Minnesota Opera's Don Giovanni

JUL 14 - AUG 5, 2023

Jon Kimura Parker, Creative Partner

Minnesota Orchestra Creative Partner and pianist Jon Kimura Parker returns alongside our summer Artist in Residence, the pioneering breaking collective BRKFST Dance Company, to share a summer of music that moves us.

BOOK YOUR SUMMER SOUNDS TODAY

Come

Sounds + Bites on Peavey Plaza

• Pre-order your Bubbles + Bites package now at minnesotaorchestra.org/bites

• Enjoy free entertainment by outstanding local performers on the magnificent Peavey Plaza.

• Sip a beverage next to the reflecting pool during our $6 Happy Hour while you listen.

2023 festival Season

June 30-July 23

BLUEBEARD’S CASTLE by

THE LOVE FOR THREE ORANGES by Sergei Prokofiev

DWB (DRIVING WHILE BLACK) by Susan

THE FALLING AND THE RISING by Zach Redler and Jerre Dye

For tickets and more info:

DMMO.ORG | 515-961-6221

CARMEN by Georges Bizet

Featuring Taylor Raven as Carmen

Béla Bartók

Featuring Christian Van Horn as Bluebeard and Sara Gartland as Judith

Featuring Christopher Sokolowski (pictured) as the Prince

Kander and Roberta Gumbel

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

am delighted to welcome you to this new production of Don Giovanni, which closes our 60th Anniversary Season. This production provides a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on a classic work, allowing us all to experience the story in a new way.

As I reflect on the 60-year history of Minnesota Opera, I am proud of the exceptional talent and dedication of the artists, musicians, and staff. Much of the work done to create the magic that we enjoy is unseen — the hours of preparation and rehearsal, the work of administration, the building of costumes and sets, and so much more — but we experience it in each and every performance. From beloved classics to 50 world premieres, this company never ceases to amaze in the way that it sings every story. Thank you to the entire team for this priceless gift of your time, talent, and treasures.

I also want to thank our patrons, donors, and sponsors for their unwavering support of this company over its 60-year history. Your loyal support has been instrumental in Minnesota Opera’s continuing success.

We look forward to sharing this opera with you and to many more years of bringing exceptional opera to Minnesota.

FEATURES

Director’s Notes •

11

Meet the Artists •

17

CONTENTS

6 Don Giovanni

8 Synopsis

9 Director’s Notes

10 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

11 Meet MN Opera

12 Cast and Creative Team

NADEGE SOUVENIR CHAIR OF THE MINNESOTA OPERA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

14 Orchestra, Chorus, and Supernumeraries

15 Meet the Artists

16 Health and Safety

Welcome to Minnesota Opera for Mozart’s Don Giovanni, the final show of our 60th Anniversary Season. We hope you enjoy this otherworldly production rethought by a five-star, womanled creative team. Looking ahead to our vibrant 61st Season, we can’t wait to feature new productions of the popular mariachi by composer José “Pepe” Martínez; Donizetti’s popular comic opera The Elixir of Love; and Puccini’s beloved La bohème. At the Luminary Arts Center, Minnesota Opera will feature a double bill performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti and Christopher Weiss and John de los Santos’ Service Provider

Thank you all for celebrating with us during our 60th Anniversary Season! We look forward to 60 more amazing years of opera here in the Twin Cities and hope you’ll join us again soon!

18 23-24 Season

20 MN Opera Board of Directors, Staff, and Volunteers

21 Upcoming Events

21 MN Opera Information

22 MN Opera Donor Appreciation

24 Special Giving

LARGE-PRINT AND BRAILLE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PATRON SERVICES OFFICE.

RYAN TAYLOR PRESIDENT AND GENERAL DIRECTOR

MUSIC BY Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

LIBRETTO BY Lorenzo Da Ponte

WORLD PREMIERE AT THE ESTATES THEATRE IN PRAGUE ON OCTOBER 29, 1787

SUNG IN ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH CAPTIONS PROJECTED ABOVE THE STAGE

CAST

in order of vocal appearance

LEPORELLO THOMAS GLASS*

DONNA ANNA SYMONE HARCUM* •

DON GIOVANNI SETH CARICO

COMMENDATORE

ALLEN MICHAEL JONES*

DON OTTAVIO EFRAÍN CORRALEJO+

DONNA ELVIRA SARA GARTLAND

ZERLINA

LEAH BRZYSKI*

MASETTO

CHARLES H. EATON+

CREATIVE TEAM

CONDUCTOR

KAREN KAMENSEK

STAGE DIRECTOR AND CHOREOGRAPHER

KETURAH STICKANN

SCENIC DESIGNER

LILIANA DUQUE PIÑEIRO

COSTUME DESIGNER

SARAH BAHR

LIGHTING DESIGNER

MARY SHABATURA

HAIR AND MAKEUP DESIGNER

PRISCILLA BRUCE

INTIMACY AND FIGHT DIRECTOR

DOUG SCHOLZ-CARLSON

MUSICAL PREPARATION

MARIO ANTONIO MARRA

Head of Music and Assistant Conductor

CELESTE MARIE JOHNSON*

Principal Coach and Chorus Director

ERICA GUO+, répétiteur

ASSISTANT STAGE DIRECTOR

MARGARET JUMONVILLE*

STAGE MANAGER

KERRY MASEK

SEASON SPONSOR

60TH ANNIVERSARY SPONSORS

Ruth and John Huss

Lucy Rosenberry Jones and James E. Johnson

John and Kathleen Junek

Gayle and Tim Ober

William White

Mary W. Vaughan

Margaret V.B. Wurtele

The PBJ Memorial Fund for Creative Giving

ESTIMATED RUNNING TIME is three hours with a 20-minute intermission occurring approximately 85 minutes into the opera.

This production contains mature content, including a simulated sexual assault which occurs during the Overture and depictions of a consensual sadomasochistic relationship which includes bondage. A late seating opportunity will be provided after the Overture for patrons who do not wish to view this scene. The production also contains theatrical haze, recorded gunshots, and simulated cigarette smoking.

Edited for the Neue Mozart-Ausgabe by Wolfgang Plath and Wolfgang Rehm.

Used by arrangement with European American Music Distributors Company, U.S. and Canadian agent for Bärenreiter-Verlag, publisher and copyright owner.

The fortepiano in this performance was generously provided to us by the Schubert Club Music Museum. It was built by Thomas and Barbara Wolf, Washington, DC, 1997, as a replica of a fortepiano after Johann Schantz, ca. 1800.

Minnesota Opera would like to recognize that we occupy land that is of great historical, spiritual, and cultural significance to the Dakota people. To learn more, visit mnopera.org/land-acknowledgement.

ACT I

As Donna Anna, the daughter of the Commendatore, readies herself for bed, a disguised Don Giovanni enters her room and assaults her.

Outside the house, Leporello bemoans his lot in life as servant to Don Giovanni. His thoughts are interrupted by screams from Donna Anna, who calls for help as Giovanni tries to flee. Her father, the Commendatore, attempts to defend her honor in a duel but is killed by the lecherous Giovanni, who then escapes. Don Ottavio comes to Anna’s aid and promises to avenge her father’s death.

Elsewhere, Giovanni spots a new possibility in the distance, but to his horror, it is Donna Elvira, a woman he left behind in Burgos. As Leporello distracts her, Giovanni again slips away. His servant bares the bitter truth — she’s hardly the first to be betrayed, as he rattles off the list of conquered women, one thousand and three in just Spain alone.

In the countryside, Zerlina celebrates her marriage to Masetto with a group of townspeople. Giovanni and Leporello soon appear and the former is entranced by the country girl. To distract her spouse and the others, he offers to celebrate the nuptials with food and drink at his mansion nearby. Zerlina remains behind as Masetto is assured that his bride-to-be will be safe in the hands of a gentleman. Giovanni quickly puts on the charm with a promise of marriage, which Zerlina momentarily considers. They are interrupted by Elvira, who warns the young woman to beware his treacherous words.

No sooner has Elvira spirited Zerlina away does Giovanni happen upon Anna and Ottavio. They enlist his assistance in finding the murderer of her father. Again, Elvira intercedes, professing Giovanni’s true nature. He discounts her statements as madness and follows her, feigning concern over her mental state. Anna suddenly realizes that Giovanni is her rapist and her father’s killer. She cries for vengeance.

At Giovanni’s palace the party is in full swing. Masetto questions Zerlina’s fidelity, and when she tries to reassure him, it is to little avail. Elvira has joined Anna and Ottavio, and the three of them arrive at the party masked. As everyone begins

to dance, Giovanni leads Zerlina into another room. Her screams are soon heard, and as Giovanni tries to deflect the blame on Leporello, he is able to escape once again.

