Ovation Magazine Spring 2019 by The Publishing House

Welcome to Opera Colorado’s final production of the 2017-18 season—and the first production of Verdi’s Falstaff that we’ve presented in nearly thirty years. This sophisticated Shakespearean gem was the composer’s final opera, and one of just two comedies he ever tackled. It’s perhaps been overshadowed by his many other masterworks, but through no fault of its own: not only is Falstaff full of laughs, it’s also a true ensemble piece that is simply brimming with all the glorious music you’d expect from Verdi. The revelry of Falstaff offers a perfect way to wrap up an Opera Colorado season that has offered so much to applaud. Both the season-opening production of La Bohème and the world premiere production of Steal a Pencil for Me were artistic triumphs and near sell-outs, thanks to the enthusiastic support of patrons like you. Opera Colorado’s first

MOZART MAY 4 7 10 12 2019

Masked Ball was an evening to remember, and raised funds to be put to good use by the company’s Education and Community Programs—which this season touched the lives of nearly 40,000 students of all ages. And the return of popular Scene Change events like our Sip & Sing series and An Afternoon of American Song offered audiences the chance to hear unique programs in exciting venues throughout our community. And while Falstaff may be our final production of the season, there’s still more in store before we officially close 201718. We invite you to join us on May 20 for a celebration of this year’s exceptional Opera Colorado Young Artists, and again on June 2 for our annual Spring Tea (learn more on pgs. 14 and 21). The 2018-19 season will likewise offer many delights, including opulent productions of two of the most beloved works in the repertoire: Verdi’s tragic romance La Traviata and Mozart’s brilliant comedy The Marriage of Figaro. Both are on sale now via subscription, and subscribers to 2018-19 have had the first opportunity to purchase tickets for next season’s Scene Change opera: a double-bill of one-act operas After Life and Josephine by Tom Cipullo. The response has been tremendous; all performances of this intimate double-bill, still nearly a year away, are already sold out! (See pgs. 8-10 for more information about next season.) As we prepare for the end of one season and the start of another, all of us at Opera Colorado thank you for making 2017-18 so memorable. We hope you enjoy this performance of Falstaff, and look forward to seeing you back at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House this fall. Sincerely,

[Signature Graphic]

Greg Carpenter

Kevin O’Connor

Ari

General & Artistic Director

Chairman of the Board

Music Director

Pelto

2018-19 SEASON

[Signature Graphic]

OPERA COLORADO

[Signature Graphic]

Sometimes the long view can make all the difference.

F O R B E S ’ 2 0 1 9 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors BARRON’S 2019

Top 100 Independent Advisors

F O R B E S ’ 2 0 1 8 Top Women Wealth Advisors

A disciplined process. An independent perspective. A commitment to putting clients first.

A S PEN | DENV ER | 303 . 321 . 8188 | w w w.ob ermeyer wood.com Rankings and recognition by unaffiliated rating services and publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Obermeyer Wood is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement of Obermeyer Wood by any of its clients. Rankings published by magazines, and others, generally base their selections exclusively on information prepared and submitted by the recognized adviser. Rankings are generally limited to participating advisers.

THE SANTA FE OPER A

EXPERIENCE THE ENCHANTMENT LIVE

63RD SEASON JUNE 28 – AUGUST 24

LA BOHÈME Giacomo Puccini

THE PEARL FISHERS Georges Bizet

COSÌ FAN TUTTE Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

JENŮFA Leoš Janáček

THE THIRTEENTH CHILD Poul Ruders | Becky and David Starobin

RENÉE FLEMING santafeopera.org 800-280-4654

with The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra Letters from Georgia

ome operas we love for the music, some

the 2019-20 season—featuring Rossini’s The Barber of

for the incredible on-stage storytelling.

Seville, Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, and Puccini’s Tosca—

And then there is a masterpiece like Mozart’s

is now on sale via subscription. We hope you’ll take

The Marriage of Figaro.

advantage of exclusive subscriber pricing and join us for

This is an opera frequently extolled as not just the

another blockbuster season.

composer’s greatest work, but also as one of the rare

All this momentum extends beyond our mainstage

“perfect” operas in the repertoire. In Figaro, every

performances, too. To kick off the year, Opera Colorado

element is at its peak; not only did Mozart and his

was selected as a grantee of Bloomberg Philanthropies’

librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte, flawlessly pace the drama,

transformative Arts Innovation Management Program;

but the music is brilliantly immersive and engaging. This

more recently, we were extraordinarily honored to be the

is opera at its finest—and its funniest.

recipient of a generous, anonymous $1 million gift.

The triumph of Figaro also offers a fitting way to close a

And then there’s our work in the community. Our

season that has likewise offered much to celebrate. Both

Education and Community Engagement Programs

our season-opener of Verdi’s La Traviata and our winter

increased their reach to more than 45,000 students of all

double-bill of Tom Cipullo’s After Life and Josephine

ages. Our fifth annual Family Day had record attendance,

were artistic successes, and featured packed houses.

with all 800 free tickets claimed in an astonishing three

In fact, most of our events in 2018-19 have sold out,

minutes. And our 2018-19 Artists in Residence—several

fueled by our largest subscriber base in a decade and the

of whom you’ll see in today’s performance—represent

overwhelming support of patrons such as yourself.

our most competitive class ever.

It’s that support and thirst for opera that led us to an

None of this could have been possible without our

exciting announcement earlier this year: beginning next

community’s support, so it’s with immense gratitude

season, Opera Colorado will expand to three fully staged

that we thank you for being a part of this magical 2018-

productions here at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

19 season. We can’t wait to welcome you back in the fall!

You can learn more on pg. 9 of this program book, but

OPERA COLORADO

2018-19 SEASON

Sincerely,

Greg Carpenter

Kevin O’Connor

Ari Pelto

General & Artistic Director

Chairman of the Board

Music Director

Aspen 970.925.8579

Crested Butte 970.349.5023

Denver 303.399.4564

Steamboat Springs 970.879.9222

Telluride 970.728.3359

Vail 970.949.5500

interior landscapes that delight the senses

thurstonkitchenandbath.com

Experience the Unforgettable PAINTING BY GREGG CHADWICK

MADAMA BUTTERFLY COLORADO PREMIERE

BILLY BUDD THE BLESSED DAMOZEL LITANIES TO THE BLACK VIRGIN ENCORE: A MUSICAL REVUE July 6 - August 6 centralcityopera.org | 303.292.6700

LIVE THEATER! LITTLETON, CO

2019-2020 SEASON SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE JULY 2019 townhallartscenter.org 303.794.2787 x5

A publication of

N E

A R T S .

F I L M .

M U S I C .

A N I M A T I O N .

T E L E V I S I O N .

E N T E R T A I N M

LET YOUR PASSION DRIVE YOUR PROFESSION. cam.cudenver.edu

Discover what the jazz world is talking about – right here in Evergreen!

The lineup for 2019 includes: Acker-Vogt Jazztet After Midnight Carl Sonny Leyland Trio Hal Smith’s On The Levee Holland-Coots Jazz Quintet Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra Joe Smith and The Spicy Pickles lapompe Jazz Band Poudre River Irregulars Queen City Jazz Band with Wende Harston Wolverine Jazz Band

Founders of the Competition for Colorado Singers DENVER LYRIC OPERA GUILD Colorado’s oldest volunteer organization supporting university opera programs and opera companies Collegiate Grants to: Colorado State University Metropolitan State University of Denver University of Colorado University of Denver University of Northern Colorado

Young Artists Program Grants to: Central City Opera Opera Colorado Opera Fort Collins Opera Theatre of the Rockies

Members Enjoy:

• Monthly luncheons • Educational programs • Opera tours • Our annual juried/professionally judged

Competition for Colorado Singers

WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US! www.DenverLyricOperaGuild.org

720-934-2867

WELCOME TO THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE OPERA COLORADO BOARD OF DIRECTORS! Opera Colorado’s Board of Directors is the fiduciary governing body of the company, and its valued members generously contribute their time, individual talents, and financial support toward the mission of Opera Colorado. We are pleased to introduce, below, the newest members of the Board of Directors, who joined during this 2018-19 season. For a complete list of Opera Colorado’s Board of Directors, please see pg. 34.

Maria Garcia Berry

Elizabeth Caswell Dyer

Mark Heiser

Judy La Spada

Founder and

CEO

Venue Director

CEO

Chairman of the Board

Sopra Communities, Inc.

Denver Performing Arts

Virtuoso Sourcing Group,

Complex

LLC

OPERA COLORADO

2018-19 SEASON

CRL Associates

Chantell Taylor

Robin B. Kolsky Yaeger

Youngdon Yun

Partner

President

CEO and Founder

Law Offices of

REYCORP Physician

Premier Group

Snell & Wilmer

Management Corporation

Insurance, Inc.

SUBSCRIPTION OPERA

OPTIONAL ADD-ON

SUBSCRIPTION OPERA

NOV. 2 5 8 10 2019

FEB. 27 29 MAR. 1 2020

MAY 2 5 8 10 2020

THE ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE

Packed with punchlines and some of the most memorable tunes in all of opera, this rapid-fire prequel to The Marriage of Figaro features the mischievous barber at his most cunning, in a whimsical Art Deco production.

The public adores Canio’s clowning—but they’re about to witness the shocking consequences of his rage. Art imitates life (and vice versa) in this opera about the turbulent relationships within a traveling theater troupe.

A corrupt chief of police has a cruel ultimatum for Rome’s most celebrated prima donna, Tosca: submit to his lustful desires, or trigger the execution of her beloved. Who will survive this web of betrayal and revenge?

A HIGH-STAKES THRILLER

SAVE 20% WITH A SUBSCRIPTION! 2019-20 Season On Sale Now

OPERACOLORADO.ORG | 303.468.2030

2018-19 SEASON

SPOTLIGHT ON TRAGEDY

OPERA COLORADO

FIGARO, FIGARO, FI-GA-RO!

SPOTLIGHT ON… RONELL OLIVERI Wig & Makeup Designer

After more than twenty years working in theater, Ronell Oliveri’s Durango home is overflowing with the tools of her trade. “I have one whole closet in the house that’s just tons and tons of human hair,” she laughs. “It’s funny, but many people think we just order up wigs for shows. Actually, they are all handmade.” The process of creating just a single wig takes about forty hours, including carefully measuring every dimension of a performer’s Wigs in the process of being styled by Ronell Oliveri (background), Opera Colorado’s longtime wig and makeup designer. PHOTO Jamie Kraus

head and creating a perfectly fitted lace cap. And that’s when things get very intricate. Hairs are painstakingly tied into the cap, just a few strands at a time. “It’s intensive,” says Oliveri. “We do about five to six hairs at a time up the back, but by the time we get

to the front of the wig, we’re tying in single hairs, one by one, to recreate the hairline.” Fortunately, a well-made wig can last a long time and be re-styled for many shows—which offers its own challenges. “Every show brings a new batch of singers,” explains Oliveri. “So you can’t say, ‘This is what I do for every single Barbarina,’ because you’re working with different faces. You have to be able to style the right time period, but you also have to make that individual person look great. What’s going to balance out his body and make him look great? What’s going to flatter her face but still be accurate to the period? It’s never like, ‘Oh, another The Marriage of Figaro.’ It’s always brand new and exciting.” 

