Program Book: Josephine & The Promise of Living

TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the General & Artistic Director Program Details

Order of Program

About Josephine

About The Promise of Living

The Artists

Sponsors

Annual Contributors

3 5 6 11 12 14 19 20

D

APRIL PARIS earIN Friends,

DIGITAL PREMIERE APRIL 15, 2021 | 7:30 P.M. The Promise of Living explores the history of The history of opera is filled with great stories told AVAILABLE ON DEMAND APRILAfter 15 - 29 Black people in America using music, words, and through words and music. all,2021 the Tune in to thisbetween television-style digital program celebrating all things French!

Aprilwith in Paris, starring dance.

The journey begins the first slave Cathships collaboration composer and librettist erine Cook and directed byand David Lefkowich, whimsical episodes inspired by the Golden Age arriving in Virginia in 1619, proceeds through creating compelling aural visual drama isfeatures what three of television.

You’llComposers see Cook become Child in Lee Hoiby’s Appetit!, transform ParisRights cabaret the CivilBon War, emancipation, andinto theaCivil opera is all about. such asJulia Mozart, singer and for aPuccini performance of stories delightful French songs, and more surprises. movement.

We highlight the challenges, opportuVerdi, selected or important nities, and successes of the Black experience. It is moments in history as a way of commenting on our hope that by presenting these stories through the social and political happenings of their time. music, words, and dance, we will gain a better Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro pokes fun at understanding of the world around us and bring the aristocracy and reflects the principles of the new meaning to the phrase in the Declaration of French Revolution. Verdi’s great historical dramas Independence, “That all men are created equal, are direct hits on the politics of his time and were that they are endowed by their Creator with ceroften refused premieres in Italy by government tain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, censors. Puccini’s passionate La bohéme is not just Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” beautiful music and a great, tragic love story; it is a commentary on the socioeconomic hardships of working-class artists in Paris during the turn of the I wish to thank Laquita Mitchell, who enthusicentury. astically embraced the challenge of curating The Promise of Living, as well as Nmon Ford, Terrell In the presentation of Tom Cipullo’s Josephine Davis/Davis Contemporary Dance, and Israel and the curated program The Promise of Living, Gursky for their contributions of time and talent we continue the tradition of telling important to the creation and performance of the program. stories. Josephine pays tribute to the iconic I also wish to thank former Mayor and First Lady performer who was also a French Resistance agent Wellington and Wilma Webb for their voices as and Civil Rights activist. Josephine Baker used her narrators, and a very special thanks to the entire celebrity as a catalyst for social justice. team at Rocky Mountain Public Media for their partnership in helping to make this digital presentation a reality.

I hope you enjoy this program and that you will share it with your friends, family, and colleagues.

General & Artistic Director

OPERA COLORADO

Greg Carpenter

2020-21 SEASON

Sincerely,

3

A SEASON WORTH WAITING FOR

MORAVEC FEB 26 MAR 1 3 4 6 2022

BIZET MAY 7 10 13 15 19 21 2022

ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE

ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE

ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE

A HIGH-STAKES THRILLER

ROOM 217 IS CALLING

SEDUCTION—OBSESSION—MURDER

The 21-22 Season opens with Puccini’s heartracing drama. A corrupt chief of police has a cruel ultimatum for Rome’s most celebrated prima donna, Tosca: submit to his lustful desires, or trigger the execution of her beloved.

Based on Stephen King’s spine-chilling novel, The Shining brings the hopeful Torrance family to Colorado’s isolated Overlook Hotel. Little do they know that the Overlook’s spectral guests are determined to repeat the hotel’s grim history.

Filled with some of opera’s most iconic melodies, Bizet’s smoldering drama tells the tale of the brazen and seductive Carmen. What fate, or choice, waits for the woman no man can tame?

OPERA COLORADO

2020-21 SEASON

PUCCINI NOV 6 9 12 14 2021

4

SAVE 20% WITH A SUBSCRIPTION! 2021-22 Subscriptions On Sale Now OPERACOLORADO.ORG | 303.468.2030

Josephine and The Promise of Living MARCH 4 - 18 | 2021 JOSEPHINE

A monodrama in one scene for soprano by Tom Cipullo

featuring Josephine Baker Laquita Mitchell Pianist Israel Gursky

THE PROMISE OF LIVING Curated by Laquita Mitchell

featuring Soprano Laquita Mitchell

Baritone Nmon Ford

Pianist Israel Gursky

Davis Contemporary Dance Choreographer and Dancer Terrell Davis

Narrators: Wellington and Wilma Webb Laquita Mitchell Nmon Ford Greg Carpenter

2020-21 SEASON

Dancers: Diego Gonzales Aubrey Klinger Fearns Jojo Kinesella Christopher Page-Sanders

OPERA COLORADO

5

ORDER OF PROGRAM

Josephine Laquita Mitchell, soprano

Tom Cipullo (1956-Present)

Israel Gursky, piano

The Promise of Living The Negro Speaks of Rivers Poetry by Langston Hughes (1902-1967)

Curated by Laquita Mitchell Margaret Bonds (1913-1972)

Nmon Ford, baritone Israel Gursky, piano

Reading One Greg Carpenter, narrator

A Deserted Plantation: Spiritual Davis Comtemporary Dance Company

William Grant Still (1895-1978)

Israel Gursky, piano

Reading Two Wilma Webb, narrator

OPERA COLORADO

2020-21 SEASON

Nana

6

Laquita Mitchell, soprano Israel Gursky, piano

Reading Three Nmon Ford, narrator

Manuel De Falla from Siete Canciones popolares Españolas (1876-1946)

Ain’t Got Time to Die Nmon Ford, baritone

Hall Johnson (1888-1970)

Israel Gursky, piano

Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray Laquita Mitchell, soprano Israel Gursky, piano

African American Spiritual arr. H.T. Burleigh (1866-1949)

Reading Four Laquita Mitchell, narrator

Joshua Fit de Battle

African American Spiritual

Laquita Mitchell, soprano

arr. David O based on arr. Moses Hogan

Nmon Ford, baritone Israel Gursky, piano

Reading Five Nmon Ford, narrator

I, Too Poetry by Langston Hughes (1902-1967) Nmon Ford, baritone

Margaret Bonds from Three Dream Portraits (1913-1972)

Israel Gursky, piano

Laquita Mitchell, soprano

from Genius Child (b. 1956) 2020-21 SEASON

Poetry by Langston Hughes (1902-1967)

Ricky Ian Gordon

Davis Contemporary Dance Company Israel Gursky, piano

Reading Six Laquita Mitchell, narrator

Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)

OPERA COLORADO

Prayer

7

Dream Variation Poetry by Langston Hughes (1902-1967) Laquita Mitchell, soprano

Margaret Bonds from Three Dream Portraits (1913-1972)

Israel Gursky, piano

Genius Child Poetry by Langston Hughes (1902-1967) Nmon Ford, baritone

Robert Owens from Mortal Storm (1925-2017)

