La Boheme - Opera Guild of Rochester
La Boheme - Opera Guild of Rochester
La Boheme - Opera Guild of Rochester
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Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong> presents<br />
<strong>La</strong> <strong>Boheme</strong><br />
by Giacomo Puccini<br />
June 6 & 7<br />
8:00 PM<br />
Eastman Theatre
presents<br />
Giacomo Puccini‘s<br />
<strong>La</strong> <strong>Boheme</strong><br />
Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa & Luigi Illica,<br />
based upon the novel Scènes de la Vie de Bohème<br />
by Henry Murger<br />
An opera in four acts<br />
Gerard Floriano<br />
Artistic Director & Conductor<br />
Michael Ehrman<br />
Stage Director<br />
Accompanied by the Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> Orchestra<br />
Scenery Design by Robin Vest<br />
Lighting Design by Nic Minetor<br />
Costume Design by Nellica Rave<br />
Makeup & Hair Design by Elsen Associates, Inc.
Scene<br />
Paris, in the mid-1920’s<br />
Synopsis<br />
Act I – in the attic apartment on Christmas Eve<br />
Four young men, Rodolfo, Marcello, Colline and Schaunard, best friends – artistic,<br />
idealistic and poor – try to keep warm in their attic apartment on Christmas Eve.<br />
After putting <strong>of</strong>f the landlord, who has come to collect the rent, three head out<br />
for dinner. Rodolfo stays behind to finish his writing and is interrupted by Mimi,<br />
their neighbor whose candle has gone out and who needs a light. While looking<br />
for Mimi’s dropped key, the two fall in love and happily run out to join the others<br />
for dinner.<br />
≈ Brief Pause ≈<br />
Act II – in a café in the <strong>La</strong>tin Quarter, later that evening<br />
In the Café Momus, the five are interrupted by the entrance <strong>of</strong> Musetta, who is<br />
Marcello’s ex-girlfriend, and her new flame, an older, rich gentleman. Musetta<br />
makes a scene and sings one <strong>of</strong> the best-known melodies in all opera, “Musetta’s<br />
Waltz,” while flirting with Marcello, and ultimately winning him back. A military<br />
drum corps distracts the crowd while the 4 friends and their 2 girls skip out on<br />
their bill, leaving the tab to the abandoned and unhappy rich gentleman.<br />
≈ 15-Minute Intermission ≈<br />
Act III – a street on the outskirts <strong>of</strong> Paris<br />
Mimi has come to speak with Marcello at the hotel where he is staying with<br />
Musetta. Both couples are having their squabbles and are in the process <strong>of</strong><br />
breaking up, Mimi and Rodolfo over Mimi’s illness, and Marcello and Musetta<br />
over her flirtations and his jealousy. Mimi and Rodolfo agree to wait until spring<br />
to break up; Marcello and Musetta end their relationship explosively.<br />
≈ 10-Minute Intermission ≈<br />
Act IV – in the attic apartment in early summer<br />
Back in the attic apartment, both men are missing their girlfriends when Musetta<br />
bursts in, having found Mimi collapsed on the stairs, very ill. Musetta and<br />
the other roommates run out to sell various things to get money for medicine.<br />
Alone, Mimi and Rodolfo renew their love. The roommates all return and Rodolfo<br />
is the last to realize that Mimi has died.
Cast<br />
Marcello, a painter ...............................................................................Andrew Oakden<br />
Rodolfo, a poet .....................................................................................Steven Tompkins<br />
Colline, a philosopher .....................................................................................Won Cho<br />
Schaunard, a musician .................................................................................John Buffett<br />
Benoit, the landlord ...............................................................................Mario Martinez<br />
Mimi, a seamstress ......................................................................................... Jill Gardner<br />
Parpignol, a vendor <strong>of</strong> toys ............................................................. Grady S. Bailey III<br />
Musetta, a flirtatious girl ....................................................................Elena O’Connor<br />
Alcindoro, a wealthy admirer <strong>of</strong> Musetta ........................................Mario Martínez<br />
People <strong>of</strong> the <strong>La</strong>tin Quarter, Vendors, Soldiers, Waiters<br />
Malaina Beattie, Christopher Blasting, Sheila Buck, Marc Cataldi, Ke Chen, Alex Cupelo,<br />
Melissa Cushman, Pat Fussell, Jess Galchutt, Jennifer Groves, Bill Hearne,<br />
Anna Heller-Jackson, Jason Holmes, Lindsay Holmes, Robert Holmes, Denise Kless,<br />
Kyle Meek, Mary Menzie, Rena Monti, Nicholas Moran, Herga Muñoz Casanga, Julia Natoli,<br />
Aaron Netsky, Nathan Oakes, Becki Boyanski Place, Danielle Relyea, Lisa Rosenbauer,<br />
Dennis Rosenbaum, Karen Schillinger, Catherine Siniscalco, Matthew Swensen, <strong>La</strong>ura<br />
Szymanowicz, Michael Thering, Shirlyn Washington, Dan Welch, Ashley Wool, Lynn Zicari.<br />
Children – Members <strong>of</strong> the Bach Children’s Chorus<br />
at Nazareth College<br />
Jeriann Beiter, Erin Breen, Briannamarie Burrhus, Jenna D’Angelo, Meghan Dewan,<br />
Tressa Johnson, Julia <strong>La</strong>rson, Katya Lyubomirsky, Melanie Mashner, Melissa Mashner,<br />
Bethany McLean, Maria Rogers, Elizabeth Rossborough, Alex Santini,<br />
Elizabeth Stansbury, Paesha Tuttle<br />
Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> Orchestra<br />
Violin I<br />
Wilfredo Deglans,<br />
concertmaster<br />
Lee Wilkins<br />
Shannon Nance<br />
Ellen Rathgen<br />
Betsy Sprague<br />
Kenneth <strong>La</strong>ngley<br />
Margaret Leenhouts<br />
Janet Milnes<br />
Violin II<br />
John Sullivan<br />
<strong>La</strong>ra Sipols<br />
Angel OuYang<br />
Eriko Yoshida-Daly<br />
David Leung<br />
Sherry McCarthy<br />
Viola<br />
George Taylor<br />
Olita Povero<br />
Heidi Stauber<br />
Joanne Lowe<br />
Janeen Wilkins<br />
Cello<br />
Kathleen Murphy Kemp<br />
Patricia Garvey<br />
Ingrid Bock<br />
Lisa Caravan<br />
Joan Kinsella<br />
Andrew Barnhart<br />
Bass<br />
Michael Griffin<br />
Josh Kerr<br />
Jeff Weeks<br />
Flute<br />
Glennda Dove<br />
Diane Smith<br />
Piccolo<br />
Diane Smith<br />
Oboe<br />