INSIDE OC

Want to mingle with fellow arts-loving young professionals and enjoy unique and immersive opera experiences? Then Inside OC is for you. One all-inclusive price gets you discounted tickets for the season, access to pre-performance and intermission

receptions

with

complimentary

prosecco all night long, invitations to Inside OC parties, and more.

2019-20 ON SALE NOW operacolorado.org/insideoc

PHOTOS JAMIE KRAUS/OPERA COLORADO

OPERA COLORADO

2018-19 SEASON

OPERA COLORADO’S YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP

128

ORIENTAL RUGS & FINE ART

RUG WASHING & REPAIR SERVICES C E L E B R AT I N G YEARS IN DENVER

• Asian Fine Art & Antiques

• Rugs, Both Contemporary & Antique • A r c h e o l o g i c a l Tr e a s u r e s

• R e n o w n e d E x p e r t i s e i n R u g R e s t o r a t i o n • N a t u r a l H a n d R u g Wa s h i n g S e r v i c e s

C E L E B R A T I SNAGR K I S I A N . C O M YEARS 6 9 3 IN E aDENVER st Speer

B l v d. ~ 3 0 3 . 7 3 3 . 2 6 2 3

Gallery - 693 East Speer Boulevard, Denver Rug Washing & Repair - 970 North Cherokee Street, Denver www.SARKISIAN.com - 303-733-2623

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

CELEBRATION

SUNDAY, MAY 19 | 2 PM

OPERA COLORADO OPERA CENTER 4121 S NAVAJO ST, STE 100, ENGLEWOOD

Bid farewell to the 2018-19 Opera Colorado Artists in Residence, as their eight-month residency comes to an end. Enjoy their final performance of the season, featuring highlights from opera, musical theater, cabaret, and art song—and then join us for a post-performance reception. Don’t miss this intimate concert at Opera Colorado’s rehearsal studio, and the opportunity to hear this talented group of singers one last time. Sponsored by Pam Beardsley, Penelope Lewis, and Carol Whitley

TICKETS JUST $35

Includes complimentary valet parking, and reception with light hors d’oeuvres

operacolorado.org | 303.468.2030

PHOTO JAMIE KRAUS

Spring tea PLEASE JOIN US FOR

OPERA COLORADO’S

SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 2019

THE HUDSON GARDENS INN | 1:00-3:00 PM

Enjoy classic tea fare over live entertainment and fun-all for a wonderful cause! Proceeds benefit Opera Colorado’s Education & Community Engagement Programs TICKETS ON SALE NOW | $100 If you have inquires or would like to purchase tickets, please contact Jessica Peña at 303.468.2060 or jpena@operacolorado.org

operacolorado.org/springtea

MUSIC THAT MOVES

Member FINRA · SIPC

ialist c e p S ange h c x TE

31 D 0 1 r You

SINCE 2000 PROVIDING

A new CD, with music of Arcangelo Corelli and composers from his London circle

Investment Banking Investment Advisory Private Equity Services Securities Brokerage 1031 Like Kind Exchanges

Frank Nowell, Artistic Director Cynthia Miller Freivogel, Leader

coloradofsc.com | 303-962-7267 304 Inverness Way S, Ste 355, Centennial, CO 80112

information: BCOCOLORADO.ORG

“Colorado’s Family Law Team”

Working in Concert to Guide our Clients Clients 303.515.5000

HarrisFamilyLaw.com

D e n v e r. E n g l e w o o d . E v e r g r e e n

Handling Matters of Divorce and Custody

under the

– July 12 at 7:30 pm –

COLORADO SYMPHONY: MOZART UNDER MOONLIGHT – July 14 at 7:30 pm –

MARIACHI AZTLÁN – July 19 at 7:30 pm –

FY5

Tickets at ARTS.UNCO.EDU/CAMPUS-COMMONS/

Has your good boy been bad?

SATIFACTION

Clean as new, that’s the Coit commitment to you. • Wood Flooring • Natural Stone • Carpet & Rugs • Upholstery

• Tile & Grout • Air Ducts • Window Treatments • Concrete

100% GUARANTEE

303-922-9212

Truly fine furniture has always demanded painstaking attention to detail –– and that’s still true today. Bernhardt blends modern technology and traditional craftsmanship to carry on time-honored standards of fit, finish, hardware, and construction. You can choose with confidence, knowing every Bernhardt piece will make a beautiful and lasting impression. Join us at The Showroom and elevate your home with the most exclusive, curated inventory in the Mountain West.

DENVER’S ULTIMATE HOME SHOPPING EXPERIENCE.

TheShowroom.com

5445 North Bannock Street (Near I-25 & 58th), Denver, CO

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO MAY 4 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 2019

THE ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE OPERA IN FOUR ACTS BY WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART LIBRETTO BY LORENZO DA PONTE There will be one 25 minute intermission following Act II

CAST IN ORDER OF VOCAL APPEARANCE

Figaro Ryan Kuster

Susanna Maureen McKay

Dr. Bartolo Stefano de Peppo*

Marcellina Margaret Gawrysiak

Cherubino Adriana Zabala

Count Almaviva Simone Alberghini

Don Basilio Aaren Rivard^

Countess Almaviva Ellie Dehn

Antonio Eric McConnell^

Barbarina Rebekah Howell^

Don Curzio Aaren Rivard^ Opera Colorado Orchestra Opera Colorado Chorus

Stage Director Matthew Ozawa Lighting Design Lucas Krech Wig and Makeup Design Ronell Oliveri Chorus Master and Asst. Conductor Sahar Nouri Scenery designed by Boyd Ostroff Scenery provided by the Florentine Opera Company Costumes designed by Deborah Trout for Seattle Opera Costumes executed by Seattle Opera Costume Shop The pre-performance lecture is presented by music historian Betsy Schwarm *Opera Colorado Debut ^Opera Colorado Artist in Residence

2018-19 SEASON

Conductor Ari Pelto

OPERA COLORADO

SPONSORS 2018-19 SEASON SPONSORS Music Director Ari Pelto is sponsored by Mike and Julie Bock The Opera Colorado Artist in Residence Program is sponsored by Ken & Donna Barrow, with additional support from Patrick Spieles & Carol McMurry

PRODUCTION SPONSORS The Marriage of Figaro is sponsored by Richard King Brown, PhD, with additional support provided by Ellie Caulkins

OPERA COLORADO ARTIST IN RESIDENCE SPONSORS Rebekah Howell is sponsored by Agatha Kessler & Curtis Fentress and Laurence & Cynthia Chan Kira Dills-DeSurra is sponsored by Gayle & Gary Landis Aaren Rivard is sponsored by Donald K. Braden and Chris & Joy Murphy Nicholas Kreider is sponsored by Dr. Stephen L. Dilts Edward Laurenson is sponsored by David & Elizabeth Budd and Martha & Will Tracey Eric McConnell is sponsored by Joyce de Roos and Marlis Smith Tyler Tucker is sponsored by Peyton & Suzanne Bucy and Ken & Barbara Laff The Artist in Residence Celebration Concert is sponsored by Pam Beardsley, Penelope Lewis, and Carol Whitley OPERA COLORADO RECOGNIZES THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT

OPERA COLORADO

2018-19 SEASON

ABOUT THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

This first of three collaborations between composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte almost perished at birth. The Beaumarchais play from which it drew inspiration had been banned in Paris for its volatile political content, considered dangerous in pre-Revolutionary France. Austria’s Emperor Joseph II, elder brother to the embattled French queen, adopted the same prohibition in his own realm. One could possess a copy of the text (Mozart did), but it could not be staged. Thus, writing an operatic Figaro was optimism at its best. Yet Mozart was determined. Da Ponte later remembered, “As fast as I wrote the words, Mozart set them to music. In six weeks everything was in order.”

Of course, there was still the problem of obtaining permission to perform it. Fortunately, Da Ponte, either through foresight or good fortune, had replaced Figaro’s pointed political diatribe with misogynist complaints. No longer were monarchs immoral; now, only women were untrustworthy. The alteration proved acceptable to the emperor, who approved the project. Rehearsals soon began under Mozart’s watchful eye. Tenor Michael Kelly, cast as Basilio and Curzio, later recalled the delight with which the performers responded to the music: “Viva, viva, grande Mozart! Those in the orchestra I thought would never have ceased applauding.”

Behind the scenes, though, all was not well. The composer’s father wrote of “cabals” against his son, and named “Salieri and his followers” as principal opponents. The conspirator’s best-placed ally was Count Rosenberg, Director of the Court Opera. Much as was shown in the film Amadeus, Rosenberg tore two pages of dance music from the score. Da Ponte’s memoirs claim himself as the witness. Fortunately for Mozart’s creative spirit—and for the satisfaction of generations of opera lovers—the conflict was settled essentially as Hollywood saw it: with the emperor himself insisting that the music be reincorporated. Figaro premiered at Vienna’s Burgtheater May 1, 1786, to immediate acclaim. So insistent were calls for encores that, before long, the emperor declared only arias would be reprised; otherwise, performances would run too late into the evening. However, perhaps Salieri and Company had not entirely conceded. Late in the summer, one reviewer remarked upon “the unruly mob in the gallery” that was still determined to disrupt Figaro. Yet, he added, “one would have to side with the cabal or tastelessness if one were to entertain a different opinion than that which admits the music of Herr Mozart to be a masterpiece of the art. It contains so many beauties, and such a richness of thought as can proceed only from the born genius.” Indeed, the musical delights of Figaro are countless. From the ebullient overture to the final ensemble—in which good will is rapturously restored, and then exuberantly celebrated— Mozart never missed a chance to prove his artistry. Perhaps

of particular note are the arias. Each intends to capture the character’s personality, even reflecting moods changing in different situations. Consider Figaro’s two Act I arias. First, in Se vuol ballare, he is infuriated by the Count’s intentions toward Susanna; then, scarcely a quarter hour later, in Non piu andrai, he playfully teases young Cherubino about the youth’s pending military service. Ballare Mozart sprinkles with firm outbursts, expressing Figaro’s scarcely contained outrage; Andrai brings more nimble phrasing, and even dashes of trumpet to emphasize the martial imagery. The other characters, too, have music that varies according to mood; no composer understood better than Mozart how to achieve this goal. In Figaro, one finds humanity displayed vividly and memorably upon the stage, more humanely than in the play from which the characters arose. Characters who Beaumarchais sketched as ideologically shaded silhouettes gain through Mozart’s music the hearts and souls of persons one might embrace. A youth trembling with new passions. A young man confident of his cleverness. A loving wife, forlorn, her husband estranged. Couples that, like real couples, can both quarrel and forgive. Without characters with whom one can empathize, an opera is little more than so much music, however beautiful. Mozart understood, and used his music to draw listeners into their lives. Figaro’s text is impressive, its music even more so. The combination entwines one’s heart in the fates of these otherwise fictional persons. 

Bartolo, who has an old grievance with Figaro.

