FY 2022/23
LYRIC OPERA
Jamez McCorkle (c.) as Omar leads the cast of Omar in BLO’s 2023 production.
Photo by Olivia Moon Photography.
2022/23 SEASON
Boston Lyric Opera’s 2022/23 Season was a testament to our commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement.
We dove headfirst into a full-tilt, full-scale, full-throttle season, welcoming back more audiences than we had seen in years. Our productions garnered praise for distinctive stagings, pushing artistic boundaries, and captivating audiences in profound new ways.
A highlight of the season was our collaboration with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company for a performance of Romeo and Juliet, marking BLO’s return to the Boston Common after two decades. It was a long-desired moment, uniting thousands of people in celebration of opera and inspiring us to expand the boundaries of accessibility and inclusivity. We surely won’t wait two decades before doing this again.
Our repertoire all season was groundbreaking. We reimagined La bohème, presenting the narrative in reverse from tragedy to ecstasy, breathing new life into a timeless story. A collaboration with legendary director Anne Bogart resulted in an out-of-thebox blending of Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle with Alma Mahler’s Four Songs, captivating audiences with a wildly imaginative staging at Boston’s Flynn Cruiseport Terminal.
Furthermore, we had the privilege of presenting the New England premiere of Rhiannon Giddens’ and Michael Abels’ stunning new opera Omar, reaffirming our commitment to championing new works and new voices emerging in the operatic world.
Alongside artistic triumphs, we embraced significant changes within our organization. We moved into a new headquarters and a vibrant new neighborhood in Boston’s Fort Point, symbolizing our forward momentum and commitment to growth and innovation.
I feel a significant tailwind boosting us into our future, and an immense gratitude for our community’s unwavering support and enthusiasm. We have laid the foundation for an even brighter future for Boston Lyric Opera – one filled with creativity, collaboration, and community engagement.
With deepest appreciation,
Bradley Vernatter
Stanford
Calderwood General Director and CEO, Boston Lyric Opera
Bradley Vernatter, CEO & General Director of Boston Lyric Opera.
Photo by Gary Higgins.
WELCOME
Boston Lyric Opera’s 2022/23 Season featured four mainstage productions spanning four venues, from Boston Common to the Flynn Cruiseport Terminal to the historic Emerson Colonial Theatre. Infused with familiar and new stories, the season provided multiple opportunities for audiences – both known and new – to experience the thrill of live opera.
IN THE 2022/23 SEASON, BOSTON LYRIC OPERA:
• Welcomed over 9,600 audience members to live opera onstage.
• Engaged over 13,000 people through free and low-cost public programs.
• Connected with nearly 3,000 youth through in-school and creative youth programs.
• Captivated over 7,000 audience members with free opera on the Boston Common for the first time in 20 years.
• Offered more than 600 employment opportunities for artists, musicians, technicians, and administrative workers.
We are grateful for the community network that made this Season possible – from our audience members and supporters to our union employees, Board members and vendor partners – we are honored to be a vital part of the Massachusetts creative economy.
Jamez McCorkle as Omar in BLO’s 2023 production of Omar. Photo by Olivia Moon Photography.
2022/23 SEASON
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Miguel de Bragança, Vice-Chair
Susan W. Jacobs, Treasurer
Irving H. Plotkin, Clerk
Michael J. Puzo, Chair
Catherine Bassick
Linda Cabot Black
Willa Bodman
Alicia Cooney
Wayne Davis
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Lawrence St. Clair, Co-Chair
Lydia Kenton Walsh, Co-chair
James Ackerman
Dr. Susan Bennett
Richard M. Burnes, Jr.
Ellie Cabot
Carol Deane
Larry DeVito
JoAnne Walton Dickinson
Laura Dike
Sylvia Han
David Hoffman
Kathleen Hull
Amy Hunter
Ernest Jacob
STAFF
Amy Advocat, Grant Writer
Patricia Au, Resident Teaching Artist
Eboni Bell, Executive Administrator
Alan Dynner
Robert Eastman
Andrew Eisenberg
Timothy Fulham
Mimi Hewlett
Lisa Hillenbrand
Amelia Welt Katzen
Maria J. Krokidas
Abigail B. Mason
Louise Johnson
Ellen Kaplan
Patricia Kung
Lynne L. Levitsky
Russell Lopez (Co-chair)
Anita Loscalzo
M. Lynne Markus
Kathryn McDaniel
Jillian McGrath
Kate Meany
Jo Frances Meyer
Jane Pisciottoli Papa
Samuel Parkinson
Sabbatical 2022/23
Bill Poduska
Kailey Bennett, COVID Compliance Supervisor
Allyson Bennett, COVID Compliance Supervisor
Sarah Blume, Director of Major Gifts
V Brancazio, Public Programming Coordinator
Jessica Brock, Casting Consultant
Zane Burden, Audience Services Manager
Kalee Burrows, Resident Teaching Artist
Ryan Cannister, Marketing & Communications Manager
Hannah Cassell, Audience Development Manager
Jaclyn Cleary, Artistic & Production
Payroll/Accounting Associate
Michael Costa, Production Manager
Sara Dillingham, Human Resources Manager
Susanne Potts
Stephen Ricci
Carl Rosenberg
Allison Ryder
Simone Santiago
Tricia Swift
Wynne Szeto
Frank Tempesta
Richard Trant
Amy Tsurumi
Robert Walsh
Yin-Yin Wang
Peter J. Wender
Tania Zouikin
Lauren Florek, Audience Development Manager
