Calgary Opera program - Carmen

by georges bizet

A p r i l 18 , 2 2 , 24, & 2 6, 201 5

O F C A L G A RY EXPERIENCE

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2014 - 15 SEASON Box Office, Administration & Rehearsal Hall ARRATA OPERA CENTRE 1315 - 7 Street SW, Calgary AB T2R 1A5 Phone: 403-262-7286 | Fax: 403-263-5428 www.calgaryopera.com Calgary Opera gratefully acknowledges the support of:

Calgary Opera is a member of Opera.ca (The Professional Opera Companies of Canada), OPERA America, Alberta Major Performing Arts Consortium, and operates under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.

Cover photo: Sandra Piques Eddy as Carmen.

Photo by Karen Almond, Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

@CalgaryOpera

PLAYHOUSE PUBLICATIONS LTD. The Calgary Opera program is published by Playhouse Publications Ltd. 10177 - 105 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 1E2 Ph: 780-423-5834 | Fax: 780-413-6185 www.playhousepublications.ca President & Publisher: Rob Suggitt Art Director & Designer: Christine Kucher Advertising Sales: Barry Powis, Glenda Dennis Administration: Amber Grmek CARMEN 3

Evan J. Hazell

Claudia Cattaneo

Chair Chair, Nominating

Chair, Impresario

Donald C. Edie, QC

Brent Cooper

Secretary

Director

Carscallen LLP

McLeod Law LLP

Janice Woodward

David Dunlop, CA

Treasurer

Director

C.A. Consultant

Veresen

Michael Brown

Christel Johansson

Director

Chair, Corporate Campaign

Calgary Municipal Land Corporation

4 CALGARY OPERA 2014-15 SEASON

National Post

board of directors

Verne Johnson

Monica Sloan

Chair, Major Gifts

Chair, Endowment

KrisErin Resources

JKS Holdings

Jay MacGillivray

Don Swystun

Director

Director

Structured Abstraction

Lachlin McKinnon

Ruth Ramsden-Wood

Director

Director

Prospector Executive Search

Bob Sartor

Jerilyn Wright

Director

Chair, Special Events

Big Rock Brewery

Jerilyn Wright & Associates

CARMEN 5

message from the

chair

W

What a special time to be part of something larger than life.

2015 marks a milestone for Calgary Opera, a year where we announced a ground breaking partnership with the Calgary Stampede to build a new Opera Centre which will include public space, a 300-seat rehearsal and performance space, classrooms, practice halls, and much more. I am both honoured and excited to be part of this leap forward that Calgary Opera is taking.

This is about more than a new building. This is an opportunity to build on our core mission of enhancing our community through opera. A new Opera Centre in the heart of Calgary Stampede’s Youth Campus will enrich our city’s arts and cultural sector, promote new opportunities for the development of youth, local talent and enhance civic pride.

by a legion of dedicated volunteers, for which we are so grateful to have as part of our family. (See page 34)

This season we continue to strengthen our bonds with Calgary communities and reach new audiences through our expansive community outreach activities.

All of these initiatives and activities are driven by you, our opera-loving patrons, invested sponsors, generous donors, hard-working volunteers, and government supporters.

Our Emerging Artists reached over 10,000 young audience members in schools and community halls through our Opera in Schools tour across Calgary and Northern Alberta. (See page 29)

Our sincere gratitude goes out to our Community Outreach sponsor Cenovus Energy. We also thank our season sponsor Husky Energy, our Carmen production sponsor Nexen-CNOOC and our government funders: The Canada Council for the Arts, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and Calgary Arts Development Authority.

The first production of this year’s participating Let’s Create an Opera schools opens just next week as Rosemont Elementary School presents The Wilds. (See page 32) This summer Opera in the Village, Canada’s only outdoor opera festival, returns for its third year on the banks of the Bow River, inviting Calgarians to connect to a new neighbourhood, enjoy a variety of performances in the hot (we hope!) days of August. This event is supported

In 2015 Calgary Opera is rising to a new level of community engagement. We thank those who have helped us get to this point, and invite you to join us as we move forward to greater heights.

Chair, Evan J. Hazell

embrace Immerse yourself in the transcendent beauty of the human voice, the personification of passion and a story well told.

We hope you enjoy this Calgary Opera performance as much as we take pride in supporting the arts in communities where our employees live and work.

message from the

general director and ceo

A

As Spring brings warmer weather, Mezzo-Soprano Sandra Piques Eddy heats up the stage as she makes her Calgary Opera debut as the fiery Carmen. We’re delighted to end our 2014-2015 season with one of the most beloved operas of all-time.

Conducted by Timothy Vernon with direction by Alain Gauthier, Ms. Piques Eddy is joined on-stage by Antoine Bélanger as Don José, Gregory Dahl as Escamillo, and Jessica Strong as Micaëla.

With the announcement of our partnership with the Calgary Stampede to build a new Opera Centre as part of their Youth Campus, there is much to look forward to in the future with opera in Calgary, most immediately our 2015-2016 season.

Just four months from now Opera in the Village, Canada’s only outdoor opera festival, returns to Calgary’s East Village RiverWalk with performances of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado, along with the family presentation of The Scorpions’ Sting. A host of other fun-filled activities and surprises make this a must-see festival.

This is a season I have been aiming to put together for a long time, and I’m thrilled that in January 2016 Calgary Opera will be the first Canadian opera company to produce Erich Korngold’s hauntingly beautiful Die Tote Stadt (The Dead City). A story of emptiness and abandonment as a man’s world is tormented by desire for a seductress who bears a striking resemblance to his ghostly love. Die Tote Stadt was one of the biggest hits of the early 20th century. Korngold would go on to be one of the great film composers during the golden age of Hollywood.

We open the season with a stunning production of Lakmé, a riveting tale of love and betrayal amidst India’s temple ruins. Containing some of the most beautiful music in the opera repertoire, including the famous Flower Duet, Lakmé comes alive for the first time at the Jubilee Auditorium this November.

The season concludes in joyful style with Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a whimsical tale filled with imagination and a celebration of true love conquering all. The Magic Flute is one of the most popular operas of all time, and also a terrific introduction to opera for first-time audiences.

Thank you for making the 2014-2015 opera season one to cherish, we were honoured to host the Canadian premiere of Silent Night, introduce a new festive tradition with Christmas at the Opera, and announced a ground breaking new partnership with the Calgary Stampede.

We hope to see you this summer at Opera in the Village, and at all of our events and community activities through the 2015-2016 season.

