THE DRAMA OF TOSCA M A Y 5 , 7, 9 , 2 0 21 THE MANN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 1
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THE DRAMA OF TOSCA Music by Giacomo Puccini Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa Adaption by Francesco Micheli C AS T Floria Tosca Ana María Martínez* Baron Scarpia Quinn Kelsey* Cavaradossi Brian Jagde* Narrator Charlotte Blake Alston* Shepherd Boy Alex Ramirez* Shepherd Boy Cover Jonah Serotta* The Opera Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus C R E AT I V E Conductor Director Dramaturg Chorus Master Lighting Design Production Stage Manager
Corrado Rovaris Gregory Boyle Francesco Micheli* Elizabeth Braden Drew Billiau Lisa Anderson
*Opera Philadelphia debut Leadership support for The Drama of Tosca has been provided by Judy and Peter Leone. Maestro Corrado Rovaris’ engagement as the Jack Mulroney Music Director has been made possible by Mrs. John P. Mulroney. The Opera Philadelphia Orchestra is underwritten by Alice and Walter Strine, Esqs. The Drama of Tosca is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.
F R OM T H E B OA R D C H A I R M A N Dear Friends, In the fifteen months since—eerily, from this vantage point—Verdi’s Requiem rang out in the Academy of Music, we’ve each experienced our own mix of sacrifice, estrangement, outrage at injustice and, for many, heartbreaking loss. Now at last we gather (at an appropriate distance) for a live performance. I hope the story of sacrifice, injustice, and loss in The Drama of Tosca unites us, for 90 minutes anyway, in a musical catharsis we sorely need. So much was required. Opera Philadelphia’s staff respectfully reconceived Puccini’s opera and worked tirelessly with our hosts at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts to devise protocols so that artists and audiences might safely congregate. Devoted donors have sustained the company—including Agnes Mulroney, who underwrote the appearance of Maestro Corrado Rovaris, and Alice and Walter Strine, Esqs., who underwrote the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra. Scientists and health professionals have rendered it not crazy for us to be here at all. What may not be obvious from our seats is the stamina and sacrifice the pandemic required of our performers. Orchestra and chorus members are rigorously selected and highly valued colleagues. They, like our principals, participate in a complex gig economy that abruptly shut down. They confronted the same travails in their personal lives that we encountered and had also to cope with devastation of their careers. No opera, ballet, or choral performances; no weddings; no church services. No music lessons. Even practicing became a challenge with institutional spaces padlocked, neighbors working at home, and children schooling remotely. After the first shockwave, and after an outpouring of support quelled concerns about the company’s survival, it became plain that the vitality of the company depends on the welfare of our artists. That awareness has informed and strengthened our relations with performers and with the unions that represent 4
them. Together we have worked tirelessly to remain connected—both through live and digital experiences—to our artists and communities during such a challenging time. Those online works—commissions by Tyshawn Sorey, Angélica Negrón, Courtney Bryan, and Caroline Shaw; David T. Little’s Soldier Songs; Verdi’s La traviata; programs featuring Opera Philadelphia board member Lawrence Brownlee and many others—did not merely fill a gap while our stages were dark. These artists shared with us insights we didn’t expect and satisfied needs we didn’t know we had. Still I am relieved and exhilarated to attend these live performances. On behalf of our board I acknowledge our debt to our staff, our donors, our performers, composers and craftspeople, and to you, whose hearts and minds we aim to stir. Thank you all,
Peter Leone Chairman P.S. Oh, yes: on Tuesday, May 18, we will announce our 2021-2022 season!
