The Atlanta Opera: Candide, March, 2023

THE ATLANTA OPERA

Mar 4 - 12, 2023

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

As we witness the challenges in the world right now, a war in Ukraine, an ever-present pandemic, and financial instability, to mention just a few – I often think of the character, Candide.

Raised on the theory that they live in the best of all possible worlds, the characters in Candide struggle to preserve their optimism through a hair-raising sequence of war, disease, famine, shipwreck, and slavery. Yet through these impossible times, they manage to keep a sparkle in their eyes and a tune on their lips until they finally succumb to the reality of an imperfect world. Or as Candide puts it in words, “If this is the best of all possible worlds, what are the others like?”

Just like characters in Bernstein’s opera, we must find a way to keep going with a sparkle, a tune, and readiness for adventure. Our main-stage season concludes with the most epic of adventures: the first installment of Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle, Das Rheingold

Our next season, just announced, continues the journey with a Halloween-themed fall featuring productions of The Shining, Frankenstein, and Rigoletto, followed by a spring of La bohéme, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the Ring Cycle’s second installment, Die Walküre

It’s not a coincidence that in the heart of the current season, we programmed a piece by an author who said once, “The most important decision we can ever make is to be in a good mood.” What other choice do we have right now other than to be stubbornly optimistic?

I hope you enjoy The Atlanta Opera’s first-ever production of Bernstein’s Candide.

We’re glad you’re here. Thank you!

Tomer Zvulun

Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. General & Artistic Director

THE 2022-23 SEASON SPONSOR

Official Beverage of The Atlanta Opera

THE 2022-23 DISCOVERIES SERIES SPONSOR

The Molly Blank Fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM The Livingston Foundation

THE VETERANS TICKET PROGRAM SPONSOR

THIS PRODUCTION OF BERNSTEIN’S CANDIDE IS SPONSORED BY  Harold Brody & Donald Smith

OPENING NIGHT SPONSOR

Mr. William F. Snyder

THE ATLANTA OPERA IS GRATEFUL FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT FROM

This program is supported in part by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and by the National Endowment for the Arts. This program is also supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. GCA also receives support from its partner agency—the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding for this program is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

MUSIC LEONARD BERNSTEIN

LYRICS RICHARD WILBUR, JOHN LATOUCHE, DOROTHY PARKER, LILLIAN HELLMAN, STEPHEN SONDHEIM, & LEONARD BERNSTEIN

BOOK LILLIAN HELLMAN & HUGH WHEELER

BASED ON THE SATIRE BY VOLTAIRE

PREMIERE December 1, 1956, Martin Beck Theatre, Broadway

CONDUCTOR James Lowe

STAGE DIRECTOR Alison Moritz

SCENIC DESIGNER Steven C. Kemp

COSTUME DESIGNER Jennifer Moeller

LIGHTING DESIGNER Thomas Hase

WIG & MAKEUP DESIGNER Melanie Steele

CHOREOGRAPHER Ricardo Aponte

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Bruno Baker†

ASSOCIATE LIGHTING DESIGNER Krista Billings

SOUND DESIGNER Jon Summers

FILMED MEDIA Felipe Barral & Amanda Sachtleben

CAST

CUNEGONDE Deanna Breiwick

CANDIDE Jack Swanson

VOLTAIRE / DR. PANGLOSS Kevin Burdette

GOVERNOR / VANDERDENUR / BARON / RAGOTSKI Victor Ryan Robertson

PAQUETTE Gretchen Krupp†

OLD LADY / BARONESS Deborah Bowman

MAXIMILIAN Craig Irvin

CACAMBO Tyler Nelson

MARTIN / GRAND INQUISITOR / SEA CAPTAIN Curtis Bannister

VOLTAIRE’S MAID Alexis Seminario

CORPORAL / SEÑOR 2 / INQUISITOR 2 / JUDGE Randall Perkins

MILITARY CAPTAIN Jacob Attaway

KING OF BAVARIA Fenner Eaddy

SPY 1 Chamblee Graham

SPY 2 / ARCHBISHOP / SEÑOR 1 Jose Caballero

BEAR KEEPER Samy Itskov

ALCHEMIST / KING OF EL DORADO Ethan Godfrey

INQUISITOR 1 / JUDGE Sean Savage

INQUISITOR 3 / JUDGE / DON ISSACAR / CROUPIER / CROOK Edwin Jhamal Davis†

QUEEN OF EL DORADO Ayana DuBose

SHEEP 1 Bailey Jo Harbaugh

SHEEP 2 Brandon Nguyen-Hilton

ENSEMBLE

Jacob Attaway, Ayana DuBose, Fenner Eaddy, Bailey Jo Harbaugh, Brandon Nguyen-Hilton, Gwynn Root Wolford

ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR & CHORUS MASTER Kamna Gupta

MUSICAL PREPARATION Nyle Matsuoka

PROJECTED TITLES Brendan Callahan-Fitzgerald

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER Megan Bennett

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS Caitlin Denney-Turner, Kristin Kelley

Performed in English with English supertitles.

Approximate running time: two hours and 17 minutes, plus one 25 minute intermission.

Candide projected titles design by Kelley Rourke originally for The Glimmerglass Festival

By arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., Sole Agent for Leonard Bernstein Music Publishing Company LLC, publisher and copyright owner.

Original Scenic Design by John Conklin

Original Scenery created by Glimmerglass Opera

Additional Scenic Designs by Steven Kemp

Additional Scenery created by The Atlanta Opera Production Studio

Costumes for Candide were built by The Glimmerglass Festival Costume Shop for the 2015 Festival Season.

The purchase of equipment for The Atlanta Opera is supported by a gift from Eva & Robert Ratonyi.

†Member of The Atlanta Opera Glynn Studio. Sponsored in name this season by a gift from Beth & Gary Glynn, The Glynn Studio Artists also receive significant support from the Donald & Marilyn Keough Foundation.

The Studio Artist director position is funded by Jerry & Dulcy Rosenberg in honor of Tomer Zvulun.

Synopsis

Boosey & Hawkes

The Old Lady leads the company in “I Am Easily Assimilated.”

In the castle of Baron Thunder-Ten-Tronckh in Westphalia, Dr. Pangloss tutors four children based on his philosophy that “all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.” The children are Cunegonde and Maximilian, the beautiful daughter and son of the Baron, Paquette, a servant girl, and Candide, a motherless cousin.

Candide and Cunegonde fall in love and once their feelings are discovered, Candide is banished from the Barony and tricked into joining the Bulgarian army to ravage his own homeland. After many misadventures, Candide is borne to Portugal where he discovers Cunegonde has been assaulted and is almost dead. Pangloss, who is now a begger, is also discovered and they are reunited and sentenced before the Spanish Inquisition and Pangloss is hanged. Candide manages to escape with Cunegonde, thanks to the Old Lady, and they set forth on a harrowing journey to the New World.

KARLI CADEL / THE GLIMMERGLASS FESTIVAL

There they are reunited with Maximilian (disguised as a woman) and Paquette, whom the Governor of Cartagena, Colombia has purchased as concubines.

The Governor falls for Maximilian and is so disgusted upon learning his true gender that he decides to execute him, but later decides to sell him to a monastery instead.

Candide and Maximilian argue over Curegonde and Candide stabs Maximilian. After further misadventures and becoming separated from his friends once more, Candide ends up leaving the New World and making his way back across the ocean where he is again joined by Maximilian (newly brought back to life), Paquette, and eventually even Cunegonde who has since become a prostitute in a gambling casino.

Destitute, the four go to see a wise man who turns out to be Pangloss who survived the hanging. Their old teacher reveals new wisdom to the quartet that man must “work from dawn til’ dusk, in the fields, patiently learning to make his garden grow.”

The Company bids farewell to Candide in “Bon Voyage.”

KARLI CADEL / THE GLIMMERGLASS FESTIVAL

Production Note

When Leonard Bernstein’s Candide opened at Broadway’s Martin Beck Theatre in 1956, it represented the output of some among the most creative theatrical minds of its time. Based on Voltaire’s satirical novel (which had infamously been banned by the Vatican in 1762) Candide’s book was penned by Lillian Hellman, while Richard Wilbur, whose translations of Moliere’s comedies remain preferred editions to this day, provided lyrics of searing wit. Additional lyrics were tossed in by John La Touche and humorist Dorothy Parker. The cast included operatic luminaries Robert Rounseville in the title role and the venerated Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Irra Petina, joined by Broadway stalwart Max Adrian and the young Barbara Cook – all under the direction of Tyrone Guthrie. Bernstein’s score achieved a dazzling fusion of popular and classical elements; the “operatic hybrid” was born.

Regrettably, the whole thing tanked.

Much debate has ensued regarding whatever went wrong on that opening night. Critical opinion speculated that Hellman’s book, with its allusions to McCarthyism,

Candide and company sail to the New World in the “Quartet Finale.”

KARLI CADEL / THE GLIMMERGLASS FESTIVAL

WRITTEN BY Mark T. Ketterson

was at odds with the bubbly musical temperament of the piece. Bernstein’s music however was lauded as the most interesting to be heard on a New York stage in quite some time. Characterized by critic Walter Kerr as a “really spectacular disaster”, the show ran 73 performances and produced a stunning cast album. There were a few revivals, notably in London with a cast including Ronald Naismith and, as Cunegonde, the scintillating blonde beauty Mary Costa, who had won fame as the voice of Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. Hellman ultimatly withdrew her script however, and Candide held a sort of cult status among theatregoers.

Matters might have ended there if not for director Harold Prince, who in 1973 unveiled a new edition of the work at the Chelsea Theater Center of Brooklyn. Hellman’s now-unavailable book was replaced with a madcap romp of a new one by Hugh Wheeler, while Stephen Sondheim provided additional lyrics. The show quickly transferred to Broadway, where Prince’s wickedly creative environmental staging proved to be brilliantly engaging. The production garnered eight Tony Award nominations, with wins for Prince, Wheeler, and the design team. Success came at a cost; easily half of Bernstein’s glittering score was missing, and its complex orchestration was jettisoned in favor of a slender reduction that relied on keyboards and electronic enhancement. But a victory was won. At last, Candide was an authentic hit.

Candide met another milestone in 1982. Beverly Sills, who had taken over as General Manager of the New York City Opera, was eager to showcase the young performers at her disposal in classic American musicals as well as standard operatic fare. She approached Prince with the idea of adapting his Chelsea Candide to the needs of an operatic staging. Working directly with Bernstein (and as he later joked, due to “considerable nagging” from Sills) Prince created what was dubbed the “Opera House” edition. Most of Bernstein’s score in its lush original orchestration was restored, including bits that had been excised in 1956. Once again, Candide was a smash. The production fostered a Grammywinning recording and remained in the NYCO repertory for years. Most importantly, the effort landed the piece where many felt it should have been the first time – the legitimate opera house.