Susanna, maid-servant to the Countess soprano Countess Almaviva soprano Marcellina, the housekeeper soprano Barbarina, the gardener’s daughter soprano Cherubino, pageboy to the Count mezzo-soprano Don Basilio, the music master tenor Don Curzio, the lawyer tenor Figaro, man-servant to the Count baritone Count Almaviva baritone Dr. Bartolo bass Antonio, the gardener bass

Adolescent pageboy Cherubino admits to Susanna that he adores all women at the court, even the Countess. Hearing the approach of the Count, Cherubino hides, then hears the Count’s overtures to Susanna. Music master Basilio’s intrusion causes the Count to conceal himself, too. Before long, all are exposed to each other.

Setting: Late 18th-century Seville

ACT II

ACT I

Figaro and Susanna are engaged. Their employer, the Count Almaviva has designs upon the bride; Susanna worries, Figaro fumes. Moreover, Figaro owes money to Marcellina, and must marry her if he cannot repay it. The news pleases

Figaro brings a group of villagers to remind the Count of his vow to abolish an ancient tradition of claiming the right to all women in the court. Annoyed, the Count announces that Cherubino will be sent to military service.

The Countess mourns her husband’s fading affections. Figaro’s plan against the Count includes Cherubino masquerading as Susanna. Hearing the Count approaching, Cherubino hides. Sure that his wife conceals a lover in the locked dressing room, the Count takes her with him to fetch (continued on next page)

OPERA COLORADO

CHARACTERS

2018-19 SEASON

SYNOPSIS

(continued from previous page)

tools to force the door. While they are away, Susanna frees Cherubino, who flees through the window. The Count and the Countess return, finding only Susanna. Gradually, they are joined by others, including the gardener Antonio, angered by trampled flowers and a dropped document. Figaro attempts to explain it all away. With the entrance of Marcellina, Bartolo, and Basilio, all builds to a dramatic and intricate ensemble. ACT III

Susanna tells the Count she will submit to him in return for a generous dowry that would pay Figaro’s debt to Marcellina. Summoning Don Curzio, a lawyer, the Count hopes to force Figaro to marry Marcellina. However, unexpected news changes that plan, to the delight of all but the Count. A group of peasant girls, come to pay tribute to the Countess,

proves to have a familiar face in the crowd: Cherubino, still disguised as a girl. Festivities ensue, and a spurious note is passed to the Count. ACT IV

Barbarina bewails that she has lost a token the Count had asked her to deliver to Susanna. This news leaves Figaro lamenting the faithlessness of women. Disguised as each other, Susanna and the Countess lead much of the male population into confusion. Gradually realizing the game, Figaro takes the opportunity to tease Susanna. They are soon reconciled, but the Count is slower to catch on to the action. At last, all is revealed, the Count apologizes, and conflicts are resolved.  Program notes and synopsis © Betsy Schwarm, author of the Classical Music Insights series, including Operatic Insights.

OPERA COLORADO

2018-19 SEASON

THE ARTISTS

SIMONE ALBERGHINI | Count Almaviva

ELLIE DEHN | Countess Almaviva

Italian bass-baritone Simone Alberghini, 1994 Operalia Grand Prize winner, has appeared in opera houses at the highest level worldwide since the beginning of his career, singing at the Royal Opera House, Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, Teatro La Fenice, Teatro Regio, the Glyndebourne Festival, the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, Teatro di San Carlo, Teatro Comunale, the Bolshoi Theatre, and many others. Recent engagements include Guillaume Tell at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro and in Bologna; Donizetti’s Il furioso all’ isola di San Domingo at the Donizetti Musica Festival in Bergamo and on tour in Italy; L’Elisir d’Amore in Washington; Anna Bolena at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow; Così fan tutte in Bologna and Firenze; Don Giovanni at the Perm State Opera under Teodor Currentzis; La Bohème in Tenerife and in Palermo; Les Contes d’Hoffmann in Toulon; La Cenerentola in Washington, Naples, and Gothenburg; Mozart’s Requiem in Turin with the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della Rai; La Gazza Ladra at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro; Il Trovatore in Tenerife; Il Turco in Italia in Ravenna; Donizetti’s Requiem with the Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra; and Carmen in Bologna.

Soprano Ellie Dehn has been praised by critics as “a revelation” (Chicago Sun-Times), acclaimed for her “great stage presence and a voice combining metallic clarity and sensual richness” (Wall Street Journal). Highlights of the 20182019 season include her role debut as Strauss’s Arabella with the San Francisco Opera, and concert appearances with the Milwaukee Symphony and San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Career highlights leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Rome Opera, Munich’s Bayerische Staatsoper, San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Houston Grand Opera, San Diego Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Le Grand Théâtre de Genève and the opera houses of Napoli, Bilbao, Cagliari, Bologna, and Palermo. Orchestral appearances include performances with the Cleveland Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Cincinnati May Festival, Ravinia Festival, Opera Orchestra of New York, American Symphony Orchestra, Rome’s Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, and the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional of Mexico.

STEFANO DE PEPPO* | Dr. Bartolo

REBEKAH HOWELL^ | Barbarina

Stefano de Peppo is one of opera’s busiest singing actors sought for Italian character bass parts. Notable roles include the title role in Don Pasquale, Dulcamara in L’Elisir d’Amore, Magnifico in La Cenerentola, Mustafa in L’Italiana in Algeri, Bartolo in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Leporello in Don Giovanni, the title role in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Alphonso in Così fan tutte. Theaters in which he has appeared include the Finnish National Opera, Estates Theater in Prague, Teatro Argentina, Jerez de la Frontiera, Gran Teatro de Cordoba, and Tenerife, Teatro Colon, Teatro Bellas Artes, Teatro Aquascalientes, Monterrey, Mexico, National Theater of Costa Rica, New Israeli Opera, Royal Albert Hall (London), Opera Hamilton, Los Angeles Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, The Atlanta Opera, Arizona Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Opera Memphis, Minnesota Opera, Opera New Jersey, Palm Beach Opera, San Diego Opera, Sarasota Opera, Opera Tampa, and Washington National Opera. A native Italian, Mr. de Peppo began his musical career as a member of the Children’s Chorus of Teatro alla Scala of Milan for seven years, after which he undertook vocal studies at Civic School of Music in Milan.

Praised for her bell-like and crisp tone, native Houstonian soprano Rebekah Howell is making her mark as a versatile artist with “plenty of high notes” (The Herald Times). During the 2018-19 season with Opera Colorado, she performed Girl in After Life, and covers Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, in addition to singing that role in the Student Matinee performance. As part of the company’s touring productions, she performs Gretel in Hansel and Gretel and Juliet in Romeo & Juliet. In August, she joins the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra as the soprano soloist in Mahler’s 4th Symphony. In the summer of 2018, Howell debuted the roles of Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Cunegonde in Candide with Chautauqua Opera. During the 2017–18 season, Howell appeared as Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute with Opéra Louisiane and as the soprano soloist in Carmina Burana with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra. Howell holds degrees from Baylor University (BM) and Indiana University (MM), where she also served as an Associate Instructor of Voice.

RYAN KUSTER | Figaro This season includes Carl Olsen in Street Scene (Virginia Opera), Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro (First Coast Opera) and Montezuma in Vivaldi’s Montezuma (American Baroque Opera Company). Next season includes Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro (Hawaii Opera Theater).

2018-19 SEASON

Known for her powerful voice and galvanizing performances, mezzo-soprano Margaret Gawrysiak’s engagements this season include the Old Lady in Candide with The Knights at Tanglewood and Ravinia, Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro for her return to Opera Colorado, and Emma Jones in Street Scene with Virginia Opera. Next season includes a debut with Dallas Opera as Berta in The Barber of Seville and a return to Seattle Opera as Madame Larina in Eugene Onegin. The 2017-2018 season saw a return to Seattle Opera as Berta in The Barber of Seville, and appearances with the Seattle Symphony for Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and New York City Ballet for Stravinsky’s Les noces. On the concert stage, she has appeared with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (Lorin Maazel conducting), American Symphony Orchestra, and others. She is a graduate of the young artists programs of the Seattle Opera, Merola, and Glimmerglass Festival, and received degrees from Eastman School of Music and Wester Illinois University.

Lucas Krech is a Berlin-based lighting and video designer working in opera and dance. Previous Opera Colorado work includes La Traviata, Falstaff, La Bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor, Aida, and Madama Butterfly; next season, he will design Pagliacci and Tosca. Other opera collaborations include San Diego Opera, Florida Grand Opera, West Edge Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, West Bay Opera, Yale Arts and Ideas Festival, Whitesnake Productions, Firstlook Sonoma, and others. His dance work has appeared in more than 30 states, as well as in Norway, Holland, and Germany. Installations and video art has shown at galleries and festivals in New York, Virginia, Nevada, and California. Writing on design aesthetics has been featured in The Brooklyn Rail, Parabasis Blog, On Stage Lighting, InDance Magazine, PLSN, and Stage Directions Magazine. Krech has an MFA from New York University. For more: www.lucaskrech.com.

OPERA COLORADO

MARGARET GAWRYSIAK | Marcellina

LUCAS KRECH | Lighting Designer

Kuster has performed Escamillo in Carmen (Virginia Opera, Opera Colorado, Opera Grand Rapids, Florida Grand Opera, Knoxville Opera); Escamillo in La tragédie de Carmen (San Diego Opera); Don Giovanni in Don Giovanni (Memphis Opera,Wolf Trap Opera); Dr. Grenvil in La traviata (Dallas Opera); Old Hebrew in Samson et Dalila (Dallas Opera); Angelotti in Tosca (Dallas Opera, Madison Opera, Pacific Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic); Alidoro in La Cenerentola (Nashville Opera, Opera Saratoga); Colline in La bohème (Arizona Opera, Charleston Opera); Masetto in Don Giovanni (San Franciso Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic; Mandarin in Turandot (Dallas Opera, San Francisco Opera); St. Matthew’s Passion (Boulder Philharmonic); and Händel’s Messiah (Milwaukee Symphony).

ERIC MCCONNELL^ | Antonio Originally from Thornton, CO, Eric McConnell has trained as a young artist with Central City Opera, Opera Saratoga, Seagle Music Colony, and the Aspen Opera Center. McConnell made his debut with Opera Colorado this past fall as Dr. Grenvil in La Traviata, and will sing Figaro in the Student Matinee performance of The Marriage of Figaro. With the company’s touring productions, he performs Sandman in Hansel and Gretel and Friar Laurence in Romeo & Juliet. Past roles for McConnell include Blitch (Susannah), Bartolo/Basilio (The Barber of Seville), Frank (Die Fledermaus), and Sarastro (The Magic Flute). Additional career highlights include singing Elisha Fitzgibbon in the orchestral premiere of Evan Mack’s Roscoe with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, in a performance featuring renowned soprano Deborah Voigt. This summer, he sings the Sodbuster in Missy Mazzoli’s Proving Up at the Aspen Music Festival and School. McConnell holds degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Miami.

OPERA COLORADO

2018-19 SEASON

MAUREEN MCKAY | Susanna

Soprano Maureen McKay recently made her debut with The Metropolitan Opera as Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, and then was invited to return as Suor Genovieffa in Suor Angelica and Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro. Other recent and upcoming performances include appearances as Pamina in Die Zauberflöte with The Mostly Mozart Festival; Despina in Così fan tutte and Susanna with Lyric Opera of Kansas City; Rose Maurrant in Street Scene with Virginia Opera; and Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance and Nannetta in Falstaff with San Diego Opera. As a previous member of the Komische Oper Berlin ensemble, McKay was featured as Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Blanche in Dialogues des car-

mélites, Marzelline in Fidelio, Norina in Don Pasquale, Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier, Musetta in La Bohéme, Eliza in Il re pastore, as well as Gretel and Susanna. McKay has also performed on the stages of Seattle Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, Washington National Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu, The Bolshoi Theatre, Edinburgh International Festival, Portland Opera, The Atlanta Opera, Saito Kinen Festival, and Washington Concert Opera, among others.

