Performances Magazine | LA Opera, September 2025

September 4–27, 2025

Thursdays–Saturdays, 8 p.m.

Annual outdoor theater production at the Getty Villa Museum

A mash-up of Sophocles and the music of the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley!

Co-produced by Troubadour Theater Company

Crystal: We’re pretty much with each other 24/7 because we work together.We’vecommittedtocoming here every year for ourselves and each other.

See their story and others at

Paul: It’s this seasonal regrowth. Each time, I discover something new about myself and her that I don’t recognize when we’re at work or at home, and it draws us closer.

Crystal, age 50 & Paul, age 59 Masters of Sweets in business and life

The Iconic Retreat

6 A WELCOME FROM PRESIDENT AND CEO CHRISTOPHER KOELSCH

8 A NOTE FROM DIRECTOR FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO Decades after it first hit Broadway, West Side Story holds up a mirror to the hatred and division we're experiencing in our country today.

9 A PLACE FOR US

Music Director James Conlon fulfills a lifelong dream by conducting West Side Story, a work that holds deep meaning and connections for the native New Yorker.

12 THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN

To honor the legacy of our visionary founders and secure the future of LA Opera, we've launched a new initiative to ensure great opera for generations to come.

28 A SEASON OF ACCESS, JOY AND DISCOVERY LA Opera Connects brings communities together with free and low-cost experiences that welcome people of all ages into the magic of storytelling and the deeply personal impact of the human voice.

Above: A scene from Francesca Zambello's staging of West Side Story

THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST

Discover a one-of-a-kind immersive retreat blending comfort and serenity with adventure and fun in a captivating coastal haven. OCEAN VIEWS | SPA | GOLF | VILLAS | POOLS | RESTAURANTS

YOU’RE HERE.

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Welcome to LA Opera

Dear friends:

Welcome to LA Opera’s 40th Anniversary Season! I could not be happier that you are here to share this extraordinary milestone with us. For four decades, this company has been telling stories that move, delight and challenge us—stories that have unfolded in thousands of performances and have brought millions of people together in the shared magic of opera. Tonight, you are part of that story.

This season is not only a celebration of our past, but also a moment to look forward. We honor the visionaries who brought opera to Los Angeles in 1986, and the countless artists, audiences and supporters who have shaped our company. And we celebrate the future—the next generation of artists and audiences who will carry LA Opera into its fifth decade and beyond. Our 40th Anniversary Season brings together landmark company premieres, beloved classics, community celebrations and special events that showcase both the richness of our tradition and the boldness of our future.

We also celebrate a singular figure in our history: the extraordinary James Conlon, who begins his 20th and final season as our music director. His imagination, his passion for engaging audiences and his unwavering devotion to artistic excellence have transformed this company. The fact that he will continue with us as Conductor Laureate is a gift—one that ensures his voice, wisdom and artistry will remain central to our work for years to come.

James leads us into the season with the company premiere of West Side Story—a dream we have held for well over a decade. Bernstein’s score is as daring and inventive as anything in the operatic canon, and under James’s baton, even these most familiar melodies will sound fresh, urgent and new. Stage director Francesca Zambello—who has spent her career elevating American works and who knows our company intimately—brings the piece vividly to life. Together with an electrifying cast, including soprano Gabriella Reyes in her company debut as Maria and tenor Duke Kim, returning after his sensational Romeo last season, this promises to be a truly unforgettable opening.

I am especially grateful to our production underwriters—Terri and Jerry Kohl (also our Opening Night Ball chairs), the Alfred and Claude Mann Fund, and The Blue Ribbon—whose remarkable generosity has made these performances possible. Their commitment to LA Opera is emblematic of the spirit that has carried us through these first 40 years.

As I reflect on this anniversary, I am filled with gratitude—for our board members, subscribers, donors, artists, orchestra, chorus, staff and volunteers. And above all, I am grateful to you, our audience. Your presence, your curiosity and your passion for this art form are what make our work matter.

Here’s to 40 years of opera in Los Angeles—and to the decades of discovery, wonder and beauty still to come. I look forward to seeing you often this season, as we celebrate this remarkable journey together.

With gratitude and excitement,

Christopher Koelsch SEBASTIAN PAUL AND MARYBELLE MUSCO PRESIDENT AND CEO

LA OPERA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Marc Stern* HONORARY CHAIRMAN

Keith R. Leonard, Jr.* CHAIRMAN

Carol F. Henry* CHAIRMAN, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Leslie A. Dorman* Robert Ronus* Eugene P. Stein* Régina Weingarten* Marilyn Ziering* VICE CHAIRMEN

Penelope D. Foley* TREASURER

Paul D. Tosetti* SECRETARY

Bernard A. Greenberg VICE CHAIRMAN EMERITUS AND FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

Ahsan Aijaz

Patricia Artigas

James R. Asperger

Haig A. S. Bagerdjian

Paul Bloch

Lisa Bratkovich

Iman H. Brivanlou, Ph.D.

Barbara Burtin

Marlene Schall Chávez, Ph.D.

Janet J. Ciriello, Ed.D.

James Conlon†

Robert Cook

Alexis Deutsch-Adler

Kathleen Kane Eberhardt*

Chaz Hammel-Smith Ebert

Geoff Emery

Dr. Annette Ermshar

Michael A. Friedman, M.D.

Shaudi Fulp

Gordon P. Getty**

Juan Carlos Gonzalez

Ambassador Frank E.

Baxter‡

Alicia Garcia Clark

Alice Steere Coulombe‡

Diane Gray

Mónica Gutiérrez Roper

Cornelia Haag-Molkenteller, M.D.

Nicolas Hamatake

Catherine H. Helm

William Chase

Hodge-Brokenburr

Rian Johnson

Tim C. Johnson*

Janet Jones

Richard Jones

Monique Regine Kagan

Lawrence A. Kern

Gayle Kirschbaum

Christopher Koelsch†*

Thomas F. Kranz

Ali Leemann, Ph.D.

Scott R. Lord

Hon. Nora M. Manella

Claude Mann

Don Franzen

Alexander Furlotti

Joan Hotchkis

Sherry Lansing

Linda May

Jennifer McCormick

Patricia McKenna*

James Mulally

Gregory Nava

Olivia H. Ernst Neece

Leslie A. Pam, Ph.D.

Linda Pascotto*

Andrea Pessino*

Linda Pierce

Ceil Pulitzer**

Barry A. Sanders*

Lionel M. Sauvage*

Heinrich Schelbert, M.D., Ph.D.

Charlotte Coulombe

Schoenmann

R. Carlton Seaver*

Lisa See*

Tina L. Segel

Joan Seidel

LIFE TRUSTEES

Harold B. Ray

Mrs. Joseph A. Saunders‡

Marvin S. Shapiro

Mrs. Dennis Stanfill

Linda Shaheen*

Marilyn Shapiro

Susan Shapiro*

Eric L. Small

Dr. Vina Spiehler

Janet Stanford

Deanie Stein

Dr. Ellen G. Strauss

Mimi Won Techentin

Barbara Augusta Teichert

Brigitta B. Troy

Gillian Wagner

Christopher V. Walker*

Geoffrey P. Wharton

Andrew Xu

Zev Yaroslavsky

Ellen Zetcher

Joakim Zetterberg

Ann Ziff

Richard E. Troop

Alyce Williamson

PRESIDENTS / CHAIRMEN OF LA OPERA SINCE ITS INCEPTION

Stephen D. Gavin

John A. McCone

Lawrence Deutsch

Bernard I. Forester

Kyhl Smeby

Edward W. Carter

Thomas Wachtell

Roy L. Ash

Bernard A. Greenberg

Richard Seaver

Leonard I. Green

Marc Stern

Frank E. Baxter

Carol F. Henry

Keith R. Leonard, Jr. * Executive Committee member ** Honorary † Ex Officio ‡ in memoriam

I am thrilled to return to LA Opera to direct West Side Story, having directed Candide with the company in 2018. It is amazing that Bernstein composed both works simultaneously. West Side Story’s score is rooted in the Americas, while Bernstein himself called Candide a love letter to European forms like the gavotte, mazurka, polka and waltz. In addition to the musical balancing act, Bernstein had the audacity to take on two complex, canonic texts—a tragedy by Shakespeare and a satire by Voltaire—and turn them into musicals.

Both shows hold a mirror to a society that has a lot of work to do. Both shows contain shocking scenes—intentionally so. Among those encountering these works for the first time, sometimes there is an immediate, visceral reaction— “I don’t want to see that!” People are horrified to see characters whose behavior exposes racism or misogyny, but I believe the horror is the point. All too often, we shy away from discomfort and sweep problematic behavior under the rug. When Anita is sexually assaulted by the Jets in West Side Story, the choreography is stylized rather than realistic, but the violence is unmistakable. It is hard to watch, but I believe it is important to witness and reflect on what happens when “nice young men” allow themselves to be overtaken by a pack mentality. Only when we feel the horror can we begin to think about change.

Although America is a country of immigrants, we continue to struggle with issues around immigration and migration, which makes West Side Story as resonant today as it was when it was first written. Even from the 2018 premiere of this production until now, I feel I’ve witnessed the growth of hatred and division in our country.

The dangers of group divisions have been exacerbated by the increasing accessibility of firearms in this country,

which has resulted in the deaths not only of those who take it upon themselves to represent and defend a particular “gang” but also of countless innocents caught in the crossfire. The creators’ vision of America is hardly a utopian one, but they surely never imagined a landscape like today’s, in which mass shootings are a regular occurrence in every kind of community, from an urban nightclub to a suburban schoolyard to a shopping mall.

The presence of a gun in the final moments of West Side Story drastically changes the dynamic in a way that is immediately recognizable. Maria’s final speech is almost unbearable to witness, in part because it is so easy to empathize with her state of mind.  “I can kill now, because I hate now.”

It is horrifying to see this transformation. She goes from being willing to sacrifice everything for love to being willing to pick up a gun and point it at another human being. This scene in West Side Story holds up a mirror to the devastating path we are on. What will finally allow us to muster the collective will to change our course? I don’t know the answer. But I do know that we cannot afford to turn a blind eye. We must keep telling these stories, and perhaps someday we will be able to “make our garden grow” in the peaceful “somewhere” that Maria and Tony reach for.

PHOTO

A scene from Francesca Zambello's staging of West Side Story

A Place for Us

For me—born in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, growing up in Queens but destined to consider the West Side my home—there is no other work like West Side Story.

Having heard it at home in the early era of long-playing records, I wore the recording through and absorbed it all by osmosis before I had even had my first piano lessons. Taken to see the 1961 movie, wide-eyed and with ears burning, I experienced the full theatrical and shocking power of the drama.

By the time I entered the High School of Music & Art, my fellow students and I had fully digested it. We took the subway every day to and from school, traveling through neighborhoods reminiscent of those we had seen on stage and screen. We might not have thought about West Side Story a lot then, as by now our focus was Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Wagner, Brahms and Schumann, but it was still our music.

As young New Yorkers, we were all growing up in the cauldron of the proverbial “melting pot.” The majority of us were children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren of immigrants, all mixed into the same classes: white, African American, Latino and Asian. And “white” was not monolithic, divided (sometimes confrontationally) into Catholic, Protestant and Jewish neighborhoods. Conversations were freely strewn with insults and racial epithets. But they were also replete with ethnic humor and less malignant expressions of the racial divide. Humor was part of how we dealt with those dynamics that defined us, in this massive port that had welcomed the “tired, poor,

Bernstein captured the incessant energy of New York: the traffic, the rumble of the subway, the roar of elevated trains, and the wail of police whistles and sirens.

huddled masses” into a city of immigrants. The Jets and Sharks were not remote for us. Tony and Maria were symbols of the spirit in which we believed and lived.

I know of no other musical work that captures the spirit of New York City so well. Choreographer Jerome Robbins originally conceived it as East Side Story, with Shakespeare’s conflicting families reenvisioned as Catholics and Jews. The creators—Robbins, Bernstein, playwright Arthur Laurents and lyricist Stephen Sondheim—were all Jewish. Robbins had grown up on the Upper East Side. Perhaps it started there.

The conflict later changed to be between two teenage gangs: the white Jets, established and with a sense of entitlement, pitted against the Sharks, more newly arrived Puerto Ricans. There had been a great migration

continued on pg. 32

PHOTO BY BONNIE PERKINSON

A scene from Francesca Zambello's staging of West Side Story

Terri and Jerry Kohl

LA Opera is proud to present this production of West Side Story, made possible thanks to the remarkable generosity of Terri and Jerry Kohl. The Kohls have been dedicated supporters of LA Opera since 2008. In 2021, they made a transformative $5 million donation in support of the LA Opera Orchestra and pledged a challenge grant in support of the company’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kohls’ gift also helped to underwrite LA Opera’s first-ever presentation of Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex, a symbolically resonant choice during the pandemic recovery period. In recognition of their most generous gift—the largest donation the company received during the pandemic and among the most significant in its history—the company named Terri and Jerry Kohl as the sole underwriters of the LA Opera Orchestra.

In 2023, the Kohls extended their generosity to include underwriting support for LA Opera’s DomingoColburn-Stein Young Artist Program. Deeply passionate about supporting artists, this ongoing commitment is yet another example of how the Kohls’ philanthropy has profoundly impacted the company. Furthermore, they have shown their devoted support by serving as chairs for the company’s 2024 Opera Ball for this year’s Opera Ball, which launches the 40th Anniversary Opera Season.

Terri and Jerry Kohl are recognized and celebrated across Los Angeles and nationwide for their heartfelt and wide-reaching philanthropy. The Kohls provide leadership support to many of the region’s most prominent musical organizations, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Colburn School, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Pacific Symphony and

NEWS AND PREVIEWS

Join us on Friday, April 24, 2026, as we celebrate Music Director James Conlon’s 20 years at LA Opera with a special concert devoted to the music of three of his favorite opera composers: Mozart, Verdi and Wagner.

The concert will be followed by a gala dinner and celebration on the stage of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. This very special evening will offer a unique opportunity for the LA Opera family to honor Maestro Conlon and celebrate

MUSE/IQUE, where Mr. Kohl serves on the board of directors. Their philanthropy extends throughout the Los Angeles community, including Huntington Hospital, The Huntington, Pasadena Playhouse, The Music Center, Center Theatre Group, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Pasadena Conservatory of Music and many more. Ms. Kohl currently serves as chairman of The Blue Ribbon, The Music Center’s premier women’s support organization.

The Kohls also made a lead gift for Kohl Hall, the new Frank Gehry-designed concert hall at the Colburn School that will be the centerpiece of the new Colburn Center, scheduled to open in the fall of 2027.

The Kohls are the founders and owners of Brighton Collectibles, a manufacturer and retailer of women’s fine jewelry and accessories. High school sweethearts, they opened their first store in 1969 and have since grown their company to over 180 stores nationwide. In addition to their personal giving, the company generously donates to a variety of national and local charities, including their Power of Pink program, which raises money to fight breast cancer.

LA Opera remains immensely grateful to be among the recipients of Terri and Jerry Kohl’s passionate and generous philanthropy and thanks them for their magnificent support of West Side Story and the 40th Anniversary Opera Ball.

James Conlon Concert and Gala

his extraordinary achievements. Gala tickets are sold separately. Additional event information, including gala ticket pricing, can be found at LAOpera.org/ConlonGala.

To learn more about this event, contact us at 213.972.3620 or specialevents@laopera.org.

The Alfred and Claude Mann Fund

LA Opera is proud to present this production of West Side Story, made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of the Alfred and Claude Mann Fund. The Alfred Mann Trust created this fund with a series of gifts that now have an impact of over $11 million in support. The Manns established the fund as a way of showing their devotion to LA Opera. It underwrites two productions each season, enabling the company to raise the curtain on a host of memorable presentations, which have included La Bohème (2012, 2016), Tosca (2013, 2017, 2022), Carmen (2013), The Barber of Seville (2015), El Gato Montés (2019), The Light in the Piazza (2019), Roberto Devereux (2020), Il Trovatore (2021), Aida (2022), Lucia di Lammermoor (2022), Don Giovanni (2023), Turandot (2023), Madame Butterfly (2024) and Romeo and Juliet (2024).

The Manns’ connection to LA Opera is a true love story. Mrs. Mann’s own passion for opera brought Mr. Mann to the art form. As LA Opera Honorary Board Chairman Marc Stern noted, “Al hadn’t been an opera lover, but he

The Blue Ribbon

LA Opera expresses gratitude to all the members of The Blue Ribbon for their generous support of West Side Story. The Blue Ribbon has provided valuable support to LA Opera from its earliest days, recently providing production underwriting support for Madame Butterfly (2024), Don Giovanni (2023), Tosca (2022) and Il Trovatore (2021). They have also championed the company’s community and education programs. Over the past 20 seasons, The Blue Ribbon has contributed approximately $5.1 million to LA Opera, an impressive legacy of devoted generosity.

The Blue Ribbon was founded in 1968 by Dorothy Buffum Chandler, who mobilized a dedicated group of women leaders to sustain and support The Music Center and its resident companies. The Blue Ribbon has since raised more than $83 million to promote and nurture the performing arts and arts education in Los Angeles. Its committed membership of nearly 400 members is led by Mary Ann Hunt-Jacobsen, president, and Terri Kohl, chairman.

loved Claude and therefore loved the opera.”