Israel Gursky, piano

Reading Seven Laquita Mitchell, narrator

Keep Your Hand on the Plow (Hold On) Laquita Mitchell, soprano

African American Spiritual arr. Roger Holland

Nmon Ford, baritone Israel Gursky, piano

Reading Eight Laquita Mitchell, narrator

Lord, I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired Laquita Mitchell, soprano

African American Spiritual arr. Hall Johnson

Israel Gursky, piano

Reading Nine

OPERA COLORADO

2020-21 SEASON

Nmon Ford, narrator

8

Epistle: The Word of the Lord Nmon Ford, baritone Israel Gursky, piano

Leonard Bernstein from Mass (1918-1990)

Minstrel Man

Margaret Bonds from Three Dream Portraits (1913-1972)

Poetry by Langston Hughes (1902-1967) Laquita Mitchell, soprano Israel Gursky, piano

Reading Ten Greg Carpenter, narrator

Margaret Bonds

Troubled Water

(1913-1972)

Davis Contemporary Dance Company Israel Gursky, piano

Aaron Copland

The Promise of Living Israel Gursky, piano

(1900-1990)

Reading Eleven

Representative John Lewis

Wellington Webb, narrator

“A Deserted Plantation: Spiritual” used with permission courtesy of Sony/ATV. “Ain’t Got Time to Die” used with permission courtesy of G. Schirmer, Inc. “The Battle of Jericho” African-American Spiritual New Arrangement by David O. based on: “The Battle Of Jericho” African-American Spiritual Arranged by Moses Hogan Copyright (c) 1996 by HAL LEONARD CORPORATION International Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved

Three Dream Portraits used with permission courtesy of EMI Music.

Genius Child used with permission courtesy of Orlando-Musikverlag.

“The Word of the Lord” used with permission courtesy of Universal – Polygram International Pub Inc. “Troubled Water” used with permission courtesy of WB Music Corp.

“Prayer” Written by Ricky Gordon and Langston Hughes Public Doves Music / Harold Ober Associates, Inc. / Williamson Music Company By arrangement with Concord “The Promise of Living” Written by Aaron Copland Boosey & Hawkes, Inc. By arrangement with Concord

2020-21 SEASON

“The Negro Speaks of Rivers” used with permission from the Trust of W. C. Handy and Handy Brothers Music Co., INC

“Lord, I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired” used with permission courtesy of Carl Fischer LLC.

OPERA COLORADO

JOSEPHINE: Music and Libretto by Tom Cipullo.

Opera: © Copyright 2018 by E. C. Schirmer Music Company, Inc., a division of ECS Publishing Group, www.ecspublishing.com. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

(1940-2020)

9

DIGITAL PREMIERE APRIL 15 2021 AVAILABLE ON DEMAND APRIL 15 - 29 2021

Tune in to this television-style digital program celebrating all things French!

April in Paris, starring Catherine Cook and directed by David Lefkowich, features three whimsical episodes inspired by the Golden Age of television.

2020-21 SEASON

Music by: Lee Hoiby, William Bolcom, and more Language: Performed in French and English

OPERA COLORADO

You’ll see Cook become Julia Child in Lee Hoiby’s Bon Appetit!, transform into a Paris cabaret singer for a performance of delightful French songs, and more surprises.

This program is free for all. Simply reserve to access on your online Opera Colorado account.

10

OPERACOLORADO.ORG/APRIL>>

ABOUT JOSEPHINE Josephine Baker was an acclaimed entertainer, a war hero, a wealthy businesswoman, an activist for civil rights, and a towering personality. As critic Michael Rogin noted in the London Review of Books, hers was “a triumphant career, honored by a full-scale military funeral, and yet it was contaminated at every major turn.”

And why should that life have been such a mix of triumph and disaster? What made her so mercurial, so volcanic, so alternately charming and volatile? That’s the question I pursued as I composed the opera.

In creating the libretto for Josephine, I was inspired by her own words. Indeed, the more controversial, more colorful statements are direct quotes. Musically, a snippet based on Bix Beiderbecke’s 1927 piano work, In a Mist, appears at several climactic moments in the score. In its Debussy-ish harmony and jaunty rhythm, the work seemed to me the perfect emblem of Jazz-Age Paris.

Jean-Claude Baker, often called the thirteenth of Josephine Baker’s twelve adopted children, wrote, “Josephine was like the sun. We need the sun for the flowers to grow, …but if you come too close, you can get burned, you can die. Everyone who came too close to Josephine got burned.”

CHARACTERS

Josephine Baker soprano SCENE

It is April 1975, and Josephine Baker is preparing for her last, and most spectacular, comeback. In her dressing room, she muses on sex, race, war, the stage, her countless affairs, her experiences in pre-war Paris, and her deux amours. 

2020-21 SEASON

JOSEPHINE SYNOPSIS

OPERA COLORADO

Photo: Opera Coloraod/Kelly Maxwell (2019)

— Tom Cipullo composer and librettist

11

DISCLAIMER: Josephine contains the use of strong language. Viewer discretion is advised.

ABOUT THE PROMISE OF LIVING In September 2020, Greg Carpenter sent me an email about Opera Colorado’s new series, Opera Colorado Amplified. He invited me to Denver to create a program, allowing me to choose the content and other artists. I was immediately excited, and several ideas flew through my head. Here I was, with the

I knew I wanted to reprise Tom Cipullo’s Josephine, and that revisiting my role as the amazing Josephine Baker would be part of the of great strength and conscience. She would not allow the laws and prejudices of the time to deter her from demanding the respect she knew she deserved. From receiving the Chevalier de Légion d’honneur, the highest honor of merit for military and civil action in France, to being the only woman to speak at the famous March on Washington in 1963, Josephine Baker was an American icon.

When I considered the artists I wanted to work with on the remainder of the project, Nmon Ford immediately came to mind. At the time, I was performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 with the Augusta Symphony. I decided to drive to Atlanta the next day to attend a concert that Nmon was a part of. I had heard about him through friends and colleagues, but after hearing him perform that evening I was blown away. We had a conversation after the performance, and I asked if he would be interested in working with me. He said yes!

The program took on many forms. Nmon and I originally thought that we would present an homage to our parents’ country—we are both of Panamanian descent. However,

OPERA COLORADO

2020-21 SEASON

my thoughts kept returning to the events of summer 2020. This was

12

an opportunity to shed light on our nation’s history—how we came to be where we are at this moment in time. Leonard Bernstein said it best, “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.” This project is our reply to dealing with a pandemic and social injustice. The Promise of Living was born from this.

Nmon Ford, baritone Photo: Opera Colorado/Rocky Mountain Public Media (2021)

Laquita Mitchell, soprano

program. Josephine Baker was a unique woman

Photo: Opera Colorado/Kelly Maxwell (2019)

opportunity to be myself and create something from scratch.

The idea grew into a poignant narrative of the history of Black Americans in our country, told through poetry, music, and dance. I selected music from Black American male and female composers, Jewish composers, and Spanish composers. I would like the audience to understand the importance of the creative arts during times of struggle in our nation’s history. Art can help us all honor one another’s

Another massive inspiration for the narrative of The Promise of Living is Representative John Lewis’ final statement in the New York Times. His words fill me with a powerful combination of joy, sadness, and hope. I chose to interweave his final charge to us throughout this program.

