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8 A WELCOME FROM PRESIDENT AND CEO CHRISTOPHER KOELSCH
10 REORIENTING MADAME BUTTERFLY
Ashlyn Aiko Nelson, PhD, explores how Madame Butterfly exemplifies racial stereotyping in the canonical repertoire.
18 DIVE INTO OPERA!
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A scene from the Mario Gas staging of Madame Butterfly (photo: Javier del Real / Teatro Real, Madrid)
LA Opera Publications 2024
EDITOR
Mark Lyons
DESIGN
Studio Fuse
CONTRIBUTOR
Ashlyn Aiko Nelson, PhD
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Jeff Levy
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Glenda Mendez
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OCTOBER 12, 1935 SEPTEMBER 6, 2007
LA Opera’s productions from the Italian repertoire are made possible in part by an extraordinary leadership gift in memory of Luciano Pavarotti and in honor of his remarkable contributions to the world of opera.
Join us for an exhilarating journey featuring over 80 visionary artists from around the world such as:
> Gregory Maqoma > Madame Gandhi > Faustin Linyekula
> Tarta Relena > Orquesta Akokán > Elevator Repair Service
> Cécile Mclorin Salvant > Quetzal > Rianto > Cha Wa
RIANTO
Photo by Bernie Ng, courtesy of Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay
Welcome to LA Opera
Dear friends:
On behalf of everyone at LA Opera, I am delighted to welcome you to what promises to be a sublime 2024/25 season, thanks to the extraordinary artists that will grace our stages.
We are particularly excited to kick off this season’s adventures in opera with Puccini’s peerless Madame Butterfly, a work that has ensorcelled audiences for over a century. For me, one of the most gratifying aspects of the preparation of productions is witnessing the manner in which successive generations of opera artists imbue the work with their own indelible theatrical and musical signatures. For that reason, I am thrilled to introduce two magnificent artists making their first Los Angeles appearances: soprano Karah Son as Cio-Cio-San and tenor Jonathan Tetelman as Pinkerton. We also welcome mezzo-soprano Hyona Kim, making her LAO debut as Suzuki, and herald the return of baritone Michael Sumuel, appearing as Sharpless after his recent performances here in St. Matthew Passion. And our beloved Music Director, James Conlon, commences his 19th season with a work with which he has had a lifelong fascination.
Tenor Rodell Aure Rosel is our Goro, reprising a role he performed here in 2016, and bass Wei Wu returns as the Bonze. Three new members of the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program are making their first company appearances: soprano Gabrielle Turgeon as Kate Pinkerton, baritone Hyungjin Son as Prince Yamadori, and bass-baritone Vinícius Costa as the Imperial Commissioner. A former member of the program, baritone Ryan Wolfe, returns as the Official Registrar.
While the production, from acclaimed Spanish/Uruguayan director Mario Gas, originated in Madrid, I think you will find that its Hollywood soundstage setting has particular resonance in the epicenter of cinema.
I must express my immense gratitude to our deeply dedicated production underwriters whose generosity has made these performances possible: Andrea and Janie Pessino, the Alfred and Claude Mann Fund, Chris and Dick Newman, Margo Leavin, and The Blue Ribbon. I would also like to extend my deepest appreciation to Terri and Jerry Kohl for generously underwriting the LA Opera Orchestra.
Finally, I thank you, our audience members, for making opera possible through your attendance and your support for LA Opera. You are the reason why the arts community has become such a vital force in Los Angeles. I am excited to share the journey with you again in the season ahead.
Sincerely,
Christopher Koelsch SEBASTIAN PAUL AND MARYBELLE MUSCO PRESIDENT AND CEO
LA OPERA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marc Stern* HONORARY CHAIRMAN
Keith R. Leonard, Jr.* CHAIRMAN
Carol F. Henry* CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Leslie A. Dorman* Robert Ronus* Eugene P. Stein* Régina Weingarten* Marilyn Ziering* VICE CHAIRMEN
Penelope D. Foley* TREASURER
Paul D. Tosetti* SECRETARY
Bernard A. Greenberg VICE CHAIRMAN EMERITUS AND FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Ahsan Aijaz
Patricia Artigas
James R. Asperger
Haig S. Bagerdjian
Paul Bloch
Lisa Bratkovich
Iman H. Brivanlou, Ph.D.
Brian P. Brooks
Barbara Burtin
Marlene Schall Chávez, Ph.D.
Janet J. Ciriello, Ed.D.
James Conlon†
Robert Cook
Alexis Deutsch-Adler
Kathleen Kane Eberhardt
Chaz Hammel-Smith Ebert
Geoff Emery
Dr. Annette Ermshar
Michael A. Friedman, M.D.
Gordon P. Getty**
Ambassador Frank E.
Baxter
Alicia Garcia Clark
Alice Steere Coulombe
Juan Carlos Gonzalez
Thomas Gottschalk
Diane Gray
Mónica Gutiérrez Roper
Cornelia Haag-Molkenteller, M.D.
Nicolas Hamatake
Mary Hayley‡
Catherine H. Helm
William Chase
Hodge-Brokenburr
Rian Johnson
Tim C. Johnson*
Janet Jones
Richard Jones
Monique Regine Kagan
Lawrence A. Kern
Christopher Koelsch†*
Thomas F. Kranz
Scott R. Lord
Don Franzen
Alexander Furlotti
Joan Hotchkis
Sherry Lansing
Hon. Nora M. Manella
Claude Mann
Jennifer McCormick
Patricia McKenna*
James Mulally
Gary W. Murphy
Gregory Nava
Leslie A. Pam, Ph.D.
Linda Pascotto*
Andrea Pessino*
Linda Pierce
Ceil Pulitzer**
Barry A. Sanders*
Lionel M. Sauvage*
Heinrich Schelbert, M.D., Ph.D.
R. Carlton Seaver*
Lisa See*
Tina L. Segel
Joan Seidel
LIFE TRUSTEES
Harold B. Ray
Mrs. Joseph A. Saunders‡
Marvin S. Shapiro
Mrs. Dennis Stanfill
Linda Shaheen*
Marilyn Shapiro
Susan Shapiro*
Eric L. Small
Dr. Vina Spiehler
Janet Stanford
Deanie Stein
Dr. Ellen G. Strauss
Mimi Won Techentin
Barbara Augusta Teichert
Brigitta B. Troy
Gillian Wagner
Christopher V. Walker*
Geoffrey P. Wharton
Andrew Xu
Zev Yaroslavsky
Ellen Zetcher
Joakim Zetterberg
Ann Ziff
Richard E. Troop
Alyce Williamson
PRESIDENTS / CHAIRMEN OF LA OPERA SINCE ITS INCEPTION
Stephen D. Gavin
John A. McCone
Lawrence Deutsch
Bernard I. Forester
Kyhl Smeby
Edward W. Carter
Thomas Wachtell
Roy L. Ash
Bernard A. Greenberg
Richard Seaver
Leonard I. Green
Marc Stern
* Executive Committee member ** Honorary † Ex Officio ‡ in memoriam
Frank E. Baxter
Carol F. Henry
Keith R. Leonard, Jr.
REORIENTING MADAME BUTTERFLY FROM THE “WHITE GAZE” TO INCLUSIVE OPERA
GUEST ESSAY BY
ASHLYN AIKO NELSON, PH.D.
About 20 years ago, I attended a production of Madame Butterfly at San Francisco Opera. Even now, I recall the state of cognitive dissonance I experienced as an audience member. I wanted to immerse myself in the voices of the opera singers and in the visually stunning set design but couldn’t shake my discomfort with the representation of the Japanese characters. As one of the only Asian audience members, I felt self-conscious and complicit with the racial stereotyping I witnessed.
Madame Butterfly is the sixth most performed opera in the world and has occupied a position of privilege within the operatic canon for more than a century. At the same time, the opera portrays Asian women as submissive caricatures, and opera companies often employ historically inaccurate depictions of Japanese culture and dress in Madame Butterfly productions.
The continued prominence and commercial success of Madame Butterfly underscores the pervasiveness of the “white gaze” throughout the opera industry. Novelist Toni Morrison popularized the term “white gaze,” which refers to the assumption that the default perspective of
an audience is white, and the idea that others’ lives have “no meaning and no depth” beyond the perceptions of white observers. Puccini’s Madame Butterfly exemplifies the white gaze: the opera is a Western fantasy of Asian exoticism, composed for white audiences.
The performing arts currently face a collective reckoning with the “white gaze.” Many opera companies globally are now reimagining opera for a more diverse audience, both because of a growing acknowledgment of how the canonical repertoire perpetuates racial stereotyping and typecasting, and because adapting to an increasingly diverse world is imperative for sustaining the commercial viability of the opera industry.
Yet reimagining opera in this context is no small feat, especially because opera audiences and the opera industry remain overwhelmingly white, and thus perpetuate the “white gaze.” Data from the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts by the National Endowment for the Arts indicates that more than three-quarters of opera audiences are white. OPERA America recently reported that more than 80% of opera company boards and staff are white, and a recent opera industry report from Indiana University found that the vast majority of voice faculty and students at universities and conservatories are white. Further, racially and ethnically diverse opera singers face fewer opportunities in the absence of race-based typecasting into traditional repertoire roles. For example, Nina Yoshida Nelsen and Nicholas Phan of the Asian Opera Alliance recently released data showing that the representation of Asian opera singers is 26% lower among opera companies if they do not include casting data from Madame Butterfly productions.
Decentering the “white gaze” to reach more diverse audiences requires a concerted effort to make the opera industry more inclusive at all levels. Voice programs within universities and conservatories are largely responsible for the demographic composition of the opera pipeline, so these programs must make an effort to recruit, admit and retain diverse individuals. Part of
PHOTO BY JAVIER DEL REAL
A scene from the Teatro Real production of Madame Butterfly
this strategy requires diversifying staff and faculty within these institutions. Also essential is recruiting, hiring and retaining racially and ethnically diverse individuals into opera companies, and especially into leadership positions as artistic directors and board members. Research shows that organizations with greater racial diversity—especially among individuals who hold decision-making authority—are more likely to demonstrate outcomes that benefit historically underrepresented groups. Greater diversity in opera company leadership can facilitate innovation in how companies recruit, cast and compensate diverse talent, as well as how they select and produce repertoire. Collectively, these efforts have the potential to shift the demographic composition of opera audiences, as diverse individuals are increasingly able to identify with opera productions and casts.
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of making opera more inclusive lies in reimagining the opera itself. The solutions are not straightforward, as the case of Madame Butterfly illustrates. Eliminating the work from the canon entirely is impractical for opera companies today that rely on the stable ticket revenues that canonical productions generate, and also would reduce the representation of Asian singers in opera casts—at least until the canon includes operas with a greater diversity of roles and companies hire more equitably.
Fortunately, many opera companies today—LA Opera among them—have made important shifts in their approaches to presenting Madame Butterfly. Working in close collaboration with the Asian Opera Alliance throughout its preparation for this production, LA Opera has critically examined how to preserve the beauty of the opera while eliminating its harmful stereotypes and tropes, demonstrating how canonical operas can adapt to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive.
Ashlyn Aiko Nelson, Ph.D., is an economist and associate professor within the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University-Bloomington. She founded the O’Neill Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Last year, she led a collaboration between the O’Neill School and Asian Opera Alliance to produce a strategic plan to improve equity in the opera industry. She is a proud fourth-generation Japanese-American yonsei whose grandparents were incarcerated in the Gila River and Tule Lake concentration camps during WWII. Last season, she served as historical dramaturg for Boston Lyric Opera’s production of Madama Butterfly.
An earlier version of this article was published by Boston Lyric Opera.
UNDERWRITER RECOGNITION
Andrea and Janie Pessino
LA Opera is honored to thank Andrea and Janie Pessino for their underwriting support of this production of Madame Butterfly. While relatively new to the LA Opera family, Mr. and Mrs. Pessino have already had an instrumental impact on the company. In 2022, Mr. Pessino joined the board of directors, and shortly thereafter, he and Mrs. Pessino became members of the 30th Anniversary Angels—LA Opera’s premier support circle, demonstrating their deep commitment to the company. The couple made their underwriting debut last season, supporting the company’s productions of The Barber of Seville and La Traviata. Mr. Pessino also serves on several board committees and is a vice chair of the marketing committee.
Mr. Pessino co-founded the video game development studio Ready At Dawn® in 2003 and, until 2020, was the company’s chief technical officer, producing technology for all of Ready At Dawn’s games to date—from Daxter to The Order: 1886 and Lone Echo. He now serves as head of research, pursuing special R&D projects. From 1998 to 2003, he was a senior software engineer with Blizzard Entertainment® where he authored core technologies for several blockbusters in the WarCraft® video game franchise.
A native of Italy, Mr. Pessino has lived and worked in California since 1990. He is a classically trained musician and an accomplished pianist and composer, having studied composition, harmony, and music theory. His orchestration work on the cinematics for Blizzard’s Diablo II® earned him the 2001 IGDA Game Developers Choice Award for “Excellence in Audio.”
LA Opera is most grateful to be among the recipients of the Pessinos’ generosity and dedication to this beautiful art form.
The Alfred and Claude Mann Fund
LA Opera is proud to present this stirring production of Madame Butterfly, made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of the Alfred and Claude Mann Fund. The Alfred Mann Trust created this fund with a series of gifts that now have had an impact of over $10 million in support. The Manns established the fund as a way of showing their devotion to LA Opera. It underwrites two productions each season, enabling the company to raise the curtain on a host of memorable presentations, which have included La Bohème (2012, 2016), Tosca (2013, 2017, 2022), Carmen (2013), The Barber of Seville (2015), El Gato Montés (2019), The Light in the Piazza (2019), Roberto Devereux (2020), Il Trovatore (2021), Aida (2022), Lucia di Lammermoor (2022), Don Giovanni (2023), Turandot (2023), and now this production of Madame Butterfly.
The Manns’ connection to LA Opera is a true love story. Claude’s own passion for opera brought Al to the art form. As LA Opera Honorary Board Chairman Marc Stern noted, “Al hadn’t been an opera lover, but
he loved Claude and therefore loved the opera.”
A biotech entrepreneur, Al Mann founded 17 companies in his lifetime and was the CEO of MannKind Corporation, a company focused on developing new, lifesaving treatments for diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. He also served as chair of the Alfred Mann Foundation, a trustee of USC and a board member of the LA Philharmonic.
Claude Mann is a philanthropist who earned success in the restaurant business. She has been a member of LA Opera’s board since 2008. Sadly, Al passed away in February of 2016. With each thrilling production underwritten thanks to the Manns’ generosity, his legacy in the arts—and his love story with Claude—live on.
Chris and Dick Newman
LA Opera is delighted to recognize Chris and Dick Newman in their underwriting debut with Madame Butterfly. Mr. and Mrs. Newman recently made a very generous contribution to the company, after nearly 20 years of dedicated support. The couple enjoys being part of the LA Opera family and recognizes the important role of philanthropy in bringing opera to the community.
Dick Newman was the founder, president, CEO and chairman of AECOM, the world’s largest multi-disciplined professional, technical, and construction services company. After retiring from AECOM, he founded Global Infrastructure Solutions Inc. With more than 14,000 professionals, GISI is a consulting, engineering and construction services business which, like AECOM, was founded on the concept of employee ownership.
