Girl of the Golden West (La Fanciulla del West) Program Book by Opera Colorado

PUCCINI NOVEMBER 5 8 11 13 2016

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OPERA IN A SETTING LIKE NO OTHER

WORLD PREMIERE

THE (R)EVOLUTION OF STEVE JOBS Music by Mason Bates

Libretto by Mark Campbell

DIE FLEDERMAUS Johann Strauss Jr.

LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR Gaetano Donizetti

THE GOLDEN COCKEREL Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

ALCINA

Paul Horpedahl photo

George Frideric Handel

2017 SEASON

June 30 through August 26

SantaFeOpera.org

800-280-4654

elcome to the Opera Colorado 2016/17 Season and our first of three productions this year, La Fanciulla del West! This is our first staging of Puccini’s adaptation of the play The Girl of the Golden West, a classic love triangle set in the early days of the Wild West. We’ve taken it one step further and set it right here in our home state of Colorado’s rich mining country, circa 1850. The selection of La Fanciulla del West was no accident. A rigorous strategic planning process resulted in a fresh vision for Opera Colorado and a re-dedication to the growth of our organization. As board and staff members, we each made a commitment to strengthen the musical and artistic values of

our opera productions, expand the number of annual opera productions to three per year and diversify our repertoire to embrace both new and rarely presented works. We are also developing a new series of short, interactive performances in unique venues that will engage, entertain and enlighten new audiences to the excitement of opera in all its varied forms. We can’t wait to share it all with you this season. Thank you for being a dedicated patron of Opera Colorado, and for being here tonight. You are an integral part of our family of supporters and you make all this possible. We look forward to experiencing the joys of live opera performances together for years to come.

Sincerely,

Greg Carpenter General Director

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Mike Bock Chairman of the Board

OPE RA COLORADO 2016-2017

Ari Pelto Music Director

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With humor and empathy, As One chronicles a transgender person’s inner journey. This new, 75-minute chamber opera depicts the experiences of its sole transgender protagonist, Hannah, as she endeavors to resolve the discord between herself and the outside world. Inspired in part by the life experiences of acclaimed filmmaker Kimberly Reed, As One’s rich libretto – and evocative melodies and harmonies – make it an unforgettable work. “Laura Kaminsky’s As One proved to be a thoughtful and substantial piece as well as that rarest of operatic commodities — a story that lends itself to dramatization in music.” THE WASHINGTON POST

MARCH 2 3 4 2017

OPERACOLORADO. ORG 303. 468. 2030

PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX AT PINNACLE CHARTER SCHOOL 1001 WEST 84TH AVENUE, DENVER

All performances start at 8PM. Sung in English with English subtitles.

DONIZETTI MAY 6 9 12 14 2017 OPERACOLORADO.ORG 303.468.2030

ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE AT DENVER PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX

RT VO O BR E AH BY DE BO R TTO IBR E |L OH EN

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NOVEMBER 4 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 2017

JANUARY 25 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 2018

MAY 5 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 2018

LA BOHÈME

STEAL A PENCIL FOR ME WOR LD PR E M I E R E

F A L S TA F F

Music by Gerald Cohen Libretto by Deborah Brevoort The Wolf Theatre | Mizel Arts and Culture Center, MACC at the JCC

ARI PELTO Conductor DAVID EDWARDS Director

Giacomo Puccini Ellie Caulkins Opera House ARI PELTO Conductor MATTHEW OZAWA Director ANYA MATANOVIC Mimi DOMINICK CHENES Rodolfo LEVI HERNANDEZ Marcello MONICA YUNUS Musetta JOSHUA BLOOM Colline ANDREW GARLAND Schaunard This grand opera production tells a poignant tale of love and loss among young artists in the vibrant bohemian Latin Quarter of 19th-century Paris, and remains a worldwide favorite that appeals to both opera enthusiasts and new audiences.

ARI PELTO Conductor OMER BEN SEADIA Director INNA DUKACH Ina Soep DIDEON DABI Jaap Polak ADRIANA ZABALA Manja Polak Based on a true love story that transcends the horrors of the holocaust, two lovers secretly pass letters while prisoners at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. “I’m a very special Holocaust survivor. I was in the camps with my wife and my girlfriend; and believe me, it wasn’t easy.” — Jaap Polak

Giuseppe Verdi Ellie Caulkins Opera House

OLAFUR SIGURDARSON Falstaff CYNTHIA CLAYTON Alice MARCO NISTICO Ford SANDRA PIQUES EDDY Meg DANA BETH MILLER Dame Quickly SUSANNAH BILLER Nannetta MINGJIE LEI Fenton A brilliant adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV, Verdi’s witty and insightful comedy tells the tale of Falstaff, a rotund knight played by Icelandic baritone Olafur Sigurdarson, who has run out of money and seeks to get rich quickly by attempting to seduce two married women with wealthy husbands.

Since 1994, the Opera Colorado Foundation has proudly supported Opera Colorado’s engaging education programs and word-class productions while sustaining the company’s endowment for the advancement of opera in the community. We invite you to join this special group of donors by leaving a lasting legacy to ensure that Opera Colorado is a vital cultural resource for years to come. For more information, please contact Erin Wenzel, Director of Development, at 303.468.2040 or ewenzel@operacolorado.org The Scarlet Letter, May 2016 Laura Claycomb as Hester Prynne and Dominic Armstrong as Arthur Dimmesdale

Opera Colorado wishes to thank Wilson Daniels LTD. for their support.

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OPE RA COLORADO 2016-2017

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FAMILY DAY AT THE OPERA Saturday, February 4, 2017 Bring the kids to the opera – fun for the entire family! Starring Opera Colorado’s Young Artists performing the company’s touring productions sung in English. Explore the wonders of opera and the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Come early to enjoy family fun activities and kidfriendly refreshments, sponsored by the PB & K Family Foundation and provided by Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House. The Barber of Seville | 10AM The Elixir of Love | 1PM Sponsored by

Free tickets for both shows will be available to reserve online starting January 16, 2017. Reservations are required for Family Day at the Opera. More info at operacolorado.org.

STAFF CORNER Getting to Know Opera Colorado

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT ERIN WENZEL, CFRE

n September, Opera Colorado filled the Director of Development position, welcoming Erin Wenzel to its administrative staff. Erin has worked in the non-profit arts and culture field for 20 years. A professional theatre stage manager for a decade in Chicago, for the past 10 years, she has become a dedicated arts fundraiser with a track record of growth. As a senior member of the Development team at the Nashville Symphony for the past 4.5 years, Erin contributed to 12

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growth of the organization’s annual fund from $3.4 million in 2013/14 to over $6 million during the 2014/15 season – an unparalleled 70% increase in 12 months. Simultaneously, Erin worked part time as a Project Consultant for Robert Swaney Consulting, Inc., coaching and partnering with arts organizations to strengthen their fundraising programs.

OPE RA COLORADO 2016-2017

“I’m thrilled to join the staff of Opera Colorado and am looking forward to experiencing The Girl of the Golden West, my first of what I hope will be many, many Opera Colorado productions in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Thank you, everyone I’ve met so far, for making me feel welcome and right at home!”

