Summer Ovation 2017

OVATION! NEWS, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES OF OPERA COLORADO | SUMMER 2017

NOVEMBER | 2017 WORLD PREMIERE

JANUARY | 2018

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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 George Frideric Handel

2017 SEASON

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June 30 through August 26

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FROM THE GENERAL DIRECTOR GREG CARPENTER, GENERAL DIRECTOR

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O V A T I O N ! SUMMER 2017

S

ummer is a busy time at Opera Colorado as we make final preparations for our 35th Anniversary Season productions, organize the up-coming school year’s Education and Community Engagement activities, select performance repertoire and plan for our new class of Young Artists, and begin detailed budgeting and artistic planning for the following season.

35 years ago we opened our first season with La Bohème. The opera’s popularity is just as strong today as it was in 1983. Besides the beautiful melodies and Parisian setting, the passionate universality of the story resonates deeply with contemporary audiences as evidenced in the 1996 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning rock musical Rent, which was inspired

by Puccini’s opera about a group of six impoverished artists and students as they scrape together enough money for simple meals, fall in and out of love, and ultimately bond together to help each other in their most desperate hours. It’s an opera loved by well-seasoned opera fans and is perfect for the first time opera goer.

Again this season, Opera Colorado will maintain its commitment to presenting new works with the world premiere of Gerald Cohen and Deborah Brevoort’s Steal A Pencil For Me. In this chamber opera, Cohen and Brevoort present the real life story of a group of Dutch Jews who are deported to Bergen Belsen concentration camp in the last

year of World War II. Surrounded by the horrors of the Holocaust, Jaap and Manja Polak’s already fragile marriage dissolves as he turns his attentions to Ina Soep. The love that Jaap and Ina share helps sustain them through the daily challenges of concentration camp life. As librettist Deborah Brevoort so beautifully states, “When everything is taken away, only the essentials remain.”

Our season finale pays homage to Shakespeare and Verdi, two major icons of theatre and opera. Falstaff is based on the cunning intrigues of Sir John Falstaff, as presented in Shakespeare’s Henry IV and The Merry Wives of Windsor. While Falstaff employs crafty maneuvers to seduce the merry wives, the wives conspire to develop their own schemes to keep Falstaff at arms-length and expose him as a fool. In the end, everyone’s clever plotting reveals that they are all fools, and thus we end the season on a lighthearted, comic note.

This edition of Ovation! features more information about the upcoming season, as well as our new class of Young Artists, and the many other activities and programs that are being planned. We hope to see you often as we celebrate 35 years of Opera Colorado performances in Downtown Denver.

See you at the Opera!

Greg Carpenter General Director

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EXPERIENCE CENTRAL CITY OPERA

July 8 - August 6 Carmen | Così fan tutte The Burning Fiery Furnace | Gallantry | Cabildo 303.292.6700 | CentralCityOpera.org

HAPPY 35TH ANNIVERSARY OPERA COLORADO! 35 years ago Opera Colorado presented its first season at Boettcher Concert Hall with a production of Puccini’s La Bohème featuring Metropolitan Opera stars Placido Domingo, Catherine Malfitano and Justino Díaz. What many of our long-time patrons have forgotten is there was also a second cast that sang three performances in English starring the great American tenor Jerry Hadley.

Over the past 35 years, Opera Colorado has presented over 100 productions featuring many of the great singers, directors, designers and conductors of our time, including emerging talent that has gone on to perform in the celebrated opera houses of the world.

It is with deep gratitude we thank our many patrons who year-after-year support Opera Colorado as ticket buyers and donors. Your involvement and enthusiasm has sustained the company and we look forward to 35 more years of great opera in Colorado.

