Edmonton Opera Magazine - La Traviata

Fall 2018

18 Synopsis

5 La Traviata Set Build

21 Community Arts Events Listings

6 Partners and Sponsors

25 Artists’ Profiles

9 Sustainability Fund

32 Opera Camp

11 Director’s Circle

33 Edmonton Opera Chorus and

12 Friends of Edmonton Opera

15 Endowment Fund

16 Message from the Director

4 Message from the General Director

Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

34 Hansel & Gretel Preview

36 Alberta Culture Days

Message from the Conductor

41 Edmonton Opera Board and Staff

17 Composer Bio

Cast and Production Credits

15230-128 Ave., Edmonton, AB T5V 1A8 Ph: 780-424-4040 Fax: 780-429-0600 Email: info@edmontonopera.com www.edmontonopera.com

42 Upcoming Events

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The Edmonton Opera magazine is published by Playhouse Publications Ltd. 10177 - 105 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1E2 Ph: 780-423-5834 • Fax: 780-413-6185 • www.playhousepublications.ca

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PUBLISHERS GOVERNMENT & FOUNDATION SUPPORT

Selected production photos from Manitoba Opera’s La Traviata by R. Tinker and C. Corneau

Edmonton Opera wishes to acknowledge that the land on which we gather today is Treaty 6 territory and a traditional meeting ground and home for many Indigenous Peoples, including Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, and Nakota Sioux.

Message from the general director Welcome to Edmonton Opera’s 55th season!

Tonight, we open with a production that celebrates everything audiences love about opera — spectacle, passion, drama, and electrifying music. I’m talking about La Traviata, of course.

Verdi’s emotionally-charged story of a famous courtesan with a fatal illness is still one of the most widely performed operas worldwide, though it hasn’t been seen on the Jubilee stage for nearly a decade.

Naturally, Edmonton audiences have been eagerly anticipating the return of this iconic heroine. So we thought why not bring her back with a bang this year and make some Canadian opera history in the process! For the first time in Canada, not two, not three, but five opera companies have joined together for this co-production of La Traviata, offering a level of spectacle and grandeur that truly does justice to Verdi’s masterpiece.

With assistance from Opera.ca, Edmonton Opera along with Opéra de Montréal, Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, and Manitoba Opera combined our resources to bring director Alain Gauthier and

production designer Christina Poddubiuk’s vision of 1920s Paris to life. And the most exciting part of this collaboration was getting to build the entire set right here in Edmonton! Over the course of 12 weeks, our talented local crew built and perfected every detail at the Opera Centre’s scenic shops before the production’s April 2018 premiere in Winnipeg.

Following this evening’s performance of La Traviata, our season continues with two more locally-built productions starring renowned Canadian singers: Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel & Gretel and the Western Canadian premiere of Rossini’s The Misadventures of Count Ory. You don’t want to miss these innovative and entertaining new productions!

On behalf of all the staff, crew, artists, and volunteers at Edmonton Opera, I want to raise a glass to thank you all for being here tonight and supporting our city’s vibrant arts scene. Libiamo!

– Tim Yakimec

SOUTH COURTYARD ENTRANCE 10150 100 STREET 780 420 6311 THEARTWORKS.CA

BESPOKE PAROSOL RING. HAND-CRAFTED TO LAST A LIFETIME.

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LA TRAVIATA 5

PARTNERS

and

SPONSORS

SEASON SPONSORS

The Rob Hood Fund PRESENTING SPONSOR

Judy Cosco Production Sponsors PRODUCTION sponsor La Traviata

La Traviata opening night sponsor

La Traviata TUESDAY night sponsor

La Traviata friDAY night sponsor

Francis Price & Marguerite Trussler OPERA BRUNCH Sponsor

Sponsor of the Edmonton Opera Chorus

Conductor Sponsor Legacy Gift from the Estate of

Josephine (Joan) Anne Bensted

Gold Partners Parking Sponsor

SPONSORS

media Supporters

www.wittenlaw.com

6 EDMONTON OPERA 2018/19 SEASON

Official Supporters

780.439.6060

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Production photographs of Edmonton Opera’s La Traviata provided by Nanc Price Photography.

Edmonton Opera gratefully acknowledges the Kucey Dental Group, who offers complimentary emergency dental services for EO artists, and Dr. Mat Rose, who offers medical services for EO artists.

Edmonton Opera is grateful for the support of these sponsors, suppliers and media partners.

For more information about supporting Edmonton Opera, please call 780.288.2510 or email development@edmontonopera.com.

LA TRAVIATA 7

Who needs Paris or a meddling father-in-law?

Violetta’s tragic story can spur you to grab hold of the life you want right now.

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We wish to thank the following Sustainability Fund individuals, corporations and foundations who have committed to Edmonton Opera’s sustainability.

Each of the following contributors to the Sustainability Fund have committed a minimum of $50,000 over five years.

Individuals

Jim & Monica Allen Bruce & Carol Bentley Robert & Michelle Bessette Jim & Sharon Brown John Cameron Carol & David Cass Richard S. Cook Judy Cosco Darren & Laurel Durstling Bruce Hagstrom Mark & Nancy Heule Laurence Jewell Dianne Kipnes Irving Kipnes

Ashif & Zainul Mawji Phil Milroy & Jane Russell Dr. Thomas & Melanie Nakatsui Jack & Esther Ondrack Sir Francis Price Hon. Marguerite Trussler Maureen & Randall Purvis Bernie Robitaille Arnold & Grace Rumbold Angus & Heather Watt Ed Wiebe & Marcia Johnson Bill Winter Paulette Winter Glenn & Sandra Woolsey

Corporations & Foundations

Al-terra Engineering Ltd. Clark Builders Dentons Canada LLP Kasian Architects Dianne & Irving Kipnes Foundation Ledcor Group of Companies

PCL Constructors Inc. Qualico Shelley & Guy Scott Family Foundation Sorrell Financial Standard General Inc. Wheaton Family Foundation

Shared Commitments

James Archibald & Heidi Christoph, Jennifer Brown, Hans & Susanne Forbrich, Melcor Developments Ltd., and James & Sheila Wheatley.

The first stage of the Sustainability Fund, to obtain 50 gifts, has been achieved.

The second stage, to reach 100 gifts, is now in progress.

For more information on the Sustainability Fund, please contact the Program Concierge, Gwen Horvath, at gwen.horvath@edmontonopera.com or at 780.288.2510.

