Season

 

Operas

 

Concerts

 

Competition

 

Artist in Residence Concerts

 

Operas

La Bohème  

by Giacomo Puccini
Saturday, June 5, 2010; 4:30PM; Symphony Space, NYC
Saturday, June 12, 2010; 8:30PM; Symphony Space, NYC

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

Act I

 

Paris on Christmas Eve.  Two Bohemians, Marcello, a painter, and Rodolfo, a poet, are attempting to keep warm in their freezing apartment.  Marcello suggests burning a chair, but Rodolfo prefers to burn pages from his latest drama.  Each page blazes, giving a sudden bit of warmth, but soon fades, leaving them cold again.   Their roommate, Colline, enters and another roommate, Schaunard, quickly follows, bringing firewood, some food and wine.  Benoit, their landlord, enters, demanding the rent, which is overdue.  The roommates welcome him and shower him with wine and flattery.  When Benoit boasts of marital indiscretions, the roommates realize this is the perfect opportunity to get rid of him. They pretend to be shocked by his remarks and throw him out.  They depart to Café Momus. 

 

Rodolfo stays behind to finish some work, but agrees to join them later.  There is a knock at the door.  It is Mimi, their neighbor.  Her candle has gone out and she asks Rodolfo to relight it.  Mimi, very ill, nearly faints and in the process, drops her key.  The two begin searching in the darkness.  Rodolfo finds it and slips it into his pocket.  He pretends to continue to look, hoping she will stay longer.  The roommates call out, urging Rodolfo to hurry along.  Mimi and Rodolfo leave together for Café Momus. 

 

Act II

 

Café Momus.  As Rodolfo and Mimi make their way to the café, Rodolfo buys her a bonnet.  Mimi is delighted.  Musetta makes a spectacular entrance along with her latest patron, Alcindoro.  She sees Marcello, her ex-lover.  Attempting to make him jealous, she creates a big scene, doing anything to get his attention.  Marcello deliberately ignores her, and she is infuriated.  However, he is no match for her, and Marcello eventually succumbs to her charms.  Musetta must get rid of Alcindoro, if she is going to be with Marcello.  She pretends her shoe is too tight and needs him to leave immediately to buy her another pair.  As Alcindoro leaves, Musetta falls into Marcello’s arms. 

 

Act III

 

A snowy afternoon in February outside of a tavern.   Mimi enters asking for Marcello.  It is obvious by her violent coughing that she is very sick.  She pours out her heart to Marcello saying that Rodolfo and she have separated because of his intense jealousy.  When Mimi sees Rodolfo coming, she hides, trying not to be noticed.  She overhears Rodolfo saying to Marcello that he is going to leave her because she is a flirt.  When Marcello presses Rodolfo for the real reason, he tells Marcello that he is heartbroken.  He knows that she is dying and he has no way to provide for her.  If he pushes her away, she may be able to find a rich patron who can help her.  Musetta’s laugh can be heard from inside the tavern.  Marcello, filled with jealousy, rushes into the tavern.  While Musetta and Marcello are sparring, Mimi and Rodolfo are singing of their love for each other.  They decide to stay together until spring.

 

Act IV

 

The Bohemians’ Apartment.  Marcello and Rodolfo are attempting to work but are distracted by thoughts of Mimi and Musetta.  Colline and Schaunard enter and begin to joke and to horseplay.  Musetta suddenly interrupts them with the news that Mimi is dying and has asked that her last moments be with Rodolfo.  They rush down the stairs to help her into the apartment. Knowing the seriousness of Mimi’s condition, Musetta gives Marcello her earrings to sell and asks him to buy medicine and to call a doctor.  She then decides to leave with him in order to buy Mimi a muff for her cold hands.  Colline, sings of his overcoat, which he plans to pawn to help Mimi.  Mimi and Rodolfo are left alone.  They reminisce on happier times, recalling the night they met.  As Mimi sleeps, the others return.  Mimi asks for Musetta and Musetta hands her the muff she just bought for her.  Stricken with grief, Musetta prays for Mimi to live.  Mimi quietly passes before the doctor can arrive.  As the friends realize Mimi is gone, they look to Rodolfo who is still unaware.  When he realizes what has happened, he cries out Mimi’s name in anguish, weeping helplessly. 

 

Carmen

by Georges Bizet
Saturday, May 1, 2010; 8:30PM; Symphony Space, NYC
Saturday, May 8, 2010; 8:30PM; Symphony Space, NYC

Saturday, June 5, 2010; 8:30PM; Symphony Space, NYC

Saturday, June 12, 2010; 4:30PM; Symphony Space, NYC

 

 

SYNOPSIS

Act I

Outside in a busy square in Seville in the 19th century.  Micaëla , a peasant girl, enters, looking for Corporal Don José.  Sergeant Moralès tries to persuade her to stay, explaining that Don José will be returning soon, but she rushes off.  As Don José enters, Moralès gives him the message that Micaëla was looking for him.  Don José explains to Lieutenant Zuniga that Micaëla is a 17 year old orphan who has been brought up by his widowed mother. 

 

A factory bell is heard, and a group of gypsies, working at the cigarette factory, emerge.  Carmen enters.  All of the men are transfixed upon her, but Don José pays no attention.  Before leaving, Carmen throws a flower at him, and then returns to work.  As Micaëla enters, Don José quickly picks up the flower and hides it from her.  Micaëla brings a letter from his mother along with some money.  In the letter, his mother urges him to marry Micaëla.  Suddenly, a fight breaks out in the factory between Carmen and another girl.  Lieutenant Zuniga orders Don José to arrest Carmen.  Bewitched by her, Don José agrees that he will let her escape and later secretly meet her at Lillas Pastias Inn.  After releasing her, Don José is arrested.

 

Act II

 

Lillas Pastias Inn.  Carmen is visiting with her friends Frasquita and Mercédès.  Zuniga is there.  He mentions that Don José has been released.  As Escamillo, a bullfighter, enters the inn, his fans celebrate his recent victories.  Both Zuniga and Escamillo are smitten by Carmen.  Zuniga tells Carmen he must leave but he will return shortly.  Remendado and Dancaïro, two smugglers, are also at the inn.  They try to persuade Carmen, Frasquita and Mercédès to smuggle some contraband, but Carmen is in love and she decides to wait for Don José.  When he arrives, Carmen is very happy and begins to dance for him.  In the distance, the bugle call can be heard signaling him to return him to his barracks.  He begins to leave, but Carmen mocks him.  She tries to persuade him to live the free life of a gypsy.  Zuniga returns to the inn looking for Carmen.  Overcome with jealousy, he defies his duty.  The smugglers escort Zuniga from the inn.  Don José has no choice but to stay with the gypsies. 

 

Act III

 

The smuggler’s hideout hidden in the mountainside.  Carmen is growing tired of Don José.  She urges him to go home, but he refuses.  Frasquita and Mercédès begin reading each other’s fortunes with a deck of cards. Carmen takes her turn with the cards but to her horror, her fortune keeps showing that she will die and so will Don José.  The gypsies leave in order to smuggle the contraband while Don José stays behind to guard the camp.  Micaëla arrives at the mountain in search of Don José.  Escamillo arrives at the camp looking for Carmen.  He and Don José begin to fight.   The gypsies return and break up the fight.  Escamillo invites the gypsies (Carmen in particular) to his upcoming bullfight in Seville.  In the darkness, Don José sees Micaëla.  She convinces him to return home.  After hearing that his mother is dying, he leaves, despite his intense jealousy.  Don José warns Carmen that they will meet again.