Lucia di Lammermoor (2017) As One (2017) La Fanciulla del West (Girl of the Golden West) (2016) The Scarlet Letter (2016) Aida (2015) The Magic Flute (2015) Madama Butterfly (2014) Carmen (2014) Rigoletto (2014) Don Giovanni (2013) Romeo and Juliet (2013) Il Trovatore (2012) Florencia en el Amazonas (2012) The Marriage of Figaro (2012) Cinderella (2011) Rusalka (2011) La Bohème (2010) Tosca (2010) The Barber of Seville (2010) The Tales of Hoffmann (2009) Cosi fan tutte (2009) The Pearl Fishers (2009) Madama Butterfly (2008) Nixon in China (2008) The Flying Dutchman (2008) Don Pasquale (2008) La Traviata (2007) Un ballo in maschera (2007) The Elixir of Love (2007) The Magic Flute (2006) The Abduction from the Seraglio (2006) Norma (2006) Carmen (2005)

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O V A T I O N ! SUMMER 2017

Opera Colorado’s 2010 production of Tosca featuring MET star Sondra Radvanovsky.

The Marriage of Figaro (2005) Rigoletto (2005) Julius Caesar (2005) La Traviata (2004) Il Barbiere di Siviglia (2004) La Bohème (2004) Don Giovanni (2003) Sweeney Todd (2003) Lucia Di Lammermoor (2003) Eugene Onegin (2002) Hansel & Gretel (2002) Tosca (2002) Orpheus & Eurydice (2001) Ariadne auf Naxos (2001) Turandot (2001) Fidelio (2000) Porgy & Bess (2000) Madama Butterfly (2000) Romeo et Juliette (1999) Macbeth (1999) Die Zauberflöte (1999) Gianni Schicchi (1998) Pagliacci (1998) Salome (1998) Carmen (1998) Faust (1997) Don Giovanni (1997) La Traviata (1997) Così Fan Tutte (1996) Die Fledermaus (1996) Der Fliegende Holländer (1996) La Cenerentola (1995) Aida (1995) Tosca (1995)

Lucia di Lammermoor (1994) Der Rosenkavalier (1994) Madama Butterfly (1994) Le Nozze di Figaro (1993) Il Barbiere di Siviglia (1993) Rigoletto (1993) La Bohème (1992) Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (1992) Otello (1992) L’Elisir d’Amore (1991) Don Carlo (1991) The Burning Fiery Furnace (1991) Un ballo in maschera (1990) Faust (1990) Curlew River (1990) Falstaff (1989) La Traviata (1989) Carmen (1988) Gianni Schicchi (1988) Pagliacci (1988) Samson et Dalila (1987) Manon Lescaut (1987) Amahl and the Night Visitors (1987) Don Giovanni (1986) Aida (1986) Amahl and the Night Visitors (1985) Martin Avdeich (1985) Il Trovatore (1985) Tosca (1985) Turandot (1984) Les Contes d’Hoffmann (1984) La Bohème (1983) Otello (1983)

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ENHANCE YOUR OPERA EXPERIENCE@THE ELLIE

La Bohéme Opening Night Dinner & 35th Anniversary Celebration: Kevin Taylor’s at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House | 14th Street and Curtis Street, Denver Enjoy an elegant, all-inclusive dinner before the performance of La Bohème and celebrate the opening of Opera Colorado’s 35th Anniversary Season. Hors d’ouevres and an open bar begin at 5PM, followed by a three-course meal in the Chambers Grant Salon. After the opera, join us back at Kevin Taylor’s for an extra special reception with the cast, including live music and dancing. A portion of the proceeds benefit Opera Colorado’s Education Fund.

Saturday, November 4, 2017 | 5PM $250 PER PERSON PER DINNER Open bar during cocktail hour. Cash bar during dinner. Hosted Prosecco, wine and beer all evening. Tickets to the opera sold separately.

Falstaff Opening Night Dinner: Kevin Taylor’s at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House | 14th Street and Curtis Street, Denver Enjoy an elegant, all-inclusive dinner before the performance of Falstaff. Cocktails begin at 5PM followed by a three-course meal in the Chambers Grant Salon. After the opera, join us for a dessert reception.

