Performers

Rigoletto

by Giuseppe Verdi
Saturday, February 27, 2010; 8:30PM; Symphony Space, NYC
Saturday, March 6, 2010; 8:30PM; Carnegie's Weill Hall

THE MUSIC DIRECTOR

Conductor John Yaffé is in his second season as New York Lyric Opera Theatre’s Music Director. For the past fifteen years, he has been a highly regarded member of New York City's musical community, has conducted numerous times at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, and The 92^nd Street Y, and has been lauded consistently by the New YorkTimes and Opera News for his ability to inspire performances with "transcendent concentration, exemplary preparation, freedom, and commitment."

He recently led the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra on their tour of the United States. Also in recent seasons, he led the Colorado Springs Symphony, Staten Island Symphony, Warsaw Philharmonic (at the Warsaw Autumn Contemporary Music Festival), San Antonio Symphony, Chattanooga Symphony, Chattanooga Opera, Walla Walla Symphony, and the Turkish State Opera. At the invitation of the American Embassy in Tirana, Albania, he led the first American musical ever produced in that country (West Side Story).

During his career, Yaffé was championed by several major figures: the great baritone Tito Gobbi, who invited him as musical assistant for his master classes in Florence, Italy; Julius Rudel, Music Director of New York City Opera, who invited him to join the company as an apprentice conductor; the legendary singer George London, who, after attending one of Yaffé’s performances, invited him to join the staff at the Washington (D.C.) National Opera; and Leonard Bernstein, who was Executor of Marc Blitzstein’s estate and entrusted Yaffé with revisions to Blitzstein’s opera Regina. Engagements at the Wolf Trap Festival and with symphony orchestras and opera houses in Maryland, Connecticut, Michigan, California followed.

Soon after, Yaffé moved to Europe. He spent ten years as Répétiteur and Conductor in the German opera houses of Hagen, Münster, Osnabrück and Stuttgart. In addition, he served as Music Director of the Stuttgarter Operettentheater and was a guest conductor with the Städtisches Orchester Remscheid, the Südwestdeutsche Philharmonie, the Symphonie-Orchester Graunke of Munich, the Staatsorchester Stuttgart, the Stuttgarter Philharmoniker, and the Alt-Wiener-Strauss-Ensemble. Joseph Leavitt, former Baltimore Symphony Executive Director, then brought Yaffé back to the USA to lead his burgeoning Florida Philharmonic Orchestra as its Resident Conductor. During his tenure, Yaffé conducted over 175 performances to critical acclaim.

Most recently, John Yaffé has served as Music Director of New York City’s prestigious 92nd Street Y Symphonic Workshop Orchestra (1996-2009), Encompass New Opera Theatre (1996-2008), Centre Symphony (1999-2004), as a principal guest conductor at the Mannes College of Music (1996-2006), and as Co-Director of the Orchestral and Chamber Music Program of the Tanglewood Institute.

THE GUEST CONDUCTOR

Steven Crawford, whose final season with the Metropolitan Opera included two performances of La Bohème of which one was his Sirius Radio broadcast debut, is one of today’s most versatile opera conductors. Shortly following those performances, he was chosen to conduct the world premiere of HONOR, a requiem for orchestra, chorus and soloists composed by Christian McLeer in honor of those who have died in service to our country. Recently, he conducted the professional premiere of Glory Denied by Tom Cipullo for the Remarkable Theatre Brigade, La Bohème for the Inwood Shakespeare Festival, Otello for Kentucky Opera, and Turandot for Dayton Opera. In the year since he left the Met, Maestro Crawford has conducted performances of Les Contes d’Hoffmann for his second season with Martina Arroyo’s Prelude to Performance (for whom his performances of Don Giovanni last summer were noted by the New York Times as “lively, taut, and polished”), Don Giovanni for Dayton Opera, Otello with Vero Beach Opera, and The Medium/Pagliacci for Syracuse Opera. On a different note, Maestro Crawford was recently awarded the honor of Vocal Coach of the Year by Classical Singer magazine.

While still a member of the conducting staff at the Met, his most recent projects included Faust, the world premiere of An American Tragedy, and the critically acclaimed revival of Cyrano. He recently conducted Kirke Meecham’s Tartuffe in Portland OR , and earlier La Cenerentola with the Cincinnati Opera, where he had been called "the find of the evening" for stepping in on twelve hours notice to conduct Il Barbiere di Siviglia, simultaneously accompanying the recitatives on the fortepiano.