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B OA R D O F D I R E C T O R S
OFFICERS Peter Leone | Chairman Charles C. Freyer | Vice Chair Caroline J. Mackenzie Kennedy | Vice Chair Dr. Eugene E. Stark, Jr. | Vice Chair Sandra K. Baldino | Secretary Thomas Mahoney | Treasurer David B. Devan | President (ex officio)
MEMBERS Sandra K. Baldino Lawrence Brownlee Willo Carey Katherine Christiano Don Cooney Maureen Craig Carol S. Eicher Mikael Eliasen Charles C. Freyer Beth W. Glynn Alexander Hankin Frederick P. Huff Carole H. Johnson Caroline J. Mackenzie Kennedy Beverly Lange, M.D. Peter Leone Thomas Mahoney Sarah Marshall
Daniel K. Meyer, M.D. Agnes Mulroney Carolyn Horn Seidle Jonathan H. Sprogell Dr. Eugene E. Stark, Jr. Barbara Augusta Teichert Maria Trafton Donna Wechsler Kathleen Weir HONORARY MEMBERS Dennis Alter Alan B. Miller H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest † Stephen A. Madva, Esq. | Chairman Emeritus Alice W. Strine, Esq. Charlotte Watts
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VENUE MAP | THE MANN
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F R OM T H E G E N E R A L D I R E C T O R Dear Friends, I’m thrilled to welcome you to The Drama of Tosca, a special concert presentation of the Puccini classic. We last gathered for live performance at Verdi’s Requiem in February 2020, before COVID-19 caused us to press pause on live theater and go digital. We created the free Digital Festival O, then reimagined our 2020-2021 season on the new Opera Philadelphia Channel, allowing you to enjoy opera from the comfort of your home. We revisited past favorites and created exciting new opera films and programming. While we will continue innovating and producing opera for the screen, it feels great to be back with you, enjoying live opera together, in the beautiful open-air TD Pavilion at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Your safety, and the safety of the artists and staff, is of the utmost importance. We ask you to practice 6-foot social distancing and wear masks at all times; additional guidelines for COVID safety can be found in this program. We thank you for your cooperation in following these simple measures that allow us to gather together and enjoy the performance. In The Drama of Tosca, the tragic tale of Tosca is seen through the eyes of an omniscient narrator, bridging opera and storytelling and highlighting major themes – and favorite arias – from the original. The piece is a dedication to all who, as Tosca sings in the famous aria “Vissi d’arte,” devote themselves to art, particularly in challenging times. Thank you for joining us, and for your ongoing support of Opera Philadelphia.
David B. Devan General Director & President
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SAFETY
Opera Philadelphia and The Mann Center for the Performing Arts staff, in accordance with the recommendations of public health officials, have worked together to create a welcoming environment with enhanced safety protocols. •Please wear your mask at all times. • Maintain a six-foot physical distance from others at all times. • No food or beverages are allowed on the Mann campus By purchasing a ticket to The Drama of Tosca you are agreeing to comply with all COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures. Failure to do so will result in your removal.
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PROGRAM NOTE
On one hand, the idea of returning to live opera after a challenging year was exciting. On the other, it meant facing the distinct challenge of transforming Tosca into a shorter concert. How best to ensure the safety of the audience and artists while maintaining the integrity of the story and music? This is the question Jack Mulroney Music Director Corrado Rovaris considered as Opera Philadelphia prepared to return to the stage with a live audience. It wouldn’t do justice to Tosca to cut it, he decided, so he consulted with stage director Francesco Micheli. The result is The Drama of Tosca, a 90-minute concert with narration. The Drama of Tosca reframes Puccini’s opera, opening with the tragic final scene before rewinding and telling the story as a flashback. Floria Tosca, Mario Cavaradossi, and Baron Scarpia are the primary players, guided through the story by the narrator. The narrative role allows for a more purposeful exploration of the themes of Tosca: abuse of authority, violence against women, and tyranny – themes no less relevant today than they were a century ago. The concert closes with "Vissi d’arte," a dedication to the musicians around the world who have suffered during the pandemic, yet whose music has sustained us. “It seems right,” Micheli says, “to be able to greet our audience by remembering that each of us ‘lived for art, lived for love.’” 10