 

Act IV 

 

The Arena where a bullfight is taking place.   Arriving with Escamillo, Carmen is warned by Frasquita and Mercédès that Don José is there.   She waits to speak with him.  When he appears, Carmen tells him there is nothing left between them and that she no longer loves him.  He refuses to believe this.  He tells her that he still loves her; that he adores her.  As she begins to walk away, he begs her not to leave him, but to no avail.  The cheers at the bullfight can be heard in the background.  She tells him that she is in love with Escamillo.  You can hear the cheers of victory for Escamillo in the distance.  Walking toward the arena, she throws his ring at him.   In his jealous rage, he stabs her to death. As the crowd leaves the arena, they are shocked by what has occurred.  Don José surrenders repeating, “My Carmen, my beloved Carmen!”  

 

 

Past Performances

 

Manon
by Jules Massenet

Saturday, November 7, 2009; 8:30PM; OPENING NIGHT; Carnegie's Weill Hall
Friday, November 13, 2009; Symphony Space, NYC



Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute)

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Saturday, January 16, 2010; 8:30PM, Symphony Space, NYC

Saturday, January 23, 2010; 8:30PM; Symphony Space, NYC
Saturday, January 30, 2010; 8:30PM; Symphony Space, NYC


 

 

Rigoletto

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

 

 

 

 

Top
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Concerts
Saturday, December 5, 2010; 8:30PM; Symphony Space


 

Saturday, May 1, 2010; 8:30PM; Symphony Space
Saturday, June 5, 2010; 8:30PM; Symphony Space

 

Top
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Competition
Saturday, March 20, 2010; 4:00PM; (Age: 28 & under); Symphony Space
Saturday, March 20, 2010; 8:00PM; (Age: Over 28); Symphony Space

Prizes: 1st Prize: $1,000; 2nd Prize: $500; 3rd Prize: $250; Audience Choice

(1st, 2nd, & 3rd Prizes: 75% of vote = Judges; 25% of vote = Audience)

 

 

2010

Vocal Competition

Winners

 

Division I

1st Place   Jennifer Feinstein

2nd Place   Rebecca Fay

3rd Place   J'nai Bridges

Audience Choice Award  Angela Gribble


Division II

1st Place   Sei Hee Lee

2nd Place   Yungee Rhie

3rd Place    Sarah Joy Miller

Audience Choice Award   Jin-won Park

 

 

 

2010

Vocal Competition

Division I& II

 

March 20, 2010

 

4:00PM & 8:00PM

    

Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia, NYC

John Yaffé, Music Director

PIANISTS: Pei-wen Chen, Saffron Chung

 

JUDGES: Ruth Falcon, Jeanne Goffi-Fynn, Robin Guarino, Juliana Janes-Yaffe’, 

Arthur Levy, Lori McCann, Anthony Morss, Gordon Ostrowski, David Rosenmeyer, William Tracy

 

 

PIANISTS

 

PEI-WEN CHEN

Born in Taipei,Taiwan. Ms.Chen graduated from the National Academy of Art with highest honor and performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.4 in 1990. In 1992, Ms. Chen entered the Mannes College of Music in New York and Studied with Madame N.Svetlanova. In 1994, she performed Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on the theme of Paga-nini with the Mannes Orchestra conducted by Maestro M.Charry. Shortly after graduating from Mannes with a special piano award, Ms.Chen made her debut at the Weill Recital Hall of the Carnegie Hall in 1995. Ms. Chen has been performing  solo and chamber music works throughout many places in countries like U.S.A., France, Germany, Italy, Austria,etc. Ms.Chen performs often in the "Alexander Paley Chamber Music Festival" Richmond, Virginia  and in Moulin d'Ande in France.In December 2001, Ms.Chen made her Paris debut in Salle O.Messiaen in Maison de Radio France with Concerto Pathetique for two pianos by Liszt.

 

SAFFRON CHUNG

Native of Korea, Saffron Y. Chung considers New York City her home.  She received her Bachelors of Music from Oberlin College, where she was the first student to double major in Piano Performance and Vocal Accompanying.  She also has Masters of Music in Accompanying from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.  She has worked as an assistant conductor of opera companies such as Chautauqua Opera, El Paso Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Madison Opera and Utah Festival Opera Company, under the baton of Harry Bickett, Richard Buckley, Barbara Day,-Turner, Victor De Renzi, John DeMain, Raymond Harvey, David Larsen, Robert Lyall, Luis Salemno, and Bob Tweeten.  She just returned from leading a workshop of Brahms lieder for the voice department at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.

 

SEMI-FINALIST & FINALIST JUDGES

(In alphabetical order)

 

RUTH FALCON

Soprano/Voice Teacher Ruth Falcon has performed in leading opera houses in Europe including the Paris Opera, Vienna State Opera, Bavarian State Opera, Royal Opera at Covent Garden, Hamburg State Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Opera Monte Carlo, Prague Opera. and Teatro La Fenice. In 1989, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut and followed with many other leading roles with that company. She was the winner of competitions in Bussetto, Vercelli, Rio de Janiero, Geneva, and the Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions in New York, and she has performed with many of the world's great conductors. She is also a voice teacher of international reputation. She has trained many star performers on the operatic stage, including Deborah Voigt, Margaret Jane Wray, and Sondra Radvanovsky, and is on the faculty of the Mannes School of Music.  She teaches apprentices in the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program.

 

JEANNE GOFFI-FYNN, ED.D. M.M.

Soprano Jeanne Goffi-Fynn is active both as a performer and teacher in the New York City area.  Dr. Goffi-Fynn received her Doctorate from Columbia University, Teachers College where she was recently appointed as director of the Doctoral Cohort Program in the Program of Music and Music Education.  She continues working in the area of Vocology, specifically in the retraining of singers, after completing internships at the Grabscheid Voice Center, Mount Sinai Hospital and at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in the diagnosis and treatment of singing voice disorders.  She has presented workshops and masterclasses with NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), The Voice Foundation, and the New York Singing Teachers Association (NYSTA) in addition to pedagogical presentations at CMS (College Music Society) and NYSSMA (New York State Schools of Music), and ISM (International Society for Music Education).

 

ROBIN GUARINO

Stage Director Robin Guarino was a protégé of Jean-Pierre Ponnelle (at the Bayerische Staatsoper and The Metropolitan Opera). She received her MFA in Film at Bard College. She has been on the Metropolitan Opera

stage directing staff since 1992. She was Dramatic Advisor for the Juilliard Vocal Arts Masters Program from 2004-2009 and presently holds the J. Ralph Corbett Distinguished Chair of Opera at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She has taught at the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, Merola Opera Program, Glimmerglass Opera Young American Artist program. She has directed productions at Seattle Opera, Glimmmerglass Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, The Gotham Chamber Opera, EOS Orchestra, and The Brooklyn Academy of Music Next Wave Festival. She has premiered works by composers such as Ned Rorem, Jonathan Sheffer, Mark Adamo, Libby Larsen, Jake Heggie, David Del Tredici, and Douglas Cuomo.

 

JULIANA JANES-YAFFE’

Soprano/Voice Teacher Juliana Janes-Yaffé has been a soloist at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Lincoln

Center Festival, New-York Historical Society, 92nd Street Y, Symphony Space, Mannes College of Music,

Steirischer Herbst Festival, and with Concordia Orchestra, Colorado Springs Symphony, Brooklyn Philhar-

monic, Dallas Symphony, Oakland Symphony, San Jose Symphony, Florida Philharmonic, Istanbul Philhar-

monic, Orchester der deutschen Oper Berlin, Tokyo City Philharmonic, Orquestra del Teatro Colón, Orchestra

dell'Opera di Genova, Südwestdeutsche Philharmonie, Symphonie-Orchester Graunke, Munich, and 92nd

Street Y. Full-time principal soprano contracts included Münster (Germany), Essen, and Stuttgart; guest en-

gagements in San Francisco, New York, Darmstadt, Aachen, Osnabrück, Kassel, Berlin, and Miami. She is

part-time faculty at Mannes College of Music, Preparatory Division, previously at NYU (German Diction).