After working as Music Director of the Illinois Opera Theatre, Maestro Crawford was engaged as resident conductor of the Florida Grand Opera for five years. During that time, he conducted fifteen different productions, working with such great artists as Sherill Milnes, Carol Neblett, Justino Diaz, and Barbara Daniels. Maestro Crawford has also conducted productions for Chautauqua Opera, Opera in the Ozarks, Nevada Opera and Opera Northeast. Upon his arrival in New York City , he was immediately engaged by the Metropolitan Opera Guild as Music Director for their production of a newly commissioned opera for young people.

An excellent symphonic conductor and proponent of contemporary music, Maestro Crawford was engaged by the New York Philharmonic as cover conductor for Maestro Kurt Masur for the American premiere of Minoru Miki's Symphony for Two Worlds. During the '98 season, he made his New York City conducting debut in the NYC City premiere of A Chekov Trilogy by Richard Wargo. Before leaving South Florida, he was asked to conduct the New World Symphony in the Concerto for Saxophone by Don Martino and returned the following year as guest soloist for the world premiere of John Nelson's Fantasies and Flourishes, an interactive concerto for disklavier and orchestra.

THE PIANIST

(and Musical Coach for Cover Singers)

NARRATOR

On Broadway, Janine DiVita starred as Betty Rizzo in the 2007 Revival of "Grease."  In addition to Broadway, in New York City Janine has been seen Off-Broadway as Susan in "The Day Before Spring" at the York Theatre and Off-Off Broadway at the 45th street theatre playing Gina in The New York Musical Theatre Festival’s rock musical, "Rainbow Around The Sun". Regional credits include: "Oliver!" (Nancy, Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), "Grey Gardens"  (Little Edie, Portland Center Stage in Portland, Oregon), "Sunday in the Park with George" (Dot, Heritage Repertory Theatre in Charlottesville, Virgina), "Nunsense" (Sister Mary Amnesia, Heritage Repertory Theatre in Charlottesville, Virginia), "A Tale of Two Cities" (Lucie u/s, Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Florida- Pre-Broadway Production), "Annie Get Your Gun" (The MUNY in St. Louis, MO), "Hello, Dolly!" starring Michelle Lee (Summer Tour- Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN, Bass Hall in Fort Worth, TX, and The Kansas City Starlight in Kansas City, MO.), and the title role in "Cinderella" at the Kansas City Lyric. Other roles include: Alaura Kingsley in "City of Angels," Maria in "The Sound of Music," Cathy in Sondheim's "Company," Ginevra King in Pete Mill's new work "The Pursuit of Persephone," Penelope Pennywise in "Urinetown," and a triumphant turn at Arthur Miller's "Playing For Time" in which Ms. DiVita starred as Fania Fenelon (originally played by Vanessa Redgrave in the 1980 movie) at the inaugural Arthur Miller Theatre in Ann Arbor, Michigan. University of Michigan Alum (B.F.A. Musical Theatre, Communications Studies Concentration). Winner of the first Alan Eisenberg/ Actors' Equity Award for Achievement in Musical Theatre.  Ms. DiVita has had the privilege of singing at various venues and on television including Broadway at Bryant Park, Lincoln Center, and Fox 29 in Philadelphia. Concert work includes New Jersey Opera and Arizona Opera Company.  Recording: Bobby Cronin's "Reach The Sky" Live at the Beechman.  She resides in New York City.

THE CAST (in alphabetical order)

GLENN SEVEN ALLEN (Duke)

Upcoming: La Traviata (Alfredo) L.I. Opera, The Chocolate Soldier (Alexis) Bard SummerScape. Opera: A View from the Bridge (Roldolpho) VPR Opera, La Bohème (Rodolfo) Cardona Opera, Roméo et Juliette (Romeo) NY Lyric Opera; . Broadway: the Light in the Piazza Lincoln Center, Girl Crazy City Center Encores! Off-Broadway: For Lovers Only, A Fine and Private Place York Theatre, Casino Paradise Lincoln Center/American Songbook. MFA Acting-U of Washington, BFA Musical Theatre-U of Michigan. Awards: 2009/10 Merola Competition Finalist, Peg Locke Newman Award-Acting, Helen Hayes Nom.-Best Actor.

