il tabarro PUCCINI’S
THE CLOAK
2018-2019
73rd Season
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The Frances Richards Aldridge Danley Maestro dell’ Opera Conducter’s Chair
Frances Richards Aldridge Danley developed her love for Opera at the early age of six when her mother, Frances Norquist Aldridge, took her backstage to work with props for Mobile Opera performances. This introduction spurred a life-long passion for ensuring that our community was able to enjoy a world-class opera experience. Fran served the Mobile Opera Guild (Mobile Opera’s auxiliary organization) in many key roles including, committees for the Madame Rose Scholarship Competition, Transportation, Long Range Planning, Nominating, and Advisory Committee. She served as Corresponding Secretary, President-Elect and in 1997, President of the Guild. Despite all of her many roles, Fran most fondly recalls the 30 years of working props backstage for numerous performances. We are grateful for her service and today are proud to name the conductor’s chair in her honor.
The Frances Richards Aldridge Danley Maestro dell’ Opera.
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Madame Rose Palmai-Tenser Developing Artist Program Young Artist Program
is a scholarship program for students selected from area colleges and universities. These students participate in main stage productions, education and outreach programs and act as musical ambassadors for Mobile Opera. Young Artists work with internationally recognized soloists, directors, designers and conductors.
2018-2019 Young Artists
Joseph O’Shea Baritone Ronnie Kole Scholar
Megan Zuhowski Soprano Susan B. Gardberg Scholar
The Resident Artists Program, selects, from across the U.S., professional singers of exceptional artistry at the beginning of their careers. In programs performed throughout the community, they introduce the classical voice and the performing arts, helping to develop an interest and awareness of opera that creates future singers, audiences, and patrons.
2018 Resident Artists
Tjaden O’Dowd Cox Soprano
Rachel Gibson
The Madame Rose Palmai-Tenser Scholarship Competition is a voice competition for young singers. It is currently limited to eligible individuals in the southeastern states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Florida who compete for cash scholarships. Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 Madame Rose Palmai-Tenser Scholarship Competition.
Mezzo-Soprano
Peter Lake Tenor
Kimberly Milton Winner
Elana Gleason First Runner Up
Samantha Dapcic Second Runner Up
IN THE COMMUNITY
Major Sponsor of Education and Outreach Programs THE NAN H. ALTMAYER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION season’s OPERA SCHOOL TOUR, The Enchanted Forest, is an epic adventure to save the forest from a firebreathing dragon that teaches the basics of operatic story-telling. Complete with dramatic twists and turns—and music from iconic composers including Mozart, Bizet, Gilbert & Sullivan—each performance depends on audience participation to find the right path and make the best choice.
STUDENT PREVIEWS give Middle and
This
In cooperation with the Mobile Public Library, AFTERNOON OF STARS is an informal performance followed by a reception which provides the opportunity to meet and hear the artists prior to the mainstage performances.
VOCE (Voices of Children Everywhere)
NIGHT OF SONG: MONDAY MUSIC SERIES offers an exciting
The
High School students the opportunity to experience Opera first-hand by attending a final dress rehearsal. In conjunction with the Student Preview, a Mobile Opera Teaching Artist visits participating schools prior to the performance to tell students the story of the Opera and to discuss their role as audience members.
lineup of free performances on 5 dates throughout the Opera season. Programming for Night of Song: Monday Music Series will vary from soloists to ensembles to one act presentations to new works.
is an after-school choral program that is offered to 1st - 5th graders in participating schools. VOCE provides age- appropriate instruction in choral singing, music theory and performance in a fun environment.
MADAME ROSE PALMAITENSER DEVELOPING ARTIST PROGRAM is one of the ways Mobile Opera fulfills its mission to promote the growth and development of young talent in the performing arts. The program includes three parts: The Young Artist Program, The Resident Artist Program and The Madame Rose Vocal Scholarship Competition.
MOBILE OPERA STAFF D. Scott Wright General & Artistic Director Stacey B. Driskell Associate Director, Education & Outreach Deaven Elliott Administrative Coordinator Proud supporter of Mobile Opera
Open Daily 8 AM - 5 PM
(Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s Days)
Theodore, AL 800.247.8420 / 251.973.2217 bellingrath.org
Murray House
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Over 20 years of caring
A ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast 1257 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36604 (251) 432-2272
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Board Bruce Earnest, President Laureen Lynn, Vice-President* Charmein Moser, Treasurer Leslie Suffich, Secretary R. Terry Hartley, Immediate Past Presidentt
Directors Sheryl Bates Lynda Carroll, PhD Sorina S. Christian Finn Cox Martin Flechsenhar Joe Gerard* Duane A. Graham* Jean Harper Ann Hearin Brigitte Kemnade Michael O. Landers Heather Cook Lawton Dr. Christopher McCaghren Arthur Oken Danny K. Patterson Wade B. Perry, Jr.* John Strope Celia Wallace Douglas Whitmore Darrel Williams Jane Williamson Michael Zoghby
Honorary Directors Beverly Corte* Spencer C. Frost, III * David Gardberg* J. Russsell Goodloe, DMD* Theodore Greenspan* John Hafner* Jimmie Hatcher* J. B. Horst* Earl G. Jackson* F. Michael Johnson* L. Keville Larson* John N. Leach* Christopher L. Lee* William C. Regan, Jr.* James T. Robson* Stephen V. Russell* Ronald Snider* Lewis Wilder Katherine Willson* Forrest C. Wilson *Past President
WELCOME
W
elcome to Mobile Opera’s production of Il Tabarro! I know that I speak for all of our board members, when I say we are thankful that you are with us tonight. Your attendance, financial support, and time as an opera volunteer are critical to the growth and development of our organization.
