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KEY *Deceased
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AGES 13-18
Operetta Remix
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7 - 18, 2025 | 10AM-4PM JULY 24 - AUG 8, 2025 | 10AM-4PM
Operetta Remix is perfect for aspiring artists ages 13 to 18 who want to build their skills in singing, acting, stage movement, healthy vocal technique, and audition practice. Taught by experienced opera and theatre professionals, Operetta Remix will explore scenes and songs from your favorite operettas and musicals, and will culminate with a performance on the mainstage of the Detroit Opera House at 7:00PM on August 8, 2025.
Enroll your aspiring artist today!
Ever wanted to write, compose, and star in your own production? Create & Perform lets you do it all! In this innovative two-week program, young artists create their own stories, dances, and music compositions, culminating in a performance at the Detroit Opera House. Participants in Create & Perform get to take part in all aspects of mounting a new production, and will build their skills as performers, composers, designers, directors, and crew members while they write and perform an original opera.
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Storybook Opera presents
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This spring, Detroit Opera’s Education Department will present two operas in its Storybook Opera touring season: Cinderella, composed by Gioachino Rossini and illustrated by Detroitbased artist Carole Morisseau, and Little Red Riding Hood , composed by Seymour Barab and illustrated by Detroit-based artist Vito Valdez. Storybook Opera shares these operas in a truncated form aimed at pre-K
through 2nd-grade audiences. Advised by Dr. Shannan Hibbard, Assistant Professor of Vocal Music Education at Wayne State University, and instructed by DO teaching artists Lucia Flowers, Victoria Lawal, and David Moan, this program encourages early literacy comprehension-infused with the creativity of song and dance.
To bring a performance to your community or school, call 313.309.8258 or email edinfo@detroitopera.org
Artists of the Year Concert
Friday, June 27, 2025
7:30 p.m.
Caitlin Lynch......New York Met Soprano
Jonathan Lasch...Detroit Opera Baritone
Afterglow following the concert
Ticket Price $25 per person
Students $15 Children under 12 free
For Ticket Information Call 313-520-8663 or 313-885-7882
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to Don Giovanni, K. 527
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Imagine a gift that outlives you, allowing future generations to experience and enjoy the world of opera and dance. The Avanti Society at Detroit Opera represents a designated group of donors who have included the organization in their estate plans—whether by will, trust, insurance, or life income arrangement.
Membership in The Avanti Society is open to all. In thanks for their generous support and foresight, Avanti Society members are given special benefits and recognition for their heartfelt commitment to Detroit Opera.
The Avanti Society— Ensuring the Future Mona Alonzo
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A Legacy of Generosity (1941-2024)
Anyone who had the good fortune to know Mona Alonzo—a longtime Detroit Opera donor and patron who passed away in February 2024— will remember her as an exceedingly warm and sincere person who was deeply committed to her family and friends, and generously supportive of the numerous organizations that were dear to her heart.
Possessing a profound passion for culture, and especially the arts, Mona attended theater festivals every summer and regularly visited and contributed to cultural institutions like Detroit Opera. Mona and her husband Richard were loyal DO subscribers for 25 years and donors for more than 30. And now, with her passing, Mona has left us a generous legacy gift as well. In accordance with her wishes, and her enthusiasm for Yuval Sharon’s ambitious artistic vision for DO, this gift will be used to support our general operations, giving us the freedom to direct the funds wherever they are most needed.
We are eternally grateful to Mona—for her stalwart support through every phase of our evolution as a driver of culture in Detroit, for her fervent belief in our transformative vision and auspicious future, and for her tremendous generosity, which will significantly benefit our organization, our audiences, and our community for many years to come.
A message from Jon H. Teeuwissen
Bienvenue! This final program of our 2024/25 dance season marks the return of Malandain Ballet Biarritz to the stage of the Detroit Opera House. They were the last dance company to perform in the opera house before everything shut down due to the pandemic, and we are thrilled to welcome them back five years later for an exciting new program.
Malandain Ballet Biarritz is one of the few French contemporary ballet companies that subscribes to the neoclassical ballet aesthetic. For their first visit to Detroit in February 2020, the company presented a mixed repertoire program of three ballets choreographed by founding artistic director Thierry Malandain, culminating with his innovative take on Ravel’s Boléro
This year, Malandain presents his full-length ballet Les Saisons, which had its premiere at the Cannes Dance Festival in 2023. The ballet combines Antonio Vivaldi’s famous The Four Seasons and the littleknown work of his contemporary and compatriot Giovanni Antonio Guido, The Four Seasons of the Year
Ariane Bavelier of Le Figaro called Les Saisons “a masterpiece by the director of the Biarritz Ballet.” As described by critic Delphine Baffour of La Terrasse, “When the curtain opens, it reveals a tableau of striking beauty. The chiaroscuro silhouettes of the 22 dancers from the Ballet de Biarritz stand out against a luminous backdrop of superb, monumental black petals designed by Jorge Gallardo. Vivaldi’s “Spring” brings them to life, and from round to round, in highly graphic compositions, they sketch out a faltering humanity.”
We are now enjoying Spring, the time of year that represents new beginnings: a time of renewal. I invite you to spring into action and join us for the 2025/26 dance season by renewing your subscription today. Merci!
Jon H. Teeuwissen Artistic Advisor for Dance
24/25 SEASON SPONSOR
SAT APRIL 26 @7:30PM
PRE-PERFORMANCE TALK
@6:30PM WITH ARNAUD MAHOUY, ARTISTIC COORDINATOR
SUN APRIL 27 @2:30PM
PRE-PERFORMANCE TALK
@1:30PM WITH ARNAUD MAHOUY, ARTISTIC COORDINATOR
No photography or video is allowed during the performance. Please silence all phones.
