TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents Welcome from the President
4
Letter from the Artistic Director
6
Board of Directors
8
Ways to Give
10
Letter from the Development Officer
11
Mastersigners
12
Individual Donors
14
Opera Remembers
20
Legacy Society
25
Tonight’s Performance: Carmen
27
Cast and Creative Team
28
Chorus, Dancers & Supernumeraries
29
Production Synopsis
30
Production Bios
31
In The Wings
42
Institutional Underwriters
47
Women’s Guild
51
Opera Club
52
Sylvain Society
55
Wood Vocal Competiton
56
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
58
Education
62
Teamwork!
64
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New Orleans Opera Association
WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT
WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT W
elcome to the 2019-20 season of the New Orleans Opera Association. We are excited to present for your entertainment a fascinating season marked by a variety of musical genres. Opening our season will be Bizet’s incomparable Carmen. To close the season, we will present Mozart’s charming masterpiece, The Magic Flute. In between, you will experience the dramatic story of the Maid of Orleans herself, Joan of Arc, as told in the exuberantly romantic style of Tchaikovsky. For our chamber series, we will move our players and singers to the new and very stylish New Orleans Jazz Market Theater, where we will present the jazz-inspired opera, Charlie Parker’s Yardbird. To round out our season, we are pleased to collaborate with our neighbors at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center for a performance of The Falling and The Rising, a contemporary opera inspired by the sacrifice and heroism of the men and women of our military. Thank you for sharing our excitement for brilliant musical theater.
JAMES C. GULOTTA JR. President
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New Orleans Opera Association
LETTER FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
LETTER FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR I
The General and Artistic Director position is generously supported by The Jerry W. Zachary and Henry Bernstein Fund for the New Orleans Opera Association.
am always delighted to see the great public interest and affection with which Carmen is now embraced by music lovers beyond the core opera audience. This was clearly not always the case. Its premiere in March of 1875 was a complete scandal because so many aspects of the title role’s character reached well beyond French operatic traditions of the day. The shameless amorality of the anti-heroine and the violent lawlessness of her gypsy culture premiered at Paris’ Opéra Comique, a theater associated with lighter, more family-friendly fare. Shocked critics were harsh in their judgement of the lurid aspects of the brutally realistic plot culminating in Carmen’s death on stage in the opera’s closing moments. Because it originally used spoken dialogue to connect the enormous wealth of “character music” that makes up the score (which is what is meant by the term “operacomique,” having nothing to do with comedy), this form of operetta was not performed in Europe’s greatest houses like the Paris Opera or the Vienna State Opera. Following Bizet’s sudden death only three months after Carmen’s premiere, it fell to Ernest Guiraud, a composer born in New Orleans in 1837 who relocated to Paris in 1853, to transform Carmen into a “lyric” opera by setting the dialogues to music (recitative). It is in this form that Carmen began its amazing path to worldwide popularity today. Even better is the fact that today, the opera can be produced in its original form with spoken dialogue or by using those recitatives that Guiraud created to give it new life in the nineteenth century. The German composer Johannes Brahms greatly admired the wonderful colors of Bizet’s orchestration and the Russian composer Tchaikovsky observed shortly after the premiere: “In ten years this opera will be the most popular in the world.” Vive, Carmen!
ROBERT LYALL
General and Artistic Director
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New Orleans Opera Association
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board of Directors BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mr. James C. Gulotta Jr., President Mr. Dwayne O. Littauer, Vice-President Mr. Emmet Geary, Treasurer Mr. Edward F. Martin, Development Officer Ms. Sonya Moore, Secretary Dr. R. Ranney Mize, Immediate Past President Mrs. Penny Baumer Dr. Nicolas Bazan Mrs. Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin Mr. Dorian Bennett Mr. Peter Brigandi Mrs. Betty Brooks Mr. Joseph Bruno Ms. Luretta Bybee Mr. Vance Ceaser Mr. A. J. Capritto Mrs. Serafina Charbonnet Mr. Arthur Crais Dr. Patrick J. Dowling Mrs. Diane S. Dupin Ms. Pauline Hardin Ms. Adrea Heebe Mr. Timothy Hemphill Mrs. Rania Khodr Mrs. Christine LeBlanc Dr. W. Kenneth Mann Jr. Mr. Jonathan C. McCall Mr. Bruce Miller Mr. Brian Monk Mr. Max Nathan Jr. Mr. James Robert Pope Mr. Lawrence Pugh III Mrs. Susan Raburn Mr. Leopold Z. Sher Mr. I. William Sizeler Mr. Alfred E. Stacey IV Mrs. Harry C. (Claire) Stahel Mr. Philip Straub Mrs. Catherine Burns Tremaine
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New Orleans Opera Association
Dr. Rand Voorhies Mr. James F. Willeford Ms. Debby Hirsch Wood Mr. Joseph Young EX-OFFICIO Ms. Karen Villavaso President, Women’s Guild Dr. Jayne Weiss President, Opera Club Ms. Amanda Credeur Mrs. Lucretia Merriman-Jourdain Mr. Brian Monk Mrs. Sarah Stickney Murphy Mr. Michael A. Roussel Jr. Ms. Alisha Reed Ms. Bianca Spears Co-Chairs, Sylvain Society BOARD OF ADVISORS Mr. Dale C. Biggers Mrs. Virgene Biggers Mrs. Margie Breeden Ms. Elizabeth “Liz” Glaser Broekman Ms. Michelle Butler Dr. Mark Caldwell Mrs. Eileen Capritto Mr. Edgar Chase Mr. Joseph Scott Chotin Jr. Mrs. Kathy Christian Hon. Jacquelyn B. Clarkson Mrs. Loretta Corbett Ms. Joan Coulter Dr. R.W. Culver Mrs. Thomas S. Davidson Mrs. Monique R. Gougisha Doucette Mrs. Betsy Dowling Mr. Brooke Duncan
PAST PRESIDENTS
Dr. Charles L. Dupin Ms. Marlene Duronslet Mr. Elroy W. Eckhardt Mr. Tim Fields Mrs. Donna Fraiche Mrs. Melissa Mason Gordon Ms. Amanda Green Mr. Douglas Grundmeyer Hon. Bernette J. Johnson Ms. Givonna Joseph Ms. Rose LeBreton Ms. Lisa Leone Mr. Frank Maselli Mrs. Gail McKenna Dr. Jane Cagan Miller Mrs. Cindi Mistrot Mrs. Pat Murrell Mr. Ernest L. O’Bannon Dr. Andrew Orestano Prof. Amy Pfrimmer Ms. Ashley Pradel Dr. Cynthia Samuel Dr. Byron Scott Dr. Alan E. Sheen Dr. Charles Rodney Smith Mrs. Sonda Stacey Ms. Rebecca Thomson Dr. Peter M. Tufton Dr. Aysen Young
Past Presidents 1943-1945 Mr. Walter L. Loubat 1945-1946 Mr. Edward A. Parsons 1946-1950 Mr. Hugh M. Wilkinson 1950 Mr. R. Kirby Longino 1950-1956 Mr. Rudolf Schultz 1956 Mr. Albert J. Emke 1956-1958 Mr. A. Fred Bultman 1958-1974 Mr. H. Lloyd Hawkins Sr. 1974-1978 Mr. James A. Noe Jr. 1978-1986 Mr. H. Lloyd Hawkins Jr. 1986-1988 Mr. James A. Noe Jr. 1988-1996 Mr. Joseph Young Jr. 1996-1999 Mr. James M. George 1999-2002 Mrs. H. Lloyd Hawkins Jr. 2002-2004 Dr. Nina Kelly 2004-2005 Mr. John C. Lovell 2005-2009 Mr. Salvatore Panzeca 2009-2012 Mr. Edward F. Martin 2012-2014 Mrs. Meredith Hathorn Penick 2014-2017 Dr. R. Ranney Mize
Carmen | NewOrleansOpera.org
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WAYS TO GIVE
Ways to give
With your support, everything is possible!
O
pera is the ultimate art form, blending the talents of hundreds of individuals — from the principal artists, chorus, dancers, actors and orchestra you see and hear in the theater, to the stagehands, designers, wardrobe personnel and many others working behind the scenes. When you donate to New Orleans Opera, you join the cast and crew as an essential partner in bringing great art to life. For more information, contact Director of Development Joanna Sternberg at (504) 267-9526 or nooagiving@neworleansopera.org. INDIVIDUAL GIVING Your contribution helps sustain the long tradition of opera in New Orleans, and it opens the door to special benefits including discounts, special events, VIP receptions with the artists and more! Make your Annual Fund gift or pledge today to guarantee access to a full season of special donor opportunities. Go behind the scenes — meet the stars — get involved! There are opportunities for you to participate at every donor level. THE MASTERSIGNERS Mastersigner giving (annual support of at least $4,000) is one of the most active parts of New Orleans Opera’s individual donor program. We invite you to join the host of opera lovers who are demonstrating major individual support for the opera. Mastersigners qualify for an array of exclusive benefits, including VIP receptions with the stars, rehearsal access and more. THE MAESTRO CIRCLE Created a decade ago in 2009 to commemorate the first 10 years of Maestro Lyall’s leadership, the Maestro Circle recognizes the outstanding generosity of donors giving at the $10,000+ level. PLANNED GIVING Planned gifts greatly enhance the long-term stability of New Orleans Opera and can be as flexible as your plans require. We can assist you in finding the appropriate way to include the Opera in your estate plans, and we can recognize you for commitment to the Opera’s future. Your planned gift can be as simple as a bequest in your will, but there are many ways to support the Opera while maximizing your tax benefits or lifetime income. FOUNDATION GIVING AND CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS Your company’s support for the New Orleans Opera can provide valuable marketing visibility, exclusive client entertainment opportunities and other benefits while helping to maintain the classical arts in our community. From production sponsorships to special initiatives to in-kind support, there is a sponsorship opportunity that is right for your business.
