Opera Colorado -- Don Giovanni, November 4-12, 2023

MOZART’S

NOVEMBER 4 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 2023

ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE

NOW OPEN

GATHER WHERE COMFORT MEETS ELEGANCE

@PARLURDENVER PARLURDENVER.COM LEORAH.YOUNG@PARLURDENVER.COM

The Philadelphia Orchestra Yannick Nézet-Séguin

July 10 & 12, 2024

TICKETS ON SALE

JANUARY 31, 2024

BRAVOVAIL.ORG ■ 877.812.5700 ■ @BRAVOVAIL SUPPORTED BY

A NOTE FROM OUR TEAM Dear Friends,

W

e are thrilled to be back at the Ellie opening our 2023-24 Season, continuing the exciting momentum of last year’s 40th Anniversary Season lineup. We are diving into our forty-first year of grand opera with a work that’s considered one of the most influential in all Western music, Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

What makes Don Giovanni such an important part of operatic history? Much of it comes down to the brilliance of the music. Mozart paints a picture of complex characters like no other, and the characters in Don Giovanni are a perfect example. The opera features some of the most beautiful arias, duets, and ensembles in the operatic repertoire, showcasing Mozart’s mastery of composition and ability to elevate the drama and emotion through the human voice and the orchestral score.

After the curtain closes on Don Giovanni, we look forward to a brand-new production in February and March. Director Kathleen

Belcher and Emmy-nominated designer Alan E. Muraoka lend their talents to create a new world for Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman.

You’ll see a story you know, and one that has been told countless times, in a unique setting that combines both past and present—with a graphic novel twist!

And finally, we close the season with a biblical epic not seen on our stage in over thirty years: Saint-Saëns’s Samson and Delilah. You’ll take a journey exploring loyalty, lust, and the power of seduction, alongside a lush score and the magnificence you expect and love when attending grand opera.

On behalf of the hundreds of artists, musicians, crew, technicians, and staff who work to bring you every note, every set piece, and every costume, creating a world that ignites our imaginations, thank you for your support. Here’s to another great season!

Sincerely,

Greg Carpenter

Richard Koseff

Ari Pelto

The Ellie Caulkins General & Artistic Director

Board Chair

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

thurstonkb.com

WAGNER’S

FEB. 24 | 27 | MAR. 1 | 3 | 2024

GET TICKETS TODAY! | OPERACOLORADO.ORG | 303.468.2030

SAINT-SAËNS’S

MAY 4 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 2024

UPCOMING EVENTS PAINT AND SIP: DUTCHMAN EDITION

THE FLYING DUTCHMAN OPENING NIGHT DINNER

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2024 | 6:00 P.M. Our winter production of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman will feature sets designed by Emmynominated designer Alan E. Muraoka. Try your hand at being an artist yourself when you join us for a painting class. You will learn how to paint a scene from The Flying Dutchman, based on the designer’s sketches, on your own canvas.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2024 | 5:00 P.M. Make your opening night experience even more special and join us before the performance for dinner at Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House. These events include prosecco and mingling, an elegant threecourse meal with wine pairings, and intermission receptions with complimentary prosecco.

$37 - $39 DEPENDING ON CANVAS SIZE PAINTING WITH A TWIST 7134 W ALASKA DR, LAKEWOOD, CO 80226

$150 GENERAL ADMISSION Ticket includes Opening Night Dinner only.

Performance tickets are sold separately KEVIN TAYLOR’S AT THE OPERA HOUSE 1345 CHAMPA ST, DENVER, CO 80202

FAMILY DAY: SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024 | 10:00 A.M & 1:30 P.M. We welcome our community to the opera house for a day of family-friendly events, including performances of the touring production of Cinderella by our Artists in Residence.

FREE EVENT Reserve your tickets in March 2024.

ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE 1385 CURTIS STREET, DENVER, CO 80204

LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE EVENTS VISIT OPERACOLORADO.ORG/EVENTS Scan the QR code with the camera app on your phone to get your tickets now!

MAKE AN IMPACT

This spectacular season at Opera Colorado is full of the dazzle and drama we love about grand opera. Your support is instrumental in elevating this art form and enriching our cultural community.

DID YOU KNOW? OPERA COLORADO... ... delighted 34,540 attendees to our performances and events with this classic artform. ...employed over 400 people to work on stage and behind the scenes to put on our performances. ...reached over 22,000 students during this past school year through Education & Community Engagement programs. ...welcomed over 300 people to free performances and activities at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on Family Day. ...worked with over 100 schools across the state in the 2022-23 Season.

SUPPORT THE ART FORM YOU LOVE Please consider a special gift to Opera Colorado this Colorado Gives Day and help bring these monumental productions to life. With your help, we can continue to create moments of wonder, emotion, and connection through opera.

The platform is now open! Give today or mark your calendars to donate on December 5: VISIT coloradogives.org/operacolorado SCAN the QR code

The Elixir of Love MUSIC

LA TRAVIATA Giuseppe Verdi

DON GIOVANNI Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Gaetano Donizetti

WORLD PREMIERE

July 27, 31 August 9, 14, 22

Gregory Spears Tracy K. Smith

THE RIGHTEOUS

DER ROSENKAVALIER Richard Strauss

THE ELIXIR OF LOVE Gaetano Donizetti

#OpenAirOpera

Explore the Season For tickets and more information visit santafeopera.org or call 505-986-5900

The Elixir of Love Illustration

by Benedetto Cristofani

Q&A WITH BRUNO TADDIA Italian baritone Bruno Taddia returns to Opera Colorado after portraying Figaro in The Barber of Seville in 2019. He’s playing the titular character in this production of Don Giovanni for the first time at the Ellie, but is no stranger to the character. Join us as we delve into Bruno’s career and explore his meticulous preparation for this iconic role.

How did you get involved in opera?

My parents are both passionate about music and my mother plays the piano. Wednesdays were her Haus Musik days; she would rehearse with a violinist and a cellist friend of ours.

Every Sunday, my parents would go out to the theatre to see an opera, leaving me home with a babysitter.

I didn’t like being left home at all, so I’d start being whimsical and protesting. When I turned six, I won my personal little battle; my parents finally decided to bring me along with them to the opera. So, I have loved the world of musical theatre ever since.

What is special about Mozart and Don Giovanni for you?

I think Mozart is the most important figure in the entire history of Western music. I can’t even start describing his greatness in just a few lines, but I can try to convey an image. Let’s put it this way: in the small elite of the greats of Western music, each one found a particular form of expression in which he or she excelled. For example, Verdi in Italian opera, Beethoven in symphonic music, Haydn in sonata forms, and Bach in counterpoint.

Mozart, compared to all these giants, can boast a unique primacy: he excelled in all these mentioned areas of musical forms. And in each of those areas, he was able to compose at least one masterwork (often more!), essential for the history of Western music. I believe that is why we identify Mozart not with one form of music, but with music itself!

Talking about Don Giovanni, it is an opera that speaks of a great Western myth, Don Juan, one of the most important myths of all. That is why I believe Don Giovanni is a very special masterpiece.

How do you prepare to step into this role?

I prepare by reading, gathering a massive amount of information, and digesting it. The creative process around the construction of a role is a bit chaotic at first because I’m learning such a large amount of information. Next, everything I learn is shaped by the visions of the director and conductor, and molded into a fullfledged character.

What is your favorite part of rehearsing for an opera?

I enjoy working on the construction of a character. It really is a voyage that brings you to unexpected territories.

You did your thesis on this opera. What can you tell us about your research?

Don Juan is so interesting to us because he presents an interesting philosophical conundrum. If we looked at the character through Molière’s Don Juan (and all the previous versions of this myth), we would be influenced by the religious connotations that condemn Don Juan. After all, the

DENVER LYRIC OPERA GUILD Giving Voice to Opera

Colorado's oldest volunteer organization supporting university opera programs and opera companies.

Membership includes

Luncheons Educational Programs Opera Tours Our annual juried/professionally judged Competition for Colorado Singers Membership dues are tax deductible

Giving Voice to Opera

Collegiate Grants

Colorado State University Metropolitan State University University of Colorado at Boulder University of Denver University of Northern Colorado

Young Artists Program Grants

Central City Opera Opera Colorado Opera Fort Collins Opera Theatre of the Rockies

We invite you to join us!

Learn more: www.denverlyricoperaguild.org

“Since 1973, Hermitage Books has been your home for buying and selling high quality used books.

From everyday readers to collectible antiquarian, we have books for every budget.”

hermitagebooks.com 303-388-6811 290 Filmore Street, Denver, CO 80206

Q&A WITH BRUNO TADDIA “It is always a lot of fun for me to sing in the United States. People are so enthusiastic and curious, it is heartwarming... I am thrilled to be here with you!” story is nothing without the dinner scene, which is steeped in Christian overtones: a man, the Commendatore in this case, coming back to life and offering an invitation to redemption.

However, the opera’s librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte, subtracts the religious theme that frees Don Giovanni from blasphemy and keeps it in sensuality.

Nevertheless, other womanizing characters–Casanova, Tom Jones, Jupiter, for example–are not dragged down to hell, so why does Don Giovanni have this more negative perception than others like him?

Usually, it is religion that condemns him. In the opera, there is no such lens, but one knows that one still has to judge him.

Avoiding religion, Da Ponte’s version is immersed in the idealistic philosophical tradition and Don Juan’s sensual actions (and his way of living), suggest a transience of it and a rejection of all the foundations on which this tradition is built. The character of Don Giovanni, therefore, comes to represent, in a historical dialectic, decisive for the future development of our culture, the decline of the

traditional view of philosophical values, in favor of their relativization, foreshadowing the advent of nihilism.

Don Juan and his sensuality embodies this crisis and that is why he is so dangerous.

What do you like about Colorado?

Opera Colorado for me is a fantastic family where I feel welcomed and get to work with a wonderful group of people.

For singers, who often travel a lot, feeling so at home is uncommon. I also love Denver! It is always lots of fun for me to sing in the United States. People are so enthusiastic and curious it is heartwarming. Opera Colorado, ever since I first came for Figaro, holds a very special place in my heart. I am thrilled to be here with you! I feel very lucky!