General Director and CEO, W.R. (Bob) McPhee, C.M.

corporate supporters key season sponsors Community Outreach and Commemorative Engagement

Season

Emerging Artist Program

production and program sponsors Silent Night

Allegro Program Sponsor

Opera Surtitles Sponsor

Carmen

Pre-Show Chats

Opera in the Village supporters Presenting Sponsor Site Partner

key media partners

Official Suppliers

10 CALGARY OPERA 2014-15 SEASON

Let’s Create an Opera

Sunday Opera Brunch Series

Emerging Artist Program

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Setting the Stage “Cherchez la femme!” Those three words could summarize, in a way, the spirit of our quest for the mythical character of Carmen. However, since Carmen is so deeply anchored in our cultural background, it feels challenging – even for artists who have worked on this masterpiece many times – to take a fresh look upon her characterization.

I remember having seen, a few years ago, a representation of Carmen that was given to a young audience. The director represented her as the usual sensual, but mainly mysterious and dark gypsy/ sorceress. To my great surprise, when José killed her at the end, the students in the audience started to applaud! And they even booed the poor singer who devotedly sang the role when she came on stage to take her bow. This unusual reaction made me realize that there was something missing in this representation that would have created empathy towards Carmen.

There are many possible ways to represent Carmen.

She is usually showed as a fiery, passionate and highly independent bohemian, and even sometimes, as a dangerous and threatening witch. In many productions, she is mostly depicted in darker shades, and could even end up becoming someone you should fear.

Because of those usual portrays we’re making of this character, I’ve experienced that one of the many challenges in staging Carmen was to find how we could make her sincerely and completely sympathetic to an audience as a person. Carmen should be, yes, sexy, passionate, but also adorable, funny, light and humorous. Several pages of this brilliant score, if you listen to it carefully, are packed with playfulness, irony and wit.

12 CALGARY OPERA 2014-15 SEASON

program notes

By Director Alain Gauthier Along with this lightness and “joie de vivre,” comes also another quality that lies in each of us and who defines us as human being: vulnerability. Desperate to design Carmen as a strong and independent character, we sometimes forget that she is a real person, dealing with emotions, passions (of course!), victories, but also doubts and failures. José, her lover, already shows a lot of these human weaknesses that make him touching, and it seems easier for us to identify to him, and to feel compassion for his tragic fate.

the more we’ll be able to identify ourselves with her, and consequently, the more we’ll feel heartbroken for the tragic ending of this oddly-matched, yet captivating couple. Her fatal ending should sincerely touch us; not make us think that this is what she has deserved.

But, above all those considerations, and knowing that each of us will have our own vision of who this woman really is, Carmen will remain one of the most thrilling operas in the world. And now, let’s find “la femme!”

This is why I feel that the more we’ll manage to portray Carmen as a genuine and heartrending human being,

CARMEN 13

CALGARY

OPERA

Conductor | Timothy Vernon Stage Director | Alain Gauthier Lighting Designer | Harry Frehner Fight Director | Karl Sine Scenery & Props courtesy of Lyric Opera of Kansas City Scenery Design by | R. Keith Brumley Costumes provided by Malabar Opera Titles created by Teresa Turgeon for Pacific Opera Victoria

by GEORGES BIZET

CAST Carmen | Sandra Piques Eddy Don José | Antoine Bélanger Escamillo | Gregory Dahl Micaëla | Jessica Strong Zuniga | Aaron Dimoff* Dancaïre | Matthew Bruce* Remendado | Kevin Myers* Frasquita | Laura Brandt* Mercédès | Beste Kalender* Moralès | David Diston* Cast subject to change

Calgary Opera Chorus Chorus Director | Sandra Atkinson Accompanied by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Repetiteur | Christopher Mokrzewski Chorus Repetiteur | Rachel Baljeu Titles Operator | John Bouz

Sponsored by

Stage Manager | Donna Sharpe Assistant Stage Manager | Nicole Bergen Assistant Stage Manager | Catherine Rouleau Head of Wardrobe | Heather Moore Head of Props | Laura Anderson Head Wig & Hair Artist | Brenda Boutet Head Make-Up Artist | Rose Gurevitch Scenic Carpenter | John Bouman Calgary Opera is proud to work with the professional stage hands and artisans provided by IATSE Local 212 *Members of 2014-15 Calgary Opera Emerging Artist Program

CARMEN 15

ACT I A square in Seville in the 1800s, with a cigarette factory and a guardhouse.

Micaëla enters, looking for her fiancé Don José. Sgt. Moralès tells her that Don José is part of a different company, but asks her to stay with them instead. Their advances force her to run away.

Don José enters with the changing of the guard. Street urchins are imitating the soldiers. Lieutenant Zuniga mentions that he wants to stay and watch the pretty girls at the cigarette factory; José states that he only has eyes for Micaëla. The women of the factory come out, greeted by the waiting men. Among them is Carmen. All the men try to woo her, but it is the disinterested José that catches her eye. She sings the habanera, and throws José a flower. He is momentarily entranced by Carmen, but Micaëla returns and the two of them sing a love duet. There is a scream from the factory; Zuniga sends José to investigate. He brings out Carmen, who has stabbed another woman. Zuniga orders José to tie her up while he prepares to take her to the guardhouse.

Carmen tempts José to release her, saying that he is now in love with her.

He begins to loosen her bonds, and she escapes. Don José is arrested for releasing her.

16 CALGARY OPERA 2014-15 SEASON

synopsis

ACT II Lilla Pastia’s Tavern, in the middle of a party.

Carmen and her friends, Frasquita and Mercédès, sing about the gypsy life to the delight of Captain Zuniga and his soldiers, who flirt with the girls. Zuniga mentions that José will be released from prison today. The matador Escamillo enters with his friends, who sing of his success both in the bullring, and in love. Escamillo tries to woo Carmen, who spurns him, thinking of José.

As the tavern closes, smugglers invite the girls to join them on some misadventure. Carmen declines, saying she is waiting for her lover. José arrives, and declares his love for her. He sings that the faded scent of the flower she threw him was what helped José get through prison. Carmen replies that if he loved her, he would escape into the mountains with her. Zuniga then bursts in, and orders José back to the barracks. José refuses, and they fight. The smugglers re-enter, and Zuniga is disarmed and chased from the tavern. José realizes he must now flee with the smugglers as an outlaw.

ACT III A mountain pass.

The gypsies set up camp. José struggles with his deserter status, while Carmen starts to feel bored with José.

Frasquita, Mercédès, and Carmen start to tell fortunes with their cards. Frasquita sees love; Mercédès sees wealth; Carmen sees only death for herself and José. She accepts the prophecy of the cards. They all depart to deal with a nearby customs officer.

