From walking down the aisle to hosting an annual fundraiser, the theater is all yours. Michigan's premier venue is unmatched, offering versatile spaces for any celebration. Home to world-class performances and legendary productions, the historic Detroit Opera House offers a backdrop of elegance and drama. Between our exclusive lounges, main stage, grand lobby, and 360° panorama-view Sky Deck, this iconic venue is guaranteed to impress your guests.
Discover why we’re Detroit’s destination for show-stopping experiences.
A message from Patty Isacson Sabee
Welcome to our 24/25 Season!
We are thrilled to host you at the glorious Detroit Opera House with a much fuller series of programs than last year, producing four powerful operas on our main stage and doubling the number of dance companies we present. We are delighted to embrace so many new and renewing subscribers and to see our dance fans join us for opera—and vice versa.
In our 54th season, we are proud to open with the news that Yuval Sharon, our Gary L. Wasserman Artistic Director, has renewed his relationship with Detroit Opera through the 27/28 season. A visionary leader, he continues to build on this company’s legacy of innovation and sets the stage for ever more creative and unexpected ways to transform our experience of opera and dance.
And while he has been busy with dynamic projects here and abroad, he somehow found the time to write a book! A New Philosophy of Opera was published in September to critical acclaim and animated discussion in many major media outlets. I encourage you to explore what the Washington Post describes as “an infectious ode to opera.” We look forward to continued engagement and conversations with you about our role in the bright, bold future of our beloved art form.
We hope you find many transformative moments in our productions this season. Your generosity is crucial to our work, as is the leadership support of The William Davidson Foundation in sponsoring the 24/25 season at Detroit Opera. We are proud to have earned their investment in the vitality of our community.
On behalf of the Board, staff, volunteers, and hundreds of eclectic, opinionated, and creative workers from the Detroit region and beyond, we are so delighted to share the enchantment of this season with you.
Patty Isacson Sabee President & CEO, Detroit Opera
FEB 22, 2025 / SAT / 7:30PM
FEB 28, 2025 / FRI / 7:30PM
MAR 02, 2025 / SUN / 2:30PM
MUSIC GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
LIBRETTO GIACOMO ROSSI
Handel’s Baroque blockbuster is viewed through the lens of a child’s fantasy in a contemporary pediatric ward. The young patients venture on a heroic journey, where knights, sorcerers, monsters, and magic are used as a salve for unimaginable challenges. Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo leads the talented cast in Louisa Proske’s reimagined production, conducted by Detroit Opera Music Director Roberto Kalb.
BY
PHOTO
EVAN ZIMMERMAN
A message from Jon H. Teeuwissen
Welcome to Dance @ Detroit Opera!
The 24/25 season features an eclectic mix of six worldclass companies, four of them accompanied by live music. Our dance season presents the widest possible spectrum of dance styles, including modern dance, classical ballet, and contemporary ballet.
Mark Morris Dance Group opens the fall season with The Look of Love, a loving tribute to one of pop music’s greatest songwriting teams, Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Mark Morris has been described as “indisputably the most musical” choreographer by The New York Times. Many in the audience will be familiar with Bacharach’s music, but his songs sound completely fresh in new arrangements by Ethan Iverson, sung and played live. Fourteen selections include “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head,” “Walk on By,” and “I Say a Little Prayer,” the latter recorded in the 1960s, first by Dionne Warwick and then by Aretha Franklin. This piece is bound to be loved by “Anyone Who Had a Heart.”
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, celebrating its 50th-anniversary season, presents an evening of great classical works, but with a comic twist. This all-male ensemble—also known as the Trocks—dances both the male and female roles, offering some seriously proficient pointe work in excerpts from classics such as Swan Lake. They pay homage to and parody well-known choreography by the likes of George Balanchine and Merce Cunningham. The Trocks perform an exaggerated, hilarious version of iconic ballerina Anna Pavlova’s most famous ballet solo, The Dying Swan. This signature piece is serious fun!
Complexions Contemporary Ballet debuts at the Detroit Opera House just in time for its 30th anniversary. Co-founded by two former Ailey dancers as “a concept in dance,” Complexions originally featured dancers from the major New York-based companies such as Joffrey, Ailey, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. What started as a project evolved into a well-respected, inventive contemporary ballet company that tours internationally. The repertoire features choreography by Dwight Rhoden that melds classical and contemporary ballet. The first half of the program, danced to classical music, includes my favorite Rhoden pas de deux, Ave Maria, and will feature a live performance by soprano Brianna Robinson, one of Detroit Opera’s 24/25 Resident Artists. A brand-new spoken-word piece by Aaron Dworkin will be performed to Global Warming by Michael Abels, co-composer of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Omar. The second half, Love Rocks, is choreographed to the music of Lenny Kravitz. I promise that you will leave the opera house feeling the love!
Jon H. Teeuwissen Artistic Advisor for Dance
Volunteers are the heart of all we do.
For lovers of opera, dance, theater, history, and community.
Join Detroit Opera’s volunteer community and share your gifts and talents. Have fun and make friends while participating in a multitude of opportunities all supporting Detroit Opera’s mission.
Our volunteers are ambassadors for Detroit Opera and the city of Detroit, warmly welcoming patrons from near and far to the beautiful, 100-year-old Detroit Opera House for an experience they will cherish forever.
Easily sign up for events using our online volunteer portal.
Detroit Opera Youth Chorus presents
DECEMBER 15, 2024
@2:00PM AT DETROIT OPERA HOUSE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT DETROITOPERA.ORG
Operetta Remix
This summer, Operetta Remix, a camp for aspiring artists ages 13-18, performed at DO with a company of 24 students. The students worked with experienced opera and theater professionals to develop their skills in singing, acting, stage movement, healthy vocal technique, and audition practice. The repertoire included pieces from the operetta, opera, and musical theater canon.
Create & Perform
Making a successful return to our summer programming, Create & Perform recently welcomed students ages 8-12 for an innovative two-week program. These young artists created their own stories, dances, and music compositions, culminating in a performance at Detroit Opera titled Wonderland: No Town Like Motown
Questions about summer programs?
Contact Director of Education Branden Hood at bhood@detroitopera.org or Associate Director of Education Mark Vondrak at mvondrak@detroitopera.org
The Future of Opera. Built in Detroit.
Introducing our National Circle giving society
If you are a proud champion of all things “Detroit-made” and an advocate of operatic distinction and innovation on a national—and even international—level, then you belong in our newly established National Circle giving society.
Through your generous annual gift of $25,000 or more, you will be making a resounding statement demonstrating your profound passion for our art form and unwavering belief in its potential to affect meaningful change. It is a vote of confidence in our intention to present a broad spectrum of operatic experiences—from the traditional, time-honored gems of the repertoire to living-and-breathing contemporary creations and re-imaginings—that bring together people of all ages and backgrounds, and inspire timely and important conversations.
It’s Your Turn to Be in the National Spotlight
To learn more about the National Circle and associated donor benefits, please contact Juliano Bitonti Stewart, Director of Development, at 313.965.4271 or jstewart@detroitopera.org.
“We want to be very inclusive in creating the National Circle because it’s all about supporting Detroit Opera on a national stage. So if you care about Detroit, if you care about opera, and if you care about the integral role Detroit Opera plays in shaping the future of both of those important things, then we would like to welcome you to be a part of what we’re doing.”
Barbara Walkowski, National Circle Founding Chair
These performances of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo are presented by
Shelby Sonnenberg Production Manager with the Detroit Opera Orchestra
LE LAC DES CYGNES
(SWAN LAKE, ACT II)
MUSIC BY PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
CHOREOGRAPHY AFTER LEV IVANOVICH IVANOV
COSTUMES BY MIKE GONZALES
DECOR BY CLIO YOUNG
LIGHTING BY KIP MARSH
Swept up into the magical realm of swans (and birds), this elegiac phantasmagoria of variations and ensembles in line and music is the signature work of Les Ballets Trockadero. The story of Odette, the beautiful princess turned into a swan by the evil sorcerer, and how she is nearly saved by the love of Prince Siegfried, was not so unusual a theme when Tchaikovsky first wrote his ballet in 1877—the metamorphosis of mortals to birds and vice versa occurs frequently in Russian folklore. The original Swan Lake at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow was treated unsuccessfully; a year after Tchaikovsky's death in 1893, the St. Petersburg Mariinsky Ballet produced the version we know today. Perhaps the world's best known ballet, its appeal seems to stem from the mysterious and pathetic qualities of the heroine juxtaposed with the canonized glamour of 19th-century Russian ballet.