Andrea Gaudette, Resident Teaching Artist
Lydia Graeff, Resident Teaching Artist
Asa Graham-Lowengard, Usher
Loren Graziano, COVID Compliance Supervisor
Lisa Hanson, Senior Director of Producing Operations
Jeanna Heezen, Marketing Coordinator
Casey Johnson, Usher
Bailey Kerr, Usher
Rebecca Kirk, Director of Community & Learning
Aileen Leon-Echeverria, Administrative Manager
Lizabeth Malanga, Senior Director of Administration
Nancy McDonald, Senior Manager, Operations
Sean Meyers, Associate Director of Philanthropy
Roxanna Myhrum, Events Producer
Sara O’Brien, Director of Public Engagement
Anne M. Morgan
A. Neil Pappalardo
E. Lee Perry
Vincent Rougeau
David W. Scudder
Alex Senchak
Ray Stata
George Yip
DIRECTORS EMERITI
Steven P. Akin
J.P. Barger †
Sherif A. Nada
Horace H. Irvine II †deceased
David Orlando, Assistant Production Manager
Julia Propp, Director of Marketing & Sales
Michelle Rawding, Financial Analyst
Benjamin Richter, Artistic Senior Manager
Kimberly Sabio, Artistic Coordinator
Yong-Hee Silver, Chief Philanthropy Officer
Kay Steele, Youth Program Coordinator
William Tait, Operations Coordinator
Jon-Michael Taylor, Audience Services Associate
David Tompkins, Chief Operating Officer
Bradley Vernatter, General Director & Chief Executive Officer
Sarah Wang, Usher
The 2022/23 Season marked a significant milestone for Boston Lyric Opera, as it was the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that the Company produced four full operas. Recognizing the need to rebuild its audience and donor base to pre-pandemic levels, BLO made a strategic decision to invest heavily in operations, allocating substantial financial resources to reestablish its presence. This calculated approach included a planned operational shortfall, reflecting management’s commitment to revitalizing the Company’s foundation. Through a free production of Romeo & Juliet alongside three full productions, BLO positioned itself for long-term growth, ensuring a stronger and more engaged audience for the future.
Audiences gather on the Boston Common for BLO’s free outdoor production of Romeo & Juliet (2022). Photo by Nile Scott
Violinist Yonah Zur at BLO’s free outdoor production of Romeo & Juliet (2022).
Photo by Nile Scott
Vanessa Becerra as Juliet and Joshua Conyers as Capulet in BLO’s 2022 production of Romeo & Juliet
Photo by Nile Scott
(L.-R.) Nicholas LaGesse (Mercutio), Ricardo Garcia (Romeo), and Mack Wolz (Stephano) in BLO’s 2022 production of Romeo & Juliet
BLO FINANCIAL SUMMARY
FY23 OPERATING REVENUE:
FY23 OPERATING EXPENSE:
OPERATING RESULTS | $THOUSANDS
OPERATING RESULTS | $THOUSANDS
THE 2022/23 SEASON IN RETROSPECT
Boston Lyric Opera’s 2022/23 Season was defined by innovation, with new and familiar narratives unfolding in both traditional and unexpected spaces, told by large choruses, intimate duets, and compelling solo voices alike.
From a free, collaborative performance of a Shakespeare classic on the Boston Common and a backwards retelling of one of the most popular operas in the canon, to an inventive pairing of two rarely performed works, followed by the New England premiere of a Pulitzer Prize-winning opera, Boston Lyric Opera continued to broaden and deepen its community partnerships with a strong commitment to the belief that opera is for everyone.
L-R: Naomi Louisa O’Connell (r.) as Judith slowly learns more about Bluebeard’s six previous wives in BLO’s 2023 production of Bluebeard’s Castle | Four Songs. Photo by Liza Voll Photography. | Jesus Garcia and Lauren Michelle as Rodolfo and Mimì in BLO’s 2022 production of La bohème. Photo by Olivia Moon Photography. | A lively dance takes place during BLO’s 2023 production of Omar. Photo by Olivia Moon Photography. | Vanessa Becerra and Ricardo Garcia in the title roles of BLO’s 2022 production of Romeo & Juliet
Photo by Nile Scott.
ARTIST ROSTER
ORCHESTRA
2022/23
VIOLIN
Annie Rabbat, Concertmaster
Sarah Atwood, Principal Second
Stacey Alden
Heidi Braun-Hill
Robert Curtis
Colin Davis
Tera Gorsett
Rohan Gregory
Jodi Hagen
Zenas Hsu
Sandra Kott
Pattison Story
VIOLA
Kenneth Stalberg, principal
David Feltner
Donna Jerome
Abigail Kubert-Cross
CELLO
Loewi Lin, principal
Melanie Dyball
Jan Pfeiffer-Rios
Aron Zelkowicz
BASS
Robert Lynam, principal
Barry Boettger
FLUTE
Linda Toote, principal
Iva Milch
OBOE
Nancy Dimock, principal
Lynda Jacquin
CLARINET
Jan Halloran, principal
Nicholas Brown
BASSOON
Ronald Haroutunian, principal
Rachel Juszczak
HORN
Kevin Owen, principal
Whitacre Hill
Dirk Hillyer
Iris Rosenstein
TRUMPET
Bruce Hall, principal
Jesse Levine, 2nd valve trumpet only; 1st or 2nd natural trumpet
TROMBONE
Robert Couture, principal
Hans Bohn
Cameron Owen
TUBA
Donald Rankin, principal
TIMPANI
Jeffrey Fischer, principal
PERCUSSION
Richard Flanagan, principal
HARP
Ina Zdorovetchi, principal
MUSIC LIBRARIAN AND ORCHESTRA CONTRACTOR
Nicholas Brown
CHORUS 2022/
23
SOPRANO
Alisa Cassola
Melynda Davis
Kelley Hollis
Ashley Jones
Marie McCarville
Kay Patterson
Brianna J. Robinson
Abigail Smith
Isabelle Zeledón
ALTO
Kendra Beasley
Amal El-Shrafi
Heather Gallagher
Jaime Korkos
Katherine Maysek
Alexis Peart
Isabelle Randall
Arielle Rogers-Wilkey
Vanessa Schukis
Madison Smith
Holly Zagaria
TENOR
Kartik Ayysola
Ethan Bremner
Christon Carney
Daon Drisdom
Joel Edwards
William Lim
Christopher Maher
David Rivera Bozón
Fred C. VanNess, Jr.