IT’S SIMPLE TO MAKE YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE GIFT! • Call the Development Office at (504) 267-9526 • Visit neworleansopera.org and click “SUPPORT” • Send your check to New Orleans Opera Association: P.O. Box 52108, New Orleans, LA 70152
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New Orleans Opera Association
MESSAGE FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER I
am pleased to serve as Development Officer for the Opera’s 2019-2020 season. My role is a simple one — to remind Opera fans that the Opera needs your support! Our wonderful performances are expensive to produce and ticket revenue only covers about 40% of our costs. We depend on the generosity of those able to give more than what they pay for their tickets. Please consider making a contribution, and if you already contribute, please consider an increase. As our expenses increase, so must our revenues! And please consider becoming a major contributor, at the level of Mastersigner or above. Your gifts help to assure that great opera will continue to be performed in New Orleans for years to come!
TED MARTIN
Development Officer
Carmen | NewOrleansOpera.org
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MASTERSIGNERS
Mastersigners MASTERSIGNERS ($100,000+) Mrs. Betty T. Brooks MASTERSIGNERS ($50,000+) Mr. Edward F. Martin
MASTERSIGNERS GOLD CIRCLE ($10,000+) THE MAESTRO CIRCLE
MASTERSIGNERS PLATINUM CIRCLE ($25,000+)
“The Platinum Circle is a new donor level honoring major individual contributors, many of whom provide funding or sponsorships in support of our main stage or chamber productions. The Opera is particularly grateful for the generosity of our patrons at this level of giving.” —Drs. Emel Songu and Ranney Mize, Co-Chairs, Platinum Circle
Mrs. Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin Drs. Emel Songu & Ranney Mize Ms. Adrea D. Heebe Dr. Andrew Orestano Meredith Hathorn & Rawley M. Penick III Mr. J. Robert Pope Ms. Debby Hirsch Wood Jerry W. Zachary* & Henry Bernstein
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New Orleans Opera Association
“Created in 2009 to honor Maestro Robert Lyall, The Maestro’s Circle recognizes the leadership of major patrons whose support of the Opera ensures the highest quality of productions to benefit residents and visitors alike.” —Drs. Nicolas and Haydee Bazan, Co-Chairs, Maestro Circle
Drs. Nicolas & Haydee Bazan Mr. Arthur A. Crais Jr. Mr. Emmet Geary Jr. Jay Gulotta & Susan Talley Mr. & Mrs. Erik F. Johnsen Mr. Dwayne O. Littauer John G. Turner & Jerry G. Fischer Drs. Rand & Terry Voorhies Mr. Joseph Young Jr. & Dr. Aysen Young
MASTERSIGNERS
MASTERSIGNERS SUSTAINING ($6,000+) Carole B. & Kenneth J. Boudreaux Mr. Peter R. Brigandi Jr. Pauline & Allain Hardin Mr. Donald I. Levy Nina & Lawrence Pugh Prof. Cynthia A. Samuel Jane & William Sizeler Mrs. Catherine Burns Tremaine Mr. and Mrs. James Willeford MASTERSIGNERS ($4,000+)
“Mastersigners are opera lovers committed to the financial stability of the New Orleans Opera. As major supporters, these contributors also receive benefits including invitations to exclusive, private receptions, access behind the scenes to rehearsals, champagne receptions and more.” —Nina and Larry Pugh, Co-Chairs, Mastersigners
Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Alvin A. Baumer Jr. Mr. Dorian M. Bennett Mr. & Mrs. Joseph M. Bruno Mr. & Mrs. A. J. Capritto Dr. & Mrs. Patrick J. Dowling Dr. & Mrs. Charles L. Dupin Mr. Tim L. Fields Prof. Ellen Frohnmayer Fran Fetzer & LeRoy Harvey Rania & Hicham Khodr Mr. & Mrs. V. Price LeBlanc Jr. Mr. Jonathan McCall Jane Cagan & Bruce Miller Mrs. Louise H. Moffett Lily & Brian Monk Ms. Sonya Moore Mr. Max Nathan Jr. Harold C. Patin & Carol Allen Dr. Carolyn Clawson Prickett Susan & Vern Raburn Karen and Leopold Sher Mr. and Mrs. Alfred E. Stacey IV Mr. and Mrs. Harry Charles Stahel Eleanor & Philip Straub Dr. & Mrs. Richard L. Strub Mr. & Mrs. James Swanson Mrs. Phyllis M. Taylor SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO Mr. Joseph Young Jr. for founding the Mastersigners in 1981.
Thanks to the Windsor Court for their continued support of the New Orleans Opera.
Carmen | NewOrleansOpera.org
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INDIVIDUAL DONORS 2019 - 2020
Individual Donors 2019-2020
Thank you to our individual donors for the 2019-20 Opera season.
N
ew Orleans Opera Association gratefully acknowledges the following individuals and family foundations for their generous support. This list reflects donations received from July 1, 2018 to the time of this program’s publishing.
To add your name to the roster of supporters, call Director of Development Joanna Sternberg at (504) 267-9526, visit neworleansopera.org, or send your check to New Orleans Opera Association, 935 Gravier Street, Suite 1940; New Orleans, LA 70112; Attn: Development Office. Many companies will match employee and retiree gifts — ask your employer for a matching form to submit with your check. Contributions to New Orleans Opera Association are tax-deductible as allowable by law (tax ID number 72-0272897). We are grateful for each contribution, and we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of these listings as of the printing deadline. Consult your program insert for the most upto-date season listings. To make a correction to your listing for future printings, or if you believe you have been omitted from the donor list, please call (504) 267-9526.
BENEFACTORS ($2,000+) Gwen & Robert D. Bostick III Prof. Luretta Bybee Melanie & Russ Chapman Serafina & Bernard Charbonnet Jr. Loretta & Guy Corbett Prof. and Mrs.* Robert Force Mr. & Mrs. Charles B. Mayer Mr. Guillermo Náñez-Falcón* Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Satawa Mr. Will Sibbald Thomas and Rita-May Ward Robert and Nell Nolan Young PATRONS ($1,000+) Anonymous Ms. Jo-Ann Ciolino Adams Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Adatto Dr. & Mrs. Robert Arensman Mr. & Mrs. Dale C. Biggers Drs. Andrea & Archie Brown Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Cadow Mr. Vance Ceaser Colonel Bruce J. Elliott Dr. Maria J. Falco Joan Hooper & Julian Feibelman Jr.
