2021 I Dream Playbill

Thank You

I Dream Title Sponsor The Board of Directors acknowledges Novant Health, title sponsor of I Dream and the leadership of Novant Health who made this sponsorship possible: Mr. Carl Amato, CEO Ms.Tanya Blackmon, EVP and Chief Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Officer Mr. Jesse Cureton, EVP Chief Consumer Officer Ms. Arlene Ferebee, Senior Director of Strategic Development Without whose support, I Dream would remain a dream.

Thank You

I Dream Major Sponsor The Board of Directors acknowledges Hearst Corporation and the Heart Foundations, major sponsors of I Dream and the leadership who made this sponsorship possible: Mr. Gilbert C. Maurer, Member, Board of Directors Mr. George Irish, Eastern Director Mr. Christopher T. Mardany, Vice President & Director of Financial Shared Services Mr. Thomas Hughes, Assistant Director, Corporate Information Systems Without whose support, I Dream would remain a dream.

Music and Libretto by Douglas Tappin Orchestrations by Carl Marsh First performance: April 4, 2018. The Valentine Theater. Toledo, Ohio

This production is sponsored by

The Cast (in order of appearance)

... ... ... ... ... ...

Martin Coretta Ralph Hosea Grandma Young Martin Music Director Director Lighting & Video Design Set Design Costume Design Head of Music Preparation Associate Conductor Sound Design Movement Coach Wig and Make-up Design Fight Coordinator

Derrick Davis Alyson Cambridge Kenneth Overton Victor Ryan Robertson Lucia Bradford Rahmir Broome

Creative Team ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

James Meena Tom Diamond Michael Baumgarten Kevin Depinet Emilio Sosa Emily Jarrell Urbanek Keith Williams Martin Gimenez Naimah Kioski Martha Ruskai Alexander Bodine

The Opera Carolina Chorus and Orchestra I Dream is licensed by Musical Dramatic Arts Dej Mahoney, producer Historical photographs provided by “© Dr. Ernest C. Withers. Sr. courtesy of the WITHERS FAMIIY TRUST”

The Artists

Artistic Director James Meena enters his twentieth season with Charlotte’s opera company, having served as General Director & Principal Conductor for two decades, and also serves as Artistic Director of Opera Grand Rapids in Michigan. Mo. Meena’s guest conducting engagements have included the Washington Opera, the Pittsburgh Opera, L’Opera de Montreal, Michigan Opera Theater, Festivale Puccini Torre del Lago, Teatro del Giglio Lucca, Teatro Pavarotti Modena, Teatro Ravenna, Teatro Sociale Rovigo, the Arizona Opera, Edmonton Opera, the KBS Symphony Orchestra in Seoul, South Korea, the National Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of China, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Cairo Philharmonic in Egypt, the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Memphis Symphony, the Toledo Symphony, the Orchestra of the Teatro Massimo Bellini in Sicily and the Orchestra Regionale Toscana in Florence, Italy. Pre-covid, he made his debut in the historic Teatro Antica in Taromina Sicily and the Teatro Greco in Siracusa leading Puccini’s Turandot. For more than a decade he was Resident Conductor of the Toledo Symphony, General Director of Toledo Opera and conductor for the Cleveland/San Jose Ballet. Mo. Meena has conducted legendary singers Renee Fleming, Denyce Graves, James McCracken, Diana Soviero, Mignon Dunn, Marilyn Horne, Sherril Milnes, Jerome Hines and Marcello Giordani. His commitment to new works includes Opera Carolina premieres of Cold Sassy Tree, Margaret Garner, Scalia/Ginsburg, Rise for Freedom and this season’s The Falling and the Rising.

Director Tom Diamond’s acclaimed productions include premieres of Chan Ka Nin’s Iron Road (Dora Award) and Timothy Sullivan’s Florence The Lady with The Lamp (Chalmers Award), six productions for Pacific Opera Victoria and nine for the Canadian Opera Company. His production of Squonk was an off-Broadway hit which transferred to Broadway where it won the American Theatre Wing’s Hewes Award. He has directed from coast-to-coast in Canada, where he is based. In the United States, Mr. Diamond spent three seasons with Sarasota Opera. He has also directed for San Francisco Opera, Utah Opera, as well as numerous operas by George Frederic Handel for Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. He is highly respected for developing and directing acclaimed world premieres of new operas, and was the dramaturg at TAPESTRY; Canada’s most prolific commissioner of new opera, for over a decade. His many award-winning productions include The Enslavement and LIberation of Oksana G., an opera set in the world of human trafficking and IRON ROAD; the story of how Canada built its railroad on the back of Chinese slave labor. He is his Canada’s most sought-after operatic acting teacher and currently is on staff as the Senior Acting Coach for the Canadian Opera Company and at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Since 2019, Tom has worked as dramaturg with composer Douglas Tappin to strengthen the libretto of I Dream and recraft the physical production in collaboration with Opera Carolina’s Lighting and Video Designer, Michael Baumgarten.

James Meena Conductor and Artistic Director

Tom Diamond Director and Dramaturg

The Artists

Derrick Davis Martin

Aylson Cambridge Coretta

Derrick Davis, an American born actor/singer recently starred in the North American touring production of The Phantom of the Opera in the title role. He covered the role of Billy Bigelow in Broadway’s recent run of Carousel. He was also seen in the Broadway production of Disney’s The Lion King covering the roles of Mufasa and Scar after playing Mufasa in the national touring company and covering the role in the Las Vegas production.

Mr. Davis played the role of Curtis Taylor Jr. in Dreamgirls during Dallas Theatre Center’s Tony Award® winning season.

Other credits include: THEATRE – Show Boat, Earl Wilson Jr.’s You’re It!.; OPERA - Amahl and the Night Visitors, Die Fledermaus; TV - Hallmark Channel’s One Royal Holiday, ABC’s Dangerous Liaisons, A Christmas Tale, performances on Live with Regis and Kelly and The View; FILM - Can a Song Save Your Life. CONCERT - An Evening of Broadway (solo concert) featured soloist in the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s Rodgers and Hammerstein Concert. A Journey Through Love (solo concert), A Christmas Journey (solo concert). His 2018 performance as Dr. King was hailed as bringing “tremendous stature and gravity, with a soaring voice that could be tender or tough as needed.”