SAHAR NOURI | Chorus Master & Asst. Conductor Iranian pianist and conductor Sahar Nouri returns to Opera Colorado for a second season serving as the company’s chorus master, assistant conductor, and pianist coach. Previously, Nouri has worked at Houston Grand Opera, Dallas Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, Opera North Carolina, Utah Opera, Aspen Opera Center, Opera Steamboat, Merola Opera, and Opera in the Heights. A graduate of the prestigious Houston Grand Opera Studio, Nouri’s repertoire includes numerous classic operas as well as world premieres of Prince of Players (Carlisle Floyd), O Columbia! (Gregory Spears), Steal a Pencil for Me (Gerald Cohen), and Today it Rains (Laura Kaminsky). A multi-lingual, Nouri has done studies in the Czech Republic, Italy, and Austria, and is frequently in demand as a language coach and recitalist.

MATTHEW OZAWA | Stage Director Matthew Ozawa has an international career spanning all artistic disciplines having worked for companies worldwide including Lyric Opera of Chicago, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Canadian Opera Company, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Santa Fe Opera, the Macau International Festival, and Opera Siam. Ozawa is the Founder and Artistic Director of Mozawa, a Chicago-based incubator advancing collaborative art and artists. Additionally, Ozawa serves as Assistant Professor & Opera Director at The University of Michigan. Acclaimed productions include: Celebrating Domingo, Don Quichotte, and Nabucco (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Madama Butterfly (The Santa Fe Opera), An American Soldier (Opera Theatre of St Louis), Hand Eye (world premiere, Eighth Blackbird/Carnegie Hall/Kennedy Center), Romeo & Juliet (Minnesota Opera/Cincinnati Opera), L’Opera Seria and Les mamelles de Tirésias/Le Pauvre Matelot (Wolf Trap Opera), A Little Night Music (Houston Grand Opera/Des Moines Metro Opera), Sweeney Todd and Snow Dragon (world premiere, Skylight Music Theater/Opera Siam), and Tsuru (world premiere, Houston Ballet/Asia Society).

ARI PELTO | Conductor & Opera Colorado Music Director Appointed in 2015 as Opera Colorado’s first-ever music director, Ari Pelto’s “breathtaking wizardry in the pit” (The Denver Post) has been widely celebrated, with Pelto in demand at opera houses and concert halls throughout the United States. At the age of 24, Pelto was appointed Assistant Conductor at the Spoleto Festival and he has since gone on to conduct worldwide. International engagements include performances with Bochumer Philharmoniker and opera productions at New National Theatre of Tokyo and the Teatro Nacional Sucre in Quito, Ecuador. In 2004 he made his highly-praised debut with New York City Opera, conducting La Traviata, after which he became a regular, returning for productions of Madama Butterfly, La Bohème, and Carmen. Recent successes include Eugene Onegin at Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Lucia di Lammermoor at Virginia Opera, and La Voix Humaine at Chicago Opera Theater. Here in Denver, he has led many acclaimed performances, including this season’s La Traviata. Opera Colorado is pleased to announce an extension of Pelto’s contract through the 2023-24 season.

buted with San Diego Opera Florencia en el Amazonas, returned to Madison Opera for the same piece, performed in the new opera Fellow Travelers, reprised her signature role of Cherubino, and made her debut with the Berkshire Opera Festival as the Composer in Ariadne auf Naxos. Ms. Zabala has been a soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the New Jersey, Jerusalem, Virginia, and Jacksonville Symphonies, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and has appeared in recital at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Wolf Trap, with the Source Song Festival, The New York Festival of Song, and the Salzburg Chamber Music Series, among many other organizations and venues. Recent and forthcoming recordings include Sister Carrie, Durey Rediscovered, Le Dernier Sorcier, and previously unrecorded song cycles of Dominick Argento. She is an alumna of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and was a Fulbright Scholar at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, and is a proud member of the voice faculty at the University of Minnesota. Forthcoming appearances include On Site Opera in New York City, the world premiere of The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane with Minnesota Opera, and Fellow Travelers with Madison Opera. *Opera Colorado Debut ^Opera Colorado Artist in Residence

AAREN RIVARD^ | Don Basilio & Don Curzio

Mezzo-soprano Adriana Zabala created the title role in the world premiere of Sister Carrie, as well as roles in the premieres of Doubt (which was recently broadcast on PBS’s Great Performances), Dinner at Eight, and The Manchurian Candidate, Volpone, and Steal a Pencil for Me. She recently de-

Follow these easy steps: Prior to the performance, the screen will automatically display a sponsored message. When singing begins, briefly press the red button to activate titles. • Press once for English • Press twice for Spanish • Press three times to turn titles off Then, repeat these steps after intermission(s). Pressing the red button too many times or holding the button down may result in a system failure. If you experience difficulty with the system, please contact an usher for assistance. Opera Colorado does not offer refunds or exchanges in the event of a subtitle system failure. Please Note: All Sunday matinee performances offer audio description for the visually impaired. Headsets are available at Coat Check. English subtitles are written by Jeremy Sortore for Opera Colorado. Spanish translations by TranslatingSpanish.com

2018-19 SEASON

ADRIANA ZABALA | Cherubino

ENGLISH OR SPANISH SUBTITLES AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

OPERA COLORADO

Tenor Aaren Rivard originally hails from Portland, ME. During his 2018-19 season with Opera Colorado, Rivard has performed Gastone in La Traviata, Romeo in a touring production of Gounod’s Romeo & Juliet, and the Witch in the touring production of Hansel and Gretel. Additionally, he covered Alfredo in La Traviata. Upcoming engagements include joining Central City Opera as a 2019 Studio Artist, as well as premiering the role of Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni with Wichita Grand Opera. Rivard has previously sung with companies and symphonies including Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Maine, Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra, and the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Rivard received degrees from the University of Southern Maine and Wichita State University.

OPERA COLORADO ORCHESTRA

HORN Michael Yopp, principal Devon Park TRUMPET

VIOLIN Margaret Gutierrez, concertmaster Byron Hitchcock, principal second Angela Dombrowski Nina Fronjian Debra Holland Robyn Julyan Chris Jusell Regan Kane Annamaria Karacson Cynthia Mancinelli Christine Menter Leah Mohling Sharon Park Susie Peek Gyongyi Petheo Veronica Sawarynski Robyn Sosa Takanori Sugishita VIOLA Matthew Dane, principal Michael Brook Matthew Diekman Kostadin Dyulgerski Mary Harrison Lora Stevens CELLO Jeff Watson, principal Sarah Biber Charles Lee Becky Kutz Osterberg Trevor Minton Carole Whitney BASS David Crowe, principal Jeremy Nicholas Benjamin deKock

OPERA COLORADO

2018-19 SEASON

FLUTE

Susan Townsend, principal Elizabeth Sadilek OBOE Sarah Bierhaus, principal Caleb Bradley CLARINET Michelle Joseph Orman, principal Heidi Mendenhall BASSOON Charles Hansen, principal JJ Sechan

PRODUCTION STAFF MUSIC STAFF

Nena Lorenz Wright, principal

Sahar Nouri, Chorus Master and Assistant Conductor Angela Dombrowski, Orchestra Personnel Manager and Orchestra Librarian Cody Guy Garrison, Repetiteur

HARPSICHORD

PRODUCTION STAFF

Leslie Scarpino, principal Ken Aikin TIMPANI

Sahar Nouri ORCHESTRA MANAGER & LIBRARIAN Angela Dombrowski

OPERA COLORADO CHORUS SOPRANO Lydia Arenas Stephanie Lacayo Jacqueline McCurdy Stephanie Medema Kristen Smith MEZZO-SOPRANO Kira Dills-DeSurra^ Elizabeth Gangware Jennifer Harpel Claire LeBorgne Emma Vawter TENOR Christian Arguello Joshua Cooper Lars Preece Norman Spivy Keith Williamson BASS-BARITONE John Adams Zak Begley Robert Charlock Nicholas Kreider^ Edward Laurenson^ ^Opera Colorado Artist in Residence

Amelia Nordin, Stage Manager Audrey Chait, Assistant Director Jaclyn Fulton, Assistant Stage Manager Kristin Kelley, Assistant Stage Manager Jeremy Sortore, Title Coordinator Beth Nielsen, Title Operator Buzz Reifman, NPPA, Company Otolaryngologist TECHNICAL STAFF John Harris, Technical Director Molly Tiede, Assistant Lighting Designer Matthew Cantwell, Production Purchasing Assistant Michael Wingfield, Head Carpenter Greg Killpack, Assistant Carpenter Michael Boswell, Shop/Production Carpenter Jeff Reidel, Head Flyman Susan Osborn, Head Electrician Karen Thurow, Light Board Operator Rita Richardson, Assistant Electrician Hillary Clark, Head Props Terry Gulley, Assistant Props Thomas Berning, Head Sound ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE CREW David Wilson, House Electrician Perry Elliott, House Carpenter James Gralian, House Sound Derek Tovar, House Props COSTUMES Ann Piano, Costume Coordinator & Shop Manager Alison Milan, Wardrobe Supervisor Kevin Brainerd, Cutter/Draper & Wardrobe Assistant Kelly Gregson, Cutter/Draper & Wardrobe Assistant Christine Samar, First Hand SHOP ASSISTANTS Rachael Gibson Rhiannon Hardiman Sara Hashman

Melissa McCallum Ashley O’Brien Susan Rahmsdorff-Terry VOLUNTEER STITCHER Julie Parker DRESSERS Kelly Gregson Sara Hashman Alie Holden Tom Holmes Susan Rahmsdorff-Terry Christine Samar Elizabeth Woods VOLUNTEER DRESSERS Valerie Kreck Amburn Leslie Cady Kathy Heider Jan Heimer Pat Smith WIGS & MAKEUP Sarah Opstad, Associate Wigs & Makeup Coordinator Tanner Hubregsen, Wigs & Makeup Assistant Christina Moore, Wigs & Makeup Assistant FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY Seth Maisel, Fight Choreographer ARTIST HOSTS Host Chairman: Merrill Shields Devanie Blake Jeff Brown Ellie Caulkins Wendy, Dillon and Lillian Cogdal David Cordova Tom Gaffney Indea Jaramillo Kevin O’Connor SUPERNUMERARIES Matthew Bell Carlos Deccia Mike Malenock Luke Rahmsdorff-Terry Chris Taylor

› Wide Drive Aisles

› RV Dump

› Durable Doors

› Low Maintenance Finishes

› Water & Wash-Down Areas

› Common Area Restrooms

› Site Lighting

› Owner’s Private Clubhouse

› Air/Vac Station

garagecondos.com Call Glenn, (303) 518-2353 Centennial – 6507 Racine Circle Highlands Ranch 2 – Santa Fe and Town Center Drive Castle Rock – 1755 N. Liggett Rd Highlands Ranch 1 & Caryl Ranch – SOLD OUT – Call for potential resale availability