BASS
Gift Anyagwochu
Scott Ballantine
Keith Brinkley
RaShaun D. Campbell
Joel Clemens
Fred Furnari
Michael Galvin
Taylor Horner
Todd McNeel
Marcus Schenck
Andrew Stack
EMERGING ARTISTS 2022/23
Junhan Choi, baritone
Nicholas LaGesse, baritone
Brianna J. Robinson, soprano
Fred C. VanNess, Jr., tenor
Cierra Byrd (Fatima) and Jamez McCorkle (Omar) share a tender moment during BLO’s 2023 production of Omar. Photo by Olivia Moon
Naomi Louisa O’Connell as Judith in BLO’s 2023 production of Bluebeard’s Castle | Four Songs. Photo by Liza Voll Photography
Audience members at BLO’s free 2022 production of Romeo & Juliet on the Boston Common. Photo by Nile Scott
Music Director David Angus conducts the BLO orchestra during BLO’s 2023 production of Bluebeard’s Castle | Four Songs. Photo by Liza Voll Photography
Lauren Michelle (Mimì) chats with audience members at the final dress rehearsal for BLO’s 2022 production of La bohème
Photo by Olivia Moon
Mason Bynes, composer of The Wanderer’s Tethering, speaks at BLO’s world premiere of her work in 2023. Photo by Nikolai Alexander
Ricardo Garcia as Romeo and Vanessa Becerra as Juliet share a tender moment during BLO’s 2022 production of Romeo & Juliet
ROMEO & JULIET
ROMEO & JULIET
August 11-13, 2022 FREE on the BOSTON COMMON
Music by Charles Gounod
Libretto by Jules Barbier & Michel Carré, after Shakespeare
English text by Edmund Tracy
Performance edition by David Angus, Steven Maler, and John Conklin
David Angus Conductor
Steven Maler* Stage Director
John Conklin Dramaturg
Eric Southern* Production/Lighting Designer
Nancy Leary Costume Designer
Victoria L. Awkward Choreographer
Brett Hodgdon‡ Chorus Director
Douglas Sumi Brendon Shapiro‡, Rehearsal Coaches/Pianists
Nile Hawver Fight Director
Kathleen Stakenas Assistant Stage Director
Miguel Flores Stage Manager
CAST (in order of vocal appearance)
Vanessa Becerra* Juliet
Ricardo Garcia* Romeo
Mack Wolz* Stephano
Nicholas LaGesse• Mercutio
Omar Najmi‡ Tybalt
Fred C. VanNess, Jr.• Paris
Joshua Conyers* Capulet
Arielle Rogers-Wilkey Gertrude/Juliet’s Nurse
Junhan Choi• Gregorio
Philip Lima* Friar Laurent
Ed Hoopman* Actor
Cheryl D. Singleton* Actor
*Boston Lyric Opera Debut
•BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist
‡BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist Alum
“A well-executed, rewarding night of opera in the heart of the city!”
“The performance was lifted by its strong singing and the fine work from the onstage 47-piece orchestra.”
“Vanessa Becerra as Juliet [is] a gifted young soprano on the rise; she sang with clarity, luster, and charisma.”
“BLO music director David Angus had the orchestra and chorus sounding in good form, and his fluid, idiomatic approach to Gounod’s voluptuously songful score anchored the evening as a whole.”
“It was good to see BLO back on the Common, and the company deserves credit for delivering this opera as a kind of gift to the city at large.”
– The Boston Globe
“…an
“The of “Tenor suited with
“Exquisite melodies! A treat [and] a rare opportunity to experience Romeo & Juliet.”
“…an audience of thousands, reclining on blankets and beach chairs while absorbing Gounod’s exquisite melodies.”
“The BLO orchestra and chorus performed admirably under the firm hand of music director David Angus. And BLO’s cast did not disappoint.”
“Tenor Ricardo Garcia and soprano Vanessa Becerra were both ideally suited to their roles as the star-crossed lovers…[they] acted their roles with appropriate passion. Garcia’s voice had just the right heroic timbre for Romeo. Becerra was a joy to hear.”
– EDGE Boston
“Beautifully stylized! An outstanding production!”
“A great way to introduce those who don’t know they’re going to love opera’s glories.”
“Ricardo Garcia as Romeo and Vanessa Becerra as Juliet put across the youthful energy and beautiful voices needed for these demanding roles.”
“Baritone Nicholas LaGesse and mezzo Mack Wolz really stood out… Hear both these singers while you can; they’re going places.”
– The Boston Musical Intelligencer
Boston Lyric Opera: Annual Report 2022/23
Romeo (Ricardo Garcia) mourns the apparent death of Juliet (Vanessa Becerra), not knowing that it is a ruse, in BLO’s 2022 production of Romeo & Juliet. Photo by Nile Scott.
Gregorio (David McFerrin) and Stephano (Mack Wolz) duel after trading insults in Romeo & Juliet. Photo by Nile Scott.
Mack Wolz as the irrepressible Stephano in Romeo & Juliet. Photo by Nile Scott.
LA BOHÈME
LA BOHÈME
September 23-October 2, 2022
EMERSON COLONIAL THEATRE
A co-production of Boston Lyric Opera, Detroit Opera, and Spoleto Festival USA.