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10 EDMONTON OPERA 2018/19 SEASON

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Edmonton Opera director’s circle The Director’s Circle recognizes those patrons whose significant financial support and ongoing commitment enable Edmonton Opera to continue to produce award-winning and compelling art in our community.

Bravo and thank you!

For more information about the Director’s Circle or to become a member, please call Gordana Bosiocic at 780.996.2744.

Season SponsorS Dianne & Irving Kipnes Foundation Creekwood Rob Hood Fund LA TRAVIATA Production Sponsors Francis Price & Marguerite Trussler MaestroS $10,000+ Allard Foundation The Highbury Foundation The Summit Foundation

LEADERS $5,000-$9,999 Bennett Jones F. Calder Larry Eberlein Dr. Frederic & Alma Gojmerac Stephen & Lynn Mandel Marjorie Purdy Chris & Vivian Varvis PATRONS $3,000-$4,999 Tricia Abbott Fath Group/O’Hanlon Paving Ltd. Jeffrey Jansen Dr. Christine Kyriakides Steven & Day LePoole Joan Lopatka & Bill Rutledge Judy & Stuart Mackay Rod & Heleen McLeod Arliss Miller Alan Rose Dr. P.J. White & Patty Whiting

BenefactorS $1,750-$2,999 Darlene Acton Anonymous (2) Douglas K. Bingham & Sheila Janki-Bingham David & Patricia Cassie City Lumber Corporation Marian Clarke Elaine Coachman Sandi Ann Darrell Michael Day & Marieke Kortbeek Robert Edmunds Joseph & Pat Fernando Peter & Astrid Griep Gabor Gyenes & Erika Mullner Brian Kucey & Elena Hernandez-Kucey Peggy & John Marko Hugh McPhail & Yolanda Van Wachem Risha Milo Dr. Kyle & Colleen Murray Eleanor Olszewski Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff James E. & Vivian Redmond Mary Ritchie & Bill Johnston Dave & Michele Rumbold Dr. Sudhakar Sivapalan Donald & Jacqueline Smith David Steer Joyce Walton Ralph James Wood

friends SustainerS

($1,000-$1,749) Alberta Measurement Services Arrow Engineering Diane Buchanan John & Ann Dea A. R. Grynoch & P. V. Sing Mary-Lou Hamilton Donald & Susan Hickey Caroline Howarth & John Adria Brenda Inglis Michael Kazda Jill Konkin Hilliard Macbeth Rod MacLean Peggy Marko Alan Mather Denis & Ruth McGettigan Graham McLennan Carman & Averie McNary Grace Megli-Turner Janine Odishaw Fay Plomp Pratch Family Foundation Dr. Nancy Price Marshall & Lisa Sadd Aroon Sequeira Patrick Spiers Team TELUS Cares William Timbers & Mary O’Connell Linda Uniat Ralph & Gay Young Family Fund Vonnie Zupan

of

Edmonton Opera

Brandon Kot Dr. Zaheerali Lakhani Neil & Jean Lund Kelly MacFarlane & Christopher Mackay Devon J. Mark & Allen Vander Well Terry Moroz Les Moss Keith Mould John Oberg Wade O’Neill & Marcela Svobodova Dr. Hanne Ostergaard Fred & Helen Otto Dr. Edward & Geri Papp Wesley M. Pedruski Mary Phillips-Rickey Tom Redl Daniel Rojek Matthew Rose Edmond & Orla Ryan Naomi Schmold & Craig Corbett Doug & Devika Short Nance & Michael Smith Dr. Thomas Snyder David Stults Rosalind Sydie Darcy Trufyn Barry Zalmanowitz

GUARDIANS

($250-$499) Lynn Adams Carolyn Baergen Dr. Vivien Bosley Thomas Bradley Judah Busheikin SUPPORTERS Nancy Cheng ($500-$999) Darren Currie Brent Agerbak Brenda Dale Cory Almquist Pat DeGrace Carl Amrhein Tony de Jong Andree Aston Dr. Jerrold & Lisa Diamond Garner Beggs Monique Draudson Loreen Belovich Mark England Sheryl & Bob Bowhay Ivan & Ksenia Fedyna Ryan Brown Robert & Janet Fraser Mark A. Dashkewytch John Gill Professional Corp.

Walter Goetz Krista Ference Dr. Tatsuyuki Hayashi David Finlay Kenneth & Jean Heavenor Lorna Gawlinski Jill Hoogewoonink Alice Harrison William Kenny Zenia Hawrysh Douglas & Dorothy Hollands Andrew Kowalchyk David & Sandra Kraatz Barry James Libuse Kuzel Pavel & Sylva Jelen

12 EDMONTON OPERA 2018/19 SEASON

Janet M. Clark Mary Clonfero Roger & Carol Cohen Joseph & Marta Collier Mary Cousineau Tim Crisall & Stefanie Ivan Laurel Deedrick-Mayne James & Gail DeFelice Dan & Lorna Dennis Swarnamala Dharmaratne John Dickey Wendy Doughty Lloyd Dumonceaux Frank & Muriel Dunnigan Tim Eckert Martin & Jacqueline Elton Tom & Heather Etsell Steven Ewaskiw Alfred & Coleen Falk Greg & Cathy Farnell Luba Feduschak Lois A. Field Deanna Finnman Karin Fodor Will Forrest Margaret Friedman Jules Germain Keith Gilroyed Gerda Goetz Charles & Ann Grant Darren Gray June Greig Brenda Gross Douglas Haines Marylee Hansen Bohdan Harasymiw MEMBERS Judy Heilman ($100-$249) R & Barbara Henderson Jenny Adams Lesley Heppleston Lisa Allen Jennifer Hinnell Warner & Bradley Armstrong Keith Warner Anonymous (3) Donna Holowaychuk Diana M. Bacon Gwen Horvath Vicki Barrow Stuart Houston William Bellamy Mike Hruska Laszlo Beothy Bonny & Earl Hubert Janet Birchall Dr. Sheila L. Hughes Julia Boberg Erik & Franziska Jacobsen Dr. Grace Bokenfohr Kevin Jerebic Phyllis Bryant David Jones Joanne Burek & Lee Stickles Ken Keenleyside Kelly Carter & Lynne Kest Patching Adriana Koziak Carter HaNeul Kim & Dr. John Yun Rick Charley Debra King Elisebeth Checkel Lorraine Kucey Donald Chisholm Gloria Kushnir Desmond Chow Kathryn Laurie Chung Chu Kaylee Laventure Cal Lange Brenda MacDonald Campbell MacKenzie John Mahon Greg & Patrece Maluzynsky Linda Medland-Davis Ronald & Carole Middleton Kevin & Robyn Mott Alfred Nikolai Dr. George & Teresa Pemberton Joan Pitfield Anne Pratt Barbara Prodor Clayton Rodney & Raymond Cameron Carolynne E. Ross Dorothy Scott-Stoutjesdyk Sheelagh & Andrew Semper SFZ Teleservices Julie Sinclair Gerry & Barbara Sinn Nicholas Smith Belinda Snow St. David’s Welsh Society of Edmonton George & Susan Sterling Pat & Jim Strong Robert Swart Dennis Todoruk & Susan Stauffer Frank Van Veen Jackson von der Ohe Mike & Mary Wood Tim Yakimec