Erik Behr<br />
Clarinet<br />
Margaret Quackenbush<br />
Alice Meyer<br />
Bassoon<br />
John Hunt<br />
Horn<br />
Alex Schuhan<br />
Sophia Goluses<br />
Trumpet<br />
Doug Prosser<br />
Wes Nance<br />
Trombone<br />
Mark Kellogg<br />
Timpani<br />
Charles Ross<br />
Percussion<br />
Jim Tiller<br />
Harp<br />
Grace Wong<br />
Manager<br />
Ramon Ricker
Artistic & Production Staff<br />
Artistic Director & Conductor............................................................ Gerard Floriano<br />
Stage Director ..........................................................................................Michael Ehrman<br />
Stage Manager ................................................................................................Ken Saltzman<br />
Production Manager /Technical Director ......................................... Matthew Scheidt<br />
Set Designer ........................................................................................................ Robin Vest<br />
Lighting Designer ............................................................................................Nic Minetor<br />
Costume Designer ..........................................................................................Nellica Rave<br />
Wigs & Make-up Designer ................................... Jennifer Lloyd for Elsen Associates<br />
Rehearsal Accompanist ..........................................................................Tatiana Vassilieva<br />
Assistant Stage Director .................................................................................... Joel Atella<br />
Assistant Stage Manager ....................................................................Mary Beth Lowery<br />
Interim Stage Manager ................................................................................ Lindsay Baker<br />
Props Assistant ...............................................................................................Holley Shafer<br />
Wardrobe Manager .......................................................................... Claudette Hercules<br />
Wardrobe Assistant ................................................................... Elizabeth Krzyzanowski<br />
Costumes provided by ......................................................................Costume World &<br />
Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> Costume Collection<br />
Hair Assistants .................................................... Sue Harrison & Danielle Letourneau<br />
Make-up Assistant ............................................................................................Lesley Bush<br />
Assistant Lighting Designer .....................................................................Dan O’Donnell<br />
Light Board <strong>Opera</strong>tor ............................................................................. Jenny Kleinhenz<br />
Surtitles ............................................. Words for Music, translation by Victor DiRenzi<br />
Surtitle <strong>Opera</strong>tor .......................................................................................Robert Strauss<br />
RPO Patron Services Manager ...........................................................David Henderson<br />
House Manager & Ushers .........................................................................David T. Meyer<br />
Many thanks to the <strong>Guild</strong> <strong>of</strong> Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong> and to the many volunteers<br />
who have enabled the company to produce world-class opera in <strong>Rochester</strong>.<br />
Merchandise Available on our Website<br />
Show the world that you love opera and support Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong> at<br />
the same time! A variety <strong>of</strong> colorful and practical merchandise is available on<br />
our website, including 2008 calendars with beautiful full-color photographs from<br />
all <strong>of</strong> our productions, T-shirts and other clothing, bumper stickers, and<br />
notecards. Items are very reasonably priced, and all proceeds go to support<br />
our productions and opera education programs.
Corporate Donors<br />
Major Underwriter<br />
$10,000 and above<br />
Constellation Brands<br />
Corporate Patron<br />
$1,500 to $4,999<br />
Nixon Peabody LLP<br />
RBC Dain Rauscher<br />
Business Patron<br />
$500 to $999<br />
B&L Wholesale Supply<br />
Canandaigua National Bank<br />
<strong>Rochester</strong> Lumber Company<br />
Individual and<br />
Foundation Support<br />
Platinum<br />
$25,000 and above<br />
New York State Music Fund<br />
Gold<br />
$10,000 to $24,999<br />
Ron & Jane Fondiller<br />
Suzanne & Gerard Gouvernet<br />
Craig & Susan <strong>La</strong>rson<br />
NYS Council on the Arts<br />
NYS Legislature – Sen. Jim Alesi<br />
NYS Legislature – Sen. Joseph Robach<br />
Mary K. Menzie<br />
The Rainbow Fund<br />
Silver<br />
$5,000 to $9,999<br />
The <strong>Guild</strong> <strong>of</strong> Mercury <strong>Opera</strong><br />
<strong>Rochester</strong><br />
Rose-Marie B. Klipstein<br />
NYS Legislature – Assemblyman<br />
Joseph Morelle<br />
<strong>Rochester</strong> Area Community<br />
Foundation<br />
The Haskell Rosenberg Memorial<br />
Fund for <strong>Opera</strong><br />
Maestro<br />
$2,500 to $4,999<br />
Dr. George Abraham<br />
Agneta D. Borgstedt, MD<br />
Margaret J. Carnall<br />
Sarah H. Collins<br />
Sunny Rosenberg<br />
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Stephen Matkowski<br />
Robert & Karen McIver<br />
Robert & Chita McKinney<br />
Thomas & Dale McMeekin<br />
Thomas & Mary Lou Mees<br />
Terry Melore<br />
Andrea Swanton Mercier<br />
Harry & Linda Messina<br />
Mona Miller<br />
Sanford & Jill Miller<br />
Rosemarie Molser<br />
Ilene Montana<br />
Lee & Brenda Moss<br />
John & Annabel Muenter<br />
Philip S. Nash<br />
Michael & Carol Newcomb<br />
John C. Ninfo & Judith Ranaletta<br />
Frederick Nuernberg<br />
Mildred Ortbach<br />
Donald & Andrea Pedersen<br />
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Dorothy Pitlick<br />
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Andrea Pope<br />
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David Rakov<br />
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George & Rosa Rich<br />
Danforth Rogers<br />
Richard & Beatrice Rosenbloom<br />