 

ARTHUR LEVY

Arthur J. Levy, is on the faculty of Mannes College of Music and Manhattan School of Music in New York

 City; he  has been a vocal consultant and master class teacher at the Glimmerglass Opera and the Roundabout

Theatre and has taught at the State University of New York at Purchase, and at the opera house in Stuttgart,

Germany.  He works with singers who appear in all the major opera houses of the world, including a number

of Tony award winning Musical Theatre performers.  Mr. Levy has appeared on CBS 60 Minutes, with his student Audra Mcdonald. He has performed as tenor soloist in both opera and oratorio and is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and has had additional studies at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

 

LORI MCCANN

Soprano/Voice Teacher Lori McCann holds a B.M. degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison,

M.A.degree from San Diego State University, and D.M.A. and Artist Diploma from the University of Cin-

cinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She has performed extensively in opera, oratorio, and recital. Engage-

ments have included Berliner Kammeroper and the Neue Opernbühne, Virginia Opera, Chautauqua Opera,

Opera Company of Brooklyn, Whitewater Opera, Sorg opera, Shreveport Opera, and Pacific Chamber Opera.

She is Assistant Professor of Voice at Montclair State University, where she teaches Applied Voice, Diction

for Singers, Vocal Technique for Musical Theater, and Performance Practicum.  Previously, she was on faculty

at Columbia University Teacher’s College and New York University. She is the current President of the New

York City Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

 

ANTHONY MORSS

Conductor Anthony Morss studied at the New England Conservatory and the National Orchestral Assoc-

iation in New York. He was Chorus Master and Associate Conductor with the Symphony of the Air under

Leopold Stokowski. He served as Chorus Master of Juilliard's American Opera Center and as Music Direct-

or of the Majorca and Saragossa Symphonies, and the Norwalk (CT) Symphony. He has guest conducted

orchestras in Madrid, Barcelona, Marseille, Cape Town and Slovak Radio Symphony, and has led opera

productions at the Marseille Opera, New Jersey Lyric, the Majorca Opera Society, Tampa Bay Opera and

National Grand Opera, and at Lincoln Center. He has served as Music Director for the New York State Opera

Company, Verismo Opera of New York, the Maine Opera, Asociacion Pro-Zarzuela en America, and Eastern

Opera Theatre of New York. He is currently Music Director of the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera.

 

GORDON OSTROWSKI

Gordon Ostrowski, Assistant Dean/Opera Producer, has served as administrator, artistic producer, stage

director, and teacher at Manhattan School of Music since 1991. He serves on the board of directors of Opera

America, the National Opera Association, and the Douglas Moore Fund for American Opera, He has taught

classes and directed concert operas for Opera Tuscia in Viterbo, Italy. He has directed productions for the

New Opera Festival of Rome. Since 2002 he has been the stage director for Centro Studi Lirica in Novafeltria,

Italy.  Since 1998 he has taught acting style at the Chautauqua Opera. He has previously served at Michigan

Opera Theatre as assistant to the director, the Cincinnati Opera as assistant and stage director, the University

of Southern California as producer/stage manager, and Santa Fe Opera as production assistant and assistant

director.

 

DAVID ROSENMEYER

David Rosenmeyer made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting the Oratorio Society of New York - of which

he is Associate Conductor - in Stravinsky’s Mass in April 2007.During the last season Mr. Rosenmeyer con-

ducted the Bellas Artes Opera company of Mexico in a staged gala as part of the Cervantino Festival in Guana-

juato and was the conductor of Rossini’s Barbiere with Bleecker Street Opera and Handel’s Serse with Pocket

Opera of New York and returned to Carnegie Hall with Britten’s Te Deum and OSNY. Has worked as a coach

and conductor with the International Vocal Arts Institute in their programs in Tel-Aviv, Puerto Rico and Mon-

treal. He has conducted the National Symphony Orchestra of Argentina and the Israel Chamber Orchestra as

well as others in Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Hungary, Israel and Mexico. Was the Music Director of the Bach

Society of Columbia University from 2003-2009.

 

WILLIAM TRACY

Pianist/coach William Tracy is head coach of the Opera Studio at Manhattan School of Music. He received

BM and MA degrees from California State University, Northridge. He was an apprentice at the San Francisco

Opera, then coach/accompanist for the San Francisco Opera Center.  He then served as assistant artistic dir-

ector/resident conductor of the Anchorage Opera in Alaska. He has appeared in the Great Performers at Lincoln

Center series, for the Metropolitan Opera Lectures, and in masterclasses of Regine Crespin, Evelyn Lear and

Benita Valente. He was principal coach/assistant conductor for Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis,

Wolf Trap Opera, Kentucky Opera, and Central City Opera; accompanist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic,

the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, the Carmel Bach Festival and the National Chorale.

 

 

2010

Vocal Competition

Finalists

 

DIVISION I (4:00 p.m.)
Joo Young Bang

J’nai Bridges 
Kimberly Christie
Rebecca Fay 
Jennifer Feinstein 
Chelsea Rose Friedlander
Blake Friedman
Angela Gribble
Samantha Guevrekian
Jeremy Moore
Sarah Nisbett
Heather Phillips
Ann Sauder
Shanna Spiro
Diana Wangerin

 

PERFORMERS: DIVISION I

(in alphabetical order)

 

JOO YOUNG BANG

Soprano JooYoung Bang is a native of Seoul in South Korea. Ms. Bang is a Master’s degree candidate at Manhattan School of Music where she will perform Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro in 2010. Ms. Bang  has performed Romeo et Juliette ( Juliette), Lucia di Lammermoor (Lucia) and Un ballo in Maschera (Oscar) at MSM.  

 

J’NAI BRIDGES

J’nai Bridges is the 2009 National Opera Association Legacy Award Winner, first-prize winner: Harlem Opera Theater Competition, first-prize winner of the Leontyne Price Foundation Competition, a recipient of the College Success Foundation Scholarship, and Manhattan School of Music the 2009 Richard F. Gold Career Grant.

 

KIMBERLY CHRISTIE

Kimberly Christie is a cum laude graduate from Mason Gross, where she earned a BM in vocal performance and also received an award for outstanding vocalist.  She has performed Blondchen from Die Enthrung ausdem Serail with ConcertOPERA, Philadelphia, Spring and a Fairy in Purcell’s The Fairy Queen at Mason Gross.

 

REBECCA FAY

Rebecca Fay, soprano, from Olympia, Washington, won her first Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition at the young age of twenty-two. Upcoming: Opera Santa Barbara singing Juliette (Roméo et Juliette) and Nannetta (Falstaff). This summer, she will sing Zerlina in Don Giovanni with Ash Lawn Opera Festival.

 

JENNIFER FEINSTEIN

A graduate of  Indiana University, Ms. Feinstein is pursuing her second M.M. from Yale University. Upcoming: Carmen in La Tragedie de Carmen with Yale Opera and  mezzo solos in the Verdi Requiem,  Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana Chautauqua Opera and  Mrs. Segstrom(cover)  in A Little Night Music with Opera Theatre of St. Louis.