One of my favorite parts of working on The Promise of Living was exploring my own love of history and stories about the human experience. Once again, history can teach us all to respect each other and humanity.

I have learned so much about historic American figures who helped change our nation’s story. I have also made connections and re-connections through this project that I am extremely grateful for. The first being Mr. Nmon Ford, who lent his wealth of musical knowledge to this program, as well as conductor Israel Gursky, whose experience and all-around musical curiosity made this a wonderful experience. I would also like to thank Terrell Davis and Davis Contemporary Dance Company for adding such beauty to this project.

I would like to thank composer, arranger, and scholar Mr. Roger Holland at the University of Denver who arranged a piece for The Promise of Living, as well as Mr. David Ossman. I would also like to thank the team at Rocky Mountain Public Media for continuing to create educational and diverse content that will

To Opera Colorado: Thank you for this opportunity, and for giving me a space to create The Promise of Living and work with these incredible artists. I would also like to thank former Denver Mayor and First Lady Wellington and Wilma Webb for lending their voices and time to this project.

To you, our audience: I am confident that The Promise of Living will resonate with you no matter your background or culture. I hope that you learn. I hope that you reflect. I hope you are inspired.

-Laquita Mitchell

2020-21 SEASON

strengthen the arts in Colorado.

OPERA COLORADO

Photo: Opera Colorado/Rocky Mountain Public Media (2021)

Davis Contemporary Dance Company

humanity and open our minds to the ways diversity can unite us.

13

THE ARTISTS GREG CARPENTER | narrator Greg Carpenter is the General & Artistic Director of Opera Colorado. He assumed the role in 2007 after serving as Director of Development for over three years. Mr. Carpenter served from 2001 – 2004 as Director of Development for the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where he was responsible for all aspects of fundraising.

Mr. Carpenter has also served as Artist and Event Services Manager for the Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Maryland, where he developed new management models, directed multiple performing arts festivals and competitions, and created an office of recruitment for the University of Maryland School of Music.

Mr. Carpenter sang professionally for more than 10 years and earned degrees from Wittenberg University and Michigan State University as well a post-graduate studies at the University of Maryland.

OPERA COLORADO

2020-21 SEASON

TERRELL DAVIS | choreographer & dancer

14

Choreographer Terrell Davis is the Founder and Artistic Director of Davis Contemporary Dance Company. He is also the Artistsic Director for Denver School of the Arts’ Classical and Contemporary Pre-Professional Dance Program. He was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois.

He holds a BA in political science with a minor in dance from Western Illinois University. His dance training began at Lincoln Park High School in Chicago with Efe McWorter. He was a full scholarship student at the Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre, as well as at the American Dance Festival for two consecutive summers.

Mr. Davis’ professional career began with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and worked with the legendary artist Shern “Sparkle” Williams. His journey bought him to Denver, where he danced with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble for six years.

NMON FORD | baritone Pa n a m a n i a n -A me r ican baritone Nmon Ford won exceptional reviews when he appeared as Crown last season in the new Metropolitan Opera co-production of Porgy & Bess at English National Opera in London and later at Dutch National Opera. He stepped into new territory composing and starring in his own piece, Orfeus: A House Music Opera, slated for its world premiere at London’s Young Vic Theatre and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright (Motown: The Musical, Greenleaf, Live from Lincoln Center).

At Dallas Symphony Orchestra he sang A Sea Symphony under the baton of Robert Spano, prior to which he won accolades from press and public alike for his arresting performance as The Celebrant in Bernstein’s Mass at Lincoln Center.

Recent career highlights include Jochanaan in Salome with Patricia Racette at Pittsburgh Opera, Don Pizzaro in Fidelio with Christine Goerke at Cincinnati Opera, and in concert with Atlanta Symphony as Iago in Otello with Russell Thomas in the title role and at Carnegie Hall in Brahms’ Requiem. This season Mr. Ford travels to Canada for the role of Creon in Oedipe with Montreal Symphony Orchestra. He is a featured soloist on two Grammy-winning albums and has recorded for Universal/Decca, Concord, Telarc, and eOne. He will return to Opera Colorado in the 2021-22 Season as Escamillo in carmen.

Since 2012 he has been music director of Teatro Grattacielo in New York City, where he has conducted several US-premieres of important verismo operas.

Since 2017 he has served on the faculty of the Salzburg Festival’s prestigious Young Singers Project. Since 2019 he has been on the Music Staff of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He currently resides in New York City with his husband, Dr. Ian Tang.

LAQUITA MITCHELL | soprano Soprano Laquita Mitchell consistently earns acclaim on eminent international opera and concert stages worldwide. Ms. Mitchell performed the soprano soloist in the world première of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Paul Moravec’s Sanctuary Road at Carnegie Hall with Oratorio Society of New York which is currently nominated for a 2021 Grammy for Best Choral Performance. Additional recent performances include the title role in Tom Cipullo’s Josephine with Opera Colorado, Bess in Porgy and Bess with Grange Park Opera in the UK, Lithuanian State Symphony, Detroit Symphony, and Baltimore Symphony, a Gala Concert for Colorado Symphony, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 and Barber’s Knoxville: Summer 1915 with the Augusta Symphony.

Ms. Mitchell is currently working on recording of unknown marginalized composers for the American Lyric Theater. Future engagements include

WELLINGTON WEBB | narrator After Wellington Edward Webb, elected Denver’s 42nd mayor and the city’s first African-American mayor, walked the city and stayed in voters’ homes throughout Denver prior to his underdog election in June 1991. He was elected to three terms through 2003.

“I don’t want Denver to be like other cities,” he said.

“I want to create a city that other cities want to emulate.”

His administration spurred the revitalization of downtown, added more park space than any other mayor, completed building 85 percent of Denver International Airport, and created the Denver Health Authority, and funded health clinics in the Denver Public Schools. Additionally, he revamped the city’s local small business, the minority and women’s business program into a national model and oversaw the redevelopment of Lowry Air Force Base and Stapleton International Airport. He began the Mile High Scholars program to recognize public school students, including a summer jobs program for teenagers. His bond proposals helped pay for major renovations to art, cultural venues and libraries, including the opening of the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library in historic Five Points.

He was elected by his peers as presidents of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Conference of Black Mayors, and the National Conference of Democratic Mayors. He is the recipient of honorary doctorate degrees, and hundreds of prestigious awards After leaving office, he was appointed by President Barack Obama as a delegate to the United Nations.

He founded Webb Group International, a consulting firm, in 2003.

2020-21 SEASON

Born in Tel-Aviv, Israel Gursky trained in his native city and later at Stony Brook University and Manhattan School of Music, studying with Arie Vardi, Gilbert Kalish, Thomas Muraco, Dalton Baldwin and Otto-Werner Mueller. After graduating he became assistant conductor with the Washington National Opera where, in 2007, he made his professional conducting debut with Don Giovanni.