The Chelsea/Opera House amalgam was tweaked further by Scottish Opera in 1988. Wheeler had passed away, so English satirist John Wells tightened up the book, while conductor/composer John Mauceri worked with Bernstein on further restorations to the score. Then in 1999, director John Caird of Britain’s Royal National Theatre adapted Wheeler’s book for a brand-new edition which was celebrated as the best version yet, one that remains close to the spirit of Voltaire and perfectly balances the work’s classical and popular qualities. Candide continues to be re-examined – we just can’t seem to leave it alone – but Caird’s version has now become a standard performing edition and is essentially what Atlanta Opera audiences will enjoy this spring.

That the piece continues to engender such fascination over so many ups and down is remarkable. A few surprising names have been associated with it over the years. Who knew, for example, that before he found fame as television’s Archie Bunker, actor Carroll O’Connor played Dr. Pangloss in Los Angeles in 1966? Or that before she warbled “Ah, Sweet Mystery” in Young Frankenstein, comedienne Madeline Kahn revealed a delightful coloratura voice as Cunegonde in 1968? Kahn’s “Glitter and be Gay” can be found on YouTube, and it’s a charmer.

Candide’s perennial appeal undoubtedly lies in the quality of Bernstein’s incredible score. There is a formidable variety of music here, from interludes of operatic complexity to bawdy vaudevillian comedy. The famous, rollicking overture is generally acknowledged as one of musical theatre’s very best and is a ubiquitous pops concert selection. Bernstein has gifted tenors who sing the title role with honeyed vocal writing of ineffable sweetness, while that for Pangloss and the Old Lady provide opportunity for real show-biz dazzle. Cunegonde’s “Glitter and be Gay” is probably the score’s best-known item. Widely regarded as the last great coloratura aria ever composed, the piece is itself a sendup of great 19th century diva vehicles (particularly the “Jewel Song” from Gounod’s Faust

For all its effervescence, Candide ends with a bit of rare wisdom. Sigmund Freud once said that the key to happiness was to love and to work. That is precisely the message in the great finale “Make Our Garden Grow”, one of the most moving ensembles in the American musical canon – and a fitting conclusion for this best of all possible scores.

©2021 The Coca-Cola Company.

Equally at home in Opera and Musical Theatre, Grammy nominated conductor James Lowe continues to garner praise for “beautifully sculpted” (Opera News) performances. From The Metropolitan Opera to collaborations with Sir Elton John, and a number of world premieres, Mr. Lowe has not only worked as a conductor, but also as a pianist/keyboardist, accompanist, arranger, and producer. During the 2021-22 season he made debuts with Arizona Opera in El Milagro del Recuerdo and returns to New York City Opera for the world premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s The Garden of the Finzi-Continis, and The Glimmerglass Festival for The Sound of Music. Notable engagements include Houston Grand Opera (La bohème, Carmen, Le nozze di Figaro, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and more), Lyric Opera of Chicago (West Side Story), The Glimmerglass Festival (Songbird, Show Boat), Washington National Opera (The Lion, The Unicorn and Me), Broadway (Les Misérables, Anything Goes, Gypsy) and National Tours (My Fair Lady, The Light in the Piazza, The Phantom of the Opera). He has also appeared at San Francisco Opera, Utah Opera, Tulsa Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Théâtre du Capitole in Toulouse, Opéra National de Bordeaux, and more. Additionally, Mr. Lowe was nominated for a Grammy Award for his work on the Anything Goes cast album released on Ghostlight Records, which he conducted and co-produced. With members of the cast, he has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, the CBS Early Show, and A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. He has also appeared in concerts with artists including Sir Elton John, Randy Newman, Booker T. Jones, Betty Comden, and Joyce DiDonato. As an educator, he has taught at Syracuse University and the Hochstein Music School in Rochester, and is an alumnus of the Eastman School of Music, University of Michigan, Aspen Music School, and Aspen Opera Theater Center.

JAMES LOWE CONDUCTOR ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

TOGETHER, LET’S MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR NATION’S HEROES

The Home Depot Founda tion is proud to partner with The Atlanta Opera to honor our U.S. militar y, veterans and their families.

American stage director Alison Moritz has quickly garnered a reputation for her innovative interpretations of the classic repertoire and her equally incisive takes on contemporary opera. Her recent projects have been lauded as “raw, funny, surreal, and disarmingly human” and “elegantly sexy” by Opera News and as “enchantingly cheeky” by the Washington Post. Alison’s 2022-23 season includes a landmark celebratory 50th Anniversary performance of Leonard Bernstein’s MASS at the Kennedy Center, as well as house debuts directing original productions at Cincinnati Opera (The Knock, world stage premiere), and Wolf Trap Opera Company (Faust). Alison also leads news stagings at Austin Opera (Les pêcheurs de perles) and at Edmonton Opera (Tosca). Other recent projects include mainstage directing debuts at Washington National Opera (Così fan tutte), Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Opera Omaha, Ravinia, Tanglewood, and Portland Opera. Committed to contemporary American repertoire, Alison has directed several world premieres including Proving Up (Mazzoli/Vavrek; Washington National Opera), Taking Up Serpents (Sankaram/Dye; Washington National Opera), The Knock (Vrebalov/Brevoort; Glimmerglass), and Chunky in Heat (Experiments in Opera, NYC). Alison’s work includes translating opera to TV, film, and Virtual Reality, and she served as the Interim Managing Artistic Director of Opera at Peabody Conservatory during the 2021-22 season. She has also served on the directing staff at Santa Fe Opera, Seattle Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Minnesota Opera, The Atlanta Opera, and Wolf Trap Opera.

Steven C. Kemp is a set designer for opera, theatre and events. Originally from Houston, Texas, he received his MFA from UC San Diego. More than 100 of his designs for opera have been presented at more than 35 companies including LA Opera, Arizona Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Sarasota Opera, Utah Opera, Central City Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Des Moines Metro Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Kentucky Opera, New Orleans Opera, Opera Omaha, Opera Santa Barbara, Indiana University, The Curtis Institute of Music and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He created 25 designs for Opera San Jose across 13 seasons include the west coast premieres of Anna Karenina and Silent Night as well as the acclaimed productions of Idomeneo and Alma Deutscher’s Cinderella. His design for Candide at Des Moines Metro Opera won Honorable Mention at the 2021 Golden Trezzini Awards for Architecture and Design. Falstaff was selected as a finalist in the World Stage Design 2017 exhibit in Taipei, Taiwan. He has designed more than 50 productions in NYC including the Off-Broadway revivals of Tick, Tick…Boom! and Ordinary Days as well as numerous productions for regional theatres, cruise ships, and international tours such as the current Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour and Baby Shark Live!. Early in his career he worked extensively as an Associate Designer including designs for 10 Broadway productions, national tours, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Theatricals, Dreamworks and The Metropolitan Opera.

ALISON MORITZ PRODUCTION DIRECTOR ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

STEVEN C. KEMP SCENIC DESIGNER ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

Broadway: Pictures From Home, Clyde’s (Tony nomination, Drama Desk Award), Sweat. NYC: The Wrong Man (MCC) Mlima’s Tale (Lucille Lortel nomination), Tiny Beautiful Things (Public); Aubergine (Playwrights Horizons); Love’s Labour’s Lost (Shakespeare in the Park); TV: Dickinson; Regional: Guthrie, Goodman, Arena Stage, Shakespeare Theatre Company,The Old Globe, Kennedy Center, McCarter, Yale Rep, Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Mr. Hase is excited to be back at The Atlanta Opera. His body of design work includes many of the regional opera companies in the United States including: The Santa Fe Opera, Washington National Opera at The Kennedy Center, LA Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Seattle Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Philadelphia Opera, Dallas Opera, and San Diego Opera. His designs have also been featured at many of the regional theaters throughout the United States including: Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, The Dallas Theater Center, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and the Alliance Theater. In New York his work has been seen both on Broadway with Company (Tony Award Best Revival), Off-Broadway, as well as designs at New York City Opera, and BAM Next Wave Festival. Mr. Hase has designed extensively in Europe, Asia, and South America including: The Vienna State Opera; Bayerische Staatsoper; Staatstheater Kassel; Deutsche Oper am Rhein; Theater Erfurt; Stadttheater Giessen; The Barbican and Sadler’s Wells in London; Opera North in the UK; The Abbey Theatre and also for Riverdance in Dublin; The Gran Teatre de Liceu opera in Barcelona; Malmö Opera in Sweden; Dutch National Opera, Finnish National Opera, and Columbian National Opera; Nationale Reisopera and Disney’s European partner Stage Holdings/Stage Entertainment in Holland; The Helikon Opera in Moscow; Opéra National de Bordeaux;, Opéra de Marseille; Canadian Opera Company; The Luminato Festival in Toronto; Singapore Arts Festival, and Tokyo Metro Arts Center. Many projects have been recorded for broadcast and distribution including Company on Broadway, Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny in L.A. and Der Freischütz in Vienna amongst many others. Mr. Hase has been the head of lighting design for Cincinnati Opera Association for 28 years. More information about him is available at Haseltd.com.

JENNIFER MOELLER COSTUME DESIGNER ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

THOMAS HASE LIGHTING DESIGNER ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT ROMEO AND JULIET, 2016

MELANIE STEELE

WIG & MAKEUP DESIGNER

ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT THE GOLDEN TICKET, 2011

Melanie Steele lives in Atlanta where she works with The Atlanta Opera, Fox Theatre, The Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, as well as working in film and television. Steele recently toured with the national Broadway tour of The Lion King. She has designed wigs and makeup for The Santa Fe Opera, Austin Opera, Central City Opera, Spoleto Festival USA, Baltimore Opera, Kentucky Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Bard SummerScape, Opera Festival of New Jersey, Opera Pacific, Opera North Carolina, and Saratoga Springs Opera. Some of Steele’s work can be seen in Opera News, Makeup Artist Magazine, Seventeen, Time, Newsweek, Glamour, Voyage Atlanta, IMDB, and Texas Monthly Magazine.

BRUNO BAKER

GLYNN STUDIO ARTIST

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT THE BIG TENT SERIES, SPRING 2021

Bruno Baker is a Latinx NYC-based American/Brazilian multidisciplinary stage director. Last season credits include revival directing Roméo et Juliette at Houston Grand Opera and Fellow Travelers at Opera Columbus. Returning in the current season, he continues as the Stage Directing Glynn Studio Artist with The Atlanta Opera Studio and will serve as an Assistant Director at The Metropolitan Opera. Mr. Baker has worked as an assistant director at Houston Grand Opera, The Atlanta Opera, Boston Lyric Opera and Madison Opera and is on the staging staff for Santa Fe Opera. He is a recipient of the 2021 OPERA America Robert L.B. Tobin Director-Designer Prize. With NYU, he has directed The Glass Menagerie, Thyestes, and Strange Interlude. Previously, he has been on the staging staff with Park Avenue Armory, Guerilla Opera, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and LoftOpera.

