ALOHA MAI KĀKOU
HAWAI’I OPERA THEATRE’S
2024/2025 SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE!
Welcome to the final performances of Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre’s 2024/2025 Season!
It’s hard to believe that this is our first time back in the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in two years! Our last production here was in April 2023, Puccini’s one-act comic masterpiece, Gianni Schicchi. Time certainly does fly when you’re trying to figure out how to mount operas in unusual places! And unfortunately, we’re not done with that as the Blaisdell will be closing for another extended period starting in January 2027.
But let’s not dwell on that right now –we’re absolutely thrilled to be back in our longtime home!
Georges Bizet’s most famous work actually turned 150 last month, having debuted at Paris’ Opéra-Comique on March 3, 1875. Despite Carmen’s current established place in the operatic canon – it’s one of the top ten most-performed titles – it actually shocked 19th-century Parisian audiences through an unvarnished depiction workingclass life, immorality, and lawlessness. And to top it off, the final curtain closes after the violent death of the title character on stage. Nothing like that had ever occurred, especially at the Opéra-Comique, which was known for presenting light, popular theatrical entertainment.
Sadly, Bizet died three months to the day (June 3, 1875) after the premiere, after only 33 performances took place. So, he never knew this, his final work achieved
international acclaim within its first ten years.
Fun fact: the premiere performance of Carmen was attended by many of Paris’s leading composers, including Massenet, Offenbach, and Charles Gounod. Gounod, who had been Bizet’s teacher at the Paris Conservatoire, was apparently overheard during the performance complaining that Bizet had plagiarized Micaëla’s Act 3 aria from one of his works.
“Georges has robbed me! Take the Spanish airs and mine out of the score and there remains nothing to Bizet’s credit but the sauce that makes the fish.”
Whether or not he borrowed tunes from his teacher is up for debate. But what is absolutely clear is that Carmen features some of the world’s most familiar tunes and vivid characters the resonate in every production.
Mahalo nui for believing in the power of opera to move us, something that has never been more important in building robust and sustainable communities. Art means nothing without an audience!
A hui hou!
Andrew Morgan GENERAL DIRECTOR & CEO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Steve Prieto
VICE PRESIDENTS
Linda C. Nelson
Curtis T. Thompson, M.D.
SECRETARY
Marrie Schaefer
TREASURER
Linda C. Nelson
COUNSEL
John L. Knorek, Esq.
PRESIDENT EMERITUS
James H. McCoy
DIRECTORS Linn
EMERITUS MEMBERS
Robert S. Katz, Esq.
Ralph Kiessling
Evelyn B. Lance
Christine “Chris” O’Brien
Richard Palma*
Joyce Tomonari
Marilyn Trankle
Stephen H. Turner Maggie S. Walker Cori Weston
Charles Wichman*
Adrienne Wing, M.D.
James T. Leavitt, Esq.
Dorette P.S. Luke Noreen Mulliken Daniel Nishikawa
Sarah M. Richards*
STAFF
GENERAL DIRECTOR & CEO
Andrew Morgan
ADMINISTRATION
Chief of Staff
Stuart Zwagil
Finance Manager
Elgin Caballa
ARTISTIC
Artistic Director
Jamie Offenbach
Artistic Manager
Blythe Kelsey
Artistic Administrator
Karen Uehara
DEVELOPMENT Director of Development
Regi Lammers
Development & Events Manager
Kasey Nahlovsky
EDUCATION
Director of Education Programs
Erik D. Haines
June Chambers
Leonard
*Deceased
Education Operations Manager Kawaiola Murray
Education Music Specialist Eric Schank
MARKETING & BOX OFFICE
Director of Marketing & Communications
Elizabeth Wilson
Box Office Manager
Lore Ramiro
HAWAI‘I OPERA THEATRE
Office & Marketing Assistant Ysabelle Cerrafon
PRODUCTION Director of Production
Gordon P. Svec
THIS PRODUCTION IS MADE POSSIBLE
, IN PART, BY THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS
SEASON SPONSOR
John R. Halligan Charitable Fund
MAE. Z. ORVIS OPERA STUDIO SPONSOR
The Arthur & Mae Orvis Foundation, Inc.