Justin & Kelly Runke<br />
Bertha Santirocco<br />
Eleanor Santo<br />
James Sawatsky & David Ames<br />
Conrad Scheg<br />
Eugene Schneider, MD &<br />
Gloria Baciewicz, MD<br />
Joan Schultz<br />
Arthur & Kathryn Schuster<br />
Paul Schutt<br />
Anthony & Gloria Sciolino<br />
Mark & Holley Shafer<br />
David Sharkey<br />
Jack & Marcia Sherman<br />
Virginia Skuse<br />
Charles Speirs<br />
Burton Spiller<br />
Norma & Glenna Spindelman<br />
Muriel Steinberg<br />
Robert & Carol Stiles<br />
June M. Stornelli<br />
Sydney Sutherland<br />
Robert Terhorst<br />
David & Ellen Thurber<br />
George & Marsha Tillson<br />
Kathleen Toole<br />
Bill & Mary Anna Towler<br />
Eugene Toy<br />
Harry & Pamela Turner<br />
Herbert & Monica Ulrich<br />
Gary & Marie Van Graafeiland<br />
Paul & Joan Van Ness<br />
Margaret Vanas<br />
Judit S. Wagner, MD<br />
Margaret Webber<br />
Bob Weeks & Pam Good<br />
Robin & Michael Weintraub<br />
Anne West<br />
Pamela S. Wilkens White<br />
Jean Grant Whitney<br />
Christine Wickert<br />
Peggy Wier<br />
Mary Alice & Bob Wolf<br />
Signe & Bob Zale<br />
Robert & Carol Zimmerman<br />
Gifts In Kind<br />
B&L Wholesale Supply<br />
Richard A. Kroll Attorney<br />
Mark IV Enterprises<br />
Parachute Graphics<br />
<strong>Rochester</strong> Lumber Company<br />
Additional Special<br />
Thanks:<br />
Bethlehem Lutheran Church<br />
Blackfriars Theatre<br />
Eastman School <strong>of</strong> Music<br />
Geva Theatre Center<br />
Tournedos at the Inn on Broadway<br />
JCC Centerstage<br />
Bob Klie<br />
Music & Arts<br />
Nazareth College<br />
Ron Netsky<br />
Although every effort has been<br />
made to ensure the accuracy <strong>of</strong><br />
this list, occasional errors and<br />
omissions do occur. Please contact<br />
Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong> at<br />
585-473-6567 with any changes<br />
or corrections. This list reflects<br />
donors <strong>of</strong> record at the Coro<br />
level and above (minimum <strong>of</strong> $100<br />
donation) as <strong>of</strong> May 31, 2008.<br />
Tribute &<br />
Honorary Gifts<br />
Tribute and Honorary Gifts are<br />
a special way to remember loved<br />
ones or commemorate special<br />
occasions such as birthdays,<br />
anniversaries, weddings, births, or<br />
graduations.<br />
In Memory <strong>of</strong> Patricia Carr Atwater<br />
Suzanne & Peter Durant<br />
Tax-deductible contributions by check<br />
or credit card are gratefully accepted<br />
by Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong>,<br />
26 Gibbs Street, <strong>Rochester</strong>, NY 14604,<br />
and also at our website at<br />
www.mercuryoperarochester.org.<br />
This production is funded in part<br />
by grants from the New York<br />
State Council on the Arts and the<br />
New York State Legislature.
Notes from the Director<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the world’s favorite operas, <strong>La</strong> Bohème was composed around the<br />
turn <strong>of</strong> the 20th century, but was originally set in the 1830’s. The world première<br />
performance was in Turin on February 1, 1896 and was conducted by the young<br />
Arturo Toscanini. Four friends, an aspiring painter, musician, author and philosopher,<br />
live together in a small attic apartment. Their lives revolve around finding<br />
enough money to pay the rent, eat, have fun, and find love, but not necessarily in<br />
that order.<br />
Perhaps more than any other classic opera, <strong>La</strong> Bohème lends itself to contemporary<br />
interpretation. The opera follows the stories <strong>of</strong> a circle <strong>of</strong> young artists<br />
who long for a deeper connection to society. Sound familiar? The same theme<br />
is the basis for the Academy Award winning movie Moonstruck, which uses the<br />
music <strong>of</strong> the passionately romantic opera throughout as a backdrop for its own<br />
love story; the recent Broadway hit Rent is a version <strong>of</strong> the story updated to<br />
the current time.<br />
Paris in the 1920’s was the artistic capital <strong>of</strong> the world, a city where freedom <strong>of</strong><br />
self-expression was encouraged and flourished. Among the many creative artists<br />
who lived there were Picasso, Miro, Chagall, Poulenc, Satie, Stravinsky, Milhaud,<br />
Josephine Baker, Isadora Duncan, Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce,<br />
Ezra Pound and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The new and experimental in both art and<br />
fashion were welcomed; corsets were discarded and replaced by the brassiere,<br />
the flapper dress and the cloche hat were born, the Charleston emerged as the<br />
new dance craze, and the first Surrealist art show was given. Women learned to<br />
be independent, to smoke and drink cocktails. The use <strong>of</strong> the telephone and the<br />
electric light became widespread. It is during this colorful, lively period – in the<br />
year 1925 – that this production <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong> Bohème is set.<br />
– Michael Ehrman<br />
Bach Children’s Chorus at Nazareth College<br />
Founded by its current director, Karla Krogstad, in 1989, the BCC maintains a<br />
very busy performance schedule. The children sing with numerous organizations<br />
in the <strong>Rochester</strong> area, including the <strong>Rochester</strong> Philharmonic Orchestra and the<br />
<strong>Rochester</strong> Chamber Orchestra. The BCC provides unique choral training, with<br />
the opportunity for performance <strong>of</strong> classical and multi-cultural music.<br />
The children, who always perform from memory, have been repeatedly commended<br />
for their clear diction, musical expression, and remarkable pr<strong>of</strong>iciency<br />
in difficult repertoire. The Bach Children’s Chorus members acquire new songs<br />
every year, experiencing a wide range <strong>of</strong> styles from folk to Baroque to modern.<br />
Every year, the chorus travels to sing and sightsee, <strong>of</strong>ten at historic locations.<br />
Auditions take place in the spring <strong>of</strong> each year for the following season.<br />
Information about the chorus can be found on their website www.bachkidsusa.org<br />
or by calling 585-582-3082.