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New Orleans Opera Association
Dr. Mary Frances Gardner Melissa & Bruce Gordon Dr. Robert Hammer Heather M. Horan & Jeff Lynch Mr. & Mrs. John J. Kelly Dr. Nina M. Kelly Rania & Hicham Khodr Dr. Sue LeBlanc Mrs. Rose LeBreton Dr. & Mrs. William Long Mr. Timothy Lott – The Reily Companies Hon. Janis Van Meerveld Karen and Frank Milanese Mr. & Mrs. Donald P. Mitchell Mrs. R. Kent Mitchell Ms. Cynthia Molyneux Mr. & Mrs. Ernest L. O’Bannon Hon. & Mrs. Steven R. Plotkin Ms. Ashley Pradel Mr. Robert Redfearn Mr. Anthony M. Rotolo Mr. Robert Rome Ron Scalise & Sally Richardson Mr. & Mrs. John C. Scharfenberg Mr. & Mrs. Howard E. Sinor Jr. Mr. Robert Sundin
INDIVIDUAL DONORS 2019 - 2020 Ms. Deborah Todd Mr. & Mrs.* Bernard Van der Linden Dr. & Mrs. Peter M. Tufton Raymond & Lisa Washington Mr. Guy Williams – Gulf Coast Bank Dr. Lawrence and Joan Zaslow Mrs. Rosemary Zuppardo MEMBERS ($500+) Anonymous Ann and Robert B. Anderson Ann & Charles Babington Mr. & Mrs. Harry Barkerding Mr. N. Buckner Barkley Jr Ms. Cherry Bordelon Mr. James Boyd Mrs. Margie Breeden Dr. William Mark Caldwell Mr. Glen Carbone Mr. Donald M. Clement Ms. Nancy Collins Ms. Mary Wilkins Costa Dr. & Mrs. Gregory S. Ferriss Ms. Celia Foard Ana & Juan Gershanik Dr. Bernard M. Jaffe Mr. Walter G. Jones Mr. & Mrs. Klaus Kallman Dr. & Mrs. Jon W. Lowry Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Mistrot Suzanne & Benjamin Motion Dr. & Mrs. Henry D.H. Olinde Mr. & Mrs. Mark G. Otts Dr. & Mrs. John T. Patterson Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Pettit Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Riley Sibley Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Sloan Drs. Austin J. & Jane F. Sumner Dr. Richard A. Tucker SUPPORTERS ($250+) Ms. Georgia M. Bryant Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Canale Dr. & Mrs. Michael Carey Mrs. Joan Coulter Lorraine & Chuck Cucchiara Mr. Rennie Culver Mr. Brooke Duncan III Mr. & Mrs. Elroy Eckhardt Ms. Sylvia B. Fatzer Dr. & Mrs. J.M. Fortino Mr. Joseph Frickey Jr. Mr. J. Louis Gibbens
Ms. Joanna Giorlando Seth Harris & Julie Schwam Harris Mrs. Morris Klinger Mr. Coy Landry Ann Owens Mr. and Mrs. William D. Reeves Ms. Katherine L. Roane Ms. Esther Shefsky Mrs. Stephanie Sheridan and Mr. Thomas C. Klekamp* Meg & Terry Sims Ms. Diana Stieffel Ms. Joanna Sternberg Dr. Nia K. Terezakis Susan and Leonard Teich Mrs. Claire L. Whitehurst Mr. Neil Wolfson Ms. Annabelle Zakaluk Ms. Dina Zeevi FRIENDS ($150+) Anonymous (2) Ms. Anna Maria Adamo Gordon and Lynda Allen Mr. and Mrs. August J. Barbier Bishop & Mrs. James B. Brown Mr. Michael Calhoun Ms. Susan Canavello Dr. Robert J. Cangelosi Amy L. Carbonette-Cioll Ms. Meghan Carroll Dr. William T. Cotton & Ms. Marcia Cooke Arthurine Davis John and Ruth Denton Mr. Andrew Doran Ms. Camille Durkin Dr. Jean-Farere Dyer Dr. Jane Eyrich Mr. and Mrs. Elroy Eckhardt Joan & Henry J. Folse Mr. John Ford Alan Gandolfi Ms. Kathleen A. Manning Ms. Sonia Kenwood Ms. Barbara B. LaNasa Linda Laudumiey Gordon Marcus Loudon Mr. & Mrs. Charles L. Malachias Carol & Stanley Marx Mr. Chris Meaux Eric and Erlinda Nye Dr. Erin O’Sullivan-Fleming Partners of Jones Walker, LLP Carmen | NewOrleansOpera.org
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INDIVIDUAL DONORS 2019 - 2020 Kathryn & Felix Rando Dr. Hugh J. Robertson M. Lisa Robichaux Mr. George Sanchez Sr. Dr. Janet L. Schmid Mr. Stanley Schwam Dr. & Mrs. Charles Rodney Smith Ms. Kathleen Stassi Ms. Kristi Soileau Ms. Beth Lee Terry Olivier and Ghyslaine Thelin Zelime Van Norman James Wesner 75 FOR THE 75TH! ($75+) Ms. Paula Armbruster Alison & John Ariail Ms. Barbara S. Beckman Jack A. Belsom John and Judith Blackman S.G. Briggs Florence and Jerry A. Brown Sondra L. Brown I. Emett Burnett Mr. Robert Casey Dianne & Joseph Caverly Kathy & Frederick Christian Hon. Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson Mr. Charles H. Coates Jr. Mr. John Colbert Duane Couch Leneida Crawford Taylor Darden Joshua DeCuir Katherine de Montluzin Anna M. Denton Ms. Lynda DePanicis Ms. Stephanie A. Doughty Mr. Patrick J. Dunphy Mrs. Joan H. Eckholdt John and Virginia Eckholdt Mr. James P. Farwell Sybil M. & D. Blair Favrot Steven Fisher & Richard Mariner Mrs. Marie Garon Mr. Mitchell Guidry Susan and Jimmy Gundlach Ms. Carol Hall Mr. Charles J. Hanemann J.C. Harmon Mr. Jeffrey Haupt Ms. Mildred Hawkshead Shirley Henderson
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New Orleans Opera Association
Mr. Robert Holden Mr. Mike Horkavi Mona Hollier Mrs. Carlie M. Kahn Janie Susan and Doug Johnson Lee & Jim Klebba Ms. Patricia Krebs Ms. Juanita I. Laborde Ms. Cynthia Langford Mrs. Maline Levy-Berenger Ms. Elizabeth Liu Mr. John Lombardo Maestro Robert Lyall Mrs. Ada Holmes McIver Joel & Suzy Mague Marsha McNulty & Edward E. Chase Jr. Richard M. and Lynn M. Meyers Lynne Neitzschman Mr. John Olinde Mr. Paul J. Ory Ms. Sophia Pappas Gray and Mary Kay Parker Ivonne Patin Nicole and Abhay Patel Gerald & Patricia Price Ms. Audra Ranous Mr. A. Ravi P. Rau Reynolds Developments Dr. & Mrs. James W. Robinson Mr. Charles R. Rogers, Jr. Ms. Lillian Samardzija Ms. Sally S. Scheuermann Ms. Helen L. Schneidau Mr. Raymond Serpas Jessie Sjoblad Steven & Rita Sjoblad Shearman & Sterling LLP - Austin Office Ms. Barbara W. Sholl Duchess Simon Mr. Rick Skelding Ms. Penelope Thompson Lizbeth Turner Sarah Vance Ms. Elizabeth S. Viener Ms. Pamela Washington Mrs. Dorothy Weisler Mr. Robert J. Whann III Ms. Sara S. Wilson Mr. Michael E. Winters Harold Young *deceased
NEW ORLEANS OPERA REMEMBERS
New Orleans Opera Remembers GUILLERMO NÁÑEZ DE FALCÓN Dr. Guillermo Náñez de Falcón died peacefully at his home on June 27, 2019 at the age of 82. He was a scholar of Latin American studies as well as a respected librarian and archivist. After receiving his BA in history from Trinity University, he then completed his Ph.D. in history from Tulane University, where he also remained for the rest of his professional career. He began his career in the Special Collections Division of Tulane’s Howard Tilton Memorial Library. However, it was at Tulane’s renowned Latin American Library, where he served as director from 1990 to 2002, that he left an enduring legacy of distinguished leadership, retiring as the first Doris Stone Librarian of the Latin American Library. Guillermo was passionate about classical music, particularly opera, piano and chamber music. He was an avid supporter of the New Orleans Opera Association, New Orleans Friends of Music, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera and the Valley Symphony Orchestra and Chorale (McAllen, TX). He and his partner of 50 years, Bill Wallace, enjoyed traveling the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, most especially Latin America. He had an extraordinary gift for language and loved to learn new languages for both academic pursuits and his extensive travels. New Orleans Opera joins Mr. Náñez de Falcón’s extended family and friends in experiencing this loss, and honors the legacy of his extraordinary impact in our community. (includes excerpts from the Times Picayune July 6, 2019 obituary)
LOUISE MARTIN New Orleans Opera mourns the passing of our dear friend, long-time supporter and past Mastersigner Co-Chair Louise Martin, who died at home in New Orleans on November 11, 2018, after a lengthy illness. Louise was married for 48 years to long-time Opera board member and past President, Ted Martin. While raising their five children, Louise also had a career buying and restoring old buildings. Louise had a major impact on the city in her volunteer efforts. She was instrumental in saving from demolition the old McDonogh school building at Camp and General Pershing streets, now the main home of St. George’s School. She led the effort to install in Sophie Wright Place a monumental sculpture of Sophie by Enrique Alferez. Working with Harry McCall, a former Opera Board member, Louise accomplished the installation of a new Roman Catholic chapel in the Garden District. She also founded Felicity Street Redevelopment Project, a non-profit designed to encourage repopulation of the Lower St. Charles Avenue corridor. During Louise’s time as its leader, Felicity effected the rehabilitation of over 60 dwelling units, and that area is now thriving. In honor of her accomplishments, Louise received the Terry-Parkerson Award from the Garden District Association “for her decades of work as a preservationist and community activist,” and the Harnett T. Kane Preservation Award from Louisiana Landmarks Society. Louise will be fondly remembered.
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New Orleans Opera Association
NEW ORLEANS OPERA REMEMBERS
COMMEMORATIVE GIFTS IN LOVING MEMORY OF: LOUISE MARTIN Anita S. Allen Gordon and Lynda Allen Ann Anderson Dr. Barbara Beckman Mr. Jack A. Belsom Sherrill & Emanuel Benjamin Mr. Henry Bernstein Ruth and George Bilbe Mitchell Bilbe John and Judith Blackman S.G. Briggs Melanie and Danny Bronfin Mr. E. John Bullard III Robert R. Casey Frederick and Kathy Christian Mr. Arthur A. and the Hon. Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson Cala Boddie Colbert Marcia Cooke and Ted Cotton Ms. Mary Wilkins Costa Mrs. Duane Couch Mrs. John S. Coulter Mr. M. Taylor Darden Katherine de Montluzin Anna M. Denton John and Ruth Denton Dr. and Mrs. Charles L. Dupin Emerald Land Corporation Dinsmore Fulton Mr. Emmet W. Geary Jr. Jay Gulotta and Susan Talley Susan and Jimmy Gundlach Meredith Hathorn & Rawley M. Penick III Ms. Adrea Heebe Robert E. Holden Donald A. Hoffman Susan and Doug Johnson Partners of Jones Walker Linda Laudumiey Dr. Edward D. Levy Jr. Mr. Dwayne O. Littauer Mrs. Erin Ludwin Maestro Robert Lyall Ada Holmes McIver Marsha McNulty & Edward E. Chase Jr.