PRODUCTION SPONSORS
Suzanne B. Engel
John Young Foundation
Sheraton Waikiki & Kyo-ya Hotels
Merrill Lynch
McInerny Foundation
SUPERTITILES SPONSOR
Clifford K.H. & Adrienne Wing Lau
CARMEN
COMPOSED BY GEORGES BIZET LIBRETTO BY HENRI MEILHAC AND LUDOVIC HALÉVY.
BASED ON THE NOVELLA OF THE SAME TITLE BY PROSPER MÉRIMÉE.
CAST
CARMEN
Alice Chung
DON JOSÉ
Won Whi Choi*
ESCAMILLO
Richard Ollarsaba*
MICAËLA
Maria Valdes
ARTISTIC TEAM
CONDUCTOR
Benjamin Makino
DIRECTOR
Richard Gammon
RÉPÉTITEUR
Sun Ha Yoon
ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL MANAGER
Megan Wade
FRASQUITA
Leslie Goldman
MERCÉDÈS
Blythe
Iakuinipua‘okahana
Kelsey
EL DANCAÏRO
Brendan Boyle
EL REMENDADO
Jason Ferrante*
ZUNIGA
Robert Ellsworth Feng
MORALES
Kip Wilborn
DANCER
Jaime Blu Craycroft
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Ramsay Sandelin
SCENIC DESIGNER
Michelle A. Bisbee
COSTUME SUPERVISOR
Katherine James
WIG & MAKEUP DESIGNER
Mei Chibana
ADDITIONAL ARTISTIC & PRODUCTION STAFF
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Valerie Ho
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Aly Sutton
FIGHT COORDINATOR
Kathryn Mariko Lee
ASSISTANT WIG & MAKEUP DESIGNER
Kevin T. Murata
RUNNING CREW
I.A.T.S.E Local 665
I.A.T.S.E LOCAL 665
UNION STEWARD
Al Omo
PROPS MANAGER
Gen Boyer
STAGE MANAGER
Jason Ichiyama
HSO GENERAL MANAGER
Merle Bratlie
SUPERTITLES OPERATOR
Kazumi Takemasa
BACKSTAGE SECURITY COORDINATOR
Miu Lan Oman
*HOT Debut
SYN OPS IS
Carmen, the iconic opera by Georges Bizet, is celebrating its 150th Anniversary this year. Premiering in 1875, this passionate tale of love, jealousy, and fate continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Set in Spain, it follows the fiery gypsy Carmen, whose magnetic allure and rebellious spirit lead her into a tragic romance with the soldier Don José. With its unforgettable music, including the famous “Habanera” and “Toreador Song,” Carmen remains one of the most performed operas in the world.
Act I:
Soldiers march through the town square. Micaëla (Maria Valdes) arrives, searching for José (Won Whi Choi.) Moralès, an officer on duty, informs her that José will be on the next watch and invites her to wait with them, but she chooses to leave and return later. A group of street children passes, followed by the changing of the guard led by Zuniga, another officer.
All at once, the square becomes lively as factory workers and soldiers gather and we are introduced to an effervescent Carmen (Alice Chung), drawing the most attention. Before heading back to the factory, Carmen tosses a flower to José, which he retrieves once the crowd disperses.
Micaëla returns and delivers a letter from José’s mother. Suddenly, commotion erupts at the factory as women rush out, accusing Carmen of attacking another worker with a knife. Carmen is arrested. While the warrant is being written and the officer is distracted, Carmen seduces José, who helps her to escape.
Intermission 1 • 15 min.
Act II:
Two Months Later
Carmen and her friends, Frasquita (Leslie Goldman) and Mercédès (Blythe Iakuinipua‘okahana Kelsey), entertain Zuniga and Moralès at an inn. A group of soldiers arrives, accompanied by the famous bullfighter Escamillo (Richard Ollarsaba), who is immediately drawn to Carmen.
Later, two men meet with Carmen, Frasquita, and Mercédès to discuss a smuggling operation that requires the women’s assistance. Frasquita and Mercédès agree, but Carmen declines, revealing her love for José.
When José appears, he professes his requited love. However, duty calls as the roll-call sounds from the barracks. Torn between his responsibilities and his feelings, José hesitates. Zuniga unexpectedly returns, leading to an uproarious confrontation. After the fight, Carmen’s companions intervene, and José realizes his military career is over. Left with no other option, he joins the smugglers.