Biographies<br />
Gerard Floriano, Artistic Director/Conductor<br />
Conductor Gerard Floriano is equally accomplished in both the<br />
operatic and orchestral arenas. As Artistic Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong><br />
<strong>Opera</strong> Factory and Co-Artistic Director <strong>of</strong> Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong>,<br />
he conducted critically acclaimed performances <strong>of</strong> Cavalleria<br />
Rusticana, Pagliacci, Die Fledermaus, Suor Angelica, L’Amico<br />
Fritz, Elixir <strong>of</strong> Love, Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Amahl<br />
and the Night Visitors and Kern’s theatrical masterpiece Show<br />
Boat. Writing about L’Amico Fritz, <strong>Rochester</strong> Democrat & Chronicle music critic John<br />
Pitcher wrote “Floriano proved to be nothing less than a virtuoso conductor… He led his<br />
fine orchestra with color, precision and a welcome degree <strong>of</strong> sweep... ushering in a New<br />
Age <strong>of</strong> Good <strong>Opera</strong>” in western New York. Dr. Floriano has led the <strong>Rochester</strong> Philharmonic<br />
Orchestra and made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut with the Greater Buffalo Youth<br />
Orchestra. A regular guest conductor in Europe, he has led performances in Krakow,<br />
Warsaw, Prague, Barcelona, Florence and Leipzig. Dr. Floriano is acclaimed as an innovative<br />
programmer and dedicated educational conductor. Under his leadership, the Greater Buffalo<br />
Youth Orchestra has become a premiere training orchestra for talented young musicians in<br />
western NY. Dr. Floriano is Director <strong>of</strong> Choral Activities at the SUNY Geneseo and<br />
Resident Conductor at the Brevard Summer Music Festival, where in the summer <strong>of</strong> 2007,<br />
he conducted a production <strong>of</strong> Bernstein’s Candide. He is a graduate <strong>of</strong> the Eastman School<br />
<strong>of</strong> Music.<br />
Michael Ehrman, Stage Director<br />
Michael Ehrman has staged opera productions for companies including<br />
Houston Grand <strong>Opera</strong>, Greater Miami <strong>Opera</strong>, Wolf Trap <strong>Opera</strong>,<br />
Chautauqua <strong>Opera</strong>, Atlanta <strong>Opera</strong>, Boston Lyric <strong>Opera</strong>, and Chicago<br />
<strong>Opera</strong> Theater. Recent productions include Vanessa, Noye’s Fludde,<br />
The Barber <strong>of</strong> Seville, The Crucible, Romeo et Juliette, and<br />
The Tales <strong>of</strong> H<strong>of</strong>fmann. He directed Street Scene, The Ballad<br />
<strong>of</strong> Baby Doe, Carmen, and The Magic Flute. Of special note,<br />
he staged the American <strong>Opera</strong> Series in Central City form 1996-1999,<br />
including the fortieth anniversary Ballad <strong>of</strong> Baby Doe, Susannah, The Crucible, and<br />
Street Scene. Other works in his repertoire include <strong>La</strong> Traviata, Pagliacci, Macbeth,<br />
Cosi fan Tutte, Faust, Rigoletto, Madama Butterfly, Albert Herring, The Turn <strong>of</strong><br />
the Screw, Eugene Onegin, Tosca, and The Postman Always Rings Twice. Ehrman’s<br />
acclaimed production <strong>of</strong> the musical Carnival was named on several <strong>of</strong> Chicago’s “Ten Best”<br />
lists for 2005. Mr. Ehrman has extensive experience as a teacher and as author/director <strong>of</strong><br />
many educational opera programs. He was Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>Opera</strong> at Northwestern University, the<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Tennessee at Knoxville and at Roosevelt University/Chicago College <strong>of</strong> Performing<br />
Arts. He has also directed at Yale University, University <strong>of</strong> Kentucky, Hartt School <strong>of</strong> Music,<br />
and Shenandoah University. He served on the artistic staffs and was Stage Director/Acting<br />
Coach for the Young Artist Programs at Central City <strong>Opera</strong>, Chautauqua <strong>Opera</strong>, Wolf Trap,<br />
Greater Miami <strong>Opera</strong>, Virginia <strong>Opera</strong>, <strong>La</strong>ke George <strong>Opera</strong>, Utah <strong>Opera</strong>, The Israeli Vocal Arts<br />
Institute, Intermezzo Young Artist Program, Brevard Music Center, and the New National<br />
Theater in Tokyo. Most recently he directed the Chicago premiere <strong>of</strong> Ronald Perera’s The<br />
Yellow Wallpaper, <strong>La</strong> Bohème for Madison <strong>Opera</strong>, Le Nozze di Figaro at the Hartt<br />
School, Manon and Romeo et Juliette at Indiana University and The Sound <strong>of</strong> Music<br />
and Carmen at Brevard Music Center. Other recent engagements have included Falstaff for<br />
Indianapolis <strong>Opera</strong>, <strong>La</strong> Bohème and Camelot at the Brevard Center, and Susannah and Le<br />
Nozze di Figaro at Indiana University.
Grady S. Bailey III, Parpignol<br />
Grady Bailey makes his Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> debut in the role <strong>of</strong> Parpignol.<br />
He has performed on concert stages and in churches and cathedrals<br />
throughout the United States and Europe, and his extensive repertoire<br />
includes opera, oratorio, and an extensive art song repertoire that has been<br />
lauded for the clear, supple and agile quality <strong>of</strong> his voice and his musical<br />
interpretation <strong>of</strong> repertoire. A native <strong>of</strong> Mississippi, Mr. Bailey is a graduate<br />
<strong>of</strong> Millsaps College, attended Indiana University School <strong>of</strong> Music and is<br />
currently a candidate for a Master <strong>of</strong> Arts in Liberal Studies at Nazareth College <strong>of</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong>. He<br />
has had the privilege <strong>of</strong> studying with McCarrell Ayers, Donald Kilmer, Virginia Zeani and Nicolo<br />
Rossi-Lemini. Mr. Bailey has appeared with Mississippi <strong>Opera</strong>, Millsaps Singers, Jackson Symphony<br />
Orchestra, Delta State University Alumni Chorale, Indiana University Philharmonic, Indiana<br />
University <strong>Opera</strong> Theatre, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Christ Church Cathedral Choir <strong>of</strong><br />
Men & Boys, Vermont Symphony, Piedmont Chamber Singers, First Unitarian Church <strong>of</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong>,<br />
RIT Singers RIT Philharmonic, <strong>Rochester</strong> Chamber Orchestra and the Finger <strong>La</strong>kes Chorale. Mr.<br />
Bailey resides in <strong>Rochester</strong>, is Organist/Music Director for St. John’s Episcopal Church in Honeoye<br />
Falls and Adjunct Instructor in Voice at <strong>Rochester</strong> Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology.<br />
John Buffett, Schaunard<br />
Baritone John Buffett, a native <strong>of</strong> Ohio, is thrilled to be making his Mercury<br />
<strong>Opera</strong> debut as Schaunard. Currently a candidate for the Masters Degree<br />
at the Eastman School <strong>of</strong> Music under the tutelage <strong>of</strong> Robert Swensen,<br />
Mr. Buffett also received his undergraduate education at Eastman.<br />
His favorite roles at Eastman include Count Carl Magnus in A Little<br />
Night Music, Le Roi in Cendrillon, Liberto in L’incoronazione di<br />
Poppea, Carnival in Le Carnival and as a member <strong>of</strong> the ensembles in<br />
Sweeney Todd, Susannah, and <strong>La</strong> Rondine. Recently, Mr. Buffett<br />
won Eastman’s concerto competition and will perform Ravel’s Don Quichotte á Dulcinée<br />
with the orchestra next year. He also recently placed 2nd in the 2008 Jessie Kneisel Lieder<br />
