Minnesota Opera's The Fix

WORLD PREMIERE

MARCH 16–24

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MISSION Minnesota Opera changes lives by bringing together artists, audiences, and community, advancing the art of opera for today and for future generations.

VISION Minnesota Opera will sing every story.

VALUES Innovation, Inclusivity, Collaboration, Purpose As part of the Project Opera program, over 60 kids spent more than 300 hours creating and presenting two operas this past February, Brundibár and Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers. © Sigrid Redpath

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MINNESOTA OPERA MNOPERA.ORG

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WELCOME

RYAN TAYLOR PRESIDENT AND GENERAL DIRECTOR

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F E A T U R E S

elcome to the world premiere of Minnesota Opera’s The Fix, a brand new opera by composer Joel Puckett and librettist Eric Simonson. The Fix is a product of our New Works Initiative, a pioneering movement in new opera that continues to invigorate the operatic art form and demonstrates our commitment to offering audiences new works that add a distinct American voice to the standard repertory. Next season, we’ll continue to tell stories and take risks with one of our boldest, most exciting seasons to date starting in October with Strauss’ reimagined, shadowy Greek tragedy, Elektra. Perfect for the holiday season, Rossini’s instantly recognizable music sparkles in his razor-sharp, comedic masterpiece, The Barber of Seville. Touching down in January is Jonathan Dove’s Flight, a charming dramedy all about what it means to make real connections. In March, Edward Tulane, a true Minnesota original based on the book by local author Kate DiCamillo will enthrall both the young and young at heart.

Closing the season in May is Mozart’s smart and otherworldly opera, Don Giovanni, not seen on our stage in more than a decade. We look forward to seeing you in October for another season of opera and we hope you enjoy the show!

CO N T E N TS

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The Fix

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Synopsis

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eet the Composer: M Joel Puckett

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About the Opera

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Director’s Notes

13 Meet MN Opera

Director’s Notes • 12 The Fix’s librettist and stage director Eric Simonson gives us his insight into bringing this larger-than-life story from the page to the stage.

2019–2020 Season • 20 Our 57th season is all about telling stories and taking risks. We hope you’ll join us for another exciting season of world-class opera made here in Minnesota.

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Cast and Creative Team

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rchestra, Chorus, Dancers, O and Supernumeraries

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eet the Artist: M Joshua Dennis

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A Day at the Opera

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Summer Education Camps

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La Traviata Preview

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Resident Artist Jukebox

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2019–2020 Season

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N Opera Board of Directors, M Staff, and Volunteers

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Upcoming Events

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MN Opera Information

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Individual Giving

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Special Giving

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Institutional Giving

28 Remembering Dominick Argento LARGE-PRINT AND BRAILLE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PATRON SERVICES OFFICE.

Remembering Dominick Argento • 28 We pay tribute to composer Dominick Argento, whose extraordinary music and kind spirit have left an indelible mark on both MN Opera and our cultural community.

@MNOPERA

F L X : I I

BROADWAY AT THE ORDWAY A NEW MUSICAL LOVINGLY RIPPED OFF FROM THE MOTION PICTURE

MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL

APR 2–7 JUN 12–23

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT Spamalot sponsored by

6 5 1 . 2 2 4 . 4 2 2 2

Broadway Series sponsored by

Bat Out of Hell presented by

MUSIC BY

LIBRETTO BY

Joel Puckett

Eric Simonson

WORLD PREMIERE AT ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, SAINT PAUL, MARCH 16, 2019 SUNG IN ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH CAPTIONS PROJECTED ABOVE THE STAGE COMMISSIONED BY MN OPERA AS PART OF ITS NEW WORKS INITIATIVE

CAST

CREATIVE TEAM

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

CIVILIANS

Conductor, Ruth and John Huss Chair

“Shoeless” Joe Jackson

Katie Jackson

TI M OTHY M Y E R S

J OS H UA D E N NIS

JAS MIN E HA BE R SHA M

Stage Director

Arnold “Chick” Gandil

Ring Lardner

E R I C SI M ON SON

W EI W U

KELLY MA R KGR A F •

Scenic Design

Eddie Cicotte

Hugh Fullerton

WA LT SPA N GL E R

C A LV I N G R IF F IN

D EN N IS PE TE R SE N

Costume Design

Claude “Lefty” Williams

Alfred Austrian, Esq.

TR E VOR BOW E N

S ID N EY O U T L AW

BENJA MIN SI E V E R D I N G •

Lighting Design

George “Buck” Weaver

Bodyguard

R OBE RT W I E R Z E L

C H R IST I A N T H URSTO N +

WM. CL AY THOM P SON +

Hair and Makeup Design

Oscar “Happy” Felsch

P R I SC I L L A BR U C E

Charles “Swede” Risberg

Sidney Stajer / Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis

C H R IST I A N SA ND ERS +

CH RIST IAN Z A R E M BA •

Associate Stage Director

Fred McMullin

George Gorman

D OU G SC HOL Z- C A R L SON

N IC H O L AS DAV IS +

CH ARL ES E ATON

Ray “Cracker” Schalk

Judge Hugo Friend

Assistant Conductor and Chorus Master

ST E P H EN M A RT IN +

B RIA N WALL I N

A N D R E W W HI TF I E L D

Charles Comiskey

Boy

Assistant Director

DAV I D WA LTO N •

W M . C L AY T H OMPS O N +

LIA M BECK- O' SU L L I VA N

Choreographer HE I D I SP E SA R D - N OBL E

A DA M DA R OS +

Répétiteurs GAMBLERS

MINNESOTA OPERA MNOPERA.ORG

Bill “Sleepy” Burns

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A N D R E W W I L KOWS KE •

Arnold Rothstein C H A R L ES EATO N

Abe Attell B R I A N WA L L IN

M A RY BOX + , A L L E N P E R R I E L LO, A N D R E W SU N +

Fight Choreographer TOM R I N GBE R G

Diction Coach K E E LY WOLTE R

Production Stage Manager K E R RY M ASE K

English Surtitles E R I C SI M ON SON

+MINNESOTA OPERA RESIDENT ARTIST •MINNESOTA OPERA RESIDENT ARTIST ALUM

BASEBALL’S

G R E AT E S T

SEASON SPONSOR

SCANDAL NEW WORKS INITIATIVE Margaret Wurtele, Chair

Robert Marx

Karen Bachman

Kay Ness

Alberto Castillo

Jenny Lind Nilsson

Burt Cohen

Elizabeth Redleaf

Jane Confer

Linda Singh

Judy Dayton

David Smith

Jock Donaldson

Norrie Thomas

John Huss

Mary Vaughan

Ruth Huss

Bernt von Ohlen

Diane Jacobson Minnesota Opera recognizes our New Works Initiative members' leadership and generosity.

provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, and Amphion Foundation.

ESTIMATED RUNNING TIME The running time is two hours and 15 minutes with one intermission occurring approximately 60 minutes into the opera.

Minnesota Opera is a nonprofit charitable organization that relies on your support. • mnopera.org/donate

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION SUPPORT

THE FIX 2018–19

EVER

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SYNOPSIS

ACT I "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, star slugger for the Chicago White Sox, is scolded by his wife, Katie, for signing a contract against his interests. She reminds him he is far too trusting of others.

Months later, the White Sox team looks forward to the World Series.

Ring Lardner, optimistic reporter, extols the virtues of the “best team in the history of baseball” while his cynical counterpart, Hugh Fullerton, digs for dirt. Ace pitcher “Lefty” Williams pulls Joe aside and encourages him to consider a plan to “set things right” with cheapskate owner Charles Comiskey.

In New York, professional gambler Bill “Sleepy” Burns works with mobster Abe Attell to finance throwing the Series, while in Chicago eight players meet to discuss joining the conspiracy.

Joe, the deciding vote, reluctantly agrees, and the fix is on.

MINNESOTA OPERA MNOPERA.ORG

Just before the first game, Ring and Hugh discuss rumors that the Sox will throw the Series. Ring refuses to believe it and waxes poetic about the virtues of “Shoeless” Joe. His spirits dampen when Sox ace pitcher, Eddie Cicotte, hits the first player up to bat.

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lose. “Lefty,” scheduled to pitch the next game, agrees to throw the game, and the Sox lose the Series.

ACT II A year later, the Sox are, once again, headed for the World Series.

But the mood is different. Rumors of a fix the previous year have cast a dark cloud over the team.

Despite having the best season of his career, Joe is consumed with guilt. His co-conspirators insist he keep his mouth shut.

Comiskey and lawyer Alfred Austrian meet newly elected baseball commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who vows to scrub gambling from the sport. Alone, the two chiefs predict the demise of their all-star team, but see an opportunity to replenish their roster with young and inexpensive sluggers.

At a bar, Joe runs into Ring. He shames Joe, who runs home to Katie and confesses. Katie persuades Joe to come clean to Austrian and the public, and the “Black Sox Scandal” is blown wide open.

At a sensational trial, the eight accused players face the scorn of Comiskey and the press. The public, however, is on the players’

side, and when a not guilty verdict is delivered, most celebrate. Katie and Joe’s reprieve is short-lived as Commissioner Landis declares the conspiring players banned from baseball for life, effectively ending their careers.

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A boy from squalor, who made it big on nothing short of a dream.

In an epilogue years later, Ray Schalk — now a baseball scout — runs into Ring, who has become an alcoholic and is suffering from tuberculosis. Ray tells him a story of running into Joe, now manager of a small dry goods store in South Carolina. In a flashback, we see Joe—run down and looking much older than his years—ashamed to recognize and acknowledge his former teammate.

Embracing the irony of the moment, Ring once again opines about the Joe that once was a boy from squalor, who made it big on nothing short of a dream.

Four games into the Series, the Sox are down three games to one.

But Joe is having second thoughts.

“It’s hard to play bad,” he tells “Lefty.” He convinces him that they and the others should, from now on, play to win.