Prepare to be AMAZED

Baby Alpaca Pima Cotton Sterling Silver

1426 Larimer Square | Denver www.QintiPeru.com

A Q&A WITH STAGE DIRECTOR

MATTHEW OZAWA

BY TAMARA VALLEJOS

the clarinet—including at the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory of Music—but his childhood also included dozens of operas thanks to his hometown company, San Diego Opera, and its student dress rehearsal program. Now, Ozawa is paying it forward: in addition to his work as an in-demand stage director, he was recently appointed to the faculty at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance at the University of Michigan. What’s more, he juggles those two careers with a third, running his own company that incubates collaborative art and artists. It all makes for a packed schedule, but he recently found some time to share his thoughts on The Marriage of Figaro, the importance of theater in our electronics-obsessed society, and more.

discover a passion for directing, especially after thinking for so long that you’d be a professional clarinetist? My very first job in opera was actually at Santa Fe Opera, mopping and sweeping the orchestra pit. And I have to say, being able to watch Harry Bicket and Alan Gilbert and these fabulous conductors work, while also observing staging rehearsals, was like a dream come true. And Santa Fe Opera opened the door for me, through their apprentice program. I ended up being hired for the following three seasons in stage management, and then I landed an assistant directing job at Lyric Opera of Chicago when I was twenty-four. I assistant directed over thirty-five productions with some of the most famous

2018-19 SEASON

life. Not only did he spend fourteen years seriously studying

Let’s start at the beginning. How did you

OPERA COLORADO

Arts education played an important role in Matthew Ozawa’s

singers and directors and conductors in the world, and was exposed early on as a director to both the most

“A stage director and a conductor are like co-captains of a ship. The conductor is focused on the music, while I’m focused on the visual form and the character intention. But we ultimately have to work in collaboration to safely bring that ship to shore.” traditional forms of the opera convention and to new, cutting edge productions and new opera. And that’s when I knew that I wanted to be director. What drew you to opera, specifically, as opposed to other forms of theater? Opera is a synthesis of all the art forms. You have music, theater, visual art, sometimes even dance. There is a grandness to it, but it’s a spectacular art form that’s still rooted in storytelling—really good, dramatic storytelling. And to be enraptured by the music as you’re going along for the ride is so exciting. Also, because of my background, I can read the scores and analyze the music. If you’re a director who can’t do those things, I think it shows up in the storytelling. I don’t think it’s always super obvious, but if you can combine motion or visuals with things that are happening musically, the audience can feel it, subconsciously. You’re especially passionate about new opera, yet the two productions you’ve done at Opera Colorado—La Bohème last season, and now The Marriage of Figaro—couldn’t be more classic. What do you enjoy about the opportunity to do grand, traditional works like these? I’m constantly growing as an artist, and when I work on these classics, I get better at the craft of directing. These operas are so amazing that every time I work on a Figaro

OPERA COLORADO

2018-19 SEASON

or a Bohème or a Madama Butterfly, they constantly

reveal new things to me that I hadn’t thought about

Stage director Matthew Ozawa speaks to Opera Colorado patrons during a 2017-18 panel discussion about La Bohème. PHOTO Jamie Kraus

idle moment. Mozart put everything there for a very specific reason, which means that the evening flies by. It’s a masterful piece of theater. When last we saw you, in the 2017-18 season, you had just taken on a new position as an associate professor at the University of Michigan. What

previously. I think that’s really, really special.

are some of your biggest takeaways from your

Speaking of Figaro: it’s often referred to as a

I will say that I feel very confident in the craft of

perfect opera. Why do you think it remains so vibrant, even after more than 200 years?

first couple years as a teacher? directing. Understanding unions and schedules, and the collaborative aspect of working with companies and

I like to think of The Marriage of Figaro as a snowball

designers and conductors, are all things that feel very

heading down a mountain. As the show progresses,

fluid to me. But teaching is still a new realm. And I’m

because all the drama is so intricately woven together,

about to start teaching students who were born after

that snowball starts to grow and grow and grow. It can

9/11, and who have a very different understanding of

be tricky, because it’s a very long opera—but there’s no

(continued on page 24)

newman center presents 2019–2020 subscriptions on sale now

LET FREEDOM RING!

MAY 19 3:00PM

with STEVEN TAYLOR, BARITONE and DR. KENNETH SINGLETON, CONDUCTOR EMERITUS BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH

With Dance, Jazz, National Geographic Live, and Director’s Choice 5+9, there are more options than ever before. Packages start at only $86. For details and online ordering, visit newmancenter.du.edu. M Allan Frank Family Box Office 2344 East Iliff Avenue, Denver 303-871-7720 / newmancenter.du.edu

TICKETS

newmantix.com/denverbrass 303-832-HORN(4676)

EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE MOUNTAIN GETAWAY FOR OPERA LOVERS Enjoy Aspen’s legendary shopping, dining, and outdoor activities along with more than 400 events including… SONDHEIM’S A Little Night of Music July 11, 13, 15 | FULLY STAGED MISSY MAZZOLI’S Proving Up July 30 | CONCERT PERFORMANCE MOZART’S Le nozze di Figaro August 13, 15, 17 | FULLY STAGED Plus, hundreds of other orchestra concerts, recitals, family programs, and more! See the full schedule online.

INFORMATION AND TICKETS 970 925 9042

www.aspenmusicfestival.com

Renée Fleming performs July 30 and August 1!

“I have a duty to help give passion to and voice to artists of color who are interested in pursuing this path but maybe are nervous, or don’t know how, or may not feel the stories speak to them. Because, ultimately, we want opera to speak to as broad an audience as possible.” (continued from page 22)

has been in existence forever. The Greeks were telling

the world. Also, a lot of their behavior involves being

stories with other people, for other people. The art of

attached to their electronic devices, but what we do as

watching and being watched is something that’s been

a profession is something that is live. You’re actually

in existence across time and cultures. It’s so valuable to

living and breathing with the performers, and you are

keep that alive.

experiencing a show with the audience around you. So part of my ethos as a teacher is to take away the electronic devices and help students actually be present to one another and also be present to their body and their breath and their own creative intuition. Well, that’s also just the state of the world now. You could argue that opera is more important than ever, because we need those moments to disconnect and to be in a room with other people, sharing an experience in a very immediate way. Exactly, yes! And those moments of transformation that you receive from being in a theater or witnessing art

Also, this is a little bit of a tangent, but I’m one of the few Asian-American opera directors in the industry. So as a person of color who has been through over eighteen years in the industry, I also feel I have a duty to help give passion to and voice to artists of color who are interested in pursuing this path but maybe are nervous, or don’t know how, or may not feel the stories speak to them. Because, ultimately, we want opera to speak to as broad an audience as possible. I think that it’s got to be an environment where any human can tell their stories to the broadest audience possible.  Tamara Vallejos is Opera Colorado’s Director of Marketing & Audience Development.

live is not something that you can replicate by watching Netflix. The art of engaging and caring and having empathy for what is happening on stage, with those

OPERA COLORADO

2018-19 SEASON

around you—it is a very human, universal language that

Stage director Matthew Ozawa works with the cast of The Marriage of Figaro, during rehearsals for Opera Colorado’s season-closing production. LEFT Foreground, L-R: Ellie Dehn (Countess

Almaviva), Maureen McKay (Susanna), and Ozawa. Background: Adriana Zabala (Cherubino). RIGHT Ozawa and McKay. PHOTOS Kelly Maxwell

JOIN US FOR OUR 2019–20 SEASON CHAMBER SERIES

PIANO SERIES

Chamber Music Society Lawrence Brownlee, TENOR MARCH 4, 2020 of Lincoln Center OCTOBER 16, 2019 Alisa Weilerstein, CELLO Inon Barnatan, PIANO Spektral Quartet

Yefim Bronfman

DECEMBER 11, 2019

APRIL 1, 2020

Miró Quartet

Arnaud Sussmann, VIOLIN Anna Polonsky, PIANO

JANUARY 15, 2020

Danish String Quartet

MAY 13, 2020

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

Pierre-Laurent Aimard NOVEMBER 20, 2019

Benjamin Grosvenor MARCH 18, 2020

SPECIAL EVENT

Danish String Quartet

Visit our website for details friendsofchambermusic.com or call 303-388-9839 Concerts begin at 7:30 PM Newman Center for the Performing Arts 2344 E. ILIFF AVENUE, DENVER

FEBRUARY 4, 2020

SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE JULY 15

SEPTEMBER 11, 2019

SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED MORTUARY

Save by Pre-planning

Attentive & Honest

Available 24/7 Statewide

Serving All Faiths

On-Site Crematory

Veterans Benefits

303.837.8712

monarchsociety.com 1534 Pearl Street Denver CO 80203

303-871-7720 newmantix.com

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTORS The Board of Directors of Opera Colorado and the staff express their deepest appreciation to the individuals, corporations, and foundations who have contributed to the Annual Fund as of March 31, 2019. Although space limitations only allow us to list donors whose gifts were $100 and above, we are deeply grateful for the support of all our dedicated contributors.

INDIVIDUALS PRESIDENT CIRCLE $20,000+ Jeff Baldwin and Debra J. Perry Mike and Julie Bock Ellie Caulkins Mary and Tom Conroy Dave and Pam Duke Marcia and Dick Robinson Patrick Spieles and Carol McMurry

OPERA COLORADO

2018-19 SEASON

DIRECTOR CIRCLE $10,000-$19,999

Al and Rebecca Bates Linda Bjelland Peyton and Suzanne D. Bucy Mr. Robert Damrauer Joy and Christopher Dinsdale Lorraine Higbie Dr. Jan Kennaugh and Mr. Chip Horne Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy F. Kinney The Honorable and Mrs. Kenneth Laff Ms. Judy La Spada Jim and Patience Linfield Dr. and Mrs. William N. Maniatis Robert R. Montgomery and Nancy Hawkins Kevin Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor and Janet Ellen Raasch Ann and Gerald Saul Merrill Shields and M. Ray Thomasson Marlis Smith Mr. and Mrs. Charles I. Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Byron S. Watson Eric, Robin, Sydney, and Mathew Yaeger Mr. Youngdon Yun and Ms. Esme Prieto Yun

MAESTRO CIRCLE $5,000-$9,999 Janice Baucum Ms. Kathryn Codo Margaret Dillon Karen Fukutaki Robert S. Graham Ms. Judy Johnston Gary and Judith Judd Diana and Mike Kinsey Richard Koseff Mark and Kristin McKissick Mrs. Rhea J. Miller Muffy Moore Lynnette Morrison Mrs. Alice Perlmutter Zondra Rae Pluss The Ponzio Family Jane Halle Schultz-Burnett Jeremy and Susan Shamos Martha and Will Tracey Maradith and Rusty Wilkins Larry and Brigitte Zimmer DIVA CIRCLE $2,500-$4,999 Robin E. Black Dr. Marc Cohen Eric Coomer Dr. Cynthia Crews and Mr. Charles W. Henry Mr. Paul S. Deckard Curtis Fentress and Agatha Kessler Ms. Alice Griffith The Grynberg Family Mr. and Mrs. Cannon Y. Harvey Deborah Hayes and James L. Martin III Joe Kelso Gayle and Gary Landis Veronica A. McCaffrey and Barbara A. Frank Tom and Mary Meade