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica & Giuseppe Giacosa
David Angus, Conductor
Yuval Sharon* Stage Director
James Blaszko* Revival Director
Jon Conklin Set Designer
Jessica Jahn* Costume Designer
John Torres* Lighting Designer
Earon Dianna* Wig & Makeup Designer
Annie Rabbat Orchestra Leader
Brett Hodgdon‡ Chorus Director
Dan Ryan VOICES Boston Music Director
Nicolas Giusti Rehearsal Coach/Accompanist
Michael Janney Stage Manager
CAST (in order of vocal appearance)
Marshall Hughes The Wanderer
Edward Parks* Marcello
Jesus Garcia Rodolfo
William Guanbo Su* Colline
Benjamin Taylor* Schaunard
Chelsea Basler‡ Musetta
Lauren Michelle Mimì
Rashaun D. Campbell Sergeant
Devon Russo Custom-House Officer
William Lim Prune Man
Fred C. VanNess, Jr.• Parpignol
Junhan Choi• Alcindoro
*Boston Lyric Opera debut
•BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist
‡ BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist Alum
Jesus Garcia and Lauren Michelle as Rodolfo and Mimì in BLO’s 2022 production of La bohème
Photo by Olivia Moon Photography.
All photos by Olivia Moon Photography. Backsplash): BLO artists are joined by members of VOICES Boston for a wintry festival scene in BLO’s 2022 production of La bohème. | L-R: Marshall Hughes as The Wanderer in BLO’s 2022 production of La bohème. Photo by Olivia Moon. | Chelsea Balser as Musetta in BLO’s 2022 production of La bohème. Photo by Olivia Moon | Benjamin Taylor (l.) as Schaunard and Jesus Garcia as Rodolfo (r.) during a playful moment in BLO’s 2022 production of La bohème. Photo by Olivia Moon
“See this Bohème!”
“An engrossing perspective shift! Boston Lyric Opera…cast(s) new light on an old warhorse.”
“The cast made a stellar showing…It was impossible not to fall in love with Mimì — a truly luminous Lauren Michelle.” –The Boston Globe
“…a production of decisive moments…makes Puccini’s tragedy more about the why than the what of it all.” – The New York Times
“The story becomes one of swift, fleeting youth, the bareness of the characters’ physical lives contrasted with the richness of their dreams. We also leave the performance with the memory of hope and promise, rather than the story’s sad conclusion.” – The Wall Street Journal
BLUEBEARD’S CASTLE | FOUR SONGS
BLUEBEARD’S CASTLE | FOUR SONGS
March 22-26, 2023
THE TERMINAL @ FLYNN CRUISEPORT BOSTON
Bluebeard’s Castle by Béla Bartók
Libretto by Béla Balázs
Arranged by Eberhard Kloke
Four Songs
By Alma Mahler
Poems by Otto Julius Bierbaum, Richard Fedor
Leopold Dehmel, and Gustav Falke
David Angus Conductor
Anne Bogart Stage Director
Sara Brown Set Designer
Trevor Bowen Costume Designer
Brian Scott Lighting Designer
Victoria L. Awkward Movement Director
Angie Jepson Intimacy Director
Annie Rabbat Orchestra Leader
Brett Hodgdon‡ Chorus Director
Brendon Shapiro‡ Rehearsal Coach/Pianist
Carmen Catherine Alfaro Stage Manager
CAST (in order of vocal appearance)
Naomi Louisa O’Connell* Judith
Ryan McKinny* Bluebeard
Victoria L. Awkward Wife
Olivia Moon Wife
Marissa Molinar Wife
Sasha Peterson Wife
Aliza Franz* Wife
Cassie Wang* Wife
Yukiko Oba Solo Pianist
*Boston Lyric Opera Debut
•BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist
‡BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist Alum
Bluebeard’s previous wives reach out to Judith (Naomi Louisa O’Connell) in BLO’s 2023 production of Bluebeard’s Castle | Four Songs. Photo by Liza Voll Photography.
“Wonderfully imaginative…This production of Bartók’s ‘Bluebeard’s Castle’ is one of BLO’s most compelling in recent memory.”
“Anne Bogart has created a production that resonates sympathetically with the vivid, kaleidoscopic music of Bartók’s score.”
“Excellent vocal performances are at the heart of the evening. Ryan McKinny [sang] a rare blend of dramatic force and subtlety. Naomi Louisa O’Connell sang with coolly gleaming tones and a well-honed sense of her character’s obsessive urge to reveal the Duke’s secrets.”
“Riveting…a night of music and theater brought into a kind of elusive accord…sets as its new standard.”
– The Boston Globe
“Breathtaking…a stunning mixture of choreography and song.”
“…an electrifying, artistic happening…Worth dropping everything to secure a ticket. You’ll be sorry if you don’t.”
“Sheer brilliance…There needs to be a new term coined for BLO’s current production: ‘opera’ doesn’t begin to describe the multi-sensorial experience provided by this inventive, exciting, and unique installation event.”
“Naomi Louisa O’Connell is iridescent and silver-throated; Ryan McKinny is commanding.”
– Theater Mirror
Judith (Naomi Lousia O’Connell) slowly unravels the sinister mystery of Bluebeard (Ryan McKinny) in BLO’s 2023 production of Bluebeard’s Castle | Four Songs. Photo by Liza Voll Photography.