At a Chicago bar, the Sox celebrate their second win in a row. Abe and Sleepy, nervous the Sox have gone against their word, threaten Joe with Katie’s life if the Sox don’t

CHICAGO WHITE SOX, 1918 © HERITAGE AUCTIONS. FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

STORY OF 1919

Meet theComposer

BLACK SOX SCANDAL STILL

“Regardless of the verdict of juries, no player that throws a ballgame, no player that undertakes or promises to throw a ballgame, no player that sits in a conference with a bunch of crooked players and gamblers where the ways and means of throwing games are planned and discussed and does not promptly tell his club about it, will ever play professional baseball,” Landis said. “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and other players admitted taking bribes to throw the 1919 World Series, and in an interview with Sports Illustrated in 1956, Arnold “Chick” Gandil admitted: “I was a ringleader.” After the players' confessions, Chicago Daily News writer Charley Owens wrote a heartfelt piece with the headline: “Say It Ain’t So, Joe,” that became an enduring sentiment regarding the scandal.

This story of class struggle continues to play out in the ongoing debate of the White Sox’s legacy. Some believe the players admirably fought against oppressive leadership and sympathize with the difficult position they were purportedly stuck in. Sox owner Charles Comiskey was known to be stingy with his players, even charging them 25 cents to clean their uniforms. In protest, many of them refused to pay, thus earning them the early nickname “Black Sox.” Looking back, who was right and who was wrong? According to Judge Landis and the other professional baseball authorities, the players are to blame for the lingering kerfuffle. Despite requests for reinstatement in the decades that followed (particularly in the case of “Shoeless” Joe Jackson), the players’ bans from professional baseball and the Baseball Hall of Fame remain in force.

The Fix offers a nuanced telling of the complex and engrossing tragedy of disenfranchised players exploited by those in power. Depicting the extremes of the human experience and the race to a tragic end, the story winningly harnesses the dramatic power of the operatic art form resulting in a thrilling new addition to the operatic canon.

Joel Puckett is one of the most performed composers in America. Hailed as “visionary” (Washington Post) and “an astonishingly original voice” (Philadelphia Inquirer), his music has been performed by the leading artists of our day and is consistently recognized by organizations such as the American Composers Forum, BMI, Chorus America, National Public Radio, and the American Bandmasters Association. Puckett's earlier commissions have been premiered and performed worldwide, to exuberant critical acclaim. His flute concerto, The Shadow of Sirius, premiered in 2010 and has received more than 200 performances and been recorded multiple times, including 2015's Naxos Surround Sound disc, "Shadow of Sirius," which received a 2016 Grammy Nomination. Currently a Department Chair at The Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Puckett presents workshops nationwide and frequently serves as an adjudicator at competitions for rising composers. The Fix is his first opera.

Why did you feel this story was important to tell through opera?

JP This story has everything one expects from grand opera: legendary heroes with massive character flaws, villains, love, greed, betrayal. In short, this story was already an opera, it just needed some music!

How would you describe the music? What can audiences expect to hear?

JP This show’s music, like its story, is filled with hope and melancholic poetry, mixed with hints of nostalgia appropriate for these tragic figures.

There are moments of intense intimacy, with only a few instruments accompanying the singers, and there are also huge, majestic and cinematic moments. As much as this music is a love letter to these characters, it is also my love letter to opera, in general.

Who are some of your musical influences in this piece?

JP I have always loved the operas of Mozart, Puccini, and Britten. More recently,

I have fallen in love with the works of our modern masters: Bolcom—with whom I studied, Puts, Higdon, Sondheim, and Benjamin, just to name a few.

Do you have a favorite baseball team or cherished baseball memory?

JP July 4, 1985. My hometown Atlanta Braves were playing the New York Mets and my father took me to the game. The game was wild. It featured several rain delays, went 19 innings, a relief pitcher hit a homer in the 18th inning, and it ended at 3:55AM. And, as promised, the Braves shot off 4th of July fireworks after the last out. What makes this even better is that ESPN Classic shows this game every year on July 4th. And at the end of the game, you can see my Dad and me sitting right behind home plate for the last pitch.

❝

The story of resentment, revenge, and ambition gone awry captivated the nation and continues to stir curiosity and debate.

Minnesota Opera is a nonprofit charitable organization that relies on your support. • mnopera.org/donate

In August of 1921, eight White Sox players charged with throwing the 1919 World Series were acquitted by a 12-man jury that deliberated just two hours, 47 minutes. But the acquittal served only as a reprieve from legal ramifications for the players associated with the “Black Sox Scandal.” A day after their acquittal, baseball Commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis ruled the players allegedly involved would be banned for life from organized baseball. The story of resentment, revenge, and ambition gone awry captivated the nation and continues to stir curiosity and debate.

THE FIX 2018–19

R E S O N AT E S

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DIRECTOR'S NOTES

T

he scandal of the Chicago White Sox and the 1919 World Series is now nearly one hundred years old, but it hasn’t left the collective subconscious of America. People still write and talk about the eight players who conspired to throw the World Series for financial gain.

It’s a story of terrific resonance, played out by heroes and villains; people with good and bad intentions and, most significantly, those caught in between. At the center, the story is “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, a person who, over the years, has garnered more sympathy than scorn.

MINNESOTA OPERA MNOPERA.ORG

And for good reason. Jackson’s lifetime batting average was .356, the third best in Major League history. Some consider him the greatest all-around player of all time. For sports fans, the fact that Jackson was banned from baseball at the height of his career and has never been (and probably will never be) admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame is tragedy enough. For everyone else — those not interested in baseball or

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sports in general — Joe Jackson’s downfall still resonates because, regardless of what he did for a living, his story is all too human.

We all make mistakes. Sometimes we own up to them. Often times we are forgiven by those we’ve offended. But very few of us err under the intense spotlight of the world stage. Jackson was born and raised in South Carolina, and he was uneducated, essentially illiterate. When he came to Chicago to play for the Sox, he was unfamiliar with the ways of the big city, unaccustomed to conmen and swindlers. Some of these came in the guise of Front Office reps, who manipulated Joe into signing contracts against his interests. Others were simply grifters and gamblers who had a habit of hanging around marks with too much money on their hands. Still others, unfortunately, were Jackson’s teammates.

Joe trusted his friends. In general, he trusted too much. And this was his flaw. In most instances, faith in friends is a virtue, but in the tall weeds of American commerce and industry, it can be deadly. And for Joe, it was.

Though he lived until 64, he might as well have died the day he was banned from baseball.

After he stopped playing, he was relegated to a life managing a small country store in South Carolina, an occupation far removed from his God-given talents and life’s purpose. He so loved baseball, in fact, anything else must have felt to him like the equivalent of purgatory.

And so in this rendering of the Chicago “Black Sox Scandal,” we mourn Joe Jackson. In this opera — a consummate, singular and American expression brilliantly conceived by composer Joel Puckett — The Fix is not so much an accounting of a salacious scandal, but an elegy that elicits our sympathies, and rouses the pangs that remind us our heroes are not as different from the rest of us.

ERIC SIMONSON LIBRETTIST & STAGE DIRECTOR

SET RENDERINGS BY WALT SPANGLER

MEET MN OPERA

JAMIE ANDREWS CHIEF LEARNING OFFICER

What I do:

Why I’m excited for The Fix:

I engage students of all ages with opera. I work with the other Education Department staff members and dozens of local Teaching Artists to create meaningful opportunities for our community to connect with the art form of opera and our company, through afterschool classes, summer camps, Creative Aging programs, among many others.

I have a particular affinity to new opera. It’s what really pulled me and has nourished me as a fan of the art form. And then to combine it with another passion of mine — baseball.

What could be better?

ROXANNE STOUFFER-CRUZ What I do:

Why I’m excited for The Fix:

My responsibilities include arranging housing and travel for visiting cast and artistic staff as well as preparing visa petitions for the international artists.

I handle all communications with our orchestra, issuing musician contracts, and organizing and managing auditions.

I’m also responsible for preparing our English captions, which are projected above the stage for every production.

I’m proud of MN Opera’s commitment to new works and love the air of anticipation and excitement that surrounds each world premiere.

Having heard the music in workshops, and seen the set design, I can’t wait to see this compelling story come to life on stage.

ROCKY JONES COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

What I do:

Why I’m excited for The Fix:

My primary duty is to expand the MN Opera community by creating opera content that’s (with any luck) engaging, informative, and aesthetically pleasing.

On any given day, you might find me shooting an interview with a singer, editing footage for a TV commercial, creating and scheduling social media posts, or curating content for a show program—like the one you’re reading now!

I was lucky enough to be able to see the final workshop in November, and I thought the story was really moving and the music was absolutely gorgeous. So now I’m excited to see it all put together with sets, costumes, and lighting. Plus, my dad is an operalover who’s big into baseball, so I’m hopeful someday soon I can share this opera with him.

Minnesota Opera is a nonprofit charitable organization that relies on your support. • mnopera.org/donate

COMPANY MANAGER

THE FIX 2018–19

Meet MN Opera

Minnesota Opera’s dedicated staff of artists, craftspeople, and administrators are passionate about bringing worldclass opera and opera education programs to Minnesota.

Recently, we sat down with three of them to learn more about what they do at the Opera and why they’re excited for the world premiere of The Fix.