Benno Bruno Backpfeifengesicht friend and confidant to...
Prince Siegfried .......................................................... Araf Legupski who falls in love with...
Queen of the Swans ........................................................ Anya Marx
Artists of the Trockadero all of whom got this way because of...
Von Rothbart Yuri Smirnov ...an evil wizard who goes about turning girls into swans.
THE GOLDEN TSARINA
MUSIC BY PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
CHOREOGRAPHY AFTER ALEXANDER GORSKY COSTUMES BY DAVID TETRAULT
LIGHTING BY TRICIA TOLIVER
STAGED BY ELENA KUNIKOVA
The first Odette/Odile in the Swan Lake, which was staged at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, was Pelagaija Karpakova. Although beautiful, Madame Karpakova was not really a ballerina of great technique; this dance was added by Tchaikovsky for the score of Swan Lake to suit her talents. Now rarely performed in the full-length ballet, the Russian Dance has become a popular solo on the ballet stage, expressing the soul of old Russia.
Grunya Protazova
Daniel Stachyra, violin
GO FOR BAROCCO
MUSIC BY J.S. BACH
CHOREOGRAPHY BY PETER ANASTOS COSTUMES BY MIKE GONZALES
LIGHTING BY KIP MARSH
Stylistic heir to Balanchine's Middle-Blue-Verging-On-Black-and-White Period, this ballet has become a primer in identifying stark coolness and choreosymphonic delineation in the new (neo) neo-new classic dance. It has been called a wristwatch for Balanchine clock-time.
Ludmila Beaulemova and Tatiana Youbetyabootskaya with Corps de ballet
Daniel Stachyra, violin
THE DYING SWAN
MUSIC BY CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS
CHOREOGRAPHY BY THE TROCKADERO COSTUME BY MIKE GONZALES
Fokine had little notion when he created this solo for Anna Pavlova in 1905 that it would become, in later years, her signature dance—and perhaps the most famous solo in ballet. The Trockadero offers its own distinctive interpretation of the terminal fowl.
Olga Supphozova
Ivana Biliskov, cello
PAQUITA
MUSIC BY LUDWIG
MINKUS
CHOREOGRAPHY AFTER MARIUS PETIPA
STAGED BY ELENA KUNIKOVA
COSTUMES AND DECOR BY MIKE GONZALES
LIGHTING BY KIP MARSH
Paquita is a superb example of the French style as it was exported to Saint Petersburg in the late 19 th century. Paquita was originally a ballet-pantomine in two acts, choreographed by Joseph Mazillier, to music by Ernest Deldevez. The story had a Spanish theme, with Carlotta Grisi (creator of Giselle) as a young woman who is kidnapped and saves a young and handsome officer from certain death. Premiering at the Paris Opera in 1846, the ballet was produced a year later in Russia by Marius Petipa. Petipa commissioned Ludwig Minkus, the composer of his two most recent successes (Don Quixote and La Bayadère), to write additional music in order to add a brilliant “divertissement” to Mazillier’s Paquita. Petipa choreographed for this a Pas de Trois and a Grand Pas de Deux in his characteristic style. These soon became the bravura highlights of the evening—to the point that they are the only fragments of Paquita that have been preserved. The dancers display a range of choreographic fireworks, which exploit the virtuoso possibilities of academic classical dance, enriched by the unexpected combinations of steps.
Detroit Federation of Musicians, Local #5, of the American Federation of Musicians
VIOLIN I
Daniel Stachyra* Interim Concertmaster
Yuri Popowycz* Acting Assistant Concertmaster
Henrik Karapetyan*
Beth Kirton*
Molly Hughes*
Mallory Tabb
Emily Barkakati*
Tina Qu
VIOLIN II
Emelyn Bashour* Principal
Jenny Wan*
Velda Kelly*
Courtney Lubin
Andrew Wu*
Ying-Li Pan
VIOLA
John Madison* Principal
Scott Stefanko*
Julianne Zinn
Jacqueline Hanson*
CELLO
Ivana Biliskov* Principal
Benjamin Maxwell*
Andrea Yun*
Lauren Mathews
BASS
Derek Weller* Principal
Clark Suttle*
FLUTE
Dennis Carter Acting Principal
Shantanique Moore
Caen Thomason-Redus Piccolo
OBOE
Eli Stefanacci* Principal
Yuki Harding
CLARINET
Roi Karni* Principal
J. William King*
BASSOON
Daniel Fendrick* Principal
Christian Green
HORN
Colin Bianchi* Principal
Carrie Banfield-Taplin*
Mary Beth Orr
Tamara Kosinski
CORNET
David Ammer* Principal
Mark Davis*
* Detroit Opera Core Orchestra Members Members of the violin sections occasionally rotate.
TRUMPET
Justin Emerich Acting Principal
Derek Lockhart
TROMBONE
Mark Broschinsky Acting Principal
Dustin Nguyen*
Bryan Pokorney Bass Trombone
TUBA
David Zerkel
TIMPANI
Eric Stoss* Principal
PERCUSSION
John Dorsey* Principal
David Taylor
Keith Claeys
HARP
Ellie Kirk Acting Principal
PIANO, HARPSICHORD, CELESTE
John Etsell
LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE
MONTE CARLO
was founded in 1974 by New York Citybased ballet enthusiasts in order to present a playful, entertaining view of traditional, classical ballet in parody form and with men performing all of the roles—and in the case of roles usually danced by women: en travesti and en pointe. Founders Peter Anastos, Anthony Bassae, and Natch Taylor broke away from Larry Ree’s Gloxinia
Trockadero Ballet to create a danceand choreography-focused company. They put on their first shows on the makeshift stage of the West Side Discussion Group, an early gay and lesbian political organization, which was led by future Trockadero General Director Eugene McDougle. The performances were infused with a subversive edge as the country was still a long way from bringing drag performance to a mainstream audience.
The Trocks, as they are affectionately known, soon garnered critical acclaim and cultural cachet in publications with major reach, such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, and the Village Voice. By mid-1975, the company’s inspired blend of dance knowledge, comedy, and athleticism moved beyond New York City when the Trocks qualified for the National Endowment for the Arts Touring Program, hired a full-time teacher and ballet mistress, and made its first extended tours of the United States and Canada. Packing, unpacking, and repacking tutus and drops, stocking giant-sized toe shoes by the case, and running for planes and chartered buses all became routine parts of life. They have been going non-stop ever since, appearing in 43 countries and more than 660 cities worldwide. The company branched out from the vibrant live performances and expanded its scope with an education program in 2016 and the Choreography Institute in November 2023. With so much activity, the Trocks have garnered a dedicated fan base, repeating performances in countries year after year, and continuing to add first-time engagements as the company enters its 50 th anniversary season.
Interest and accolades have accumulated over the years. The Trocks have proved an alluring documentary subject, featured in an Emmy-winning episode of the acclaimed British arts program The South Bank Show ; the 2017 feature film Rebels on Pointe; and most recently Ballerina Boys, which aired on PBS American Masters in 2021. Several of the Trocks’ performances at the Maison de la Danse in Lyon, France were also aired by Dutch, French, and Japanese TV networks. Other television appearances have ranged from a Shirley MacLaine special to the Dick Cavett Show, What’s My Line?, Real People , and On-Stage America . The dancers also have the
distinction of appearing with Kermit and Miss Piggy on Muppet Babies.
The company’s awards include a prestigious UK Critics Circle National Dance Award for Best Classical Repertoire (2007) and nomination for Outstanding Company (2016), the Theatrical Managers Award (2006, UK), and the Positano Award for Excellence in Dance (2007, Italy). The company has appeared in multiple galas and benefits over the years, including at the 80 th anniversary Royal Variety Performance to aid the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund in December 2008, which was attended by members of the British Royal family, including the now King Charles III.
The original concept of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo has not changed. It is a company of professional male dancers performing the full range of ballet and modern dance repertoire, including classical and original works in faithful renditions of the manners and conceits of those dance styles. The comedy is achieved by incorporating and exaggerating the foibles, accidents, and underlying incongruities of serious dance. The fact that muscular, athletic bodies dance all of the parts, delicately balancing on toes as swans, sylphs, water sprites, romantic princesses, and angst-ridden Victorian ladies, enhances the appreciation for the effort, timing, stamina, and precision required, delighting die-hard ballet fans and newcomers alike.