OMAR
OMAR
May 4-7, 2023
EMERSON CUTLER MAJESTIC
THEATRE
Winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in Music
Omar is co-produced by Spoleto Festival USA and Carolina Performing Arts at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and co-commissioned by LA Opera, Spoleto Festival USA, Carolina Performing Arts, Boston Lyric Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Music by Rhiannon Giddens & Michael Abels
Libretto by Rhiannon Giddens
Michael Ellis Ingram* Conductor
Kaneza Schaal* Stage Director
Christopher Myers* Production Designer
Amy Rubin* Set Designer
April Hickman* Costume Designer
Micheline Russell-Brown* Costume Designer
Lucrecia Briceno* Lighting Designer
Alejandro Fajardo* Lighting Co-Designer
Joshua Higgason* Video Designer
Frandresha Hall* Wig & Makeup Designer
Kiara Benn* Choreographer
Jackie Davis Intimacy Director
Annie Rabbat Orchestra Leader
Brett Hodgdon‡ Chorus Director
Brendon Shapiro‡ Rehearsal Coach/Pianist
Michael Janney Stage Manager
CAST (in order of vocal appearance)
Jamez McCorkle*Omar
Cierra Byrd* Fatima/ Omar’s Mother
Daniel Okulitch* James Owen/Johnson
Brianna J. Robinson• Julie
Neal Ferreira‡ Auctioneer/Taylor
Emma Sorenson‡ Eliza, Owen’s Daughter
Catherine Anne Daniel Katie Ellen/The Caller
Nicholas LaGesse•Abdul, Omar’s Brother/ Abe
Fred C. VanNess, Jr.• Amadou/Renty
Christon Carney Suleiman/Townsperson 1
Christopher Humbert, Jr. Olufemi
Kiara Benn The Figure
*Boston Lyric Opera Debut
•BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist
‡BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist Alum
Backsplash: Jamez McCorkle (c.) as Omar leads the cast of Omar in BLO’s 2023 production. Photo by Olivia Moon Photography.
“Striking…stunning… imaginative…BLO’s ‘Omar’ is a prayer answered!”
“A poetic and meditative prayer honoring the memory of enslaved Muslims.”
“Soprano Brianna J. Robinson [is] a radiant voice and presence.”
– The Boston Globe
“Omar triumphed in a sold-out run!”
“ …intelligent and emotionally gripping… evoked beauty, revulsion, fear, and the universality of humanity.”
“Cierra Byrd consistently produced heart-wrenching and warm tones.”
“Brianna J. Robinson shined…rightfully earning applause at the end of her aria.”
“Jamez McCorkle gave the standout performance through his emotive facial expressions and his powerful, clear, and rich voice.”
“Everyone involved in the BLO’s production of ‘Omar’ deserves praise for putting on such a thoughtful, emotional, and above all excellent show.”
– The Boston Musical Intelligencer
“OMAR’s storytelling is an act of life and liberation…active, purposeful, and dramaturgically satisfying.”
“Expansive in both scope and depth…[with a] robust score that seamlessly integrates musical influences across geographic and temporal lines.”
“In the hands of Rhiannon Giddens, Michael Abels, and Kaneza Schaal, OMAR is a séance…
Omar’s spirit, with a host of others, was alive!”
– New England Theatre Geek
Julie (Brianna J. Robinson) tells Omar (Jamez McCorkle) about her family history in Omar . Photo by Olivia Moon Photography.
THE WANDERER’S TETHERING
THE WANDERER’S TETHERING
June 18, 2023
HIBERNIAN HALL
The Wanderer’s Tethering was commissioned by Boston Lyric Opera with lead commissioning support by Merrill Family Charitable Foundation. Presented in partnership with Castle of Our Skins and Hibernian Hall.
Music by Mason Bynes* Libretto by Porsha Olayiwola*
FEATURING
Brianna J. Robinson• Soprano
Porsha Olayiwola* Poet
Matthew Vera* Violin
Grant Houston* Violin
Ashleigh Gordon Viola
Leo Eguchi* Cello
*Boston Lyric Opera Debut
•BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist
‡BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist Alum
Brianna J. Robinson as Tobi in BLO’s 2023 world premiere of The Wanderer’s Tethering
Photo by Nikolai Alexander
Members of the Castle of Our Skins string quartet perform in The Wanderer’s Tethering. Photo by Nikolai Alexander
Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola, librettist for The Wanderer’s Tethering, performs in BLO’s 2023 world premiere of her work.
Photo by Nikolai Alexander
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY PARTNERSHIP
899 ATTENDEES BETWEEN OPERA NIGHT AT THE BPL AND CONCERT IN THE COURTYARD EVENTS
CONCERT IN THE COURTYARD
Featured artists
Nathan Troup‡, Director
Michelle Trainor‡, Soprano
Chelsea Baccay*, Soprano
Fred C. VanNess Jr.•, Tenor
Junhan Choi•, Baritone
Brendon Shapiro‡, Pianist
OPERA NIGHTS AT THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
The
Power of Women’s Voices
In honor of Women’s History Month, Boston Lyric Opera presented a revelatory evening exploring the power of women’s voices in opera performance, musical composition, and professional advocacy. Artist-scholar Dr. Dana Lynne Varga led a conversation with fellow singers about the historical, dramaturgical, and personal resonance of vocal music drawn from wide-ranging contexts. Curated by BLO Artistic Advisor Nina Yoshida Nelsen, the musical program included works by Alma Mahler, Florence Price, and other extraordinary female composers.
Featured Performers
Dana Lynne Varga, Moderator and Soprano
Maja Tremiszewska*, Pianist
Brianna J. Robinson•, Soprano
Michelle Trainor‡, Soprano
Opera Night at the Boston Public Library: The Power of Women’s Voices, a March 2023 event, one of many in BLO’s longstanding partnership with the BPL. Photo courtesy of BLO Staff.