PHOTOS OPERA COLORADO/MAT T STAVER BRUNO TADDIA IN OPERA COLORADO’S 2019 PRODUCTION OF THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

SPOTLIGHT ON THE MUSIC LINSDAY WOODWARD RÉPÉTITEUR Written by Angelica DiIorio, Opera Colorado’s Marketing Manager, Advertising & Content

Humble and personable is the best way to describe Lindsay Woodward, the répétiteur for Don Giovanni.

She plays the piano at rehearsals for Mozart’s opera to provide the underlying sound of the piece, conveying the whole orchestra with just one instrument.

Lindsay explains, “You’re doing a good job as a répétiteur when no one says anything to you. You want to be seamless.

You want to blend in the background and be supportive of everyone.” To prepare for this essential role in the rehearsal process, Woodward translates the entire libretto or opera lyrics to make sure she knows what everyone is saying and understands the nuance of the characters.

“There is never a boring moment in Mozart’s music,” Lindsay raves. She comments on how dramatic this music is compared to Mozart’s contemporaries and how smart the composition choices are, like quieting the orchestra when an aria starts, so a singer’s voice takes full attention.

BE SOCIAL @operacolorado Follow us on social media to be the first to discover new announcements, blog posts, photos of the cast at work, and more!

As someone who knows the music of Don Giovanni very well, Lindsay suggests the best part about this opera is how fun and unexpected it can be. An example she gives follows an iconic scene where Don Giovanni and Leporello are in a cemetery and a statue comes to life.

Lindsay says, “Giovanni’s a weird guy and invites the statue to dinner. It’s so strange. It’s so fun and very goofy. We all have this idea of opera being a very serious thing, but classical music is campier than you think. You invite a statue to dinner, and he says yes; it’s absurd and that’s what’s great about it.”

Lindsay will also play harpsichord in the orchestra pit during performances of Don Giovanni. It is a tricky balance to play these different instruments because the piano underscores the whole performance while the harpsichord highlights certain moments of music or a character’s actions.

There is more room to improvise and be creative with the harpsichord. For example, the music could signal for a chord to be played, but it is up to the musician to determine how loud or how many times within that spell the chord is played.

We are delighted to have Ms. Woodward share her talents with us to bring this performance of Don Giovanni to life! Enjoy and listen for the soft harpsichord sound, drawing your attention to the extra dramatic moments.

WA S H I N GTO N PA R K RECORD SALE

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE SOLD

BOULDER RECORD SALE DOWNTOWN DENVER SOLD

COLOR ADO’S R E A L E S TAT E C O M PA N Y A S P E N | V A I L | B R E C K E N R I D G E | S T E A M B O AT | B O U L D E R | C H E R RY C R E E K | D E N V E R

Beyond our love for Colorado is a passion for its spirit, its people, and its potential. Slifer Smith & Frampton is proud to be Colorado’s #1 independent global real estate and relocation network.

Visit Us At Our New Cherry Creek Real Estate Office Hotel Clio | Slifer Suite - 150 Clayton Lane, Denver CO 80206

Don Giovanni NOVEMBER 4 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 2023 ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE

AN OPERA IN TWO ACTS COMPOSER | WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART LIBRETTIST | LORENZO DA PONTE

There will be one twenty-five-minute intermission after act one.

CAST IN ORDER OF VOCAL APPEARANCE Leporello Donna Anna Don Giovanni Commendatore Don Ottavio Donna Elvira Zerlina Masetto Conductor Chorus Master and Assistant Conductor Stage Director Répétiteur Scenic Designer Costume Designer Lighting Designer Wig and Makeup Design Intimacy Director

Joshua Bloom Danielle Pastin* Bruno Taddia Kevin Thompson* John Bellemer* Ellie Dehn Kerby Baier*^ Turner Staton^ Ari Pelto Sahar Nouri David Lefkowich Lindsay Woodward Lawrence Shafer Howard Tsvi Kaplan Joe Beumer Ronell Oliveri Samantha Egle

Opera Colorado Chorus Opera Colorado Orchestra

Costumes provided by Sarasota Opera Association, Inc. Sets designed by Lawrence Shafer and provided by the New Orleans Opera Association.

Opera United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 of the IATSE is the union representing Scenic, Costume, Lighting, Sound and Projection designers in Live Performance.

OPERA COLORADO

^Artist in Residence for the 2023-24 Season

2023-24 SEASON

*Opera Colorado debut

i

SYNOPSIS CHARACTERS

CHARACTERS

SETTING

ACT II

• Donna Anna (soprano): the Commendatore’s daughter • Donna Elvira (soprano): Don Giovanni’s former partner • Zerlina (soprano): a peasant woman, in love with Masetto • Don Ottavio (tenor): Donna Anna’s fiancé • Don Giovanni (baritone): a nobleman • Masetto (baritone): a peasant man, in love with Zerlina • Commendatore (bass): a nobleman and Donna Anna’s father • Leporello (bass): servant to Don Giovanni

Mid-seventeenth century in Seville, Spain

ACT I

In the garden of the Commendatore’s house, Leporello keeps watch while Don Giovanni is inside attempting to seduce the Commendatore’s daughter, Donna Anna. Leporello grumbles about his life as a servant and dreams of nobility. Don Giovanni and Donna Anna stumble into the garden, struggling; she has found him hiding in her room and is shouting for help. The Commendatore appears and challenges Don Giovanni to a duel, which culminates in the Commendatore’s death. Don Giovanni and Leporello flee just as Donna Anna reappears with her fiancé, Don Ottavio, who vows revenge on the mystery assailant.

OPERA COLORADO

2023-24 SEASON

The next morning, Don Giovanni and Leporello encounter a beautiful woman lamenting a past lover who abandoned her.

Don Giovanni begins to flirt with her, and quickly discovers she is Donna Elvira, a woman he recently seduced, and that he is the lover she’s referring to. Donna Elvira angrily recounts his mistreatment—she fell in love, he promised to marry her, and then he disappeared—and Don Giovanni flees as she is caught up in the tale. Leporello is left alone to justify his master’s behavior and tells Donna Elvira that she is just one of Don Giovanni’s many conquests, leaving her seething with revenge.

ii

As Don Giovanni and Leporello wander the streets of Seville, they meet Zerlina and Masetto, who are celebrating their wedding day. Immediately, Don Giovanni sets his sights on Zerlina. He attempts to separate her from Masetto by offering to host a party for the newlyweds at his nearby castle. Once Don Giovanni and Zerlina are alone, he begins to seduce her, but Donna Elvira arrives and thwarts his efforts.

Donna Anna and Don Ottavio enter and ask Don Giovanni for his help in finding the Commendatore’s murderer.

Donna Elvira returns to expose Don Giovanni’s villainy, but he explains away her outburst as insanity. After Don Giovanni leaves, relieved to have not been caught, Donna Anna suddenly recognizes his voice and identifies him as her attacker and her father’s killer. She recounts the ordeal to Don Ottavio and asks him once again to avenge her father’s death.

Unaware he has just been exposed, Don Giovanni looks forward to an evening of dancing and drinking at the wedding party and has led Zerlina into a private room to assault her. Donna Elvira, Donna Anna, and Don Ottavio arrive undercover in masks to confront him. Zerlina screams for help, and Don Giovanni unsuccessfully blames Leporello for the attack, but none of the partygoers are fooled. The three guests unmask and accuse him—and Don Giovanni manages to escape once again.

Horrified once again by Don Giovanni’s behavior, Leporello threatens to quit, and Don Giovanni offers him money to appease him. Don Giovanni sets his sights on Donna Elvira’s maid as his next conquest. To avoid getting caught as he makes advances, he convinces Leporello to switch clothes with him.

Don Giovanni decides to play several games with the wardrobe change: Leporello (disguised as Don Giovanni), making false promises of love to Donna Elvira, lures her away while Don Giovanni serenades her maid; and Don Giovanni (disguised as Leporello) is able to escape Masetto, who arrives to kill him.

Leporello, still in Don Giovanni’s clothes, runs into Don Ottavio, Zerlina, and Masetto, who all threaten to kill him.

Fearing for his life, Leporello reveals his identity and begs for mercy. Leporello escapes, and Don Ottavio is more convinced than ever that Don Giovanni killed the Commendatore.

Leporello meets up with Don Giovanni in a cemetery, where they discuss the night’s encounters. They are interrupted by a mysterious voice that emanates from a nearby statue—a memorial to the Commendatore. The inscription on the statue’s base reads, “Here am I waiting for revenge against the scoundrel who killed me.” Thinking it’s a joke and that he is above any sort of punishment, Don Giovanni invites the statue to dinner—and he agrees to come.

At the dinner, Donna Elvira appears one more time to beg Don Giovanni to change his ways. He laughs at her, and she has a terrifying encounter with the statue as it arrives. The Commendatore offers Don Giovanni a final chance to repent, but he refuses. As Leporello watches in terror, the earth cracks open in flames and demons drag Don Giovanni to hell.

Donna Anna, Don Ottavio, Donna Elvira, Zerlina, and Masetto arrive, searching for Giovanni. A shaken Leporello tells them they will never see Don Giovanni again. They all contemplate their futures and Giovanni’s terrible fate, saying, “Such is the end of the evildoer: the death of a sinner always reflects his life.”

PROGRAM NOTES

How successful is Mozart’s version of the legendary libertine in his quests for seduction? The answer depends on the point of view. In an aria midway through act one, Giovanni’s servant Leporello reads from the little black book he has been keeping. It lists how many women Giovanni has seduced in each of several nations, 1,003 in Spain alone. However, none of this seduction occurs on stage. Rather, Giovanni is shown as singularly unsuccessful, provoking screams and defenders from his attempts. By the final scene, Giovanni dines alone and, in that manner, meets his fate.