MATTHEW ANCHEL (Sparafucile)

In the 2009-2010 season, Bass Matthew Anchel sang the title role in Le nozze di Figaro with the Intermezzo Opera Festival in Brugge, Balthazar (Amahl and the Night Visitors) with Chelsea Opera, Enrico VIII (Anna Bolena) with the dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, and Sarastro (Die Zauberflöte) with New York Lyric Opera Theatre. 2008-2009 season included Mr. Peachum in Dona D. Vaughn's production of The Beggar’s Opera at Manhattan School of Music, First Soldier in Salome with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis. This summer, Matthew will be singing the role of Famigliare (Maria di Rohan) and covering the role of Oroveso (Norma) with the Caramoor Music Festival.

JUSTIN BIRDSONG (Marullo)

Justin Birdsong is performing again with NYLOT after debuting as Papageno in Die Zauberflöte earlier this year. He has appeared in Madama Butterfly, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, La Bohème, and Le Nozze di Figaro with Athena Grand Opera; Fidelio and Der Fliegende Holländer with Atlanta Opera; Carmen and the American premiere of Rautavaara's House of the Sun with Opera in the Ozarks; Patience and Dr. Heidegger's Fountain of Youth with the UGA Opera Theatre. Concert repertoire includes Stravinsky's Les Noces, Haydn's Creation, Fauré's Requiem, and Brahms' Vier Ernste Gesänge. He holds a degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Georgia and currently studies with Gerald Martin Moore.

LAZARO CALDERÓN (The Duke)

Tenor Lazaro Calderón is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico. He began his musical career upon acceptance to the Lyrical Workshop of the University of Puerto Rico. Lyrical Workshop credits include Roderigo in Otello, Don Quixote in the musical Man of la Mancha and Arturo in Lucia di Lammermoor. Calderon had the honor of premiering the role of Don Luis of Haro in the Zarzuela El Barberillo de Lavapies. He also premiered the role of Choko in Roberto Milano’s The Queen’s Mirror. As a student of Justino Diaz in the Opera Workshop of the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, Calderon performed the role of Lindoro in L' Italiana in Algieri. He also received critical acclaim for his performance of Paolino in the Puerto Rican premiere of Il Matrimonio Segreto.

RICHARD CASSELL (Rigoletto)

In over 100 roles, from the highest baritone (Rigoletto) to the lowest bass (Osmin), Richard Cassell has appeared with New York City Opera, Cleveland Opera, Opera Memphis, San Antonio Opera, Bangkok Opera, Rome Festival, Berkshire Music Festival and is a yearly guest at the prestigious Albert Roussel Festival in France. His upcoming engagements include Benoit/Alcindoro with the Natchez Opera Festival and Bartolo in Rossini's Barber of Seville with Bayerische Kammeroper, as well as Rigoletto in New York City in March with Bleecker Street Opera.

REBECCA COMERFORD (Giovanna)

Mezzo Soprano Rebecca Comerford has been praised by critiques for her “richly voluptuous mezzo sound and sincere dramatic intensity” that sets her performances apart. Recently, Classical Singer Magazine wrote that “As the Beggar Woman, Rebecca Comerford again showed outstanding musicianship and acting skills. It is clear that these young actor/musicians are the future of theater in America, such is their maturity of skills and commitment to the stage.” In 2008 Ms. Comerford appeared as a Young Artist with Opera Memphis as Tisbe in Rossini’s La Cenerentola and returned in 2009 as a Principle Artist to sing Siebel in their production of Gounod’s Faust with live excerpts broadcast on National Public Radio. Most recently Ms. Comerford was seen as Lucy Brown in the Off-Broadway Production of Kurt Weill’s Three Penny Opera for which the New York Times proclaimed, “…her manic Lucy was a standout.”

ANDREW CUMMINGS (Rigoletto)

Baritone Andrew Cummings recently performed in Shaw Sings! with Encompass New Opera Theatre at Symphony Space in New York City. His 2009 performances included Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera with The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera, the title roles in Le Nozze di Figaro with OperaDelaware, Elijah with the University of Pennsylvania Symphony, Valentin: Faust with Regina Opera, and Escamillo: La Tragédie de Carmen with Hubbard Hall Opera Theater. In 2010, he will add several important roles to his repertoire, Top in The Tender Land with Center Square Concerts in Pennsylvania, Zurga: Les Pêcheurs de Perles with Middlebury Opera Company in Vermont, and Malatesta in Don Pasquale with Regina Opera Company.