About Les Saisons
Based on an idea by Laurent Brunner, Director of Château de Versailles Spectacles, and Stefan Plewniak, Violinist and First Conductor of the Royal Opera of Versailles, this ballet intertwines Antonio Vivaldi’s famous Four Seasons with several pages of Le Quattro Stagioni dell’anno (The Four Seasons of the Year), a little-known work by Giovanni Antonio Guido, contemporary and compatriot of the “red priest.”
As for its accomplishment, beginning with arithmetic, under the influence of the number four, closely linked to creation, balance, and harmony, we can first say that Guido’s Seasons awake memories of “belle danse” (Baroque dance), which emerged in the seventeenth century from the ideal of governing one’s body and mind, and moving with grace, accuracy, and lightness. The number four is also associated with the Earth and the wheel of life, which does not always turn round smoothly, if not completely askew, given the ugliness, stupidity, and inhumanity that proliferate. With Vivaldi’s Seasons, we are moved by a more natural, more human form of dance.
Finally, we spice things up with some poetic fantasy, and with these two words, you’ve got the basics. Against a backdrop of black petals spread across the horizon, winged beings mourn the loss of spirit and clarity. Why? Because The Seasons is only a ballet and there is nothing more serious than unbelievable things.
—Thierry Malandain
Music Antonio Vivaldi & Giovanni Antonio Guido
Choreographer Thierry Malandain
Set and Costume Design Jorge Gallardo
Lighting Design François Menou
Costume Production Véronique Murat, Charlotte Margnoux
Assisted by Anaïs Abel
Set Production Frédéric Vadé
Accessories Production Annie Onchalo
Set and Props Assistants Nicolas Rochais, Gorka Arpajou, Félix Vermandé, Raphaël Jeanneret, Christof t’Siolle, Txomin Laborde- Peyre, Maruschka Miramon, Karine Prins, Sandrine Mestas Gleizes, Fanny Sudres, and Fantine Goulot
Ballet Masters Richard Coudray, Giuseppe Chiavaro, Frederik Deberdt
Length: 60 minutes
Ballet for 22 dancers
Proposed by the Royal Opera of Versailles
Premiere
November 25, 2023 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes –Cannes Dance Festival – Côte d’Azur France
Premiere with Versailles Royal Orchestra conducted by Stefan Plewniak December 14-17, 2023, Royal Opera of Versailles
Principal co-producer
Château de Versailles Spectacles – Royal Opera of Versailles; Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal de Versailles
Co-producers: Festival de Danse de Cannes – Côte d’Azur France; Teatro Victoria Eugenia – Ballet T – Ville de Donostia San Sebastián; Opéra de Saint-Etienne; Theater Bonn – Germany; Teatro la Fenice – Venice (Italy); CCN Malandain Ballet Biarritz
Partners
Opéra de Reims; Espace Jéliote d’Oloron Sainte-Marie; Théâtre Olympia d’Arcachon
Sponsorships
Fonds de dotation Malandain pour la Danse Suez; Association Amis du Malandain Ballet Biarritz Carré des Mécènes du Malandain Ballet Biarritz
Claire Lonchampt, Patricia Velázquez, Raphaël Canet, Hugo Layer
“Let the Winds Roar”
Entire company
CHOREOGRAPHER’S NOTE
Having unfurled their passionate energy long before their publication in Amsterdam in 1725, the Four Seasons of Vivaldi form a cycle of four violin concertos naturally named Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each title has three movements, whose main purpose is not virtuosity. New at the time, they were preceded by sonnets attributed to Vivaldi and provide a succession of pastoral scenes descriptively celebrating nature.
One of the most international opuses with more than a thousand recordings to date, not counting concerts, catalogues of telephone on-hold music and adverts, this universal hymn to nature, rediscovered in the mid 20th century, has the ability to please. Hence its immense popularity, hence also the weariness, or even the rejection that the work can arouse. Thus, after Igor Stravinsky stated in 1959, “Vivaldi is greatly overrated—a boring fellow who could compose the same form so many times,”1 people talked about easy music to the point of saying, such as the composer Luigi Dallapiccola, or Stravinsky again, 2 that “the red- headed priest” composed “the same concerto five hundred times.” This is not true and completely unfair.
That being said, in all their grandeur, in terms of their promise, it is true that the Venetian musician’s Four Seasons have been heard so often, exploited so much to the point of misunderstanding, that in response, having become truly old repetitive melodies, they can be irritating, cause total indifference, or in our case, overwhelm us with gloomy thoughts. And even more so in today’s disillusioned and corrupt climate, where nature’s deterioration constitutes an existential threat. In contrast, since the word nature literally means birth, Giovanni Antonio Guido’s The Four Seasons of the Year should, because of their unique nature, provide a breath of fresh air, renewal and a reason for hope.
Published in Versailles around 1726, but perhaps earlier than Vivaldi’s, since they may have been written around 1716 for the opening exhibition of four oval paintings by Jean-Antoine Watteau representing the four seasons which adorned the Paris mansion of Pierre Crozat, Treasurer of France, patron and collector. As for Guido, a first-rate Genoese violinist, he served Philippe d’Orléans, Regent of France, before entering the service of his son Louis. Written in the French form of Suite de danses, like Vivaldi, the score sets four anonymous poems to music— Les Caractères des saisons. Guido attempted to describe seasonal changes by adding notes of green, blue, and very light pink—but also rural deities, as in Les Saisons by Abbot Jean Pic, performed at the Royal Academy of Music from 1695 to 1722, with choreography by Louis Pécour. Accompanied by melodies composed by Pascal Collasse and Louis Lully, the ballet had four “entries,” a sacred number associated with creation, balance, and harmony. Four doors that we will cross through to walk on the paths of idealism.