He has conducted for Los Angeles Opera, Bellas Artes, Opera Maine, Wolf Trap, Opera Birmingham, Yale School of Music, and Manhattan School of music.

the soprano soloist for the opening night concert of Classical Tahoe’s 10th anniversary season and the Young People’s Concert with the New York Philharmonic in spring 2021. Ms. Mitchell will also make a long-awaited role debut as the title role in Aida with Virginia Opera, as well as create the role of Julie in the World Premiere of Grammy Award-Winner Rhiannon Giddens’ OMAR with the Spoleto Festival USA in 2022.

OPERA COLORADO

ISRAEL GURSKY | piano

15

WILMA WEBB | narrator The Honorable Wilma J. Webb, served Colorado and the nation as Denver’s first active First Lady and first African American woman to be Denver’s First Lady, the U.S. Labor Department’s first woman to be Regional Administrator for Region VIII, and District 8’s first woman to be elected to the Colorado House of Representatives. As an accomplished political force, she is the first and only Colorado African American woman who has served on all three levels of our government, and it continues to be her hope that more women exceed her record in this major achievement.

As a Colorado lawmaker, she successfully initiated and delivered laws and programs which improve the lives of all people. Her substantive accomplishments include: The establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Adoption of the Anti-Drug Abuse Treatment Program, A law to enable Subpoena Pow-

2020-21 SEASON OPERA COLORADO

In her position as First Lady of Denver, she led the effort in developing Denver’s Vision for the Arts.

Additions to the People’s Art Collection include Borovsky’s The Dancers, Colorado’s Portrait of President Barack Obama, Fernando Botero’s Man and Woman, and more. She is the founder of the Denver Art, Culture, and Film Foundation. She envisioned Denver’s Centennial Park, and Denver’s Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library. She and her husband’s life’s work is permanently exhibited in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, in Washington, D.C. She is the honoree of several hundred commendations, including the National Humanitarian Award, The National Human Rights Award, Induction into the Women’s Hall of Fame in 1991, and the Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame, and others.

Opera Colorado Production Staff

Rocky Mountain Public Media Production Staff

Katie Preissner, Director of Production & Artistic Services

Mark Montour-Larson, Video Director Nicholas Larson, Audio Recording Engineer Scott Hennelly, Studio Director/Editor Enrique Jimenez, Cameras/Video Support

Technical Staff Hillary Clark, Head Props Susan Osborn, Opera Crew Steward and Head Electrician

16

er to the Colorado Civil Rights Division, and more.

She, along with other national leaders, carried legislation to provide for Sanctions Against South Africa whose purpose was to abolish Apartheid and to release political prisoner Nelson Mandela.

Costume and Wardrobe Ann Piano, Costume Coordinator & Shop Manager Wigs & Makeup Ronell Oliveri, Wig & Makeup Designer Sarah Opstad, Associate Wig and Makeup Designer

Your enthusiasm, advocacy, and support are key to our current and future success! We have launched the Opera Colorado Amplified Resilience Fund to raise the $200,000 needed to produce digital content, which will be available for free, and deliver creative, in-person programming when we can do so safely.

Check out our progress towards the Resilience Fund goal and learn more about what you can do to help

OPERACOLORADO.ORG/RESILIENCE>>

OPERA COLORADO

Despite its challenges, this season has become an opportunity to embrace Opera Colorado’s innovative spirit. In lieu of our 2020-21 mainstage season, we present Opera Colorado Amplified, an innovative series featuring both in-person and digital performances designed to expand our reach and raise voices within our Opera Colorado community.

2020-21 SEASON

2020 OPERA COLORADO RESILIENCE FUND

17

SHARE OPERA WITH YOUR STUDENTS!

CUSTOM DIGITAL WORKSHOPS

DID YOU KNOW?

AVAILABLE BY-REQUEST THROUGH MAY 31

Opera Colorado has reimagined our most impactful programs as pay-what-you-can digital offerings to safely engage and inspire

The

2019-20

Op-

era

Colorado

Sea-

son

includes

three

of the most beloved operas of all time, performed at the spectacular Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Join us for the final rehearsal

STORYTIME SESSIONS

before Opening Night, featuring full costumes,

wigs, and makeup, and a live orchestra! Online guide-

AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND THROUGH MAY 31

books prepare your class for a night at the opera.

These dress rehearsals offer a wonderful way to introduce older students to a traditional opera experience.

Step inside Bravo Books, where stories come to life! Your students will love these two playful 30-minute digital performances, which pull you into the pages of some of the most beloved tales using well-known tunes from opera, musical theatre, and more. This program was designed learners of all ages.

BRAIN BREAKS AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND THROUGH MAY 31

OPERA COLORADO

2020-21 SEASON

New for the 2020-

18

21 Season! Let’s be honest, school feels different this year and everything seems more challenging. Sometimes you just need to take a break, take a breath, and get creative. That’s where Brain Breaks come in. These short, interactive sessions are designed get you up, moving, and learning about music and the arts. This series of ten short episodeswas designed learners of all ages.

QUESTIONS? To inquire about Opera

Colorado’s education programs or make a reservation, please call 303.778.7350 or email education@operacolorado.org.

SPONSORS The Opera Colorado Artist in Residence Program is sponsored by Ken & Donna Barrow, with additional support from Patrick Spieles.

Kendra Broom is sponsored by Joy & Chris Dinsdale Devin Eatmon is sponsored by Agatha Kessler & Curtis Fentress Isaiah Feken is sponsored by Dr. Stephen L. Dilts Thomas Lynch is sponsored by Gayle & Gary Landis Timothy Madden is sponsored by David & Elizabeth Budd and Martha & Will Tracey Catherine Swindle is sponsored by Laurence & Cynthia Chan and Ken & Barbara Laff Stephen Variames is sponsored by Joyce de Roos and Donald K. Braden

Opera Colorado’s Education & Community Engagement Programs are made possible through the generous support of the following donors Denver Lyric Opera Guild Denver Post Community Foundation Sidney E. Frank Foundation Scientific and Cultural Facilities District Galen & Ada Belle Spencer Foundation Melvin & Elaine Wolf Foundation

Opera Colorado’s events and programs are made possible through the generous support of the following donors

OPERA COLORADO

OPERA COLORADO RECOGNIZES THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT

2020-21 SEASON

Mrs. Pamela D. Beardsley Peyton and Suzanne D. Bucy Penelope Lewis Chris and Joy Murphy Mrs. Carol C. Whitley

19

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTORS The Board of Directors of Opera Colorado and the staff express their deepest appreciation to the individuals, corporations, and foundations who have contributed to the Annual Fund.

This listing is current as of February 9, 2021.