Richard M. and Lynn M. Meyers Middlebury College friends of Anna Denton Mr. Max Nathan Jr. Neal Auction Co, Inc. Dr. Lynne Neitzschman Gray and Mary Kay Parker Nicole & Abhay Patel Hon. and Mrs. Steven R. Plotkin Partners of Primary Care Health Partners, Brattleboro, VT Alice and Alex Rainold Mr. and Mrs. William D. Reeves Anne Riddle Prof. Cynthia A. Samuel Ray Serpas Shearman & Sterling LLP Jessie Sjoblad Steven & Rita Sjoblad Drs. Emel Songu & Ranney Mize Philip and Eleanor Straub Susan and Leonard Teich Lizbeth Turner Sarah Vance Drs. Rand and Terry Voorhies James Wesner Marjorie Nolan-Wheatley and Julian K. Wheatley Ms. Debby Hirsch Wood Robert and Nell Nolan Young Adele Adatto Louise* & Ted Martin John W. Armbruster III Ms. Paula Armbruster Micaela Kelly “Kell” Bennett Ms. Deborah Armington Mr. Robert Bergeron Mrs. Elizabeth Mahorner Landis Louise* & Ted Martin Ms. Ann C. Middleton Ms. Michelle Pricer Victoria L. Revels & Šime Restovićć Mr. & Mrs. Michael G. Thompson Ms. Jacqueline Toledano Mr. Michael E. Winters John Ernest Brockhoeft Mr. & Mrs. Stewart Becnel Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Frickey Jr
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NEW ORLEANS OPERA REMEMBERS
Louise & Ted Martin Mr. Max Nathan J Prof. Cynthia A. Samuel Mr. Charles W. Schmidt III
Annette Rose Chisesi and Victor Chisesi Mrs. Irene G. Klinger Andre de la Barre Ms. Ann Babington Elizabeth Diggs Edmundson Anonymous Bridget & Rick Balentine Ms. Catherine Michie McHardy Bissell Richard B. Boebel Family Fund Ms. Danica Cordell-Reeh Ralph & Jean Davis Ms. Theresa Godchaux Gordon, Arata, Montgomery, Barnett, et al Ms. Sharall Grissen Mrs. Lanier Hosford Geneva & David Kerstein Leslie Perrin Dr. R. Craig Strait
Philip Porter Nolan Mary Nell Porter Nolan Robert and Nell Nolan Young Jean Westbrook Dr. and Mrs. Joel Mague Joseph Sacco Ms. Cynthia Molyneux Betty Jo Hussey Carroll Mr. Andrew Doran Fabia Ibieta Ms. Juanita I. Laborde Ron Naquin Harriet & Mike Abrahm Mrs. Alma Dunlap Irma W. Freibaum Mrs. Cristi Gerstein Cathi Bourus Gibbens Mr. J. Louis Gibbens
George D. Fee Mrs. Irene G. Klinger
Rev. Hill Carter Riddle Sr James C. Gulotta Jr & Susan Gayle Talley Louise* & Ted Martin Meredith L. Hathorn Penick Dr. & Mrs. Roger H. Tutton
Diane B. Hammer, M.D. Dr. Robert Hammer
Carol Solomon Mr. Emmet W. Geary Jr.
Elsie R. Jourdain Ms. Cree Merriman-Jourdain
Hugo C. Wedemeyer Mrs. Francella S. Flurry
Kaye Smith Kingsbery Chris & Pete Kingsbery
Andrew D. Saulsby Ms. Cree Merriman-Jourdain
Morris Klinger, MD and Samuel Robert Klinger Mrs. Irene G. Klinger
Mrs. Lillian Saulsby Ms. Cree Merriman-Jourdain
Jane W. McCall Mr. Jonathan C. McCall
Elizabeth Van der Linden Van der Linden Family Foundation
Mr. Dermot McGlinchey Mrs. Ellen M. McGlinchey
Zenobia Saulsby Wilson Ms. Cree Merriman-Jourdain
Marietta Alfonso McMurray Ms. Jane McMurray Wainwright
Enola Wilson-Merriman Ms. Cree Merriman-Jourdain
Maria Springer Meriwether Chickie & John Martin
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New Orleans Opera Association
NEW ORLEANS OPERA REMEMBERS
Jerry Walker Zachary Julie & Allain Andry Peggy & Robert D. Armstrong Mr. Henry Bernstein Ruth & George Bilbe Ms. Ann Brick Hannah & D.H. Clark Kay & John Colbert Steven Fisher & Richard Mariner Mrs. Francella Flurry Mr. Bart Folse Mr. Emmet W. Geary Jr. Mr. William Craig Henry Jane Johnson & David Marcello Dr. Edward D. Levy Jr. Mr. Dwayne O. Littauer Anna P. & Olof H. Lundberg Jr. Louise* & Ted Martin Mr. Anthony Rotolo Mr. David Schwarz Jane & David Snyder Melissa & Jerry Steiner Eleanor & Philip Straub Ms. Katherine Vaughan VCPORA Jean Veta & Mary Ann Dutton
IN HONOR OF:
Homer High School Class of 1963: Patricia Alexander Braswell Prentiss Camp Sondra Fulmer Coleman Janet Pittman Collins Claudia Torbet Duckworth Ann Perry Hicks Patsy Bunch Hood Marcia Dawson Medellin Betty Zey McClung Martha Moreland Morris Johnette Hollenshead Oakes Jack Sanders Elaine Camp Smart Elizabeth Barnard Traviss Eileen Beavers White Charlie Roberts, Band Director
Barbara Ploetz Ms. Lorraine Thien
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Benson, The New Orleans Saints, and The New Orleans Pelicans Susan G. Talley & James C. Gulotta Jr. Betty T. Brooks Creative Planters Garden Club Dr. Anita H. Crump Ms. Cree Merriman-Jourdain Mrs. John Dunlap Jr. Alma & Bob Pettit Mrs. Sandra Liebkemann Alma & Bob Pettit Mr. & Mrs.* Edward F. Martin Ms. Marjory M. Lyman Drs. Emel Songu & R. Ranney Mize Mr. James Boyd Mr. Jonathan McCall Mr. Max Nathan Jr. Mrs. Rose Sher Mrs. Susan Peters Alma & Bob Pettit
Dr. & Mrs. Robert A. Schimek Alma & Bob Pettit Sonda & Ted Stacey Ms. Elizabeth Liu Ms. Patricia Manning Sharpe Mrs. Jan Wootan Alma & Bob Pettit
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LEGACY SOCIETY
visionary leaders look to the future
You can help build the future of opera for New Orleans through your planned gift.
W
hen you include the Opera Association in your estate plans, you play a significant role in the continued success of top-quality opera and opera education for generations to come. We are happy to assist you in identifying gift options that suit your financial plans and philanthropic goals — from a simple bequest in your will to a charitable trust or endowed fund. Planned giving makes great art possible and helps sustain the activities of the Opera Association now and into the future. We thank the current Legacy Society members and invite you to join their ranks by notifying the Development Office that you have provided for the Opera Association in your estate plans. You can also request more information about the many kinds of gift options and underwriting opportunities you may choose to support. Make your mark — leave a legacy. Your planned gift helps secure the future of opera in New Orleans. PLANNED GIVING INSTRUMENTS CAN INCLUDE: • outright charitable gifts • gifts of appreciated property • bequests • revocable trusts • life insurance • retirement benefits • charitable remainder trusts • charitable lead trusts JOIN US! Please join the Legacy Society to help ensure the continued tradition of producing grand opera in America’s first city of opera.
LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS AS OF AUGUST 2019 Anonymous (2) Drs. Stephen J. & Miriam R. Bensman Dr. Patricia Cook Dr. Maria J. Falco Mr. Emmet Geary Jr. Ms. Jacqueline Mae Goldberg Mr. Dwayne O. Littauer
Robert Lyall Louise* and Ted Martin Drs. Emel and Ranney Mize Dr. Andrew Orestano Meredith Hathorn Penick Xenia Krinitzky Roff Alma A. Slatten Philip & Eleanor Straub Mrs. Norton L. Wisdom (Susan) Ms. Debby Hirsch Wood
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LEGACY SOCIETY
MAJOR PLANNED GIFTS 2008-2019 BEQUESTS & ENDOWED FUNDS Garic K. Barranger The Estate of Abby Ray Catledge, in memory of her father Bryne Lucas Ray Rose Annette Chisesi Norma Jean Gross Lois and H. Lloyd Hawkins Jr. Albert and Rea Hendler Gerald Kendal Victor Leglise The Estate of Guillermo Náñez-Falcón Mary Nell Porter Nolan The Theresa Bittenbring Marque & John Henry Marque Fund Rachel Sainton William H. Sholes Lynette Askin Stillwell James G. Viavant Jerry Walker Zachary
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For more information, or to add your name to this list, contact Director of Development Joanna Sternberg at (504) 267-9526. All inquiries are confidential.
WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT
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CAST/CREATIVE TEAM
Cast Carmen - Jennifer Johnson Cano Don José - Rafael Davila Escamillo - Zachary Nelson Micaëla - Sarah Jane McMahon Zuniga - Ivan Griffin Le Dancaïre - Dennis Jesse Le Remendado - Tyrone Chambers, II Moralès - Spencer Reichman Frasquita - Haley Whitney Mercédès - Claire Shackleton Lillas Pastia - Peter Gabb
Creative Team Conductor - Robert Lyall Stage Director - Keturah Stickann Scenic Designer - Steven C. Kemp Lighting Designer - Don Darnutzer Production Managers - Sarah McCall and Emily Barber Chorus Master - Carol Rausch Costumes - A.T. Jones & Sons Costumer - Julie Winn Wig and Makeup Designer - Linda Guillot Technical Director - Keith Christopher Stage Manager - Emily Barber 1st Assistant Stage Manager - Amanda Seal 2nd Assistant Stage Manager - India Mack Assistant Lighting Designer - Mandi Wood Properties Mistress - Olivia Winter Scenic Painter - Nathan Arthur Supertitles - Chadwick Creative Arts, LLC Supertitles Prompter - Beth Rota Rehearsal Pianist - Elena Lacheva Fight Choreographer - Alexander Smith
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CHORUS, DANCERS & SUPERNUMERARIES
Chorus, Dancers, & Supernumeraries SOPRANO Maureen Bellina Andrea Butler Julie Condy Alyssa Hernandez Brigid Higgins Paula Nesticó Kathy Rehage Sofia Riggio Quinn Rulison Rebecca Ryan Gloria Singleton Isabella Vanderhoof ALTO Rachel Abbate Claudia Copeland Olivia Garcia Kerry Hayes Allison Joiner Amanda McCarthy Valencia Pleasant Maggie Probst Juliana Starr Shirley A. Stewart Zara Zemmels TENOR William Alber Jethro Celestin Bart Folse Alex Furtado Alan Gandolfi Bryton Gunther Dustin Johnson Thomas Lin Richard Montgomery, II Hugo Pinto Dylan Tran
BASS/BARITONE Aaron Berenson Frank Convit William Gautreaux David Hinton Bill Lopez Rafiq Mandal Johnny Missakian Justin Missakian David Murray Sam Ottinger Guy Tem CHILDREN’S CHORUS Izaura Amos Asia Brown Lucy Chisesi Finley Cressend Drucilla Dumas Gerardo Enamorado Rori George Isabelle Higgins Wallace Jackson, III Muse Macchione Lam Phan Ivanna Radovic Chloë Soto Darius Torres-Copeland Diego Torres-Copeland Isabella Villalobos DANCERS Cheryl O’Sullivan John Rodi SUPERNUMERARIES Isabella Ambeau - Manuelita Susan Barrett Smith - Townserson/Picador Jan Lapre - Beggar Woman Larry Lydon - Mayor of Seville Josh Marron - Soldier Michael Nuwer - Rag Seller Sheridan Philipp - Soldier Carla Pittari - Townsperson/Picador
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SYNOPSIS
synopsis ACT I The locale is Seville, Spain. Near a cigarette factory, soldiers comment on the townspeople. Among them is Micaëla, a peasant girl, who asks for a corporal named Don José. Moralès, another corporal, tells her he will return with the changing of the guard. The relief guard, headed by Lieutenant Zuniga, soon arrives, and José learns from Moralès that Micaëla has been looking for him. When the factory bell rings, the men of Seville gather to watch the female workers — especially their favorite, the gypsy Carmen. She tells her admirers that love is free and obeys no rules. Only one man pays no attention to her: Don José. Carmen throws a flower at him, and the girls go back to work. José picks up the flower and hides it when Micaëla returns. She brings a letter from José’s mother, who lives in a village in the countryside. As he begins to read the letter, Micaëla leaves. José is about to throw away the flower when a fight erupts inside the factory between Carmen and another girl. Zuniga sends José to retrieve the gypsy. Carmen refuses to answer Zuniga’s questions, and José is ordered to take her to prison. Left alone with him, she entices José with suggestions of a rendezvous at Lillas Pastia’s tavern. Mesmerized, he agrees to let her get away. As they leave for prison, Carmen escapes. Don José is arrested. ACT II Carmen and her friends Frasquita and Mercédès entertain the guests at the tavern. Zuniga tells Carmen that José has just been released. The bullfighter Escamillo enters, boasting about the pleasures of his profession, and flirts with Carmen, who tells him that she is involved with someone else. After the tavern guests have left with Escamillo, the smugglers Dancaïre and Remendado explain their latest scheme to the women. Frasquita and Mercédès are willing to help, but Carmen refuses because she is in love. The smugglers withdraw as José approaches. Carmen arouses his jealousy by
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COMPOSER: Georges Bizet LIBRETTISTS: Henri Meilhac, Ludovic Halévy SUNG IN FRENCH WORLD PREMIERE: Opéra-Comique, Paris, 1875.
telling him how she danced for Zuniga. She dances for him now, but when a bugle call is heard, he says he must return to the barracks. Carmen mocks him. To prove his love, José shows her the flower she threw at him and confesses how its scent made him not lose hope during the weeks in prison. She is unimpressed: if he really loved her, he would desert the army and join her in a life of freedom in the mountains. José refuses, and Carmen tells him to leave. Zuniga bursts in, and in a jealous rage José fights with him. The smugglers return and disarm Zuniga. José now has no choice but to join them. ACT III Carmen and José quarrel in the smugglers’ mountain hideaway. She admits that her love is fading and advises him to return to live with his mother. When Frasquita and Mercédès turn the cards to tell their fortunes, they foresee love and riches for themselves, but Carmen’s cards spell death — for her and for José. Micaëla appears, frightened by the mountains and afraid to meet the woman who has turned José into a criminal. She hides when a shot rings out. José has fired at an intruder, who turns out to be Escamillo. He tells José that he has come to find Carmen, and the two men fight. The smugglers separate them, and Escamillo invites everyone, Carmen in particular, to his next bullfight. When he has left, Micaëla emerges and begs José to return home. He agrees when he learns that his mother is dying, but before he leaves, he warns Carmen that they will meet again. ACT IV Back in Seville, the crowd cheers the bullfighters on their way to the arena. Carmen arrives on Escamillo’s arm, and Frasquita and Mercédès warn her that José is nearby. Unafraid, she waits outside the entrance as the crowds enter the arena. José appears and begs Carmen to forget the past and start a new life with him. She calmly tells him that their affair is over: she was born free, and free she will die. The crowd is heard cheering Escamillo. José keeps trying to win Carmen back. She takes off his ring and throws it at his feet before heading for the arena. José stabs her to death.
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PRODUCTION
K eturah S tickann Director
Keturah Stickann’s directing and choreographic work has been seen in countless opera houses across the United States and Canada, as well as in Chile, Japan, France, Germany, Hungary and Australia. A champion of new American opera, she has directed and choreographed multiple works by Jake Heggie & Gene Scheer, as well as works by Robert Aldridge, Anthony Davis, Ricky Ian Gordon, Jennifer Higdon, Laura Kaminsky and Jose “Pepe” Martinez. Recent productions by Ms. Stickann include As One (Eugene Opera), Candide (Michigan Opera Theatre), Rusalka (Madison Opera), It’s A Wonderful Life (San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera), Pelléas et Mélisande (West Edge Opera), Orfeo ed Euridice (Florida Grand Opera), Turandot (San Diego Opera), Norma (Opera Southwest), L’Orfeo (Monteverdi orchestrated by Respighi, Chautauqua Opera), Lucia di Lammermoor (Opera Colorado), Don Quichotte (San Diego Opera) and The Seven Deadly Sins and Pagliacci (Virginia Opera). Before becoming a director, Ms. Stickann was a classically trained dancer, performing in opera and concert dance around the country.
J ennifer J ohnson C ano Mezzo-Soprano Carmen
A naturally gifted singer noted for her commanding stage presence and profound artistry, Jennifer Johnson Cano has garnered critical acclaim. Highlights of the 2018-2019 season include her role debut as Offred in Poul Ruders’s The Handmaid’s Tale with Boston Lyric Opera and appearances as Emilia in Otello and Meg Page in Falstaff at the Metropolitan Opera. She collaborated with the Pittsburgh and Cincinnati Symphonies and Colorado Springs Philharmonic. In chamber music, she appeared at Chamber Music of Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and joined tenor Matthew Polenzani and pianist Julius Drake at Carnegie Hall. Ms. Cano will also be part of two world premiere performances this season: Paul Moravec’s A New Country and Gregg Kallor’s Sketches from Frankenstein Suite. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Ms. Cano has given over 130 performances at The Metropolitan Opera, with recent roles including Bersi, Emilia, Hansel, Meg Page, Mercédès, Nicklausse, Wellgunde and Waltraute. Highlights of other recent operatic appearances have included Carmen and Donna Elvira with Boston Lyric, The Sharp-Eared with the Cleveland Orchestra, and Orphée with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and Des Moines Metro Opera. She has recently worked with an impressive array of conductors, such as Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Franz Welser-Möst, Gustavo Dudamel, Manfred Honeck, Marin Alsop, Robert Spano, Louis Langrée, Osmo Vänskä and Sir Andrew Davis.
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PRODUCTION
R afael D avila Tenor Don José
With an international career that has expanded over 20 years to include 60 roles, tenor Rafael Davila’s recent important engagements include Don José in Carmen with the Metropolitan Opera, Renato Des Grieux in Manon Lescaut at Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu (and under Maestro Placido Domingo’s baton for Opera de Valencia in Spain), the premiere of Jimmy Lopez’s opera Bel Canto with the Chicago Lyric Opera (where he created the role of General Alfredo), Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci for Sarasota Opera, Teatro San Carlo in Naples and for the Macerata Festival in Italy, and Don Carlo, Carmen, Norma and La forza del destino for Washington National Opera. For the 2020-21 season, Rafael will return to the Metropolitan Opera to sing the leading tenor role in performances of Verdi’s Nabucco. Other highlights in his career include the title role in Verdi’s Otello for Sarasota Opera and Teatro de la Opera in Puerto Rico, Radames in Aida for Opera de Valencia and Manitoba Opera in Canada, Dick Johnson in La fanciulla del West for Michigan Opera Theatre and Minnesota Opera, Manrico in Il trovatore for Opera New Jersey and Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
Z achary N elson Baritone Escamillo
Zachary Nelson, a native of Annapolis, Maryland, has been praised for his rich and powerful baritone, as well as his ability to embody dramatic and comic characters on the operatic stage. Mr. Nelson’s 2019-2020 season features numerous house debuts, including this performance, Chicago Opera Theater as Doug Hansen in Everest, and Fort Worth Opera as Marcello in La bohème. He also returns to Palm Beach Opera as Ping in Turandot, and Des Moines Metro Opera as the title role in Sweeney Todd. The baritone’s 2018-2019 season included a return to Lyric Opera of Chicago as a soloist in their widely attended annual Millennium Park concert, followed by performances of Marcello in La bohème. Additionally, he joined Arizona Opera as the Count in Le nozze di Figaro and returned to Santa Fe Opera as Marcello in La bohème. Other notable performances include Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro with Santa Fe Opera, Germont in La traviata with Lyric Opera of Virginia, Angelotti in Tosca and Mandryka (cover) in Arabella with Santa Fe Opera, Quinault in Adriana Lecouvreur with Opera Orchestra of New York, Sciarrone in Tosca with The Glimmerglass Festival, and a soloist in Steven Blier’s “Killer B’s” with the New York Festival of Song.