Christine Horne Newman was born in Warsaw. Her family moved to Canada when she was three years old. She graduated with a degree in psychology from Bucknell University and completed graduate work in education at the University of Southern Connecticut. She worked in
human resources and was a substitute teacher.
In addition to serving on the boards of Saint John’s Health Center Foundation and the Irene Dunne Guild, Mrs. Newman has served on the boards of The Blue Ribbon, the LA Philharmonic Committee, Children’s Institute Inc., Juniors of Social Service, and the Getty House Foundation. Mr. Newman serves on the board of the YMCA and chairs its investment committee. He formerly served on the boards of the California Science Center and the Boy Scouts of America. He was chairman of LA YPO and served as an independent director for Sempra Energy and Southwest Water Company, as well as several boards affiliated with The Capital Group.
LA Opera salutes Mr. and Mrs. Newman for their remarkable philanthropy across Los Angeles and for their dedication to ensuring a bright future for this beautiful art form.
Margo Leavin
This production of Madame Butterfly is made possible thanks to the support of devoted LA Opera patron Margo Leavin. The company is deeply grateful to have been the recipient of a very generous gift from Ms. Leavin’s estate upon her passing in October of 2021. A lifelong opera devotee, Ms. Leavin loved to attend performances at the Metropolitan Opera and at LA Opera whenever her schedule allowed. LA Opera is honored to recognize her as an underwriter of this production following her estate’s underwriting support for the company’s productions of El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego in 2023 and Tosca in 2022.
Originally from New York, Ms. Leavin was a renowned art dealer, a major force in the world of contemporary art, and a bedrock of the Los Angeles art scene. The Margo Leavin Gallery, which opened in 1970 in West Hollywood, was one of the longest running galleries in Los Angeles–showcasing more than 500 exhibitions and mounting major shows of work by important and influential artists including Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Alexis Smith, Lynda
The Blue Ribbon
LA Opera expresses gratitude to all the members of The Blue Ribbon for their generous support of Madame Butterfly. The Blue Ribbon has provided valuable support to LA Opera from its earliest days, recently providing production underwriting support for Don Giovanni (2023), Tosca (2022), Il Trovatore (2021) and La Bohème (2019). They have also championed the company’s community and education programs. Over the past 19 seasons, The Blue Ribbon has contributed approximately $5.1 million to LA Opera, an impressive legacy of devoted generosity.
The Blue Ribbon was founded in 1968 by Dorothy Buffum Chandler, who mobilized a dedicated group of women leaders to sustain and support The Music Center and its resident companies. The Blue Ribbon has since raised more than $82 million to promote and nurture the performing arts and arts education in Los Angeles. Its committed membership of nearly 400 members is led by Mary Ann Hunt-Jacobsen, president, and Terri Kohl, chairman.
Benglis, Sol LeWitt, John Baldessari, Agnes Martin, and many others.
In 2016, Ms. Leavin made a transformative gift of $20 million to her alma mater, UCLA, to restore and expand their graduate art studios. Her gift was the largest donation ever made by an alumna to the arts within the University of California system. The Margo Leavin Graduate Art Studios, a 48,000-square-foot campus in Culver City, was unveiled in 2019 with a mission to support artists and strengthen Los Angeles’s position as a world arts capital.
LA Opera extends its gratitude to Margo Leavin for her commitment to the company and her dedication to ensuring that the beauty of opera will continue to be enjoyed by generations of audiences throughout Southern California.
Since 1970, the annual Blue Ribbon Children’s Festival has welcomed over 900,000 fifth graders to The Music Center, where many of the participants experience live performance for the first time. This three-day event of performances and arts activities is one of the longest ongoing free arts education programs in California.
LA Opera is grateful to The Blue Ribbon for its generous support over so many years, as a valued member of both The Music Center and LA Opera families, with special recognition for their inspiring work with children, an essential part of the company’s mission.
BY LUIS
PHOTO
LUQUE
Rising Stars
Roll call! Introducing the 2024/25 class of the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program. This prestigious two-year paid residency for singers and pianists helps highly gifted performers become the stars of tomorrow.
Give a warm welcome to five singers and two pianists new to the program, who join one returning singer. You won’t have to wait long to see them onstage this season: three of them are debuting in Madame Butterfly .
This season, tenor Nathan Bowles will perform here as Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, the Torero in Ainadamar and Borsa in Rigoletto. He will also appear with Tulsa Opera as Don José in The Tragedy of Carmen in February He recently appeared with Dallas Opera as Benvolio and with Santa Fe Opera in Der Rosenkavalier.
South Korean pianist/coach Sujin Choi will be on the music staff for Romeo and Juliet and Rigoletto. She has been a vocal piano fellow at the Aspen Music Festival as a coach for Don Giovanni and Music Academy of the West as a coach for La Bohème, and most recently was a coach for Don Giovanni for SFO’s Merola Opera Program.
In August, Brazilian bass-baritone
Vinícius Costa performed Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro at the Aspen Music Festival as a Renée Fleming Artist. His LA Opera roles include the Imperial Commissioner in Madame Butterfly, the Duke of Verona in Romeo and Juliet, José Tripaldi in Ainadamar and Count Ceprano in Rigoletto
Pianist/coach Julian Garvue has participated in SongFest, Music Academy of the West and, most recently, the Merola Opera Program at San Francisco Opera. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Indiana University, he will be a coach for LA Opera’s upcoming productions of Così fan tutte and Ainadamar.
Chinese tenor Yuntong Han will make his company debut as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet. He’s currently covering the role of Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly. He has been a young artist at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and the Ravinia Steans Music Institute, and recently earned a performer’s diploma and master’s degree from Indiana University.
Soprano Kathleen O’Mara, a second-year young artist, will debut with San Diego Opera in November as Mimi in La Bohème and make her Metropolitan Opera debut in April as Berta in The Barber of Seville, a role she debuted here last season. She recently performed Duchess Christina in Philip Glass’s Galileo Galilei at Opera Theatre of St. Louis.
South Korean baritone Hyungjin Son recently performed the title role in Don Giovanni with SFO’s Merola Opera Program. His roles here include Prince Yamadori in Madame Butterfly, Gregorio in Romeo and Juliet, the Maestro in Ainadamar and Marullo in Rigoletto. He recently performed the Bonze in Madame Butterfly with Boston Lyric Opera.
Canadian-American soprano Gabrielle Turgeon debuts at LAO as Kate Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly, subsequently appearing in Ainadamar and Rigoletto. She recently graduated with a master’s from Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, where she performed the title role in The Cunning Little Vixen and Blanche in Dialogues des Carmélites.
The Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program is generously underwritten by the Colburn Foundation and Eugene and Marilyn Stein, with additional generous underwriting support provided by Terri and Jerry Kohl and Richard and Lenore Wayne.
Butterfly Takes the Stage
David Belasco's play Madame Butterfly, which premiered on Broadway in 1900, was particularly celebrated for a riveting wordless scene of the heroine’s overnight vigil, which used cuttingedge lighting effects. Puccini saw the play in London, and although he understood little English, he was so moved that he resolved to make Butterfly his next opera.
The First Japanese Butterfly
Tokyo native Tamaki Miura (1884-1946) was the first internationally acclaimed Japanese opera singer. She was best known for her portrayal as Cio-CioSan in Madame Butterfly, which she first performed in London in 1915. She would go on to sing the role more than 2,000 times throughout Europe, America and Japan. Composer Giacomo Puccini praised her performance, calling her the “ideal Cio-Cio-San.”
Madame Butterfly
September 21 – October 13, 2024
GIACOMO PUCCINI
Production made possible by generous support from Andrea and Janie Pessino, Alfred and Claude Mann Fund, Chris and Dick Newman, Margo Leavin, and The Blue Ribbon.
Dracula: The Spanish Version GUSTAVO SANTAOLALLA
October 25-27, 2024, at the United Theater Presentation made possible by generous support from Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg. Off Grand productions are supported by a consortium of generous donors to LA Opera’s Contemporary Opera Initiative, chaired by Barry and Nancy Sanders. With special appreciation to Régina and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten.
Romeo and Juliet CHARLES GOUNOD
November 2-23, 2024
Production made possible by generous support from Barbara Augusta Teichert, Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg, and Alfred and Claude Mann Fund. Special additional support from The Armenian Consortium. With special appreciation to Régina and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten.
Benjamin Bernheim in Recital
November 9, 2024
at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Presentation made possible by generous support from Kyle Thorpe.
Les Talens Lyriques: The Sound of Music in Versailles
November 13, 2024, at the Colburn School’s Zipper Hall Presentation made possible by generous support from Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg; with special appreciation to Régina and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten.
Kristin Chenoweth Holiday Concert
December 14, 2024
Ryan Speedo Green in Recital
January 19, 2025
at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Kelli O’Hara in Concert
February 1, 2025
2024/25 SEASON
LA Opera Orchestra generously underwritten by Terri and Jerry Kohl
Adoration
February 19-23, 2025, at REDCAT
MARY KOUYOUMDJIAN
Off Grand productions are supported by a consortium of generous donors to LA Opera’s Contemporary Opera Initiative, chaired by Barry and Nancy Sanders.
Così fan tutte WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
March 8-30, 2025
Production made possible by generous support from The Carol and Warner Henry Production Fund for Mozart Operas and The Emanuel Treitel Senior Citizen Fund.
The Three Women of Jerusalem CARLA LUCERO
March 14-15, 2025
Production made possible by a generous grant from the Dan Murphy Foundation. Special support also received from the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs and the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.
Angel Blue in Concert
March 15, 2025
Ainadamar OSVALDO GOLIJOV
April 26 – May 18, 2025
Production made possible by generous support from Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg, Bernard A. and Lenore S. Greenberg Opera Fund, and a generous anonymous donor. Off Grand productions are supported by a consortium of generous donors to LA Opera’s Contemporary Opera Initiative, chaired by Barry and Nancy Sanders. With special appreciation to Régina and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten.
Rigoletto GIUSEPPE VERDI
May 31 – June 21, 2025
Production made possible by generous support from Andrea and Janie Pessino and Tarasenka Pankiv Fund (Tara Colburn).
Joshua Guerrero in Recital
June 7, 2025
at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Renée Fleming & Friends
June 14, 2025
SUPPORTERS
30th Anniversary Angels
MARC STERN, CHAIR
We celebrate our 30th Anniversary Angels who build on the inspiring legacy of the company’s Founding Angels and the many generous Angels who followed them. (See pages P13 and P14.) They have provided the necessary foundational support for world-class opera in Los Angeles.
Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco
Marc and Eva Stern Foundation
GRoW @ Annenberg
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Colburn Foundation
County of Los Angeles
Dunard Fund USA
Gordon Getty
The Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund
Carol and Warner Henry
Terri and Jerry Kohl
Claude Mann and Alfred E. Mann Estate
Ronus Foundation
The Seaver Family
Marilyn Ziering
Mr. Harold Alden and Dr. Geraldine Alden
The Blue Ribbon
Ana and Robert Cook
Mark Houston Dalzell and James Dao-Dalzell
Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman
The Alexander Furlotti Foundation
Max H. Gluck Foundation
Peter and Diane Gray
The Green Foundation
Margo Leavin
Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Family Foundation
Nanette and Keith Leonard
LGHG Foundation
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Dan Murphy Foundation
The Okun Family, in memory of Milton Okun
Linda and Alvaro Pascotto
Andrea and Janie Pessino
Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer
Suzanne Rheinstein, in honor of Fred Rheinstein
Lloyd E. Rigler – Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation
Kenneth D. Sanson, Jr., Trust
Ariane and Lionel Sauvage
David and Linda Shaheen
Eugene and Marilyn Stein
Barbara Augusta Teichert
Emanuel Treitel Trust
Christopher V. Walker
Richard and Lenore Wayne
Ann Ziff
Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley / Selim K. Zilkha Foundation
PROGRAM
CHRISTOPHER KOELSCH , SEBASTIAN PAUL AND MARYBELLE MUSCO PRESIDENT AND CEO
JAMES CONLON , RICHARD SEAVER MUSIC DIRECTOR
PRESENTS
GIACOMO PUCCINI
Madame Butterfly
CREATIVE TEAM
CONDUCTOR
James Conlon
PRODUCTION
Mario Gas*
STAGE DIRECTOR
Brenna Corner
SCENIC DESIGNER
Ezio Frigerio*
COSTUME DESIGNER
Franca Squarciapino*
ORIGINAL
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Vinicio Cheli*
REVIVAL
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Pablo Santiago
CHORUS DIRECTOR
Jeremy Frank
INTIMACY DIRECTOR
Sara E. Widzer
FIGHT DIRECTOR
Andrew Kenneth Moss
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Anderson Nunnelley
STAGE MANAGER
Hannah Holthaus
PROMPTER
Peter Walsh ‡
MUSICAL PREPARATION
Kyle Naig
Nicholas Roehler ‡
Blair Salter
Peter Walsh ‡
KIMONO SPECIALISTS
Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica, based on works of John Luther Long and David Belasco Scan image at left with smartphone camera (or text “LAO” to 55741) to access the complete digital program. Message frequency will vary, Message and Data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel and HELP for help. SMS Terms of Service and Privacy Policy found at theshow.ihub.app/contact
Sueko Oshimoto and Kentaro Terauchi (KIMONO SK)
CAST
CIO-CIO-SAN Karah Son*
B.F. PINKERTON
SUZUKI
SHARPLESS
Jonathan Tetelman*
Hyona Kim*
Michael Sumuel
GORO Rodell Aure Rosel
BONZE
Wei Wu
PRINCE YAMADORI Hyungjin Son* †
KATE PINKERTON Gabrielle Turgeon* †
IMPERIAL COMMISSIONER Vinícius Costa* †
OFFICIAL REGISTRAR Ryan Wolfe ‡
UNCLE YAKUSIDE Sal Malaki
COUSIN
MOTHER
AUNT
Janet Todd
Courtney Taylor
Danielle Marcelle Bond
CIO-CIO-SAN’S CHILD Ean Sun* (SEP 21-29)
Enzo Ma* (OCT 5-13)
ARTISTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
SUPPORT
Production made possible by generous support from Andrea and Janie Pessino
Alfred and Claude Mann Fund
Chris and Dick Newman
Margo Leavin
The Blue Ribbon
LA Opera Orchestra generously underwritten by Terri and Jerry Kohl
PRODUCTION NOTES
The running time is approximately two hours and 55 minutes, including one intermission.
Supertitles written by David Anglin.
Pre-performance talks by James Conlon are generously sponsored by the Flora L. Thornton Foundation and the Opera League of Los Angeles. Produced in consultation with the Asian Opera Alliance.
Production from Teatro Real (Madrid). Additional costumes constructed by the Los Angeles Opera Costume Shop. Wigs constructed by the Los Angeles Opera Wig & Make-Up Department.
* LA Opera debut
† Member of the Domingo-ColburnStein Young Artist Program
‡ Alumnus of the Domingo-ColburnStein Young Artist Program
Please refrain from talking during the performance, and turn off all cell phones, electronic devices and watch alarms. If you are using an assistive hearing device, or are attending with someone who is, please make sure that it is set to an appropriate level to avoid distracting audio feedback. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the house management. Members of the audience who leave during the performance will not be shown back into the theater until the next intermission. The use of cameras and recording equipment is strictly prohibited. Your use of a ticket acknowledges your willingness to appear in photographs taken in public areas of the Music Center and releases the Center and its lessees and others from liability resulting from use of such photographs. Any microphones onstage are used for recording or broadcast purposes only; onstage voices are not amplified.