INDIVIDUALS PRODUCER CIRCLE VISIONARY $50,000+ Ken and Donna Barrow Mike and Julie Bock Patrick Spieles BENEFACTOR $25,000-$49,999 Jeff Baldwin and Debra J. Perry Richard King Brown, PhD Dave and Pam Duke Ms. Judy La Spada Marcia and Dick Robinson

OPERA COLORADO

2020-21 SEASON

AMBASSADOR $11,000-$24,999

20

Mr. Charles E. Berry and Mrs. Maria Garcia Berry Linda Bjelland Peyton and Suzanne D. Bucy Mary and Tom Conroy Elizabeth and Matthew Dyer Dr. Jan Kennaugh and Mr. Chip Horne Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy F. Kinney Richard Koseff The Honorable and Mrs. Kenneth Laff Kevin O’Connor and Janet Ellen Raasch Ann and Gerald Saul Merrill Shields and M. Ray Thomasson Prem and Stephanie Subramanian Charles and Janet Thompson Eric, Robin, Sydney, and Mathew Yaeger

ARTISTS CIRCLE CONDUCTOR $6,000-$10,999 Anonymous Bart and Jane Burnett Ellie Caulkins Merle Chambers Ms. Kathryn Codo Robert and Lenore Damrauer

Margaret N. Dillon Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Fogliano Karen Fukutaki, M.D. Mr. and Mrs. Don Hindman Gary and Judith Judd Diana and Mike Kinsey Jim and Patience Linfield Dr. and Mrs. William N. Maniatis Pamela Merrill Robert R. Montgomery and Nancy Hawkins Lynnette Morrison Dr. Harold S. Nelson Mrs. Alice Perlmutter Zondra Rae Pluss Mrs. Beatrice B. Taplin Martha and Will Tracey Mr. Youngdon Yun and Ms. Esme Prieto Yun Larry and Brigitte Zimmer COMPOSER $3,000-$5,999 Janice Baucum Robin E. Black Mr. and Mrs. George P. Caulkins, III Mr. and Mrs. Roger W. Celius Eric Coomer Mr. Paul S. Deckard Dr. Stacy Fischer and Dr. Henry Fischer Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Frey Sally Haas Deborah Hayes and James L. Martin III Ms. Judy Johnston Joe Kelso Veronica A. McCaffrey and Barbara A. Frank Mark and Kristin McKissick Mrs. Rhea J. Miller James Monroe, III and Marie Shannon Monroe Muffy Moore Ralph and Trish Nagel Bonnie C. Perkins Christine and Harry Phillips Bruce Polkowsky and Bill Powell The Ponzio Family Myra and Robert Rich Mr. Paul Ruotolo Helen Scott Santilli Jeremy and Susan Shamos Mr. Byron S. Watson Ms. Erin Wenzel

Ms. Carole J. Yaley Mr. and Mrs. Michael Zoellner LIBRETTIST $1,200-$2,999 Mr. Hartman Axley Peter Batty and Paula Kechichian Chris and Heather Bennett Sheila Bisenius Libby Bortz Leslie Coover Cady Mr. David J. Chavolla Mr. Alexander J. Conley and Ms. Alysia D. Marino Bob and Georgi Contiguglia Brian D. Crane Dr. and Mrs. James D. Crapo Dr. Cynthia Crews and Mr. Charles W. Henry Mrs. Joyce de Roos Max and Joyce Douglas Lois N. Eckhoff Terry Frazier and Kathy Wells George and Sissy Gibson Stephen and Dorothy Gregory Mark Groshek MD and Carl Clark MD Beverlee B. Henry Mr. Richard Hilty and Ms. Laura Hayes Mr. William T. Hoffman Christine Hollander and Michael McGee John N. Kabalin, MD. Dean Laurence Kaptain and Dolores Arce-Kaptain Dr. Paul A. Karpinski Dr. Lawrence Kim and Nhung Van Dr. and Mrs. Jeremy Lazarus Bernard and Frieda Leason Mr. Chuck Line and Ms. Dana Svendsen Evan and Evi Makovsky Dr. and Mrs. James McElhinney V.W. McKnab and Margaret Jurado Dave and Miza McReynolds Ms. Janet Mordecai Jack Finlaw and Gregory Movesian Dr. and Mrs. Calvern E. Narcisi Bob Nelson Mr. Ari Pelto and Ms. Wendy Fisher Profs. Jean-Pierre Habicht and Gretel H. Pelto Rick Poppe and Jana Edwards Cynthia and Alexander Read T. R. Reid Ayliffe and Fred Ris Juan and Alicia Rodriguez Ms. Carol L. Rust

Karen and Mark Sather Ms. Ruth E. Schoening Fern B. Seltzer and Andrew Heymsfield Ms. Judith Zee Steinberg John and Carson Taylor Jerry and Debi Tepper Dr. Akiva M. Thomas and Mr. Ezekial Thomas Ms. Kathleen R. Tower Dr. Peter and Kathy Van Arsdale William Vaniman and Frances G. Matthews Dr. Valerie M. Wassill, MD Peter and Darcie Weiser

PATRON CIRCLE ASSOCIATE $600-$1,199 Anonymous Ms. Jane Anderson Mrs. Jennifer M. Andrews Dr. Oksana Bantley Mrs. Diane Barrett Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Benedict III Mr. Mark J. Bianchi and Mrs. Pamela C. Jones Mr. John and Mrs. Anne Blair Elise Brenninkmeyer George M. and Carol G. Canon Mrs. Ella May Carpenter Charles Case and Phillip St. Cloud Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell Caulkins Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cesafsky Barbara and Roger Chamberlain Mr. David Clark Everett B. Clark Sue Cole Tom and Cheryl Cox Nancy Crow and Mark Skrotzki Ms. Cheryl M. Cruickshank Ms. Heather Dahlgren Carolyn E. Daniels Ms. Marian O. Dines Carl and Nan Eklund Mr. and Mrs. BJ Ellison Matt and Reine Erzinger Mr. and Mrs. John Gallagher Alan G. Gass Ms. Rebecca Givens Dr. and Mrs. Burton Golub Dr. Daniel J. Greenholz Ms. Renee Gross Mrs. Carol and Dr. Fred Grover The Grynberg Family Dr. Steven J. Gulevich Mr. J. Lawrence Hamil Jerry and Patty Hauptman Mr. Thomas E. Healy Marcia and John Holt

Anonymous Mr. Paul Alaback and Ms. Carol Brewer Dr. and Mrs. Henry J. Beckwitt Ms. Mariette H. Bell Kathleen Benegar Charles Berberich and Marilyn Munsterman Lynn Peyton and Richard Bottjer Brewster and Helen Boyd Ms. Jay Breen Ms. Janet C. Bruchmann Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Budy Gordon and Ron Butz Mr. Ian Caiozzi Edwin T. Callahan and Dulcy E. Wolverton Alan and In Hye Como Dr. David J. Cooper and Evelyn W Cooper Ronald L. Deal George and Yonnie Dikeou Timothy James Donahue Mr. Peter Dzwilewski Ms. Arline Echandia Evan and Kim Ela Gary and Rebecca Gantner Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Garfein Dr. Brian Greffe and Dr. Mark Donovan Ms. Elizabeth A. Grinevics Mr. Richard Gustafson Ms. Rosemarie Halchuk Judge Alfred and Mrs. Dori Harrell Ms. Lynn E. Harrington Richard and Sandra Hilt Ms. Erin R. Hittle Mr. and Mrs. Graham Hollis Ms. Bettina Holm Ruth Hopfenbeck Sarah Hopfenbeck and Susan Corle John Dennis Hynes and Virginia Medelman Mr. and Mrs. J. David Ingram Eric Johnson and Christy Milne Mrs. Kerstin Karloev Mr. Tom Kirkpatrick and Ms. Djuana Strauch Sally and Jim Kneser Rex Kramer and Cindy Crater Mr. and Mrs. Jay S. Leaver Mr. Barton Lilly Mrs. Caroline E. Malde Mr. and Mrs. T. Scott Martin Mr. and Mrs. William Mathews Janice McClary and Jan McNally Jim and Carole McCotter Mr. William R. Moninger Susan K. Mostow Mr. Christopher B. Mueller Mr. and Mrs. Norman Parker Andrew R. Pleszkun Karyn K. Rieb Mr. Gregory Roebuck