American soprano Alyson Cambridge has been hailed by critics as “radiant, vocally assured, dramatically subtle and compelling and artistically imaginative” (Washington Post), noted for her “powerful, clear voice” (New York Times) and “revelatory, sensual, smoky readings” (Opera News). Her rich, warm soprano, combined with her strikingly beautiful stage presence and affecting musical and dramatic interpretation, have brought her over a decade of successes on the world’s leading opera and concert stages, including The Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington National Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Carnegie Hall, London’s Royal Albert Hall, Deutsche Oper Berlin and the Vienna Konzerthaus. Her diverse repertoire includes the beloved heroines of Puccini, Verdi, and Mozart as well as successful forays into the crossover, Broadway, and jazz repertoire, most notably with her recent award-winning and critically-acclaimed performances of Julie in Show Boat and Vi in Gershwin’s rarely performed jazzopera Blue Monday. Ms. Cambridge recently released her debut album, “From the Diary of Sally Hemings,” a song-cycle by acclaimed American composer William Bolcom. Her next album of crossover and jazz standards, “Until Now,” will be released this fall. Ms. Cambridge will sing Hanna Glawari in Léhar’s The Merry Widow at Florentine Opera in Milwaukee, and will return to the role at the Metropolitan Opera. In concert, she will perform selections from The American Songbook at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee, as well as collaborate with soprano Nicole Cabell on a project entitled “Sisters in Song” which will be released on Cedille Records in early 2018. This project will culminate in a recital with the Lake Forest Symphony.

Kenneth Overton Ralph

Kenneth Overton is a 2020 GRAMMY AWARD WINNER for Best Choral Performance in the title role of Richard Danielpour’s The Passion of Yeshua with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by JoAnn Falletta. Upcoming engagements for Kenneth include his Metropolitan Opera debut in the fall of 2021 as Lawyer Frazier in Grammy Award Winning Production of Porgy and Bess, a reprisal of the role of Ralph Abernathy in I Dream with Opera Carolina and Charlottesville Opera, Germont in La traviata for Fort Worth Opera and Mr. McGuire in Tobias Picker’s Emmeline for his Tulsa Opera Debut. On the concert stage he will appear with the National Philharmonic as a soloist in Mozart’s Requiem as well as the World Premier of Hailstork’s A Knee on the Neck, a solo recital at The Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University, Fort Worth Opera’s Gala Concert, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, The World Premier of Damien Geter’s An African American Requiem with the Oregon Symphony and a debut with the Sinfonieorchester in St. Gallen Switzerland as Porgy. This past year he appeared in On Site Opera’s The Road We Came, an immersive and Site-Specific experience that explores the composers, musicians and places that define the rich Black history of New York City through a series of self-guided, musical walking tours. He also sang the title role in Porgy and Bess for New Orleans Opera as well as in the virtual gala, A Night of Black Excellence with Fort Worth Opera.

American tenor Victor Ryan Robertson is the one person ever to make is Metropolitan Opera debut, Broadway debut, and Kennedy Center debut all in the same season. His recent successes include the role of Rinaldo Armida in Virginia in 2019, a role he previously sang in the UK’s prestigious Garsington Opera Festival. Victor made his Metropolitan Opera debut in their new 2018 production of The Merry Widow as Raoul, and in the same year, his Broadway debut in The Phantom of the Opera. Current and future engagements include Victor Ryan Robertson Remendado Carmen at Cincinnati Opera, Alfredo in La traviata and Hosea two titles by Anthony Davis: Central Park 5 and The Life and Times of Malcolm X at Portland Opera and Michigan Opera Theatre. With a natural ability for contemporary music, Victor inaugurated the role of Benny “Kid” Paret in Terence Blanchard’s celebrated Champion in its world premiere in 2017 at Washington National Opera and later revived the role at Michigan Opera Theatre and L’Opera de Montreal. Other significant highlights include Candide at Opera National de Lorraine in France, Rodolfo in Francesca Zambello’s La Boheme at Royal Albert Hall in London, Euremedes in Orpheus at New York City Opera, and Sportin’ Life in Zambello’s production of Porgy and Bess in Los Angeles. He also performed Sportin’ Life with Capetown Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Welsh National Opera, English National Opera, Scottish National Opera, Israeli National Opera, Dallas Opera, and the Spoleto Festival USA. He made his professional debut in Baz Luhrmann’s Rent, an adaptation of Puccini’s La bohème, at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in a record 82 sold-out performances, for which he won the coveted Ovation Award in 2004.

Lucia Bradford Grandma

Kevin Depinet Set Design

Emilio Sosa Costume Design

Mezzo-soprano, Lucia Bradford’s operatic roles include Carmen in La Tragedie de Carmen, Zita in Gianni Schicchi, Principessa in SuorAngelica, The Mother in L’Enfant des Sortileges, Quickly in Falstaff, The Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas, Gertrude in Romeo and Juliet, Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Miss Todd in The Old Maid and the Thief, the Duchess in The Gondoliers, Azelia Dessalines in the historic return of William Grant Still’s opera Troubled Island at New York City Opera, as well as Mamie Till in the contemporary opera Emmett Till, Maria in Porgy and Bess, the Mother of Paul Dunbar in the premiere of The Mask in the Mirror.

In concert, she has performed with acclaimed Maestro Christoph Eschenbach, as alto soloist in Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de Confessore at Carnegie Hall, Hadyn’s Lord Nelson Mass, the Mozart Requiem with the Colour of Music Festival and the UN Symphony Orchestra, Undine Smith Moore’s The Scene for the Life of a Martyr with Minnesota Symphony, the DeFalla ballet suite with the Greenwich Symphony orchestra, Julia Perry’s Stabat Mater with Resonance Works, the St. Luke’s orchestra performing a concert version Dido and Aeneas and New York Festival of Song at Merkin Hall. Ms. Bradford has toured in Russia with the Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra and the Radio Orpheus Symphony Orchestra in Siberia, Dubna and Moscow.

Designer Kevin Depinet has created productions for The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, McCarter Theatre Center, Court Theatre, Writers Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Denver Center Theatre Company, Arden Theatre Company, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Glimmerglass Opera, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Old Globe Theatre, Kirk Douglas Theatre, American Players Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, and Mark Taper Forum. His Broadwaycredits include associate designer for August: Osage County, The Motherf**ker with the Hat, and Of Mice and Men. His national tour credits include Camelot and Ragtime. Mr. Depinet has also designed for the National Theatre in London, Discovery Channel, Netflix, 21st Century Fox, and Disney.