VALENTINA FLEER (Gilda)

Valentina Fleer, soprano, is a recipient of the 2009 Sara Tucker Grant from the Richard Tucker Music Foundation. Most recently, she was invited to participate in the Merola Opera Program at San Francisco Opera and the young artist program at Los Angeles Opera, where she will singing Adina in Donizetti’s L’Elisir D’Amore and Gilda in Rigoletto, respectively. Valentina has sung lead roles in I Capuleti e I Montecchi, The Tsar’s Bride, Gianni Schicchi, and A View from the Bridge. She has performed with companies including Glimmerglass Opera, Gotham Chamber Opera, Opera Orchestra of New York, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

LAUREN HABER (The Page)

Lauren Nicole Haber, soprano, was a recent participant at the International Vocal Arts Institute (Canada), under the direction of Joan Dornemann, where she performed the third act quartet in the role of Mimi from La Boheme. Lauren is also a recurring participant of the Martina Arroyo Foundation Role Performance Seminar, where she has learned the roles of Amelia from Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra, the Countess from Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Desdemona from Verdi’s Otello, and Mimi from Puccini’s La Boheme. This summer Lauren will attended the four week intensive OperaWorks program in California under the direction of Ann Baltz.

JAMESON JAMES (Borsa)

Jameson James has sung for Boston Lyric Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Bronx Opera, Atlantic Coast Opera Festival, DiCapo Opera, Amato Opera, Dell’Arte Opera Theater, Aspen Opera Theater Center, New Texas Festival, and Rome Opera Festival. He received his Bachelor of Music from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, and a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory in Boston. In 2007, he was a regional finalist at the Metropolitan National Council Regional Auditions. He is a versatile singer and has created roles for new operas. He is a student of Arthur Levy and is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique. This summer he sang Rodolfo with Atlantic Coast Opera of Philadelphia and covered Don Ottavio and Rodolfo for dell’Arte Opera.

DAVID KELLEHER-FLIGHT (Monterone)

Canadian Baritone David Kelleher-Flight has recently been heard as the title role in THE MIKADO for the Ohio Light Opera, Njegus in THE MERRY WIDOW for the Ash Lawn Opera Festival, Masetto in DON GIOVANNI for the New York Opera Project, and Capellio in I CAPULETI ED I MONTECCHI at the State University of New York at Stony Brook where he is a Doctoral Candidate. He holds a Master’s from the Manhattan School of Music and has performed at the Aspen Music Festival, the Banff Centre for the Arts and the Oxford Lieder Festival (UK).

SARAH LEE (Maddalena)

Sarah L. Lee, mezzo-soprano, was most recently seen on stage with the Houston Gilbert and Sullivan Society as Kate in The Pirates of Penzance. Last year, Ms. Lee made her Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Lyric Opera Theatre as Gertrude in Gonoud’s Romeo et Juliette. She was a Toledo Opera Young Artist and also completed the resident artist program with Dicapo Opera Theatre. Ms. Lee earned a master of music degree from Manhattan School of Music and a bachelor of music degree from Southern Methodist University. Performances include the role of Hippolyta in Britten’s A Midsummer Nights Dream, Ma Moss in Copland’s The Tender Land, the Duchess of Plaza Toro in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers, and Orfeo in Orfeo ed Euridice.

STEPHAN ORTIZ (Count Ceprano)

Stephan Antonio Ortiz is a California native. He has studied voice with Niel Semer. He has sung roles with Opera Academy of California, B.A.S.O.T.I, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The roles he has performed include Guglielmo in Cosi Fan Tutti, Antonio in Le Nozze di Figaro, and the role of the 5th Man in David Conte's Famous. He has toured internationally with Grammy nominated Artist John Lee Hooker Jr. as keyboard player and vocalist. Upcoming performances: El Dancairo in Carmen with STC and NYLOT Artist-in-Residence Concert.

AYSE OSKAN (Maddalena)

Mezzo-soprano Ayse Ozkan, a Turkish native, received her BA degree from Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory in Ankara, Turkey, 2008. During her education in the conservatory, she studied under the direction of Professor Mustafa Yurdakul and Eralp Kiyici, and coached with Fugen Serbest. She attended the masterclasses of Professor Helge Dorsch in April of 2004, 2005,2006 and 2007 in Ankara,Turkey.She also attended the masterclasses of Antonio Marceno in 2006 in Ankara. Ms. Ozkan was an alumni of 2007 Florence Voice Seminar. While the seminar she studied voice with Laura Brooks Rice and acting with Martha Collins.