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PRODUCTION
S arah J ane M c M ahon Micaëla
Praised by Opera News as having “a golden sound,” New Orleans native Sarah Jane McMahon performs with the world’s top opera companies and symphony orchestras. Recently, she performed as Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire at the historic Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. Sarah Jane has appeared with the Los Angeles Opera, Dallas Opera and the Washington Concert Opera, among many others. With the New York City Opera at Lincoln Center, she performed in Purcell’s King Arthur and as Galatea in Acis and Galatea, the latter earning her the coveted Kolozsvár Award. She also appeared as Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance for which The New York Times called her “the most polished and flexible singer in the cast.” Other roles performed include Marguerite (Faust), Violetta (La traviata), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Musetta (La bohème), Maria (West Side Story), Gilda (Rigoletto) and Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro). Concert credits include the San Francisco Symphony, Munich Philharmonic, the Vienna Konzerthaus, the Cleveland Pops, Colorado Symphony, the Portland Symphony and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. She is a summa cum laude graduate of both Loyola and Yale Universities, performs frequently with Lyrica Baroque and serves as a principal cantor at the St. Louis Cathedral. For more information, please visit: www.sarahjanemcmahon.com.
I van G riffin Bass-Baritone Zuniga
Ivan Griffin has delighted audiences in the United States, Europe and South Africa in concert, operatic and musical theater performances. During the 2016 fortieth anniversary celebration of Spoleto Festival USA, he appeared in two historic productions: he sang the role of Robbins in Porgy and Bess and The King in the world premiere of Afram ou La Belle Swita, an operetta by Charleston’s native son Edmund Thornton Jenkins. He was recently featured in the title role of Ulysses in Opera Louisiane’s re-telling of Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria. A familiar face to New Orleans audiences, Mr. Griffin has appeared with the New Orleans Opera in such productions as Tosca (Cesare Angelotti), Madama Butterfly (Il Commissario), Der Vampyr (Toms Blunt), La bohème (Benoit), La traviata (Dr. Grenvil), Carmen (Zuniga) and Tabasco (Grand Vizier). He has also sung the roles of Lucien Aubry in Minette Fontaine by William Grant Still and Rodolphe Desdunes in Les Lions de la Reconstruction, both with OperaCréole. He has been a featured soloist with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería and Orquesta Sinfónica de México, South Bend Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, Nashville Symphony, South Carolina Philharmonic, Toledo Symphony, Symphony of Southeast Texas and Flint Symphony.
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PRODUCTION
D ennis J esse Baritone Le Dancaïre
Dennis Jesse has performed in a variety of genres both nationally and Internationally. Beginning on the musical theater stage, he moved to operetta and then a twenty-year career in grand opera. He frequents the stages of many of America’s opera houses. This season, he will appear in productions with New Orleans Opera, Opéra Louisiane, Sinfonia da Camara and Pensacola Opera. On the concert stage, he will appear with the Acadiana Symphony, Lawrence University and with the Pensacola Choral Society. On the recital stage, he will appear at Stephen F. Austin State University and Young Harris College. Recently, he has been seen in productions with Central City Opera, Opera Ithaca and Opera Orlando. Mr. Jesse is an Associate Professor at LSU and is the General and Artistic Director of a summer abroad program sponsored by LSU in Orvieto and Rome, Italy titled Opera Festival di Roma. For eleven years, he has served on the international faculty of La Musica Lirica, an intensive summer abroad program for young opera singers.
T yrone C hambers , II Tenor Le Remendado
Recently making his Swiss debut with L’Orchestre de Chambre de Genève, Tyrone Chambers sang Joe in Gershwin’s Blue Monday. Roles include Diron Hachard in William Grant Still’s Minette Fontaine, Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus, King Nebuchadnezzar in The Burning Fiery Furnace, Gastone in La traviata, Hans in Schwarzwaldmädel, and most recently Belmonte in Die Entführung aus dem Serail, the title role in Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito, and a concert of Brahms’ Liebeslieder Walzer at Castle Henfenfeld. As principal tenor and founding artist in New Orleans-based OperaCréole, Chambers created the role of Jean Torrès in Lucien Lambert’s La Flamenca and Basile Barès in a new work entitled Les Lions de la Reconstruction. Mr. Chambers has been in Germany since Summer 2017 and frequently performs around the country. The Süddeutsche Zeitung heralded him for singing with “tenorissimo…, fine in the heights, elegantly gliding on the tempi waves and in forte with powerful dedication.” He recently toured The Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical Gala throughout western Europe and Scandinavia. The 2019-2020 season includes concerts in Brazil, in Germany at Papageno Musiktheater am Palmengarten in Frankfurt, and with Opera et Cetera. He returns home this season for the role of Le Remendado and Monostatos in The Magic Flute. In February 2020, Mr. Chambers will premiere the role of Russell Davenport in Dan Shore’s Freedom Ride at Chicago Opera Theater.
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PRODUCTION
S pencer R eichman Baritone Moralès
Most recently Spencer performed Sharpless in Madama Butterfly with Shreveport Opera and Central City Opera, 1st Mate in Billy Budd with Central City Opera, and Wagner in Faust with the New Orleans Opera Association. Equally at home with operetta, Mr. Reichman was invited in the summer of 2016 to Harrogate, England to perform in Patience at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival. Upcoming engagements include performances with the Shreveport Opera, the New Orleans Opera Association and being a Mary Ragland Emerging Artist with Nashville Opera in the Spring of 2020. Mr. Reichman has completed apprenticeships with Central City Opera, Shreveport Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, the Crested Butte Music Festival, Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music Opera Boot Camp and Opera in the Ozarks. Competition wins include twice being named a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and receiving an encouragement award in 2016. Mr. Reichman holds a master’s degree from Loyola University, where he studied with Luretta Bybee, and an undergraduate degree from Texas State University.
H aley W hitney Soprano Frasquita
Haley Whitney, a rising soprano from New Orleans, has enthralled audiences with her elegant lyric singing and sparkling theatricality. She most recently performed with the New Orleans Opera’s chamber opera series as Woman I in the regional premiere of Lera Auerbach’s The Blind, and as Céphise is Rameau’s Pygmalion. Other roles include Blanche de la Force in Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites and the Youth in Tom Cipullo’s After Life in a featured performance for the 2018 National Opera Association convention. Previous roles include Rose Maurrant in Weill’s Street Scene, Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen and Suor Genovieffa in Suor Angelica. As a concert soloist, she performed with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in Bach’s Easter Oratorio. Past performances of sacred works include Poulenc’s Gloria, Handel’s Messiah, and Kodaly’s Missa Brevis, in which she was a featured soloist in a stirring collaboration with New Orleans Opera and the José Limón Dance Company, presented by the New Orleans Ballet Association. She is a proud graduate of NOCCA, where she studied with Phyllis Treigle, and recently received a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Loyola University in the studio of renowned mezzo-soprano Luretta Bybee.
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PRODUCTION
C laire S hackleton Mezzo-Soprano Mercédès
Claire Shackleton, mezzo-soprano, has been praised for her “ripe mezzo of polished sheen and warmth.” A champion of new music, Claire has participated in the workshop debut performances of Ben Moore’s Enemies, a Love Story and Robert Paterson’s Three Way. Claire also debuted the song cycles Letters to Santa by Logan Skelton and Stacy Garrop’s The Book of American Poetry Volume III. Last season, Claire enjoyed debuting the title role in Glyn Bailey’s How to Kill a Diva as well as performing Eriks Ešenvalds’ new St. Luke Passion. Standard roles performed by Claire include Hermia-A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Maddalena-Rigoletto, Composer-Ariadne auf Naxos, Prince Charming-Cendrillon, Cherubino and Marcellina-Le Nozze di Figaro, Dorabella-Così fan tutte, Annio-La Clemenza di Tito, Siébel-Faust, Angelina-La Cenerentola, and Dinah-Trouble in Tahiti. These roles and others were performed with Central City Opera, New Orleans Opera, Hawaii Opera Theater, Austin Lyric Opera, Kentucky Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Pacific Opera Project, Opera Louisiane, Amarillo Opera, Pine Mountain Music Festival, JPAS and Ohio Light Opera. Claire received her master’s degree in music from the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. She received her bachelor’s degree in music from Loyola University New Orleans, where she is currently on the voice faculty and directing opera.