Saturday, May 5, 2018 | 5PM $130 PER PERSON PER DINNER Hosted Prosecco all evening. Hosted wine and beer with dinner, and a cash bar. Tickets to the opera sold separately.

La Bohéme & Falstaff Pre-Performance Lectures: Ellie Caulkins Opera House Lobby | 14th Street at Curtis Street, Denver Want to learn more about the Opera you are about to see? Ticket holders come early and attend a free pre-performance lecture. Led by music historian and Professor Betsy Schwarm, the PrePerformance Lecture takes place in the opera house one-hour prior to the performances.

Want to view the program notes in advance? Visit the publications page of our website to see an electronic version of the program book in advance of arriving at the Opera House.

Open to ticket holders one hour before each opera performance FREE

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FREE EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY

Opera at Cherry Creek Shopping Center Cherry Creek Shopping Center | 3000 East 1st Avenue, Denver Are you new to opera or do you attend all the time? Either way, this experience is for you. Come to the Cherry Creek Shopping Center and enjoy a free live performance by the Opera Colorado Young Artists! The wonderment of opera in unexpected places can be a mesmerizing experience; bring the entire family! Performance will feature greatest hits from opera and musical theater.

Saturday, October 14, 2017 | 1:30PM Saturday, March 17, 2018 | 1:30PM Saturday, April 7, 2018 | 1:30PM FREE

Family Day at the Opera Ellie Caulkins Opera House Lobby | 14th Street at Curtis Street, Denver For the entire family! Starring Opera Colorado’s Young Artists performing the company’s touring productions sung in English. Experience the wonders of opera and the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

Come early to enjoy family fun activities and kid-friendly refreshments provided by Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House. Activities begin one hour before each performance, and seating opens 45 minutes before each performance. Reserve your free tickets online starting March 1, 2018.

Saturday, March 24, 2018 Cinderella 10AM | Elixir of Love 1PM FREE

SUMMER 2017 O V A T I O N !

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GIACOMO PUCCINI | NOVEMBER 4 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 2017 THE ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE

FALL IN AND OUT OF LOVE IN PARIS. One of opera’s most beloved stories popular with well-seasoned opera fans and simply perfect for the first time opera-goer. Set in 19th century Paris, follow six impoverished artists and students as they struggle to make ends meet, fall in and out of love, and ultimately bond together to help each other in their most desperate hours. It sounds like the typical fresh out of college, starving artist lifestyle of the 21st Century. The timelessness of the story resonates just as deeply with contemporary audiences, as it did at its premiere in 1896.

TICKETS AT OPERACOLORADO.ORG OR 303.468.2030

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O V A T I O N ! SUMMER 2017

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COMING THIS SUMMER

ARI PELTO Conductor DAVID EDWARDS Director OLAFUR SIGURDARSON Falstaff CYNTHIA CLAYTON Alice MARCO NISTICO Ford SANDRA PIQUES EDDY Meg DANA BETH MILLER Dame Quickly SUSANNAH BILLER Nannetta MINGJIE LEI Fenton

GIUSEPPE VERDI | MAY 5 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 2018 THE ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE

EAT. DRINK. SCHEME. REPEAT. If you are a fan of Shakespeare’s comedies, you will love Verdi’s comic opera. The story centers around Falstaff, who employs crafty maneuvers to seduce the merry wives of Windsor. When the women learn of Falstaff’s mischievous plan they concoct their own scheme to dupe Falstaff and expose him for a fool. What ensues is a sophisticated comedy filled with backfired plans, failed disguises, and uproarious personalities. Ultimately it isn’t just Falstaff who is exposed as a fool, but everyone involved. Eat, drink, scheme, and repeat is a great way to end a celebratory season at Opera Colorado.

TICKETS AT OPERACOLORADO.ORG OR 303.468.2030

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O V A T I O N ! SUMMER 2017

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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Clocktower Cabaret 1601 Arapahoe St., Denver, CO 80202 Member: Free | Non-member: $20

Friday Night at the Opera: La Bohème FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017 | 6:00 PM

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Inside OC member benefits include: • Pre-performance receptions, complimentary champagne at intermission & after parties.