Mary Ann Ross Paul Rubner and Vicki Jensen Ms. Mary Scarpino Mr. and Mrs. David C. Shelton Dr. Norman Spivy Ms. Carol Stamm Mr. Gordon W. Stenger David and Carol Stern Mrs. Linda Strauch Mrs. Marcia D. Strickland Ms. Lois Vaccariello Mrs. Richelle Valero Mr. and Mrs. John M. Weigel Ms. Cia A. Wenzel Mr. and Mrs. Mason B. White Ms. Lois K. Williams Robert and Jacklyn Writz MEMBER $100-$299 Anonymous James and Lorraine Adams Tucker and Dan Adams Ms. Jeanne Adkins Ms. Susan Anderson Ms. Cherlyn S. Bailey Mr. Donald K. Bain Steve and Lisa Bain Ms. Tamara Barron Ms. Betty Barton Ms. Anne Bartuszevige Kirk and Patti Bateman Ms. Jennifer N. Bater Ellen and Donald Bauder Mr. Brian A. Baxter Brian Thomas Beagle Mr. Jack Bell C. F. Benoit Mrs. Claire E. Benson Ms. Vera Berglund Drs. Tomas Berl and Diane Pincus Mr. and Mrs. John R. Binder Janet Bishop Marie and Howard Blaney Leah Bobbey and Toby Wright Ms. Donna Boender Ms. Catherine Boller Mrs. Donna Bonne Ms. Elizabeth Bonney E. Candace Boyle and Thomas R. Salas Donald K. Braden Mr. William Bradford Ms. Deborah Brady Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Bunting Mr. and Mrs. Dean Burton Dr. Francine Butler Michael Canges and Nina Iwashko Mr. Gregory A. Carpenter Mr. Brad Case and Mr. William M. McMechen, Jr. Ms. Beatriz Castaneda Mr. Kenneth R. Chu and Mr. Joseph E. Gaines Ms. Patty Clark Mr. Taylor C. Clark Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Clasen

Mr. and Mrs. Valerie and Gil Clausen Ms. Maribeth Clemm Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Close Ms. Ethel K. Clow Mr. David A. Connell Mr. Curtis Cook Vicki Cowart and Chris Hayes Jim and Sara Culhane Mr. Raphael Dangelo Ms. Joan Daniels Manley Houlton John Danio Karen and Charles de Bartolomé Mr. and Mrs. Tom Demarino Ms. Mary Ann Downs Peter and Marian Downs Laurie and Ben Duke III Ms. Lauren Edmonds Mr. and Mrs. Frederick M. Eidson Mr. John W. Ekeberg Mr. Dale Ellis Dr. Kathleen Y. Ensz Ted and Vivian Sheldon Epstein Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Evans Ms. Judith H. Fahrenkrog Amy Feaster Ms. Anna Ferrari Ms. Jeanine M. Figur Ms. Kathryn Finley Ms. Elizabeth A. Fischer and Mr. Don Elliott Dr. and Mrs. Larry S. Fisher Ms. Donna Frederickson L. Richard and Sigrid Halvorson Freese Kristin and Heiko Freitag Keith French Ms. Ingrid Fretheim Mr. Robert C. Fullerton Ms. Cynthia Gaertner Ms. Randy Ganter Miss Jeffery Rene Gash Mr. and Mrs. Caleb F. Gates, Jr. Ms. Nadia Gavrilova Jennifer Ruth Gentry Steve and Donna Good Kazuo and Drusilla Gotow Dr. Ray L. Gottesfeld Ronald and Elnore Grow Mr. Timothy Harris Mrs. Deborah A. Havas Mr. Richard A. Haynes Mr. Richard W. Healy John R. Heckenlively, M.D. Mr. and Mrs. Mark S. Heiser Ms. Rebecca Hersey Dr. Marilyn J. Hitchens Sarah C. Hite Ms. Mary Hoadley Don and Mary Hoagland Carol Ann Hoffman Mr. Graham Hoffman Mr. Saul D. Hoffman and Ms. Susan Parker Ms. Mary Ellen Holmes Mr. and Mrs. Douglas L. Houston Mr. Ron Huff Katherine Hurlbut

2020-21 SEASON

SUPPORTER $300-$599

OPERA COLORADO

Ms. Karen Howland and Mr. J. Gregory Mudge Mike Hughes and The Honorable Karen Brody Michael E. Huotari and Jill R. Stewart Steve and Chryse Hutchins Mr. Daniel Isaman Roberta and Mel Klein John W. Kure and Cheryl L. Solich Ms. Meredith J. Laitos and Mr. Douglas Carlson Deanna Rose Leino Robert and Gloria Lilly-Cohen Patty Lorie Tanya Mathews Sandra Mazarakis and Neil Burris Tom and Mary Meade Henry B. Mohr Sue and Bill Mohrman Mr. Lawrence Moskow Dr. Mary Kenny Moynihan and Dr. Michael Moynihan Mr. and Mrs. Bill Mueller Dr. and Mrs. David A. Norris Kelli O’Brien and Michael Kolotylo Nancy and Paul Oberman Mr. Jon J. Olafson Bonnie M. Orkow Ronald Y. Otsuka Dr. Lynn Parry Mrs. Kathryn L. Pride Robert and Mary Quillin Irene M. Ibarra and Armando Quiroz Steven and Joan Ringel Gregory Robbins Ms. Deborah M. H. Rohan Mr. Joe Ronnenberg Doug Rooney Dr. and Mrs. Steven E. Schonfeld Ms. Nancy Siegel Dr. Andrew Sirotnak Dr. and Mrs. Edwin R. Smith Mrs. Jennifer Sobanet Mr. Hanspeter Spühler Larry D. Stephens Vicki and Harry Sterling Dr. Laimute Stewart Bill and Shirley Stout Drs. Morris and Ellen Susman Prof. and Mrs. Joseph S. Szyliowicz Lloyd and Barbara Timblin, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. James Todd Sharon and John Trefny Francisco Varela and Timothy Wilson Bryant and Kimberly Veazey Dr. Keith Ward and Ms. Barbara Roidl Marie Belew Wheatley Mary and Ken Willis Scott and Karen Yarberry Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Yost Pam and Martin Zadigian Charlotte Ziebarth