Kamna Gupta is an American Prize-winning conductor experienced in operatic, orchestral, and choral repertoires. The 2022-23 season, she makes her conducting debuts with Vancouver Opera, Bizet’s Les pêcheurs de perles; Dartmouth Hopkins Center for Arts and Stanford Live, The Ritual of Breath is the Rite to Resist (Berger/Reily/Francis), a world premiere; PROTOTYPE Festival, In Our Daughter’s Eyes (Du Yun/McQuilken); and she returns to Mannes Opera to conduct La Calisto. Ms. Gupta marked the 2021-22 season with several debuts and world premieres; most notably debuts at LA Opera conducting the world premiere of In Our Daughter’s Eyes, and International Contemporary Ensemble leading A Cockroach’s Tarantella and Zolle (Du Yun) at the Skirball Center for Performing Arts. She conducted the world premiere of The Jungle Book (Sankaram/O’Rourke) at The Glimmerglass Festival, returned to work with Beth Morrison Projects for their Next Generation Competition, and joined Spoleto Festival USA, conducting in their Music in Time series, and cover conducting Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and La bohème. Recent season highlights include Ms. Gupta’s Canadian debut with Tapestry Opera where she conducted Rocking Horse Winner (Williams/Chatterton), featured on CBC Music’s Saturday Afternoon at the Opera. She served as Associate Conductor for Seattle Opera’s workshop of Arkhipov (Knell/Fleischmann) and conducted American Lyric Theater workshops of The Selfish Giant (Assad/Palmer). Her other credits include Royal Opera of Versailles, leading the Leipzig Barockorchester in an all-Bach program, Sarasota Opera, Opera Saratoga, Apprentice Conductor with New York Youth Symphony, and Conducting Fellow at Atlantic Music Festival where she recorded many contemporary works by living composers.

RICARDO APONTE CHOREOGRAPHER

ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

FRIDA, 2019

Ricardo is delighted to return to The Atlanta Opera after choreographing Cabaret last season. He is an Atlanta based director/choreographer and a three-time Suzi Bass Award winner, creating work for theaters and opera companies around the nation. Recent work: Director and/or Choreographer - Cabaret, Revolution of Steve Jobs, Carmen, and Frida (The Atlanta Opera), Cinderella (Aurora Theatre), Luisa Fernanda (Florentine Opera) White Christmas (Jennie T. Anderson). He’s also the founder and artistic director of Theatre Platform Project, an educational nonprofit, which provides performing arts programs to diverse communities in Atlanta.

KAMNA GUPTA ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR & CHORUS MASTER ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

American soprano Deanna Breiwick, hailed by The New York Times for her “sweet sound and floating high notes,” is enjoying an exciting and diverse career. This season, as a new member of the Ensemble of Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Ms. Breiwick performs Nannetta in Falstaff, Oscar in Un ballo in maschera, Jasmin in Georg Friedrich Haas’ Koma, and the Italian Singer in Capriccio, among other roles. As a guest artist, she returns to the Metropolitan Opera as Najade in Ariadne auf Naxos, reprises Drusilla in L’incoronazione di Poppea with Opernhaus Zürich, debuts with Seattle Opera as Amore in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, and performs the roles of Bradamante and Pittura in Luigi Rossi’s Il Palazzo Incantato with Opéra national de Lorraine and The Royal Opera of Versailles. Career operatic highlights include performances at the Metropolitan Opera as a Shadow in the North American premiere of Nico Muhly’s Marnie, La Charmeuse in Thaïs, and a Flower Maiden in Parsifal; Opera Philadelphia as Aveline Mortimer in Kevin Puts’ Elizabeth Cree; Des Moines Metro Opera as Cunegonde in Candide and Nannetta; and Opernhaus Zürich as Drusilla. In concert, she has performed the Messiah with both the Seattle Symphony and New Choral Society in Scarsdale, NY, as well as Orff’s Carmina Burana in a joint project with the Charleston Symphony and Nashville Ballet, and the Israelite Woman in Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus with the International Handel Festival in Göttingen, Germany. Deanna Breiwick is a Metropolitan Opera National Council Grand Finalist, a Grand Prize Winner of the Sullivan Foundation Vocal Competition, and a First Prize Winner of the Gerda Lissner Foundation International Vocal Competition. She also holds awards from the George London Foundation, the Giulio Gari Foundation, the Licia AlbanesePuccini Foundation, and the Richard F. Gold Career Grant. Ms. Breiwick is a native of Seattle.

This season Minnesota-born tenor Jack Swanson premieres the title-role in Paola Prestini’s Edward Tulane with the Minnesota Opera, makes debuts with the Austin Opera as Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and the Utah Opera as Tonio in La fille du régiment, a role debut, as well. In concert he joins the Houston Symphony and Itzhak Perlman for Mozart’s Requiem, the Utah Symphony for Carmina Burana, the Mercury Chamber Orchestra in Houston for Handel’s Messiah, and he will perform in recital with Matinee Musicale in Duluth, Minnesota. Future engagements include debuts with the Metropolitan Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Houston Grand Opera, and he returns to the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro and the Norwegian Opera. Last season, Jack debuted with a number of European companies: the Teatro Regio in Torino as Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, the Opéra National de Lorraine in Nancy as Tamino in Die Zauberflöte (a role debut) and finally the Opéra National du Rhin in Strasbourg as Ferrando in Così fan tutte (a role he had just debuted for his return to the Oper Frankfurt). In the summer he returned to the Santa Fe Opera in his signature-role of Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and in recital before singing the title-role in Candide with the Lausitz Festival. Mr. Swanson is the competition winner and recipient of several prestigious awards including first place in Florida Grand Opera’s Young Patroness Competition, The San Antonio Music Club Competition, The National Opera Association Competition and The Hal Leonard Art Song Competition. He twice received the Richard Tucker Memorial award from the Santa Fe Opera. He was a finalist in both Houston Grand Opera’s Eleanor McCollum competition and Fort Worth Opera’s McCammon Competition.

JACK SWANSON CANDIDE ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

DEANNA BREIWICK CUNEGONDE ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, 2016

American bass Kevin Burdette has impressed audiences with his mellifluous voice and dramatic characterizations. The San Francisco Chronicle called his Leporello “a tour de force of vocal splendor and comic timing,” and The New York Times dubbed him “the Robin Williams of opera.” He is featured as Stefano in Adès’ The Tempest with the Metropolitan Opera, the DVD of which was awarded the Grammy Award for “Best Opera Recording.” During the 2021-22 season, Mr. Burdette made returns to the Metropolitan Opera as the Police Officer in Boris Godunov, Seattle Opera as Bartolo in Le nozze di Figaro, and Santa Fe Opera for the previously COVID-19-postponed productions of Il barbiere di Siviglia and M. Butterfly as Bartolo and Manuel Toulon/The Judge, respectively. In concert he appears with the Fort Worth Symphony to premiere a setting of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 66 by Veronika Ágnes Fáncsik. well as performances with Opera Philadelphia. In 2020-21, Mr. Burdette joined the inaugural season of The Atlanta Opera Company Players, as his hometown company looked to reimagine performances for their community during the COVID-19 pandemic. There he performed the roles of Death in Der Kaiser von Atlantis, and Peachum in The Threepenny Opera. Additionally, Mr. Burdette joined Opera Parallèle for their filmed graphic novel presentation of Everest, reprising his role of Beck Wethers, and returned to Santa Fe Opera as Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Correspondent in the world premiere of Lord of Cries. Other recent highlights include Señor Russell in The Exterminating Angel with the Metropolitan Opera; Voltaire/Pangloss/Martin/Cacambo in Candide, Sulpice in La fille du regiment, and Stobrod/Blind Man in Cold Mountain (world premiere) with Santa Fe Opera; Doktor in Wozzeck with the Philharmonia Orchestra; Sulpice with Washington National Opera; and Beck Weathers in the world premiere of Everest with The Dallas Opera.

Nominated for a 2022 Grammy Award for the roles of Elijah and Street in X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X for the concert recording with Boston Modern Orchestra Projects, Victor Robertson also appeared in the production at Detroit Opera and Opera Omaha. Recent successes include the role of Raymond Santana in Anthony Davis’s Central Park Five at Portland Opera and the role of Nestor in the world premiere of Castor and Patience by Gregory Spears at Cincinnati Opera. Current season engagements include Sportin’ Life Porgy and Bess in a co-production between Opera North Carolina and Opera Carolina, and his concert performances of Men of Broadway with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Recent highlights include Alfredo La traviata at Orlando Opera, and the role Benny “Kid” Paret which Victor created in the 2017 world premiere of Terence Blanchard’s celebrated Champion at Washington National Opera and revived the role at Michigan Opera Theatre and Opera de Montreal. His standard repertoire includes Almaviva Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Tonio La Fille du Regiment, Ramiro La Cenerentola, title role Romeo et Juliette, Fenton Falstaff, Nemorino L’Elisir d’Amore, title role Les Contes d’Hoffman, Nadir in Les pecheurs de perles and Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi. Victor made his Metropolitan Opera debut in their new 2017 production of The Merry Widow as Raoul, and in the same year, his Broadway debut in its longest running show, The Phantom of the Opera as Piangi.

KEVIN BURDETTE

VOLTAIRE / DR. PANGLOSS

VICTOR RYAN ROBERTSON GOVERNOR / VANDERDENUR / BARON / RAGOTSKI ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

Gretchen Krupp, lauded for her “ripe, round mezzo” (Opera News) and “searing delivery” (Opera Today), is gaining recognition in major competitions and festivals on the operatic scene. She most recently made her Atlanta Opera debut as Edith in The Pirates of Penzance. Last fall, she appeared as a featured soloist in concerts with Baltimore Concert Opera and The Dallas Opera. During the summer of 2021, she returned to Wolf Trap Opera as a Filene Artist where she performed in Bologne’s L’amant Anonyme and Viardot’s Cendrillon, in addition to her first performance of Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder and was a soloist in concert with the National Symphony Orchestra. Her scheduled debut with The Dallas Opera in Don Carlo was unfortunately canceled due to the pandemic. Gretchen was the mezzo soloist in Beethoven@250 with the Cathedral Choral Society at The National Cathedral in Washington DC. Prior to the pandemic, she made her European debut at the Château de Versailles Spectacles as Samira in The Ghosts of Versailles, a role she earlier debuted at The Glimmerglass Festival. She was the recipient of the prestigious Georgina Joshi International Fellowship for vocal studies in Berlin. Other credits include the role of the Witch in Hansel and Gretel with Greensboro Opera, being a Grand Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions (newly renamed The Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition), and her Glimmerglass Festival debut singing multiple roles in Janácˇek’s The Cunning Little Vixen. Gretchen was also a finalist in the Houston Grand Opera 29th Annual Eleanor McCollum Competition. She is an alumna of programs at The Glimmerglass Festival, Wolf Trap Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, and Dolora Zajick’s Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. Gretchen holds degrees from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is currently a Glynn Studio Artist.