Other clever musical touches can be found in one of the most famous musical scenes. In act one, Giovanni attempts to seduce Zerlina, a new bride. “Come to my palace over there,” he declares, and she responds at first with wise caution. In their duet, Mozart mirrors the closeness of the character’s responses to Zerlina’s trust in Giovanni. They start out singing alternate verses, then their exchanges are quicker, one line at a time, until they are, eventually, singing in harmony. Fortunately for

For ferocious drama, one could hardly better the arrival of a vengeful ghost very late in the opera. The Commendatore (Commander) comes to demand repentance of the villain, and lacking that, is prepared to take Giovanni off to hell. The music by which he appears is some of the most formidable Mozart ever wrote, and, brilliantly, he hinted at it in the very beginning of the overture. Any listener accustomed to the grace and good cheer of Mozart’s usual style would have heard those grim opening chords and wondered what they were doing in a comic opera. Here, in this penultimate scene of the entire work, we find the answer; Mozart ties the opposite ends of his work together into a single unified fabric.

What did audiences make of this landmark piece? In Prague, the opera was strongly applauded, and its premiere on October 29, 1787 was a deeply satisfying success for Mozart. The imperial capital of Vienna reacted more coldly. Competition from other works kept Don Giovanni off the stage for much of the 1787-88 season, until Emperor Joseph II, always interested in hearing Mozart’s music even though he might not completely understand it, insisted it should be presented.

Due to being away at war, His Highness missed the opening on May 7, 1788, and only returned in December in time for the last of fifteen performances. “No music for my Viennese,” he supposedly remarked at the time. If the anecdote is true, it would have been an apt observation. The Viennese generally preferred their music on the lighter side, and Mozart rarely categorized his music as “light entertainment.”

Mozart himself described Don Giovanni as a “drama giocoso,” that is, a comic drama. Our director David Lefkowich agrees: “It’s an elevated, elegant tragic comedy…

It’s that fine balance that is my job to capture.” Laughter and tears, dark and light elements side by side: Don Giovanni satisfies both halves of those paired theatrical masks!

Program notes © Betsy Schwarm, author of the Classical Music Insights series.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

PHOTOGRAPHY INFORMATION

Music Director Ari Pelto is sponsored by Mike & Julie Bock.

Photography is allowed in the lobby before the performance. We encourage you to share any photos you take with us on our social media. Photography and video are not permitted during the performance.

We honor and acknowledge that we are on the traditional territories and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Nations. We acknowledge the land and history of this space we are fortunate to gather in today.

2023-24 SEASON

Mozart and his librettist, Lorenzo da Ponte, did not invent the idea of the great Spanish seducer. That honor seems to go to the Spanish playwright Tirso de Molina, who published a play on the subject in 1630. Molina himself may have been working from folk legends, but once he brought it to the stage, there was no ignoring it. Playwrights and composers alike made the most of its dramatic possibilities, including composer Christoph Willibald von Gluck (1714–1787). Gluck made the Don Juan tale into a hugely popular ballet containing all the essential story elements. Mozart’s letters reveal he’d seen it performed. Surely it was on his mind when he began crafting his own telling of the story!

Zerlina, prompt intervention by another character saves her from his clutches.

OPERA COLORADO

Where would opera be without those characters we love to hate? It’s a time-honored role, their detestable qualities neatly counterpointing the likable ones who are the other half of the equation. The womanizing Don Giovanni isn’t a good guy, but he drives the action of a compelling tale. Ultimately, he goes to hell. Writer E.T.A. Hoffmann called it “the opera of all operas,” and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s work is certainly the most masterful treatment of the Don Juan story.

iii

ARTISTS KERBY BAIER | Zerlina Kerby originally hails from Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from East Carolina University with her M.M. in Voice Performance and Pedagogy.

Previously, she graduated from Furman University in South Carolina.

This season with Opera Colorado, she sings in the touring productions of The Elixir of Love (Adina) and Cinderella (Tisbe). She has performed in The Coronation of Poppea (Poppea) and Dialogues of the Carmelites (Blanche) with ECU Opera Theatre, and Dido and Aeneas (Belinda) with Furman Lyric Opera. Kerby is delighted to be joining the company and to trade her east coast views for the Colorado mountains!

OPERA COLORADO

2023-24 SEASON

JOHN BELLEMER | Don Ottavio

iv

Possessed of a voice The New York Times calls “clarion-toned,” American tenor John Bellemer has gained a reputation for his strong portrayals in a wide range of repertoire. Bellemer has appeared in leading roles at opera houses across North America and Europe and was featured as Gounod’s Faust in the Academy Award-nominated film Lincoln. In the 2022-23 Season, Bellemer took the stage with On site Opera in Kaiser von Atlantis (Soldier) at Carnegie Hall. He also joined the Idaho Falls Symphony as the tenor soloist in a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Recently, Bellemer made his role debut in L’amico Fritz (Fritz) with Teatro Grattacielo to great acclaim. Engagements in recent seasons include Les pêcheurs de perles (Nadir) with North Carolina Opera; Rigoletto (The Duke) with Michigan Opera Theater; Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lysander) with Hawaii Opera Theatre; The Turn of the Screw (Peter Quint) in Beijing, China; and The Flying Dutchman (Steuermann) with Austin Opera. Bellemer began choral singing as a young child and continued throughout his school years, eventually choosing to study voice over medicine at James Madison University where he received his Bachelor of Music degree. He went on to complete his master’s degree in music at the University of Illinois. He lives in New York with his wife, Sarah Blaze, and their two Parson Russell Terriers.

JOSHUA BLOOM | Leporello Australian-American bass Joshua Bloom is frequently praised for his “resplendent bass” and “huge vocal capacity” alongside an “outstanding dramatic precision and power” (New York Times, Independent) across a remarkable variety of repertoire

from Mozart, Wagner, and Strauss, to world premiere works

by Gerald Barry and Richard Ayres. He has sung principal roles with Oper Köln, English National Opera, Garsington Opera, the Royal Opera House, San Francisco Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, LA Opera, Opera Australia, New York’s Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Badisches Staatstheater, Irish National Opera, and New Israeli Opera, among others. In the 2022-23 Season, Bloom made multiple house debuts in Semele (Cadmus) for Opera de Lille, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bottom) for Opéra de Rouen Normandie, and Nixon in China (Kissinger) for Opéra national de Paris. On the concert platform, he performed Handel’s Messiah with the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and The Death of Klinghoffer (Rambo) at The Concertgebouw. Highlights from past seasons include Die Vögel (Ratefreund) and Rusalka (Vodnik) for Opera Köln, Aida (Ramfis and the King) for New Israeli Opera, and Don Giovanni (Leporello) for Welsh National Opera.

ELLIE DEHN | Donna Elvira American 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). In the 202223 Season, Ms. Dehn performed Messiah with the New Jersey Symphony, Elijah with the Florida Orchestra, and return to the Metropolitan Opera in Falstaff (Alice Ford, cover). In the 2021-22 Season, she made her debut at Seiji Ozawa Music Academy in Die Fledermaus (Rosalinde) and returned to the Metropolitan Opera in La bohème (Musetta, cover) and Le nozze di Figaro (Countess).

On the concert stage, she sang Britten’s Spring Symphony with the Grant Park Music Festival. Pandemic highlights included Albert Herring (Lady Billows) in a filmed version with Minnesota Opera.

SAMANTHA EGLE | Intimacy Director Samantha Egle’s (she/her) work has been seen on the stages of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Opera Colorado, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Phamaly Theatre Company, Theatreworks, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Arvada Center, Denver Children’s Theatre, Mizel Center, Athena Project Festival, Lagoon Theme Park, Upstart Crow, New York Fringe Festival, The BiTSY Stage, University of Northern Colorado, University of Denver, among others. She was an apprentice with Intimacy Directors International and Resident Artist at Arena Stage. She is a board member of the International Order of the Sword and the Pen, Certified Teacher

David Lefkowich is an accomplished stage director and fight choreographer who has enjoyed success with different companies including the Metropolitan Opera, Teatre alla Scala, San Francisco Opera, New York City Opera, Minnesota Opera, and Glimmerglass Opera. Recent directing engagements include a site-specific Acis and Galatea for Out of the Box Opera, an immersive Pagliacci at Boston Lyric Opera, a site-specific Tosca for Austin Opera, Tosca and La Cenerentola at Annapolis Opera, and Pagliacci at Opera Colorado. He also directed Don Giovanni at L’Opéra de Montréal, Don Giovanni, Idomeneo, Le nozze di Figaro, and L’Histoire du Soldat at the Ravinia Music Festival with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Maestro James Conlon.

David made his European debut directing Le portrait de Manon at the Gran Teatre Liceu in Barcelona and followed with The Rake’s Progress at La Monnaie in Brussels. David is a guest artist and performs master classes at several young artist programs and universities including the San Francisco Opera Center Adler Fellowship Program, Atelier Lyrique at L’Opéra de Montréal, Maryland Opera Studio, and Ithaca College. David is a graduate of Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre and has a certificate from École Jacques-Lecoq in Paris, France. David served as the Artistic Director of the Mill City Summer Opera in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he directed the annual summer offerings.

Currently, he is the Artistic Director of Out of the Box Opera in Minneapolis, a company dedicated to creating high-quality operatic experiences in site-specific locations, most notably with Diva Cage Match, an epic battle of voices, egos, and talent in a boxing gym.

SAHAR NOURI | Chorus Master and Assistant Conductor Iranian pianist and conductor Sahar Nouri returns to Opera Colorado for a sixth season, serving as the company’s Chorus Master, Assistant Conductor, and Pianist Coach. Ms. Nouri is the Music Director of the Lamont Opera Theatre at the University of Denver.

She is also the founder and director of Dandelion Opera Institute, a summer training program for young, talented opera singers, pianists, and conductors.

While based in Denver, Ms. Nouri continues to serve as guest coach/faculty with various organizations, including San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Opera North Carolina, and more. Previously, Ms. Nouri has been a member of the music staff at Houston Grand Opera,

RONELL OLIVERI | Wig and Makeup Design Ronell Oliveri has been designing wigs and makeup for opera, theater, ballet, and film for the past twenty years for such companies as Minnesota Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Central City Opera, and The American Repertory Theater at Harvard University. Currently she is the resident wig and makeup designer for Opera Colorado and Opera Omaha. As a wig and makeup artist, her professional credits include engagements with Chicago Lyric Opera, LA Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theater of Saint Louis, and Boston Ballet. She was a Prime Time Emmy- nominee as key makeup artist for her work in television. Her work can also be seen in several Broadway shows including Wicked, All The Way, and Waitress. Recent engagements include Boston Lyric Opera’s Cavalleria rusticana, Opera Omaha’s Don Pasquale, and Central City Opera’s 2023 summer festival. Upcoming engagements include Opera Omaha’s The Last Dream of Frida and Diego, Opera Columbus’s Onegin, and Opera Colorado’s Samson and Delilah.