A biotech entrepreneur, Al Mann founded 17 companies in his lifetime and was the CEO of MannKind Corporation, a company focused on developing new, lifesaving treatments for diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. He also served as chair of the Alfred Mann Foundation, a trustee of USC and a board member of the LA Philharmonic.

Claude Mann is a philanthropist who earned success in the restaurant business. She has been a member of LA Opera’s board since 2008. Sadly, Al Mann passed away in February of 2016. With each thrilling production underwritten thanks to the Manns’ generosity, his legacy in the arts—and his love story with Claude—live on.

Since 1970, the annual Blue Ribbon Children’s Festival has welcomed over 900,000 fifth graders to The Music Center, where many of the participants experience live performance for the first time. This three-day event of performances and arts activities is one of the longest ongoing free arts education programs in California.

LA Opera is grateful to The Blue Ribbon for its generous support over so many years, as a valued member of both The Music Center and LA Opera families, with special recognition for their inspiring work with children, an essential part of the company’s mission.

CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF GRAND OPERA IN LOS ANGELES!

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SECURING THE FUTURE OF OPERA IN LOS ANGELES

When the curtain rose on LA Opera’s 1986 production of Otello, it was a moment of special significance—the very first performance of the company’s inaugural season. From the thunderous drama of Verdi’s music to the electric atmosphere inside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, something profound had happened. Los Angeles had claimed its place as a city of opera. Few could have imagined how quickly the company would grow into one of the world’s great opera houses, beloved by Angelenos and respected internationally.

LA Opera was created by a group of dedicated opera lovers at a time when Los Angeles was the only major city in the United States without a resident opera company. From our beginnings during the 1984 Olympic Arts Festival to today, there have been countless individuals—from founding board members to patrons, artists, subscribers, volunteers and staff—who have built this company into a cultural cornerstone. We are grateful to all of the members of the LA Opera family who have contributed so much over the decades.

To honor their legacy and secure the future of LA Opera, we have launched the 40th Anniversary Campaign, a visionary initiative to ensure great opera for generations to come. We invite you to be part of the Campaign.

The Campaign is designed to raise vital funds that allow us to stage epic productions like Turandot, Tannhäuser and Aida while also nurturing new voices

and reimagining beloved classics. Equally important, we’re working to build our endowment so that LA Opera’s artistic excellence and community impact will continue to flourish long into the future.

There are many ways to join this celebration. You might choose to sponsor a production, deepen your annual support, become part of a leadership giving circle, or explore a lasting gift through our planned giving program.

The 40th Anniversary is also our chance to honor those founding visionaries and to thank every individual who has supported its journey since. This Campaign is a celebration of you—our LA Opera family.

We want to hear about you. Tell us your favorite memory of LA Opera and we will share it with other members of the LA Opera Family this season.

We can’t wait to share more details about the exciting events and tributes planned for this anniversary season. We promise you it will be a celebration worthy of this extraordinary milestone.

To share your opera story, learn more about the campaign or how to include LA Opera in your estate plans, visit LAOpera.org/Campaign, call us at 213.972.7277, or email Patrons@LAOpera.org.

Let’s celebrate the past—and shape the future— of opera in Los Angeles, together.

THE ANGELS: A Legacy of Extraordinary Philanthropy

LA Opera has been privileged to enjoy the extraordinary support of visionary philanthropists over its history, most especially by many who have become Angels—the company’s premier support group. The leadership and generosity of these opera Angels have helped the company from its inception realize its artistic ambitions and create a solid foundation for the future. There have been five Angels campaigns since LA Opera’s founding, and the company is pleased to announce the 40th Anniversary Angels campaign, the newest assembly of its most generous supporters.

The Founding Angels was initiated by Warner Henry, one of the company’s founding supporters and longtime board members. On the eve of the company’s inaugural season, Dorothy Forman made the first $1 million gift to the company from the Forman Family Fund. Carol and Warner Henry quickly joined Mrs. Forman with an equally generous gift. A total of 13 key supporters followed with seven-figure commitments to the general operating fund. (See page P14-P15.)

The success of this first Angels initiative inspired subsequent campaigns to further bolster the growing artistic ambitions of the company: Domingo’s Angels, 20th Anniversary Angels, 25th Anniversary Angels and 30th Anniversary Angels campaigns, all led and chaired by longtime chairman and current Honorary Chairman, Marc Stern, one of LA Opera’s most inspirational philanthropists. Mr. Stern has generously agreed to join Chairman Keith Leonard in leading the new 40th Anniversary Angels.

When Plácido Domingo assumed leadership of the company following founding general director Peter Hemmings’ remarkable tenure, Mr. Stern led a special initiative to provide the foundational funds necessary to achieve an expanded artistic vision. He chaired Domingo’s Angels with co-chairs Mary Hayley and Warner Henry, a special campaign that enabled the company to hire its first fulltime music director, to bring new productions by Mozart, Verdi, Wagner and Puccini to the stage, and to provide funding to establish the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program. Mr. Stern went on to lead the subsequent Angels campaigns with a deep personal commitment.

LA Opera gratefully acknowledges and celebrates the generosity of all the Angels, and those new 40th Anniversary Angels who are building on this remarkable legacy. These devoted philanthropists enable the company to bring great productions and artists to our stage, fund the training and development of the world’s next opera stars, and support LA Opera’s community programs across Los Angeles. Their steadfast support during this milestone season is vital to the company’s continued success.

If you are interested in learning more about the 40th Anniversary Angels and how you can play a role in providing foundational support by joining these esteemed leaders, please contact John Nuckols at 213.972.7256 or at jnuckols@laopera.org to learn more about the 40th Anniversary Angels.

Eva and Marc Stern with soprano Renée Fleming

Keith and Nanette Leonard with Jennifer and James Conlon

Remembering Frank Baxter

This production of West Side Story is dedicated to the memory of Ambassador Frank Baxter, an LA Opera Life Trustee, who passed away in July.

Ambassador Baxter was a visionary leader whose dedication profoundly shaped LA Opera, having served for many years in numerous capacities, including as managing director (1998-2002), president (20022005), vice chairman and treasurer (2005-2007), and as an invaluable member of the executive committee for nearly 20 years (2002-2021). His steady and informed leadership alongside then-Chairman Marc Stern made a lasting impact that will be felt for years to come.

Beyond his leadership roles, Ambassador Baxter and the love of his life and wife of over 60 years, Kathy, remained steadfast in their remarkably generous support of LA Opera. They have been subscribers for most of LA Opera’s existence; members of the Domingo’s, 20th and 25th Anniversary Angels campaigns; underwriters of several productions; and supporters of nearly every special initiative, always demonstrating deep commitment to the artistic vitality and financial strength of the company. In 2014, Ambassador Baxter was elected Life Trustee in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the company. He was also a proud member of LA Opera’s Bella Voce Society, one of the committed supporters who have created a lasting legacy by including the company in their estate plans to ensure the art form continues to thrive for years to come.

Ambassador Baxter’s influence extended far beyond LA Opera. A decorated veteran who served in the Air Force, he was a distinguished graduate of UC Berkeley before embarking on a remarkable career in finance,

serving on the board of NASDAQ and culminating as CEO and later Chairman Emeritus of Jefferies. He also served our nation with great distinction when President George W. Bush appointed him to be Ambassador to Uruguay. His civic engagement was vast, providing board service and leadership for numerous organizations, including After-School All Stars, Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools, California Institute of the Arts and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among many others. He was a recipient of the Bet Tzedek, House of Justice, and the Getty House City of Angels awards, testaments to his profound impact on the community.

He will be deeply missed by his LA Opera family and the many, many lives profoundly impacted for good by his years of dedicated and selfless service.

Next up on our main stage, the ultra-romantic La Bohème returns (Nov 22 through Dec 14) in our beloved Herbert Ross production, starring Janai Brugger as Mimi. Learn more at LAOpera.org/Boheme. COMING SOON...

PHOTO BY STEVE COHN

PHOTO BY KEN HOWARD

WHY I GIVE:

Marianne and Abdelmonem Afifi

As a nonprofit, LA Opera relies on tax-deductible donations to keep grand opera thriving in Los Angeles. With ticket sales covering less than half of production costs, generous supporters like Marianne and Abdelmonem Afifi help keep opera thriving in our community.

For the Afifis, opera is more than entertainment—it’s a lifelong passion. “I was taken to my first opera at the age of 11,” Marianne recalls. As a student, she frequently attended performances using free standing-room tickets. It was in Vienna that she met Abdelmonem, who first encountered opera in Cairo but grew to love it in Vienna. Their shared experience seeing La Bohème at the Vienna State Opera sealed their devotion.

The Afifis are passionate advocates for supporting LA Opera through philanthropy. “We believe that opera tells stories in a unique way through fabulous music,” they explain. “It’s something everyone should experience.”

Abdelmonem added, “The arts have been seriously underfunded. In our own small way, we want to strengthen organizations like LA Opera to do what they do best.”

To anyone considering making a donation, they offer: “If you love opera and have funds to spare, it’s a good investment to keep opera alive and well in our community.” And to anyone hesitant? “Any amount makes a difference.”

“LA Opera is an integral part of the arts and culture of Los Angeles,” they say. “We’ll keep on giving as long as it’s feasible for us. We love opera, and without LA Opera, Los Angeles would not be the same.”

LA Opera’s Founding Board

Members and Donors

LA Opera wishes to recognize and thank the visionary board members, Opera League members and donors who had the faith and courage 40 years ago to establish a new opera company in Los Angeles. We are grateful for their extraordinary leadership and unwavering support. Several of these individuals and their families attend and enjoy LA Opera’s performances to this day. They continue to strengthen the company’s foundation through annual and legacy gifts. We are fortunate to benefit from the tremendous generosity and guidance of these pioneers, some of whom still serve on the board of directors today. Their passion for opera and tremendous generosity has inspired new generations of supporters to join them in building an international organization with the leadership, talent and vision to produce unforgettable opera experiences for the people of Los Angeles.

FOUNDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John E. Anderson

Thomas G. Armstrong

Roy L. Ash

Jon Avnet

Robert Bookman

Edward W. Carter

Nicholas G. Ciriello

Mrs. Richard D. Colburn

Pierre Cossette

Mrs. Lloyd E. Cotsen

Mrs. Joseph H. Coulombe

Robert J. Feder, M.D.

Mrs. William R. Forman

Don Erik Franzen

Stephen D. Gavin

Herbert M. Gelfand

Jonathan Goodson

Leonard I. Green

Bernard A. Greenberg

Warner Heineman

Mrs. Warner W. Henry

David K. Ingalls

Mrs. Dwight M. Kendall

Norman H. Lee

John A. McCone

James P. Miscoll

Carl V. Princi

Mrs. Simon Ramo

Sol R. Rubin

Mrs. Joseph A. Saunders

Richard C. Seaver

Mrs. Dennis A. Stanfill

Robert P. Strub

Joseph F. Troy

Thomas Wachtell

Mrs. Harry H. Wetzel

Lorin H. Wilson

Dr. A. M. Zarem

Morris E. Zukerman

FOUNDING DONORS

Music Center Unified Fund

The Forman Family Fund

Tara Colburn

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Getty

The James Irvine Foundation

Martha and Thomas G. Armstrong

Mr. and Mrs. Roy L. Ash

Mrs. Willard E. Brown

Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Carter

Janet and Nicholas G. Ciriello

Richard Colburn

Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Cotsen

Drexel Burnham Lambert

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard I. Green

Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg

Carol and Warner Henry

Mr. and Mrs. David K. Ingalls

Mr. and Mrs. Dwight M. Kendall

Mr. and Mrs. Norman H. Lee City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department

The Esper A. Petersen Foundation

Mrs. Thomas Pew

Dr. and Mrs. Simon Ramo

Neddy and Sol R. Rubin

Santa Anita Foundation

Mr. Richard C. Seaver

The Sheraton Grande Hotel

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Stanfill

Morgan Stanley & Co.

The Flora L. Thornton Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Wetzel

The board list above (left) appeared in the program for the LA Opera’s first production: Otello, which opened on October 7, 1986. The founding donor list is from the program for the inaugural season’s final production: Porgy and Bess, which opened on February 19, 1987.

2014

Anthony Dean Griffey and Renée Fleming in A Streetcar Named Desire

PHOTO BY ROBERT MILLARD

Edward and Alicia Clark: A Remarkable Life, a Continuing Legacy

In June of 2025, LA Opera lost Edward Clark, one of the company’s most committed and dedicated leaders. Working in tandem with his beloved wife, Alicia, the Clarks have had a tremendous impact on the company since its very inception. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been subscribers since the inaugural 1986 season and, in 1991, founded Hispanics for LA Opera, a pioneering initiative that seeks to broaden access and engagement to opera. Their generosity also helped bring some of our most cherished productions to the stage, including Florencia en el Amazonas, La Bohème, Il Postino and the Ring cycle.

Mr. Clark will be remembered for an exceptional life of leadership, generosity and public service. He had a distinguished career as general counsel at ARCO and served as a Navy gunnery officer during the Korean War before earning his degree from Harvard Law School. Mr. Clark was also a proud Dartmouth alumnus. He made political history when he served as the Libertarian Party’s national vice chair in the early 1970s, ran for governor of California in 1978, and was the party’s presidential candidate in 1980, appearing on the ballot in all 50 states.

Mr. and Mrs. Clark were so devoted to LA Opera that, several years ago, they included the company in their

estate plan. They passionately believed in the power of opera to unify and uplift and made this future commitment to ensure opera would thrive in Los Angeles far into the future.

Alicia Clark often spoke about their joint passion for the art form and commitment to the company: “I have been in love with LA Opera since its first season began. When I married Ed and moved to New York, I was very happy—one reason was the ability to hear all the great opera I wanted. In 1972, we moved to Los Angeles and wanted to have an opera company in our city. At last, in 1986, LA Opera opened its first season at The Music Center. Ed and I have been subscribers ever since, and we have loved watching LA Opera grow into one of the best and most important opera companies in the U.S.”

Mr. Clark will be greatly missed by the members of his LA Opera family, but his remarkable life and legacy will live on through his visionary support of the company and through his devoted wife, Alicia, who continues to be dedicated to the future of LA Opera.

LEAVE A LEGACY IN CELEBRATION OF 40 YEARS OF GRAND OPERA

Consider making this art form—and LA Opera— part of your legacy. Making a planned gift is a wonderful way to support our mission while accommodating your own personal, financial, estate-planning, and philanthropic goals.

If you would like more information about creating your legacy at LA Opera, please contact Christian Johnsten, Associate Director of Major and Planned Gifts, at 213.972.7675 or via email at cjohnsten@laopera.org.

PHOTO BY STEVE COHN

PHOTO BY CRAIG T. MATHEW

2014

Verónica Villarroel in the title role of Florencia en el Amazonas

In 1949, director/ choreographer Jerome Robbins had an idea for a modern-day Romeo and Juliet. The feuding Montagues and Capulets would be replaced by an Irish-Catholic family and a Jewish family on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

He called composer Leonard Bernstein and playwright Arthur Laurents. The three clicked instantly, and they titled it East Side Story. It never made it past the first draft. Too much like other plays, too little spark. Disappointed, they moved on to other projects.

Six years later, a story about rival gangs in San Bernadino caught Bernstein’s ear. He now imagined the show set in Olvera Street, Los Angeles. But Laurents was unfamiliar with LA, so he pushed for New York and drew from the Puerto Rican communities he was familiar with. The gangs became the Sharks and the Jets and East Side Story was reborn as West Side Story.

Larry Kert and Carol Lawrence in the original 1957 Broadway production.

Father. Business owner. Jazz fanatic.

Your unique life, planned.

West Side Story

September 20 – October 12, 2025

LEONARD BERNSTEIN

Production made possible by generous support from Terri and Jerry Kohl, Alfred and Claude Mann Fund and The Blue Ribbon. This production is dedicated to the memory of LA Opera Life Trustee, Ambassador Frank Baxter.

The

Phantom of the Opera ROY BUDD

October 30 – 31, 2025, at the United Theater Off Grand productions are supported by a consortium of generous donors to LA Opera’s Contemporary Opera Initiative, chaired by Barry and Nancy Sanders.

Hildegard WORLD PREMIERE SARAH KIRKLAND SNIDER

November 5 – 9, 2025, at The Wallis Off Grand productions are supported by a consortium of generous donors to LA Opera’s Contemporary Opera Initiative, chaired by Barry and Nancy Sanders .

La Bohème

November 22 – December 14, 2025

GIACOMO PUCCINI

Production made possible by generous support from Andrea and Janie Pessino, Alfred and Claude Mann Fund, and Jane and Peter Hemmings Production Fund, a gift from the Flora L. Thornton Trust. Special additional support from The Armenian Consortium and Scott Watt Family.

Ben Bliss in Recital

December 7, 2025, at The Wallis

Juan Diego Flórez in Recital

February 10, 2026

Recital made possible by generous support from Robert and Ana Cook. Piano graciously provided by Yamaha.

Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart

February 21, 2026

Piano graciously provided by Yamaha

Akhnaten

February 28 – March 22, 2026

PHILIP GLASS

Production made possible by generous support from Bernard A. and Lenore S. Greenberg Opera Fund. Additional support provided by The Akhnaten Consortium and LA Opera’s Contemporary Opera Initiative, chaired by Barry and Nancy Sanders. John Holiday’s appearance is generously underwritten by a gift from The Piera Barbaglia Shaheen Next Generation Artist Award

2025/26 SEASON

LA Opera Orchestra generously underwritten by Terri and Jerry Kohl

Nadine Sierra in Recital

March 21, 2026, at the Colburn School’s Zipper Hall

Falstaff

April 18 – May 10, 2026

GIUSEPPE VERDI

Production made possible by generous support from GRoW @ Annenberg, Andrea and Janie Pessino, Tarasenka Pankiv Fund (Tara Colburn), Barbara Augusta Teichert and The Emanuel Treitel Senior Citizen Fund. With special additional support provided by Laura and Carlton Seaver. With special appreciation to Régina and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten.

James Conlon Concert & Gala

April 24, 2026

Additional support provided by De Marchena-Huyke Foundation.

Noah’s Flood BENJAMIN BRITTEN

May 8 – 9, 2026, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

Production made possible by a generous grant from the  Dan Murphy Foundation. Special support also received from the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs, and Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture. Piano graciously provided by Yamaha

Les Talens Lyriques: Handelian Heroes

May 24, 2026, at the Colburn School’s Zipper Hall

Performance made possible by generous support from GRoW @ Annenberg. Additional underwriting support provided by Mr. Robert Finnerty and Mr. Richard Cullen. With special appreciation to Régina and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten.

The Magic Flute WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART

May 30 – June 21, 2026

Production made possible by generous support from GRoW @ Annenberg and The Carol and Warner Henry Production Fund for Mozart Operas. With special appreciation to Régina and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten.

Renée Fleming in Recital

June 13, 2026

Scan image at left with smartphone camera (or text “LAO” to 55741) to access the complete digital program. Message frequency will vary, Message and Data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel and HELP for help. SMS Terms of Service and Privacy Policy found at theshow.ihub.app/contact

40th Anniversary Angels

MARC STERN, CHAIR

KEITH LEONARD,

CHAIR

We celebrate our 40th Anniversary Angels, who build upon the inspiring legacy of the company’s Founding Angels and the many generous Angels who followed. (See pages P14-P15.) Their extraordinary support has provided essential annual operating resources for world-class opera in Los Angeles.

Marc and Eva Stern Foundation

Emanuel Treitel Trust

GRoW @ Annenberg

The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation

Colburn Foundation

County of Los Angeles

Dunard Fund USA

Gordon Getty

Terri and Jerry Kohl

Margo Leavin

Nanette and Keith Leonard

Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco

Linda and Alvaro Pascotto

Andrea and Janie Pessino

Ronus Foundation

David and Linda Shaheen

Eugene and Marilyn Stein

Barbara Augusta Teichert

The Ahmanson Foundation

The Blue Ribbon

Ana and Robert Cook

Penelope Foley

Max H. Gluck Foundation

The Green Foundation

The Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund

Carol and Warner Henry

Claude Mann and Alfred E. Mann Estate

The Rafael and Luisa De Marchena-Huyke Foundation

Dan Murphy Foundation

Chris and Dick Newman

Suzanne and Fred Rheinstein

The Seaver Family

Richard Shank Trust

Marilyn Ziering

Ann Ziff

CHRISTOPHER KOELSCH , SEBASTIAN PAUL AND MARYBELLE MUSCO PRESIDENT AND CEO

JAMES CONLON , RICHARD SEAVER MUSIC DIRECTOR

PRESENTS

WEST SIDE STORY

Based on a conception of JEROME ROBBINS

Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS

Music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Entire Original Production Directed and Choreographed by JEROME ROBBINS

Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince By arrangement with Roger L. Stevens Co-choreographed by Peter Gennaro

CREATIVE TEAM

CONDUCTOR James Conlon DIRECTOR Francesca Zambello

SCENIC DESIGNER Peter J. Davison

LIGHTING DESIGNER Mark McCullough

CHORUS DIRECTOR Jeremy Frank

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Eric Sean Fogel

ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER Courtney Ortiz*

INTIMACY DIRECTOR Sara E. Widzer

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Andrea Beasom

ASSOCIATE COSTUME DESIGNER Lynly Saunders

MUSICAL PREPARATION

Sujin Choi † Julian Garvue † Peter Walsh ‡

COSTUME DESIGNER Jessica Jahn

REVIVAL LIGHTING DESIGNER A.J. Guban*

SOUND DESIGNER Andrew Harper*

ORIGINAL CHOREOGRAPHY REPRODUCED BY Joshua Bergasse*

FIGHT DIRECTOR Andrew Kenneth Moss

ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR Kevin Miller

ASSISTANT SCENIC DESIGNER Jimmy Rotondo

STAGE MANAGER Whitney McAnally

CASTING

The TRC Company*

Xavier Rubiano, CSA

Merri Sugarman, CSA

Production made possible by generous support from Terri and Jerry Kohl

Alfred and Claude Mann Fund

The Blue Ribbon

LA Opera Orchestra generously underwritten by Terri and Jerry Kohl

This production is dedicated to the memory of LA Opera Life Trustee, Ambassador Frank Baxter

PRODUCTION NOTES SUPPORT

The running time is approximately two hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.

This production uses gunshot effects.

Projected titles designed by Kelley Rourke originally for the Glimmerglass Festival.

Pre-performance talks by James Conlon are generously sponsored by the Flora L. Thornton Foundation and the Opera League of Los Angeles.

West Side Story is presented through special arrangements with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. (mtishows.com)

West Side Story is a coproduction of Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, and Glimmerglass Festival. Additional costumes constructed by the LA Opera Costume Shop. Wigs constructed by the LA Opera Wig and Make-Up Department.

* LA Opera debut

† Member of the Domingo-ColburnStein Young Artist Program

‡ Alumnus of the Domingo-ColburnStein Young Artist Program

Please refrain from talking during the performance, and turn off all cell phones, electronic devices and watch alarms. If you are using an assistive hearing device, or are attending with someone who is, please make sure that it is set to an appropriate level to avoid distracting audio feedback. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the house management. Members of the audience who leave during the performance will not be shown back into the theater until the next intermission. The use of cameras and recording equipment is strictly prohibited. Your use of a ticket acknowledges your willingness to appear in photographs taken in public areas of the Music Center and releases the Center and its lessees and others from liability resulting from use of such photographs.

CAST OF CHARACTERS LA OPERA CHORUS

MARIA Gabriella Reyes

TONY Duke Kim

ANITA

RIFF

BERNARDO

ACTION

THE JETS

A-RAB

Amanda Castro

Taylor Harley

Yurel Echezarreta

David Prottas

P. Tucker Worley

BABY JOHN Grayden Mark Harrison

BIG DEAL

DIESEL

SNOWBOY

GEE-TAR

TIGER

ANYBODYS

JET GIRLS

GRAZIELLA

VELMA

MINNIE

CLARICE

THE SHARKS

CHINO / MARIA’S FATHER

PEPE

INDIO

LUIS

ANXIOUS

NIBBLES

SHARK GIRLS

ROSALIA / MARIA’S MOTHER

CONSUELO

FRANCISCA

TERESITA

ESTELLA

THE ADULTS

DOC

LT. SCHRANK

OFFICER KRUPKE

GLAD HAND

JET MALE SWING

Tristan McIntyre

Donald Sayre

Matt Dean

Jeremy Ward

Arcadian Broad

Anna Bermudez

SOPRANO

Christina Borgioli*

Stephanie Jones

ALTO

Elizabeth Anderson

Sara Campbell*

Emily Snouffer

Cristyn Dang

Rachel Harris

Anna Claire Brown

Juan Miguel Posada

Lester Gonzalez

Mark Ibañez

Edgar Lopez

Nathan Bravo

JT Church

Daniella Castoria

Julia Harnett

Rachel Josefina

Jordyn Waldo

Erin Gonzales

TENOR

James Callon

Adam Faruqi

BASS

Jared Jones

James Martin Schaefer*

* Has appeared in 50 or more productions

PRODUCTION STAFF

ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER

Azra King-Abadi

SUPERTITLE PREPARATION / CUER

Linda Zoolalian

DANCE CAPTAIN

Emily Snouffer

FIGHT CAPTAIN

P. Tucker Worley

DICTION COACH

Jennifer Ringo

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS

Arturo Fernandez, Jr.

Johanna Sophia Romo

Miranda WIlson

PHYSICAL THERAPY

MOTI Physiotherapy

COSTUME SHOP

Lindsey Ellison

Robbie Monsod

JoEllen Skinner

Clara Weidman

CUTTER/DRAPERS

Alexandra Babec

Adle Smithson

Haley Williams

FIRST HANDS

Stephanie Castro

Alex de la Huerta

Melissa Meza

Blanca Miranda

Carmen Muñoz

Anna Wong

SEAMSTERS

Wing Cheung

MASTER TAILOR

Kelvin Small, Jr. TAILORS

Dahlia Gonzalez

Alexa Marron

CRAFTSPERSONS

Emily Frank Miranda Orellana

PRODUCTION SUPERVISORS

WARDROBE

Lee Smilek HEAD OF WARDROBE

Mary Basile

Charlyn Trenier

WARDROBE ASSISTANTS

Samantha Corn

Charlie Fleiss

Shelley Graves-Jimenez

Mary Lehman

Glen Moore

Tyrell Pickett

SEASONAL DRESSERS

WIGS AND MAKE-UP

Maggie Clark

INTERIM WIGMASTER

Kelso Millett

INTERIM ASSOCIATE WIGMASTER

Brandi Strona

DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR & CREW FOREMAN

Nicole Rodrigues

SENIOR WIG & MAKE-UP ARTIST

Nathalie Eidt SENIOR WIG & MAKE-UP ARTIST

Delaney Doherty WIG & MAKE-UP ARTIST

STAGE CREW

Scott Papez

OPERA CARPENTER

Robert Colby Klein

OPERA ELECTRICIAN

David Salas

OPERA ASSISTANT CARPENTER

Alerton Perez

ASSISTANT ELECTRICIAN

Scott Shepherd OPERA PROPERTY MASTER

Heather Orozco OPERA HEAD AUDIO

Kelly Richard Travis OPERA HEAD VIDEO

Tom Virtue

Eric

Patrick Harper

Eric Badiqué

Brian Kim McCormick

Peter Murphy

Rhiannon Smith

SENIOR COSTUME ASSISTANT

Emma Van Horn

COSTUME ASSISTANT

Jacqueline Colindres Paz

Gwyneva Rosales

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS

Brad Cobb OPERA AUDIO ENGINEER

In fond memory of Tara Colburn, supertitles are underwritten by Dunard Fund USA

MUSICAL NUMBERS

ACT ONE

Prologue (orchestra; danced by Jets and Sharks)

The Jet Song ............................................................................... (Riff and Jets)

Something’s Coming (Tony)

Dance at the Gym.

.(Jets and Sharks)

Maria (Tony)

Tonight ................................................................................. (Maria and Tony)

America (Anita, Rosalia, and Shark Girls)

Cool (Riff and Jets)

One Hand, One Heart (Maria and Tony)

Tonight Quintet (Maria, Anita, Tony, Riff, Bernardo, Jets and Sharks)

The Rumble (orchestra; danced by Riff, Bernardo, Jets and Sharks)

ACT TWO

I Feel Pretty (Maria, Rosalia, Francisca and Consuelo)

Somewhere (Maria; danced by Company)

Gee, Officer Krupke (Action and Jets)

A Boy Like That / I Have a Love (Anita and Maria)

Finale ....................................................................................... (Company)

LA OPERA ORCHESTRA

VIOLIN I

Ana Landauer CONCERTMASTER

Armen Anassian

ASSOCIATE CONCERTMASTER

Lisa Sutton

ASSISTANT CONCERTMASTER

Olivia Tsui

VIOLIN II

Loránd Lokuszta PRINCIPAL

Florence Titmus ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL

Leslie Katz

CELLO

John Walz PRINCIPAL

Rowena Hammill

ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL

Dane Little

Michael Kaufman

REED 1

Sal Lozano PRINCIPAL piccolo, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone

REED 2

Stuart Clark PRINCIPAL E-flat clarinet, clarinet, bass clarinet

REED 3

Sean Franz PRINCIPAL oboe, English horn, clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone

REED 4

Damon Zick PRINCIPAL piccolo, flute, clarinet, bass saxophone

BASSOON

William May PRINCIPAL

HORN

Steven Becknell PRINCIPAL

Daniel Kelley

TRUMPET

Ryan DeWeese PRINCIPAL

David Washburn ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL

Miles McAllister

TROMBONE

William Booth PRINCIPAL

Terry Cravens bass trombone

BASS

Nathan Farrington PRINCIPAL

GUITAR

Justin Smith PRINCIPAL

PIANO

Peter Walsh PRINCIPAL

DRUMSET

Mark Converse PRINCIPAL

TIMPANI

Gregory Goodall PRINCIPAL

PERCUSSION

Theresa Dimond PRINCIPAL

John Wakefield

Brady Steel ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL MANAGER

Melisandra Dunker MUSIC LIBRARIAN

Stuart Canin Concertmaster Chair made possible by a deeply appreciated gift from Dunard Fund USA generously underwritten by Terri and Jerry Kohl

Arthur Laurents

LIBRETTIST

From: New York City. About: Arthur Laurents (1917-2011) was a writer and director for the theater and a Hollywood screenwriter. His association with composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim included, in addition to West Side Story, the musicals Gypsy (book), Anyone Can Whistle (direction, book) and Do I Hear a Waltz? (book). He also directed several other Broadway musicals, including I Can Get It for You Wholesale, La Cage aux Folles (for which he won a Tony Award), the 2008 revival of Gypsy and the 2009 bilingual revival of West Side Story. His screenwriting credits include Rope, Anastasia, Bonjour Tristesse, The Way We Were and The Turning Point. He wrote two memoirs, Original Story by Arthur Laurents and The Rest of the Story.

Stephen Sondheim

LYRICIST

From: New York City. LA Opera: A Little Night Music (2004), Candide (2018). About: Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021) wrote the music and lyrics for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone Can Whistle, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, The Frogs, Pacific Overtures, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, Assassins, Passion and Road Show, as well as lyrics for West Side Story, Gypsy, Do I Hear a Waltz?, and additional lyrics for Candide. Accolades include six Tony Awards for best score for a musical, an Academy Award for the song “Sooner or Later” for Dick Tracy, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Sunday in the Park... and a Kennedy Center Honor.

James Conlon

CONDUCTOR

From: New York City. LA Opera: He has been music director since 2006. During West Side Story, he will surpass 500 performances with the company. In 2026, he will become Conductor Laureate. About: He has held positions including principal conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of the RAI (2016-20), music director of the Ravinia Festival (2005-15), principal conductor of the Paris National Opera (1995-2004), general music director of the City of Cologne (1989-2002) and music director of the Cincinnati May Festival (1979-2016). He has won three Grammy Awards and was awarded France’s Légion d’Honneur. (JamesConlon.com)

Leonard Bernstein

COMPOSER

From: New York City. LA Opera: Wonderful Town (2016), Candide (2018). About: Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) transformed the way Americans and people everywhere hear and appreciate music. His successes as a composer ranged from the Broadway stage to concert halls all over the world, where his orchestral and choral music continues to thrive. His major concert works include Prelude, Fugue and Riffs (1949), Chichester Psalms (1965), Mass (1971), Arias and Barcarolles (1988) and three symphonies. As a conductor, he was a dynamic presence worldwide and was music director of the New York Philharmonic (1958-69). He won 11 Emmy Awards for his celebrated television work. (LeonardBernstein.com)

Jerome Robbins

ORIGINAL DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER

From: New York City. About: Jerome Robbins (1918-1998) was world renowned as a choreographer of ballets and as a director and choreographer in theater, movies and television. His Broadway shows include On the Town, High Button Shoes, West Side Story, The King and I, Gypsy, Peter Pan, Call Me Madam and Fiddler on the Roof. Among the more than 60 ballets he created are Fancy Free, Afternoon of a Faun and Dances at a Gathering, which are in the repertories of New York City Ballet and other major dance companies throughout the world. His accolades include two Academy Awards for the film West Side Story, four Tony Awards, an Emmy Award and a Kennedy Center Honor. (JeromeRobbins.org)

Francesca Zambello DIRECTOR

From: New York City. LA Opera: The Trojans (1991), Florencia en el Amazonas (1997, 2014), Billy Budd (2000, 2014), Porgy and Bess (2007), Candide (2018), Aida (2022). About: She is an internationally recognized director of opera and theater whose work has been seen on stages including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, London’s Covent Garden, Paris Opera, San Francisco Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago. She has staged plays and musicals on Broadway, at the Royal National Theatre, BAM and Bregenz Festival, among many others. She is artistic director of Washington National Opera. (FrancescaZambello.com)

Peter J. Davison

SCENIC DESIGNER

From: United Kingdom. LA Opera: Der Rosenkavalier (1994); Porgy and Bess (2007). About: His work in opera includes The Marriage of Figaro (Vienna), Mitridate (Salzburg), The Queen of Spades (London), Guillaume Tell (Paris), La Rondine (Venice) and Cyrano de Bergerac (Milan). In addition to The Rake’s Progress, The Marriage of Figaro and Cyrano de Bergerac at the Metropolitan Opera, his work has also been seen in the U.S. at Washington National Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Dallas Opera and Glimmerglass Festival. Theater credits include eight Broadway shows as well as productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and London’s West End.