ABOUT THE C OM P O S E R Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca, Italy. He was a member of a large family of musicians going back to the early 18th century. His first job, at age 14, was as organist to the two churches of Lucca, but he quickly became more interested in opera than church music. He studied at the musical conservatory in Milan from 1880-1883. Puccini wrote his first opera, Le villi, in 1884, which was played at the La Scala opera house in Milan the next year. His second opera, Edgar, a "lyric drama" (1889), was a failure; his third, Manon Lescaut (1893) was reasonably well received, and most importantly established him on the international operatic scene. La bohème (1896) was at first less successful than Manon Lescaut, perhaps because its subject was too realistic, its tone in many places too light-hearted and somewhat sentimental, and was thus compared unfavorably by the critics to the Romantic-tragic character of Manon. However, it came to be recognized as a masterpiece. After producing Tosca (1900) and Madama Butterfly (1904) to enormous acclaim, Puccini was embroiled in a domestic crisis and scandalous court case in 1909. Puccini's jealous wife accused him of having had an intimate affair with his servant, Doria, who in 1909 died by suicide. Doria and Puccini were exonerated, but the experience took its toll on the sensitive composer. In 1907, he composed The Girl of the Golden West, set in California during the Gold Rush era, which was successfully premiered at the New York Metropolitan Opera in 1910. His final opera, Turandot, was unfinished at the time of his death in 1924, but was completed and premiered in 1926, and remains one of his most well-known works.
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C AS T
Charlotte Blake Alston Narrator Opera Philadelphia debut
Elizabeth Braden Chorus Master
Brian Jagde Cavaradossi Tenor Opera Philadelphia debut
Charlotte Blake Alston is an internationally acclaimed storyteller, narrator, and librettist whose work is rooted in African and African American oral traditions. She has performed at The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and the Smithsonian. Her honors include a Pew Fellowship in the Arts and the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence.
Elizabeth Braden has been Chorus Master since 2004 and prepared the chorus for over 40 productions, from traditional favorites to world premieres. She conducted the 2017 world premiere of David Hertzberg’s The Wake World. Ms. Braden is also the conductor of the Penn Chorale at the University of Pennsylvania. She holds degrees from West Chester University and Westminster Choir College.
American tenor Brian Jagde has appeared with many of world’s most prestigious opera companies including the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Royal Opera House, Paris Opera, Vienna State Opera, and Deutsche Oper Berlin. His many roles include the tenor leads in Tosca, Turandot, La Gioconda, Adriana Lecouvreur, Cavalleria Rusticana, and Carmen. 12
Quinn Kelsey Baron Scarpia Baritone Opera Philadelphia debut
Hawaiian baritone Quinn Kelsey has established himself as one of the world’s leading interpreters of Verdi, Puccini, Bel Canto and French operas, appearing with many of the most important international opera companies in America, Europe and Asia. He is also a sought-after concert performer and a noted recitalist. These appearances mark his Philadelphia debut.
Ana María Martínez Floria Tosca Soprano Opera Philadelphia debut
Grammy Award® winning Puerto Rican soprano Ana María Martínez is considered one of the foremost sopranos of her time. Her international career spans performances at the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Houston Grand Opera, where she was recently named their first-ever Artistic Advisor.
Alex Ramirez Shepherd Boy Opera Philadelphia debut
Alex Ramirez is a 6th grade student at the Grayson School. He was born in UAE, and grew up in China, Spain, and the U.S. He joined the Beijing Philharmonic Choir at 6 years old and later the Philadelphia Boys Choir. He composes music, and won prizes in piano performance as well as hoops, swimming and Lego league.
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Corrado Rovaris Jack Mulroney Music Director
Jonah Serotta Shepherd Boy (Cover) Opera Philadelphia debut
Corrado Rovaris made his Opera Philadelphia debut in 1999 and was appointed as the company's first Music Director for its 30th Anniversary Season in 2005. In addition to his work at Opera Philadelphia, he conducts at opera houses around the world, and is celebrated for his vibrant and expressive performances.
Jonah Serotta sings many times a week with the Philadelphia Boys Choir. He has a brother and two sisters who support him day to day. When he isn’t singing, he has fun playing baseball and tennis. During the day, he goes to school at Moorestown Friends School in Moorestown, NJ.