Intermission 2 • 10 min.
Act III: Several Months Later
Smugglers gather near the border under the cover of night. Carmen and José’s relationship has soured; she is disillusioned, while he remains possessive and volatile. Frasquita and Mercédès read fortunes from a deck of cards, but Carmen’s cards ominously predict her death.
As the women leave to distract customs guards, José stays behind. Meanwhile, Micaëla and Escamillo separately approach the camp, searching for José and Carmen, respectively. Micaëla hides as José and Escamillo engage in a fight, which is interrupted when Carmen and the others return. Escamillo invites everyone to his next bullfight before departing.
Micaëla is discovered and pleads with José to return home to his dying mother.
Act IV: Outside the Bullring
A festive crowd gathers for Escamillo’s bullfight. The toreros receive cheers as they enter, with Carmen by Escamillo’s side. After Escamillo heads into the arena, José confronts Carmen outside. She mocks him, refusing to rekindle their relationship. In a fit of rage, José stabs Carmen, killing her.
CONDUCTOR’S NOTES
BENJAMIN MAKINO
I have never seen a production of Carmen I was not myself working on. I was surprised to notice this, as I sat to write this note. It seems improbable that an opera professional should have missed seeing one of the most ubiquitous works in the repertoire.
This is not to say that I don’t have my own history with the work. I can remember my mother singing Carmen’s arias at her voice lessons when I was a child, the music a backdrop to my carefully collecting snails from her teacher’s garden and placing them on his glass patio table, ready to be admired when the session was over. Yet, even though my mother’s voice imprinted those beautiful melodies deeply in my memory, I never saw Carmen on stage.
It took until graduate school for me to have my first encounter with the complete Carmen, or at least with Meilhac and Halévy’s libretto. I was no longer collecting snails, and was at a crossroads in my education, wavering between purely symphonic studies and a return to the theater (I performed in a musical theater group as a child–another story.)
It was suggested I begin my serious opera studies with, among a handful of selections, Carmen. Unsure of how to tackle such an daunting assignment, I picked up my mother’s copy of the libretto, long since sitting unused on a shelf, and started there.
I readily admit to total naiveté as I started reading, and likewise to being entirely unprepared for the transformative experience of reading the entire text without music. I was thunderstruck by the frank power of the language. While much of the music had been familiar
to me for years, I had never seriously explored the words. Suddenly, I was faced with the unsteady feeling of Carmen’s beloved, familiar music coursing with new, uncomfortably potent energy.
What I’ve since come to understand: Carmen–tuneful and populated with cheerful choruses–may seem an unlikely Gesamtkunstwerk, yet Carmen’s themes, among them that of absolute freedom reverberate through every dramatic and musical decision interpreters face in its preparation. Carmen struggles against the confines of bourgeois norms as the score itself seems to wrench against the structures and conventions of the Opéra Comique, straining to the point of catastrophe, towards the elusive liberté whose call closes the second act.
Carmen is in many ways an incomplete work. Bizet’s sudden death left many questions concerning how he may have ultimately viewed the score, and we seem to have a new edition of Carmen every few decades, each asserting new scholarly authority regarding Bizet’s intentions. But Carmen is somehow perfect in its fragmented state, shrouded in the tragic death of its brilliant young composer, ever approaching, but never achieving consummation. Carmen gestures towards a path in the development of opera left unexplored. It is a piece of art familiar and exotic, still capable of jolting us out of our comfortable apathy, as it did me. It remains unfixed, transforming and unfolding as we experience the changes wrought by our own lives.