“Startling and breathtaking.” — William Baldwin, film actor and producer

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LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST NOVEMBER 5 • 8 • 11 • 13, 2016 ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE Opera in Three Acts By Giacomo Puccini Libretto by Guelfo Civinini and Carlo Zangarini There will be one 25 minute intermission between Acts One and Two. CAST I N OR D E R OF VOCAL APPEARANCE

Nick Joe Handsome Harry Happy Sid Sonora Trin Jim Larkens Jack Rance, Sheriff Jake Wallace Ashby Minnie Pony Express Rider Dick Johnson José Castro Wowkle Billy Jackrabbit

Norman Shankle* Omar Najmi^* Charles Eaton^ Joshua Zabatta* Ryan Bradford^* Kasey Nahlovsky* Jared Guest Joseph Gaines Gregory Gerbrandt* Mark Rucker* Michael Corvino* Harold Wilson Melissa Citro* Leo Kaufman* Jonathan Burton* Michael Corvino* Danielle Lombardi^ Nathan Van Arsdale^*

Opera Colorado Orchestra Opera Colorado Chorus Conductor Stage Director Associate Conductor Lighting & Scenic Design Projection Design Wig and Makeup Design

Ari Pelto Emma Griffin* Andres Cladera Stephen D. Mazzeno Greg Emetaz* Ronell Oliveri

PROPS AND FURNITURE PROVIDED BY NASHVILLE OPERA COSTUMES DESIGNED FOR UTAH SYMPHONY

& OPERA BY SUSAN MEMMOTT ALLRED

*Opera Colorado Debut ^Opera Colorado Young Artist

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SPONSORS 2016-2017 SEASON SPONSORED BY ELLIE CAULKINS Music Director Ari Pelto is sponsored by Mike and Julie Bock The Opera Colorado Young Artists Program is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth T. Barrow Opera Colorado Young Artists Sponsors Allison Nicholas is sponsored by Patrick Spieles and Carol McMurry. Danielle Lombardi is sponsored by Dr. Stephen L. Dilts. Omar Najmi is sponsored by Patrick Spieles and Carol McMurry. Charles Eaton is sponsored by Marlis & Shirley Smith and Dirk & Joyce deRoos. Opera Colorado recognizes the following organizations and businesses for their generous support.

PUCCINI LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST

a Fanciulla del West (literally The Girl of the West, though always remembered as The Girl of the Golden West) was Puccini’s seventh opera. With the previous four, his heroines had time and again come to tragic ends: Manon perished in the wilds of 18th century Louisiana, Mimi died of consumption, Tosca leapt to her death from the walls of the Castel Sant’Angelo, and poor, abandoned Butterfly took her own life. With Fanciulla, Puccini seems to have found himself in the mood for a lighter tale, or at least, supposed that his audiences might be ready for something different. It is, as Puccini’s publisher Ricordi declared when he brought the libretto to print, “a drama of love and moral redemption… grandiose souls and wilderness.” Not, as it happens, too different: the ending of Fanciulla is upbeat, but the personalities of the three central characters are markedly similar to those inhabiting Tosca. There is the soprano, beautiful, brave, and vulnerable; the tenor, charming, charismatic, and in need of rescue; and the baritone, darkly determined to win the soprano for himself, even at the cost of the tenor’s life. It is as if Tosca, Mario, and Scarpia had all been reborn in Gold Rush California, this time intent upon surviving

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to the final curtain. Here, the lovers manage to ride off together into the sunset, and even the rejected suitor can do nothing but watch them go. In January, 1907, Puccini traveled to New York to witness the Metropolitan Opera premieres of his operas Madama Butterfly and Manon Lescaut. Both operas were enthusiastically received, and the ebullient Puccini, with a few free evenings on his hands, indulged in the theatre, seeing three plays by David Belasco, including The Girl of the Golden West. Puccini was already familiar with Belasco’s work, as Butterfly had also arisen from a Belasco drama. Despite strictly limited fluency in English, the composer was impressed by the highly atmospheric tale of a young woman’s love for a desperado, and obtained an Italian translation of the play. “This is it!” he proclaimed to his publisher Ricordi. “Fanciulla promises to be a second Bohéme, but stronger, bolder, vaster. I have an idea for a grand scene, a clearing in the California forest with colossal trees, but it requires eight or ten horses.” The premiere of this most American tale occurred December 10, 1910, at New York City’s Metropolitan Opera. Enrico Caruso sang the tenor role: Italian-born and stocky, it might have been

casting against type, were not for his glorious voice. The leading soprano was Prague-born Emmy Destinn; she and Caruso had appeared together in London for Puccini’s Butterfly. Arturo Toscanini conducted, as he had at La Bohéme’s premiere, as he would at Turandot’s. Despite grim winter weather, the house was packed, many of the audience members having braved not merely ice and snow, but also the demands of New York ticket scalpers. The production proceeded smoothly, and fifty-two curtain calls later, Fanciulla was declared a triumph. The delighted composer, journeying home to Europe on the Lusitania, wrote to a friend of the new work, terming it “magnificent.” Fanciulla’s music demands not only a tenor who can manage high, floating notes, and a baritone who can, when necessary, sing with a snarl, but also a soprano who can belt, as the orchestra is one of Puccini’s largest. Moreover, she needs to be able to hold her own against a stage full of masculine voices, for in addition to Dick Johnson and Sheriff Rance, there is a Wells Fargo agent, a traveling minstrel, and a host of miners. The only other female role is Minnie’s Native American maid Wowkle,

whose vocal presence is little more than a short lullaby, so most of the time, Minnie is the lone lady. Puccini imagined her as “fresh and energetic,” an image well reinforced by her music. For the men of the chorus, there’s a passing reference to Stephen Foster’s “Camptown Races,” and Puccini stops just short of commanding the men to sing “Clementine.” It is the Gold Rush from an Italian perspective, richly and vividly colored: there was nothing Puccini liked quite so much as an exotic setting. Opera Colorado’s production is, perhaps, a bit more exotic than even Puccini imagined. Given that the story has a Gold Rush setting, and that Colorado had its own Gold Rush, albeit a decade after California’s, Opera Colorado has reset the piece in the Rockies. Neither scenery nor music required adjustment, though at times in the libretto, place names needed changing. So instead of hearing that Johnson has come from Sacramento, one can listen for another place rather closer to home: Gold Rush love stories might also happen in Colorado. Program notes by Betsy Schwarm, author of Operatic Insights

SYNOPSIS LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST CAST LI ST

Minnie, owner of the Polka Saloon – soprano Dick Johnson (aka Ramerrez) – tenor Sherrif Jack Rance – baritone bartender Nick – tenor minstrel Jake – baritone Well Fargo agent Ashby – bass Wowkle, Minnie’s Native American companion – mezzo-soprano Various miners; the Pony Express Rider; a member of Ramerrez’ gang A Colorado mining camp around 1860. Act One: Miners gather in the Polka Saloon. Jake Wallace sings a nostalgic ballad that leaves homesick Jim in tears. A collection is taken to send Jim home. Ashby tells Sheriff Jack Rance of the search for the bandit Ramerrez. Minnie, owner of the Polka, breaks up an argument over who will marry her, then begins the evening Bible lesson. Rance tells Minnie of his bitter life and his desire for her. Minnie recalls her own happy childhood. Dick Johnson (the disguised Ramerrez) is welcomed by Minnie. They recall a previous meeting. Rance and the miners are suspicious, but on Minnie’s word, Johnson is accepted. Ashby returns with Castro, one of Ramerrez’s men. Castro leaves with the posse on what will be a wild goose chase. Johnson, left alone with Minnie, learns that she would die rather than let anyone steal the miner’s gold. He agrees to meet her later at her cabin. Act Two: At the cabin, the maid Wowkle sings a lullaby as Billy, her baby’s father, discusses marriage. Minnie prepares for her

visitor. Once they are alone, Johnson kisses Minnie. As it is snowing, she offers him a place to sleep by the fire. Shots ring out. Johnson hides and Rance arrives to tell Minnie that Johnson is Ramerrez. After the posse leaves, Minnie confronts Johnson, who claims that her love has made him a better man. She sends him away, but more shots are heard and Johnson returns, wounded. Minnie hides him in the loft, but Rance discovers the fugitive. To save Johnson, Minnie proposes a game of poker, with herself and Johnson as the prize. Minnie wins through devious means, and Rance departs empty-handed. Act Three: Rance regrets his bargain with Minnie, but the miners announce that they have captured Johnson. They prepare to lynch the outlaw, who asks only that they conceal his fate from Minnie. Minnie arrives and demands Johnson’s freedom. Recalling her kindness to them, the miners relent, and the lovers depart together. Synopsis by Betsy Schwarm, author of Operatic Insights

