President's Message
Dear Friends of PPOL,
Welcome to a new year of Pikes Peak Opera League programs and events. The holidays are behind us, and we have survived the cold, sometimes bleak days of January. Spring cannot be far behind!
Our Holiday Luncheon at the Cheyenne Mountain Country Club was a huge success as always, and we once again thank Dr. Darryl and Terry Thatcher for hosting this wonderful event. You can peruse photos from the luncheon further on in this newsletter.
By the time this newsletter hits your emails, we will have celebrated Black History Month with a program at the Colorado Springs Conservatory featuring Soprano Deborah Anderson performing music that celebrates Black History in Song. This program also featured our Conservatory scholarship winner, Audrey Griswold and Conservatory student Emma Lee and Conservatory mentor Tracy Taylor, all accompanied by Dr. Adam Haas.
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Winter 2023
We have more upcoming events, and we hope you will join us for the fun. February 17th is our Winter Wonder Fest, 5-8 pm at the Patty Jewett Clubhouse. This year’s program will feature Marcia Ragonetti, Steven Taylor and Travis Yamamoto performing selections by Jerome Kern, widely acknowledged as the Father of American Musical Theater. Please read on for more information about this not-to-be-missed special event. All proceeds benefit the PPOL scholarship and career advancement funds.
Be sure to add March 1, 2-4 pm to your calendars. This program will be at the Carriage House at Penrose House and is included in your membership dues. It will feature performances by Julie Silver Campbell from Opera on Tap and Solveig Olsen, President of the Board at Opera Theatre of the Rockies. Solveig was most recently seen as the female lead in The Opera Theatre of the Rockies production of “The Music Man” last summer at Armstrong Hall. More information will follow in the newsletter.
January brought great sadness to the music community in Colorado Springs when we lost one of our greatest champions, Kathleen Fox Collins. Kathleen was a long-time member of the Pikes Peak Opera League and a Founding Director of Opera Theatre of the Rockies. To say “she will be missed” is a profound understatement. However, when we remember her, we will remember her with joy because that is what she brought to our lives. Instead of mourning her loss, we will celebrate her life and all that she added to the community of Colorado Springs.
Read on for more information about upcoming events. As always, please feel free to reach out to me at 719-481-0426 or ndenaray@gmail.com. Also visit our website at pikespeakoperaleague.org.
Nicole
Get ready to hum all the way home after this year’s Winter Wonder Fest featuring Mezzo Soprano Marcia Ragonetti and friends on Feb. 17 starting at 5 p.m. at Patty Jewett Golf Club. The concert features music composed by Jerome Kern in a tuneful exploration of a very special chapter in The Great American Songbook. Kern is considered one of the most important American theatre composers of the early 20th century, writing more than 700 songs such as “Ol’ Man River,” “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” His contemporaries include Oscar Hammerstein II, Dorothy Fields, Johnny Mercer and Ira Gershwin, among others.
“Instead of just singing songs, we plan to delve into the life of Jerome Kern in a way that the audience will get to experience an historical biopic of his life,” says Ragonetti. “Our PPOL program has some funny songs and some heartfelt songs, but make no mistake, it’s all Jerome Kern.”
In the program titled, “Can’t Help Lovin’…Jerome Kern” Ragonetti will be joined by Pianist Travis Yamamoto and Baritone Steven Taylor.
“It is an ensemble thing – that’s partly what I like about (opera),” she says. “Singers would be naked and dark and silent, screaming, without everyone else that’s involved.”
As for performing on Feb. 17 Ragonetti said she is relishing the chance to have a bit of an old home week experience with some of those in the opera community who have known and worked with each other for decades.
A veteran of opera, concert and musical theater stages, as well as intimate cabaret spaces, Ragonetti has earned acclaim for her stellar singing and acting and was hailed by one critic as "a perfectly splendid mezzo." She has been associated with Opera Colorado since its inception
Fest
Winter Wonder
Winter Wonder Fest (cont)
in 1982 having performed more than 24 leading and featured roles including singing at the gala inauguration of "The Ellie" in 2005 followed by its acclaimed production of "Carmen" with Denyce Graves. She has also appeared frequently with, to name a few, Central City Opera, Colorado Symphony Orchestra (22 times in wide-ranging repertoire), Opera Fort Collins, Opera Theatre of the Rockies (both as a director and an artist) summer festivals in Vail, Crested Butte, Chapel Hill, NC and Chihuahua – Boulder. Marcia is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Cornell University where she received a B.A. and M.A. in psycholinguistics and English literature.
As to what the audience can expect for Winter Wonder Fest
Ragonetti says, “we are entertaining sure, but we are hoping to create an emotion and a feeling of being transported somewhere that you’re not expecting to go, and be moved…along with some surprises in store.”