Micaëla enters, looking for José, but afraid to meet the woman who had stolen her love. She runs away though

when she hears a gunshot. The shot turns out to be from José, who was firing at an intruder. The intruder was actually the approaching Escamillo transporting bulls to Spain. He makes a comment about the soldier Carmen once loved, and José attacks him. The gypsies return and separate them.

Escamillo then invites everyone, particularly Carmen, to his next bullfight in Seville. José is furious. Micaëla is discovered, and begs José to return with her to his mother. José at first refuses, but Micaëla reveals that his mother is dying. José warns Carmen they will meet again. As José and Micaëla leave, they can hear Escamillo singing…

ACT IV Outside a bullring.

A crowd has formed to see Escamillo, who enters with Carmen. Frasquita and Mercédès warn her that José has been seen in the crowd, but Carmen is not worried. As everyone else exits into the ring, she waits, and a desperate José enters.

He pleads with her to come with him and start a new life. She tells him that it is finished between them, that she now loves the bullfighter. She vows never to be held by any man. When she throws back the ring he gave her, José stabs Carmen at the same time Escamillo wins in the ring. The spectators begin to enter, and José confesses to all, saying, “Ah! Carmen! ma Carmen adorée!”

CARMEN 17

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calgary opera joins

Calgary Stampede’s Youth On March 10, 2015, the Calgary Stampede and Calgary Opera announced a unique partnership that will see the Calgary Opera move to the Calgary Stampede’s Youth Campus, creating an energized and sought-after gathering place for performing arts training and performance for youth. Under the agreement, the Stampede will provide the land at the corner of 12th Avenue & 5th Street SW for the Calgary Opera to build a 50,000 square foot Opera Centre, which will include public space, a 300-seat rehearsal and performance space, classrooms, practice halls, administrative offices and much more.

“We love this new partnership,” says Bob McPhee C.M., General Director and CEO Calgary Opera.

“We believe this relationship has the potential to not only strengthen each organization, but to contribute massively to the social, artistic and cultural health of our community. Our commitment to the Stampede is that our new facility will be designed and built as a multi-purpose building to be shared with our Youth Campus partners and more than 160 plus community organizations who currently use space at the Arrata Opera Centre. Indeed, the days of single-

Campus

purpose built facilities are over; partnerships are the way of the future.”

The new Opera Centre will nurture and enhance a thriving arts scene in Calgary and provide access to a wide-variety of arts disciplines. Located on the banks of the Elbow River, across from ENMAX Park, the Youth Campus will feature ample green space and be custom-designed for indoor and outdoor classrooms, training and performing.

Calgary Opera, one of Canada’s leading arts organizations, plays an active role in contributing to the quality of life and social fabric of our city by connecting people, stories and music. With impactful education programs, grand productions, a leadership role in developing Canadian opera works and talent, and by producing Canada’s only outdoor summer opera festival, Calgary Opera is capturing people’s attention and engaging the community in exciting ways.

More exciting details will be revealed over the coming months as we take the next steps to prepare for our big move!

“We believe this relationship has the potential to not only strengthen each organization, but to contribute massively to the social, artistic and cultural health of our community.”

CARMEN 19

biographies Timothy Vernon

Harry Frehner

Conductor

Lighting Designer

Founding Artistic Director of Pacific Opera Victoria, Timothy Vernon, C.M. has conducted for every opera company and orchestra in Canada. Known to have wide-ranging musical interests, he has led productions, some broadcast nationally, of Rodelinda, Der Freischuetz, L’Amore dei Tre Re, Daphne, Capriccio, Wozzeck, Regina, Vanessa, Midsummer Nights Dream and Das Rheingold among many others. During his 14 year tenure with McGill Symphony Orchestra, he led an acclaimed cycle of the works of Gustav Mahler. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2007, honoured with Opera Canada’s Ruby award, and given an honorary doctorate by Royal Roads University. He was last engaged by Calgary Opera for La Traviata in 2013.

Alain Gauthier Stage Director

Alain Gauthier earned his bachelor’s degree in theatre from the Université du Québec à Montréal. As a former apprentice director at Opéra de Montréal, he directed several productions for the company, including Suor Angelica/Il Tabarro, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Pagliacci/Gianni Schicchi, Faust, Dead Man Walking, Lakmé and Samson et Dalila. He also worked with the Cincinnati Opera, the Austin Lyric Opera, the Minnesota Opera, Opéra de Québec and the New York City Opera. His future projects include a new production of Elektra for Opéra de Montréal, and Il Barbiere di Siviglia for the Austin Opera. Mr. Gauthier last directed Pagliacci/Gianni Schicchi with Calgary Opera (2011).

20 CALGARY OPERA 2014-15 SEASON

Harry Frehner has designed more than 50 productions for Calgary Opera dating back to 1992. In the past seven years, six of these productions have been nominated for Betty Mitchell Awards, of which two have won. He has lit productions for opera companies in Canada and the US such as Vancouver Opera, Edmonton Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Manitoba Opera, San Diego Opera, Opera Colorado, Arizona Opera and Utah Opera. As well, his work has been seen across Canada at such companies as The Banff Centre, Theatre Calgary, Alberta Theatre Projects, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Stratford and Shaw Festivals and Ballet BC. Recently, Harry designed a very successful production of Nixon in China with Wide Open Opera in Dublin.

Karl Sine Fight Director

Past credits as fight director include: Equivocation, Othello, Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Titus, Land of the Dead (TSC); The Games Afoot, Farewell my Lovely, Huron Bride (Vertigo); Butcher, the Motherf@#!er with the Hat (ATP); King Lear, Liberation Days, One Man 2 Guvnors, The Great Gatsby (Theatre Calgary); She Has a Name (Burnt Thicket Theatre). As an actor, Mr. Sine has appeared in Equivocation, Othello, Titus, Land of the Dead (TSC); Pride and Prejudice, Enron, A Christmas Carol, Much Ado About Nothing (Theatre Calgary); Queen Milli of Galt, Mary’s Wedding, Oliver, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Rosebud); Ways and Means (Lunchbox). Mr. Sine works as an actor, director and is a certified fight director with the Academy of Fight Directors Canada. He wishes to thank his wife Lindsey and his two wonderful kids Olivia and Charlie. Mr. Sine was Fight Director for the Calgary Opera production of Silent Night (2014).

2015-16 SEASON

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biographies Sandra Piques Eddy

Antoine Bélanger

Mezzo-Soprano

Tenor

Carmen

Don José

In 2014-2015 Sandra Piques Eddy sings Poppea in The Coronation of Poppea (Opera North, UK), Varvara in Janáček’s Katya Kabanová (Boston Lyric Opera), title role in Carmen (Portland Opera), title role in Cenerentola (Opera Saratoga) and Respighi’s Il tramonto (New York Philharmonic Ensemble).