As we plan for the future of Mobile Opera I would like to share with you our desire to ensure the fiscal and artistic success of our company for decades to come. To help accomplish this, the board will begin a planned giving campaign entitled Mobile Opera Forever. This legacy fundraising campaign will invite supporters of Mobile Opera to participate in legacy giving for the benefit of our beloved company. In the Dr. Bruce Earnest Board of Directors President coming weeks we will be unveiling the Mobile Opera Forever Campaign and ask each of you to become part of the Mobile Opera Legacy Society. I look forward to talking soon about our current success and future plans. Feel free to call me at (605) 670-8180 any time to make a donation or if you want to talk about Mobile Opera! In your service, Dr. Bruce Earnest President
Your talent lights up our state. We are proud to support the Mobile Opera. Thank you for more than 70 years of world-class productions hailed by critics and beloved by audiences.
AlabamaPower.com
Š2016 Alabama Power Company
&
General
W
D. Scott Wright
General & Artistic Director
Artistic Director Welcome
elcome to the 2018-2019 season. This marks the 73rd Anniversary of Mobile Opera’s proud tradition of quality opera and classical music education on the Gulf Coast. Over the years, Mobile Opera and the performing arts in general have continued to pay large dividends to our community in opportunities for performance, service, enjoyment, and appreciation. I am very happy to work with very talented and interesting colleagues who diligently strive to maintain Mobile Opera’s position as a cultural leader. I am grateful for the many artists who have graced our stage and whose friendships provide a network expanding our community across the nation and even around the world. When considering all these things, it is hard to gauge the depth of the impact that Mobile Opera has had on so many lives. So, I thank you for being a part of Mobile Opera, for making a difference by your support through your contributions of treasure, time, and talent, as well as by your attendance. Thank you for your overwhelming approval of our non-traditional venue and acceptance of the challenge of redefining the opera experience. Preparing this production has been exciting in many ways. We have realized how much the foundation of the past has been taken for granted, we have learned how many details have to be re-imagined, and we have come to appreciate the fundamental truth: art endures. Art is a large part of the expression of who we are, of what our community stands for, and what we hope for. And something that we fervently hope for is a continued appreciation for the importance of the performing arts in our lives; that the magic will endure as artists come and go, as venues change, and as Mobile Opera continues to provide opportunities for performance, service, enjoyment, and appreciation for generations to come. This is a grand opportunity to continue a grand tradition.
May tonight’s performance be the only moment that gives you chills this winter.
Spire proudly supports Mobile Opera and the performers who are enriching lives through the arts in Alabama. SpireEnergy.com
Mobile Opera Media Sponsors
The Larkins Music Center 257 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 432-6772 â– mobileopera.org
Mobile Opera is a member of the National Opera Association. This program has been made possible in part by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Mobile and the Mobile County Commission/ Mobile Arts Council.
RSVP of Mobile engages individuals age 55 and older in a diverse range of community service activities. With a mission of enriching the lives of older adults, strengthening the community and encouraging civic engagement, RSVP has proudly served our community for 40 years.
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Mobile Opera History
M
obile Opera, located on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, is one of the oldest performing arts organizations in the United States, as well as the oldest in the State of Alabama, having been founded in 1945. Its founder, Madame Rose Palmai-Tenser, a concert artist from Czechoslovakia, directed the first two performances in April 1946. As its General Director, Mrs. Tenser continued to lead the company until her death in 1971. Katherine Willson became the company’s Production Coordinator and General Manager and oversaw the growth of the company through the next twentyfive years. During the company’s 1995/1996 season, she became the first female President of the Board, celebrating Mobile Opera’s 50th Anniversary Season and her own thirtyfive year involvement with the company. Under Pelham “Pat” Pearce, Mobile Opera maintained its production quality and its innovative programs dedicated to education and community outreach. The development of Mobile Opera as a nationally recognized company continued with the ten-year supervision of Jerome Shannon as General Director. Shannon was succeeded by Earl Jackson who retired in 2011. The company currently operates under the direction of General Director Scott Wright. In July 2002, Mobile Opera relocated its offices to the Josephine Larkins Music Center, a newly renovated rehearsal and administrative facility located in the designated downtown arts district, which the company shares with
the Mobile Symphony. This collaboration between two of the city’s most important performing arts organizations has been instrumental in the revitalization of the downtown area. With a 2,400-square-foot rehearsal hall, seven private music studios, conference room, catering kitchen, patron ticketing services, landscaped courtyard and administrative offices, the Larkins Music Center is a significant cultural and community asset. Under General Director, Scott Wright, Mobile Opera continues its commitment to quality productions and education. In addition to main-stage productions, programs of opera excerpts are presented in schools and community venues throughout the region, establishing the company’s long-standing commitment to arts education in the schools and communities of Alabama and the Gulf Mobile Opera’s La Traviata, 1966 Coast. Education and Community Outreach, under the direction of Stacey Driskell, has produced award-winning programs, touching the lives of thousands of school children annually along the Gulf Coast.
