFFICERS Chairman, Mr. Gregory F. Johnson, Republic National Distributing Company, Inc. President, Mr. Charles R. Yates, Jr. Vice President, Mr. Robert G. Woodward, King & Spalding Treasurer, Mr. William E. Tucker, Tucker, Midis & Associates, LLC Secretary, Mr. Michael Keough, DMK International MEMBERS Cathy Callaway Adams, Federal Home Loan Bank Mr. Bryan H. Barnes, Deloitte & Touche, LLP Mr. Andy Berg, Homrich Berg Mrs. James W. Bland, Jr. Mr. Montague L. Boyd, III, UBS Financial Mrs. Rosemary Kopel Brown Sharon J. Byers, The Coca-Cola Company Mrs. John W. Calhoun, III The Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler, Cathedral of St. Philip Mr. Mario Concha, Concha Consulting LLC Ms. Martha Thompson Dinos Mr. Robert G. Edge, Alston & Bird Mr. Dieter Elsner, Roedl Langford de Kock LP Mr. Eli Flint, Flight Options Mrs. Joanne Chesler Gross Mr. John L. Hammaker Mr. John Michael Hancock Mr. William J. Hayes, Bain & Company, Inc. Mr. Douglas R. Hooker, Atkins North America Mr. John Isakson, Jr., Williams Asset Management Ms. Mary B. James, Attorney at Law Mrs. Carl Knobloch Mr. Richard McPhail, The Home Depot, Inc. Mr. Harmon B. Miller, III, MillerZell, Inc. Mr. James B. Miller, Fidelity Bank Dr. John O’Shea, Emory Health Systems, retired Mr. William E. Pennington Mr. James D. Powell, KPMG LLP Mr. James R. Robinson, Schiff Hardin LLP Mr. Herbert J. Rosenberg III, National Distributing Company, Inc. Mr. Bruce A. Roth, Roth & Associates, Inc. Mr. J. Barry Schrenk, Taggarts’ Driving School Mr. Stewart A. Searle, Strategic Thought Partners Mr. Sachin Shailendra, S G Contracting Mr. Charles Sharbaugh, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, LLP Mr. Timothy E. Sheehan, Mellon Private Wealth Management Mr. Baker A. Smith, BDO Consulting Corp. Advisors, LLC. Mr. Kessel D. Stelling, Jr., Synovus Mr. G. Kimbrough Taylor, Jr., Kilpatrick Townsend and Stockton Mr. Timothy J. Walsh, Lanier Parking Solutions

MEMBERS (cont.) Mr. Thomas R. Williams Mrs. Harry Willson, Sunnyland Farms, Inc. Mr. Rhys T. Wilson, Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough, LLP HONORARY MEMBERS Ms. Dorothy E. Edwards Mr. Carl I. Gable Mr. John S. Gillfillan Mrs. Holcombe T. Green, Jr., WestPoint Stevens Mr. Carter Joseph, Empire Distributors Mr. Donald Keough, DMK International Mrs. Jack C. McDowell Mr. Sam Olens, State of Georgia Mr. Mark K. Taylor, HT Group, LLC Mrs. John C. Wilson Ms. Bunny Winter, The Coca-Cola Co., retired EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Mr. Dennis Hanthorn, Zurich General Director List current as of10/14/11

HOUSE POLICIES

Concessions Concession stands are located in the center of the lobbies on all three levels. Food and beverage items are prohibited inside the theatre. Thank you for your cooperation. Restrooms Restrooms are located on house right and house left of all three lobbies. Family restrooms are also located on house right of all three lobbies. Mobility-impaired patrons may use any of our restrooms. Parking There are 1,000 parking spaces available at a $6 charge per car. Valet service is available for $10. Please be sure to allow enough time for travel to the theatre and parking as there is no late seating. ATM There is one Bank of North Georgia ATM located in the grand lobby. Coat Check Coat check is available at the concierge desk. Emergency Information In the event of an emergency, please locate the nearest usher who will direct you to the appropriate exit. Elevators Elevators are located on each side of the lobbies on all levels. Lost and Found Lost and Found items are turned into the concierge desk on the day of a performance. To inquire about a lost item, please call the House Manager at ... Smoking Smoking is prohibited inside the building.