Recent highlights include Fiona in Nico Muhly’s Two Boys (Metropolitan Opera, American premiere, recorded for Nonesuch); Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia (Vancouver Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Nashville Opera), Dorabella in Così fan tutte (Hyogo Performing Arts Center-Japan, Boston Lyric Opera, New York City Opera), Isabella in L’Italiana in Algeri (Atlanta Opera, Vancouver Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Arizona Opera) Carmen (Opera Colorado, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Opera North-UK) This is Ms. Eddy’s debut with Calgary Opera.

Antoine Bélanger is one of Canada’s most prominent young tenors. He has already sung an impressive number of roles in Europe, the United States as well as in most of the Canadian opera companies. His diversified repertoire includes Faust, Carmen, Werther, La Traviata, La Bohème, Madama Butterfly and Gianni Schicchi. Recent performances include Ismaël (Nabucco) for Opéra de Montréal and Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly) for Opera Lyra and Opéra de Québec. Upcoming are concert performances and the role of Cassio (Othello) Opéra de Montréal. Antoine has won praise for the beauty of his voice, his refined musicality and his charismatic stage presence. Mr. Bélanger last appeared as Rodolfo in La Bohème (2012).

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What Carmen needed was a great real estate agent.

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22 CALGARY OPERA 2014-15 SEASON

Gregory Dahl

Jessica Strong

baritone

Soprano

Escamillo

Micaëla

Gregory Dahl has attained a position of prominence among baritones of his generation with performances notable for richness of characterization and a remarkable vocal authority. The Winnipeg born baritone has performed with every Opera company across Canada and in 2014, he joined the roster of the Metropolitan Opera. This season, he has appeared with the Canadian Opera Company, Opéra de Montréal, Opéra de Québec, Against the Grain and will be making his English National Opera debut in The Queen of Spades. Next season, he will perform with Kentucky Opera, Edmonton Opera, Vancouver Opera and Manitoba Opera. Mr. Dahl last appeared with Calgary Opera as Iago in Otello (2012).

Hailed as a “powerful, charismatic soprano,” Jessica has performed leading roles in La Traviata, The Rake’s Progress, Die Fledermaus, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Don Giovanni, Ariodante, and L’Italiana in Algeri. She has been recognized by the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation, Solti Foundation, Jacqueline Desmarais Foundation, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and Canada Council for the Arts. A recent concert performance saw Ms. Strong singing at Carnegie Hall with Marilyn Horne’s ‘Song Continues’ program. She is a current member of the Oper Frankfurt International Opera Studio and will make her mainstage solo debut as Amelia in Simon Boccanegra this coming June. Ms. Strong last appeared with Calgary Opera as Elvira in The Italian Girl in Algiers (2013).

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CARMEN 23

biographies Aaron Dimoff

Matthew Bruce

Bass-Baritone

Tenor

Zuniga

Dancaïre

Bass-Baritone Aaron Dimoff made his Calgary Opera debut last season singing Imperial Commissioner in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly as a member of the Emerging Artist program. He also sang the role of Father in Hansel and Gretel for the Opera in Schools tour and at Opera in the Village, Collatinus in The Rape of Lucretia, as well as Des Grieux in The Portrait of Manon. Returning for a second year in the Emerging Artist program, Mr. Dimoff will also perform on the mainstage as Zuniga in Carmen. Concert appearances last season included Sciarrone in Puccini’s Tosca with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as excerpts of Haydn’s Creation and Mendelssohn’s Elijah with The Festival Chorus Calgary. Most recently he appeared on Calgary Opera’s mainstage as Antonio in The Marriage of Figaro (2015), and performed the roles of David Sands/Osiris/The Scorpions in the School Tour production of The Scorpions’ Sting (2015).

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Matthew Bruce’s love for music was inspired from an early age.

His foundation and appreciation for the performing arts was formed through his parents’ influence, both of whom are professional musicians. Mr. Bruce’s passion for performing inspired him to relocate to Victoria, BC to study voice, acting, and dance at the Canadian College of Performing Arts. Upon graduating, Mr. Bruce continued his vocal training at the Victoria Conservatory of Music where he performed in the Opera Studio program. Mr. Bruce recently performed the role of Jonathan Dale in the Canadian premiere of Silent Night, played the lead role of Candide at Opera in the Village, Canada’s only summer outdoor opera festival, and is currently participating in his second year of the Emerging Artist Program. He last performed the roles of Professor Hornsby/Set in the School Tour production of The Scorpions’ Sting (2015).

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Kevin Myers

Laura Brandt

Tenor

Soprano

Remendado

Frasquita

Tenor Kevin Myers was born and raised in Deep River, Ontario and studied voice there with Peter Morris.

He completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees at McGill University, where he studied with Stefano Algieri and Sanford Sylvan.

Highlights from his time at McGill include many roles with the opera program; namely Lysander in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. He was lucky enough to study with renowned coaches Louise Pelletier, Esther Gonthier and Michael McMahon. In 2012, Mr. Myers was selected as a laureate of the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques and toured China performing opera in concert with that organization. In 2013 he performed the role of Nemorino in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore with Opera NUOVA in Edmonton, and in 2014 he won the grand prize at the Festivale de Musique du Royaume. As a member of the Emerging Artist program, he last peformed the roles of Professor Hornsby/Set in the School Tour production of The Scorpions’ Sting (2015).

Soprano Laura Brandt is thrilled to be returning for a second season as an Emerging Artist.

Upcoming performances include Frasquita (Carmen) with Calgary Opera’s mainstage and Governess (The Turn of the Screw) at Opera on the Avalon. Past performances with Calgary Opera include Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), Female Chorus (The Rape of Lucretia) and Sally Smith/ Iset in the School Tour production of The Scorpions’ Sting. Recent highlights for Ms. Brandt include Parasha (Mavra) with Metro Youth Opera, Contessa (Le nozze di Figaro) with the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy, Sprechstimme in Pierrot Lunaire with the New England Conservatory Contemporary Ensemble, and Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) with NEC Opera. Ms. Brandt is supported by the Nova Scotia Talent Trust and has a Master of Music in vocal performance from the New England Conservatory.