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C A S T + C R E AT I V E T E A M

LIAM BECK-O’SULLIVAN BOY

APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA

Minnesota Opera Debut Past Mary Poppins, Artistry Beauty and the Beast, Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota The Music Man, Artistry Billy Elliot: The Musical, Children's Castle Theater

Future Mary Poppins, Eastview High School Performing Arts

CALVIN GRIFFIN EDDIE CICOTTE COLUMBUS, OHIO

Minnesota Opera Debut Fellow Travelers, 2018

Past Le nozze di Figaro, Florida Grand Opera Carmen, Atlanta Opera Before Night Falls, Florida Grand Opera Il barbiere di Siviglia, Arizona Opera

Future Il barbiere di Siviglia, Wolf Trap Opera L'heure espagnole, Wolf Trap Opera Le nozze di Figaro, Florentine Opera

TREVOR BOWEN

JASMINE HABERSHAM

ALTUS, OKLAHOMA

MACON, GEORGIA

COSTUME DESIGN

Minnesota Opera Debut Fellow Travelers, 2018

Past Last Stop on Market Street, Children’s Theatre Company The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Seattle Children’s Theatre Sweat, Asolo Repertory Theatre

Future Brother’s Paranormal, Penumbra Theater Bloodknot, Pillsbury House True West, Steppenwolf Theatre

KATIE JACKSON

Minnesota Opera Debut Fellow Travelers, 2018

Past Moby Dick, Utah Opera Out of Darkness: Two Remain, The Atlanta Opera Die Zauberflöte, Cincinnati Opera Porgy and Bess, Utah Festival Opera

Future Porgy and Bess, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Carmen, Gran Teatre del Liceu

NICHOLAS DAVIS

KELLY MARKGRAF

PETERSBURG, TENNESSEE

CEDARBURG, WISCONSIN

FRED MCMULLIN

Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Past The Italian Straw Hat, Minnesota Opera Silent Night, Minnesota Opera Fellow Travelers, Minnesota Opera Porgy and Bess, Seattle Opera

Future La Traviata, Minnesota Opera

RING LARDNER

Minnesota Opera Debut The Grapes of Wrath, 2007

Past (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, Santa Fe Opera As One, San Diego Opera West Side Story, NHK Symphony Tokyo The Grapes of Wrath, Minnesota Opera

Future Concert Soloist, Da Camera L'enfant et les sortilèges, San Francisco Symphony

JOSHUA DENNIS

STEPHEN MARTIN

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN

“SHOELESS” JOE JACKSON Minnesota Opera Debut Roméo et Juliette, 2016

Past Rigoletto, Minnesota Opera West Side Story, Opera Idaho Roméo et Juliette, Utah Opera Abduction from the Seraglio, New Orleans Opera

Future

RAY “CRACKER” SCHALK Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Past The Italian Straw Hat, Minnesota Opera La Rondine, Minnesota Opera Silent Night, The Glimmerglass Festival La Traviata, Sarasota Opera

Future La Traviata, Minnesota Opera

MINNESOTA OPERA MNOPERA.ORG

The Thirteenth Child, Santa Fe Opera

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CHARLES EATON

ARNOLD ROTHSTEIN/ GEORGE GORMAN STORRS, CONNECTICUT

Minnesota Opera Debut Silent Night, 2018

Past Il barbiere di Siviglia, NYC Opera (in Bryant Park) Silent Night, The Glimmerglass Festival Carmen, Madison Opera A Little Night Music, Des Moines Metro Opera

Future Hérodiade, New Amsterdam Opera Showboat, The Glimmerglass Festival The Ghosts of Versailles, The Glimmerglass Festival

TIMOTHY MYERS CONDUCTOR

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

Minnesota Opera Debut Past Silent Night, Austin Opera Salome, Florida Grand Opera Sweeney Todd, Atlanta Opera West Side Story, Houston Grand Opera

Future The Pearl Fishers, Santa Fe Opera Don Quichotte, Wexford Festival Opera Carmen, Pittsburgh Opera Turandot, Austin Opera

C A S T + C R E AT I V E T E A M

SIDNEY OUTLAW

ERIC SIMONSON

BREVARD, NORTH CAROLINA

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

CLAUDE “LEFTY” WILLIAMS Minnesota Opera Debut Fellow Travelers, 2018

Past Yardbird, Atlanta Opera The Shining Brow, Urban Arias Roméo et Juliette, Madison Opera The Death of Klinghoffer, The Metropolitan Opera

Future Così fan tutte, Mill City Summer Opera Billy Budd, San Francisco Opera Fellow Travelers, Madison Opera Messiah, National Symphony Orchestra

STAGE DIRECTOR/LIBRETTIST Minnesota Opera Debut Die Zauberflöte, 1991

Past The Grapes of Wrath, Minnesota Opera Silent Night, Minnesota Opera The Shining, Minnesota Opera

Future Lindiwe and the Keeper, Steppenwolf Theatre Edward Tulane, Minnesota Opera

DENNIS PETERSEN

WALT SPANGLER

FARMINGTON, MINNESOTA

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

HUGH FULLERTON

Minnesota Opera Debut Der fliegende Holländer, 1992

Past The Italian Straw Hat, Minnesota Opera Dead Man Walking, Minnesota Opera Das Rheingold, Arizona Opera Das Lied von der Erde, University of Iowa

Future

SCENIC DESIGN

Minnesota Opera Debut Past Don Giovanni, Lyric Opera of Chicago The Bonesetter’s Daughter, San Francisco Opera The Coronation of Poppea, English National Opera La Traviata, Lithuanian National Opera

Future

The Grapes of Wrath, Michigan Opera Theatre

Edward Tulane, Minnesota Opera Escape to Margaritaville, US National Tour

CHRISTIAN SANDERS

HEIDI SPESARD-NOBLE

WESTCLIFFE, COLORADO

SHELBYVILLE, ILLINOIS

CHARLES “SWEDE” RISBERG Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Past The Italian Straw Hat, Minnesota Opera Silent Night, Minnesota Opera La Rondine, Minnesota Opera West Side Story, The Glimmerglass Festival

Future La Traviata, Minnesota Opera

CHOREOGRAPHER

Minnesota Opera Debut The Merry Widow, 2002

Past The Italian Straw Hat, Minnesota Opera La Rondine, Minnesota Opera Thaïs, Minnesota Opera Legally Blonde, Artistry

Future La Traviata, Minnesota Opera

DOUG SCHOLZ-CARLSON

WM. CLAY THOMPSON

NORTHFIELD, MINNESOTA

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

La Cenerentola, 1997

Past Silent Night, Minnesota Opera Romeo et Juliette, Austin Opera Lucia di Lammermoor, Pittsburgh Opera La fanciulla del West, Minnesota Opera

Future

Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Past Silent Night, Minnesota Opera Thaïs, Minnesota Opera The Cunning Little Vixen, The Glimmerglass Festival Rigoletto, Minnesota Opera

Future La Traviata, Minnesota Opera

Cymbeline, Great River Shakespeare Festival

BENJAMIN SIEVERDING

CHRISTIAN THURSTON

SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA

ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND

ALFRED AUSTRIAN, ESQ. Minnesota Opera Debut Ariadne auf Naxos, 2015

Past Così fan tutte, Opera in the Heights Die Zauberflöte, Lakes Area Music Festival Carmen, Mill City Summer Opera Dead Man Walking, Minnesota Opera

Future Companionship, Fort Worth Opera

GEORGE “BUCK” WEAVER

Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Past The Italian Straw Hat, Minnesota Opera Silent Night, Minnesota Opera Madama Butterfly, New Zealand Opera Le nozze di Figaro, Minnesota Opera

Future La Traviata, Minnesota Opera

Minnesota Opera is a nonprofit charitable organization that relies on your support. • mnopera.org/donate

Minnesota Opera Debut

CHARLES COMISKEY/BODYGUARD

THE FIX 2018–19

ASSOCIATE STAGE DIRECTOR

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C A S T + C R E AT I V E T E A M

BRIAN WALLIN

ABE ATTELL/JUDGE HUGO FRIEND NEW BRIGHTON, MINNESOTA

Minnesota Opera Debut Past La Traviata, Palm Beach Opera West Side Story, Atlanta Opera West Side Story, Lyric Opera of Kansas City Silent Night, The Glimmerglass Festival

Future St. Matthew Passion, Shreveport Symphony Orchestra L’enfant et les sortilèges, Pacific Symphony The Ghosts of Versailles, The Glimmerglass Festival

ORCHESTRA, CHORUS, + SUPERNUMERARIES

MINNESOTA OPERA ORCHESTRA VIOLIN I Allison Ostrander Concertmaster Natalia Moiseeva Asst. Concertmaster Julia Persitz David Mickens Colin McGuire

DAVID WALTON

OSCAR “HAPPY” FELSCH NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Minnesota Opera Debut La fanciulla del West, 2014

Angela Waterman Hanson

Future Companionship, Ft. Worth Opera Fidelio, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Ariadne auf Naxos, Cincinnati Opera Glory Denied, Union Avenue Opera

ROBERT WIERZEL LIGHTING DESIGN

BRANFORD, CONNECTICUT

HORN

Teresa Richardson*

Timothy Bradley*

Sally Gibson Dorer

Chuck Hodgson

Kirsten Whitson

Ronald Beitel

Diane Tremaine

Jenna McBride-Harris

Benjamin Osterhouse

TRUMPET BASS

John G. Koopmann*

John Michael Smith* Kenneth and Peggy Bonneville Chair

Christopher Volpe

Maisie Block Emilia Mettenbrink

Charles Block

Past Dinner at Eight, Minnesota Opera A Thousand Splendid Suns, San Francisco Opera Ever After, Alliance Theatre Company Silent Night, Washington National Opera

Future Hamlet, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Jubilee, Arena Stage Blue, The Glimmerglass Festival The Ghosts of Versailles, The Glimmerglass Festival

TROMBONE Phillip Ostrander*

FLUTE Michele Frisch*

John Tranter David Stevens

Amy Morris

TIMPANI

VIOLIN II Laurie Petruconis* Elizabeth Decker Melinda Marshall Elise Parker Huldah Niles

OBOE Jeffrey Marshak

CLARINET

David Block

Karrin Meffert-Nelson*

Carol Lebovic

Nina Olsen (double bass clarinet)

Emily Hagen* John+ and Nina Archabal Chair Susan Janda Laurel Browne

PERCUSSION Steve Kimball*

Emily Saathoff

VIOLA

Kory Andry*

Michael Dayton*

Minnesota Opera Debut The Turn of the Screw, 1999

Jonathan Brandt

Constance Martin

Heidi Amundson

Past Don Pasquale, Minnesota Opera La fille du régiment, Opera Carolina Il barbiere di Siviglia, The Glimmerglass Festival Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Madison Opera

CELLO

Joel Alexander Adam Rappel

HARP Min J. Kim*

BASSOON Laurie Hatcher Merz* Eric and Celita Levinson Chair

KEYBOARD Andrew Sun

Matthew Bertrand

Anne Ainomäe Coca Bochonko Matthew Mindeman

ANDREW WILKOWSKE BILL “SLEEPY” BURNS WILLMAR, MINNESOTA

Minnesota Opera Debut Transatlantic, 1998

Past Silent Night, Minnesota Opera Silent Night, Austin Opera Don Pasquale, Minnesota Opera Don Pasquale, Fort Worth Opera