Praised as “hypnotic and unforgettable,” Dynamo Deb Bowman’s performances “are cut from one rare thread” and “must be seen.” Her vocal versatility and unmatched acting have thrilled audiences of all ages worldwide. Whether belting out Broadway and big band ballads or softly seducing you with sultry standards, she always delivers memorable musical moments that keep people coming back for more. “Bowman leaves everything on the stage.” With a BA focus on classical Theater and Dance from the University of Alabama, Bowman began her professional career in entertainment in 1999 in New York City, performing internationally in TV, film, theater, and cabaret shows. Stage credits include Chicago, Cabaret, 42nd Street, Addams Family, The Little Mermaid, Hairspray, Oliver first national tour, Evita, Sweeney Todd, and A Streetcar Named Desire. TV/ Film Credits include DC Stargirl, Creepshow, Spielberg’s Amazing Stories, Ugly Betty Season IV, Being Mary Jane, The Haves and the Have Not’s, Its Complicated, Wall Street II, and several National Commercials. Her newest endeavors as a songwriter brought much anticipation for her recent jazz album, “Fast Heart” which made the 62nd Grammy Ballot in three categories including Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best New Artist. Bowman is also an esteemed private vocal and acting coach. For more info and to follow her on social media, please visit: debbowman.com

DEBORAH BOWMAN OLD LADY / BARONESS ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT CABARET, 2022

GRETCHEN KRUPP GLYNN STUDIO ARTIST PAQUETTE

ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, 2022

MAXIMILIAN

ATLANTA

During the 2021-22 season, versatile American baritone Craig Irvin delighted audiences as The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance at both The Atlanta Opera and Utah Symphony and Opera. On the concert platform, he joined Cincinnati May Festival for Bernstein’s Candide, Orchestra Iowa for Handel’s Messiah and New West Symphony for Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. The 2018-19 season brought a revival of his Dan Packard in Dinner at Eight with the Wexford Festival, Lt. Horstmayer in Silent Night with Austin Opera, Valentin in Faust with Opera Omaha, and Rachmaninoff’s The Bells with the Portland Symphony. The 2017-18 season included singing Dominik and covering Mandryka in Arabella with Canadian Opera Company, Handel’s Messiah with the Jacksonville Symphony, Britten’s War Requiem with Music Worchester, Stubb in Moby-Dick with Utah Opera, Dandini in La Cenerentola with Opera Orlando, and Frank in Die Fledermaus with Des Moines Metro Opera. Other recent engagements include one of his signature roles, Lieutenant Horstmayer in the world premiere of Kevin Puts’ new opera Silent Night with Minnesota Opera and subsequent performances with Opera Philadelphia, Fort Worth Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and The Atlanta Opera. Other concert performances include Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Rachmaninoff’s The Bells at companies such as Portland Symphony, Des Moines Symphony, New West Symphony, and many others.

Tyler Nelson is one of America’s most promising young tenors. Recent engagements have included Froh in Das Rheingold with Nashville Opera, Frederick (cover) in The Pirates of Penzance with The Atlanta Opera. He has also appeared at Irish National Opera and Opera Orlando as Tamino in Die Zauberflöte; Opera on the James as Alfredo in La traviata; Opera Saratoga as Paul in Rocking Horse Winner and the Magician in The Consul; New Orleans Opera and Opera on the James as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni; Dayton Opera as Belmonte in Die Entführung aus dem Serail; the Utah Symphony & Opera as Le théière/ Le petit vieillard in L’enfant et les sortileges; Opera Naples as Alfred in Die Fledermaus; Opera Omaha as Trin in La fanciulla del West; Opera Tampa and Wide Open Opera in Ireland as Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia. On the concert stage, he has bowed in Handel’s Messiah with Augustana College and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, as well multiple performances with Le Festival Lyrique International de Belle-Île en Mer as Arturo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore, Ferrando in Così fan tutte and as the tenor soloist in Beethoven’s Mass in C and Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore and Requiem

CRAIG IRVIN

OPERA DEBUT

SILENT NIGHT, 2016

TYLER NELSON CACAMBO ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

The 2021 recipient of the Actors Equity Foundation Roger Sturtevant Award as well as a 2021 Drama League Award nominee (Heartbeat Opera: Fidelio), Curtis Bannister has been praised by TimeOut Magazine as “radiating with slowly simmering energy” and a “quiet revelation” by the L.A. Times as he continues to establish himself as one of the most dynamic and multi-genre performing artists of his generation with projects in film, opera, and theater. Bannister began his 2022-23 season starring as Juror #8 in the world premiere musical 12 Angry Men based on the American classic by Reginald Rose, debuted at the Kennedy Center as “Soloist 1” and Celebrant cover in Bernstein’s MASS, he made his solo recital debut with The Festival of New American Music, and portrayed Uncle Henry in the musical, The Wiz, with 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle. Remaining and future season highlights include filming on a soon-to-be-announced feature film and a mixture of theater and operatic performances in Florida, Chicago, New York, Sacramento, and Washington DC. Previous performance highlights include Celebrant in MASS (Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony), Candide (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra), and Fidelio (Metropolitan Museum of Art & Heartbeat Opera). Curtis made his debut at the Tribeca Festival in 2021 in feature film “The Conductor,” and can be seen as Marquis in Peabody Award winning series “Dickinson” (Apple TV+), as well as Reimers on NBC’s hit series “Chicago Fire.” Website: thecurtisbannister.com; Instagram: @thee_cb; Twitter: theecb

Returning from his debut with The Atlanta Opera in last season’s Cabaret, Jacob Attaway’s earlier dance days began at the Cobb County Center of Excellence in the Performing Arts, he has since earned a B.F.A. in dance performance from Jacksonville University. After graduation he returned to Atlanta to continue pursuing his career as a professional dancer. His Atlanta credits include Song and Dance (Aurora Theatre), Cinderella (Aurora Theatre), The Nutcracker (Gwinnett Ballet), along with holding the role of Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the ballet (Gwinnett Ballet). Included in these wonderful performance opportunities, Jacob is currently a company member with Atlanta-based contemporary dance company: Kit Modus, directed by Jillian Mitchell. Jacob currently teaches dance at The Decatur School of Ballet and The Neighborhood Ballet.

JACOB ATTAWAY ENSEMBLE ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT CABARET, 2022

CURTIS BANNISTER MARTIN / GRAND INQUISITOR / SEA CAPTAIN ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT LA TRAVIATA, 2019

Ayana DuBose is so thrilled to perfrom with The Atlanta Opera again. Previous theater credits include La traviata (Dancer, The Atlanta Opera); West Side Story (The Atlanta Opera); Mamma Mia! (City Springs Theatre Company); Hairspray (City Springs Theatre Company); Rachel in On Your Feet (Aurora Theatre); Lisa in Mamma Mia! (Arkansas Repertory Theatre); Alice in Alice in Wonderland (Flying Foot Forum); Passing Through Pig’s Eye (Park Square Theatre). Concert dance credits include No One Will See (TU Dance); Panorama (Martha Graham) “Thank you to my family for your support.”

Fenner thanks his family and friends for their support. Previous shows include Ain’t Misbehavin, Pretty Pants Bandit (Georgia Ensemble Theatre); Mamma Mia!, Holiday Inn, 42nd Street, Mary Poppins (City Springs Theatre); In the Heights, Memphis (Aurora Theatre); Jesus Christ Superstar, Damn Yankees, Chicago, Cats, Anything Goes, The Producers (Atlanta Lyric Theatre); Carmen, Porgy and Bess (Atlanta Opera); Memphis, Fly (Theatrical Outfit); Godspell (Legacy Theatre); and Smokey Joe’s Café (Stage Door Players)

Bailey Jo Harbaugh has been active in Atlanta arts for six years amidst earning her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Kennesaw State University in 2019. She has had the privilege of collaborating and originating roles in process with artists local and abroad. Numerous creations include work in Atlanta and New York City with Tomer Zvulun, Amir Levy, Ricardo Aponte, George Staib, Donald Byrd, and Omar Román de Jesús. Bailey Jo is thrilled to be in her eighth production with The Atlanta Opera, and continually grateful to previous and current creatives who have influenced her artistry so deeply.

AYANA DUBOSE ENSEMBLE

FENNER EADDY ENSEMBLE

ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

BAILEY JO HARBAUGH ENSEMBLE

ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT SALOME, 2020

BRANDON NGUYEN-HILTON

ENSEMBLE

ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT OUT OF DARKNESS: TWO REMAIN, 2018

Brandon was born in Fort Worth Texas and is a first generation American whose father was born in Vietnam. He found his love for dance at Margo Dean School of Ballet and later trained on full scholarship at the Houston Ballet Ben Stevenson Academy. He has danced professionally with Houston Ballet II, Orlando Ballet, Cirque du Soleil, and the Atlanta Ballet. In 2018 he performed in Korea’s Pyong Chang Winter Music festival in celebration of the Winter Olympics. With The Atlanta Opera he has performed; Out of Darkness: Two Remain, The Threepenny Carmen, The Threepenny Opera, Julius Caesar, and Cabaret. He continues to love and appreciate the experience, growth and friendships that working with The Atlanta Opera provides. He would like to thank his parents, husband, friends, and his past, present, and future teachers.

GWYNN ROOT WOLFORD

ENSEMBLE

ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

LA TRAVIATA, 2019

Raised in Jonesborough, Tennessee, Gwynn Root Wolford received her dance training at Johnson City Ballet/CYB in East Tennessee; Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet in Carlisle, PA; and various intensives. She has danced with the Louisville Ballet, Columbia Classical Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, and with Festival Ballet Providence, where she danced in such works as The Firebird, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante and Rubies, Rite of Spring, in Christopher Wheeldon’s The American, Up Close on Hope and in Viktor Plotnikov’s House of Bernarda Alba, The Widow’s Broom, The Soldier’s Tale, and Carmen. Her full repertoire also includes Coppelia, Giselle, The BrownForman and Atlanta Ballet’s The Nutcracker, La Bayadere, Swan Lake, Etudes and works by Tudor, Limon, Helen Pickett and Val Caniparoli. She has performed in various music videos by Atlanta artists, including EarthGang. She is a teacher at Dancemakers of Atlanta and the Dance and Music Academy of Woodstock. She has been on staff at numerous ballet and dance schools as well as a guest teacher, ballet coach, and guest artist for various organizations. As a choreographer, she has set original works on both students and professionals, including recently an all new production of Peter and the Wolf for Dance and Music Academy of Woodstock. Mrs. Root Wolford has previously danced with The Atlanta Opera in the productions of Cabaret, La traviata, Pagliacci, The Kaiser of Atlantis, The Threepenny Carmen and The Threepenny Opera, and she was an original cast member of Tomer Zvulun’s Salome

Glynn Studio Artists

Each of The Atlanta Opera Studio Artists is an early career professional with significant stage experience, some with lead performances and major concert appearances on their resume. This ensemble builds on The Atlanta Opera’s commitment to provide opportunities for performers at all stages in their careers.

