Golden Jubilee 50th Anniversary Gala Concert January 20 & 22, 2012
At the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
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Celebrating 50 Years of Grand Opera
GOLDEN JUBILEE 50th Anniversary Gala Concert Honorary Chair Helen K. Persson Anniversary Gala Council Ronnie Isenberg Frayda B. Lindemann Mary M. Montgomery Patrick Park Thomas C. Quick M. Mac Schwebel Golden Jubilee Gala Committee Marjorie Alfus Sanford Baklor and Arlene Kaufman Hans and Sigrid Baumann Gladys Benenson Elizabeth Bowden Richard Cosnotti and Sharon Bledsoe Rita Denerstein John and Susan Domenico Ann and Robert Fromer Paul and Sandra Goldner Arlette Gordon Eugene Isenberg Florence and Robert Kaufman David and Ingrid Kosowsky Howard and Patricia Lester Jeffrey and Sara Mullens Ari Rifkin Muriel Shapiro Reneé Silvester Marc and Cathy Solomon Dennis and Roseanne Williams Philip Whitacre
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A Welcome from the chairman of the board Dear Palm Beach Opera Friends and Family, Every now and then, a special moment occurs in the life of an opera company, and one of them is taking place this weekend. Celebrating 50 years of opera in Palm Beach with all of you is a tremendous joy and privilege, and I’m grateful to each of you for sharing this occasion with us. Indeed, we wouldn’t be here today were it not for your continued thirst for arts and culture in Palm Beach County, among which opera takes a special place as it combines a multitude of art forms and talents. It allows us to experience the widest spectrum of emotions, and is the ultimate manifestation and proof of a cultured society which values the human experience and artistic dialogue. As such, it not only fulfills important economic, spiritual and emotional requirements of a community, it also demands the utmost support: support in the form of volunteer leadership and political advocacy; support in the form of seasonal patronage, annual contributions and corporate sponsorships; and most importantly, support in the form of a true and unwavering commitment to keep the art form alive for future generations, no matter the cost. To this extent, we are establishing a strategic plan as well as the 50th Anniversary Fund, an operational and programmatic endowment campaign to secure the future of Palm Beach Opera. 50 years already is a great legacy, yet only by providing for another 50 years will we have the right to be truly proud of our accomplishments. Over the past three seasons, since I became Chairman in the spring of 2008, we’ve stabilized the company’s finances, adjusted our programming to a new reality, and continue to deliver the high quality productions we promised. Yet our work and financial challenges remain, as opera continues to be the most expensive art form. The Palm Beach Opera Board of Directors will continue to provide leadership, governance and support to this fine cultural institution, but the financial success of future initiatives cannot be up to the Board and select few alone. All of you need to do your part as well: don’t let this opportunity pass by without becoming a vital part of the future of Palm Beach Opera – think big, be bold, and be generous. I thank all of you for your dedication and support, and I look forward to celebrating this and future milestones with you. Sincerely,
Marc S. Solomon
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MESSAGE FROM DANIEL BIAGGI, GENERAL DIRECTOR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Dear Palm Beach Opera Patrons, Mr. Marc S. Solomon, Chairman
Mrs. Muriel A. Shapiro, Vice President
Mr. M. Mac Schwebel, President
Mr. Dennis Williams, Vice President
Mrs. Majorie Alfus, Vice President
Welcoming you on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary Weekend is a special honor, and I’m filled with gratitude to everyone in the Palm Beach Opera community for giving me this privilege.
Dr. David I. Kosowsky, Mrs. Helen K. Persson, Vice President Vice President
For 50 years, this cultural institution has provided moments of great joy, artistic excellence, and intellectual stimulation to the community with its many opera productions, concerts, educational & outreach programs and social activities. Our historic overview in this commemorative program book will allow you to relive some of your fondest moments, and evoke a sense of the company’s prominence in this beautiful community’s cultural landscape throughout its growth.
Dr. Hans D. Baumann, Mr. Paul A. Goldner, Treasurer Secretary
What really defines this extraordinary company, however, are the people, who with imagination, determination, resilience, financial support and lots of heart dared to envision operatic distinction in the Palm Beaches. Artists, philanthropists, community leaders, and volunteers, who recognized the importance of cultural endeavors and created lasting memories for audience members of all ages.
DIRECTORS
Mr. Sanford Baklor
Mrs. Gladys Benenson
Dr. Elizabeth Bowden
Mr. Richard L. Cosnotti
Ms. Rita Denerstein
Mr. John Domenico
Mrs. Ann Fromer
Mrs. Arlette Gordon
Mrs. Ronnie Isenberg
Mrs. Florence Kaufman
Mr. Howard Lester
Mrs. Mary Montgomery
Especially during changing financial realities and shifts in perception of cultural values, Palm Beach Opera remains committed to its core mission and aims. Within a multitude of entertainment options, we remain the only producer of fully staged live opera in Palm Beach County, and our belief in artistic excellence goes hand in hand with fiscal responsibility. As we shape the future of opera in Palm Beach, quality and sustainability become ever more important cornerstones of strategic planning. In order for Palm Beach Opera to remain viable, these plans must include expanding the repertoire to satisfy a broad range of audience tastes, bringing opera closer to new audiences by taking productions out of the opera house into alternate venues, strengthening the Young Artist Program to cultivate future artists and create an easy bridge to younger audiences, as well as continuing to attract world renown artists to Palm Beach to maintain international standards of excellence. All these initiatives will require the financial support of the whole community to ensure great opera in Palm Beach for future generations. I urge you to get actively involved and to be generous with your contributions, and I thank you already for all your continued support. Enjoy this 50th Anniversary Gala Concert, here’s to 50 more!
Mr. Jeffrey I. Mullens
Mrs. Ari Rifkin
Mrs. Reneé Silvester
RADM Philip Whitacre
Sincerely,
EMERITI Claire Chasanoff | Virginia Longo | Charlotte Miller | Sunny Miller | Barbara Weimer Daniel Biaggi
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Palm Beach Opera is dedicated to producing opera at an international standard of excellence and to enriching the life of the communities it serves with a diverse offering of education programs. Founded in 1961 as the Civic Opera of the Palm Beaches, the fully professional Palm Beach Opera presents main stage performances from December through April at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach.