Victor Lillo Tamara Linklater Doug & Joan Longley Richard & Jean Lyne Lowell Lyseng William MacKay Arlene MacLowick Cameron MacRae Steve & Kate Madsen John & Cathleen Matthews Joseph A. Matties Patricia McCaig Colleen McKenna Andrew McPherson Zoltan & Brigitte Meszoly Janet Millar Gail Moores Maurizio Naccarato Julianna Nagy Cindy Neufeld Sharon Pawlyk Iris Perry Carlos Raposo & Judy Strachan Eugene & Jeanne Ratsoy Sharla & Dorian Rauschning Yvonne Rekken Constantino Renzi & Kimberly Dary Jordan Rice Corrina Rokosh Hilary Rose Lesly Round Katrina Rowe Dr. E. J. Rudnisky Marea & James Ruggles Tom & Bev Sawyer Thomas Schuelke Evelyn Schwabe Shauna Scott Allison Seymour Brian Simpson Caroline Smith Edward & Eluned Smith Ian & Irene Sneddon Sheri Somerville Mark Spector Nicholas & Charlotte Spillios Nicole Stabile Meghan Stanbridge Alison & Richard Starke Monelle Sturko Leslianne Sugiura Jean Sult Sarah Taylor Louis Te William Tonn Alyson Turner

Jenny Van Nistelrooy Dennis Vance Terry Veeman

Trudy Velichka John Wanchulak Lorrill Waschuk

Jo-Anne Watt Cristina Weiheimer Joan Welch

James Wolfli & Annika Nordhagen Serene Yau David M. Yee

Jason Yohemas Marian Zaharia Gerhard & Inge Zmatlo

In Memory of Orville Chubb Lisa Allen Patricia McCaig Marea & James Ruggles Maggie Dower Dr. Vivien Bosley Gerry & Barbara Sinn Michael & Nance Smith St. David’s Welsh Society of Edmonton

Chris Hoogewoonink Arlene MacLowick Jacqueline Sugiura Leslianne Sugiura Natascha van Woudenberg Mary LeMessurier The Dianne & Irving Kipnes Foundation

Aline Pratch Pratch Family Foundation Eira Spaner The Dianne & Irving Kipnes Foundation

Mark Taylor Mark A. Dashkewytch Professional Corp.

Jean Hinko Lamb Ford Sales Ltd. Catherine Muster Meghan Stanbridge Video Tax News

Morley Workun William Cherniawsky Michael Day John Dickey Cairine Miner Alyson Turner

Sincere thanks go to those individuals who, through their gifts, have demonstrated their belief in making opera a vital part of our cultural community. To donate or for additional information, please call Gordana Bosiocic at 780.996.2744 or email gordana.bosiocic@edmontonopera.com.

Only 2018/19 season donations and/or pledges processed up to September 17, 2018, are listed. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our donor information.

If we have made an error or omission, please call Gordana Bosiocic at 780.996.2744. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Although space limitations allow us to list only charitable contributions of $100 or more, we gratefully acknowledge all donations. Each gift, regardless of size, helps to make Edmonton Opera performances possible. Thank you!

FRIENDS OF THE OPERA

benefits

MEMBER

guardian

SUPPORTER

SUSTAINER

BENEFACTOR

PATRON

LEADER

$100+

$250+

$500+

$1,000+

$1,750+

$3,000+

$5,000-$10,000

Tax receipt Acknowledgment in Intermezzo magazine Poster from our current season (upon request)

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CD of a classic opera recording (upon request) Exclusive VIP event (per season) Invitation for two to each dress rehearsal and VIP reception Two tickets at 30% off for each mainstage production Two invitations to the exclusive VIP Lounge VIP courtesy Jubilee parking during performances Tour of the Opera Centre Two complimentary Opera Brunch tickets Exclusive invitation to rehearsals

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

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Edmonton Opera’s Director’s Circle (donations of $1,750 or more) is our way of providing special recognition to our generous individual donors for their outstanding and sustained annual support. Director’s Circle members enjoy a number of exclusive opportunities throughout the season, to enhance their overall operatic experience. Please contact Gordana Bosiocic, Event Manager and Donor Relations, at gordana.bosiocic@edmontonopera.com or 780.996.2744 for more information about becoming a DC member.

The Sustainability Fund is comprised of dedicated individuals, corporations and foundations who have committed to a five-year, $10,000-per-year contribution, ensuring the sustainable future of Edmonton Opera. For more information about Sustainability Fund experiences and commitments, please contact Gwen Horvath, Director of Fund Development, at gwen.horvath@edmontonopera.com or 780.288.2510.

LA TRAVIATA 13

THANK YOU Bill & Paulette Winter

Edmonton Opera wishes to recognize Bill & Paulette Winter for their transformative gift to Edmonton Opera’s Endowment Fund at the Edmonton Community Foundation.

With this gift the Endowment Fund will exceed $10 million.

Annual income from the Endowment helps to support our work on stage and in our community.

As a charity, Edmonton Opera relies on the generosity of people like you.

To find out more about how you can make a difference and help us continue to grow our Endowment Fund, please contact Gwen Horvath at 780.288.2510 or donate@edmontonopera.com

Aria Legacy

Help Edmonton Opera Sing Forever Edmonton Opera creates award-winning and compelling art, and strives to keep that art accessible for the Edmonton community. Aria Legacy is your opportunity to share that dream in a focused and personal way, with a gift to our endowment program that will last into perpetuity. Endowment gifts of any size are appreciated.