How far will we go like this? I don’t know...Guido’s bowing respectfully imitates the course of the seasons, but we are at the theatre, where everything is false and gets lost in the atmosphere.
This is the nature of the choreographer’s problem with the limits of his art. Whereas the solution, if we wish to continue gazing at nature when it opens its heart to spring, is to respect it without limits or pretense.
After the hymns to humanity and the living that comprised Le Sang des étoiles (2004), Noé (2017), la Pastorale (2019), Sinfonia (2020) and L’Oiseau de feu (2021), ideally, Les Quatre Saisons should not become false in its attempts to be real.
1 Conversations with Igor Stravinsky, Robert Craft, 1959, p. 84
2 Vivaldi: Amour de la Musique, Marc Pincherle, 1955, p. 55
Thierry Malandain, October 2022
THIERRY MALANDAIN Director and Choreographer
Member of the Academie des beaux-arts of the Institute of France and author of a repertoire of more than 80 choreographies, Thierry Malandain has developed a very personal vision of dance, closely linked to ballet, where priority is given to the dancing body, its power, virtuosity, humanity and sensuality.
The search for meaning and aesthetics guides a powerful and sober style, which can be both serious and insolent, based on the pursuit of harmony between history and today’s world. Thierry Malandain’s troupe is comprised of dancers with classical dance training who express themselves in a contemporary way via Thierry Malandain’s choreography.
“My culture is that of classical ballet and I confidently remain attached to it. Because while I readily admit that its artistic and social codes are from another time, I also think that this heritage from four centuries represents invaluable resources for dancers. A classical choreographer for some, a contemporary one for others, I play with it, simply trying to find a dance I like. A dance that will not only leave a lasting impression of joy, but that will also restore the essence of the sacred things and serve as a response to the difficulty of being.”
Created in 1998 in Biarritz on the initiative of the Ministry of Culture, and the Town of Biarritz with the support of Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and the Atlantic Pyrenees Department, Malandain Ballet Biarritz is one of 19 National Choreographic Centres (NCC) in France today. Today, Malandain Ballet Biarritz is one of Europe’s most widely seen companies with 100,000 spectators per season and almost 100 performances per year, including a third abroad. As a National Choreographic Centre, Malandain Ballet Biarritz also works intensely in terms of public awareness of dance—with on average over 450 events per year—and support to artists and companies thanks to the “Accueil Studio” program. To assist the development of young ballet choreographers, Biarritz CCN conducts an International Competition every two years, jointly with the Bordeaux National Opera Ballet and the CCN Ballet of the Opera National du Rhin. Thierry Malandain and his teams pay special attention to supporting ballets and choreographers. Every September since 2021, the CCN has offered Le Temps d’Aimer Dance Festival. The 2023 edition attracted 34,000 spectators for 109 events throughout the Basque Country Community with an eclectic, international program. Malandain Ballet Biarritz’s debut performances at the Detroit Opera House took place in February 2020.
Critical praise for Malandain Ballet Biarritz
• L'Oiseau de feu: "Bewitching...We’re witnessing the elevation of the soul here.” (Les Echos, September 2021) • La Pastorale: “Timeless, almost abstract, the dance here magnificently expresses the poignant paradoxes of human beings, from duets to ensemble movements.” (La Terrasse, November 2019) • Marie-Antoinette: “Malandain made the tasteful decision not to overload the stage, playing with frames wielded by the dancers and with slightly quirky costumes.” (Les Echos, March 2019) • Rêverie Romantique: “Everything celebrates romantic ballet in its details and its ensembles. Malandain incorporates its delicateness as well as its frenetic effect. It’s a delight.” (Le Figaro, June 2018) • Noé: “Malandain’s piercing style is self-sufficient and doesn’t need to be overplayed. His dance to stay alive is open-bodied.” (Le Monde, May 2017)
• La Belle et la Bête: “It is marvellously beautiful, with an abundance of choreographies that truly place him at the forefront of French choreographers.” (Le Figaro, December 2015) • Nocturnes: “Thierry Malandain has created a choreographic gem, which Jean-Claude Asquié’s lighting enhances with a dark glow, with chiseled dramaturgy, shrewdly musical and intelligent.” (Danser Canal Historique, November 2014)
Lise Philippon —Touring officer—+33 (0)5 59 24 96 98—l.philippon@malandainballet.com
Georges Tran —General secretary—+33 (0)6 11 68 37 93—g.tran@malandainballet.com
Centre Chorégraphique National Malandain Ballet Biarritz de Nouvelle-Aquitaine en Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Gare du Midi 23, Avenue Foch f-64200 Biarritz
tél. +33 (0)5 59 24 67 19 malandainballet.com
NOÉ BALLOT, born in Amilly. Trained at the Montargis Conservatory, then at the Orleans Departmental Conservatory; he studied at the Paris National Opera School of Dance from 2013 to 2016, then at the Lipszyc Ballet School in Biarritz until 2018. He then enrolled at the Paris Conservatory College of School and Dance as a student to obtain a national postgraduate vocational dance degree (DNSPD). He joined Malandain Ballet Biarritz in July 2021.