Mobile Opera lives by its motto: More than Expected. More than Imagined. More than Music!
Acknowledgments
Mobile Opera Costume Guild
Artist Housing and Transportation Barbara and Martin Flechsenhar Randy and Cherie Jennings Vaughan and David Luker Joanne and Robert Maceluch Sally & David Pearsall Sarah & Scott Wright
Mobile Opera continues its new tradition of costume excellence by the Mobile Opera Costume Guild. These multi-talented stitchers have expertise in a variety of skills that are put to use in creating costumes for Mobile Mobile Opera is grateful Opera’s productions. Costumes to the following for this season’s productions Aria Lopuhovsky Kevin Lee, Lagniappe were created with the assistance Barbara Flowers Kristen Lee of Marsha LeBoeuf, Costume Ben Harper Mary Parker Antiques Director of Washington Billie Dunn Michelle Matthews, AL.com National Opera, serving as consultant to the MOCG. Charmein and Bruce Moser Mobile Public Library Clinton Dootlittle Plantation Galleries Chickasaw Civic Theatre RSVP Volunteers Graham Driskell ShowBiz Lighting Hartley Bros. Mfg. Stan Chapman Members: Hillary Anaya Steve Alsip Ian Weaver The Temple Downtown Chair: Sarah Wright JJPR Theatre 98 Susan Ames JoAnn McKnight Thomas Rowell Nancy Goodman Karen Smith Zelda Peach Michele Hill Keith Necaise Photography Zimlich, The Florist Michelle Patton Viola Thornton Angie Wilkie Darrel Williams Gwin Williams
Cast Party Provided By
Il Tabarro Where the Seine River runs through Paris, Michele, a barge owner, sits moodily smoking his pipe. His much younger wife, Giorgetta, busies herself with laundry. The stevedores, Tinca, Talpa, Luigi, and others are moving cargo along the quay. Giorgetta urges Michele to let them take a break and offers them a glass of wine. Michele is worried because Giorgetta seems unhappy and distant from him. An organ grinder comes along and Tinca tries to dance with Giorgetta. Luigi cuts in and takes Giorgetta into his arms. There is an immediate and urgent attraction between them as they dance together, oblivious of the world around them until Michele appears again. Upon Giorgetta’s casually phrased question about his plans for the crew Michele replies that Talpa and Tinca will stay — Luigi, too. La Frugola appears to pick up her husband, Talpa. She has been out scavenging items discarded by others and from her haul she gives Giorgetta a beautiful comb. They talk about the back-breaking life of the stevedores. Luigi makes an impassioned outcry against their lot. Giorgetta wistfully recalls her youth in the Paris quarter of Belleville, and Luigi, also born there, joins her in a happy duet. For a moment all their troubles are forgotten. When Tinca, Talpa and Frugola leave, Luigi stays behind, ostensibly to discuss a matter with Michele, but really to be close to Giorgetta. Michele goes off to put up position lamps. Left alone, the younger pair recall their triste of the night before
Synopsis
and make plans to meet again that evening after Michele has gone to sleep. They arrange a signal — Giorgetta will light a match to show Luigi that it is safe to join her. After Luigi leaves, Michele tries to rekindle some of the old warmth in the couple’s relationship as he talks about happy times with their small child, long since dead. He recalls how he would use his cloak to shield them all from the cold winds. Giorgetta’s mind is on other things and her heart remains closed to him. She pretends to be tired and goes to bed. Michele watches her go. She is not getting ready for bed, but seems to be waiting for something. A flash of jealousy and despair makes Michele rant against the fate that has turned their relationship sour. Does his wife have a lover? Who could it be? He prepares to light his pipe. Luigi, hiding on the quayside, waits for Giorgetta’s signal. He sees the match being lit and, assuming that it is Giorgetta’s signal, sneaks down to the quay. In the dark, he does not realize it is Michele until it is too late. Michele grabs him and forces him to confess that he loves Giorgetta. Enraged, Michele strangles Luigi and covers the body with his cloak. He waits for Giorgetta, who eventually approaches in a softened mood but, when she expresses a desire to be sheltered by Michele’s cloak, he triumphantly pulls the cloak away to reveal Luigi’s lifeless body.