 

CHELSEA ROSE FRIEDLANDER

Chelsea Rose Friedlander, soprano, will be receiving her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music in May 2010. Chelsea recently won Second Place in the 2010 Barry Alexander International Vocal Competition.  She has performed Blondchen ,  Marie, Sophie, and the Dew Fairy.

 

BLAKE FRIEDMAN

“Fresh Lyric Tenor” (OperaNews Online) Blake Friedman, praised for his “climactic high notes” (Q on Stage), is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and is currently attending the Manhattan School of Music where he is a member of the Professional Studies Degree program as recipient of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Scholarship Award.

 

ANGELA GRIBBLE

Angela Gribble is currently a Master’s degree candidate at the Manhattan School of Music. This summer she will be singing the role of Königin de Nacht (Die Zauberflöte) with Prelude to Performance. Roles include:  Despina (cover)  in Così fan tutte  with Pocket Opera of New York, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Dorinda  in Orlando.

 

SAMANTHA GUEVREKIAN

Versatile American soprano, Samantha Pruyn Guevrekian, noted for her pure, sweet-sounding soprano voice, is the recipient of the Paul Straney Vocal Scholarship Competition,  2nd place in the Marcella Sembrich Voice Competition. Roles: Sister Gertrude in Dialogues of the Carmelites, Belinda in Dido & Aeneas, Despina in Così Fan Tutte.

 

JEREMY MOORE

Jeremy J. Moore, baritone, debuted in this country at age ten singing the title role in Amahl and the Night Visitors. He made his European debut performing Nardo in La finta giardiniera and Papageno in Die Zauberflöte in Salzburg, Austria.  Roles include: Title role, Don Giovanni with Delaware Valley Opera,  Papageno, The Magic Flute.

 

SARAH NISBETT

A 2010 vocal fellow at Tanglewood Music Center, mezzo-soprano Sarah  Nisbett is first prize winner of the National Opera Association Vocal Competition and first runner-up of the William C. Byrd International Young Artist Competition. Operatic roles include the Handel and Mozart heroes Oreste and Sesto and  Marcellina in “Nozze di Figaro”.

 

HEATHER PHILLIPS

Soprano Heather Phillips, 25, of North Canton, Ohio holds a masters at Cincinnati College-Conservatory of  Music. She’s performed roles with Cincinnati Opera, Kentucky Opera, Opera Theatre of Lucca, Italy, Brevard Music Festival and Bay View Music Festival. Upcoming appearances include Musetta in  La Bohème (Crested Butte Music Festival).

 

ANN SAUDER

Lauded as a "sumptuously and flexibly voiced mezzo-soprano" by the Bloomington Herald Times.  A native of Peoria, Illinois, Ann has a Masters of Music at the Indiana University School of Music.  Roles include: Sesto(Giulio Cesare), Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), and Dorabella (Così fan tutte). Upcoming: Austin Lyric Opera as Zulma in L'Italiana in Algieri.

 

SHANNA SPIRO

Shanna Spiro is a lyric soprano who currently resides in Manhattan and studies with Shirley Love. She performed the Countess Ceprano in New York Lyric Opera Theatre’s Rigoletto at Symphony Space and was an Artist-in-Resident, performing at Sympony Space in January.   Ms. Spiro performed as Mimi, Dido, and The Countess  in Westchester.

 

DIANA WANGERIN

Diana Wangerin is a lyric soprano currently residing in New York City. Ms. Wangerin performed the role of Marcellina at Symphony Space with Osh opera. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music in May 2009. Roles include: Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Ceres in The Tempest.

 

 

DIVISION II (8:00 p.m.)
Javier Bernardo
Jonathan Beyer
Lazaro Calderon
Andrew Cummings
Catherine Freeman
Stephan Hartley
Keiko Kai
SeiHee Lee
Michelle Serrano Moeritz
Michael McAvoy
Sarah Joy Miller
Jin-won Park 
Yungee Rhie
Jennifer Sgroe
Sun A. Yeo

 

PERFORMERS: DIVISION II

(in alphabetical order)

 

JAVIER BERNARDO

The Peruvian tenor Javier Bernardo, is a graduate student at Juilliard where he studies with Dr. Robert C. White, Jr. Competition winnings include: The Gerda Lissner Foundation, the Classical Singer, and the Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions in Florida. Roles include: Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte.

 

JONATHAN BEYER

Jonathan Beyer is a baritone who has performed with Dallas Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Fort Worth Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, The Chautauqua Institution, Tanglewood Music Center, Opera Grand Rapids and Aix-en-Provence, and in the Chicago, Pittsburgh, Baton Rouge Symphonies.

 

LAZARO CALDERON

Puerto Rico native Lazaro Calderon’s roles include the Duke (Rigoletto), Des Grieux (Manon) both with NYLOT, Rodolfo (Boheme) with the Ischia, Italy Opera Festival, as well as Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), and Alfred (Die Fledermaus) with the University of Memphis.  Calderon covered Ruggiero in La Rondine with Sarasota Opera.

 

ANDREW CUMMINGS

Acclaimed by the New York Times in Shaw Sings! with Encompass New Opera Theater at Symphony Space in NYC, Andrew Cummings performed the title role in Rigoletto with NYLOT at Carnegie’s Weill Hall. Roles include: Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera ( New Jersey Assoc. of Verismo Opera) and  Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro (OperaDelaware).

 

CATHERINE FREEMAN

A Resident Artist of both Connecticut Opera and  the New York Lyric Opera Theatre, she various roles such as: The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Paride in Gluck's Paride ed Elena, Cherubino in  Le nozze di Figaro. She was recently a featured soloist with the New York Lyric Opera Theatre at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall.

 

STEPHAN HARTLEY

Stephen Hartley has been seen in the Los Angeles Times ,Chicago Tribune, and the New York Times.  His baritone has been described as “burnished and hardy” and “beautifully lyric”.  Venues include: Santa Fe Opera, Virginia Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Sarasota Opera, Long Beach Opera.  Upcoming: Carnegie Hall debut.

 

KEIKO KAI

Keiko Kai, mezzo-soprano, made her operatic debut by singing the role of the Third spirit in The Magic Flute. She has performed The Third lady (The Magic Flute), Mrs. Nolan (The Medium), The Woman (world premiere, A Night of Pity by R.Cuckson), Dorabella (Cosi fan Tutte), Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro).

 

SEIHEE LEE

A native of Seoul, Soprano SEI HEE LEE .She received her Master of Music degree and Professional studies diploma (PSD) from Mannes College of Music , where she studied with Ruth Falcon and Amy Burton and was a recipient of a scholarship. She  made her professional debut, Genovieffa in Puccini Suor Angelica with Empire Opera in New York.

 

MICHELLE SERRANO MOERITZ

Michelle Serrano Moeritz, 2005 First Place Regional Winner in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Competition, is a young Cuban-American Soprano which critics laud as “very reminiscing of the young Mirella Freni”. A musician of expansive artistry, she has received rave reviews as Verdi’s Desdemona as well as Mozart’s Donna Elvira.

 

MICHAEL MCAVOY

A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Michael McAvoy has performed  Wagner in Faust (CT Lyric Opera) and Alessio in La Sonnambula (CT Concert Opera) and Curio in Julius Caesar.  Competition Winnings: Opera Theatre of CT Amici Competition.  Michael studied at Franco American Vocal Academie in France and is an Resident Artist in Naples.

 

SARAH JOY MILLER

Sarah Joy Miller has performed the role of Mimi in Baz Luhrmann’s Broadway La Bohème.  The Los Angeles native has appeared as Fiordiligi, Faust’s Marguerite, and in the title roles of Lucia di Lammermoor.  She has been heard with the Hong Kong Opera, Radio Classica (Italy).  Competition Winnings: New York Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions.