ACT ONE
Outside a house in turn-of-the-century Nagasaki, Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton, an American naval officer, arranges with the marriage broker Goro to lease a residence for himself and his new bride Cio-Cio-San, also known as Butterfly. He is then introduced to Butterfly’s servants, one of whom is Suzuki. While talking to Sharpless, the American consul, Pinkerton reveals that he purchased his bride for 100 yen and that he can bow out of the marriage contract whenever he wishes. Sharpless tries to warn the officer that his teenage bride might really love him, but Pinkerton ignores the consul, drinking to the day when he will marry an American woman.
Butterfly arrives with friends and relatives, greeting Pinkerton and showing him her paltry belongings, including the dagger her father used to kill himself. She confides to Pinkerton that she secretly converted to Christianity the day before so that she could worship the same God as her husband, for whom she is willing to forget her own people.
During the wedding celebration, the Bonze (a monk), Butterfly’s uncle, arrives. He has learned that Butterfly has renounced her religion, and he calls upon all of her relatives to renounce her. Pinkerton demands that they all leave, then comforts his new bride. As night falls, Butterfly rapturously confesses her love for Pinkerton.
INTERMISSION
ACT TWO
Three years have passed since Pinkerton sailed away for America. The devoted Butterfly tells Suzuki that one day soon they will see Pinkerton’s ship enter the harbor. Goro tries to persuade her to marry his wealthy client, Prince Yamadori. She refuses to listen, insisting that she is already married. Sharpless has learned that Pinkerton is about to arrive in Nagasaki with a new wife, and he suggests that Butterfly should perhaps reconsider Yamadori’s offer. She shows him the young son that she has borne during her husband’s absence, convinced that Pinkerton would never abandon her or his own child. The harbor cannon announces the arrival of Pinkerton’s ship. An elated Butterfly prepares for his imminent arrival, waiting and watching for him all night with her son and Suzuki.
ACT THREE
Morning comes and still Pinkerton has not returned. When Butterfly carries her sleeping child to bed, Suzuki sees Sharpless, Pinkerton and an American woman—his new wife, Kate—in the garden. Suddenly overwhelmed by remorse, Pinkerton leaves, unable to face the Japanese wife he had abandoned. While Kate asks Suzuki to convince Butterfly that Pinkerton’s son would be better off in America, Butterfly awakens and emerges, seeing the foreign woman in her garden. Sharpless tells her that the woman is Pinkerton’s wife. Distraught, Butterfly sends them away, telling them that Pinkerton should come back for the child in half an hour. She retreats to the house and takes her father’s dagger, choosing to die with honor rather than live in shame. She stops when her son comes into the room. Butterfly tells her son goodbye and sends him outside to play. She takes up the dagger again and stabs herself, just as Pinkerton calls out for her.
Butterfly and the Hays Code
From the silent era to today, filmmakers have constantly pushed the boundaries of storytelling. The increasingly racy films of the Roaring Twenties, along with a series of Hollywood scandals, led to the creation of the Hays Code, which was adopted in 1930 and took full effect in 1934. This self-imposed set of industry guidelines prohibited the onscreen representation of profanity, violence, sacrilege, drugs and “indecency,” among other subjects. This production of Madame Butterfly depicts the creation of a film adaptation of Puccini’s opera on a 1930s-era Hollywood soundstage. In reality, such a film would never have been allowed, because of its depiction of an interracial romance.
Enforced well into the 1950s, the Hays Code was eventually replaced by the MPAA rating system in 1966.
In fond memory of Tara Colburn, supertitles are underwritten by Dunard Fund USA
Puccini, Melodrama and the Ubiquitous Feminine
It is hard to name another composer whose entire creative force so rarely deviated from a single focal point. Giacomo Puccini’s fascination with “Woman in Love” was the alpha and omega of his life’s work. And not only his operas; his life was also dominated by his attraction and absorption with women and eroticism.
As a composer, he embraced the theater and eschewed absolute music. As a dramatist, he chose the “sufferings of little souls” (his words) over the great, tragic, grandiose or transcendent. He writes about one theme: love, death and erotic/romantic desperation. As a man, he was melancholic by character and pessimistic by philosophy.
His inexhaustible genius repeatedly dressed up his obsession in exotic garb, creating an apparent distance from the immediacy of his fixation and the plight of contemporary woman.
The woman is his protagonist—the love, passion, devotion, desire, jealousy, nostalgia, yearning and disappointment she feels and inspires. He writes in the third person, sympathizing with her as she makes her way to her various tragic ends. He himself, however, is a secondary protagonist, infusing every drama with his psychological projections onto his women. Scratching the surface, plumbing the depths, seeking the hidden source, the wrestling within himself is revealed over and over again.
Love and life, lived and lost together, are the elements of melodrama. This common theme is not his exclusive property. But in his 12 operas, Puccini filters and distills it in a very personal way, almost exclusively through the agency of the maltreated woman.
Taken from a Freudian point of view, Puccini, the man, is enmeshed in a complex web of obsession, dependence and hostility. Ambivalent feelings of love and hate, tenderness and cruelty toward his female protagonists, are dramatized in the arena of his operas. These conflicts are played out repeatedly, but never resolved. That his psyche and art were so female-dominated should come as no surprise. He had grown up in a predominantly feminine environment, strongly attached to his mother, who was widowed when young Giacomo was five years old. He had five sisters and only one younger brother.
Women have always been central to the work of male artists over the centuries. But there is a collection of factors, a syndrome, peculiar and specific to the dynamics of
Puccini’s melodramas. Each soprano wins our sympathy with her beauty (inner, outer or both) and her ardent and (almost always) faithful love. And each one characteristically suffers, at the hands of men, society or fate. Death almost always triumphs over love, reversed only by Minnie, the Girl of the Golden West (after pain and anguish), and by Princess Turandot (though Turandot’s other heroine, the sympathetic Liù, is sacrificed on the altar of love). Puccini paradoxically loves each one of his heroines with great tenderness and deep empathy, justifying, or at least rationalizing, whatever faults, they may have. And yet, his muse is their suffering. The crueler their misfortunes, the more intensely that muse is stimulated.
His operas stem from drama, to which his music adapts. The music is the means, rather than an end in itself. Puccini chose (“was chosen,” in his words) to write exclusively for the theater. He wrote, “I am a man of the theater… I see the characters, the colors and [their] gestures. If, alone at home, I don’t succeed to see the stage planted in front of me, I don’t write, I can’t write a note.”
The emotional underpinnings of his entire output have clear and consistent characteristics. The repetitive and obsessive turbulence of melancholy, desire, psychological cruelty and romantic catastrophe is the soul of this theater. The “psychic” similarity is masked by Puccini’s compositional and theatrical genius, which is to be found in the inspired and varied portrayal of exotic and distant subjects. Significantly, he was, in contrast to Verdi, an internationalist in his absorption of foreign influences into his music. He seemed to distance the immediacy of his dramas by placing them at a temporal and geographic distance from his audiences. Was he also disguising a virtual sameness of the psychological foundations of inspiration?
As the 19th century yielded to the 20th, and Europe saw the gradual decline of the social and political order, the dissolution of the belle époque and the convulsions of the First World War, Puccini though, through his music and melodramas, continued to live and write about love. He insisted upon the supremacy of love and personal tragedies in an age that was gradually turning away from it. He embodied the melodrama and was its most prominent and last great advocate. It virtually passed from the operatic stage with him, the bar perhaps having been raised too high to be equaled. Had the form exhausted itself, having lived its life and perished from its love?
PHOTO BY DAN STEINBERG
James Conlon CONDUCTOR
From: New York City, New York.
LA Opera: La Traviata (2006, debut); he has conducted 69 different operas and over 475 performances with the company to date. He has been Richard Seaver Music Director since 2006. In 2026, he will become Conductor Laureate.
About: He has led virtually every major North American and European orchestra and over 270 performances at the Metropolitan Opera. He has been Principal Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of the RAI in Torino (2016-20), Music Director of the Ravinia Festival (2005-15), Principal Conductor of the Paris National Opera (1995-2004), General Music Director of the City of Cologne (1989-2002), Music Director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic (1983-91) and Music Director of the Cincinnati May Festival (1979-2016), where is now Music Director Laureate. He has won three Grammy Awards and was awarded France’s Légion d’Honneur. (JamesConlon.com)
Brenna Corner
STAGE DIRECTOR
From: Atlanta, Georgia. LA Opera: associate director of Lucia di Lammermoor (2022, debut).
About: She is also the Artistic Director of Pacific Opera Victoria, in British Columbia Canada. Select directing projects include Il Trovatore (Washington National Opera), Tenor Overboard (Glimmerglass Festival), HMS Pinafore (Vancouver Opera), Carmen (Des Moines Metro Opera), Don Giovanni (Seattle Opera), Hansel and Gretel (San Diego Opera, Vancouver Opera), La Bohème (Calgary Opera), Dead Man Walking (Israeli Opera), La Bohème (Dallas Opera), Noah’s Flood and Scalia/Ginsburg (Glimmerglass Opera), Sweeney Todd (New Orleans Opera), The Flying Dutchman (Cincinnati Opera, Houston Grand Opera), L’Elisir d’Amore (Vancouver Opera), Carmen (Atlanta Opera). She was the founding artistic director of Manitoba Underground Opera. (BrennaCorner.com)
Mario Gas PRODUCTION
From: Montevideo, Uruguay.
LA Opera: debut.
About: Born in Montevideo, the son of Catalan artists, Mario Gas is a prolific and versatile creator, dedicated mainly to acting and stage direction. In 1996 he was awarded the National Theater Prize of Catalonia for directing Sweeney Todd, and in 2004 he was appointed director of the Spanish Theater of Madrid. His career as a voice actor is both broad and significant, giving voice to actors of the stature of John Malkovich and Ben Kingsley, in films such as Johnny English and Shutter Island. He has performed on camera in films including Cambio de sexo by Vicente Aranda and Amic/Amat by Ventura Pons. He has been the director of almost 100 stage productions including The Beauty Queen of Leenane, for which he received the Butaca Prize for the best theater direction and the Max Prize for the best theatrical production. His work in opera includes Les Troyens, Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny and La Traviata.
Ezio Frigerio SCENIC DESIGNER
From: Erba, Italy.
LA Opera: debut.
About: Ezio Frigerio (19302022) was a prominent set designer, recognized for his work in theater, opera and film. He made his debut as stage designer in 1955 in Giorgio Strehler’s production of The House of Bernarda Alba for the Piccolo Teatro in Milan. He worked with Italy’s top directors: Vittorio de Sica (The Condemned of Altona), Liliana Cavani (Francis of Assisi and other films), Bernardo Bertolucci (1900), Jean Paul Rappeneau (Cyrano de Bergerac, for which he earned an Oscar nomination), and Volker Schlöndorff (The Ogre). In opera, he debuted at La Scala with Simon Boccanegra, the first of numerous productions there He also designed for the Metropolitan Opera, Paris Opera, London’s Covent Garden, Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, San Francisco Opera and the Salzburg Festival. His work in ballet included collaborations with Roland Petit and Rudolf Nureyev.
Franca Squarciapino
COSTUME DESIGNER
From: Rome, Italy.
LA Opera: debut.
About: Franca Squarciapino is an Italian costume designer who works in film, theater, opera and ballet. She won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design in 1990 for Cyrano de Bergerac. She has spent much of her career designing costumes for important directors including Giorgio Strehler, Piero Faggioni, Liliana Cavani, Núria Espert and Luca Ronconi. Her designs have been seen in major opera houses, including the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Paris Opera, Zurich Opera, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon, Teatro Real in Madrid, Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Lyric Opera of Chicago and Washington National Opera, among many others. Last year, she designed costumes for a new production of Don Carlo by director Lluís Pasqual, for the opening of the season at La Scala.
Pablo Santiago
REVIVAL LIGHTING DESIGNER
From: Chiapas, Mexico.
LA Opera: prism (2018, debut); The Anonymous Lover (2020); Omar (2022); Pelléas et Mélisande (2023); The Barber of Seville (2023); Highway 1, USA (2024), The Dwarf (2024). About: He is a winner of the Richard Sherwood Award, Stage Raw Award and multiple Ovation nominations. He has worked at Santa Fe Opera, Opera Omaha, Boston Lyric Opera, Detroit Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Long Beach Opera, Prototype Festival, The Industry, Opera Columbus, LA Philharmonic, SF Symphony, LA Chamber Orchestra, Music Academy of the West, Opera Santa Barbara, Kennedy Center, Teatro Municipal São Paulo, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Goodman Theater, Arena Stage, BAM-Harvey Theater, Geffen Playhouse, Mark Taper Forum, South Coast Rep, Broad Museum, Kirk Douglas Theater, Majestic Theater Boston, Broad Theater and Hollywood Bowl. (PabloSantiagoDesign.com)
Vinicio Cheli
LIGHTING DESIGNER
From: Italy.
LA Opera: debut.
About: Vinicio Cheli studied set and light designing at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence. Between 1974 and 1989 he worked at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino festival and the Piccolo Teatro of Milan, where he became the lighting assistant for artistic director Giorgio Strehler before assuming responsibility for entire productions. In 1989, he designed productions of La Clemenza di Tito and Idomeneo at the Salzburg Festival, followed by Pier-Luigi Pizzi’s production of William Tell at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, which won the French critics’ prize. A frequent collaborator of Ezio Frigerio and Franca Squarciapino, he has designed lighting in the great theaters of the world: La Scala, Metropolitan Opera, Paris Opera, Gran Teatre de Liceu in Barcelona, Grand Théâtre de Genève, Teatro La Fenice in Venice, the Metropolitan Opera, the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, among many others.
Jeremy Frank
CHORUS DIRECTOR
From: Glendive, Montana.
LA Opera: He became Chorus Director in 2022, after working on over 75 productions as associate chorus director and/or assistant conductor. He is a coach for the Domingo-ColburnStein Young Artist Program.
About: He has collaborated with major opera houses throughout the United States and has prepared operas and vocal chamber music at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, working with Gustavo Dudamel, Esa Pekka Salonen, Phillipe Jordan, Grant Gershon, Barbara Hannigan and Pablo Heras-Casado. A pianist and vocal coach, he is an Adjunct Lecturer in Vocal Arts and Opera at the University of Southern California. As a pianist, he has partnered with Sondra Radvanovsky, Eric Owens, Brandon Jovanovich, J’nai Bridges, Dolora Zajick, Kate Lindsey and Susan Graham. He helped prepare Seattle Opera’s Ring cycle in 2013 and has been a guest faculty member for young artist programs at Utah Opera and Seattle Opera. (JeremyMFrank.com)
PHOTO BY MARSHA FEINBERG
Sara E. Widzer
INTIMACY DIRECTOR
From: Los Angeles, California.
LA Opera: directed The Death of Orpheus (2020, debut); livestream director of Il Trovatore (2021); intimacy director for several productions including last season’s Don Giovanni, Highway 1, USA, La Traviata and Turandot.