21

OPERA COLORADO

2020-21 SEASON

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTORS

22

Ms. Karen Howland and Mr. J. Gregory Mudge Irfan and Martha Hussain Mr. and Mrs. Werner Hutter Ms. Nancy Hyde Mrs. Philip Isely Ms. Therese A. Ivancovich Ms. Lisa C. Johnson Ms. Julie K. Johnston Kendor and Paulette Jones James and Christine Jorgensen Mr. and Mrs. Ron Kahn Edward Karg and Rick Kress Dr. Ross and Vicki Kazer Mr. and Mrs. Robert Keatinge Mr. Jhon Kehmeier Mr. and Mr. Sandford Kern Bonnie Kipple Ms. Helen Knode Ms. Cherity Koepke Kiplund Kolkmeier Mrs. and Mr. Svetlana Komisarchik Mr. Robert H. Koppe Donna C. Kornfeld Dr. and Mrs. Alex Kotch Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kovach Ms. Margaret Krawiec Dr. Cynthia Kristensen Dianna Kunz Mr. Larry Lacert Ms. Barbara Ladon D. Langdon Ms. Susan S. Lapidus Ms. Carol J. Larkin Ms. Nora E. Lawler Ms. Melinda S. Leach Mr. Richard S. Leaman Mr. and Mrs. Richard K. Lee Nancy A. Leonard Karen and Martin Leopold Ms. Jennifer Levine Mr. David Lichtenstein Judy and Dan Lichtin Mr. Lester Lockspeiser Mr. John A. Lockwood, Esq. Mr. and Mrs. Alan M. Loeb Miss Claire Longo Mr. Bill Lowrey Mr. James S. Macdonald Mr. and Mrs. John D. Macfarlane Ms. Erin Madar, Esq. Bob Mahoney and Pat Monroe Dr. Melissa Malde Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Y. Marchand Ms. Tara D. Marshall Mr. Patrick Maschka Keith Maskus and Susan Rehak Marian E. Matheson Ms. Jeanine Matney Ms. Milissa McCarthy

Mr. Eric McConnell Mr. Bobby McCracken Ms. Ann McCullough Mr. Stephen D. McGavran Mr. John Meier Ms. Jean Marie Merkhofer Mr. and Mrs. Gary L. Miller Mr. John R. Miller Ms. Betty Minor Ms. Holly Morgan Mr. Mike Morgan Warren Morrow Mrs. Cheryl Myers-Saffold Mr. Mark A. Nachtigal Dr. and Dr. Hans Neville Ms. Josie Noble Mr. Mark J. O’Connor Kent and Ruth Obee Mr. Michael Ogborn Mr. Raymond Ollett Mr. and Mrs. Don Oppliger Stephanie and Roger Oram Ms. Deb Ostergard Ms. Sonya S. Palmer Carl Patterson Mr. and Mrs. Neil Peck Ms. Barbra Pehrson Mr. and Mrs. Marc W. Percival Dennis G. Peterson Mr. and Mrs. Peter Plowshay Mr. and Mrs. Mark Plummer Rich and Kim Plumridge Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Poehlmann Kate Raabe Mr. Joseph Raymer Dr. Barbara Reed Ms. Lindsay Reimers Ms. Jennie Ridgley Mr. Michael L. Ritchie Ms. Karen Ritz Dr. Richard D. Roark Paula Roney Ms. Linda F. Rosales Dr. Tom Russell Morris and Karen Sandstead Ms. Gloria Sankel Sandy and Frank Sargent Youlon D. Savage Bryan Penny and Matt Savoie Kathleen Sawada Ms. Leslie Sawyer Ms. Erika L. Schafer Mr. and Mrs. Stefan Scheuermann John and Patricia Schmitter Gary D. Schrenk Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Schuchman Ms. Karen I. Scott Mr. Richard Scott Mr. Billy Seiber

Mr. and Mrs. George Sell Mr. James Shively Mr. John Shott Mr. Carl Shushan and Ms. Sandi Hill Ms. Phyllis Shushan and Mr. Carl Shushan Mrs. Marlene P. Siegel Mr. Theodor M. Simmons Ms. Patricia K. Simpson Catherine K. Skokan Mr. Miles Smith Nancy and Michael Snow Ms. Heather Sowell, M.D. Mr. Frank W. Spaid Mr. Ken Spitze Ms. Helena Stanton James B. Steed Mr. and Mrs. Alexander StemmWolf Mr. and Mrs. Lyle B. Stewart Susan Stiff Jenene and James Stookesberry Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Sullivan Mr. Barry Sundland Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Swindle Ms. Linda Tarpeh-Doe Ms. Kathryn Taylor Ms. Barbara Thorngren Ms. Lois Thornton Ms. Janice Tilden Dr. Walter Toki Ms. Elise Tom Mr. and Mrs. Sal L. Tripodi Ms. Carol Trotter Mr. John B. Trueblood Mr. Charles C. Turner Mr. and Mrs. Kent Verbal Mr. Paul R. Viotti and Mr. Paul E. Bowen Norma and George Wagoner Mr. and Mrs. Eli Wald Ms. Laura Wardell Ms. Carley Warren Ms. Robin Stewart and Mr. Kirk Weber Mr. and Mrs. William W. Wehner, II Dr. Adriana Weinberg Sandra L. White Ms. Phyllis Wicklund Mr. and Mrs. Mark Wilkins Mrs. Andrea P. Wilson Mr. Matthew Wolchak Mr. and Mrs. David Wolf Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wood Mr. Will Wright Mr. Bo Xie Robert and Kathleen Yeager Mr. and Mrs. James Yip Gene and Linda Young Judith Graham and Jeffrey Zax

Mr. Robert Zwick

FOUNDATIONS The Anschutz Foundation Avenir Foundation Bloomberg Philanthropies Bock Family Fund Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Bucy Family Fund Cars For Charity, Inc. Caulkins Family Foundation Charlotte and Norman Codo Charitable Trust City of Englewood Colorado Creative Industries Community First Foundation The Crawley Family Foundation Daniels-Houlton Family Donor Advised Fund David B. and Gretchen W. Black Family Foundation Deane Family Fund The Denver Foundation Denver Lyric Opera Guild Denver Post Community Foundation Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Francis Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts Galen & Ada Belle Spencer Foundation GE Foundation Genesee Mountain Foundation Gloria Sankel Trust Higbie Family Foundation Jeanne Land Foundation Jess & Rose Kortz and Pearle Rae Foundation JEWISHColorado Kenneth King Foundation Landis Family Philanthropy Leonard and Alice Perlmutter Charitable Foundation Lindmor Fund Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation Miller Family Foundation Fund National Endowment for the Arts Network for Good Read Foundation Inc. Rose Community Foundation The Schramm Foundation Schwab Charitable Shamos Family Foundation Sidney E. Frank Foundation The Thomas and Beatrice Taplin Fund Tepper Family Foundation Tulsa Community Foundation Vanguard Charitable Virginia W. Hill Foundation William D. Radichel Foundation