For more information on how you can help sustain Edmonton Opera for generations to come, please call the donor services line at 780.996.2744.

Edmonton Opera

endowment funds

Edmonton Opera applauds the following visionaries for contributing to or establishing a legacy of support for the future of opera in our community. Many of these contributions have been matched by the Canada Cultural Investment Fund.

Edmonton Opera’s Endowment Funds Sam & Sonia Azer Family Fund Canada Cultural Investment Fund Dr. David Cook Fund for Edmonton Opera Edmonton Opera Endowment Trust Fund Edmonton Opera Staff Contributions Fund

Andy & Marianne Elder Fund Filipkowski Fund Frederic & Alma Gojmerac Family Fund Irving Guttman Opera Endowment Fund Tom Hall Opera Chorus Fund The Dianne and Irving Kipnes Opera Fund

Oline & Roderick Markine Family Fund John & Barbara Poole Family Fund Francis Price & Marguerite Trussler Family Fund Russell & Dwight Purdy Memorial Fund Arnold & Grace Rumbold Fund

In Memory of Howard Irving: J.E. Cote Richard Fraser Larry Judge John Karvellas Alec & Irene Murray Francis Price & Marguerite Trussler In Memory of Oline Markine: Francis Price & Marguerite Trussler

Endowment Donors & Aria Legacy Members Kris Aasen Tricia Abbott Darlene Acton Peter & Barbara Allen Anonymous (2) Rebecca Anderson Bill & Dorothy Astle Sam & Sonia Azer Joanne Beaton Garner Beggs Alan & Alice Bell Bennett Jones Robert Bessette Danisha Bhaloo Douglas & Sheila Bingham Larrie & Eleanor Boddy Jelena Bojic Dr. Grace Bokenfohr Gordana Bosiocic Katherine Braun Greg Brown Jennifer Brown Joyce Buchwald F. Calder John Cameron David & Carol Cass Marian W. Clarke Mary Teresa Clonfero Erin Clyde Richard S. Cook John & Ann Dea Brian Deedrick Laurel Deedrick-Mayne Glenda Dennis

Betty Lou Docherty Maggie Dower Marianne & Andy Elder June Emery Russell Farmer Ivan & Ksenia Fedyna Deanna Finnman Laura Fitzgerald Karin Fodor Hans & Susanne Forbrich Richard Gain Sandra Gajic Katie Gallin Barbara Gitzel Fred & Alma Gojmerac Karen Good Mikael Gustafsson Gabor Gyenes & Erika Mullner Phillip & Virginia Halloran Alex J. Hamilton Mary-Lou Hamilton Alison Hardy PenĂŠlope Haro-Aranda Louise Hayes Brian & Jeanne Hetherington Mark & Nancy Heule Jennifer Hinnell Warner & Keith Warner Andrew Hladyshevsky Karen & Pam Hofmann John & Susan Hokanson Douglas & Dorothy Hollands

Jill Hoogewoonink Nick Horobec Caroline Howarth & John Adria Gwen Horvath W.H. Hurlburt Lauren Hyatt Brenda Inglis Jeffrey Jansen Laurence Jewell Bill Johnston Robert & Erika Juthner-Krtschan Ken Keenleyside Madison Kerr Daniel & Millie Kim HaNeul Kim & John Yun Debra King The Dianne & Irving Kipnes Foundation Donna Kittle Betty Kolodziej Juri & Helle Kraav Rohan Kulkarni Megan Kumpula Libuse Kuzel Christine Kyriakides Shelagh Lam Tara-Lee LaRose Florence Lede Mary LeMessurier Stephen & Day LePoole Franklin C. Loehde Constantino & Barbara Loutas

Brenda MacDonald Judy & Stuart MacKay Amanda MacRae Cameron MacRae Joanne Madeley Bertrand Malo Greg & Patrece Maluzynsky Stephen & Lynn Mandel Andrae Marchak Devon J. Mark & Allen Vander Well Roderick & Oline Markine Peggy & John Marko Alan Mather Julian Mayne Jeff McAlpine Jeff McCune Rod & Heleen McLeod Bob & Bev McNally Hugh McPhail & Yolanda Van Wachem Grace Megli-Turner Axel Meisen Mickey Melnyk Laurie Mereu Arliss Miller Valorie Morgan Kevin & Robyn Mott Kyle & Colleen Murray Julianna Nagy Dr. Thomas & Melanie Nakatsui John Neilson Jack & Esther Ondrack

Dr. Edward & Geri Papp Keir Pearson Wesley M. Pedruski Mary Phillips-Rickey Patti Pon Barbara Poole Dr. Clarence H. Preitz Francis Price Protostatix Engineering Consultants Leonard Ratzlaff David Rayner Ingrid Raypold Reynolds Mirth Richards & Farmer LLP Clayton Rodney & Raymond Cameron Daniel Rojek Analee Roman Hilary & Robert Rose Arnold & Grace Rumbold Celyne Runzer Barry Schloss & Maureen Hemingway-Schloss Naomi Schmold & Craig Corbett Richard Schulz Don Scott Kelly Sheard Gabe & Connie Shelley Richard Sims Michael & Nance Smith Katie Soles Elaine Solez Sheri Somerville

Michael Spassov Darren Staten Ivan Steiner Catherine Szabo Team TELUS Cares Lauren Tenney Michael & Elizabeth Thain Karen Trace Hon. Marguerite Trussler David Lorne Tyrell Chris & Vivian Varvis Stella Varvis The Watson Family Fund Leslie Watson Angus Watt Cristina Weiheimer Joan Welch Brianna Wells Ed Wiebe & Marcia Johnson William F. Lede Family Foundation Robert A. Wilson Adrienne E. Wong Noel Xavier Tim Yakimec Serene Yau Laura Young Stacy Young Gerhard & Inge Zmatlo Vonnie Zupan

LA TRAVIATA 15

“A free woman is exactly the opposite of a flighty woman.”

Simone de Beauvoir As she aims to conquer her freedom — freedom to love and to be loved — Violetta Valéry, our heroine, hastens her descent into hell. Used to being surrounded by admirers in a world of fantasies, she is rejected when she tries to live a respectable life.