Special Assistance Persons requiring access assistance are asked to contact the box office at 770.916.2850 for advance arrangements. Audio-clarification devices are available to our hearing-impaired guests at no charge. This is on a first-come, first-served basis, or you may call the House Manager ahead of time to reserve one ... A limited number of booster seats are also available. All items require a form of identification to be held until the item is returned. Cobb Energy Centre Rules & Requests • All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket in order to be admitted to the performance. Please be aware that not all performances are suitable for children. • Infants will not be admitted to adult programs. Parents will be asked to remove children who create a disturbance. • T here is no late seating allowed. Closedcircuit monitors are provided in the lobby as a courtesy to latecomers. • Please turn off all cell phones prior to the beginning of each performance. • Please limit conversation during the performance. • Cameras (including use of cell phone camera) and audio & video recording devices are strictly prohibited at all times. • Leaving while the show is in progress is discourteous, and we ask that you refrain from doing so. • Please unwrap all candies and cough drops before the performance.

Dinner. theatre. Before the curtain rises on your favorite performance, entertain your tastebuds with show-stopping cuisine at Medici, located inside the renaissanceÂŽ atlanta Waverly hotel. Just minutes from the Cobb energy Performing arts Centre, experience the flavors of tuscany as you sample the best of italy and California from our extensive wine list. Come discover this stylishly warm and casually elegant tuscan Grill, and uncover culinary masterpieces worthy of a standing ovation.

MeDiCi 2450 Galleria Parkway, atlanta, Ga 30339 t: 770.953.4500 â&#x20AC;˘ renaissancewaverly.com ÂŠ 2011 Marriott International, Inc.

THE ATLANTA OPERA STAFF

Zurich General Director Dennis Hanthorn Managing Director Paul Melroy Artistic / Production Arthur Fagen, The Carl and Sally Gable Music Director Elecia Crowley, Artistic Administrator Walter Huff, Chorus Master Michael Benedict, Production Manager Mark McConnell, Orchestra Manager Michael Spassov, Principal Coach / Assistant Conductor Emma Kearney, Intern Education Emmalee Iden, Director of Education Lauren Rae Turner, Education Assistant Development Bert Wesley Huffman, MPA, CFRE, Director of Development Rae Weimer, Associate Director of Development Greg Carraway, Foundations & Grants Manager Rebecca Bowden, Annual Fund Manager Amanda Wilborn, Event Manager Kimberly Grooms, CMP, Executive Assistant Marketing / Communications Cristina Vรกsconez Herrera, Director of Marketing & Communications Laura Soldati, Communications Manager Lindsay Smith, Marketing Manager Alan Strange, Ticketing Services Manager Renee Smiley, Ticketing Services Associate Ellen Sturgill, Marketing and Communications Intern Finance / Administration Mike Hurdle, Controller Ashley Gilleland, Accounting Manager Stephanie Cantillo, Office Manager / Volunteer Coordinator The Atlanta Opera Costume Shop Patricia McMahon, Costume Shop Manager Joanna Schmink, Costume Coordinator Synithia Cochran, First Hand Brett Parker, Stitcher Stephanie McCoy, Stitcher Mary Cruz Torres, Stitcher

Seasonal Staff John Beaulieu, Technical Director/Master Carpenter Shawn Rieschl Johnson, Production Stage Manager Amy Soll, Assistant Stage Manager Becki Smith, Assistant Stage Manager Pamela K. Hickey, Properties Master Steve Dubay, Master Electrician Patricia Tuckwiller, Master Electrician Katrina Suhre, Wig & Makeup Crew Lead Aida Scuffle, Wig & Makeup Artist Monty Shuth, Wig & Makeup Artist Christina Whitaker, Wig & Makeup Artist Christian Ellesmere-Jones, Wig & Makeup Artist Tracy Swiatly, Wig & Makeup Artist Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Production Staff Johannes Pikel, Technical Director Bryan Huggett, Head Electrician Chris Barber, Audio Engineer

Our Professional Ensemble Bruce V. Benator, CPA, Managing Partner Kevin J. Hedrick, CPA, Partner Steven G. Horn, CPA, Partner Laura E. Speir, CPA, Partner Patricia A. Yeager, CPA, Partner