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Petrie Christine and Harry Phillips Bruce Polkowsky and Bill Powell Nijole and Walter Rasmussen Cynthia and Alexander Read T. R. Reid Mr. Kent A. Rice and Ms. Ann M. Corrigan Myra and Robert Rich Ayliffe and Fred Ris Mr. Paul Ruotolo Helen Scott Santilli Vicki and Harry Sterling Jerry and Debi Tepper Ms. Erin Wenzel COMPRIMARIO CIRCLE $1,000-$2,499 Mr. Hartman Axley Peter Batty and Paula Kechichian Brian Bennett and Bev Daniels Chris and Heather Bennett Mr. Charles E. Berry and Mrs. Maria Garcia Berry Sheila Bisenius Dr. Bill and Betty Buchanan Leslie Coover Cady Mr. and Mrs. Ken Calkins Mrs. Sue M. Cannon Mrs. Ella May Carpenter Mr. Gregory A. Carpenter Mr. and Mrs. George P. Caulkins, III Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell Caulkins Mr. and Mrs. Roger W. Celius Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cesafsky Dr. Laurence K. and Cynthia Chan David J. Chavolla Sue Cole Bob and Georgi Contiguglia Mr. and Ms. James D. Crapo Ms. Heather Dahlgren Mrs. Joyce de Roos Ms. Marian O. Dines Mr. Tyson Dines III Lois N. Eckhoff Carl and Nan Eklund Jack Finlaw and Gregory Movesian Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Frey Mr. and Mrs. John Fuller George and Sissy Gibson Dr. and Mrs. Burton Golub Stephen and Dorothy Gregory Mark Groshek MD and Carl Clark MD

Ms. Renee Gross Mr. Ray J. Groves Mr. Frank Guerra and Ms. Jo Ellen Graybill Sally Haas Jean-Pierre Habicht and Dr. Gretel Pelto Beverlee B. Henry and the Honorable Robert P. Fullerton Mr. Richard Hilty Mr. William T. Hoffman Christine Hollander and Michael McGee Marcia and John Holt John N. Kabalin, MD Dr. Lawrence Kim and Nhung Van Dr. and Mrs. Jeremy Lazarus Sandra Mazarakis and Neil Burris Dr. and Mrs. James McElhinney V.W. McKnab and Margaret Jurado Dave and Miza McReynolds Bob and Mereth Meade Dr. Monica I. Minkoff and Mr. Harry M. Siegfried Jerri Lynn Modrall and Eric E. Doering Mr. Allen Moore Ms. Janet Mordecai Dr. and Mrs. Calvern E. Narcisi Bob Nelson Drs. Sarah and Harold Nelson Bonnie M. Orkow Ronald Y. Otsuka Bonnie C. Perkins Rick Poppe & Jana Edwards Dr. Akiva M. Rabinowitz and Mr. Ezekial Thomas Steven and Joan Ringel Juan and Alicia Rodriguez Ms. Carol L. Rust Karen and Mark Sather Ms. Ruth E. Schoening Fern B. Seltzer and Andrew Heymsfield Dr. and Mrs. Edwin R. Smith Ms. Chantell Taylor Ms. Kathryn Taylor Ms. Kathleen R. Tower Dr. Peter and Kathy Van Arsdale Mr. and Mrs. William A. Vaniman Dr. Kathy Kennedy and Ben Vernon Mary and Ken Willis Herbert Wittow

by Antonín Dvořák

Four Four Diamonds Diamonds AAA AAA -- 5280 magazine Four Stars 5280AAA magazine Four FourStars Diamonds

Four Stars - 5280 magazine

magazine complex Four Starsfrom- 5280 Just Just 33 blocks blocks from the the theater theater complex 909 Street atat Champa Just from the complex 909 17th 17th Champa Just 33 blocks blocks fromStreet the theater theater complex 909 17th Street at Champa Call 303.296.3525 for reservations Call 909 303.296.3525 reservations 17th Street for at Champa Call Call 303.296.3525 303.296.3525 for for reservations reservations

FRIDA by Robert Xavier Rodríguez

H A N S EL&G R ETEL by Engelbert Humperdinck

AUG 2019 STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO TICKETS: OPERASTEAMBOAT.ORG

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTORS

OPERA COLORADO

2018-19 SEASON

RED DOT PATRON $500-$999

Mr. Paul Alaback and Ms. Carol Brewer John and Rosemary Ashby Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Barrett Dr. and Mrs. Sol Bassow Ellen & Donald Bauder Dr. and Mrs. Henry J. Beckwitt Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Benedict III Ms. Earline A. Bohling Libby Bortz Mr. and Mrs. Maximilian Bourgogne Von Hohenstaufen Mr. Gerald Boutwell Ms. Karen M. Bruggenthies Marjorie and Doug Carriger Mark and Margaret Carson Mr. Brad Case and Mr. William M. McMechen, Jr. Charles Case and Phillip St. Cloud Barbara and Roger Chamberlain Prof. Gerald Chapman Mr. David Clark Everett B. Clark Wendy Wilkins Cogdal Alan and In Hye Como Mr. Alexander J. Conley and Ms. Alysia D. Marino Donna and Ted Connolly Tom and Cheryl Cox Brian D. Crane Nancy Crow and Mark Skrotzki Ms. Cheryl M. Cruickshank Carolyn E. Daniels Ms. Joan Daniels Manley Houlton George and Yonnie Dikeou Marcus and Wendy Divita Timothy James Donahue Max and Joyce Douglas Mr. and Mrs. John Dye Evan and Kim Ela Dr. Stacy Fischer Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Frey Baryn Futa Ms. Rebecca Givens Dr. Daniel J. Greenholz Mr. and Mrs. Isidro T. Griego Mrs. Carol & Dr. Fred Grover Mr. Steven Gulevich Mr. J. Lawrence Hamil Dr. and Mrs. Richard R. Hansen Mr. Thomas E. Healy and Ms. Erin S. Colcannon John R. Heckenlively MD Mr. and Mrs. Graham Hollis Sarah Hopfenbeck and Susan Corle Ms. Karen Howland and Mr. J. Gregory Mudge Mike Hughes and The Honorable Karen Brody

Continued from page 26

Michael E. Huotari and Jill R. Stewart Steve and Chryse Hutchins John Dennis Hynes and Virginia Medelman Mr. Daniel Isaman Mr. Eric E. Johnson Mr. and Ms. Franz Kettwig Roberta and Mel Klein John W. Kure and Cheryl L. Solich Bernard and Frieda Leason Ms. Carole Leight Deanna Rose Leino Patty Lorie Mr. and Mrs. Ginnie and Tom Maes Evan and Evi Makovsky Ms. Tanya R. Mathews Mr. and Mrs. William Mathews Pamela Merrill Henry B. Mohr Sue and Bill Mohrman Mr. William R. Moninger John and Margaret Moyer Dr. Mary Kenny Moynihan and Dr. Michael Moynihan Mr. and Mrs. Bill Mueller Mary and John Muth Kelli O’Brien and Michael Kolotylo Ms. Diane O’Connor Nancy and Paul Oberman Mr. Steven Okuley Mr. Jon J. Olafson Mary Meyer and Jean Opsomer Dr. and Mrs. David S. Pearlman Mr. and Mrs. Perry Peine Robert and Mary Quillin Irene M. Ibarra and Armando Quiroz Mr. Joe Ronnenberg Mr. Doug Rooney Mr. Allan S. and Judith Rosenbaum Jane Russell Mr. Henry R. Schmoll Dr. and Mrs. Steven E. Schonfeld Gary D. Schrenk Dr. Douglas and Mrs. Antoinette Shaller Ms. Jo B. Shannon Ms. Nancy Siegel Ms. Jennifer Sobanet Mr. Perry Soderberg Dr. and Mrs. Richard Southwell Dr. Norman Spivy Ms. Judith Zee Steinberg Larry D. Stephens Bill and Shirley Stout Mrs. Linda Strauch Dr. and Mrs. Prem S. Subramanian Drs. Morris and Ellen Susman Jim and Sue Swanson Carson Taylor Lloyd and Barbara Timblin, Jr.

Dr. and Mrs. James Todd John and Sharon Trefny Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Van Bogaert Gretchen Vanderwerf and Gigi Jones Francisco Varela and Timothy Wilson Dr. Valerie M. Wassill, MD Mr. and Mrs. John M. Weigel Marie Belew Wheatley Scott and Karen Yarberry Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Yost Ken and Charlotte Ziebarth CHORISTER $250-$499 Jen Barrow Mr. James Beardall Barbara Benedict Charles Berberich and Marilyn Munsterman Drs. Tomas Berl and Diane Pincus Mr. John Blair Lynn Peyton and Richard Bottjer Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bowers Brewster and Helen Boyd E. Candace Boyle and Thomas R. Salas Ms. Jay Breen Ms. Janet C. Bruchmann Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Budy Gordon & Ron Butz Edwin T. Callahan and Dulcy E. Wolverton George M. and Carol G. Canon Hebert Cantor Jim Coffman Kathleen M Cook Mr. Steve Cookson Dr. David J. Cooper and Evelyn W. Cooper Vicki Cowart and Chris Hayes Ms. Joan Daniels Manley Houlton Helen Shreves Ronald L. Deal Mr. Phil Debus Greg Diamond Peter and Marian Downs Ms. Anne Draper Laurie and Ben Duke III Mr. and Mrs. Wayne D. Eckerling Mr. and Mrs. Frederick M. Eidson Mr. Joseph J. Elinoff Mrs. J. Theodore Ellis Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ells Matt and Reine Erzinger Mr. and Mrs. Guy Fasson Mr. and Mrs. John Gallagher Gary and Rebecca Gantner Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Garfein Alan and Sally Gass

Mr. and Mrs. Caleb F. Gates, Jr. Judge Alfred and Mrs. Dori Harrell Mr. Timothy Harris Jerry and Patty Hauptman Richard and Sandra Hilt Carol Ann Hoffman Dr. Jerry Jacobson Marilyn Jensen Mrs. Kerstin Karloev Mr. and Mrs. Robert Keatinge Ms. Patricia C. Kelly and Mr. Thomas E. Dufficy Mr. and Mrs. Arthur W. Kidder Mr. Tom Kirkpatrick and Ms. Djuana Strauch Mr. Richard S. Leaman Robert & Gloria Lilly-Cohen Paul and Carol Lingenfelter Mrs. R. T. Lyford Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John D. Macfarlane Mr. Robert Mahoney Mrs. Caroline E. Malde Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Y. Marchand Keith Maskus and Susan Rehak Myron McClellan and Lawrence Phillips Jim and Carole McCotter Ms. Ann McCullough Mr. Lawrence Moskow Susan K. Mostow Dr. and Mrs. David A. Norris Mr. Mark J. O’Connor Kent & Ruth Obee Mr. and Ms. Norm Parker Carl Patterson Ms. Barbra Pehrson Andrew R. Pleszkun Rich and Kim Plumridge Mrs. Kathryn L. Pride Ms. Tracy Reynolds Mr. and Mrs. Gene Richards Gregory Robbins Mary Ann Ross Paul Rubner and Vicki Jensen Ms. Gloria Sankel Mr. Rick Scalpello John and Patricia Schmitter Mr. and Mrs. David C. Shelton Ms. Joy Sherlock Ms. Patricia K. Simpson Dr. Andrew Sirotnak and Mr. James W. White Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Slavsky Ms. Carol Stamm Mr. Gordon W. Stenger David and Carol Stern Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Straub Mr. Jack D. Tidwell, Jr. Normie and Paul Voilleque Norma and George Wagoner Ms. Tina Walls

TICKETS START UNDER $20. for most concerts!