MORALES
Kip Wilborn
Hometown: Odessa, Texas
ARTIST PROFILES CARMEN
Recent and Upcoming Productions
Don Jose, Carmen HOT
Canio, I Pagliazzi, HOT
Rienzi, Rienzi, Theater Bremen
Sigmund, Die Walküre, HOT
Career Highlights
Conductor, Allegiance, Manoa Valley Theatre at the Hawaii Theatre
Sam Kaplan, Street Scene, Houston Grand Opera/Theater des Westens
Sam Kaplan, Street Scene, Film, Image Entertainment
Phantom, Phantom of the Opera, Pantages Theater, Toronto
HAWAIʻI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
VIOLIN 1
Ignace Jang
Nelly Kovalev
Judy Barrett
Daniel Padilla
Sheryl Shohet
Maile Reeves
Michelle Kim
Helen Liu
Jeanine Markley
Mio Unosawa-Herzog
VIOLIN 2
Wu Hung
Darel Stark
Yuseon Nam
Timothy Leong
Sophia Park
Brent Ramos
Duane White
Michael Lim
VIOLA
Mark Butin
Steve Flanter
Jean-Michel Jacquon
Sandra Wong
Anna Womack
Lynn Tamayoshi
CELLO
Mark Votapek
Sung Chan Chang
Kathleen Long
Jonathan Flaksman
Aris Doike
Nancy Masaki
BASS
Shawn Conley
Matt Love
John Gallagher
Sayuri Yamamoto
FLUTE
Claire Butin
Julia Barnett
OBOE
Gustav Highstein
Leonardo Ziporyn
CLARINET
Louis DeMartino
James F. Moffitt
BASSOON
Thomas Morrison
Philip Gottling III
HORN
Colton Hironaka
Anna Lenhart
Max Braun
Jamie Sanborn
George Warnock
TRUMPET
David Nakazono
Luke Fox
TROMBONE
Jason Byerlotzer
Gabral Cruz
Lisa Stoneham
PERCUSSION
Jordan Schifino
Albert Mackey
Scott Davis
TIMPANI
Christopher Cabrera
HARP
Constance Uejio
ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL MANAGER
Megan Wade
ORCHESTRA LIBRARIAN
Kim Kiyabu
HSO GENERAL MANAGER
Merle Bratlie
INSPIRING STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY WITH OPERA
Our nationally recognized education outreach programs reach more than 15,000 students on O’ahu and neighbor islands annually.
OPERA EXPRESS
ORVIS YOUNG VOICES STUDIO
A free program designed for high schoolers that provides young singers in Hawai‘i the opportunity to explore the world of voice performance through workshops and master classes with guest clinicians.
HOT OPERA RESIDENCY
The HOT Opera Residency Program brings the HOT Education team into schools and leads students and teachers through the process of producing, rehearsing, and performing an opera.
A student-friendly mini-opera designed to take “on tour” to schools. In addition to being an inspirational experience with live music and drama, this show can also be used to enhance curriculums and bolster art programs.
Interested in engaging with our education programs or have questions? Reach out at education@hawaiiopera.org or call us at 808.596.7372.
HOT’S EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE MADE POSSIBLE, IN PART, BY THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS:
Stephanie Araki
Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation
Robert Emens Black Fund
The Bretzlaff Foundation, Inc.
Broadway in Hawaii
City & County of Honolulu
Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture & The Arts
Hearst Foundations
Don & Kathleen Kurihara
Clifford K.H. & Adrienne Wing Lau
Sheree* & Levani Lipton
Dorette P.S. Luke
The Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation, Inc.
Helene “Sam” Shenkus
Annie Sinclair Knudsen Memorial Fund
Andy & Jessica Stenz
Strong Foundation
C S Teramoto
Elsie H. Wilcox Foundation
G.N. Wilcox Trust
Michael & Theresa Ysrael
HOT CHORUS
Mark Ah Yo*
Robert M. Armstrong
Joey Barbasa
Daniel Barnett*
Ken Baum
Steven Buchthal
Bonnie Chock Burke
Liz Bush
Lily Carlson
Stephanie Conching*
Sarah Lambery
Connelly*
Jaime Blu Craycroft*
Stephen Foster
Martha Gomez
Evamarie Hidalgo
Phil M. Hidalgo
Paula Hupitzer
Athena K. Iokepa*
Alia Jeraj
Taka Kimura*
Svetlana Kirpu
Diane Koshi
Cathryn Langan*
Les Loo
Ian McMillan*
Thomas L. Mikasobe
Johnny Mindlin
Thomas Mirenda*
Catherine Morris*
Natalie Narito
Kate Purley
Dr. Ken Baum
Nicole Sakata
Angeliki Scordilis
Lillian Shaw
Tyler Shimabukuro
Victoria Shiroma
Heidi Soleymani
Ghislaine
Sopher- Phillips
Louise South
Bill South
Amy K. Sullivan*
HAWAIʻI YOUTH OPERA CHORUS
Dylan Cooper
Ocean Fajardo
Melekahiwa
Field-Perkins
Kerys Hadaway
Leah Hayasaka
Sarah Hayasaka
Rachel Kauihou
Cadence KirkPilger
Clara KirkPilger
Kian Langan
Kiva Langan
Courtney Marron
Maya McInerny
Giovanni Miller
Mele Miller
Nicolas Miller
Kazuya Nakagawa
Kalea Starr
Andre Stringer
Kirk Sullivan*
Amy Taba
Megan Takagi
Maarit Tiirikainen
Emily Vidler*
Nikita Volveras
Chris Walsh
Trissa DiBenedetto
Walter
Cody Weaver*
Rachel Wooler
Gina YanagiharaSeymour
Drew Yos
Nick Yos
Stelio
*Downstage Chorus
Isabella Tomasa
Charlotte-Lenore
Tsukamoto
Sophia Victorino
Lantana Widana
A. Kala’ionalani
Wong
Samantha Yos
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Hawai‘ i Opera Theatre extends its deepest appreciation to the many individuals, foundations, government entities, and corporations whose generous support keeps the power of opera alive in our island home. Contributed revenue accounts for over 70% of all income that sustains the company’s activities. Listed gifts were received between December 2023 and February 2025.