CARMEN 25

biographies Beste Kalender

David Diston

Mezzo-Soprano

Baritone

Mercédès

Moralès

Turkish native Mezzo-Soprano Beste Kalender is a 2013 and 2014 Jeune Ambassadeur Lyrique Laureate. She has won the Prix Jeune Espoir du Centre Français de Promotion Lyrique 2013 and has recently done her French debut with Les Chorégies D’Orange in Marseille. Ms. Kalender’s repertoire includes roles such as Carmen and Mercedes (Carmen), Fox (The Cunning Little Vixen), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Cherubino and Marcellina (Le Nozze di Figaro), Third Lady (The Magic Flute) and Ellen (Three sisters who are not sisters). Ms. Kalender holds an M.A. degree from the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto and an Artist Diploma in voice from The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School. She also received training at The International Vocal Arts Institute in Montreal, Opera On The Avalon, CoOPERAtive Program at Westminster and Music Academy of The West where she will be performing her debut as Cenerentola in Rossini’s La Cenerentola in August 2015.

As a member of the Emerging Artist program, she performed the roles of Molly Brown/Nephthys/Tahemet in the School Tour production of The Scorpions’ Sting (2015).

Baritone David Diston is a 2014 Masters graduate in Opera Performance from the University of Toronto. Mr. Diston’s performance credits include Mr. Gedge (Albert Herring), Dr. Dulcamara (L’Elisir d’amore) and Dr. Malatesta (Don Pasquale) all with the UofT, Don Giovanni with Opera NUOVA, Guglielmo (Così fan tutte) with Toronto Summer Opera Workshop, Falke (Die Fledermaus) and Count Almaviva (Le Nozze di Figaro) with Western University, and Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte) and Leporello (Don Giovanni) with the Accademia Europea Dell’Opera in Milan. In concert Mr. Diston recently made his Toronto Symphony Orchestra debut as the baritone soloist in C. Nielsen’s Symphony No. 3. Mr. Diston recently joined Calgary Opera as an ensemble member in Candide as a part of their summer season, Opera in the Village, and performed the roles of David Sands/Osiris/The Scorpions in the School Tour production of The Scorpions’ Sting (2015).

The Calgary Opera program is published four times per year by Playhouse Publications Ltd. The contents of The Calgary Opera program may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved by Playhouse Publications Ltd.

Inquiries should be made to: Playhouse Publications Ltd. 10177 - 105 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1E2 Ph: 780-423-5834 • Fax: 780-413-6185 • www.playhousepublications.ca PLAYHOUSE PUBLICATIONS LTD. President & Publisher: Rob Suggitt • Art Director & Designer: Christine Kucher Advertising Sales: Barry Powis, Glenda Dennis • Administration: Amber Grmek The Calgary Opera program is a product of Playhouse Publications Ltd., an affiliate of Suggitt Publishers.

Suggitt President & CEO: Tom Suggitt • President & CFO: Rob Suggitt PUBLISHERS

Suggitt PUBLISHERS

26 CALGARY OPERA 2014-15 SEASON

Christopher Mokrzewski Repetiteur

Conductor, pianist and vocal coach Christopher “Topher” Mokrzewski is a steadily rising figure in the worlds of Canadian opera and chamber music.

He is in his second season as Calgary Opera’s Resident Conductor, and is a founding member and Music Director of Toronto’s Against the Grain Theatre.

A graduate of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, the Eastman School of Music and the Music Academy of the West, Mokrzewski has been described by music critic John Terauds as “one of those bright, eager, whip-smart young artists who could give even the most hardened cynic a jolt of optimism about the future of classical music and opera.” He was also named one of CBC Music’s “Hot 30 Classical Musicians under 30” in 2013.

Donna Sharpe Stage Manager

Donna Sharpe is in her 13th season with Calgary Opera. Select Calgary Opera credits include two summers of Opera in the Village (Candide and Pirates of Penzance), the Canadian premieres of Silent Night and MobyDick, Aida, The Flying Dutchman, Madame Butterfly, The Italian Girl in Algiers, La Traviata, Falstaff, Otello, Pagliacci, Gianni Schicchi. Selected assistant stage managing credits include Dead Man Walking (Canadian Premiere), Frobisher (World Premiere), The Inventor (World Premiere), Don Giovanni, Barber of Seville, Faust, Tosca, Sweeney Todd, Little Women, Lucia, Manon, Rigoletto. Ms. Sharpe enjoys working with Calgary Opera’s young artists (The Rape of Lucretia, Così fan tutte and Christmas at the Opera), and has stage-managed with Green Mountain Opera Festival (Vermont), Opera on the Avalon (Newfoundland), as well as mentoring stage management students at the University of Calgary.

Nicole Bergen Assistant Stage Manager

Nicole Bergen works as a stage manager and assistant stage manager in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Past shows include The Magic Flute, Carmen, The Marriage of Figaro, and Don Pasquale (SM, Saskatoon Opera), The Flying Dutchman, Madame Butterfly, The Pirates of Penzance, La Traviata, Otello, La Bohème, Moby-Dick, Aida, Lucia di Lammermoor, and Manon (ASM, Calgary Opera), Ariodante and What Brought Us Here (SM, Calgary Opera, second stage), and Little Women, Turn of the Screw and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (ASM, The Banff Centre). This season’s shows include Silent Night, The Marriage of Figaro, and Carmen (ASM, Calgary Opera), and Madama Butterfly (SM, Saskatoon Opera).

Catherine Rouleau Assistant Stage Manager

Originally from Montréal, Catherine Rouleau is thrilled to return to Calgary Opera after apprenticing with them on The Italian Girl in Algiers in 2013. Favourite credits include: as ASM: La Bohème, Dead Man Walking, Die Fledermaus, Faust, The Flying Dutchman, Il Trovatore, Lakmé, Manon, Porgy and Bess, Rigoletto, Roberto Devereux, Rusalka, Salome, Simon Boccanegra, Werther (Opéra de Montréal); Carmen (Vancouver Opera); Das Reingold (OSM). As Stage Manager: Kruger Brothers (The Banff Centre); Je m’appelle Marilyn (GlobeBulle Rouge); Magic Flute, La Veuve Joyeuse (CEGEP of St-Laurent); Les Amis (CEGEP of St-Hyacinthe); Zoofest. As an Apprentice: Don Carlo (Vancouver Opera); Lillian Alling (The Banff Centre).

CARMEN 27

Guilty pleasures. We didn’t crack the eggs. Or splurge on the Belgian chocolate. But we did heat the oven to bake the gourmet cupcakes that’ll be eaten before they’ve had the chance to cool. When the energy you invest in life meets the energy we fuel it with, sweet things happen.