Over the course of The Atlanta Opera’s 2022-23 season, these artists will have the opportunity to work with and learn

from established performers while also participating in this season’s productions as performers and covers. Sponsored in name this season by a gift from Beth & Gary Glynn, The Glynn Studio Artists also receive significant support from the Donald & Marilyn Keough Foundation, John & Yee-Wan Stevens, and Jerry & Dulcy Rosenberg.

BRUNO BAKER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT THE BIG TENT SERIES 2021 Bruno Baker is a Latinx NYC-based American/Brazilian multidisciplinary stage director. Returning in the current season, he continues as the Stage Directing Glynn Studio Artist with The Atlanta Opera Studio and will serve as an Assistant Director at The Metropolitan Opera. He is a recipient of the 2021 OPERA America Robert L.B. Tobin Director-Designer Prize. With NYU, he has directed The Glass Menagerie, Thyestes, and Strange Interlude Previously, he has been on the staging staff with Park Avenue Armory, Guerilla Opera, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and LoftOpera.

EDWIN JHAMAL DAVIS

INQUISITOR 3 / JUDGE / DON ISSACAR / CROUPIER / CROOK

ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT

Praised by Voce di Meche for his “juicy, booming and room-filling bass,” Edwin Jhamal Davis is a proud native of Utica, MS. He earned his master’s degree from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music where he studied with baritone Mark Oswald. Since graduating, he has made 2021-22 debuts with On Site Opera, Florentine Opera, and Detroit Opera. In the 2021-22 season, he debuted the role of Sarastro in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte at the worldrenowned Merola Opera in San Francisco.

GRETCHEN KRUPP

ATLANTA OPERA DEBUT THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, 2022 Gretchen Krupp, “a mezzo capable of searing delivery, powerful and ripe” (Opera Today) is gaining recognition in major competitions and festivals. She returns to The Atlanta Opera this season after a variety of roles last year, where she will cover Judith in Bluebeard’s Castle, sing Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Paquette in Candide, and Flosshilde, as well as cover Fricka, in Das Rheingold. She also looks forward to singing Mother Earth in the premiere of Amy Leventhal’s new opera Our Sacred World.

KAMERON LOPREORE

Hailed by Opera News as a “fresh voiced” tenor, Kameron Lopreore has delighted audiences all over the United States. He just enjoyed his first-year apprenticeship with Santa Fe Opera where he was seen in Carmen, The Barber of Seville, Tristan und Isolde, and Falstaff. A New Orleans native, this fall he will be featured as The Tenor in AMC’s anticipated television drama Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire. Recently, he sang Tamino in The Magic Flute and Panatellas in the world premiere of Songbird at the prestigious Glimmerglass Festival.

ALEXIS SEMINARIO

Italian-American soprano Alexis Seminario is a singerartist dedicated to sharing stories that empower people and inspire vulnerability. This past summer, Alexis was an apprentice artist with Des Moines Metro Opera. In the fall of 2022, Alexis will perform the soprano solo in Dvořák’s Te Deum with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra led by Valentina Peleggi. Alexis is an alum of Houston Grand Opera: YAVA and a graduate of the Vocal Arts Program at Bard Conservatory. She is a recent recipient of an Anna Sosenko Assist Trust Grant.

CHORUS MASTER

Kamna Gupta

CHORUS MEMBERS

SOPRANO

Ebony Collier

Chamblee Graham

Shala Jenkins

Alexis Seminario†

MEZZO SOPRANO

Valerie Hamm

Lenna Turner

TENOR

Jose Caballero

Ethan Godfrey

Sean Savage

BASS

Edwin Jhamal Davis†

Samy Itskov

Randall Perkins

The Grand Inquisitor leads the Company in “Auto-da-fé.” KARLI CADEL

†Member of The Atlanta Opera Glynn Studio.

FESTIVAL

VIOLINS

Peter Ciaschini, The Loraine P. Williams Orchestra Concertmaster Chair

Helen Kim* , Assistant Concertmaster

Virginia Respess-Fairchild, Acting Assistant Concertmaster

Fia Durrett. Prinicipal Second Violin

Jessica Stinson, Acting Assistant Principal Second Violin

Edward Eanes

Felix Farrar

Robert Givens

Patti Gouvas

Lisa Morrison*

Shawn Pagliarini

Patrick Ryan

Angèle Sherwood-Lawless*

Rafael Veytsblum

James Campbell†

Kevin Chaney†

Nina Fronjian†

Sally Gardner-Wilson†

Kim Hain†

Alison James†

Serena Scibelli†

VIOLA

William Johnston, Principal

Michael Fernandez, Assistant Principal

Ryan Gregory

Julie Rosseter

Karl Schab

Joli Wu

CELLO

Charae Krueger, Principal

Hilary Glen* , Assistant Principal

Mary Kenney, Acting Assistant Principal

David Hancock

Cynthia Sulko*

Harrison Cook†

Sarah Kapps†

BASS

Emory Clements, Acting Principal

Samuel Dugo

Maurice Belle†

FLUTE

James Zellers, Principal

Kelly Bryant

OBOE

Christina Gavin, Acting Principal

CLARINET

David Odom, Principal

John Warren

BASSOON

Carlos Clark Principal

FRENCH HORNS

David Bradley Principal

Jason Eklund

TRUMPET

Yvonne Toll-Schneider Principal

Alexander Freund

TROMBONE

William P. Mann Principal

Richard Brady

TUBA

Donald Strand, Principal

TIMPANI

John Lawless Principal PERCUSSION

Michael Cebulski, Principal

Karen Hunt

Jeff Kershner

HARP

Susan Brady*

Ellen Foster†

PERSONNEL MANAGER

James Zellers

*Core Musician On Leave †Non-Core Musician

Musicians employed in this production are represented by the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada.

To learn how to support The Atlanta Opera through a planned gift, contact

Ansley’s Eternal Love Story

If lifelong Atlantan Shepard Ansley’s story could be summed up in one word, it would be “love” – for family, friends, community, and of course, opera.

When Shepard entered The Fox Theater as a third grader to see The Metropolitan Opera’s touring production of La traviata, he never imagined how much his first opera experience would shape his life. The heart-wrenching story and virtuosic voices pierced his young heart and turned him into a lifelong opera lover. For the rest of his school years, Shepard attended the Met tours with his mother, who gave him an opera history book that he still reads in preparation for each performance he hears.

During his two-year stint as an ROTC participant in Germany, Shepard carried his love of opera with him, and took the unique opportunity to attend several performances of Wagner’s operas at the Bayreuth Festival. Later, after concluding his studies at The University of Virginia’s Law School, Shepard established his career in Atlanta as a financial consultant. In 1970 he married Boyce Ansley, who shared a devotion to opera. Helping to ensure that the Met tours to Atlanta remained vibrant, Boyce led a cadre of volunteers who managed ticketing for the tour; Shepard served as a member of The Atlanta Music Festival Association’s board, managing the Atlanta Met tours’ finances. Shepard fondly recalls the excitement of opera productions and events in Atlanta and New York. He and other supporters sponsored a “Jet to the Met” trip to New York.

When the Met’s tour concluded in 1986, the Ansleys worked tirelessly to keep opera alive in Atlanta. Boyce was a noted leader on the board of The Atlanta Opera, serving for thirty years. Shepard and Boyce faithfully donated and encouraged their friends to follow their philanthropic example. Beyond their annual contributions, they both committed to supporting the Opera with a gift in their wills.

Jonathan

Blalock at 336-512-6832 or jblalock@atlantaopera.org

Though Boyce passed away in 2016, Shepard feels her presence when he attends each performance: “I am thrilled about the prospects of Atlanta, and I am happy to do my part in bolstering its success for generations to come.”

ARCHIVE PHOTO

THE ATLANTA OPERA DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

Cathy & Mark Adams†

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald R. Antinori

The Antinori Foundation

Bryan & Johanna Barnes†

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Blackney†

Connolly Family Foundation

Laura & Cosmo Boyd

Harold Brody & Donald Smith†

John & Rosemary Brown†

Dr. Frank A. Critz & Dr. Ann Critz†

Mr. Robert P. Dean & Mr. Robert Epstein†

*Martha Thompson Dinos

The Gable Foundation, Inc.†

Beth & Gary Glynn

Dr. & Mrs. Alexander Gross†

Mr. John L. Hammaker

Mr. Howard W. Hunter — Gramma Fisher Foundation†

Mr. & Mrs. Michael L. Keough†

*Mr. & Mrs. Carl W. Knobloch, Jr.†

Beau & Alfredo Martin†

Mary Ruth McDonald

Mr. James B. Miller, Jr.†

Talia & John Murphy†

Victoria & Howard Palefsky†

*Mr. William E. Pennington†

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ratonyi

Jerry & Dulcy Rosenberg†

*Bruce & Karen Roth

Katherine Scott

*Mrs. Lessie B. Smithgall

Mr. William F. Snyder†

John & Yee-Wan Stevens†

Judith & Mark Taylor

Carol B. & Ramon Tomé†

Rhys & Carolyn Wilson†

Ms. Bunny Winter & Mr. Michael Doyle†

†Indicates our extraordinary donors who have committed to continue their annual giving for three years or more *deceased

ANNUAL GIVING

We are grateful for the following donors’ generous support. This list reflects gifts and annual pledges to unrestricted operating expenses, special projects, and/or endowment made between Jan 1, 2022 and Jan 23, 2023.

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

$200,000+

Harold Brody & Donald Smith†

John & Rosemary Brown†

Dr. Frank A. Critz & Dr. Ann Critz†

*Martha Thompson Dinos

Mr. Howard W. Hunter - Gramma Fisher Foundation†

*Mr. & Mrs. Carl W. Knobloch, Jr.†

Jerry & Dulcy Rosenberg†

*Mrs. Lessie B. Smithgall

$100,000+

Beth & Gary Glynn

Mr. James B. Miller, Jr.†

*Bruce & Karen Roth

Katherine Scott

John & Yee-Wan Stevens†

Rhys & Carolyn Wilson†

$50,000+

The Antinori Foundation

The Gable Foundation, Inc.†

Beau & Alfredo Martin†

Mary & EP Rogers Foundation, Inc.