INDIVIDUAL GIVING
$20,000 AND ABOVE
Anonymous
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$300 - $599
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Anonymous (10)
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$150 - $299
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Simmons
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Worthington
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Anonymous (10)
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Kenton & Hannelore Eldridge
Uson & Lani Ewart
Patricia Faus
Freda Feng
Paul & Jane Field
Colleen Furuya
Alan & Ana Gamble
Meg Garlin
MaiLing Gaw
John Graves
Rhonda Griswold
Dr. Luke Hadge
Mrs. Kenneth Stehouwer
Patricia & William Steinhoff
Nathan Sult & Beth Tarter
Tabuchi Family
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin H. Takamori
Glenn & Elizabeth Tango
Dr. & Mrs. Russell M. Tom
Rochelle Uchibori
Catherine VanderLaan
Donna S. Walker
Jojo Watumull
Leslie Wilson
Robert & Sheila Wrede
Ashley Yann
Melvin & Carol Yee
Glenn & Sharon Yokoyama
Randall Young & Laurel Johnston
$100 - $149
Lester & Carolyn Inouye
Joey & Alexia Katzen
Yvonne Kauihou
Gregory Keller
Robert Kessner
Edgy Lee
Susan McCann
Meredith Miller
Alice Nagai
Greg Nakamatsu
Sara Nealy
Jean Nishimura
Wayne Parsons
Brooke Puder Jeanne Reynolds
Janice Sawada
Lillian Shaw
Dr. & Mrs. Walton Shim
Rosemarie Smith
Anthony & Kumiko Strauss
Paul & Gail Switzer
Robert Morse & Patricia Takemoto
Tiiu Talva
Andrew and Virginia Tanji
Linda Taylor
Susan Thompson
Barbara Treat
Kristin Varela
Richard Vida Jr.
Cori & Jeffrey Weston
Patricia Harrell-Lakatos & Linda Martell
Skip Hill
Myron & Abbie Wong
Randy Wong
Autumn Woods
Kevin Woolley, MD
Karen & James Wright
Rhea Yamashiro
Kris Yoakum
Wayne & Jovalene Yoshioka
CORPORATE, FOUNDATION & GOVERNMENT
City & County of Honolulu
John R. Halligan Charitable Fund
Hearst Foundations
The Estate of Kenneth C. Bibee
Carol Franc Buck Foundation
$50,000+
The Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation, Inc.
Strong Foundation
$25,000 - $49,999
McInerny Foundation
MISENO
$10,000 - $24,999
Atherton Family Foundation
Robert Emens Black Fund
The Bretzlaff Foundation, Inc.
The Cades Foundation
Cooke Foundation, Ltd.
First Hawaiian Bank Foundation
Hawaii State Foundation on Culture & The Arts
Anonymous (1)
Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation
Bank of Hawaii
BMW Honolulu
Dods Foundation
First Hawaiian Bank
Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel
GuavaGar Westfall Charitable Fund
AC Hotels
Bank of America
Broadway in Hawaii
Foodland Super Market, Ltd.