ACT II

On a street near the residence of Donna Elvira, Leporello threatens to quit, but is appeased by an influx of cash. Tired of this type of life, he begs Giovanni to put an end to his wanton pursuit of women, but Giovanni counters that to be faithful to one would mean to deny the others. His latest quest is the young and attractive maid of Donna Elvira. He exchanges cloaks with his servant to disguise his station. Leporello is to distract Elvira by posing as his employer.

Elvira is fooled, willing to forget past transgressions, and the disguised Leporello manages to lead her away. Meanwhile, Giovanni sings a serenade to lure the maid, but to no avail. Masetto enters with a posse of townspeople, intent on capturing the scurrilous Don. Still dressed as Leporello, Giovanni manages to divert the other men, and alone with Masetto, beats him up with his own weapons. Zerlina enters and soothes the wounded man.

Meanwhile, Leporello is trying to lose Elvira in the darkness. Instead, they encounter Anna and Ottavio and soon after, Zerlina and Masetto. All first mistake him as Giovanni and are hardly any more forgiving once Leporello’s true identity is revealed. He begs for mercy, then runs off.

Near a monument to the Commendatore, Giovanni and Leporello are reunited. The master brings his servant up to date. A voice interrupts his merriment, and the two realize where they are. Responding to the inscription, which states that even in death the old man will have revenge on the traitor who put him there, Giovanni callously invites him to dinner. He accepts. Giovanni and Leporello depart.

Soon after, Ottavio and Anna arrive at the monument. Ottavio tries to ease Anna’s grief with an offer of marriage, but though she loves him, she will not be consoled. Back at the palace, Giovanni enjoys his dinner while Leporello picks at a few scraps. Elvira enters and makes one last attempt at getting Giovanni to change his dissolute ways, but he will not be persuaded. On her way out, she is frightened by the ghost of the Commendatore, who also strongly advises Giovanni to repent. Giovanni is steadfast in his unwillingness to change and dies as a result, his soul condemned to hell.

COSTUME RENDERING BY SARAH BAHR

s a director, I see three important truths in this opera that forever color my approach. One: from the moment Don Giovanni slays the Commendatore, he is thwarted at every turn, and never adds another name to his repugnant list. Two: the killing of the Commendatore thrusts him (and, by association, Leporello) into a dark, fragmented, maelstromlike world. Sure, we end up in specific places, but I don’t think he’s sure how he gets there. We go from a street to a field to a courtyard to a graveyard with no clear sense of architecture, time, or map, and even when he ends up back in his palace, it seems as if the building itself is working against him. In the end, the whole hellish hallucination is in service to the Commendatore’s ghost, who has been taking him down since the beginning. Three: the women are archetypes in its purest interpretation. Donna Anna is the chaste damsel in distress, Zerlina is the lover, the seductress, Donna Elvira is the hysteric, running after Giovanni with a rolling pin over her head. To be sure, I have approached it this way in the past, and the more I explore the piece, the more I feel the need to fight these images. The women are the key to Giovanni. In the end, it’s the three women who bury him, who are there at every turn to knock him off his game. I love the notion that Elvira and Zerlina appear, seemingly out of nowhere, to link arms with Donna Anna and push him to his death. It’s almost as if they were conjured into this spiral of horrors to aid in his well-deserved demise.

When I approach a work as well-written as Don Giovanni, I think less about altering it or modernizing it, and more about turning it over to look at it from another angle. To find the feminine strength and inherent truth in this piece, we need to approach the women’s words and music with a different lens, one that is both female and can be armed with how far we’ve evolved in gender and sexual politics without stripping the story of its horror and nastiness. This is also not to say that the piece is always serious. It has serious themes,

Abut the story is remarkably funny. It’s the fact that we all laugh that makes the horrid moments more horrible, and the poignant moments more poignant, just as I believe we should find Giovanni suave and outwardly charming so that his actions make us question ourselves and what we know about books and covers. Ultimately, Don Giovanni is one of my favorite pieces in the repertory because it is not what it seems.

It has depths that are seldom mined and characters with a psychological profile that allow us infinite possibility in their portrayal, not to mention the fact that this smooth-talking harasser’s just demise still speaks truth to our society more than 200 years after its premiere.

KETURAH STICKANN STAGE DIRECTOR

When I approach a work as well-written as Don Giovanni , I think less about altering it or modernizing it, and more about turning it over to look at it from another angle.”

COSTUME RENDERINGS BY SARAH BAHR

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART

B. SALZBURG, JANUARY 27, 1756

D. VIENNA, DECEMBER 5, 1791

Child wonder, virtuoso performer, and prolific creative artist, Mozart is the first composer whose operas have never been out of the repertory. His prodigious talents were apparent very early in his life; by the age of four he could reproduce on the keyboard a melody played to him, at five he could play the violin with perfect intonation, and at six he composed his first minuet.

A musician himself, Wolfgang’s father, Leopold, immediately saw the potential of his son’s talents. With the mixed motives of religious piety and making a tidy profit, Leopold embarked on a series of concert tours showing off the child’s extraordinary talents. Often playing with his sister Maria Anna, an accomplished musician herself, young Wolfgang charmed the royal courts of Europe.

As Mozart grew older, his concert tours turned into a search for permanent employment, but this proved exceedingly difficult for a German musician in a market dominated by Italian composers. Although many of his early operas were commissioned by Milanese and Munich nobles, he could not rise beyond the position of Konzertmeister of the Salzburg archbishopric. When the new prince archbishop, Count Hieronymus von Colloredo, was appointed in 1771, Mozart also found he was released for guest engagements with less frequency. Though his position improved and a generous salary was offered, the composer felt the Salzburg musical scene was stifling for a man of his enormous talent and creativity.

Things came to a head in 1781 immediately after the successful premiere of Mozart’s first mature work, Idomeneo, in Munich. The archbishop, then visiting Vienna, insisted the composer join him there. Never did Mozart better understand his position in the household than during that sojourn, when he was seated at the dinner table below the prince’s personal valets and just above the cooks. He requested to be permanently discharged from his duties, and after several heated discussions, his petition was granted, punctuated by a parting kick in the pants.

Now completely on his own for the first time, Mozart embarked on several happy years. He married Constanze Weber, sister to his childhood sweetheart Aloysia, and premiered a new work, Die Entführung

aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio), at the Burgtheater. Mozart also gave concerts around Vienna, presenting a number of new piano concertos and symphonies. His chief concern was to procure a position at the imperial court. A small commission came his way from the emperor for a one-act comedy, Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario), given in the same evening as Antonio Salieri’s Prima la musica, e poi le parole (First the music, then the words), to celebrate the visit of the emperor’s sister, Marie Christine, and her husband, joint rulers of the Austrian Netherlands.

Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Mozart’s first true masterpiece for the imperial court, premiered at the Burgtheater in 1786 and went on to Prague the following year where it was a huge success. Don Giovanni premiered in Prague in 1787 to great acclaim, but its Vienna premiere in 1788 was coolly received. By this time, Mozart had received a minor imperial posting, Kammermusicus, which required him to write dances for state functions. The position was hardly worthy of his skills and generated only a modest income, a weighty concern now that debts had begun to mount. Joseph II commissioned another opera from Mozart, Così fan tutte (Thus Do All), which premiered on January 26, 1790. The emperor was too ill to attend the opening and died the following month. His brother, Leopold II, assumed leadership, and Mozart hoped to be appointed Kapellmeister. Instead, he merely received a continuance of his previous position.

Crisis hit in 1791. Constanze’s medical treatments at Baden and the birth of a second child pushed their finances to a critical point. Mozart’s friend and fellow Freemason, the impresario Emanuel Schikaneder, suggested he try his luck with the suburban audiences at his Theater auf der Wieden. Composition of Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) began early that summer but had to be halted when two generous commissions came his way: a requiem for an anonymous patron (who hoped to pass it off as his own composition), and an opera seria to celebrate the new emperor’s coronation as King of Bohemia. La clemenza di Tito (The Clemency of Titus) premiered September 6, and The Magic Flute was completed in time to open September 30. The Requiem, however, remained unfinished, and as Mozart’s health began to fail, the composer feared he was writing his own death mass. In December, Mozart died at the age of 35. He was given a simple funeral by his impoverished widow and buried in a mass grave on the outskirts of Vienna.

TVETE

What do you do at Minnesota Opera?

I am a tenor in the Minnesota Opera Chorus and I enjoy every minute of the experience. I have performed in many productions in the past 16 years, starting with Verdi’s A Masked Ball in 2007, and have had the privilege to work on several world premieres such as Silent Night, The Fix, and The Shining. It is so amazing to be a part of these incredible artists that make up this chorus and company. As a veteran chorister, it always feels like coming home when I step into the rehearsal room for each new production.

Why are you excited for Don Giovanni ?