Mark McCullough

LIGHTING DESIGNER

From: Charlotte, North Carolina. LA Opera: Porgy and Bess (2007), Lohengrin (2010), Rigoletto (2010), Florencia en el Amazonas (2014), Nabucco (2017), Candide (2018), Aida (2022). About: He has illuminated the stages of the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Bolshoi Theater, Covent Garden, Dallas Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera and Seattle Opera. Broadway productions include Outside Mullingar, After Miss Julie, The American Plan and Jesus Christ Superstar. Highlights of recent seasons include the Ring cycle in San Francisco, Der Freischütz at the Vienna State Opera, La Traviata at Seattle Opera and Elektra at Washington National Opera.

Eric Sean Fogel

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

From: Charleston, South Carolina. LA Opera: choreographer of Florencia en el Amazonas (2014) and Candide (2018). About: He has been at the Glimmerglass Festival for 15 seasons as the head of stage movement and choreography, creating over 30 new productions. At the Metropolitan Opera, he has been revival director for Norma and The Magic Flute. A long-time collaborator of Francesca Zambello, his numerous Kennedy Center credits include Porgy and Bess, Songbird, Samson and Delilah, Don Giovanni, Candide, West Side Story, The Little Prince, La Forza del Destino and The Lion, the Unicorn and Me. (EricSeanFogel.com)

Jessica Jahn

COSTUME DESIGNER

From: Seattle, Washington. LA Opera: Rigoletto (2025). About: She was awarded both the Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk for her design of Charles Busch’s The Confession of Lily Dare. Notable projects include Hamlet and Coal Country at The Public Theater, Orfeo ed Euridice at San Francisco Opera, Dead Man Walking at Washington National Opera, The Snowy Day at Houston Grand Opera, Loving v. Virginia at Virginia Opera and Die Mommie, Die! at New World Stages (winner of the Lucille Lortel Award). She a member of the steering committees of Opera America’s Women’s Opera Network and Racial Justice Opera Network as well as Opera America board’s membership committee. (JessicaJahn.com)

A.J. Guban

REVIVAL LIGHTING DESIGNER

From: Mogadore, Ohio. LA Opera: debut. About: He is the longtime lighting director at the Washington National Opera, where he has designed over 40 productions including six world premieres: An American Soldier, Penny, Better Gods, The Dictator’s Wife, Proving Up and Taking Up Serpents. At the Kennedy Center, he serves as a key lighting designer across opera, theater and musical events. He has also lit productions at Seattle Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Teatro di Cagliari, Opera Cleveland, Opéra de Montréal, New Orleans Opera, Detroit Opera, Atlanta Opera and Opera Lafayette. Upcoming projects include The Marriage of Figaro at Washington National Opera and Porgy and Bess in Houston and Kansas City. (AJGuban.com)

Joshua Bergasse

CHOREOGRAPHY REPRODUCTION

From: Oak Park, Michigan. LA Opera: debut. About: The Emmy Awardwinning choreographer for NBC’s Smash, he also received a Tony nomination for choreographing that show’s Broadway adaptation this year. He received Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics nominations as well as the Astaire Award for the Broadway revival of On the Town. Other Broadway credits: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Gigi. Joshua has choreographed multiple times for Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance This year marks the 30th anniversary that Joshua has been dancing and restaging the Jerome Robbins choreography for West Side Story

Jeremy Frank

CHORUS DIRECTOR

From: Glendive, Montana. LA Opera: He became chorus director in 2022, after working on over 75 productions as associate chorus director and/or assistant conductor. He is a coach for the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program. About: He has collaborated with major opera houses throughout the United States and has prepared operas and vocal chamber music at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He is an adjunct lecturer in vocal arts and opera at USC. As a pianist, he has partnered with Sondra Radvanovsky, Eric Owens, Brandon Jovanovich, J’nai Bridges, Dolora Zajick, Kate Lindsey and Susan Graham. He has been a guest faculty member for young artist programs at Utah Opera and Seattle Opera. (JeremyMFrank.com)

Andrew Kenneth Moss

FIGHT DIRECTOR

From: Corning, New York. LA Opera: 11 productions to date since his 2021 debut with Il Trovatore, including last season’s Madama Butterfly, Romeo and Juliet and Rigoletto About: Over the summer, he was fight director at Santa Fe Opera for La Bohème, Rigoletto, The Turn of the Screw and Die Walküre. He has worked at prestigious houses including the Metropolitan Opera, Norwegian Opera & Ballet, Boston Lyric Opera, Broadway and Off-Broadway. Credits include Armida at the Met, SAFE at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival, A Little Night Music at the Huntington Theatre Company, Cold Mountain at Music Academy of the West, and Carmen, Don Giovanni, I Puritani and Greek at Boston Lyric Opera. (AndrewKennethMoss.com)

Courtney Ortiz

ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER

From: New York City. LA Opera: debut.

About: As a dancer, choreographer and international educator, her career highlights include the international tour of West Side Story, the national tour of Finding Neverland, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and the first revival in 30 years of Jerome Robbins’ Broadway at The Muny. She appeared in FX’s Fosse/Verdon as the dance double for young Bob Fosse. After performing as both a Jet and a Shark for over a decade, she is honored to make her creative team debut with the show that launched her professional career. IG: @courtney.ortiz

Andrew Harper

SOUND DESIGNER

From: Houston, Texas. LA Opera: debut. About: He is a sound designer based in Houston, with a focus in musical theater and opera. He regularly designs for Houston Grand Opera and Theatre Under the Stars, and has designed for Washington National Opera/Kennedy Center, New York City Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Lyric Opera Kansas City, Atlanta Opera and Houston Ballet, among others. This season’s productions include American Psycho with Houston Broadway Theatre, Spelling Bee at Theatre Under the Stars, Porgy and Bess and Silent Night at Houston Grand Opera, Guys and Dolls at Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C, and West Side Story at Washington National Opera. (AndrewHarperSound.com)

Sara E. Widzer

INTIMACY DIRECTOR

From: Los Angeles, California. LA Opera: directed The Death of Orpheus (2020); livestream director of Il Trovatore (2021); intimacy director for several productions including, most recently, Romeo and Juliet, Così fan tutte and Ainadamar. About: Upcoming engagements include intimacy direction for Fellow Travelers at Seattle Opera, Cincinnati Opera, San Diego Opera and The Glimmerglass Festival. Previous intimacy direction: La Traviata (San Diego Opera), Rodrigo (Opera UCLA), La Bohème (Washington National Opera), Semele (Opera Santa Barbara), After Glow (film by Ryan McKinny). Previous stage/intimacy direction: world premieres of Carla Lucero’s touch (Opera Birmingham) and JUANA (Opera UCLA). (SaraEWidzer.com)

CASTING

Xavier Rubiano, CSA

Merri Sugarman, CSA

About: Led by partners Claire Burke, Kevin Metzger-Timson, Xavier Rubiano and Peter Van Dam. Broadway: Dead Outlaw, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, BOOP!, Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, Left on Tenth, The Outsiders, SIX, Aladdin and The Heart of Rock and Roll National tours: The Phantom of the Opera, Water for Elephants, Beauty and the Beast, The Wiz, Back to the Future, Mamma Mia!, SIX and Les Misérables. The TRC Company is proud to continue the casting legacy of Tara Rubin Casting and Johnson-Liff Associates. (TheTRCCompany.com)

Gabriella Reyes

MARIA

From: Meriden, Connecticut. LA Opera: debut. About: Nicaraguan American soprano Gabriella Reyes is a former member of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera, where she recently performed Margarita Xirgu in Ainadamar, both Mimì and Musetta in La Bohème, and Rosalba in Florencia en el Amazonas. This season, she returns to the Met as Catrina in El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego and debuts with Opera North as the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro. Recent appearances elsewhere include Marzelline in Fidelio at Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu, Musetta with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Violetta in La Traviata with Palm Beach Opera and her Carnegie Hall recital debut.

Amanda Castro

ANITA

From: North Haven, Connecticut. LA Opera: debut. About: A Bessie Awardwinning Puerto Rican-American artist, she was associate choreographer for the 2025 Broadway revival of Gypsy and choreographer for the Glimmerglass Festival’s The House on Mango Street. She recently performed in Jelly’s Last Jam at New York City Center and has been featured as Anita in West Side Story for the Glimmerglass Festival (“atomic,” New York Times) and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Featured on Dance magazine’s “25 to Watch”, she is a founder and active performing company member in Soles of Duende, an all-female percussive trio rooted in tap, kathak and flamenco, and has toured the US and Europe with Urban Bush Women. @acastrodance

Yurel Echezarreta

BERNARDO

From: Miami, Florida. LA Opera: debut. About: Actor, singer, and dancer Yurel Echezarreta has appeared in a multitude of Broadway productions, with roles in West Side Story, La Cage aux Folles, Matilda, Aladdin, Head Over Heels and Moulin Rouge. He appears as Sebas, one of the Sharks, in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 film of West Side Story and is seen in the independent feature film The Last Five Years with Anna Kendrick. Television credits include Barry on HBO, Alternatino on Comedy Central and Odd Mom Out on Bravo. Local credits include Pasadena Playhouse’s Head Over Heels and the Hollywood Bowl’s Kinky Boots Follow his journey on Instagram: @yurele

Duke Kim

TONY

From: Seoul, South Korea. LA Opera: Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (2024).

About: Tenor Duke Kim is a 2021 grand finals winner of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, a winner of Operalia 2022 and a recent graduate of the Cafritz Young Artist Program at the Washington National Opera. He most recently performed the Duke in Rigoletto with Santa Fe Opera. His appearances this season include Romeo in Dresden and Rome, Gennaro in Lucrezia Borgia in Seville, Nikolaus Sprink in Silent Night by Kevin Puts at Houston Grand Opera, Nadir in The Pearl Fishers with Washington Concert Opera, and the Duke in Rigoletto in Paris. He made his Met debut last season as Tamino in The Magic Flute. (DukeKimTenor.com)

Taylor Harley

RIFF

From: Orange County, California. LA Opera: debut. About: He recently performed Riff on the international tour of West Side Story. Selected theater credits include 360’s national tour of Peter Pan (as Peter Pan), Peter and the Starcatcher (The Boy, TTB nomination), Our Town (George Gibbs, TTB nomination), The Music Man (Tommy Djilas) and Into the Woods (Jack). He has appeared in West Side Story with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Atlanta Opera, Opera Columbus, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Opera San Jose, NC Theatre and Moonlight Amphitheatre. Television and film credits include 1923, Somewhere in Queens, Bodybag and Law & Order: SVU. Social media: @_taylor_harley

David Prottas

ACTION

From: Boston, Massachusetts. LA Opera: debut. About: After ten years performing with the New York City Ballet, David Prottas has returned to theater, training at the Actor’s Foundry in Vancouver before making his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning 2018 revival of Carousel. Other notable credits include the first national tour of An American in Paris (directed by Christopher Wheeldon) and Marie: Dancing Still (directed by Susan Stroman) in Seattle. He has appeared on television, in numerous award-winning short films, and in national commercials. He continues to work in Los Angeles as an actor and freelance dancer. (DavidProttas.com)

PHOTO BY JIYANG CHEN

Eric Badiqué

OFFICER KRUPKE

From: Sacramento, California. LA Opera: debut. About: Musical theater credits include the national tour of Miss Saigon and The King and I, Mary Poppins, Starlight Express and Jersey Boys (Oguma Playhouse). Much gratitude to my friends and family. Happy one year anniversary to my beautiful wife Lea! @ericbdk

Anna Bermudez

ANYBODYS

From: Tampa, Florida. LA Opera: debut. About: Stage credits include The Outsiders on Broadway and Anastasia at Bucks County Playhouse. She graduated from Pace University with a BFA in commercial dance and gives her gratitude to her family, friends, MSA, her mentors. Social media: @annakbermudez

Nathan Bravo

ANXIOUS

From: Riverside, California. LA Opera: debut. About: Nathan is thrilled to be making his LAO debut as Anxious in West Side Story. As a recent UC Irvine graduate with a BFA in music theater, Nathan is so grateful to represent his family heritage on this stage. Esta presentación es para mi familia Bravo en la isla de Borinquen. Social media: @nathan.bravooo

Arcadian Broad

TIGER

From: New York City. LA Opera: debut. About: He trained at the Juilliard School. As an international principal dancer, he has performed in Fancy Free, Sinatra Suite, Don Quixote, R&J, etc. TV/ film: Étoile, Tall Girl 2, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Theater: Gypsy, Flashdance, West Side Story. Follow him @arcadianbroadofficial

Anna Brown

CLARICE

From: San Diego, California. LA Opera: debut. About: A world and three-time national Latin ballroom champion, she has danced since the age of four, and is acclaimed for her artistry, precision and versatility in all dance forms. Anna brings a love for performing to LA Opera. To learn more about her, visit AnnaBrownDancer.com.

Daniella Castoria

ROSALIA

From: Long Beach Island, New Jersey. LA Opera: debut. About: A bicoastal actress, dancer and singer with a BFA in acting for film and television, she is honored to bring Rosalia to life. Stage credits: Anita in West Side Story, Diana in A Chorus Line, Annette in Saturday Night Fever and Erato in Xanadu. @daniicastoriaa • DaniellaCastoria.com

JT Church

NIBBLES

From: Chandler, Arizona. LA Opera: debut. About: He recently appeared on Broadway in The Music Man. Television: Hallmark’s Christmas Waltz (Nicky), ABC’s Dancing with the Stars: Juniors (winner/junior pro), FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance: Next Generation (runner-up). He dedicates these performances to his Grammy J. Instagram: @jt_church

Cristyn Dang

VELMA

From: Honolulu, HI. LA Opera: debut. About: Theater: Rogers: The Musical (Hyperion), The Little Mermaid (regional tour), The King and I (La Mirada), Legally Blonde (La Mirada, Ordway), Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer (natl tour). Dance: KATSEYE, Jordin Sparks, David Archuleta, Killer Burlesque, Disneyland, Rose Parade. USC alum. Much love to family & friends! @dangitscristyn

Matt Dean

SNOWBOY

From: San Jose, California. LA Opera: debut. About: Matt Dean makes his LA Opera debut in West Side Story! Regional credits include Disney’s The Little Mermaid (The Muny in St. Louis), Disney’s Newsies (Phoenix Theatre), and Billy Elliot: The Musical (Cape Rep, Berkeley Playhouse, Ocean State, Phoenix Theatre). He is a senior pursuing a BFA at USC. Instagram: @mattedean

Erin Gonzales

ESTELLA

From: Thousand Oaks, California. LA Opera: debut. About: Her theater credits include West Side Story (MSMT, 5Star) and Anastasia (MSMT, Fulton). Television and film credits include Olivia Rodrigo’s “Brutal” music video and Loot on Apple TV+ Loot. SUNY Purchase Dance BFA. Love to Mom, Dad, Emma and Joey. For my Abuela Armida. @eringonzaless

Lester Gonzalez

PEPE

From: Havana, Cuba. LA Opera: dancer in Aida (2022). About: Cleveland Playhouse’s Fiddler on the Roof (Sasha/Bottle Dancer), Houston Grand Opera’s West Side Story (Pepe), Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Aida, 2nd national tour of Anastasia (Prince Siegfried), Opera SLO’s Carousel (Carnival Boy); Ballet San Antonio, Dayton Ballet and Ballet Idaho.

Julia Harnett

CONSUELO

From: New York City. LA Opera: debut. About: Her stage credits include Guys and Dolls at the Kennedy Center, Chicago at the Fulton Theatre and Cabaret at Barrington Stage Company. Television and film credits include Billions, The Other Two, Power, Schmigadoon, In the Heights, FBI. Grateful for the love and support. @juliaharnett

Eric Patrick Harper

LT. SCHRANK

From: Los Angeles, California. LA Opera: debut. About: NYC credits: MPSD, Funnyhouse... and Hamlet. Regional: A Bright New Boise, Jack Craddock is Having a Party, The Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth and Sleeping Giant. TV/film: American Rust, Bosch: Legacy, The Boroughs, ELSBETH, Madame Secretary and Nora Highland. Training: Juilliard. ericpharper.com

Rachel Harris

MINNIE

From: Charlotte, North Carolina. LA Opera: debut. About: A dancer and choreographer for stage and film in New York City, she is a USC Kaufman graduate. Her stage credits include performances with Parsons Dance, the Metropolitan Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago. She has been named a 2023 Bessie Award Nominee. rachelcharris.com • IG: @rachell.christie

Grayden Mark Harrison

BABY JOHN

From: Sandy, Utah. LA Opera: debut. About: Grayden Harrison, who started dancing at the age of two and has trained in all styles of dance, is signed with Movement Talent Agency. He is currently a member of Royal Flux. He has performed with Odyssey Dance Theater in Utah and is a pro assistant for Hollywood Connection.

