2024.02.03 | Parnassus Opera: Donizetti - La Fille Du Régiment Program

Presented by Dr. Ken and Sandy Tokita & the Parnassus Society

Parnassus Opera

Donizetti - La Fille Du Régiment “Daughter of the Regiment” | Highlights

Saturday, February 3 | 3 PM Soka Performing Arts Center at Soka University of America

Parnassus Opera: Donizetti - La Fille Du Régiment

Featured Artists Lynette Tapia......................................................................................... Marie John Osborn........................................................................................... Tonio Mattia Venni.......................................................................................... Sulpice Erin Theodorakis............................................................................... La Marquise Ryan Reithmeier................................................................................ Corporal

Soldiers of the 21st Regiment William Bolin Henry Courtney Henry Chung Matthew Henderson Keanu Ho Vincent Lu Michael Ma Alec Ortega-Fosado Ashton Ortega-Fosado Liam Posos

William Reeder* Zaid Salazar Cian Sheridan Adam Suh Jack Wilson Paxton Wong Maxwell Yen Jaden Yoo William Yu

Wedding Guests & Villagers Madison Becerra Lal Besir Hope Bradley Celine Curtis

Sydney Sublette Lavinia Watkins Alyssa Wills* *OSCA Classical Voice Conservatory Faculty

OCSA Classical Voice Conservatory Donizetti Chorus David Clemensen, Chorus Master Kelly Kuo, Guest Conductor Parnassus Virtuosi Orchestra

PARNASSUS VIRTUOSI ORCHESTRA ROSTER

Parnassus Virtuosi Orchestra Kelly Kuo, Guest Conductor Violin I Robert Schumitzky Concertmaster

Yoomin Seo

Assistant Concertmaster

Michael Siess

Associate Concertmaster

Hana Kim Violin II

Agnes Gottschewski* Sooah Kim** Alexis Meschter Stephanie Pak Viola Hanbyul Jang Lash* Phillip Triggs** Alice Ping Cello Warren Hagerty* Erin Breene** Double Bass Douglas Basye* Constance Deeter**

Clarinets David Chang* Juan Gallegos Bassoon William May* French Horn Sarah Bach* Amy Sanchez Trumpet Ryan Darke* Bass Trombone Phil Keen* Timpani Rob Slack* Percussion Danielle Squyres* Orchestra Contractor Robert Schumitzky

Flute Sandy Hughes* * Principal ** Assistant Principal

Parnassus Opera: Donizetti - La Fille Du Régiment Gaetano Donizetti was born in Bergamo, Italy in 1797 and by 1830 had become the master of operatic vocal exhibitionism. He spent much of his life composing for the great Italian opera houses in Milan, Rome and Naples. In 1838, he was invited to Paris, France. At that time, Paris was the operatic capital of the world and every composer in Europe aspired to succeed in Paris.

French composers dominated the majority of Parisian theaters, so a commission from the Opéra Comique was a dream come true for Donizetti. But Paris demanded that operas be in French, so Donizetti set out to compose a French opera based on a French story for French audiences. The premiere of La Fille du Régiment in 1840 was a tremendous success, the first production receiving almost 50 performances. The finale, Salut à la France!, was raised to the status of unofficial national anthem. La Fille du Régiment is considered by many to be the best French opera not composed by a Frenchman.

Synopsis Act 1 The outskirts of a Tyrolean village Tyrolean villagers watch apprehensively as soldiers from Napoleon’s army battle in the valley below. Among the villagers is the Marquise of Berkenfeld, whose journey through Austria has been interrupted by war. The Marquise voices her concerns that in times of war nobility means nothing to

an enemy that has no respect for anything. The danger passes and the now joyful crowd disperses.

Sulpice, a sergeant in Napoléon’s 21st Régiment appears on the scene, followed by Marie, an orphan girl who was found on the battlefield and brought up from infancy by the regiment. She has just been made the regiment’s vivandière, or canteen girl. Marie and Sulpice recount tales from a happier past, and Marie eagerly sings one of her favorite military songs – Rataplan, Rataplan.