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THE ARTISTS RYAN BRADFORD^* | Happy Originally from Walnut Creek, CA, Ryan received his Bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and his Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He recently appeared as Jake Wallace and Sid (La Fanciulla del West) at the Castleton Festival in Virginia under Maestro Lorin Maazel. Other past roles include Guglielmo (Così fan tutte) for both SFCM and the Santa Cruz Symphony. He was a young artist with Shreveport Opera singing the Baron in La Traviata and covering Dandini in La Cenerentola. For the 2015-2016 season he debuted with Opera Santa Barbara as a Mosher Studio Artist singing Masetto in Don Giovanni. As an Opera Colorado Young Artist he will sing the roles of Belcore (The Elixir of Love), cover Figaro (The Barber of Seville), Happy (La Fanciulla del West) and cover roles in As One and Lucia di Lammermoor. JONATHAN BURTON* | Dick Johnson American tenor Jonathan Burton has been praised for having “thrilling power and beauty” (Baltimore Sun) and for being “an engaging all-around singer with a powerful, full-bodied sound.” (Opera News) During the 2015-2016 season this exiting tenor joins Nashville Opera as Calaf in Turandot, Sarasota Opera as Radames in Aida, and finally Knoxville Opera as Cavaradossi in Tosca. Mr. Burton took the stage as Dick Johnson in La Fanciulla del Westwith Des Moines Metro Opera. Additional past engagements included Manrico in Il Trovatore with Knoxville Opera, the title role in Don Carlos with Sarasota Opera, and both Dick Johnson in La Fanciulla del West and Florestan in Fidelio with Kentucky Opera. On the concert stage he made his debut with the Munich Philharmonic. Mr. Burton made his European debut during the 2012-2013 season as Dick Johnson in Fanciulla del West with Sinfónica de Galicia under the baton of Lorin Maazel. MELISSA CITRO* | Minnie Recent engagements include her Kennedy Center debut as Gutrune in Washington National Opera’s RING Cycle, her Detroit Symphony debut in Mahler’s 2nd Symphony, Rusalka (title role) and Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus with New Orleans Opera, La Wally (title role) with Dallas Opera, Senta in Der Fliegende Holländer with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Sieglinde in Die Walküre with Virginia Opera, Gutrune and Freia in San Francisco Opera’s RING Cycle, Ortlinde and Third Norn in Los Angeles Opera’s RING Cycle, Magda Sorel in The Consul with the Glimmerglass Festival, and Jenufa (title role) with Staatsoper Stuttgart. Ms. Citro was a Grand Finals winner

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of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and has returned to the Met in recent seasons to cover Renee Fleming in Rusalka, and Karita Mattila in The Makropulos Case. Future engagements include Minnie in La Fanciulla del West with Michigan Opera Theater, and her return to San Francisco Opera as Gutrune and Helmwige in the RING Cycle. ANDRES CLADERA Associate Conductor Uruguayan conductor Andres Cladera, recently named Associate Conductor with Opera Colorado and Artistic Director of Emerald City Opera, is a versatile and cultivated artist in both the operatic and symphonic worlds. He has prior conducting experience with Opera San Antonio, Opera Colorado, Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic, Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, Edgewood Symphony, Emerald City Opera, Chatham Baroque and San Antonio Symphony. Maestro Cladera holds a Masters of Music degree from Carnegie Mellon University and Bachelors of Fine Arts degrees in Piano and Voice Performance from College of Charleston. Cladera was awarded the Outstanding Young Conductor of the year by the Association of Choral Directors of America, and first place in several international piano competitions including: Luis Troccoli International Piano Competition, Luis Cluzeau Mortet Piano Competition. Upcoming engagements include As One with Opera Colorado, Goyescas with Boulder Opera and his debut with Cincinatti Opera. Maestro Cladera is represented by Encompass Arts LLC. MICHAEL CORVINO* Jake Wallace and José Castro For his work as Tony Esposito in The Most Happy Fella, The New York Times exalted, “The baritone Michael Corvino brings a robust voice and disarming vulnerability to the role. Mr. Corvino brings both a Verdi baritone richness and a crisp articulation to the title song.” With over 200 performances achieved of Verdi’s leading baritone roles, he continues to impress audiences and critics alike. In the 2000-2001 season, he joined the roster of New York City Opera, where he made many returns in the years to follow. Roles in his repertoire include the title role in Rigoletto, Germont La Traviata, the title role in Nabucco, Amonasro Aïda, Iago Otello, and the Count di Luna Il Trovatore, as well as Figaro Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Alfio Cavalleria Rusticana, Tonio I Pagliacci, Marcello La Bohème, David L’amico Fritz, Lescaut Manon Lescaut, and Enrico Lucia di Lammermoor, among many others.

THE ARTISTS CHARLES EATON^ | Handsome Originally from Storrs, Connecticut, Charles received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Connecticut and his Master of Music from the University of Minnesota. Operatic credits from his schooling include Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), Thomas Putman (The Crucible), the Forrester (The Cunning Little Vixen), Il Conte (Le Nozze di Figaro) and more. In the summer of 2016, he covered the role of Lescaut (Manon) as an apprentice artist with Des Moines Metro Opera in Indianola, Iowa. He is excited to return to Opera Colorado for another season as a 2016-2017 Young Artist, where he will sing Figaro in The Barber of Seville, cover Belcore in The Elixir of Love (touring productions), Bello in La Fanciulla del West and sing Enrico in the Student Matinee performance of Lucia di Lammermoor. Charles Eaton is sponsored by Dirk and Joyce de Roos and Marlis and Shirley Smith. GREG EMETAZ* | Projection Design Greg Emetaz is a filmmaker and projection designer. His projection design work includes the world premiere of Bel Canto at Chicago Lyric Opera, Dolores Claiborne at San Francisco Opera, Enemies: a Love Story at Palm Beach Opera, “27”, Champion and The Golden Ticket at Opera Theater of Saint Louis. He is the director of short films Bowes Academy (NC Gay + Lesbian Film Fest Jury award), Get the F K Outta Paris!, Death by Omelette (SNCF Prix Du Polar Finalist & Hong Kong Mobile Film Awards Silver Medalist) and music videos Eating 4 Two and Butt Drunk (Friar’s Club Film festival special Jury Award, iTVfest Best Director Award) co-directed with Amanda DeSimone. He has created the behind-scenes documentaries for Julie Taymor›s The Tempest, Broadway musical Spider-Man Turn off the Dark and numerous productions at New York City Opera and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. JOSEPH GAINES | Trin A highly energetic, vibrant, and extremely versatile singer and actor, tenor Joseph Gaines is known in the United States and abroad for beautifully sung and richly detailed interpretations of character roles. Gaines has been a regular guest artist at Opera Philadelphia, Pittsburgh Opera, Utah Opera, Central City Opera, Indianapolis Opera, and others. His upcoming seasons include repeat engagements with Opera Philadelphia, Resonance Works Pittsburgh, and Ars Lyrica Houston, as well as debuts with Hawaii Opera Theater, the Charlotte Symphony,

and a major west coast opera company in 2018. An in-demand concert artist and recitalist, he has been a featured soloist with The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Detroit Symphony, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Philadelphia’s Lyric Fest, and The Brooklyn Art Song Society, as well as many chamber and period ensembles. Gaines joined the artist roster of The Metropolitan Opera for the first time in 2013-14, covering Caius in Verdi’s Falstaff. GREGORY GERBRANDT* Jim Larkens American baritone Gregory Gerbrandt has performed with opera and symphonic organizations on five continents, singing for ambassadors and other officials from all over the world. Gerbrandt has created the lead baritone in four World Premiere operas, one of which was recorded in 2015 on Albany Records. By contrast, Gerbrandt is in high demand to perform the prominent standards of Italian, French, and Russian opera. Highlighting the last year, Gerbrandt performed the title role in both Eugene Onegin and Elijah, the leading roles of Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire, Marcello in La bohème, Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, Malatesta in Don Pasquale, Edmund in Mansfield Park, and led the Ecuadorian Premiere of Les Misérables, in the role of Javert, in South America. This season includes debuts with Opera Colorado, Anchorage Opera, and Teatro Sanchez Aguilar of Ecuador, with returns to Opera Memphis and Asheville Lyric, among others. EMMA GRIFFIN* | Stage Director Emma Griffin is a theater and opera director based in Cincinnati and New York City. She is a frequent collaborator on new music/theater pieces; past projects include Phil Kline’s Out Cold & Zippo Songs at BAM’s Next Wave Festival, Corey Dargel’s Removable Parts (winner of “Outstanding Performance Art Production” at NY Innovative Theater Awards) and Thirteen Near Death Experiences. Opera credits include: the world premiere of Charpentier’s La Feste de Ruel with Catacoustic Consort; La Boheme at Crested Butte Music Festival; Three Decembers at Atlanta Opera; Don Giovanni at Boston Lyric Opera; The Cunning Little Vixen at Juilliard Opera; and Wozzeck at the Opera Philadelphia. She has theater credits at many regional theaters including Perseverance Theater, Geva Theater Center, Syracuse Stage, Southern Rep, Actor’s Express, Virginia Stage and Williamstown Theater Festival. She is the Professor of Opera Stage Direction at College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.