Guiseppe Campora 1972
Reneé and Arthur Silvester 1973
Roberta Peters 1972
Beverly Sills 1977
Palm beach opera history
The Opera company, successful with its defining social activities, finds a home at the West Palm Beach Auditorium, otherwise known as the “Leaky Teepee” where it will hold performances until 1992. In 1970 Giuseppe Campora performs as Don Jose in Carmen and he returns in 1972 to play Rodolfo in La Boheme. In 1971, Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet is performed, not to be seen on the Palm Beach Opera stage again until this February. The Scholarship program, later called the Palm Beach Opera Vocal Competition, is established and the Junior Opera Guild starts its educational programs with Hansel & Gretel. Metropolitan Opera star Roberta Peters performs in Barber of Seville in 1972. Other opera stars include Robert Merrill, Norman Treigle, Mary Costa and Beverly Sills. Beverly Sills was honored at both the 1975 and 1977 galas.
1960’S -1980’S
1980’s
1960’s
Palm Beach Opera is founded in the summer of 1961 as the Civic Opera of the Palm Beaches by Isabel Chatfield, Charlotte Miller, Rosita Franks, Princess Jane Obolensky, Octavia Could, Alberta Grant and Thelma Miller. On January 29, 1962 the first opera La Traviata is presented at the Palm Beach High School Auditorium to a sold-out audience of 1,200 with a live chorus and 26-piece orchestra under the baton of Dr. Paul Csonka, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor. The first Opera Ball is held in 1963 at the Biltmore in Palm Beach. Two years later, debutantes are presented to society at the Opera Ball, thus establishing the Debutant Cotillion. Arthur Silvester, President from 1967-1968, lays the foundation for future success and invites the first internationally known singers to Palm Beach, including Licia Albanese and Roberta Peters.
1970’s
Die Fledermaus playbill cover 1962
2nd Season Announcement 1963
Dr. Paul Csonka, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
Season 1980-1981
Herb Benn 1986
Mary and Robert Montgomery 1985
Maestro Anton Guadagno
The Civic Opera of the Palm Beaches becomes Palm Beach Opera, Inc. There is no shortage of stars in 1981 as Christina Deutekom sings Norma and Gian Carlo Menotti directed his own works (The Medium and Amelia goes to the Ball) and in 1982 James McCracken sang Canio in I Pagliacci. In 1983, after more than 20 years, Dr. Paul Csonka steps down as Principal Conductor. Maestro Anton Guadagno becomes Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Palm Beach Opera, and establishes a new artistic vision. In 1985, Robert M. Montgomery Jr. becomes Chairman of the Board, a position he will hold until 2005. Together with General Director Herb Benn and Mo. Guadagno, he turns the company into a major arts organization in Palm Beach County. Late 80’s opera stars include James Morris in Faust in 1986, the return of Roberta Peters in 1988 to sing Adina in L’Elisir d’Amore, and Ghena Dimitrova as Lady Macbeth in 1989.
Opera Ball cover 1965
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1990’s
Palm Beach Opera is the talk of the town by presenting Luciano Pavarotti at the Jai-Alai Fronton, spearheaded by Reneé and Arthur Silvester. In 1992, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts opens and the acoustically refined Dreyfoos Hall becomes the new “main stage” for Palm Beach Opera with a spectacular inauguration performance of Aïda. The Palm Beach Opera Orchestra is created by the Board in 1993 to augment the musical quality of the productions, and includes musicians from major professional national and international orchestras. The 65+ piece orchestra draws increasingly critical acclaim, and together with the Opera Chorus of up to 50 local singers, becomes a cornerstone for future artistic success. Preeminent baritone Sherrill Milnes, who sang the title role of Don Giovanni in 1991, returns to sing Scarpia in 1998 opposite Diana Soviero’s Tosca. Other notable opera stars in the decade include
Muriel and Arnold Shapiro 1992
An Evening with Thomas Hampson 2007
Luciano Pavarotti 1991
David and Ingrid Kosowsky Opera Ball 2010 Maestro’s Anton Guadagno and Bruno Aprea
Daniel Biaggi, Mary Montgomery, Mo. Bruno Aprea, Helen K. Persson at Symphony No 9 Gala Dinner 2009
Palm beach opera history Katia Ricciarelli (Norma and Il trovatore), Ewa Podles (Italiana in Algeri), Ghena Dimitrova (Gala), Fabio Armiliato (La bohème), June Anderson and Denyce Graves (Gala). The 1996 Gala Evening of Splendor features the incomparable Plácido Domingo, who would return to Palm Beach in 2005 for another unforgettable concert. Educational programs include extensive touring productions in South Florida schools as well as Swing & Sing at M. Mac Schwebel’s Sherbrooke Golf and Country Club. Palm Beach Opera enjoys such organizational and financial growth at the end of the century that it closely evaluates building its own opera house in the rapidly expanding downtown West Palm Beach.
Gladys Benenson and Muriel Shapiro 2008
2000’s and beyond
After Mo. Guadagno’s passing in 2002, the performances are led by resident and guest conductors, including Kamal Khan and Julius Rudel and Plato Karayanis comes to Palm Beach Opera as a consultant and interim General Director. In 2004, The Great Poochini introduces the newest educational and family friendly program, Family Opera. Gala artists include Kiri Te Kanawa, Angela Gheorghiu, Bryn Terfel, Susan Graham, and Thomas Hampson. Maestro Bruno Aprea becomes Artistic Director and Principal Conductor in 2005 and Mr. James Beasley takes over as Chairman of the Board for the next three years. In 2008 Marc S. Solomon becomes Chairman of the Board and in 2009 Daniel Biaggi is appointed General Director after 4 seasons as Director of Artistic Operations. Palm Beach Opera adds symphonic concerts to its repertoire sponsored by Mary M. Montgomery and Palm Beach Opera ‘Angel’
1990’s to Today Helen K. Persson with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Choral Concert and Gala closing the decade in December 2009.
1997 Vocal Competition, Dana Beth Miller and Reneé Silvester
Placido Domingo with Lois Pope and Stranton Freeman at Evening of Splendor 1998 2010 Mac Schwebel celebrating 100
Dolora Zajick and Elizabeth Bowden 2011
Palm Beach Opera adds popular oratorio performances to its repertoire beginning with Verdi’s Requiem featuring soloists Angela Meade, Dolora Zajick, Carl Tanner, and Morris Robinson and sponsored by Helen K. Persson. In January 2012, Palm Beach Opera celebrates the 50th Anniversary of its first performance with the Golden Jubilee Gala Concert featuring Ruth Ann Swenson, Denyce Graves, and Brandon Jovanovich with guest conductor Julius Rudel and co-hosted by opera legend Sherrill Milnes.