Registration for Winter Wonder Fest can be made at pikespeakoperaleague.org for $80 or by check for $75 payable to PPOL and mailed to PO Box 38478, Colorado Springs, CO 80937-8478. The program includes an elegant appetizer buffet and cash bar. All proceeds will go to the PPOL scholarship and career award funds. Program sponsors include Tiemens Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, Dr. Susan Rae Jensen and Mr. Tom Trainer and Nicole de Naray.
Travis Yamamoto,Marcia Ragonetti and Steven Taylor
Women Composers in Vocal Music
Hanging with strong women is nothing new to Soprano Julie Silver Campbell.
“I grew up in Colorado Springs and studied voice with Linda Weise,” says Silver Campbell. “And then the great Martile Rowland came and did a master class for us, and she was awesome. Because of the two of them, I went to college for voice.”
Silver Campbell’s opera-oriented passion has only grown since that time years ago and remains strong. It shines especially when she speaks about her desire to expose more listeners and artists to the art form – and to expand opera to include more diversity, through her endeavors with Opera on Tap Colorado and other outlets.
“I feel that opera has a way of holding up a mirror for humanity to see themselves in it and learn from it, it’s motivating,” she says.
She’s been especially inspired in various ways by the works of women in opera and is excited to be presenting the program
Julie Campbell Silver Solveig Olsen
Women Composers in Vocal Music
Women Composers in Vocal Music with another strong female and soprano, Solveig Olsen on March 1 at The Penrose House.
Accompanied by Joseph Galema, the two will perform music composed by Jake Landau and Emily Garber, Jordan Bowman, Amy Beach and Clara Schumann.
The program will be held at The Penrose House in The Carriage House (1661 Mesa Ave.) from 2-4 p.m. with songs and commentary. Assorted beverages and snacks will be available pre-concert. Sponsors include Dr. Gordon and Linda Silver, Elizabeth Bond, and Karen and Michael McDivitt.
Upcoming Events
Career Advancement Award Winner Concert | April 5
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Rehearsal Hall
3113 Primose Drive
Featuring the Spring Career Advancement Award winner
Jenna Clark in concert. Ms. Clark, mezzo-soprano is a versatile and compelling artist and graduate of the University of Denver with a dual concentration Masters degree in Vocal Performance & Choral Conducting and is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the University of Colorado - Boulder.
Recent opera roles have included Armelinde in Viardot’s Cendrillon with Loveland Opera Theater (2021), L’enfant in Ravel’s L’enfant et Les Sortilèges with Boulder Opera Company (2021), the Announcer in Douglas Moore’s Gallantry with Opera Theatre of the Rockies (2023), and Amor in La Púrpura de la Rosa by Tomás de Torrejón y Velasco with the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado (2023). In the summer of 2022, Ms. Clark was an Apprentice Artist at Central City Opera covering the role of Signora Naccarelli and performing the role of a maid in Adam Guettel’s The Light in the Piazza. She also performs as a touring artist with both Central City Opera and Opera Theatre of the Rockies, bringing high level performances to schools and communities across Colorado.
Ms. Clark has performed numerous solos throughout the Denver area including the world premiere of Elijah Daniel Smith’s Starving Sod with the Lea Mattson Collective (2022), the alto solos in the Colorado premiere of Cecilia McDowall's Magnificat with the Evans Choir
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(2017), the alto solos in Mozart's Requiem and Vesperae solennes de confessore with the Colorado Repertory Singers (2017), and the alto solo in Mendelssohn's Die erste Walpurgisnacht with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra and Choirs (2017). She has been a finalist in both the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition (2018) and the Colorado Bach Ensemble’s Bach Competition for Young Artists (2019) and sings regularly with the Colorado Bach Ensemble.
Coming up in spring of 2023, Ms. Clark can be seen in Le Prince Charmant in Massenet’s Cendrillon at the University of ColoradoBoulder and Mrs. McLean in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah with Opera Fort Collins.
Spring Soirée at The Pinery | May 3
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
The Pinery at the Hill
775 W. Bijou Street
The program will preview Opera Theatre of the Rockies’ Vocal Arts Festival and 25th Anniversary Celebration presented by Martile Rowland, OTR Director and Founder. There will be a charge and this replaces our usual spring luncheon. Appetizers with a cash bar will be available.
One of the most anticipated events of the year, Pikes Peak Opera League's Holiday Luncheon at Cheyenne Mountain Country Club on Dec. 7. Featuring Martile's Merry Singers, a delicious lunch of broccoli cheese soup, schnitzel with lemon caper sauce, mashed potatoes, roasted brussel sprouts and for dessert peppermint ice cream with chocolate ganache. Venue Sponsor: Dr. Darryl and Terry Thatcher. Photos courtesy of Dr. Susan Rae Jensen.