About: Recent engagements include stage/intimacy direction for the world premiere of Carla Lucero’s touch with Opera Birmingham and stage/intimacy direction for Cabildo/Proving Up with Eklund Opera at UC Boulder. Previous intimacy direction: La Bohème (Washington National Opera); Semele (Opera Santa Barbara); After Glow (film by Ryan McKinny). Previous stage direction: La Bohème (CSUN), Semele (Opera Santa Barbara), Carmen (Opera Orlando), La Tragédie de Carmen (Opera Santa Barbara, Charleston Opera Theatre), The Flying Dutchman (Hawaii Opera Theatre, VA Opera), The Music Man (Royal Opera House, Muscat). (SaraEWidzer.com)
Andrew Kenneth Moss
FIGHT DIRECTOR
From: Corning, New York.
LA Opera: Il Trovatore (2021, debut); Aida (2022); Lucia di Lammermoor (2022); Tosca (2022); Otello (2023); Don Giovanni (2023); Highway 1, USA (2024); La Traviata (2024); Turandot (2024).
About: He has worked on productions including Armida at the Metropolitan Opera, SAFE at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival, A Little Night Music at the Huntington Theatre Company, Jennifer Higdon’s Cold Mountain at Music Academy of the West and Carmen, Don Giovanni, I Puritani and Mark-Anthony Turnage’s Greek at Boston Lyric Opera. New York credits include Forever Dusty for New World Stages, Pinocchio’s Ashes for Theater for a New City and The Saint of Bleecker Street at Dicapo Opera Theatre. He staged combat for numerous shows as resident fight director at Central City Opera. He has been a guest artist/instructor at the University of Oklahoma, Boston University and New England Conservatory.
Karah Son
CIO-CIO-SAN SOPRANO
From: Seoul, South Korea. LA Opera: debut.
About: Karah Son graduated from the Yonsei University in Seoul, with subsequent studies in Italy in Ferrara, Bologna and at the Academy of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, under the guidance of Mirella Freni. Recent appearances include the title roles of Zandonai’s Francesca da Rimini in Monte Carlo, Aida in Korea and in Halle, and Tosca in Melbourne. She performed Mimì in La Bohème in Sydney and Liù in Turandot in Melbourne and appeared in Nikodijević’s 7 Deaths of Maria Callas with English National Opera. She has performed Cio-Cio-San around the globe, with performances in Korea, Berlin, San Francisco, Turin, Stuttgart, Leipzig, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Angers, Nantes, Rennes, Bologna, Warsaw, Copenhagen, Goteborg, Cardiff, Sydney, Cincinnati, Detroit and at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Future plans include Cio-Cio-San in Pittsburgh and Chicago, Tosca in Sydney and Cincinnati, and Desdemona in Otello in Venice.
Jonathan Tetelman
PINKERTON TENOR
From: Castro, Chile. LA Opera: debut.
About: Chilean-born and New Jersey-raised, he has rapidly risen to become a major star of his generation. Last season, he made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Ruggero in La Rondine, followed by appearances there as Pinkerton. Appearances elsewhere included Pinkerton in Palermo, Provence and Berlin, where he also performed Luigi in Il Tabarro, the title role of Werther in Baden-Baden, and Rodolfo in La Bohème in Dortmund. This season’s appearances will include Tosca with the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (to be recorded by Deutsche Grammophon), Don José in Carmen in San Francisco, Macduff in Macbeth in Munich, Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana in Vienna, the leading roles in Il Tabarro and Le Villi in Las Palmas, Pinkerton in BadenBaden and Berlin, and the title role in Don Carlo in Berlin. He has released two solo albums for DG: Arias (2022) and The Great Puccini (2023). (JonathanTetelman.com)
PHOTO BY BEN WOLF
Hyona Kim
SUZUKI
MEZZO-SOPRANO
From: Seoul, South Korea.
LA Opera: debut.
About: She earned her master’s degree and professional studies diploma from Mannes College of Music in New York. In Europe, she was a member of the ensemble of the Dortmund Opera for several years, debuting as Amneris in Aida and performing many roles including Suzuki, the title role in Frédégonde, Ortrud in Lohengrin and Nancy Tang in Nixon in China. She made her San Francisco Opera debut in the leading role of Lady Wang in Bright Sheng’s Dream of the Red Chamber and reprised that role at the Hong Kong Arts Festival. She returned to San Francisco for a revival of Dream of the Red Chamber and as Suzuki. Later this season, she will perform Suzuki with the Canadian Opera Company. Other recent appearances include Suzuki with the Royal Danish Opera, Azucena in Il Trovatore with the Romanian National Opera and Amneris in Aida with Opera Carolina and Opera Maine. (KimHyona.com)
Rodell Aure Rosel
GORO TENOR
From: Manila, Philippines.
LA Opera: Goro in Madama Butterfly (2012, debut); Spoletta in Tosca (2013); Bardolph in Falstaff (2013); Monostatos in The Magic Flute (2013); First Jew in Salome (2017); Spalanzani in The Tales of Hoffmann (2017); Don Basilio in The Marriage of Figaro (2023).
About: He made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Valzacchi in Der Rosenkavalier, returning as Monostatos, Spoletta and the Peasant in Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, among others. His Lyric Opera of Chicago roles include Mime in Das Rheingold and the four Hoffmann servants. He performed Monsieur Taupe in Capriccio at the Edinburgh International Festival and appeared with Covent Garden as Monostatos, with Houston Grand Opera as Mime in the Ring cycle, with Arizona Opera and Calgary Opera as Loge in Das Rheingold, and with Dallas Opera in Jake Heggie’s Great Scott. Future appearances include Monostatos at the Met and in Seattle, and Goro in San Antonio and Austin. (RodellRosel.com)
Michael Sumuel
SHARPLESS
BASS-BARITONE
From: Odessa, Texas.
LA Opera: soloist in St. Matthew Passion (2022, debut).
About: This season, he will return to the Metropolitan Opera as Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro. He will also sing his first performances of Porgy in Porgy and Bess with Washington
National Opera and reprise Sharpless with the Canadian Opera Company. Concert appearances include Mozart’s Coronation Mass with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Fauré Requiem with the San Francisco Symphony, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with Music of the Baroque, Mozart’s Requiem with the Salzburg Camarata, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with North Carolina Symphony and Handel’s Messiah with the Houston Symphony. His recent performances include Reginald in X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X and Belcore in The Elixir of Love at the Met, the Forester in The Cunning Little Vixen and Elviro in Xerxes at Detroit Opera, and Figaro with Pittsburgh Opera.
Wei Wu
BONZE BASS
From: Beijing, China.
LA Opera: Angelotti in Tosca (2022, debut). He will return as Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet
About: His 2024/25 season includes the Verdi Requiem with Austin Opera and his celebrated portrayal of Kōbun in by Mason Bates’ The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs with Washington National Opera. He created that role in the 2017 Santa Fe Opera world premiere; the live Pentatone cast recording subsequently won the Grammy for Best Opera Recording. Last season, he made debuts with San Francisco Opera as Kōbun with San Francisco Opera and with the Metropolitan Opera as Zuniga in Carmen. He also returned to Bard Summerscape as Mathisen in Le prophète. Other recent engagements include Sparafucile in Rigoletto with Opera Philadelphia, Hunding in Act 1 of Die Walküre with New Orleans Opera, and performances as Kōbun with Calgary Opera, Utah Opera, Austin Opera and Lyric Opera of Kansas City. (WeiWuBass.com)
Hyungjin Son
PRINCE YAMADORI BARITONE
From: Seoul, South Korea. LA Opera: debut. Upcoming: Gregorio in Romeo and Juliet, Maestro in Ainadamar, Marullo in Rigoletto. He joined the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program this season. About: Most recently, he performed the title role of Don Giovanni with the Merola Opera Program to great acclaim. He has performed Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor with the New England Conservatory Philharmonia and Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem with the Boston University Symphony Orchestra. As a studio artist at Aspen Music Festival, he covered both Ford in Falstaff (with Bryn Terfel in the title role) and the title role in Don Giovanni. He was a 2023 national semifinalist of the Metropolitan Opera's Laffont Competition.
Vinícius Costa
IMPERIAL COMMISSIONER BASS-BARITONE
From: São Paulo, Brazil. LA Opera: debut. Upcoming: Duke of Verona in Romeo and Juliet, Jose Tripaldi in Ainadamar, Count Ceprano in Rigoletto. About: This summer, he was a Reneé Fleming Fellow with Aspen Opera Theater, where he performed Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro. Last year, he appeared there in Jimmy Lopez’s Bel Canto. He has performed with Theater Basel and Bühne Bern in Switzerland and Teatro São Pedro, Teatro Municipal de São Paulo and Sala São Paulo in Brazil, in roles including Sarastro in The Magic Flute and Dandini in La Cenerentola. He won the Wigmore Hall Song Competition’s Ralph Vaughan Williams Award. He joined the DomingoColburn-Stein Young Artist Program this season.
Gabrielle Turgeon
KATE PINKERTON
SOPRANO
From: Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario. LA Opera: debut. Upcoming: Voice of the Fountain in Ainadamar and Countess Ceprano / Page in Rigoletto. She joined the DomingoColburn-Stein Young Artist Program this season. About: This summer, she was an apprentice artist with Des Moines Metro Opera, performing the Slave in Salome and covering the role of Mélisande in Pelléas et Mélisande. She has been a young artist at the Aspen Music Festival and at the Ravinia Steans Music Institute. She earned her master’s degree from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, where she performed the title role in The Cunning Little Vixen and Blanche de la Force in Dialogues des Carmélites.
Ryan Wolfe
OFFICIAL REGISTRAR BARITONE
From: Arlington Heights, Illinois. LA Opera: Jailor in Tosca (2022, debut); Tarquinius in The Rape of Lucretia (2023); title role of Moses (2023); Herald in Otello (2023); Fiorello in The Barber of Seville (2023); Marquis d’Obigny in La Traviata (2024); Ping in Turandot (2024). Upcoming: Count Paris in Romeo and Juliet. He was a member of the DomingoColburn-Stein Young Artist Program (2022-24). About: He performed Lt. Gordon in Silent Night at Wolf Trap Opera, Le Dancaïre in Carmen with Des Moines Metro Opera, and Chris Thile’s Attention! and the Steersman in Tristan und Isolde with the LA Philharmonic. In March, he performs Carmina Burana with the LA Master Chorale.
(RyanWolfeBaritone.com)
Ean Sun
CIO-CIO-SAN’S CHILD (SEP 21-29)
From: Los Angeles, California. LA Opera: debut. About: Ean Sun is four years old. He is a cheerful and energetic child who loves swimming, and he is excited to be a part of this production.
Enzo Ma
CIO-CIO-SAN’S CHILD (OCT 5-13)
From: Los Angeles, California. LA Opera: debut. About: Enzo Ma is four years old. He is kind-hearted, loves to smile and enjoys making friends. His hobbies include swimming and drawing, and he also loves riding his scooter.
LA OPERA CHORUS
SOPRANO
Christina Borgioli*
Lisa Crave*
Terri Hill*
Michaela Kelly
ALTO
Natalie Beck***
Danielle Marcelle Bond
Aleta Braxton***
Sara Campbell*
TENOR
James Callon
Omar Crook*
Sung Bong
Kim
Charles Lane**
Lori Stinson*
Courtney Taylor*
Janet Todd Sunjoo Yeo
Adriana Manfredi
Bonnie Snell Schindler
Melissa Treinkman
Jennifer Wallace**
JJ Lopez
Francis Lucaric**
Sal Malaki***
Daniel Suk
* Has appeared in 50 or more productions
** Has appeared in 100 or more productions
*** Has appeared in 150 or more productions
SUPERNUMERARIES
Ryan Benson
Jeff Cook*
Lawrence Dillard
Tucker Futrell
Donna Gale*
Dane Halvorson
Robert Jerdee
Slim Khezri
Sergio Lobito
Max Mineer
Howard Morales
JC O’Connell
Joshua Olkowski
Rhoda Pell
Elliott Santos
Ryan Shervington*
Vanessa Vasquez
Angela Yee
* Has appeared in 25 or more productions
CHILD SUPERNUMERARIES
Enzo Ma Ean Sun
LA OPERA ORCHESTRA
FIRST VIOLIN
Roberto Cani STUART CANIN CONCERTMASTER
Armen Anassian
ASSOCIATE CONCERTMASTER
Lisa Sutton
ASSISTANT CONCERTMASTER
Hana Kim
Olivia Tsui
Kathleen Sloan
Radu Pieptea
Loránd Lokuszta
Heather Powell
Gerardo Hilera
Myroslava Khomik
Ashoka Thiagarajan
SECOND VIOLIN
Ana Landauer PRINCIPAL
Marisa Sorajja
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Florence Titmus
Leslie Katz
Michele Kikuchi
Cynthia Moussas
Ina Veli
Irina Voloshina
Elizabeth Hedman
Nina Evtuhov
VIOLA
Erik Rynearson PRINCIPAL
Shawn Mann
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Karie Prescott
Dmitri Bovaird
Peng Jing
Kate Vincent
Alma Fernandez
Aaron Oltman
Diana Wade
CELLO
John Walz
PRINCIPAL
Rowena Hammill
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Dane Little
Helen Altenbach
Nadine Hall
Trevor Handy
BASS
Nathan Farrington PRINCIPAL
Frances Liu Wu
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Tim Eckert
Sukyung Chun
Stephanie Payne
FLUTE
Heather Clark PRINCIPAL
Angela Wiegand
Sarah Weisz, piccolo
OBOE
Leslie Reed PRINCIPAL
Jennifer Cullinan
Sarah Beck, English horn
CLARINET
Stuart Clark PRINCIPAL
Donald Foster
Stephen Piazza, bass clarinet
BASSOON
William May PRINCIPAL
William Wood
HORN
Steven Becknell PRINCIPAL
Daniel Kelley
Jenny Kim
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
James Atkinson
generously underwritten by Terri and Jerry Kohl
TRUMPET
Ryan Darke PRINCIPAL
David Washburn
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
Steve O’Connor
TROMBONE
William Booth PRINCIPAL
Alvin Veeh
Terry Cravens, bass trombone
TUBA
James Self PRINCIPAL
HARP
JoAnn Turovsky PRINCIPAL
TIMPANI
Gregory Goodall PRINCIPAL
PERCUSSION
Theresa Dimond PRINCIPAL
John Wakefield
Scott Higgins
Brady Steel
ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL MANAGER
Melisandra Dunker MUSIC LIBRARIAN
Stuart Canin
Concertmaster Chair made possible by a deeply appreciated gift from Dunard Fund USA
PRODUCTION STAFF
ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER
Azra King-Abadi
SUPERTITLE PREPARATION / CUER
Linda Zoolalian
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS
Arturo Fernandez, Jr.