DANIELLE PASTIN | Donna Anna Quoted as having “a lovely demeanor and irresistible creamy timbre” by Opera News, American soprano Danielle Pastin is gaining accolades from opera houses around the country. In the 2021-22 Season, Pastin returned to Pittsburgh Opera in Carmen (Micaëla) and made her house and role debut in Gianni Schicchi (Nella) with Tulsa Opera. On the concert stage, she joined the Glacier Symphony for their Mozart and Mahler Spring Festival, with repertoire including Mozart’s Requiem and Mahler’s Liebst du um Schönheit. In the 2022-23 Season, she returned to her role in Pagliacci (Nedda). She made her mainstage Metropolitan Opera debut in The Queen of Spades (Masha/Chloë, cover) and has since been invited back to perform in Pagliacci (Nedda), a new production of Massenet’s Manon (Javotte), Carmen (Frasquita), a role she also performed in her debut with the Dallas Opera, and Francesca da Rimini (Samaritana, cover).

2023-24 SEASON

DAVID LEFKOWICH | Stage Director

Dallas Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, Utah Opera, Aspen Opera Center, Opera Parallèle, and Opera in the Heights. Her repertoire includes numerous classic operas as well as many world premieres, such as: Prince of Players (Carlisle Floyd), O Columbia! (Gregory Spears), Steal a Pencil for Me (Gerald Cohen), and Today It Rains (Laura Kaminsky). Nouri has done studies in the Czech Republic, Italy, and Austria, and is frequently in demand as a language coach and recitalist.

OPERA COLORADO

with the Society of American Fight Directors, and a Certified Intimacy Director with Intimacy Directors & Coordinators.

v

ARTISTS ARI PELTO | Opera Colorado Music Director and Conductor

BRUNO TADDIA | Don Giovanni

Ari Pelto was appointed in 2015 as Opera Colorado’s first-ever music director. His “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 performances of The Nutcracker with Atlanta Ballet and The Flying Dutchman with Utah Opera.

Bruno Taddia, born in Pavia, Italy, began his musical training with the violin. After his stage debut at the prestigious Rossini Opera Festival in Il viaggio a Reims (Don Alvaro) he began to collaborate with many of the top musical institutions in the world.

Recently, he starred in Iphigénie en Tauride, Winterreise, The Daughter of the Regiment, L’Elisir d’amore, Don Pasquale, and made a role debut in Falstaff.

He also sang Gianni Schicchi at the Puccini Festival in 2020; The Barber of Seville (Figaro) at Grand Théâtre de Genève; Italiana in Algeri (Taddeo) and Der Vampyr (Lord Ruthven) at Hungarian State Opera Budapest; The Barber of Seville (Figaro) and La bohème (Marcello) at Teatro La Fenice di Venezia; Le gare generose (Bastiano) at the Giovanni Paisiello Festival; and debuted the title role in Don Pasquale at Opéra Montpellier in 2019. He also appeared in the new recording of Vivaldi edition’s Tamerlano as Bajazet, under the baton of Ottavio Dantone. His interpretations combine a wide range of characters in the baroque, classical, and contemporary operatic repertoire as well as in the symphonic and vocal chamber music.

OPERA COLORADO

2023-24 SEASON

TURNER STATON | Masetto

vi

Turner Staton (bass-baritone) is a native of Kansas City, Missouri.

His degrees include an Artists Diploma from William Jewell College, a master’s from Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and a bachelor’s from Pepperdine University. In 2022, Turner finished his tenure as an Apprentice Artist with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City where he performed in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Steve Jobs, Tosca, and was featured in the premiere of Baseball: a Musical Love Letter. In Opera Colorado’s 40th Anniversary Season, Turner appeared in the mainstage productions of Rigoletto (Ceprano, Monterrone cover) and Turandot (Timur, cover), and in the touring productions of The Pirates of Penzance (Pirate King) and Romeo & Juliet (Capulet/Tybalt). Additional performance credits include Le nozze di Figaro (Figaro), Così fan tutte (Don Alfonso), La Calisto (Mercurio), and Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle.

Festivals include Opera Saratoga as a 2022 Festival Artist and Tanglewood Music Festival as a 2020 and 2021 Vocal Fellow.

Turner is elated to be returning to Opera Colorado for his second season as a 2023-2024 Artist in Residence and will be featured in the mainstage productionsof Samson and Delilah (Old Hebrew) and touring productions of The Elixir of Love (Dulcamara) and Cinderella (Alidoro/Don Magnifico).

KEVIN THOMPSON | Commendatore Kevin Thompson, acclaimed by the New York Times as a “stentorian bass”, and he “possesses a voice with extraordinary range, depth, color combined with a commanding stage presence…a mountain of a voice, with resonance from the Escorial of Philip II to the throne of Boris Godunov, and the majestic court of Sarastro...” (San Francisco Classical Voice). His 2022-23 Season engagements included house debuts with Washington National Opera in Elektra (Der Pfleger des Orest and Ein Alter Diener) and in Aida (Il Re) with Fort Worth Opera. Mr. Thompson also returned to Opera Omaha for an Opera Outdoors concert, where he performed scenes as the title character from Boito’s Mefistofele, and to Roanoke Opera for their Opera Gems Gala Concert, and with Odyssey Opera for Rachmaninoff’s Troika: Aleko (Old Gypsy), The Miserly Knight (Ivan), and Francesca da Rimini (The Ghost of Virgil).

CHORUS, ORCHESTRA, & PRODUCTION STAFF

VIOLIN

Susan Kerbs Townsend, Principal Elizabeth Sadilek-Labenski

Takanori Sugishita, Concertmaster Margaret Soper Gutierrez, Principal Second Jackson Bailey Michelle Davis Evan De Long Angela Dombrowski Robyn Julyan Regan Kane Christine Menter Leah Mohling Susie Peek Gyongyver Petheo Felix Petit Veronica Sawarynski Robyn Sosa Benjamin Tomkins Sarah Whitnah Tori Woodrow

OBOE Sarah Bierhaus, Principal Max Soto

CLARINET Michelle Orman, Principal Heidi Mendenhall

BASSOON Charles Hansen, Principal JJ Sechan

HORN Michael Yopp, Principal Lauren Varley

TRUMPET Leslie Scarpino, Principal Colin Oldberg

VIOLA

Bron Wright, Principal Andy Wolfe Jeremy Van Hoy

Michael Brook, Principal Margaret Dyer Harris Koko Dyulgerski Mary Harrison Summer Rhodes Lora Stevens

TIMPANI

CELLO

TROMBONE

Mark Foster, Principal

MANDOLIN Alex Komodore, Principal

Andrew Kolb, Principal Charles C. Lee David Short Jeff Watson Carole Whitney Eleanor Wells

BASS David Crowe, Principal Logan Nelson Jeremy Nicholas Jason Thompson

SOPRANO

Lauren Bumgarner Kayla Kramer Stephanie Medema Savannah Scott

MEZZO-SOPRANO Lauren Lestage Ellen Moeller Jessica Muniz Jill Skinner

TENOR Daniel McDonnall Norman Spivy Luke Thatcher Keith Williamson

BARITONE Zachery Biggs Michele Di Nuovo John Hansen Chris Lilley

Kendra Green, Stage Manager Rebecca Herman Assistant Director Marcie Friedman, Assistant Stage Manager and Student Matinee Calling Stage Manager Lorna Stephens, Assistant Stage Manager Katie Kinslow, Production Assistant and Student Matinee Assistant Stage Manager

MUSIC STAFF Angela Dombrowski, Orchestra Manager Eleanor Wells, Orchestra Librarian Cody Guy Garrison, Chorus Repetiteur Oleg Bellini, Resident Collaborative Pianist

TITLE SYSTEM STAFF

SUPERNUMERARIES Thomas Gaffney Troy Krumland Dave Lewis Jr. Katy McQuaid Jack Richard Bella Thackray

Beth Nielsen, Title Operator: In-Seat Benjamin Swain, Title Operator: Over-Stage Brett Finley, English translations Gina Razón, Spanish translations

TECHNICAL STAFF

Michael Wingfield, Technical Director Rita Richardson, Head Electrician Amanda Short, Assistant Electrician Karen Thurow, Lighting Console Programmer Michael Boswell, Head Carpenter Greg Killpack, Assistant Carpenter Dave Youngs, Shop/ Production Carpenter

2023-24 SEASON

FLUTE

OPERA COLORADO PRODUCTION CHORUS PRODUCTION STAFF

OPERA COLORADO

OPERA COLORADO ORCHESTRA

vii

CHORUS, ORCHESTRA, & PRODUCTION STAFF Jeff Reidel, Head Flyman/ Rigger Hillary Clark, Head Property Master Keven Soll, Assistant Properties Master Thomas Berning, Head Audio Engineer John Adams, Production Purchasing Agent

COSTUMES

Alison Milan, Costume Director Madison Booth, Costume Coordinator Amanda Bouza, Shop Assistant Domino Douglas, Shop Assistant Kelly Gregson, Draper Carolyn Miller, Shop Assistant Jessica Montoya, Shop Assistant Elizabeth Woods, Shop Assistant Sarah Zinn, Draper

OPERA COLORADO

2023-24 SEASON

WARDROBE

Carolyn Miller, Wardrobe Supervisor Amanda Bouza, Dresser Domino Douglas, Dresser Jane Rusk, Dresser Sara Rutherford, Dresser Amanda Walsh, Dresser Elizabeth Woods, Dresser Valerie Amburn, Volunteer Dresser Leslie Cady, Volunteer Dresser Kathy Heider, Volunteer Dresser Jan Heimer, Volunteer Dresser

WIGS AND MAKEUP

Lisa Padraza, Assistant Wig and Makeup Coordinator Christina Moore, Principal Wig & Makeup Artist at the Student Matinee Shallah Perlman, Wig and Makeup Assistant Whitney Wolanin, Wig and Makeup Assistant

ENGLISH OR SPANISH SUBTITLES AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Follow these easy steps: Prior to the performance, the screen will automatically display

ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE CREW

Francisco Marra, House Sound Allen Olmstead, House Carpenter Derek Tovar, House Props Dave Wilson, House Electrician

a sponsored message.