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A RT I S T I C & P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Assistant Stage Managers ….............................. Jennifer Shaw, Savannah Valigura Assistant Lighting Designer .....................................................................….. Chris Frey Assistant Orchestra Librarian and Personnel Manager ..............…… Nathan Lofton Musical Preparation …...........................................…. Grant Loehnig, Michael Lewis Assistant Dramaturg ...........................................................................…… Erika Natati Audio Director, Live and Recorded Sound …...................................... Joe Hannigan Audio Assistant, Recording Engineer .............................................…… Clark Connor Supertitles .............................................……........................... Chadwick Creative Arts Supertitles Operator ............................................................................….. Tony Solitro Technical Director …....................................................................... Stephen Dickerson Head Wardrobe ........................................................................................ Sue Cerceo Head Props .............................................................................................…. Paul Lodes Head Electrician ......................................................................................….. Ben Tilley Assistant Electrician/Programmer ....................................................Ali Blair Barwick Head Fly Man ........................................................................................... Steve Wolff Camera & Editing ......................................................................................Dave Tavani Camera .....................................Gustavo Garcia, Amanda Hankerson, Gina Poulos Opera Philadelphia thanks the following labor organizations whose members, artists, craftsmen, and craftswomen greatly contribute to our performances: American Federation of Musicians / Local 77 American Guild of Musical Artists / The American Guild of Musical Artists, the union of professional singers, dancers, and production personnel in opera, ballet, and concert, affiliated with the AFL-CIO, represents the Artists and Staging Staff for all purposes of collective bargaining. International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees / Local 8 Theatrical Wardrobe Union / Local 799, I.A.T.S.E. United Scenic Artists / Local 829, I.A.T.S.E. Box Office and Front of House Employees Union / Local B29, I.A.T.S.E. Highway Truck Drivers and Helpers / Local 107, Teamsters
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ORCHESTRA VIOLIN 1 Dayna Hepler, Concertmaster Meichen Liao Barnes Diane Barnett Donna Grantham Elizabeth Kaderabek Blake Espy Tess Varley Rebecca Ansel Natasha Colkett Catherine Kei Fukuda Lisa Vaupel VIOLIN 2 Emma Kummrow, Principal Luigi Mazzocchi Sarah DuBois Robyn Quinnette Yu-Hui Tamae Lee Hyo Samantha Crawford Guillaume Combet Gared Crawford Joseph Kauffman VIOLA Jonathan Kim, Principal Carol Briselli, Assistant Principal Julia DiGaetani Ellen Trainer Elizabeth Jaffe Zoë Martin-Doike Ruth Frazier
CELLO Vivian Barton Dozor, Principal Jennie Lorenzo Brooke Beazley David Moulton Glenn Fishbach Elizabeth Thompson BASS Miles B. Davis, Principal Anne Peterson Stephen Groat Daniel McDougall FLUTE Bart Feller, Principal Eileen Grycky Frances Tate OBOE Geoffrey Deemer, Principal Nick Masterson Evan Ocheret CLARINET John Diodate, Principal Allison Herz Gi Lee BASSOON Erik Höltje, Principal Emeline Chong Darryl Hartshorne
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FRENCH HORN John David Smith, Principal Ryan Stewart Karen Schubert Lyndsie Wilson TRUMPET Brian Kuszyk, Principal Steven Heitzer Frank Ferraro TROMBONE Bradley Ward, Principal Edward Cascarella Jonathan Schubert TUBA Paul Erion, Principal TIMPANI Martha Hitchins, Principal PERCUSSION Ralph Sorrentino, Principal Bradley Loudis HARP Sophie Bruno, Principal CELESTE / KEYBOARD Linda Henderson