GIUDITTA BANCHETTI, born in Florence, Italy. She studied at the Scuola Accademica Danza Sad in Florence, Italy and is a graduate of the Marika Besobrasova method. She then joined the New English Ballet Theatre in London in 2017. She was awarded the 2018 Grand Prix in the first edition of Dance Project Charles Jude Association’s international classical dance exams in Florence sponsored by the Serge Lifar Foundation. She joined Malandain Ballet Biarritz in October 2018.
ALEJANDRO SÁNCHEZ BRETONES , born in Elche, Spain. Trained in his hometown at the Escuela de Danza Pilar Sánchez, then with Sofía Sancho in Alicante. In 2011, he was accepted at the Escuela de Danza Víctor Ullate in Madrid and began his career in 2014 with the Víctor Ullate Ballet. Hired in Lisbon, Portugal in 2019 by the Companhia Nacional de Bailado (CNB), he then jointed the Malandain Ballet Biarritz in December 2020.
JULIE BRUNEAU, born in Bayonne. Trained at the Maurice Ravel Basque Country Conservatory in Biarritz, and she joined the Toulouse VM Ballet in 2014. She gained professional experience with the VM Ballet, the Bordeaux National Opera Ballet, the Toulouse Capitole Ballet, the Magdeburg Ballet in Germany and participated in the production Mon Premier Lac des cygnes (My First Swan Lake) directed by Karl Paquette. She joined Malandain Ballet Biarritz in July 2021.
ELISABETH CALLEBAUT, born in Courtrai, Belgium. She trained at the Antwerp Royal Ballet School l’École royale de Ballet d’Anvers directed by Kevin Durwael from 2019 to 2023. She also participated in several workshops and courses with the Nederlands Dans Theater, the European School of Ballet in Amsterdam and the English National Ballet School. She danced with the Opera Ballet Vlaanderen before joining Malandain Ballet Biarritz in September 2024.
RAPHAËL CANET, born in Avignon. He studied at the Regional Conservatory in Avignon, before joining the Ballet of the National Opera of Bordeaux. Hired in 2009 in Dantzaz Konpainia, he joined Malandain Ballet Biarritz in 2011.
CLÉMENCE CHEVILLOTTE , born in Aix-en-Provence, France. Trained at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Danse de Marseille (Marseille national School of Dance) then at Colette Armand's Studio Ballet, her career began in 2006 at Gran Canaria Ballet directed by Anatol Yanowsky. She then danced for the Marseille and Montpellier opera houses as well as the Acodanse company in Marseille. From 2008 to 2010, she joined the ranks of the CCN/Ballet de Lorraine (National Choreographic Centre/Ballet in Lorraine) directed by Didier Deschamps before joining the Opéra de Limoges (Limoges Opera House). In 2012, she participated in works by various ballet companies and choreographers such as Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal (Great Canadian Ballets of Montreal), the Ballet de l'Opéra de Lyon (Lyon Opera House Ballet) and the Ballet Vlaanderen (Flanders Ballet). She joined Malandain Ballet Biarritz in 2017.
MICKAËL CONTE , born in Libourne. He trained at the National Conservatory de Bordeaux in 2001. He joined the Ballet Biarritz Junior in 2006 and then joined the CCN-Ballet de Lorraine directed by Didier Deschamps. He joined Malandain Ballet Biarritz in 2011.
JULEN RODRIGUEZ FLORES , born in Ibarra, Spain. He started with Basque dance before moving to Madrid at the age of 17 to learn classical and contemporary dance at the Conservatorio Mariemma. He began his career with the Metamorphosis dance company then joined the Dantzaz company in San Sebastián, Spain in 2019. He joined Malandain Ballet Biarritz in July 2021.
LOAN FRANTZ was born in Tinago Camalig Albay (Philippines). Trained at the Conservatoire à rayonnement régional of Toulouse, then at the Ecole de danse de l’Opéra National of Paris, he began his career in 2012 at the Ballet Nice Méditerranée directed by Eric Vu-An. He joined the Ballet de l’Opéra National de Bordeaux directed by Charles Jude in 2013, then the Ballet de l’Opéra Théâtre de Metz under the direction of Laurence Bolsigner in 2016. He finally joined the Malandain Ballet Biarritz in 2017.
IRMA HOFFREN , born in San Sebastián (Spain). She studied at the Thalia Dance School in San Sebastian, and then furthered her training with Maria de Avila and Carmen Roche. She joined Ballet Biarritz Junior from 2005 to 2008, then CCN-Ballet de Lorraine, under the direction of Didier Deschamps. She entered Malandain Ballet Biarritz in 2012.
HUGO LAYER , born in Sens. He studied at the Conservatoire de Sens until 2007, and then at the National Superior Conservatory of Paris for Music and Dance. Meanwhile, he took part in the creation of Rhapsody in blue with Cathy Bisson, played a role in the French television film Fais danser la poussière (Make the dust dance) by Christian Faure and Marie Dô and was chosen to be the soloist in Clowns by Pietragalla/Derouault company. He joined Malandain Ballet Biarritz in 2013.
GUILLAUME LILLO, born in Joinville-le-Pont. He studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Danse de Paris (Paris National Conservatory of Music and Dance), then joined the Ballet Junior troupe in 2011. In 2012, He danced with the Scottish Ballet (UK) for one season before joining the Israel Ballet company in 2013. He joined Malandain Ballet Biarritz in 2015.
CLAIRE LONCHAMPT, born in Sèvres. She trained in the Dance School of the Paris National Opera from 1998 to 2001. She continued her training at the European Dance Center, then was admitted in 2002 to the CNSMD in Paris where she joined the Junior Ballet in 2005. She began her career at the Zurich Ballet and then joined the Ballet of the National Opera of Finland in Helsinki in 2007. Later she was in Het National Ballet during 2010. She joined us in 2011.