Lesley Gonzalez
Kendra Green
HEAD STUDIO TEACHER
Marie Wilson-Rogers
STUDIO TEACHER
Katherine Roberts
COSTUME SHOP
Lindsey Ellison
Robbie Monsod
JoEllen Skinner
Enrique Urbina
Clara Weidman CUTTER/DRAPERS
Alexandra Babec
Adle Smithson
Haley Williams FIRST HANDS
Domitille Angoulvant
Stephanie Castro
Alex de la Huerta
Blanca Miranda
Carmen Muñoz
Anna Wong SEAMSTERS
Wing Cheung MASTER TAILOR
Rafael Avila
Manuel Medina
Kelvin Small, Jr. TAILORS
Dahlia Gonzalez
Alexa Marron CRAFTSPERSONS
Miranda Orellana
Haley Silver PRODUCTION SUPERVISORS
Emily Frank
Rhiannon Smith
COSTUME ASSISTANTS
Jacqueline Colindres Paz
Gwyneva Rosales PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
WARDROBE
Lee Smilek HEAD OF WARDROBE
Mary Basile
Charlyn Trenier
WARDROBE ASSISTANTS
Samantha Corn
Charlie Fleiss
Shelley Graves-Jimenez
Mary Lehman
Glen Moore
Tyrell Pickett SEASONAL DRESSERS
WIGS AND MAKE-UP
Samantha Wiener WIGMASTER
Maggie Clark
ASSOCIATE WIGMASTER
Brandi Strona DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR & CREW FOREMAN
Nicole Rodrigues SENIOR WIG & MAKE-UP ARTISTS
Nathalie Eidt
Kelso Millett WIG & MAKE-UP ARTISTS
Jacki Nocerino LEAD STYLIST
STAGE CREW
Scott Papez OPERA CARPENTER
Robert Colby Klein OPERA ELECTRICIAN
David Salas OPERA ASSISTANT CARPENTER
Alerton Perez ASSISTANT ELECTRICIAN
Scott Shepherd OPERA PROPERTY MASTER
Heather Orozco OPERA HEAD AUDIO
Kelly Richard Travis OPERA HEAD VIDEO
Brad Cobb OPERA AUDIO ENGINEER
DOROTHY CHANDLER PAVILION HOUSE STAFF
Timothy L. Conroy MASTER CARPENTER
Ryan Lebetsamer HOUSE HEAD ELECTRICIAN
Dennis Holbrook MASTER OF PROPERTIES
Todd Reynolds HOUSE HEAD AUDIO
Robert Devis HOUSE MANAGER
Demetra Willis HEAD USHER
Carolyn Van Brunt VICE PRESIDENT OF GUEST SERVICES
VARI-LITE AUTOMATED LIGHTING PROVIDED BY Vari-Lite Inc.
THE DOMINGO-COLBURN-STEIN YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM
The Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program supports the future of opera by discovering and developing the talents of highly gifted young artists to become the stars of tomorrow. Since the company’s inception, LA Opera has been committed to nurturing a resident ensemble of young singers who would benefit from long-term professional development. The Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, which builds on the success of the company’s earlier, highly respected Resident Artist Program, has the goal of developing the talents of exceptionally gifted young artists to become performers of potentially international stature, whose first loyalty would be to LA Opera.
The Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program is generously underwritten by the Colburn Foundation and Eugene and Marilyn Stein. Additional generous underwriting support is provided by Terri and Jerry Kohl Special support for young artist stipends is graciously provided by The Lenore and Richard Wayne Young Artist Fellowship. Additional support provided by the Young Artist Circle. The program was created with funding from the Flora L. Thornton Foundation. Additional support provided by The Jules Brenner Trust and the Young Artist Circle
The USC Voice Center is the official vocal healthcare provider for LA Opera and the Domingo-ColburnStein Young Artist Program.
2024/25 PARTICIPANTS
Nathan Bowles TENOR
Sujin Choi PIANIST/COACH
Vinícius Costa BASS-BARITONE
Julian Garvue PIANIST/COACH
Yuntong Han TENOR
Kathleen O’Mara SOPRANO
Hyungjin Son BARITONE
Gabrielle Turgeon SOPRANO
Special thanks to the staff of the Music Center. Principal Singers, Narrators, Performers who have speaking parts, Stage Directors, Associate and Assistant Directors, Stage Managers, Assistant Stage Managers, Choreographers, Assistant Choreographers, Principal Dancers, Corps Dancers, and Chorus Singers appear under terms of an agreement between Los Angeles Opera and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AFL-CIO), the national guild of classical singers, dancers and production staff. Orchestra musicians are represented by the American Federation of Musicians, Local 47. The following employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Machine Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States and Canada, AFL-CIO, CLC,: Stage Crew, Local 33; Treasurers and Ticket Sellers, Local 857; Wardrobe Crew and Costume Crew, Local 768 ; Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists, Local 706. Interns in the Technical Department are students at California Institute of the Arts (Valencia, California). All editorial materials copyright Los Angeles Opera, 2023. The opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Los Angeles Opera.
Christopher Koelsch
SEBASTIAN PAUL AND MARYBELLE MUSCO PRESIDENT AND CEO
James Conlon
RICHARD SEAVER MUSIC DIRECTOR
John P. Nuckols
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF STRATEGIC OFFICER
Diane Rhodes Bergman, APR
VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Jill Boyd
VICE PRESIDENT, LABOR RELATIONS AND HUMAN RESOURCES
Rupert Hemmings
VICE PRESIDENT, ARTISTIC PLANNING
Andréa Fuentes, Ed.D. VICE PRESIDENT, CONNECTS
Kathleen Ruiz
VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Lina González-Granados RESIDENT CONDUCTOR
Jeremy Frank CHORUS DIRECTOR
Renée Fleming ADVISOR, SPECIAL PROJECTS
Susan Graham
ARTISTIC ADVISOR, YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM
Patricia McLeod
SENIOR DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT
Paul Hopper
SENIOR DIRECTOR, ARTISTIC PLANNING
Eric Bornemann
SENIOR DIRECTOR, MARKETING
Chul Park
SENIOR DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
ARTISTIC
Blair Salter
HEAD COACH, YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM
Nicki Harper
DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC OPERATIONS
Maya Ordóñez MANAGER, ARTISTIC PROGRAMS AND REHEARSAL
Matthew Zapata ARTISTIC OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
BOX OFFICE
Shane K. Morton
BOX OFFICE TREASURER
Shawnet Sweets
FIRST ASSISTANT TREASURER
Dale Bridges Johannsen
Michael Meyer
Brenda Roman
Andrew Tomasulo
Susan Wong
SECOND ASSISTANT TREASURERS
Joseph Howells
Joseph Selway
THIRD ASSISTANT TREASURERS
Kiana Culpepper
Steven Fu
Liz Mancia
Andy Phu
TICKET SELLERS
CONNECTS
Natalie Ramirez
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Adam LeBow
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING
Jake Ryan Lindsey
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
Tate Shoebridge
PROGRAM MANAGER
Julia Santha
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Kirsten Anderson
COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE
Victoria Mestas
OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE
Emmanuel Yoque
LEARNING PROGRAMS ASSOCIATE
Bene’t Benton
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM ASSOCIATE
Eli Villanueva RESIDENT STAGE DIRECTOR
COSTUMES
Jeannique Prospere COSTUME DIRECTOR
Andrealisse Lopez
FINANCE AND OPERATIONS MANAGER, COSTUME DEPARTMENT
Corrine Roache
PRODUCTION, STOCK & RENTAL COORDINATOR
Manuel Garcia
WAREHOUSE MANAGER
John Musselman
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Neal Anderson
MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATE
DEVELOPMENT
Janneke Straub
DIRECTOR, LEADERSHIP GIFTS
Josh Harrold
DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS
Christian Johnsten
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, MAJOR AND PLANNED GIFTS
Kellynn Meeks
SENIOR BOARD AND EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR
Robin Green
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND OFFICE MANAGER
Zade Dardari
ANNUAL FUND SPECIALIST
Chelsea Rountree ANNUAL FUND ASSISTANT
INDIVIDUAL GIVING
Benji Railton-Ashe DIRECTOR, MAJOR GIFTS
Weston Olson
SENIOR MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER
Evangeline Santos MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER
Kylie Smith
PROSPECT RESEARCH SPECIALIST
Claudia Giugni
INDIVIDUAL GIVING COORDINATOR
INSTITUTIONAL GIVING
Joslyn Treece
DIRECTOR, INSTITUTIONAL GIVING & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Olivia Adair
INSTITUTIONAL GIVING COORDINATOR
SPECIAL EVENTS
Jill Michnick DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND SPONSORSHIPS
Caitlin Harper EVENTS DESIGN SPECIALIST
FINANCE
Deborah Gould CONTROLLER
Sandra Vazquez DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL PLANNING
Daisy Lopez PAYROLL MANAGER
Brian Stefanko ACCOUNTS PAYABLE MANAGER
Jing Hu ACCOUNTING MANAGER
Rowena Matibag-Potter SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST
HUMAN RESOURCES
Esmeralda Marroquin SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATOR
MUSIC ADMINISTRATION
Melisandra Dunker MUSIC LIBRARIAN
Brady Steel ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL MANAGER
Ignazio Terrasi MUSICAL ASSISTANT TO JAMES CONLON
PRODUCTION
Michelle Magaldi PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Jasna Gara
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Whitney McAnally PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Marlene Meraz DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Mark Lyons
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLICATIONS
Melanie Broussalian
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO
Daniel Calderon
CONTENT MEDIA SPECIALIST
SALES AND MARKETING
Elizabeth Galvan
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, LOYALTY MARKETING
Keith J. Rainville
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, BRAND & DESIGN
Pauline Hwa
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, ACQUISITION MARKETING
Terrance Lovecraft
INTERACTIVE & GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Yesenia Vargas
MARKETING STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Victoria Rey
MARKETING OPERATIONS AND EVENT SPECIALIST
TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT
Jeff Kleeman TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Carolina Angulo
DESIGN MANAGER
Margie Schnibbe
TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATOR
James Pomichter
PRODUCTION MEDIA MANAGER
Lisa Coto
PROPERTIES COORDINATOR
Damon Schindler
RESIDENT LEAD SCENIC ARTIST
Chris Carey TECHNICAL PAYROLL OFFICER
Stephanie Santiago TECHNICAL MANAGER
Dani Monterroso
TECHNICAL ASSISTANT
Samera Abdelrhman
Morgan Rhone
Alejandra Vera
WALLY RUSSELL LIGHTING INTERNS
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Michael Masuda
NETWORK MANAGER
Tommy Mam
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES MANAGER
Alex Badali
Jordan Tan
Brian Urrutia APPLICATIONS ADMINISTRATORS
ACADEMY INTERNS
Scarleth Arias
Serenity Bracamontes
Diego Castro
Elise Fukuda
Alan Munoz
Elisa Raya
Bejay Villanueva
CONSULTANTS
Stephen King
HEAD OF VOCAL INSTRUCTION
DOMINGO-COLBURN-STEIN YOUNG
ARTIST PROGRAM
Studio Fuse
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Marlinda Menashe
DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
25th Anniversary Angels
MARC STERN, CHAIR
LA Opera recognizes and thanks those who made extraordinary leadership commitments in honor of the 25th Anniversary Season, ensuring the company’s continued artistic excellence and prominence in the worldwide cultural community.
Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco The Seaver Family
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Colburn Foundation County of Los Angeles
Mr. Harold Alden and Dr. Geraldine Alden
Annenberg Foundation
Ambassador Frank and Kathy Baxter
The Blue Ribbon
Alex Bouzari
Robert Day
Dunard Fund USA
Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman
Gordon Getty
Carol and Warner Henry
Alfred and Claude Mann
Brindell Roberts Gottlieb
The Green Foundation
Bernard and Lenore Greenberg, in honor of Leonard Green
LGHG Foundation
Rosemary and Milton Okun
The Milan Panic Family
Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer
20th Anniversary Angels
Marc and Eva Stern Foundation
Flora L. Thornton
Marilyn Ziering
Lloyd E. Rigler - Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation
Ronus Foundation
Eugene and Marilyn Stein
Christopher V. Walker
Richard and Lenore Wayne
Ziering Family Foundation
Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley / Selim K. Zilkha Foundation
MARC STERN, CHAIR
LA Opera wishes to honor those individuals who have made an extraordinary leadership commitment to the company.
Building upon the remarkable foundation created by the Founding and Domingo’s Angels, the outstanding support of the 20th Anniversary Angels has helped ensure an artistically vibrant and financially secure future for LA Opera.
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Colburn Foundation County of Los Angeles
Mr. Harold Alden and Dr. Geraldine Alden
Annenberg Foundation
Ambassador Frank and Kathy Baxter
Yuki and Alex Bouzari
Nancy Daly
Edgar Foster Daniels
Kelly and Robert Day
Leslie and John Dorman
Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman
Carol and Warner Henry
Alfred and Claude Mann
Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco
Richard Seaver and Sara Jayne Kimm
Brindell Roberts Gottlieb
The Green Foundation
Bernard and Lenore Greenberg, in honor of Leonard Green
Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Family Foundation
LGHG Foundation
Beatrix F. Padway, in honor of Nathaniel W. Finston
Mr. and Mrs. Milan Panic
Domingo’s Angels
Marc and Eva Stern Foundation
Flora L. Thornton
Marilyn Ziering
Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer
Tarasenka Pankiv Fund (Tara Colburn)
Barbara Augusta Teichert
The Joop van den Ende Foundation
Christopher V. Walker
Richard and Lenore Wayne
Ziering Family Foundation
Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley /
Selim K. Zilkha Foundation
MARC STERN, CHAIR
MARY HAYLEY, CO-CHAIR
WARNER HENRY, CO-CHAIR
Domingo’s Angels are individuals who made a leadership commitment to fulfilling the artistic initiatives of the Domingo Seasons, 2001-2005. Their remarkable generosity provided a new threshold from which the artistic professionals associated with LA Opera created and produced opera that thrilled and inspired Los Angeles audiences and the world.
Robert V. Adams and Barbara Abercrombie
Ambassador Frank and Kathy Baxter
Colburn Foundation
Kelly and Robert Day
Marta and Plácido Domingo
Leslie and John Dorman
The Green Foundation
Lenore and Bernard Greenberg
Carol and Warner Henry
Walter Lantz Foundation / Edward A. Landry, Trustee
Rosemary and Milton Okun
Mr. and Mrs. Milan Panic
Richard Seaver and Sara Jayne Kimm
Marc and Eva Stern Foundation
The Skirball Foundation
Flora L. Thornton Foundation
Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley /
Selim K. Zilkha Foundation
Founding Angels
WARNER HENRY, CHAIR
LA Opera is grateful for the vision, boldness and extraordinary generosity of the Founding Angels, whose commitment to the company in its early years helped ensure the future of opera in Los Angeles.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy L. Ash
Dorothy Collins Brown
Mr. Richard D. Colburn
The Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation Forman Family Foundation
Gordon Getty
The Emese and Leonard Green Foundation
Carol and Warner Henry Opera League of Los Angeles
Artistic Excellence Circle
Richard Seaver
The Skirball Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard H. Straus
Flora L. Thornton Foundation
LA Opera recognizes the dedicated individuals whose annual support ensures that the finest singers, conductors, directors and designers bring the power and beauty of the art form to our stage. To learn more, call John Nuckols at 213.972.7256.
PREMIER DIAMOND PATRON ($500,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous
The Ahmanson Foundation
GRoW @ Annenberg
Herbert Berk Estate
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Colburn Foundation
Cosgrove Family Trust
Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman / Pacific Theatres Foundation Dunard Fund USA
Penelope Foley
Valerie Franklin Estate
Gemini Industries, Inc.