competition. Mr. Buffett has sung in Masterclasses with Håkan Hagegård, Mira Zakai, Thomas<br />
Muraco, and Darren Woods. Other pr<strong>of</strong>essional engagements include performances with Ohio<br />
Light <strong>Opera</strong>, Apollo’s Fire, and various Cleveland and <strong>Rochester</strong> area groups. Before entering<br />
Eastman in 2003, John spent a year as an English Speaking Union scholar at the prestigious<br />
Wells Cathedral School, where he won numerous awards and honors for both his singing and<br />
trumpet playing.<br />
Won Cho, Colline<br />
Making his third appearance with Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong>, Korean-<br />
Canadian Bass baritone Won Cho is known for the unique range and<br />
beauty <strong>of</strong> his voice as well as his outstanding acting ability. Thanks to<br />
his energetic voice and stage presence, he is in demand in both concert<br />
and operatic repertoire, appearing with many <strong>of</strong> the opera houses and<br />
orchestras in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Mid East, and his native<br />
Korea. Mr, Co has been described as possessing “the voice and presence<br />
to make himself instantly known on stage.” With Mercury <strong>Opera</strong>, he has<br />
performed the role <strong>of</strong> the Commendatore in Don Giovanni and Osmin in Die Entführung<br />
aus dem Serail. Mr. Cho’s 2007-2008 season included his Mexican debut as Sprecher in<br />
Die Zauberflöte with the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra, Beethoven’s Mass in C with the<br />
Palm Beach Symphony, and Messiah with The Master Chorale <strong>of</strong> Tampa Bay, Tampa Oratorio<br />
Society, Sarasota Chorale Society, and the Florida orchestra. Future engagements include<br />
The Creation in Toronto, Don Basilio in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with <strong>Opera</strong> Theatre <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>La</strong>keland and Anchorage <strong>Opera</strong>, and Missa Solemnis & Lord Nelson Mass at Esterházy<br />
Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria. Mr. Cho received degrees from Manhattan School <strong>of</strong> Music, Boston
University, and University <strong>of</strong> Memphis. He has served on faculty at University <strong>of</strong> Northern<br />
Iowa and SUNY Fredonia, and currently serves as a Voice Pr<strong>of</strong>essor & Coordinator <strong>of</strong> <strong>Opera</strong><br />
Program at University <strong>of</strong> South Florida in Tampa. He currently is on the roster <strong>of</strong> Thea Dispeker<br />
Artist Management agency in New York City.<br />
Jill Gardner, Mimi<br />
Soprano Jill Gardner is emerging as one <strong>of</strong> today’s young singing<br />
actresses <strong>of</strong> exceptional promise. Noted for her “effortlessly produced,<br />
rich voice” (<strong>Opera</strong> News), the Syracuse Post-Standard recently states <strong>of</strong><br />
her performance in The Merry Widow that “Jill Gardner’s Hanna, the<br />
title character, stood head and shoulders above all the rest. She is a<br />
powerhouse yet <strong>of</strong>ten touching soprano, who moves as if she is floating<br />
and acts with more nuance than most opera singers.” Ms. Gardner made<br />
her debut with Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> earlier this season when she was called<br />
in as a last minute replacement for the role <strong>of</strong> Donna Anna in Don Giovanni. In the 2007-<br />
08 season, Ms. Gardner makes several company debuts including Florida Grand <strong>Opera</strong> in the<br />
role <strong>of</strong> Musetta in <strong>La</strong> Bohème and Boston Lyric <strong>Opera</strong> as Mimi in <strong>La</strong> Bohème, a role which<br />
she was recently called last-minute to cover this season at Lyric <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>of</strong> Chicago. In the<br />
summer <strong>of</strong> 2008 she will debut with Hawaii <strong>Opera</strong> Theatre as Countess Charlotte Malcolm in<br />
Sondheim’s A Little Night Music. In the 2008-09 season, Ms. Gardner will make her debut at<br />
Lyric <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>of</strong> Chicago as Nedda in I Pagliacci and Madison <strong>Opera</strong> in her first performances<br />
<strong>of</strong> Margherite in Faust. She will also appear with the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra in<br />
Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem. A former member <strong>of</strong> the prestigious Young American<br />
Artists Program at Glimmerglass <strong>Opera</strong>, Ms. Gardner returned as a principal artist last summer<br />
in the role <strong>of</strong> Eurydice in Orpheus in the Underworld. As a Young Artist in 2006, she created<br />
the role <strong>of</strong> Madame Loiseau in the world premiere <strong>of</strong> Harke’s The Greater Good, which<br />
was recorded by the Naxos Record <strong>La</strong>bel. She has also appeared with Syracuse <strong>Opera</strong> (The<br />
Merry Widow), New York <strong>Opera</strong> Projects (Susannah), Piedmont <strong>Opera</strong> Theater (Mimi/<strong>La</strong><br />
Bohème), Tri-Cities <strong>Opera</strong> (Countess/Le Nozze di Figaro, Violetta/<strong>La</strong> Traviata, Cio-<br />
Cio San/Madama Butterfly) and in concert with <strong>Opera</strong> Omaha, the Syracuse Symphony<br />
Orchestra and the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra.<br />
Mario Martínez, Benoit & Alcindoro<br />
During his pr<strong>of</strong>essional career, Baritone Mario Martínez has appeared<br />
with the <strong>Rochester</strong> Philharmonic, Charleston Symphony, Western<br />
New York Chamber Orchestra, National Symphony and Philharmonic<br />
Orchestras <strong>of</strong> Santo Domingo, Orchard Park Chorale and Symphony, New<br />
Eastman Symphony, Eastman Philharmonia, Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong>,<br />
<strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong>, Buffalo <strong>Opera</strong> Unlimited, <strong>Opera</strong> de las Américas and<br />
Compañia Lírica Dominicana. Recent performances include his leading<br />
roles in the critically acclaimed Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> productions <strong>of</strong> L’Elisir<br />
D’Amore (Dr. Dulcamara) and L’amico Fritz (Rabbi David), as well as a concert presentation<br />
at Merkin Concert Hall, at the Kauffman Center, in New York City. Other operatic roles<br />
include Emperor Uberall in Ullmann’s The Emperor <strong>of</strong> Atlantis, the title role in Verdi’s<br />
Falstaff, Almaviva in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Angellotti in Puccini’s Tosca, The Father<br />
in Milhaud’s Le Pauvre Matelot, Bohechio in Braga’s <strong>Opera</strong> 1492, Junius in Britten’s The<br />
Rape <strong>of</strong> Lucretia, Raymondo in Donizetti’s Lucia di <strong>La</strong>mmermoor, Don Pizarro in<br />
Beethoven’s Fidelio, and Marullo in Verdi’s Rigoletto. In addition to his active performance<br />
career, Mr. Martínez serves as Coordinator <strong>of</strong> Vocal Studies at Nazareth College in <strong>Rochester</strong><br />
teaching voice, vocal pedagogy and song literature, where he created and developed the Annual<br />
Vocal Fest, the Barbara Staropoli Singing Competition, the Nazareth College Vocal Pedagogy<br />
Series and the Summer School <strong>of</strong> the Arts Musical Theatre Program, a joint venue with BOCES.<br />
Mr. Martínez has also taught at SUNY Fredonia and at the Eastman School <strong>of</strong> Music Community<br />
Education Division.