Future

CHORUS Danielle Beckvermit• Bernice/Patron #2 Brian Haase Bailiff/Bartender

Le nozze di Figaro, Cincinnati Opera Così fan tutte, Mill City Summer Opera St. Matthew Passion, Shreveport Symphony Orchestra

Joel Mathias Jury Foreman/ Juror #1

Colyn Tvete Umpire/Patron #3/ Juror #2

Phillip Takemura-Sears Ben Short/Patron #1

WEI WU

ARNOLD “CHICK” GANDIL BEIJING, CHINA

Minnesota Opera Debut Past (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, Santa Fe Opera The Barber of Seville, Washington National Opera Turandot, Pittsburgh Opera Madama Butterfly, The Princeton Festival

DANCERS Michelle de Joya

Jordan Omeish

Alejandra Iannone

Brittany Wilson (Dance Captain)

MINNESOTA OPERA MNOPERA.ORG

Future

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Tosca, Washington National Opera

SUPERNUMERARIES Lois Estell

CHRISTIAN ZAREMBA

SIDNEY STAJER/JUDGE KENESAW MOUNTAIN LANDIS

Scott Herman Tom Ringberg Tia Tanzer

RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY

Minnesota Opera Debut Manon Lescaut, 2013

Past Tosca, Metropolitan Opera Gianni Schicchi, Metropolitan Opera Rigoletto, Michigan Opera Theatre La bohème, Portland Opera

Future Les pêcheurs de perles, Lyric Opera of Kansas City Rigoletto, Opera Theater of St. Louis Agrippina, Metropolitan Opera Die Zauberflöte, Opera de Montreal

KEY * principal + in memoriam •MN Opera Resident Artist

MEET THE ARTIST

MeettheArtist

JOSHUA DENNIS AS “SHOELESS” JOE JACKSON

JD I remember hearing the Three Tenors on a commercial when I was a very young child and being drawn to the voices. It wasn’t until probably my twenties that I started actually listening to opera, and it didn’t take long until I caught the opera bug.

Once it hits you, you’re stuck with it.

Do you have a favorite opera?

JD I would say almost anything Puccini. I love La bohème and Tosca.

They make me feel so many emotions.

JD Conflicted, talented, and humble.

What is it like portraying a historical figure? How is your approach different as opposed to when you portray a fictional character?

JD We know what Joe looked like.

We know what his batting stance was. We know what his dialect would be. Since he’s a figure in recent history, I had to do a lot less guesswork about who he might be, but there was still a lot out there to discover.

sides with the everyday man who is getting exploited by the richest people, and I think that is a huge issue in the US today.

Are you a baseball fan? Do you have a favorite team?

JD Since I grew up in Sacramento, my team is the San Francisco Giants.

Ever since I started traveling almost full time, however, I’ve stopped watching sports. I wish I could find the time to watch a game or two.

When you’re not performing, how do you like to spend your time?

JD I like a good mixture of being

What have been some of the joys and challenges of singing this role so far?

JD The music is amazingly beautiful.

It’s been such an honor to have a small part in this giant creation. The music is pretty challenging to sing, but it’s still a joy!

What are some of the themes in this opera that you think will resonate most with audiences?

JD I think it’s interesting that

the issue of corporate greed is so relevant today while we are doing this show. It deals with what lengths people will go to get themselves out of poverty. In this show, the American public

active and leisure. I’ll hike with my wife and our Great Dane puppy.

I love to cook. Relaxing at home, when you’re on the road, is such a luxury. Being home feels like vacation has started.

What are some of your favorite things to do while you’re in Minnesota?

JD The food scene in Minnesota

is amazing. I actually love coming to rehearsals, because everyone at this company has become part of my family. And, hopefully, this year I’ll have time to see a Timberwolves game and see some comedy shows!

Minnesota Opera is a nonprofit charitable organization that relies on your support. • mnopera.org/donate

When and how did you first fall in love with opera?

Describe “Shoeless” Joe Jackson in 3 words?

THE FIX 2018–19

A favorite of MN Opera audiences, in-demand tenor Joshua Dennis has quickly made a name for himself as a versatile and wildly talented performer. In the past few seasons alone, he’s sung roles at the Ordway as demanding and varied as the lovesick Romeo of 2016’s Romeo and Juliet and the dastardly Duke in last season’s Rigoletto. This season, we couldn’t be happier to have him back for the world premiere of The Fix, debuting the role of “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, the star outfielder of the 1919 Chicago White Sox who finds himself embroiled in a nationwide scandal.

Recently, he sat down with us to discuss “Shoeless” Joe, his approach to portraying a historical figure, and what he likes to do in his downtime.

17

Career Day at the Opera

Vocational training for aspiring opera singers grades 9–12

Begin the journey of becoming an opera singer with Day at the Opera! The afternoon includes the opportunity to participate in a vocal masterclass, learn about how to prepare for an audition, tour the scene and costume shops, and meet the people integral to creating a professional opera. A question and answer session with Minnesota Opera’s Resident Artists will provide an opportunity for students to ask about colleges, auditions, and what the future can hold for young performers.

Saturday, May 4 from 10am–2pm Minnesota Opera Center 620 N. 1st Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401 $30 per participant

To sign up, contact Matthew Abernathy at mabernathy@mnopera.org or call 612-342-9597.

K EEP SIN GING T H I S SUMME R !

VOCAL ARTIST PROGRAM June 16–22

Residential experience for teens (grades 9–12) at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Audition required.

MINNESOTA OPERA MNOPERA.ORG

OPERA ARTIST + June 16–21

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Summer intensive for college students to explore the world of Teaching Artistry. Held at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. No audition required.

Sing Out! Children’s Chorus Camp July 22–25

Choral experience for young singers (grades 3–6) at the Minnesota Opera Center, Minneapolis. No audition required.

For more info visit mnopera.org/camps.

THE FIX 2018–19

Minnesota Opera is a nonprofit charitable organization that relies on your support. • mnopera.org/donate

Photo © Cory Weaver for San Francisco Opera

VERDI’S

TO LIVE AND DIE FOR LOVE

MAY 4–19

BUY TODAY

Best seats and prices on May 14, 16, 18, and 19.

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Telling Stories, Taking Risks.

La Rondine, 2018 Š Cory Weaver.

MN Opera’s 2019–2020 Season ELEKTRA

MUSIC BY Richard Strauss LIBRETTO BY Hugo von Hofmannsthal

OCTOBER 5–13 | Performed in German with English translations.

The brink of madness. After her mother has her father murdered, Elektra is hell-bent on revenge. Though she thirsts for justice, her fury brings her to the brink of madness in this stark and shadowy, reimagined Greek tragedy. As intense and gripping as opera gets, Strauss’ Elektra unfolds in a thrilling single act of rare vocal and orchestral power that aims straight for the jugular.

THE BARBER O F S E V I L L E

MUSIC BY Gioachino Rossini LIBRETTO BY Cesare Sterbini

NOVEMBER 9–16 | Performed in Italian with English translations.

Let your hair down. Rossini’s beloved and irresistible rom-com is a cut above. Figaro, Seville’s quick-witted barber, helps a young woman flee an unsuitable suitor and find true love. Naturally, nothing goes according to plan, and Figaro must think on his feet to save the day. The Barber of Seville features instantly recognizable music that sparkles in this razor-sharp, comedic masterpiece.

FLIGHT

MUSIC BY Jonathan Dove LIBRETTO BY April De Angelis

JANUARY 25–FEBRUARY 2 | Performed in English with English captions.

Make your connection. Eight complete strangers find they have more in common than they think. Stranded overnight at an airport, they meet a refugee forced to call the terminal his home and soon realize they need each other to get to their destinations. Inspired by a true story, Jonathan Dove’s Flight is a touching, charming, and deeply human dramedy all about what it means to make a real connection.

E D WA R D T U L A N E

MUSIC BY Paola Prestini LIBRETTO BY Mark Campbell

MARCH 21–28 | Performed in English with English captions.

Lost hearts can find home again. Edward Tulane is a toy rabbit who thinks of himself as quite exceptional.

Content in his easy life, his world is upturned when he is separated from his loving family. Based on the bestseller by local author Kate DiCamillo, Edward Tulane takes us on a miraculous journey, from the depths of the deep blue sea to the streets of Memphis. Perfect for the young and young at heart, this elegantly whimsical Minnesota original shows us a true miracle—that if you open your heart, you can find home.

D O N G I O VA N N I

MUSIC BY Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart LIBRETTO BY Lorenzo Da Ponte

MAY 2–12 | Performed in Italian with English translations.

So hot, he’ll burn. Don Giovanni is an egotistical and infamous womanizer, brazen in his shameless seductions.

But his betrayals soon catch up to him when divine retribution exacts the ultimate price. From the world’s most well-known composer, Mozart’s opera seamlessly blends dark comedy with biting social commentary in this smart and otherworldly story of a man who dares to defy hell itself.

Subscribing has its perks!

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Discounts for Friends & Family

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Subscribe today and be a part of a passionate community of opera lovers.

Visit mnopera.org/subscribe—it’s fast, easy, and available 24/7.