SPONSORS

In honor of their children Dr. Peter and Kathy Van Arsdale

Mr. and Mrs. Ken and Donna Barrow Mrs. Pamela D. Beardsley Donald K. Braden Peyton and Suzanne D. Bucy David and Elizabeth Budd Drs. Laurence and Cynthia Chan Thomas and Mary Conroy Mrs. Joyce de Roos Dr. Stephen L. Dilts Joy and Christopher Dinsdale Curtis Fentress and Agatha Kessler The Honorable and Mrs. Kenneth Laff Gayle and Gary Landis Penelope Lewis Chris and Joy Murphy Patrick Spieles Martha and Will Tracey Mrs. Carol C. Whitley The Melvin and Elaine Wolf Foundation

In honor of Erin Wenzel Ms. Cherity Koepke

In memory of Dr. Bill Buchanan Mr. and Ms. Daniel J. Neumann Ms. Alta Price and Mr. Leonardo Antaris In memory of Kathryn Ann Carpenter Ms. Nicole Capage-Brown In memory of Dirk de Roos Mr. Miles Smith Ms. Ann McCullough In memory of Marilyn Edwards Mr. Lewis Shapiro In memory of Jacqueline Frishknecht, Ph.D. Mr. Chuck Lawhead and Mr. Ronald Broome In memory of Hugh and Peggy McGee Sarah Hopfenbeck and Susan Corle

In honor of Janice Baucum Mr. Bill Lowrey

In memory of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dr. Stacy Fischer and Dr. Henry Fischer

In honor of Kendra Broom Ms. Rebecca Hersey

In memory of Thomas Holmes Ms. Ariane J. Le Roy and Ms. Kristin K. Harvey

In honor of Dr. Larry Chan Mr. Barton Lilly In honor of Lois Chohodas Nancy and Paul Oberman In honor of Brendan Daly Mr. Norman C. Lane In honor of Megan O’Connor Ms. Leslie Lipstein In honor of Jon Olafson Mr. and Mrs. Valerie and Gil Clausen Ms. Lauren Edmonds Mr. and Mrs. James Yip In honor of Sharon Randall Ms. Jeanne Adkins Betsy Schwarm and Rick Glesner In honor of the Opera Colorado Staff Mr. Gregory A. Carpenter Mr. Patrick Maschka In honor of Paul and Susan Ms. Kharis Eppstein In honor of Catherine Swindle Mr. and Mrs. George Sell Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Swindle In honor of Charles Thompson Mrs. Diane Barrett Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Pardee, III Charles Berberich and Marilyn Munsterman Merle Chambers Mr. John T. Lake and Mr. Harold Winters

In memory of George Hopfenbeck Ellie Caulkins

Hamilton Zanze/Oxford Station Apartments PMG Colorado Tax Time, LLC

CRESCENDO SOCIETY The following people have made arrangements to include Opera Colorado in their Estate Plan.

Sheila Bisenius Ellie Caulkins Dr. Stephen L. Dilts Ms. Donna E. Hamilton Ms. Lynn E. Harrington Ms. Lisa R. James Dr. and Mrs. Charles B. Kafadar Mr. and Mrs. Ron Kahn Deanna Rose Leino Mrs. Lee Roberts Mary Ann Rose Mr. Stephen Seifert Fern B. Seltzer Jenene and James Stookesberry Mr. Robert Van Buskirk Mrs. Carol C. Whitley Larry and Brigitte Zimmer

In memory of Thomas Koepke Dr. Stephen L. Dilts In memory of Loretta Law Marcia and Dick Robinson In memory of Evelyne McPhee Ms. Susan Lythgoe In memory of Eugenia Meyer Dr. Stacy Fischer and Dr. Henry Fischer In memory of Jurgen and Barbara MeyerWendt Mr. and Mrs. Chris Bartle In memory of Sue Peterson Mohrman Sue and Bill Mohrman In memory of Eric Poehlmann Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Poehlmann In memory of Don and Barbara Ridgway Ms. Kathryn Taylor In memory of Edward Saindon Mr. and Mrs. Darel Saindon In memory of Morris Sandstead Mrs. Donna Antonoff Ms. Paula Hanson Ms. Mary Hey Ms. Nancy Jurcheck In memory of Nat and Louise Sherman Mrs. Claire E. Benson In memory of Jeanette J Thrower Mr. Jack Bell In memory of Kenneth Ziebarth Charlotte Ziebarth

2020-21 SEASON

In honor of Ellie Caulkins Mr. David J. Chavolla Karen and Mark Sather

CORPORATE ALLIANCE

OPERA COLORADO

TRIBUTES

In memory of Douglas H. Barton Ms. Betty Barton

In memory of Sharon Zuckerman Dr. and Mrs. Arnold Heller

23

LEADERSHIP

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Music Director

Paul Deckard

Managing Director

Elizabeth Caswell Dyer, Chairperson Marcia Robinson, President Michael Bock, Vice President Chevis F. (“Chip”) Horne, Vice President Richard Koseff, Secretary Judy La Spada, Treasurer Kevin D. O’Connor, Chairman Emeritus

Communications Tom Kirkpatrick Director of Business

Operations Cherity Koepke Director of Education & Community Engagement Director of Opera

Colorado’s Artist in

Residence Program Katie Preissner

Director of Production &

Artistic Services

Erin Wenzel

Director of Development

STAFF Anthony Berkley Development Operations

Manager

Leah Bobbey

Individual Giving &

Special Events Manager

Jared Guest Manager of Education & Community Engagement Linda Strauch, EA Senior Accountant Suzanne Whitney Marketing Manager

2020-21 SEASON

ADMINISTRATION

General & Artistic Director

Ari Pelto

Jennifer Colgan Director of Marketing and

OPERA COLORADO

CONTACT OPERA COLORADO

Greg Carpenter

SENIOR TEAM

24

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2020-21 ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE Catherine Swindle soprano Kendra Broom

mezzo-soprano

Devin Eatmon

tenor

Isaiah Feken

baritone

Thomas Lynch

baritone

Timothy Madden

bass-baritone

Stephen Variames coach-accompanist

Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm Opera Colorado Opera Center 4121 S Navajo St, Ste 100 Englewood, CO 80110 303.778.1500

DIRECTORS

info@operacolorado.org

Maria Garcia Berry Suzanne Bucy Eleanor N. Caulkins, Lifetime Honorary Chair Dr. Laurence K. Chan Joseph Fogliano Mark Heiser, Ex-Officio Don Hindman Kelly Ann Hodges Laurence D. Kaptain, Ex-Officio Hon. Kenneth Laff James Linfield MAJ Konstantinos (Dino) G. Maniatis William Maniatis, MD Dr. Prem S. Subramanian, MD, PhD Dana Svendsen Keith Ward, Ex-Officio Robin Yaeger Youngdon Yun Larry Zimmer

PATRON SERVICES

HONORARY DIRECTORS Hugh Grant Jeremy Kinney Pamela Merrill Mary French Moore Gerald Saul Jeremy Shamos Susan Shamos Merrill Shields Martha Tracey

Monday–Friday, 10 am–5 pm 303.468.2030 customerservice@operacolorado.org

OPERACOLORADO.ORG follow @operacolorado