Don Giovanni will by my 37th production with Minnesota Opera. I have sung the tenor arias from the show but I have never performed the opera. I have always been a fan of Mozart’s music and this opera certainly doesn’t disappoint. It’s also refreshing that in this story it’s Giovanni that meets his doom rather than the leading soprano. I have a tradition backstage during each performance to jokingly ask “Is she dead yet?” no matter if the opera has a tragic ending or a happy ending. I guess for this show I will need to rephrase the question to “Is he dead yet?”

Minnesota Opera’s dedicated community of artists, craftspeople, and administrators are passionate about bringing opera and opera education programs to Minnesota. Recently, we sat down with three of them to learn more about what they do at MN Opera, and why they’re excited about this production of Don Giovanni

DANIELLE JORDAN

What do you do at Minnesota Opera?

As the Costume Crafts & Dye Head at Minnesota Opera, I handle all costume pieces that are not necessarily traditional clothing items. These can be hats, belts, shoes, jewelry, and many other accessories. Sometimes I’ll construct them from scratch, other times I will alter or repair existing pieces. Additionally, I am responsible for the dyeing, painting, and distressing of full garments or fabric yardage. This requires lots of collaboration with the other members of the costume shop team, which is one of the things I love most about my role.

Why are you excited for Don Giovanni ?

Sarah Bahr’s costume design has been a treat to execute. The time period in which it is set has provided many fun headwear construction opportunities — keep an eye out for Donna Elvira’s many fabulous hats! But the pièce de résistance in any production of Don Giovanni is the Commendatore’s Act II look. It’s always a major textile painting project and this one is no exception. This will be the first Commendatore I’ve painted in my decade-long opera career and I’m very excited to tackle Sarah’s unique interpretation.

KRISTIN MATEJCEK

What do you do at Minnesota Opera?

As the Associate Patron Relations Director at Minnesota Opera, I support the goals of the development department and the organization as a whole through strategic leadership, management, and execution of patron loyalty, retention, and engagement events and programs, including the travel and planned giving programs. With a focus on patron cultivation, I collaborate cross-departmentally to develop and execute strategies that support revenue goals and deepen relationships with existing audiences, in alignment with the Opera’s equity, diversity, inclusion, antiracism, and anti-oppression goals.

Why are you excited for Don Giovanni ?

I have only been going to the opera since 2006 and this will be my first time seeing a production of Don Giovanni. I am excited about the woman-led creative team and to see how director Keturah Stickann approaches this production to “find the feminine strength and inherent truth in the piece.” And to hear Grammy Award-winning conductor Karen Kamensek bring the beautiful music of Mozart to life!