CHORUS SOPRANO Erin Alcorn Natalie Dewey Noël Graves-Williams Valerie Haber Jessica Matthews Jessica Mary Murphy Aimee Pilgermayer Evelyn Santiago Amy Spencer
TENOR Cory Don Bonar Sang B. Cho A. Edward Maddison Fernando Mancillas Toffer Mihalka Andrew R. Skitko George Ross Somerville Daniel Taylor Cory Walker Steven Williamson
ALTO Robin Bier Marissa Chalker Patricia Conrad Annalise Dzwonczyk Joanna Gates Eve Hyzer Megan McFadden Maren Montalbano Ellen Peters Paula Rivera-Dantagnan Kaitlyn Tierney
BASS Gregory Cantwell Lucas DeJesus Christopher Hodges Mark Malachesky John David Miles Frank Mitchell Robert Phillips Scott Purcell Tim Stopper Jackson Williams
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S TA F F
LEADERSHIP David B. Devan, General Director & President Corrado Rovaris, Jack Mulroney Music Director David Levy, Vice President of Artistic Operations Frank Luzi, Vice President of Marketing & Communications Jeremiah Marks, Chief Financial Officer Rachel McCausland, Vice President of Development Ken Smith, Chief of Staff Lawrence Brownlee, Artistic Advisor Mikael Eliasen, Artistic Advisor MUSIC Michael Eberhard, Artistic Administrator Sarah Williams, Director of New Works & Creative Producer Elizabeth Braden, Chorus Master & Music Administrator J. Robert Loy, Director of Orchestra Personnel & Librarian Grant Loehnig, Head of Music Staff PRODUCTION John Toia, Director of Production Drew Billiau, Director of Design & Technology Stephen Dickerson, Technical Director Millie Hiibel, Costume Director Meggie Scache Eltz, Production Manager Lisa Anderson, Production Stage Manager Katie Holloway, Assistant Costume Director Bridget A. Cook, Artistic Operations Coordinator COMMUNITY INITIATIVES Veronica Chapman-Smith, Director of Community Initiatives Garrett Obrycki, Residency Manager Elise Mark, Teaching Artist Anaïs Naharro-Murphy, Teaching Artist D’Quan Tyson, Teaching Artist Rosemary Schneider, T-VOCE Conductor Jessica Gruver, T-VOCE Accompanist Dan Amadie, Backstage Pass Consultant 19
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Opera Philadelphia expresses our deepest gratitude to our entire community of supporters whose generosity has helped us bring this season of innovative opera to the stage and the screen. Thank you for helping us create and share music during this extraordinary time.
Mr. Thomas Mahoney Pennsylvania Council on the Arts The Presser Foundation Scott F. Richard and Mamie Duff Alice and Walter Strine, Esqs. Robert L. Turner Charlotte and Bob Watts
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE Mrs. Sandra K. Baldino Disosway Foundation, Inc. Judy and Peter Leone Mrs. John P. Mulroney Barbara Augusta Teichert William Penn Foundation Wyncote Foundation
Ms. Robin Angly Mr. Peter A. Benoliel and Ms. Willo Carey COVID-19 Arts Aid PHL Maureen Craig and Glenn Goldberg Cunningham Piano Company Carol S. Eicher Eugene Garfield Foundation Linda and David Glickstein Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance David Haas Hamilton Family Charitable Trust Mark and Helene Hankin Family Nancy and Al Hirsig Donald and Gay Kimelman Joel and Sharon Koppelman Estate of Sonja E. Lopatynskyj Anne Leone and Daniel Ludwig Jacqueline Badger Mars Sarah and Brad Marshall Mazzotti/Kelly Fund-BBH of The Philadelphia Foundation Dr. Renée Rollin Ellen Steiner Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Wechsler Wells Fargo Foundation