Wishing to portray this controversial character with a closer sensibility to our time, we’ve transformed the original courtesan into a music-hall celebrity. Artists, like courtesans, make people dream, but they are often prisoners of the image they project. Trying to run away from this image, even to get closer to who they really are, can lead to tragedy.

Freely inspired by the audacious and sometimes scandalous American artist Joséphine Baker, we’ve decided to move the action into 1920s Paris, with its joie de vivre and its glamorous lifestyle. The music hall scene at the beginning of the 20th century was at its apogee in Paris, and stars, like Baker, were both admired and marginalized, just like Violetta Valéry is in La Traviata. Worshiped in their own environment, these women were then rejected when confronted with a more conventional segment of society. The sometimes-shocking aspect of their existence, but also their freedom towards their life choices, may have kept them away from a complete recognition as respectable women.

Sempre libera! Always free… even if the price to pay is death.

– Alain Gauthier

La Traviata has all the elements of a perfect opera — true love, a class struggle, a devastating betrayal born out of pure sacrifice, and finally, redemption. It is a masterpiece, flawless in its balance of music and drama, a story unconstrained by time or era.

The opera starts with the most uniquely identifiable prelude in the repertoire — an ethereal B minor chord in the strings evokes a memory, meandering and transforming over 17 measures, until it is joined by the rest of the orchestra in present-day E major.

No work in the classical repertoire better encapsulates, in just 4 minutes, the inner thoughts and struggles of an individual.

Premiered at Teatro La Fenice in March of 1853, composed by one of the greatest opera composers of all time, Giuseppe Verdi, this iconic work combines glorious vocal magic with the most compelling orchestral writing of the genre.

I was in Australia when I first caught a glimpse of the stunning set and design, and realized the brilliant director, Alain Gauthier, would be at the helm. When I recognized the list of the superb headlining cast of Laquita Mitchell, Jason Bridges, and James Westman, along with Aaron Dimoff, Cara McLeod, Jamie McLennan, Giles Tomkins, Justin Welsh, and Beste Kalender, I knew this was going to be a very special and meaningful La Traviata.

In conversations with my colleagues, we all agreed: La Traviata is truly a masterpiece.

With its universal themes of love and death, the entire spectrum of the human experience is showcased. I hope you enjoy this most exciting production!

– Judith Yan Maestra Yan’s leadership is generously supported by the Josephine Anne Bensted Legacy Fund.

Edmonton Opera presents

la traviata October 20, 23 & 26, 2018 Music by Giuseppe Verdi Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave Premiere: March 6, 1853, Venice

Giuseppe Verdi was born in 1813 in the small Italian village of Le Roncole. At a young age, Verdi began assisting the local church organist and later in high school studied humanities and had formal music lessons.

He received financial support and encouragement from the wealthy Antonio Barezzi, and applied to study at the Milan Conservatory in 1832.

Verdi was refused by the Conservatory and instead began studying under Vincenzo Lavigna, a former musician and conductor at the famous La Scala Opera House in Milan. In 1836 after completing his studies, Verdi returned to Busseto and married Margherita Barezzi (Antonio’s daughter). He composed and conducted with Busseto Philharmonic Society over the next few years.

In 1839 Verdi wrote his first opera Oberto, which premiered at La Scala in Milan and was well received.

Shortly after, however, Verdi’s family was hit by tragedy.

Within a short period of time his wife and two young children died. Verdi nearly abandoned composing, but his colleagues encouraged him to continue writing.

Inspired by a story, he began writing again and was met with the great success of his opera Nabucco when it premiered in 1842. Over the course of the next eleven years, from 1842-1853, Verdi composed a series of sixteen operas. During this period known as his “galley years,” Verdi created famous works including Rigoletto (1851), Il Trovatore (1853), and La Traviata (1853) that remain remarkable pieces of opera history today.

Achieving such great success with his work, Verdi became world renowned as the leading Italian opera composer.

He wrote six new operas after La Traviata including the popular pieces Don Carlos (1867), Aida (1871), Otello (1887) and his last opera Falstaff (1893). In 1901, at the age of eighty-seven, Verdi had a stroke while in Milan and passed away a few days later. Orchestras and musicians came from every corner of Italy for his funeral in Milan.

With 28,000 people lining the streets, Verdi’s funeral remains the largest public assembly in Italy’s history.

Conductor Director Production Designer Lighting Designer Repetiteur/Chorusmaster Choreographer

Judith Yan Alain Gauthier Christina Poddubiuk Kevin Lamotte Peter Dala Amber Borotsik

The Cast

Violetta Alfredo Germont Baron Douphol Annina Gastone Marchese d’Obigny Flora Dr. Grenvil Giuseppe Messenger Guest

Laquita Mitchell Jason Bridges James Westman Justin Welsh Cara McLeod James McLennan Aaron Dimoff Beste Kalender Giles Tomkins Joseph Chambrinho* Bernie Schaloske* Teaan van Zijl *

*non-equity member

Understudies

Violetta Alfredo Understudy Coach

Whitney-Leigh Sloan Matthew Dalen Leanne Regehr

with members of the Edmonton Opera Chorus & Supers and The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Apprentice Stage Manager Apprentice Stage Manager

Ha Neul Kim Al Gadowsky Matthew Lagacé Lauren McCarthy Steven Sobolewski

There will be a 20-minute intermission after Act 2, Scene 1.

The performance is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes in duration, including intermission.

The production and designs for La Traviata were co-commissioned by Edmonton Opera, Manitoba Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, Opéra de Montréal, and Vancouver Opera. This production is made possible by assistance from Opera.ca Coproduction Loan Program.

Edmonton Opera is a professional company operating within the jurisdiction of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.

Edmonton Opera is a member of the Professional Opera Companies of Canada and Opera America.

LA TRAVIATA 17

SYNOPSIS

Act I Violetta Valéry, a famous Parisian courtesan, throws a

Violetta is torn. At first, she refuses to even consider leaving Alfredo. But Germont appeals to her humanity, begging her to let his son go. She eventually agrees.

Germont softens and thanks Violetta for making such a difficult but noble decision. She asks for only one thing in return — that Alfredo should learn about her sacrifice after she has died.

Just as everyone is beginning to enjoy themselves, Violetta feels faint and tells her guests to carry on partying in the next room.

They all leave except for Alfredo, who stays behind and expresses his love to Violetta. She feels awkward and rejects him at first, having never truly been in love herself. But Alfredo’s sincere words make her curious about the possibility of finding love — Violetta hands him a flower as a parting gift, asking him to return when it wilts.