Andrew Oakden, Marcello<br />
Baritone Andrew Oakden continues to garner critical acclaim in opera<br />
houses across the United States and abroad making his international<br />
debut with <strong>Opera</strong> de Nice (France) as Rambaldo (<strong>La</strong> Rondine). Also this<br />
season he performs the roles <strong>of</strong> Marcello (<strong>La</strong> Bohème) with Mercury<br />
<strong>Opera</strong> and Sharpless (Madama Butterfly) with Utah <strong>Opera</strong>. <strong>La</strong>st<br />
season he made his New York City <strong>Opera</strong> mainstage debut performing<br />
the roles <strong>of</strong> Alfio (Cavalleria Rusticana) and Tonio (Pagliacci.) He<br />
recently made his Ft. Worth Symphony debut in the role <strong>of</strong> Papageno<br />
(Die Zauberflöte) and earlier this season with the Santa Fe Symphony in Carmina Burana.<br />
In 2005, he performed the Mandarin (Turandot) and Pietro (Simon Boccanegra) at Santa<br />
Fe <strong>Opera</strong>, and Alfio (Cavalleria Rusticana) and Tonio (Pagliacci) at Sarasota <strong>Opera</strong> where<br />
he additionally covered Stankar in Verdi’s (Stiffelio.) Following his success as Tonio at Sarasota<br />
<strong>Opera</strong>, The Sunday Telegraph (London) wrote: “…the unexpected thrill <strong>of</strong> a young baritone,<br />
Andrew Oakden, stepping in at a moment’s notice into the role <strong>of</strong> Tonio and bringing the house<br />
down with his superb singing <strong>of</strong> the prologue…Oakden is a name to note.” Mr. Oakden was<br />
the 1st Prize Winner in the Palm Beach <strong>Opera</strong> Vocal Competition as well as being a recent<br />
finalist in both the regional Metropolitan <strong>Opera</strong> Competition and the 2005 MacAllister Awards.<br />
Upcoming engagements include his role debut as Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro) with Florida<br />
Grand <strong>Opera</strong> and Raleigh (Roberto Devereux) with Dallas <strong>Opera</strong>.<br />
Elena O’Connor, Musetta<br />
Soprano Elena O’Connor makes her debut with this performance.<br />
Previously, she has sung the role <strong>of</strong> Musetta under Julius Rudel and<br />
the direction <strong>of</strong> Ed Berkeley at the Aspen Music Festival. She has also<br />
appeared as Gilda in Rigoletto and Micaela in Carmen at the Aspen<br />
Music Festival, where she is also a winner <strong>of</strong> the Festival’s Vocal Concerto<br />
Competition. Other honors come from Mobile <strong>Opera</strong>’s Rose Palmai-<br />
Tenser Competition, the Metropolitan <strong>Opera</strong> National Council Auditions,<br />
and the Palm Beach <strong>Opera</strong> International Vocal Competition, where she<br />
was a winner two consecutive years. With Palm Beach <strong>Opera</strong>, Ms. O’Connor toured as the<br />
title role in their production <strong>of</strong> Chauls’s Alice in Wonderland and performed concerts<br />
throughout South Florida with Maestro Kamal Khan. A native <strong>of</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong>, Ms. O’Connor did<br />
her undergraduate studies at Eastman and the University <strong>of</strong> Miami School <strong>of</strong> Music, where<br />
she sang the role <strong>of</strong> Francesca in the U.S. premiere <strong>of</strong> Luigi Mancinelli’s Paolo e Francesca,<br />
South Florida’s Sun-Sentinel calling her portrayal “stunning.” She was also recently praised in<br />
the New York Times for her “standout” performance at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in Scott<br />
Joplin’s Treemonisha with Collegiate Chorale. As an art song enthusiast, Ms. O’Connor has<br />
been a three-time fellow with the University <strong>of</strong> Miami’s Lieder program in Salzburg, Austria,<br />
where as an honoree <strong>of</strong> the Schloss-Leopoldskron Competition, she was featured in concerts<br />
and worked in masterclasses with Helen Donath and the late Jerry Hadley. In the summer <strong>of</strong><br />
2006, she was a member <strong>of</strong> the Ravinia Festival’s Steans Institute Program for Singers under<br />
the auspices <strong>of</strong> James Conlon and Margo Garrett, where she studied and performed works<br />
<strong>of</strong> Schumann, Rachmanin<strong>of</strong>f and Poulenc. Also under the auspices <strong>of</strong> Maestro Conlon, Ms<br />
O’Connor was one <strong>of</strong> the youngest ever featured soloists in the long history <strong>of</strong> the Cincinnati<br />
May Festival, performing the soprano role in Bach’s Cantata No. 21 under Robert Porco,<br />
Cincinnati’s Enquirer referring to her “a young star to watch.” She currently resides in New<br />
York City.