Anonymous Judith Durkin Freyer and Charles C. Freyer The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation The Wallace Foundation Beth and Gary Glynn National Philanthropic Trust, recommended by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage Carolyn Horn Seidle Jean and Gene Stark Anonymous Mr. John R. Alchin and Mr. Hal Marryatt Katherine and Andrew Christiano Ms. Caroline J. Mackenzie Kennedy Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation MoStrategy CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL Mr. Allen D. Black and Mr. R. Randolph Apgar Mr. and Mrs. Frederick P. Huff Independence Foundation Karma Agency John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Dr. Heidi L. Kolberg and Dr. F. Joshua Barnett Dr. Beverly Lange and Dr. Renato Baserga H.F. Lenfest Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation 23
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MEMBERSHIP (CONT.) Ms. Jane G. Pepper John and Gretchen Piasecki Ms. Gene Pratter Mrs. Louise H. Reed Drs. William C. and Susan H. Regli Bill Robling and Deborah R. Kravetz Mark and Robin Rubenstein Mr. David Sacker and Ms. Darcy Hayes The Rev. Canon Dr. Alan K. Salmon Anne Faulkner Schoemaker Henry and Yumi Scott Dr. Cecilia Segawa Seigle Susan and Paul Shaman George R. Smith Mr. Daniel Szyld and Ms. Kathleen Ross Mr. Joseph and Dr. Detta Tate Penn Association of Senior and Emeritus Faculty Frederica von Stade and Michael G. Gorman Robert Washburn, Esq. and Judith Drasin Penelope and Thomas Watkins Waverly Heights Tom Woodward Ms. Ana-Maria V. Zaugg and Mr. David W. Anstice Sustainer Anonymous (7) Janis and Robert Ackerman Mr. George J. Ahern Scott Alexander Julie and Jim Alexandre Alan E. Ankeny Lisa Anderson Bongers and Ben Bongers Rachele Armstrong Ann McCauley Askew Marilyn P. Asplundh Dr. Samer Badr and Mr. Joshua Lynn Ferris Mr. Geoffrey Berwind Ying H Bi Helen Bickell Brad and Carrie Boericke B-T Family Fund, in memory of Rocco Triolo Paula Burns Pauline Candaux and Solomon Katz David and Jennifer Cardy Mr. Leo M. Carey and Ms. Sonya D. Mouzon Ms. Ilene Chester Peter Cline Dr. Cathryn Coate Mr. and Mrs. George T. Craven, Jr. Mr. W. Kenneth Cressman Thierry Danz 27
Mr. and Mrs. William Mueller Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Munson Eliot Nierman Patricia Perfect Staff-Designated Grant Program of The Barra Foundation Michael Presser Mr. Yves Quintin and Ms. Rosanne Loesch Merle Raab Drs. John Redmond and Mary Rachel Faris Mr. Philmore Robertson and Ms. Kathryn Caywood Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Ross Mr. Peter J. Ryker Mr. Walter Schlosser Jr. Mrs. Elena E. Shomos and Mr. Zachary Smith Kathy and Bob Siwicki Barbara and George Smith Mr. James L. Smith
Kobie Smith Dr. Pamela Rootenberg and Dr. David T Springer Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Thomas Cynthia Du Pont Tobias and Terrence A. Tobias Mr. John J. Trifiletti Rosemary and Umit Turunc Peggy and Ellis Wachs Family Foundation Mr. Edward Wagner Kenneth and Susan Weiss Arnold Weiss Joan P. Wohl Mr. Fred M. Wolfe Kelley Wolfington and Richard Wolfington, Jr. Jackson M. Young Florence and Stephen Zeller List as of April 2021
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L E GAT O S O C I E T Y If you love the special magic of an Opera Philadelphia
experience, consider including the Opera in your estate plans.
In doing so, you will join a community of supporters that help to ensure great operatic memories for generations to come.
When you bequeath a gift of cash or stock, or make the Opera the beneficiary of your IRA or life insurance policy, you make a truly meaningful gift that costs nothing now, yet benefits the company later. Plus, estate gifts like these help the Opera weather unforeseen events like COVID-19. Making a legacy gift admits you into the Legato Society, which brings you closer to the art you love and connects you to others who share your legacy goals. We are proud to salute our Legato Society members in all Opera Philadelphia performance programs. To learn more about making a planned gift or about the Legato Society, visit operaphila.org/legato, or contact Michael Bolton, Individual and Planned Giving Officer, at 215.893.5927 or bolton@operaphila.org.