Acclaimed designer Emilio Sosa is a well-known costume designer sharing his creativity for the Broadway productions of Topdog/Underdog (and Off-Broadway), Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (Tony nomination), Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill starring Audra McDonald, On Your Feet, and Motown the Musical (also the US and UK tours). In 2005, he was given the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Costume Design. A driven designer, Mr. Sosa decided to take on the challenge of a reality TV completion. He competed with 15 other designers on Project Runway vying for the top prize and the chance to launch their careers in the fashion industry. He won several challenges throughout the competition, leading him to take second place that season. He also competed on Project Runway All Stars. Since the show, Mr. Sosa has continued to promote Eosa designs, a line he co-created with his brothers.

His film work includes Red Hook Summer directed by Spike Lee.

Michael Baumgarten Video and Lighting Design

Carl Marsh Orchestrator

Dej Mahoney Producer

Opera Carolina’s Director of Production and Lighting Designer since 2005, Michael Baumgarten has designed lighting for more than 400 opera productions at regional and international opera companies, including, New York City Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Manitoba Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Austin Opera, Arizona Opera, Lyric Opera Kansas City, Palm Beach Opera, Toledo Opera, Opera Grand Rapids, Michigan Opera Theater and Virginia Opera. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama and member of United Scenic Artists-Local 829, Mr. Baumgarten has also served as Director of Production and Resident Lighting Designer for Chautauqua Opera since 1999.

Equally at home with digital design and innovative technologies, he has designed and created new digital imagery for over fifteen Opera Carolina productions including Turandot, Les pêcheurs de perles, Nabucco, Macbeth, Roméo et Juliette, La fanciulla del West, and I Dream.

Orchestrator Carl Marsh enjoys creating music that blends his Classical, Symphonic and Choral training with his Blues, Rhythm & Blues and Gospel roots. His works have been performed by orchestras and choirs around the globe, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Irish National Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra and Chorus, Welsh Chamber Orchestra, NewZealand Chamber Orchestra; Montreal, Stockholm, Beijing, Jakarta, Atlanta, Memphis, and Nashville Symphonies. His years in the music industry have garnered numerous Grammy nominations, a Juno Award, 3 Felix Awards and participation in over 200 RIAA certified Gold and Platinum records. Notable artists with whom Mr. Marsh has collaborated include the Cirque du Soleil, Etta James, Joe Cocker, Amy Grant, The Manhattan Transfer, and ZZ Top.

Producer Dej Mahoney is a London based attorney and producer-principal of Musical-Dramatic Arts, the global rightsowner of “I Dream”. He is a founding director of All Our Business Ltd (AOB), a boutique legal and business consultancy in music and entertainment. Dej is a long-standing, Governing Board member of the BRIT School for the Performing Arts and has recently taken on the role of Non-Executive Chair of West One Music Group, one of the leading independent production music companies worldwide. Through AOB’s, Dej became a founding director of the Guinness Book of Records-accredited Young Voices International, which stages the world’s largest, children’s mass chorus concerts, and of the first-ever, multiplatform Barclaycard World Freerun Championships staged in London’s Trafalgar Square. In his earlier career, Dej was a music business executive at Sony. During this period, he was selected by London’s Evening Standard as one of its Top 100 ‘Behind-the-Scenes Operators’ and later became a Member of the Mayor’s Creative Commission for London.

The I Dream Ensemble Craig Allen, tenor. Judge, the Doctor Dr. Daniel Boye, baritone. J. Edgar Hoover Ramelle Brooks, baritone Elliott Brown, tenor Harrison Bumgardner, baritone. Press, Policeman Carmen Coulter, soprano Butler, Kimberly, soprano Katherine Kuckelman, soprano Avalon Cutts-Jones, soprano. Rosa Parks Johnnie Felder, tenor. Jesse Jackson Darius Gillard, tenor. Ensemble Shaunté Jordan, soprano. Diana Jonathan Kaufman, tenor. Judge, Policeman Greg Lowery, baritone. Press, Landlord, Bus Driver, Cook, and Policeman Caitlyn Martin, soprano. Claudette Colvin Jarvis Miller, baritone. Porter Michael Owens, tenor. Pilot Andrew René, baritone. A Preacher, Andrew Young Brooke Rice, mezzo-soprano Noah Rice, tenor. School Master, Bus Driver, Policeman Sarah Roche, soprano Amanda Sesler, soprano Sandra Stovall, soprano. Mrs. Abernathy Jillian Tate, soprano. Coretta’s Friend George Washington III, bass Johnathan Stanford White, tenor. Professor, Police Chief Jennifer Wiggins, mezzo-soprano. Activist, Coretta’s Friend

I Dream Cover Artists Bernard Holcolm, Martin. Sequina DuBose, Coretta Andrew René, Ralph. Darius Gillard, Hosea. Jennifer Wiggins, Grandma

The Opera Carolina Orchestra for I Dream James Meena, conductor Violin Peter DeVries, concertmaster Lenora Leggatt, associate concertmaster

Reeds Jill O’Neil, Flute & Reed 1 Elizabeth Sullivan, Oboe & Reed 2

Jane Hart Brendle, assistant concertmaster

Stephanie Lipka, Bassoon & Reed 3

Alice Silva, principal second violin

Reese Manceaux, Clarinet & Reed 4

Suzanne Friedman, assistant principal second Susan Blumberg Amanda Gentile Eliza Johnson Galina Johnson Oliver Kot

Jeff Tippett, Clarinet & Reed 5 French Horn Christopher Griffin, principal Judy Thompson Keelan Lovvorn

Leigh Marsh

Trumpet

Judy Meister

Brian Winegardner, principal

David Strassberg Michelle Thompson Viola Matt Darsey, principal Shawn Snider, assistant principal Anna Swic Peter Swic Cello Tanya Bechtler, principal Oksana McCarthy, assistant principal Liz Burns Jill Fung Bass Eric Thompson, principal Dennis Contreras, Assistant principal Jose Carrion Harp Andrea Mumm, principal

Johammee Romero Trombone Justin Isenhour, principal Jeremy Marks Timpani Stephanie Wilson, principal Percussion Brice Burton, principal Jacob Lipham Keyboard Keith Williams, piano Bill Congdon, keyboard Rhythm Section Nick Edelstein, Electric Guitar Anna Stadlman, Electric Bass Norman Edwards, drums

David Mills, orchestra manager John Jarrell, stage manager

From the Composer I wrote and composed the Libretto and Score of I Dream while living in Atlanta, reading accounts of the Civil Rights Movement, and talking to many individuals who had been a part of it, including members of Dr. King’s family, and some of his closest friends. The experience was so visceral, so profound that I felt, literally, compelled to tell the story – one of the greatest stories in human history and, more particularly, a great American story of recent history. I needed all my resources as a musical-dramatic writer to set it as a Rhythm and Blues Opera…I am using that term partly because that is what I set out to do, and also because I appreciate the need to label something, to define it, even though it is just seamless story-telling, using music and drama combined.