Looking to the future, the Trocks are making plans for new commissions, new debuts, and new audiences, while continuing the company’s original mission: to bring the pleasure of dance to the widest possible audience.
The company will, as they have for 50 years, “keep on Trockin’.”
BEATRICE JONA AFFRON
MUSIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR
Beatrice Jona Affron joined Philadelphia Ballet (formerly Pennsylvania Ballet) as assistant conductor in 1993. Four years later, she became the company’s music director. In Philadelphia, Beatrice has conducted many works by George Balanchine and a large repertoire of full-length works, including Giselle, The Firebird, Romeo and Juliet, and The Sleeping Beauty. In 2004, she led the world premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s Swan Lake.
Born and raised in New York City and a graduate of Yale University, Beatrice studied conducting with Robert Spano and with Pascal Verrot at the New England Conservatory, where she later served on the faculty. She led the national tour of Philip Glass’s Les Enfants Terribles and received international attention while conducting the world premiere of Glass’s Galileo Galilei .
Beatrice has conducted for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Glimmerglass Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, and New England Conservatory. She has conducted dance and opera productions at the Boston Conservatory, as well as concerts with Boston’s Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra and the Boston Landmarks Orchestra. With Philadelphia Ballet, Beatrice has performed at the Kennedy Center, New York City Center, and the National Arts Center of Canada. She has appeared as a guest conductor with Atlanta Ballet, Boston Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Nashville Ballet, and Oklahoma City Ballet.
COLETTE ADAE was orphaned at the age of three when her mother, a ballerina of some dubious distinction, impaled herself on the first violinist’s bow after a series of rather uncontrolled “fouetté voyage.” Colette was raised and educated with the “rats” of the Opera House but the trauma of her childhood never let her reach her full potential. However, under the kind and watchful eye of the Trockadero, she has begun to flower and we are sure you will enjoy watching her growth.
LUDMILA BEAULEMOVA , famed country and western ballerina and formerly prima ballerina of the Grand Ole Opry, recently defected from that company when they moved to their new Nashville home. The rift was caused by their refusal to stage the ballet with which her name has become synonymous, I Never Promised You a Rose Adagio.
MARIA CLUBFOOT. Last of the great American Indian ballerinas: Larkin, Tallchief (Maria and Marjorie), Clubfoot. Maria, pride of the Luni Tribe, blazed a path with her literal interpretation of Slaughter on 10th Avenue, set in the club at Mohegan Sun. Maria appears with the Trockadero under special permission from Federal authorities.
HOLLY DEY-ABROAD. Miss Dey-Abroad lacks the talent and intelligence that are required to be good at dancing and did not understand that this lack of talent and intelligence are often the same qualities needed to recognize that one is not good at dancing—and if one lacks such talent and intelligence, one remains ignorant that one is not good at dancing. Consequently she auditioned for the Trocks and was accepted.
ELVIRA KHABABGALLINA , voted “the girl most likely to,” is the living example that a common hard-working girl can make it to the top. Our friendly ballerina was pounding the pavement looking for work when the Trockadero found her. Her brilliant technique has endeared her to several fans, as well as to some of the stagehands. Her motto is “a smile is better than talent.” Her nickname is... well, never mind what her nickname is.
VARVARA LAPTOPOVA is one of those rare dancers who, with one look at a ballet, not only knows all the steps but can also dance all the roles. As a former member of the Kiev Toe and Heel Club, she was awarded first-prize at the Pan-Siberian Czardash and Kazotski Festival for artistic mis-interpretation.
ANYA MARX comes to the ballet stage after her hair-raising escape from the successful (but not terribly tasteful) overthrow of her country’s glamorous government. She made a counter-revolutionary figure of herself when she was arrested for single-handedly storming the State Museum of Revolutionary Evolution, where her fabulous collection of jewels were being insensitively displayed alongside a machine gun. The resilient Madame Marx is currently the proprietress of America’s only mail-order Course in Classical Ballet.
RESI OACHKATZLSCHWOAF was born on a locomotive speeding through the Alps in her native Bavaria. She quickly realized the limitations of her native folk dancing and quaint handicrafts. After her arrival in America, she learned everything she now knows about ballet from a seminar entitled “Evil Fairies on the Periphery of the Classical Dance.”
GRUNYA PROTAZOVA is the missing link between the crustaceans of the old Russian school and the more modern amphibians now dancing. Before joining the Trockadero, Grunya was the featured ballerina at Sea World, where her famous autobiographic solo, Dance of the Lower Orders, brought several marine biologists to tears.
MOUSSIA SHEBARKAROVA .
A celebrated child prodigy back in the Brezhnev era, Moussia Shebarkarova astounded her parents at the age of two by taking a correspondence course in ballet. Sadly, due to the unreliable Russian postal system, she has only just graduated.
OLGA SUPPHOZOVA made her first public appearance in a police line-up under dubious circumstances. After a seven-year-to-life hiatus, she now returns to her adoring fans. When questioned about her forced sabbatical, Olga’s only comment was “I did it for Art’s sake.” Art, however, said nothing.
GERD TÖRD
, “The Prune Danish of Russian Ballet,” abandoned an enormously successful career as a film actress to become a Trockadero ballerina. Her faithful fans, however, need not despair as most of her great films have been made into ballets: the searing Back to Back , the tearfilled Thighs and Blisters, and the immortal seven-part Screams from a Carriage. Because of her theatrical flair, Gerd has chosen to explore the more dramatic aspects of ballet, causing one critic to rename her Giselle, What’s my Line?
BERTHA
VINAYSHINSKY has defected to America three times and been promptly returned on each occasion—for "artistic reasons." Recently discovered "en omelette" at the Easter Egg Hunt in Washington, D.C., Prima Ballerina Vinayshinsky was hired by the Trockadero, where their inexplicable rise to stardom answers the musical question: Who put the bop in the bop-shibop shibop?
TATIANA YOUBETYABOOTSKAYA
created many original roles in St. Petersburg, where she was the last of a long line of Italian etoiles to appear at the Mariinsky Theater. It was her dazzling triumph in the role of “Electricity” in the extravagant “Excelsior” in her native Milan that brought her fame. However, no less electrifying was the lineup of perfectly trained elephants, performing like the present-day Rockettes. Unfortunately, Mlle Youbetyabootskaya’s jealous scenes over the publicity given to these elephants and their ensuing popularity with the public, caused numerous problems. She subsequently refused to appear again in this role.
BLAGOVESTA ZLOTMACHINSKAYA .
Ever since her auspicious debut as the Left Nostril in the ballet extracted from The Nose by Gogol, Blagovesta has shown a unique appreciation of her homeland’s literary heritage. Back home, she is best known as the star of the hit TV show Challenge Anna Karenina , in which the eponymous heroine of Tolstoy’s classic novel seeks to expose the fin de siècle malaise at the heart of pre-Revolutionary Russia with the aid of a helicopter and walkie-talkie.
BRUNO BACKPFEIFENGESICHT
soared into prominence as the first East German defector whose leave-taking was accomplished at the virtual insistence of the defectees (although in subsequent days, Herr Backpfeifengesicht was accused of abandoning his joyous comrades for “a mountain of beer and an ocean of dollars”). His meteoric rise to stardom caused him to be named Official Bicentennial Porteur by a committee of New York balletomanes who singled out his winning feet and losing smile.
ILYA BOBOVNIKOV
, the recipient of this year’s Jean de Brienne Award, is particularly identified for his Rabelaisian ballet technique. A revolutionary in the art of partnering, he was the first to introduce crazy glue to stop supported pirouettes.
BORIS DUMBKOPF
has been with the greatest ballerinas of our time; he has even danced with some of them. One of the first defective Eastern Bloc male stars, he left the motherland for purely capitalistic reasons. Amazingly, between his appearances on television and Broadway and in movies, commercials, magazines, special events, and women’s nylons, he occasionally still has time to dance.
THE LEGUPSKI BROTHERS
. Araf, Marat, Sergey, Timur, and Vyacheslav are not really brothers, nor are their names really Araf, Marat, Sergey, Timur, or Vyacheslav, nor are they real Russians, nor can they tell the difference between a pirouette and a jeté...but... well...they do move about rather nicely...and... they fit into the costumes.
MIKHAIL MUDKIN , the famed Russian danseur for whom the word “Bolshoi” was coined, comes to America from his triumphs as understudy to a famous impresario in the role of The Bear in Petrushka .