Mark Ibañez INDIO

From: San Francisco Bay Area, California. LA Opera: debut. About: Mark Ibañez is a classically trained movement artist who is passionate about bridging concert and commercial dance. With experience in global commercials, music videos and international stage performances, he continues to work as a dancer in Los Angeles. Instagram: @markibanez__

Rachel Josefina

FRANCISCA

From: New York City. LA Opera: debut. About: Rachel is honored to make her LAO debut. Recent credits include On Your Feet at Paper Mill Playhouse and In the Heights at La Mirada Theatre. Television credits include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Life&Beth, WeCrashed. Thank you, Universe, for always guiding me to the most divine alignment. @rachel.josefina

Edgar Lopez LUIS

From: Sacramento, California. LA Opera: debut. About: Select stage credits include appearances in The Little Mermaid (La Mirada Theatre, Starlight Theatre, Ordway Music Theater), Americano (Off Broadway), 9 to 5 (Musical Theatre West) and more! Love to family, friends and the Los Angeles community!

Brian Kim McCormick

GLAD HAND

From: Los Angeles, California. LA Opera: debut. About: A MN/NYC/LA nomad whose career spans theater, film and voiceover, his LA stage work includes performances with East West Players, South Coast Repertory, Musical Theatre West and Ammunition Theatre, among others. Grateful to be making his LAO debut with this timeless piece. @asian_with_a_camera

Tristan McIntyre

BIG DEAL

From: Los Angeles, California; now based in New York City. LA Opera: debut. About: He performed in the national tour of The SpongeBob Musical (Plankton). Regional credits include The Outsiders (La Jolla Playhouse) and Footloose (The Rev Theatre Company). His debut EP All At Once is available on all platforms. @tristanmcintyre

Peter Murphy

JET MALE SWING

From: Lowell, Massachusetts. LA Opera: debut. About: Peter is thrilled to join LA Opera’s West Side Story . Past projects include Candide at the Glimmerglass Festival and Piano Men at the Palace Theatre (Manchester, NH). He thanks his mentors, family and friends for their love and support.

Juan Miguel Posada

CHINO / MARIA’S FATHER

From: Medellín, Colombia. LA Opera: debut. About: Training: Idyllwild Arts Academy, USC Kaufman School of Dance. Credits: Encanto (Disney+, live at Hollywood Bowl) and Oh. What. Fun. (Amazon Prime). He has toured with Kali Uchis, performed at Coachella, worked with Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Sam Smith, Halsey, Demi Lovato. @juanmiguelposada

Donald Sayre

DIESEL

From: Houston, Texas. LA Opera: debut. About: (he/him) He has appeared in productions of West Side Story, Saul and La Traviata with Houston Grand Opera and Samson et Dalila with Washington National Opera. He has a BFA in dance from Belhaven University and is an LMT. Thank you to Adrian, Jane, Nobuko, and Cynthia.

Emily Snouffer

GRAZIELLA / DANCE CAPTAIN

From: Austin, Texas. LA Opera: debut. About: Recently, Houston Grand Opera’s West Side Story (Graziella/dance captain). Stage credits: Carousel, Oklahoma! (Dream Laurie), Bye Bye Birdie (Deborah Sue). She has worked with acclaimed choreographers Karla Puno Garcia, Rob Ashford, Sarah O’Gleby and the Kuperman Brothers. IG: @emsnouf

Tom Virtue

DOC

From: Armonk, New York. LA Opera: debut. About: Tom Virtue has been acting professionally for 46 years on stage, appearing in over 50 films and in hundreds of episodes of television. He is perhaps best known for playing the role of Steve Stevens, the dad, on the Disney Channel program, Even Stevens.

Jordyn Waldo

TERESITA

From: Mansfield, Texas. LA Opera: debut. About: Jordyn holds a BFA in Dance Performance from Chapman University. She has performed nationally and internationally in live works, festivals and commercials, with credits including Cocomelon, Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards, Hyatt and a Novartis Super Bowl commercial.

Jeremy Ward

GEE-TAR

From: Gallipolis, Ohio. LA Opera: debut. About: He appeared Off-Broadway in Sleepy Hollow and regionally in One for My Baby, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical and The Music Man. TV: The Sherry Vine Show. Dance: Kesha, Loren Allred, Aluna. Training: ShenCo (BFA), Shari Shaw Studio. Thanks to Xavier (TRC) & LAO. Love to my friends & family. (jeremytward.com)

P. Tucker Worley

A-RAB / FIGHT CAPTAIN

From: Denver, Colorado. LA Opera: debut. About: Credits include West Side Story with Houston Grand Opera and Opera Australia, the national tour of Mamma Mia!, A Chorus Line at the Arvada Center, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 with Darlinghurst Theatre Company and Million Dollar Quartet with Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre. IG: @p._tucker

Timothy L. Conroy MASTER CARPENTER

Ryan Lebetsamer HOUSE HEAD ELECTRICIAN

Scott Shepherd INTERIM MASTER OF PROPERTIES

Heather Orozco HOUSE HEAD AUDIO

Robert Devis HOUSE MANAGER

Demetra Willis HEAD USHER

Carolyn Van Brunt VICE PRESIDENT OF GUEST SERVICES

AUTOMATED LIGHTING PROVIDED BY Vari-Lite Inc.

Special thanks to the staff of the Music Center. Principal Singers, Narrators, Performers who have speaking parts, Stage Directors, Associate and Assistant Directors, Stage Managers, Assistant Stage Managers, Choreographers, Assistant Choreographers, Principal Dancers, Corps Dancers, and Chorus Singers appear under terms of an agreement between Los Angeles Opera and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AFL-CIO), the national guild of classical singers, dancers and production staff. Orchestra musicians are represented by the American Federation of Musicians, Local 47. The following employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Machine Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States and Canada, AFL-CIO, CLC,: Stage Crew, Local 33; Treasurers and Ticket Sellers, Local 857; Wardrobe Crew and Costume Crew, Local 768 ; Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists, Local 706. Interns in the Technical Department are students at California Institute of the Arts (Valencia, California). All editorial materials copyright Los Angeles Opera, 2025. The opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Los Angeles Opera.

DOROTHY CHANDLER PAVILION HOUSE STAFF

VARI-LITE

Christopher Koelsch

SEBASTIAN PAUL AND MARYBELLE MUSCO PRESIDENT AND CEO

James Conlon

RICHARD SEAVER MUSIC DIRECTOR

John P. Nuckols

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF STRATEGIC OFFICER

Diane Rhodes Bergman, APR

VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Jill Boyd

VICE PRESIDENT, LABOR RELATIONS AND HUMAN RESOURCES

Rupert Hemmings

VICE PRESIDENT, ARTISTIC PLANNING

Andréa Fuentes, Ed.D. VICE PRESIDENT, CONNECTS

Kathleen Ruiz

VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Christine Stevens VICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT

Domingo Hindoyan

MUSIC DIRECTOR DESIGNATE

Lina González-Granados RESIDENT CONDUCTOR

Jeremy Frank CHORUS DIRECTOR

Renée Fleming

ADVISOR, SPECIAL PROJECTS

Susan Graham

ARTISTIC ADVISOR, YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM

Paul Hopper

SENIOR DIRECTOR, ARTISTIC PLANNING

Eric Bornemann

SENIOR DIRECTOR, MARKETING

Chul Park

SENIOR DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

ARTISTIC

Blair Salter

HEAD COACH, YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM

Nicki Harper

DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC OPERATIONS

Maya Ordóñez MANAGER, ARTISTIC PROGRAMS AND REHEARSAL

Scarleth Arias ARTISTIC OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

BOX OFFICE

Shane K. Morton

BOX OFFICE TREASURER

Shawnet Sweets FIRST ASSISTANT TREASURER

Joseph Howells

Joseph Selway

Brenda Roman

Andrew Tomasulo

Susan Wong

SECOND ASSISTANT TREASURERS

Lizania Mancia

Andy Phu

THIRD ASSISTANT TREASURERS

Kiana Culpepper

Robert Morrison

Steven Phu

TICKET SELLERS

CONNECTS

Natalie Ramirez

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Adam LeBow

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING

Jake Ryan Lindsey

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION

Tate Shoebridge

PROGRAM MANAGER

Julia Santha

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Kirsten Anderson

COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE

Gina Young OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE

Emmanuel Yoque

LEARNING PROGRAMS ASSOCIATE

Bene’t Benton

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

Eli Villanueva RESIDENT STAGE DIRECTOR

COSTUMES

Jeannique Prospere COSTUME DIRECTOR

Andrealisse Lopez FINANCE AND OPERATIONS MANAGER

Brittani Seach

PRODUCTION, STOCK & RENTAL SUPERVISOR

Manuel Garcia

WAREHOUSE MANAGER

John Musselman

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Neal Anderson

MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATE

DEVELOPMENT

Janneke Straub

DIRECTOR, LEADERSHIP GIFTS

Josh Harrold

DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS

Christian Johnsten

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, MAJOR AND PLANNED GIFTS

Katherine Miranda

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS

Kellynn Meeks

SENIOR BOARD AND EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR

Robin Green

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND OFFICE MANAGER

Zade Dardari ANNUAL FUND SPECIALIST

INDIVIDUAL GIVING

Benji Railton-Ashe DIRECTOR, MAJOR GIFTS

Evangeline Santos MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER

Kylie Smith

PROSPECT RESEARCH SPECIALIST

Claudia Giugni

INDIVIDUAL GIVING COORDINATOR

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING

Joslyn Treece

DIRECTOR, INSTITUTIONAL GIVING & GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Robin Gilliam

INSTITUTIONAL GIVING OFFICER AND GRANT WRITER

Francesca Cloete INSTITUTIONAL GIVING ASSISTANT

SPECIAL EVENTS

Jill Michnick DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND SPONSORSHIPS

Caitlin Harper EVENTS DESIGN SPECIALIST

FINANCE

Deborah Gould CONTROLLER

Peter Pendergest DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL PLANNING

Daisy Lopez PAYROLL MANAGER

Brian Stefanko ACCOUNTS PAYABLE MANAGER

Jing Hu ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Rowena Matibag-Potter SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST

HUMAN RESOURCES

Esmeralda Marroquin SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATOR

MUSIC ADMINISTRATION

Melisandra Dunker MUSIC LIBRARIAN

Brady Steel

ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL MANAGER

Ignazio Terrasi MUSICAL ASSISTANT TO JAMES CONLON

PRODUCTION

Michelle Magaldi PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Jasna Gara PRODUCTION MANAGER

Whitney McAnally PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Marlene Meraz DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Mark Lyons

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLICATIONS

Daniel Calderon CONTENT MEDIA SPECIALIST

SALES AND MARKETING

Elizabeth Galvan

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, LOYALTY MARKETING

Keith J. Rainville

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, BRAND & DESIGN

Pauline Hwa

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, ACQUISITION MARKETING

Terrance Lovecraft

INTERACTIVE & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Yesenia Vargas

MARKETING STRATEGIC

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Victoria Rey

MARKETING OPERATIONS AND EVENT SPECIALIST

TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT

Jeff Kleeman TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Carolina Angulo

SENIOR DESIGN MANAGER

Margie Schnibbe

SENIOR TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATOR

James Pomichter

PRODUCTION MEDIA MANAGER

Lisa Coto

PROPERTIES COORDINATOR

Natalie Ferguson DESIGN ASSISTANT

Damon Schindler

RESIDENT LEAD SCENIC ARTIST

Chris Carey TECHNICAL PAYROLL OFFICER

Stephanie Santiago TECHNICAL MANAGER

Dani Monterroso TECHNICAL ASSISTANT

Deborah Gutierrez WALLY RUSSELL LIGHTING INTERNS

TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Michael Masuda NETWORK MANAGER

Tommy Mam

TECHNOLOGY SERVICES MANAGER

Alex Badali

Jordan Tan

Brian Urrutia APPLICATIONS ADMINISTRATORS

ACADEMY INTERNS

Diego Castro

Arielle Escareno

Elise Fukuda

Cornelio Garcia

Alan Munoz

Sofia Padilla

Elisa Raya

Bejay Villanueva

CONSULTANTS

Stephen King

HEAD OF VOCAL INSTRUCTION, DOMINGO-COLBURN-STEIN YOUNG

ARTIST PROGRAM

Paul Curran

HEAD OF DRAMATIC STUDIES, DOMINGO-COLBURN-STEIN YOUNG

ARTIST PROGRAM

Studio Fuse

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Marlinda Menashe

DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT

Patricia McLeod

CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT

30th Anniversary Angels

MARC STERN, CHAIR

We celebrate our 30th Anniversary Angels who build on the inspiring legacy of the company’s Founding Angels and the many generous Angels who followed them. They have provided the necessary foundational support for world-class opera in Los Angeles.

Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco

GRoW @ Annenberg

The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation

Colburn Foundation

County of Los Angeles Dunard Fund USA

Mr. Harold Alden and Dr. Geraldine Alden

The Blue Ribbon

Ana and Robert Cook

Mark Houston Dalzell and James Dao-Dalzell

Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman

The Alexander Furlotti Foundation

Max H. Gluck Foundation

Peter and Diane Gray

The Green Foundation

Margo Leavin

Marc and Eva Stern Foundation

Gordon Getty

The Lenore S. and Bernard A.

Greenberg Fund

Carol and Warner Henry Terri and Jerry Kohl

Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Family Foundation

Nanette and Keith Leonard LGHG Foundation

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Dan Murphy Foundation

The Okun Family, in memory of Milton Okun

Linda and Alvaro Pascotto

Andrea and Janie Pessino

Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer

Suzanne Rheinstein, in honor of Fred Rheinstein

25th Anniversary Angels

Claude Mann and Alfred E. Mann Estate

Ronus Foundation

The Seaver Family

Marilyn Ziering

Lloyd E. Rigler – Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation

Kenneth D. Sanson, Jr., Trust

Ariane and Lionel Sauvage

David and Linda Shaheen

Eugene and Marilyn Stein

Barbara Augusta Teichert

Emanuel Treitel Trust

Christopher V. Walker

Richard and Lenore Wayne

Ann Ziff

Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley / Selim K. Zilkha Foundation

MARC STERN, CHAIR

LA Opera recognizes and thanks those who made extraordinary leadership commitments in honor of the 25th Anniversary Season, ensuring the company’s continued artistic excellence and prominence in the worldwide cultural community.

Sebastian Paul and Marybelle MuscoThe Seaver Family

The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation Colburn Foundation County of Los Angeles

Mr. Harold Alden and Dr. Geraldine Alden

Annenberg Foundation

Ambassador Frank and Kathy Baxter

The Blue Ribbon

Alex Bouzari

Robert Day

Dunard Fund USA

Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman

Gordon Getty

Carol and Warner Henry

Alfred and Claude Mann

Brindell Roberts Gottlieb

The Green Foundation

Bernard and Lenore Greenberg, in honor of Leonard Green

LGHG Foundation

Rosemary and Milton Okun

The Milan Panic Family

Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer

20th Anniversary Angels

Marc and Eva Stern Foundation

Flora L. Thornton

Marilyn Ziering

Lloyd E. Rigler - Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation

Ronus Foundation

Eugene and Marilyn Stein

Christopher V. Walker

Richard and Lenore Wayne

Ziering Family Foundation

Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley / Selim K. Zilkha Foundation

MARC STERN, CHAIR

LA Opera wishes to honor those individuals who have made an extraordinary leadership commitment to the company. Building upon the remarkable foundation created by the Founding and Domingo’s Angels, the outstanding support of the 20th Anniversary Angels has helped ensure an artistically vibrant and financially secure future for LA Opera.

The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation Colburn Foundation County of Los Angeles

Carol and Warner Henry

Alfred and Claude Mann

Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco

Richard Seaver and Sara Jayne Kimm

Marc and Eva Stern Foundation

Flora L. Thornton

Marilyn Ziering

20th Anniversary Angels (continued)

Mr. Harold Alden and Dr. Geraldine Alden

Annenberg Foundation

Ambassador Frank and Kathy Baxter

Yuki and Alex Bouzari

Nancy Daly

Edgar Foster Daniels

Kelly and Robert Day

Leslie and John Dorman

Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman

Brindell Roberts Gottlieb

The Green Foundation

Bernard and Lenore Greenberg, in honor of Leonard Green

Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E.

Levine Family Foundation

LGHG Foundation

Beatrix F. Padway, in honor of Nathaniel W. Finston

Mr. and Mrs. Milan Panic

Domingo’s Angels

Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer

Tarasenka Pankiv Fund (Tara Colburn)

Barbara Augusta Teichert

The Joop van den Ende Foundation

Christopher V. Walker

Richard and Lenore Wayne

Ziering Family Foundation

Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley / Selim K. Zilkha Foundation

MARC STERN, CHAIR

MARY HAYLEY, CO-CHAIR

WARNER HENRY, CO-CHAIR

Domingo’s Angels are individuals who made a leadership commitment to fulfilling the artistic initiatives of the Domingo Seasons, 2001-2005. Their remarkable generosity provided a new threshold from which the artistic professionals associated with LA Opera created and produced opera that thrilled and inspired Los Angeles audiences and the world.