PUCCINI’S
il tabarro The Cloak
o
Music by Giacomo Puccini Libretto by Giuseppi Adami
CONDUCTOR Bernard McDonald STAGE DIRECTOR Benjamin Smith COSTUMES Mobile Opera Costume Guild LIGHTING DESIGN Showbiz Lighting SET DESIGN MMI Theatricals PROPERTIES MASTER Albert “Ski” Lopuhovsky REHEARSAL PIANIST Eric Andries CHORUS MASTER Dr. Laura Moore MAKEUP DESIGN Lisa Davis
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
James Boykin
MICHELE Taylor Hightower* LUIGI Christopher Nelson IL TINCA Thomas Rowell IL TALPA Patrick Jacobs GIORGETTA Kathleen Halm* LA FRUGOLA Monika Cosson SONG PEDDLAR Xavier Johnson THE LOVERS Megan Zuhowski and Joseph O’Shea
LONGSHOREMEN, MIDINETTES AND ORGAN GRINDER Mobile Opera Chorus * Mobile Opera Debut
Artist Profiles
ERIC ANDRIES Rehearsal Accompanist
MONIKA COSSON La Frugola
KATHLEEN HALM Giorgetta
Eric Andries is pleased to be returning to Mobile Opera where he has accompanied several productions, including The Crucible, The Merry Widow, Tosca, Don Pasquale and more. He has a wide range of musical experience in several genres. He has been the rehearsal pianist for several opera companies, including Des Moines, Amarillo, Omaha, Hidden Valley Ensemble, Shreveport, Mobile, Syracuse, Indianapolis, and the Ashlawn Music Festival. Eric is an avid jazz pianist who has worked with Princess Cruise Line. He was the keyboardist/arranger for a salsa music group that was featured at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. A native of Baton Rouge, he holds degrees from LSU in piano performance and has studied in France and Austria.
Monika Cosson began her career as a member of the highly esteemed long-standing choral group The Gregg Smith Singers in New York City in 1994. She has performed opera roles with New Orleans Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Southwest, Jefferson Performing Arts Society, and Mobile Opera. Her concert credits include appearances with the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Santa Fe Community Orchestra, Symphony Chorus of New Orleans, and Pensacola Choral Society. Ms. Cosson has been a featured soloist with Santa Fe Federated Republican Women, New Mexico State Senate, New Mexico State Capitol, The City of Santa Fe - Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain, and Santa Fe Film Festival. Upcoming engagements in Mobile, Alabama include Azalea Chamber Ensemble (St. Paul’s Episcopal Church - March 31), Saint-Saëns Requiem (Christ Church Cathedral - April 14); and Ordination Mass (CathedralBasilica of the Immaculate Conception - June 1). In addition to performing, Ms. Cosson directs the Protestant Chancel Choir at Eglin Air Force Base.
Soprano, Kathleen Halm, has been praised for her dramatic vocal portrayals of standard spinto repertoire. Her most recent successes have been as the Foreign Princess in New Orleans Opera’s production of Rusalka, and as Jade Boucher in Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking and she sang on their 75th Anniversary Gala in 2017. Reviews for her debut in the title role in Norma with the South Florida Opera Company stated “...Listening to Halm’s fabulous voice as she gave vent to the fiercest emotions — while watching her use her acting ability to back up that singing — was one of the best experiences this seasoned opera lover has ever had.” Kathleen has sung Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, CioCio San in Madama Butterfly, the title role in Aïda, the title role of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Princess Ida and Anna in The King and I. Kathleen debuted as Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto in San Luis Obispo. As an active concert performer, Kathleen performed Britten’s War Requiem with the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus in San Diego. Other San Diego performances included Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Rossini’s Stabat Mater, Mozart’s Requiem,
and Orff’s Carmina Burana, which she debuted with San Diego Symphony. She sang with the San Diego Symphony again as the soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in addition to excerpts from Madama Butterfly and Die Zauberflöte. Kathleen sang soprano solos in Rossini’s Petite Messe solenelle in San Diego following a turn as soprano soloist in Mendelssohn’s St. Paul for the Pacific Academy of Ecclesiastical Music. She has also been the soprano soloist for Respighi’s Laud to the Nativity, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Magnificat, and Fauré’s Requiem. Kathleen debuted as the soprano soloist in Verdi’s Requiem with the Bakersfield Symphony.
TAYLOR HIGHTOWER Michele J. Taylor Hightower, baritone, is an Associate Professor of Voice and the Undergraduate Coordinator of the School of Music at the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Hightower holds a Bachelor of Music degree in voice performance from Furman University and both his Master of Music and Doctor of Music degree in voice performance from Indiana University. At home on the stage and in the recital hall, Dr. Hightower enjoys a wide variety of literature. This Spring will include recitals of Ives’ songs, Bach’s Ich habe
genug, and debut’s with the Meridian Symphony singing the baritone solos in Faure’s Requiem. Dr. Hightower has sung with Mississippi Opera on numerous occasions, including the Sergeant of Police in The Pirates of Penzance, the title role in The Mikado, Monterone in Rigoletto, and Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana. His other numerous major roles include Silvio in I Pagliacci, Reverend Olin Blitch in Susannah, Balstrode in Peter Grimes, the title roles in Jeppe (as part of its American premiere), Don Pasquale, Gianni Schicchi, and Sweeney Todd, Tolomeo in Giulio Cesare, Dr. Dulcamara in L’Eliser D’amore, Zuniga in Carmen, Father in Ragtime, and Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music. As a concert soloist, he has performed in Wilberg’s Requiem with Wilberg conducting, the Mozart Reqiuem, the Vaughan Williams Dona Nobis Pacem, Handel’s Messiah, Brahms’s Ein Deutsches Requiem, Faure’s Requiem, Durufle’s Requiem as well as Bach’s Weihnachts Oratorium, St. Matthew Passion, BMV # 82 Ich habe genug, and Magnificat.