PARTNERSHIP
Representation Matters: AAPI Voices and Stories
Boston Lyric Opera presented an evening of opera performance and conversation exploring what it means to have Asian representation in the opera industry, which stories we choose to share, and who gets creative ownership in telling these stories. BLO Artistic Advisor, founder of Asian Opera Alliance, and mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen led a dialogue with fellow artists about the historical, dramaturgical, and personal relevance of contemporary and classic repertoire. This evening continued the conversation that BLO began with The Butterfly Process, an in-depth community conversation that centered Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voices in examining the history and legacy of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.
Featured Performers
Nina Yoshida Nelsen, Moderator and Mezzo-Soprano
Omar Najmi‡, Tenor
Junhan Choi•, Baritone
Brendon Shapiro‡, Pianist
Junhan Choi performs in a BLO Concert in the Courtyard event at the Boston Public Library, Central Branch. Photo courtesy of BLO Staff.
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY PARTNERSHIP
268
total audience members across 8 performances!
Opera Stories
Opera Stories: Hansel and Gretel was an interactive performance for all ages, ideal for kids aged 5-12, using Humperdinck’s opera to playfully show how a story can be brought to life through music, acting, and movement. In this dynamic, one-hour presentation, two singers, a pianist, and a teaching artist engaged audiences in an interactive introduction to opera.
Previously offered during February Break, this was our first year returning to the BPL System since the pandemic. In 2023, BLO brought the program to the Central Library Children’s Room at the beginning of April Break, and to seven library branches across Boston right after school let out in late June. This marked the fourth year of offering this program in partnership with the BPL.
BLO also piloted the program at the Boston Children’s Museum in February 2023.
Featuring:
Sarah Joyce Cooper• Gretel
Ann-Marie Iacoviello* Gretel
Chihiro Asano* Hansel
Roselin Osser Hansel
Lydia Jane Graeff Narrator/Teaching Artist & Stage Director
V Brancazio* Narrator/Teaching Artist
Kalee Burrows* Narrator/Teaching Artist
Patricia Au Pianist/Teaching Artist & Music Director
Ji Yung Lee Pianist/Teaching Artist
Children enjoy a free BLO performance of Hansel and Gretel at Edward Everett Elementary in Dorchester, MA in February 2023. Photo courtesy of BLO Staff.
Create Your Own Opera
The Create Your Own Opera (CYOO) is an arts-integrated, project-based, co-taught learning model customized to fit the teaching and learning goals of each particular classroom. Based in the nationally recognized Music! Words! Opera! (MWO) curriculum owned by Opera America, the program supports teachers in planning and implementing arts-integrated lessons into their daily curricula over the course of the school year. 2023 was the 13th year BLO has been supporting opera creation using the MWO curriculum. With the support of classroom teachers and BLO Resident Teaching Artists, students are empowered to lead the writing, composing, directing, rehearsing, design, and technical theatre process of bringing an original work from page to stage. Each project culminates in the performance of a student-written opera, with the 2023 performances taking place between mid-April and mid-June.
The CYOO year-long partnership components include:
AUGUST: Professional Development Intensive for Teachers: Opera Creation Boot Camp
OCTOBER: Goal Setting and Curriculum Planning with a BLO Resident Teaching Artist
FEBRUARY: Opera 101: Hansel & Gretel live interactive performance to introduce opera.
MARCH-JUNE: Up to 10 sessions with a BLO Resident Teaching Artist
JUNE: Support for final performance including video, photos, AV, etc.
The 2023 residencies were supported by BLO Resident Teaching Artists Kalee Burrows, theatre specialist; and Andrea Gaudette, composer, who spent a combined 125 hours in classrooms supporting the opera creation process.
As part of our partnership with the Boston Arts Academy Vocal Music Department, BAA students were offered pre-professional opportunities, including masterclasses and sessions with BLO’s teaching artists, and were invited to attend rehearsals and final dress rehearsals of BLO mainstage operas. Though BAA students did not create their own opera, they received support for their abridged production of Bizet’s Carmen from Resident Teaching Artist Kalee Burrows in the spring.
In 2023 there were
374 student participants in 21 classrooms across 8 schools
20 student-written operas
1,467 total audience members at the world premieres
*Boston Lyric Opera Debut
•BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist
‡BLO Jane & Steven Akin Emerging Artist Alum
L-R: Roselin Osser (Hansel), Kalee Burrows (Narrator), Sarah Joyce Cooper (Gretel), and Patricia Au (Pianist) conjure the story of Hansel and Gretel for their young audience members. Photo courtesy of BLO Staff.
DONOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (FY 2023)
CRESCENDO ($100,000+)
Linda Cabot Black*§
Willa* and Taylor Bodman†
Gerard and Sherryl Cohen
Cricket Foundation
Wayne Davis and Ann Merrifield*§†
Andrew L. Eisenberg*
Massachusetts Cultural Council
Miss Wallace Minot Leonard Foundation
The Montrone Family
Mr.‡ and Mrs. E. Lee Perry*
ALLEGRO ($10,000-$24,999)
Anonymous (1)
Catherine* and Michael Bassick
Katie and Paul Buttenwieser
Ms. Ellen Cabot*
Susan Denison
Mr. Lawrence M. DeVito*§
Robert Eastman*§†
Estate of Emily C. Hood‡
Kathryn G. Freed, in memory of Dean and Patti Freed§
Graham and Ann Gund
The Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation
Kathleen Hull*†
Ernest Jacob*†
Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Johnson‡
Ellen* and Robert Kaplan§
Ms. Amelia Katzen*†
Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Anita Loscalzo*†
Mattina R. Proctor Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. David S. McCue
MEDITECH
Merrill Family Charitable Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Olney III†
Paul And Edith Babson Foundation
Winfield and Linda Perry
Dr. and Mrs. John William Poduska, Sr.*
Peter and Suzanne Read§
Mr. and Mrs. Vincent* and Robin Rougeau†
Larry* and Beverly St. Clair†
Dr. Robert Walsh* and Lydia Kenton Walsh*
George* and Moira Yip
Ms. Tania Zouikin*§†
ADAGIO ($5,000-$9,999)
AAaron Copland Fund for Music Anonymous (2), 1*†
David W Scudder*§†
Mr.* and Mrs. Ray Stata
VIVACE ($50,000-$99,999)
Rick Burnes*§
Alicia M. Cooney* and Stephen Quigley§†
Miguel* and Suki de Bragança†
Alan* and Lisa Dynner§†
Mr. and Mrs. Amos B. Hostetter, Jr.