P eter G abb Lillas Pastia
Peter Gabb is a character actor and is excited to be playing Pastia again for the New Orleans Opera, where he has also played Frosch the drunken jailer in Die Fledermaus and Doc in West Side Story. Other roles in other theaters include Erronius in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the Rabbi in Fiddler on the Roof, the Custodian and Caesar Rodney in 1776, Osgood in Some Like it Hot, and many others. His most recent film roles include the Cab Driver in Treme and Charlie the Pawnbroker in Green Book.
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IN THE WINGS
In the Wings : A New Interview Series from New Orleans Opera
NOOA Chorister, Shirley Stewart, at left, pictured with a member of the production team.
H
ave you ever zeroed in and focused on a chorus member during an opera and wondered what their story was? When you see children during the intermission, are you reminded of your own first theatrical experience? And what about the person sitting next to you right now? I bet if you don’t know them, you are (or will be) wondering what they think about tonight’s opera…right? New Orleans Opera (NOOA) introduces a new video series this year titled In the Wings. Produced by our very own social media expert (and chorus member) Dylan Tran, the series will tell the stories of several of our Opera family members, both on and off stage. Clips from In the Wings will be posted throughout the season on the New Orleans Opera website and social media channels. Your thoughts are welcome via email and on video. If you want to participate in the series, email social@neworleansopera.org. First up is Shirley A. Stewart. This weekend marks her 10th Carmen as a chorister and 51 years with NOOA! Here is an excerpt from her interview, which you can find in its entirety on our website.
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IN THE WINGS Will you tell me about your first experience with opera? Shirley A. Stewart: My very first experience was actually seeing a production that NOOA did at the Municipal Auditorium. As a matter of fact, a teacher at that same elementary school asked, “Who wants a ticket to the opera?” So, I raised my hand, you know, and went home and I told my parents I had this ticket to the opera. They had no idea what that was. They said, “Well, where is it?” “At the Municipal Auditorium.” My dad said, “I’ll take you, but I’m not going in. You’ll be right where I leave you with the security guard.” “I promise.” “Well, how long is this opera?” “Oh, it’s only about an hour...” Well, it was Turandot, first of all, which is like 3.5 hours with cuts. But I didn’t know that and neither did he, so, if he was upset, he never let me know. What would you like to see happening in the future with opera? Shirley: Because we have people like Carol [Rausch - Chorus Master of NOOA] who is working real hard to get the community involved in opera through the children’s chorus, there’s going to be a lot more representation in the theatre I’m hoping, fingers crossed… I would like to see more children involved ‘cause there are a lot of operas written that have children’s choruses in them. Or even if the children are not singing, you need extras? All towns are not designed with just adults in them, you need to put some children on that stage… I am certain that there are some children who can benefit from this. Putting something like the opportunity to sing in a professional company like New Orleans Opera would give them some incentive. Suppose there’s a child there who is really quiet but has a voice like Leontyne Price? We’re never gonna know! I got news for you: we got principals who’ve never been to an opera. I spoke to somebody just this afternoon about coming to the opera. “Where is it?” “What do you mean where is it? Sitting right there in the middle of [Louis] Armstrong Park, a big beautiful theatre.” You can’t expect people to come to the table if they’ve never been invited before. They don’t even know that they have a place at the table.
We can’t wait for you to hear the entire interview. And, if you see Shirley in the hall this weekend, please tell her hello and thank her for being a member of the New Orleans Opera family for over 50 years!
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INSTITUTIONAL UNDERWRITERS
Institutional Underwriters Thank you
N
ew Orleans Opera Association thanks our business, foundation and government partners for their recent support! New Orleans Opera works with each business and community partner to create a sponsorship package that suits your company’s particular needs. Whether you seek opportunities to entertain your clients, corporate visibility at performances, marketing partnerships or all of the above, New Orleans Opera can assist you. Your sponsorship supports the Opera while providing exclusive benefits and visibility for your company.
$100,000+ Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation Lois and Lloyd Hawkins Jr. Foundation Louisiana Economic Development New Orleans Opera Endowment Fund Women’s Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association Bloomberg Philanthropies $50,000+ Freeport McMoRan Foundation Arts Fund The Theresa Bittenbring Marque & John Henry Marque Fund Opera America Innovation Grant Edward F. and Louise B. Martin Family Fund $20,000+ Lois and Lloyd Hawkins Jr. Grand Opera Foundation City of New Orleans Edward Wisner Donation Louisiana State Arts Council/Louisiana Division of the Arts National Philanthropic Trust in support of the Donald W. Wood Sr. Vocal Competition New Orleans Theater Association The Selley Foundation Fund Wisdom-Benjamin Foundation Windsor Court Hotel
$10,000+ City of New Orleans/ACNO Entergy Charitable Foundation Greater New Orleans Foundation John Burton Harter Foundation Keller Family Foundation Erik F. Johnsen Family Foundation Lexus of New Orleans LSU Health Sciences Center Foundation Monteleone Family Foundation Regions Bank $5,000+ An Anonymous Foundation in support of Opera on Tap-New Orleans Carol B. and Kenneth J. Boudreaux Foundation The Aaron Copeland Fund for Music, Inc. J. Scott Chotin Jr. Family Community Fund Ruth U. Fertel Foundation The Helis Foundation V. Price LeBlanc Jr. Fund McCall Fund Louise H. Moffett Family Foundation Peoples Health Sylvain Society of the New Orleans Opera Association WWOZ
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INSTITUTIONAL UNDERWRITERS
$1,000+ Adams and Reese LLP Community Works of Louisiana Consul General of France Gulf Coast Bank Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana Kabacoff Family Foundation The Kelly Family Foundation Landis Construction Co., LLC J. Edgar Monroe Foundation New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and Foundation The Reily Companies Renaissance Publishing RiverBirch, LLC RosaMary Foundation Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Luther and Zita Templeman Foundation Van der Linden Family Foundation WWNO
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WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE MATCHING AND IN-KIND(*) GIFTS FROM THE FOLLOWING INSTITUTIONS: Booth Bricker Fund Chevron Humankind Deutsches Haus* ExxonMobil Foundation Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Foundation Goldman Sachs Historic New Orleans Collection* Martin Wine Cellar* New Orleans Jazz Museum* New Orleans Museum of Art* The Ogden Museum* Patron Manager* Seven Three Distilling Co.* Shell Oil Company Foundation Xavier University*
INSTITUTIONAL UNDERWRITERS
We thank the following business, foundation & goverment entities for their recent support
THE OFFICIAL BANK OF NEW ORLEANS OPERA
THE OFFICIAL CAR OF NEW ORLEANS OPERA
New Orleans Opera is supported in part by a Community Arts Grant made possible by the City of New Orleans and administered by the Arts Council of New Orleans; and by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council.
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WOMEN’S GUILD
Women’s Guild
T
he Women’s Guild has been in existence since 1947, serving the mission of “Keeping Opera Alive” in New Orleans. The membership of the Women’s Guild is comprised of diverse and amazing women whom are dedicated to fostering and promoting the cultural aspects of opera, creating fun and exciting fundraising events, as well as educational efforts in cooperation with the New Orleans Opera Association. Fundraising is responsible for large portion of our income, and we hope you will attend our planned events, which include:
• “A Haunting Affair” on October 26, 2019 at the Guild Home. Costume or Black-Tie attire. Chairs: Dr. Jane Miller and Mary Flynn Thomas • Holiday Tea at the Guild Home with Mrs. Claus – December 15, 2019 • Mardi Gras Rendezvous – February 22 – 23, 2020
• Mad Hatter’s Luncheon and Fashion Show on April 1, 2020 at the Sheraton Hotel. Chairs: Valerie Grubb and Sandra Hermann
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OPERA CLUB
Opera Club
President Jayne S. Weiss MD
Treasurer Elroy Eckhardt
Vice President Allen Sheen MD
Secretary Phil Straub
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ood food, good friends and great music. Join the Opera Club and get an insider’s view of the opera company. While membership does not directly support the New Orleans Opera, the Opera Club is a social organization composed of people who love the opera and attend our performances. Known for its social events, Opera Club hosts three dinner parties per season, where members can enjoy each other’s company and meet the stars of the opera about to be performed. The dinners are held at the beautiful Opera Guild home on Prytania Street and are formal affairs with a catered menu and open bar. Maestro Lyall introduces the stars and speaks about the upcoming performances. In addition to dinner and cocktails, each party includes entertainment related to the upcoming performances. The club also has an annual holiday gathering. Admittance is separate from Club dues but is very reasonable in cost. This event is also held in the Guild Home, which is always beautifully decorated for the holiday season. We would love to have you as a member! There is more information online and you can join at www.neworleansopera.com. REMAINING DINNERS FOR 2019-2020 Holiday Party on Saturday, December 7, 2019 Joan of Arc on Saturday, February 1, 2020 Magic Flute on Saturday, April 25, 2020
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New Orleans Opera Association
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SYLVAIN SOCIETY
Sylvain Society
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ylvain Society is the New Orleans Opera’s Young Professionals affiliate group. Established in 2017, their purpose is to connect the operatic arts to the Greater New Orleans community through events such as their annual Big Wig Ball fundraiser. Sylvain Society membership is free for anyone age 21-45 and includes invitations to cultural events and membership mixers around the city. Additionally, members are eligible to join the Sylvain Season Subscription Program for 2019-2020! OFFICERS: Amanda Credeur Bianca Spears Brian Monk Alisha Reed Michael Roussel Jr Cree Merriman Jourdain Sarah Stickney Murphy UPCOMING EVENTS (tickets available at www.neworleansopera.org) October 17, 2019 OPERAtunity: Scenic Studio Tour + Canvas & Cocktails January 17, 2020 Big Wig Ball
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THE DONALD W. WOOD SR. VOCAL COMPETITION
Wood Vocal Competition
Pictured above, left to right: Dade Michael Dufrene (First Place Male), Olivia Belle Gray (First Place Female), Julian Maccrea Revell (Second Place Male), Debby Hirsch Wood (Founder and Director of the Wood Competition), Sarah-Katherine McCallum (Second Place Female), Ashton Louis Stephens (Honorable Mention), Andrew David Aceves (Honorable Mention), Lauren A. Albano (Honorable Mention), Kieva Ja’Lisa Banks (Honorable Mention). Photo credit: Thomas Grosscup.