PATRICK JACOBS Il Talpa Dr. Patrick Jacobs is an established veteran of hundreds of performances in opera and musical theater. He
excels as an actor and singer “with a smooth baritone and a special talent for shifting from comedy to darker mischief.” He is a two-time Metropolitan Opera regional finalist and winner of the Orpheus National Vocal Competition, Dr. Jacobs has performed principal roles with opera companies throughout the United States, including: New Orleans Opera, Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh, Fresno Grand Opera, and many others. He is a featured soloist on the debut opera recordings of Hangman, Hangman! and The Town of Greed by Leonardo Balada on the Naxos recording label. Recent singing engagements include Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte and Colline in La Bohème with Mobile Opera, Narrator / Mysterious Old Man in Into the Woods with Charlottesville Opera, Baron Gondremarck in La Vie Parisienne with First Coast Opera, and George Benton in Dead Man Walking with Pensacola Opera. Engagements for the 201819 season include Talpa in Il Tabarro with Mobile Opera, solos in Handel’s Messiah with Choral Society of Pensacola, and Saint-Saens’s Requiem at Christ Church Cathedral (Mobile, AL). In addition, Dr. Jacobs directed a double-bill of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel and Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges as well as Menotti’s The Consul with University of Mobile Opera, and will direct Hello, Dolly! with the Joe Jefferson Players in June. Dr. Jacobs is the Director of Vocal Studies and Opera at the University of Mobile.
XAVIER JOHNSON Song Seller Xavier Johnson is a tenor originally from Oxford, AL currently residing in Mobile, Alabama. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance at the University of Montevallo under the direction of Dr. Roderick George. During his time in Montevallo, he studied roles such the title role in The Mikado and Aeneas in Dido and Aeneas. Xavier has had the honor to perform in the chorus of L’elisir d’amore with Opera Birmingham and Cosi Fan Tutti with Mobile Opera. Xavier is currently pursuing his Master of Music in Vocal Performance with an emphasis on Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Mobile under the tutelage of Dr. Patrick Jacobs, where he performed the role of John Sorel in Menotti’s The Consul this spring.
BERNARD MCDONALD Conductor The Frances Richards Aldridge Danley Maestro dell’ Opera
Bernard McDonald’s upcoming and recent engagements as conductor include: Opera Kelowna, British Columbia; Opera Theater of Pittsburgh; the Pittsburgh Opera; Bay View Music Festival, Michigan; the Dutch National Opera Academy; and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD). Also a pianist, he garnered wide-ranging experience as a vocal coach, conductor, and chorus master with major opera companies in America, Europe and the Far East. His debut at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, was on piano, in recital with mezzo-soprano Marietta Simpson and tenor John Aler. Professional training at the Merola Program of the San Francisco Opera led directly to an invitation to join the music staff of the New York City Opera. He was subsequently Head of Music and Chorus Master at the Florida Grand Opera in Miami. As Chorus Master of Glyndebourne, he prepared over twenty-five productions to great critical acclaim for a host of internationally renowned conductors, including Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Charles Mackerras, and Vladimir Jurowski. He has also worked with, among others, the Aspen Music Festival and
School, the New National Theatre Tokyo, the Netherlands Opera, the Netherlands Radio Choir, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, and the Central Iowa Symphony. He has been on the faculty of the RSAMD and CCM. A native of Scotland, his studies include piano performance at the RSAMD; opera at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM); musicology at the University of Glasgow; and a doctorate in conducting from Indiana University. He is currently the G. Dewey and M. Maine Larsen Chair in Opera at Simpson College.the Härnösand Folkhögskola Opera Workshop (Sweden).
CHRISTOPHER NELSON Luigi Tenor, Christopher Nelson returns to Mobile Opera as Luigi in Il Tabarro. Christopher’s most recent performance was Count Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with BARN Opera. In 2018, Christopher joined Opera on the James as Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola, Mobile Opera as Rodopho in La Boheme, New Rochelle Opera as Rodolpho in La Boheme, DIVAria Productions as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni and Mobile Opera as Count Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Past engagements
include Fredric in Pirates of Penzance with Nashville Opera and Mississippi Opera, Alfredo in La Traviata with Midatlantic Opera, Nemorino in L’elisir d’amor, Ernesto in Don Pasquale, Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus, Joe Cable in South Pacific and Lun Tha in The King and I. Christopher was an Apprentice Artist with The Ohio Light Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera and Opera Santa Barbara. Upcoming: Captain/Governor/ Gambler/Vanderdendur in Candide with Union Avenue Opera.
University of South Alabama. In September 2018 he created the role of John C. Calhoun in the world premiere of George Mabry’s An Elegant Obsession. He recently performed the roles of Don Basilio and Don Curzio in First Coast Opera’s production of Le Nozze di Figaro. He will direct USA Opera Theatre’s April 2019 production of Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore. Rowell also appears regularly with musical arts organizations along the Gulf Coast, including Mobile Symphony, Northwest Florida Symphony, Pensacola Opera, Choral Society of Pensacola, Mobile Pops, and Baldwin Pops, and is also the conductor of Bella Voce, Mobile’s premiere women’s chorus. Dr. Rowell is the Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Music, Area Coordinator for Vocal Studies, and the Director of Opera Theatre at the University of South Alabama.