Sulpice asks Maria about the unknown young man she has been seen with, and she identifies him as Tonio, a local villager. At that moment, the soldiers drag Tonio before them; he has been caught snooping around the camp. Marie saves Tonio, now an accused spy, from immediate execution by telling the soldiers how he once saved her from falling over a precipice. They all toast Tonio, who pledges allegiance to France, and Marie is encouraged to sing the regimental song, Chacun le sait, chacun le di, (“Everyone knows it, everyone says it…The beautiful 21st”). Sulpice leads the soldiers off, taking Tonio with them, but he slips away and comes back to join Marie. They proclaim their love for each other, but before he is chased off again by Sulpice, Marie explains that she can only marry a member of the regiment. With this information in hand, Tonio rushes off but soon returns to tell the soldiers that he has enlisted in

ABOUT THE PROGRAM the 21st and can now marry Marie.

However, Sulpice delivers the sad news that Marie is about to be taken away to Berkenfeld to live with her newly discovered aunt, the Marquise. Marie must bid a tearful farewell to both the man she loves and the only family she has ever known, singing Il faut partir!, (“I must leave you!”).

Marie’s hand, declaring that Marie is his whole life, but the Marquise affirms her niece is engaged to another, and dismisses Tonio.

Act 2 Château Berkenfeld

As Marie is preparing to be wed, soldiers of the 21st regiment, led by Tonio, storm in to rescue their “daughter.” The wedding guests are horrified to learn that Marie was a canteen girl, but they change their opinion when she graciously describes her upbringing, telling them that she can never repay the debt she owes the soldiers. The Marquise is so moved that she gives her daughter permission to marry Tonio. Everyone joins in the finale, Salut à la France!

Marie has been living with the Marquise for several months.

The Marquise has arranged a marriage between Marie and her nephew, the Duke of Krakenthorp.

Sulpice has been enlisted by the Marquise to help with her effort to mold Marie into a lady, suitable for marriage to her nephew. Although reluctant, Marie has agreed to the arrangement.

Marie arrives for her singing lesson, accompanied at the piano by the Marquise. Encouraged by Sulpice, Marie slips in phrases of the regimental song, which infuriates the Marquise who storms out, followed by Sulpice.

Left alone, Marie sings about the insignificance of money and position. She hears soldiers marching in the distance and is overjoyed when the whole regiment files into the hall. Tonio and Marie are reunited, and along with Sulpice break into song, Tous les trois réunis, quel plaisir, mes amis! (“We three are reunited, what a happy day!”). Tonio asks for

Alone with Sulpice, the Marquise confesses the truth: Marie is her illegitimate daughter whom she abandoned, fearing social disgrace.

Program notes ©Peter Atherton, 2024.

Parnassus Opera: Donizetti - La Fille Du Régiment

Lynette Tapia, Marie Lynette Tapia, Bolivian-American soprano, is winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, First Place and “Prix de la publique” in the Operalia International Voice Competition Placido Domingo, First Prize George London Foundation, First Prize Licia Albanese - Puccini Foundation, and an Opera Index Award recipient.

Ms. Tapia has recently appeared as Elvira in I Puritani with Opera Koor Rotterdam; Grote Zangers Recital with John Osborn and Thomas Bagwell in Amsterdam Muziekgebauw an ’t IJ; Phoenician International Festival of the Voice in La bohème as Mimí; in Aalto Theater Essens’s production of Le prophète by Giacomo Meyerbeer as Berthe; Opera Classica Europa’s productions of Carmen as Micaëla; Turandot as Liù; La Traviata as Violetta Valéry; and Rigoletto as Gilda; National Opera and Ballet Constanta, Oleg Danovski Theater in La Traviata as Violetta; Salzburg Festspiele in La Cenerentola as Clorinda.

Other roles include Die Königen der Nacht in Die Zauberflöte; Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos; Adina in L’elisir d’amore; Marie in La fille du régiment; Adele in Die Fledermaus; Blondchen in Die Entführung aus dem Serail; Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia; and Cunegonde in Candide.

Recent concert appearances

include Teatro San Carlo in Naples, Italy; Kloster Eberbach, Germany; Opéra de Genève Les Nations; Teatro Regio Parma, Italy; Alte Oper Frankfurt, Germany. Prestigious conductors include Donald Runnicles, Richard Bonynge, Julius Rudel, John DeMain, Stephen Lord, and Andrew Litton; She has recorded two albums, L’amour consacré and La coppia degli acuti with John Osborn, tenor, and Christopher Larkin, conductor, with the English Chamber Orchestra at Henry Wood Hall in London. Most recent recording includes Berthe in Le prophète on Oehms Classics.