Kosasa Foundation
Leahi Swim School
Lemman Family Foundation
Merrill Lynch
National Endowment for the Arts
John Young Foundation
$5,000 - $9,999
Halekulani Corporation
Honolulu Lodge
MacNaughton
Neiman Marcus
Sheraton Waikiki & Kyo-ya Hotels
Annie Sinclair Knudsen Memorial Fund
Torkildson Katz, A Law Corporation
G.N. Wilcox Trust
$1,000 - $4,999
NMG Network
Servco
Elsie H. Wilcox Foundation
ACCOUNTANTS
Linda C. Nelson
ARCHITECTS
Emily Gillmar
LAWYERS
Naoko Miyamoto
Jean Malia Withy, Esq.
Estate of Henry G. Akina
Linn Alber
Estate of June R. Anderson
Anonymous (3)
William & Gail Atwater
Estate of Ruth Ballard
Estate of Nancy Bannick
Estate of Gilbert & Sarah Beson
Estate of Robert Berssenbrugge
Estate of Kenneth C. Bibee
Estate of Clara M. Boyer
Estate of Madeline Boyes
Nanna & George Bradford
Drs. Roger & Felice Brault
Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Bunn
Mary (Candy) Cassarno
Julia Frohlich Cherry
The Estate of Henry B. Clark
Marilyn "Lyn" Clarkin
Estate of Conrad G. Conrad, III
Ann & Dougal Crowe
Michael W. Dabney
Estate of LuryierDiamond
Estate of Hope Doyle
Estate of Sally H.Edwards
Suzanne B. Engel
David Franklin & Ruedi
Thoeni
Ray Galas
Beth Tarter & Nathan Sult
Charles R. Wichman
G. Todd Withy, Esq.
PHYSICIANS
Dr. Roger* & Felice Brault
Dr. & Mrs. Werner H. Grebe
Clifford K.H. Lau, MD & Adrienne Wing, MD
Estate of Marguerite E. Gonsalves
Estate of Rhoda Hackler
Estate of Iris Hallaran
Estate of Jean Mackay Harling
Estate of Robert Hines
Tom & Gloria Huber
Estate of Margaret L. Inskeep
Estate of Richard G. Inskeep
Randolph Moore & Lynne
Johnson
Keith Kalway
Dr. & Mrs. Daniel H. Katayama
Jason & Beverly Kravitt
Evelyn B. Lance
Clifford K.H. & Adrienne
Wing Lau
Estate of Mireille Leitich
Estate of John V. Levas
Dorette P.S. Luke
Estate of Natalie Mahoney
Randolph Moore & Lynne Johnson
Estate of Margaret Montgomery
Andrew Morgan & Danny Richard
Estate of Mrs. Leon J. Munson
Estate of Judith Neale
Linda C. Nelson
Dr. & Mrs. William Pearl
Kevin Wooley, MD
Dr. Ronald Yanagihara
REALTORS
Bruse Eckmann
Jeffrey M. Fox
Scott D. Larimer
Estate of Marita L.Nelson
Estate of Norma B. Nichols
Nancy Peacock
Cherye & James Pierce
Richard Kennedy & Steven Prieto
Joyce Quigley
Dr. & Mrs. G. Manning Richards
Jean E. Rolles
Estate of D. Haigh Roop
Jeff Rowe
Renate Ryan
Major General & Mrs. Cecil A. Ryder Jr.