DONGHYUN PARK (Monterone)

From Seoul, Korea, baritone Donghyun Park made his Carnegie Hall debut as Bretigny in Massenet’s Manon with New York Lyric Opera Theater in 2009. His recent New York performance includes Don Giovanni with Dell’arte Opera Ensemble. He also performed a principle role in the premiere of Italian composer Bruno Rigacci’s Opera Dodici personage in cerca di voce in Chiari, Italy last summer, and appeared as Gregorio in Romeo et Juliette by Gounod in 2009 also with New York Lyric Opera. He will also sing Monterone in Rigoletto with Beeckerstreet opera in March, 2010.

SHANNA SPIRO (Countess Ceprano)

Shanna Spiro, soprano, currently resides in Manhattan and studies with Shirley Love. She was last seen performing with the NYLOT in January for the Artist in Residence concert. In 2009, Ms. Spiro performed as Mimi in La Boheme, Dido in Dido and Aeneas and The Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro in Westchester. She received her Bachelors degree in Vocal Performance from SUNY Purchase in May 2008 where she performed as Juno in The Tempest, Fiordiligi in Cosi fan Tutte, Nutrice in the Coronation of Poppea, the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors.

SUZANNE STONE (Countess Ceprano)

Soprano Suzanne Stone received her Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. While studying at CCM, she performed the role of Cecile in Susa’s The Dangerous Liaisons. She also performed the roles of Susanna from Le Nozze di Figaro and Rosina from Il Barbiere di Siviglia in the opera scenes program. She completed her Bachelor of Music at The Pennsylvania State University. Operatic highlights there included a full production of Die Zauberflöte (Pamina) and selected scenes from Così fan tutte (Fiordiligi) and The Crucible (Abigail Williams). Most recently, Suzanne performed the role of Second Lady in NY Lyric’s production of Die Zauberflöte. Upcoming: Pygmalion with Underworld Productions in May.

RAYMOND UY (Borsa)

Tenor Raymond Uy is performing in his second production with the New York Lyric Opera Theater. He has also been seen as a principal tenor with the Delaware Valley Opera, Garden State Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Los Angeles, as well as in ensembles for the Opera Festival of NJ. In 2009, Mr. Uy performed in a concert of arias at Carnegie Hall, through the Accadia Foundation for the Arts. In addition, he has sung in many collaborative performances between the choirs of Westminster, and orchestras that include the New York Philharmonic (Kurt Mazur), Philadelphia Orchestra (Wolfgang Sawalisch), and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (Z. Macal). Mr. Uy has studied voice in Tuscany, and holds a Masters from Eastman School of Music.

Rigoletto Cast List

RIGOLETTO

2/27: Richard Cassell

3/6:  Andrew Cummings

GILDA

2/27: Valentina Fleer (Schooley:cover)

3/6: Valentina Fleer: (Kwak, Irvine:covers)

DUKE

2/27: Glenn Allen (James: cover)

3/6: Lazaro Calderon (Winell: cover)

SPARAFUCILE

2/27: Matthew Anchel

3/6: Matthew Anchel

MADDALENA

2/27: Sarah Lee (Kai, Comerford: covers)

3/6: Ayse Oska (Kai, Comerford: covers)

MARULLO

2/27: Justin Birdsong (Ortiz: cover)

3/6: Justin Birdsong

COUNT CEPRANO

2/27: Stephan Ortiz

3/6: Stephan Ortiz (Park: cover)

COUNTESS CEPRANO

2/27: Shanna Spiro (Haber: cover)

3/6: Suzanne Stone

BORSA

2/27: Jameson James

3/6: Raymond Uy

MONTERONE

2/27: Donghyun Park

3/6: David Kelleher-Flight

GIOVANNA

2/27: Rebecca Comerford

3/6: Rebecca Comerford  

PAGGIO

2/27: Lauren Haber

3/6: Lauren Haber

ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE

Past Performances

Die Zauberflöte

(The Magic Flute)

  by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

(sung in German, with dialogue in English)

  Saturday Evenings, January 16, 23 and 30, 2010, 8:30 p.m.