Future engagements include Opera Gala with John Osborn, tenor, Ryan Haskins and the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

John Osborn, Tonio American tenor, John Osborn has gained international acclaim performing with leading theaters around the world including the Opéra National de Paris, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, the Metropolitan Opera, Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, Royal Opera House, Opernhaus Zürich, Dutch National Opera, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Bayerische Staatsoper Munich, Berlin Staatsoper, Semperoper Dresden, Vienna State Opera, Theater an der Wien, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Teatro Real de Madrid, Grand Théâtre de Genève, Teatro alla Scala in Milan, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Salzburg Festival and many more.

Last season, 2022/2023, Osborn added a couple of historically iconic roles to his repertoire, making a world premier of the original tenor version of Hamlet by Amboise Thomas in Montpellier, and when he returned to the Grand Théâtre de Genève in his debut as Eléazar in La Juive. Osborn then joined Cecilia Bartoli in an extended tour in Europe of concert performances of La Clemenza di Tito in the title role. Osborn returned to Teatro dell’Opera di Roma as Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore, performed Otello in Rossini’s Otello in Japan, the title role of Faust in La Damnation de Faust by Berlioz at Teatro San Carlo di Napoli. Other engagements that season included La Fille du Régiment in Teatro Regio di Torino

and Teatro la Fenice.

This season, 2023/24, started off with a bang in a recorded performance of Jean de Leyde in Meyerbeer’s Le prophète as his debut with Festival Aix-enProvence. He then filled in for another historical performance as Edgar in the rarely performed French version of Lucie de Lammermoor by Donizetti. Mr. Osborn also performed Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore alongside his wife, Ms. Lynette Tapia as Adina at Castle Braunfels in Germany with Opera Classica Europa.

Moving on, he added the role of Polyeucte as his debut in another rarely performed production of Les

Parnassus Opera: Donizetti - La Fille Du Régiment martyrs by Donizetti in Theater an der Wien, made his debut in Olympia City Music Theatre Maria Callas Athens as Arturo Talbot in I puritani by Bellini, and also his debut at Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania also as Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore. He returned to Teatro Real de Madrid as the fiendish Duca di Mantua in Verdi’s Rigoletto. Also made a debut as Arrigo in I vespri siciliani by Verdi at Vienna State Opera. After this, Tonio in La fille du régiment, he continues his season as Nemorino in his stage debut at Teatro Regio di Parma, Elvino in La sonnambula by Bellini at Opera di Roma, and finishes the season again as Eléazar in a new production of La Juive at Oper Frankfurt am Main.

A native of Sioux City, Iowa, John Osborn received his Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal

Mattia Venni, Sulpice Italian bass-baritone Mattia Venni had a successful career in the film industry as a camera operator in Paris, France, and Los Angeles, California prior to switching careers in 2019.

The New York Times’ Oussama Zahr said of Venni’s 2023 professional debut in Teatro Nuovo’s Crispino e la Comare: “Mattia Venni was a sensational Crispino — his handsome baritone and capacity for self-parody allowed him to evolve from the

Performance from Simpson College, and graduated as member of the Metropolitan Opera Young Artist Program.

Osborn made his European Debut in 1997 in Cologne, Germany as Fenton in Falstaff by Verdi under James Conlon. He has won several prestigious international awards including Operalia 1996, Goffredo Petrassi Award (cultural) 2010, Aureliano Pertile Award (tenor) 2014, Bellini d’Oro (bel canto) 2014, Friends of the Dutch National Opera “Prix d’amis” (best performance) 2015, the Friends of Liceu Critical Award (male singer) 2015/16 for his portrayal of Benvenuto Cellini, Friends of the Arts Reina Sofia in Valencia 2021 for Hoffmann, and most recently another Abbiati Award (critics) 2022 for his recording of Robert le diable by Meryerbeer.

melodramatic sobs of an almostsuicide scene to the complacent patter of success”.

In 2019 Venni enrolled in the music program at Pasadena City College where he performed as Mars in Offenbach’s Orphée aux enfers in 2019 and as Don Alfonso in Cosí fan tutte at Azusa Pacific University in 2020 (concert version due to the Covid-19 pandemic.)