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THE ARTISTS JARED GUEST | Sonora American Singer, Jared Guest, has been described as having a “robust baritone.” 2015-16 sees Guest returning as a soloist to the Carolina Philharmonic and debuting with Salt Marsh Opera as Dandini in Rossini’s La Cenerentola. He also returns to Chautauqua Opera as an Apprentice Artist singing the Servant in Verdi’s Macbeth and covering the title character in Eugene Onegin. Guest makes his west coast debut singing Eurymaque in Fauré’s Pénélope. A graduate of the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music, Guest has participated in a number of major young artist programs such as Opera Colorado, Chautauqua Opera, and Opera in the Ozarks. Role credits include: Ford Falstaff, Escamillo Carmen, Sharpless Madama Butterfly, Figaro Il barbiere di Siviglia, Papageno Die Zauberflöte, Faninal Der Rosenkavalier and Belcore L’elisir d’amore. He is excited to return to Opera Colorado as Sonora in Puccini’s La fanciulla del West. DANIELLE LOMBARDI^ | Wowkle Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Danielle received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Oberlin Conservatory and received her Master’s from Rice University’s The Shepherd School of Music. Her operatic roles include Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Mrs. Herring in Albert Herring and Ericlea in Monteverdi’s Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria. Last season at Opera Colorado, Danielle was seen in Carmen, Hansel and Gretel, Aida and The Scarlet Letter. Returning to Opera Colorado for a second season as a Young Artist, Danielle will sing Rosina in the touring production of The Barber of Seville and Gianetta in the touring production of The Elixir of Love. She will also sing the roles of Wowkle in the mainstage production of La Fanciulla del West and Alisa in both the mainstage production and Student Matinee of Lucia di Lammermoor. Danielle Lombardi is sponsored by Dr. Steven L. Dilts. STEPHEN D. MAZZENO | Lighting and Scenic Designer Stephen is happy to be returning to Opera Colorado for this production of La Fanciulla del West. He is a graduate of Mesa State College (now Colorado Mesa University) with a BA in Theatre Design (emphasis in Lighting and Scenic design) and has worked in Theatre and Opera in the Denver area for more than 20 Years as both a designer and as a stage technician as a member of I.A.T.A.E. Local #7. He has work for many different companies to include Opera Colorado, Central City Opera, PHAMALY Theatre Company, and the Denver Center for the Preforming Arts, Theatre Company. His most recent work for Opera Colorado includes Side Show (Lighting Design), The Magic Flute (Scenic Design), The Ellie Caulkins Opera House 10th Anniversary Gala (Lighting Design).

• L A FA N C I U L L A D E L W E S T

OMAR NAJMI^* | Joe Originally from Boston, MA, Omar has spent the past three seasons as an Emerging Artist with the Boston Lyric Opera. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College and his Master’s degree in Voice Performance from Boston University. His roles with Boston Lyric Opera include Vanya Kudrjas in Katya Kabanova, Rodolfo (cover) in La Bohème, Reverend Harrington in Lizzie Borden, Bruno/Arturo (cover) in I Puritani, Borsa/Duca (cover) in Rigoletto, and 1st ArmoredMan/Tamino (cover) in The Magic Flute. An avid performer of contemporary music, Omar has appeared as El Gobernador in La Reina with the American Lyric Theater, Ricky (cover) in The Long Walk with Opera Saratoga, Bill in Flight and Laurie in Little Women – both with Opera Fayetteville. His roles with Opera Colorado will include: Almaviva in The Barber of Seville, Nemorino in The Elixir of Love, Joe in La Fanciulla del West and Edgardo in the Student Matinee of Lucia di Lammermoor. Omar Najmi is sponsored by Patrick Spieles and Carol McMurry. ARI PELTO | Opera Colorado Music Director and Conductor Ari Pelto is widely known for performances which have been called poetic, earthy, vigorous, highly individual and quintessentially Italianate. In demand at opera houses and symphony orchestras throughout the US, he was appointed Assistant Conductor at Spoleto Festival at age 24, and has gone on to conduct internationally in Japan, Italy and Germany. Inaugurating the post of Music Director this year, acclaimed Opera Colorado performances include Don Giovanni, Madama Butterfly, Aida and the recent world premiere of The Scarlet Letter soon to be released on CD. Past highlights include Aida at Utah Opera and Gianni Schicchi / La Voix Humaine with Patricia Racette at Chicago Opera Theater, Madama Butterfly at New York City Opera, and Merola’s Grand Finale at San Francisco Opera. His recent success with Salome at Virginia Opera led to another invitation to return for Lucia de Lammermoor, and future Opera Colorado engagements include La Boheme and Falstaff. MARK RUCKER* | Jack Rance Baritone, Mark Rucker made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Amonasro in Aida and returned to the Met as Don Carlo in La Forza del Destino, Tonio in I Pagliacci, and as Rigoletto for the Met in the Parks. His Carnegie Hall debut was as Don Carlo in La Forza del Destino. Internationally, Mr. Rucker has sung Rigoletto, Macbeth, Nabucco, Amonasro,

THE ARTISTS Renato, Germont and The Flying Dutchman for Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin, Bologna, Verona and Vienna as well as the Festivals of Bregenz, Savonlinna and Santander. In concert he has performed Linda di Chamounix and Verdi’s Jerusalem at the Concertgebouw and Rigoletto with the Rotterdam and Israel Philharmonic. In America his career has taken him to numerous companies from the Metropolitan Opera to San Diego for major dramatic baritone roles. Upcoming, Mr. Rucker sings the role of Paolo in Simon Boccanegra with ROH Covent Garden. NORMAN SHANKLE* | Nick Norman Shankle is currently enjoying worldwide acclaim for his portrayals of Mozart’s most famous tenors. The Boston Globe called Shankle “a singer of elegance, grace and conviction,” and the San Francisco Chronicle praised him equally as “clearly a singer to watch.” This season in addition to this role with Opera Colorado, Shankle returns to Phoenix Symphony for Handel’s Messiah. He also joins Pittsburgh Opera as Elder Barber/Gus Greenlee in the world premiere of The Summer King. Recent performances include joining The Metropolitan Opera as the Quartet Tenor and to cover the role of Demetrius in The Enchanted Island as well as for their production of Parsifal; Count Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia with the English National Opera and with Dresden Semperoper, Ferrando in Cosi fan Tutte with the Dutch National Opera, Ernesto in Don Pasquale with the Grand Théâtre de Genève among many other performances. NATHAN VAN ARSDALE^* Billy Jackrabbit Colorado has always been a home to Nathan, who was born in Colorado Springs. He holds a Masters of Music from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has performed in a wide array of settings domestically and internationally, notably: at the White House; the Lincoln Center in the world premiere of opera, Holodomor: Red Earth Hunger, by Virko Baley; and at the Kennedy Center. In Las Vegas, Nathan has enjoyed performing with non-profit and for-profit musical organizations, such as, Opera Las Vegas, Sin City Opera, La Voce Totalle, and The Venetian. This season he will sing the roles of Bartolo in The Barber of Seville and Dulcamara in The Elixir of Love in the company’s touring productions. In the mainstage productions, Nathan will sing the roles of Billy Jackrabbit in La Fanciulla del West and Raimondo in the Student Matinnee of Lucia di Lammermoor .