Gordon Getty
Bernard A. and Lenore S. Greenberg Opera Fund
DIAMOND PATRON ($250,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous
Estate of Lea Danberg
Leslie and John Dorman
The Green Foundation
Latham & Watkins, LLP
Carol and Warner Henry
Terri and Jerry M. Kohl
Margo Leavin
Nanette and Keith Leonard
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath
Claude Mann and Alfred E. Mann Estate
Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco
Chris and Dick Newman
The Tarasenka Pankiv Fund
(Tara Colburn)
Linda and Alvaro Pascotto
Andrea and Janie Pessino
Estate of Cat Pollon
Suzanne Rheinstein, in honor of Fred Rheinstein
Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Family Foundation
Dan Murphy Foundation
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
PREMIER PLATINUM PATRON ($150,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous (3)
Patricia Artigas and Lucas Etchegaray
Stanley Black; in memory of Joyce Black
The Blue Ribbon
Family of Ginger Conrad
Ana and Robert Cook
Max H. Gluck Foundation
Cornelia Haag-Molkenteller, M.D.
The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation
James Mulally
The Music Man Foundation
Peake Ranch
Michele and Dudley Rauch / The Rauch Family Foundation
PLATINUM PATRON ($100,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous (3)
The Armenian Consortium
Karen Beecher Trust
Jules Brenner Trust
Estate of Edgar Foster Daniels
De Marchena-Huyke Foundation
Diane and Peter Gray
Manuel Gutierrez, in memory of George Sponhaltz
Hispanics for Los Angeles Opera
Joan H. Hotchkis
Freya and Mark Ivener
Lawrence A. Kern
LGHG Foundation, in memory of
Louise Garland
L.L. Foundation for Youth
Patty and Ken McKenna
David Niemetz and Noriko Tachibana
The Opera League of Los Angeles
Dr. Heinrich and Barbara Schelbert
Ronus Foundation
Kenneth D. Sanson, Jr., Trust
Ariane and Lionel Sauvage
The Richard Seaver Trust for the Opera
Eugene and Marilyn Stein
Marc and Eva Stern Foundation
Ms. Barbara Augusta Teichert
Emanuel Treitel Trust
Gregory and Régina Weingarten
Marilyn Ziering
Ann Ziff
Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley / Selim K. Zilkha Foundation
The David and Linda Shaheen Foundation
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter and Hampton LLP
Wells Fargo
Barry and Nancy Sanders
David Sanders Living Trust
Laura and Carlton Seaver
Elizabeth Segerstrom
Christopher V. Walker
Thurmond Smithgall and The Lanie & Ethel Foundation
South Coast Plaza
Alan and Janet Stanford
Ellen and Arnold Zetcher
Nadia Zilkha, Michael Zilkha and Emma-Louise Hayley, in memory of Mary Hayley Zilkha
Jane D. Zimmerman Trust
SUPPORTERS
THE OPERA COUNCIL
Chaired by Paul and Catherine Tosetti
The dedicated support of the Opera Council enables LA Opera to achieve its artistic goals. This program offers exclusive privileges and behind-the-scenes opportunities to those individuals, foundations and corporations who make annual gifts of $25,000 or more. For information, please call 213.972.3160.
GRAND GOLD PATRON ($75,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous (2)
Ahsan Aijaz
Mr. Haig S. Bagerdjian
Barbara Burtin
California Arts Council
The Capital Group Companies, Inc.
Kathleen and Jerrold Eberhardt
Richard Kendall and Lisa See
Susan Lord and Scott Richard Lord
Michael and Lori Milken Family Foundation
OPERA America/Opera Fund
Linda Pierce
Mrs. Rita Coveney Pudenz
Caroline and Andrew Randall, in memory of Ann Ronus
Michelle Rohé
Susan R. Shapiro
John and Gill Wagner
Alyce de Roulet Williamson
“You are all magicians. When I come to LA Opera, I enter a world of beauty. You always lift me to heights I’d never reach on my own.” —Lisa (donor)
GRAND GOLD PATRON ($50,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous
Dr. Robert Adler and Alexis Deutsch-Adler
Wallis Annenberg and the Annenberg Foundation
Mr. James Asperger and Ms. Christine Adams
Dr. Peter and Mrs. Helen Bing
Paul and Marie-France Bloch Fund at
The Miami Foundation
Lynn A. Booth and Kent Kresa
The Otis Booth Foundation
Maynard and Linda Brittan
Brian P. Brooks
Janet and Nicholas Ciriello
Mark H. Dalzell and James Dao-Dalzell
Elsa and Craig Donohue
GOLD PATRON ($25,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous (5)
Gregory A. Adams
Maria Altmann; in memory of Fritz Altmann
Shirley Barasch Family Trust
Ambassador Frank and Kathy Baxter
Thomas and Judith Beckmen
Beverly Hills Porsche
Hans and Dianne Bozler
Carol Bramont and David Chesley
Drs. Maryam and Iman H. Brivanlou
Marlene Schall Chávez, Ph.D.
Edward E. and Alicia Garcia Clark
Claytor Family Foundation
Ginger Conrad
Mrs. Alice S. Coulombe
John and Gina Despres
Mr. Alex Furlotti
Catherine and Andrew Garroni
Goldman Sachs & Co.
Sally and Irwin Goldstein
David and Sandy Gordon
Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
Em Green
Gary Gugelchuk
Michael and Jane Eisner
Geoff Emery
Annette Ermshar and Dan Monahan
Mr. Robert Finnerty and Mr. Richard Cullen
Betty L. Hall Trust
Rian Johnson
Ms. Janet Jones
Monique and Jonathan Kagan
Travis and Thomas Kranz
Drs. Anu and Ali Leemann
Renee and Meyer Luskin / Scope Industries
LLWW Foundation
The Rafael and Luisa de Marchena-Huyke Foundation
Jennifer and Mark McCormick
National Endowment for the Arts
Nicolas Hamatake
Linda and Bobby Hanada
In memory of Morris A. Hazan
Catherine and Mark Helm
HUB International Insurance Brokers
Mr. and Mrs. David K. Ingalls
Tim Johnson and Jean Cunningham
Richard and Randi Jones
James P. Kelley and Joseph W. Lund
William and Priscilla Kennedy
Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture
City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs
Merrill Private Wealth Management
J.H.B. Kean and Toby E. Mayman
Carolyn L. Miller, in honor of Chaz’men Williams-Ali
Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Mollura, Sr.
Eduard Morf
Orange County Opera
The Orden, Berkett, Flesh and Sassover Families
Anthony and Olivia Neece
Wendy and Ken Ruby
George and Terry Schreyer
Tina L. Segel
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Seidel
Dr. Vina Spiehler
Jay and Deanie Stein
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Stein
James and Ellen Strauss
Mrs. Laney G. Techentin
Warren and Mimi Techentin
Kyle Thorpe
Paul and Catherine Tosetti
Brigitta B. Troy
Estate of Monica Weil and Paul Schrade
Joakim Zetterberg and Fredrik Malmberg
Dr. Leslie A. Pam and Dr. Ann Christie Petersen / Esper A. Petersen Foundation
The Louis and Harold Price Foundation
Courtney Reum
Koni and Geoff Rich
Lloyd E. Rigler – Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation
Mimi Rotter
Matthew and Jennifer Rowland
The family of Dr. Armin and Barbara Sadoff
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Saunders‡
Edward A. and Ai O. Shay Family Foundation
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Carol and James Sterling
Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
Richard and Cynthia Troop
Donna Wagner
In memory of Richard and Lenore Wayne
Libby Wilson, M.D.
Andrew Xu and Timothy Iverson
Zev Yaroslavsky
Tamsen Z
Esther and Abe Zarem
PATRONS OF LA OPERA
Chaired by Kathleen and Jerrold Eberhardt
Patrons of LA Opera, who contribute gifts of $3,500 or more, enjoy exclusive ticket services, benefits and activities to enhance their opera experience. For more information, please call 213.972.7655.
GRAND SILVER BENEFACTOR ($20,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous
Emily Arms and Steven Johnson
Bank of America Foundation
Constance Chesnut and Dr. Sheldon Benjamin
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cannon
Margaret Sheehy Collins
Dr. and Mrs. Paul Eisenberg
Mr. and Mrs. David Elmore
Dr. Ronald Gabriel
Lenny‡ and David Kelton
Judith S. Mishkin
Warren and Katharine Schlinger Foundation
PREMIER SILVER BENEFACTOR ($15,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous
Susan and L. David Cole
The Sirpuhe and John Conte Foundation
Laura Donnelley and the Good Works Foundation
First American Title Insurance Co., National Commerical Services
Monica Gutierrez-Roper and Trevor Roper
Diane Henderson
SILVER BENEFACTOR ($10,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous (5)
Manny Abascal
John and Linda Kay Abdulian
Adams/Cohen Family
Adar Family Trust
Rachel and Bulent Altan
Patti and Harlan Amstutz
Margaret Campbell Arvey
Esther M. Baird and Stanley Fimberg
Jill C. Baldauf and Steven L. Grossman
Mrs. Any Yakoub-Barr and Mr. Michael Barr
Sandy Behrens
Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Beim
Beatrice and Paul Bennett, in honor of A. Coulombe
Leah S. and Gregory M. Bergman
Anne Boundy
Lisa Bratkovich
Warren Breslow and Gail Buchalter
Allen Briskin and Gerry Hinkley
Linda Maddocks Brown
Vladimir and Araxia Buckhantz Foundation
Canyon Partners, LLC
Victor Carabello, M.D.; in honor of my beloved parents Oscar and Elisa
Laurel K. Clark
V. Shannon and Pamela Clyne
Corinna Cotsen and Lee N. Rosenbaum
Myron and Margie Crain
Elizabeth Hofert Dailey Fund
Dain Torpy/Tim Pecci
Drs. Nazareth and Ani Darakjian
Dr. and Mrs. Donald E. Dickerson
Patrick Dickey
Tom Dolby
Mr. Michael Dreyer; in memory of Warner Henry
Linda L. Duttenhaver
Chaz Hammel-Smith Ebert
Susan and John Ebey
Ms. Gail Eichenthal
Danielle Nelson Erem and Vivian Nelson
Dr. Randall T. Espinoza
GRAND BENEFACTOR ($7,000 & ABOVE)
Anonymous (2)
Jerome M. Applebaum
Gary and Johanna Brown
Nicholas Chrisos
Marie M. Cohen and Jared Diamond
Cecelia Cole
Ms. Sheila Coop
The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc.
Michele M. Crahan
Linda Joyce Hodge
Chase Hodge-Brokenburr
Keller Anderle LLP
Jennifer L. Keller
Michael and Stephanie Landes
Anita Lorber
Emily and Sam Mann
Linda May and Jack Suzar
David and Marianna Fisher
Alan J. Freeman
Dr. Elizabeth Short and Dr. Michael Friedman
Mr. Vigen and Dr. Houry Ghazarian
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
Kiki and David Gindler
Beverly and Felix Grossman
Alma Guzman and Susan Stamberger
J. Ira and Nicki Harris Foundation
Betty Hayman
Robert and Denise Hayman
Claire and Robert Heron
Freddi and Dr. Kenneth D. Hill
Barbara Holman
Louise Horvitz and Family
Patricia Houston; in loving memory of
Chet Houston
Dr. Ronald Hopkins
Stuart and Simone Isen
Stella Jeong and Randall Lee
Bruce Johansen
Ms. Ratna Jones
Kaiser Permanente
Phyllis H. Klein, M.D.
Renee Kumetz
L.A. Care Health Plan
C. Deborah Laughton; in memory of Charles (Terry) Hendrix
Larry Layne and Sheelagh Boyd
Edward and Marie Lewis
Leonard M. Lipman Charitable Fund
Mr. and Mrs. David B. Lippman
Mr. Mark Loewen
Sam Losh and Judith Lovely
Hon. Nora M. Manella
Judy and Steve McDonald
Diane Hickingbotham McNabb
Marlane Meyer
Mrs. Synne Hansen Miller
Ms. Judy Miner
Mintz
Carol Mitchell
Dr. and Mrs. William M. Duxler
W. Allan Edmiston, Jr., M.D.
Nancy Fleischer and Libby Wilson, M.D., in honor of Ida and Max Fleischer
Larry and Marlis Gilman
Nancy Katayama
Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Landry
June and Simon K.C. Li
Mrs. Isabel Markovits-Rosenberg
James and Grace McAdams
Evy and Fred Scholder Family
Terry and Dennis Stanfill
Karen and William Timberlake
Michael Weber and Frances Spivy-Weber
Mr. and Mrs. David Mgrublian
The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation
The Stephen Philibosian Foundation
The Recording Industries’ Music Performance Trust Fund
The SahanDaywi Foundation
Bette I. Tatge and Lisa Tatge
Nancy-Gene W. Morrison
Diane Williams Murphy
Harry and Cheryl Nadjarian
Barbara and Norman S. Namerow
Gregory Nava and Barbara Martinez Jitner
Michael Nohaile and Kristin Yarema
Carolyn R. Novin
Christine Marie Ofiesh
William and Carol Ouchi
Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts
Thomas Patrick and Stephen Rulo
John S. Perkins
Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer
Ali Razi and Shelley Reid
Rodrigo J. Rocha, M.D.; in memory of my beloved parents
Jutta Romero
Lars Roos and Dr. Estelita Calica Roos
Mrs. Barbara C. Rosenthal
Sakana Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander A. Sawchuk
Amy and Andy Schwartz
Dr. Sharron L. Seal and Mr. Lawrence Seal
Dr. Donald Seligman and Dr. Jon Zimmermann
Dr. Bertrand and Joan C. Shapiro
Eric L. Small
Mr. Burnie Sparks; in memory of Warner Henry
Sphinx Organization
Michael and Suzanne Tennenbaum
Mr. and Mrs. Andy Torosyan
Elinor and Rubin Turner
Mr. and Mrs. Dale Ulman
Nancy Valentine
Dennis Wasser and Ruth Roberts
Drs. Francine Bartfield and Martin Wasserman
Mark A. Weaver
Aviva Weiner and Paulino Fontes
Sheila and Wally Weisman
Doris Weitz and Alexander Williams
Robert E. Willett
Wendy and Jay Wintrob
Susan Zolla; in memory of Edward M. Zolla
Mr. Richard J. Meyer
Mr. and Mrs. Bengt Muthen
Ernest and Anne Prokopovych
Cliff and Toni Reston
Elizabeth Loucks Samson
Mr. and Mrs. Neal Schmale
Robert and Linda Smith
Charles Souw, in loving memory of Bill Maldonado
Tracy Stone and Allen Anderson
United Way of Greater Los Angeles
Dive into Opera!
Anyone and everyone can enjoy opera through one of the diverse and innovative LA Opera Connects programs at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and at various locations around Los Angeles County. It’s easy to learn more about opera, attend a performance, and even join us on stage.
Learn about opera at your own pace with podcasts, online workshops, shareable lesson plans, and more. Teachers can bring their classes on a one-of-a-kind field trip to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion through numerous programs like OperaWise, which invites college students to attend an orchestra technical rehearsal—the first time all the elements of an opera come together on stage. Before the rehearsal starts, while the orchestra warms up and crews are hard at work preparing the sets and stage, you’ll gain behind-the-scenes information on season programming, arts administration, and production management. It’s a unique and intimate experience where students can speak directly with LA Opera staff and ask questions about career paths in the arts. After attending OperaWise with their class, one professor shared: “[a student] just sent me an email about wanting to compose opera!” Connects learning programs can serve as a gateway, motivating participants to continue exploring the opera world.