Photo: Brandon Marshall

Limitations, fees, and taxes apply.

presenting sponsors

COLORADOSYMPHONY.ORG

also supported by

Summer 2019 J UNE 7 – AUG US T 1 1

Twelfth Night As You Like It Romeo and Juliet King Charles III

by Mike Bartlett

King John

303-492-8008 • coloradoshakes.org

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTORS Ms. Laura Wardell Ms. Cia A. Wenzel Mr. and Mrs. Tor Westgaard Robert and Jacklyn Writz Gene and Linda Young Pam and Martin Zadigian Ms. Dale Zitek

OPERA COLORADO

2018-19 SEASON

FRIEND $100-$249

Mr. and Mrs. Norman O. Aarestad James and Lorraine Adams Tucker and Dan Adams Ms. Jeanne Adkins Paul and Susan Ahlquist Mr. and Mrs. Doug Aldrich Mr. Daniel J. Anderson Ms. Jane Anderson Alice and Lee Anneberg Ms. Judith Babcock Ms. Cherlyn S. Bailey Mr. Donald K. Bain Mr. Robert Baker Kirk and Patti Bateman Ms. Jennifer N. Bater Nancy Battan Brian Thomas Beagle Mrs. Joan Beam Ms. Mariette H. Bell Kathleen Benegar Ms. Claire E. Benson Ms. Vera Berglund Mr. and Mrs. John R. Binder Mr. and Mrs. Steve Birchfield Janet Bishop Marie and Howard Blaney Mr. Howard L. Boigon Ms. Catherine Boller Ms. Sandra Bonetti Mr. Kent H. Borges and Ms. Stephanie B. Dicenzo Mrs. Virginia P. Boucher Mr. Craig Bowie Donald K. Braden Mr. M. Bradford Mr. and Mrs. Doug Brown Arthur Brunton Ms. Suzanne S. Bufton Mr. Thomas Bunge Mr. Douglas F. Burns Mr. and Mrs. Dean Burton Ms. Clare R. Cavanaugh Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Chagas Mr. Manfred Chemek Mrs. Aroussiag Christianian Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Close Ms. Ethel K. Clow Mr. Thomas Colbert Mr. Terry R. Collings Mr. David A. Connell Mr. Curtis Cook

Continued from page 28

Dr. David J. Cooper and Evelyn W. Cooper Ms. Davene Coutts Mr. Jim Craig Ms. Susan Cunningham Mr. Raphael Dangelo John Danio Mr. and Mrs. Tom Demarino Ms. Felicia L. Diamond and Dr. Gene Bloom Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Dodge Mrs. Christel Doremieux Ms. Mary Ann Downs Mr. and Mrs. Paul Dudzic Dr. Tibor Engel Dr. Kathleen Y. Ensz Rose Enyeart and Bill Stoner Ted and Vivian Sheldon Epstein Ms. Judith H. Fahrenkrog Mr. Dan Fead Amy Feaster Ms. Anna Ferrari Ms. Elizabeth A. Fischer and Mr. Don Elliott Dr. and Mrs. Larry S. Fisher Dr. Marc S. and Nancy Frager Mr. Joe D. Francis Terry Frazier and Kathy Wells Kristin and Heiko Freitag Keith French Ms. Ingrid Fretheim Deborah Friedman Ms. Cynthia Gaertner Ms. Randy Ganter Alan & Sally Gass Jennifer Ruth Gentry Mr. Herman Goellnitz Dr. Ray L. Gottesfeld Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Gottlieb Mr. and Mrs. William W. Grant Dr. Brian Greffe and Dr. Mark Donovan Ronald and Elnore Grow Ms. Jennifer R. Harpel Ms. Elizabeth Harris and Ms. Debbie Jensen Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Harvey Mr. Richard A.Haynes Mr. Richard W. Healy Sarah C. Hite Mr. Saul D. Hoffman and Ms. Susan Parker Ms. Mary Ellen Holmes Mr. and Mrs. Douglas L. Houston Ms. Jane A. Hultin Katherine Hurlbut Ms. Nancy Hyde Roberta Hyman Mrs. Philip Isely Ms. Therese A. Ivancovich Mr. Nelson E. Jackson, Jr. Mr. Don Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Eric D. Johnson Kendor and Paulette Jones Mr. Steven M. Jones Mr. Howard Jordan Mr. Jhon Kehmeier Mr. Sandford Kern Bonnie Kipple Leonard Koch Mrs. and Mr. Svetlana Komisarchik Dr. and Mrs. Alex Kotch Rex Kramer and Cindy Crater Ms. Margaret Krawiec Ms. Barbara Ladon Dr. James W. Langley, M.D. Ms. Susan S. Lapidus Ms. Aimee Lazarus Mr. and Mrs. Jay S. Leaver Mr. and Mrs. C. Nicholas Lee Ms. Laura Lehman Nancy A. Leonard Karen and Martin Leopold Paul and Nancy Levitt Mr. David Lichtenstein Judy and Dan Lichtin Sarita List Mr. Lester Lockspeiser Mr. John A. Lockwood, Esq. Ms. Angela Macgowan Janet and David MacKenzie Mr. Henry Mahlman Dr. Melissa Malde Mr. and Mrs. James E. Manuel Dr. David Markenson Mr. and Mrs. Randal Martines Mr. Gary Mather Marian E. Matheson Mr. Andrew P. McCallin Janice McClary and Jan McNally Mr. Stephen D. McGavran Dr. and Mrs. Charles F. Metzger Charles and Carol Miller Ms. Dianne Miller Mr. and Mrs. Gary L. Miller Mr. John R. Miller Ms. Lori Miskel Mr. Donald W. Mitchell, DDS Mrs. Robbie E. Monsma Louis Moran, LCSW and Douglas Van Dine, PhD Mr. Mike Morgan Warren Morrow Mr. Christopher B. Mueller Mr. Denny Muirhead Mr. Mark A. Nachtigal Ms. Sybill R. Navas Rudi Hartmann and Kathy Newman Mr. and Mrs. William Nichols Richard L. Nielsen Ms. Josie Noble Mr. Larry O’Donnell and Mr. Kermit Cain

Ms. Claire Opel Stephanie and Roger Oram Mr. Thomas F. Pagel Lynn Parry, MD Jessica and Menandro Peña Dennis G. Peterson Mr. and Mrs. Mark Plummer Ms. Sally Plummer Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Poehlmann Mr. and Mrs. Dale H. Porter Kate Raabe Dr. and Mrs. Pablo Ramos Ms. Elisabeth Rebman Ms. Jennie Ridgley Karyn K. Rieb Mr. Michael L. Ritchie Mr. Allan J. Robbins Mr. Gregory Roebuck Mr. and Mrs. Bruce A. Rogers Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Rondon Paula Roney Ms. Linda F. Rosales Yanita Rowan Dr. Tom Russell Morris and Karen Sandstead Sandy and Frank Sargent Mr. Matthew Savoie and Mr. Bryan Penny Ms. Leslie Sawyer Ms. Mary Scarpino Ms. Erika L. Schafer Ms. Gayla Scheid Ms. Karen I. Scott Mr. Richard Scott Mr. Carl Shushan and Ms. Sandi Hill Ms. Phyllis Shushan and Mr. Carl Shushan Mr. and Mrs. Gary Siegel Catherine K. Skokan Ms. Kimberly H. Smith Toni and Andrew Smolen Nancy and Michael Snow Lars and Jane Soderberg Mr. Mark St. John James B. Steed Mr. and Mrs. Lyle B. Stewart Mr. and Mrs. Jim Stinson Jenene and James Stookesberry Dr. Michael S. Sturges Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Sullivan William Bradford and Chin Tan Mr. and Mrs. Thompson Tate Ms. Barbara Thorngren Ms. Lois Thornton Ms. Janice Tilden Mr. Michael M. Tinetti Alice and Frank Traylor Ms. Carol Trotter Donna Van Hook and Amelia Dorn Ms. Eve Van Rennes Mrs. D. Imojean Vollack

extending your living space into the garden... Creating outdoor spaces for our discriminating clientele is our mission. Helping you realize your dreamsâ&#x20AC;Ś. is our passion. Contact us for a Consultation today!

303.750.6060 PhaseOneLandscapes.com email@phaseonelandscapes.com

classical | explore

Thoughtfully curated classical music to captivate the soul.

Enrich your life here.

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTORS Bernd and Marta Wachter Mr. Wilson W. Wampler Ms. Shirley C. Ward Ms. Carley Warren Ms. Robin Stewart and Mr. Kirk Weber Mr. and Mrs. William W. Wehner, II Ms. Ann Fails Westerberg Sandra L. White Mrs. Andrea P. Wilson Ms. Judy Wilson and Mr. Michael Wilson Ms. Ashly Wolf Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wood Mr. Richard Wood Robert and Kathleen Yeager Judith Graham and Jeffrey Zax Sue and Carl Zimet Mr. and Mrs. Michael Zoellner

OPERA COLORADO

2018-19 SEASON

FOUNDATIONS

The Anschutz Foundation Avenir Foundation Thomas and Diane Barrett Foundation The Benevity Community Impact Fund Bloomberg Philanthropies Bock Family Fund Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Bucy Family Fund C.H. Garwood Trust Carson-Pfafflin Family Foundation Caulkins Family Foundation Charlotte and Norman Codo Charitable Trust The Colorado Health Foundation Community First Foundation Daniels-Houlton Family Donor Advised Fund David B. and Gretchen W. Black Family Foundation Deane Family Fund The Denver Foundation Denver Lyric Opera Guild Denver Post Community Foundation Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Galen & Ada Belle Spencer Foundation Genessee Mountain Foundation Gloria Sankel Trust Higbie Family Foundation Jeanne Land Foundation Jess & Rose Kortz and Pearl Rae Foundation JP Morgan Charitable Giving Fund Kenneth King Foundation Merle Chambers Fund Miller Family Foundation Fund

Continued from page 30

Network For Good Oxford Station Apartments PB & K Foundation Rose Community Foundation The Schramm Foundation Schwab Charitable Shamos Family Foundation Tepper Family Foundation Tulsa Community Foundation Vanguard Charitable Virginia W. Hill Foundation William D. Radichel Foundation Wittow Foundation The Melvin and Elaine Wolf Foundation

CORPORATE ALLIANCE Anne Close Interiors The Block Distilling Company Brooks Brothers Butler Rents Classic Pianos Dae-Gee Korean BBQ Mike Hurdle C.P.A. Jamie Kraus Photography Kaladi Coffee Lux Builders Mondo Vino Neiman Marcus Group Associate Giving Program Northwestern Mutual â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Denver Occasions Plante Moran PMG Colorado Rassman Design Snell & Wilmer LLP UH&W, Inc.