COLYN

TENOR IN MINNESOTA OPERA CHORUS

COSTUME CRAFTS & DYE HEAD

ASSOCIATE PATRON RELATIONS DIRECTOR

SARAH BAHR

COSTUME DESIGNER

DARWIN, MN

Minnesota Opera Debut

Romeo & Juliet, 2016

Notable Engagements

The Winter’s Tale, Great River Shakespeare Festival*

Albert Herring, Minnesota Opera

Carmen, Mill City Summer Opera

Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberly

Jungle Theater

Emilia, Ten Thousand Things Theater

PRISCILLA BRUCE

HAIR AND MAKEUP DESIGNER KENSINGTON, MD

Minnesota Opera Debut

Il trovatore, 2008

Notable Engagements

Faust, Wolf Trap Opera*

Il trovatore, Washington National Opera

The Mortification of Fovea Munson,

Kennedy Center

Carmen, Minnesota Opera

The Fix, Minnesota Opera

Bluebeard’s Castle | Four Songs, Boston Lyric Opera

LEAH BRZYSKI

ZERLINA ROCHESTER, MI

Minnesota Opera Debut

Albert Herring, 2021

Notable Engagements

Viardot’s Cendrillon, Opera Ithaca

Albert Herring, The Princeton Festival

The Lord of Cries, Santa Fe Opera

Carmen, Minnesota Opera

Songtree, Callejón del Ruido Festival

L’Italiana in Algeri, Opera Theater of Connecticut

SETH CARICO

DON GIOVANNI

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, TN

Minnesota Opera Debut

Dead Man Walking, 2018

Notable Engagements

Così fan tutte, Komische Oper Berlin*

Die Walküre, Bühnen Bern

Death in Venice, Deutsch Oper Berlin

Flight, Dallas Opera

Don Giovanni, Dutch National Opera

Tosca, Staatsoper Hannover

EFRAÍN CORRALEJO

DON OTTAVIO

LEON GUANAJUATO, MEXICO

Minnesota Opera Debut

Rinaldo, 2022

Notable Engagements

Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, Minnesota Opera*

Trouble in Tahiti & Service Provider, Minnesota Opera*

La bohème, Minnesota Opera*

Eugene Onegin, Highlands Opera Studio

Davide Penitente,

Palacio de Bellas Artes - Mexico City

The Barber of Seville, Curtis Institute of Music

CHARLES H. EATON

MASETTO

STORRS, CT

Minnesota Opera Debut

Silent Night, 2018

Notable Engagements

Fauré Requiem, Carnegie Hall*

Trouble in Tahiti, Minnesota Opera*

La bohème, Minnesota Opera*

Rinaldo, Minnesota Opera

Carmen, Minnesota Opera

A Little Night Music, Madison Opera

SARA GARTLAND

DONNA ELVIRA

ST. PAUL, MN

Minnesota Opera Debut

Don Giovanni, 2023

Notable Engagements

Rusalka, Pittsburgh Opera

Pagliacci, Opera San Antonio

Die tote Stadt, Opera Colorado

A Thousand Acres, Des Moines Metro Opera

Queen of Spades, Des Moines Metro Opera

THOMAS GLASS

LEPORELLO

EDINA, MN

Minnesota Opera Debut

Così fan tutte, 2011

Notable Engagements

Harvey Milk, Opera Theatre Saint Louis

Madama Butterfly, The Metropolitan Opera

The Magic Flute, Houston Grand Opera

Falstaff, Berkshire Opera Festival

La Cenerentola, Atlanta Opera

MN OPERA RESIDENT ARTIST ALUM

MN OPERA RESIDENT ARTIST ALUM

MN OPERA RESIDENT ARTIST

MN OPERA RESIDENT ARTIST

SYMONE HARCUM

DONNA ANNA

BALTIMORE, MD

Minnesota Opera Debut

The Anonymous Lover, 2022

Notable Engagements

The Anonymous Lover, Opera Philadelphia*

La bohème, Minnesota Opera*

The Factotum, Lyric Opera of Chicago

Rinaldo, Minnesota Opera

Carmen, Minnesota Opera

Carmen, The Glimmerglass Festival

ALLEN MICHAEL JONES

COMMENDATORE

ATLANTA, GA

Minnesota Opera Debut

Albert Herring, 2021

Notable Engagements

Carmen, Des Moines Metro Opera*

Carmen, Minnesota Opera

La bohème, Nashville Opera

Madama Butterfly, Atlanta Opera

La bohème, Pensacola Opera

CELESTE MARIE JOHNSON

PRINCIPAL COACH AND CHORUS DIRECTOR

PINE ISLAND, MN

Minnesota Opera Debut

Albert Herring, 2021

Notable Engagements

Edward Tulane, Minnesota Opera

Carmen, Minnesota Opera

The Anonymous Lover, Minnesota Opera

Hänsel und Gretel, Opera Saratoga

La fille du régiment, Opera Saratoga

Tosca, Inland Northwest Opera

KAREN KAMENSEK CONDUCTOR

CHICAGO, IL

Minnesota Opera Debut

Don Giovanni, 2023

Notable Engagements

Akhnaten, Metropolitan Opera

Akhnaten, English National Opera

Rigoletto, Metropolitan Opera

Die Zauberflöte, Lyric Opera of Chicago

Dracula, Royal Swedish Opera

Susannah, San Francisco Opera

LILIANA DUQUE PIÑEIRO

SCENIC DESIGNER

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CA

Minnesota Opera Debut

Don Giovanni, 2023

Notable Engagements

Florencia en el Amazonas, San Jose Opera*

Ariadne and Bluebeard, West Edge Opera

Thumbprint, Chautauqua Opera

La traviata, Fort Worth Opera

Copper Queen, Arizona Opera

DOUG SCHOLZ-CARLSON

INTIMACY AND FIGHT DIRECTOR

NORTHFIELD, MN

Minnesota Opera Debut

La Cenerentola, 1998

Notable Engagements

The Winter’s Tale, Great River Shakespeare Festival*

Fire Shut Up in My Bones

Metropolitan Opera

Medea, Metropolitan Opera

Sweeney Todd, Austin Opera

Albert Herring, Minnesota Opera

MARY SHABATURA

LIGHTING DESIGNER

MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Minnesota Opera Debut

Fellow Travelers, 2018

Notable Engagements

Salome, Madison Opera

Albert Herring, Minnesota Opera

Bernarda Alba, Theater Latté Da

La Bohème: Rodolfo Remembers, Virginia Opera

Is God Is, Mixed Blood Theater

Gloria: A Life, History Theater

KETURAH STICKANN

STAGE DIRECTOR AND CHOREOGRAPHER

KNOXVILLE, TN

Minnesota Opera Debut

Don Giovanni, 2023

Notable Engagements

Suor Angelica, Opera Omaha

Salome, Madison Opera

The Drive-In Barber of Seville, San Diego Opera

Orfeo ed Euridice, Florida Grand Opera

If I Were You, Merola Opera Program

ORCHESTRA, CHORUS, + SUPERNUMERARIES

MINNESOTA OPERA ORCHESTRA

VIOLIN I

Allison Ostrander

Concertmaster

Julia Persitz

Asst. Concertmaster

David Mickens

Angela Waterman Hanson

Heidi Amundson

Conor O’Brien

Emily Saathoff

Kseniya Khvashchynskaya

VIOLIN II

Laurie Petruconis *

Elizabeth Decker +

Melinda Marshall

Emilia Mettenbrink

Huldah Niles

Karl Braaten

VIOLA

Emily Hagen *

Susan Janda +

Laurel Browne

Jenny Lind Nilsson

CELLO

Teresa Richardson *

Sally Gibson Dorer +

Rebecca Arons

Diane Tremaine

BASS

John Michael Smith *

Charles Block +

Jason C. Hagelie

FLUTE

Bethany Summersgill *

Hannah Peterson

OBOE

Michael Dayton *

Jeffrey Marshak

CLARINET

Karrin Meffert-Nelson *

Nina Olsen

BASSOON

Laurie Hatcher Merz *

Matthew Bertrand

HORN

Mike Alexander *

Charles Hodgson

TRUMPET

John G. Koopmann *

Christopher Volpe

TROMBONE

Phillip Ostrander *

John Tranter

David Stevens

TIMPANI

Kory Andry *

CONTINUO

Celeste Marie Johnson *

MANDOLIN

Christopher Kachian *

MINNESOTA OPERA CHORUS

SOPRANO

Carolyn Cavadini

Kristin Morant

Lindsay Sessing

Staci Stringer Cihlar

MEZZO-SOPRANO

Gillian Gauntt

Laura LeVoir

Ashley Sievers

Anne Todey

TENOR

Erik Carlson

Steven Kim

Trevor Lemon-Todd

Jacob Sorrells

Nicholas Swanson

Colyn Tvete

BASS

Ben Crickenberger

Steve Dahlberg

Grady Klein

Joel Mathias

Robert Riordan

Niko Simmons

SUPERNUMERARIES

Janelle Anderson

Hannah Benditt

Lois Estell

Krystle Igbo-Ogbonna

Gemma Isaacson

Emma Johnson

* Principal | + Assistant Principal

THE MINNESOTA OPERA ORCHESTRA, PHOTO BY DAN NORMAN

THE MINNESOTA OPERA CHORUS, PHOTO BY DARIN KAMNETZ

Don Giovanni is one of Mozart’s most popular operas, and for good reason! This show has some of the most stirring melodies in the operatic canon, and we’re lucky to have Seth Carico and Sara Gartland as two of our amazing principal singers for this production. Recently, they were kind enough to sit down with us to answer a few questions about themselves, talk about the joys and challenges of this piece, and share what they are most looking forward to doing in the Twin Cities when they’re not rehearsing and performing!

Describe your character in three words:

SETH Spoiled, addicted, and delusional.

SARA Feisty, strong, and confused.

What are some of the joys and challenges of performing this role?

SETH The greatest joy of singing this role is building the relationship with Leporello. It is a very special bond the two characters have, and being a person who sings both roles regularly, I love the opportunity to use that relationship to build something special with a colleague. If you have a partner who agrees, it can be just about the most fun ever. The biggest challenge for me is remembering which character's lines to sing!

SARA Having the opportunity to bring this show to MN Opera after it was canceled in the pandemic is a huge joy. A challenge is singing the recitative with conversational ease because it moves the story forward, where we see each character’s heart.

What are the themes or messages of this piece that you think will resonate with our audiences? How is Don Giovanni relevant today?

SETH The theme that resonates the most with me is that an unexamined life, regardless of how sensuous it might be, is at its best wasted and at its worst destructive. Don Giovanni has never had to examine the consequences of his actions until now, when he seems to be faced with all of them at once. This results in extreme shock and desperation, even though it is too late for him to make amends.

SARA I think watching the women in this piece claim their truths and power is so emotional and exciting. We all have moments in our lives where we are met with heartbreak, tragedy, deceit, fear, excitement, etc. Mozart and Da Ponte were able to tell a story showing all the characters facing these kinds of moments, and these human truths are wonderful to play on stage.

What do you hope audiences take away from this production?

SETH Season tickets to Minnesota Opera! But also perhaps a renewed sense that the most important thing to us all is how we treat those around us.

SARA I hope audiences can sit down and enjoy the story, escape from their lives for a moment, and leave the theater singing Mozart’s tunes. But more importantly that it also moves them to feel something and maybe even inspires them to talk about the content with the friends and loved ones that came to the theater with them.

Do you have plans for your time in Minnesota? Anything you’re dying to do or see while you’re back in town?

SETH This time in Minneapolis, I am traveling alone with my twoyear-old son, so my priorities for extracurricular activities have changed a bit. Gone are the days of searching for the city's best martini. Here to stay are hours at playgrounds and the Mall of America. I just heard the Minnesota Children's Museum is wonderful, so I look forward to checking it out! I do really love this city, and I'm very happy to be back.

SARA I am from the Twin Cities, and my family is here. So, lots of time with my siblings and nieces and nephews, and then good grandparent time with my son when he arrives for Mother's Day weekend. Plus, all the good eating and shopping in the North Loop. And a visit to Wuollet Bakery on Grand Ave, my FAVORITE bakery in the world.

HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION

Commitment to Safety

The health and safety of our staff, guests, and artists is our top priority, and we are following public safety guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health.

Thanks to decreased COVID cases in the Twin Cities area and throughout the state of Minnesota, it has become easier to gather safely. Our up-to-date policies reflect these changes, but we continue to evaluate the environment, as well as the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health and will adjust our health and safety policies accordingly. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.

Mask Policy

Masks are no longer required, but are welcome and encouraged.

Guest Responsibility

Vaccination Policy

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and negative COVID tests are no longer required.

We still ask that guests stay home if they are sick or exposed to COVID-19. Please contact Minnesota Opera Patron Services (612-333-6669) to transfer your tickets to another performance, donate your tickets, or request a refund.

For questions, comments, or more information about The Arts Partnership’s commitment to keeping you safe. Please contact Minnesota Opera Patron Services at 612-333-6669 or hello@mnopera.org.

Air Quality

The Ordway’s air system brings in fresh air from the outside to help limit the spread of airborne viruses like COVID-19. In addition, several updates have been made to further improve air safety inside the Ordway.

• Upgrading the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) filtration to high-efficiency MERV 13 filters, following Minnesota Department of Health best practices.

• Added HVAC controls and sensors to improve air velocity within the building and provide additional monitoring and control of the system by our facility engineers.

• Removed forced air hand dryers in all restrooms, which have been shown to disperse a high quantity of bacteria into the air and replaced them with paper towel dispensers.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

In addition to the robust cleaning practices that were already in place, the Ordway has:

• Increased the frequency of cleaning throughout the building for high-touch areas in the front of house and back of house areas of the Ordway.

• Added state-of-the-art practices including selfcleaning anti-microbial covers in high-touch areas where possible.

• Set up hand-sanitizing stations throughout the venue.

• Trained all employees in critical hand washing and cleaning guidelines.

• Replaced waste receptacles with open top units so guests can throw out items without touching any surfaces.

ARE YOU 21–45?

STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

Chair | Nadege Souvenir

President and General Director | Ryan Taylor

Vice Chair | Mark C. Gordon

Secretary | Barton Reed

Treasurer | Jeninne McGee

DIRECTORS

Joelle Allen

Patricia Beithon

Meg Blake

Sharon Bloodworth

Sosha Brink

Jane Confer

Roma CalatayudStocks

Terrance Dolan

Gayle Fuguitt

Dorothy Horns, M.D.

Amy Hoffman

Mary IngebrandPohlad

Philip Isaacson

Diane Jacobson, Ph.D.