HAROLD WILSON | Ashby Harold Wilson, bass is happy to be singing his third role with Opera Colorado. He also makes returns to Sarasota Opera for Mustafa in L’Italiana in Algeri and to Opera Delaware for Oroe in Semiramide. Harold spent six years in Germany where he sang over 250 performances of 40 roles. He has been a part of the Metropolitan Opera’s season for six out of the last eight seasons, most recently covering James Morris as Timur in Puccini’s Turandot. He has sung internationally at theaters in Basel, Barcelona, Toulouse, Berlin, Halle, and Dortmund. In the USA he has performed in Santa Fe, Seattle, Portland, Palm Beach, Sarasota, Tulsa, Milwaukee, Pensacola, Birmingham, Dayton and Memphis. When he’s not busy rehearsing and performing with Opera Colorado you can find him on one of the Denver area’s many picturesque golf courses.

ENGLISH OR SPANISH SUBTITLES AT YOUR FINGERTIPS OPERATING THE SUBTITLES FOLLOW THESE EASY STEPS

 Prior to the performance, the screen will display a

sponsored message automatically. (You cannot turn it off.)  When the singing begins, briefly press the red button.  Press once for English titles and twice for Spanish titles.  Press three times to turn the system off.  Repeat these steps after intermission(s). Pressing the button too many times or holding the button down will result in system failure. Titles are only broadcast when singing occurs on the stage. If you experience difficulty with the system, please contact an usher for assistance. Opera Colorado does not offer refunds or exchanges in the event of subtitle system failure. A synopsis of the opera is available above. All Sunday matinee performances offer audio description for the visually impaired. Headsets are available at the coat check. English subtitles written by Jeremy Sortore for Opera Colorado. Spanish translation by TranslatingSpanish.com

L A FA N C I U L L A D E L W E S T •

LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST ORCHESTRA

VIOLIN I Margaret Gutierrez, concertmaster Takanori Sugishita Chris Jusell Angela Dombrowski Robyn Julyan Debra Holland Cyndi Mancinelli Annamaria Karacson Robyn Sosa Leah Mohling VIOLIN II René Knetsch, principal Lynne Glaeske Ingrid Peoria Veronica Sawarynski Susie Peek Leslie Sawyer Christine Short Regan Kane VIOLA Matthew Dane, principal Mary Harrison Brian Cook Lora Stevens Sarah Richardson Matthew Diekman

PRODUCTION STAFF MUSIC STAFF Andres Cladera, Associate Conductor Sahar Nouri, Coach/Accompanist Kim Peoria, Orchestra Personnel Manager Ingrid Peoria, Orchestra Librarian PRODUCTION STAFF Katie Preissner, Director of Production Brett Finley, Stage Manager Julia Hoch, Assistant Director Sarah Johnson, Assistant Stage Manager Amelia Nordin, Assistant Stage Manager Jeremy Sortore, Title Coordinator Beth Nielsen, Title Operator Brian Greffe, MD, Company Physician Buzz Reifman, NPPA, Company Otolaryngologist 8

CELLO Jeff Watson, principal Cedra Kuehn Carole Whitney Charles Lee Elle Wells David Short

BASSOON Charles Hansen, principal Kim Peoria

BASS David Crowe, principal Matthew Pennington Jeremy Nicholas James Vaughn

HORN Michael Yopp, principal Lauren Varley Devon Park Marian Hesse

FLUTE Susan Townsend, principal Elizabeth Sadilek

TRUMPET Colin Oldberg, principal Ken Aikin Cami Kidwell-Dodge

FLUTE and PICCOLO Olga Shilaeva OBOE Sarah Bierhaus, principal Max Soto OBOE and ENGLISH HORN Liz Telling CLARINET Michelle Orman, principal Heidi Mendenhall CLARINET and BASS CLARINET April Johannesen

TECHNICAL STAFF Erin Turner, Technical Director Ed Saindon, Head Carpenter Mike Boswell, Shop/Production Carpenter John Gordon, Assistant Carpenter Jeff Reidel, Head Flyman Chris Green, Head Electrician Patrick Howard, Light Board Operator Susan Osborn, Assistant Electrician Jenna Wadleigh, Assistant Lighting Designer Maria Hedrick, Head Props Terry Gulley, Assistant Props Charles Polich, Head Sound Steve Campbell, Head Video Projections Matthew Houstle, Projections Programmer

• L A FA N C I U L L A D E L W E S T

BASSOON and CONTRABASSOON Kyle Sneden

TROMBONE Bron Wright, principal Andy Wolfe Jeremy Van Hoy TUBA Michael Allen, principal HARP Janet Harriman, principal TIMPANI Peter Cooper, principal PERCUSSION Mark Foster, principal Carl Dixon Nena Wright

CELESTE Sahar Nouri LIBRARIAN Ingrid Peoria PERSONNEL MANAGER Kim Peoria

OPERA COLORADO CHORUS John Adams Matt Cantwell Stewart Cramer Nathan Crowder Shane Delavan Michele Di Nuovo Jonathan Gentry Paul Griggsby Drew Hansen Brian Harris Luke Johnson Leo Kaufman Wade Klassen Zeky Nadji Kasey Nahlovsky Jason Parfenoff Todd Resseguie Norman Spivy Ron Stauffer Joey Taczak Anthony Varner Keith Williamson Joshua Zabatta

ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE CREW Randy Mitchell, House Carpenter John Kendrick, House Sound Tanya Rist, House Props Dave Wilson, House Electrician

VOLUNTEER DRESSERS Valerie Kreck Amburn Leslie Cady Kathy Heider Jan Heimer Pat Smith

COSTUMES Ann Piano, Costume Director Alison Milan, Shop Manager and Wardrobe Head

WIGS AND MAKEUP Sarah Opstad, Associate Wigs and Makeup Coordinator Devanie Blake, Wigs and Make-Up Assistant

DRAPER Kevin Brainerd SHOP ASSISTANTS Barbara Piano Elizabeth Woods VOLUNTEER STITCHER Julie Parker DRESSERS Devin Anders Kevin Brainerd Alie Holden Tom Holmes Teresia Larsen Elizabeth Woods

ARTIST HOSTS Host Chairman: Merrill Shields Devanie Blake Katy Burley Ellie Caulkins Wendy, Dillon and Lillian Cogdal Rebecca Henriques Robert Kahn Cherity Koepke Cheryl McGinnis and Ed Woolman Maradith and Rusty Wilkins

GIVE THEM SOMETHING

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Mortuary and Cemetery

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTORS The Board of Directors of Opera Colorado and the staff express their deepest appreciation to the individuals, corporations and foundations who have contributed to the Annual Fund. The following list acknowledges individual donors, corporations and foundations who made gifts to Opera Colorado’s Annual Fund as of October 12, 2016.