Mattia was scheduled to perform as Crespel in Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann at Santa Monica College before all was paused due to the pandemic. In 2020 he enrolled at UCLA after

ABOUT THE ARTISTS being accepted to three prestigious institutions: Conservatory Giuseppe Verdi in Milan, Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, and the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA. In 2021 he performed the role of Don Bartolo in Opera UCLA’s filmed version of Le nozze di Figaro and in June 2022 he performed the role of Dulcamara in Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore with Opera UCLA directed by James Darrah. In November 2022 Mattia sang the role of Polyphemus in Handel’s Acis and Galatea, directed by Crystal Manich and conducted by Dr. James Bass.

Mattia graduated in June 2023 with a Bachelor of Music from UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music. In July 2023 Venni made his professional debut at the Lincoln Center in New York City in the title role of Crispino in Crispino e la Comare with Teatro Nuovo under the direction of Will Crutchfield, to widespread critical acclaim.

Erin Theodorakis, La Marquise American mezzo-soprano Erin Theodorakis enjoys an active career on the stage and in the concert hall. She has performed throughout the United States and Europe. A compelling storyteller, she engages audiences with her dynamic presence and expressive voice.

On stage, Ms. Theodorakis most recently joined the Aspen Opera Center as a fellowship singer, performing the role of Countess Charlotte Malcolm in Sondheim’s A Little Night Music. In a review for The Aspen Times, Harvey Steiman wrote: “Erin Theodorakis not only nailed the sneaky wit in Charlotte, Carl-Magnus’ resourceful wife, but found shadings of meaning in Every Day a Little Death.”

Parnassus Opera: Donizetti - La Fille Du Régiment In 2017, Ms. Theodorakis had the pleasure of performing the leading role of Jo March in Mark Adamo’s Little Women with the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. Also with the Shepherd School, she performed the roles of Mrs. McLean in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah and La Natura in Cavalli’s La Calisto. With Opera Chapman, her other roles have included Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus and La Vecchia Zita in Gianni Schicchi.

Last November, Ms. Theodorakis made her debut with Pacific Opera Project in their production of Hansel and Gretel, playing the role of the Mother.

On the concert stage, Ms. Theodorakis’ solo engagements have included featured solos in Bach’s Magnificat, The Vivaldi Gloria, Handel’s Messiah, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah, to name a few. In 2015, she collaborated with the Pacific Symphony for their “For the Love of Bernstein” concert, and sang the “Doa Daa Day” trio from Trouble in Tahiti under the baton of maestro Carl St.Clair. She returned in 2016 to sing the role of Ruth in Pirates of Penzance for their “Family Musical Mornings” concert series.

For four years in a row between 2014 and 2017, Ms. Theodorakis was awarded first place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Los Angeles Competition in her division. Last year, Ms. Theodorakis was recognized as a district winner in the Metropolitan

Opera Laffont Competition for the San Diego District. She went on to win an encouragement award at the Regional Competition in Los Angeles.

Ms. Theodorakis holds a Master’s degree in Voice Performance from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where she was a recipient of the Shepherd School’s Provost Award. Originally from southern California, Ms. Theodorakis graduated from Chapman University with a Bachelor of Music degree in both Vocal Performance and Music Education. She studies with Reid Bruton.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Ryan Reithmeier, Corporal Ryan Reithmeier is a baritone, producer, and music educator, originally from Northcentral Montana. He is the Director of the Classical Voice Conservatory at the acclaimed Orange County School of the Arts - OCSA. Regarded as a versatile performer, he has distinguished himself with notable opera, operetta, and concert organizations throughout California. In 2023-2024 he will return to the St. John’s Concert Series in Orange as baritone soloist for Bach BWV 147, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, as well as Brahms’ Requiem. He will present his recital project, American Anthem: A Continent of Color at the inaugural season of Pacific Opera Project’s PARS Artist Recital Series, and at UC Santa Barbara in a guest appearance. He is thrilled to be joining the Parnassus Society and his students from the Orange County School of the Arts for this performance of La fille du Régiment.

Highlights from recent seasons include Pacific Opera Project’s critically acclaimed post-pandemic production of Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, as well as serving as baritone soloist for the St. John’s Bach Cantata Vespers in Orange, California. Dr. Reithmeier has performed more than 25 baritone roles in opera, oratorio, musical theatre and operetta. Recent and upcoming performances include Ich habe genug (BWV

82), Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen (Ascension Oratorio, BWV 11), as well as Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem and Haydn’s Missa in Angustiis the requiems of Duruflé and Faure, in addition to numerous productions of Handel’s Messiah.