B O A R D , S TA F F, + V O L U N T E E R S

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF F ICE RS Chair | H. Bernt von Ohlen President and General Director | Ryan Taylor Vice Chair | Nadege Souvenir Secretary | Sharon Bloodworth Treasurer | John Junek

Jeninne McGee Michael McNamara Fayneese Miller Leni Moore Kay Ness Jose Peris Bart Reed Mary H. Schrock Linda Roberts Singh David Smith Nadege Souvenir Gregory Sullivan Norrie Thomas Missy Staples Thompson Wendy Unglaub H. Bernt von Ohlen Craig Walvatne William White Margaret Wurtele

PR ES I D E N T ’ S COU NC I L Karen O. Bachman John A. Blanchard, III Rachelle D. Chase Burton Cohen Julia W. Dayton John Huss

Ruth Huss James E. Johnson Lucy Rosenberry Jones Kevin H. Smith Mary W. Vaughan

HONO RA RY D I REC TO R S Dominick Argento* Philip Brunelle

VOLUNTEERS

ADMI N I ST RAT IO N

Nina Archabal

President and General Director | Ryan Taylor Creative Advisor | Dale Johnson Board Relations Director | Theresa Murray Chief Financial Officer | Steve Matheson Chief of Human Resources | Jen Thill Staff Accountant | Aicha Belenkoabga Facility Manager | Steve Mittelholtz Systems Administrator | Tony Ngonekeo

Renee Brown-Goodell

AR T I ST IC

DIRECTORS Vanessa Abbe Rebecca Bernhard Sharon Bloodworth Shari Boehnen Alberto Castillo Jane Confer Jay Debertin Terrance Dolan Sidney W. Emery Maureen Harms Mary IngebrandPohlad Philip Isaacson J Jackson Diane Jacobson John C. Junek Christl Hutter Larson Mary Lazarus Robert Lee Natalie Volin Lehr

STAFF

Liz Kochiras

TEMP O L I A I SON Kara Eliason Dorsey

Chief Artistic Officer | Priti Gandhi Head of Music | Allen Perriello Company Manager | Roxanne Stouffer-Cruz Assistant Conductor and Chorus Master | Andrew Whitfield Associate Conductor | Jonathan Brandani Resident Artists | Danielle Beckvermit, Mary Box, Adam Da Ros, Nicholas Davis, Stephen Martin, Lisa Marie Rogali, Christian Sanders, Andrew Sun, Wm. Clay Thompson, Christian Thurston

Michelle "Squeeky" Cadieux Aiden Campbell Ann Drivas Siri Drontle Judith Duncan David Earp Rihab FitzGerald Joan Gacki Diane Gerlach Ryan Gilmer Jessica Grams Merle Hanson

E DU C AT IO N

Tim Jones

Chief Learning Officer | Jamie Andrews Teaching Artist | Pablo Siqueiros Project Opera Music Director | Matthew Abernathy Project Opera Accompanist | Kathy Kraulik Music Out Loud Teaching Artists | Rebecca Blackwell, Sara Sawyer

Ryan Kantor

DE V E LOPME NT

Mary Lach

Chief Development Officer | Carley M. Stuber Sr. Major Gifts and Campaign Director | John Kupris Development Director | Mallory Roberts Institutional and Major Gifts Director | Diana Konopka Associate Events Director | Anthony Diaz Development Officer | Nickolas Sanches Development and Corporate Sponsorship Manager | Jeremie Bur Development Operations Coordinator | Jonathan Lundgren Development Coordinator | Charlotte Summers

Jerry Lilquist

MAR K E T ING /CO MMU NICAT IO NS

Candace Osterkamp

Chief Marketing Officer | Darby Lunceford Marketing Director | Katherine L. Castille Associate Marketing Director | Kristin Matejcek Marketing Manager | Amanda Rodriguez Relationship Marketing Associate | Paige Reynolds Associate Communications Director | Eric Broker Design Manager | Kristin Backman Communications Manager | Rocky Jones Web and Digital Associate | Anthony Iverson Patron Services Director | Greg Campbell Patron Services Manager | Kevin Beckey Associate Patron Services Manager | Karl Annable Patron Services Representatives | Ronnie Allen, Emma Carpenter, Kianna Carter, Carol Corich, Henry Dykstal, Mara Lane, David Merz, Elijah Saiger, Emily Sasik

Robin Keck Bebe Keith Kathleen Kitchen Alana LaBissioniere

Joyce Lilquist Tom Logeland Mary McDiarmid Barbara Moore Nicole Murray Doug Myhra Heidi Pagano Pat Panshin Laura Schaubschlager Kari Shultz Mary Sheehy Wendi Sott Gina Weiner Barbara Willis

P R O DU CT IO N

TEMPO BOARD

MINNESOTA OPERA MNOPERA.ORG

OF F ICE RS

22

Chair | Kara Eliason Dorsey Vice Chair | Katie Eiser Secretary | Emily Engel Treasurer | Julia M. Wilcox Audience Development Chair | Sarah Fowler Programming Co-chair | Liz Brenner Programming Co-chair | Aimee Tritt

M EMBERS Carrie Anderson Liz Brenner Marjahn Golban Laura Green Chaffee Heber Gurrola Sarah Fowler Emily Engel Aimee Tritt

Kara Eliason Dorsey Julia M. Wilcox Katie Eiser Alison Jarzyna Luke Olson Kate Smith KT Thompson

Chief Production Officer | Karen Quisenberry Assistant Production Director | Julia Gallagher Production Stage Manager | Kerry Masek Assistant Stage Managers | Jake Fedorowski, Jamie K. Fuller, Jerry K. Smith Technical Director | Josh Peklo Properties Master | Jenn Maatman Lighting and Video Coordinator | Raymond W. Steveson Jr. Tech Lighting Assistant | Mary Shabatura Electrician | Andy Kedl Production Carpenter | JC Amel Scene Shop Foreman/Supervisor | Mark Maurer Master Carpenters | Nate Kulenkamp, Eric Veldey Staff Carpenter | Max Gilbert Carpenters | Connor Belting, Jackson Boever, Alicia Dvorak, Troy Dyrstad, Matt Ribar, Madelyn Smith Lead Scenic Painter | Erica Zaffarano Scenic Painter | Samantha Johns Costume Director | Corinna Bakken Assistant Costume Director | Beth Sanders Tailor | Yancey Thrift Drapers | Katrina Benedict, Chris Bur First Hands | Helen Ammann, Rebecca Karstad, Jadie Nelson, Kristen Weller Stitchers | Brigid Borka, Clara Cavins, Ann Friese, Ashley Hausch, Sara Huebschen, Brandi Mans Assistant Designer/Wardrobe Supervisor | Molly O’Gara Hair/Makeup Supervisors | Priscilla Bruce, Manuel Jacobo Hair/Makeup Crew | Lianna Colestock, Corrie Dubay, Emma Gustafson

Minnesota Opera is a proud member of The Arts Partnership with the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Schubert Club. * in remembrance

UPCOMING EVENTS

M I N N E S OTA O P E R A I N F O Minnesota Opera Patron Services 620 North First Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401 612-333-6669

Taste of Opera

ONE HOUR PRIOR TO EACH PERFORMANCE

MAY 16, TIME TBA

Enjoy fun, free, and informative half-hour lectures, hosted by Minnesota Opera artistic staff in Ordway’s Target Atrium.

Come early and get an overview of the characters and music, the historical and cultural context of the opera, and highlights to watch for during the show.

Enhance your opera-going experience with a Taste of Opera — a delicious preshow meal and relaxed conversation with experts from the world of opera. Classical Minnesota Public Radio hosts an engaging look at La Traviata with special guests from Minnesota Opera as well as members of the cast and creative team.

MNOPERA.ORG/OPERA-INSIGHTS

MNOPERA.ORG/TASTE

Resident Artist Program Jukebox Live

La Traviata

APR. 12, 6PM Experience a performance of opera highlights curated by the audience and sung by MN Opera Resident Artists.

Come to the pre-show reception to vote for the arias of your choice in this oneof-a-kind concert!

MAY 4–19 To live and die for love. Boasting sumptuous, hummable melodies, this beloved opera is a timeless depiction of what it means to live and die for love.

MNOPERA.ORG/LA-TRAVIATA

MNOPERA.ORG/JUKEBOX

Rigoletto Broadcast MAY 2, 8PM Verdi’s sinister tragedy returns as Classical Minnesota Public Radio rebroadcasts our 2018 production of Rigoletto, the time-honored tale of seduction and bitter revenge. Brimming with rich melodies and the famous aria “La donna è mobile,” Rigoletto tragically unfurls toward its devastating conclusion. Starring Icelandic baritone Olafur Sigurdarson as the jester Rigoletto, soprano Marie-Eve Munger as his daughter Gilda, and tenor Joshua Dennis as the dastardly Duke of Mantua.

CLASSICALMPR.ORG/LISTEN

mnopera.org Visit mnopera.org to watch behind-thescenes videos, read synopses, browse digital programs, and more. Join our e-club to receive special offers and opera news.

Ticket Policies Tickets are not refundable. Subscribers may make exchanges for a different performance or opera up to one hour prior to curtain. Any ticket may be turned back for a tax-deductible donation up until curtain. Call Minnesota Opera Patron Services at 612-333-6669.

Parking Prepaid parking is available for opera patrons at the Lawson Commons Ramp.

Call 612-333-6669 or visit mnopera.org to purchase passes.

Accessibility For patrons with disabilities, wheelchairaccessible seats are available. Audio description will be available for select performances. Please call 612-333-6669 for details and indicate any special needs when ordering tickets. At the Ordway, accessible restrooms and other facilities are available, as well as Braille or large-print programs and infrared listening systems.

For more information, please visit mnopera.org/access.

Ordway Policies Ordway is a smoke-free facility.

Latecomers will be seated at an appropriate break.

Please have all cell phones and pagers turned to silent mode.

Children under six are not permitted in the hall.

Cameras and recording equipment are strictly prohibited in the theater. Please check these items with an usher.

Are you 21–45?

Try Tempo for the best deal on the hottest tickets in town!

Join us for any performance of La Traviata, May 4–19!

Attend on May 4 and enjoy the Tempo After Party—drinks, dancing, and mingling with the cast.

mnopera.org/tempo 612-333-6669, M–F, 10am–5pm

Food and beverages are available for purchase prior to the show and during intermission. Water and other beverages are allowed in the theater (hot beverages require lids), but food is strictly prohibited.

The phone number for emergencies is 651-224-4222. Please leave seat locations with the calling party.

Lost and Found is located at the Stage Door.

Call 651-282-3070 for assistance.

Minnesota Opera is a nonprofit charitable organization that relies on your support. • mnopera.org/donate

Opera Insights

Regular Hours: Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm.

Performances: Weekdays — phones open until curtain. Weekends — phones open at 2pm for evening performances and at 10:30am for matinee performances. Minnesota Opera staff will be available at the Ordway’s Box Office 90 minutes prior to curtain.

THE FIX 2018–19

Upcoming events

23

INDIVIDUAL GIVING

I T I S W I T H D E E P A P P R E C I AT I O N that Minnesota Opera recognizes individual donors who have made gifts to our Annual Fund, Fund-A-Dream, and Opera Innovate Now Campaign between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018. Thank you for making this exceptional art come to life.

BEL CANTO CIRCLE The following lists donors who have made leadership gifts of $10,000+. For more information on Bel Canto Circle membership, please contact Diana Konopka, Institutional and Major Gifts Director, at 612-342-9565.