 

JIN-WON PARK

Born in Seoul, Korea, Jin-Won Park, soprano, studied at The University Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria where she earned a Bachelor of Music in voice and a Master of Music in opera. Awards include:  Minister of Culture music scholarship and  a prize at International Mozart Competition and the Ferruccio Tagliavini International Competition in Austria.

 

YUNGEE RHIE

Yungee Rhie earned MM from Indiana University and BM from Ewha Womans University in Korea. Currently, she studies with Valentin Peytchinov.  Recent roles include Rosina with Opera North Young Artist Program, Fairy Godmother  and Olympia with Indiana University Opera, Dorinda with BASOTI program, and Euridice and La Speranza.

 

JENNIFER SGROE

Jennifer Sgroe’s operatic performances include Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), Adele (Die Fledermaus), Romilda (Xerxes), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Greta Fiorentino (Street Scene), Drusilla (L’Incoronazione di Poppea), Esther  (Democracy), Sandman/Dew Fairy (Hansel & Gretel).  Concert performances include Angel (Handel’s Jephtha).

 

SUN A. YEO

Sun A. Yeo was heralded as “the extraordinarily beautiful singing and acting of Yeo as Amelia...” (Raoul Abdul, The New York Amsterdam News, July/24-30/2008)  in Un Ballo in Maschera with The Martina Arroyo Foundation. Roles include: Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte, Mimi in La Bohème, Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera, Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro.

 

2010

Vocal Competition

Semi-Finalists  

DIVISION I
Shanna Spiro
Heather Phillips
Diana Wangerin
Jeremy Moore
Sarah Moulton
Sasha Hashemipour
Blake Friedman
Rebecca Loeb
Angela Gribble
Kimberly Christie
Kristen Blanton
Ann Sauder
Vania Chan
Mara Saskin
J’nai Bridges
Joo Young Bang
Nina Berman
Allison Pohl
Rebecca Fay
Sarah Nisbett
Chelsea Rose Friedlander
Samantha Guevrekian
Justin Hopkins
Jennifer Feinstein
Ricardo Rivera

DIVISION II
Alina Lindquist
Javier Bernardo
Casey Hutchinson
SeiHee Lee
Sarah Joy Miller
Catherine Freeman
Raeeka Shehabi-Yaghmai
Yungee Rhie
Sara Murphy
Jonathan Beyer
Lindsay Davis
Stephen Hartley
Keiko Kai
Natalie Aroyan
Jin-Won Park
Sooyeon Kim
Jennifer Sgroe
Michael McAvoy
Sun A. Yeo
Victor Khodadad
Zoe Vandermeer
Michelle Serrano Moeritz
Megan Chenovick
Andrew Cummings
Lazaro Calderon

 

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Artist in Residence Concerts

Saturday, June 12, 2010; 12:00PM; Symphony Space

 

Artist-in-Residence Concert

 

Saturday,

June 12, 2010

12:00 PM

 

 Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia,

 New York City

Music Director:  John Yaffé

 Conductor for La Bohème & AIR Master Classes: Steven Crawford

Conductor for Carmen: David Rosenmeyer

Assistant Conductor/AIR Coach/Pianist: Doug Han

Assistant Conductor/AIR Coach: Tony Bellomy

 

Various Arias

 

                 GOUNOD:                            “Je veux vivre…”  (Roméo et Juliette)

— Margaret Meyer —

                             GOUNOD:                            “Faites-lui mes aveux…” (Faust)

— Melinda Learnard —

                             DELIBES:                               Où va la jeune Indoue…” (Lakmé)

— Kristina Malinauskaite —            

                             RAVEL:                                 “Arriere! Je recahuffe les bons…” (L’enfant et les sortileges)

— Rachel S. Silverman —

                             VERDI:                                   “Pace, pace mio Dio…” (La Forza del Destino)

— Anita Lyons —

                             MOZART:                             Ach, ich fühl's(Die Zauberflöte)

 Margaret Meyer —

                             PREVIN:                               “I Want Magic!…” (Streetcar Named Desire)

— Lori Rohrs —

                             MOZART:                             “Torna di Tito a lato…(La Clemenza di Tito)

                                                — Melinda Learnard —

                             MOZART:                              O zittre nicht…” (Die Zauberflöte)

— Kristina Malinauskaite —

                             WAGNER:                             “Einsam in truben Tagen” (Lohengrin)

— Anita Lyons —

                             MOZART:                              “Dove sono…” (Le Nozze di Figaro)

— Lori Rohrs —

                             MOORE:                                “Silver Aria…(Ballad of Baby Doe)

                                                — Rachel S. Silverman —

 

Carmen

                             “Les tringles des sistres tintaient…” (Carmen, Frasquita, Mercédès)

                              —  Nora Graham-Smith, Paige Cutrona, & Melissa Chan —  

                             “Mêlons!Coupons!…” (Carmen, Frasquita, Mercédès)

                             — Nora Graham-Smith, Paige Cutrona, & Melissa Chan —

                             “Carmen, un bon conseil…” (Frasquita, Mercédès, Carmen)

                             — Paige Cutrona,Melissa Chan,Nora Graham-Smith—  

                             “C’est toi? C’est moi!...” (Carmen/ Don José)

                            — Nora Graham-Smith & Juan Franco —

 

 

La Bohème 

 

      PUCCINI:           “Signorina Mimì…” (Mimì, Rodolfo, Musetta, Marcello)

                                   — Paige Cutrona, Jameson James, Raquel Suarez, Marcos Solá —                                

                                  “Dunquè proprio finita…” (Mimì, Rodolfo, Musetta, Marcello)

                                  — Paige Cutrona, Jameson James, Raquel Suarez, Marcos Solá —

                                  “C’e Mimì…” (Mimì, Rodolfo, Musetta, Marcello)

                                  — Paige Cutrona, Jameson James, Raquel Suarez, Marcos Solá —

 

Carmen

       Act I

       BIZET:              “Parle-moi de ma mère!…” (Micaëla/Don José)

                                — Shanna Spiro & Juan Franco —                

                                “Près des remparts de Séville…” (Carmen/ Don José)

                                — Nora Graham-Smith & Juan Franco —

                            

       Act II

                               “Les tringles des sistres tintaient…” (Carmen, Frasquita, Mercédès)

                               —  Nora Graham-Smith, Kristin Jensen, & Melissa Chan —               

                                                            

      Act III

                               “Mêlons!Coupons!…” (Carmen, Frasquita, Mercédès)

                               — Nora Graham-Smith, Kristin Jensen, & Melissa Chan —

                              “C’est des contrebandiers…Je dis…” (Micaëla)

                               —  Shanna Spiro —

                                                            

     Act IV

                              “Carmen, un bon conseil…” (Frasquita, Mercédès, Carmen)

                             — Kristin Jensen,Melissa Chan,Nora Graham-Smith

                             “C’est toi? C’est moi!...” (Carmen/ Don José)

                             — Nora Graham-Smith & Juan Franco —

 

 

Steven Crawford

CONDUCTOR (Artist-in-Residence Master Classes/ La Bohème: mainstage)

 

Maestro 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.

 

David Rosenmeyer

CONDUCTOR (Carmen: mainstage)

 

Maestro David Rosenmeyer made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting the Oratorio Society of New York in Stravinsky’s Mass in April 2007. He is also the Associate Conductor of this society. He returned to Carnegie Hall again with OSNY in 2008 and in March 2010 and was their conductor in a tour to Hungary in the summer of 2007. In October 2009 he lead the Bellas Artes Opera Company of México in a staged gala as part of the Cervantino International Festival in Guanajuato. This season, Maestro Rosenmeyer conducted Rossini’s Barber of Seville with Bleecker Street Opera and Handel’s Serse with Pocket Opera New York. Born in Argentina, David Rosenmeyer began his studies in Israel.