Deborah Jiang-Stein

EXECUTIVE

President and General Director | Ryan Taylor

Executive Manager | Andrew Sun

ADMINISTRATIVE

Vice President, Administration and Board Relations | Theresa Murray

Human Resources Director | Jen Thill

Luminary Arts Center Director | Julia Gallagher

Front of House Manager, Luminary Arts Center | Zachary Staads

Luminary Front of House Associates |  Annika Hansen, Cameron Varner, Claire Frederick, Dixie Treichel, Emma Goecks, Maya Gillard

ADVANCEMENT

Vice President, Advancement | Lani Willis

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator | Emilia Mettenbrink

Youth Programs Music Directors |

Sara Sawyer, Jared Miller, Rick Hoops

PRODUCTION

Vice President, Production | Karen Quisenberry

PRODUCTION AND FACILITIES

Associate Production Directors |

Genoveva Castañeda, Kerry Masek

Technical and Facilities Director | Josh Peklo

Costume Director | Corinna Bakken

Assistant Technical and Facilities Director |  Jerry K. Smith

Facilities Manager | Steve Mittelholtz

Assistant Facilities Manager | Jona Peters

Anna Kokayeff, M.D.

Mary Lazarus

Robert Lee

Natalie Volin Lehr

Rachelle McCord

Fayneese Miller, Ph.D.

Kay Ness

James Powell

Elizabeth Redleaf

Cris Ross

Mary Schrock

Missy Staples Thompson

William White

Margaret V.B. Wurtele

Wayne Zink

HONORARY DIRECTORS

Philip Brunelle

Liz Kochiras

PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL

Karen O. Bachman

John A Blanchard, III

Susan Boren King

Burton Cohen

Ellie Crosby

John Huss

Ruth Huss

James E. Johnson

Lucy Rosenberry Jones

Gale Sharpe

Kevin H. Smith

Virginia Stringer

Mary W. Vaughan

TEMPO COUNCIL

MEMBERS

Sosha Brink

Marjahn Golban

Raegan Henderson

Alison Jarzyna

Elijah Saiger

Jon Tollefson

DEVELOPMENT

Associate Institutional Giving Director |  Esther Blevins

Development Director | Jeremie Bur

Strategic Growth Director | Erin Flannery

Associate Individual Giving and Fundraising Events Director | Leila Keïta

Development Associate | Jonathan Lundgren

Associate Patron Relations Director |  Kristin Matejcek

Campaign and Annual Giving Manager |  Charlotte Summers

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Marketing and Communications Associate | Amran Abdulkadir

Digital Marketing Associate | Daniel Bynum

Associate Marketing Director | Essie Lash

Associate Communications Director | Severin Lier

Graphic Designer | Genie Hien Tran

PATRON SERVICES

Patron Services Manager | Karl Annable

Tessitura Administrator | Kevin Beckey

Patron Services Coordinator | Alexis Alcala

Patron Services Associate | Thomas Bryant

Patron Services Representatives |  Carol Corich, Eva Gemlo, Alexis Reed

ARTISTIC

Vice President, Artistic | Joseph Li

Head of Music | Mario Antonio Marra

Company Manager | Roxanne Stouffer Cruz

Artistic Administrator | Salvatore S. Vasta III

Principal Coach and Chorus Director |  Celeste Marie Johnson

Company Artist | Symone Harcum

Resident Artists | Efraín Corralejo, Charles H. Eaton, Keely Futterer, Erica Guo, Christina Hazen, Jeremiah Sanders

Resident Artist Guest Faculty |  Lara Bolton, John Churchwell, Jason Ferrante, Warren Jones, Eric McEnaney

FINANCE

Vice President, Finance | Janelle Erickson Controller | Patty Wilber

System Administrator | Tony Ngonekeo

Staff Accountant | Chris Olsen

IMPACT

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Director |  Rocky Jones

Access and Civic Engagement Director |  Samuel A. Phillips

Access and Civic Engagement, Assistant Director | Frankie Charles

Creative Development Program Director |

Daniel Fung

Creative Development Program Manager |

Yuanfei Chen

Lighting Coordinator | Ray Steveson Jr.

Production Operations Coordinator and COVID Safety Manager | Sarah Lockwood

Tech Lighting Assistant | Kurt Jung

STAGING STAFF

Production Stage Manager | Emily Butzi

Stage Manager | Kerry Masek

Assistant Stage Managers | Patricia Garvey, Jes Harris

Company Artist Assistant Stage Director |

Margaret Jumonville

SCENERY AND PROPERTIES

Production Carpenter | Max Gilbert

Senior Carpenter | Eric Veldey

Staff Carpenter | Ella Egan

Carpenters | Erin Gustafson, Libby Jollystone, Adrianna Packiewicz, Frank Wonderlich

Scenic Painter | Erica Zaffarano

Properties | Kathleen Hoffer, Rachel Krieger, Jenny Moeller, Stacey Schwebach, Kenji Shoemaker

COSTUMES

Costume Administrator | Molly O’Gara

Tailor | Yancey Thrift

Drapers | Katrina Benedict, Chris Bur

Costume Crafts and Dye Head | Danielle Jordan

First Hands | Helen Ammann, Sara Huebschen, Rebecca Karstad

Stitchers | Brigid Borka, Ann Friese, Ally Guglielmi

Wig, Hair, and Makeup Designer | Priscilla Bruce

Assistant Wig, Hair, and Makeup Designer |  Emma Gustafson

Wig, Hair, and Makeup Crew Supervisor |

Amber Brown

Wig, Hair, and Makeup Runcrew |

Krystyana Campbell, Wendy Frank

VOLUNTEERS

Dana Strothenke, Ren Effertz, Dick Rubenstein, Leah Ngo, Amelia Kirkhorn, Heidi Spesard-Noble, Kristina Butler, Ashley Sievers, Kristie Tigges, Patty Connors, Hilary Smith, Diane Jacobson, Jess Hoffert, Monica Murray, Laurinda Romportl, Jim Romportl, Sonja Romportl, Kay Ness, Amy Sirivie, Carl Koepcke, Madeline Huss, Colyn Tvete, Lizzie Rainville, Rob Thomas, Laurie Witzkowski, Lucinda Anderson, Margie Siegel, KJ Pereira, Emma Arachtingi, Jacob Wilde, Macia Aubineau, Gretchen Peters

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

Upcoming events

Beyond the Gala: A celebration of 60 Years

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023

THE FILLMORE, MINNEAPOLIS

Beyond the Gala will be a joyful and inspiring evening celebrating a history of groundbreaking vision and a future that expands the circle of storytelling, and benefiting the art, artists, and new works of Minnesota Opera.

The Song Poet

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2023

RICE PARK, ST. PAUL

A filmed screening of Minnesota Opera's recent world premiere will be presented for free in Rice Park as part of the Ordway Inside Out series.

Cruzar la Cara de la Luna

NOVEMBER 4–12, 2023

THE ORDWAY

Where there is love, there is home. The U.S./Mexico border isn’t the only obstacle dividing the Velásquez family. Cruzar la Cara de la Luna tells the story of a multigenerational Mexican American family separated by countries, cultures, and consequences in search of new possibilities. As their grandfather journeys back in time to reflect on his life in his final days, the members of the Velásquez family must make their own migration across land and through memory, searching their hearts to discover where they belong. Richly interwoven with mariachi tradition and a newly arranged orchestration, this modern story reminds us that family knows no borders.

The Elixir of Love

JANUARY 27–FEBRUARY 4, 2024

THE ORDWAY

Wine a little, laugh a lot! When young villager Nemorino’s dream of winning the beautiful Adina’s heart is on the rocks, he turns to a traveling purveyor of patent

medicines and California citrus in search of a love potion. After drinking every last drop of an unusually zesty “elixir,” Nemorino feels his luck might just turn around. This heartwarming comedy with notes of sincerity (and a twist of fresh orange juice) embodies all the richness of Donizetti’s artistry and is simply too good to keep bottled up!

Trouble in Tahiti / Service Provider

MARCH 9–23, 2024

THE LUMINARY ARTS CENTER

Marital bliss amiss. Sam and Dinah are living the American dream in 1950s suburbia. Beau and Autumn are celebrating their anniversary over dinner and drinks. But there’s one problem… neither couple is happy. Beau and Autumn can’t seem to look up from their phones and Sam and Dinah can’t stand to be in the same room with each other. Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti and Christopher Weiss and John de los Santos’ Service Provider may not be filled with marital bliss, but these one-act crowd pleasers are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat all night long.

La bohème

MAY 4–19, 2024

THE ORDWAY

Finding love. Choosing family. On a bitterly cold winter’s night in the heart of Paris, a young woman’s search for a candle light fatefully sparks one of the most enduring love stories of all time. But can a love so great be sustained? Join Mimì, Rodolfo, and their bohemian friends as they find levity and joy amidst the hardship and struggle of a life in pursuit of art. Featuring some of the most captivating music ever written, Puccini’s La bohème weaves moments of warmth and ecstasy together with anguish and heartbreak in this enduring story of love, loss, and life.

Minnesota Opera Patron Services

620 North First Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401 612-333-6669

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

Performances

Phones open at 2pm for evening performances and at 10:30am for matinee performances. Minnesota Opera staff will be available at the Ordway’s Ticket Office 90 minutes prior to curtain.