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INSIDE OC MEMBERS GET TICKETS TO LA BOHÈME FOR $50 ($75 VALUE) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017 | 7:30 PM PERFORMANCE ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE

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WORLD PREMIERE

ARI PELTO Conductor OMER BEN SEADIA Director INNA DUKACH Ina Soep GIDEON DABI Jaap Polak ADRIANA ZABALA Manja Polak

MUSIC BY GERALD COHEN | LIBRETTO BY DEBORAH BREVOORT JANUARY 25 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 2018

THE ELAINE WOLF THEATRE AT THE MIZEL ARTS AND CULTURE CENTER AT THE JCC

TO SAY “THEY BEAT THE ODDS” IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. In this intimate opera, Cohen and Brevoort tell the true story of a group of Dutch Jews who are deported to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in the last year of World War II. Surrounded by horrors of the Holocaust, Jaap and Manja Polak’s already fragile marriage dissolves as he turns his attentions to Ina Soep. The love that Jaap and Ina share helps sustain them through the daily challenges of concentration camp life as they secretly pass love letters to each other. As librettist Deborah Brevoort so beautifully states, “It was a simple story, to be sure—of ordinary breakfasts, and butter for the bread— but nevertheless it held great power and ultimately enabled them to survive. When everything is taken away, only the essentials remain.”

TICKETS AT OPERACOLORADO.ORG OR 303.468.2030

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PENCIL

PERSPECTIVES

BY BETSY SCHWARM

Many of the very best operas are love stories. Few, however, are closely based on actual experiences of actual couples. This season, Opera Colorado will present the world premiere of an opera telling the tale of a very true love. The work of composer Gerald Cohen and librettist Deborah Brevoort, Steal a Pencil for Me, was inspired by the romance of Ina and Jaap Polak, survivors of Bergen-Belsen and members of the Shaarei Tikvah synagogue in Scarsdale, New York, where Cohen serves as cantor.

Having known the Polaks for over twenty years, Cohen was well familiar with their experiences. “Here,” he says, “was an amazing story right under my nose.” Imagining what a powerful opera it could make, he broached the idea to Ina and Jaap, who, as he recalls “didn’t take a lot of convincing;” there was already a filmed documentary of their story, though an opera would be something new, and even more dramatic. However, at the time, Ina was 87 and Jaap 97, a fact that led Jaap to advise “write it quickly.”

Having permission from the central subjects to make an opera of their life is one thing, but one also needs a text suitable for singing. Cohen approached librettist Deborah Brevoort. “At first, I said no,” Brevoort admits. “I was just too busy to take on something new at the time. But I agreed to read the letters, and found them too beautiful to resist.”

Brevoort and Cohen sat down to visit with the actual persons at the center of the story: an immensely rare privilege in the opera world. Admittedly, when composer John Adams wrote his opera Dr.

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O V A T I O N ! SUMMER 2017

Atomic, he drew upon recently unclassified government documents concerning the Manhattan Project, but Robert Oppenheimer himself was already long gone. Of the conversation with Ina and Jaap, Brevoort says she found it “uplifting to actually spend time with them. I would be writing words to express their personalities.”

In another time and place, it might have been a romantic comedy. Brevoort sums it up: “boy meets girl – boy loses girl – boy gets girl back.” However, Ina, Jaap, and their friends and family are Dutch Jews during World War II; the Nazis are already on the scene and a concentration camp is in the immediate future.

Brevoort cautions, however, that the resulting opera isn’t a typical Holocaust story: “Their situation made them appreciate the joyous wonder of the world, how beautiful and wonderful a glass of water was. They dreamed about sitting in a chair at a table and having an ordinary breakfast. I was struck by the ordinariness of it, and the beauty.” If the classic verismo opera concept, a la Puccini, is using music to tell believable stories about believable people, here it was.