TIMOTHÉE MAHUT born in Nancy, France. Trained at the Conservatoire of Nancy and at the Basel Theatre Ballet School in Switzerland from 2017 to 2020, then at the Northern Ballet in England in 2020. He joined the Europa Danse Company in Brussels in August 2021, then the Junior Ballet of Zürich in August 2022 where he danced choreographies of Crystal Pite, Hans Van Manen et Christian Spuck. He was hired by Malandain Ballet Biarritz in September 2023.
NEIL RONSIN , born in Toulon, France. He trained at the Pôle National Supérieur de Danse (PNSD) Rosella Hightower in Cannes starting in 2016 and earned a National Postgraduate Occupational Diploma. His career began in 2023 with the Cannes Junior Ballet Rosella Hightower and he then joined the Malandain Ballet Biarritz in September 2024.
YUI UWAHA , born in Nagoya, Japan. She studied at the National Ballet School of Canada from 2007 to 2011 then at the Dutch National Ballet Academy in Amsterdam from 2011 to 2013. In 2012, she began an internship at the Dutch National Ballet directed by Ted Brandsen, then she was hired by the Opéra de Nice Ballet directed by Eric Vu-An in March 2013, where she played demi-soloist roles in ballets by Maurice Béjart, Jiri Kylian, Roland Petit and Nacho Duato just to name a few. She joined the Malandain Ballet Biarritz in 2019.
CHELSEY VAN BELLE , born in Ostende, Belgium. Trained at the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp under the direction of Curtis Foley from 2018 to 2022. She has participated in numerous summer workshops and classes with the Royal Ballet of Flanders and Malandain Ballet Biarritz. In 2017, she was ranked in the top 12 at the Youth America Grand Prix. She began her career with Malandain Ballet Biarritz in September 2023.
PATRICIA VELÁZQUEZ , born in Guadalajara (Mexico). She studied at the Royal Academy of Dance of London, from 1994 to 2003. She was then admitted to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School in Canada from 2003 to 2005, before joining the Royal Ballet Academy of Guadalajara. She started her career in Mexico in the Compañia de Danza Clásica y Neoclásica de Jalisco in Guadalajara in 2009. She was then engaged in the Compannia Nacional de Danza in 2010, and in the Monterray Ballet in 2011. She joined Malandain Ballet Biarritz in 2012.
ALLEGRA VIANELLO, born in Venice, Italy. She trained at the Castelfranco Veneto School of Ballet from 2007 to 2011 and was then accepted at the English National Ballet School. She began her career in 2013 at the English National Ballet then joined the Ballet Cymru (UK) in 2014. She was hired by the Malandain Ballet Biarritz in October 2016.
LAURINE VIEL , born in Paris. She began dancing with Virginia Cosnier at the Villejuif Municipal Conservatory. Then, in 2005, she attended the National Superior Conservatory of Music and Dance in Paris, before joining its Junior Ballet Classic in 2009. She joined Malandain Ballet Biarritz in 2011.
LÉO WANNER , born in Marseille. After training in Italy for six years at the Accademia Teatro Alla Scala de Milan, he graduated in 2021 before joining the Cannes Jeune Ballet Rosella Hightower. He joined the Malandain Ballet Biarritz in September 2022.
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 Malandain Ballet Biarritz 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!
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PATRICIA
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 events.
$10,000,000+
The William Davidson Foundation
Ford Philanthropy
The State of Michigan
$5,000,000+
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
General Motors
The Kresge Foundation
John S. and James L. Knight 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
Lear Corporation
Linda Dresner & Ed Levy Jr. Masco Corporation
McGregor Fund
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
The Skillman Foundation
R. Jamison & Karen Williams
KEY
* Deceased
$1,000,000+
AT&T
Bank of America
Mandell L. and Madeleine H. Berman Foundation
Mr.* & Mrs. John A. Boll Sr.
Compuware Corporation
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* & Mr. Ronald Michalak
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Frankel*
General Motors Corporation
Hudson-Webber Foundation
JPMorgan Chase
Paul Lavins*
National Endowment for the Arts
Matthew & Mona Simoncini
Richard Sonenklar & Gregory Haynes
Barbara A. Walkowski
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
Contributors to Detroit Opera
Detroit Opera gratefully acknowledges these generous corporate, foundation, government, and individual donors whose contributions to Detroit Opera were received between January 1, 2024 and February 15, 2025. 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
The State of Michigan
$500,000-$999,999
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
$250,000-$499,999
Fred A. & Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation
Ford Foundation
$100,000-$249,999
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Ford Philanthropy
General Motors
Gilbert Family Foundation
Mellon Foundation
Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation
$50,000-$99,999
J. Addison Bartush and Marion M. Bartush Family Foundation
Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Hudon-Webber Foundation
Milner Hotels Foundation
$25,000-$49,999
Kresge Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
The Rattner and Katz Charitable Foundation
Matilda R. Wilson Fund
$10,000-$24,999
Detroit Children's Choir
DTE Energy Foundation Geoinge Foundation
Individual Support
Masco Corporation
McGregor Fund
MGM Grand Detroit
Oliver Dewey Marcks Foundation
OPERA America
Ralph L. and Winifred E. Polk Foundation
Ida and Conrad H. Smith Endowment for MOT
The Mary Thompson Foundation
$5,000-$9,999 C&N Foundation
Aaron Copland Fund for Music
James and Lynelle Holden Fund Honigman LLP
The Karen & Drew Peslar Foundation
Louis and Nellie Sieg Fund
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
ABM Janitorial Services
Joyce Cohn Young Artist Fund
Greater Horizons
Marjorie and Maxwell Jospey Foundation
Josephine Kleiner Foundation
Elmira L. Rhein Family Foundation
Sigmund and Sophie Rohlik Foundation
Seligman Family Foundation
Introduced in 2024, The National Circle is comprised of 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+
Richard & Mona* Alonzo
Ethan & Gretchen Davidson
Leslie Lazzerin*
Linda Dresner & Ed Levy Jr.