Other appearances with the Operetta Foundation, Opera San Luis Obispo, Opera a La Carte, Soka Performing Arts Center, and Kallisti Ensemble have been met with high acclaim.

Since arriving at OCSA in 2017, Dr. Reithmeier has overseen, produced and directed numerous seasons of Classical Voice Conservatory opera productions, scenes programs, virtual projects, concert seasons and International tours, which have exposed hundreds of students to an education in the vocal arts, unmatched at the high school level. His private students have gained acceptance to study in leading vocal arts studios at USC, the San Francisco Conservatory, Chapman University, in addition to consistently earning high honors in adjudication and competitions.

In celebration of OCSA’s 35th Anniversary in 2022, Dr. Reithmeier had the pleasure of leading 8 of OCSA’s conservatories in Symphony of Dreams, a crossdisciplinary explorative gala concert of storytelling through opera, dance, and spoken word that celebrates the artist on a hero’s journey and reimagines the dream of a life dedicated to the arts. In February, 2024 Dr. Reithmeier will co-produce the 20th Anniversary

Parnassus Opera: Donizetti - La Fille Du Régiment of OCSA’s Performing with the Pros, The Greatest American Songbook, featuring students from 8 of OCSA’s conservatories in a program designed to expand the songbook to a continental perspective and explore what defines a standard in modern culture.

He earned music and education degrees at Concordia College, Moorhead in Minnesota, and California State University, Fullerton, before completing his Doctor of Musical Arts in vocal arts and opera at University of Southern California’s (USC) Thornton School of Music with highest honors, receiving the Opera Award, and induction into the Eta chapter of Phi Kappa Lambda upon graduation, as well as serving as a faculty teaching assistant. During his time at USC, Dr. Reithmeier completed field work in music education, directing for the operatic stage, and arts leadership and entrepreneurship. He also made his debut with the Thornton Opera as L’aumonier in Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites.

Dr. Reithmeier is a two-time winner of the Beverly Hills National Consortium Auditions, a winner of the NATS-LA Gwendolyn Roberts Auditions, and was a WesternRegional finalist in the NATS-AA competition, and has given recitals throughout Southern California.

Dr. Reithmeier is a sought-after competition judge, having served on the adjudication panel for the Los Angeles Music Center’s

Spotlight Awards, California Music Educators State Solo and Ensemble Festival, and National Association of Teachers of Singing Los Angeles Chapter Collegiate Auditions and Student Evaluation Program, as well as regular invitations to adjudicate collegiate competitions and present master classes. Dr. Reithmeier served on the Executive Board of NATSLA, the nation’s largest chapter of the National Association of the Teachers of Singing from 20162023 and is an active member.

Prior to coming to OCSA, Dr. Reithmeier served on the faculties of Azusa Pacific University and Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

David Clemensen

OSCA Classical Voice Conservatory Chorus, Chorus Master

David Clemensen is a pianist, educator, composer and church musician. Since 2003 he has been the pianist for Pacific Chorale. He teaches in the Classical Voice Conservatory at the Orange County School of the Arts. Dr. Clemensen holds degrees from Chapman University, CSUF and the University of Southern California.

Peter Atherton, Stage Director Peter L. Atherton, stage director, is Professor Emeritus at the HallMusco Conservatory, Chapman University. For more than forty years he performed and directed extensively in opera, oratorio, concert, and musical theater throughout the United States and Europe. His operatic and concert credits include performances with the Los Angeles Opera, Seattle Opera, Baltimore Opera, Lyric Opera Cleveland, Wolf Trap Opera, San Francisco Opera Touring Division, Opera Atelier, Cairo Opera, the Opera Estate of Rome and Verona as well as Los Angeles Philharmonic, L’Orchèstre de la Suisse Romande, Basel Chamber Orchestra, Bach Cercle Genève, International Chamber Ensemble Rome, Los Angeles Master Chorale and Orchèstre de Belgique. Dr. Atherton’s teaching legacy includes current and former students who have won major international

competitions, have been accepted into the most prestigious graduate programs and Young Artist Programs in Europe and the United States, and have performed with major opera companies and symphonies throughout the United States and Europe. He is thrilled to be returning as Emcee and Director for Parnassus Society productions.