Steven Tompkins, Rodolfo<br />
Tenor Steven Tompkins makes his pr<strong>of</strong>essional opera debut singing the<br />
role <strong>of</strong> Rodolfo in <strong>La</strong> Bohème with Mercury <strong>Opera</strong>. The Naples (FL) Sun<br />
Times describes his voice as “fused with power and passion” and predicts<br />
that “the young tenor, so handsome, will have a great career ahead.”<br />
The Ann Arbor News simply calls his voice “outstanding.” Mr. Tompkins<br />
made his pr<strong>of</strong>essional orchestral debut in 2005 with the International<br />
Symphony Orchestra in Sarnia, Ontario, singing Handel’s Messiah and<br />
the Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio. Other solo performances with<br />
orchestra include The Seven <strong>La</strong>st Words <strong>of</strong> Christ <strong>of</strong> both Schütz and Dubois, Bach’s<br />
Cantata No. 4 and Cantata No. 12, Haydn’s The Creation, Schubert’s Mass in G and<br />
Mendelssohn’s Elijah. On the concert stage, he appears regularly in recital on the Essex<br />
Summer Concert Series in Essex, NY, and with the Naples <strong>Opera</strong> Society in Naples, Florida.<br />
Mr. Tompkins is continuing his opera studies as a member <strong>of</strong> the select Specialist Program at<br />
the University <strong>of</strong> Michigan Ann Arbor, where he received the Master <strong>of</strong> Music degree in vocal<br />
performance, having been awarded full-tuition scholarships for both degrees. He is a graduate <strong>of</strong><br />
Roberts Wesleyan College in <strong>Rochester</strong> NY with a B.S. Degree in Vocal Performance. At UMAA<br />
he has performed the leading tenor roles <strong>of</strong> Rodolfo in Puccini’s <strong>La</strong> Bohème conducted<br />
by Martin Katz, Jenik in The Bartered Bride by Smetana, Don José in <strong>La</strong> Tragédie de<br />
Carmen by Georges Bizet, adapted by Peter Brook, and The Man with a Paint Box in Domenic<br />
Argento’s Postcard from Morocco. In November 2007 Mr. Tompkins was a semi-finalist in<br />
the Czech and Slovak International Vocal Competition held in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He has<br />
received another full-tuition award to study in June 2008 at the Scuola Italia in Urbania, Italy,<br />
where he will perform in concerts at the Teatro Bramante.<br />
Joel Atella, Assistant Director<br />
Joel Atella is in his final year studying vocal performance at the Eastman School <strong>of</strong> Music. He<br />
began performing in 1996, flying sky high as Michael Darling in Peter Pan, and is a 2005<br />
Presidential Scholar in the Arts. He has appeared onstage with Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong><br />
in the chorus <strong>of</strong> Norma, and is excited to join the Artistic Staff as Assistant Director for<br />
this production. Mr. Atella’s Eastman <strong>Opera</strong> Theatre credits include Major Domo/Chorus in<br />
The Merry Widow and the mute role <strong>of</strong> Toby in The Medium. A native <strong>of</strong> Fort Collins,<br />
Colorado, he thanks his parents and JM for their love and support.<br />
Karla M. Krogstad, Director <strong>of</strong> the Bach Children’s Chorus at Nazareth College<br />
Karla Krogstad earned degrees from the New England Conservatory <strong>of</strong> Music, University <strong>of</strong><br />
Connecticut, and the Eastman School <strong>of</strong> Music. She is an active arranger <strong>of</strong> music for children’s<br />
voices. Ms Krogstad has conducted the Chorus in such diverse works as Britten’s War<br />
Requiem, Orff‘s Carmina Burana, the Waltz <strong>of</strong> the Snowflakes from Tchaikovsky’s<br />
Nutcracker, and Mahler’s Symphony #3. She lives in <strong>Rochester</strong> with her husband, Bob and<br />
daughter, Ingrid.<br />
Nic Minetor, Lighting Designer<br />
Lighting designer/director for theater, film and TV, Nic Minetor has been resident designer for<br />
more than 40 productions <strong>of</strong> Eastman <strong>Opera</strong> Theatre, including Candide, <strong>La</strong> Bohème, The<br />
Medium, Dialogues <strong>of</strong> the Carmelites and Sweeney Todd; and many <strong>Opera</strong> Theatre<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong> and Geva Theatre productions, including A Christmas Carol. This is his eighth<br />
production with Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong>. His work has also been seen at NTID, SUNY<br />
Brockport, Elmira and Nazareth Colleges.
Nellica Rave, Wardrobe Coordinator<br />
Nellica Rave is pleased to be working with Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong> for her seventh production.<br />
Ms. Rave has been designing costumes nation-wide for ten years. She has her MFA in Costume<br />
Design from the University <strong>of</strong> Massachusetts, Amherst. Favorite projects include designing<br />
West Side Stories for New World Theater, Blithe Spirit for Pioneer Valley Summer Theater,<br />
and costume shop for the Paralympics Opening Ceremonies in 2002. She has worked locally for<br />
the JCC, Eastman <strong>Opera</strong> Theatre, RIT, Irondequoit Theatre <strong>Guild</strong> and TYKES. Ms. Rave is on the<br />
staff <strong>of</strong> Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong> as the resident Costume Collection Manager. She and her<br />
husband are the very proud parents <strong>of</strong> 16-month-old red-haired Raimonda.<br />
Ken Saltzman, Stage Manager<br />
Ken Saltzman returns to <strong>Rochester</strong> directly from stage managing <strong>La</strong> Sonnambula and <strong>La</strong><br />
Traviata with Michigan <strong>Opera</strong> Theatre. Earlier this year, Ken stage managed Mercury <strong>Opera</strong>’s<br />
production <strong>of</strong> Don Giovanni, as well as his 8th Yuletide Celebration with the Indianapolis<br />
Symphony Orchestra, a benefit concert given by Jessye Norman, Le Nozze di Figaro, and his<br />
2nd world premiere opera, Cyrano, with Michigan <strong>Opera</strong> Theatre. Ken has worked with opera<br />
companies in cities that include Philadelphia, Atlanta, Honolulu, Tucson/Phoenix, Indianapolis,<br />
Dayton and Memphis. Upcoming engagements include The Music Man with our nation’s<br />
2nd largest theatre, Kansas City Starlight Theatre, and the return to Detroit for Michigan <strong>Opera</strong><br />
Theatre’s world premiere, Margaret Garner starring Denyce Graves, which Ken will then<br />
bring to Chicago. Ken and his partner, Duane Prill, make their home on <strong>La</strong>moka <strong>La</strong>ke in the<br />
Finger <strong>La</strong>kes region.<br />
Matthew Scheidt, Production Manager/Technical Director<br />
A native <strong>of</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong>, Matthew Scheidt has been building scenery and working in production<br />
management for Eastman <strong>Opera</strong> Theatre for the last six years. He has worked in the local<br />
theatre scene for over 15 years as stagehand and audio engineer. In addition, Mr. Scheidt has built<br />
the sets for Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong>’s productions <strong>of</strong> L’Amico Fritz, L’Elisir d’Amore,<br />
Abduction from the Seraglio, and Don Giovanni. This is his fourth production with the<br />
company as Production Manager and Technical Director.<br />
Tatiana Vassilieva, Accompanist<br />
A native <strong>of</strong> St. Petersburg, Russia, Tatiana Vassilieva is a dual Master’s degree candidate at the<br />
Eastman School <strong>of</strong> Music studying piano performance with Nelita True and collaborative piano<br />
with Jean Barr. She has recently completed her Bachelor’s degree in piano performance at<br />
Eastman with Nelita True and Fernando <strong>La</strong>ires. As a soloist, Ms. Vassilieva has appeared with<br />
the <strong>Rochester</strong> Philharmonic, Cornell Chamber, Eastern Festival, and the Greece Symphony<br />
orchestras. Other performance highlights include a “Rising Stars Recital” at the Eastman<br />
Young Artist International Piano Competition and the Eastern Music Festival concert at<br />
the Kennedy Center. Ms Vassilieva is also a skilled accompanist and has been a recipient <strong>of</strong><br />
Eastman’s “Excellence in Accompanying Award” for the past two years. <strong>La</strong>st May, she won first<br />
prize in piano at the Jessie Kneisel Competition for the Performance <strong>of</strong> German Lieder. Ms.<br />
Vassilieva received additional training in collaborative piano at the Music Academy <strong>of</strong> the West<br />
in Santa Barbara, CA, and the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, MA, where she will return<br />
this summer.