Susan W. Jacobs*§†
Anne M. Morgan*†
National Endowment for the Arts
The Aaron Copland Fund for Music
Sam‡ and Nancy Altschuler
The Amphion Foundation
Michael Barza and Judith Robinson
Drs. Susan E. Bennett* and Gerald B. Pier†
BPS Arts Expansion Fund at EdVestors
Nancy and Laury Coolidge
Corning Incorporated Foundation
Ms. RoAnn Costin
Ms. JoAnne Dickinson*†
Dr. Jordan S. Ruboy Charitable Fund§‡
Dr. Kurt D. Gress and Mr. Samuel Y. Parkinson*
Kathy and Ron Groves
Sylvia Han*†
Mr. Keith Higgins
David Hoffman* and Deborah Friedman
Morton Hoffman, In Loving Memory of Sandy Hoffman‡
Amy Hunter* and Steven Maguire§
Mr. Matthew Hurley
James W. Boynton Fund
Milling Kinard
Patricia* and George Kung
Drs. Lynne* and Sidney Levitsky
Lincoln and Therese Filene Foundation
Ms. M. Lynne Markus*§
Kathryn McDaniel*†
Kate Meany*
Jo Frances Meyer*†
Gregory E. Moore and Wynne W. Szeto*†
William and Lia Poorvu
Related Beal LLC
Mr. Carl Rosenberg*
Simone Santiago*†
Stephen and Peg Senturia†
Andrew Sherman and Russ Lopez*§†
Susan Stamler
Ms. Tricia Swift*†
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tempesta*
Christine and Michael Puzo*§†
Stephen* and Geraldine Ricci
Wendy Shattuck and Sam Plimpton
Yong-Hee Silver
PRESTO ($25,000-$49,999)
Anonymous (1)
Cabot Family Charitable Trust
John H. Deknatel and Carol M. Taylor†
Fannie Cox Foundation
Mimi Hewlett*§
Lisa Hillenbrand*†
Maria Krokidas* and Bruce Bullen†
Dr. Nelson Thaemert & Mr. Brian Gokey†
Mr. Richard Trant*
Ms. Amy Tsurumi*†
UBS Financial Services, Inc.
Yin-Yin Wang*†
Peter Wender*§
GRAZIOSO ($3,000-$4,999)
Kathy Boyce
Ms. Mei Po Cheung
Marjorie B. and Martin Cohn
Nathaniel and Nancy Gardiner
Nick and Marjorie Greville
David Kirk†
Dr. Maydee G. Lande, in memory of her father
Dick and Nadine Lindzen
Esther Nelson and Bernd Ulken
Shari and Christopher Noe
Jane Pisciottoli Papa*
Mr. Andrew Szentgyorgyi
ADVOCATE ($1,500-$2,999)
Anonymous (2)
Mr. Bernard Aserkoff
Beard Family Charitable Trust
Ms. Ann Beha and Mr. Robert A. Radloff
Ms. Jane Biondi
Ms. Jane Carr and Mr. Andrew Hertig
Mr. John Conklin
Pamela and Belden Daniels
Anne Lyons Dolan, In Memory Of Susan Eastman§
Edmund and Betsy Cabot
Charitable Foundation
Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Inc.
Christopher and Hilary Gabrieli
Mrs. G. Peabody Gardner
Dr. David Golan and Dr. Laura Green
Abigail B. Mason*§
Lise Olney and Tim Fulham*†
Mr. and Mrs. A. Neil Pappalardo*
Janet and Irv Plotkin*§†
Allison Ryder* and David Jones
Bradley Vernatter
Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation
Mr. Joseph Hammer§
Mr. and Mrs. John Henn
Art and Eloise Hodges
Ms. Louise Johnson*
Adrian Jones
Eva R. Karger§
Stan & Sandy Keller
Pam Lassiter
Lyn and Boardman Lloyd
Mr. Joseph Mari
Jane and Jeffrey Marshall
Jillian C. McGrath*
Mary and Sherif Nada*§
Esther Nelson and Bernd Ulken
Mr. Richard S. Perkins, Jr
Ms. Suzanne Pucker
Melinda and James Rabb
Dr. and Mrs. R. Michael Scott
Sayre Sheldon
David Shukis and Susan Blair
Silicon Valley Community Foundation, IMO Pamela Pinsky
R. S. Steinberg
Mr. John Stevens and Ms. Virginia McIntyre
Campbell Steward
Myles Striar
Ernst Ter Haar
Ms. Melissa Tully
Kelda & Quentin Vernatter
Albert and Judith Zabin
SUSTAINER ($500-$1,499)
Anonymous (1)
Nancy Berkowitz
Leonard and Jane Bernstein
Dorothy and Hale Bradt
James Dalsimer
Mr. Mark Donohoe
Colleen Flanigan
Laurie Gould and Stephen Ansolabehere
Dr. Robert J. Henry, M.D.