Attending a live opera performance, full of music and drama, can be a life-changing experience, and you have many opportunities to join us. For every LA Opera production at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, our Community Circle program makes hundreds of tickets available for nonprofits, community groups, veterans’ organizations, senior centers, schools, and colleges. For many attendees, this is their first trip to the opera, and guests often
discover a new passion for the art form. Community Circle guests frequently tell us these trips to LA Opera “[make] an impression that will last a lifetime.”
If feeling the magic of live opera piques your own interest in performing, or if you’ve ever found yourself singing in the shower or dancing around your living room, we hope you’ll try joining us on stage. You can perform in an opera and share that experience with your community. Our programs are open to performers of all levels and backgrounds. LA Opera Connects teaching artists create welcoming environments that, according to one participant, “provided lots of positive support, reduc[ing] my anxiety about singing in front of others... I felt so safe and happy.”
One of our annual performance opportunities, the Community Opera at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, features a chorus comprised of volunteer choirs and a student orchestra, allowing young musicians to perform under the baton of Music Director James Conlon. Anyone over the age of 11 can participate in the onstage ensemble and act in a fully staged (and costumed) opera, alongside professional singers and orchestra members. Throughout the rehearsal and performance process, participants build confidence and uncover talents and passions they carry with them into the world beyond the stage. Whether you’re learning more about opera, attending a live performance, or even performing on stage, you’ll build community and experience the joy of creativity with LA Opera Connects
Ready to see how you can get involved with LA Opera Connects? Visit LAOpera.org/Connects to discover all the ways you can join us this season.
Local college students got a sneak preview of last season's Highway 1, USA, a rarely performed masterpiece by William Grant Still.
PHOTO BY LAO CONNECTS
Earlier this year, performers of all ages made up the ensemble of performers for Noah’s Flood, a Community Opera that brought together hundreds of professional, student and amateur artists.
PHOTO BY TASO PAPADAKIS
2024/25 SEASON
ROMANTICS: SCHUBERT’S TROUT
SAT, SEP 28 | 7:30 PM | The Wallis
SUN, SEP 29 | 4 PM | The Huntington
Margaret Batjer DIRECTOR OF CHAMBER MUSIC
TRAILBLAZERS:
MARTÍN + BRAHMS + BAUER
Pohjonen PIANO
SUN, OCT 20 | 4 PM | The Wallis
ARTISANS:
MARTÍN + HAYDN + BEAL
SAT, OCT 19 | 7:30 PM | Alex Theatre
| Alex Theatre | The Wallis
Jaime Martín | The Wallis
Jaime Martín
SUN, NOV 3 | 4 PM | The Wallis MUSIC
SAT, NOV 2 | 7:30 PM | ALEX THEATRE
Juho
Thomas
Hall-Tompkins
Bauer
PATRONS OF LA OPERA
PREMIER BENEFACTOR ($5,000 AND ABOVE)
Anonymous (9)
The Maurice Amado Foundation
The Amphion Foundation, Inc.
Anne Andrews and John Thornton
Aversa Foundation
Ruth Bachofner
Ms. Sunny Baey
Mr. and Mrs. Miles L. Bennickes
Nancy Berman and Alan Bloch
William Blair
Judith F. Blumenthal
Bonnie Brae
Mrs. Michele Brustin
Michael and Tania Cahill
Todd L. Calvin
Evelyn and Stephen Cederbaum
Diana and Marc Chazaud
Laura K. Christa
Rhoda Coleman, in loving memory of Howard Coleman
Christina and Bill Conkle
Walter and Donna Conn
Ms. Joanne Dallas Davis/Dauray Family Fund
Jack and Barbara Dawson
Jennifer Diener
David A. Drummond
Susan Edelstein
Helen Funai Erickson
Evelyn & Norman Feintech Family Foundation
Dr. Jon Fellows and Judith Hemenway
Theodore Finney Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Don Erik Franzen
Elisabeth and Tony Freinberg
Ronald Frydman
Dr. Patricia Goldring
Charles and Marian Goldsmith
Patrick and Mary Goshtigian
Wendy and Luis Guerrero
Manuel R. Gutierrez
Marie O. Hedlund
BENEFACTOR ($3,500 AND ABOVE)
Anonymous (6)
In memory of Dr. Yoshio Akiyama
Honey Amado
Nathan Anderson-Papillion
Patrick Anderson and Ron Koren
Linda Antonioli, in loving memory of Kenny Antonioli
Ron and Perky Apperson
Shirley Ashkenas; in memory of Irving Ashkenas
David Baltimore and Alice Huang
Howard Barmazel
Randall C. Bassett
Shelley and Rick Bayer
Christine Benchay
John R. Benfield and Mary Ann Shaw
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bennion
Dr. Dietmar P. Berger
Leigh Lindsey and Andrew Blaine
Employees Community Fund of Boeing
Mr. William J. Bracken and Ms. Mary Jo Markey
Langley B. Brandt
Barbara and Richard Braun
Dr. Martin J. Brickman
Patsy Burke
Drs. Carol and David Cass
CBRE National Partners West / Darla Longo,
Barbara Perrier, Michael Longo
Mr. Frederick Chau
Mr. Joseph Cochran
Nancybell Coe and William Burke, in honor of James Conlon
Dr. Malcolm and Gabrielle Cosgrove
Joan and Donald Damask
Dr. Ann M. Hirsch and Dr. Stefan J. Kirchanski
David L. and Susan H. Hirsch
Cameron Hotchkis
Dr. Judith Hyman
Ms. Marsha Hymanson
Mr. Daniel J. Jaffe and Ms. Cynthia S. Monaco
Elizabeth and Nicandro Juárez
Jee Sung and Hun Ku Kang
Mr. Howard B. Klein
Ellen and Harvey Knell
Mr. Joel and Mrs. Sharon Koppelman
KPMG LLP
Elaine F. Kramer
Sherry Lansing and William Friedkin
Christine and Jay Lee
Robert Leevan and Elaine Glickman
Mr. Leonard Levine and Dr. Mateo Ledezma
Marilyn Lightner
The Lilly Family Foundation
Lilly Fong Liu
Mr. Paul Lombardi and Mr. Jeffrey B. Soref
Dr. Liana Lucaric Boghossian
Mr. Nigel Lythgoe
John and Jill Manly
Tracey Alden Martin
Edeltraud McCarthy
Bo Mills
Cindy Miscikowski
Morgan Stanley
Mr. Shannon J. Morton
Dr. and Mrs. Steven Nagelberg
The E. Nakamichi Foundation
David Drew Neer, M.D., J.D.
Ms. Michelle Newberry
Frank and Andrea Newman
Mrs. Inna Ockelmann
Jenny Okun and Richard Sparks
Mr. and Mrs. Peter O’Malley
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Oppenheimer
Park Bixby Tower, Inc.
Michael Dillon
Mr. and Mrs. R. Stephen Doan
Larry and Jan Duitsman
Craig Emanuel and Deborah Zipser
Margaret Epstein
John Farrell and Corey Spivey
Joyce and Mal Fienberg
David F. Freedman, in memory of Joan Freedman
Dr. Jerry and Jean Friedman
Scott and Elizabeth Frost
Dr. and Mrs. Santo Galanti
Arthur and Helen Geoffrion
Jerome J. Glaser / International Curtain Call
Dr. and Mrs. Steven M. Goldberg
Mr. Ronald Goldman
Nora Gordon and Brent Bryan
Christine Gregory
Peter and Elizabeth Goulds
Charles F. Hanes
Norma A. Harris & Frank Packard III
Jeff and Yolanda Heller
Marcia and Dr. Paul Herman
Larry and Lilia Hershenson
Mrs. Phoebe Ann Heywood
Gary Ho and Aihua Gan
Richard Holland Trust
In Sook Hong
Douglas Honig, Esq.
Mrs. Maria Antonia Horne‡
Brenda Izzi
Adel F. Jabour, M.D.
Mr. Punya Jain
Dr. Thomas D. Johnson, Ph.D., and Stacy B. Young
Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.
Mary E. Petit and Eleanor Torres
Gary and Arsine Phillips
Frank and Betty Pinkerton
Drs. Michael and Marion Quinn
Madeline and Bruce Ramer
Sonia Randazzo and Family
Penny and Harold B. Ray
Eileen and Charles Read
Marina Rinaldi
Ms. Margaret Rose, in memory of Ronald Dolkart
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Rountree
Ms. Allison Sampson; in memory of
Warner Henry
Brad Schlei and Jamie Price-Schlei
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Segal
Richard and Ellyn Semler
Marilyn Shapiro
Natalie K. and Marvin S. Shapiro
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Judith L. Smith
LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District
Joyce and Al Sommer
Philip Starr and Michael Simental
John and Beverly Stauffer Foundation
Yvonne Stevens and Paul Schickler
Dr. Roger D. Stewart
Philip and Kristan Swan
Mr. Eliazar Talamantez
Dr. I. Maribel Taussig
Ms. Joanne L. Dallas and Mr. Frank A. Traficante
Ms. Barbara A. Van Postman
Cynthia Walk
Barbara and Ken Warner
David and Michele Wilson
Mrs. Joan A. Winchell; in memory of Verne Winchell
Clemence Yi
Martin and Rosalind Zane
Dr. Betza Zlokovic
Gary and Denise Kading
Gloria Kaplan
Alan and Amy Karbelnig
Gayle Kirschbaum and Scott D. Baskin
Christopher Koelsch and Todd Bentjen
Ronald and Joann Kramar
Sandra Krause and William Fitzgerald
Mrs. Dominique Laffont
Diane S. Lake
Peter and Electra Lang
Dr. Paul E. LeMal
Irwin and Rachel Levin
Dr. Cheryl D. Lew, M.D.
Randall and Janell Lewis
Mary H. Lewis
Michael Lindsay and Kaitlyn Lindsay
Clark and Karen Linstone
Dr. Leonard Lipman
Robert and Susan Long
Ms. Jasmine Lord
Patrick Lyden and Laurie Schechter
Gerrie Maloof
Michael and Claudia Margolis
Daniel Marshak
Ms. Faydell P. Martin
Robert Mendow
Bryan Mershon
Adam Mielke and Angel Blue Mielke
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Miller
Olga Moretti
Jane Gray Morrison
Gary W. Murphy
Mr. Emory Ron Myrick
THE CONCERT
Good and evil battle it out in an American retelling of the classic story. Randy Newman’s only musical features the songwriter’s unmatched wit and some of his greatest songs. This Sorayaproduced original concert will feature an all-star cast of fresh talent led by two Broadway phenoms - Reeve Carney (“Penny Dreadful” and Hadestown) as Devil and Javier Muñoz (In the Heights and Hamilton) as Lord.
Music and Lyrics by Randy Newman
Starring
Reeve Carney
Javier Muñoz
Jordan Temple
Veronica Swift
Joanna Lynn-Jacobs
PATRONS OF LA OPERA
BENEFACTOR ($3,500 AND ABOVE)
Robert and Sally Neely
Barbara and Lawrence Nevens
Mary Ruth and Jeff Newman
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth D. O’Dell
Jerry and Elaine Offstein
Dr. Edward O’Neill
Dr. Sophia Y. Pak, M.D.
Dr. and Mrs. Nissan Pardo
Ms. Karen A. Pederson
The Muriel Pollia Foundation
Ruth Popkin
Mr. and Mrs. Roger H. Porter, Jr.
Peggy and Peter Preuss
Kai-Li and Hal Quigley
Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Reid
Fen Rhodes and Nancy Corby
Ken and Erika Riley
ARTISTS CIRCLE ($2,000 AND ABOVE)
Anonymous (2)
Ms. Mary Anderson
Mr. Robert C. Anderson
Stephanie Barron and Max Rifkind-Barron
Heather and Stephen Bedikian
Mr. William Stewart Buettner
Ms. Marion A. Cameron
Ms. Julia Cherry
Dr. Nurit Cohen
Antonio and Hanna Damasio
Fred Dear
Donald and Jackie Feinstein
Dr. Michele A. Felix
Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Fishbach
Ms. Shaudi Fulp
Mr. and Mrs. Sanford M. Gage
Constance Towers Gavin
Dr. and Mrs. Edward Helmer
Lee Hendrix
John Hofbauer and Laura Fox
Ms. Florence A. Hoffman
William Isacoff
Paul and Missy Jennings
Jill Kent
Craig and Janis Risch
JoAnna and Matthew Rodriguez
Charleen Rohde
Diana Romero
Rikki Rosen
Paula and Allan Rudnick
Lynn and Michael Russell
John Schunhoff and Ken Titley
Albert Sepe
Dr. and Mrs. Neil J. Sherman
Mr. and Mrs. John B. (Jack) Simon
Dr. Joan E. Smiles
Debra Vilinsky and Michael Sopher
Steven and Eleanor Sorenson
Shirley Earlise Starke-Wallace
Sidney Stern Memorial Trust
Dr. and Mrs. Edward C. Stone
Rosalie Kornblau
Mr. Bruce Lassen
Mr. Robert M. Lea
Ms. Blanca Lucero and Mr. Charles Romero
Joseph H. MacDonald
Kathleen Martin
Patrick McCabe
Drs. Anne and Ronald Mellor
Dr. Reinhard W Menzel
Janet Michaels
Mr. Andrew Millstein and Ms. Rosemarie Fall
Ms. Margaret Austin Moir
Luc and Courtenay Moritz
Dr. and Mrs. G. Arnold Mulder
Mr. R. Chandler Myers, Esq.
Ms. Laurice Myron
Beatrice H. Nemlaha
Liza and Thomas Newbauer
Ms. Heidi Novaes
Doerthe Obert
Mr. Phil Ockelmann
Ron and Pat Oguss
Michael and Beverly Phillips
BELLA VOCE PATRONS (IRREVOCABLE ESTATE GIFTS)
Francine Swain and Robert Murdock
Mr. Andrew Tavakoli
Dr. and Mrs. Jose Torreblanca
Mrs. Linda Trope
Eve C. Van Rennes
Larry Verdugo
Ms. Carol Vernon and Mr. Robert Turbin
James and Robin Walther
Martin Washton
Dr. Robert W. Weinman
Marty, Sara and Samantha Widzer
Tina H. Wilson
Jan and Steve Winston
Dr. William Wishner
Sharon and Fillmore Wood
David A. Workman
Mr. Rudolf Ziesenhenne
Ms. Sarah Phillips
Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Pircher
Mrs. Lucy Pliskin
Barry and Sandy Pressman
Mr. Christopher A. Reed
Dr. Madison F. Richardson
Tania Richter-Prinz
Mr. Charles Roth
Mr. Herbert Schraibman
Mr. John H. Scott
Ross Shideler and Kathleen Komar
Mr. Don Simkin
Dr. Julie Stindt
Ms. Katherine Sung
Rick Thomas
Michael Frazier Thompson
Marian Tully
Mary Ann Twitty
Max and Diane Weissberg
Ian and Barbara White-Thomson
Ms. Marie Wiley
Brian Wong
LA Opera is grateful for the generosity and foresight of opera lovers who have established future gifts to the company in their estate plans.