An initial version of Steal a Pencil for Me was workshopped in New York in 2013. In an opera workshop, a work-in-progress is performed before an audience, perhaps semi-staged. Seeing it come to life, its creative team can get a stronger sense of the piece and begin to refine their creation.

Opera Colorado’s Music Director Ari Pelto was asked to conduct. He found the piece sufficiently intriguing that he discussed it with Opera Colorado’s General Director

Ina & Jaap Polak

Greg Carpenter, and the two decided they might be interested in staging the work.

As Pelto remembers, “it had a lot of potential, though it wasn’t ready to be produced. It needed some dramaturgical attention for better story-telling.” The suggestions that Pelto and Carpenter presented to Cohen and Brevoort were well received, and the new opera began to take more definite form. “It’s a privilege beyond what you can imagine,” says Pelto, “to have this much input this early on, and it’s personally rewarding to see how far it’s come.” Pelto’s suggestions ranged from instrumental choices to re-ordering of events in Act One: factors that affect both how the music sounds and how the story flows.

Comparing the opera’s to what Ina and Jaap actually experienced, Brevoort says “there’s very little that’s invented. We changed some sequencing and altered the opening scene in context, so we could introduce one principal character to the audience before the Nazis take him. It seemed to make Ina’s memories of Rudi – at the time, he’s her fiancé – that much more vivid.” Ina and Jaap had agreed that, when one brings real life to the stage, something need to change for dramatic flow.

Ina and Jaap are the central love story, but before coming together, both had other loves. Ina was engaged to Rudi; Jaap was married to Manja. Cohen saw this “romantic square” as a perfect opportunity

for an operatic quartet late in the work, with poor departed Rudi appearing as a ghost; both Rudi and Manja free their former partners to pursue new happiness.

He decided to write Ina, the younger of the two women, as a light lyric soprano, making Manja a mezzo. Rudi, being a ghost, is a high tenor. Jaap is a baritone, in part to contrast Rudi, but also because Cohen himself, as a cantor, is a baritone; the composer admits he may gravitate to his own vocal range when setting important male characters. In fact, when it comes to writing an opera, he sees an advantage in his experience as a singer: “I sense what it feels like in the voice to sing these lines, what feels right and normal.”

Many an opera singer wishes more composers would approach their operatic writing in that way.

Bringing out characters and situations through musical means is exactly what the best operas do, and Steal a Pencil for Me proves that this long-standing vision still works. Anyone wanting a preview of the story itself can find it on Netflix in a 2007 documentary by director Michele Ohayan that composer Gerald Cohen found truly inspirational. However, this touching tale of love in the face of deadly peril will become even more powerful with music to carry it into the hearts and minds of the audience.

After a full life together, both Ina and Jaap passed away recently. “Fortunately, they had been able to attend the performances in Scarsdale and New York City, sitting in the front row for both performances – a deeply emotional experience for both them and the cast. The initial workshop performance was presented in honor of their 90th and 100th birthdays. Members of their extended family are hoping to come to Denver for Opera Colorado’s production early next year.

Don’t miss Opera Colorado’s world premiere of Steal a Pencil for Me January 25, 27, 28 and 30 at The Elaine Wolf Theatre at Denver’s Mizel Arts and Culture Center.

Also, keep an eye out for announcements about related events.

SUMMER 2017 O V A T I O N !

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OPERA COLORADO YOUNG ARTISTS We l com i n g t h e 2 0 1 7 - 20 18 Op e ra Co l o rado Yo ung Ar tis ts

I

BY CHERITY KOEPKE, DIRECTOR OF THE OPERA COLORADO YOUNG ARTISTS

n September 2017, Opera Colorado will welcome a select group of young singers. They are the talented emerging artists who will participate in an eight-month residency with the company through the Opera Colorado Young Artist Program. This season, the program embarks on its expansion in earnest, with a total of seven Young Artists coming on board.