At the core of the story is a plight that is one of injustice – the plight of the poor, the needy, the orphaned, the oppressed, the downtrodden, the stranger, the captive, the hated one, the ones who are persecuted. But the most remarkable thing about the story is the way some people chose to confront that plight – with love. And not just a theoretical concept of love, but love that was expressed in a strong, practical way.

I Dream is a musical-dramatic work that effectively bridges classical and popular traditions in its writing, composition and orchestration: In the Classical Tradition – an Orchestra of 35 musicians; the realism of Verismo with a primacy of dramatic purpose; on the scale of Grand Opera – a prioritization of immense production values and tremendous music, a strong sense of contemporary relevance, a vast cast, a significant movement and dance aspect, heroic confrontations, opulent duets, and weighty choruses; through-composed – each scene flowing evenly and naturally into the next, blending recitative, aria and arioso, establishing, developing and resolving themes and motifs; and appropriately featuring full vocal ranges.

In the Popular Tradition – 21st Century Artistic and Theatrical sensibilities and consciousness as to structure and duration; written in English with some dialogue; popular, relevant, accessible and universal subject-matter; familiar song, melodic, and rhythmic forms; a fusion of contemporary, gospel, soul, spiritual, blues and jazz styles; Rhythm and Blues instrumentation (featuring piano, Hammond B-3, lead, acoustic and bass guitars, and drums) and a contemporary sense of pace, relentlessly moving towards an escalated conclusion.

I set out to create something artistically excellent: musically, lyrically and as a matter of production – and something entertaining: a powerful, moving operatic experience that is definitive, memorable, and enduring. Additionally, I wrote and composed I Dream to honor the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the movement he inspired, to unite diverse individuals and institutions in understanding the prophetic message of Dr. King and, by remembering Dr. King’s dream in the midst of contemporary culture, to inspire those who experience I Dream to live that dream…by loving as Dr. King did.

The Story of I Dream ACT I. On the morning of April 3rd 1968, a young preacher from Atlanta prepares for a journey to Memphis, Tennessee to join striking sanitation workers. During the night he has experienced a recurring dream – one that is a disconcerting mix of reminiscence and premonition. Always, at the center of the dream, is the image of a balcony that has about it a strange sense of foreboding, and destiny, and a moment he knows he is not yet ready to face, but cannot yet explain, or see beyond.

As he sets out on his journey to Memphis, boarding a flight from Atlanta’s busy airport with his close friend and confidant, he begins to reflect on episodes of his life, searching for meaning to his dreams…

First, he remembers the harsh personal experience of racism and segregation in the community of his childhood, his dear maternal Grandmother, and the promise he made to her at her deathbed that set his life upon its present course – his promise to love.

Later on his journey, his thoughts return to Boston University, the place where he first articulated his unsophisticated ‘love answer’ to the persecution and injustice he perceived in the world. It was also where he met the woman who would become his wife, and would set out with him on a life adventure that took them to Montgomery, Alabama where, together, they would play a vital role in the 1955 bus boycott that changed the law.

There will be a 30 minute intermission between Act I and Act II ACT II. Success in Montgomery marks the beginning of a freedom revolution the young preacher is chosen to lead. But leadership has its cost and consequences, for him and also for his wife who, though representing much of the strength of his life, faces her own challenges raising their young family while her husband is often away from home. Street by street, city by city, he marched side by side with others committed to seeing communities all across America experience freedom for themselves.

Though he began to focus on winning political success at a national level in Washington DC, most victories were hard-won on streets, and in jail cells throughout the South. There were significant times when he was vilified and celebrated. There were struggles around him, war within him, and loneliness and despair along the way from Birmingham to Selma. Eventually, the brave stand he inspired the people to take in Selma led to the enactment of voting rights legislation in 1965, that changed the course of modern American history.

He remembers this kaleidoscope of events as he arrives in Memphis, most poignantly on the morning after he makes, perhaps, the most emotionally draining speech of his life. Finally, just thirty-six hours after he set out from home, he sits alone at the edge of his bed in a motel room – late in the afternoon of April 4th.

He knows that outside his room door waits the balcony of his recurring dreams.

Dream has become reality and the moment of dream images is now the moment at hand.

About the Composer and Librettist Douglas Tappin Douglas Tappin (Composer and Librettist) is a writer and composer who was born and educated in the United Kingdom. A former Commercial Attorney and member of the Honorable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, he practiced as a Barrister in England for eleven years. Tappin earned an additional postgraduate degree from Atlanta’s McAfee School of Theology, culminating in the dissertation That There Might Be Inspiration – a critical examination and articulation of transformative music-drama, including through the historical and contemporary works of Handel, Wagner, Puccini, Sondheim, Lloyd Webber and Rice, Boublil and Schönberg.

Tappin’s unique approach to writing and composition is full of innovation and authenticity, arising from his inquiring, analytical mind, literary background and gifted musicianship that has included work in collaboration with Greg Phillinganes (musical director for Stevie Wonder and the late Michael Jackson) and Grammy nominated orchestrator Carl Marsh.

Tappin is currently writing and composing Becoming Othello, based on Paul Robeson’s year playing Othello at London’s Savoy Theatre, in 1930. Tappin has also written and composed six other significant musical-dramatic works including Deliverer, Diva, and 2042.

Douglas lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and two children.