Estate of Julia E. Schoen
Estate of Ames Arlen Scott
Estate of Robert Sebring
Estate of Nancy Lea Skelsey
Estate of Richard Stead
Miles K. & Reverie N. Suzuki
Curtis T. Thompson, MD
Estate of Hope Troyer
John Michael White
Stephen & Dana Wilson
Clifford K.H & Adrienne
Wing Lau
William Zanella, PhD
LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS
OPERA BALL
TABLE SPONSORS
RUBY
The Lallys & Friends
Randolph Moore & Lynne Johnson
DIAMOND
Steve Prieto, Evelyn B. Lance, Marrie Schaefer
PLATINUM
Suzanne B. Engel
Halekulani
Karen & Mark Polivka
Sharon Twigg-Smith, Elizabeth Rice Grossman, Wayne Pitluck & Judy Pyle, Noreen & David Mulliken
Sheraton & Kyo-ya Hotels
GOLD
Bank of Hawaii
BMW of Honolulu
First Hawaiian Bank
Giorgio Armani
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra
Honolulu Star Advertiser
Lori & Jaymark Komer
Neiman Marcus & MISENO
Niklaus & Elizabeth Thrapp
Clifford K.H. & Adrienne
Wing Lau
SILVER
Linn Alber, Robert & Marilyn Trankle
Pamela Andelin Cameron
Ballet Hawaii
DONORS
DONORS
Anonymous (2)
Carolyn A. Berry Wilson
Bruce & Becky Blythe
Darrell & Patricia Bowman
David Chung
Jacob Fergus
David Franklin & Reudi Thoeni
Keith Kalway
Paul & Lisa Kosasa
Susan M. Kosasa
Jim Leavitt & Lani Moore
Jim & Pam McCoy
Lynne Johnson Honorary Chair
Niklaus Thrapp Event Chair
Leighton Yuen Table Sales Chair
MISENO, Antonio Cardamuro
Noreen & David Mulliken
Karen & Mark Polivka
Jean E. Rolles
Niklaus Thrapp
Torkildson Katz, A Law Corporation Servco
Earl Shreckengast & Dr. Julia Muller
Dr. Curtis T. Thompson
Jojo Watumull
Joan & Perry White
Kip Wilborn & Jan Yokota
COMMITTEE
Valerie Burroughs Silent Auction Chair
Colleen Blacktin
Valerie Burroughs
Tristy Chun
Shirley Cruthers
Emilio Gomez
Capt. Craig Hawley
- Acknowledgements
Carolyn A. Berry Wilson (2)
Mr. & Mrs. John P. Gillmor
Leslie Goldman Fan Club
Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel
Jim Leavitt & Lani Moore
NMG Network, Andrea & Malia Zannoni
ProsPac Holdings
David & Lee Takagi
Ann & Stephen Turner
VIP INDIVIDUAL
Linda C. Nelson
Geraldine Gill
EDUCATION SPONSORS
Dorette P.S. Luke
UNDERWRITERS
Ko’olau Distillery Liquor Sponsor
Noreen & David Mulliken & Dr. Curtis T. Thompson After Party
Karen & Mark Polivka Wine-Raiser Event
Jim Leavitt & Lani Moore
Band (Nueva Vida)
Anthony Jones
James Leavitt
Noreen Mulliken
Steven Prieto
Juli Shaindlin
Karen Tiller Polivka
Veronica Wong
Leighton Yuen
Andrea Zannoni
Malia Zannoni
Terry Ah Yo
TRIBUTES
Erik D. Haines & Deborah Okada
Paul Holualoa Akau
Zeoma Akau
Roger Brault
Felice Brault
Henry G. Akina
Anonymous (2)
Peter & Raulette Carson
Fredrica Cassiday
Julia Frohlich Cherry
Michael Ching
Herbert & Joyce Dauber
Susan Duprey
Phyllis S. Haines
Katherine James
Bonnie Louise Judd
Robert & Marcy Katz
Floria (Lori) Komer
Susan M. Kosasa
Douglas G. Kreider
Dorette P.S. Luke
Dr. & Mrs. Philip McNamee
John & Zoe Mount
Dr. & Mrs. G. Manning
Richards
Suzanne Watanabe Lai
Charles R. Wichman
Valerie Yee
Peter R. Brown
Anonymous
June R. Chambers
Anonymous
Trevor & Kulia Cates
IN MEMORY OF
Erik D. Haines & Deborah Okada
Mark & Rhoda James
Floria (Lori) Komer
Brooke Puder
Beebe Freitas
Stephanie Araki
Deane & Sherrilyn Shephard
Phyllis S. Haines
Arman Kitapci
Anita Trubitt
Grace Kohatsu
Anne Harpham
Dr. C. Dexter Lufkin
Michael W. Hackney
Theodore K.W. Luke
Dorette P.S. Luke
Mark Fiedler Lundberg, Heldentenor
Anya Lundberg
Philip I. McNamee
Sandra Au Fong
John & Mary Lou Brogan
Margie & Mike Durant
Jan & Jim George
Lani Hearn
Katharine Morgan
Karen Kennedy
Caroline Upperco
Norma Nichols
Jean McIntosh
David Oman
Charles & Pauline Lindberg
Tevita Kuila Pasi
Taliana K. Pasi
Sarah M. Richards
Betsy A. Behnke
Marilyn Carlsmith
Mr. & Mrs. John P. Gillmor
Rhonda Griswold
Erik D. Haines & Deborah Okada
Jim & Pam McCoy
Randolph Moore & Lynne
Johnson
Tim Olderr & Kristi Maynard
Joan & Perry White
Allison Wong Daniel
Dora Sher
Scott Raskin
Joe Uahinui
Erik D. Haines & Deborah Okada
Colleen H. Uahinui
Jennifer “Jen” Takaki
The Hallacher Family
Joseph K. Wee
Carla Klein
Micheline & Heaton L. Wrenn, Jr.