BORIS MUDKO is a newer Trocks’ danseur, having joined only last year. Boris is a drunken but talented Russian from Dzerzhinsk, in the former Soviet Union. He insisted on an audition while the company was on tour. It took some time to sober him up to make him coherent—he was given gallons of tea and several enemas—but finally he was accepted into the company. He has since given up all drink and is doing quite well.
CHIP PIDIDOUDA . Chip is a renowned Greek cricket player who stumbled into the world of English ballet after a wrong turn on the M-90 to Folkestone. Chip was heralded for his simple and inspiring interpretation of “Doppe” in Dizzney’s world premiere of La Fille de Neige Blanche. Unaffected by technique, Chip brings his special brand of athleticism and “je ne sais quoi pas” to the Trocks.
YURI SMIRNOV At the age of sixteen, Yuri ran away from home and joined the Kirov Opera because he thought Borodin was a prescription barbiturate. Luckily for the Trockadero, he soon discovered that he didn’t know his arias from his elbow, and decided to become a ballet star instead.
PAVEL TÖRD
, “The Prune Danish of Russian Ballet,” abandoned an enormously successful career as a film actor to become a Trockadero premier danseur. His faithful fans, however, need not despair as most of his great films have been made into ballets: the searing Back to Back , the tear-filled Thighs and Blisters, and the immortal seven-part Screams from a Carriage. Because of his theatrical flair, Pavel has chosen to explore the more dramatic aspects of ballet, causing one critic to rename his Siegfried, “What's my Line? ”
JENS WITZELSUCHT. Mr.
Witzelsucht has a pure and rare neurological disorder characterized by a tendency to make puns or tell inappropriate jokes or pointless stories in socially inappropriate situations, along with a pathological giddiness with lunatic mood swings. As he does not understand that this behavior is abnormal, he has found a place in the company as one of the more comedic artists.
TINO XIRAU-LOPEZ
, a well-known figure to the Off-Off-Off audiences, returns to the Trockadero flushed from last season’s Nutcracker, in which he played the fiendishly difficult role of the Father. His numerous theatrical successes have not prevented his stern, aristocratic family from disavowing any claims he might make to title.
PO Box 1325, Gracie Station, New York City, New York 10028
DANCERS
Moussia Shebarkarova and Vyacheslav Legupski Vincent Brewer
Blagovesta Zlotmachinskaya and Mikhail Mudkin Raydel Caceres
Olga Supphozova and Yuri Smirnov ........................................... Robert Carter
Gerd Törd and Pavel Törd ....................................... Matias Dominguez Escrig
Tatiana Youbetyabootskaya and Araf Legupski ........................... Andrea Fabbri
Resi Oachikatzlschwoaf and Ilya Bobovnikov Gabriel Foley
Elvira Khababgallina and Sergey Legupski..................................... Kevin Garcia
Maria Clubfoot and Tino Xirau-Lopez ................................... Alejandro Gonzalez
Anya Marx and Chip Pididouda .......................................... Shohei Iwahama
Holly Dey-Abroad and Bruno Backpfeifengesicht Felix Molinero del Paso
Ludmila Beaulemova and Jens Witzelsucht ............................ Trent Montgomery
Bertha Vinayshinsky and Boris Mudko ....................................... Sergio Najera
Grunya Protazova and Marat Legupski ............................. Salvador Sasot Sellart
Colette Adae and Timur Legupski Jake Speakman
Varvara Laptopova and Boris Dumbkopf ................................. Takaomi Yoshino
Previous companies: California Ballet, Twin Cities Ballet of MN, Ballet Theater of Maryland, Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami. Silver medal at Festival de Danca, Joinville, Brazil.
ROBERT CARTER
Birthplace: Charleston, SC.
Training: Robert Ivey Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet School.
Joined Trockadero: November 1995.
Previous companies: Florence Civic Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem Ensemble, Bay Ballet Theater.
MATIAS DOMINGUEZ ESCRIG
Birthplace: Santiago, Chile.
Training: José Espadero Professional Dance Conservatory, Sofia Sancho Dance School, Madrid Dance Center.
Joined Trockadero: October 2023.
Previous company: International Ballet Festival.
ANDREA FABBRI
Birthplace: Lugo, Italy.
Training: Il Balleto, The HARID Conservatory. Joined Trockadero: October 2023.
Previous companies: Los Angeles Ballet, Estonian National Ballet.
GABRIEL FOLEY (on leave)
Birthplace: Overland Park, KS.
Training: Ballet Chicago, Miami City Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre. Joined Trockadero: July 2023.
Previous companies: City Ballet of San Diego, Queer the Ballet.
KEVIN GARCIA
Birthplace: Gran Canaria, Spain.
Training: Centro Coreografico de Las Palmas Trini Borrull, Conservatory of Dance Carmen Amaya. Joined Trockadero: August 2017.
Previous companies: Ballet Jose Manuel Armas, Lifedanscenter, Peridance Contemporary Dance Company.
ALEJANDRO GONZALEZ (on leave)
Birthplace: Holguin, Cuba.
Training: Camaguey Academy of Ballet, Habana National School of Ballet Provincial Ballet School, Holguin, Cuba. Joined Trockadero: May 2019.
Previous companies: Holguin Chamber Ballet, Ecuadorian Chamber Ballet, Municipal Ballet of Lima, Peru.
SHOHEI IWAHAMA
Birthplace: Komae-shi, Tokyo, Japan.
Training: Sam Houston State University, The Ailey School, Miyako Kato Dance Academy. Joined Trockadero: March 2022.
Previous Companies: NobleMotion Dance, James Sewell Ballet, Hope Stone Dance.
FELIX MOLINERO DEL PASO
Birthplace: Granada, Spain.
Training: Hochschule fur Darstellende kunst Frankfurt am Main. Joined Trockadero: August 2019.
TRENT MONTGOMERY
Birthplace: McGehee, AR.
Training: Arkansas Academy of Dance, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Accademiá dell’Arte, Florida State University. Joined Trockadero: August 2021.
Previous companies: Arkansas Festival Ballet, Tallahassee Ballet.
SERGIO NAJERA
Birthplace: México City.
Training: Dance School of Mexico City, Joffrey Ballet School, Alonzo King's LINES Ballet. Joined Trockadero: February 2023.
Previous companies: Ballet Folklorico De México de Amalia Hernández, Convexus, Contemporary Ballet, FABC, Mexico de Colores.
SALVADOR SASOT SELLART
Birthplace: Lleida, Spain.
Training: Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza de Madrid Mariemma. Escuela de Ballet Camina Ocaña and Pablo Savoye.
Joined Trockadero: August 2019.
Previous company: Severočeske Divadlo Opera a Balet.
JAKE SPEAKMAN
Birthplace: Philadelphia PA.
Training: Marymount Manhattan College
Joined Trockadero: November 2021.
Previous companies: New York Dance Project, New York Theater Ballet.
TAKAOMI YOSHINO
Birthplace: Osaka, Japan.
Training: Vaganova Ballet Academy, Ellison Ballet. Joined Trockadero: August 2018.
Previous company: Atlantic City Ballet.
Program subject to change without notice.
LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO, Inc. is a nonprofit dance company chartered by the State of New York. Martha Cooper, president; Jenny Palmer, vice-president; Mary Lynn Bergman-Rallis, secretary; Amy Minter, treasurer. James C.P. Berry, Tory Dobrin, Elizabeth Harler Stephens.
All contributions are tax-deductible as provided by law.
Special Thanks to our Major Institutional Supporters:
Booth Ferris Foundation
The New York Community Trust
The Howard Gilman Foundation
Tiger Baron Foundation
The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation
The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
Rallis Foundation
Shubert Foundation
The Harkness Foundation for Dance
Thanks to our local and state cultural funding agencies for their contributions to our work in New York with support, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Thanks to our Board of Directors and individual supporters for their generous contributions that make our nonprofit mission possible.
Make up provided by
Music for ballets on the program is conducted by Pierre Michel Durand with the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Pavel Prantl, Leader
BOOKING INQUIRIES:
Liz Harler, Executive Director liz @ trockadero.org
The official Pointe Shoe Provider of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
TO THE SUPPORTERS OF TONIGHT’S PROGRAM
Detroit Opera extends its gratitude to Jeremy Zeltzer for his outstanding efforts in rallying support for the live orchestra featured in Detroit Opera's presentation of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. This addition to the Trocks’ 50 th Anniversary performance brings an extra layer of magic, and we are deeply appreciative of Jeremy’s vision and dedication to enhancing this unforgettable celebration.