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

Refunds are currently available. Additionally, any ticket may be returned for a tax-deductible donation up until curtain by calling the Minnesota Opera Patron Services. We will send a tax receipt to you acknowledging the value of the ticket, minus any applicable fees.

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, wheel-chairaccessible seats are 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 items with an usher.

Food and beverage 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.

THANKYOU

MINNESOTA OPERA RECOGNIZES INDIVIDUAL DONORS WHO HAVE MADE GIFTS TO OUR ANNUAL FUND AND FUND-A-DREAM BETWEEN MARCH 1, 2022 AND FEBRUARY 28TH, 2023. THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR ART COME TO LIFE.

BEL CANTO CIRCLE

PLATINUM

$50,000+

Anonymous

Curtis Dunnavan*

Vicki and Chip Emery

Ruth and John Huss

Mary Ingebrand-Pohlad

Elizabeth Redleaf

Mary W. Vaughan

Margaret V.B. Wurtele

CAMERATA CIRCLE

GOLD

$7,500 – 9,999

Roma Calatayud-Stocks

Mark Gordon and Anne Zweibel

James Richardson and Dorothy Horns

Kay Ness and Chris Wolohan

SILVER

$5,000 – 7,499

Joelle Allen

Martha and H. Brewster Atwater

Mr. William Biermaier and Mr. David Hanson

Julie Brousseau

Susan Calmenson and Vince Leo

Alberto Castillo and Judith Garcia Galiana

Mr. Warren D. Woessner and Ms. Iris C. Freeman

Virginia Friend

Susan and William Gerberich

PATRON CIRCLE

GOLD

$1,000 – 2,499

Ruth and Dale Bachman

Thomas and Jill Barland

Kim and Carol Bemis

Sue A. Bennett

Sally and Maurice Blanks

Mitchell Blatt and Michele Lepsche

Kenneth and Peggy Bonneville

Susan Boren King

William and Margaret Bracken

Al Bradley

David and Dava Briggs

Sosha Brink

Drs. Eli and Jan Briones

Cheryl Brown

Paula and Paul Butzi

George and Joan Carlson

Ms. Laurie Carlson and Mr. William Voedisch

Tiff Chang Taylor

Theresa Corona

Jeffrey and Barbara Couture

Mike and Stacey Crosby

Fran Davis

Stephen Davis and Murray Thomas

Harvey D. Doucette

Maureen and John Drewitz

Timothy Dykstal

GOLD

$25,000 – 49,999

Patricia Beithon

Mary and Gus Blanchard

Melanie Broida Werl

Patrick and Christina Comer

Mrs. Eleanor Crosby

Terrance and Susan Dolan

Lucy Rosenberry Jones and James E. Johnson

John and Kathleen Junek

Robert L. Lee and Mary E. Schaffner

Mrs. Walter Meyers Estate

Gayle and Timothy Ober

Mary W. Vaughan

William White

SILVER

$15,000 – 24,999

Margaret E. Durham

Barton and Kimberly Reed

Nadege Souvenir and Joshua Dorothy

Missy Staples Thompson

BRONZE

$10,000 – 14,999

Ms. Karen Bachman

Stephen and Margaret Blake

Vanessa Dayton

Gayle Fuguitt and Tom Veitch

Mr. and Mrs. Philip Isaacson

Diane and Paul Jacobson

Patty and Warren Kelly

Anna Kokayeff

Mary Ash and Barry Lazarus

Jeninne McGee

Ken Rothchild

Mary H. and Christian G. Schrock

Dr. Richard Gregory

Michele Harris and Peter Tanghe

Dr. Robert and Susan Josselson

Dr. Robert L. Kriel and Dr. Linda E. Krach

Constance and Daniel Kunin

Peggy and Ilo Leppik

Fayneese Miller

Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Moore

Leni and David Moore

Constance and Lewis Remele

Thomas and Nancy Rohde

Stephanie C. Van D’Elden

BRONZE

$2,500 – 4,999

Anonymous

Richard Allendorf

Dan and Martha Goldberg Aronson

Mark Bayuk

Rusty and Burt Cohen

Cinda Collins

Sara and Jock Donaldson

Laura and Tim Edman

Hugh and Joyce Edmondson

Rondi Erickson and Sandy Lewis*

Anna Marie Ettel

Salvatore Silvestri Franco

Mary and Jay Gallagher

Melinda Garner

Dr. and Mrs. Emanuel Gaziano

Teddy Gesell

Bill and Paula Glade

Marjahn Golban

Barbara Golden

Graciela Gonzalez

S. Asim Gul

Donald and Marion Hall

Mark and Lana Halldorson

Stefan and Lonnie Helgeson

Christopher Hermann

Julie Holman

Benjamin W. Hulse and Maureen C. Sheehan

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Hurwitz

Mr. J David Jackson

Bryce and Paula Johnson

Eric and Elizabeth Jolly

Michael Joncas

Nancy Jones

Dr. Charles and Sally Jorgensen

John and Kathleen Junek

Michael and Sheue Keenan

Hyun J. Kim

Melissa and Peter Kim

Dr. Mary A. Ebert and Paul Stembler

Ms. Ann Fankhanel

George Ferguson

Patricia R. Freeburg

Alfred and Ingrid Harrison

Amy and Greg Hoffman

Mrs. Jean M. Holten

Arthur and Fran Horowitz

Jill Irvine Crow

Barbara Jenkins

Janet N. Jones

Erwin and Miriam Kelen

Blaine and Lyndel King

Robert and Venetia Kudrle

Mr. David MacMillan and Ms. Judith Krow

Harvey Thomas McLain

Miquel McMoore

Sandra Morris

Richard and Nancy Nicholson

Ruth and Ahmad Orandi

Luis Pagan-Carlo and Joseph Sammartino

Mrs. Margaret V. Kinney

Andrea M. Kircher

Tom Klas

Donald W. Klass

Sally and Bill Kling

Mrs. James S. Kochiras

Robert and Barbara Kueppers

Kenyon S. Latham

Mrs. Cynthia and Dr. Lawrence Lee

Valerie Lemaine

Jonathan and Lisa Lewis

Hinda Litman

William F. Long

Tim Manning

Laura McCarten

James McConville

Rachelle McCord

Douglas Olson and Charlene McEvoy

Mary Bigelow McMillan

Jodi and Michael Mooney

Brianna M Mooty

James Morgan

Ms. Jill Mortensen and Ms. S. Kay Phillips

Richard and Nancy Nelson

Lucia Newell and Steven Wiese

Richard and Joan Newmark

Miluska Novota

Brandon and Melissa Novy

Bradley Nuss

Robert Olafson

Derrill Pankow

Dwight and Marjorie Peterson

Peter Reed

Mrs. Sandra Roe

Christopher Ross

Andrea and James Rubenstein

R.T. Rybak

Mahlon and Karen Schneider

Richard and Carol Seaberg

Dr. Frank and Lynda Sharbrough

Sue Shepard

Stephen and Dana Strand

Jerry Swenson

Andrew J. Thomas, MD

John and Jill Thompson

Debra R. Ting

Natalie Volin Lehr

Lori Ward

Nancy and Ted* Weyerhaeuser

James and Barbara Willis

Paul and Cara Wilson

Ann P. Winchester

Robert L. Parks and Lori Wiese-Parks

Martin Patrick

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Patterson

James A. Payne

Suzanne and William Payne

Rolf and Sarah Peters

Corine and John Petraborg

Dr. and Mrs. Marcos Pinto

Gretchen Piper and Scott Rosenbaum

Christina and Dwight Porter

Susan and Chris Preston

Andrew W. Reeher

Professor Julia Robinson

Ronald Roed

Michael and Tamara Root

Mrs. Liane A. Rosel

Teresa Rothausen

Christine Sagstetter

Matthew Sawicki

Alan E. Shapiro

Gale Sharpe

Cherie and Bob Shreck

Marianne Settano Shumaker and Gordon Shumaker

Juliana and Bernie Simmons

Madeline Simon

Kevin and Lynn Smith

Daniel and Marilyn Spiegel

Warren Stortroen

Virginia and Edward Stringer

Anne and Nick Stukas

Dana Swindler

Jenny and Dave Thomas

Dr. Norrie Thomas and Gina Gillson

John Vilandre

H. Bernt von Ohlen and W. Thomas Nichol

Lily and Richard Weinshilboum

John M. Williams

Lani Willis and Joel Spoonheim

John W. Windhorst Jr.