Ted and Helen Persson, late 1990’s Mac Schwebel 1998 Ronnie and Eugene Isenberg 2011
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Marc and Cathy Solomon 2011
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50th Anniversary Season Sponsor Mrs. Helen K. Persson Fund for Artistic Excellence
Golden jubilee Palm Beach Opera wishes to thank our generous Golden Jubilee sponsors (List complete as of January 5, 2012)
50th Anniversary Season Sponsor Mrs. Helen K. Persson
Golden Gala Sponsor
A lifelong lover of opera, Helen K. Persson has been a staunch supporter of Palm Beach Opera for almost 20 years. Helen often jokes that she did not plan her life, but, instead, followed the path that was set out for her. After earning an R.N. degree from the University of Pennsylvania Nursing School, she joined the Navy during World War II and served in the Navy Nurse Corps, where she rose to the rank of Lt. Commander. While serving in San Francisco, at the urging of her commanding officer, she auditioned for the chorus of Lakmé with the San Francisco Opera but instead, was chosen to sing with Lily Pons!
Mrs. Gladys Benenson Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Isenberg Mr. & Mrs. Howard Lester Mr. & Mrs. Marc Solomon
Silver Table Sponsor Mr. & Mrs. George Lindemann
Table Sponsor
Mr. & Mrs. George Lindemann (2) Mrs. Mary M. Montgomery J.P. Morgan Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Williams
Commemorative Program Gold Sponsor Dr. & Mrs. Hans D. Baumann Mr. & Mrs. Paul A. Goldner Mr. & Mrs. Henry Laufer
Commemorative Program Sponsor
and unwavering support. She has sponsored and un-
Dr. Elizabeth Bowden Jupiter Medical Center Foundation Mrs. Jacqueline Goldman Mrs. Arlette Gordon
derwritten numerous main stage opera productions
Golden Couple Sponsor
Palm Beach Opera is grateful for Helen’s generous
over the years, Beethoven’s Symphony No 9 - Choral Concert, the Verdi Requiem and the Helen K. Persson Matching Challenge Grant.
Helen feels blessed to have been able to intertwine her three loves – nursing, the Navy, and the opera!
Mr. & Mrs. John Domenico Mr. Daniel Biaggi & Mr. David Espinosa Mr. & Mrs. Robert Fromer Mr. & Mrs. Allan Greenblatt Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Kellogg Mr. Joseph Kerzner & Ms. Lisa Koeper Dr. & Mrs. David I. Kosowsky Mr. & Mrs. David Mack Ms. Lynn Joy Sapoff
Media Sponsors Exclusive Magazine Sponsor: Palm Beach Illustrated
GOLDEN JUBILLEE GALA UNDERWRITING Mrs. Helen K. Persson décor U.S. Trust/Bank of America Wealth Management
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GOLDEN JUBILEE
50TH ANNIVERSARY
Special Thanks‌
Palm Beach Opera extends a special thanks to the Golden Jubilee leadership, all of whom have given so generously of their time, effort and financial support in making our 50th Anniversary a success. Honorary Chair
Palm Beach Opera continues to be grateful to Mrs. Mary M. Montgomery for her dedication and generous support throughout the years.
Helen K. Persson Anniversary Gala Council
Ronnie Isenberg
Frayda B. Lindemann
Mary M. Montgomery
Patrick Park
Thomas C. Quick
M. Mac Schwebel
Golden Jubilee Gala Committee Marjorie Alfus Sanford Baklor and Arlene Kaufman Hans and Sigrid Baumann Gladys Benenson Elizabeth Bowden Richard Cosnotti and Sharon Bledsoe Rita Denerstein John and Susan Domenico Ann and Robert Fromer Paul and Sandra Goldner Arlette Gordon
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Eugene Isenberg Florence and Robert Kaufman David and Ingrid Kosowsky Howard and Patricia Lester Jeffrey and Sara Mullens Ari Rifkin Muriel Shapiro ReneĂŠ Silvester Marc and Cathy Solomon Dennis and Roseanne Williams Philip Whitacre
Together with her late husband, Robert M. Montgomery, Jr., she has truly helped make Palm Beach Opera what it is today. Thank you!
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GOLDEN JUBILEE
50th Anniversary
Mr. M. Mac Schwebel
Thank you to Mr. M. Mac Schwebel for his extraordinary gifts and enthusiasm throughout the years. His support of Palm Beach Opera’s educational programs include Swing & Sing Camp for underprivileged children and Warner Brothers Golf Tournaments.
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Palm Beach Opera would like to thank Board Chairman Marc S. Solomon and his wife Cathy for their generous support and leadership.
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GOLDEN JUBILEE
50th Anniversary
We congratulate the Palm Beach Opera Company on its fiftieth milestone! Both of us are very fortunate, for being able to enjoy this cultural jewel of the Palm Beaches for the last twenty years. Or special thanks goes to Daniel Biaggi, General Director, for his inspiring leadership in making the Opera Company the great success it is.
Hans and Sigrid Baumann
In Loving Memory Of Edward H. Benenson Edward H. Benenson Foundation, Inc. Gladys Benenson, President
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GOLDEN JUBILEE: 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Welcome Daniel Biaggi and Sherill Milnes, Co-Hosts La Traviata
Music by Giuseppe Verdi Conducted by Mo. Bruno Aprea “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” “È strano! … Ah, fors’ è lui ... Sempre libera” Violetta Valery: Sarah Joy Miller | Alfredo Germont: Atalla Ayan Flora Bervoix: Shirin Eskandani | Gastone: Evanivaldo Corea Sorreno Baron Douphol: R. Kenneth Stavert | Marquis D’Obigny: Jesse Enderle | Dr. Grenvil: Benjamin Clements La traviata was the first opera ever performed by the Civic Opera of the Palm Beaches on January 29, 1962. This inaugural production was conducted by Dr. Paul Csonka and directed by Erick Santamaria. Through the years the title role of this beloved work has been portrayed on the Palm Beach Opera stage by some of the most exciting singers in the world including American opera legend Beverly Sills.
Die Fledermaus
GOLDEN JUBILEE: 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Special Tribute to Mo. Anton Guadagno
Maestro Anton Guadagno became the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Palm Beach Opera in 1984. Leading the company in more than 50 productions, he raised the artistic quality and turned Palm Beach Opera into an internationally recognized organization. The legacy of Maestro Guadagno lives on as seen through the productions of the highest artistic level regularly presented by Palm Beach Opera.
Carmen
Music by Georges Bizet Conducted by Mo. Bruno Aprea “Habanera” “La fleur que tu m’avais jetée” “C’est toi? C’est moi.” Carmen: Denyce Graves-Montgomery | Don José: Brandon Jovanovich First performed by Palm Beach Opera in January 1965, Carmen has proven to be a Palm Beach Opera audience favorite receiving no less than six productions. Over the years Palm Beach Opera has featured acclaimed members of the opera world in Bizet’s much loved score such as Fabio Armiliato, Elena Zaremba, Tony Award winner Paulo Szot, and Maestro Julius Rudel.