Parnassus Opera: Donizetti - La Fille Du Régiment

Kelly Kuo

Parnassus Virtuosi Orchestra Guest Conductor

Praised as “a leader of exceptional musical gifts, who has a clear technique on the podium and an impressive rapport with audiences,” Maestro Kelly Kuo brings a dynamic versatility and nuance to a diverse symphonic and operatic repertoire. Currently Music Director of the Reno Chamber Orchestra, Artistic Director and Conductor of Oregon Mozart Players and Associate Artistic Director of American Lyric Theater, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to bold programming and creative initiatives. His engagements have included productions with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Seattle Opera, Minnesota Opera, Cincinnati

Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Merola Opera Program, Des Moines Metro Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Opera Columbus, and the Brevard Music Center, and concerts with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, Sunriver Music Festival, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Olympia Symphony Orchestra, and Ballet Fantastique.

In 2008, Maestro Kuo became the first conductor of Asian descent to lead a performance at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, making his company debut with Porgy and Bess. An Oregon native and recipient of a Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistant Award, Kuo continues to concertize as the only pianist to have studied with two pupils of the Russian virtuoso Vladimir Horowitz.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Cheryl Lin Fielding Artistic Director “Warm, grand and rich,” Cheryl Lin Fielding’s pianism has taken her to some of the finest stages in the world, including major venues such as Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Weill Recital Hall, Tanglewood Music Center, Music Academy of the West, Aspen Music Festival, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Juilliard Theater, Mark Morris Dance Group, Musco Center for the Arts, and Soka Performing Arts Center.

A sought-after performer and vocal coach, Fielding has been honored with the Grace B. Jackson Prize in Excellence by the Tanglewood Music Festival, recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, and received the distinguished Gwendolyn Koldofsky Award in Keyboard Collaborative Arts.

Cheryl’s musical training includes three degrees from the Juilliard School, and a doctorate from University of Southern California.

Fielding has had the honor of working alongside luminaries such as Matthew Aucoin, Christian Badea, John DeMain, Luana Devol, James Levine, Timothy Lindberg, Angela Meade, Carol Neblett, Linda Watson, and Dolora Zajick, and has served as music director, vocal coach, pianist, adjudicator for organizations including Dolora Zajick’s Institute for Young Dramatic Voices, Santa Fe Opera, the Philadelphia Virtuosi, Los Angeles Opera, Opera

Pacific, Operafestival di Roma, Opera Santa Barbara, Opera San Jose, OperaWorks, Pacific Vocal Series, Pacific Symphony, Opera Chapman, California State University at Northridge, Azusa Pacific University, the Juilliard School, and the USC Thornton Opera. You can hear her playing on all major streaming platforms on the newly released album with soprano, Tory McKenna: Awakening. Dr. Fielding is passionate about keeping the arts thriving in communities and has recently help produced several concerts with Parnassus Society at Soka Performing Arts Center. She is currently the Artistic Director of Parnassus Society and a faculty member at Opera UCLA and Dolora Zajick’s Institute for Young Dramatic Voices.

THE PARNASSUS SOCIETY Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Tokita, founders of The Parnassus Society, are longtime patrons of the arts and dedicated cultural leaders in Orange County, California. The Tokitas’ passion for the arts encompasses everything from classical to jazz music, to contemporary and Eastern art. Dr. and Mrs. Tokita have traveled the globe experiencing the art of numerous cultures, and have amassed an exceptional private collection of works by internationally and locally renowned artists including over 150 paintings, drawings and prints by Los Angeles-based American artist, Ed Moses.

Dr. and Mrs. Tokita have contributed their time and resources as board members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, founders of Chamber Music Orange County, and founders and directors of the Medici Foundation.

Additionally, the Tokitas open their home to host solo and chamber music concerts performed by musical luminaries and young emerging artists alike.

With the support of respected members of the local arts and academic community, Dr. and Mrs. Tokita continue their commitment to the growing cultural advancement of Orange County through The Parnassus Society, which was created to nurture the development and professional careers of promising young artists and musicians.

Founder and President: Kenneth Tokita, M.D. Head of Administration: Diane Oshiro Artistic Director: Cheryl Lin Fielding Stage Director: Peter Atherton Guest Conductor: Kelly Kuo Orchestra Contractor: Robert Schumitzky Orchestrator: David Carp Costume Accents: Laure Dike Technical Advisor: Miles Shishido Supertitles: Chelsea Chaves

Website: www.parnassussociety.org

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Grandi Voci

Splendor of the Human Voice SATURDAY, MAR 23, 2024, 3 PM SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Join us for the vocal splendor that is Grandi Voci with opera stars: Milena Kitic, Nmon Ford and Bruce Sledge, with Cheryl Lin Fielding at the piano. Special appearance by the All-American Boys Chorus directed by Wes Martin. Don’t miss it!