Having completed their master’s degree training, they are taking their first steps as professional artists and it’s not an easy road. They have been selected through a highly competitive national audition process. Out of more than 300 applicants, these are the seven who made it to the finish line. They represent the future of opera. Based on their talent and enthusiasm, that future looks bright. Allow me to introduce them to you.

Nicole Keeling (Soprano), a native of Levelland, Texas, recently completed her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Oklahoma. This season in Opera Colorado’s touring productions, Nicole will sing the roles of Tisbe in Cinderella and Giannetta in The Elixir of Love. In mainstage productions, she will cover the role of Mimi in La Bohème, sing Ina’s Mother in the World Premiere of Steal a Pencil For Me and cover Alice Ford in Falstaff, which she will sing in the Student Matinee.

Vanessa Naghdi (Soprano) is an Iranian-American soprano from the Washington, D.C. area. She is excited to join Opera Colorado as a Young Artist, where she will sing Adina in The Elixir of Love and Clorinda in Cinderella in the company’s touring productions.

She will cover the roles of Musetta in La Bohème and Ina Soep in Steal A Pencil For Me, as well as Nannetta in Falstaff, which she will sing for the Student Matinee performance.

Vanessa holds a Master of Music in Opera Performance from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Katherine Beck (Mezzo Soprano) is originally from Bennington, Vermont. She received her MM in Vocal Arts at USC Thornton and her BM in Vocal Performance at the Crane School of Music in upstate New York. Katherine is thrilled to become a member of Opera Colorado’s Young Artist Program. This season she will sing the role of Angelina in the touring production of Cinderella as well the roles of Lisette in the World Premiere of Steal A Pencil For Me and Meg Page, which she will cover in the mainstage production and sing in the Student Matinee of Falstaff.

Nathan Ward (Tenor) is from Lees Summit Missouri. He received his master’s degree in 2016 at the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music, studying under Karen Brunssen. As an Opera Colorado Young Artist, Nathan will sing the roles of Parpignol in La Bohème, Rudi Acohen in the World Premiere of Steal A Pencil For Me and Bardolfo in Falstaff, as well as Fenton in the Student Matinee. He will also sing the roles of Nemorino in The Elixir of Love and Ramiro in Cinderella, the company’s touring productions.

Continues on page 28

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Continued from page 26

Heath Martin (Baritone) is originally from Spring, TX. He obtained his BM in vocal performance from Sam Houston State University and his MM in vocal performance from the University of Houston. This season as an Opera Colorado Young Artist, Heath will sing the roles of Belcore in the of The Elixir of Love and Alidoro in Cinderella, the company’s touring productions. He will also sing the role of Alcindoro in La Bohème, sing The Commandant and cover Jaap Polak in the World Premiere of Steal A Pencil For Me and cover the role of Ford in Falstaff which he will perform at the Student Matinee.

Nicholas Kreider (Baritone) is originally from Lansing, Michigan. He obtained both a Master and Bachelor of Music from Michigan State University. Nicholas joins Opera Colorado as a Young Artist for the 2017-2018 program where he will perform the role of Dandini in the touring production of Cinderella and cover the role of Belcore in the touring production of The Elixir of Love. In Opera Colorado’s mainstage season, Nicholas will sing the role of the Customs Sargent and cover the role of Schaunard in La Bohème.

He will also be a part of the World Premiere of Steal a Pencil for Me and Falstaff.

Andrew Hiers (Bass Baritone) is from West Palm Beach, FL. He earned his undergraduate degree from Florida State University where he studied with David Okerlund. He is a recent graduate of SUNY Binghamton where he was a student of Thomas Goodheart. Andrew will sing the roles of Dulcamara in The Elixir of Love and Don Magnifico in Cinderella, the company’s touring productions. In Opera Colorado’s mainstage productions, Andrew will sing the role of Benoit and cover Colline in La Bohème, sing the role of an SS Guard in the World Premiere of Steal A Pencil For Me and sing the role of Pistola and cover the role of Falstaff in Falstaff, which he will sing for the Student Matinee.