Robert V. Adams and Barbara Abercrombie

Ambassador Frank and Kathy Baxter Colburn Foundation

Kelly and Robert Day

Marta and Plácido Domingo

Leslie and John Dorman

The Green Foundation

Lenore and Bernard Greenberg

Carol and Warner Henry

Walter Lantz Foundation / Edward A. Landry, Trustee

Rosemary and Milton Okun

Mr. and Mrs. Milan Panic

Founding Angels

Richard Seaver and Sara Jayne Kimm

Marc and Eva Stern Foundation

The Skirball Foundation

Flora L. Thornton Foundation

Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley / Selim K. Zilkha Foundation

WARNER HENRY, CHAIR

LA Opera is grateful for the vision, boldness and extraordinary generosity of the Founding Angels, whose commitment to the company in its early years helped ensure the future of opera in Los Angeles.

Mr. and Mrs. Roy L. Ash

Dorothy Collins Brown

Mr. Richard D. Colburn

The Edgar Foster Daniels Foundation

Forman Family Foundation

Gordon Getty

The Emese and Leonard Green Foundation

Carol and Warner Henry

Opera League of Los Angeles

Artistic Excellence Circle

Richard Seaver

The Skirball Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard H. Straus

Flora L. Thornton Foundation

LA Opera recognizes the dedicated individuals whose annual support ensures that the finest singers, conductors, directors and designers bring the power and beauty of the art form to our stage. To learn more, call John Nuckols at 213.972.7256.

PREMIER DIAMOND PATRON ($500,000 & ABOVE)

Anonymous

The Ahmanson Foundation

GRoW @ Annenberg

Herbert Berk Estate

The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation Colburn Foundation

Cosgrove Family Trust

Dunard Fund USA

Valerie Franklin Estate

Gemini Industries, Inc.

Gordon Getty

Bernard A. and Lenore S. Greenberg

Opera Fund

Carol and Warner Henry

Terri and Jerry M. Kohl

Margo Leavin

Nanette and Keith Leonard

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Supervisor Kathryn Barger

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath

Claude Mann and Alfred E. Mann Estate

Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco

Chris and Dick Newman

The Tarasenka Pankiv Fund

(Tara Colburn)

Linda and Alvaro Pascotto

Andrea and Janie Pessino

Estate of Cat Pollon

The Estate of Suzanne Rheinstein, in honor of Fred Rheinstein

Ronus Foundation

The Richard Seaver Trust for the Opera

Eugene and Marilyn Stein

Marc and Eva Stern Foundation

Ms. Barbara Augusta Teichert

Emanuel Treitel Trust

Gregory and Régina Weingarten

Marilyn Ziering

Selim K. Zilkha and Mary Hayley /

Selim K. Zilkha Foundation

Artistic Excellence Circle (continued)

DIAMOND PATRON ($250,000 & ABOVE)

Anonymous

Estate of Lea Danberg

Leslie and John Dorman

Penelope Foley

The Green Foundation

Lauren B. Leichtman and Arthur E. Levine Family Foundation

Dan Murphy Foundation

Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP

Ariane and Lionel Sauvage

PREMIER PLATINUM PATRON ($150,000 & ABOVE)

Anonymous (3)

The Armenian Consortium

Patricia Artigas and Lucas Etchegaray

The Blue Ribbon

Ana and Robert Cook

Max H. Gluck Foundation

Cornelia Haag-Molkenteller, M.D.

The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation

James Mulally

Peake Ranch

Michele and Dudley Rauch / The Rauch Family Foundation

PLATINUM PATRON ($100,000 & ABOVE)

Anonymous (3)

Jules Brenner Trust

Barbara Burtin

Margaret Sheehy Collins

Estate of Edgar Foster Daniels

De Marchena-Huyke Foundation

Manuel Gutierrez, in memory of George Sponhaltz

Hispanics for Los Angeles Opera

Joan H. Hotchkis

THE OPERA COUNCIL

Freya and Mark Ivener

Richard Kendall and Lisa See

Lawrence A. Kern

LGHG Foundation, in memory of

Louise Garland

L.L. Foundation for Youth

Patty and Ken McKenna

The Music Man Foundation

David Niemetz and Noriko Tachibana

The Opera League of Los Angeles

The David and Linda Shaheen Foundation

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter and Hampton LLP

Marie H. Song

Ann Ziff

Barry and Nancy Sanders

David Sanders Living Trust

Laura and Carlton Seaver

Elizabeth Segerstrom

Christopher V. Walker

Scott Watt Family

Dr. Heinrich and Barbara Schelbert

Thurmond Smithgall and The Lanie & Ethel Foundation

South Coast Plaza

Alan and Janet Stanford

Ellen and Arnold Zetcher

Nadia Zilkha, Michael Zilkha and Emma-Louise Hayley, in memory of

Mary Hayley Zilkha

Jane D. Zimmerman Trust

Chaired by Paul and Catherine Tosetti

The dedicated support of the Opera Council enables LA Opera to achieve its artistic goals. This program offers exclusive privileges and behind-the-scenes opportunities to those individuals, foundations and corporations who make annual gifts of $25,000 or more. For information, please call 213.972.3160.

GRAND GOLD PATRON ($75,000 & ABOVE)

Anonymous (2)

Dr. Robert Adler and Alexis Deutsch-Adler

Mr. James Asperger and Ms. Christine Adams

Mr. Haig S. Bagerdjian

The Capital Group Companies, Inc.

Kathleen and Jerrold Eberhardt

GRAND GOLD PATRON ($50,000 & ABOVE)

Anonymous (2)

Ahsan Aijaz

Wallis Annenberg and the Annenberg Foundation

Dr. Peter and Mrs. Helen Bing

Paul and Marie-France Bloch Fund at The Miami Foundation

Lynn A. Booth and Kent Kresa

The Otis Booth Foundation

Maynard and Linda Brittan

Janet and Nicholas Ciriello

Family of Ginger Conrad

Charlotte Coulombe and Stuart Schoenmann

Mark H. Dalzell and James Dao-Dalzell

Michael and Jane Eisner

Diane and Peter Gray

Rian Johnson

Monique and Jonathan Kagan

Susan Lord and Scott Richard Lord

Michael and Lori Milken Family Foundation

National Endowment for the Arts

Linda Pierce

Geoff Emery

Annette Ermshar and Dan Monahan

Mr. Robert Finnerty and Mr. Richard Cullen

Ms. Janet Jones

Travis and Thomas Kranz

Drs. Anu and Ali Leemann

Robert Leevan and Elaine Glickman

Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture

Renee and Meyer Luskin / Scope Industries

Linda May and Jack Suzar

The Rafael and Luisa de Marchena-Huyke Foundation

Jennifer and Mark McCormick

Anthony and Olivia Neece

OPERA America/Opera Fund

Caroline and Andrew Randall, in memory of Ann Ronus

Michelle Rohé

Susan R. Shapiro

John and Gill Wagner

Alyce de Roulet Williamson

Mrs. Rita Coveney Pudenz

Wendy and Ken Ruby

George and Terry Schreyer

Tina L. Segel

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Seidel

Dr. Vina Spiehler

Jay and Deanie Stein

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Stein

James and Ellen Strauss

Mrs. Laney G. Techentin

Warren and Mimi Techentin

Kyle Thorpe

Paul and Catherine Tosetti

Brigitta B. Troy

Estate of Monica Weil and Paul Schrade

Joakim Zetterberg and Fredrik Malmberg

THE OPERA COUNCIL

GOLD PATRON ($25,000 & ABOVE)

Anonymous (6)

Gregory A. Adams

Maria Altmann; in memory of Fritz Altmann

Emily Arms and Steven Johnson

Ruth Bachofner

Shirley Barasch Family Trust

Ambassador Frank and Kathy Baxter

Thomas and Judith Beckmen

Beverly Hills Porsche

Hans and Dianne Bozler

Carol Bramont and David Chesley

Warren Breslow and Gail Buchalter

Drs. Maryam and Iman H. Brivanlou

Allen Briskin and Gerry Hinkley

Mrs. Michele Brustin

Marlene Schall Chávez, Ph.D.

Edward E. and Alicia Garcia Clark

Mrs. Mary Ellen Clark and Mr. Thayne Clark

Claytor Family Foundation

Ginger Conrad

Mrs. Alice S. Coulombe

Drs. Nazareth and Ani Darakjian

John and Gina Despres

Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman / Pacific Theatres Foundation

Linda L. Duttenhaver

Dr. and Mrs. Paul Eisenberg

PATRONS OF LA OPERA

Shaudi and Sean Fulp

Mr. Alex Furlotti

Catherine and Andrew Garroni

Kiki and David Gindler

Sally and Irwin Goldstein

David and Sandy Gordon

Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development

Gary Gugelchuk

In memory of Morris A. Hazan

Catherine and Mark Helm

HUB International Insurance Brokers

Mr. and Mrs. David K. Ingalls

Tim Johnson and Jean Cunningham

Richard and Randi Jones

James P. Kelley and Joseph W. Lund

William and Priscilla Kennedy

Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles

Maddocks Brown Foundation

G. Lorenzo Manzanarez

Merrill Private Wealth Management

J.H.B. Kean and Toby E. Mayman

Mr. and Mrs. David Mgrublian

Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Mollura, Sr.

Eduard Morf

Lyn Nishimura

Orange County Opera

The Orden, Berkett, Flesh and Sassover Families

Dr. Leslie A. Pam and Dr. Ann Christie

Petersen / Esper A. Petersen Foundation

The Stephen Philibosian Foundation

The Louis & Harold Price Foundation

Koni and Geoff Rich

Lloyd E. Rigler – Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation

Jutta Romero

Mimi Rotter

Matthew and Jennifer Rowland

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Saunders‡

Edward A. and Ai O. Shay Family Foundation

Carol and James Sterling

Dwight Stuart Youth Fund

Richard and Cynthia Troop

Donna Wagner

In memory of Richard and Lenore Wayne

Libby Wilson, M.D.

Andrew Xu and Timothy Iverson

Zev Yaroslavsky

Tamsen Z

Esther and Abe Zarem

Ms. Marion Zola

Chaired by Kathleen and Jerrold Eberhardt

Patrons of LA Opera, who contribute gifts of $3,500 or more, enjoy exclusive ticket services, benefits and activities to enhance their opera experience. For more information, please call 213.972.7655.

GRAND SILVER BENEFACTOR ($20,000 & ABOVE)

Anonymous

Constance Chesnut and Dr. Sheldon Benjamin

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cannon

Susan and L. David Cole

Diane Henderson

Jan Keller Lenny‡ and David Kelton

PREMIER SILVER BENEFACTOR ($15,000 & ABOVE)

Anonymous

Mrs. Any Yakoub-Barr and Mr. Michael Barr

Diana Buckhantz and the Vladimir & Araxia Buckhantz Foundation

The Sirpuhe and John Conte Foundation

Laura Donnelley and the Good Works Foundation

Chaz Hammel-Smith Ebert

Mr. and Mrs. David Elmore

Dr. Ronald Gabriel

Mr. Vigen and Dr. Houry Ghazarian

Beverly and Felix Grossman

Monica Gutierrez-Roper and Trevor Roper

Alma Guzman and Susan Stamberger

Nicolas Hamatake

Linda Joyce Hodge

SILVER BENEFACTOR ($10,000 & ABOVE)

Anonymous (7)

Mr. Sam Abbott and Ms. Kori Anderson

John and Linda Kay Abdulian

Adams/Cohen Family

Adar Family Trust

Rachel and Bulent Altan

Patti Amstutz

Margaret Campbell Arvey

Esther M. Baird and Stanley Fimberg

Jill C. Baldauf and Steven L. Grossman

Sandy Behrens

Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Beim

Beatrice and Paul Bennett, in honor of A. Coulombe

Leah S. and Gregory M. Bergman

Nancy Berman and Alan Bloch

Robert Bienstock and Talie Massoli

Anne Boundy

Lisa Bratkovich Canyon Partners, LLC

Gila Michael

Judith S. Mishkin

Warren and Katharine Schlinger Foundation

Chase Hodge-Brokenburr

Barbara Holman

Keller Anderle LLP

Jennifer L. Keller

Michael and Stephanie Landes

Mr. Mark Loewen

Anita Lorber

Emily and Sam Mann

Carol Mitchell

Victor Carabello, M.D.; in honor of my beloved parents

Oscar and Elisa

Laurel K. Clark

V. Shannon and Pamela Clyne

Corinna Cotsen and Lee N. Rosenbaum

Myron and Margie Crain

Elizabeth Hofert Dailey Fund

Dain Torpy/Tim Pecci

Patrick Dickey

Jennifer Diener

Terry and Dennis Stanfill

Karen and William Timberlake

Michael Weber and Frances Spivy-Weber

The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation

The Recording Industries’ Music Performance Trust Fund

The SahanDaywi Foundation

Evy and Fred Scholder Family

Eric L. Small

Bette I. Tatge and Lisa E. Tatge

Tom Dolby

Mr. Michael Dreyer; in memory of Warner Henry

Susan and John Ebey

Ms. Gail Eichenthal

Danielle Nelson Erem and Vivian Nelson

David and Marianna Fisher

Alan J. Freeman

Dr. Elizabeth Short and Dr. Michael Friedman

PATRONS OF LA OPERA

SILVER BENEFACTOR ($10,000 & ABOVE)

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation

Charles and Marian Goldsmith

Alma Guzman and Susan Stamberger

J. Ira and Nicki Harris Foundation

Betty Hayman

Robert and Denise Hayman

Freddi and Dr. Kenneth D. Hill

Hoebich Family Charitable Foundation

Patricia Houston; in loving memory of Chet Houston

Dr. Ronald Hopkins

Stuart and Simone Isen

Stella Jeong and Randall Lee

Ms. Ratna Jones

Kaiser Permanente

Phyllis H. Klein, M.D.

Renee Kumetz

L.A. Care Health Plan

C. Deborah Laughton; in memory of Charles (Terry) Hendrix

Larry Layne and Sheelagh Boyd

Edward and Marie Lewis

June and Simon K.C. Li

Leonard M. Lipman Charitable Fund

Mr. and Mrs. David B. Lippman

Sam Losh and Judith Lovely

Hon. Nora M. Manella

Judy and Steve McDonald

Diane Hickingbotham McNabb

Marlane Meyer

Mr. Richard J. Meyer

Mrs. Synne Hansen Miller

Ms. Judy Miner

Mintz

Cindy Miscikowski

Nancy-Gene W. Morrison

Harry and Cheryl Nadjarian

Barbara and Norman S. Namerow

Gregory Nava and Barbara Martinez Jitner

Michael Nohaile and Kristin Yarema

Carolyn R. Novin

GRAND BENEFACTOR ($7,000 & ABOVE)

Anonymous (3)

Jerome M. Applebaum

Gary and Johanna Brown

Nicholas Chrisos

Cecelia Cole

Ms. Sheila Coop

The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc.

Michele M. Crahan

David A. Drummond

Dr. and Mrs. William M. Duxler

W. Allan Edmiston, Jr., M.D.

The Esther Foundation

Dr. Randall T. Espinoza

Dr. Jon Fellows and Judith Hemenway

PREMIER BENEFACTOR ($5,000 AND ABOVE)

Anonymous (9)

Honey Kessler Amado

The Maurice Amado Foundation

The Amphion Foundation, Inc.

Anne Andrews and John Thornton

Linda Antonioli, in loving memory of Kenny Antonioli

Frank & Beverly Arnstein

Ms. Sunny Baey

Mr. Miles L. Bennickes

William Blair

Employees Community Fund of Boeing

Bonnie Brae

Brian P. Brooks

Michael and Tania Cahill

Todd L. Calvin

Evelyn and Stephen Cederbaum

Laura K. Christa

Marie M. Cohen and Jared Diamond

Rhoda Coleman, in loving memory of Howard Coleman

James and Jennifer Conlon

Patrick Conn

Walter and Donna Conn

Joan and Donald Damask

Ms. Joanne Dallas Davis/Dauray Family Fund

Jack and Barbara Dawson

Susan Edelstein

Helen Funai Erickson

Paul A. Erskine Family Fund

John Farrell and Corey Spivey

Evelyn & Norman Feintech Family Foundation

Theodore Finney Hill

Mr. and Mrs. Don Erik Franzen

Elisabeth and Tony Freinberg

Ronald Frydman

Goldman Sachs & Co.

Dr. Patricia Goldring

Patrick and Mary Goshtigian

Wendy and Luis Guerrero

Manuel R. Gutierrez

Marie O. Hedlund

Claire and Robert Heron

Dr. Ann M. Hirsch and Dr. Stefan J. Kirchanski

David L. and Susan H. Hirsch

In Sook Hong

Douglas Honig, Esq.