RESIDENT STAFF Dawn Johnson (Voice Teacher) Christopher ‘Topher’ Mokrzewski (Resident Conductor and Principal Coach) Tara Blue (Yoga and Movement) Tracy Dahl (Guest Voice Teacher) GUEST DIRECTORS Aaron Coates (Calgary) Robert Herriot (Winnipeg) Glynis Leyshon (Victoria) REPERTOIRE & PERFORMANCE COACHES Nancy Argenta (Victoria Conservatory) Gordon Gerrard (Vancouver Symphony, Calgary Opera Resident Conductor Emeritus) Michael McMahon (McGill University) Peter Tiefenbach (The Glenn Gould School) Robert Tweten (Santa Fe Young Artist Program) Kinza Tyrrell (Vancouver Opera)

emerging artists The Puzzle of Performance Training The great opera composer Rossini when asked what constituted success for a singer, exclaimed “voce, voce, voce” (“voice, voice, voice”). However, the wonderful faculty and guest instructors who have worked with Calgary Opera’s talented Emerging Artists this season know that the answer is much more detailed.

comfort zone with an improvisation class led by Aaron Coates.

As their season with Calgary Opera draws to a close, Mel Kirby, Coordinator of the Program is quick to praise the detailed, intricate and committed work they have brought to the Artists’ development.

“There has been an immense amount for each of the Artists to absorb and try to integrate, some of it familiar, a lot of it new and even daunting. It’s a wonder to see it all come together over the course of the season, like the pieces of a puzzle fitting into place.”

Novel performance elements could entail a vocal coaching by Michael McMahon on a new art song; or a shift of performance attitude that a world class specialist in oratorio such as Nancy Argenta is able to impart; exploring a role’s deeper motivation with gifted director Glynis Leyshon; or daring to step outside of one’s

The Emerging Artist performances in Carmen and the CENOVUS-sponsored Opera in Schools Tour of Dean Burry’s The Scorpions’ Sting (which thrilled over 10,000 students throughout Calgary and a Northern tour to Wabasca, Bonnyville, Lac La Biche, Ardmore and Irma, including First Nations schools) provide the public outlet for everything the Emerging Artists have absorbed.

Thanks to all the instructors who have given tirelessly and generously of themselves to this season’s Emerging Artists: Laura Brandt, Vanessa Oude-Reimerink, Beste Kalender, Stephanie Tritchew, Matthew Bruce, Kevin Myers, Aaron Dimoff and David Diston.

Community Outreach Sponsor Adopt an Artist patrons Terence & Judith Dalgleish Monica Sloan & John Evison Andrea Brussa & David Lyons Cos & Eleanor Gabriele Marian Williams

Emerging Artist Development Program Sponsored by

We acknowledge the generous support of the Dr. R.G. (Bud) Williams Emerging Artist Scholarship Fund

CARMEN 29

calgary philharmonic orchestra Music Director Roberto Minczuk FIRST VIOLINS

Diana Cohen - Concertmaster John Lowry - Associate Concertmaster Donovan Seidle - Assistant Concertmaster Janice Amsel Kathryn Corvino Hyewon Kim Olga Kotova Theresa Kraucunas Min-Kyung Kwon Bonnie Louie Robert Penner Laura Reid

SECOND VIOLINS

Lorna Tsai * Stephanie Soltice-Johnson ** Judy Bessel Adriana Bishop Jeremy Gabbert Craig Hutchenreuther Theresa Lane Lenora Leggatt Steven Lubiarz Richard Van de Geer

VIOLaS

Laurent Grillet * Marcin Swoboda ** Arthur Bachmann Jeremy Bauman Peter Blake Carl Boychuk Michael Bursey Julie Westgate

CELLI

Philip Hansen * Britton Riley ** Rafael Hoekman Joan Kent Thomas Megee Tom Mirhady David Morrissey Karen Youngquist

BASSES

Charles Garrett * Sheila Garrett ** Matthew Heller Graeme Mudd Patricia Reid Patrick Staples

FLUTES

Sara Hahn * Gwen Klassen **

* Principal

** Assistant Principal

*** Associate Principal

Cantaré Children’s Choir

Catherine Glaser-Climie - Founder/Artistic Director Julia Chahor Grace Denny Chantelle Gillies Annika Hykawy Dylan Jones Tyler Jones

Olivia Kelleher Emily Memedovich Jackson Partridge Maxwell Webber Nella Woelfel James Wreford

30 CALGARY OPERA 2014-15 SEASON

PICCOLO

BASS TROMBONE

OBOES

TUBA

Gwen Klassen ** Jean Landa * David Sussman **

ENGLISH HORN David Sussman

David Reid *

Michael Eastep *

TIMPANI

Alex Cohen *

PERCUSSION

CLARINETS

Tim Rawlings *

Steve Amsel * Jocelyn Colquhoun **

BASSOONS

Christopher Sales * Michael Hope **

HARP

Tisha Murvihill *

LIBRARIAN Rob Grewcock

HORNS

Robert McCosh * Jennifer Frank-Umana *** William Hopson ** Laurie Matiation ** Heather Wootton **

TRUMPETS

Adam Zinatelli * Howard Engstrom **

TROMBONES

James Scott * Michael Thomson **

† Principal Emeritus



Leave of Absence

Supernumeraries Chris Baker Fred Balm Phyllis Balm Lawrence Eisler Chris Gieck

Pedro Guerra-Zuniga Darran Kelly George Leitch Kathleen McNally-Leitch Scott Moore

calgary opera chorus SOPRANOS

MEZZO-SOPRANOS

TENORS

BARITONES/BASSES

Gretchen Castronuovo Nicole Cates Carolyn Dahl Rees Karen Shippey-Heilmann Val Hudson Melissa Jackson Jordan Macdonald Taylor Robertson Nicole Smithanik Janel Snider

Lurene Bates Nadine Cornelius Jennifer Hutchinson Gail Ingelson Eswina Ngai Donna Romano Tania Sablatash* Laura Styler Julie Thompson Rosemary Van Dyk

Réjean Campbell Adrian Dayrit Michael Hardcastle Ned Leavitt Troy Lewis David Matthies Thomas McDonald Stuart Miller Josh Paynter Al Weller

Sean Brandenburg Doug Cheke Allen Crowley David Daly Mark Hahle John Hallett Evan Lindberg Marek Ratz David Ng Tim Volhoffer

*Appearing by courtesy of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association

eclectic!

A proud sponsor of the Calgary Opera

CARMEN 31

Rosemont Elementary

The Wilds Music by Darin Gregson and the students Libretto by Jacqueline Russell and the students Directed by Jacqueline Russell

Let’s Create an Opera This year, the Calgary Opera school program Let’s Create an Opera celebrates its 11th year. Its success has been due to its highly engaging format that promotes student creativity and teamwork.

During the course of the program, students and teachers collaborate with a playwright on writing their opera’s libretto, a composer on creating the score and a stage director on staging the final performance. Over the past 10 years, Calgary Opera has worked alongside schools to find effective ways of integrating these collaborations into the school curriculum. The result is an original work performed live for friends and family.