Opera Colorado’s Young Artist Program places its focus on performance

training and providing the Young Artists with opportunities to hone their skills. During the eight-months that they are with us, they will receive intensive training and instruction in dramatic technique, vocal development, diction, movement and more. They will perform in a diverse range of locations including community theaters, clubs, restaurants, museums and schools. In eight-months, they will bring opera to thousands of people throughout Colorado, many of whom will be experiencing this art form for the very first time. It’s challenging and rewarding, exciting and daunting.

You will have opportunities to see and hear them throughout Opera Colorado’s season. We kick things off with their first public performance just five days after they arrive; the Young Artist Showcase on September 15th. They’ll be performing in our Touring Productions of Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love and Rossini’s Cinderella, perform numerous community concerts at venues including the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, St. John’s Cathedral and Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club. They will be featured at Opera Colorado’s Masquerade Ball and in a special concert highlighting the work of 21st American composers in An Afternoon of American Song. But, perhaps the most exciting thing for them is that they will leave this program with mainstage experience. Each Young Artist will sing roles in our mainstage season as well and it is this kind of experience that can make a career. From classics such as Puccini’s La Bohème and Verdi’s Falstaff, to the world premiere of Steal A Pencil For Me by Gerald Cohen and Deborah Brevoort, these are professional role credits that they can list on their resumes.

I hope that you will join us throughout the season and follow their journey. It’s inspiring to see how much someone can grow when they are provided with the right tools.

Here’s to an amazing season!

28

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“Music has a universal power to communicate with people across cultures. My wife and I were both teachers and always passionate about music education. I chair the Met Opera auditions for the Rocky Mountain Region and support Opera Colorado’s Young Artist program as my way of continuing to bring younger generations along. I feel fortunate to be able to do what I love.”

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BOARD OFFICERS

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Bruce Allen Kenneth Barrow Suzanne Dost Bucy Ellie Caulkins Lifetime Honorary Chair Dr. Larry Chan Nancy Cochran Ex-Officio Mary Conroy John Dye Chevis F. (“Chip”) Horne Laurence Kaptain Ex-Officio The Honorable Kenneth M. Laff William N. Maniatis M.D. Kent Rice Ex Officio Lindsay Arnold Sugden Bryant Veazey Byron Watson Larry Zimmer HONORARY DIRECTORS

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O V A T I O N ! SUMMER 2017

Bruce Allen President Kenneth Barrow Treasurer Michael Hughes Secretary Richard Robinson Harry Sterling Pamela Whitehill Carol Crossin Whitley

STAFF Greg Carpenter General Director Ari Pelto Music Director Paul Deckard Managing Director ADMINISTRATION

Ben Newman Executive Assistant to the General Director Linda Strauch EA Senior Accountant DEVELOPMENT

Erin Wenzel CFRE Director of Development Jessica Peña Annual Fund Manager Leah Podzimek Corporate & Foundations Manager EDUCATION

Cherity Koepke Director of Education & Community Engagement Parisa Zaeri Manager of Education & Community Engagement Betsy Schwarm Pre-Performance Lecturer MARKETING

Joyce de Roos Volunteer Coordinator Rachel Perez Marketing Manager PATRON SERVICES

Tom Kirkpatrick Patron Services Manager Indea Jaramillo Patron Services Assistant Don Oppliger Patron Services Assistant PRODUCTION

Katie Preissner Director of Production Ann Piano Costume Coordinator/Costume Shop Manager Erin Turner Technical Director ARTISTIC

Andres Cladera Associate Conductor Kim Peoria Orchestra Personnel Manager YOUNG ARTISTS PROGRAM

Cherity Koepke Brett Sprague Jordan Ortman Nicole Keeling Vanessa Naghdi Katherine Beck Nathan Ward Heath Martin Nicholas Kreider Andrew Hiers

Director Assistant Director Resident Coach Accompanist soprano soprano mezzo-soprano tenor baritone baritone bass-baritone

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