Cameron Hotchkis

Dr. Judith Hyman

Ms. Marsha Hymanson

Mr. Daniel J. Jaffe and Ms. Cynthia S. Monaco

Bruce Johansen

Elizabeth and Nicandro Juárez

Jee Sung and Hun Ku Kang

Alan and Amy Karbelnig

Mr. Howard B. Klein

Ellen and Harvey Knell

Mr. Joel and Mrs. Sharon Koppelman

Elaine F. Kramer

Sherry Lansing and William Friedkin

Christine and Jay Lee

Mr. Leonard Levine and Dr. Mateo Ledezma

Mary H. Lewis

Marilyn Lightner

Clark and Karen Linstone

William and Carol Ouchi

Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts

Thomas Patrick and Stephen Rulo

John S. Perkins

Gary and Arsine Phillips

Ali Razi and Shelley Reid

Rodrigo J. Rocha, M.D.; in memory of my beloved parents

Lars Roos and Dr. Estelita Calica Roos

Mrs. Barbara C. Rosenthal

Mr. William Russell-Shapiro

The family of Dr. Armin and Barbara Sadoff

Sakana Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander A. Sawchuk

Amy and Andy Schwartz

Dr. Sharron L. Seal and Mr. Lawrence Seal

Dr. Donald Seligman and

Dr. Jon Zimmermann

Nancy Fleischer and Libby Wilson, M.D., in honor of Ida and Max Fleischer

Larry and Marlis Gilman

Catherine Hogel

Nancy Katayama

Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Landry

Mrs. Isabel Markovits-Rosenberg

James and Grace McAdams

Lilly Fong Liu

Dr. Liana Lucaric Boghossian

Mr. Nigel Lythgoe

Gerrie Maloof

John and Jill Manly

Tracey Alden Martin

Laura Maslon

Edeltraud McCarthy

Steven D. McGinty

Bo Mills

Mr. Shannon J. Morton

Moss Adams LLP

Diane Williams Murphy

Ms. Lois A. Murphy

Dr. and Mrs. Steven Nagelberg

The E. Nakamichi Foundation

David Drew Neer, M.D., J.D.

Ms. Michelle Newberry

Frank and Andrea Newman

Mrs. Inna Ockelmann

Christine Marie Ofiesh

Jenny Okun and Richard Sparks

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Oppenheimer

Park Bixby Tower, Inc.

Diane and David Paul

Mary E. Petit and Eleanor Torres

Frank and Betty Pinkerton

Drs. Michael and Marion Quinn

Madeline and Bruce Ramer

Sonia Randazzo and Family

Penny and Harold B. Ray

Eileen and Charles Read

Marina Rinaldi

Ms. Margaret Rose, in memory of Ronald Dolkart

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Rountree

Dr. Bertrand and Joan C. Shapiro

Mr. Burnie Sparks; in memory of Warner Henry

Catherine Stone

Michael and Suzanne Tennenbaum

Elinor and Rubin Turner

Mr. and Mrs. Dale Ulman

Nancy Valentine

Frank Visco

Dennis Wasser and Ruth Roberts

Drs. Francine Bartfield and Martin Wasserman

Mark A. Weaver

Aviva Weiner and Paulino Fontes

Sheila and Wally Weisman

Doris Weitz and Alexander Williams

Robert E. Willett

Wendy and Jay Wintrob

Susan Zolla; in memory of Edward M. Zolla

Mr. and Mrs. Bengt Muthen

Doerthe Obert

Ernest and Anne Prokopovych

Cliff and Toni Reston

Robert and Linda Smith

Tracy Stone and Allen Anderson

James and Robin Walther

Marty, Sara and Samantha Widzer

Ms. Allison Sampson; in memory of Warner Henry

Brad Schlei and Jamie Price-Schlei

Mr. and Mrs. Neal Schmale

Nicola and Catherine Sebastiani

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Segal

Richard and Ellyn Semler

Marilyn Shapiro

Natalie K. and Marvin S. Shapiro

Judith L. Smith

LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District

Joyce and Al Sommer

Philip Starr and Michael Simental

John and Beverly Stauffer Foundation

Yvonne Stevens and Paul Schickler

Dr. Roger D. Stewart

Philip and Kristan Swan

Mr. Eliazar Talamantez

Dr. I. Maribel Taussig

Gillian Teichert

Mr. and Mrs. Andy Torosyan

Ms. Joanne L. Dallas and Mr. Frank A. Traficante

Ms. Barbara A. Van Postman

Cynthia Walk

Barbara and Ken Warner

Ms. Gail Werner

David and Michele Wilson

Mrs. Joan A. Winchell; in memory of Verne Winchell

Dr. William Wishner

Clemence Yi

Martin and Rosalind Zane

Dr. Betza Zlokovic

PATRONS OF LA OPERA

BENEFACTOR ($3,500 AND ABOVE)

Anonymous (6)

In memory of Dr. Yoshio Akiyama

Ms. Mary Anderson

Patrick Anderson and Ron Koren

Mr. Robert C. Anderson

Ron and Perky Apperson

Shirley Ashkenas; in memory of Irving Ashkenas

Aversa Foundation

David Baltimore and Alice Huang

Howard Barmazel

Randall C. Bassett

Shelley and Rick Bayer

Minoo Behboody

John R. Benfield and Mary Ann Shaw

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bennion

Dr. Dietmar P. Berger

Leigh Lindsey and Andrew Blaine

Judith F. Blumenthal

Mr. William J. Bracken and Ms. Mary Jo Markey

Langley B. Brandt

Barbara and Richard Braun

Dr. Martin J. Brickman

Patsy Burke

Drs. Carol and David Cass

CBRE National Partners West / Darla Longo, Barbara Perrier, Michael Longo

Mr. Frederick Chau

Diana and Marc Chazaud

Mr. Joseph Cochran

Nancybell Coe and William Burke, in honor of James Conlon

Christina and Bill Conkle

Dr. Malcolm and Gabrielle Cosgrove

Antonio and Hanna Damasio

Michael Dillon

Mr. and Mrs. R. Stephen Doan

Larry and Jan Duitsman

Mr. Miguel Duran

Craig Emanuel and Deborah Zipser

Margaret Epstein

Joyce and Mal Fienberg

David F. Freedman, in memory of Joan Freedman

Leanne Freeman

Dr. Jerry and Jean Friedman

Scott and Elizabeth Frost

Ronald Frydman

Dr. and Mrs. Santo Galanti

Arthur and Helen Geoffrion

Jerome J. Glaser / International Curtain Call

Dr. and Mrs. Steven M. Goldberg

Mr. Ronald Goldman

Nora Gordon and Brent Bryan

Christine Gregory

Peter and Elizabeth Goulds

Charles F. Hanes

Norma A. Harris & Frank Packard III

Jeff and Yolanda Heller

Larry and Lilia Hershenson

Mrs. Phoebe Ann Heywood

Gary Ho and Aihua Gan

Richard Holland Trust

Adel F. Jabour, M.D.

Mr. Punya Jain

Dr. Thomas D. Johnson, Ph.D., and Stacy B. Young

Gary and Denise Kading

Gloria Kaplan

Gayle Kirschbaum and Scott D. Baskin

ARTISTS CIRCLE ($2,000 AND ABOVE)

Anonymous (2)

Nathan and Lee Anderson-Papillion

Dr. and Mrs. Leslie Botnick

Meribeth Brand

Dr. K. Chang MD and Claus Dieckell

Michiko Dunker

Dr. T. Einstein MD

Dr. Timothy Ching

Maj. Gen and Mrs. Susan W. Cooning

Lisa Farrell

Thomas Farrell

Donald and Jackie Feinstein

Amy Friedkin

Mr. and Mrs. Sanford M. Gage

Arthur and Helen Geoffrion

Charmaine Glennon

Mr. and Mrs. Philip F. Grant

Christine Gregory

Dr. and Mrs. Edward Helmer

Lee Hendrix

Marcia and Dr. Paul Herman

Phil and Gage Hewes

Frank Humberstone

John Hofbauer and Laura Fox

Kedra Ishop

Paul and Missy Jennings

Dr. Thomas D. Johnson, Ph.D., and Stacy B. Young

Sylvia Kavoukjian

Jim and Jean Keatley

Mr. Lynn Kirkhofer

Christopher Koelsch and Todd Bentjen

Ronald and Joann Kramar

Sandra Krause and William Fitzgerald

Anne Kwun

Mrs. Dominique Laffont

Diane S. Lake

Peter and Electra Lang

Irwin and Rachel Levin

Dr. Cheryl D. Lew, M.D.

Michael Lindsay and Kaitlyn Lindsay

Dr. Leonard Lipman

Robert and Susan Long

Ms. Jasmine Lord

Michael and Claudia Margolis

Daniel Marshak

Robert Mendow

Bryan Mershon

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Miller

Olga Moretti

Jane Gray Morrison

Gary W. Murphy

Robert and Sally Neely

Barbara and Lawrence Nevens

Mary Ruth and Jeff Newman

Michael and Marianne Newman

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth D. O’Dell

Dr. Edward J O’Neill, MD

Dr. Sophia Y. Pak, M.D.

Dr. and Mrs. Nissan Pardo

David L. Paul and Leyla V. Woods

Michael and Beverly Phillips

The Muriel Pollia Foundation

Carmen Popa

Ruth Popkin

Mr. and Mrs. Roger H. Porter, Jr.

Ellen and Harvey Knell

Mr. Joel and Mrs. Sharon Koppelman

Ms. Margaret G. Lodise

Ms. Blanca Lucero and Mr. Charles Romero

Joseph H. MacDonald

Ted McKinney

Dr. Reinhard W. Menzel

Janet Michaels

Mary Miller

Luc and Courtenay Moritz

Dr. and Mrs. G. Arnold Mulder

Liza and Thomas Newbauer

Ron and Pat Oguss

Mr. Genaro Pereira

Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Pircher

BELLA VOCE PATRONS (IRREVOCABLE ESTATE GIFTS)

Peggy and Peter Preuss

Kai-Li and Hal Quigley

Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Reid

Fen Rhodes and Nancy Corby

Ken and Erika Riley

Craig and Janis Risch

JoAnna and Matthew Rodriguez

Charleen Rohde

Diana Romero

Rikki Rosen

Paula and Allan Rudnick

John Schunhoff and Ken Titley

Albert Sepe

Dr. and Mrs. Neil J. Sherman

Mr. and Mrs. John B. (Jack) Simon

Dr. Joan E. Smiles

Judith L. Smith

Debra Vilinsky and Michael Sopher

Steven and Eleanor Sorenson

Charles Souw, in loving memory of Bill Maldonado

Shirley Earlise Starke-Wallace

Sidney Stern Memorial Trust

Francine Swain and Robert Murdock

Mr. Andrew Tavakoli

Dr. and Mrs. Jose Torreblanca

Mrs. Linda Trope

Eve C. Van Rennes

Larry Verdugo

Ms. Carol Vernon and Mr. Robert Turbin

Martin Washton

Dr. Robert W. Weinman

Tina H. Wilson

Jan and Steve Winston

Sharon and Fillmore Wood

David A. Workman

Mr. Rudolf Ziesenhenne

Mary Power

Barry and Sandy Pressman

Mr. Christopher A. Reed

Timothy Reynolds

Lynn and Michael Russell

Irene Sohm

Mr. Zohar Sorek

Mr. Herbert Stein

Jesse Telles

United Way of Greater Los Angeles

Larry Verdugo

Christina Wang

Martin Washton

LA Opera is grateful for the generosity and foresight of opera lovers who have established future gifts to the company in their estate plans.

Natsuko Akiyama, in memory of Yoshio Akiyama

Dr. & Mrs. Julio Aljure

Gracia Alkema & C. Terry Hendrix

Karen Alpert Trust

John Altschul

Mr. Marvin Antonowsky

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Ash

Shirley Ashkenas

Shirley Lee Barasch

Ms. Angela Bardowell

Estate of Margaret and David N. Barry III

Ambassador Frank & Kathy Baxter

Karen M. Beecher

Herbert M. Berk

Anne Boundy

The Samuel M. Brainin Trust

Carol & Normand Brewer

Jacqueline Briskin

Maynard & Linda Brittan

The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation

Christine Brodie

Richard & Norma Camp

T. Robert Chapman Trust

David Chierichetti

Edward E. & Alicia Garcia Clark

Richard D. & Lisa K. Colburn

The Tarasenka Pankiv Fund

(Tara Colburn)

Nancy Cook

Cosgrove Family Trust

Michele McGarry Crahan

Estate of Nancy Daly

Janet & Roger DeBard

Teresa DeCrescenzo

Estate of Phyllis & Donal Dreifus

The George A.V. Dunning Fund/ California Community Foundation

Allan & Diane Eisenman

Gerald Faris

Adell Fink

40-Year Subscribers

LA

A Season of Access, Joy and Discovery

LA Opera’s 40th Anniversary Season celebrates the power of live opera to inspire, connect and transform. Through LA Opera Connects, we bring communities together with free and low-cost experiences that welcome people of all ages into the magic of grand storytelling and the deeply personal impact of the human voice. This fall, we invite you to join us in our suite of fun, family-inclusive programming.

Middle and high school students and teachers are stepping into the world of opera through Opera Prep, where they’ll experience behind-the-scenes access to mainstage productions during working dress rehearsals and exclusive pre-show talks with arts professionals. Through LA Opera 90012, students and their adult chaperones will attend four performances as mini-subscribers, building lasting connections to the art form. (Applications are open now through October 13.)

Elementary students from schools across LA County are preparing for Open Door Days on October 9 and 10, where they’ll explore the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, meet opera professionals and discover how a production comes to life. On October 11, families with young children can enjoy Saturday Mornings at the Opera, a lively introduction to opera designed especially for kids ages 3 to 9. With live performances, hands-on activities, and a welcoming atmosphere, this is a perfect first opera experience that nurtures early artistic curiosity and connection.

Get ready to sing, play, explore, and connect at our most exciting community events of the season. On September 27, grab a blanket and head to the Santa

Opera Prep participants experienced LAO's 2024 La Traviata as part of their deep dive into opera.

Monica Pier or Loma Alta Park in Altadena for our free open-air simulcast of West Side Story. You’ll watch the performance live from the Dorothy Chandler stage while enjoying music, magic, games, crafts, and more, all surrounded by neighbors and friends. At the Pier, you can dive into marine conservation with Heal the Bay Aquarium, while Loma Alta Park comes alive with science demonstrations from Caltech and resource booths that bring together local nonprofits and wellness organizations. These events are designed to uplift, spark joy, and promote community wellbeing.

On October 25, head downtown for Grand Ave Arts: All Access, a free, family-friendly arts festival that celebrates LA’s new Grand Avenue Cultural District. You’ll explore opera-themed crafts on the Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza, catch performances, meet artists, and experience the creative energy shared by the city’s leading arts and cultural organizations. These moments of collective expression and exploration remind us of how the arts support individual health and community wellness, one joyful gathering at a time.

WANT TO EXPERIENCE MORE? Scan the QR code to explore how LA Opera Connects is celebrating 40 years of creativity, access, and community engagement. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on performances, programs, and opportunities happening all season long, including new initiatives that explore the intersection of the arts, health, and belonging.

Opera fans enjoying Madama Butterfly at the Santa Monica Pier, which has hosted live simulcasts annually since 2014.

PHOTO BY LAO CONNECTS STAFF

PHOTO BY JC OLIVERA

National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s

Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish

A Soraya Concert Production With English Supertitles

Mariachi Herencia de México

With Special Guest Leonardo Aguilar Graham100

The Martha Graham Dance Company’s 100th Season Featuring Wild Up

Disney and Pixar’s

Toy Story 30th Anniversary Live-to-Film Concert

Fly Me to the Moon

A Tribute to Quincy Jones Featuring Pacific Jazz Orchestra With Special Guests

Ms. Lisa Fischer and José James

Chris Walden, conductor

Lila Downs

Día de Muertos

Colburn Orchestra

Carlos Miguel Prieto, conductor Zi Yang Low, violin

Ray Chen, violin

Julio Elizalde, piano Onstage Classical

Mariza

Ballet BC BOLERO X

BELLA VOCE PATRONS ( IRREVOCABLE ESTATE GIFTS )

Theodore Hill Finney

Claudia & Mark Foster

Herbert O. and Jean Fox

Kara Kass Fox

Estate of Valerie Franklin

Allen B. Freitag Trust

Ronald Frydman

Gerri Lee Frye

Roger Gallizzi and James Willey

Nancy Gentry Geller Trust

Gwynne M. Gloege

Estate of Barbara Goldenberg

Eric A. Gordon

Leonard Green

Bernard and Lenore Greenberg

Susan R. Greer

Joyce and Joelle Grinker

Estate of Walter O. Halden

Betty Hall Trust

Roy Hamilton

The Jerome G. Handelsman Trust

Hildegard Harris

Lee & David Hayutin

Anne Heineman

Estate of Harvey B. Heller

Warner & Carol Henry

Yvonne & Gordon Hessler

Joan & John Hotchkis

Drs. Herbert and Judith Hyman

Mr. & Mrs. David K. Ingalls

Robert Jesberg and Michael J. Carmody

Estate of H. Kirkland Jones

Sylvia & Vernon D. Jones

Estate of Stephen A. Kanter

Lawrence A. Kern

Joyce and Kent Kresa

Helen LammIvan and Hilda Layda / Layda Family Trust

Margo Leavin

The Norman & Sadie Lee Foundation

Lauren B. Leichtman & Arthur E. Levine

Dr. Paul E. LeMal

Raymond A. Lieberman Trust

Robert & Marguerite Marsh

Wolfgang E. Marum Trust

In memory of Terry Roberta

Matthies

Linda May Suzar

BELLA VOCE PATRONS (FUTURE GIFTS)

Anonymous (8)

Helen Mae Almas

Patti Amstutz

Robert C. Anderson

Sharon Baranoff

James C. Bassett, Ph.D.