Mary Ruth McDonald

Talia & John Murphy†

*Mr. William E. Pennington†

Mr. William F. Snyder†

Ms. Bunny Winter & Mr. Michael Doyle†

$25,000+

Cathy & Mark Adams†

Bryan & Johanna Barnes†

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Blackney†

Laura & Cosmo Boyd

Connolly Family Foundation

Mr. Robert P. Dean & Mr. Robert Epstein†

Dr. & Mrs. Alexander Gross†

Victoria & Howard Palefsky†

Judith & Mark Taylor

Carol B. & Ramon Tomé†

PATRON’S CIRCLE

$15,000+

Julia & Jim Balloun†

Mr. David Boatwright†

*Ms. Anne Marie Gary

Mr. John Haupert & Mr. Bryan Brooks†

Mr. & Mrs. Michael L. Keough†

Mr. & Mrs. Richard P. Nicholas III†

Larry & Beverly Willson†

GOLD $10,000+

Elizabeth & Jeremy Adler†

Mrs. Phillip E. Alvelda†

Mr. & Mrs. James Anderson

Mr. & *Mrs. Shepard B. Ansley

John & Wendy Anzalone†

Dr. & Mrs. Asad Bashey

Mr. & Mrs. C. Duncan Beard

Mr. & Mrs. Dante Bellizzi

Mr. Frank H. Butterfield†

Mr. Mario Concha

Mr. Richard H. Delay & Dr.

Francine D. Dykes†

Mr. Tomer Zvulun & Mrs. Susanna Eiland

Dieter Elsner

Ms. Ariana B. Fass

Dr. Donald J. & Janet Filip†

Lynn & Fred Hanna

The Hilbert Law Firm

Roya & Bahman Irvani

*Mary & *Wayne James

Dr. & Mrs. David Kavtaradze

Slumgullion Charitable Fund†

Stephanie & Gregor Morela†

Sandra & Peter Morelli†

Mr. & Mrs. Michael E. Paulhus†

Mr. Milton J. Sams†

Thomas R. Saylor

Charles T. & Donna Sharbaugh†

Mr. & Mrs. Timothy E. Sheehan

Ms. Janine Brown & Mr. Alex J. Simmons, Jr.

Christine & Mark St.Clare†

Triska Drake & G. Kimbrough Taylor

Wadleigh C. Winship

Charitable Fund

The Mary & Charlie Yates Family Fund

SILVER $5,000+

Anonymous

Natalie & Matthew Bernstein

Dr. R. Dwain Blackston

Eda L. Hochgelerent, M.D. & Bruce A. Cassidy, M.D.†

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Cohn

John W. Cooledge†

Dr. Jeannette Guarner & Dr. Carlos del Rio

Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. Edge

Sally & Hank Fielding†

Ms. Rebecca Y. Frazer & Mr. Jon Buttrey†

Mr. Ethan Garonzik

Kevin Greiner & Robyn Roberts

Judge Adele P. Grubbs

Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Hardin

Deborah & Paul Harkins

Mr. L. D. Holland†

Gail Johnson

Mr. Alfred D. Kennedy & Dr. Bill Kenny

Elizabeth Klump

Mrs. Dale Levert & Mr. George W. Levert

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Long

Belinda & Gino Massafra

Bob McCormack

Erica McVicker

Mr. & Mrs. Steve Paro

Lynn & Kent Regenstein

Mr. James L. Rhoden

Baker & Debby Smith†

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Sproul

Lynne & Steven Steindel

George & Amy Taylor†

Dr. & Mrs. Nicholas Valerio III†

Benny & Roxanne Varzi

Bob & Cappa Woodward

Charitable Fund

BRONZE $2,500+

Mr. James L. Anderson

Catherine A. Binns

Ms. Mary Calhoun

Jean & Jerry Cooper

Mr. Mark du Mas

Drs. Morgan & Susan Horton Eiland

Mr. Thomas Emch

Mr. & Mrs. Lance Fortnow

Dr. Thomas N. Guffin, Jr.

Gena & Joey Gyengo

Donna & *Richard Hiller

Stuart Jackson & Robyn Jackson

Mr. & Mrs. Gert Kampfer

Ms. Anne Morgan & Mr. James Kelley

Mr. & Mrs. Larry Kurlander

Linda L. Lively & James E. Hugh III

Mimi & Dan Maslia

Philip & Caroline Moïse

*Peggy Weber McDowell & *Jack McDowell

Mrs. Agnes Nelson

Mrs. Betsy Pittman

Mr. Norman Prestage

Mr. & Mrs. J. Barry Schrenk

Morton & Angela Sherzer

Beverly & Milton Shlapak

Dr. Jane T. St. Clair & Mr. James E. Sustman

Mr. Johnny Thigpen & Mr. James Martin

True Colors Theatre Company

Thomas R. Williams Family

Thurman Williams

*Dr. & Mrs. R. Craig Woodward

FRIEND’S CIRCLE INVESTOR $1,000+

Ms. Casey Armanino

Karyn Alexander

*Dr. Florence C. Barnett

Ms. Hope M. Barrett

Christine M. Beard

Jonathan E. Blalock

Carter Bland

Dr. & Mrs. Jerry Blumenthal

Raphael Bostic

Ms. Martha S. Brewer

Stanford M. Brown

Dr. Lawrence Cohen

Charles & Elizabeth Cohn

T. Dennis Connally

John & Linda Cooke

Mr. & Mrs. Edward S. Croft III

Dr. & Mrs. F. Thomas Daly Jr.

Jim & Carol Dew

Mr. Michael D. Golden & Dr. Juliet R. Asher

Dr. Richard Goodjoin

James C. Goodwyne & Christopher S. Connelly

Ms. Louise S. Gunn

Atlanta Neurology

Mr. Robert & Dr. Ada Habl

George L. Hickman III

The Hills Family Foundation, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas D. Hills, Trustees

Mr. & Mrs. Harry C. Howard

Ann P. Howington

Richard & Linda Hubert

Mr. & Mrs. David C. Huffman

Candy & Greg Johnson

Mrs. Cecile M. Jones

Mrs. Peter G. Kessenich

Mrs. Treville Lawrence

Chris & Jill Le

Ms. Constance B. Lewis

Dr. & Mrs. Ellis L. Malone

Samantha & William Markle

Dr. & Mrs. Steven Marlowe

Mrs. Erin Martin

Mr. Stedman C. Mays , Jr. & Mr. Charles Bjorklund

John S. Metz

Denis Ng & Mary Jane Panzeri

The Honorable & Mrs. George A. Novak

The Opera Guild for Atlanta

George Paulik

Lucy S. Perry

Ms. Hazel Sanger

Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Shreiber

Mr. Paul Snyder

Adhishesh Sood

Gail & Barry Spurlock

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Stansfield

Mr. N. Jerold Cohen & Ms. Andrea Strickland

Kay Summers

Mr. Tarek Takieddini

Mrs. Hugh Tarbutton

Mr. Stephen H. Thompson & Mr. Drew Mote

Ms. Betsy K. Wash

Rae & George Weimer

Dr. & Mrs. James O. Wells, Jr.

Ms. Kathy J. White

Adair & Dick White

SUPPORTER $500+

Scott & Betsy Akers

Martha Allday

Dr. Raymond Allen

Paula Stephan Amis

Mr. John Baker

Mr. & Mrs. Robert O. Banker

Colonel & Mrs. John V. Barson

Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Benator

Mr. Matt Blackburn

Martha Brewer

Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Church

Mr. Pete Ciaschini

Mrs. Carol J. Clark

Ms Lillianette Cook & Ms. Carol Uhl

Maureen & Michael Dailey

Mr. & Mrs. Harold T. Daniel Jr.

Mr. James M. Datka & Ms. Nora P. DePalma

Mr. Joseph V. Dawsey & Mr. Frank D. Kubanek

Ms. Patricia Nuss

Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Eckardt

Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Engeman Sr.

Mrs. Robin Engleman

Ms. Ellen J. Evans

Mr. Richard D. Franco

Donald & Celia Gilner

John Greer

Mr. & Mrs. Richard P. Grodzicki

Mr. & Mrs. Sam Hagan

Jim & Virginia Hale

Mr. Ronald L. Harris & Mrs. Jacqueline Pownall

Terry Hong

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey R. Hoopes

Ms. Jan W. Hughen

Mr. & Mrs. Edward Katze

Dorothy Yates Kirkley

Joan & Arnold Kurth

Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Lane

Livvy Kazer Lipson

Allan & Vaneesa Little

Dr. Jo Marie Lyons

Jeanie & Albert Marx

Mr. M. Reynolds McClatchey Jr.

Sally & Allen McDaniel

Mr. & Mrs. M. Sean Molley

Barbara & Mark Murovitz

Terri & Stephen Nagler

Mr. & Mrs. Duane T. Nakahata

Carol S. Niemi

Mr. John Owens

Christine & Jim Pack

Mr. Darryl-Christopher Payne†

Peter Ciaschini

Mr. Lawrence F. Pinson

Dan Pompilio & Lark Ingram

The Reverend Neal P. Ponder, Jr.

Mr. Stephen L. Rann & Ms. Dytre Fentress

Dr. & Mrs. Colin Richman

R.J. & D.G. Riffey, Jr.

Sidney & Phyllis Rodbell

Mrs. Arshia Sabet-Payman

Dr. & Mrs. William M. Scaljon

Ms. Regina Schuber

Mr. Fred B. Smith

Judge Mike & Mrs. Jane Stoddard

Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Stratton

Steve & Christine Strong

Dr. & Mrs. William H. Stuart

Sharon Daniels Sullivan

Carolyn & Robert Swain

Dr. & Mrs. Michael Szikman

Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth G. Taylor

Alan & Marcia Watt

Ed Willard & J. R. Attaway

Kiki Wilson

Barbara Zellner

Dr. & Mrs. Ben Zinn

CONTRIBUTOR $250+

Dr. Catherine Allard

Mr. & Mrs. Gunnar Andersen

Mr. Paul Anderson, Jr.

Ms. Victoria Anderson

Chris Bailey

Mr. & Mrs. David S. Baker

Dr. & Mrs. Frank C. Bell

Elena Belykh

Claire & Bryan Benedict

Daniel & Bethann Berger

Mr. & Mrs. George Beylouny

Ms. Martha Bobo

Mr. Sean Bowen

Mrs. Karen Bradford

Ms. Louise Bray

Paul Brenner

James & Nancy Bross

Lou & Tom Jewell

Mr. Thomas Budlong

Mark & Peg Bumgardner

Craig & Brenda Caldwell

Debra M. Caldwell

Mrs. Faye Carles

Mr. & Mrs. Charles T. Carlin

Chris Casey & Douglas Weiss

Dr. & Mrs. Harold L. Chapman, Jr.

