Writers and Their Inspirations 2015/16 SE A SON
Words on a page. Music on a staff. Opera starts with these. Hundreds of artists bring these works alive, from solo artists to production artisans, choristers, orchestra musicians, and more. Opera thrives because it is bigger than life, with passion and drama set to extraordinary music. Our 2015/16 season celebrates writers, whether they are inspired by a literal muse or a romantic one. From Rodolfo’s poetry in La Bohème to Jo’s dramatic fiction in Little Women and Hoffmann’s stories in The Tales of Hoffmann, our writers and musicians offer a season that will thrill and move you. This season also marks the 15th anniversary of Opera in the Park, now a major Madison summer highlight. Madison Opera has the highest per capita attendance of any such concert in the U.S. – and that is indeed something to celebrate together. Please join us!
Kathryn Smith General Director
John DeMain Artistic Director
< Cover: Kelly Markgraf and Angela Mannino, Don Giovanni; Daniela Mack, Dead Man Walking; Madison Opera Chorus, Fidelio; Javier Abreu and Caitlin Cisler, The Daughter of the Regiment. Photos by James Gill for Madison Opera.
Puccini
NOV EMBER 13 & 15, 2015 Overture Hall
Adamo
FEBRUA RY 5 & 7, 2016 Capitol Theater
Offenbach
A PR IL 15 & 17, 2016 Overture Hall
in the J U LY 23, 2016 Garner Park
DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T MISS A WOR D! English translations are projected above the stage, ensuring that you can fully immerse yourself in these brilliant stories.
by Giacomo Puccini
NOV EMBER 13 Friday at 8:00pm
Sung in Italian with projected English translations
NOV EMBER 15 Sunday at 2:30pm
OV ERT U R E H A LL
“The highest purpose of poetry is to teach us to love.” Mimì
– Rodolfo, La Bohème
Eleni Calenos*
Rodolfo
Won Whi Choi*
Musetta
Emily Birsan
Marcello
Dan Kempson*
Schaunard
Alan Dunbar
Colline
Liam Moran
The greatest love story in opera, La Bohème remains eternally young. Set to a ravishing score, Puccini’s classic opera tells of the lives, loves, and losses of a group of young artists in a Bohemian quarter of Paris. If you are new to opera, don’t miss the chance to see why audiences have acclaimed this moving work for over a century. If you are an opera omnivore, revel in Puccini’s lush lyricism, brought to life by a dynamic cast.
Conductor
La Bohème simply has no equal. Come fall in love all over again.
Stage Director
SPONSOR ED BY
John DeMain
David Lefkowich
Helen Wineke Kenneth A. Lattman Foundation
Patricia & Stephen Lucas Thomas Terry
Marvin Levy
* Madison Opera debut
608.238.8085 | madisonopera.org
by Mark Adamo
FEBRUA RY 5 Friday at 8:00pm
A semi-staged production Sung in English with projected text
FEBRUA RY 7 Sunday at 2:30pm
CA PITOL THEATER
Jo
Heather Johnson
Meg
Courtney Miller*
Beth
Chelsea Morris
Amy
Jeni Houser
Laurie
Eric Neuville*
John Brooke
Christiaan Smith-Kotlarek
Friedrich Bhaer Corey Crider
Conductor Kyle Knox*
Stage Director Candace Evans
“I want to do something splendid... something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead. I don’t know what, but I’m on the watch for it and mean to astonish you all someday.” – Jo, Little Women Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel about four sisters in 1860s New England premiered as an opera in 1998 to instant acclaim. With moving arias, comic exchanges, and emotional confrontations, it is a showpiece for the young cast who portray the sisters and their suitors. Madison Opera brings Little Women to vivid life in a semi-staged production that places the orchestra on the Capitol Theater stage, with full dramatic action, beautiful costumes, and scenic elements that make up the sisters’ world. Come experience a truly American story. SPONSOR ED BY Millie & Marshall Osborn Lau & Bea Christensen Charitable Foundation
* Madison Opera debut
608.238.8085 | madisonopera.org
by Jacques Offenbach
A PR IL 15 Friday at 8:00pm
Sung in French with projected English translations
A PR IL 17 Sunday at 2:30pm
OV ERT U R E H A LL
Hoffmann
Harold Meers*
The Heroines
Siân Davies*
The Villains
Morgan Smith*
The Muse / Nicklausse
Samantha Korbey*
Conductor
John DeMain
Stage Director Kristine McIntyre
“It is nearly always the most improbable things that really come to pass.”