Violetta flees the mansion and returns to Paris, saying goodbye to Alfredo with a letter. As he reads it in disbelief, Germont arrives to comfort his son. Soon Alfredo’s heartbreak gives way to jealousy and he decides to track down Violetta in Paris.

party at her house to celebrate the pleasures of life. Her friend Gastone introduces her to Alfredo, a man who has apparently been asking about Violetta every day. Knowing that he is a romantic, the party guests ask Alfredo to propose a toast.

Alone, Violetta wonders what life might be like if she allowed herself to fall for Alfredo. Could she give up her freedom and lavish lifestyle to settle down with a man?

Act II Three months later Violetta and Alfredo are living together at a mansion

in the countryside, away from the glitz and glamour of Paris that she has left behind. Annina, Violetta’s maid, reveals to Alfredo that Violetta has been selling her belongings to pay for this mansion. Alfredo feels humiliated and leaves for Paris immediately to settle their debt.

While Alfredo is away, Violetta gets a surprise visit from his father Germont, who is angry that his son had run away with a courtesan. Germont asks Violetta to break up with Alfredo because their relationship was destroying the family’s reputation.

He reveals that Alfredo’s sister’s fiancé was threatening to end their engagement if Alfredo continued to be seen with Violetta.

At a masked ball, Violetta arrives as the Baron’s date and Alfredo sees them together. He angrily begins a game of cards and challenges the Baron, and ends up winning a hefty sum. Once everyone has left, Alfredo confronts Violetta about her feelings for the Baron. She says she loves him. In a frenzy, Alfredo yells that he doesn’t owe Violetta anything, and starts throwing money at her.

Germont enters, having witnessed this entire scene, and scolds his son for such disgraceful behaviour towards a woman. Alfredo instantly regrets his actions.

Act III Violetta is extremely sick. She calls on her friend Dr. Grenvil for comfort. He reassures her, but tells Annina that she has only a few hours left to live.

Violetta receives a letter from Germont, in which he confesses to telling Alfredo the truth about her sacrifice. Both father and son are on their way to see Violetta, but she worries they might not make it in time.

Sounds of celebration are heard as Alfredo arrives. Violetta welcomes him back with open arms and the two dream of a bright and happy future together. But their euphoria is short-lived as Violetta once again feels the pain of her sickness.

A remorseful Germont enters and embraces Violetta as his own daughter. Finally at peace and surrounded by the people she loves, Violetta dies.

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Artists’

PROFILES Judith Yan

Christina Poddubiuk

Conductor

Production Designer

Judith Yan has been the Staff Conductor of San Francisco Opera, Canadian Opera Company, and National Ballet of Canada, and is currently the Artistic Director of Guelph Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of Opera on the Avalon.

Her career has taken her internationally, with performances including a world-premiere of An American Dream for Seattle Opera and The Taming of the Shrew for Teatr Wielki (Warsaw). 2018/19 season includes Vancouver Opera debut with La Bohème, revival of Ours for OOTA in St. John’s and at National Arts Centre, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 and Beethoven’s Mass in C for GSO, Swan Lake with Korean National Ballet, and a world-premiere of Pastor’s Dracula and La Bayadère for West Australian Ballet.

Christina Poddubiuk is a Stratford-based set and costume designer whose work has been associated with period and contemporary interpretations of classical theatre, most recently Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet, John Gabriel Borkman and Phèdre for the Stratford Festival; The Audience for Manitoba Theatre Centre, Pygmalion at the Shaw Festival, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Othello, and Much Ado About Nothing in Chicago, and The Light in the Piazza for Theatre Calgary. She designed the Canadian premiere of A Doll’s House Part 2 currently running at The Belfry Theatre in Victoria. For Pacific Opera, she designed Lucia di Lammermoor directed by Glynis Leyshon, Tosca, and Capriccio, as well as costumes for Don Quichotte and Béatrice et Bénédict for the Canadian Opera Company.

Alain Gauthier

Kevin Lamotte

Alain Gauthier developed his directing skills at the Université du Québec à Montréal. A former apprentice director at Opéra de Montréal, he directed several productions for the company, including Il Tabarro/Suor Angelica, Pagliacci/Gianni Schicchi, Faust, Dead Man Walking, La Bohème, and Elektra. His work has also been seen at the Austin Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Opéra de Québec and New York City Opera. He recently directed Il Barbiere di Siviglia at Calgary Opera, as well as La belle Hélène for Festival d’opéra de Québec.

His projects for this season include The Daughter of the Regiment for Opera Carolina, and Il Barbiere di Siviglia at Manitoba Opera.

Kevin has created lighting designs for opera, theatre and dance companies across Canada and internationally. Recent credits include La Traviata (Manitoba Opera); La Bohème (Pacific Opera Victoria); Mythos (with Stephen Fry), The Magician’s Nephew, Henry V, The Baroness and the Pig, (Shaw Festival); Waiting for Godot (Soulpepper); John (Canadian Stage). He has been awarded many times including Ontario’s Pauline McGibbon Award and Toronto’s Dora Mavor Moore Award. Kevin is the Lighting Design Director for the Shaw Festival and a member of the Associated Designers of Canada.

Director

Lighting Designer

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Artists’

PROFILES Laquita Mitchell Violetta | soprano

Soprano Laquita Mitchell consistently earns acclaim on eminent international opera and concert stages, leading performances with Los Angeles Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, Washington National Opera, Opéra Comique in Paris, New York Philharmonic, and The Philadelphia Orchestra, among many others. This season, she performs Violetta in La Traviata with Edmonton Opera and reprises the role of Bess in Porgy and Bess with Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and Grange Park Opera. She will also create the role of Josephine Baker in Tom Cipullo’s Josephine for Opera Colorado.

Jason Bridges Alfredo | tenor

Jason Bridges is internationally recognized as an impressive and versatile tenor. He trained as a young artist at the Opéra National de Paris and is a former member of the soloist ensemble with the Wiener Staatsoper. His career has brought him to opera houses and concert halls around the world including Amsterdam, Tel Aviv, Madrid, Warsaw, Berlin, Riga, Vienna, Paris, Cardiff, Bregenz, and San Francisco.

Notable recent performances include Lensky with Welsh National Opera and Lysander and Don Ottavio with the Israeli Opera. This performance as Alfredo in La Traviata marks his Canadian debut.