Music by Johann Strauss II Conducted by Mo. Bruno Aprea “Ich lade gern mir Gäste ein” “Mein Herr Marquis” “Csárdás” “Champagne Finale”
Music by Giuseppe Verdi Conducted by: Mo. Bruno Aprea “Act II Grand Finale”
Rosalinde: Ruth Ann Swenson | Gabriel von Eisenstein: Brandon Jovanovich Prince Orlofsky: Lauren McNeese | Adele: Emily Duncan-Brown Dr. Falke: Daniel Sutin | Frank: Jesse Enderle | Sally: Alexandra Rafalo
Aida: Angela M. Brown | Radamès: Brandon Jovanovich Amneris: Denyce Graves-Montgomery | Amonasro: Daniel Sutin Ramphis: Benjamin Clements | King: Jesse Enderle
This comical and lighthearted operetta has been enjoyed by the Palm Beach Opera audience since being the second production mounted by the company in December 1962. The cheerful music of Die Fledermaus is a delightful way to look back on the history and growth of the company, especially when remembering the great artists who have appeared in the four previous productions of the work like soprano Mary Costa who sang Rosalinde in 1976.
First introduced to the Palm Beach Opera community in 1977, Aïda has been a cornerstone of the company’s repertoire. It was the first production of the company at the newly built Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in 1992 and was also the first production Maestro Bruno Aprea conducted after being named Artistic Director. There is no greater way to celebrate the golden anniversary of Palm Beach Opera than with the thrilling and grand Triumphal March from this legendary score.
La Bohème
Music by Giacomo Puccini Conducted by Mo. Bruno Aprea “Che gelida manina…” “Si. Mi chiamano Mimi…” “O soave fanciulla…” Rodolfo: Atalla Ayan | Mimì: Ruth Ann Swenson Marcello: Daniel Sutin | Schaunard: Jesse Enderle | Colline: Benjamin Clements Puccini’s masterpiece La bohème has received over 25 performances by Palm Beach Opera beginning in 1963. Early performances of the opera showcased internationally renowned tenor Giuseppe Campora, and the work has continued to draw international luminaries to Palm Beach Opera with the most recent production being directed by star soprano Renata Scotto.
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Aïda
Key Artistic and Production Personnel Dona D. Vaughn Stage Director
Richard Winkler Lighting Designer Greg Ritchey Assistant Conductor & Chorus Master Bruce Stasyna Assistant Conductor & YAP Director
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bruno aprea, Artistic DIrector & Principal conductor Bruno Aprea, winner of the Koussevitsky Prize at the Tanglewood Festival in 1977, became only the second Italian conductor to be awarded this prize after Claudio Abbado in 1958, given to him by a panel including Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa. Artistic Director and Principal Conductor at the Palm Beach Opera since 2005, Mo. Aprea conducts Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, the Golden Jubilee 50th Anniversary Concert, and Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor in the 11-12 season. He’s conducted Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9-Choral, Nabucco, Orfeo ed Euridice, Otello, Don Giovanni, Rigoletto, Norma, Le Nozze di Figaro, Turandot, L’Elisir d’Amore, La Traviata, Madama Butterfly, Cavalleria Rusticana, I Pagliacci, Aida and many more with the Company. Other recent engagements include Tosca at the Maestranza di Seville, Spain, in the production of La Scala/Milano and performances of La Traviata at the Beijing Music Festival on tour with the Teatro La Fenice/Venice. Most recently, he celebrated a great success with La Bohème at the Opera of Hong Kong, and with the Gala Concert ‘Bravissimo’ at the Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. Future engagements include a concert at the Tonhalle Zurich in May 2012 immediately following the Season Finale in Palm Beach. Mo. Aprea’s repertoire includes the operas of Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi, Puccini and Mascagni and works of Mozart and Gluck among many others. His opera engagements have taken him across the US, to Tokyo, the United Kingdom, Berlin, Ireland, and Cape Town. In his native Italy, he conducted at various Opera Houses including Opera di Roma, La Fenice in Venice, Teatro S.Carlo in Naples. Mo. Aprea’s symphonic activity has taken him all over Europe, South America, South Africa and Israel, including concerts at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and a number of concerts at the Opéra de Monte Carlo in aid of UNESCO. He has also conducted all major symphonic orchestras in Italy; including those of Rome, Milan, Turin, Naples, Palermo, and Venice. Notable engagements of his busy summer festival seasons have included Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, Mozart’s Requiem, and concerts with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Bari. Mo. Aprea has recorded a number of rare operas such as Mercadante’s Il Bravo, Lauro Rossi’s Il Domino Nero, Rossini’s La Pietra del Paragone, Puccini’s Le Villi, Mascagni’s Le Maschere and Zanetto, which have been released on DVD.
ARTISTIC TEAM Dona D. Vaughn, Stage Director
Dona D. Vaughn is Artistic Director of PORTopera in Portland, Maine, and also Artistic Director of the Opera Programs at Manhattan School of Music and has also served as Stage Director/Acting Coach for The Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. She began her career as a singer in the original Broadway productions of Company, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Seesaw, and tours of Sweeney Todd and Funny Girl. As a Director among her numerous credits are New York City Opera, Wolf Trap, Michigan Opera Theater, Birmingham Opera, New York’s Ensemble Studio Theater, Lincoln Center Playwrights’ Festival, New York Repertory Company, The Kennedy Center, Minerva Productions, Peterloon Festival, Heritage Theater (Calgary, Canada), DiVivreVoix (Vivonne, France). Production credits include Stage Manager for Circle in the Square, Assistant to Producer for the Broadway productions of Equus and Hot L Baltimore, Associate Producer for Pavel Kohout’s Poor Murderer and ABC Television’s All My Children, and Assistant Director for Tennessee Williams’ Red Devil Battery Sign. She directed the premieres of Roberto Hazon’s L’Agenzia Matrimoniale, Francis Thorne’s Mario and the Magician, Ray Luc’s Droane’s Wooden Image and The Bullfrog, the New York premieres of Milton Granger’s Talk Opera and the Proposal. A graduate of Brevard College (voice) where she currently serves on the board of trustees, she received her BA in music from Wesleyan where she is the recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award. She received her MA in theater from Hunter College, and received an Honorary Doctor of Music from the University of Southern Maine. Formerly a member of the voice faculties for SUNY-Plattsburgh and Marymount Manhattan College, she often serves as an adjudicator for vocal competitions including: The Metropolitan Opera National Council, The Richard Tucker Foundation, and The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation.