Natsuko Akiyama, in memory of Yoshio Akiyama
Dr. & Mrs. Julio Aljure
Gracia Alkema & C. Terry Hendrix
Karen Alpert Trust
John Altschul
Mr. Marvin Antonowsky
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Ash
Shirley Ashkenas
Shirley Lee Barasch
Ms. Angela Bardowell
Estate of Margaret and David N. Barry III
Ambassador Frank & Kathy Baxter
Karen M. Beecher
Herbert M. Berk
Anne Boundy
The Samuel M. Brainin Trust
Carol & Normand Brewer
Jacqueline Briskin
Maynard & Linda Brittan
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Christine Brodie
Richard & Norma Camp
T. Robert Chapman Trust
David Chierichetti
Edward E. & Alicia Garcia Clark
Richard D. & Lisa K. Colburn
The Tarasenka Pankiv Fund (Tara Colburn)
Nancy Cook
Cosgrove Family Trust
Michele McGarry Crahan
Estate of Nancy Daly
Janet & Roger DeBard
Teresa DeCrescenzo
Estate of Phyllis & Donal Dreifus
The George A.V. Dunning Fund/
California Community Foundation
Allan & Diane Eisenman
Gerald Faris
Adell Fink
Theodore Hill Finney
Claudia & Mark Foster
Herbert O. and Jean Fox
Kara Kass Fox
Estate of Valerie Franklin
Allen B. Freitag Trust
Ronald Frydman
Gerri Lee Frye
Roger Gallizzi and James Willey
Nancy Gentry Geller Trust
Gwynne M. Gloege
Estate of Barbara Goldenberg
Eric A. Gordon
Leonard Green
Bernard and Lenore Greenberg
Susan R. Greer
Joyce and Joelle Grinker
Estate of Walter O. Halden
Betty Hall Trust
Roy Hamilton
The Jerome G. Handelsman Trust
Hildegard Harris
Lee & David Hayutin
Anne Heineman
Estate of Harvey B. Heller
Warner & Carol Henry
Yvonne & Gordon Hessler
Joan & John Hotchkis
Drs. Herbert and Judith Hyman
Mr. & Mrs. David K. Ingalls
Robert Jesberg and Michael J. Carmody
Estate of H. Kirkland Jones
Leana Kleinman and Mr. Jerald W. Johnson
BELLA VOCE PATRONS (IRREVOCABLE ESTATE GIFTS)
Sylvia & Vernon D. Jones
Estate of Stephen A. Kanter
Lawrence A. Kern
Joyce and Kent Kresa
Helen LammIvan and Hilda Layda / Layda Family Trust
Margo Leavin
The Norman & Sadie Lee Foundation
Lauren B. Leichtman & Arthur E. Levine
Dr. Paul E. LeMal
Raymond A. Lieberman Trust
Robert & Marguerite Marsh
Wolfgang E. Marum Trust
In memory of Terry Roberta Matthies
Linda May Suzar
Dr. Michael McGuire
Paula Kent Meehan
Mr. & Mrs. Paul A. Miller
The Jane Moore Family Trust
Diane and Leon Morton
Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco
Anthony & Olivia Neece
Joan Harding Newman
Mei-Lee Ney
Estate of Beatrix F. Padway
Mr. Milan Panic
Chloe Pollock-Mieczkowski
Cat Jagger Pollon
Mrs. Jean Powell
Nan Rae
Suzanne Rheinstein
Christine P. Ries
Kenneth D. Sanson, Jr., Trust
The L. Franc Scheuer Trust
The Malcolm Schneer LAOC Trust
The Richard Seaver Trust for the Opera
Archie Sharp
Milton Singer
BELLA VOCE PATRONS (FUTURE GIFTS)
Anonymous (9)
Helen Mae Almas
Patti Amstutz
Robert C. Anderson
Sharon Baranoff
James C. Bassett, Ph.D.
Randall C. Bassett
Nancy Griffith Baxter
James M. Bell
Lorna D. Blancaflor
Dr. Judith F. Blumenthal
Rebecca Bowne
Hans and Dianne Bozler
Ms. Dale Bridges Johannsen
Mrs. Michele Brustin
Sharon A. Bryan
Elizabeth B. & Elwood S. Buffa
Jacqueline & Henry Cahn
Mr. & Mrs. William Smollen
Ellen & Harry Sondheim, in memory of
Betty & Felix Leibholz
Estate of Mr. Arthur Spitzer
Marilyn & Eugene Stein/ Capital Group Companies
Marc & Eva Stern
Estate of Gaby K. Tanas
Flora L. Thornton & Eric L. Small
Estate of C. Dickson Titus III
Emanuel Treitel Trust
Ms. Carol Vernon and Mr. Robert Turbin
Magda & Frederick R. Waingrow
Richard and Lenore Wayne
Mark A. Weaver
Estate of Monica Weil and Paul Schrade
Douglas B. Wood
Sharon and Fillmore Wood
Irene Zimmerman
Todd Calvin
Dr. Alisa Cone Camberlan
Leigh Robinson Cartwright
Drs. Carol & David Cass
Julia Cherry
Cecelia R. Cole
Bernice Colman
Ginger Conrad
Hilary Crahan
BELLA VOCE PATRONS (FUTURE GIFTS)
Keith Crasnick Family Trust
Drs. Nazareth & Ani Darakjian
Lawrence E. Deutsch
Amy Lyn DeZwart and George Betar
Leslie & John Dorman
Mary Kathryn Dunn
Gerald Elijah/Octaveous Starr
Maureen Engelhard
Daniel Fink, M.D.
Richard Cullen and Robert Finnerty
David F. Freedman
Dr. Michael A. Friedman and Dr. Elizabeth M. Short
Mr. & Mrs. John Garvey
James Gelb and Diane Morton
Dr. Melinda Gilmore
Jerome J. Glaser
Joyce & Eric Goldman
Rebecca Gomez
Marielle Gottlieb
Ms. Nancy A. Grant
Donna & Greg Griffith
Alma Guzman and Susan Stamberger
Susan D. Heard
Laura C. Hecht
Ms. Nita Heimbaugh
Bonnie Helms
Dr. Jon Fellows and Judith Hemenway
Malcolm T. Henderson
Marcia and Dr. Paul Herman
Freddi and Dr. Kenneth D. Hill
Mike Hiscocks, in memory of Carol Roberts
Dr. Ronald Hopkins
Sharon & Donald Jackley
Norman W. & Rose M. Jaffe
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Bruce Johansen
Dr. Barbara Johnston
Ms. Mary Teresa Johnston
Dr. & Mrs. William Kern
Dr. Stephen Knafel
Linda L. R. Knight
Richard P. & Meredith B. Kramer
Victoria and Douglas Lane
Larry Layne
Robert M. Lea
Mr. and Mrs. Lou D. Liuzzi
Gloria Lothrop
Mr. Jeff MacKey
Gerrie Maloof
Hon. Nora M. Manella
Sam I. Matsumoto/Gordon J. Geever Trust
Edward McCann
McCone Grand Opera Fund
Steven D. McGinty
Cynthia McWhirt
The Minturn Family Charitable Foundation
Michael and Lorraine Mohill
Nancy-Gene W. Morrison
Barbara and Maury Mortensen
Mary Jane Myers
Gordon & Rosie Ornelas Olson
Dr. Sophia Pak
Lenore and Carl Pearlston
Janet Petersen
Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Prusan
Dr. and Mrs. Robert H. Pudenz
Jeanne E. Roerig
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick T. Rogers
Mimi Rotter
County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors
Kathryn Barger
Janice Hahn, Chair
Lindsey P. Horvath
Holly J. Mitchell
Hilda L. Solis
Lawrence Rubenstein, Ph.D.
Frank D. Rubin
Dr. Jeanne W. Ruderman
Maged Salib
Elizabeth Loucks Samson
Melody & Warren Schubert
Mr. & Mrs. Christof E. Schwab
Dr. Donald Seligman and Dr. Jon Zimmermann
Richard and Ellyn Semler
Olga Sevilla
John Jacob Shaak
Marilyn Shapiro
Lynn Foster Sipe
Melissa Siskowic
Terry & Dennis Stanfill
R. Rhoads Stephenson
Donna Stillo
James and Ellen Strauss
Ms. Amanda F. Susskind
Elisabeth Tamari
Iris & Robert Teragawa
Dr. Elaine Totten and Mr. Barclay Totten
Mrs. Ella Upsher
Dr. Michael Upsher
Rose Vardanian
Larry Verdugo
Barbara and Ken Warner
Michael Weber & Frances Spivy-Weber
Aviva Weiner
Janice and Mitchell Wellsteed, in memory of Robert Tomson
Linda & Robert E. Willett
Wesley and Rachel Williamson
Tana Wong
LA Opera is supported, in part, by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture as part of Creative Recovery LA, an initiative funded by the American Rescue Plan.
Los Angeles County Dept. of Arts & Culture
Kristin Sakoda, Executive Director
National Endowment for the Arts Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, Chair
California Arts Council
Danielle Brazell, Executive Director
City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs Daniel Tarica, General Manager
Brett Mitchell MUSIC DIRECTOR
MAHLER SYMPHONY No. 1
OCT 26, 2024
AKIKO SUWANAI, violin
MOZART “JUPITER” SYMPHONY
JAN 25, 2025
INON BARNATAN, piano
by Tim Sullens
MOZART VIOLIN CONCERTO No. 5
MAR 22, 2025
STEFAN JACKIW, violin
RHAPSODY IN BLUE NOV 16, 2024
STEWART GOODYEAR, piano
DVORÁK CELLO CONCERTO FEB 15, 2025
MARK KOSOWER, cello ˇ
BEETHOVEN “PASTORAL” SYMPHONY MAY 3, 2025
WILLIAM HAGEN, violin
Photo
Blüthner Pianos (since 1853)
Neupert Harpsichords (since 1868)
Schiedmayer Celesta (since 1890)
Welcome to The Music Center!
Thank you for joining us.
The Music Center is your place to experience all the arts have to offer, where you can express yourself, connect with others and enjoy incredible live performances and events in our four beautiful theatres, at Jerry Moss Plaza and in Gloria Molina Grand Park.
We promise to provide you the best, safest experience possible on our campus.
Be sure to visit musiccenter.org to learn about upcoming events and performances.
Enjoy the show!
#BeAPartOfIt
@musiccenterla
General Information (213) 972-7211 | musiccenter.org
Support The Music Center (213) 972-3333 | musiccenter.org/support
TAKE A TOUR OF THE MUSIC CENTER
Free 90-minute docent-led tours take you through the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall, along with Jerry Moss Plaza. You’ll learn about the history and architecture of the theatres along with The Music Center’s beautiful outdoor spaces.
Tours are offered daily. Check the schedule to plan a fun-filled day in Downtown L.A.!
OFFICERS
Cindy Miscikowski Chair
Robert J. Abernethy
Vice Chair
Rachel S. Moore
President & CEO
Diane G. Medina
Secretary
Susan M. Wegleitner
Treasurer
William Taylor
Assistant Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
MEMBERS
AT LARGE
Charlene Achki-Repko
Charles F. Adams
William H. Ahmanson
Jill C. Baldauf
Susan Baumgarten
Phoebe Beasley
Thomas L. Beckmen
Kristin Burr
Dannielle Campos
Alberto M. Carvalho
Elizabeth Khuri Chandler
Riley Etheridge, Jr.
Amy R. Forbes
Greg T. Geyer
Joan E. Herman
Jeffrey M. Hill
Jonathan B. Hodge
Mary Ann Hunt-Jacobsen
Carl Jordan
Visit musiccenter.org for additional information. 2024/2025
GENERAL COUNSEL
Rollin A. Ransom
DIRECTORS
EMERITI
Wallis Annenberg
Peter K. Barker
Judith Beckmen
Darrell R. Brown
Ronald W. Burkle
John B. Emerson **
Richard M. Ferry
Bernard A. Greenberg
Stephen F. Hinchliffe, Jr.
Glen A. Holden
Kent Kresa
Edward J. McAniff
Mattie McFaddenLawson
Fredric M. Roberts
Richard K. Roeder
Claire L. Rothman
Joni J. Smith
Lisa Specht **
Cynthia A. Telles
James A. Thomas
Andrea L. Van de Kamp **
Thomas R. Weinberger
Alyce de Roulet Williamson
** Chair Emeritus
Current as of 7/18/24
Richard B. Kendall
Terri M. Kohl
Lily Lee
Cary J. Lefton
Keith R. Leonard, Jr.
Kelsey N. Martin
Susan M. Matt
Elizabeth Michelson
Darrell D. Miller
Teresita Notkin
Michael J. Pagano
Cynthia M. Patton
Karen Kay Platt
Susan Erburu Reardon
Joseph J. Rice
Melissa Romain
Beverly P. Ryder
Maria S. Salinas
Corinne Jessie Sanchez
Mimi Song
Johnese Spisso
Michael Stockton
Timothy S. Wahl
Jennifer M. Walske
Jay S. Wintrob
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Yannick Lebrun. Photo by Dario Calmese.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Support from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors plays an invaluable role in the successful operation of The Music Center.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
As a steward of The Music Center of Los Angeles County, we recognize that we occupy land originally and still inhabited and cared for by the Tongva, Tataviam, Serrano, Kizh and Chumash Peoples. We honor and pay respect to their elders and descendants — past, present and emerging — as they continue their stewardship of these lands and waters. We acknowledge that settler colonization resulted in land seizure, disease, subjugation, slavery, relocation, broken promises, genocide and multigenerational trauma. This acknowledgment demonstrates our responsibility and commitment to truth, healing and reconciliation and to elevating the stories, culture and community of the original inhabitants of Los Angeles County.
Janice Hahn Supervisor, Fourth District
Hilda L. Solis Supervisor, First District
Lindsey P. Horvath Chair, Third District
Kathryn Barger Chair Pro Tem, Fifth District
Holly J. Mitchell Supervisor, Second District
We are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on these ancestral lands. We are dedicated to growing and sustaining relationships with Native peoples and local tribal governments, including (in no particular order) the:
• Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
• Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California Tribal Council
• Gabrieleno/Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians
• Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians-Kizh Nation
• San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
• San Fernando Band of Mission Indians
To learn more about the First Peoples of Los Angeles County, please visit the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission website at lanaic.lacounty.go
(From left to right)
Happening at The Music Center
SEPTEMBER 2024
WED 11 SEP / 8:00 p.m.
Duel Reality CENTER THEATRE GROUP
@ Ahmanson Theatre Thru 9/22/2024
FRI 17 SEP / 6:00 p.m.
The Music Center's Black Bar Social THE MUSIC CENTER
@ Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
SAT 21 SEP / 6:00 p.m.
Madame Butterfly LA OPERA
@ Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Thru 10/13/2024
FRI 27 SEP / 8:00 p.m.
ANOHNI and the Johnsons: It’s Time To Feel What’s Really Happening LA PHIL
@ Walt Disney Concert Hall Thru 9/28/2024
Visit musiccenter.org for additional information on all upcoming events.
@musiccenterla
SEPTEMBER 17 | 6:00–9:00 P.M.
The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
One Who Looks at the Cup
Provocateur: Mashinka Firunts Hakopian
DIVE INTO THE WORLD OF DIVINATION!
Urban Bush Women’s Courtney Cook & Chanon Judson. Photo by Rick McColloug.