– E.T.A. Hoffmann
As he sits in a tavern, the poet Hoffmann recounts the stories of his three loves: a doll, a singer, and a courtesan. His adventures take him from Munich to Venice, always accompanied by his most faithful love, his muse. Offenbach’s masterpiece moves in a fantasy world, with showpiece arias for the bravura cast, the gorgeous “Barcarolle,” and a truly moving tribute to what it means to be an artist. Don’t miss this extraordinary work that is equal parts fantasy, realism, and genuine passion. SPONSOR ED BY
Kay & Martin Barrett Kennedy Gilchrist & Heidi Wilde * Madison Opera debut
A. Paul Jones Charitable Trust The Ann Stanke Fund
608.238.8085 | madisonopera.org
in the
2016
Celebrating 15 Years of a MadisonSummer Tradition Free community event GA R N ER PA R K JU LY 23, 2016 Raindate: July 24
Join us for the 15th anniversary of a Madison summer tradition! Opera in the Park is a night like no other. In beautiful Garner Park, the stars come out in the sky, the light sticks come out in the audience, and singers from our upcoming season share their favorite opera and musical theater numbers, along with the Madison Opera Chorus and Madison Symphony Orchestra. SPONSOR ED BY:
Explore Opera OPER A U P CLOSE There’s no better way to get up close to the operatic art form. Join Madison Opera for a series of entertaining and informative previews of this season’s productions. General Director Kathryn Smith leads a multimedia exploration of the history of each opera, along with behind-thescenes commentary from guest artists.
La Bohème preview Sunday, November 8, 2015, 1-3pm Little Women preview Sunday, January 31, 2016, 1-3pm The Tales of Hoffmann preview Sunday, April 10, 2016, 1-3pm Opera Up Close is held at the Margaret C. Winston Madison Opera Center, 335 W. Mifflin Street, Madison, a new location this season. Admission is $20 for non-subscribers. Subscribe and save up to $60 on Opera Up Close tickets!
OPER A NOV ICE Demystifying opera one hour at a time. First-time opera-goer? Timid about taking the plunge? Just want more insight into opera? Join us for a short, fun, and informative evening, led by General Director Kathryn Smith. Learn about different aspects of opera and its history, enjoy a live performance, and have the chance to ask questions. It’s the perfect jump-start for the opera curious.
What Makes an Opera a Classic? Friday, October 23, 2015, 6-7pm Opera and Literature Friday, January 15, 2016, 6-7pm Opera Unfinished Friday, March 18, 2016, 6-7pm Opera Novice is held at the Margaret C. Winston Madison Opera Center, 335 W. Mifflin Street, Madison. FREE and open to the public. RSVPs are requested.
PR E - OPER A TA LKS Join us one hour before curtain for an informative and entertaining look at the opera. Free to ticket holders!
Madison Opera in the Community In addition to presenting extraordinary opera at the Overture Center for the Arts and at Opera in the Park, Madison Opera is active throughout the community. Here are a few highlights of our engagement programs for adults and youth. Student Matinees
For over four decades, middle school and high school students from around our region have attended fully-staged opera performances. This year, over 2,000 students will enjoy matinees of La Bohème and Little Women, thanks to the subsidies provided by our generous supporters.
The High School Apprenticeship Program
A dozen high school students are chosen as apprentices every year. Throughout the season, they attend rehearsals, participate in workshops and master classes, have dinner with leading artists, and much more. Former Madison Opera High School Apprentices can be seen onstage in many of our operas.
A Night at the Opera with Big Brothers Big Sisters
Every year, a group of “Bigs” and “Littles” are treated to a private rehearsal, with a pizza party beforehand and a visit with one of our leading artists.
Angels at the Opera
Madison Opera partners with nonprofit organizations such as Agrace Hospice and Access Community Health to provide complimentary tickets to our productions for their dedicated staff and volunteers.
Community Previews
Free previews are held during the year in public libraries and retirement communities around our region, bringing the opera up close and personal to our neighborhoods.
Help Make All of This Possible! Ticket sales pay for only a third of the cost of producing an opera and all of the engagement programs that surround it. In order to bring these productions and community programs to life, Madison Opera relies upon our friends to make up the difference. From the middle school student attending her first opera to the senior citizen enjoying the beautiful music and a delicious picnic at Opera in the Park, we all say “thank you” to Madison Opera’s supporters. Please help us make everything we do possible by adding a gift to your subscription. We will provide an array of benefits – from backstage tours to rehearsals, cast parties, and more. For more information on any of these programs, please contact us at info@madisonopera.org.