Wayne Zink and Christopher Schout

SILVER

$500 – 999

Anonymous (3)

Jerome and Lori Abrams

Joy K. and J.C. Amel

Linda Aronson

Josephine and Gordon Bailey

Susanne and Johan Bakken

James Billings

Roger Bolz

Mr. Brian Brastad and Mrs. Susan Pastika

Barbara and William Brauer

Dr. and Mrs. Arnold Brier

Stephen Bubul and Lee Lewis

Samuel Reid burgin

Rachel Cadwell

Peter Carlson

Robert J. Carr

Paul Chase

Mary and James Chastek

John Clay

Brenda Colwill

Mr. Herbert Colwill

Andrew Compton

Mr. and Mrs. Roger Conhaim

Helen and John Crosson

John Crosson

Zelda Curti

Patricia and Patrick Day

Daniel deJongh

Fernando Dicaprio

Rita Drone

David C. Dudycha and Dorothy E. Vawter

Lonnie Dunbier

Frances Edstrom

Ms. Christie Englund

Janelle Erickson

John C. Goetz

Ms. Sally Gordon

Charlotte L. Grantier

Jennifer Gross and Jerry LeFevre

Ms. Susanne Haas and Mr. Ross Formell

Anne Hanley and George Skinner

John Heer

Mr. David Henderson

Cliffton and Sharon Hill

Dewayne Hillman

Seena Hodges

Joseph and Nancy Holmberg

Mr. and Mrs. Steven A. Hornig

Burton and Sandra Hoverson

Tom Huberty and Elizabeth Watkins

Charlie Johnson

Julia Joseph-Di Caprio

Susan Kalmer

Ed and Martha Karels

Mr. John Risdall and Ms. Tina Karelson

Robert Kieft

Judith Allen Kim

Kristin Kooiker

James Kunz

David and Darlene Lee

Roxana Linares

Natalie Losik

Steven M. Lukas

Holly MacDonald and John Orbison

Dr. Joan E. Madden

Helen and Frederick Markwardt

Greg McAndrews

Barbara McBurney

Maryann and Kevin McKenna

Robert and Roberta Megard

Velia R. Melrose

David Miller and Mary Dew

Mr. Bradley H. Momsen and Mr. Richard H. Buchholz

Andrea Mouw

Brian Myers

Sarah L. Nagle

Conrad N. Nelson

Virgil Nylander

Chris Olsen & Shannon Rhatigan

Mr. Jose A. Peris and Ms. Diana Gulden

Gregory and Sharon Peterson

Mrs. Sydney Phillips*

Dale Pillsbury

Margaret Snedes Poyner

Pleasant Radford Jr

Ann Rainhart

Luther K. Ranheim

Carroll and Barbara Rasch

Rudolph Rauch

Susan Rauch

Lawrence M. Redmond

Patricia and Gregory Reese

Donna and Bernie Rodel

Dr. Marian R. Rubenfeld and Dr. Frederick G. Langendorf

Georgiana Ruzich

Linda and Allen Saeks

Beatrice C. Sexton

Jerald and Leona Shannon

Kathleen K. Simo

Mr. Jon Spoerri and Ms. Debra Christgau

Donna Stephenson

Michael Stiffman

Craig and Janet Swan

Joyce Thielen

James Thomson

Rick and Debbie Treece

Josephine Trubek

Emily Turner

Mr. and Ms. Paul Udris

Kenneth and Kathryn Valentas

Diedre Videen

Cindy and Steven Vilks

Mr. Bryan Walker and Mrs. Christine Kunewa-Walker

Emily Wang

Hope Wellner

Jeff Wiemiller and Joe Anderson

Paul and Carolynn Wiggin

Debara Zahn

Felix Zwiebel

BRONZE

$250 – 499

Anonymous (2)

Gordon Alexander

Arlene

Charlene Altman

Edwin Andersen

Anita M. Anderson

Kari Anderson

Rolf T. Anderson

Howard J. Ansel, MD

Douglas Bach

Thomas and Ann Bagnoli

Gail and James Bakkom*

Mr. and Ms. Joseph Barsky

Cornelia H. Beck

Longine Beck

Eli Berg-Maas

David Bjork and Jeff Bengston

Sharon Bloodworth and Barrett Johnson

Edward and Mary Bohrer

Daniel Roth

Nisha Botchwey PhD

Gerald Bradley

Dennis Brennan

Roger and Ronnie Brooks

Philip and Ellen Bruner

Joe Blade

Lee J. Bynum

Renee Campion and David Walsh

Ruth Carp

Mary Ceruti

William and Nancy Child

Mercedes Clark

David and Wanda Cline

George and Louise Clitty

Robert Clough

Gary B. Cohen

Daniel P. Connolly

Stephen and Joan Costello

Karl Dedenbach and Marie-Christine Leisz

Danielle Demko

Benton Duncan

Holli and Stefan Egerstrom

Desiree Einsweiler

Ludmila Eklund

Elizabeth Everitt

Anne Ewing

Kathryn Fernholz

Norma Fischer

Carol and Michael Garbisch

Gerard Gaynor

Leland and Beverly Gehrke

Nancy and Clyde Gerber

Mary Gillespie

James and Jo Glasser

James Glazier

Marcia Glick

Danielle Goerke

Alicia Graham

Mitchell Granberg

Donald Greenebaum

Jeffrey Griffin

Jan Grimes

Marian Haataja

Dr. Jon Hallberg and Mrs. Diane Bruck-Hallberg

Christopher Harrington

Karen and David Haugen

Joan Hawkinson

Dennis Hayden

Rosmarie and John Helling

Joseph and Jeanna Hinderer

Daniel Hollihan

Kathleen and Robert Humphrey

Ray Jacobsen

Eric Jacobson

Mark and Jeanne Jacobson

Ms. Marcia Jones

Teresa Kane

Kristine Kaplan

Kathryn Keefer

Barbara Kelly

Cheryl and Barry Kempton

Carole and Joseph Killpatrick

David King

Judith A Kinsey

John Klein

Stephanie Kravetz

Maureen Kucera-Walsh

James W. LaFave

John and Colles Larkin

Elizabeth Laufers

Carol Law

Rick Leach

Norma Lechtman

Kelvin Lim

Patricia & Jon Limbacher

Daniel W. Lindsey

Micah Mackert

Diane Malfeld

Emily Manhart

Sally and Don Mason

Rebecca Mazza

Sean McAleer

Mrs. Betty L. McConnell

Mr. and Mrs. Chris McHugh

Elizabeth McKinsey

Robert and Larae McPartlin

Garrett McQueen

David and Laurie Mech

Adele Mehta

Jack W. Meyer

John L. Michel and H. Berit Midelfort

Mil Miketic

Laurie Miller

Jim Miner and John Easton

Luana Mitchell

Patricia Mitchell

Jack and Jane Moran

Linda Morey

Kelsey Mork

Marcia Morris

Kimberly and David Motes

Ms. Vita Muggli and Mr. James C. Dick

William and Imelda Muggli

Mr. William Myers and Ms. Virginia Dudley

Ingrid Nelson

Mr. Merritt C. Nequette

Jay and Helen Newlin

Victoria Noble

Elizabeth and Neal Nordling

Patricia A. O’Gorman

Benjamin Ollendick

Kathleen and Stephen Olsen

Dennis R. Olson

Lauren Ostrem

Michael O’Sullivan

Dede Ouren

Julia and Brian Palmer

JoAnn Pasternack

John and Margaret Perry

Jane M. Persoon

Robert and Alice Peters

Shariska Petetson

Anne and John Polta

Lorraine Potuzak

Yekaterina Probert Fagundes

Marylu Ramirez

Rita Meyer

Jane Reiman

Claire Repp

LaRae Roder

Jack Rossmann

Vicki Rupp

Melville and Irene Sahyun

Alexandra Sakurets

Shirley Sampson

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Samsel

Julia Sand

Mary Savina

Noel Schenker

Fran Schoen

Celia Shapland

Kevin Shores and Kevin Winge

Darryl Smith

Mason G. Smith

Daniel Stanton

Donald and Leslie Stiles

Mr. Art Stone

Lisa Swan

Curtis L. Swenson

Charles and Joan Tanger

Susan Tasa

Ryan Taylor

Kay Thomas

Marie J. Thomas

Jean Thomson

Holly C. Trampe

Mrs. Susan Travis

Wendy and Paul Unglaub

Catherine Vesley

Daniel Vogel

Randall Volk

Michael Walsh

David L. Ward

Constance Waterous

Gilbert Westreich

Eva and Peter Weyandt

Deborah Wheeler

Ann White

John and Sandy White

David and Rachelle Willey

Pamela Neuenfeldt and Donald Williams

Emerson L. Williams

Lynn Williamson

Susan and Curt Wischmeier

Margaret and Richard Woellner

Maureen and Christian Woeltge

Eric Won

Dean Yohnk

* in remembrance

sincerely appreciate every gift that our donors make — our work is made possible by the generosity of people like you

LEGACY CIRCLE

The following lists donors who, through their foresight and generosity, have included Minnesota Opera in their wills or estate plans.