Saturday, October 26, 2019 | 1:00 p.m. Freda Lupin Memorial Hall at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts 2800 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70117
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he Wood Competition is in its fifth year as a significant young artist entry vehicle into the professional realm of singing. Founded in 2015, The Donald W. Wood Sr. Vocal Competition (Wood Competition) is a collaboration between the New Orleans Opera Association, Loyola University New Orleans College of Music and Fine Arts, Tulane University Department of Music and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. The contest is open to all Louisiana high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. The Wood Competition promotes artistic excellence, provides financial support to young vocalists and encourages young local singers in vocal music. New Orleans Opera is extremely grateful to New Orleans Opera board member, Debby Hirsch Wood, for creating this competition in honor of her late husband, Donald W. Wood Sr. The Wood family has granted funding for the competition to continue in perpetuity in his name. Donald Wood Sr. loved opera and was supportive of NOOA’s educational endeavors.
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New Orleans Opera Association
LOUISIANA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
louisiana philharmonic orchestra Carlos Miguel Prieto, Music Director
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he Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra is dedicated to maintaining live symphonic music and a full-scale symphonic orchestra as an integral part of the cultural and educational life of the New Orleans area, the entire state of Louisiana and the Gulf South region. Formed in 1991, the LPO is the only musician-owned and -operated orchestra in the United States and the only full-time professional orchestra in the Gulf South. The LPO offers a full 36-week season with more than 100 performances, including classics, light classics and pops; in addition to educational, family-friendly, park, and outreach concerts in New Orleans and across a multi-parish area. In addition, the LPO collaborates with and provides orchestral support for other cultural and performing arts organizations, including New Orleans Opera Association, Symphony Chorus of New Orleans, New Orleans Ballet Association and Delta Festival Ballet.
VIOLINS Vacant, Concertmaster Benjamin Hart, Associate Concertmaster Hannah Yim, Assistant Concertmaster Byron Tauchi, Principal Second Violin Xiao Fu, Assistant Principal Second Violin Zorica Dimova Judith Armistead Fitzpatrick Eva Liebhaber Janeta Mavrova
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New Orleans Opera Association
Kurt Munstedt Elizabeth Overweg Gabriel Platica Yaroslav Rudnytsky Yuki Tanaka Benjamin Thacher Kate Withrow Sarah Yen Guangnan Daniel Yue
LOUISIANA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
VIOLAS Richard Woehrle, Principal Bruce Owen, Assistant Principal Amelia Clingman Peter Dutilly^ Valborg Gross Ila Rondeau* Catherine Schilling Carole Shand Tyler Sieh
BASS CLARINET John Reeks
CELLOS Jonathan Gerhardt, Principal Daniel Lelchuk, Assistant Principal Rachel Hsieh Jeanne Jaubert Kent Jensen David Rosen Dimitri Vychko
FRENCH HORNS Mollie Pate, Principal Josiah Bullach, Assistant Principal Jamie Leff Kevin Winter Mark Trotter^
BASSES David Anderson, Principal William Schettler, Assistant Principal Timothy Chen Paul Macres Benjamin Wheeler FLUTES Ji Weon Ryu, Principal Patti Adams, Assistant Principal Sarah Schettler PICCOLO Patti Adams OBOES Virginia McDowell^, Principal Jane Gabka, Assistant Principal Michael McGowan ENGLISH HORN Michael McGowan CLARINETS Daniel Parrette, Principal Stephanie Thompson, Assistant Principal John Reeks E-FLAT CLARINET Stephanie Thompson
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New Orleans Opera Association
BASSOONS Jack Peña, Principal Benjamin Atherholt, Assistant Principal Michael Matushek CONTRABASSOON Benjamin Atherholt
TRUMPETS Vance Woolf, Principal David Sterrett, Assistant Principal Stephen Orejudos TROMBONES Michael Cox, Principal Matt Wright Evan Conroy, Bass Trombone TUBA Robert Nuñez, Principal TIMPANI Jim Atwood, Principal PERCUSSION Jacob Powers, Principal Dave Salay HARP Rachel Van Voorhees Kirschman, Principal The string section of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra is listed alphabetically and participates in revolving seating. *On leave ^Acting member
EDUCATION
Education
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ew Orleans Opera’s robust Education Department is kicking-off an exciting new season! The remainder of the dates are below, and you can find more information, including videos and photos, on the opera website and social media. Follow us!
STUDENT NIGHT OUT DRESS REHEARSALS The Falling and the Rising - November 5, 2019 Joan of Arc - February 5, 2020 Charlie Parker’s Yardbird - April 1, 2020 Magic Flute - April 29, 2020
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS, FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS OPERA NOUVELLE – Performance-lectures based upon upcoming productions • October 20, 2019 — 3:00 p.m. Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden Mixed-Media Concert at NOMA • January 16, 2020 — 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Joan of Arc, Une femme pour les âges: Ogden Museum After Hours • March 1, 2020 — 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Opera Americana and Music to Lift the Spirit: Temple Sinai • April 7, 2020 — 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Star-Blazing Queen, The Magic Flute and Hubble Telescope Images: Deutsches Haus Kulturabend • April 19, 2020 — 3:00 p.m. Characters from The Magic Flute at NOMA’s Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
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New Orleans Opera Association
EDUCATION
OPERA ORIENTATION ROUNDTABLE – Educational panel discussions with members of the production cast, NOOA’s General and Artistic Director and other key production personnel. Held at the Opera Guild Home. • Joan of Arc — January 26, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. • Charlie Parker’s Yardbird — Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. • Magic Flute — Sunday, April 12, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. SCHOOL PROGRAMS – MetroPelican Opera performances offered throughout the academic year: • LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD — by Seymour Barab, a fully-staged and costumed touring opera, is designed for grades PK- 6 schoolchildren. • HANSEL AND GRETEL — Our adaptation of this classic favorite designed for grades PK – 5 • A CELEBRATION IN SONG — an engaging program for grades Pre-K through 12 which explores African and African American songs, storytelling, poetry and spirituals. INTERACTIVE PROGRAMS AND ACCELERATED CLASSES • BUILD AN OPERA — offers students in grades 6-12 the opportunity to build operas from traditional or original storylines. • HIP-HOPERA — a process-oriented class that combines song, story and choreography. Students in grades 3 - 5 add poetry-slam components and hip-hop moves to operatic and musical theater works. Sessions typically range from three to five weeks. • WORLD OPERA! — Students in grades 4 through 6 prepare and perform multi-cultural opera and dance excerpts. Programs have included the Habanera (from the opera Carmen) for marimbas and voice as well as Caribbean music in modern jazz folk songs. • MASTERCLASSES — Advanced High School voice and choral students, grades 9-12 sing individual (solo) selections which are coached by our guest artists and staff. • MUSICOLOGY — five-day seminar series comprising music-history master classes for high school students (grades 9-12). And an exciting new SUMMER CAMP with details to be announced.
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TEAMWORK
teamwork! OPERA STAFF
IATSE LOCAL #840
General and Artistic Director Robert Lyall
Theatrical Wardrobe Union
Director of Operations Gina Klein Technical Director Keith Christopher Director of Public Relations & Marketing Janet Wilson Director of Development Joanna Sternberg Patron Services Manager Devin Johnson
President, Shannon Muhleisen Secretary/Treasurer, Lesly Davi Business Agent, Bonnie Haase WIG & MAKEUP TEAM Designer, Linda Guillot H. LLOYD HAWKINS SCENIC STUDIO Technical Director, Keith Christopher
Support Group Liaison Jenny Chapman
Costume Designer, Julie Winn
Director of Production Sarah McCall
Properties Master Emeritus, Jonathon Ulhman
Stage Manager Emily Barber
Properties Mistress, Olivia Winter
Director of Education William Manning Mouat
Steward, Amy Newman
Scenic Artist, Nathan Arthur
Production Carpenter, Alan Arthur
Chorus Master / Music Administrator Carol Rausch
Head Carpenter, William Borne
Main Line: 504-529-2278 Box Office: 504-529-3000 Toll-Free: 800-881-4459 Fax: 504-529-7668
Head Audio, Daniel Kobiernicki
Mailing address: P.O. Box 52108 New Orleans, LA 70152
#1 Spotlight Operator, George Johnson
IATSE LOCAL #39 President, Keith Christopher Business Manager, Alan Arthur Assistant Lighting Designer, Mandi Wood
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New Orleans Opera Association
Head Electrician, Neil Ingles Head Fly, Gaius (Al) Davis Head Properties, Amber Wolf
To Cindy Sarao, House Fly Person- On behalf of all of us at the New Orleans Opera Association, we would like to thank you for your many years of dedication to the Opera’s productions. We will miss your calm professionalism that you have brought to the position since 1983. The House Curtain literally could not have gone up without you! We wish you all the best in your well-deserved retirement!