Board of Directors 2021/22 Season Officers

Chair:

Julie Bernard, Deloitte

Vice Chair:

Carol Y. Kendrick, Brighthouse Financial

Vice Chair:

Christopher T. Mardany, Hearst

Secretary:

Daryl Hollnagel, Shumaker Loop & Kendrick, LLC

Treasurer:

Frank Boncimino, Arts Advocate

Assistant Treasurer:

Keith Hendrix, GreerWalker, LLP

Immediate Past Chair:

Arlene Ferebee, Novant Health

Members Betty Garriss Adams, Wells Fargo, retired

Life Members

Margaret Farnham, Perry Poole Architechts Mike Gaither, Arts Advocate Barbara Holt, Arts Advocate Paul Kardous, Pamaka Group Marcus Martin, U.S. Bancorp

Dr. Ki-Hyun Chun, CPA, PH.D. LL.D.

Chun Group, Inc.

Metropolitan Opera Ntl Council

Alexandra Paliyenko, Margaret Povinelli, Arts Advocate

Christopher Maurer, Wells Fargo (retired)

Charlotte D. Payne, Arts Advocate

Matthew Moore, JP Morgan Chase

Emily Smith, Arts Advocate

Laura Philipson, Arts Advocate Ann Reed, Brighthouse Financial

Ex-Officio Members

Elizabeth Trenary, Parker Poe

Karen Oldham, Opera Guild of Charlotte

Michel Vanesse, Parker Poe Curtis Walls, NASCAR Phyllis Zanghi, American Equity Insurance

Bradford Holshouser,

Opera Carolina Endowment Board of Directors W. Thad Adams, III, Shumaker Loop & Kendrick LLC Frank Boncimino, Arts Advocate Brooks Carey, Chilton Trust George H. Edmiston, Carolinas Investment Consulting, LLC C. Wells Hall, III, Nelson Mullins Riley Thomas Hughes, Hearst, retired Stephen L. Philipson, U.S. Bancorp

Opera Carolina Chorus Assoc.

Opera Carolina personnel James Meena, Artistic Director

Finance

Vanessa Thorne, Chief Financial & Operating Officer

Tina Katis, Accounting Manager

Development

Kimberly Mize, Development Consultant

Phil Volponi, Development Consultant Education

Ashley Johnson Lam, Director of Education &

Opera Xpress

Community Programs

Amanda Sesler Davis, soprano and Michael T. Brown, tenor

Zaiba Sheikh, pianist

Marketing

Megan Miller, Marketing Consultant

Ashley West-Davis, Marketing Associate

Alina MacNichol, Director of Civic Engagement &

Customer Service

Gail Garvin, Customer Service Manager &

Civic Engagement Assistant

Creative writing by Page Leggett

Creative design by Kendra Slisz Press by Erin Breeden

Music

Emily Jarrell Urbanek, Director of Music Preparation

Bomi Tunstall, Pianist Zaiba Sheikh, Pianist & English Title Coordinator

Production

Michael Baumgarten, Director of Production

Resident Lighting & Video Designer

Valerie Wheeler, Production Stage Manager

Julie Fischesser, Assistant Stage Manager Wig and Make-up Assistant, Mark Boley

Lauren Lentz, Assistant Stage Manager Wilbert Ferguson, Technical Director Jay Graves, Properties Master & Assistant Technical Director

Hank Brennan, I.A.T.S.E. Master Electrician

Hallie Gray, Assistant Electrician

Elizabeth (Betsy) Blackmore, Resident Costumer

Allison Collins, Assistant Costume Coordinator

THANK YOU

Opera Carolina Corporate & Foundation Major Sponsors

The Green/Lewis Foundation The George W. Bauer Family Foundation

Multi-million Dollar Commitment City of Charlotte $1.5 million and above Bank of America C.D. Spangler Foundation / National Gypsum Company John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Trane Technologies $600,000 - $1 million Albemarle Foundation Atrium Health Barings Duke Energy Honeywell JELD-WEN, Inc. LendingTree Foundation Lowe’s Companies, Inc. Novant Health Red Ventures Truist $300,000-$600,000 Ally Financial The Centene Charitable Foundation Childress Klein Properties Coca-Cola Consolidated Deloitte EY The Gambrell Foundation Moore & Van Allen PwC Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. Rodgers Builders Wells Fargo Up to $300,000 Fifth Third Bank Foundation For The Carolinas Deidre and Clay Grubb Leslie and Michael Marsicano Jane and Hugh McColl Nucor Corporation PNC Bank Premier, Inc. Jane and Nelson Schwab

Opera Carolina Endowment Named Funds We proudly recognize these major donors who have invested in Opera Carolina’s future by establishing a directed gift.

The Carol and Irwin Belk Excellence Fund Established in 1997 by Carol and Irwin Belk The Stephanie and Howard Bissell Student Night Fund Established in 2019 The Hearst Education Fund Established in 2001 by the Hearst Foundations The Patricia and Marcelle Gorelick Ma Mere et Moi Fund Established in 2018 The Sally Ann Hall Fund Established in 2010 by the Hall family The Marjorie McDorman Fund Established in 2006 by Robert McDorman The Principal Conductor Innovation Fund Established in 2017 by The Robert Haywood Morrison Foundation The Marie and Oliver Rowe Opera Tribute and Conductors Fund Established in 1996 by Marie Rowe The James E. Walker Fund Established in 1996 to support the Opera Carolina Chorus

Opera Carolina Endowment Opera Carolina gratefully recognizes the following donors who have made a gift to the Endowment since its inception in 1997.

Dr. William Adams Libba and Mike Gaither Betty Garris and W. Thad Adams III Sandra and Dr. Richard Geller Mary and Anthony Allou Sarah Gentry Jeanette and Francisco Alvarado The Gorelick Family Foundation Tina and Jeffrey Alvino Deidre and Clay Grubb Phoebe and David Amante Janet Haack Julie Armistead Veronica and David Hagen Stephanie and Howard Bissell The Family of Sally Ann Hall The Estate of Dr. and Mrs. Stewart P. Blake The Hearst Foundations Linda Blum Carolyn Henderson The Blumenthal Foundation Rebecca Henderson Betsy and Alfred Brand Mary Jo Germaine and Steve Hershfield Nelle and Kenneth Brown Dr. Mark Hester Steven Burke Nancy Howe Joan and Jim Carroll Linda and Dr. Neil Howell William Cave Jeffrey Huberman Nora and Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Thomas Hughes Pauline and William Chinnis Bee and Chris Jensen Walter Clark Glenn Johnson Jane & David Conlan Lu and Edwin Jones Catherine and Wilton Connor Thomas Kozak Andrew Creighton Shelly and Adam Landau The Dickson Foundation Richard Leabow David Diener Eleanor Lieberman Georgette and Malcolm Dixon Peter LoTruglio Janice Dodge Sallie and Fred Lowrance The Dowd Family Foundation Carolyn Lyons Peggy and Richard Dreher Holly and Christopher Maurer The Duke Energy Foundation Eugenia May Mary Tabor and Robert Engel Jane and Hugh McColl Faison Enterprises Mary and Leo McGarry John Fitzhugh Halley Merrell Dee and Gerald Fox

Opera Carolina Endowment Their legacy endures with each performance, and every student Opera Carolina reaches.