Finishing its third season <strong>of</strong> both diverse and<br />
popular operas, education programs, and<br />
community outreach, the primary mission <strong>of</strong><br />
Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong> is to produce a diverse<br />
repertoire <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional opera <strong>of</strong> the highest<br />
artistic quality for a growing, appreciative audience,<br />
maintain fiscal responsibility, educate and cultivate future audiences for opera, and<br />
provide performance opportunities for local singers – pr<strong>of</strong>essional, emerging, and<br />
avocational.<br />
For more information about Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong> and any <strong>of</strong> our upcoming performances,<br />
call 585-473-6567 or check our in-depth website at mercuryoperarochester.org.<br />
We keep patrons informed <strong>of</strong> our projects via mail & email. If you would like to be<br />
added to our private mailing list or would like to receive our newsletter, please let<br />
us know.<br />
Arthur Axelrod<br />
Agneta Borgstedt<br />
Sarah Collins<br />
Steven Daigle<br />
Peter Durant<br />
Gerard Floriano<br />
Ron Fondiller<br />
Artistic Directors:<br />
Benton Hess & Gerard Floriano<br />
Staff:<br />
Kristen Kessler, Executive Director<br />
Lynn Zicari, <strong>Opera</strong>tions Manager<br />
Nellica Rave, Costume Collection Manager<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Directors:<br />
Craig <strong>La</strong>rson, President<br />
C. Gavin Strakosh, Vice President<br />
William Hearne, Treasurer<br />
Justin Runke, Secretary<br />
David Friedman<br />
Benton Hess<br />
Kristen Kessler<br />
Jack <strong>La</strong>ngerak<br />
Douglas Lowry<br />
Mary McNamara<br />
Mary Menzie<br />
Rosalba Pisaturo<br />
Judith Ricker<br />
Sunny Rosenberg<br />
Friederike Seligman<br />
Thomas Smith<br />
Helga Strasser
We need your help!<br />
Community response has exceeded our expectations, as more people have seen live<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional opera here than in a long time. <strong>Opera</strong> productions are very expensive (think<br />
sets, costumes, singers, orchestra, theatre, stage hands….the list goes on and on.) Your<br />
ticket price covers less than half <strong>of</strong> our costs. We need your help to continue to make<br />
the vision <strong>of</strong> Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong> a reality. If you enjoy our performance and agree<br />
with our goals, please support our future. Consider a donation to continue pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
opera performances and to reach out to future opera lovers in <strong>Rochester</strong>. Tax-deductible<br />
donations are gratefully accepted by Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong>, 26 Gibbs Street, <strong>Rochester</strong>,<br />
NY, 14604, and on our website at www.mercuryoperarocester.org.<br />
Planned Giving & Bequests<br />
Please consider leaving Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong> in your estate plans, whether by will,<br />
trust, insurance, life income arrangement, or through current income gifts. Your concern<br />
and appreciation for Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong> will extend far beyond your own lifetime.<br />
<strong>Opera</strong> Connection! and <strong>Opera</strong> Education<br />
Our future audiences are in the classrooms <strong>of</strong> local schools. Since its inception, Mercury<br />
<strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong> has invited high school students in the 5-county area to attend dress<br />
rehearsals <strong>of</strong> our performances, accompanied by their music teachers. We have also<br />
hosted several master classes for high school students (with student performers) given<br />
by internationally recognized singers who are here to perform in our mainstage productions.<br />
We have solicited and been successful in gaining participation <strong>of</strong> local high school<br />
vocalists in our productions as chorus members.<br />
Recently Mercury <strong>Opera</strong> <strong>Rochester</strong> began a program in high schools called <strong>Opera</strong> Connection!<br />
The program, initially funded by the New York State Music Fund, is a series <strong>of</strong><br />
lecture/workshops given by teaching artists which compare and contrast the hit Broadway<br />
musical Rent with the opera on which it was based, Puccini’s <strong>La</strong> Bohème. Pr<strong>of</strong>essionals<br />
who had sung the roles on Broadway and in pr<strong>of</strong>essional opera companies performed<br />
in the classrooms and spoke with students. The program culminated in a performance<br />
by the students for other participating schools, and it was a tremendous success, eliciting<br />
moving reactions from students and teachers, and remarkable interest in opera and<br />
Mercury’s future productions. We hope to receive funding to repeat the program in<br />
spring 2008 and in future seasons with other opera/show pairs. Please call the <strong>of</strong>fice at<br />
585-473-6567 if you are interested in helping with this exciting new education project.<br />
Our extensive adult education program is run primarily by the <strong>Guild</strong> <strong>of</strong> Mercury <strong>Opera</strong><br />
<strong>Rochester</strong>, and includes regular lectures at several local libraries, video showings and<br />
trips to regional opera productions. For more information about the <strong>Guild</strong> programs,<br />
check our website at www.mercuryoperarochester.org (where you can also find the<br />
handouts for all the lectures) or call the <strong>of</strong>fice at 585-473-6567.<br />
26 Gibbs Street, <strong>Rochester</strong>, NY 14604 • 585-473-6567<br />
www.mercuryoperarochester.org