Certified Public Accountants and Consultants For over 25 years, the FIRM of CHOICE in Atlanta

NO rehearsals ONLY performances 1040 Crown Pointe Parkway, NE • Suite 400 • Atlanta, Georgia 30338 Phone: 770.512.0500 • www.wblcpa.com • Fax: 770.512.0200 Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Russell Bedford International

restaurant dining Listings Looking for a great night out? Try one of these local restaurants before or after the show. For Dinner and a Show packages, visit encoreatlanta.com/offers. Neighborhood codes: A–Alpharetta, B–Buckhead, DK-Dekalb, D–Downtown, DW-Dunwoody, IP–Inman Park, M—Midtown, OFW–Old Fourth Ward, P–Perimeter Mall area, SS–Sandy Springs, VH–Virginia-Highland, NA—North Atlanta, V—Vinings, W–Westside

American Lenox Square Grill offers breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. DJ every Friday and Saturday night til 2am. Private meeting rooms accommodate up to 150. 3393 Peachtree Rd. NE, 404-8412377, lenoxsquaregrill.com. B Livingston Restaurant and Bar It’s hard to beat the location (across from the Fox Theatre in the Georgian Terrace), and diners get complimentary parking, but the main attraction is the glamour of the main dining room, which has hosted the likes of Clark Gable, and the al fresco seating area, which is available in warm weather. 659 Peachtree St. NE, 404-897-5000, livingstonatlanta.com. M Lobby The menu focuses on seasonal fare at this sophisticated American restaurant in the lobby of TWELVE Atlantic Station. 361 17th St., 404-961-7370, lobbyattwelve.com. M ONE.midtown kitchen Dine on fresh, seasonal American cuisine in a club-like atmosphere near Piedmont Park. 559 Dutch Valley Rd., 404892-4111, onemidtownkitchen.com. M Murphy’s This restaurant has one of the city’s top brunch menus, but it’s known for great people-watching and its contemporary comfort food. 997 Virginia Ave., 404-872-0904, murphysvh.com. VH Taco Mac Atlanta’s favorite family friendly sports restaurant and bar since 1979. Consistently voted best wings and beer selection, Taco Mac has something for everyone. 25 metro Atlanta locations, including 933 Peachtree St. NE, blocks away from the Fox Theatre. 678-904-7211, tacomac.com. M

Two Urban Licks “Fiery” American cooking meets live music at this hip hangout. 820 Ralph McGill Blvd., 404-522-4622, twourbanlicks.com. M

American/steakhouse Joey D’s Oakroom Near Perimeter Mall, this stylish steak house has a staggering selection of spirits and a hot after-dinner singles scene. 1015 Crown Pointe Pkwy., 770-512-7063, centraarchy.com. P New York Prime A Prime Time Top 10 USDA Prime Steakhouse known for its wine list, atmosphere and world class service. 3424 Peachtree Rd. NE, 404-846-0644, centraarchy.com. B Prime Enjoy steak, sushi and seafood in a festive atmosphere near Lenox Mall. 3393 Peachtree Rd. NE, 404-812-0555, h2sr.com. B Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse A favorite local steak house with multiple locations near shopping and entertainment hotspots. Sides are generous, and the quality of the steaks and seafood is excellent. Three locations: Buckhead, 3285 Peachtree Rd. NE, 404-365-0660; Sandy Springs, 5788 Roswell Rd., 404-255-0035; Centennial Olympic Park, 267 Marietta St., 404-223-6500; ruthschris.com. B, SS, D The Tavern at Phipps This is one of Atlanta’s hottest after-work spots, and has been singled out for its happy hour and singles scene by Jezebel, InSite Magazine and the AOL City Guide. 3500 Peachtree Rd. NW, 404-814-9640, centraarchy.com. B

American/southern South City Kitchen With a stylish, Southerncontemporary menu, this DiRoNA restaurant helped make grits hip for the business crowd. Two locatons: Midtown: 1144 Crescent Ave.,