We also offer our sincere thanks to all the donors whose generous contributions have made Dance @ Detroit Opera’s presentation of the Trocks’ work possible. Please join us in thanking those who came forward to make a special contribution in support of tonight’s performance.
Ric Sonenklar & Greg Haynes
Ali Moiin & William Kupsky
Ann Steglich
Craig & Shari Morgan
Janice Zeltzer
Russell Moore
Aaron & Carolynn Frankel
Elanah Nachman Hunger
Judy & Stanley Frankel
Jeremy Zeltzer & Kevin Dennis
Elizabeth Parmer & James Hinkle
Shane Pliska & Karl Lievense
Barbara Roden
David Zeltzer
Elliot & Susan Zeltzer
Carolyn Demps & Guy Simons
Mary Schlaff & Sanford Koltonow
Brian Kutinsky
Anne Adelson
Dave Garcia
Lee & Floy Barthel
As of October 21, 2024.
BY ZORAN
Detroit Opera Needs You!
Because of your dedication and support, Detroit Opera continues to provide meaningful artistic experiences for our community and inspires audiences of the future. Please consider a gift to Detroit Opera this season. Your generosity will ensure that our community has access to the highest caliber of dance performances, like Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo for years to come!
Charitable contributions generate a significant portion of our overall funding and are investments in the future of performing arts in our community. Without donations, opera and dance cannot thrive in southeast Michigan.
Thank you for all the ways you support us!
PHOTO
JELENIC
Thank you to our donors Detroit Opera Honor Roll
Detroit Opera gratefully acknowledges these generous donors for their cumulative lifetime giving. Their transformative support has played a vital role in the history of Detroit Opera since being founded by Dr. David DiChiera as Michigan Opera Theatre in 1971, the building of the Detroit Opera House in 1996, and the metamorphosis into Detroit Opera in 2022 under the leadership of Gary L. Wasserman Artistic Director Yuval Sharon.
Their leadership plays an integral part in the company's viability, underwriting quality opera and dance performances as well as award-winning community.
$10,000,000+
The William Davidson Foundation
Ford Motor Company Fund
The State of Michigan
$5,000,000+
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
General Motors
The Kresge Foundation
Stellantis
$2,000,000+
Mr.* & Mrs. Douglas Allison
Mr. Lee & Mrs. Floy Barthel
Marvin, Betty & Joanne Danto Dance Endowment and Marvin & Betty Danto Family Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Herman Frankel
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Lear Corporation
Linda Dresner & Ed Levy Jr.
Masco Corporation
McGregor Fund
The Skillman Foundation
R. Jamison & Karen Williams
$1,000,000+
AT&T
Bank of America
Mandell L. and Madeleine H. Berman Foundation
Mr.* & Mrs. John A. Boll Sr.
Compuware Corporation
Estate of Robert & RoseAnn Comstock
DTE Energy Foundation
The Fred A. & Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation
Mrs. Margo Cohen Feinberg & Mr. Robert Feinberg
Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Mrs. Barbara Frankel* and Mr. Ronald Michalak
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Frankel*
General Motors Corporation
Hudson-Webber Foundation
JPMorgan Chase
Paul Lavins
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Richard Sonenklar & Gregory Haynes
Dr. & Mrs. Sam B. Williams*
Matilda R. Wilson Fund
Every effort has been made to accurately reflect donor names and gift levels. Should you find an error or omission, please contact Angela Nelson-Heesch at anelsonheesch@detroitopera.org or 313.237.3438
KEY
* Deceased
Contributors to Detroit Opera
Detroit Opera gratefully acknowledges these generous corporate, foundation, government, and individual donors whose contributions to Detroit Opera were made between July 1, 2023, and August 31, 2024. The generosity of our donors is vital to sustaining Detroit Opera’s position as a valued cultural resource.
Foundations, Corporate & Government Support
$1,000,000+
William Davidson Foundation
State of Michigan
$500,000-$999,999
John S. and James L.
Knight Foundation
$250,000-$499,999
The Fred A. & Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation
Ford Foundation
Gilbert Family Foundation
The Mellon Foundation
Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation
Individual Support
$100,000-$249,999
Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Ford Philanthropy
General Motors
$50,000-$99,999
Hudson Webber Foundation
Milner Hotels Foundation
$25,000-$49,999
Applebaum Family Foundation
Kresge Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Matilda R. Wilson Fund
$10,000-$24,999
Detroit Children’s Choir
Oliver Dewey Marcks Foundation
DTE Energy Foundation
Geoinge Foundation
Masco Corporation
MGM Grand Detroit
OPERA America
Penske Corporation
Ralph L. and Winifred E. Polk Foundation
Louis and Nellie Sieg Fund
Ida and Conrad H. Smith Endowment for MOT
The Mary Thompson Foundation
The Williams Family Fund
Burton A. Zipser and Sandra D. Zipser Foundation
$5,000-$9,999
C&N Foundation
James & Lynelle Holden Fund Honigman LLP
The National Circle
Donald R. and Esther Simon Foundation
Somerset Collection
Charitable Foundation
Strum Allesee Family Foundation
The Samuel L. Westerman Foundation
$1,000-$4,999
Joyce Cohn Young Artist Fund
Marjorie And Maxwell Jospey Foundation
Josephine Kleiner Foundation
Elmira L. Rhein Family Foundation
Sigmund and Sophie Rohlik Foundation
Rugiero Promise Foundation
Introduced in 2024, members of the National Circle are Detroit Opera’s leading supporters in this pivotal moment, playing an essential role in bringing the transformative power of opera to audiences in our city and across the country. Through their annual support of $25,000 or more, these donors have an unwavering belief in our art form’s ability to affect meaningful change.
$100,000+
Ethan & Gretchen Davidson
Leslie Lazzerin*
Linda Dresner & Ed Levy Jr.
Ms. Vivien McDonald*
David & Christine Provost
Gary Wasserman & Charles Kashner
$50,000-$99,999
Richard Alonzo
Ruth Rattner
Mr. David W Schmidt
Mr. Cyril Moscow
$25,000-$49,999
Dr. Lourdes V. Andaya
Elaine Fontana*
Susanne McMillan
James & Ann Nicholson
Matthew & Mona Simoncini
Mrs. Phyllis Funk Snow*
The DiChiera Society
Richard Sonenklar & Gregory Haynes
Jesse & Yesenia Venegas
Ms. Barbara A. Walkowski
R. Jamison & Karen Williams
DiChiera Society members honor the legacy and vision of our company’s founder, David DiChiera, while bolstering our future as one of the most significant and innovative opera and dance organizations in the country under the leadership of the Gary L. Wasserman Artistic Director, Yuval Sharon, with an emphasis on community engagement, accessibility, and artistic risk-taking.