PLATINUM Anonymous Patricia Beithon Susan S. Boren Darlene J. and Richard P. Carroll Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Julia W. Dayton Vicki and Chip Emery William I. and Bianca M. Fine Charitable Trust Ruth and John Huss Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad Lucy Rosenberry Jones and James E. Johnson

CAMERATA CIRCLE The following lists donors who have made gifts of $2,500 to $9,999. For more information on Camerata Circle membership, please contact Nickolas Sanches, Development Officer, at 612-342-9550.

MINNESOTA OPERA MNOPERA.ORG

GOLD Vanessa Abbe Michael Birt Shari and David Boehnen Maureen and Mike Harms Sharon Hawkins Miriam and Erwin Kelen Robert Kriel and Linda Krach Nadege J. Souvenir and Joshua A. Dorothy Julie Steiner Virginia L. and Edward C. Stringer Wendy and Paul Unglaub Natlie Volin Lehr Drs. Craig S. and Stephanie R. Walvatne

24

PATRON CIRCLE The following lists donors who have made gifts of $250 to $2,499. While space limitations allow us to list only those donors of $250 or more, we sincerely appreciate every gift.

GOLD Anonymous (2) Emin and Britny Aklik Floyd Anderson Dr. and Mrs. Orn Arnar Ruth and Dale Bachman Christopher Beaudet Carl and Joan Behr Barbara S. Belk David Bjork and Jeff Bengston

John and Kathleen Junek Mary Vaughan C. Angus* and Margaret Wurtele Wayne Zink and Christopher Schout

GOLD Anonymous Allegro Fund of the Saint Paul Foundation Alexandra Bjorklund Mary and Gus Blanchard Jane M. and Ogden W. Confer Terrance and Susan Dolan Sara and Jock Donaldson Mr. and Mrs. Philip Isaacson Mary Ash and Barry Lazarus Kendrick B. Melrose Donor Advised Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Leni and David Moore Jr./ Moore Family Fund for the Arts of The Minneapolis Foundation Kay Ness and Chris Wolohan Elizabeth Redleaf Jesse and Linda Singh Missy Staples Thompson and Gar Hargens

H. Bernt von Ohlen and W. Thomas Nichol Elaine J. Wold

SILVER Nina and John* Archabal Sharon Bloodworth and Barrett Johnson Will and Margee Bracken Ann and Glenn Buttermann Susan Calmenson and Vince Leo Ellie Crosby – The Longview Foundation Jay and Rebecca Debertin Robert L. Lee and Mary E. Schaffner Luis Pagan-Carlo and Joseph Sammartino Connie and Lew Remele Paul and Mary Reyelts BRONZE Karen Bachman Stephen and Margaret Blake Kenneth and Peggy Bonneville Mrs. Susan DeNuccio Mr. and Mrs. William Frels Judith Garcia Galiana and Alberto Castillo

Beverly N. Grossman Jeannie Holmes Dorothy Horns and James Richardson Kimberly and George Hudachek Diane and Paul Jacobson Warren and Patty Kelly Margaret V. Kinney Dr. Tom Knabel and Kent Allin Kyle Kossol and Tom Becker Christl and Andrew Larson Kenyon S. Latham Eric and Celita Levinson Jeninne McGee Jose Peris and Diana Gulden Rehael Fund – Roger Hale/Nor Hall of The Minneapolis Foundation Mary H. and Christian G. Schrock Mahlon and Karen Schneider Greg Sullivan and Annie Frazer Mr. John L. Sullivan Dr. Norrie Thomas Mrs. Joanne Von Blon William White The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Foundation

SILVER Martha and Bruce Atwater Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation William Biermaier and David Hanson Jan Conlin and Gene Goetz Page and Jay Cowles Gail Fiskewold Dr. Richard Gregory Susanne Haas and Ross Formell Norton Hintz* and Mary Abbe Anna Kokayeff Ilo and Margaret Leppik Diana Lee Lucker Harvey Thomas McLain Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Moore Sandy and Bob Morris Sarah and Rolf Peters Margaret Poyner Galbraith Barton and Kimberly Reed Ken and Nina Rothchild David Smith Dr. Andrew J. Thomas Stephanie C. Van D’Elden Charles Allen Ward Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation

BRONZE An Anonymous Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Anonymous (2) Richard Allendorf Dan and Martha Goldberg Aronson Thomas and Ann Bagnoli Michelle Blaeser Laurie Carlson and William Voedisch Rusty and Burt Cohen Gisela Corbett and Peter Hyman Thomas and Mary Lou Detwiler Rachelle Dockman Chase Ralph D. Ebbott Dr. Mary Anne Ebert and Paul Stembler Joyce and Hugh Edmondson Ann Fankhanel Patricia R. Freeburg Woessner Freeman Family Foundation Michele Harris and Peter Tanghe Alfred and Ingrid Lenz Harrison Linda and Jack Hoeschler Jean McGough Holten Dr. Arthur and Fran Horowitz J. David Jackson Hubert Joly Janet N. Jones

Robert and Susan Josselson Lyndel and Blaine King Robert and Venetia Kudrle David MacMillan and Judy Krow From the Family of Richard C. and Elizabeth B. Longfellow Dorothy and Roy Mayeske Velia R. Melrose Fayneese Miller Kay Phillips and Jill Mortensen Betty Myers

Ed and Mimi Bohrer Drs. Eli and Jan Briones Debra Brooks and James Meunier Stephen Bubul and Lee Lewis Scott Cabalka Joan and George Carlson Steve Coleman Barb and Jeff Couture Mike and Stacey Crosby – The Longview Foundation Stephen Davis and Murray Thomas Jean Detrick and Eldon Feist Cy and Paula DeCosse Fund Charles M. Denny Jr. and Carol E. Denny Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Maureen and John Drewitz Joan Duddingston David Dudycha and Dorothy Vawter Laura and Tim Edman Holli and Stefan Egerstrom Kathryn Fernholz

Brian M. Finstad Salvatore Silvestri Franco Dayne and Ember Frank James and Teddy Gesell Heidi and Howard Gilbert Marsha and Richard Gould Mrs. Myrtle Grette Jennifer Gross Thomas and Mary Gross Bruce and Jean Grussing Bill Gullickson Roger and Karen Hale Marion and Donald Hall Anne Marie and Larry Halvorson Nancy A. Harris Don Helgeson and Sue Shepard Shirley Hogan Hod Irvine Barbara Jenkins Dale A. Johnson Bryce and Paula Johnson

Jane and Jim Kaufman Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Andrea M. Kircher Sally and Bill Kling Mrs. James S. Kochiras Constance and Daniel Kunin James and Gail LaFave Laurence and Jean LeJeune Natalie Levin and Stephen Gilberstadt Virginia Levy Benjamin Y. H. and Helen C. Liu William F. Long William Lough and Barbara Pinaire James W. Lund Carolyn Mayo Barbara McBurney Helen McCrossan Gina and Sean McDermott Eileen and Lester Meltzer James Meunier LaVonne Middleton

Debra Paterson Sally and Thomas Patterson Mrs. William S. Phillips Peter and Rita Reed John and Sandra Roe Foundation Thomas D. and Nancy J. Rohde James and Andrea Rubenstein Janet and Bill Schaeder Frank and Lynda Sharbrough Ryan Taylor Jill and John Thompson Debra R. Ting Drs. Greg Weber and James Barnett Ellen M. Wells Nancy and Ted Weyerhaeuser David Wilson and Michael Peterman Carolyn, Sharon, and Clark Winslow

SILVER Anonymous (3) Thomas O. Allen Arlene and Tom Alm Katherine Anderson Jane and Jamie Andrews Jean P Antonello August J. Aquila and Emily Haliziw Steve and Sharon Bachman Jo and Gordon Bailey Family Fund of the Catholic Community Foundation Rebecca D. Arons and Thomas J. Basting Jr. Bryan and Karin Bearss Mr. and Mrs. Judson Bemis, Jr. Gerald and Phyllis Benson John and Cindy Beukema Martin and Patricia Blumenreich Larry Brandts Cheryl Brown Thomas and Joyce Bruckner Juliet Bryan and Jack Timm Julie Bucknam Jimmy Burnett Margaret Carlson Ann Marie and Jim Collins Brenda Colwill Susan and Richard Crockett Helen and John Crosson Peter Davis and Pamela Webster Danny Della Lana and Steve Hall Bruce and Melanie Flessner William W. and Susan G. Gerberich Mark Gilberstadt Walt and Raeanna Gislason Billie Glade Ellen D. Grace Jerold and Kathleen Hahn Charles Hample Russell and Priscilla Hankins Elfrieda Hintze John Hogie Burton and Sandra Hoverson Ray Jacobsen Charlie Johnson Nancy Jones

Erika Kahler Beverly Kasper Mary L. Kenzie Foundation Carole and Joseph Killpatrick Robert and Barbara Kueppers Anita Kunin Cynthia and Lawrence Lee William and Gloria Levin Jonathan and Lisa Lewis David and Anna Linder Ruth W. Lyons Donald and Rhoda Mains Stuart and Martha Mason Steve Matheson Laura McCarten Kris and Bill McGrath Deb and Jon McTaggart Judith and James Mellinger Steven J. Mittelholtz David E. and Judy L. Myers Lucia Newell and Steven Wiese Kathleen and Stephen Olsen Ruth and Ahmad Orandi Dede Ouren Lana K. Pemberton Jane M. Persoon Carol Peterson Marge and Dwight Peterson Walter Pickhardt and Sandra Resnick Karen Quisenberry Joel Rainville and Kyle Olson Lawrence M. Redmond Scott and Courtney Rile Bryn Roberts and Marcy Jefferson Ann M. Rock Bob Rose Liane A. Rosel Christopher Ross Enrique and Clara Rotstein Marian R. Rubenfeld and Frederick G. Langendorf Mary Savina Jon L. Schasker and Debbie Carlson Richard and Carol Seaberg Doris Jean Seely Morris and Judith Sherman Bernie and Juliana Simmons Madeline Simon Rhonda Skoby Linda Soranno and Howard Bolter Jon Spoerri and Debra Christgau Brian Staufenbiel Sharon and Thomas Stoffel Warren Stortroen Craig and Janet Swan Michael Symeonides and Mary Pierce David and Jennifer Thomas Katharine E. Thomas Josephine Trubek Marcelo Valdes Kenneth and Kathryn Valentas Cindy and Steven Vilks Elaine Walker Susan Weinsheimer Elizabeth Wexler Deborah Wheeler Barbara White Frank and Frances Wilkinson John M. Williams Barbara and James Willis