SPONSORS Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth T. Barrow Mrs. Pamela D. Beardsley Mike and Julie Bock Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Donald K. Braden Richard King Brown, PhD Peyton and Suzanne D. Bucy David and Elizabeth Budd Ellie Caulkins Dr. Laurence K. and Cynthia Chan The Chotin Foundation Mrs. Joyce de Roos Dr. Stephen L. Dilts Joy and Chris Dinsdale Curtis Fentress and Agatha Kessler Francis Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts Ken and Barbara Laff Gayle and Gary Landis

Penelope Lewis The Melvin and Elaine Wolf Foundation Chris and Joy Murphy Ann and Gerald Saul Marlis Smith Patrick Spieles and Carol McMurry Martha and Will Tracey Mrs. Carol C. Whitley Eric, Robin, Sydney, and Mathew Yaeger

In memory of Hugh and Peggy McGee Sarah Hopfenbeck and Susan Corle

TRIBUTES

In memory of Leonard Perlmutter Lynnette Morrison

In honor of Janice Baucum Mrs. Sandy H. Lowrey In honor of Elizabeth Budd Ms. Patricia H. Green In memory of Lawrence Carpenter Marcia and Dick Robinson In honor of Ellie Caulkins John and Rosemary Ashby Mr. David J. Chavolla Karen and Mark Sather Mrs. Marcia D. Strickland In honor of Dr. Larry Chan Dr. Penelope Baker Peyton and Suzanne D. Bucy In honor of Paul Deckard Mr. and Mrs. Bill Mueller In memory of Dirk de Roos Peyton and Suzanne D. Bucy Mr. Miles Smith In memory of Dr. Constantine Falliers Dr. and Mrs. William N. Maniatis Marcia and Dick Robinson Marlis Smith In memory of Jacqueline Frischknecht, PhD Mr. Chuck Lawhead and Mr. Ronald Broome In memory of Frederica Hadley Ms. Lynn E. Harrington In memory of Jutta Herrmann Ms. Carla Cheuvront In memory of Stan Jewell Mrs. Martha Jewell In memory of Beverly Landis Gayle and Gary Landis In memory of Sarah McEnelly Lane Mr. Norman C. Lane

In memory of Rosemary Fair Mock Dr. Peter and Kathy Van Arsdale In honor of Levi and Bianca Morris Robin Morris In memory of Dorothy Pearson Mr. and Mrs. Jon Quistgaard Ms. Donita Wise

In memory of Kim Peoria Ms. Cyndi Mancinelli In memory of Eric Poehlmann Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Poehlmann In memory of Marie Inez Coulter Portz Ellen Coulter Murray and the Murray Family In honor of Sharon Randall Ms. Jeanne Adkins In memory of Don Ridgway Ms. Kathryn Taylor In honor of Merrill Shields and M. Ray Thomasson Mary and Ken Willis In honor of Merrill Shields Ms. Joanne Davidson In honor of Carole and Bob Slosky Mrs. Marlene P. Siegel In honor of James and Jenene Stookesberry Stephen and Lynn Connor In honor of Cia Wenzel Ms. Jane A. Hultin

CRESCENDO SOCIETY The following people have made arrangements to include Opera Colorado in their Estate Plan. Sheila Bisenius Ellie Caulkins Dr. Stephen L. Dilts Miss B. I. Garlinghouse Ms. Donna E. Hamilton Mrs. Lynn E. Harrington Ms. Lisa R. James Dr. and Mrs. Charles B. Kafadar Mr. and Mrs. Ron Kahn Deanna Rose Leino

YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE Stories are the lifeblood of a community, and Opera Colorado’s story is inseperable from its hometown. As a non-profit organization, we rely on the generosity of donors to help us maintain our mission of enriching our community’s quality of life through

FRIEND ($100-$249)

• Your name listed in the season’s mainstage program books

inspiring opera performances, as well as

CHORISTER ($250-$499)

through educational and cultural programs.

All previous benefits, plus:

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our donor lists. However, if your name is incorrectly listed, please accept our sincere apologies and contact Erin Wenzel at 303.468.2040.

• Invitations to unique donor events throughout the season, including an exclusive backstage tour of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House

RED DOT ($500-$999)

All previous benefits, plus: • Access to the Chambers Grant Salon Donor Recognition Lounge and complimentary champagne during intermission • Complimentary admission to the annual Artist in Residence Showcase and Celebration concerts • Complimentary invitation to the annual Sitzprobe Brunch and Rehearsal

PRESENT high quality artistic experiences for a vibrant community with world class opera curated right here in Denver

SERVE over 55,000 patrons every year DEVELOP audiences by introducing children (and adults!) to their first opera experience

TRAIN the next generation of opera performers through our nationally recognized Artist in Residence Program

HOW TO MAKE A GIFT ONLINE: operacolorado.org/support BY PHONE: 303.468.2060 OR MAIL A CHECK TO: Opera Colorado

4121 S Navajo St, Ste 100 Englewood, CO 80110

*STAY TUNED FOR NEW DONOR BENEFITS AND LEVELS FOR THE 2019-20 SEASON!

• Discount card for area restaurants

COMPRIMARIO CIRCLE ($1,000-$2,499) All previous benefits, plus:

• Personalized assistance with your opera tickets and Opening Night Dinner reservation • Invitation to watch a private masterclass with Maestro Ari Pelto and select Artists in Residence

DIVA CIRCLE ($2,500-$4,999) All previous benefits, plus:

• Invitation to Artists in Conversation events, during which donors can personally interact with the artists of each mainstage opera

MAESTRO CIRCLE ($5,000-$9,999) All previous benefits, plus:

• Complimentary parking vouchers for Opera Colorado mainstage performances • Invitation to special Meet the Maestro event

DIRECTOR CIRCLE ($10,000-$19,999) All previous benefits, plus:

• Invitation to a private cocktail reception with the General & Artistic Director, followed by a rehearsal at the Opera Colorado Opera Center

PRESIDENT CIRCLE ($20,000+) All previous benefits, plus:

2018-19 SEASON

YOUR SUPPORT HELPS US...

OPERA COLORADO

Mrs. Lee Roberts Mary Ann Rose Mr. Stephen Seifert Jenene and James Stookesberry Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vanbuskirk Mrs. Carol C. Whitley Larry and Brigitte Zimmer

2018-19 DONOR LEVELS & BENEFITS*

• Invitation to a special dining event with Opera Colorado’s General & Artistic Director and Music Director

• Other special invitations throughout the season 33

For questions, please contact 303.468.2060 or development@operacolorado.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

STAFF

VOLUNTEERS

Greg Carpenter

General & Artistic Director Music Director Managing Director

Ari Pelto Paul Deckard

ADMINISTRATION Tom Kirkpatrick Director of Business Operations Linda Strauch, EA Senior Accountant

DEVELOPMENT Erin Wenzel, CFRE Director of Development Jessica Peña Associate Director of Development Whitney Stuberg Development & Events Assistant

EDUCATION Cherity Koepke

Parisa Zaeri

Director of Education & Community Engagement Director of the Opera Colorado Artist in Residence Program Manager of Education & Community Engagement

MARKETING Tamara Vallejos Kelly Maxwell

Director of Marketing & Audience Development Digital Content Manager

PATRON SERVICES Michelle Herring Indea Jaramillo Genevieve LeBlanc Don Oppliger

Patron Services Manager Patron Services Associate Patron Services Associate Patron Services Associate

2018-19 SEASON OPERA COLORADO

Director of Production

For complete list of production staff, see pg. 8 of this program book’s insert.

2018-19 ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE Rebekah Howell Kira Dills-DeSurra Aaren Rivard Nicholas Kreider Edward Laurenson Eric McConnell Tyler Tucker

Eric Bard Laurel Barsa Devanie Blake Barbara Bower Marilyn Brock Carol Brown Jeff Brown Katy Burley Ken Chu Wendy Cogdal Dave Coldiron David Cordova Brad Davis Ketje deRoos Joyce deRoos Steve Dilts Jan Edwards Marty Eisenberg Peggy Engel Sigrid Freese Thomas Gaffney Pam Herring Kimberly Hesseltine Sarah Hollander Ann Jones Robert Kahn Kelz Kelzenberg Sarah Kelzenberg Marion Kleinschmidt Stormy Knight Phyllis Knight Karen Kolb Paull Kupler Sally Lammers Susi Landers Melinda Leach

Heather MacKinnon Cheryl McGinnis Mana Merritt Marilyn Olen Patricia Ove Frank Parce David Pessel Eva Phibbs Kala Pickett Miki Reddy Maura Rice Becky Riedo Donna Ries Ellie Roberts Grover Sardeson Therese Schoen Ruth Schoening Irene Sclavenitis Kyle Shaw Dan Shepard Sharon Sherman Hery Siegel Sharon Staley Astrid Stocks Christine Tanner Judi Taubman Natalia Veazy Lorraine Walker Feifei Wei Marianne Weingroff Earl Wenngren Karen Whitt Christel Woody Ed Woolman Frank Zoske Rhea Zwiebach

Michael Bock, Chairman Emeritu s

DIRECTORS Maria Garcia Berry Suzanne Bucy Eleanor N. Caulkins, Lifetime Honorary Chair Dr. Laurence K. Chan Mary Conroy Elizabeth Caswell Dyer Mark Heiser, Ex-Officio Kelly Ann Hodges Laurence D. Kaptain, Ex-Officio Hon. Kenneth Laff Judy La Spada William Maniatis, MD Chantell Taylor Robin Yaeger Youngdon Yun Byron Watson Larry Zimmer

HONORARY DIRECTORS Nellie Mae Duman Hugh Grant Agatha Kessler Jeremy Kinney Pamela Merrill Muffy French Moore Gerald Saul Jeremy Shamos Susan Shamos Merrill Shields Martha Tracey

CONTACT OPERA COLORADO

PRODUCTION Katie Preissner

Kevin O’Connor, Chairman Marcia Robinson, President Chevis F. (“Chip”) Horne, Vice President James Linfield, Secretary

soprano mezzo-soprano tenor baritone baritone bass-baritone coach-accompanist

ADMINISTRATION Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm Opera Colorado Opera Center 4121 S Navajo St, Ste 100 Englewood, CO 80110

OPERA COLORADO’S PROGRAM BOOKS ARE PRODUCED BY THE PUBLISHING HOUSE

303.778.1500 info@operacolorado.org

Angie Flachman Johnson Publisher

PATRON SERVICES

Tod Cavey Director of Sales

Monday–Friday, 10 am–5 pm 303.468.2030 customerservice@operacolorado.org

Stacey Krull Production Manager

OPERACOLORADO.ORG follow @operacolorado

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION 303.428.9529 or www.ColoradoArtsPubs.com

Wilbur E. Flachman President & Founder

Planning ahead is simple.

the benefits are immense. you can design every detail of your own final tribute and provide your loved ones with true peace of mind. When you’re ready to get started, your Dignity Memorial professionals are here to help. WH E N YOU P LAN A H E A D,

> 100% Dignity Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability > Bereavement Travel Assistance

> Personal Planning Guide > Compassion Helpline > Family Protection Plan ®

> Transportation and Relocation Protection Plan

> Child and Grandchild Coverage > Dignity Memorial Guidance Series

Certain restrictions apply.

FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE GREATER DENVER AREA

OLINGER Mortuaries & Cemeteries > 303-622-5444

DignityColorado.com <