Sherrill Milnes, Co-host
Sherrill Milnes is universally acclaimed as the foremost operatic baritone of his generation. A superstar in every sense, his remarkable voice, artistic integrity, commanding stage presence and rugged handsomeness have made him a favorite for all audiences. In 2008 he was honored with the receipt of the Opera News Award for Distinguished Achievement. Mr. Milnes has conquered all of the great opera capitals of the world: the Royal Opera, Covent Garden; Teatro all Scala; Deutsche Oper Berlin ; Paris Opera; Buenos Aires’ famed Teatro Colon; the Liceu in Barcelona; the Bavarian State Opera; the Salzburg Festival; the Hamburg Opera and Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre. He has also appeared with the San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago and the opera companies of Pittsburgh, San Diego, Miami and Denver, among others in the United States. At the Metropolitan Opera he has been honored with 16 new productions, seven opening nights, and ten national telecasts, and he also performed at the 25th anniversary gala honoring James Levine. Mr. Milnes was also in great demand as a recitalist and in concert, appearing on the world’s major recital stages and with the great orchestras of North America and Europe. He had the honor of performing for every United States president since Gerald Ford, and has appeared in recital at the White House at the request of Presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George Bush. Milnes is Distinguished Professor of Music Emeritus from Northwestern University and now teaches masterclasses and workshops for universities and programs internationally. He serves as Artistic Advisor of Opera Tampa, the resident opera company of the Straz Center for the Performing Arts and in 2000 In 2000, Mr. Milnes with his wife Maria Zouves, founded VOICExperience, and program that helps young singers develop and pursue their careers with programming throughout the country.
Mo. Aprea currently holds the Orchestra Conducting teaching post at the Conservatorio Santa Cecilia in Rome. He began his musical career as a pianist after studying with his father, Tito Aprea, at the Conservatoire of Santa Cecilia, and orchestral conducting with Franco Ferrara in Rome, as well as at the Siena Accademia Chigiana.
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gala artists Palm Beach Opera has maintained a tradition of bringing guest artists of the highest caliber who regularly appear on the most important stages of the world. With the Golden Jubilee Gala Concerts we celebrate the past 50 years of world class opera in Palm Beach with some of today’s brightest operatic stars. We look forward to partnering with you to continue bringing the most exciting artists to Palm Beach Opera to create awe-inspiring performances for the next 50 years.
gala artists Angela Brown, soprano
Angela Brown personifies the ideal American dramatic soprano: sheer vocal power; luxurious finesse; shimmering, high pianissimos; and a charming personality larger than life. Miss Brown is a trailblazer on a mission to bring operatic and classical vocal performance to a diverse audience. Her witty and inspired recital program titled “Opera… from a Sistah’s Point of View” dispels the myths of opera through lively commentary on opera plots and characters, show-stopping arias, poignant art songs and moving spirituals. Miss Brown’s previous solo appearances include: Metropolitan Opera; National Opera of Paris; Bilbao Opera, Spain; Teatro La Fenice; Opera Company of Philadelphia; Cincinnati Opera; Indianapolis Opera; Florida Grand Opera; The Philadelphia Orchestra; Knoxville Symphony; Chautauqua Institution; the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.; and has performed in recital throughout the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Africa. A 1997 National Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions Winner, Miss Brown received her Bachelor of Music degree in voice from Oakwood College. She attended the Indiana University School of Music as a student in the studio of Virginia Zeani.
Denyce Graves-Montgomery, mezzo soprano
Ruth Ann Swenson, soprano
Ruth Ann Swenson was last seen at Palm Beach Opera as the Soprano Soloist in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. Ms. Swenson is recognized as one of the leading artists of our day and has won critical and public accolades internationally in theaters including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera National de Paris, Royal Opera Covent Garden, Berlin State Opera, Grand Théâtre de Genève, Hamburg State Opera, Bavarian State Opera, among many others. Ms. Swenson has been especially noted in the title roles of Lucia di Lammermoor, Manon and Maria Stuarda, as well as Violetta in La Traviata, Marguerite in Faust, Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Elvira in I Puritani, Gilda in Rigoletto, Ilia in Idomeneo, Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare and Juliette in Roméo et Juliette. More recent engagements from past seasons include a return to the San Francisco Opera as Ginevra in Handel’s Ariodante, concert performances of Maria Stuarda in Lyon and Paris, The Merry Widow for the Dallas Opera, Marguerite in Faust at the Cincinnati Opera, and a return to the Metropolitan Opera as Marguerite, Violetta and Cleopatra.
Sarah Joy Miller, soprano
Sarah Joy Miller made her debut at Michigan Opera Theater in spring 2011 singing Gilda in Rigoletto where she returns in spring 2012 to sing Leila in Les pêcheurs des perles. She recently released an album of arias she recorded with the Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Maestro Steven Mercurio in Pecs, Hungary. This follows a year filled with highlights, including appearances as Musetta in La Boheme at New York’s Symphony Space, Micaela in Carmen with New York Lyric Opera, and Violetta in La Traviata with Long Island Opera. The year also brought Ms. Miller award recognition from the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation, the Gerda Lissner Foundation, the New York Lyric Opera Competition, and the Jensen Foundation. Ms. Miller made her professional operatic debut singing Mimi in Baz Luhrmann’s acclaimed Broadway production of Puccini’s La Boheme. She recently made her Hong Kong Opera debut singing a series of Opera Gala Concerts with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and has also appeared in venues across the United States as Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte, Marguerite in Faust, and the title role of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor.
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Recognized worldwide as one of today’s most exciting vocal stars, Denyce Graves-Montgomery continues to gather unparalleled popular and critical acclaim in performances on four continents. Her career has taken her to the world’s great opera houses and concert halls. The combination of her expressive, rich vocalism, elegant stage presence, and exciting theatrical abilities allows her to pursue a wide breadth of operatic portrayals as well as delight audiences in concert and recital appearances. Denyce Graves-Montgomery has become particularly well-known to operatic audiences for her portrayals of the title roles in Carmen and Samson et Dalila. These signature roles have brought Ms. Graves to every major theater in world from the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna Staatsoper, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, San Francisco Opera, Opéra National de Paris, Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Washington Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, Arena di Verona, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Teatro alla Scala and many more. Ms. Graves-Montgomery appears regularly on radio and television as a musical performer, celebrity guest, and as the subject of documentaries and other special programming. Denyce Graves-Montgomery is a native of Washington, D.C., where she attended the Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts. She continued her education at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and the New England Conservatory.