$10,000-$24,999
Mr. Joseph A. Bartush
Gene Bowen
Richard & Joanne Brodie
Wayne Brown & Brenda Kee
Enrico & Kathleen DiGirolamo
Ms. Nina S. Drolias
Carl & Mary Ann Fontana
Ms. Nancy B. Henk
Patty Isacson Sabee & David Sabee
Mary Kramer
Denise Lewis
Jack Martin & Bettye Arrington-Martin
Ms. Mary C. Mazure
Ali Moiin & William Kupsky
Donald & Antoinette Morelock
William & Wendy Powers
Waltraud Prechter
Dr. & Mrs. Samir M. Ragheb
Irvin & Pamela Reid
Michael Wellman
$5,000-$9,999
Ms. Christine Ammer
Dr. Harold Mitchell Arrington
Ms. Mary Barton Letts
Richard & Susan Bingham
Nicole A. Boelstler
Ms. Violet Dalla Vecchia
Maria & David Duey
Marianne Endicott
Fern Espino & Tom Short
Paul & Mary Sue Ewing
Michael Fisher
Ms. Laurie R. Frankel
Bharat & Lynn Gandhi
Ralph & Erica Gerson
Allan Gilmour & Eric Jirgens
Toby Haberman
William Hulsker & Aris Urbanes
John & Arlene Lewis
Stephan & Marian Loginsky
Robert & Terri Lutz
Don Manvel
Ronald Michalak
Ms. Evelyn Micheletti
Phillip Minch
Mary Moll
Robert & Susan Morris
George & Jo Nyman
Prof. Sara A. Pozzi, Ph.D
Ms. Stephanie M. Prechter
Ms. Pam E. Rodgers
Evan & Kelsey Ross
Janice Ross
Ankur Rungta & Mayssoun Bydon
Mary Schlaff & Sanford Koltonow
Terry Shea & Seigo Nakao
Frank & Susan Sonye
Ms. Mary Anne Stella
Mr. Peter C. Stern
Dr. Lorna Thomas, MD
Barbara Van Dusen
Mr. Lewis Wagner
Ned & Joan Winkelman
Ellen Hill Zeringue
$2,500-$4,999
Nina Abrams
Thomas & Gretchen Anderson
D. L. Anthony
Gregory & Mary Barkley
Douglas & Sandra Bitonti Stewart
Paul & Lee Blizman
Bob & Rosemary Brasie
Ronald & Mildred Burkman
Dr. Lynne Carter
Albert & Janette Cassar
Dr. Mary Carol Conroy
Maurice & Carolyn Cunniffe
Walter & Lillian Dean
Carolyn Demps & Guy Simons
Cristina DiChiera &
Neal Walsh
Ms. Lisa Maria DiChiera
Ms. Mary Jane Doerr
Marla Donovan
Ms. Judith Ellis
Marjory Epstein
Raina Ernstoff & Sanford Hansell
Michael & Sally Feder
Yvonne Friday & Stephen Black
Clifford & Zoe Furgison
Glendon Gardner
Robert & Christine Hage
Mrs. Beverly Hall Burns
Ms. Carole Hardy
Barbara Heller
Doreen Hermelin
Roberto Kalb & Mane Galoyan
Barbara & Michael Kratchman
Max Lepler & Rex Dotson
Arthur & Nancy Liebler
Amy McCombs
Mary McGough
Friends of Detroit Opera
Van Momon & Pamela L. Berry
Xavier & Maeva Mosquet
Brian Murphy & Toni
Sanchez-Murphy
Geoffrey Nathan
Peter & Barbara Nickles
Sally Orley
Mr. Jonathan F. Orser
Brock & Katherine Plumb
The Estate of Magdalena Predeteanu
Ted & Carrie Pryor
Leon & Debbe Saperstein
Rosalind Sell
Mark & Lois Shaevsky
Laura Sias*
Susan Sills
Michael & Stacey Simmons
Susan A. Smith
Dr. Gregory E. Stephens
C. Thomas & Bernie Toppin
Jeff & Amy Voigt
Stanley Waldon
Bret & Susanna Williams
Every gift helps to ensure that opera and dance thrive in our community, and that we share the indescribable experience we feel when the curtain rises. Friends of Detroit Opera are among our most loyal and crucial supporters and receive exclusive benefits with annual gifts of $500 or more.
$1,000-$2,499
Nell Duke & David Ammer
Ms. Geraldine Atkinson
Peggyann & Ramon Berguer
Mr. Stanislaw Bialoglowski
Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell Bleznak
Constance Bodurow
Marsha Bruhn
Patricia Cosgrove
Tonino & Sarah Corsetti
James & Elizabeth Ciroli
Dr. Shauna Ryder Diggs
Alex Erdeljan
Burke & Carol Fossee
Joseph Fontana & Nada Jurisich-Fontana
Carol Gagliardi & David Flesher
Mr. Thomas M. Gervasi
Stuart Grigg
Mr. Lawrence Glowczewski
Mr. Nathaniel Good
Mary Ellen Hoy & Jim Keller
Marc Keshishian & Susanna Szelestey
Richard & Involut Jessup
Gregory Knas
William & Jean Kroger
Jeff & Joanne Kukes
Mr. Loreto A. Manzo
Patrick & Patricia McKeever
Eugene & Lois Miller
Craig & Shari Morgan
Ms. Maryanne Mott
Harold Munson & Libby Berger
Allan & Joy Nachman
George & Nancy Nicholson
Joshua & Rachel Opperer
Coleen Pellerito
Mark & Kyle Peterson
Mr. Shane Pliska
Michael & Charlene Prysak
Rip & Gail Rapson
Ms. Alice Rea
Kingsley & Lurline Sears
Alvin & Harriet Saperstein
Gabriel & Martha Stahl
Dr. Andrew James Stocking
Ann Steglich
Manuel Tancer & Claire Stroker
Andrew J. Sturgess
John Lovegren & Daniel Isenschmid
John & Susan Zaretti
Katina Zaninovich
Torben Winther & Linda Hall
$750-$999
Frank & Jenny Brzenk
Ms. Vera C. Magee
John & Marie McElroy
Walter & Elizabeth Newgeon
Barbara Roden
Michael Schon
Joseph & Rosalie Vicari
Dennis & Jennifer Varian
$500-$749
Dr. Antonia Abbey
Mr. David A. Agius
Robert & Catherine Anthony
Ms. Allison Bach
Eugene & Roselyn Blanchard
Barbra Bloch
Ms. Terry P. Book
Anne Missavage & Robert Borcherding
Gretchen Thams & James Bowman
Amy & Tyler Bouque
Grethen Thams & James Bowman
Dr. Cynthia Browne, MD
Marceline Bright
Jonathan Cohn & Daniela Wittmann
Leonard Dimsa & Nicholas Tapl
Mr. John R. DiLodovico
Daniel & Susan Drucker
Mr. M. Brennan Farrell
Todd Gordon & Susan Feder
Daniel H. Ferrier
Sue Force
Erin & John Gianopoulos
John Gierak & Dona Tracey
Joseph & Lois Gilmore
Gil Glassberg & Sandra Seligman
Mr. Robert Theodore Goldman
Larry Gray
John & Kristan Hale
Mr. Gary M. Hawkins
Paul & Nancy Hillegonds
Elizabeth Hoger & Lisa Swem
Jane Iacobelli
Ms. Jill Johnson
Kimberly Johnson
Shawn Rieschl Johnson & Christian Kirby
Mr. Dennis Johnston
Geraldine & Jacqueline Keller
Ms. Lee Khachaturian
Justin & Joanne Klimko
Mr. Alex Koprivica
Ms. Cynthia Kratchman
Mary Jane Kupsky
Albert Kurt
Lori Maher
Mr. Russell Moore
Natasha Moulton-Levy
Ms. Nancy K. Murray
Ronald Northrup
Ms. Monica E. Parrish
Bertram & Elaine Pitt
Concetta Ross*
Julie Finn & Bradley Rowens
Drs. Adam & Rebecca Rubin
Marjorie Sandy
Michael Schon
Maj. Carl R. Smith
Dr. Geneva Tatem
John M. Toth
Gifts in Tribute
Suart & Barbara Trager
Rennard & Daphne Tucker
Ms. Janet Beth Weir
Ian D. Wiesner
Rita Winters
Janice Zeltzer
We extend a heartfelt thank you to the families, friends, colleagues, businesses, and groups who generously made gifts to Detroit Opera in honor of or in memory of the special peoples in their lives, whose names are listed bold below.