James Westman Germont | baritone

Acclaimed Canadian baritone James Westman’s passion and musicianship brings an extra dimension to his performances at the world’s leading concert halls and opera companies. Recent engagements include Sir John A. Macdonald (Louis Riel) at the Canadian Opera Company, Opéra de Québec and National Arts Centre, Ottawa; title role in L’aseddio Di Calais with Boston Opera; Enrico (Lucia di Lammermoor) at Utah Opera, title role of Rigoletto with Opéra de Montréal; Germont (La Traviata) with the COC and Manitoba Opera. Upcoming: title role of Nabucco at the Opéra de Québec; Britten’s War Requiem with Colorado Symphony, Chicago Symphony and NAC. Westman will reach the milestone 200th performance of Germont in La Traviata with Pacific Opera Victoria in spring 2019.

Cara McLeod Annina | soprano

Cara Lianne McLeod most recently performed as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni with Edmonton Opera, with whom she made her company debut in the role of High Priestess in Aida and sang the role of Berta in Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Other credits include Nedda in Pagliacci, Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro and Micaëla in Carmen. Ms. McLeod has appeared as a featured soloist with Vancouver Island Opera, Red Deer Symphony, Edmonton Youth Orchestra, Calgary Concert Opera Company, and Alberta Symphony Orchestra. She is looking forward to appearing as a guest artist with the ESO in Rocky Mountain High: An Evening of John Denver this fall, and upcoming recitals with Emilio De Mercato and classical accordionist Sir Antonio N. Peruch.

James McLennan Gastone | tenor

James most recently appeared with Edmonton Opera as Jean Bilodeau in Les Feluettes. Last year’s credits also included Goro in Madama Butterfly at Manitoba Opera, Luther Billis in South Pacific for Calgary Opera, and a tour of the Canadian prairies with A Prairie Boy’s Life by composer John Greer. Upcoming: Gastone in La Traviata with Pacific Opera Victoria and Handel’s Messiah with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, company debut with the Regina Symphony in Riel, Heart of the North, and a concert of classic show tunes for the Kelowna Community Concert Association in BC. A certified French translator, James is also a voice instructor at the University of Manitoba Desautels Faculty of Music.

Beste Kalender

Flora | mezzo-soprano A frequent performer on concert and opera stages internationally, award winning mezzo-soprano Beste Kalender was featured as The New Artist of The Month by Musical America Worldwide after her recital debut at Carnegie Hall in 2017. Beste has recently performed at Helikon Opera (Russia), Bolshoi Theatre (Belarus), Teatro Comunale di Bologna (Italy), Sori Festival (Jeonju, Korea) and Les Chorégies D’Orange (France), as well as in various productions in Canada. She made her professional debut in the title role of Bizet’s Carmen with Calgary Opera and American role debut with Cenerentola at Music Academy of The West. Among her accolades, Beste was named Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques in Canada five times, won the 2016 Sylva-Gelber Foundation Award and the Inaugural Stuart Hamilton Memorial Award in 2018.

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Artists’

PROFILES Giles Tomkins

Dr. Grenvil | bass-baritone Canadian/British bass-baritone Giles Tomkins is widely praised for his vocal virtuosity and lyricism in an impressive range of repertoire. His rich, resonant voice brings “authority and power” to the concert and operatic stage. Giles starred as Gandalf in Dean Burry’s The Hobbit with Canadian Children’s Opera Company, and has appeared in leading roles throughout Canada including Colline (La bohème), Raimondo (Lucia di Lammermoor), Timur (Turandot), Superintendent Budd (Albert Herring), and Sergeant of Police (Pirates of Penzance). Recent and upcoming performances include Khodozat in Tapestry Opera’s The Overcoat, Dr.Grenvil in La Traviata with Pacific Opera Victoria and Don Basilio with Manitoba Opera’s Barber of Seville.

Aaron Dimoff

Marchese d’Obigny | bass-baritone An alumnus of Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist program, Aaron has been seen in Alberta as the Mandarin in Turandot, the Speaker in Die Zauberflöte, Zuniga in Carmen, Antonio in Le Nozze di Figaro, and the British Major in the Canadian premiere of Silent Night. Aaron recently sang Basilio in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Sacristan in Tosca with Calgary opera. Previous seasons saw him in Edmonton Opera’s production of Elektra, as well as Zuniga in Carmen. Recent concert appearances include Elijah with Calgary Festival Chorus, Hansel & Gretel with Okanagan Symphony, Carmina Burana, Mozart’s Requiem, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and Mozart’s Vespers K339 with Bow Valley Chorus, and Beethoven’s 9th with Calgary Civic Symphony.

Justin Welsh

Baron Douphol | baritone Caribbean-Canadian Justin Welsh has been performing all across Canada in recent years. On stage, he was seen as Crown in Porgy and Bess with Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and Marcello in La bohème with Opéra de Montréal. He has also performed Fiorello in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro and Queegueg in Moby Dick for Calgary Opera. He connected with the Trinidad Opera Festival Picoplat performing in Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffman. Alongside operatic roles, Justin has performed in oratorio works such as Messiah, Fauré’s Requiem, Matthew Passion, Beethoven’s Mass in C, Bach’s Magnificat and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

Matthew Dalen

Alfredo Understudy | tenor Canadian tenor Matthew Dalen has recently been praised in Opera Canada magazine for his “warm tone and good connection to text.” At Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Dalen has performed Gastone in La Traviata, Maj. Baker/Pvt. Carter in a world premiere of An American Soldier, Hank/Lou in The Grapes of Wrath, and understudied Franz/Block in the American premiere of Phillip Glass’s The Trial and Leo Hubbard in Regina. Matthew is a graduate of Vancouver Opera’s Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program where he covered Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore and Lensky in Eugene Onegin. Dalen is a member of Canadian Actors’ Equity, AFM, and AGMA.

Whitney Leigh Sloan

Violetta understudy | soprano Edmonton soprano Whitney Leigh Sloan was seen most recently as Zerlina in Edmonton Opera’s Don Giovanni. Previous seasons with Edmonton Opera have included the role of Second Maid in Strauss’ Elektra and Liù (cover) in Turandot. Whitney has been fortunate to perform at home in feature performances with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the WindRose Trio, Edmonton Youth Orchestra, Orchestra Borealis and Cité Francophone. Engagements for 2018/19 will include Alice in Edmonton Opera’s Le comte Ory as well as multiple engagements with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the highlight of these being a performance of four songs by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, orchestrated by Edmonton composer John Estacio.