INDIVIDUALS

PRESIDENT CIRCLE $20,000+ Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth T. Barrow Mike and Julie Bock Dave and Pam Duke Hugh A. Grant and Merle C. Chambers Mr. and Mrs. Harold R. Logan, Jr. Jeff Baldwin & Debra J. Perry Marcia and Dick Robinson Jeremy and Susan Shamos Patrick Spieles and Carol McMurry DIRECTOR $10,000+ Mr. and Mrs. Bruce G. Allen Al and Rebecca Bates Peyton and Suzanne D. Bucy Ellie Caulkins Noel and Thomas Congdon Mary and Tom Conroy Mr. Robert Damrauer Mr. Ray J. Groves Cy and Lyndia Harvey Harley and Lorraine Higbie Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy F. Kinney The Honorable and Mrs. Kenneth Laff Dr. and Mrs. William N. Maniatis Ms. Muffy Moore and Mr. Al Minier Kevin O’Connor and Janet Ellen Raasch Ann and Gerald Saul Merrill Shields & M. Ray Thomasson Marlis and Shirley Smith Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Charles I. Thompson Martha and Will Tracey Byron Watson

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MAESTRO $5,000+ Linda Bjelland Margaret N. Dillon Karen Fukutaki Robert S. Graham Celeste and Jack Grynberg Diana and Mike Kinsey Ms. Carole Leight Frank and Virginia Leitz Tom and Mary Meade Mrs. Rhea J. Miller Robert R. Montgomery and Nancy Hawkins Mr. and Mrs. Leonard M. Perlmutter The Ponzio Family Dr. Barbara Reed Robert and Myra Rich Mr. and Mrs. George G. Shaw Mr. and Mrs. Richard Weil Mrs. Carol C. Whitley Maradith and Rusty Wilkins Herbert Wittow Larry and Brigitte Zimmer DIVA $2,500+ Janice Baucum Mr. James L. Berggren Mr. Charles E. Berry and Mrs. Maria Garcia Berry Sheila Bisenius Robin E. Black Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Bock Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bradley Steve and Pat Corder Marcus & Wendy Divita Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Hunt Mr. Mike Hurdle Ms. Judy Johnston Dr. Jan Kennaugh and Mr. Chip Horne Christine and Harry Phillips Bruce Polkowsky and Bill Powell Nijole and Walter Rasmussen Vicki and Harry Sterling Ms. Erin Wenzel COMPRIMARIO $1,000+ Mr. Hartman Axley Brian Bennett and Bev Daniels Chris & Heather Bennett Dr. Bill and Betty Buchanan Leslie Cady Mr. and Mrs. Ken Calkins Mrs. Sue M. Cannon Mr. Gregory A. Carpenter Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence G. Carpenter

OPE RA COLORADO 2016-2017

Mr. David J. Chavolla Ms. Kathryn Codo Dr. & Mrs. Robert Contiguglia Eric Coomer and Amber Hess George and Yonnie Dikeou Dr. Stephen L. Dilts Ms. Marian O. Dines Laurie and Ben Duke III Elizabeth & Matthew Dyer Lois N. Eckhoff Carl and Nan Eklund George and Sissy Gibson Dr. and Mrs. Burton Golub Mark Groshek MD and Carl Clark MD Sally Haas Deborah Hayes and James L. Martin III Anonymous Drs. Kathryn Hobbs and Marc Cohen Mr. William T. Hoffman Christine Hollander and Michael McGee Ruth Hopfenbeck and George Hopfenbeck Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Jennett Craig Johnson and Alicia McCommons Gary and Judith Judd John N. Kabalin, MD. Dr. and Mrs. Charles B. Kafadar Joe and Francine Kelso Richard Koseff Kay Lawrence Dr. and Mrs. Jeremy Lazarus Cheryl McGinnis and Edward Woolman V.W. McKnab and Margaret Jurado Dave and Miza McReynolds Lynnette Morrison Mr. and Mrs. Chris J. Murphy Dr. and Mrs. Calvern E. Narcisi Drs. Harold and Sarah Nelson Bob Nelson Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Newman Mr. Steven Okuley Bonnie M. Orkow Dorothy Pearson Bonnie Perkins Rick Poppe & Jana Edwards Mr. Thomas J. Powers Jr. Alexander and Cynthia Read Steven and Joan Ringel Ayliffe and Fred Ris Daniel L. Ritchie Juan and Alicia Rodriguez Helen Scott Santilli

Ms. Ruth E. Schoening Dr. and Mrs. Edwin R. Smith Jerry and Debi Tepper Diana Terry Ms. Kathleen R. Tower Drs. Kathy Kennedy and Ben Vernon Mary and Ken Willis RED DOT PATRON $500+ Dr. Richard J. Agee Marilyn and Jules Amer Mr. and Mrs. William D. Armstrong Dr. and Mrs. Sol Bassow Dr. and Mrs. Henry J. Beckwitt Mr. Gerald Boutwell Brewster and Helen Boyd Dr. Lucinda and Mr. Edward Bryant Sandy and Rogene Buchholz Mr. and Mrs. David Budd Mr. and Mrs. Douglas M. Cain George M. and Carol G. Canon Marjorie and Doug Carriger Mark and Margaret Carson Charles Case and Phillip St. Cloud Barbara and Roger Chamberlain Mr. David Clark Everett B. Clark Ms. Nancy Cochran Catherine Cole Alan and In Hye Como Donna and Ted Connolly Mr. John Coubrough, Jr. Mr. Jim Craig Brian D. Crane Ms. Kathy Crapo Anonymous Nancy Crow and Mark Skrotzki Ms. Cheryl M. Cruickshank Ms. Heather Dahlgren Ms. Joan Daniels Manley Houlton Carolyn E. Daniels Timothy James Donahue Max and Joyce Douglas Ms. Mary Ann Downs Ms. Joyce Dulin Ms. Donna Evans Cathey and Richard Finlon Dr. and Mrs. Larry S. Fisher L. Richard and Sigrid Halvorson Freese Kristin and Heiko Freitag Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Frey Deborah Friedman Alan & Sally Gass Ms. Linda Goldstein $500 donors continue on page 19

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ANNUAL FUND CONTRIBUTORS Continued from page 16

Mr. James M. Gracey and Mrs. Anthea Blanas Gracey Dr. Daniel J. Greenholz Mrs. Carol & Dr. Fred Grover Mr. Steven Gulevich Gina Guy Beverlee B. Henry and The Honorable Robert P. Fullerton Lee and Margaret Henry Mr. Richard Hilty Ms. Laura M. Hoffman Mr. and Mrs. Graham Hollis Marcia C. Holt and John S. Holt Dr. Sarah Hopfenbeck Mr. and Mrs. Garrison L. Horle Michael E. Huotari and Jill R. Stewart Steven and Chryse Hutchins Kendor and Paulette Jones Mishele Kieffer Roberta and Mel Klein Sally and Jim Kneser Bernard V. Leason and Frieda Sanidas Leason Ann and James Leh Deanna Rose Leino Jim and Patience Linfield Mrs. Patricia A. Livingston Patty Lorie Kupetz Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Y. Marchand Mrs. Martha Anne Marquis Marian E. Matheson Pam and Mo Mathews Sandy Mazarakis and Neil Burris Myron McClellan and Lawrence Phillips Bob and Mereth Meade Pamela Merrill Frend John Miner and Jeffrey L. Lawhead Dr. Monica I. Minkoff and Mr. Harry M. Siegfried Jerri Lynn Modrall and Eric E. Doering Sue and Bill Mohrman Mr. William R. Moninger Jack Finlaw and Gregory Movesian John and Margaret Moyer Mary Kenny Moynihan and Michael Moynihan Ms. Heidi Munzinger John & Mary Muth Kelli O’Brien & Michael Kolotylo Nancy and Paul Oberman Mr. Michael Ogborn Anonymous Mr. Robert Padgett Carl Patterson

Dr. and Mrs. David S. Pearlman Mr. and Mrs. Perry Peine Andrew R. Pleszkun Robert and Mary Quillin Charles and Reta Ralph Karyn K. Rieb Mr. and Mrs. Paul Roberts Mr. Joe Ronnenberg Mr. Joseph C. Rook Mr. Allan S. and Judith Rosenbaum Mr. Paul Ruotolo Jane Russell and Bill Russell Raymond N. Satter Mr. Henry R. Schmoll Fern B. Seltzer and Andrew Heymsfield Ms. Jo B. Shannon Mr. John Shott Ms. Nancy Siegel Lars & Jane Soderberg Mr. and Mrs. Stephen P. Sparks Larry D. Stephens Bill and Shirley Stout Mrs. Marcia D. Strickland Jim and Sue Swanson Carson Taylor Ms. Janice Tilden Lloyd & Barbara Timblin, Jr. John and Sharon Trefny Mr. and Mrs. Lee Van Arsdale Francisco Varela and Timothy Wilson Dr. Donald Vawter Normie and Paul Voilleque Samuel Wagonfeld, M.D. Ms. Tina Walls Dr. Valerie M. Wassill, MD Hedy and Michael Weinberg Marie Belew Wheatley Ms. Marilyn L. Wheeler Mr. Harold C. White and Ms. Lonnetta Wade Scott and Karen Yarberry Dr. Jack and Mrs. Barbara Zable Ken and Charlotte Ziebarth Mr. and Mrs. Michael Zoellner CHORISTER $250+ Tucker and Dan Adams Frank J. Adler Catherine H. Anderson Ms. Jane Anderson Anonymous Ms. Shannon H. Armstrong Mr. John E. Baril and Mr. Brian Cook Ms. Jennifer Barrow Nancy Battan Barbara Benedict