 

Doug Han

PIANIST/ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR/ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE COACH

 

Pianist Doug Han has just finished his tenure as coach/répétiteur for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra's Knowlton Festival, under the artistic directorship of Maestro Kent Nagano.  In that capacity, he has appeared in recital with the winners of Plácido Domingo's Operalia Competition, played masterclasses held by artists such as June Anderson & Jennifer Larmore, and prepared concert performances of Bellini's NormaLa Sonnambula, and I Capuleti e i Montecchi.  In June 2010, Mr. Han joins the music staff of the International Vocal Arts In-stitute-IVAI) for their inaugural US edition, in Blacksburg, Virginia.

 

Tony Bellomy

ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR/ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE COACH

 

Pianist Doug Han has just finished his tenure as coach/répétiteur for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra's Knowlton Festival, under the artistic directorship of Maestro Kent Nagano.  In that capacity, he has appeared in recital with the winners of Plácido Domingo's Operalia Competition, played masterclasses held by artists such as June Anderson & Jennifer Larmore, and prepared concert performances of Bellini's NormaLa Sonnambula, and I Capuleti e i Montecchi.  In June 2010, Mr. Han joins the music staff of the International Vocal Arts In-stitute-IVAI) for their inaugural US edition, in Blacksburg, Virginia. 

 

PERFORMERS

(In alphabetical order)

 

MELISSA CHAN

Melissa Chan comes from multi-ethnic Southeast Asia, which helps her infuse her role interpretations with fresh perspective and a regality that is beyond her years.  Ms. Chan is regularly featured in concert and opera performances in New York, and is known to possess a learning aptitude, performance reliability, and intense work ethic that rival analysts on Wall Street, where she once pursued a career.  Mercédès is Ms. Chan’s debut as a mezzo-soprano. Previous roles performed include Contessa Almaviva, Blanche (Carmelites), Liù, and Alcina. Upcoming: Solo Recital: The Esplanade, Singapore. Ms. Chan studies with Valerie Sorel.

 

PAIGE CUTRONA

Paige Cutrona was heralded as ‘Passionate’ and ‘Vocally striking’ by the New York Times (Mimi, La Bohème, Amore Opera, December 2009). Recent credits: Underworld Opera Productions: Cephise/La Statue, Rameau’s Pygmalion, Amore Opera: Magic Flute, Pamina, Merry Widow, Valencienne. Solo debut at Lincoln Center (Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, 2009). The year 2010 will bring Der Fledermaus, Adele and several concerts. Upcoming in 2011, European solo debut: Poulenc Gloria and The Paul Leavitt Requiem at the American Cathedral in Paris. Ms. Cutrona holds a MM, Voice Performance, Carnegie Mellon University and a BA, Music, Westminster Choir College. She studies with Dr. Jeanne Goffi-Fynn.

 

JUAN FRANCO

Juan Carlos has performed with New Orleans Opera, Cleveland Opera, Opera de Colombia, New Jersey Symphony, Lyric Opera Cleveland, Ohio Light Opera, Hudson Opera Theater & Orquesta Sinfónica del Valle in Cali, Colombia, among others. He is a European finalist of the Pavarotti International Voice Competition held in Modena, Italy. Mr. Franco has an undergraduate degree from the Oberlin Conservatory and a masters degree from Rutgers University. He currently lives in NYC where he performs regularly in opera, oratorio and art song. Mr. Franco also holds an Electrical Engineering degree, summa cum laude, Bradley University.

 

NORA GRAHAM-SMITH

Nora Graham-Smith, mezzo-soprano is thrilled to be performing Carmen with the New York Lyric Opera Theatre, having just finished a season with Palm Beach Opera, where she participated in their Young Artist outreach operas, concerts, as well as their main-stage season.  Ms. Graham-Smith is a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and will next be seen on stage with Florida Grand Opera for the 2010-2011 season.

 

JAMESON JAMES

Jameson James has performed with Boston Lyric Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Bronx Opera, Atlantic Coast Opera Festival, DiCapo Opera, Amato Opera, Dell’Arte Opera, Aspen Opera Theater Center, New Texas Festival, and Rome Opera Festival. He received his Bachelor’s of Music from Rice University’s School of Music, and a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory in Boston.  In 2007, Jameson was a regional finalist at the Metropolitan National Council Regional Auditions and was featured in the Susan Fomke film- The Audition.  Also, he is a versatile singer and has created roles for new operas.  He is a student of Arthur Levy.  

 

SAMANTHA JEFFREYS

Samantha Jeffreys, “reveals a beautiful, easy high register balanced by a firm and substantial low voice” Barrett Cobb, NY Concert Review.  2010 season includes the Metropolitan Opera’s Masterly Singing Series, Gretel in Hansel & Gretel with Nashville Opera, Clorinda (cover) in La Cenerentola with Belleayre Music Festival, and Musetta (cover) in La Bohème & 1st Spirit (cover) in Die Zauberflote with NYLOT. She made her Carnegie Hall Solo Recital Debut presented by Artists International. She performed Pamina in The Magic Flute with the Nashville Opera. Awards:  2007-2008 Metropolitan Opera National Council Encouragement

 

KRISTIN JENSEN

Kristin Jensen, Soprano, made her debut with New York Lyric Opera Theatre in January as the First Lady in Die Zauberflöte. Kristin’s operatic roles include Adina in The Elixir of Love, Atalanta in Xerxes, Vespetta in Pimpinone, Nora in Riders to the Sea, Shepherd Boy in Tosca, & First Spirit in Die Zauberflöte. Kristin is making her mainstage debut with Phoenix Opera as First Spirit in Die Zauberflöte this fall. Kristin is an avid concert artist and recitalist and has delighted audiences in California, Arizona, Utah, Florida, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Austria. In 2009, Kristin released her first CD,‘Till There Was You.

 

MELINDA LEARNARD

Melinda Learnard was last seen with Amore Opera in The Magic Flute as Third Lady and The Mikado as Pitti-Sing.  Additional credits include: NYLOT’s January Artist-in-Residence concert at Symphony Space, Flora in Amore Opera’s The Merry Widow, Governess in One World Symphony’s Pique Dame, and Marcellina in New York Opera Forum’s Le Nozze di Figaro.  Upcoming: Third Maid in NY Opera Forum’s Elektra.  She enjoys all music, but  especially Spanish solo repertoire and American art song.  Before moving to New York to study with Shirlee Emmons, Ms. Learnard graduated from Millikin University in Illinois. 

 

ANITA LYONS

Anita Lyons, soprano, has most recently been seen as Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera, Alice Ford in Falstaff, and as Amelia in Simon Boccanegra.  Highlights of recent seasons include roles such as Mimì in La Bohème, Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Bastienne in Mozart’s Bastien und Bastienne.  Having made several appearances on Minnesota and Peoria Public Radio, she has also been seen with the Brevard Music Festival in North Carolina, Indianapolis Opera, North Star Opera in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the Twin Cities Chamber Orchestra.  Ms. Lyons holds a Master's degree in Vocal Performance from Indiana University. 

 

KRISTINA MALINAUSKAITE

Kristina Malinauskaite, soprano received her BM in Vocal Performance from Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, and is an Alumna of F.H. LaGuardia High School. Recently she became an ensemble member of the Bronx Opera Company and has been seen as Olympia in Les Contes d’Hoffmann (New York Opera Forum), and Despina in Così fan tutte (Underworld Productions). She has performed with The Martina Arroyo Foundation Inc.,Brooklyn Repertory Opera, and has been a guest artist for the American-Lithuanian Community. Upcoming: Suor Dolcina (understudy) & La Cercatrice (understudy): Suor Angelica.