Virginia and Mike Mitchell Robert Haywood Morrison Foundation Nora Norman Marianne and Philip W. Norwood Richard J. Obsorne Connie and Durward Owen Paul and Leslie Paliyenko Frank Perez Santina and David Pfleeger Peg and George Povinelli Robert Preston Sabine and Haywood Rankin Don Roberts William Rudisill Sallie Scarborough William Scherfius Gordon Scott

Barbara and Terry Lee Scott Harriet Seabrook and Zeke Foard Emily and Zach Smith C. D. Spangler Foundation Mary and Bill Staton Dr. Sandra Stoval Ann and Wellford Tabor Estate of Harriette and Sydnor Thompson John Vallomy Tess and Herb Verbessy Mary-Margaret Vogel The Wachovia Foundation Robert Warren William Young Margaret and Dr. T. C. Price Zimmermann

A special tribute to Tess Verbessy A trained concert pianist, Tess took great joy in music, art and friends.

She and Herb were founding members of the Verdi Society twenty years ago, for which our company is forever grateful.

We had planned on dedicating the 2020/21 season-opening production of TOSCA to Tess, her love of music and her dedication to Opera Carolina.

We are pleased to honor Tess as we reopen the Opera season this fall.

For those who knew Tess and those who did not, please join us in paying tribute and remembering Tess Verbessy.

Legacy Gifts and Estate Planning ensure the future of our cultural institutions.

Please consider discussing a planned gift to Opera Carolina with your investment adviser.

To learn how you can participate in building a secure future for Opera Carolina, please contact Kimberly Mize (kimberly@operacarolina.org) or James Meena (james@operacarolina.org)

The Helen & Stewart P. Blake Philanthropy Award Philanthropy is the “love of man” in the sense of caring for, nourishing, improving, and enhancing the quality of life for human kind.

The Helen & Stewart P. Blake Philanthropy Award, formerly the Award of Merit, recognizes the long-standing and exceptional philanthropy of members of the Opera family, whose devotion has enhanced Opera Carolina’s commitment to improving the quality of life for the citizens of greater Charlotte through the beauty of opera.

Leslie Paliyenko Awarded on May 28, 1980

Marie Rowe Awarded on June 6, 1995

Hooper Alexander, III Awarded on May 20, 2981

Patricia Viles Awarded on June 18, 1996

Oliver R. Rowe Awarded on May 19, 1982

Jeanette N. Lee Awarded on June 10, 1997

Hon. Sydnor Thompson Awarded on May 25, 1983

Emily P. Smith Awarded on Sept. 23, 1998

Heinz Jaffe Awarded on May 30, 1984

Marjorie and Bob McDorman on June 18, 2002

Lynnette Lewis Awarded on June 4, 1986 Charles Rosekrans Awarded on May 17, 1988 Clifford E. Bair Awarded on June 20, 1989 The Opera Carolina Chorus Awarded on June 15, 1990 Gaetano Staffa Awarded on June 20, 1991 Mildred Templeton Awarded on June 16, 1992

Sally Ann Hall Awarded on May 26, 2004 Dede Reid Blackburn Awarded on May 13, 2005 Fred T. Lowrance Awarded on June 19, 2007 Terry Lee Scott Awarded on June 16, 2009 Charlotte and Ronald L. Payne Awarded on October 19, 2013

Margaret and Dr. T.C. Price Zimmermann

Awarded on January 29, 2015 Pepper & Roddey Dowd Awarded on April 16, 2016 Drs. Ki-Hyun and Sun Shin Chun Awarded on January 28, 2017 Mary Tabor and Rob Engel Awarded on April 18, 2018 Peg & George Povinelli Awarded May 11, 2019 Arlene Ferebee Awarded on September 16, 2021

Opera Carolina 2020 The successful OC2020 Campaign closed in December 2019.

The Board of Directors continues to express their gratitude to the following donors who supported the Innovation and Creativity Fund of the Campaign.

Albemarle Foundation Anonymous Betty Garriss Adams Bank of America Natasha Bechtler Julie and Joel Bernard Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC Frank Boncimino Pauline and William Chinnis Hillary and Fairfax Cooper Donna and Alvaro de Molina Preeti and Vinay Deshmukh Roslyn Pitts and Eric Dickerson Sarah and Nick Dockery Arlene Ferebee Joanne and Alfredo Gatto Elizabeth and Scott Gore Sheldon and M. Berry Grant, Jr. Laura and Charlie Greer Isabelle and William Griesmyer Katherine G. Hall Beth and Dr. Richard-James M. Hansen Jill Hazel Tina Bonner and Kevin Henry Radmila and Daryl Hollnagel Marie-Claire Marroum and Kal E. Kardous Paul E. Kardous Callie and Win Kelly The Leon Levine Foundation Lynette A. Lewis The Lichtin Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Fred T. Lowrance

Ashley and Scott Mattei The Maurer Family Foundation The Mealy Family Kaye and Dennis McGarry Mary and James Meena Anke and Casey Mermans Cortney and Frederic E. Nauck Novant Health NUCOR Corporation Richard J. Osborne Alexandra Paliyenko Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein Karen and Brandon Perry Philip L. Van Every Foundation Laura & Stephen L. Philipson Laura and Perry Poole Peg and George Povinelli Dr. Gwendolyn Reichbach and Mr. Michael Fonzo Sally and Russell Robinson Mary Shelton and Christopher Rose Sherry and Charles Rumbough Steven Preston Shaw Virginia and Harry A. Shaw Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP Ann and Wellford Tabor Stephanie and Mark Timperman Triad Foundation Dorthy and William H. Trotter U.S. Bank Laura Meyer and Ward Wellman Robert C. Zabel

Annual Fund for Excellence Opera Carolina emerges from the pandemic a stronger organization thanks to the steadfast support of the following individual, corporate and foundation donors.

This listing reflects donations received between January 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021.