IN HONOR OF
Abbie E Wisusik
Michelle Tornopilsky
Allan & Joy Nachman
Eliot & Elizabeth Bank
Andrew Berg
Anne & Robert Berg
Ann Katz
Ruth Rattner
Bill & Ali Moiin
William & Elizabeth S. Kupsky
Brenda Kee
Ruth Rattner
Carl & Mary Ann Fontana
Mrs. Nina Dodge Abrams
Thomas E. Barron
Michael J. Bartoy
Andre Boulanger
Barbara E. Camph
Wilson Curle
Pamela Fontana
Cynthia Gitt
Peter Gude
Patty Isacson Sabee
Theresa Johnson
Ms. Mary Kramer
William Kupsky
Allen A. Lewis
Holton Shipman
Sarah Siwek
Teresa Taranta
Sara Valenti
Robert Wittenberg
Ellen Jacobowitz
Ann Conrad
Sandra A. Jacobowitz
Gary Wasserman
Rodger & Loree Wasserman
Harriet Berg
Mr. Richard D. Cavaler
John Estell
Katina Zaninovich
Lisa DiChiera
Ruth Rattner
Lois Shaevsky
Everett & Margery Jassy
Mary Kramer
Amy McCombs
Mark & Lois Shaevsky
Sandy Duncan
Wayne Brown & Brenda Kee
Shunbin Xu
Ali Moiin & William Kupsky
Dr. Willaim Kupsky
Mary Jane Kupsky
IN MEMORY OF
Florence, David, & Joyce Schon
Michael Schon
Anne Strciker
Torben Winther & Linda Hall
Aphrodite Roumell
Allan & Joy Nachman
Armando Delicato
Jacqueline Shuster
Barbara & Michael Kratchman
Jeff & Joanne Kukes
Barbara Frankel
Wayne Brown & Brenda Kee
Beate M. Vreeken
Karen & Matthew Cullen
Cameron "Sandy" Duncan
Ethan & Gretchen Davidson
Gary Wasserman & Charles Kashner
Devon Hoover
Dr. Cynthia Browne, MD
Patricia Cosgrove
Stephan & Marian Loginsky
Donald Epstein
Marjory Epstein
Elaine Fontana
Bryan Pukoff
George & Eleanor Bodurow
Constance Bodurow
Heather Gehring
Shawn Rieschl Johnson & Christian Kirby
Dr. Charles B. Smith
Dr. Peggie J. Hollingsworth
Enrico & Olga Petrini
Miss Alma M. Petrini
Joseph Katulic
Stuart Grigg
Karen Hodgson
Stephan & Marian Loginsky
Dawn Minch
Stephan & Marian Loginsky
Harry Cook
Ms. Susan Chevalier
Pauline Fucinari
Mr. Anthony Delsener
Alphonse S. Lucarelli
Waltraud Prechter
John P. McMullin
Alexander Ford
Tori Murphy
Margaret Winters
Elizabeth Porter
Nancy Rade
Paula Lisa Cole
Pauline Virginia Fucinari
Martha Chamorro
Dr. David Fucinari
Carole Ireland
Phyllis Snow
Lisa Gross
Carole Heinrich
Kathleen Kennedy
Sarisa Zoghlin
Kevin Dennis & Jeremy Zeltzer
Vreevious
Bradley & Rachel Benigni
Every effort has been made to accurately reflect donor and honoree and memorial names for gifts received between July 1, 2023, and August 31, 2024. Should you find an error or omission, please contact Angela Nelson-Heesch at anelsonheesch@detroitopera.org or 313.237.3438
Capital Campaign for the Detroit Opera House
The Detroit Opera Board of Directors began the first phase of fundraising for the Detroit Opera House capital improvements in January 2020. This multiphase capital campaign grew from recommendations identified in the facilities master plan completed by Albert Kahn Associates, Inc. Scheduled facility improvements and upgrades will shape the patron experience at the opera house for years to come. We extend heartfelt thanks to the following donors who made contributions that enabled capital improvements to begin.
LEADERSHIP GIFTS
Ethan & Gretchen Davidson
William Davidson Foundation
National Endowment for the Humanities
Matthew & Mona Simoncini
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS
Naomi André
Michael Azar
Nancy Azizi
Lee & Floy Barthel
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Gene P. Bowen
Elizabeth Brooks
Mr. Elliott Broom
Wayne S. Brown & Brenda Kee
Mrs. Judith Christian
James & Elizabeth Ciroli
Hon. Avern Cohn* & Ms. Lois Pincus
John & Doreen Cole
Mr. Adam Crysler & Dr. Oxana Crysler
Joanne Danto & Arnold Weingarden
Ms. Julia Donovan Darlow & Hon. John C. O'Meara
Kevin Dennis & Jeremy Zeltzer
Shauna Ryder Diggs, MD
Enrico & Kathleen Digirolamo
David & Carol Domina
Mr. Cameron B. Duncan*
Ms. Wendy L Ecker
Mr. Michael Einheuser
Marianne T. Endicott
Alex & Lil Erdeljan Foundation
Fern Espino & Tom Short
Carl & Mary Ann Fontana
Mrs. Barbara Frankel* & Mr. Ronald Michalak
Mr. & Mrs. Herman Frankel
Samuel* & Toby Haberman
John & Kristan Hale
Dr. Devon Hoover*
Eleanor & Alan Israel
Robert Jesurum & Christine Petrucci
The Karen & Drew Peslar Foundation
Ms. Velda Kelly
Mary Kramer
Michael & Barbara Kratchman
Denise Lewis
Alphonse S. Lucarelli*
Don Manvel
Marvin, Betty & Joanne Danto Family Foundation
McGregor Fund
Benjamin Meeker & Meredith Korneffel, MD
Ali Moiin & William Kupsky
Donald & Antoinette Morelock
Allan & Joy Nachman Philanthropic Fund
James & Ann Nicholson
Peter Oleksiak
Ms. Linda Orlans
Penske Corporation
Mr. Shane Pliska
Prof. Sara A. Pozzi, Ph.D.
Waltraud Prechter
Paul & Amy Ragheb
Mrs. Ruth F. Rattner
Ankur Rungta & Mayssoun Bydon
Terry Shea & Seigo Nakao
The Skillman Foundation
Mr. Richard Slama
SOLO World Partners LLC
Richard Sonenklar & Gregory Haynes
The State of Michigan
Lorna Thomas, MD
Mr. & Mrs. C. Thomas Toppin
Jesse & Yesenia Venegas
R. Jamison & Karen Williams
Ellen Hill Zeringue
Listing reflects gifts and pledges as of August 31, 2024, in alphabetical order.
Avanti Society Members Setting the Stage for Tomorrow
Found in many Italian opera texts, the word avanti means “ahead” or “forward,” and the Avanti Society— Detroit Opera’s planned gift recognition program—is a group of thoughtful donors whose generosity is defined by foresight. By including Detroit Opera in their estate plans, members are leaving lasting gifts which will bring the transformative power of opera and dance to audiences in our community and around the country, well beyond our own lifetimes.
Those listed below have chosen to include Detroit Opera in their estate plans to secure the future of American Opera unfolding in Detroit. Thank you, Avanti Society Members!
Douglas* & Sarah Allison
Dr. Lourdes V. Andaya§
Mr. & Mrs. Agustin Arbulu§
Mr.* & Mrs. Chester Arnold§
Dr. Leora Bar-Levav
Mr. & Mrs. Lee Barthel
Mr. & Mrs. Brett Batterson§
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bowlby
Mrs. Doreen Bull
Mr.* & Mrs. Roy E. Calcagno§
Dr. & Mrs. Thomas E.Carson
Dr.* & Mrs. Victor J. Cervenak
Father Paul F. Chateau
Mary Christner
Mr. Gary L. Ciampa
Hon. Avern Cohn* & Ms. Lois Pincus
Prof. Kenneth Collinson
Douglas & Minka Cornelsen
Dr. Robert A. Cornette§#
Mr. Thomas J. Delaney
Walter & Adel Dissett
Ms. Mary J. Doerr#
Mrs. Helen Ophelia Dove-Jones
Marianne T. Endicott§#
Mr. Wayne C. Everly
David & Jennifer Fischer
Mr. & Mrs. Herb Fisher§
Derek & Pamela Francis
Mrs. Barbara Frankel* & Mr. Ronald Michalak§#
Mr. & Mrs. Herman Frankel§#
Dr. & Mrs. Byron P. Georgeson§
Albert & Barbara Glover
Robert Green
Mr. Ernest Gutierrez
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Hagopian
Mr. Lawrence W. Hall§
Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Halperin§
Ms. Heather Hamilton
Charlene Handleman
Preston & Mary Happel
Mr. Kenneth E. Hart§
Mr. & Mrs. Eugene L. Hartwig§
Dr. & Mrs. Gerhardt A. Hein
Fay & Allen Herman
Derek & Karen* Hodgson
Andrew & Carol Howell
Dr. Cindy Hung§
Eleanor & Alan Israel
Ms. Kristin Jaramillo§
Mr. Donald Jensen§
Mr. John Jickling
Mr. Patrick J.* & Mrs.
Stephanie Germack Kerzic
Josephine Kessler
Edward & Barbara Klarman
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Klein#
Mr. & Mrs. Erwin H. Klopfer§#
Myron & Joyce LaBan
Paul Lavins
Mr. Max Lepler & Mr. Rex Dotson
Linda Dresner & Ed Levy Jr.