SU BSCR IBE TODAY! For music. For drama. For connection. Subscribe today and guarantee yourself dates on the calendar to join your friends in the audience and on stage, immersing yourself in the fantastical world created by these writers and musicians. Subscribe to all three shows for the greatest savings – and the most thrilling year! SER IES 1. Full Season of Friday Evenings La Bohème: Nov. 13, Little Women: Feb. 5, The Tales of Hoffmann: April 15 SER IES 2. Full Season of Sunday Matinees La Bohème: Nov. 15, Little Women: Feb. 7, The Tales of Hoffmann: April 17 SER IES 3. Overture Hall Friday Evenings La Bohème: Nov. 13, The Tales of Hoffmann: April 15 SER IES 4. Overture Hall Sunday Matinees La Bohème: Nov. 15, The Tales of Hoffmann: April 17 EN JOY THESE SU BSCR IBER BEN EFITS Discounts
Subscribers save up to 15% over regular ticket prices, as well as saving up to $25 in ticketing fees compared to buying single tickets. Subscribers also receive a “Madison Opera Subscriber Card” good for free or reduced admission to Opera Up Close.
Free Exchanges
Subscribers may exchange tickets for another performance of the same opera for no cost, up to 48 hours in advance, subject to availability. (Note: We will attempt to exchange your seats for ones near your subscription seats, if possible.)
Priority Seating
Subscribers receive first choice of seats; non-subscription tickets do not go on sale until September.
Renewable seats
Subscribers can renew their same seats for the following year and are first in line to move to better seats.
Lost Ticket Insurance
Lost your tickets? Simply contact Madison Opera and we will issue replacements for free.
V EN UES & TICK ET PR ICES SER IES 1 & 2 Subscription Prices
Choose an Overture Hall level AND a Capitol Theater Level.
Overture Hall
Capitol Theater
A ($238)
A ($101)
B ($176)
B ($71)
C ($142)
C ($50)
D ($100)
D ($21)
LEVELS
LEVELS
E ($84) F ($42) G ($30)*
Price includes discounts, sales tax, and Overture Center fees.
SER IES 3 & 4 Subscription Prices
Overture Hall
Choose an Overture Hall level.
Overture Hall LEVELS A ($246) B ($186) C ($150) D ($106) E ($88)
BALCONY MEZZANINE
CIRCLE
F ($46) G ($32)*
Price includes discounts, sales tax, and Overture Center fees.
ORCHESTRA
Capitol Theater
* Please note that supertitles are not visible from Section G seats, except in the balcony.
FOUR SIMPLE WAYS TO SUBSCR IBE: 1. M A IL: Fill out the attached order form and mail it along with your payment to Madison Opera. 2. PHON E: Call Madison Opera at 608.238.8085 with your order during regular business hours. 3. ON LI N E: Visit us at www.madisonopera.org and complete an online subscription form. 4. FA X: Fax the attached order form to 608.233.3431.
For help with special needs seating or other questions, please call Patron Services at 608.238.8085 or e-mail patronservices@madisonopera.org.
THE FI N E PR I NT Checks will be deposited and credit cards charged upon receipt of your order. You will receive a postcard confirming your order; tickets will be mailed in late September 2015. Renewals must be received by June 10, 2015 to reserve the same seats as the 2014/15 season. After that, seats may be released to new subscribers. Tickets are non-refundable. Subscribers may exchange tickets for an alternate performance of the same opera up to 48 hours in advance through the Madison Opera office, subject to availability. Tickets may also be donated back to Madison Opera for a tax deduction, for which you will receive a receipt from the Opera. All casts subject to change. All sales are final. No refunds or credits will be issued.
2015/16 SUBSCR IPTION FOR M Choose your Series:
Series 1:
Series 1 or 2: Full Season
Friday Evenings
Overture Hall (La Bohème | The Tales of Hoffmann) Level Orchestra Circle Mezzanine Balcony
Section A
B
C
E
G
A
B
C
E
G
A
B
C
E
F
D
F
G
Subscription Price G
$
Series 2:
Sunday Matinées
Subtotal
Quantity
=$
x
Capitol Theater (Little Women) Level Orchestra Circle Mezzanine Balcony
Section A
Subscription Price
B
$
A B
C
C
D
D
=$
x Series 3:
Series 3 or 4: Overture Only
Friday Evenings
Overture Hall (La Bohème | The Tales of Hoffmann) Level Orchestra Circle Mezzanine Balcony
Section A
B
C
E
G
A
B
C
E
G
A
B
C
E
F
D
F
G
Subscription Price
G
$
Subtotal
Quantity
Series 4:
Sunday Matinées
Subtotal
Quantity
x
=$
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July 23, Garner Park
in the
April 15 & 17, Overture Hall
Feb. 5 & 7, Capitol Theater
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2015/16 SEASON
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