Randall C. Bassett

Nancy Griffith Baxter

James M. Bell

Lorna D. Blancaflor

Dr. Judith F. Blumenthal

Rebecca Bowne

Hans and Dianne Bozler

Ms. Dale Bridges Johannsen

Mrs. Michele Brustin

Sharon A. Bryan

Elizabeth B. & Elwood S. Buffa

Jacqueline & Henry Cahn

Todd Calvin

Dr. Alisa Cone Camberlan

Leigh Robinson Cartwright

Drs. Carol & David Cass

Julia Cherry

Cecelia R. Cole

Bernice Colman

Ginger Conrad

Hilary Crahan

Keith Crasnick Family Trust

Drs. Nazareth & Ani Darakjian

Lawrence E. Deutsch

Amy Lyn DeZwart and George Betar

Leslie & John Dorman

Mary Kathryn Dunn

Anthony P. Eccher and Richard Conner Trust

Dr. Michael McGuire

Paula Kent Meehan

Mr. & Mrs. Paul A. Miller

The Jane Moore Family Trust

Diane and Leon Morton

Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco

Anthony & Olivia Neece

Joan Harding Newman

Mei-Lee Ney

Estate of Beatrix F. Padway

Mr. Milan Panic

Lenore and Carl Pearlston

Chloe Pollock-Mieczkowski

Cat Jagger Pollon

Mrs. Jean Powell

Nan Rae

Suzanne Rheinstein

Christine P. Ries

Kenneth D. Sanson, Jr., Trust

The L. Franc Scheuer Trust

The Malcolm Schneer LAOC Trust

The Richard Seaver Trust for the Opera

Archie Sharp

Milton Singer

Gerald Elijah/Octaveous Starr

Maureen Engelhard

Daniel Fink, M.D.

Richard Cullen and Robert Finnerty

David F. Freedman

Leanne Freeman

Dr. Michael A. Friedman and Dr. Elizabeth M. Short

Mr. & Mrs. John Garvey

James Gelb and Diane Morton

Dr. Melinda Gilmore

Jerome J. Glaser

Joyce & Eric Goldman

Rebecca Gomez

Marielle Gottlieb

Ms. Nancy A. Grant

Donna & Greg Griffith

Gary Gugelchuk

Alma Guzman and Susan Stamberger

Susan D. Heard

Laura C. Hecht

Ms. Nita Heimbaugh

Bonnie Helms

Dr. Jon Fellows and Judith Hemenway

Malcolm T. Henderson

Marcia and Dr. Paul Herman

Freddi and Dr. Kenneth D. Hill

Mike Hiscocks, in memory of

Carol Roberts

Linda J. Hodge

Dr. Ronald Hopkins

Sharon & Donald Jackley

Norman W. & Rose M. Jaffe

Bruce Johansen

Mr. & Mrs. William Smollen

Ellen & Harry Sondheim, in memory of Betty & Felix Leibholz

Estate of Mr. Arthur Spitzer

Marilyn & Eugene Stein/ Capital Group Companies

Marc & Eva Stern

Estate of Gaby K. Tanas

Flora L. Thornton & Eric L. Small

Estate of C. Dickson Titus III

Emanuel Treitel Trust

Rose Vardanian

Ms. Carol Vernon and Mr. Robert Turbin

Magda & Frederick R. Waingrow

Richard and Lenore Wayne

Mark A. Weaver

Estate of Monica Weil and Paul Schrade

Douglas B. Wood

Sharon and Fillmore Wood

Irene Zimmerman

Dr. Barbara Johnston

Ms. Mary Teresa Johnston

Dr. & Mrs. William Kern

Dr. Stephen Knafel

Linda L. R. Knight

Richard P. & Meredith B. Kramer

Victoria and Douglas Lane

Larry Layne

Robert M. Lea

Mr. and Mrs. Lou D. Liuzzi

Gloria Lothrop

Mr. Jeff MacKey

Gerrie Maloof

Hon. Nora M. Manella

Sam I. Matsumoto/ Gordon J. Geever Trust

Edward McCann

McCone Grand Opera Fund

Steven D. McGinty

Cynthia McWhirt

The Minturn Family

Charitable Foundation

Michael and Lorraine Mohill

Nancy-Gene W. Morrison

Barbara and Maury Mortensen

Mary Jane Myers

Gordon & Rosie Ornelas Olson

Dr. Sophia Pak

Janet Petersen

Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Prusan

Dr. and Mrs. Robert H. Pudenz

Jeanne E. Roerig

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick T. Rogers

Mimi Rotter

Lawrence Rubenstein, Ph.D.

Frank D. Rubin

Dr. Jeanne W. Ruderman

Maged Salib

Elizabeth Loucks Samson

Melody & Warren Schubert

Mr. & Mrs. Christof E. Schwab

Dr. Donald Seligman and Dr. Jon Zimmermann

Richard and Ellyn Semler

Olga Sevilla

John Jacob Shaak

Marilyn Shapiro

Lynn Foster Sipe

Melissa Siskowic

Terry & Dennis Stanfill

R. Rhoads Stephenson

Donna Stillo

James and Ellen Strauss

Ms. Amanda F. Susskind

Elisabeth Tamari

Iris & Robert Teragawa

Dr. Elaine Totten and Mr. Barclay Totten

Mrs. Ella Upsher

Dr. Michael Upsher

Larry Verdugo

Barbara and Ken Warner

Michael Weber & Frances Spivy-Weber

Aviva Weiner

Janice and Mitchell Wellsteed, in memory of Robert Tomson

Linda & Robert E. Willett

Wesley and Rachel Williamson

Tana Wong

LA OPERA

THE DOMINGO-COLBURNSTEIN YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM

The Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program supports the future of opera by discovering and developing the talents of highly gifted young artists to become the stars of tomorrow. Since the company’s inception, LA Opera has been committed to nurturing a resident ensemble of young singers who would benefit from long-term professional development. The Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, which builds on the success of the company’s earlier, highly respected Resident Artist Program, has the goal of developing the talents of exceptionally gifted young artists to become performers of potentially international stature, whose first loyalty would be to LA Opera.

The Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program is generously underwritten by the Colburn Foundation and Eugene and Marilyn Stein. Additional generous underwriting support is provided by Terri and Jerry Kohl and Barbara Augusta Teichert Special support for young artist stipends is graciously provided by The Lenore and Richard Wayne Young Artist Fellowship Additional support provided by The Jules Brenner Trust and the Young Artist Circle. The program was created with funding from the Flora L. Thornton Foundation

The USC Voice Center is the official vocal healthcare provider for LA Opera and the Domingo-ColburnStein Young Artist Program.

2025/26 PARTICIPANTS

Nathan Bowles

TENOR

Sujin Choi

PIANIST/COACH

Vinícius Costa BASS

Emily Damasco

SOPRANO

Julian Garvue

PIANIST/COACH

Yuntong Han

TENOR

Hyungjin Son BARITONE

Katie Trigg

MEZZO-SOPRANO

Gabrielle Turgeon

SOPRANO

Gabrielė Žemaitytė PIANIST/COACH

A culinary

for your theatre outing encore

A PERFECT DINING EXPERIENCE TO PAIR WITH YOUR PERFORMANCE

Indulge in a seasonal three-course prix fixe menu at Noé Restaurant & Bar, just a short walk from the theatre. Enjoy a stress-free meal with valet parking for $25 and receive 15% off your bill at Noé when you present your theatre program. Scan the QR code & reserve your table now for an unforgettable evening.

from Puerto Rico in the 1940s, so it was probably very much on the mind of the authors.

Probably the greatest gain in the new scenario is the opportunity it gave Bernstein to make extensive use of Latin American dance rhythms. Combining these with jazz and classical technique, he had a broad palette of color at his service, infusing it all with his own brand of rhythmic vitality. He captured the incessant energy of New York, with its violence, sensuality, danger, loneliness and excitement, the rumble of the subway, the clanking of iron construction, the roar of elevated trains overhead, the tinnitus of traffic, and the wail of police whistles and ambulance sirens.

In so doing, Bernstein and company reinvigorated a classic tale, attempting to “somehow, somewhere, sometime” find a place for love in a hostile, troubled world. That love, willing to break through racial barriers and cultural taboos, continues to inspire.

To read the full version of this essay, visit LAOpera.org/WestSideStory.

WANT TO GO BEHIND THE SCENES?

Serena

PHOTO BY © TODD ROSENBERG PHOTOGRAPHY

A scene from Francesca Zambello's staging of West Side Story

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

LACO’S ENCHANTING 2025/26 SEASON!

Kathryn Barger

Janice Hahn, Chair

Lindsey P. Horvath

Holly J. Mitchell

Hilda L. Solis

LA Opera is supported, in part, by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture as part of Creative Recovery LA, an initiative funded by the American Rescue Plan.

CURRENT: REFLECTIONS IN SONG

Oct 4 | 7:30 

CICADA RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE

John Holiday Vocalist

Lara Downes Piano

Come dressed and ready for a 1920s big-band inspired night, featuring works by Ellington to Korngold.

ROMANTIC RESONANCE MARTÍN + HAMELIN + BRAHMS

Oct 25 | 7:30  | ZIPPER HALL

Oct 26 | 4  | THE WALLIS

Jaime Martín Music Director

Marc-André Hamelin Piano

L. Farrenc, Symphony No. 2 in D major

J. Brahms, Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor

A BRAHMSIAN AFFAIR

Nov 22 | 7:30  | ZIPPER HALL

Nov 23 | 4  | THE WALLIS

Margaret Batjer

Director of Chamber Music

J. Brahms, Sextet No. 2 in G major

J. Brahms, Sextet No. 1 in B-flat major

County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors

Los Angeles County Dept. of Arts & Culture

Kristin Sakoda, Executive Director

National Endowment for the Arts

Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, Chair

California Arts Council

Danielle Brazell, Executive Director

City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs

Daniel Tarica, General Manager

Concert and Home Rentals

Blüthner Pianos (since 1853)

Neupert Harpsichords (since 1868)

Schiedmayer Celesta (since 1890)

OFFICIAL PROVISIONERS & IN-KIND DONORS

IN-KIND DONORS

Omni Los Angeles Hotel

Peake Ranch

Southern California Magazine Group

Sylmar Studios

The USC Voice Center is the official vocal healthcare provider for LA Opera and the Domingo-ColburnStein Young Artist Program.

Viking

Welcome to The Music Center!

Thank you for joining us.

The Music Center is your place to experience the joy, solace and transformative power of the arts. Here you can express yourself, connect with others and enjoy incredible live performances and events in our four beautiful theatres, at Jerry Moss Plaza and in Gloria Molina Grand Park.

We promise to provide you with the best experience possible on our campus. Please do your part to help us create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment by reviewing The Music Center Guest Agreement at musiccenter.org/guestagreement

Visit musiccenter.org to learn about upcoming events and performances.

Enjoy the show!

#BeAPartOfIt

@musiccenterla

General Information (213) 972-7211 | musiccenter.org

Support The Music Center (213) 972-3333 | musiccenter.org/support

TAKE A TOUR OF THE MUSIC CENTER

Free 90-minute docent-led tours take you through the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall, along with Jerry Moss Plaza. You’ll learn about the history and architecture of the theatres along with The Music Center’s beautiful outdoor spaces as well as the incredible selection of artwork located throughout the campus.

Tours are offered daily. Check the schedule to plan a fun-filled day in Downtown L.A.!

Visit musiccenter.org for additional information.

OFFICERS

Robert J. Abernethy

Chair

Cary J. Lefton

Darrell D. Miller Vice Chair

Rachel S. Moore

President & CEO

Diane G. Medina

Secretary

Susan M. Wegleitner

Treasurer

William Taylor

Assistant Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

MEMBERS

AT LARGE

Charlene Achki Repko

Charles F. Adams

William H. Ahmanson

Romesh Anketell

Jill C. Baldauf

Phoebe Beasley

Kristin Burr

Dannielle Campos

Alberto M. Carvalho

Elizabeth Khuri Chandler

Riley Etheridge, Jr.

Amy R. Forbes

Greg T. Geyer

Joan E. Herman

Jeffrey M. Hill

Jonathan B. Hodge

Mary Ann Hunt-Jacobsen

Ronald D. Kaplan

Richard B. Kendall

Lily Lee

Keith R. Leonard, Jr.

Kelsey N. Martin

Elizabeth Michelson

Cindy Miscikowski

Teresita Notkin

Michael J. Pagano

Karen Kay Platt

Susan Erburu Reardon

Joseph J. Rice

Beverly P. Ryder

Thomas L. Safran

Maria S. Salinas

Corinne Jessie

Sanchez

Mimi Song

Johnese Spisso

Michael Stockton

Jason Subotky

Timothy S. Wahl

Jennifer M. Walske

GENERAL COUNSEL

Rollin A. Ransom

DIRECTORS

EMERITI

Peter K. Barker

Judith Beckmen

Darrell R. Brown

Ronald W. Burkle

John B. Emerson **

Richard M. Ferry

Bernard A. Greenberg

Stephen F. Hinchliffe, Jr.

Kent Kresa

Mattie McFaddenLawson

Fredric M. Roberts

Richard K. Roeder

Claire L. Rothman

Joni J. Smith

Lisa Specht **

Cynthia A. Telles

James A. Thomas

Andrea L. Van de Kamp **

Thomas R. Weinberger

Alyce de Roulet

Williamson

** Chair Emeritus

Current as of 7/28/25

John McCoy for The Music Center.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Jacquelin Harris. Photo by Dario Calmese.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Support from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors plays an invaluable role in the successful operation of The Music Center.

Janice Hahn Supervisor, Fourth District

Lindsey P. Horvath Supervisor, Third District

Kathryn Barger Chair, Fifth District

Holly J. Mitchell Supervisor, Second District

Hilda L. Solis

Chair Pro Tem, First District

(From left to right)

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

As a steward of The Music Center of Los Angeles County, we recognize that we occupy land originally and still inhabited and cared for by the Tongva, Tataviam, Serrano, Kizh and Chumash Peoples. We honor and pay respect to their elders and descendants — past, present and emerging — as they continue their stewardship of these lands and waters. We acknowledge that settler colonization resulted in land seizure, disease, subjugation, slavery, relocation, broken promises, genocide and multigenerational trauma. This acknowledgment demonstrates our responsibility and commitment to truth, healing and reconciliation and to elevating the stories, culture and community of the original inhabitants of Los Angeles County.

We are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on these ancestral lands. We are dedicated to growing and sustaining relationships with Native peoples and local tribal governments, including (in no particular order) the:

• Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians

• Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California Tribal Council

• Gabrieleno/Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians

• Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians-Kizh Nation

• San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

• San Fernando Band of Mission Indians

To learn more about the First Peoples of Los Angeles County, please visit the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission website at lanaic.lacounty.go

Photo Credit: David Franco, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Photographer.

Happening at The Music Center

SEPTEMBER 2025

TUE 2 SEP / 7:30 p.m.

& Juliet

CENTER THEATRE GROUP

@ Ahmanson Theatre Thru 9/7/25

FRI 12 SEP / 7:30 p.m.

Camille A. Brown & Dancers

THE MUSIC CENTER

@ Ahmanson Theatre Thru 9/14/25

Visit musiccenter.org for additional information on all upcoming events.

SAT 20 SEP / 6:00 p.m.

West Side Story

LA OPERA

@ Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Thru 10/12/25

THU 25 SEP / 8:00 p.m.

Dudamel Leads Reid and Strauss

LA PHIL

@ Walt Disney Concert Hall Thru 9/28/25

FRI 26 SEP / 8:00 p.m.

Dudamel Leads An Alpine Symphony

LA PHIL

@ Walt Disney Concert Hall

SCAN TO VIEW FULL CALENDAR

@musiccenterla

Photo by Will Yang for The Music Center.

October 24–26, 2025

Founded by Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Complexions pairs technical brilliance with emotional depth in Retro Suite and in Out Loud, a high-octane new work set to U2’s “Songs of Surrender.”

ON SALE NOW!

The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion musiccenter.org/complexions | (213) 972-0711

BRING A GROUP AND SAVE! Contact marketing@musiccenter.org for more information.

2025/2026 Season Dedicated to the Memory of Glorya Kaufman

Complexions Contemporary Ballet.

Photo by Rachel Neville.

DANCE THEATER

ALVIN AILEY ALVIN AILEY

March 25–29, 2026

This groundbreaking company embodies African American strength and resilience through mixed repertory programs featuring beloved classics and new works, including Alvin Ailey’s soul-stirring Revelations.

The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion musiccenter.org/ailey | (213) 972-0711

BRING A GROUP AND SAVE! Contact marketing@musiccenter.org for more information.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Photo by Dario Calmese.