Edward Chung

Mr. & Mrs. William A. Clineburg , Jr.

Mrs. Jan W. Collins

Sheela Collins

Mellisa A. Cotton

Ms. Marcia Cupery

Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Curry

Mr. David D’Ambrosio

Carol Comstock & Jim Davis

Ms. Elizabeth A. DeAngelo

Matthew Denton

Ashley Derrick

John C. Durham

*Col. & Mrs. Edgar W. Duskin

Mr. & Mrs. David R. Dye

Eric Dykes

Ms. Margaret Eisenhauer

Mrs. Teresa Elbel

Allison Fichter & Phillip O’Brien

Judy & Stan Fineman

Mr. James W. Floyd

Mr. Robert J. Fornal & Mr. John A. Watson

Micah Fortson & Georgia Jarman

Mr. John Frontera

Mr. Glen Galbaugh

Mr. Kevin Gallagher

Olga Gazman

Ms. Tabitha Gibbs

Colonel & Mrs. Donald Gilner

Dr. & Mrs. Joseph D. Giovinco

Ms. Diana Glad

Ms. Pat Godbee

Drs. Nancy & Robert Griner

Dr. & Mrs. Bannester L. Harbin

Andrew Harrell

Ms. Sharon E. Hill

James Hilton

Mr. William Holland

Mr. & Mrs. Douglas M. Holly, Jr.

Douglas Hooker & Patrise Perkins Hooker

Ms. Betsy Horton

Drs. Jordan & Jocelyn Howard

Dr. Dorothy M. Huenecke

Mr. Rolf Ingenleuf

Jason Ingraham

Ms. Dianne Inniss

Mrs. Louise Jackson

Ms. Charlene Johnson

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Johnston

Mr. J. Carter Joseph

John & JoAnn Keller

Kennesaw State University Foundation

Dorothy Kirkley

Seth Kirschenbaum

Dian D. Knight

Elena Kochutin

Mr. Melvin Konner

Ms. Sandra L. Kroll

Mr. & Mrs. Gedas Kutka

Jena C. Lanham

Mr. & Mrs. David W. Larson

Melanie D. Lighthall

Mr. Scott Liniado

Miss Carrington S. Long

Mr. & Ms. Michael W. Luz

Dr. Joe Massey

Warren Matthews

Ms. Kathrin Mattox

Mr. & Mrs. Francis A. Mazzocchi

Mr. Simon Miller

Jessica Mincey

Mr. & Mrs. David N. Minkin

Mrs. George E. Missbach Jr.

Berthe & Shapour Mobasser

Dr. & Mrs. T. A. Moore

Ms. Priscilla M. Moran

Mr. Albert B. Moravitz

Denis Ng & Mary Jane Panzeri

Daniel Orlich

Zuzana Osburn

Paul Parisi

Mr. John Patchoski, Jr.

Mrs. Polly N. Pater

Horatiu V. Penescu

Ms. Sophia B. Peterman

Victoria Peterson

Frank Pinkerton

Daniel Pittaluga

Mary & Rex Pless

Mr. Mitesh A. Prema & Ms. Kristina Prema

*Sharon & Jim Radford

Renee Reddic

Misty Reid

Megan Retter

Virginia Rolfes

Mr. Donald Schreiber & Ms. Barbara Seal

Shannon Scott

Emmanuel Seuge

Carrie L. Shaeffer

Rob Shaw

Ms. Laurie Shock

Andrew J. Singletary, Jr.

Mary S. Slider

Jeff Smathers

Cathleen Smith

Dr. & Mrs. Stanley J. Smits

April Sneed

Paul Song

Mr. Thomas Striedinger

Mr. Gary Stuart

Sarah & David Sutherland

Pierre Tarantelli

Lazaro Tenreiro

Ms. Nancy A. Thomas

Mr. & Ms. Wolfgang Tiedtke

Ms. Ellen H. Ulken & Mr. Jerald L. Watts

Dr. Evis Babo & Mr. Stephen Weizenecker

Ms. Parsla A. Welch

Mr. & Mrs. T. A. Wessels

Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. White

Ms. Jone Williams & Ms. Barbara Robb

†extraordinary donors who have committed to continue their annual giving for three years or more

*deceased

CORPORATE PARTNERS

$100,000+

The Coca-Cola Company

The Home Depot Foundation

$50,000+

Gas South

UPS

$10,000+

The Capital Group Companies

Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta

Homrich-Berg, Inc. - Buckhead Nordson Corporation Foundation

Warner Bros. Discovery Hilbert Law Firm, LLC

$2,500+

Anonymous

Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters

KaneTreadwell Law LLC

National Distributing Co., Inc.

Wallace Graphics

FOUNDATIONS & GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

FOUNDATIONS

$225,000+

The Molly Blank Fund of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

Gramma Fisher Foundation

Donald & Marilyn Keough Foundation

$50,000+

Anonymous

Atlanta Music Festival Fund of The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

The Gable Foundation

The Halle Foundation

Knobloch Family Foundation

Livingston Foundation, Inc.

The Sara Giles Moore Foundation

Rich Foundation, Inc.

Mary & EP Rogers Foundation, Inc.

The Zeist Foundation, Inc.

$20,000+

The Jim Cox, Jr. Foundation

The Roy & Janet Dorsey Foundation

The Ray M. & Mary Elizabeth Lee Foundation, Inc.

J. Marshall & Lucile G. Powell Charitable Trust

$10,000+

The John & Rosemary Brown Family Foundation

The Hertz Family Foundation, Inc.

JBS Foundation

David, Helen, & Marian Woodward Fund

$5,000+

George M. Brown Trust Fund

Camp-Younts Foundation

Nordson Corporation Foundation

Charles Loridans Foundation, Inc.

$1,000+

Atlanta Woman’s Club

Mary Brown Fund of Atlanta, Georgia

The Hills Family Foundation, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas D. Hills, Trustees

Kiwanis Foundation of Atlanta

The Opera Guild for Atlanta

Frances Wood Wilson Foundation, Inc.

GOVERNMENT FUNDING

City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

Fulton County Arts & Culture

Georgia Council for the Arts

National Endowment for the Arts

honoring

ANN & FRANK CRITZ

celebrating ten years TOMER

ZVULUN

Spring Gala

Saturday, March 18, 2023

Gala Co-Chairs

JAMES B. MILLER, JR. TALIA MURPHY

Host Committee

Cathy & Mark Adams

A. James Anderson & Susan M. Anderson

James L. Anderson

Shepard B. Ansley

Rosemary & John Brown

Mary Calhoun

Robert Dean & Robert Epstein

Mr. Richard H. Delay & Dr. Francine D. Dykes

Susan & Morgan Eiland

Janet & Don Filip

Rebecca Frazer & Jon Buttrey

Deborah & Paul Harkins

John Haupert & Bryan Brooks

Lila & Doug Hertz

Alfred Kennedy & Bill Kenny

Elizabeth Klump

VICTORIA PALEFSKY

Emily Knobloch

Dale & George Levert

James B. Miller, Jr.

Caroline & Phil Moïse

Jim Kelley & Anne Morgan

Talia & John Murphy

Victoria & Howard Palefsky

Kathie & Charles Palmer

Anne & Tim Sheehan

William F. Snyder

Chris & Mark St.Clare

Roxanne & Benny Varzi

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas R. Williams, Jr.

Carolyn & Rhys Wilson

Bunny Winter & Michael Doyle

BARBARA D. STEWART LEGACY SOCIETY

The Atlanta Opera established the Barbara D. Stewart Legacy Society to recognize donors who have designated The Opera as a beneficiary in their estate plan. In honor of Barbara D. Stewart’s many contributions to The Atlanta Opera, our planned giving division, the Encore Society, has been renamed the Barbara D. Stewart Legacy Society.

Cathy Callaway Adams & Mark Adams

Anonymous (5)

Mr. & *Mrs. Shepard B. Ansley

Mrs. Wallace F. Beard

The Bickers Charitable Trust

Mr. Jonathan Blalock

*Jim & *Nancy Bland

Mr. Montague L. Boyd, IV

Mr. Robert Colgin

*Martha Thompson Dinos

The Roy & Janet Dorsey Foundation

Arnold & Sylvia Eaves

*Ms. Dorothy E. Edwards

*Heike & Dieter Elsner

Ms. Melodi Ford

Carl & Sally Gable

Ms. Anne Marie Gary

Mr. & Mrs. Sidney W. Guberman

Ms. Judy Hanenkrat

Richard & Fern Hartnig

The Hilbert Family Trust

Eda L. Hochgelerent M.D. & Bruce A. Cassidy M.D.

Mr. L. Don Holland

Mr. Hilson Hudson

*Mrs. Joseph B. Hutchison

Gail Johnson

Mr. J. Carter Joseph

*Mrs. Alfred D. Kennedy, Sr

*Mrs. Isabelle W. Kennedy

*Donald & *Marilyn Keough

Mr. & Mrs. Michael L. Keough

Ms. Corina M. LaFrossia

Mr. & Mrs. John G. Malcolm

Mr. Robert L. Mays

Mr. & Mrs. Allen P. McDaniel

*Peggy Weber McDowell & *Jack McDowell

Mr. & Mrs. Craig N. Miller

*Miss Helen D. Moffitt

Mr. J. Robert Morring

Clara M. & John S. O’Shea

Mrs. Polly N. Pater

Mr. James Paulk

*Mr. William E. Pennington

*Mr. Bruce Roth

Ms. Hazel Sanger

Mr. D. Jack Sawyer, Jr.

Anita & J. Barry Schrenk

Katherine Scott

Elizabeth N. Shapiro

*Mrs. Lessie B. Smithgall

Elizabeth Morgan Spiegel

Christine & Mark St.Clare

*Ms. Barbara D. Stewart

*Mrs. Eleanor H. Strain

Mr. Tarek Takieddini

Sandra & *Tom Teepen

Dr. & Mrs. Harold Whitney

*Mrs. Jane S. Willson

Rhys T. Wilson

Ms. Bunny Winter & Mr. Michael Doyle

Mr. Charles R. Yates, Jr. & Mrs. Mary Mitchell Yates

*Mr. & *Mrs. Charles R. Yates, Sr.