404-873-7358; Vinings: 1675 Cumberland Pkwy., 770-435-0700, southcitykitchen.com. M, V Terrace celebrates American heirloom recipes through supporting local and regional farmers, fisherman and producers. It recaptures pure flavors and tastes of natural and organic ingredients while bursting with delicious flavors. 176 Peachtree St. NW, 678-651-2770, ellishotel.com/terrace. D

asian fusion Aja Restaurant & Bar Serving modern Asian cuisine, Aja has a 150-seat patio overlooking Buckhead and a huge lounge, where diners nosh on dim sum and sip mai tais. 3500 Lenox Rd., Ste. 100, 404-231-0001, h2sr.com. B

brew pub/goUrmet pub fare Gordon Biersch Fresh-brewed beers are a tasty accent to this brewery-restaurant’s hearty pizzas, salads and sandwiches. For a small fee, preshow diners can leave cars in the lot while they’re at the Fox. Two locations: Midtown: 848 Peachtree St. NE, 404-870-0805; Buckhead: 3242 Peachtree Rd. NE, 404-264-0253, gordonbiersch.com. M, B Tap A gastropub offering easy-to-share pub fare and an extensive beer selection. The patio is a great place to chill after work. 1180 Peachtree St., 404-347-2220, tapat1180.com. M

creole/cajun Parish New Orleans-inspired dishes served with a modern twist and a fully stocked raw bar; a Nawlins-inspired brunch is served on the weekends. Downstairs, a take-away market sells sandwiches, spices, pastries and beverages. 240 N. Highland Ave., 404-681-4434, parishatl.com. IP

european fusion Ecco Esquire Magazine named this casual, European-influenced bistro a “Best New Restaurant in America.” It’s also gotten raves for its killer wine list, wood-fired pizzas, and impressive meat and cheese menus. 40 Seventh St. NE, 404347-9555, ecco-atlanta.com. M

italian Medici In the typical Tuscan spirit; our menu is flexible, abundant and the portions are generous. Wide selection of antipasti, insalata e zuppes, pastas, hand tossed pizza and the well renamed bistecches. Perfect for any occasion; Business meetings or romantic dinner. 2450 Galleria Parkway, 770-953-4500, renaissancewaverly.com. V

mediterranean/latin/asian fusion Shout A young crowd keeps Shout’s rooftop lounge hopping every night. The menu reflects a mix of Mediterranean, Far Eastern and South American influences. 1197 Peachtree St. NE, 404846-2000, h2sr.com. M

MEXICAN Cantina Tequila & Tapas Bar is located in the Terminus building on the corner of Peachtree and Piedmont roads. It features authentic Mexican cuisine and has become Buckhead’s newest watering hole. 3280 Peachtree Rd. NW, Terminus 100, Ste. 150, 404-892-9292, h2sr.com. B El Taco An eco-friendly watering hole serving fresh Mexican food made with all-natural meats and killer margaritas. 1186 N. Highland Ave. NE, 404-873-4656, eltaco-atlanta.com.VH Nava offers a Southwestern experience with flavorful cuisine, bold design and striking architecture. Don’t miss out every Wednesday for Party on the Patio with live music, $5 signature margaritas and appetizers. 3060 Peachtree Rd., 404-240-1984, buckheadrestaurants.com. B

seafood/sushi Coast Seafood and Raw Bar serves Atlanta’s freshest seafood and island cocktails. The menu incorporates classics including crab and corn hush puppies, a signature seafood boil, and a variety of raw or steamed oysters, clams and mussels; along with signature fresh catch entrees. 111 W. Paces Ferry Rd. NW, 404-869-0777, h2sr.com. B

steak/sushi Goldfish This fun seafood/sushi restaurant has Happy Hour specials Mon-Fri and nightly entertainment in its lounge. 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., 770-671-0100, h2sr.com. P Room This elegant restaurant serves steak and sushi on the ground floor of the TWELVE Centennial Park hotel. 400 W. Peachtree St., 404-418-1250, roomattwelve.com. D Strip This sophisticated steak, seafood and sushi restaurant offers an in-house DJ and a rooftop deck. Atlantic Station at 18th St., 404385-2005, h2sr.com. M Twist This lively restaurant has a huge bar, satay station, tapas menu, sushi and seafood dishes; patio seating is first-come, first-served. 3500 Peachtree Rd. NW, 404-869-1191, h2sr.com. B