Peter Norton Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia

John Yaffé, Music Director

Conductor: John Yaffé

Pianist: Pei-wen Chen

Musical Preparation: Tony Bellomy, Pei-wen Chen, John Yaffé

Cast (in order of appearance)

Tamino                      Tomohisa Kawano*/Rogelio Peñaverde**/Jonathan Winell***

1st Lady                     Seung Hee Lee*/Sun A Yeo**/Kristin Jensen***

2nd Lady                   Seon Gyu Park*/Kelley Brandt**/Suzanne Stone***

3rd Lady                    Anna Yelizarova*/Keiko Kai**/Annie Pennies***

Papageno                  Jesse Cromer*/Nicholas Probst**/Justin Birdsong***

Queen of the Night     Elizabeth Treat*/Brooke Schooley**/Elizabeth Turchi***

Monostatos                Raymond Uy*/David Kelleher-Flight**/Alexander Ebin***

Pamina                      Jennifer Sgroe*/Solveig Olsen**/Yuri Park***

1st Spirit                    Raquel Suarez*/Jane Hoffman**/Tara Bobiak***

2nd Spirit                   Elizabeth Kelsay*/Lisa Flanagan**/Lisa Flanagan***

3rd Spirit                   Meghan Scheibal*/Meghan Scheibal**/Meghan Scheibal***

Speaker                      John Wahl*/Justin Birdsong**/John Wahl***

1st Priest                    Tytus Abrahamson*/Tytus Abrahamson**/Alex Weaver***

Sarastro                     Matthew Anchel*/David Mimran**/David Mimran***

2nd Priest                  John Wahl*/Justin Birdsong**/John Wahl***

1st Armored Man       Tytus Abrahamson*/Tytus Abrahamson**/Alex Weaver***

2nd Armored Man     John Wahl*/Justin Birdsong**/John Wahl***

Old Lady                    Jacqueline King*/Elisa Singer**/Catherine Webber***

Papagena                  Jacqueline King*/Elisa Singer**/Catherine Webber***

* January 16  /  ** January 23  /  *** January 30

Home for the Holidays Concert

Saturday, December 5, 2009

 Symphony Space

Leonard NimoyThalis

New York City

Music Director John Yaffé

Guest Conductor/Pianist Elizabeth Hastings

Performers

(In alphabetical order)

Glenn Allen

Kelly Curtin

Lorraine Helvick

Elizabeth Heuermann

Juliana Janes-Yaffe

Iris Karlin

Donghyun Park

Kevin Peters

Brooke Schooley

Gregory Spock

Suzanne Stone

Jules Massenet’s

Manon

Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille

(sung in French)

Saturday, November 7, 2007

Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall

Friday, November 13, 2009

Peter Norton Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia

 Music Director  John Yaffé

Conductor:  John Yaffé

Pianist: Pei-wen Chen

Narrator:  Kate Kearney-Patch

Musical Preparation:  Pei-wen, Douglas Han, Bob Wilson

Cast

Manon   Elizabeth Heuermann* Chloe Moore**

Des Grieux   Lazaro Calderon***

Lescaut     Nicholas Probst***

Count des Grieux     Michael Callas***

Poussette     Kelly Curtin*  Nina Berman**

Javotte     Nina Riley*  Adriana Lee**

Rosette     Elizabeth Shoup*  Natalie Megules**

Guillot     Leslie Tay*  Mete Tasin**

Bretigny     Donghyun Park*  Boris Bogdanovic**

Innkeeper     Luis Gonzalez*  Sstephan Ortiz**

Guards      Kevin Peters, Mete Tasin, Luis Gonzale, Stephan Ortiz

Sergeant     Mete Tasin*  Kevin Peters**

Maid     Lisa Flanigan***

*November 7    **Novmber 13   ***Both performances

Gounod’s

Roméo et Juliette

Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall

March 28, 2009

and

Christ and St. Stephen’s Church

April 3, 2009

Music Director/Conductor John Yaffé

Pianist SeHwan Park

Narrator Gloria Hodes

Musical Preparation Tony Bellomy, Se Hwan Park

Performers

            Carnegie Hall Weill Hall                        Christ and  St. Stephen’s Church

Romeo  Christian Sebek *                                    Glenn Seven Allen**      

Juliet   Elizabeth Heuermann*                             Mariane Lemieux**

Mercutio  Murat Cem Orhan*                              Marcos Sola**

Friar Lawrence  Zack Rabin***

Stephano  Erika Person*                                       Daniela Acosta**

Gertrude  Sarah Lee*                                             Lorraine Helvick**

Capulet  Michael Callas***

Tybalt  Mete Tasin *                                             Joo Young Kim**

Benvolio  Gregory Spock*                                    Daniel Jones**

Paris  Michael Keith Smith*                                 Robert Maril**

Gregorio  Boris Bogdanovic*                                Donghyun Park**

Duke of Verona  Daniel Spoitta***

*March 28 performance       **April 3 performance        ***Both performances

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