*Jay & Barbara Zellner

Mr. Tomer Zvulun & Mrs. Susanna Eiland

TRIBUTES & MEMORIALS

In Honor of Cathy & Mark Adams

Mr. J. Carter Joseph

In Memory of Dr. Florence C. Barnett

Katherine Hansil

John Tanzola

In memory of Dr. Joseph C. & Ruth Barnett

*Dr. Florence C. Barnett

In Memory of Dr. Joseph Barnett

Kennesaw State University Foundation

In Honor of Mr. Jonathan Blalock

Mr. Darryl-Christopher Payne

Mr. John Thompson, II

In Memory of Dr. James Bland & Nancy Carter Bland

Mr. Walter Carter Bland

In Honor of Dr. Hal Brody & Mr. Don Smith

Jonathan Blalock

In Honor of John & Rosemary Brown

Mr. Barry F. Ross & Mrs. Jane M. Rooks Ross

In Honor of Jerry Cooper

Stanley Daniels

In Honor of George Councill

Barbara Bonner

In Memory of Mrs. Mot Dinos

Allison Fitcher & Phillip O’Brien

In Honor of Mr. Robert G. Edge

Mrs. Eleanor Crosby

In Honor of Don & Janet Filip

Daniel Shea

In Honor of Sam & Marti Hagan

Ashley Derrick

In Memory of Harriet Harris

Carlquist Harris

Freya Harris

Karen Rajczi

In Honor of Jeff & Jeanette Hoopes

Larry & Beverly Willson

In Memory of Mr. Chip Johnston & Mr. Frank Monger

Mr. Johnny Thigpen & Mr. James Martin

In Memory of Craig Lewis

Judge Adele P. Grubbs

In Honor of Terry Martin

Barbara Zellner

In Memory of The Honorable George A. Novak

Jana M. Novak

In Honor of Howard & Victoria Palefsky

Betty Londergan

Donna Burchfield & Penn Nicholson

In Honor of Betsy Pittman

Ann P. Howington

In Memory of Margaret Williams

Thurman Williams

In Memory of Marya Gabrielle Williams

Jone Williams & Barbara Robb

In Honor of Charlie & Mary Yates

Sarah & David Sutherland

Dorothy Yates Kirkley

In Memory of Jay Zellner

Mrs. Barbara Zellner

In Honor of Mr. Tomer Zvulun & Ms. Susanna Eiland

Mr. & Mrs. Larry Kurlander

George & Rae Weimer

Michael Golden & Juliet Asher

Emily Knobloch

In Honor of Mary Ruth McDonald

Jonathan Blalock

George & Rae Weimer

In Memory of Bill Pennington

Jonathan Blalock

In Memory of Peggy McDowell

Mr. J. Carter Joseph

In honor of Marietta Pompilio

Dan Pompilio & Lark Ingram

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

Chair

Mr. Rhys T. Wilson

Vice Chair

Mr. John L. Hammaker

Treasurer

Ms. Bunny Winter

Secretary

Mr. John Haupert

MEMBERS

Mrs. Cathy Callaway Adams

Mrs. Elizabeth Adler

Mrs. Wendy Anzalone

Mr. Bryan H. Barnes

Mr. Dante Bellizzi

Mr. Montague L. Boyd, IV

Dr. Harold J. Brody

Mrs. Rosemary Kopel Brown

Mr. Frank H. Butterfield

Mr. Mario Concha

Dr. Frank A. Critz

Mr. Robert Dean

Dr. Carlos del Rio

Dr. Todd Ellis

Mr. Dieter Elsner

Dr. Donald J. Filip

Mr. Kevin Greiner

Mrs. Joanne Chesler Gross

Mr. Jamael Hester

Mr. Howard W. Hunter

Mr. Andrew R. Long

Mr. Alfredo Martin

Mr. James B. Miller, Jr.

Mrs. Stephanie Morela

Mrs. Sandra S. Morelli

Mrs. Talia Murphy

Mr. Howard Palefsky

Mr. Michael E. Paulhus

*Mr. William E. Pennington

Mr. Herbert J. Rosenberg

Mr. Thomas Saylor

Mr. Charles Sharbaugh

Mr. Alex Simmons, Jr.

Mrs. Christine St.Clare

Mr. William E. Tucker

Mr. Tomer Zvulun, ex-officio

HONORARY MEMBERS

Mr. Ronald Antinori

The Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler

Mr. Robert G. Edge

Mr. Carl I. Gable, Jr.

Mrs. Nancy Hall Green

Mr. Gregory F. Johnson

Mr. Carter Joseph

Mr. Alfred Kennedy, Jr.

Mr. Michael Keough

Mrs. Emily C. Knobloch

Mr. George Levert

*Mrs. Peggy Weber McDowell

Mr. J. Barry Schrenk

Mr. Timothy E. Sheehan

Mr. G. Kimbrough Taylor, Jr.

Mr. Mark K. Taylor

Mr. Thomas R. Williams

Mr. Robert G. Woodward

Mr. Charles “Charlie” R. Yates

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Board Chair

Mr. Rhys T. Wilson

Vice-Chair

Mr. John L. Hammaker

Nominating & Board Engagement Chair

Mrs. Talia Murphy

Secretary

Mr. John Haupert

Treasurer | Finance Chair

Ms. Bunny Winter

Audit Chair

Mr. Bryan H. Barnes

Community Engagement Chair

Mr. Alex Simmons, Jr.

Development Chair

Mr. Howard Palefsky

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Mr. Andrew J.M. Binns

Mr. Kenny L. Blank

Mrs. Inge Bledel

Ms. Mary Calhoun

Ms. Sally Bland Fielding

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Chair

Mrs. Stephanie Morela

Investment Co-Chairs

Mr. Frank Butterfield

Mrs. Sandra S. Morelli

Strategic Planning Chair

Mrs. Christine St.Clare

At-Large Members

Mrs. Cathy Callaway Adams

Mr. Howard W. Hunter

Mr. Charles Sharbaugh

Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. General & Artistic Director, ex-officio member

Mr. Tomer Zvulun

Mrs. Beth W. Glynn

Dr. Thomas N. Guffin, Jr.

Mrs. Erin Quinn Martin

Mr. Paul Snyder

EXECUTIVE

Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. General & Artistic Director

Tomer Zvulun

Managing Director

Micah Fortson

Executive Assistant & Board Liaison

Misty Reid

ARTISTIC/MUSIC

Carl & Sally Gable Music Director

Arthur Fagen

Director of Artistic Administration

Meredith Wallace

Artistic Associate

Annie Penner Gilstrap

PRODUCTION

Director of Production

Robert Reynolds

Associate Director of Production

Meggie Roseborough

Senior Technical Director

Terry Harper

Technical Director

Joshua Jansen

Assistant Technical Director

Ben Cole

Production Coordinator

Jocelyn Gresham

Production Finance Coordinator

Robbin Anderson

Production Stage Manager

Megan Bennett

Assistant Stage Managers

Caitlin Denney-Turner

Kristin Kelley

*denotes members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees - Local 927

Chorus & Orchestra Manager

Chris Bragg

Orchestra Librarian

Phil Parsons

Lighting Supervisor

Marissa Michaels

Props Manager & Artisan

Wanda Amanda Creech

Costume Shop Director

Sarah Burch Gordon

Costume Shop Manager

Cristine Reynolds

Cutter/Draper

Fiona Leonard

First Hand/Show Manager

Paula Peasley-Ninestein

Stitcher

Allison Hines

Stefanie Pifer

Jenn Rogers

Wardrobe Supervisor

Kelly Chipman

†denotes members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees - Local 859

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION

Director of Community Engagement & Education

Jessica Kiger

Education Manager

Kendall Roney

DEVELOPMENT

Chief Advancement Officer

Paul Harkins

Associate Director of Development

– Leadership Giving

Jessica Langlois

Associate Director of Development

– Major & Planned Gifts

Jonathan Blalock

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Director of Finance

Kathy J. White

Controller

Inga V. Murro

Staff Accountant

Andreaus Leverette

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Director of Human Resources

Kenneth R. Timmons

MARKETING & AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Director of Sales & Marketing

Rebecca Brown

Senior Manager, Ticketing Services

Renee Smiley

Guest Services Concierge

Emily Crisp

THE ATLANTA OPERA FILM STUDIO

Director of The Atlanta Opera Film Studio

Felipe Barral

GLYNN STUDIO ARTISTS

Bruno Baker

Edwin Jhamal Davis

Gretchen Krupp

Community Engagement & Education Coordinator

Jonesia Williams

New Works Administrator

Cara Consilvio

Annual Giving & Events Coordinator

Gloria Lin

Development Operations Coordinator

Diana Burns

Senior Institutional Giving Officer

Elana Grossman

Staff Accountant

Camelia Johnson

Bookkeeper

Ruth Strickland

Creative Services Manager

Matt Burkhalter

Digital Content Manager

Matt Dykeman

Sales & Marketing Manager

Ashley May King

Film Associate

Amanda Sachtleben

Kameron Lopreore

Alexis Seminario

CONCESSIONS

Concession stands are located in the center of the lobbies on all three levels. Food and beverage items are prohibited inside the theater. Thank you for your cooperation.

RESTROOMS

Restrooms are located on house right and house left of all three lobbies. Family restrooms are also located on house right of all three lobbies. Mobility-impaired patrons may use any of our restrooms.

PREPAID PARKING

On the performance page on the Cobb Energy Centre website there is a link to purchase parking in advance. Day of parking is available for $15 (credit or debit card only). There are 1,000 on-site parking spaces; 700 in a four-level deck and 300 more in a surface lot.

EMERGENCY INFO

In the event of an emergency, please locate the nearest usher who will direct you to the appropriate exit.

ELEVATORS

Elevators are located on each side of the lobbies on all levels.

LOST & FOUND

Items are turned into the Synovus Box Office on the day of a performance. To inquire about a lost item, please call Public Safety at 770-916-2911.

SMOKING

Smoking is prohibited inside the building.

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE

Persons requiring access assistance are asked to contact the Ticketmaster at 800-982-2787 for advance arrangements.

Audio clarification devices are available to our hearing impaired guests at no charge. This is on a firstcome, first-served basis and are available at the main desk in the lobby. Wheelchairs are available upon request. All items require a form of identification to be held until the item is returned.

COBB ENERGY CENTRE RULES & REQUESTS

• All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket in order to be admitted to the performance. Please be aware that not all performances are suitable for children.

• Infants will not be admitted to adult programs. Parents will be asked to remove children who create a disturbance.

• There is no late seating allowed. Closed-circuit monitors are provided in the lobby as a courtesy to latecomers.

• Please turn off all cellphones prior to the beginning of each performance.

• Please limit conversation during the performance.

• Cameras (including use of cellphone camera) and audio and video recording devices are strictly prohibited at all times.

• Leaving while the show is in progress is discourteous and we ask that you refrain from doing so.

• Please unwrap all candies and cough drops before the performance.