 

MARGARET MEYER

Margaret Meyer (soprano) received her Master’s degree from McGill University and studies with Ruth Golden of the Academy of Vocal Arts.  She was the soloist in Mozart’s Mass in C minor, the Messiah, Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem, and Mozart’s Exsultate, jubilate.  This summer, Ms. Meyer joins the New York Summer Opera Scenes Program with Joshua Greene and Carol Yahr.  In the fall, she will sing Gretel (Hänsel und Gretel) and Zerlina (Don Giovanni) with the New York Opera Forum.  Ms. Meyer’s operatic roles include Ciesca (Gianni Schicchi), Najade(Ariadne auf Naxos), the title role in Cavalli’s Calisto, and Ruggiero (Alcina).

 

LORI ROHRS

Lori Rohrs, soprano, appears this summer as the Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro. She has performed the title role in Suor Angelica, Musetta in La Bohème, First Lady in Die Zauberflote, Yum Yum and Peep Bo in The Mikado, Gianetta in The Maid of the Mountains, Minerva in Orpheus in the Underworld, and in contemporary works, the principal role of Security Officer in the West Coast Premier of The Proposal. Ms. Rohrs made her Carnegie Hall debut last June with Pacific Opera. She has sung in master classes with Gerald Steichen for two seasons of New York City Opera’s VOX.

 

RACHEL S. SILVERMAN

Soprano Rachel S. Silverman, originally from Columbus, Ohio, is a 2007 graduate of NYU’s Steinhardt School (Bachelor of Music, Magna cum Laude) where she studied with Dr. Lori McCann and sang Fire/Nightingale in Ravel’s L’enfant et les Sortileges. She was recently featured as Owl/Grasshopper in One World Symphony’s concert of Janaček’s The Cunning Little Vixen. 2009 NYLOT Artist-in-Residence. First place, 2006 NATS-NYC Competition. Attended the Florence Voice Seminar in 2007, studying with Julian Rodescu. She has studied in Prague, focusing on Czech art song with Jana Janušova (Academy of Performing Arts).

 

MARCOS SOLA

Marcos Solá, New York City based baritone, returns to Natchez Festival of Music to sing Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus. In June, he will perform a program of Zarzuela music with Houston Opera in the Heights. Mr. Solá’s voice has been described as “rich and robust with artistic flair” whether he is singing Mozart or Puccini. Mr. Solá sang Mingo in the acclaimed ‘Live From Lincoln Center’ New York City Opera production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and went on to sing Jake on the international tour and with Natchez Festival of Music. The summer of 2003 also marked the release of his second CD, La sangre del amor.

 

SHANNA SPIRO

Shanna Spiro is a lyric soprano who currently resides in Manhattan and studies with Shirley Love.  This past March, Shanna was a finalist for the NYLOT Vocal Competition.  She has previously performed with NYLOT in Rigoletto as Countess Ceprano and in January for the Artist-in-Residence Concert at Symphony Space. In 2009, Ms. Spiro performed as Mimì in La Bohème, Dido in Dido and Aeneas and The Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro in Westchester. She received her Bachelor’s 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. 

 

RAQUEL SUAREZ

Dutch-born Canadian Soprano, Raquel Suarez, recently completed her Professional Studies and Master’s degree at Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of Joan Patenaude-Yarnell. This summer, Ms. Suarez will be joining the prestigious International Vocal Arts Academy in Tel Aviv as well as perform Zerlina (Don Giovanni) with the Metropolitan Philharmonic of New York. She will be covering the role of Musetta (La Bohème) with the NY Philharmonic and performing scenes at Symphony Space. Previous roles include Ilia (Idomeneo): Martina Arroyo Foundation, 1st spirit (Die Zauberflöte): New York Lyric Opera Theatre 

 

Saturday, June 5, 2010; 12:00PM; Symphony Space

 

Artist-in-Residence Concert

 

Saturday,

June 5, 2010

 

12:00 PM


Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia,

New York City

Music Director:  John Yaffé

Conductor for La Bohème & AIR Master Classes: Steven Crawford

 

Assistant Conductor/AIR Coach/Pianist: Doug Han

Assistant Conductor/AIR Coach: Tony Bellomy

 

Various Arias

 

                             DONIZETTI:                 “Par le rang…”  (La Fille du Régiment)

                                                                 — Mara Adler —

                            

                             GERSHWIN:              “My Man’s Gone Now…” (Porgy and Bess)

                                                                 — Melynda Davis —

                            

                             PUCCINI:                   “Si, mi chiamano Mimi…” (La Boheme)

                                                                 — Alaina Logee —            

                            

                             DONIZETTI:               “So anch’io la virtù magica…” (Don Pasquale)

                                                                 — Danielle Vita —

                            

                             BELLINI:                     “O Quante Volte…” (I Capuleti e i Montecchi)

                                                                  — Mara Adler —

                            

                             CHARPENTIER:          “Depuis le jour” (Louise)

                                                                  — Alaina Logee —

 

                             HANDEL:                    “Tornami a vagheggiar…” (Alcina)

                                                                  — Danielle Vita —

                            

                             PUCCINI:                    “Chi il bel sogno…(La Rondine)

                                                                  — Melynda Davis —

 

 

Steven Crawford

CONDUCTOR (Artist-in-Residence Master Classes/La Boheme: mainstage)

 

Maestro 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. 

 

David Rosenmeyer

CONDUCTOR (Carmen: mainstage)

 

Maestro David Rosenmeyer made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting the Oratorio Society of New York in Stravinsky’s Mass in April 2007. He is also the Associate Conductor of this society. He returned to Carnegie Hall again with OSNY in 2008 and in March 2010 and was their conductor in a tour to Hungary in the summer of 2007. In October 2009 he lead the Bellas Artes Opera Company of México in a staged gala as part of the Cervantino International Festival in Guanajuato. This season, Maestro Rosenmeyer conducted Rossini’s Barber of Seville with Bleecker Street Opera and Handel’s Serse with Pocket Opera New York. Born in Argentina, David Rosenmeyer began his studies in Israel, where he spent much of his childhood. In 1996, 2002 and 2005, Mr. Rosenmeyer conducted the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional of Argentina and appear ed as a guest conductor with orchestras in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Israel, Hungary and México. In May of 2002, he was music director and pianist for the world premiere of "The Sandman," an  opera by Thomas Cabaniss directed by David Herskovits in a production by Target Margin Theater.

 

Doug Han

PIANIST/ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR/ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE COACH

 

Pianist Doug Han has just finished his tenure as coach/répétiteur for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra's Knowlton Festival, under the artistic directorship of Maestro Kent Nagano.  In that capacity, he has appeared in recital with the winners of Plácido Domingo's Operalia Competition, played masterclasses held by artists such as June Anderson & Jennifer Larmore, and prepared concert performances of Bellini's NormaLa Sonnambula, and I Capuleti e i Montecchi.  In June 2010, Mr. Han joins the music staff of the International Vocal Arts In-stitute-IVAI) for their inaugural US edition, in Blacksburg, Virginia.