Anonymous (2)

Paul and Valerie Ackerman

Thomas Allen

Dr. and Mrs. Rolf Andreassen*

Mary A. Andres

Howard J. Ansel, MD

Marcia J. Aubineau

Ms. Karen Bachman

Thomas and Ann Bagnoli

Patricia Beithon

Carol J. Bergeson

Susan Boren King

Al Bradley

C.T. Bundy II*

Margaret M. Carasik

Jon L. Schasker* and Debbie Carlson

George and Joan Carlson

Richard and Darlene Carroll

Robert Clough

Julie and Dan Cross

Julia W. Dayton*

NAMED ENDOWMENT FUNDS

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

Art of Singing Endowment Fund

To support exceptional training for Resident Artists by providing learning opportunities with leading artists and experts.

COMMEMORATIVE GIFTS

The following lists donors who have made gifts in honor or in memory of a loved one between July 1, 2021–October 1, 2022.

IN MEMORIAM

lan Klevit

Anonymous

Alyda Mini

Diana Mini and David Carroll

Arthur and Judith Brindley

Eric Brindley

Daniel Gacki

Boren Family Fund

Daniel Prins

Janet Johanson

Dean and Karin Phillips

Jan and Janet Phillips

Elfrieda Hintze

Linda King

Elisabeth and John Heefner

Elisabeth and John Heefner

Enrique Rotstein

Timothy and Susanna Lodge

Eva Csathy

Eva Weyandt

Irene Browning

Paul Zerby and Ann Browning Zerby

Joan Jacobs Rubenfeld

Marian Rubenfeld

Charles M. Denny Jr. and Carol E. Denny*

Ms. Susan Doty

Anne P. Ducharme*

Dr. Mary A. Ebert and Paul Stembler

Rondi Erickson and Sandy Lewis*

Ms. Ann Fankhanel

Mrs. Ester L. Fesler

Salvatore Silvestri Franco

Daniel E. Freeman

Charles J. Frisch

Dr. Paul Froeschl

Katy Gaynor

Mrs. Ellen Green

Michelle Hackett

Russell and Priscilla Hankins

Anne Hanley and George Skinner

Mrs. Mary Abbe

Elfrieda Hintze*

Mrs. Jean M. Holten

John Humleker and Cordelia Anderson

Kathleen and Robert Humphrey

Steven and Nancy Johnson

Dr. Charles and Sally Jorgensen

Dr. Robert and Susan Josselson

John and Kathleen Junek

Dr. Markle Karlen

Patty and Warren Kelly

Blaine and Lyndel King

Sally and Bill Kling

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.

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 providing funds to engage designers and create new sets.

Joan and Joe Nagle

Ms. Sarah Nagle

Jon Schasker

Deborah Carlson

Joy Smiley Zabala

Adriana Zabala

Judy Anderson Brindley

Arthur and Judith Brindley

Ruth and John Huss

Judy Dayton

Christine and Jon Galloway

Rachelle Chase and John Feldman

Judy Lear

David Ward

Marilyn Johnson

Christopher Peterson

Mark Lindblad

Ms. Kathleen S Lindblad

Michael Birt

Ms. Maria Eggemeyer

Mr. Gordon Ray Travis

Susan Travis

Mr. Robert E. Rocknem

Ann Kristen Rocknem

Mrs. Myrtle Grette

IvaNell Monson

My Parents who were lovers of opera

Mr. Peter Douglas

Neal Viemeister

Virginia Kirby

Paige Duncan

Miss Caroline Foster Duncan

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ms. Liz Lew

Larry Klueh

James and Liz Krezowski

Dr. Robert L. Kriel and Dr. Linda E. Krach

Robert and Venetia Kudrle

Christl and Andrew Larson

Jim Lawser and Duane Bandel

Mary Ash and Barry Lazarus

Gerald and Joyce Lillquist

Dawn M. Loven

Tim Manych

Barbara McBurney

Mary McDiarmid

Mary Bigelow McMillan

Margaret L. Meyers

John L. Michel and H. Berit Midelfort

Karla Miller

Ms. Kay Ness

Richard and Joan Newmark

Scott J. Pakudaitis

Derrill Pankow

Debra Joyce Paterson

Lana K. Pemberton

Mr. Jose A. Peris and Ms. Diana Gulden

Mrs. Sydney Phillips*

Tim and Mary Pieh

Ms. Phyllis Price

Brian and Patricia Prokosch

Mrs. Liane A. Rosel

Ken Rothchild

Mary Savina

Founders Endowment Fund

To support new and innovative 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 Krenz

Emerson L Williams

Jack Lewis

Mary Kathleen Quinn

Sue Nelson

IN HONORARIUM

Anne Mollerus

Michael and Judith Mollerus

Clara Osowski

Barbara Brown

John A. Michel

Coreen Nordling

John and Sibylle Miller

Darlene Mueller

Tamera Bisping

Diana Whitecross

Mr. Peter William Riola, Sr

Dr. Everett Vern Sutton

Donald Helgeson and Sue Shepard

Eleanor Crosby

Rudolph and Susan Rauch

Eva and Peter Weyandt

Michael Weyandt

Jenn Maatman

Jeffrey Gigler

Jon and Anna McVittie Szafranski

Frances W McVittie

Judy Lear

Barbara Kelly

Julie Greif

Anne E Susag

Lani Willis and Joel Spoonheim

Katherine Magy

Josef Schermann

Mary H. and Christian G. Schrock

Mr. and Mrs. Duane Schroeder

Schwab Charitable

Dr. Frank and Lynda Sharbrough

Robert Shearer and Joan Gustafson

Mr. Drew Stewart and Ms. Anna Hargreaves

Virginia and Edward Stringer

Mr. Gregory C. Swinehart and Ms. Mitra Walter

Ryan Taylor

Dr. Anthony Thein

Stephanie C. Van D’Elden

Mary W. Vaughan

H. Bernt von Ohlen and W. Thomas Nichol

Lola Watson

William White

Wayne Zink and Christopher Schout

Mr. Harvey Zuckman and Mr. Philip Oxman

For more information on making estate plan arrangements, please contact Jeremie Bur at jbur@mnopera.org

* in remembrance

Valerie and Paul Ackerman Endowment Fund

To support the attendance of youth at Minnesota Opera performances.

Virginia L. Stringer

Endowment of the Minnesota Resident Artist Program

To support the Resident Artist Program. The appearance of the Resident Artists in this production is made possible by this endowment fund.

William Randolph Hearst

Endowment for Education and Outreach Programs

To support Minnesota Opera’s education and outreach programs.

MN Opera Costume Department

Maria Ramirez

Mr. Dale A. Johnson

Brian Staufenbiel

Mrs. Elizabeth Kochiras

Kochiras Family Fund

Mrs. Theresa A. Murray

Schmiechen Charitable Fund

Ms. Natalie Losik

The Losik Savage Charitable Gift Fund

Ms. Susan A Janda

Mr. John Zelenka

Nancy and Clyde Gerber

Patricia Cavanaugh

Robert and Barbara Kueppers

Carroll Cisek

Caroline Wilbrecht

Roland Hanson

I.U.P.A.T. District Council No. 5

Ruth and John Huss

Sally and Thomas Patterson

Sean Dorsey and Kara Eliason Dorsey

Brian Henry

Vicki Wheeler

Kurt Wheeler

Wendy Mullins

Anne E Susag

Christopher Hermann and Brian Pietsch

Gretchen Piper and E. Scott Rosebaum

Ryan Taylor

Kelley Dorhauer

Mr. & Mrs. Glynn E. Behmen Sr. Family

Glynn Behmen

MINNESOTA OPERA GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES ITS MAJOR INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORTERS:

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.

Anonymous (2)

Best Buy Foundation

Boss Foundation

Dellwood Foundation

The Elizabeth C. Quinlan Foundation

Faegre Drinker

Hutter Family Foundation

Margaret Rivers Fund

Mayo Clinic

McVay Foundation

Onan Family Foundation

Opera Volunteers

International

Pachel Foundation

Peravid Foundation

RBC Foundation

Romanaggi Foundation

Schwegman, Lundberg, & Woessner P.A.

Tennant Foundation

Travelers

For information on making a corporate or foundation contribution to Minnesota Opera, please contact Esther Blevins, Associate Institutional Giving Director, at eblevins@mnopera.org.

MINNESOTA OPERA SEASON SPONSOR

Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation

Art and Martha Kaemmer Fund of the HRK Foundation

ORDWAY INSIDE OUT

Experience the arts in Rice Park—join us for FREE outdoor streaming of these upcoming Arts Partnership events!

The Schubert Club presents The Kanneh-Masons

Sunday, May 7

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra presents Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony

Friday, June 9

The Ordway presents Finding Her Beat

Saturday, July 15

The Minnesota Opera presents The Song Poet

Friday, August 11

Learn more