David & Christine Provost
Matthew & Mona Simoncini
Richard Sonenklar & Gregory Haynes
Barbara A. Walkowski
Gary L. Wasserman & Charles A. Kashner
$50,000-$99,999
Mrs. Phyllis F. Snow*
Lorna Thomas, MD
Jesse & Yesenia Venegas
R. Jamison & Karen Williams
$25,000-$49,999
Dr. Lourdes V. Andaya
Lisa S. Applebaum
Alex Erdeljan
Barbara Lucking Freedman*
Patricia Isacson Sabee & David Sabee
Mary Kramer
Denise J. Lewis
Hon. Jack & Dr. Bettye Arrington Martin
Susanne McMillan
Allan & Joy Nachman Philanthropic Fund
Ann & James B. Nicholson
Ebbie & Ayana Parsons
Ruth F. Rattner*
Barbara Van Dusen
Ms. Barbara A. Walkowski
KEY * Deceased
The DiChiera Society
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 with an emphasis on community engagement, accessibility, and artistic risk taking under the leadership of Gary L. Wasserman Artistic Director Yuval Sharon.
$10,000-$24,999
Gene P. Bowen
Mr. Thomas Cohn
Enrico & Kathleen Digirolamo
Nina S. Drolias*
Dr. Raina Ernstoff & Mr. Sanford Hansell
Derek & Pamela Francis*
Bharat & Lynn Gandhi
Toby Haberman
Michael & Barbara Kratchman
Ms. Mary C. Mazure
Ms. Evelyn Micheletti
Donald & Antoinette Morelock
Mr. Cyril Moscow
William & Wendy Powers
Dr. & Mrs. Samir M. Ragheb
Dr. Irvin D. Reid & Dr. Pamela Trotman Reid
Concetta V. Ross*
Terry Shea & Seigo Nakao
Prof. Michael Wellman
$5,000-$9,999
Ms. Christine Ammer
Dr. Harold M. Arrington
Beverly Hall Burns
Walter & Lillian Dean
Kevin Dennis & Jeremy Zeltzer
Maria & David Duey
Carl & Mary Ann Fontana
Ralph & Erica Gerson
William Hulsker & Aris Urbanes
Jane Iacobelli
Addison & Deborah
Igleheart
Jody & Tara Ingle
Andy Levin & Mary Freeman
Don Manvel
Mr. Ronald Michalak
Mrs. L. William Moll
Robert & Susan Morris
Mr. George & Mrs.
Jo Elyn Nyman
Ms. Linda Orlans
Sara A. Pozzi, Ph.D.
Waltraud Prechter
Ms. Pam E. Rodgers
Janice Ross
Evan & Kelsey Ross
Mrs. Rosalind B. Sell
Michael & Stacey Simmons
Mr. Peter C. Stern
Ned & Joan Winkelman
Ellen Hill Zeringue
$3,000-$4,999
Nina Abrams
Gregory & Mary Barkley
Paul & Lee Blizman
Bob & Rosemary Brasie
Wayne Brown & Brenda Kee
Dr. & Mrs. Ronald T. Burkman
Dr. Lynne Carter
Albert & Janette Cassar
Maurice & Carolyn Cunniffe
Lisa DiChiera
Fern Espino & Tom Short
James & Margo Farber
Sally & Michael Feder
Michael Fisher
Ms. Laurie R. Frankel
Dr. Glendon M. Gardner & Leslie Landau
Mr. Lawrence Glowczewski
Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Christine Hage
Barbara Heller
Roberto Kalb & Mane Galoyan
Ann Katz
Max Lepler & Rex Dotson
Mary B. Letts
John & Arlene Lewis
Nancy & Bud Liebler
Stephan & Marian Loginsky
Amy McCombs
Ms. Mary McGough
Benjamin Meeker & Meredith Korneffel, MD
Phillip Minch
Ali Moiin & William Kupsky
Van Momon & Pamela L. Berry
Geoffrey Nathan
George & Nancy Nicholson
Sally Orley
Brock & Katherine L. Plumb
Carrie & Ted Pryor
Lois & Mark Shaevsky
Susan A. Smith
Frank & Susan Sonye
Dr. Gregory E. Stephens, D.O.
Samuel Thomas & Daniel VanderLey
Bret & Susanna Williams
Dr. Lucia Zamorano
Friends of Detroit Opera
Every gift helps 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-$2,999
Thomas & Gretchen Anderson
D.L. Anthony, Ph.D.