Charles Berberich and Marilyn Munsterman Drs. Tomas and Diane Berl Dr. and Mrs. Dell Bernstein Ms. Earline A. Bohling Sara Peyton and Richard Bottjer Ms. Jay Breen Gordon & Ron Butz Edwin T Callahan Anonymous Mr. Brad Case and Mr. William McMechen Prof. Gerald Chapman Robert & Gloria Lilly-Cohen Mr. David A. Connell Tom & Cheryl Cox Sara and Jim Culhane Michael and Bonnie Dalke Ronald L. Deal Peter and Deedee Decker Ms. Felicia L. Diamond and Dr. Gene Bloom Greg Diamond Peter and Marian Downs Matt and Reine Erzinger Mr. and Mrs. James Espy Amy Feaster Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Garfein Rev. and Mrs. B. J. George Ms. Renee Gross Mr. Harry Gutman Mr. Richard H. Hart Richard and Sandra Hilt Carol Ann Hoffman Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Hughes Ms. Jane A. Hultin John Dennis Hynes and Virginia Medelman Mr. Daniel Isaman Dr. Jacob G. Jacobson James and Jean Johnston Gretchen Vanderwerf and Gordon Jones Mr. Howard B. Jordan Margie Kinslow Dr. and Mrs. Alex Kotch Mr. John W. Kure and Ms. Cheryl Solich Mr. Richard S. Leaman Sarita List Mrs. R. T. Lyford Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Ginnie and Tom Maes Mr. Robert Mahoney Ms. Tanya R. Mathews Dr. and Mrs. James McElhinney Ms. Janet Mordecai Mrs. Susan Mostow Ralph & Trish Nagel Kent & Ruth Obee Anonymous

Linda Plaut Rich and Kim Plumridge Mrs. Kathryn L. Pride Ann and John Prosser Ms. Tracy Reynolds Ms. Deborah M. H. Rohan Ms. Joann Rose Paul Rubner and Vicki Jensen Mrs. Barbara Rumsey Mr. and Mrs. Paul Scheele Anonymous Ms. Joy Sherlock Ms. Andrea Shpall Mr. and Mrs. Gary Siegel Mrs. Marlene P. Siegel Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Straub Drs. Morris and Ellen Susman Mrs. Mary Symonton Prof. and Mrs. Joseph S. Szyliowicz Mr. Glenn Takimoto and Mrs. Janet Stephens Dr. and Ms. James Kennedy Todd Robert C. Tripp Ms. Cia A. Wenzel Mr. and Mrs. Tor Westgaard Ms. Janice White FRIEND $100+ Mr. and Mrs. Norman O. Aarestad James and Lorraine Adams Ms. Lora Adams Ms. Jeanne Adkins Danica Anderson Alice and Lee Anneberg Mr. Donald K Bain Ms. Betty Barton Ms. Jennifer N. Bater Ms. Mariette H. Bell Kathleen Benegar Kate Bermingham Mr. and Mrs. John R. Binder Janet Bishop Ms. Murri Bishop Mr. and Mrs. Howard Blaney Mr. Howard L. Boigon Ms. Sandra Bonetti Mr. Kent H. Borges and Ms. Stephanie B. Dicenzo Mrs. Virginia P. Boucher Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bowers Donald K. Braden Jon and Becky Bradley The Honorable and Mrs. James B. Breese Ms. Janet C. Bruchmann Ms. Karen M. Bruggenthies Mr. and Mrs. Dean Burton Ms. Diane Butler $100 donors continue on page 20

OPE RA COLORADO 2016-2017

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ANNUAL FUND CONTRIBUTORS Continued from page 19

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Chilcoat Mr. Joseph Cirelli Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Close Ms. Ethel K. Clow Anonymous Mr. Terry R. Collings Mr. and Mrs. Michael Collins Mr. Alexander J. Conley And Ms. Alysia D. Marino Kathleen M Cook Vicki Cowart and Chris Hayes Ms. Barbara Cravens Ms. Louise Crosby Margaret H. Cunningham Mr. John Danio Helen Shreves Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Wayne D. Eckerling Ms. Judie Eidson Mr. and Mrs. Evan Ela Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Elinoff Mr. Dale Ellis Ms. Gudrun Emrich Anonymous Rose Enyeart and Bill Stoner Ted and Vivian Sheldon Epstein Ms. Judith H. Fahrenkrog Ms. Kathryn Finley Dr. Stacy Fischer Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Fisher David and Debra Flitter Ms. Cynthia Gaertner Mr. and Mrs. Karl Garrett Mr. and Mrs. Caleb F. Gates, Jr. Mr. James Gehres Jennifer Ruth Gentry Mr. and Mrs. Luis Goncalves Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo Goncalves Steve and Donna Good Ms. Liz Goodman and Mr. Robert Nauman Kazuo and Drusilla Gotow Ms. Susan Guillory Dr. and Mrs. Richard R. Hansen Ms. Linda Harmon Mrs. Lynn E. Harrington Mr. Timothy Harris Ms. Doris Hass Jerry and Patty Hauptman Mr. Richard W. Healy Ms. Kathryn Heider Ginny Hersch Ms. Janine Hill Sarah C. Hite Don and Mary Hoagland Ms. Mary Ellen Holmes Ms. Helen O. Hull Mr. William Hurlbut Mrs. Philip Isely Marilyn Jensen Anonymous Mrs. Kerstin Karloev 20

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Dr. Ross and Vicki Kazer Mr. and Mrs. Robert Keatinge John T. Kelly Ms. Patricia C. Kelly And Mr. Thomas E. Dufficy Mr. Sandford Kern Mr. and Mrs. Arthur W. Kidder Eileen and Walter Kintsch Bonnie Kipple Ken Kirkland Mr. Tom Kirkpatrick Ms. Kimberly Kirkwood Mr. and Mrs. Loring Knoblauch Mr. and Mrs. William W. Koch Elmer and Doris Koneman Anonymous Donna C. Kornfeld Rex Kramer and Cindy Crater Ms. Susan Lapidus Peggy Lehmann Mr. and Mrs. Harold Leinbach Nancy A. Leonard Paul and Nancy Levitt Penny Lewis Mr. David Lichtenstein Mr. Lester Lockspeiser Mr. and Mrs. John D. Macfarlane Mr. Henry Mahlman Mrs. Caroline E. Malde Ms. Melissa Malde Keith Maskus Mr. and Mrs. William Mathews Mary McClanahan Jim and Carole McCotter Mr. Stephen D. McGavran Virginia McGehee Janice McClary and Jan McNally Pat Mcshane Ms. Olga Melbardis Dr. Mark Merrill Mr. Joe Michaud Ms. Olga Mironova Ms. Cecelia Moore Lou Moran & Doug Van Dine, PhD Warren Morrow Ms. Constance L. Mortell Mr. Lawrence Moskow Mr. Mark A. Nachtigal Mr. Michael Newman Richard L. Nielsen Dr. and Mrs. David A. Norris Mr. Kurt M. Olender and Ms. Kam C. Wong Mr. Jean Opsomer and Ms. Mary Meyer Stephanie and Roger Oram Lynn Parry, MD Mr. and Mrs. David Pessel Dennis G. Peterson James Tait and Dr. Robin Post