THOMAS ROWELL Il Tinca Thomas Rowell began his affiliation with Mobile Opera as Chorus Master for the 2004 production of The Mikado. Since then, he has appeared in more than twenty-five productions with the company, including roles in The Crucible, La Traviata, Lucia di Lammermoor, Tosca, Turandot, La Fanciulla del West; KoKo in The Mikado; Goro in Madama Butterfly; Schmidt in Werther; Edmondo, the Dancing Master, and the Lamplighter in Manon Lescaut, Beppe in Pagliacci; Gherardo in Gianni Schicchi, and Mr. Scratch in The Devil and Daniel Webster. Last spring he appeared as Benoit/Alcindoro in Puccini’s La Boheme, and stage directed Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers at the
BEN SMITH Stage Director Opera stage director Benjamin Smith has led nineteen new productions since 2000, ranging from Pergolesi’s La serva padrona to Conrad Susa’s The Dangerous Liaisons. He brings a balance of practical experience and innovative storytelling to his projects, which have been hailed by Opera News as “full of comic inventiveness.” Smith has
recently directed new productions of La finta giardiniera, Hansel and Gretel, The Pirates of Penzance, La Cenerentola, and The Turn of the Screw. In 2012, he directed all of the Mozart/ Da Ponte collaborations. He has directed for Seattle Opera’s Young Artist Program, Tacoma Opera, Asheville Lyric Opera, Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh, The Intermountain Opera Association, the Young Artist Program at Pittsburgh Opera, the University of Cincinnati/CCM, Baldwin Wallace University and The Opera Theater of Lucca, Italy. In 2010, Smith finished his tenure as the Resident Assistant Director at Seattle Opera where he worked on eleven productions over two years. Other assisting credits include Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center, Cincinnati Opera, Michigan Opera Theater, Pittsburgh Opera and the Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh. In 2013 he was appointed Artistic Director of the Accademia Vocale Lorenzo Malfatti, a summer training program for young singers in Lucca, Italy. Increasingly in demand as a clinician, Smith has given acting masterclasses at the University of Cincinnati/CCM, Penn State University, Western Kentucky University, University of Akron, University of Miami (OH), Mars Hill College (NC), Oakland University (MI) and the Venture Theater in Montana. Smith holds an MFA in Opera Stage Directing from the University of Cincinnati where he studied with Nick Mangano, Nic Muni and Sandra Bernhard. He began his career in opera as a singer, performing twenty-one leading roles in opera, operetta and musical theater. He has logged over 250 performances in the U.S. and Italy.
Chorus
Steven Alsip
Ken Austin
Joyce Barber
David Loftin
Vaughan Luker
Allan Maples
Joseph O’Shea
Asia Smith
Elizabeth Stephens
Barbara Turrens
Julio Turrens
Megan Zuhowski
LAURA MOORE Chorus Master Laura Moore is Chair of the Music Department and Director of Choral Activities at the University of South Alabama. She received her doctorate in Choral Conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from UNC Greensboro, and the BA from Davidson College. Dr. Moore is active in church music and musical theater, and enjoys coaching singers and accompanying vocalists and instrumentalists. She has served as clinician and adjudicator in North Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama. As part of the Alabama Ambassadors of Music tour to Europe in 2009 and 2011, Dr. Moore conducted choral concerts in England, France, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.
CHRISTOPHER POWELL Chorus Rehearsal Accompanist
The Mobile Opera Orchestra Violin I
IN COOPERATION WITH MOBILE SYMPHONY
Flute
Trombone
Oboe
Timpani
Juliana Gaviria, Principal Bret Heim
Clarinet
Percussion
Viola
Bassoon
Harp
Enen Yu, Concert Master Grace Kim Ellen Grant
Violin II
Matthew Watts, Principal Jim Lichtenberger
Cello
Guo-Sheng Huang, Principal Jose Sunderland
Bass
Taylor Hollyer, Principal
Andra Bohnet
Christopher Wren
Patricia Malone J.C. Barker
Laura Noah Matt Greenwood
Evelyn Watkins
Rebekah Atkinson
Horn
James Baker Judy Bartels Sykes
Trumpet
Stage Technician Ben Harper
Peter Wood
You’ve got to hear this! MobileSymphony.org 251.432.2010
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CONTRIBUTORS
Corporate .