Lauren McNeese, mezzo soprano
Mezzo-soprano Lauren McNeese makes her Palm Beach Opera debut tonight. She has performed as Wellgunde in Das Rheingold, at San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago and Los Angeles Opera. She made her Los Angeles Opera debut as Thibault (Don Carlo) and has since returned there as Javotte (Manon), Karolka (Jenufa), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), La Ciesca (Gianni Schicchi), and the Second Lady (Die Zauberflöte) among other roles. Other notable credits include her Michigan Opera Theater debut as Stéphano (Roméo et Juliette); Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni) and Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro) at Minnesota Opera; the title role of L’Enfant et les Sortilèges and La Ciesca at Opera Company of Philadelphia; Cherubino at the Ravinia Festival; Dorabella (Così fan tutte) with Arizona Opera; and Rosina (Il Barbiere di Siviglia) and Stéphano at PORTOpera in Maine. McNeese is a graduate of the Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago. She has appeared at Lyric Opera of Chicago in such roles as Dorabella, Mercédès (Carmen), Cherubino, Siebel (Faust), the Second Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Rossweisse, Lapák the Dog (The Cunning Little Vixen), and Flora (La Traviata).
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PALM BEACH OPERA ORCHESTRA
gala artists Brandon Jovanovich, tenor Tenor Brandon Jovanovich is recognized by the world’s leading opera companies for his passionate stage portrayals of leading roles in French, Italian, German, and Slavic opera. In his exciting 2011/2012 season, Mr. Jovanovich will appear on the stages of the world’s most important opera houses: as Don Jose with the Deutsche Oper Berlin as well as the Bayerische Staatsoper, as Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos with Lyric Opera of Chicago, as Cavaradossi in Tosca with Oper Köln, and a role debut in the title role in Don Carlos with the Houston Grand Opera. In concert he appears at the Hollywood Bowl performing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Choral Fantasy, both with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, as well as with the Gürzenich Orchester Köln performing Mahler’s Eighth Symphony. A native of Billings, Montana, Brandon Jovanovich received his training at Northern Arizona University and at Manhattan School of Music. He won the Crawley Award from the Young Patronesses of the Opera/Florida Grand Opera Voice Competition and in 2004 he was given the prestigious ARIA Award.
Atalla Ayan, tenor Brazilian tenor Atalla Ayan was born in Belem (Para) where he began his vocal studies in 2002 at the Conservatorio Carlos Gomes under the guidance of Professor Malna Mineva. He is the second place winner, Zarzuela prize winner and Cia Opera Sao Paulo prize winner of the 2010 Francisco Vinas Competition. Mr. Ayan began the 2011-2012 with a sensational his debut with the Glyndebourne Touring Opera as Rodolfo in David McVicar’s production of La Boheme and joins the Staatsoper Stuttgart as an ensemble member singing in the roles of Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Alfred in Die Fledermaus and Rodolfo in La Boheme, among others. In the 2010-2011 season he made his debut at the Tetatro Giuseppe Verdi in Trieste as Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi. He appeared in July 2010 in a gala concert at the Theatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro opposite soprano Nino Machaidze and returned to Rio in September of 2010 appearing as Romeo in Romeo et Juliette. During the 2009-2010 season Atalla Ayan was a member of the Lindemann Young Artists Development Program with the Metropolitan Opera. Later that season he appeared in concert with the RAI Orchestra of Turin in a concert titled “Nuovi Voci”.
Daniel Sutin, baritone Daniel Sutin was last seen on the Palm Beach Opera stage as Iago in Otello. In the fall of 2011, Mr. Sutin made his debut as the title role of Verdi’s Macbeth with the Boston Lyric Opera and returned to Opera San Antonio as Germont in La Traviata. He will also return to the Lyric Opera of Chicago for La Boheme and Die Meistersinger. Mr. Sutin’s vast repertoire includes: Paolo in Simon Boccanegra, the tilte role in Rigoletto, Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, Sonora in La fanciulla del west, Paris in Roméo et Juliette, the One Eyed Brother in Die Frau ohne Schatten, Belcore in L’elisir d’amore, Germont in La traviata, Orest in Elektra, Conte di Luna in Il Trovatore, Silvio in I Pagliacci, Ford in Falstaff and the Count in Le nozze di Figaro. Mr. Sutin’s European credits include performances at the houses of Frankfurt, Darmstadt, Stuttgart, Mönchengladbach, Basel and Zurich. Mr. Sutin was born in Albany, New York, and earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Voice at the Juilliard School.
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Violin I
Eliot Chapo, Concertmaster Laura Hilgemann Miller, Co-Concertmaster Rafael Elvira Johann Bast^ Rebecca Lautar^ Antonio Rincon Tina Raimondi Dina Kostic Monica Cheveresan Danut Muresan Adam Diderrich^^ Aleksandr Zhuk^^
Violin II
Dale Sandvold* Ruby Berland** Wade Brandon Erika Venable Renata Guitart Myron Nelson Carole Simmons
Viola
Scott O’Donnell* Karen Hebermehl** Susan Schwab Diane Weisberg Rebecca Diderrich Elizabeth Bonta Moll
Cello
Christopher H. Glansdorp* Cornelia Brubeck** Jody Yanow Benjamin Salsbury Susannah Kelly
Bass
Mik Groninger* Brian Myhr* Martha Spangler Benjamin Joella^
Flute
Karen Dixon* Beth Larsen Francesca Arnone Lewis
Oboe
Eric Ohlsson* Jennifer Potochnic
Clarinet
Trumpet
Richard Stoelzel* Brian Stanley
Trombone
Stephen Rawlins* Hugh Harbison James Lehman
Tuba
Ken Amis*
Timpani
Andrew Proctor*
Percussion
Michael Singer* Michael J. Launius
Harp
Kay Kemper*
Librarian
Michael Forte* Scott Ellington
Dale Sandvold
Bassoon
Personnel Manager
Michael Ellert* Laura Winters
Horn
David Peel* Amy Bookspan Gregory Miller Julia McAlister Bruce Hagreen
Michael A. Ellert
Stage Managers Kay Kemper Kaitlyn Paradise
Legend * - Principal Player ** - Assistant Principal ^ - Leave of absence ^^ - one year substitute
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PALM BEACH OPERA CHORUS
YOUNG ARTIST program
Greg Ritchey, Assistant Conductor & Chorus Master
Bruce Stasyna, Young Artist Program Director
Greg Ritchey is returning for the 2011-2012 season as Assistant Conductor and Chorus Master. During his time at Palm Beach Opera, he has been Chorus Master for nineteen productions including Turandot, Don Giovanni, Pagliacci, Madama Butterfly, La Traviata, La Boheme, L’Italiana in Algeri, L’elisir d’Amore, Nabucco, Orfeo ed Euridice as well as Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Verdi’s Requiem. Mr. Ritchey also serves as assistant conductor at Opera Theater of Saint Louis and has previously held music staff positions at Central City Opera, Virginia Opera, Sarasota Opera and Kentucky Opera. Mr. Ritchey has played concerts throughout the United States, Europe. He holds a BM degree from the University of North Texas and the MM degree from the Juilliard School of Music.