The Verdi Society Diamond Circle (Gifts from $25,000)

Anonymous Betty Garris and W. Thad Adams III Ally Bank Hearst The Hearst Foundations Holly and Christopher Maurer Novant Health OrthoCarolina Herb M. Verbesey Wells Fargo Private Bank

Platinum Circle (Gifts from $10,000)

Bank of America Julie and Joel Bernard Katherine and Frank Bragg Capitol Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A. Drs. Ki-Hyun and Sun Shin Chun Closets by Design The Green Lewis Foundation Deidre and Clay Grubb Heidi and Joseph K. Hall III Chandra and Jimmie Johnson Paul E. Kardous Mr. and Mrs. Fred T. Lowrance The Opera Guild of Charlotte Brandon and Karen Perry Stephen L. and Laura Philipson Laura Vinroot and Perry Poole US Bank

Annual Fund for Excellence The Verdi Society Gold Circle (Gifts from $5,000)

Barringer Construction Blue Cross Blue Shield NC Cadwalader Joan and Jim Carroll Pauline and William Chinnis Jane and David Conlan Deloitte Mrs. Roddey Dowd, Sr. Mary Tabor and Robert Engel Arlene Ferebee The Foundation for the Carolinas Ann and Peter Guild Donald Haack Diamonds and Fine Gems Janet Haack Katherine Hall Dr. and Mrs. Rogers G. Howell, III Blynn Field and Chris Jensen Marie-Claire Marroum and Kal E. Kardous The LaValley Family Foundation Elizabeth and Christopher Mardany Kaye and Dennis McGarry McShane Partners Mary and James Meena Courtney and Frederic E. Nauck Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein Peg and George Povinelli Ann M. Reed Mr. and Mrs. Russell Robinson Barbara and Terry Lee Scott Virginia and Harry A. Shaw Elizabeth and David Shuford Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP Anne Carter and Dean Smith Margaret and Dr. T.C. Price Zimmermann

Annual Fund for Excellence The Verdi Society Silver Circle (Gifts from $2,500)

Accenture Mr. and Mrs. James Alexander Audi of Charlotte Charlotte Guild Debutante Club Charlotte International Rotary Natascha A. Bechtler Frank Boncimino Crandall and Erskine Bowles Peggy and Steven C. Burke Jan and Robert Q. Busch Keri and Nick Clavin Tammy and Malcomb Coley Hillary and Fairfax Cooper Amy and Alfred Dawson Dr. and Mrs. Vinay Deshmukh Peggy and Charles Dickerson Dena Diorio Peggy and Richard Dreher Element Financial Corporation Fairfield Inn, Charlotte Uptown Elizabeth and Lane Faison Margaret Farnham Lisa Lust and Dean M. Fischbeck Denise and Patrick Folmar FTI Consulting, Inc. Elizabeth and J. Michael Gaither Laura and Charles Greer Marcelle Belinda Gorelick Sheldon and Berry Grant, Jr. Isabelle and William Griesmyer David Murray and Julie Haack Marjory E. Holder Radmila and Daryl Hollnagel Barbara and Mark Holt

Nora and Thomas J. Hughes Caci and Max Jaeger Insight Lucille F. and Edwin Jones Endowment Carol Kendrick and John DeMicco Callie and Win Kelly Joyce Blount and Jessie J. Knight, Jr. Laya R. Kushner Lynette Lewis Carolyn P. Line Marand Builders, Inc. Med A/Rx Kimberly and Geoffrey Mize Amy and Matt Moore Karen L. Oldham Omni Funding Corp. of America Richard J. Osborne Alexandra Paliyenko Perry’s Diamonds and Estate Jewelry Providence Country Club Publix Super Markets Charities Robert M. Ranson Gwendolyn Reichbach and Michael Fonzo Sara Garcés and Daniel Roselli Sherry & Charles Rumbough Savills Studley Donna Dutton and Stephen Schultz Steven Sebero Thea Moore and Mark Self Kathleen and Christopher Small Emily and Zach Smith Steinway Piano Galleries Thorne Family Foundation Audrey Truman and Rob Boisvert Cynthia Haldenby Tyson Aundrea and Stephen Wilson III Robert C. Zabel Tracy Wills and Alvara Zapata

Annual Fund for Excellence The Encore! Society Benefactors

(Gifts from $1,000)

American Express Atlantic Medical Solutions, LLC Linda and William Bantz Aaron Benjamin Lakana and Antoine Bikhazi Gay Boswell Mary and Frank Brown Suzanne and Thomas Cambern Classic Attic CDW Laura and Joseph C. Clark, Jr. Brian Crutchfield and Ken Davis The Dickson Foundation Alvin C. Early, Jr. Robert A. Gaines Anne and Peter Gilchrist Priscilla and Gordon Greene W. Bonner Guilford Sian and Robert Harris, III Anne J. Henderson Elizabeth and Mark Hindal Barbara Horne-Stead Andrea and Nathan Howard Teresa Howe Hull & Chandler P.A. June Harrison Interiors Page B. Kizer Christine and Stephen Mcclure Rob Roy McGregor Marie Mitchell Teri and Bill Nugent Helen and Arvind Patil Kathleen D. Prokay Pat and Paul Schieble Showmars Michael N. Silverman Mary G. Bobis Slominski Natascha and Ljubomir Stambuk Mary and William Staton

Maxine and Robert M. Stein Natalija and Michel P. Vanesse Laura Meyer and Ward Wellman Maureen and Ron Young

Patrons

(Gifts from $500)

Helen Anne Alford Emerson Bell Deborah and Glenn Berry Dr. John S. Brigham Matthew K. Chan Kana and Young Chin John Frederic Cochrane Cheryl De Maio Alice R. Schulte and Salvador Dominguez Joan Foley Barbara and Lawrence Freiman Lucy Quintilliano and Leonard Fumi Myron Gray Cynthia R. Greenlee Robert C. and Heather Hayes Karen Hite and John Jacob Antoinette and Paul Johnson Dr. and Mrs. Dennis Kokenes Jill and Jack Labardi Laura Lander John T. and Anna McCoy Nancy Neill Charlotte D. Payne Carol A. Hitselberger and Robert Petty Lily and Victor M. Pineiro-Carrero Kathy and Paul Reichs Dalton Shaull Dr. Henry L. Smith, II Rosalie S. Spaniel Patricia and Morris Spearman Brenda Gail Summers Elizabeth Trenary Charles C. Tull