BRONZE Anonymous (2) Paul and Val Ackerman Joy K. and J.C. Amel Joshua David Anderson Rolf T. Anderson Jerry Artz Kay C. Bach Susanne and Johan Bakken James and Gail Bakkom Jill and Thomas Barland Donald and Naren Bauer Longine Beck

BECOME A DONOR

Sharla and Mark Beithon Bender Vocal Studio Kenneth J. Berglund Sharon Bigot Neil and Tara Bizily David and Diane Blake William and Barbara Brauer Allen Brookins-Brown Roger and Ronnie Brooks Joan Broughton Renee Campion and David Walsh Alan E. and Ruth Carp Katherine L. Castille Laura Green Chaffee and Matthew Chaffee Shawna Clark Wanda and David Cline Herbert Colwill Michael Connaughton and Marya Dwyer Virginia and Marc Conterato Jeanne E. Corwin Shana Crosson and John Gisselquist James and Denise D’Aurora Mary Davidson Anthony Diaz Thomas Doran Kara and Sean Dorsey Virginia Dudley and William Myers Sheryl Ebert Noah Eisenberg Leah and Ian Evison Craig Feathers and Amy Kolan Ann Ormond Fennell George A Ferguson, III Charlie and Anne Ferrell Jinnet Fowles Terence Fruth and Mary McEvoy Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundatio Carol and Mike Garbisch Greta and Paul Garmers Mark Giga James and Jo Glasser James Glazier Richard and Susan Goldman Laura Green David Groth Andrew and Tina Grzeskowiak Laurie Hacking Kathleen Hannon John Heer Stefan and Lonnie Helgeson Rosmarie and John Helling Mary K. Hicks Arthur and Joan Higinbotham Clifton and Sharon Hill Andrew and Gary Whitford Holey Stuart Holland Mr. Darius Homayounphur Mark and Kathleen Humphrey David Ingbar Guillermo Irisarri Mark and Jeanne Jacobson Deborah and Ronald Jans Alison Jarzyna Clayton Jelinek Charlie Johnson Kristine Kaplan Ed and Martha Karels James and Kathleen Karges Michael and Sheue Keenan Scott and Michelle Kegler Barry and Cheryl Kempton Janice Kimes Dr. Daniel and Kerry Kincaid Amy Kolan Nathan Kulenkamp James and Gail LaFave Scott and Karla Lalim Beatrice H. Langford Jeanne and John LeFevre Daniel Lepow Darby Lunceford and Todd Wright Holly MacDonald and John Orbison

Stuart MacGibbon Dr. Joan E. Madden Vaciela Manos Kristin and Jim Matejcek Sean McAleer Mary McEvoy Ehren McGeehan Harry McNeely Sam Meals Laurel and David Mech Adele Mehta Curtis and Verne Melberg John L. Michel and H. Berit Midelfort Eldon and Anne Miller Virginia Miller James Miner Jodi and Michael Mooney Michael K Narusiewicz Mina Fisher and Fritz Nelson Merritt C. Nequette and Nancy Hartung Patricia A. O’Gorman Scott J. Pakudaitis Julia and Brian Palmer Kathy and Don Park Allen Perriello John and Margaret Perry Carol Peterson Judith Pettit Anne and John Polta Bertrand and Nancy Poritsky Nicole and Charles Prescott Kevin Puts Dennis M. Ready Sara Reed Ann Richter Mallory A. Roberts David and J. Susan Robertson Robert E. Rocknem Ronald Roed Michael and Tamara Root Daniel Roth Nickolas Sanches Julia Sand Sandra Larson Terry Sandven Mischa Santora Kate Saumur Joan Semmer Beatrice C. Sexton Mary Shamrock Emily and Daniel Shapiro Kevin Shores and Kevin Winge Kathleen K. Simo Arthur and Marilynn Skantz Joseph and Susan Sorrentino Michael Steffes Dr. David M. Steinhaus Donna Stephenson Anne and Nick Stukas Susan Swanson Dan and Erika Tallman Joyce Thielen Robert and Barbara Thomasson Laura Thompson and Christopher Stewart Susan Truman Jessica Vanyo Catherine Vesley John Vilandre Harry Walsh David L. Ward Stephanie Wexler Greg and Ellen Weyandt John and Sandra White J. Andrew and Gary S. Whitford Holey Michael R. Wigley Wendy Wildung James Wire Ron Zweber and Peter Scott * in remembrance

and bring innovative opera productions to life.

Visit mnopera.org/support to give online.

THANK YOU!

THE FIX 2018–19

Thomas P. Murtha and Stefanie A. Lenway Joan and Richard Newmark Brandon and Melissa Novy Ben and Lynn Oehler Kelly and Michael Palmer Derill Pankow James A. Payne Suzanne and William Payne Suzanne and Rick Pepin Mary and Robert Price Sarah Rockler Leland T. Lynch and Terry Saario Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Christine Sagstetter Sampson Family Charitable Foundation Mahlon and Karen Schneider Fred and Gloria Sewell Gale Sharpe Cherie and Robert Shreck Stephanie Simon Kevin and Lynn Smith Daniel J. Spiegel Family Foundation Don and Leslie Stiles Dana and Stephen Strand Ruth Stricker Dayton Carley, Bill, Kirsten, and Carolyn Stuber Vern Sutton Jean Thomson Dorothy E. Vawter Neal Viemeister and Virginia Kirby G. Marc and Tracy Whitehead Jeff and Joe Wiemiller John W. Windhorst Jr.

Minnesota Opera is a nonprofit charitable organization that relies on your support. • mnopera.org/donate

INDIVIDUAL GIVING

25

SPECIAL GIVING LEGACY CIRCLE The following lists donors who, through their foresight and generosity, have included the Opera in their wills or estate plans.

Anonymous (4) Norton Hintz* and Mary Abbe Paul and Val Ackerman Thomas Allen Cordelia Anderson and John Humleker Dr. and Mrs. Rolf Andreassen* Mary A. Andres Anonymous Karen Bachman Thomas and Ann Bagnoli Randolph G. Baier* Mrs. Harvey O. Beek* Patricia Beithon Barbara and Sandi Bemis* Dr. Lee A. Borah, Jr.* Susan S. Boren Al Bradley C.T. Bundy II Margaret M. Carasik Joan and George Carlson

NAMED ENDOWMENT FUNDS The following endowment funds, created by visionary and generous donors, continue the work of Minnesota Opera for future generations.

Barbara White Bemis Fund for Artistic Enhancement To enhance the quality of performances by providing funds to engage singers who have received awards through the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

The appearances of Danielle Beckvermit, grand finalist; Siena

COMMEMORATIVE GIFTS The following lists donors who have made gifts in honor or in memory of a loved one between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 IN HONOR OF:

Matthew Abernathy Dale Borgeson

Floyd R. Anderson Nina Archabal Karen Finseth

David Bjork and Jeff Bengston David W. Schwarz

Alexandra Bjorklund Elaine J. Wold

Corinna Bohren and the MN Opera Costume Department

MINNESOTA OPERA MNOPERA.ORG

Anonymous

26

Shelli Chase Luis Pagan-Carlo and Joseph Sammartino

Jane Confer Ruth and John Huss

Ann Friese Tess Habermann

Eric John Halvorson Sandra M. LeBlanc

Dale A. Johnson Jamie and Jane Andrews Lisa Butcher Mark Campbell Katherine L. Castille Rachelle Chase and John Feldman Sara and Jock Donaldson Karen Finseth Brenda A Harris

Robin J. Carpenter* Darlene J. and Richard P. Carroll Julia and Dan Cross Julia W. Dayton Charles M. Denny Jr. and Carol E. Denny George* and Susan Doty Rudolph Driscoll* Anne P. Ducharme Rondi Erickson and Sandy Lewis Ester Fesler Daniel Freeman Dr. Paul Froeschl Katy Gaynor Nettie Grabscheid* Robert* and Ellen Green Dr. Ieva M. Grundmanis* Michelle Hackett Russell and Priscilla Hankins Julia Hanna* Frederick J. Hey, Jr.* Elfrieda Hintze Jean McGough Holten Charles J. Hudgins* Ruth Jones* Charles and Sally Jorgensen Robert and Susan Josselson Charlotte* and Markle Karlen Mary H. Keithahn Forest, Lisa Marie Rogali, Christian Sanders, Andrew Stenson, and Victoria Vargas, regional finalists; Stephen Martin and Christian Thurston, district finalists of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, are made possible through a Minnesota Opera Endowment Fund established for Artist Enhancement

by Barbara White Bemis.

Daniel E. Freeman Endowment Fund To support Minnesota Opera’s education programs.

Dolly Fiterman Fund for New Production Opera Design To support the creation of new productions by proving funds to engage designers and create new sets.