WOMEN Marie Ashley Bonnie Banner Jamie Cartright Christina Clements Elena Correia Kim D’Aprile Emily Duncan-Brown* Shirin Eskandani* Anna Hersey Monica Hidalgo Wendy Jones Gerri Kinley Cassandra Koob Judy O. Marchman Janet Perez Erin Philleo Alexandra Rafalo* Kerry Rocks Susan Sloan Laura Antonina Vicari Candace Wisdom Adriana Zabala
MEN Cameron Berry Daniel Caplin Thomas Carlisle Sean Chapman Benjamin Clements* Evanivaldo Correa Serrano* Gregory Scot Dyer Jesse Enderle* Michael L. Felder Alan J. Gallardo Sagee Goldenholz Ardean Landhuis Darren Craig Littman Ervin Marton John Port Mark Steven Prill R. Kenneth Stavert* Stephen Texon Andrew Watson Corey Wingard James White II
*Palm Beach Opera Young Artists
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Bruce Stasyna has prepared over fifty productions for conductors including Antony Walker, Harry Bicket, and Alberto Zedda. He has been Principal Coach and Young Artist Program Director at Palm Beach Opera since 2006 and was Head of Music for the Minnesota Opera from 1999 to 2006. He served at Wolf Trap Opera as chorus master, notably for Sweeney Todd and appeared on recital programs The Latest Word and Where the Boys Are featuring Steven Blier. He has conducted at Des Moines Metro Opera, Green Mountain Opera Festival, Lake George Opera Festival and Opera Roanoke. Performance highlights include concerts at Avery Fisher Hall, Dallas Art Museum, Walter Reade Theater, Victoria International Festival, Saint Lawrence Center for the Arts and in Guatemala City.
2011-2012 YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM The Palm Beach Opera Young Artist Program (YAP) targets skills necessary to develop a successful career as an opera performer and helps further the young career of a few select artists. The ideal candidate for this program is an emerging professional artist who is at the crossroads of having participated in previous YAPs or summer apprenticeships and is just at the precipice of beginning a fully-professional career.
Alexandra Rafalo, soprano
Evanivaldo Correa Serrano, tenor
Emily Duncan-Brown, soprano
R. Kenneth Stavert, baritone
Shirin Eskandani, mezzo soprano
Jesse Enderle, baritone
Benjamin Clements, bass-baritone
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PALM BEACH OPERA CONTRIBUTORS
PALM BEACH OPERA CONTRIBUTORS With special thanks to the following individuals who have made cumulative contributions to Palm Beach Opera of $1,000,000 or more Mrs. Loraine Friedman Mrs. Mary Montgomery Mrs. Helen K. Persson Mrs. Lois Pope Mr. M. Mac Schwebel
Contributions to the 2011-2012 Annual Campaign (List complete as of December 22, 2011)
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE PLATINUM ($50,000 and above) Mr. & Mrs. Tonio Arcaini The Edward H. Benenson Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Isenberg
Mr. John Noffo Kahn Mr. & Mrs. Marc Solomon Mr. & Mrs. Howard Lester Mr. M. Mac Schwebel Mrs. Mary M. Montgomery Mrs. Reneé Silvester Mrs. Helen K. Persson CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE GOLD ($25,000-$49,999) Mrs. Marjorie Alfus Mr. James Harpel Mrs. Muriel Shapiro Dr. & Mrs. Hans D. Baumann Mr. & Mrs. Robert Kaufman Mr. Robert Strauss Robert & Ann Fromer Dr. & Mrs. David Kosowsky Mrs. Sieglinde Wikstrom Mr. & Mrs. Paul Goldner Mr. & Mrs. George Linderman Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Williams Mrs. Ari Rifkin CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE SILVER ($15,000 - $24,999)
Mr. Sanford Baklor & Ms. Arlene Kaufman Dr. Elizabeth Bowden The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation
Mr. Richard L. Cosnotti & Ms. Sharon C. Bledsoe Ms. Rita Denerstein
Mr. & Mrs. John Domenico Mrs. Arlette Gordon Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey I. Mullens RADM Philip A. Whitacre
GOVERNOR’S CIRCLE SPONSOR ($10,000 TO $14,999) Mrs. Nancy Canary & Mr. William Sullivan Mr. & Mrs. William G. Brown Mr. Arnold Goldstein
Dr. & Mrs. Harry Laufer The Lowe Foundation Ms. Patricia Hauben Mr. & Mrs. Ellis Parker
Mrs. Gloria Schusterman Itto A. Willits Charitable Foundation Harris Bank N.A., Trustee
GOVERNOR’ S CIRCLE ($7,500 - $9,999) Mr. & Mrs. Leon Fassler Mr. & Mrs. Jules Joskow
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Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Getty Mrs. Jacqueline Goldman Mr. & Mrs. Allan Greenblatt Mrs. Jeanne Kanders Mr. Joseph Kerzner & Ms Lisa Koeper
Mrs. Bernice Lieberman Mrs. Sydelle Meyer Palm Aire Friends of the Arts Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Pollingue Ms. Jo Pulvermacher Mrs. Beverly Sommer
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Golden Mr. & Mrs. Dan Goldwasser Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert Helman Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Hermann Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Holien ll Circolo Italian Cultural Society The Jacquemin Family Foundation, Inc Mr. Claude Jacquemin Mr & Mrs. Darren Littman Mrs. Virginia Longo Mrs. Vera Mazza Mr. J. D. McClatchy Mrs. Hermé de Wyman Miro Mrs. Sarah Jane Nagel Mr. Samuel Raia
Mr. & Mrs. Harland Riker Mrs. Helen Rodbell Mr. Mark Rosen Mr. & Mrs. Harold Rosenson Mr. & Mrs. S. Lyon Sachs Mrs. Lynn Joy Sapoff Mr. Conrad Schmitt Dr. & Mrs. William Schneider The Lawrence and Marjorie Stoll Foundation Mrs. Rosalie W. Stone Dr. & Mrs. Charles Tager The Wagner Law Group Mr. & Mrs. James Walker Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Wolff and Dr. Melisande Wolff
PATRON ($1,000 - $1,999) Mr. Alan Adams Mr. & Mrs. Roger Beutner Mr. Donald Blanke Mr. Victor Cohen Ms. Judith Cohen Mr. & Mrs. Harold Danenberg Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Daft Mrs. Sophie F. Danforth Mr. & Mrs. Philip Dresden Mr. Alfonso Fanjul Jr. Mrs. Donald Findlay Dr. Stephanie Flicker Mr. & Mrs. George Garfunkel Mrs. Trudy Glekel Mr. Stanley Goldstein