Impressario Level ($20,000 +)
Foundations
The Laura Lee Patillo Norquist Charitable Foundation
Maestro Circle ($10,000-$19,999)
The Nan Altmayer Charitable Trust The Community Foundation of . South Alabama
City of Mobile Mobile County Mobile Arts Council
Prima Donna Circle ($5,000-$9,999)
Alabama Power Company Alabama State Council on the Arts Anonymous Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
The Crampton Trust J.L. Bedsole Foundation Springhill Medical Center Sybil H. Smith Foundation
Sponsor Level ($2,500-$4,999)
C.D. Helen & Jeff Glaze Foundation Shell Oil Company Foundation
Spire Energy
Patron Level
($1,000-$2,499)
B&B Pet Store Mike and Patsy Dow Foundation IBM International Foundation
Miller Charitable Foundation Turner Supply Company Vanguard Charitable Trust
Corporate Supporter (Gifts under $1,000)
Alabama World Trade Association Amazon Smile Anonymous Fiser Giafagleone Charitable Fund, . a Donor Advised Fund of The . U.S. Charitable Gift Trust
Lawrence and Lawrence Middleton & Associates The Schumann Music Club SP Engineering, Inc. Wells Builders
CONTRIBUTORS INDIVIDUAL Maestro Circle
($10,000 +) Anonymous Mrs. R.L. Benton Scott and Sarah Wright
Prima Donna Circle ($5,000-$9,999)
Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bates Ms. Ann Hearin
Ms. Celia Wallace Mrs. Ivey Williamson
Wagner Level
($2,500-$4,999)
Anonymous Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Earnest Dr. and Mrs. Joerg Kemnade Ms. Laureen Lynn
Mr. James T. Robson Dr. and Mrs. Chris Salter Mr. and Mrs. Michael Zoghby
Puccini Level
Anonymous Mr and Mrs. Duane A. Graham Mr. Michael Landers Dr. and Mrs. Christopher McCaghren
($1,250-$2,499)
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Moser Mr. and Mrs. Wade B. Perry Mr. and Mrs. Norville Smith
Verdi Level
Anonymous Mr. Richard F. Beirne, IV Drs. Marion and Lynda Carroll Dr. Lanier Cauley Mr. and Mrs. Tim Corrigan Mr. and Mrs. Finn Cox Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Damson Mr. R.P. Denniston Mr. Jimmie Duet
($600-$1,249) Dr. and Mrs. Wade Faulkner Mr. and Mrs. JB Horst Dr. . Douglas Hungerford Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Kennedy Mr. Mike Gewin and Ms. Margueritte Kettering Dr. and Mrs. Michael O’Dowd Lt. Col. Arthur Oken Mr. and Mrs. David Pearsall
Dr. Allen Perkins Ms. Plia Dees Preston Rickie Richey and Cathy Cope Mr. Howard Shramm Ms. Ann Marie Terry Mr. Darrel Williams Mr. and Mrs. James Wishon Mr. and Mrs. J. Edwin Wright Dr. Clarke Yarbrough
Donizetti Level Dr. and Mrs. Steven Alsip Anonymous Ms. Katherine Austill Ms. Ann Bedsole Ms. Sharee L. Broussard Mr. J. Gregg Buckalew
($300-$599)
Mr. William Cutts Garin and Deborah Danner Stacey and Brian Driskell Ms. Avery Fick Dr. and Mrs. Art Frankel Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Friedman
Maureen and Spencer Frost Dr. and Mrs. James Glasser Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Grill Ms. Jimmie Hatcher Mr. and Mrs. Robert Heitman Dr. and Mrs. David Legier, Jr.
Donizetti Level (cont’d) Mr. and Mrs. James Lyons Dr. and Mrs. Michael Madden Mr. and Mrs. Jack McAleer Ms. Geri Moulton Mr. and Mrs. Brian Naylor
Michelle and Mike Patton Mr. Clayton Ryan Ms. Melissa Safin Dr. and Mrs. Cort B. Schlichting William & Patricia Schwieterman Dr. and Mrs. Julio Turrens
Dr. and Mrs. David Warren Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Wilson Mr. Douglas Whitmore Ms. Joanie Zoghby Ms. Mary Jo Zoghby
Rossini Level Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Adamo Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Adams Anonymous Dr. Robert Batens Mr. Don Bowden Dr. Julia H. Box Mr. and Mrs. Michael Box Mr. and Mrs. Gene Brabston Mr. and Mrs. John G. Carden Ms. Valerie Case Mr. and Mrs. George Chandler Mrs. Frank Dulaney Mr. and Mrs. William Davis
($150-$299)
Mr. and Mrs. Valrey Early Mr. Larry Eggers Ms. Deaven Elliott Dr. Maria S. Figarola Dr. and Mrs. Martin Flechsenhar Dr. John Kessinger Ms. Gail Leacy Mr. Terry Mannion Ms. Mary Beth McIsaac Mr. Kurt Nauck Barbara Michell and Hans Rufer Steve and Jan Russell
Dr. and Mrs. Cort Schlichting Mr. and Mrs. Scott Peach Mr. John Pendergrass Dr. Thomas Rowell Mr. Douglas Sinchak Ms. Leslie Suffich Ms. Jean Tucker Mr. and Mrs. George Waldron Mr. and Mrs. Gregg Williams Ms. Vincentine Williams Ms. Mary Zoghby Mr. Edmund Zoghby
Mozart Level Anonymous Mr. Kenneth Austin Ms. Betty Baldwin Mr. and Mrs. Robert Baker Ms. Terry Barkin Mr. Don Blanchard Ms. Gay Corte Ms. Donna Drake Mr. Wendell Eatherly Ms. Kathleen Gill Mr. Lorenzo Franklin Mr. and Mrs. Steven Harmon Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hayes
($100-$149)
Mr. and Mrs. William Jones Walter Kirkland and Judy Culbreth Richard and Linda Kletecka Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Knight Mr. and Mrs. Champ Meyercord Jason McKenzie and Day Peake, III Mr. and Richard Miller Ms. Valerie Mitchell Ms. Kaye Montgomery Mr. and Mrs. John Day Peake, Jr. Ms. Katherine Pittman Mr. and Mrs. Bill Purvis Mr. and Mrs. Howell Raines
THANK YOU!