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SOKA UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Soka Performing Arts Center resides on the beautiful campus of Soka University of America.

We thank the SUA Board of Trustees and the SUA Leadership Council for all of their support.

SUA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Steve Dunham, JD Chair Vice President and General Counsel Emeritus, Pennsylvania State University | Baltimore, Maryland Tariq Hasan, PhD Vice Chair Chief Executive Officer, SGIUSA | New York, New York Andrea Bartoli, PhD President, Sant’Egidio Foundation for Peace and Dialogue | New York, New York Matilda Buck Benefactor | Los Angeles, California Lawrence E. Carter, Sr, PhD, DD, DH, DRS Dean, Professor of Religion, College Archivist and Curator, Morehouse College | Atlanta, Georgia Andy Firoved CEO, HOTB Software | Irvine, California Jason Goulah, PhD Professor of Bilingual-Bicultural Education and Director, Institute for Daisaku Ikeda Studies in Education, Director of Programs in Bilingual-Bicultural Education, World Language Education, and Value-Creating Education for Global Citizenship, College of Education, DePaul University | Chicago, Illinois Clothilde V. Hewlett, JD Commissioner of Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, State of California | San Francisco, California Lawrence A. Hickman, PhD Director Emeritus, The Center for Dewey Studies and Professor Emeritus, Department of Philosophy, Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale, Illinois

Kris Knudsen, JD Attorney | Wilsonville, Oregon Karen Lewis, PhD Sondheimer Professor of International Finance and Co-Director, Weiss Center for International Financial Research, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Luis Nieves Founder, Chairman Emeritus AUL Corp, Benefactor | Napa, California Gene Marie O’Connell, RN, MS Health Care Consultant, Associate Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing | Corte Madera, California Adin Strauss General Director, Soka Gakkai International-USA | Santa Monica, California Yoshiki Tanigawa Benefactor, Soka Gakkai | Tokyo, Japan Edward M. Feasel, PhD President, Soka University of America (ex-officio member) | Aliso Viejo, California

SUA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

SUA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Edward M. Feasel, PhD President Chief Academic Officer Professor of Economics

M. Robert Hamersley, PhD Dean of Faculty Professor of Environmental Biogeochemistry

Archibald E. Asawa Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Chief Financial Officer Chief Investment Officer

Hyon J. Moon, EdD Dean of Students Title IX and Section 504 Deputy Coordinator for Students

Katherine M. King, PHR Executive Vice President of University Community Chief Human Resources Officer Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator for Faculty, Staff and Others Michael Weiner, PhD Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Professor of East Asian History & International Studies Kevin Moncrief, PhD Vice President for Mission Integration Bryan E. Penprase, PhD Vice President for Sponsored Research and External Academic Relations Professor of Physics and Astronomy Tomoko Takahashi, PhD, EdD, LHD Vice President for Institutional Research and Assessment Dean of the Graduate School Professor of Linguistics and Education David Welch, JD Vice President University Counsel

Michelle Hobby-Mears, MBA Associate Dean of Students Director of Student Activities Andrew Woolsey, EdD Dean of Enrollment Services Martin Beck, MA Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications

CONCESSIONS

Concessions A wide variety of wine, beer, soft drinks and freshly prepared snacks will be available before the concert and during intermission in the lobby.

Artist Drink Pick Kir Cassis A note from Mattia Venni (Sulpice): During my 9 years spent living in Paris, my favorite drink after a full day of work was the famous “Kir Cassis.”

I remember every springtime I spent there, when the good weather brings back the outdoor nightlife, around 7PM when the streets and the cafés in the 6th district are getting full, the refreshing Kir is a must among Parisians before dinner time.

And If during your next trip to Paris, you feel the extra fancy vibes that only “La Ville Lumiere” can offer, ask for a “Kir Royale” and you’ll get it with Champagne, you’ll be a true Parisian!

Click here for menu and to order Pre-order your concessions and skip the line ahead of time!

Concessions provided by FPG Events