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Gabrielle & Ernest Kimmel Mr. Michael Knight Mr. Tom Laporta Gabriele Lee † Anne Silvers Lee and Wynn Lee Marguerite and Gerry † Lenfest Mrs. Renee T. Levin † Karen and Michael Lewis Carol and Howard Lidz Mr. William A. Loeb Sonja E. Lopatynskyj † Mr. Larry Thomas Mahoney Drs. Joseph and Jane McGowan Eugene C. Menegon † Mrs. Lois Meyers Mrs. Ellen Cole Miller † Mr. Siddhartha Misra Mrs. Naomi Montgomery † Constance C. Moore Msgr. Felix M. O’Neill † Helen Pettit Mr. William Reily † Dr. Scott F. Richard Mr. Laurence T. Robbins † Dr. Renée Rollin Jeffrey and Kendell Saunders Mr. and Mrs. Morton F. Steelman † Ms. Lee Steinberg † Ellen Steiner Mr. Kenneth R. Swimm Mr. Michael Toklish Charlotte Watts Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Wechsler Ester C. Weil † Mr. George P. White † Drs. Anne and Jim † Williamson Richard and Kelley Wolfington
LEGATO SOCIETY Anonymous (7) Lorraine and Ben † Alexander Eleanor M. Allen † Mary Jo Ashenfelter and Thomas S. Heckman Mr. Kenneth H. Barr Myron and Sheila S. Bassman Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bergen Ms. Jane A. Berryman Dr. Claire Boasi Dr. Rita B. Bocher Mrs. Sheila Buckley Constance G. Burton † Dr. and Mrs. Peter Cassalia † Dr. Thomas A. Childers and Dr. John B. Hall Dr. Maria Elisa Ciavarelli † Miss Lucy Clemens Joan and Frederick Cohen Dianne and Don Cooney Mr.† and Mrs. Arthur Covello Ms. Ginny L. Coyle Mr. W. Kenneth Cressman and Mr. Lloyd Christy† Ms. Joan DeJean Ms. Virginia Del Sordo † Robert and Monica Driver Mrs. Antoinette DuBiel Eddie and Rachel Eitches Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Fanelli, Jr. Ms. Joanne D. Fidler † Aron and Joan Fisher Ms. Harriet Forman † Judith Durkin Freyer and Charles C. Freyer Mr. Timothy V. Gardocki Linda Dubin Garfield Sylvia Green† Dr. Mark H. Haller† Mrs. Dorrance H. Hamilton† Gail Hauptfuhrer Mr. Charles Head, Jr. and Mr. John Faggotti Stephen T. Janick Karl Janowitz Jeffrey R. Jowett Mrs. Sheila Kessler
† Deceased List as of April 2021
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LA TRAVIATA
A special look back at the 2015 production starring Lisette Oropesa and Alek Shrader
CYCLES OF MY BEING
Tyshawn Sorey’s song cycle that explores the realities of being a Black man in America today, starring Lawrence Brownlee
SOLDIER SONGS
a new film based on David T. Little’s opera directed by and starring Johnathan McCullough
SAVE THE BOYS
by composer Tyshawn Sorey, starring John Holiday, part of the Digital Commissions series
THE ISLAND WE MADE
by composer Angélica Negrón and filmmaker Matthew Placek, starring Sasha Velour, part of the Digital Commissions series
WE NEED TO TALK
by composer Caroline Shaw, starring Ariadne Greif, part of the Digital Commissions series
USE CODE TOSCA FOR $5 OFF ANY RENTAL ON THE OPERA PHILADELPHIA CHANNEL!
OPERAPHILA.TV | 215.732.8400
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RENT NOW
T H E 2021– 2022 S E AS O N W I L L B E ANNOUNCED O N MAY 18 Expect a thrilling hybrid of live and digital performances that stays true to the timeless nature of opera while exploring the future of the art form.
OPERAPHILA.ORG
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