When singing begins, briefly press the red button to activate subtitles.

• Press once for English.

• Press twice for Spanish.

• Press three times to turn titles off.

Then, simply repeat these steps after

VOLUNTEERS Donald Braden Jeff Brown Thomas Gaffney Dino Maniatis Kevin O’Connor

intermission.

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

viii

at Coat Check.

Choreography by Val Caniparoli

FEBRUARY 2 – 11, 2024 C OL OR AD OBAL LE T.ORG All performances at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House Live music featuring the Colorado Ballet Orchestra J O N N AT H A N R A M I R E Z BY R AC H E L N E V I L L E

Suppor ted by

JOIN US FOR A SEASON OF EXTRAORDINARY CONCERTS! Isidore String Quartet Nov 28 Jeremy Denk, piano Dec 13

Beatrice Rana, piano Feb 20 Sphinx Virtuosi Mar 20

Jerusalem Quartet Apr 10 TAKT Trio Apr 19

Les Violons Du Roy with MILOŠ May 9

Pacifica Quartet and Karen Slack, soprano Jan 17 Get your tickets today!

“…spine-tingling intensity” – The New York Times

Concerts will be held at

2023/2 02 4 SEA SON

SHARE OPERA WITH YOUR STUDENTS

WE COME TO YOU

YOU COME TO US

TOURING PRODUCTIONS

BACKSTAGE WORKSHOPS

Touring productions are the perfect introduction to opera for your students. These abridged, hour-long operas are sung in English. Students and community groups experience a fullystaged production with costumes, props, and sets, all followed by a Q&A with the Artists in Residence.

February 29 | March 1 | May 9, 10 | 2024 Explore the world backstage at interactive stations created to provide hands-on learning opportunities.

– Cinderella | November - May | 2023-24 Inspired by the traditional fairytale, Rossini’s Cinderella has several unexpected twists.

Is a bracelet as trusty as a glass slipper? Find out in this opera!

Elixir of Love | January - May | 2024 Is there a magic potion for love?

Set in old-west Colorado, this production is sure to charm and delight audiences of all ages.

STORYTIME SESSIONS

STUDENT DRESS REHEARSALS Join us for the final rehearsal before a performance’s opening night, featuring full costumes, wigs and makeup, spectacular sets, and a live orchestra!

– Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman | February 22 | 2024 A ghostly legend comes to shore in this supernatural drama of a lonely captain doomed to roam the seas. He makes landfall once every seven years to find true love.

Performed in German.

Saint-Saëns’s Samson and Delilah | May 2 | 2024 Indulge in a performance of stunning visuals, epic dance, and some of opera’s most gorgeously evocative music.

This opera will literally bring the house down.

Performed in French.

January - May | 2024 Programs focused on early literacy through the arts and getting little ones excited about books and reading!

FOR MORE INFORMATION Learn more about Opera Colorado’s work in arts education at operacolorado.org/education.

MEET THE NEW ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE THE 2023-24 OPERA COLORADO ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

Every year, Opera Colorado auditions over 350 emerging artists from the nation’s top graduate schools for its Artist in Residence Program. During their eight-month residency, the selected artists bring opera to schools across the Rocky Mountain region, giving Colorado students a chance to meet opera’s future stars!

The 2023-24 Season’s talented group will perform in touring productions of Cinderella and The Elixir of Love. In addition to these performances, this talented group will also perform in the Student Matinee of Don Giovanni.

The Opera Colorado Artists in Residence Program is sponsored by Ken & Donna Barrow, with additional support from Patrick Spieles, and the late Dr. Stephen L. Dilts.

PHOTO OPERA COLORADO /JAMIE KRAUS

KERBY BAIER soprano

RANDY HO tenor

HOMETOWN: Woodstock, Georgia

HOMETOWN: Denver, Colorado

FUN FACT: This season, Kerby is most looking forward to her role as Zerlina in this performance of Don Giovanni, and her dream roles are Despina in Così fan tutte and Anne Trulove in The Rake’s Progress.

FUN FACT: He is excited to perform at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House this year, especially since it is where his high school graduation was held!

Sponsored by Joyce de Roos and Donald K. Braden

SAANE HALAHOLO soprano HOMETOWN: Orinda, California FUN FACT: This summer, Saane covered the role of Cio-Cio San in Cincinnati Opera’s new production of Madame Butterfly. Her dream performance is the title role in Verdi’s Aida.

Sponsored by Ken & Barbara Laff and Laurence & Cynthia Chan

MELANIE DUBIL mezzo-soprano HOMETOWN: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania FUN FACT: Melanie is an Armenian and Ukrainian-American who enjoys connecting her culture with her music. She sang at Opera America’s Marc A. Scorca Hall in a recital highlighting Ukrainian art and folk songs, and, recently, shared the work of iconic Armenian composer and ethnomusicologist Komitas Vardapet in an art song recital with Central City Opera.

Sponsored by Joy & Chris Dinsdale

Sponsored by Jason & Nathaly Ambos and Richard Garvin

ALEXANDER GRANITO baritone HOMETOWN: Orange County, California FUN FACT: Alexander is getting a chance to live out his dream role of Don Giovanni in the Student Matinee this year.

Outside of opera music, he also enjoys electronic dance music; some of his favorite artists are Mitis, Calvin Harris, and Eric Prydz.

Sponsored by Robin & Eric Yaeger

TURNER STATON bass-baritone HOMETOWN: Kansas City, Missouri FUN FACT: Turner is returning to Opera Colorado for his second year as an Artist in Residence. He is excited to continue exploring Colorado and hopes to do some of the things he missed out on in his first season, like white water rafting.

Sponsored by Gayle & Gary Landis

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

PHOTO ROSE ANDOM CENTER STAFF

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN DON GIOVANNI: A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION This October, Opera Colorado had the honor of partnering with the Rose Andom Center and Rocky Mountain Public Media (RMPBS) at the Buell Media Center for a community discussion on intimate partner violence in Don Giovanni. All of the donations made from this event went to the Rose Andom Center, which improves the lives of domestic violence survivors by facilitating better access to services and staff of community organizations and government agencies in a single, safe location. The story of Don Giovanni focuses on a man who takes advantage of women like Donna Anna, Donna Elvira, and Zerlina in often violent and unwanted ways.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in four women and one in nine men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking. This villainous character is brought to justice in Mozart’s opera, but the impacts of a person who chooses abusive behavior are still prevalent in our modern society.

We thank the Rose Andom Center for discussing this difficult topic with us. Our team learned a lot from this experience with Rose Andom’s training workshops and their discussion questions. The music, costumes, and singing of Don Giovanni are art, but violence is not. If you or a loved one is experiencing any kind of intimate partner violence, the Rose Andom Center is great resource. Representatives from the organization are in the lobby of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House during each performance of Don Giovanni, and you can always learn more from their contact information below.

720.337.4400 info@roseandomcenter.org 1330 Fox Street Denver, CO 80204

PRESENTS

Sing your own aria.

Amahl and the Night Visitors

BY GIAN CARLO MENOTTI

The story of a magic star, a shepherd boy, and how unselfish love and good deeds can work miracles. A holiday tradition for audiences of all ages.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23 11 am & 1 pm

Stage the harmonious, amenityrich lifestyle you always wanted at Holly Creek.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 1 pm Central Presbyterian Church 1660 Sherman St. Denver, CO 80203 303.974.4350 • hollycreekcommunity.com

TICKETS ON SALE centralcityopera.org | 303-292-6700

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS The Board of Directors and staff of Opera Colorado express their deepest appreciation to the individuals, corporations, and foundations who have contributed to the Annual Fund, as of September 10, 2023. 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

PRODUCER CIRCLE VISIONARY $50,000+ Ken and Donna Barrow Mike and Julie Bock Ellie Caulkins Joy & Chris Dinsdale Don & Maron Hindman Marcia and Dick Robinson Patrick Spieles Dan and Marie Welch.

BENEFACTOR $25,000-$49,999 Jeff V. Baldwin Linda Bjelland Mr. Chip Horne and Dr. Jan Kennaugh Jeremy and Susan Shamos Merrill Shields and M. Ray Thomasson AMBASSADOR $11,000-$24,999 Anonymous Patrick Chambers and Tanya Mathews Drs. Laurence and Cynthia Chan Mrs. Joyce de Roos Elizabeth and Matthew Dyer Dave and Pam Duke Edie and Joe Fogliano Richard Garvin Rehan Hasan Russell Hedman and Juwon Bahn Agatha Kessler and Curtis Fentress Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy F. Kinney Richard Koseff Judy La Spada The Honorable and Mrs. Kenneth Laff Jim and Patience Linfield Maj. Dino Maniatis and Mrs. Kristin Freestone-Maniatis Dr. and Mrs. William N. Maniatis Jeanie and Randal Martines Robert R. Montgomery and Nancy Hawkins Lynnette Morrison Kevin O’Connor and Janet Ellen Raasch Ann and Gerald Saul Prem and Stephanie Subramanian Charles I. Thompson Valerie Wassill and Kevin Rudolph Robin and Eric Yaeger