In addition to creating an opera, Calgary Opera Emerging Artists also provide the entire school an opera education presentation along with vocal demonstrations. Complementary Calgary Opera mainstage dress rehearsal tickets are also given to grades five and six students.

This year, three schools will be performing their original operas.

32 CALGARY OPERA 2014-15 SEASON

Penny and her friends must journey together into The Wilds (a magical and terrifying place where all fears live) in order to rescue her little brother Jimmy. Along the way they must face Ninja Ballerinas, Royal Zombies and Frogs with Mustaches. With the help of their friend Carrot the Owl and the power of encouraging words, these friends learn to face their fears and in doing so, discover their courage.

St. Phillips Elementary

Tiny Little Footprints (in a great big world) Music by John Abram and the students Libretto by Col Cseke and the students Directed by Mike Griffin A tiny family of tiny people have been safely living in Thomas’s messy closet, but when they’re mistaken for pests they are forced to move! Setting out for the big wide world for the first time they must face their fears, stay safe, and more importantly open themselves up to the world, it’s many creatures, and each other.

Douglas Harkness Elementary

Mars Music by Arthur Bachmann and the students Libretto by Aaron Coates and the students Directed by Valmai Goggin Two families, the Singhs and the Trans, move to Mars looking for a new life with new possibilities. When they arrive they find a planet in turmoil. The garbage disposal workers are on strike and the colony is a mess! The adults can’t agree on anything, so it’s time for the kids to step in.

ONE NATION UNDER THE ARTS We live in a country with a rich and deep appreciation for arts and culture, and we’re committed to fund programs that enable Canadians of all means and backgrounds to enjoy the very best.

Proud supporter of the Calgary Opera and proudly Canadian.

CARMEN 33

for

Thank you

volunteering!

Our volunteers mean the world to us.

We thrive on a sense of community and connection, and we are so grateful for the loving dedication that our volunteer team puts into our performances and special events. Whether you’ve been with us for years or have just joined our team, we want to say a special thank you to all of our fabulous volunteers! Each and every one of you helps to make Calgary Opera sparkle! You are our stars!

Our biggest volunteer project set sail nearly two summers ago with Canada’s first AND ONLY Outdoor opera festival and our performances of The Pirates of Penzance. 2015 marks our third Opera in the Village and we’ll need a strong team of hundreds of volunteers to make it a success! We can’t do it without you!

34 CALGARY OPERA 2014-15 SEASON

corporate and community support Community Supporters Alberta Foundation for the Arts Alberta Lottery Fund Calgary Arts Development Canada Council for the Arts Canadian Heritage Southern Alberta Opera Development Foundation

Community Outreach Sponsor Cenovus Energy

Season Sponsor Husky Energy

Emerging Artist Development Program Sponsor Enbridge

Mainstage Media Sponsor The Calgary Herald

Performance & Program Supporters BMO Financial Group KPMG McLeod Law Nexen Energy, a CNOOC Limited company RBC Financial Group through RBC Emerging Artists Project Sun Life Financial Talisman Energy TD Bank

Corporate Donors

Canadian Natural Resources Homes by Avi

Opera in the Village Presenting sponsor Imperial

Opera in the Village supporters The Remarkable Experience Accelerator Program - Calgary Hotel Association and Calgary Arts Development Authority The Calgary Foundation The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program - Department of Canadian Heritage ATCO Structures & Logistics Tourism Calgary Province of Alberta CMLC

Festival Sponsors FRAM + Slokker Embassy BOSA Big Rock Brewery

Media Sponsors

Calgary Herald Global Calgary Up! 97.7 Pattison Outdoor Playhouse Publications Swerve

Individual Donors Naming Benefactor Arrata Opera Centre Said Arrata

Major Gift Donors

The Late Evelyn C. Kings Dick Matthews Memorial Fund at The Calgary Foundation Pyke Family

Voce Eterna Future Fund

We acknowledge the generous support of Dr. R.G. (Bud) Williams, Emerging Artist Scholarship Fund Brian Grasmuck

Impresario Circle Platinum

Kensington Wine Market

Andrea Brussa* Judith & Terence Dalgleish* Stewart & Eileen Ford David & Beverley Foy Brian Grasmuck Evan J. Hazell Diane Hobson Don Swystun Sheila Wappel-McLean & Brent McLean Mrs. Marian Williams* * Denotes Adopt-an-Artist Donor

Official Florist

Gold

Consulting Professionals Dr. Phillip Van der Merwe – Company Physician

Official Wine Supplier

Peaseblossoms

Official Piano Technician of the Arrata Opera Centre Robert Moffatt

Tunde Agbi Lilien Dobish Don & Joanne Edie Edmonton Community Foundation Cos & Eleanor Gabriele* Christel & Ben Johansson Dawn & Verne Johnson Marilyn Milavsky Mary Rozsa de Coquet C.A. Siebens John Evison & Monica Sloan* James M. Stanford * Denotes Adopt-an-Artist Donor

CARMEN 35

corporate and community support Silver

Anonymous (2) Sharon Bartley Jo Anne Britton Lori Caltagirone Alan D. Castle Maureen & Graham Davies M.A. Duggan Dan & Susan Ezinga Eldon & Carlie-Jean Godfrey Dick & Louis Haskayne David & Joyce Keith Kevin Konynenbelt Vickie & Russell McKinnnon Pat & Peter Menzies Geri & Alan Moon Patricia & J. Sherrold Moore Heather Peters Helen M. Wells

Bronze

Anonymous (1) The Alan D. Castle Endowment for the Arts Helen & Mark Cluett Kirsten Cook-Zaba & Dwayne Zaba Carolyn Dahl Rees David & Roxanne Dunlop Margaret & Robert Fraleigh Michael & Carmen Hardcastle Rebecca Hotchkiss M.J. Kandt Juri & Helle Kraav James Light & Dixie Durling David Lyons* Sian Matthews & Gerry Leudy John & Susan McWilliams Roger & Pam Prior Cynthia Sim Tamra Stretch Janice Woodward *Denotes Adopt-an-Artist Donor

Core

Anonymous (2) ADEM Engineering Consultants Inc. Irene M. Bakker Micheline Barbeau Dr. Ken Blair/Rev. James Farrell Susanne & Michael Brown Ian & Gwen Burgess