Mr. Charles Gottesman Mrs. Dorothy Gronlund Mrs. Diane Hallenbeck Mr. Chuck Hardwick Mr. & Mrs. Ashley Hoffman Mr. Mark Hsiao Dr. Marie G. Jureit-Beamish Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Kellogg Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Kohl Mr. & Mrs. George Kuhn Mrs. Dorothy Lappin Lunder Foundation Mr. & Mrs. George Mann Mr. & Mrs. Mervyn H. Manning Mr. Marty Marshall Mr. & Mrs. Amos Milo
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Oelbaum Mrs. Cynthia Pappas Mr. & Mrs. Rob Reveley Mr. & Mrs. Howard Ruskin Mr. & Mrs. Fredrick Scheiman Mrs. Sylvia Slifka Mr. Moses Sternlieb Mrs. Charles P. Stevenson Mrs. Ruth Summers Mrs. Phyllis Tick Mrs. Herman Van Mell Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Watson Dr. Mona Beth Wolpe Mr. & Mrs. Scott Wood Mr. & Mrs. Frank Zinghini
SUPPORTER ($500 - $999) Mr. & Mrs. James Y. Arnold Jr. Mrs. Zelda Baum Mr. & Mrs. Edward Brill Mrs. Katherine Carew Mr. Fred Corrado Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Dubrofsky Dr. Kenneth Golden Mr. & Mrs. I.H. Hammerman II Mr. & Mrs. Robert Harris Mr. & Mrs. Julian Juster
Mrs. Terry Ebert- Mendozza & Mr. Joseph Mendozza
GRAND BENEFACTOR ($5,000 - $7,499) Mrs. Bette Bialek Mr. Daniel Biaggi & Mr. David Espinosa Mrs. Shirley Diamond The DuBose and Dorothy Heyward Memorial Fund
BENEFACTOR ($2,000 - $4,999) Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Anbinder L. Jules & Shirley Arkin Mr. David Auerbach Ms. Jane Beasley Mr. Roy Bartolomei & Mr. Peter Wronsky Mrs. Lurana Campanaro Mrs. Claire Chasanoff Ms. Natasha Consigli Ms. Hermine Drezner & Mr. Jan Winkler Mrs. Gertrude Faillace Ms. Nancy Fleischman & Mr. Robert Brinker Mr. & Mrs. Leon Gnat Mr. & Mrs. Robert Galli
Dr. Joan C. Kishel Mr. & Mrs. Sidney La Monte Mr. & Mrs. Robert Levinson Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Marr Ms. Jean Masters Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Meek Jr. Mr. Evan F. Miller Mr. & Mrs. Clyde W. Moonie Mr.& Mrs. Phil O’Connell Mrs. Eugenia O’Shea
Mr. Maurice Polkowitz Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Raphael Dr. Jordan Ruboy Mr. & Mrs. Misha Rudolph Ms. Laura Steiman Mr. & Mrs. Charles Sumner Ms. Nada Tauber Ms. Muriel Weingrow Mr. & Mrs. Philip W. Young
CORPORATE CONTRIBUTORS PRESTO ($10,000+)
ALLEGRO ($5,000)
ANDANTE ($2,500)
The Itto A. Willits Charitable Foundation, Harris Bank Trustee Hyatt Place West Palm Beach Sherbrooke Country Club U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management
Bank of America Charitable Foundation Betteridge Jewelers
The Barron Group at UBS Financial Bikram Yoga of the Palm Beaches DoubleTree by Hilton West Palm Beach Airport Kretzer Piano – Official Piano Sponsor Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC – Palm Beach
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Thank You to the Palm Beach Opera Guild
PALM BEACH OPERA STAFF General Director
Daniel Biaggi
Artistic & Production
Artistic Director & Principal Conductor Bruno Aprea Director of Artistic Administration Jeffrey Mitchell Director of Production Greg Hirsch Production & Artistic Services Administrator Salvatore Vasta III Assistant Conductor & Chorus Master Greg Ritchey Young Artist Program Director Bruce Stasyna Orchestra Personnel Manager Michael Ellert
Finance & Administration
Controller & Human Resource Administrator Joann C. Serra Executive Administrative Assistant HavreDe Hill
Development
Director of Community Engagement Alexandra K. Wasil Donor Relations Coordinator Ann E. Baskind
Marketing
Director of Marketing & PR Ceci Dadisman Box Office Systems Administrator Jennifer Kennedy Box Office & Group Sales Associate Christina Sheridan
Staff for 50th Anniversary Gala Production Stage Manager Brett Finley Assistant Stage Managers Ryan Mowatt | Salvatore Vasta III Assistant Director Andrew Nienabar Assistant Lighting Designer Julie Duro Production Carpenter Stephen Ford Assistant Production Carpenter Peter Marzili Production Electrician George Benckenstein Production Properties Deborah Veres Wardrobe Mistresses Darla McMenamin | Barbara Black Company Tailor David Whitaker
The Palm Beach Opera Guild is made up of members who are dedicated to promoting awareness for opera, and the arts in our community. Proceeds from the Guild’s Annual Luncheon and special events support the Opera’s Education & Outreach programs and the Palm Beach Opera Guild Encouragement Awards to assist young singers.
Make-Up & Hair Kathy Waszkelewicz Répétiteur Nana Valpa Supertitle Manager Edward Shuman Company Driver Curt Christoff Head Carpenter Michael Moore Head Electrician Russ Barron Head Flyman Jeff Whitehead Head Props James Cantwell Head Wardrobe Maureen Peña Head Sound Jeff Curtis Special Acknowledgements Hyatt Place, West Palm Beach Doubletree Hotel
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In loving memory of my darling husband Bob who loved opera for many years.
Arlette Gordon
Palm Beach Opera would like to extend a special Thank You to Golden Jubilee Gala Sponsors, Mr. & Mrs. Howard Lester for helping us celebrate our 50th Anniversary!
Howard and Patricia Lester In honor of Colonel Charles W. Bowden who was an opera lover and supporter throughout the world.
Elizabeth M. Bowden 302 561.833.7888 | PBOPERA.ORG
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For the Love of Opera Happy 50th Anniversary!
You’ve Heard of THe HigHlY discriminaTing Palm BeacHer?
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Paul & Sandra Goldner Richard L. Cosnotti, President (561) 263-5728 • www.jmcfoundation.org
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MADAMA BUTTERFLY Giacomo Puccini
December 16 - 18, 2011
GOLDEN JUBILEE: 50th Anniversary Concert
January 20 & 22, 2012
ROMEO AND JULIET Charles Gounod
February 24 - 26, 2012
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR Gaetano Donizetti
March 23 - 25, 2012
2011-2012
ADS HERE TO COME
50 ANNIVERSARY SEASON TH
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