ARTIST CIRCLE CONDUCTOR $6,000-$10,999 Edward Balkin Mr. Charles E. Berry and Mrs. Maria Garcia Berry Jane and Bart Burnett Emily and Mark Bussey Merle Chambers Ms. Kathryn Codo Mary and Tom Conroy Dr. Eric Coomer Robert and Lenore Damrauer Karen Fukutaki, M.D. Ms. Judy Johnston Gary and Judith Judd Diana and Mike Kinsey Mark and Kristin McKissick Dr. Monica I. Minkoff Muffy Moore Jon J. Olafson and Jerry Brindisi Ronald Y. Otsuka Mrs. Alice Perlmutter Zondra Rae Pluss Ayliffe and Fred Ris Louise Lavendar Rouse Diane K. Wengler and Steven Morrissett Ann Wise Ms. Carole J. Yaley Youngdon Yun and Esme Prieto Yun COMPOSER $3,000-$5,999 Robin E. Black Donald K. Braden Mr. and Mrs. George P. Caulkins, III Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cesafsky Dr. Cynthia K. Crews and Mr. Charles W. Henry Sally Haas Deborah Hayes and James L. Martin III Tom Kirkpatrick and Djuana Strauch Veronica A. McCaffrey and Barbara A. Frank James Monroe, III and Marie Shannon Monroe Dr. Harold S. Nelson Bob Nelson Bonnie Perkins Christine and Harry Phillips Bruce Polkowsky and Bill Powell The Ponzio Family Nijole and Walter Rasmussen Cynthia and Alexander Read Myra and Robert Rich Mr. and Mrs. Charley Samson Helen Scott Santilli Fern B. Seltzer and Andrew Heymsfield Drs. Morris and Ellen Susman

William Vaniman and Frances G. Matthews Mr. Byron S. Watson Erin Wenzel Larry and Brigitte Zimmer

LIBRETTIST $1,200-$2,999 Anonymous Hartman Axley Mr. Douglas W. Barnert and Mrs. Ruth Jacoby Peter Batty and Paula Kechichian Brian Bennett and Bev Daniels Sheila Bisenius Leslie Coover Cady Mr. and Mrs. Roger W. Celius Barbara and Roger Chamberlain Mr. David J. Chavolla Alexander J. Conley and Alysia D. Marino Bob and Georgi Contiguglia Dr. Alan Cooper Lauren Crist-Fulk Lois N. Eckhoff Dr. Stacy Fischer and Dr. Henry Fischer Mr. and Mrs. John Gallagher Gary and Rebecca Gantner Stephen and Dorothy Gregory Mark Groshek MD and Carl Clark MD Mr. Thomas E. Healy Beverlee B. Henry Ginny Hersch Richard Hilty and Lesley Arbour Mr. William T. Hoffman Christine Hollander and Michael McGee John N. Kabalin, MD. Dr. Lawrence Kim and Nhung Van John W. Kure and Cheryl L. Solich Maria Coquillard and Marvin Madorsky, CPA Evan and Evi Makovsky V.W. McKnab and Margaret Jurado Mr. Mike and Lisa Morgan Jack Finlaw and Gregory Movesian Dr. and Mrs. Calvern E. Narcisi Mr. Ari Pelto and Ms. Wendy Fisher Profs. Jean-Pierre Habicht and Gretel H. Pelto Rick Poppe & Jana Edwards Ms. Marcia Ragonetti T. R. Reid Juan Rodriguez Ms. Deborah M. H. Rohan Carol L. Rust Karen Sandstead Mr. John Shott Ms. Nancy J. Siegel Dr. and Mrs. Edwin R. Smith Ms. Judith Zee Steinberg

Linda M. Strauch Mrs. Marcia D. Strickland Dr. and Mrs. James Todd Ms. Kathleen R. Tower Mr. John Trigg Dr. Peter and Mrs. Kathy Van Arsdale Peter and Darcie Weiser Ms. Cia A. Wenzel Marie Belew Wheatley Mary and Ken Willis

PATRON CIRCLE ASSOCIATE $600-$1,199 Anonymous Mrs. Diane Barrett Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Benedict III Samantha Bergen Lawrence Berliner and Barbara Anderson Mr. John and Mrs. Anne Blair Brewster and Helen Boyd Elise Brenninkmeyer Mr. Ian T. Caiozzi and Mrs. Neha Patel Carol G. Canon Mrs. Ella May Carpenter Mr. Gregory A. Carpenter George Case Mr. David Clark Everett B. Clark Ms. Kathleen R. Clifton Sue Cole Dr. and Mrs. James D. Crapo Ms. Cheryl M. Cruickshank George and Yonnie Dikeou Ms. Marian O. Dines The Divine Family Margaret and Peter Dzwilewski Reine and Matthew Erzinger Donald G. Ezell Frances and Richard Frey Mr. and Mrs. John Fuller c/o Mrs. Elaine Strauch David and Katy Garon Dr. and Mrs. Burton Golub Ms. Renee Gross Steven and Patricia Gulevich Mr. Richard Gustafson Jerry and Patty Hauptman Mrs. Mary Hayes Carl F. Heller and Maureen F. Hallacy Bernice Hernandez Mr. and Mrs. Doug Herzberg Rachelle and William Horton Karen Howland and Gregory Mudge Michael E. Huotari and Jill R. Stewart Steve and Chryse Hutchins John Dennis Hynes and Virginia Medelman Mr. Daniel Isaman

Is the person in seat D3

your next client?

Just look around.

Your ticket to successful advertising is one call away.

Rachmaninoff All-Night Vigil

Sept. 29 & Oct. 1

My Soul Rejoices: Advent Magnificats

Nov. 25 & 26

Dickens' A Christmas Carol

Dec. 16 & 17

Carmina Burana

March 15 & 17

Columbine Memorial Concert 25-Year Remembrance

April 20

Mystical Resonance

June 1

303.428.9529 sales@pub-house.com ColoradoArtsPubs.com

Wolfe & Dragon feat. Chorus, Schumann, and more NOV 17-19

Two Titans: Mozart & Mahler DEC 1-3

Handel’s Messiah DEC 16-17

COLORADOSYMPHONY.ORG | 303.623.7876

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Marin Alsop FEB 23-25

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS Jon & Roxanne Isenhart Roberta and Mel Klein Patty Lorie Sandra Mazarakis and Neil Burris J. Virginia Messick Jerri Lynn Modrall and Eric E. Doering Henry B. Mohr William and Bonnie Moninger Mary E. Moser Mr. Lawrence Moskow Margaret and John Moyer Dr. Mary Kenny Moynihan and Dr. Michael Moynihan Lisa & Pat Nicholson Nancy & Paul Oberman Bonnie M. Orkow Theresa and Norman Parker Mr. Max Paulson Armando Quiroz Mr. Paul Ruotolo Ms. Ruth E. Schoening Steven E. and Jane Schonfeld Dr. Douglas and Mrs. Antoinette Shaller Mrs. Marlene P. Siegel Mrs. Jennifer Sobanet Vicki Sterling Dr. Laimute Stewart Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Sullivan Jerry and Debi Tepper Dr. and Mrs. Fredrik P. Tolin Sharon and John Trefny Francisco Varela and Timothy Wilson Dr. Keith Ward and Ms. Barbara Roidl Ms. Robin Stewart and Mr. Kirk Weber Mark and Pati Wilkins Robert and Jacklyn Writz Pam and Martin Zadigian SUPPORTER $300-$599 Anonymous Brian Thomas Beagle Dr. and Mrs. Henry J. Beckwitt Ms. Mariette H. Bell Marilyn Munsterman Richard Bottjer and Sara Peyton Alan J. Boyer Ms. Jay Breen Ms. Janet C. Bruchmann Gordon & Ron Butz Tom & Cheryl Cox Jim and Sara Culhane Carolyn E. Daniels Ronald L. Deal Timothy James Donahue Laurie and Ben Duke III Amy Feaster Ms. Cynthia Gaertner Ms. Randy Ganter Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Garfein Alan G. Gass Mrs. Carol & Dr. Fred Grover Ms. Rosemarie Halchuk The Honorable Alfred and Mrs. Dori Harrell

Mr. and Mrs. Phil G. Heinschel Richard and Sandra Hilt Ms. Erin R. Hittle Mr. and Mrs. Graham Hollis Sarah Hopfenbeck and Susan Corle Drs. Terri Lynn and David Ingram The Johnson-Milne Family James and Christine Jorgensen Barbara and Kiplund Kolkmeier Rex Kramer and Cindy Crater Dianna Kunz Mr. Richard S. Leaman Frieda Sanidas Leason Clifford Lopate Bob Mahoney and Pat Monroe Ms. Jeanine Matney Dr. and Mrs. Charles F. Metzger Kent & Ruth Obee Kelli O’Brien & Michael Kolotylo Mr. and Mrs. Denny O’Connell Jack Peters Andrew R. Pleszkun Robert and Mary Quillin Steven and Joan Ringel Ms. Karen Ritz Ms. Mary Scarpino John and Patricia Schmitter Gary D. Schrenk Mr. and Mrs. Bob Shaklee Mr. and Mrs. David C. Shelton Edie and William Sonn Mr. Gordon W. Stenger Deborah T. Sycamore Prof. and Mrs. Joseph S. Szyliowicz Normie and Paul Voilleque Lois K Williams Scott and Karen Yarberry Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Yost Gene and Linda Young Mr. Mark G. Zardus Charlotte Ziebarth MEMBER $100-$299 Anonymous James and Lorraine Adams Tucker and Dan Adams Ms. Karen Adkins and Mr. Brian Moore Danica Anderson Ms. Susan Anderson Alice and Lee Anneberg Mrs. Donna Antonoff Ms. Cherlyn S. Bailey Don Bain Steve and Lisa Bain Kirk and Patti Bateman Ms. Jennifer N. Bater Ellen & Donald Bauder Mr. Brian A. Baxter Mrs. Joan Beam C. F. Benoit Mrs. Claire E. Benson Roy C. Bergstrom Robert Bernhardt Ms. Sandra D. Besseghini Ms. Carol N. Betz