OPE RA COLORADO 2016-2017

Irene M. Ibarra and Armando Quiroz Ms. Kate Raabe Dr. & Mrs. Pablo Ramos T. R. Reid Richard Replin and Elissa Stein Mr. and Mrs. Gene Richards Ms. Jennie Ridgley Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Ridgway Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Roberts Mr. and Mrs. David A. Roney Ms. Linda F. Rosales Anonymous Mary Ann Ross Yanita Rowan Ms. Luana Rubin Dr. Tom Russell Ms. Carol L. Rust Jack and Ruth Salter Anonymous Anonymous Sherry and Frank Sargent, MD. Youlon D. Savage Kathleen Sawada Ms. Leslie Sawyer Mr. Rick Scalpello Ms. Gayla Scheid Mr. Richard Scott Jean E. Selders, PhD Mrs. Lillian H. Shuff Mr. Carl Shushan and Ms. Sandi Hill Mr. Theodor M. Simmons Mrs. Andra Slavasky Mrs. Nancy R. Snow Mr. and Mrs. Hanspeter Spühler James B. Steed Mr. Lyle B. Stewart Mr. and Mrs. William E. Stiles Jenene and James Stookesberry Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Sullivan Clé Symons William Bradford and Chin Tan Mr. and Mrs. Thompson Tate Jim and Kate Taucher Ms. Barbara Thorngren Ms. Susan Tower Alice and Frank Traylor Betty Ulricksen Dr. Peter and Kathy Van Arsdale Bernd & Marta Wachter Mrs. Jennifer Wagner Turner Mrs. Kimberly S. Wagner Mr. Wilson W. Wampler Ms. Carley Warren Ann & Marlin Weaver Ms. Robin Stewart and Mr. Kirk Weber Ms. Ann Fails Westerberg Evan and Caroline Williams

Ms. Jane Wingle Mr. David Wolf Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wood Gene and Linda Young Ms. Pamela Zadigian Judith Graham and Jeff Zax Randall Zisler, Ph.D. and Joan Zisler Ms. Dale Zitek

FOUNDATIONS & CORPORATIONS

President Circle $20,000+ The Anschutz Foundation Avenir Foundation Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Caulkins Family Foundation Chambers Family Fund Virginia W. Hill Foundation Hood-Barrow Foundation PB&K Family Foundation Sidney E. Frank Foundation Rassman Design Galen & Ada Belle Spencer Foundation Director $10,000+ Bucy Family Fund Colorado Creative Industries Community First Foundation The Crawley Family Foundation The Denver Foundation Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Jess & Rose Kortz and Pearl Rae Foundation Tulsa Community Foundation Maestro $5,000+ The Chotin Foundation Denver Lyric Opera Guild Denver Post Community Foundation G.G. Shaw, Inc. Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation Heider Family Foundation Mabel Y. Hughes Charitable Trust Jeanne Land Foundation Out Front Colorado Leonard and Alice Perlmutter Charitable Foundation Wittow Foundation Diva $2,500+ David B. and Gretchen W. Black Family Foundation ECA Foundation Fine Arts Foundation The Schramm Foundation Continues on page 25

OPERA COLORADO’S YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CLUB

Inside OC is Opera Colorado’s Young Professionals Club. Meet up with like-minded professionals to learn more about opera and experience one of Colorado’s premier performing arts companies in a unique way.

Thank you to our Inside OC sponsors

UPCOMING EVENTS operatalk

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017 | 6:00 PM

Denver Art Museum

Sip & Sing

TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017 | 6:00 PM

Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club

Tuesday Night at the Opera

MAY 9, 2017 | 5:30 PM

Ellie Caulkins Opera House

NEW THIS SEASON Join Opera Colorado’s Inside OC Club and receive new benefits. Pre-show receptions, intermission donor lounge and after-parties with the cast • Exclusive membership pricing and special access to opera tickets and unique events throughout the season • Opportunities to learn more about opera with interactive performances, lectures and engaging activities. •

NEW Membership Prices for the 2016-2017 Season •

Single Membership $60 | Double Membership $100

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS FOR 2016-2017, VISIT OPERACOLORADO.ORG/INSIDEOC.

PAINTINGS AS A BACKDROP FOR LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST by Kristin Fong

he opera you are about to experience transports The Girl of the Golden West from the California Gold Rush to Colorado, celebrating our state’s rich history through the story of a mining community and their “Golden Girl.” It was difficult to travel to the West in Giacomo Puccini’s time, and those willing to explore, hunt, and mine this mountainous region were bold and dedicated individuals. For those willing to make the journey, life in the West was unpredictable, and communities were brought together for company and protection against bandits, weather, predatory animals, Indians, and illness. In 1858, gold was discovered near present-day Denver, sparking the Pikes Peak Gold Rush. Known as

“boomtowns,” communities grew rapidly around the placer mines of the Rockies, including Central City/ Idaho Springs, Breckenridge, Leadville, and Cripple Creek. In these towns and at camp, miners passed the time gambling their sweat equity in games of cards. The men in Browere’s painting are gathered around a pan of gold with accessories that identify them as miners—pick axes, ore buckets, and the miner’s typical felt hat. Thankful for the warmth in a drop of whiskey, mining towns also had their share of drinking establishments, where you could spend your hard-won gold, or drown your disappointment. Based on the allmale gathering of this painting, it is easy to see why Minnie, the heroine of this opera, was such a mainstay in her close-knit community.

Albertus Del Orient Browere, Goldminers, c. 1861. Courtesy of American Museum of Western Art—The Anschutz Collection. 22

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OPE RA COLORADO 2016-2017

silhouettes of run-down shafts and headframes, and operas like Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West. The paintings featured on this page are among 350 that celebrate the character, history, and beauty of La Fanciulla’s golden West, and are on permanent exhibition at the American Museum of Western Art—The Anschutz Collection. I invite you to visit them in person in the intimate setting of the historic Navarre building. Herman Herzog, New Sutter’s Field, California, c. 1874-76. Built soon after the Courtesy of American Museum of Western Art—The Anschutz Collection Colorado gold rush, the Reminiscent of Colorado towns like Leadville and Cripple Navarre building is a mainstay of historic downtown Creek, the richness seen in Herman Herzog’s detailed Denver, just as Minnie was a mainstay of her own painting, New Sutter’s Field, California, convinced even “boomtown” community. Reserve 2 tickets for the price those who did not strike it rich to stay, and inspired of one by using the promo code Opera2016 at www. countless artists who documented in various styles AnschutzCollection.org. Tickets must be booked online and formats the drama and sublimity of the West. You and are valid for both guided tours and self-guided might notice the miner at work in the middle ground, tours between November 1, 2016 and December 31, monitoring the sluice which channels water toward the 2016. (Offer expires December 31st. Offer not valid for mill, but the artist’s main subject is the landscape itself. special programs or special tour days). Herzog interpreted the drama of the passing storm, the mountain range in the background, and the thickly forested surroundings of the mine and river as a metaphor for our nation’s manifest destiny. Gold production in Colorado peaked in 1900, but declined swiftly, leaving “boom towns” as “ghost towns.” While some mines in Colorado are still active, the majority of them were closed and abandoned by the 1920s. Artists like Ernest Lawson still found beauty in the isolation and overgrown evidence of abandoned mines as the symbols of once-bustling communities. Minnie’s legacy and the romance of life in the West lives on in the

Ernest Lawson, Abandoned Mine, Cripple Creek, 1927. Courtesy of American Museum of Western Art—The Anschutz Collection.

OPE RA COLORADO 2016-2017

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ANNUAL FUND CONTRIBUTORS Continued from page 20

Comprimario $1,000+ Ralph L. and Florence R. Burgess Trust Kinder Morgan Foundation Nagel Foundation William D. Radichel Foundation Read Foundation Inc. Schwab Charitable Sopra Communities Tepper Family Foundation United Way of Greater Kansas City University of Colorado at Boulder Von Reckers Wealth Management Chorister $500+ The Garrett Family Foundation IBM International Foundation Aggie Kelley Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Opera America Pizza Republica Western Union Foundation Wilkins II-B, LLC Friend $100+ Bouquets Falcon Creek Middle School Gill Foundation Ingrid Fretheim Interiors Jayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Valet Parking Jewish Community Foundation of New Mexico Lin Lee & Associates Nelson Family Foundation The Elmer F. Pierson Foundation Rika Designs Rose Community Foundation Stephens Management Services Wednesday Music Party