Mr. Hannan Lis
Florence LoPatin
Mr. Stephen H. Lord
Ms. Denise Lutz
Laura & Mitchell Malicki
Ms. Jane McKee§
Bruce Miller
Drs. Orlando & Dorothy Miller§
Ms. Monica Moffat & Mr. Pat McGuire
Drs. Stephen & Barbara Munk
Mr. Jonathan F. Orser
Ms. Julie A. Owens
Mr. Dale J. Pangonis§
Mr. & Mrs. Charles A. Parkhill
Mr. Richard M. Raisin§
Mrs. Ruth F. Rattner§#
Ms. Deborah Remer
Dr. Joshua Rest
Mr. & Mrs. James Rigby§
Mr. Bryan L. Rives
Ms. Patricia Rodzik§
David & Beverly Rorabacher
Dulcie Rosenfeld
Professor Alvin & Mrs. Harriet Saperstein
Ms. Susan Schooner§
Mark & Sally Schwartz
Arlene Shaler§
Ms. Ellen Sharp
Ms. Edna J Pak Shin
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Siebert
Mrs. Loretta Skewes
Ms. Anne Sullivan Smith
Mr.* & Mrs. Richard Starkweather§#+
Ms. Mary Anne Stella
Mr. Stanford C. Stoddard
Mr. Ronald F. Switzer§ & Jim McClure
Lillie Tabor
Peter & Ellen Thurber
Alice* & Paul Tomboulian
Jonathan & Salome E. Walton
Susan Weidinger
Mr. Andrew Wise
Larry* & Mary Lou Zangerle
We express profound thanks to these Avanti Society members whose planned gifts to Detroit Opera have been realized.
Robert G. Abgarian Trust
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Allesee#
Serena Ailes Stevens
Mr. & Mrs. J. Addison Bartush§#
Mr. & Mrs. Mandell Berman
Margaret & Douglas Borden
Charles M. Broh
Milena T. Brown
The Gladys L. Caldroney Trust
Charlotte Bush Failing Trust
Mary C. Caggegi
Allen B. Christman
Miss Halla F. Claffey
Ms. Virginia M. Clementi
Robert C. & RoseAnn B. Comstock
Mary Rita Cuddohy
Marjorie E. DeVlieg
Nancy Dewar
James P. Diamond
Dr. David DiChiera
Mrs. Karen V. DiChiera
Dr. & Mrs. Charles H. Duncan§
Mr. Wayne C. Everly
Dr. Evelyn J. Fisher
Mrs. Anne E. Ford
Ms. Pamela R. Francis§
Mrs. Rema Frankel
Barbara Lucking Freedman
The Edward P. Frohlich Trust
The Priscilla A.B. Goodell Trust
Freda K. Goodman Trust
Priscilla R. Greenberg, Ph.D.§#
Maliha Hamady
Patricia Hobar
Mary Adelaide Hester Trust
Ms. Nancy B. Henk
Gordon V. Hoialmen Trust
Carl J. Huss
Mr. John Jesser
H. Barbara Johnston
Maxwell & Marjorie Jospey
Mrs. Josephine Kleiner
Misses Phyllis & Selma Korn§*
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Krolikowski§
Mr. Philip Leon
Dores & Wade McCree
Lucie B. Meininger
Helen M. Miller
Ella M. Montroy
Ronald K. Morrison
Ruth Mott
Elizabeth M. Pecsenye
Clarice Odgers Percox Trust
Thomas G. Porter
Mitchell Romanowski
Ms. Joanne B. Rooney
Concetta Ross
Mr. & Mrs. Giles L. & Beverly Ross
Ms. Merle H. Scheibner
Drs. Heinz & Alice
Platt Schwarz§
Ms. Laura Sias
Mrs. Marge Slezak
Ms. Phyllis Funk Snow§
Edward L. Stahl
Mary Ellen Tappan
Charitable Remainder Trust
Dr. Mildred Ponder Stennis
Margaret D. Thurber
Mr. & Mrs. George & Inge Vincent§#
Herman W. Weinreich
J. Ernest Wilde Trust
Mrs. Ruth Wilkins
Helen B. Wittenberg
Mr. & Mrs. Walter & Elizabeth Work§
Joseph J. Zafarana
Mr. & Mrs. George M. Zeltzer§
KEY
§ Founding Members
# Touch the Future donors
* Deceased
Membership in the Avanti Society is open to all who wish to declare their intention for a planned gift to Detroit Opera. Call Juliano Bitonti Stewart to learn more, 313.965.4271.
Orchestra
Detroit Federation of Musicians, Local #5, of the American Federation of Musicians
VIOLIN I
Daniel Stachyra Interim Concertmaster
Yuri Popowycz Acting Asst. Concertmaster
Emelyn Bashour Second Principal
Emily Barkakati
Anna Bittar-Weller
Molly Hughes
Bryan Johnston
Henrik Karapetyan
Velda Kelly
Beth Kirton
Jenny Wan
Andrew Wu
VIOLA
John Madison Principal
Jacqueline Hanson
Scott Stefanko
CELLO
Ivana Biliskov Principal
Benjamin Maxwell
Andrea Yun
BASS
Derek Weller Principal
Clark Suttle
HARP
Open Position Principal
FLUTE
Open Position Principal
Open Position Second
OBOE
Eli Stefanacci Principal
Open Position Second
CLARINET
Roi Karni Principal
J. William King
BASSOON
Daniel Fendrick Principal
Greg Quick
HORN
Colin Bianchi Principal
Carrie Banfield-Taplin
TRUMPET
David Ammer Principal
Mark Davis
TROMBONE
Open Position Principal
Dustin Nguyen
TIMPANI
Eric Stoss Principal
PERCUSSION
John Dorsey Principal
Administration & Staff
LEADERSHIP
Patty Isacson Sabee, President & CEO
Yuval Sharon, Gary L.Wasserman Artistic Director
Roberto Kalb, Music Director
Andrew Berg, Chief Development Officer
Daniel T. Brinker, General Manager, Detroit Opera House & Parking Center
Shawn Rieschl Johnson, Chief Programming & Production Officer
Alexis Means, Director of Operations & Patron Experiences
Holly Clement, Senior Manager of Events & Rentals
Jennifer George-Consiglio, Manager of Venue Operations
Michael Hauser, Curator of History & Architecture
Kathie Booth, Volunteer Coordinator
USHERS
Max Aghili, Christine Berryman, Ellen Bishop, Kathie Booth, Lori Burkhardt, Randall Davis, Erin G-Doakes, Suzanne Erbes, Pamela Fergusson, Jo-Ann Hale, Sue Hargrave, Myrna Mazure, Ennis Mcgee, Steven McReynolds, Heddie O’Connor, Bill Ried, Kimberly Ried, Edna Rubin, Ida Vance, Sheryl Weinan-Yee
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Please observe the lighted exit signs located throughout the theater. In the event of an emergency, remain calm and walk, do not run, to the nearest exit. Ushers and security personnel are trained to assist. An emergency medical technician (EMT) is on-site during most events. Contact an usher or staff member if you need medical assistance.
GUEST SERVICES:
Vincent Lobby and Broadway Lounge
There are a variety of amenities for your comfort and use located in both guest services locations. Wheelchairs, booster seats*, earplugs, assisted listening devices, feminine hygiene products, basic first aid items, and more are complimentary and available for your convenience. Coat check is also available. The Vincent Lobby is located on the Madison Street side of the building and the Broadway Lounge is located on the Broadway Street side of the building.
*Limited quantity
PHOTOGRAPHY, RECORDING, AND CELL PHONE USE
Photography and/or recording during any performance is strictly prohibited. Photographs taken in the lobby areas, before or after a performance, and during intermission are welcome. As a courtesy to all guests, please turn off all electronic devices and refrain from use during the performance.
RESTROOMS
Women’s restrooms are located off the Ford Lobby (Broadway Street entrance) and down the stairs, and on third floor (Madison Street entrance). Men’s restrooms are located under the Grand Staircase and on the third floor (Broadway Street side). There are two sets of elevators or stairs available to access all third-floor restrooms. All third-floor restrooms are wheelchair accessible (women’s restroom, press 3R in the elevator). There are single-use unisex wheelchair accessible restrooms on the first floor of the Broadway Street side of the building and the Madison Street side of the building. There is also a wheelchair accessible women’s restroom on the Broadway Street side of the building.
NO SMOKING
The Detroit Opera House is a non-smoking facility. This includes e-cigarettes, vapes, and other “smokeless” products.
USHERS
Ushers are stationed throughout the building to assist patrons as needed. Please direct questions, concerns, and feedback to them during your visit. Enjoy volunteering? Please go to guest services or the Detroit Opera website, detroitopera.org/volunteers, for information on becoming a volunteer.
LOST AND FOUND
During the performance, lost and found is located in guest services. Unclaimed items are logged and taken to the Safety and Security office after each performance. To inquire about a misplaced or lost item, please call 313.961.3500. Items left over 30 days will be discarded or donated.
RECORDING IN PROGRESS
Entry and presence on the event premises constitute your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded, and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of any and all recorded media for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with Detroit Opera and its initiatives. By entering the event premises, you waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of you at the event.