Ms. Dori Biester Marie and Howard Blaney Leah Bobbey and Toby Wright Joe and Gwen Bowers Donald K. Braden Jon and Becky Bradley Mr. and Mrs. Norman R. Brethouwer Mr. Robert A. Brown Ms. Karen M. Bruggenthies Mr. Douglas F. Burns Mr. and Mrs. Dean Burton Michael Canges and Nina Iwashko Dr. Michael P. Cicerchi Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cirelli Linda and Gray Clark Christina E. Clayton Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Close Ms. Ethel K. Clow Mr. Matthew O. Cole Mr. Curtis Cook Dr. David J. Cooper and Evelyn W Cooper Aubrey Copeland, MD Vicki Cowart and Chris Hayes Brian D. Crane Matthew Dane Mr. Raphael Dangelo Ms. Joan Daniels Manley Houlton Mrs. Marleen Diamond Mr. and Mrs. John W. Doucette Dr. and Mrs. Robert H. Eckel Mr. and Mrs. Wayne D. Eckerling Kammi and Paul Eckhoff Mr. John W. Ekeberg Ted and Vivian Sheldon Epstein Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Evans Ms. Shirley Feldkamp Mr. and Mrs. Bruce F. Fest Ms. Jeanine M. Figur Elizabeth A. Fischer and Don Elliott Dr. and Mrs. Larry S. Fisher Scott Foster Terry Frazier and Kathy Wells L. Richard and Sigrid Halvorson Freese Kristin and Heiko Freitag Keith French Mary K. Friedl Jan Friedlander and Cynthia G. Kristensen Dr. Ruben Gamboa Mr. and Mrs. Caleb F. Gates, Jr. Dr. Tim Gensler Jennifer Ruth Gentry Herman Goellnitz Ronald and Elnore Grow Mr. Timothy Harris Mrs. Deborah A. Havas Mr. Richard A. Haynes Mr. Owen Herman Rebecca L. Hersey Susan Hessner Mr. and Mrs. John Higgins Mary C. Hill Sarah C. Hite Ms. Mary S. Hoadley Mr. Graham Hoffman Mr. Saul D. Hoffman and Ms. Susan Parker

Ms. Mary Ellen Holmes Mr. Jason Huck Katherine Hurlbut Mr. William P. Hurlbut Mr. Dennis R. Hurt Ken Rose and Nancy Hurwitz Ms. Nancy Hyde Megan Immerfall Ms. Olivia Jansons Mr. and Mrs. Eric D. Johnson Edward Karg and Rick Kress Mr. and Mrs. Robert Keatinge Mr. and Mrs. Jhon M. Kehmeier David Kelly Ms. Patricia C. Kelly and Mr. Thomas E. Dufficy Allen Kemp Gloria Kennedy Bonnie Kipple Mrs. and Mr. Svetlana Komisarchik Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Kreutzer Ms. Lois A. Labanoski Tracy and Dan Lampl Connor Larr Ms. Melinda S. Leach Nancy A. Leonard Mr. David Lichtenstein Judy and Dan Lichtin Gina M. Liggett Mr. Lester Lockspeiser Mr. John A. Lockwood, Esq. Thomas Long Mr. James S. Macdonald Janet G. MacFarlane Dr. Melissa Malde Mr. and Mrs. James E. Manuel Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Y. Marchand Mr. Gregg E. Marshall Ellen M. Martin Mr. and Mrs. William Mathews Mr. Stephen D. McGavran Mrs. Hannelore McKinnon Dr. Kurt and Dr. Marilyn Metzl Ms. Janice Michael Ms. Carol Mikesh Mr. Christopher Miller Mr. and Mrs. Gary L. Miller Mr. John R. Miller Mr. Val and Ms. Meredith Milshtein Ms. Betty Minor Chris and Karen Mohr Mrs. Robbie E. Monsma Douglas G. Moran and Laura B. Moran Warren Morrow Denny Muirhead Mark A. Nachtigal Dr. and Dr. Hans Neville Rudi Hartmann and Kathy Newman Mr. Raymond Ollett Bernard Olshausen Stephanie and Roger Oram Sheila Pack Mr. David and Dr. Renee Parkhurst Dr. Lynn Parry Roxane Pecchio Jan Peck

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS Ms. Kathy Peeters Daniel Perez Vazquez Dennis G. Peterson Rich and Kim Plumridge Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Poehlmann Ms. Melinda Quiat Kate Raabe Ms. Barbara Rende Mr. Nicholas A. Richie Ms. Jennie Ridgley Karyn K. Rieb Dr. Richard D. Roark Ms. Janet Roberts Mr. Gregory Roebuck Ms. Patricia A. Romero Ms. Linda F. Rosales Mary Ann Ross Ms. Diane Rubinstein Jon K. Rupp Ms. Kim Savit Mr. Bryan Penny and Mr. Matt Savoie Ms. Karyn Sawyer Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Schuchman Betsy Schwarm and Rick Glesner David Scott Mr. and Mrs. Harry Segan Mr. Billy Seiber Mr. and Mrs. Gary Siegel Ms. Patricia K. Simpson Dr. Andrew Sirotnak and Mr. James White Mr. Frank W. Spaid Mr. and Mrs. John P. Squires Mr. James W. Stalley Jr. Mr. Paul Stanislawski Darla Staton Mr. and Mrs. Lyle B. Stewart Mr. and Mrs. Jim Stinson Jenene and James Stookesberry Jim and Sue Swanson William Bradford and Chin Tan Ms. Linda Tarpeh-Doe Juanita S. Tate Ms. Lois Thornton Mr. Michael M. Tinetti Ms. Jana Tompkins Mr. John B. Trueblood Mr. and Mrs. Kent Verbal Marta and Bernd Wachter Mr. Michael Walker Nancy and William Wehner Dr. Adriana Weinberg Ann and Decker Westerberg Sandra L. White Katie Wilson Mr. Matthew Wolchak Mr. and Mrs. David Wolf Sara Wondra Constance and Lawrence Wood Allison and William Woolston Kathleen and John Zaffore Judith Graham and Jeffrey Zax

GOVERNMENT AND FOUNDATIONS The Anschutz Foundation Avenir Foundation The Bagby Foundation For The Musical Arts Thomas and Diane Barrett Foundation David B. and Gretchen W. Black Family Foundation Bliss Family Foundation BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Caulkins Family Foundation Charityvest Charlotte and Norman Codo Charitable Trust Colorado Creative Industries Community First Foundation The Crawley Family Foundation Deane Family Fund The Denver Foundation Denver Lyric Opera Guild Denver Post Community Foundation Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Joseph F. and Edith A. Fogliano Trust Genesee Mountain Foundation Virginia W. Hill Foundation Jeanne Land Foundation Jewish Community Fund Of Greater Kansas City Johnson Foundation Of The Rockies Kenneth King Foundation Landis Family Foundation Lindmor Fund MDC Richmond American Foundation Merle Chambers Fund Morgan Stanley Nagel Foundation Network for Good Leonard and Alice Perlmutter Charitable Foundation Pledgeling Foundation William D. Radichel Foundation Jess & Rose Kortz and Pearle Levey Rae Foundation The Read Foundation Riley & Cooper Fund Rose Community Foundation Schwab Charitable Shamos Family Foundation Sidney E. Frank Foundation Colorado Fund Galen & Ada Belle Spencer Foundation Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation Tulsa Community Foundation Vanguard Charitable Welch Charitable Fund Wilkins Charitable Giving Fund

CORPORATE ALLIANCE

In memory of Dirk DeRoos Mr. Miles Smith

5280 Magazine Kaladi Coffee Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club Premier Group Insurance Residence Inn by Marriott – Denver City Center Vectra Bank of Colorado

In memory of Dr. Steve Dilts Mrs. Joyce de Roos Mr. Stan Elofson The Honorable and Mrs. Kenneth Laff Ms. Ruth E. Schoening Gene and Linda Young

TRIBUTES In honor of Ellie Caulkins Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell Caulkins Mr. David J. Chavolla Laurie and Ben Duke III

In memory of Dr. Jacqueline Frischknecht Mr. Chuck Lawhead and Mr. Ronald Broome In memory of Dr. Lowell Hansen Ms. Catherine Wachter

In honor of Drs. Larry and Cynthia Chan Mrs. Robin Chotin

In memory of Eve and Harvey Lust Prof. and Mrs. Joseph S. Szyliowicz

In honor of Chris & Joy Dinsdale Arlene and Barry Hirschfeld Lisa and Raju Patel Amanda Precourt Anna and John J. Sie Foundation

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

In honor of Barbara and Ken Laff Michael Canges and Nina Iwashko Drs. Laurence and Cynthia Chan Nancy Cherry Arlene and Barry Hirschfeld Charles A. Miller Mr. and Mrs. Peter Plowshay Ms. Melinda Quiat Dan and Marie Welch In honor of Dino Maniatis Sameed Afghani Karen M. Sumner In honor of the Opera Colorado Staff Dr. Andrew Sirotnak and Mr. James White In honor of Ari Pelto The Divine Family In honor of Marcia Robinson Ellie Caulkins John and Lisa Robinson In honor of the Ross Family John and Patricia Schmitter In honor of Gerry & Ann Saul Mary Fiore In honor of Erin Wenzel T. R. Reid In memory of Glory Balbinder Rozanne A. Kobey In memory of Noël Congdon Marcia and Dick Robinson

In memory of Pam Merrill The Honorable and Mrs. Kenneth Laff Marcia and Dick Robinson In memory of Domenic Meylor Marita G. Karlisch Mary Burns-Klinger Elizabeth A. Meylor In memory of Rhea J. Miller Sheila M. Cleworth In memory of Laura Moran Douglas G. Moran In memory of William A. Richey Mary E. Moser In memory of Don and Barbara Ridgway Ms. Kathryn Taylor In memory of Alicia Rodriguez Rosemary and Richard Harral Joyce B. Hutchens Diego Rodriguez Vicki Stinnett In memory of William E. Russell Jane Russell In memory of Harry Sterling Vicki Sterling In memory of James R. Wade Gordon & Ron Butz Linda S. Chorney Nancy J. Farley L. Richard and Sigrid Halvorson Freese Joanne L. Goldberg-Ahillas Griffiths Law Pc The Iris Group Judge and Mrs. John P. Leopold Barbara Ruh

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS CRESCENDO SOCIETY

SPONSORS

The following people have made arrangements to include Opera Colorado in their Estate Plan.

THE 2023-24 SEASON ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM

Music Director Ari Pelto is sponsored

by Mike & Julie Bock

The Opera Colorado Artist in Residence Program is sponsored

by Ken & Donna Barrow, with additional support from Patrick Spieles, and the late Dr. Stephen L. Dilts.