Every donor is important to our future.
Mr. and Mrs. Grey Redditt Mr. and Mrs. John Ruggiero Mr. and Mrs. Tim Simmonds Dr. Laura Anne Shaver Mr. and Mrs. Edward Stone Mr. and Mrs. Gregg Terral Mr. Gene Tillman Ms. Julia Simmons Mr. and Mrs. William J. Suffich Mr. and Mrs. Sid Vogel Mr. and Mrs. Michael Zoghby, Jr.
GIVE TODAY! Make your gift online at mobileopera.org or call (251) 432-6772.
&
honorary
memorial gifts
In memory of Daniel A. Benton Stacey and Brian Driskell Mr. and Mrs. Wade B. Perry Scott and Sarah Wright
In memory of Fran Danley
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce C. Finley, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Wade B. Perry Scott and Sarah Wright John and Susan Leach
In memory of Rita Pounds Jacobs Mrs. Ivey Williamson Scott and Sarah Wright
In memory of Pamela Joy Johnson Scott and Sarah Wright
In memory of Albert Klein Anonymous Scott and Sarah Wright
IN KIND GIFTS Alabama Public Radio Candlewood Suites Dogwood Productions Gulf Services Contracting Kangal and Associates Lagniappe Mobile Arts Council RSVP Volunteers Springhill Medical Center University of Mobile University of South Alabama Wintzell’s Oyster House Zimlich, the Florist
In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Forrest Wilson, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Valrey Early, Jr.
In honor of Katherine Willson Scott and Sarah Wright
In honor of Scott Wright Mr. and Mrs. Dan Curtis
In honor of Michael Zoghby Mr. Joey Carter Mr. David Wirtes
The Lynn McDermott Whitmore Group of Wells Fargo Advisors is proud to support Mobile Opera The Lynn McDermott Whitmore Group of Wells Fargo Advisors Laureen Lynn, CIMA®, CPWA® First Vice President – Investments 41 W. I-65 Service Rd. N., Ste. 220 Mobile, AL 36608 Direct: 251-345-8811 laureen.lynn@wellsfargoadvisors.com wellsfargoadvisors.com
Doug Whitmore Financial Advisor 41 W. I-65 Service Rd. N., Ste. 220 Mobile, AL 36608 Direct: 251-345-8815 douglas.whitmore@wellsfargoadvisors.com
Michael (Mike) McDermott Financial Advisor 41 W. I-65 Service Rd. N., Ste. 220 Mobile, AL 36608 Direct: 251-345-8814 michael.mcdermott@wellsfargoadvisors.com Investment and Insurance Products:
NOT FDIC Insured
NO Bank Guarantee
MAY Lose Value
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2011, 2013 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. 0715-03774 [74127-v4] A1699 (3326501_504383)
DECIDEDLY DIFFERENT.
GRAND SOIREE Sunday, April 28, 2019 The Grand Hotel - Point Clear 5:30pm Reception 6:00pm Dinner and Live Music Auction Begins $125 per person
cocktail/business formal attire
RSVP and include dinner selection of steak or fish by April 19, 2019 to Mobile Opera - (251) 432-6772.
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From The Shoals to the shore Alabama Public Radio has you covered! Tune in or stream from www.apr.org for the best local, regional, national and global news as well as classical music.
DEGREES BM with Concentration in Music Education (Instrumental or Vocal) BM with Concentration in Performance (Instrumental or Vocal) BM with Concentration in Elective Studies (Business) BM with Concentration in Elective Studies (Specific Outside Fields) MM in Music Education (General, Instrumental, or Vocal) MM in Performance (Brass, Percussion, Piano, Voice or Woodwind) MM in Collaborative Keyboard Music Minor
ENSEMBLES INSTRUMENTAL Wind Ensemble Symphony Band University Band Symphony Orchestra String Ensemble Jaguar Marching Band Jaguar Pep Band Jazz Ensemble VOCAL University Chorale USA Opera Theatre USA Concert Choir
CHAMBER Flute Choir Clarinet Ensemble Trumpet Ensemble Trombone Ensemble Tuba Euphonium Ensemble Chamber Brass Ensembles Chamber Woodwind Ensembles Percussion Ensemble USA Steel Band USA World Music Ensembles Piano Ensemble Guitar Ensemble
AUDITION DATES
January 12, 2019 February 9, 2019 March 2, 2019 (vocal only)
March 9, 2019 (instrumental only) April 6, 2019
For more Information about AUDITION DATES, call 251-460-6136
CONTACT INFORMATION
University of South Alabama, Department of Music | Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, Room 1072 5751 USA Drive South, Mobile, AL 36688 | (251) 460-6136 | E-mail: usamusic@southalabama.edu www.southalabama.edu/music | Facebook: facebook.com/southalabamamusic
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