Dr. Miriam Carey Ioan Dobre & Claudia Cattaneo Walter & Gloria Chayka Judge & Mrs. Mary Jane Cioni Marilyn Conley Brent Cooper Patricia Courtright Andy Crichton & Michele Kalny David Daly Gizella Davis Bill & Anne-Marie Duma Paul English & Marion Woodman Michael Fawcett Tibor & Livia Fekete Brian & Stephanie Felesky Angie Gelinas Patricia Glenn & John Holgate Patricia & Paul Godard Niki & Craig Golinowski Joyce Gray David R. Haigh Stella Hall Lynda Hay Judith Hepner Dr. Mark & Nancy Heule Henry & Johanna Heuver Richard D. & Phoebe Heyman Carrol Jaques & Bob Loov Glenn Johanson & Margaret Gibson Kimberley & Paul Lloyd Jay MacGillvray Brian P. Mahoney Dennis & Maureen McConaghy Lachlin & Julianne McKinnon Denise McMullen W.R. (Bob) McPhee Helen Moore-Parkhouse Osten Victor Fund Bruce & Branca Pachkowski Jocelyne Daw & Bob Page Lorne & Beth Price Gerry & Gail Protti Ruth & Garry Ramsden-Wood Greta Raymond Agnes & Edward Rewucki Iris Richards Maggie Rigaux Gordon Ritchie Marion Rogers Gordon W. Ross & Richard Cote Gordon Sombrowski & Kevin Allen Amber Stewart

36 CALGARY OPERA 2014-15 SEASON

Arlene Strom & Colin Jackson Cheryl Swan Kenneth & Faye Turnbull Henriette & Kees van Ittersum Dan & Molly Wares Andy & Krystyna Williamson Maurice & Anne Petrie Yacowar

Individual Donors $500 - $1,249

Anonymous (2) Jennifer Arko & Laura Castle Edna M. Charchuk Ted & Yanka Cochrane Deborah Cullen Tony & Gilean Daffern John & Audrey Fry Darcie Greggs Chris Herman James Hughes Derek & Nancy Lee Janis & Bruce Morrison Gary Nissen Dr. Brian Norford Kirsten Pugh Donna Riback Mark Saar Cam & Helga Schneider Joanne Stalinski Melanie Stapleton Richard & Shannon Tanner Paul Van den Eynden Colleen Wilson Robert & Kathryn Worthingham Jerilyn Wright

$250 - $499

Anonymous (4) Tina Antony Karen Bates G. Carson Michael Gerken Robert & Linda Heidemann Rizwan Hirjee John Humphrey & Laura McLeod P. Kornacki Robert & Linda Lesoway John Martland Outi McEachern Brian Mills & Susan Tyrrell James Murray Jock & Diana Osler

Paddon Hughes Development Co. Barry & Gail Pollock Francis Price Elinor Rae Vera A. Ross Pamela Smith Andrew Cook & Shannon Stevenson Greg Szuch Rodney Touche Val & Gerry Ward Tatiana Willumsen Robert E. Woodrow

$100 - $249

Anonymous (15) Accu-Tax Consulting Corp.

Carol & Chris Archer Daen Ashantiva Larry Bailey Marian Beer Jeanette & Rudy Berger Pieter Bessem & Heather Fraser George Bezaire Patrick Blancher Jean Blayney A.J. Brown & R.B. Beaty Katri Bruen Marion R. Burrus Dr. & Mrs. David Butts S. & M. Cameron Anita Carey David Caulfield Lynda Cherry Catrin Coe Frances V. Cormack Greg Coupal Susan Cowan Craighead Family Anne-Marie Crawford James & Terry Creusot John & Mari Jo deWaal Ann Donald C. Morag Dornian Brent Douziech Earl & Judy Dreeschen Denis & Patricia Duke Edi J. Dygert Ms. Judy Ernst & Mr. Gary Gelderblaum Miriam & Stephen Field Barbara & Larry Fish Mr. Scott Forsyth

Linda M. Fraser L. & M. Gregoret Ileen Hagen Ms Mary Lou Higgins Gregory and Alison Hild David & Anne Hills David Hobill Carla Hos Sandra Hunt McDonald Helen Isaac Albert Vonhof & Nydia Jaramillo Jellicoe Family Marja Koppe-Mijsberg Birgit Kostera Dennis Kreptul & Anne Tierney Larissa Kurennaya Normand Landry Michael Lee Hing Doreen Lougheed Al & Sandra Lucas Brenda-Ann Marks Peter Mauro Karen McCullough Neil McDermid James & Donna McDonald

Sean McInnes Karen D. McKay K. Millard Rose Monea Dr. Darlene Montgomery Gail Niinimaa John & Jean Partridge A. Patterson Barry Paxton L. Percifield Justice Carolyn S. Phillips Roger Pilkington Erika Pochailo Peter Rallios Norm & Marlene Raymond Chere Reilly Paul Sacco Mr and Mrs James Scott Laura Scott Doris & Gerard Sheilan Barbara Shellian Joan & Geoffrey Simmins Alane Smith Ken & Barbara Smith Leonard Smith

Penny Smith Doug Soeder Kathie and Bill Stell Greg Stirling Dr. Douglas & Laurie Strother David Tavender Peg Taylor Alan Waugh Mr. Steven Weisbrod Caroline Weisgerber Mr. & Mrs. T.W. Wilson Justin Woolsey Bryan Wright Frederick G. Young Herrat Zahner John Zubis

Silent Night Fund

Anonymous (3) B D Consluting Ian & Gwen Burgess Alan D. Castle Brent & Karen Cooper The Late Martha Cohen

Carolyn Dahl Rees Anne-Marie & Bill Duma David & Beverley Foy Henry & Johanna Heuver Juri & Helle Kraav Sian Matthews Mary Rozsa de Coquet Sheila Wappel-McLean & Brent McLean

Memorials

In Loving Memory of Ilse Grasmuck In memory of Judy Hartwell In Memory of Tom & Karen Jones

Special Thanks

The Banff Centre, Music Department Decidedly Jazz Danceworks Brigitta Diehl

Allegro Group Program Sponsor

Opera under 30 Allegro is Calgary Opera’s group for young adults with an interest in opera!

Whether you’re completely new to opera, or a seasoned opera enthusiast, Allegro is a fun and exclusive way to mix and mingle, see and be seen, learn and experience opera like never before.

Allegro members receive special discounts for all performances and events, as well as invitations to exclusive receptions, special offers, talks, tours, and more!

Membership is free, all you need to do is sign up online or through our Box Office, choose your seats, and pick your tickets up at the door.

Allegro Group events will take place throughout the 2015-2016 season, including this August at the Opera in the Village Festival.

We thank Allegro Group Sponsor TD Bank for making opera accessible for patrons 30 and under.

For more information or to join the Allegro Group please contact: Maggie Stephenson 403-802-3408 mstephenson@calgaryopera.com or visit: www.calgaryopera.com/allegro CARMEN 37

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