Ms. Geraldine Atkinson
Martin & Marcia Baum
Mr. Stanislaw Bialoglowski
Sandra & Doug Bitonti Stewart
Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell Bleznak
Constance Bodurow
Ms. Nicole A. Boelstler
Mrs. Marlene L. Boll
Marsha Bruhn
Ilse Calcagno
Harriet Clark
John & Doreen Cole
Tonino & Sarah Corsetti
Sue Cutler & Jeff Fessler
Carolyn Demps & Guy Simons
Shauna Ryder Diggs, MD
Ms. Mary J. Doerr
Marla Donovan
Nell Duke & David Ammer
Ms. Judith Ellis
Marjory Winkelman Epstein
Paul & Mary Sue Ewing
Joseph Fontana & Nada Jurisich-Fontana
Burke & Carol Fossee
Dr. & Mrs. Clifford Furgison
Carol Gagliardi & David Flesher
Arline Geronimus
Thomas M. Gervasi
Allan Gilmour & Eric Jirgens
Mr. Nathaniel Good
Robert & Ann Greenstone
Stuart Grigg
Ms. Carole Hardy
Fay & Allen Herman
Mary Ellen Hoy & Jim Keller
Paul Jednak & Tim Kasunic
Richard & Involut Jessup
Mrs. Stephanie Germack Kerzic
Marc Keshishian & Susanna Szelestey
Mr. & Mrs. Gerd H Keuffel
Sam Logan Khaleghi
Gregory Knas
Jennifer Lindsay Kott
Meria Larson
Mr. Loreto A. Manzo
Ms. Janet Groening Marsh
Patrick & Patricia McKeever
Eugene & Lois Miller
Dr. Anne Missavage & Mr. Robert Borcherding
Craig & Shari Morgan
Ms. Maryanne Mott
Harold Munson & Libby Berger
Brian Murphy & Toni
Sanchez-Murphy
Dr. & Mrs. Peter Nickles
Joshua & Rachel Opperer
Daniel & Margaret Pehrson
Mark & Kyle Peterson
Ms. Irene Piccone
Shane Pliska
Elizabeth Porter & Larry Hickman
Michael & Charlene Prysak
Rip & Gail Rapson
Ankur Rungta & Mayssoun Bydon
Leon & Debbe Saperstein
Professor Alvin & Mrs. Harriet Saperstein
Mary Schlaff & Sanford Koltonow
Kingsley & Lurline Sears
Susan Sills-Levey & Michael Levey
Gabriel & Martha Stahl
Ann Steglich
Ms. Mary Anne Stella
Dr. Andrew James Stocking
Andrew J. Sturgess
Manuel Tancer & Claire Stroker
Mr. Jon Teeuwissen
Jeff & Amy Voigt
Stanley Waldon
Katina Zaninovich
$750-$999
Frank & Jenny Brzenk
Ms. Vera C. Magee
Walter & Elizabeth Newgeon
Barbara Roden
Dennis & Jennifer Varian
Rita Winters
$500-$749
Antonia Abbey & James Lee
David A. Agius
Michael & Katherine Alioto
Robert & Catherine Anthony
Paul Augustine
Wallace Ayotte
Ms. Allison Bach & Mr. Michael Cool
Ms. Mary Anne Barczak
Ms. Kanta Bhambhani
Amy & Tyler Bouque
Marceline Bright
Jonathan Cohn & Daniela Wittmann
Patricia Cosgrove
Daniel & Susan Drucker
Murray & Alice Ehrinpreis
Mr. M. Brennan Farrell
Daniel H Ferrier
Julie Finn & Bradley Rowens
Sue Force
Yvonne Friday & Stephen Black
Erin & John Gianopoulos
John Gierak & Dona Tracey
Joseph & Lois Gilmore
Gil Glassberg & Sandra Seligman
Mr. Robert Theodore Goldman
Philip & Martha Gray
Paul & Nancy Hillegonds
Beth Hoger & Lisa Swem
Lawrence John & Lilian Lai
Kimberly Johnson
Ms. Lee Khachaturian
Justin & Joanne Klimko
Mr. Alex Koprivica
Ms. Cynthia Kratchman
William & Jean Kroger
Mary Jane & Jeff Kupsky
Albert Kurt
Mr. John Lovegren & Mr. Daniel Isenschmid
John & Kimi Lowe
Mrs. Marsha Lynn
Mr. Russell Moore
Ms. Nancy K. Murray
Mr. Ronald Northrup
Jane Panikkar
Elaine & Bertram Pitt
Garry Post & Robert Hill
Shawn Rieschl Johnson & Christian Kirby
Adam D. Rubin, M.D, Lakeshore Professional Voice Center
Mr. Richard Lee Ruby
Michael Schon
Demetrius Shields
Paul & Jill Siatczynski
Clara Sumeghy
Dr. Geneva Tatem
Dr. Gretchen Thams
Barbara & Stuart Trager
Rennard & Daphne Tucker
Ms. Janet Beth Weir
Meredith Weston-Band & Jeffery Band
Ian D. Wiesner
Janice Zeltzer
Elliot & Dr. Susan Zeltzer
Gifts in Tribute
We extend a heartfelt thank you to those who generously made gifts to Detroit Opera in honor of or in memory of the special people in their lives, whose names are listed in bold below.