Annual Fund for Excellence The Encore! Society Sustaining Members (Gifts from $300)

Anonymous Kathryn N. Amos Dr. and Mrs. Charles Baker Helen and Lincoln Baxter Jay Bernath Nan and Brooks Carey Michele Classe, in honor of Mark Rucker Shirley and Ronald Coffman C.M. and Walter Coley Katie and Andy Creighton Nancy Williams and Roger Dahnert Harry Dalton Wesley Dangerfield Robert W. Day Lacy Woods Dick Katrina and Wyatt Dixon, III Carol and Stephen Dixon Faith R. Douglas Suzanne Durkee Gail and C. Thomas Fennimore Gerald G. Fox Elizabeth Anne Geers Sarah and Frank Gentry Walter H. Goodwin Tara Harris Leslie and Jacquelyn Holshouser Margot Kaiser Brett Kasberger Mary Napier and Steven Kesselman Lyndon Kreisel Page Leggett Mrs. Jungyeon A. Liu Frances and Damaso Lopez Joan Lorden and Lawrence Mays Bonnie and Gregg Marland Jennifer and William Martin William D. Mashburn Mary and Leo McGarry Leone and Nathan H. McLamb Loretta Mendes Michael Moore

Kathryn O’Neill John G. Papadia Elizabeth and Rodney C. Pitts Kathleen Poon and H. Lawrence Vallet Jeanie and John Alan Presto Sabine and Haywood Rankin John Schaffer Joanne and Graham Stewart Alvin Sudduth

Supporting Members (Gifts from $100)

Patsy and James Abell Jennifer and Craig Adelhardt Pat and Don Ambrose Harold N. Anders Faith and Thomas Atwood Laura P. Barnett Carol Black Mary E. Bruno Lauren and Sheldon Cantor Janice M. Calaron Linda N. Chirico Michael Cleveland Howard Cohen Marion and Norman Cowell Winifred and Dr. Fay H. Culbreth Joel Dent Antoinette and Dominic Faccone Mr. and Mrs. George T. Feagans Brian T. Fearn Michael Fomil Cheryl Roberts & Robert Franklin Susanne and Robert Galletto Margaret Goodley William Groscup William Hambright Michael Henry Mr. & Mrs. Michael Iagnocco IBM Corporation Katherine Jakubowski

Supporting Members (continued)

Anne Dowd Kennedy Jack Kester Haesue Florence and Edward Kim Jane Orcutt Kinney James M. Laney Susan Lantz Elaine Largen Barbara Lembo Robert Lorentzen Linda and Stuart Lynn Maxine McCoy Nicole and Costas Malissaris Patty and J. Jerome Miller Brenda B. Moore Joan Shinn and Lentz R. Morton Mr. and Mrs. Harold Mouzon Domingo Pancheco Bradley Patterson Beth A. Peterson Gail Christopher Petit R. William Pitkin Don M. Roberts Sheila Saints Linda and William Scherffius Sandy and Donald Schumacher Carol G. Simonetti Scott Snedecor Terrell Allen and David Stewart Sharon Taulbert Dr. and Mrs. H. Grant Taylor Vanessa Thorne Barbara Vey Mr. and Mrs. Luther Wade Marie and Dale Warren Lizabeth and James Williams Barbara E. and Yardy Williams Dr. Peter Wittenberg

Sustaining Members (Gifts from $50)

Patsy and James Abell Jennifer and Craig Adelhardt Pat and Don Ambrose Harold N. Anders

Sustaining Members (continued)

Faith and Thomas Atwood Laura P. Barnett Carol Black Mary E. Bruno Lauren and Sheldon Cantor Janice M. Calaron Linda N. Chirico Michael Cleveland Howard Cohen Marion and Norman Cowell Winifred and Dr. Fay H. Culbreth Joel Dent Antoinette and Dominic Faccone Cerese and George T. Feagans Brian T. Fearn Michael Fomil Cheryl Roberts & Robert Franklin Susanne and Robert Galletto Margaret Goodley William Groscup William Hambright Michael Henry Mr. & Mrs. Michael Iagnocco IBM Corporation Katherine Jakubowski Anne Dowd Kennedy Jack Kester Haesue Florence and Edward Kim Jane Orcutt Kinney James M. Laney Susan Lantz Elaine Largen Barbara Lembo Robert Lorentzen Linda and Stuart Lynn Cecily Mango Maxine McCoy Nicole and Costas Malissaris Patty and J. Jerome Miller Brenda B. Moore Joan Shinn and Lentz R. Morton Harold Mouzon, III Domingo Pancheco Bradley Patterson Beth A. Peterson

Sustaining Members

The Board of Directors

(continued)

Gail Christopher Petit R. William Pitkin Don M. Roberts Sheila Saints Linda and William Scherffius Sandy and Donald Schumacher Carol G. Simonetti Scott Snedecor Terrell Allen and David Stewart Sharon Taulbert Dr. and Mrs. H. Grant Taylor Vanessa Thorne Barbara Vey Marylyn and Luther Wade Marie and Dale Warren Lizabeth and James Williams Barbara E. and Yardy Williams Dr. Peter Wittenberg

expresses their profound gratitude to all donors for their invaluable financial support of our resident company of singers, pianists and artisans, who live and work in our great community.

90% of our artists and technicians live in Greater Charlotte.

These talented people enrich our community, contribute to the local economy, and enhance the quality of life in the Carolinas.

Opera Carolina Committed to Excellence in Education and Civic Engagement for 72 years.

Special Thanks Myers Park United Baptist Church for the use of timpani for the Opera Orchestra, And the Fairfield Inn for complimentary rooms to support I DREAM.

AUDIENCE NOTES After the orchestra postlude is completed, thunderous applause and calls for ‘Bravo’ (for tenors, baritones and basses), ‘Brava’ (for sopranos and mezzo sopranos) and ‘Bravi’(for groups of performers) is highly encouraged.

Audience Members arriving late at the Opera will be seated as soon as possible. Normally, Opera Carolina allocates a section of either the main floor or the mezzanine as seating for late arrivals. This is done to allow those arriving late to enjoy the performance, while not disturbing those already in the theater.

Audience Members cannot be paged by ushers during a performance. If you are expecting a call, please leave the theater as discretely as possible.

Patrons are respectfully asked not to change seats following intermission.

Thank you