Sheila Bisenius Ellie Caulkins Barbara and Roger Chamberlain Ms. Donna E. Hamilton Ms. Lynn E. Harrington Ms. Lisa R. James Dr. and Mrs. Charles B. Kafadar Mr. and Mrs. Ron Kahn Deanna Rose Leino Lynnette Morrison Mrs. Lee Roberts Mary Ann Rose Mr. Stephen Seifert Fern B. Seltzer Merrill Shields and M. Ray Thomasson Jenene and James Stookesberry Mr. Robert Van Buskirk Mrs. Carol C. Whitley Larry and Brigitte Zimmer

DENVER PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX

The Denver Performing Arts Complex is owned and operated by Denver Arts & Venues for the City and County of Denver.

CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER

THE 2023-24 SEASON

EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS Opera Colorado’s Education & Community Engagement Programs are made possible through the generous support of the following donors: Pamela Beardsley Denver Lyric Opera Guild Sidney E. Frank Foundation – Colorado Fund Genesee Mountain Foundation Marcia Ragonetti Marilyn Munsterman Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) Galen & Ada Belle Spencer Foundation Carol Whitley Melvin & Elaine Wolf Foundation

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS Opera Colorado recognizes the following organizations for their generous support: Official Artist Housing Partner

Mark Heiser, Venue Director Jody Grossman, Assistant Venue Director, Booking Todd Medley, Facilities Superintendent Kelly Graham, Safety, Security and Garage Operations Manager Carol Krueger, Patron Services Manager artscomplex.com | 720.865.4220 For immediate assistance & security 720.865.4200

the accuracy of our donor lists.

However, if your name is incorrectly listed, please accept our sincere apologies and contact Madeleine Snow at 303.468.2060.

YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Saane Halaholo is sponsored by Ken & Barbara Laff and Laurence & Cynthia Chan

As a non-profit organization, we rely

Melanie Dubil is sponsored by Joy & Chris Dinsdale

can fulfill our mission to connect our

Randy Ho is sponsored by Jason & Nathaly Ambos and Richard Garvin

on the generosity of donors in our community. With your support, we Colorado community to the emotions and stories of the world through traditional and innovative opera and educational programming that is accessible to all.

Alexander Granito is sponsored by Robin & Eric Yaeger Turner Staton is sponsored by Gayle & Gary Landis The 2023-24 Opera on Tour productions of Cinderella and Elixir of Love and the Student Matinee of Don Giovanni are sponsored by the Genesee Mountain Foundation.

Your donation this season honors our legacy and builds a bright future for decades to come.

YOUR SUPPORT HELPS US...

• PRESENT high-quality opera experiences that reflect the multicultural fabric of our community • SERVE over 45,000 patrons every • DEVELOP audiences by introducing

DENVER ARTS & VENUES

DENVER ARTS & VENUES, ARTS COMPLEX OPERATIONS

Every effort has been made to ensure

year

Mike Johnston, Mayor

Ginger White, Executive Director Molly Wink, Deputy Director

Kerby Baier is sponsored by Joyce de Roos and Donald K. Braden

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR OPERA COLORADO

children (and adults!) to their first opera experience Media Partner

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

HOW TO MAKE A GIFT ONLINE: operacolorado.org/support

BY PHONE: 303.468.2060 MAIL A CHECK TO: Opera Colorado 4121 S Navajo St, Ste 100 Englewood, CO 80110 For questions, please contact Opera Colorado’s Development team at 303.468.2060 or development@operacolorado.org.

SCAN THE QR CODE:

SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF OPERA

BECOME A DONOR TODAY!

PATRON CIRCLE

Member ($100-$299)

• Your name listed in mainstage Season Program Books • Closer to the Art emails before each mainstage production to gain behindthe-scenes insight and learn something new about Opera Colorado • Exclusive pre-sale opportunities to ticketed events throughout the season

Supporter ($300-$599)

All previous benefits, plus: • Invitation to an exclusive backstage tour of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, where you will peek into dressing rooms, step on stage, and explore all that this historic building entails • Exclusive invitation to Artists in Conversation events, where you will learn more about upcoming productions from the artists themselves

Associate ($600-$1,199)

All previous benefits, plus: • Access to the Chambers Grant Salon Donor Recognition Lounge and complimentary prosecco during intermission • Complimentary admission to select Artist in Residence concerts • Complimentary admission, and discounted guest admission, to Sitzprobe Event and Rehearsal

ARTIST CIRCLE

Librettist ($1,200-$2,999)

All previous benefits, plus: • Invitation to a private Master Class with a leading industry artist and members of the Artists in Residence program

• Continental breakfast conversation with the director and/or designer of one of the mainstage productions, followed by a rehearsal in the Ellie

Composer ($3,000-$5,999)

All previous benefits, plus: • Invitation to a Sitzprobe Rehearsal and Dessert Reception • Invitation to the Meet the Maestro event, with Opera Colorado’s Music Director, Ari Pelto

Conductor ($6,000-$10,999)

All previous benefits, plus: • Complimentary parking for your Opera Colorado mainstage performances • Invitation for two to final dress rehearsals of Opera Colorado mainstage productions

PRODUCER CIRCLE

Ambassador ($11,000-$24,999)

All previous benefits, plus: • Invitation to a private cocktail reception with The Ellie Caulkins General & Artistic Director, followed by a rehearsal in the Opera Colorado Opera Center • Private curated tour of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House for you and your guests

Benefactor ($25,000-$49,999)

All previous benefits, plus: • Invitation to an intimate dinner with Opera Colorado’s Music Director and General & Artistic Director

• Behind-the-scenes access to rehearsals at the Opera Colorado Opera Center

Visionary ($50,000+)

All previous benefits, plus: • Private concert in your home or other chosen location

QUESTIONS?

Contact our Development Team at 303.468.2060 or development@operacolorado.org.

PHOTOS Opera Colorado/Jamie Kraus, Matt Staver

OPERA COLORADO STAFF LEADERSHIP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

VOLUNTEERS

Greg Carpenter, The Ellie Caulkins General & Artistic Director Ari Pelto, Music Director

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Bob Bloom Marilyn L. Brock Mr. Jeffrey A. Brown Leslie Coover Cady Joyzelle Davis Mrs. Joyce de Roos Tom L. Gaffney Ms. Kathryn Heider Ms. Jan Heimer Mr. Robert M. Kahn Kristin Kelly Mr. Kiplund Kolkmeier Ms. Heather MacKinnon Ms. Regina Rajewich Ms. Michaele G. Reddy Ms. Donna Ries Mr. Grover L. Sardeson Ms. Judith Taubman

SENIOR TEAM Jennifer Colgan, Director of Marketing & Communications Tom Kirkpatrick, Chief Financial Officer Cherity Koepke, Director of Education & Community Engagement, Director of Opera Colorado’s Artist in Residence Program Jordanna Rose, Director of Artistic Operations Erin Wenzel, Director of Development

STAFF Anthony Berkley, Business Operations & Development Manager Samantha Cantu, Patron Services Manager Clair Clauson, HR Manager Angelica DiIorio, Marketing Manager, Advertising & Content Kendra Green, Resident Stage Manager Megan Immerfall, Bookkeeper Ben Karasik, Production Manager Robin Lander, Patron Services & Office Coordinator Kassandra Mestemaker, Education & Community Engagement Manager Alison Milan, Costume Director Laura Norton, Digital Marketing Manager Madeleine Snow, Individual Giving & Donor Events Manager

MUSIC STAFF Sahar Nouri, Chorus Master & Assistant Conductor Nathan Salazar, Principal Repertoire Coach Cody Guy Garrison, Chorus Repetiteur Daniel Belcher, Artist in Residence

Richard Koseff, Chair Chevis F. (Chip) Horne, President Dr. Laurence K. Chan, Vice President Judy LaSpada, Vice President Prem S. Subramanian, MD, PhD, Secretary James Linfield, Treasurer Elizabeth Caswell Dyer, Chair Emeritus

DIRECTORS Jeff V. Baldwin Edward Balkin Mark C. Bussey Eleanor N. Caulkins, Lifetime Honorary Chair Joseph Fogliano Maria Garcia Berry Richard Garvin Mark Heiser, Ex-Officio Don Hindman Kelly Ann Hodges Laurence D. Kaptain, Ex-Officio Hon. Kenneth Laff MAJ. Konstantinos (Dino) G. Maniatis William N. Maniatis, MD Dr. John Masserini, Ex-Officio Jon J. Olafson Ronald Otsuka Marcia Robinson, Lifetime Honorary President Keith Ward, Ex-Officio Valerie M. Wassill, MD Daniel G. Welch Diane Wengler Robin Kolsky Yaeger Larry Zimmer

HONORARY DIRECTORS Michael Bock Hugh Grant Jeremy Kinney Mary French Moore Gerald Saul Jeremy Shamos Susan Shamos Merrill Shields Martha Tracey

Program Voice Teacher Oleg Bellini, Resident Collaborative Pianist

2023-24 ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

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

Angie Flachman Johnson

Kerby Baier

soprano

Publisher

Saane Halaholo

soprano

Stacey Krull

Melanie Dubil

mezzo-soprano

Art Director

Randy Ho

tenor

Wilbur E. Flachman

Alexander Granito

baritone

President Emeritus

Turner Staton

bass-baritone

.

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION 303.428.9529 or ColoradoArtsPub.com

CONTACT OPERA COLORADO ADMINISTRATION Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Opera Colorado Opera Center 4121 S Navajo St, Ste 100 Englewood, CO 80110 303.778.1500 info@operacolorado.org

PATRON SERVICES Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

303.468.2030 customerservice@operacolorado.org

OPERACOLORADO.ORG follow @operacolorado

Protect those you love.

Plan ahead.

FREE Planning Guide: DignityMemorial.com Proud to support the performing arts in Denver.

8 LOCAL PROVIDERS TO SERVE YOU, INCLUDING:

Olinger

MORTUARIES & CEMETERIES

303-233-4611

Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery

A 33,000-acre Network Of Sanctuaries With Over 1,000 Lions, Tigers, Bears, Wolves, And Other RESCUED Animals That Need Your Help!

Please help these rescued animals now and during your holiday giving.

Your donation will truly make a difference in their lives!

WildAnimalSanctuary.org