IN HONOR OF
Andrew Berg
Anne & Robert Berg
Wayne S. Brown
Dr. Lourdes V. Andaya
Philip Brunelle
Ethan & Gretchen Davidson
Dr. Shauna Ryder Diggs
Susan Feder & Todd Gordon
Mary Ann & Carl Fontana
Barbara & Michael Kratchman
Denise J. Lewis
Dr. Ali Moiin & Dr. William Kupsky
Ann & James Nicholson
Naomi Oliphant
William & Wendy Powers
Ruth F. Rattner
Irvin & Pamela Reid
John Etsell and Europeras 3&4
Katina Zaninovich
Carl & Mary Ann Fontana
Nina Abrams
Paul & Orvilla Ashely
David Feeny
Mary Jo & Donald Dawson
Barbara E. Camph
Holton Shipman
Thomas E. Barron
Peter Gude
Allen A. Lewis
Sarah Siwek
Wilson Curle
Cynthia Gitt
Pamela Fontana
Michael J. Bartoy
Sara Valenti
Teresa Taranta
Andre Boulanger
Robert Wittenberg
Theresa Johnson
Ellen Jacobowitz
Ann & David Conrad
Chuck & Sandra Jacobowitz
Brenda Kee
Dr. Ali Moiin & Dr. William Kupsky
Mary Kramer
Lois & Mark Shaevsky
Dr. Ali Moiin & Dr. William Kupsky
Mary Jane Kupsky
William & Elizabeth S. Kupsky
Allan & Joy Nachman
Eliot & Elizabeth Bank
Lorna Thomas, MD
Paul & Lee Blizman
Barbara Walkowski
Neal S. Goren
Abbie E. Wisusik
Michelle Tornopilsky
IN MEMORY OF
Harriet Berg
Mr. Richard D. Cavaler
Harry Cook
Ms. Susan Chevalier
Armando Delicato
Judith Gordon & Lawrence Banka
Jacqueline Shuster
Carol DeVore
Mark DeVore
Donald Epstein
Marjory Epstein
Pauline Fucinari
Martha Chamorro & Fernando Peralta
Mr. Anthony Delsener
Dr. David & Yvonne Fucinari
Therese, Carole & Mary Louise Ireland
Heather Gehring
Shawn Rieschl Johnson & Christian Kirby
Devon Hoover
Patricia Cosgrove
Joseph Katulic
Stuart Grigg
George & Ann Marisl
Thomas Dickson & Carol Dick
John P. McMullin
Alexander Ford
Sean & Tori Murphy
Enrico & Olga Petrini
Miss Alma M. Petrini
Ruth F. Rattner
Jody & Gary Astrein
Lori Cohn
Elle Elder
Beth & Earle Erman
Ann Fishman
Amy Folbe
Renee Handelsman
David & Rose Handleman
Patty Isacson Sabee
Ann Katz
Barbara & Michael Kratchman
Victor Lebovici
Jay Levinson
Nancy & Bud Liebler
Howard Luckoff
Alex & Lisa MacDonald
Angela Nelson-Heesch
Grace Serra
William Volz
Gary L. Wasserman & Charles A. Kashner
Angeline Rooks
Maria McMullen
Aphrodite Roumell
Allan & Joy Nachman
Florence, David & Joyce Schon
Michael L. Schon
Phyllis Snow
Lisa Gross
Carole Heinrich
Kathy & Jack Kennedy
Margaret Winters
Elizabeth Porter
Sarisa Zoghlin
Kevin Dennis & Jeremy Zeltzer
Every effort has been made to accurately reflect donor, honoree, and memorial names for gifts received between January 1, 2024 and February 15, 2025. Should you find an error or omission please contact Reema Mahmood, Manager of Events and Donor Relations at rmahmood@detroitopera.org or 313.237.3267.
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. Thank you, Avanti Society Members!
Douglas* & Sarah Allison
Richard & Mona* Alonzo
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
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§#
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§
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
Hon. Avern Cohn* & Ms. Lois Pincus
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 Demetrius Shields to learn more, 313.309.8255.
Orchestra
Detroit Federation of Musicians, Local #5, of the American Federation of Musicians
VIOLIN
Eliot Heaton
Concertmaster (on leave)
Daniel Stachyra
Interim Concertmaster
Yuri Popowycz
Acting Asst. Concertmaster
Open Position
Acting Asst. Concertmaster
Emelyn Bashour
Principal Second Violin
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
Open Position
CELLO
Ivana Biliskov
Principal
Benjamin Maxwell
Andrea Yun
Open Position
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
Open Position
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
Jon Teeuwissen, Artistic Advisor for Dance
Samantha Teter, Chief Marketing Officer
Ataul Usman, Senior Director of Human Resources
ADMINISTRATION
William Austin, Executive Assistant
Christy Gray, Office Administrator
ARTISTIC DEPARTMENT
Nathalie Doucet, Head of Music & Director of Detroit Opera Resident Artist Program
Elizabeth Anderson, Artistic Administrator
Jessie Neilson, Program Coordinator, Resident Artist Program
Melany Janer, Administrative Assistant
DANCE
Kim Smith, Dance Administrator
DETROIT OPERA YOUTH CHORUS
Suzanne Mallare Acton, Director
Twannette Nash, Chorus Administrator
Jane Arvidson Panikkar, Preparatory Chorus Conductor
Rebecca O-G Eaddy, Principal Chorus Conductor
Maria Cimarelli, Preparatory Chorus Accompanist
Joseph Jackson, Principal Chorus Accompanist
DEVELOPMENT
Juliano Bitonti Stewart, Director of Development
Chelsea S. Kotula, Director of Institutional Giving
Angela Nelson-Heesch, Director, Data Analytics & Operations
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.
Opera has been described as an art form that tells a story through music and singing. Detroit Opera is innovating new and exciting ways to tell those stories. At The Whitney, we see architecture as another art form that tells a story, in our case through our 125-year-old Romanesque-style mansion, one of the last remaining mansions that once lined Woodward Avenue. It is a true reflection of Old Detroit. Before your next opera, or whenever the urge hits you, come visit our mansion. We promise that the welcoming reception you’ll receive, the food and drink you’ll enjoy, and the ambiance you’ll experience, will make you think you’ve gone back in time. Pre-Theater Dining, Sunday Brunch or Afternoon Tea—It’s a story you won’t forget.