 

Tony Bellomy

ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR/ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE COACH

 

Pianist Doug Han has just finished his tenure as coach/répétiteur for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra's Knowlton Festival, under the artistic directorship of Maestro Kent Nagano.  In that capacity, he has appeared in recital with the winners of Plácido Domingo's Operalia Competition, played masterclasses held by artists such as June Anderson & Jennifer Larmore, and prepared concert performances of Bellini's NormaLa Sonnambula, and I Capuleti e i Montecchi.  In June 2010, Mr. Han joins the music staff of the International Vocal Arts In-stitute-IVAI) for their inaugural US edition, in Blacksburg, Virginia.

 

PERFORMERS

(In alphabetical order)

 

MARA ADLER

A student of Elizabeth Cole, Ms. Adler made her operatic debut as the Bird Seed vendor in the San Francisco Opera’s production of Louise at age 14, to which she owes her love of performing. Subsequent professional roles performed include The Countess in La Mere Coupable, Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Papagena in The Magic Flute.  She is a 2009 First Place winner of the 5-towns Competition.  She holds degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Teachers College-Columbia University.  She hopes one day soon to sing professionally in her hometown of San Francisco.

 

RACHEL ARKY

Rachel Arky, soprano, recently peformed the roles of Cherubino, Susannah (scenes), Fiordiligi  (scenes), and La Princesse.  This summer, Ms. Arky will be performing Donna Elvira with La Musica Lirica in Italy, and this fall will be covering Countess with Dell'arte Opera Ensemble and the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony.  The New-York born soprano was a 2010 winner in the Liederkranz Voice Competition (Art Song Division), a 2010 finalist for the LA Opera's Young Artist Program, and 2nd place winner in Manhattan School of Music's Concerto Competition.

 

MELYNDA DAVIS

Melynda Davis has performed the title role in Suor Angelica, Desdemona in Otello and First Lady in Die Zauberflöte. Some other roles include Liu (Turandot), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Miss Pinkerton (Old Maid and the Thief) and Dido (Dido and Aeneas). She has performed with companies such as Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Boston, Opera Providence, Longwood Opera, Opera del West, Boston Opera Collaborative, Lowell House Opera and the Boston Pops. Ms. Davis won First Place in the RI NATS Competition, Second  in Boston's Leontyne Price Vocal Arts Competition and was a finalist in Connecticut Opera Guilds Competition. She attended Sherrill MilnesV.O.I.C.Experience program. Ms. Davis studies with Maria Spacagna and Joan Dornemann.

 

NORA GRAHAM-SMITH

Nora Graham-Smith, mezzo-soprano, is thrilled to be performing Carmen with New York Lyric Opera Theatre, having just finished a season with Palm Beach Opera, where she participated in their Young Artist outreach operas, concerts, as well as their main-stage season.  Nora is a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and will next be seen on stage with Florida Grand Opera for the 2010-2011 season. 

 

JANE HOFFMAN

Soprano Jane Hoffman has received great attention as a musician of uncommon versatility and expressivity. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Miss Hoffman made her New York performance debut this winter with the New York Lyric Opera Theatre in Die Zauberflöte, and recently appeared with the One World Symphony as the Cock in Janacek’s The Cunning Little Vixen. She recently received her Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music, where she performed the role of Daniel in the New York Premiere of Handel’s Susannah. She has performed roles such as Olympia (Tales of Hoffmann), the Princess (L’Enfant et les Sortileges), Paquette (Candide) and the First Lady (Magic Flute). 

 

JAMESON JAMES

Jameson James has sung with the Boston Lyric Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Bronx Opera, Atlantic Coast Opera Festival,  DiCapo Opera, Amato Opera, Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, 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, Jameson was a regional finalist at the Metropolitan National Council Regional Auditions and was featured in the Susan Fomke film-“The Audition.”  Also, 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. In the Summer of 2009, he sang Rodolfo with Atlantic Coast Opera of Philadelphia.

 

KIRSTEN KANE

Mezzo-soprano Kirsten Kane sings in the choruses of the NY Philharmonic, the American Symphony Orchestra, and the Little Orchestra Society. A member of the National Chorale and the NY Choral Artists, she has sung as a chorister under the batons of Leon Botstein, Will Crutchfield, Mariss Jansons, Louis Langrée and Lorin Maazel, and appeared with the Mostly Mozart Festival and the Royal Concertgebouw. Her solo repertoire has included Charlotte (Werther), Rosina, Meg (Falstaff), Idamante, Cherubino, Romeo, Dorabella, Siebel, Hansel,  La Badessa (Suor Angelica), and Giovanna (Rigoletto), as well as Haydn's Schöpfungsmesse (NY Cantata Singers), Beethoven's Missa Solemnis (Choral Symphony Society), and Handel's Messiah (Ensemble Sepia Orchestra). She presented a recital of French song in association with the Jewish Museum's exhibit of Sarah Bernhardt.

 

ALAINA LOGEE

In 2007, Ms. Logee was one of 42 singers selected for the Des Moines Metro Opera James Collier Apprentice program under the direction of Dr. Robert Larsen.  In the Spring of 2008, Miss Logee covered Bianca in La Rondine by Puccini at Sarasota Opera where she was one of 24 apprentice artists.  Ms. Logee has recently returned from an extensive concert tour throughout Tuscany in which she was a featured soloist with the Siena Summer Music Orchestra.  She is a returning Artist-in-Residence with New York Lyric Opera Theatre.

 

DANIELLE VITA

Soprano Danielle Vita made her Carnegie Hall Debut as a soloist in the world premiere of William Anderson’s The Death of Virgil with the New Jersey Composers Alliance.  She has also appeared with the Adelphi Symphony Orchestra, Amici Opera, Queens Opera Association, and New York Opera Forum, among others. Opera credits include Frasquita (Carmen), Marzelline (Fidelio), Sophie (Der Rosenkavalier), Sister Genovieffa (Suor Angelica), and Baby Doe (The Ballad of Baby Doe).  Danielle sings this season as a Resident Artist with Underworld Productions covering the role of Amour in Rameau’s Pygmalion and performing in an outreach series of operas and concerts. 

 

Saturday, June 5, 2010; 1:00PM; Symphony Space

 

 Artist-in-Residence Concert 

Saturday

June 5, 2010, 1:00PM

Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia

New York City

         

Music Director: John Yaffé

Conductor for Carmen: David Rosenmeyer

 

Assistant Conductor/AIR Coach/Pianist: Doug Han

Assistant Conductor/AIR Coach: Tony Bellomy

                                           

        

               

Carmen

                                                              Act I

                             BIZET:                     “Quand je vous aimerai…Habanera” (Carmen)

                                                             — Nora Graham-Smith —                                               

                                                             “Parle-moi de ma mère!…” (Micaëla/Don José)

                                                             — Rachel Arky & Jameson James —                 

                                                             “Près des remparts de Séville…” (Carmen/ Don José)

                                                             — Nora Graham-Smith & Jameson James —

                            

                                                             Act II

                                                             “Les tringles des sistres tintaient…” (Carmen, Frasquita, Mercédès)

                                                             —  Nora Graham-Smith, Jane Hoffman, & Kirsten Kane —               

                                                            

                                                             Act III

                                                             “Mêlons!Coupons!…” (Carmen, Frasquita, Mercédès)

                                                             — Nora Graham-Smith, Jane Hoffman, & Kirsten Kane —

                                                             “C’est des contrebandiers…Je dis…” (Micaëla)

                                                             —  Rachel Arky —

                                                            

                                                             Act IV

                                                             “Carmen, un bon conseil…” (Frasquita, Mercédès, Carmen, Don José)

                                                             — Jane Hoffman,Kirsten Kane,Nora Graham-Smith,Jameson James —

                                                             “C’est toi? C’est moi!...” (Carmen/ Don José)

                                                            — Nora Graham-Smith & Jameson James —

 

 

 

 

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