Fred Hoppin
Mr. and Mrs. C. Bruce Johnstone, in honor of Steve and Jane Akin
Ms. Elizabeth Kastner
Jonathan and Deborah Kolb
Eric Krupka
Ms. Lucy LaFleche
Ricardo and Marla Lewitus
Joe and Pam LoDato§
Ms. Virginia Meany
Ferris Olin
Mr. William Pananos
Mr. Gene Pokorny
Barbara and Terry Reideler
Max and Meredith Russell
Mr. Michael Schaefer
Ms. Valentine Talland
Andrea Urban
Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Weld
Ms. Mary Wolfson
Mr. and Ms. Douglas Woodlock
CONTRIBUTOR ($250-$499)
Anonymous (3)
Kathleen Beckman
Sarah B. Blume
Thomas Burger and Andree Robert
Nancy Carey
Ms. Mary Chamberlain
Patricia G. and Peter V. Cooper
Mr. Eugene Cox
James F. Crowley, Jr.
Mr. Paul Curtis
Tamara P. and Charles H. Davis II§
Laura Dike and Vaughn Miller*
Ms. Catharine-Mary Donovan
Mr. Don Eyles
Jack Fabiano and Noel McCoy
Prof. James A. Glazier
Donald Goldstein
Susan Goodwin
Lesli Gordon
Victoria Graboys
Sylvia Hammer
Ms. Christine G. Hannon
Mr. and Mrs. James J. Harper
Jacqueline G. Haslett, EdD
Elinore and Herbert Kagan
Mr. Merrill Mack
Quinn MacKenzie
Peter and Gail Marcus
Maeve Markey and John Greene
James and Caroline McCloy
Margaret McDormand, in memory of Anna Elizabeth McDormand
Microsoft Corporation
Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Moore
Mr. Fred Nagle
Frank Porcelli
R. Lynn Rardin and Lynne A. O’Connell
Mr. Jack Reynolds
Dr. and Mrs.‡ John Robinson
Rafael M Sámano
Mr. Frank Santangelo
Ms. Jean Scarrow
David Sears and Janet Stein
Varda and Israel Shaked
Samuel Shamoon
Michael Skatrud
Carolyn Spicer
John and Mary Tarvin
Ann B. Teixeira
Jerome Weinstein
SUPPORTER ($100-$249)
Anonymous (4)
Amazon Smiles
Mrs. Margarete Arndt
Catherine Backer
Tricia and Peter Baylor
Alan Benenfeld
Carolyn Bitetti and T. Christopher
Donnelly
Ms. Gwen Blumberg
Ms. Lynne Breed
Ms. Laurie A. Brown
Stanford Brown
Ms. Janet Buecker
Catharine B Burke
Pauline Ho Bynum
Ms. Suzanne B. Caton
Ms. Lillian Chan
Sally Chapman
Fred Cohen
Mrs. Cynthia Bradley
Jeannie Ackerman Curhan and
Joseph C. Williams
Ms. Victoria Danberg
Ms. Kathryn Disney
Robert Doane
Charles and Sheila Donahue
Ms. Priscilla Douglas
Ms. Joanne A. Dreher
Irina Dubinina
Lisabeth During
Ms. Jane Epstein
Martin and Susana Fantozzi
Jean Fuller Farrington
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn L. Fencer
Jonathan Florman
Sarah Gallivan and Gopal Kadagathur‡
Mr. and Mrs. Dozier Gardner
Christopher Gassett
Stephanie J. Geosits
Catherine Gerson
Andrew and Sahar Getsey
Diane Gipson
Jay Glaser and Susana Williams
Fran and Michael Goldberg
Ms. Ronda Goodale
Chris Hahm
Susannah Hardwick
Rob Harris
Mrs. George Hatsopoulos
Barry and Liz Horwitz
Mark Karchov
Courtney Keller§
Ms. Anne Kelly
Nancy Kougeas
Ms. Virginia Kropas
Robert W. Kruszyna§
Heather A. Laplante
Alex Lapshin
Rebecca A. Lee
Ruth Levitsky
Marilyn Levitt and Andrew Friedland
Deborah R. Litvin, in memory of Sylvia J. Riese
Professor Deidre Lynch
Barbara P. Madden
Mr. Maurice Mahoney
Domenico Mastrototaro§
Evelyn McFadden, in memory of George Seaman
Ms. Patricia McGovern
Chelsea Merz
Mr. Stephen L. Michaels
Richard Miller
Ms. Kati Mitchell
Ms. Sandra Moose
Daniel and Mayo Morgan
Dr. Phyllis Moriarty
Mr. James Murphy
Stephen Murray
Rob Nelson
Newell and Betty Hale Fund of Greater Worcester
Ms. Jane Niebling
Valerie Swett Nigh
Davis and Carol Noble
Ms. Diane Ota
Mr. John Palys
Anne Pellegrino
Ms. Mary Crain Penniman
Marie E. Pereto-Hedin
John Pierce
Ms. Helen R. Pillsbury
John and Elaine Pisciottoli
Ms. Claudia Pouravelis
Ms. Julia Propp
Patrick Rivelli
Mr. and Mrs. Pasquale Rullo, in memory of Carmine Rullo
Nicholas G. Russell
Dr. and Mrs. Richard Ryder
Peter Schmidt
Lauren Schultes
Michael Senturia and Pauline
Ma-Senturia
Mr. Theodore Sharpe
Ms. Barbara Shaw
Oren Sherman
Mitchel Sosis
Mrs. Barbara Spark
Mr. Alan J. Strauss
Mirna Succari
Diane C. Tillotson
Amy and Matthew Torrey
Mr. Konstantin Tyurin and Ms. Kirstin Ilse
Martha C. Ulken
Mary Verhage
Mr. Jerry Wheelock and Elizabeth Wood
Virginia and Stephen White
Susan Wing and Thomas Lavin
Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Wright
Elizabeth Wylde and Lance Drane