Annabel Widney & Sue Anselmi
Tom Trainer, Lu Benning & Nicole de Naray
Catherine Thompson, & Mary McKinley
Sol Chavez, Eve TilleyChavez & Charles Warren
Dr. Susan Rae Jensen & Tom Trainer
Julianne Perkins, Dan Brink & Stephanie Brink
Martile Rowland
Marti Booth, Gloria Wendt, Evelyn Kwaak, Mark Dempsey & Connie Raub
Julianne Perkins
Stephanie Brink
Catherine Creppon, Victoria Boswell & Robyn Hamilton
Doug & Dianne Herzberg & Cherri Disque
Celebrating Black History in Song
February 1, 2023 | Colorado Springs Conservatory
Pikes Peak Opera League honored Black History Month (February) with a mini-concert from our Conservatory scholarship recipient and a special appearance by Soprano Deborah Anderson in a program titled Celebrating Black History in Song. Ms. Anderson was accompanied by her coach, Dr. Beth Nielson from University of Denver - Lamont. Scholarship student recipients receive funds from the PPOL donations made to the scholarship fund. Program Sponsors: Nicole de Naray and Nancy & Toby Anderson. Photos courtesy of Dr. Susan Rae Jensen. Deborah Anderson's performance was sponsored by Gloria and Allan Wendt.
Dr. Beth Nielson with Deborah Anderson & her mother Wanda Anderson
Conservatory support from Monica Turley & Scott Marble with Nicole de Naray
Dr. Nielson and Deborah pre-performance
Deborah with her Dad, Ben Anderson
Dr. Nielson and Deborah pre-performance
Deborah performs
Many new supporters at program
Audrey Griswold, our Conservatory scholarship recipient, is a 17 year old senior student at Village High School. She enjoys singing, writing and performing musical theatre. She has been a student at the Conservatory for more than three years participating in singer songwriter classes and private piano and voice lessons.
She has also been a part of Conservatory theatre classes performing in numerous Cabarets, Jamboree, Winter Extravaganz and most recently as "Hester Pryne'' in the 10-minute musical Book Lovers. She made her musical theatre writing debut last summer writing songs for the original work "Someday in Wonderland'' performed locally by COS Young People Theatre Troupe. She hopes to become a full time writer and plans to study writing in college.
She thanks the Opera League for the opportunity to continue her musical studies.
Emma Lee is a senior at Cheyenne Mountain High School and has been a part of the Colorado Springs Conservatory for 12 years studying voice, piano, trumpet, guitar, and theater.
Significant roles include, Mary Lennox (The Secret Garden), Amahl (Amahl and the Night Visitors), and Charlie Bucket (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). She is also a part of the Conservatory’s Jazz Ensemble. She is heavily involved in the choir program at Cheyenne, including the state winning a cappella group Crimson and Slate.
Emma plans to attend Colorado State University to continue her music education in Music Therapy and Voice.
Honor Roll of Giving - With Gratitude
Joan Agee
Nancy and Toby Anderson
Susanne Anselmi
Nasit Ari and Libby Rittenberg
Carolyn Beggs
Luella Benning
Carol Bernstein
Michael and Lesly Blend
Roslyn Block
Elizabeth Bond
Kent Borges
Victoria Boswell
Mary Brummeler
Duncan and Judith Burdick
Sol Chavez and Eve Tilley
Kathleen Fox Collins
COPPeR Fund
Catherine Creppon
Linda Cummings
Nancy Daly
Lineah Davey
Nicole de Naray
Michael and Cheryl Disque
Shirlee Doughty
Elaine Freed
Timothy Fuller
Barbara Gazibara
Glen Grantham
Kim Gunderson
Joyce Hanagan
Doug and Dianne Herzberg
Don and Gwen Jenkins
Dr. Susan Rae Jensen
Connie Joiner
Helene Knapp
Elizabeth Leslie
Sally Linnenbrink
Susan and Scott Loring
Deanna Lyons
Dayle MacCormack
Beverly and Edward Mason
Karen and Michael McDivitt
Mary McKinley
Hope and Joe Mena
Jim and Carol Montgomery
Kenneth Myers
Margo Nelson
Fran Pilch
Nancy and Gary Pittman
Marcia Ragonetti
James and Eulalie Ringe
Judy Rogers
Silas and Leslie Shaw
Gordon and Linda Silver
Carolyn and John Spillane
Catherine Thompson
Tom Trainer
Joyce Vogel
Mary Waddle
Charles and Judy Warren
Gloria and Allan Wendt
Annabel Widney
Kathy and William Winnick
Bert Wong
Logo Recognition:
Please let us know if you made a donation in 2022 and we inadvertently left you off the Honor Roll. We will apologize profusely and lightly punish our Treasurer.
Special Thanks to Stephanie Edwards and Gold Hill Mesa, Dr. Darryl and Terry Thatcher, Allan Wendt and Martile Rowland, as well as the Members of the Board of Pikes Peak Opera League.