Gregory Wrenn & Robert Pyburn
Carolyn A. Berry Wilson
Jason & Beverly Kravitt
David Franklin & Ruedi
Thoeni
Isobel Wiener
HOT Blue Hawai’i & Leslie Goldman
Rae & Ed Sultan
Lynne Johnson
Linda C. Nelson
John Knorek
Marcy & Robert Katz
SPECIAL THANKS
Ruth O. Bingham
Lynne Johnson
Ryker Lammers
Keanu Nguyen-Asuega
Niklaus Thrapp
Phyllis Wong
Terrina Wong
ACT II Volunteers
Erin R. Choy
Marian Conroy
Louise Kuba
Naomi Loewe
Joyce Tomonari
Andrew Morgan & Danny
Richard
Boone Callaway & David
Helbraun
Bill Morgan & Gwen Herrin
Daniel Morgan
Katharine E. Morgan*
Nola Nahulu
Erik D. Haines & Deborah Okada
Jean E. Rolles
John & Sada Drouilhet
Eric Schank
Erik D. Haines & Deborah Okada
Maria Valdes
Bob & Terri Ryan
Elizabeth Wilson
Regi Lammers
Leighton Yuen & Tim Freson
Corlis Chang
Opera Ball Volunteers
Kennedy Amerino
Sydney Branch
Bonnie Chock Burke
Bonnie-Belle Chun
Nana Clemons
Makena Cusick
Suzanne Engel
Pat Frank
Sophie Gralapp
Pilar Kirk
Rob Kuntz
Evelyn Lance
Victor Levine
Paulene Marcello
Ian McMillian
Olive Ngokion
Obi Okechukwu
Susan Palmore
Marrie Schafer
Erich Schrottke
Miki Shattuck
Jonathan Sonnier
Ghislaine Sopher-Phillips
Kathleen Sullivan
Richard Sullivan
Nikita Volveras
Pumehana Wadsworth
Joan White
Perry White
Dorinda Won
Rachel Wooler
HAWAIʻI
OPERA THEATRE DEDICATES THESE PERFORMANCES IN LOVING MEMORY OF
SARAH M. RICHARDS
(1941-2025)
From left to right: Quinn Kelsey; Sarah M. Richards; Manning Richards
On behalf of Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre’s Board of Directors and Staff, we wish to offer our sincere condolences to family and friends of Sarah M. Richards, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 26, 2025. The entire Honolulu arts community has lost a tireless patron, advocate, and friend.
Sarah moved to Honolulu in 1970 to become Dean of Students at Chaminade University. Soon after her arrival, she joined the Steering Committee of Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre, which was then operating under the auspices of the Honolulu Symphony. Sarah was instrumental in establishing HOT as an independent non-profit corporation in 1980 and served as the first President of the Board. She remained a dedicated and active member of the Board and the HOT ʻohana until her passing.
Opera brought Sarah much joy throughout her life. Indeed, it was through her connection to HOT that she met her husband, Manning. At the time, Sarah was head of HOT’s Education Committee and Manning was singing in the chorus for a production of Verdi’s Aida.
In Sarah’s words, “I met him in Aida, Act 2 backstage. He was dressed as a 5th century Egyptian priest. My friends were fixing me up with the star who sang the role of the King, Archie Drake. But I went to the cast party where I was introduced to Manning. That was in February 1972, and we were married in December of that same year.”
A staunch advocate for the arts, Sarah held leadership positions with the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the Hawaiʻi Theatre Center.
Sarah, you will forever be a star with Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre.
Steve Prieto, President BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Andrew Morgan GENERAL DIRECTOR & CEO