Ruth and John Huss Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad Diane and Paul Jacobson Lucy Rosenberry Jones and James E. Johnson Janice and William* Kimes Robert and Venetia Kudrle Mary and Barry Lazarus Dawn M. Loven Kristin and Jim Matejcek Leni and David Moore Theresa and Jim Murray Kay Ness Jose Peris and Diana Gulden Joel Puckett Kevin Puts Barton and Kimberly Reed Andrea and James Rubenstein Mahlon and Karen Schneider Roxanne Stouffer Cruz Carley and Bill Stuber Jennifer Thill Bernt von Ohlen and Thomas Nichol Andy Wilkowske Lani Willis and Joel Spoonheim Margaret Wurtele Adriana J. Zabala

Kelly Kaduce Dan Morris

Winston Kaehler Peter and Anne Wildenborf

Velia Melrose Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation

Coreen Nordling Brian and Jane Grivna

Charlotte J. Prentice Dr. Azizollah Arabkhazaeli Faezeh and Khalid Effendi Carol Garcia Mervyn and Margiolina Hough Reza and Suzette Foroozan Yazdani

Warren and Patty Kelly Margaret Kilroe Trust* Lyndel and Blaine King Gretchen Klein* Sally and Bill Kling Gisela Knoblauch* Liz and Jim Krezowski Robert Kriel and Linda Krach Robert and Venetia Kudrle Helen L. Kuehn* Robert "Jim" J. Lawser, Jr. Jean Lemberg* Joyce and Jerry Lillquist Dawn M. Loven David Mayo Barbara and Thomas* McBurney Mary McDiarmid Mildred McGonagle* Mary Bigelow McMillan* Sheila McNally* Mrs. Walter Meyers* John L. Michel and H. Berit Midelfort Susan Molder* Edith Mueller* Kay Ness Richard and Joan Newmark Scott J. Pakudaitis Derrill Pankow

Mrs. William S. Phillips Phyllis Price Brian and Trish Huberty Prokosch Richard G.* and Liane A. Rosel Ken and Nina Rothchild Mary Savina Josef Schermann Frank and Lynda Sharbrough Robert Shearer and Joan Gustafson Drew Stewart Gregory Swinehart and Mitra Walter Anthony Thein Stephanie C. Van D'Elden Mary Vaughan H. Bernt von Ohlen and W. Thomas Nichol Jean C. Wirsig* Richard Zgodava* William White Philip Oxman and Harvey Zuckman

Founders Endowment Fund

Valerie and Paul Ackerman Endowment Fund

To support new and innovate opera performances that honor the spirit, energy, and creativity of the founders in the beginning days of the Center Opera.

Joan Jacobs Rubenfeld Memorial Fund To support the attendance of high school students at MN Opera performances.

Minnesota Opera Center Preservation Fund To support Opera Center building improvements. The Preservation Fund recognizes the legacies of Judson Bemis and Kevin Smith, who through their leadership created the Opera Center.

Scott and Courtney Rile Sarah L. Irwin

Ryan Taylor Ruth and John Huss

Fr. Michael Tegeder Carol C. Dittberner

J. & I. Zerhusen Kirsten Zerhusen

IN MEMORY OF:

Connie Barnett Joan Knudtson

Arlene B. Bryant Maureen and John Drewitz

Dr. Nathan H. and Blanche Camm Barbara Leslie Camm

Maria M. Donovan Carolyn Mayo

Harold and Winnie Doran A. Brian Doran

Lucas Ernst George Ferguson

Edward Foreman, bass Dr. Gilliam Horrocks

Helen Hines Maureen and John Drewitz

Martha Kaemmer Cheryl Brown Art and Marther Kaemmer Fund of the HRK Foundation MAHADH Fund of the HRK Foundation Jeffrey Masco

For more information on making estate plan arrangements, please contact Mallory Roberts, Development Director, at 612-342-9566.

To support the attendance of youth at Minnesota Opera performances.

Virginia L. Stringer Endowment of the Minnesota Opera Resident Artist Program To support the Resident Artist Program. The appearance of the Resident Artists in this production is made possible this endowment fund.

William Randolph Hearst Endowment for Education and Outreach Programs To support Minnesota Opera’s education and outreach programs

Herbert Kahler Nicholas Butler

Tim Leahy Pamela Brophy Mary Finstad Mary Flowers Annie Foley Rick Gilmore Daniel Hollihan Judith A. Johnson Dennis M. Leahy Paula Leahy Mark Mallander Edward Ophelan Laurel Pohtilla June Rodysill Gretchen Shanight

Jerry LeFevre Jennifer Gross

Sara Livshitz Mikhailenko Family

Diana E. Murphy Emily Brower Sara and Jock Donaldson Miriam and Erwin Kelen Judy Lebedoff and Hugh Klein Mary Krska Edward Kuske Paul A. Magnuson United States District Court of Minnesota Mary Vaughan Dan Weiner Ann C. Williams

Jon L. Schasker Debbie Carlson

Audrey Stottler Lila Olson

Ruth Wallentine Maureen and John Drewitz

Ann M. Wilhelmy Anonymous

* in remembrance

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING MINNESOTA OPERA G R A T E F U L LY A C K N O W L E D G E S ITS MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORTERS: $ 1 0 0,0 0 0 +

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Art and Martha Kaemmer Fund of the HRK Foundation THE ANDREW W.

MELLON FOUNDATION

$ 50,0 0 0 – $ 9 9, 9 9 9

$ 2 5,0 0 0 – $ 49, 9 9 9

$ 1 0,0 0 0 – $ 24, 9 9 9

Rahr Foundation

$5,0 0 0 – $9,999

The Aaron Copland Fund for Music Inc. Boss Foundation Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation Dellwood Foundation Ernst & Young Faegre Baker Daniels Anna M. Heilmaier Charitable Foundation Hutter Family Foundation

Mayo Clinic Rahr Corporation RBC Wealth Management Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner P.A. St. Paul Cultural STAR Thomson Reuters Travelers Foundation Twin Cities Opera Guild Xcel Energy

$ 2 , 50 0 – $ 4, 9 9 9

$ 2 50 – $ 2 , 49 9

Anonymous Amphion Foundation Kitselman Foundation Margaret Rivers Fund Peravid Foundation The Elizabeth C. Quinlan Foundation Tennant Foundation

Anonymous Ernst & Young LLP Enterprise Holdings Foundation Great River Energy McVay Foundation Onan Family Foundation Romanaggi Foundation USI Insurance Services

For more information about making a corporate or foundation contribution to Minnesota Opera, please contact Diana Konopka at dkonopka@mnopera.org or 612-342-9565.

MINNESOTA OPERA SPONSORS SEASON SPONSOR

OFFICIAL MAKE-UP PARTNER

OFFICIAL HOTEL OF MINNESOTA OPERA

IN-KIND

MEDIA PARTNER

Minnesota Opera is a nonprofit charitable organization that relies on your support. • mnopera.org/donate

MAHADH Fund of the HRK Foundation

THE FIX 2018–19

Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation

Hardenbergh Foundation

27

Remembering

DOMINICK ARGENTO 1927 – 2019

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

PHOTOS: 1 Postcard from Morocco, 1971 (World Premiere) 2 The Voyage of Edgar Allan Poe, 1975 3 Miss Havisham’s Wedding Night, 1978 (World Premiere) 4 A Water Bird Talk, 1981 5 Casanova’s Homecoming, 1985 (World Premiere) 6 The Aspern Papers, 1991 7 Casanova’s Homecoming, 2009 8 The Dream of Valentino, 2014

The Masque of Angels, 1963 (World Premiere)

One of the nation’s leading

Since then, we’ve had the fortune

composers of opera and choral

to benefit from the rest of his

music, Dominick Argento was a

operatic canon, commissioning

titan of our cultural community.

several world premieres and

A Pulitzer Prize-winning

producing a number of his other

composer, Argento served as

operas. He was a Minnesota

a professor at the University of

treasure, and our thoughts go

Minnesota for the majority of his

out to his family and friends

career. His opera The Masque of

during this time. His extraordinary

Angels, commissioned by the

music and kind spirit have left

Walker Art Center in 1963, planted

an indelible mark on Minnesota

the seeds for Minnesota Opera.

Opera and our community.

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THE FIX 2018–19

Minnesota Opera is a nonprofit charitable organization that relies on your support. • mnopera.org/donate

www.becketwood.com

29

repre sent For advertising in Minnesota Opera programs, or with other arts partners we represent:

mary-kate@artsink.org 612.791.3629

PA R T N E R S O R DWAY THE SAINT PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTR A SCHUBERT CLUB A RTI S T RY M I N N E S OTA O PE R A CH A N H A S S EN D I N N ER T H E AT R E S CH I L D R EN ’ S T H E AT R E CO M PA N Y CANTUS T H E COW L E S CEN T ER H E N N E P I N T H E AT R E T R U S T ’ S S P OT L I G H T ED U C AT I O N M I N N E S OTA B OYC H O I R M I N N E TO N K A T H E AT R E + MORE!

artsink.org

Stephen Hough Plays Mendelssohn Wed Apr 3 7:30pm Thu Apr 4 11am Han-Na Chang, conductor Stephen Hough, piano

Enjoy world-renowned British pianist Stephen Hough’s precisely attuned and poetic translation of Mendelssohn’s opulent concerto as well as guest conductor Han-Na Chang’s dynamic handling of Beethoven’s towering Eroica Symphony.

Rivas Conducts Dvořák Fri Apr 12 8pm / Sun Apr 14 2pm Ilyich Rivas, conductor Stefan Jackiw, violin

Venezuelan-American conductor Ilyich Rivas makes his Minnesota Orchestra debut leading Dvořák’s bucolic Eighth Symphony and Ginastera’s colorful Ballet Suite. Dazzling American violinist Stefan Jackiw completes the program performing a masterwork: Mendelssohn’s beloved Violin Concerto.

Inside the Classics: Amy Beach — American Pioneer Sat Apr 13 8pm

Discover the genius of Amy Beach as conductor Sarah Hicks and host-violist Sam Bergman explore the legacy of the first American woman ever to compose a symphony, with the concert culminating in a complete performance of her Gaelic Symphony.

Vänskä Conducts Beethoven and Sibelius

Timothy Zavadil, clarinet

Sarah Hicks, conductor Sam Bergman, host and viola

Thu Apr 25 11am Fri Apr 26 & Sat Apr 27 8pm Osmo Vänskä, conductor Timothy Zavadil, bass clarinet Vikingur Ólaffson, piano

Nordic forest spirits meet Greek gods in a performance that combines ethereal expressiveness with glittering Romanticism as Vänskä conducts Tómasson, Sibelius, Beethoven, and the U.S. premiere of composer Geoffrey Gordon’s Prometheus.

612-371-5656

/

Stephen Hough

Amy Beach

minnesotaorchestra.org

PHOTOS Zavadil: Travis Anderson Photo; Hough: Sim Canetty-Clarke; Rivas: Mark McNulty

Ilyich Rivas

/

Orchestra Hall #mnorch

CANDIDe + Cunegondexoxo BERNSTEIN

47TH SUMMER FESTIVAL JUNE 28 - JULY 21 LA BOHÈME | CANDIDE WOZZECK | BON APPÉTIT!

DES MOINES METRO OPERA desmoinesmetroopera.org 515-961-6221