Leanne Regehr Understudy Coach

Pianist Leanne Regehr is widely recognized for her intuitive ability to collaborate with other musicians across an extensive range of repertoire.

She is a repetiteur with Edmonton Opera, and her dedication to the development of young singers has been shown through her work as a faculty member with Opera NUOVA and Cowtown Opera Summer Academy, and as a Coaching Fellow at the Aspen Music Festival. Leanne completed her Doctor of Music in Piano Performance at Northwestern University and is currently based in Edmonton where she serves on the faculties of the University of Alberta and The King’s University, and enjoys her freelance career as a vocal coach, recital partner, and adjudicator.

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Artists’

PROFILES Peter Dala

Chorusmaster and Repetiteur Peter Dala began his conducting career 30 years ago with the Basel Ballet. He conducted for seven years at the Hungarian State Opera and the National Ballet of Hungary. As Edmonton Opera’s chorusmaster from 1996 to present and resident conductor from 2001 to present, he prepared the chorus for roughly 50 operas, has played over 50 operas as repetiteur and has conducted over 30 operas. In 2001 he began his affiliation with Alberta Ballet and was named music director in 2005. He has conducted over 40 different productions for them.

Amber Borotsik Choreographer

Amber Borotsik is an Edmonton-based creator, performer and educator keenly interested in the intersection between contemporary dance and theatre practices. Amber has performed in both theatre and dance across Canada, the United States and in Japan; and has received three Sterling Awards (Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role – Little One, Choreography/ Fight Direction and Independent Production – Scythe) and the TELUS Courage to Innovate award at the Mayor’s Evening for the Arts. Last fall Amber travelled to Studio 303 in Montreal and Neighbourhood Dance Works in St. John’s Newfoundland where she had a blast remixing the work of other choreographers as a part of the CanDance/Studio 303/Mile Zero Dance/NDW REMIX Exchange.

Ha Neul Kim

Al Gadowsky

Assistant Stage Manager Previously at Edmonton Opera, Al has assistant stage managed Les Feluettes, Turandot and The Merry Widow. Other stage and assistant stage management credits include Anne of Green Gables the Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, Million Dollar Quartet, and Mamma Mia! (Charlottetown Festival); The Humans (Citadel/Canadian Stage); Crazy For You (Citadel/Theatre Calgary); The Silver Arrow: The Untold Story Of Robin Hood, West Side Story, Alice Through The Looking Glass, and Avenue Q (Citadel Theatre). He is a graduate of the BFA Stage Management program at the University of Alberta. Al would like to thank his family and friends for their continuing love and support.

Matthew Lagacé

Assistant Stage Manager Matthew Lagacé was born and raised in La Salle, Manitoba and is very excited to be making his Edmonton Opera debut on La Traviata. An alumnus of University of Manitoba’s Theatre Program, some of his previous stage management credits include: La Traviata, Madama Butterfly, Falstaff, The Marriage of Figaro (Manitoba Opera); The Whipping Man, (Winnipeg Jewish Theatre); The Flats/Les Flats (Prairie Theatre Exchange/Théâtre Cercle Molière). Upcoming productions: Hansel & Gretel (Edmonton Opera); Don Giovanni (Manitoba Opera); Que faire d’Albert? (Prairie Theatre Exchange/ Théâtre Cercle Molière). A big thank you to my friends and family for all your love and support. Go Jets Go!

Stage Manager

As a graduate of the University of Alberta’s technical theatre production program with a specialization in stage management, Ha Neul has worked at theatres and major special events across Canada. She is delighted to mark the 2018/19 season as her 17th with Edmonton Opera, taking over as Stage Manager in 2007. These past 17 years have been an incredible experience, being involved in over 40 productions and in the company’s artistic operations. Ha Neul also enjoys the opportunity to mentor Assistant Stage Managers and Apprentice Assistant Stage Managers for each EO production, and teaches a class in opera stage management at the University of Alberta.

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This summer, Edmonton Opera hosted its first-ever Opera Camp for students in Grades 4-6, led by Kate Ryan and held at the Opera Centre. The theme for this three-day camp was Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel & Gretel, with our young campers creating their very own version of the opera featuring props, scenery, costumes, and choral music!

“Opera is such a cool art form for kids to learn because it involves so many other arts,” says instructor Kate Ryan. “There’s music, dance, visual arts, design, literature, stories… it’s such a wonderful way for them to play and explore their voice, their emotions, and working together as a group to tell stories in a big, bold way.”

Our camp began with a session of scenic painting for students to build tree flats, during which they learned new techniques that are used by professional scenic painters.

This was followed by a prop-building workshop in which campers created mason jar lanterns for Hansel & Gretel’s journey into the dark forest. The next few sessions were all about music and movement, as our campers

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became familiar with Humperdinck’s sumptuous score and folk song-based melodies. Kate encouraged them to come up with movements and jigs, eventually transforming into fully choreographed sequences. “The kids really found magic in the story of Hansel & Gretel, but also found morals and learned a lot about themselves in the process,” says Kate.

For eight-year-old Lyra, Opera Camp was a dream come true. “I just love acting, and singing, and dancing. I’ve been doing it since I was a baby,” she says. “My favourite part was making the lanterns. It was so much fun because we got to put glitter on them, and I love glitter…and sparkles!”

On the final day, campers presented a 20-minute performance of Hansel & Gretel to their parents and families, which was met with a standing ovation. Everyone is already looking forward to next year’s camp!

For more information about next summer’s Opera Camp and to reserve your child’s spot, email education@edmontonopera.com.

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BRAHMS, SCHUMANN AND STRAUSS Friday, November 16 • 7:30 PM Saturday, November 17 • 8:00 PM

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32 EDMONTON OPERA 2018/19 SEASON

COME. PLAY. HEAR.

Edmonton Opera chorus

and supers

Soprano

Mezzo-Soprano

Tenor

Bass/Baritone

Supernumeraries

Isabel Davis Louise Ashdown Cristina Weiheimer* Alison Turk Amanda Smith Christina O’Dell* Sandy Schaloske* Krista Paton

Krista Mulbery* Betty Kolodziej***** Youn Choi* Karen Zabinski* Colleen Iversen Emily Oickle Joyanne Rudiak Glynis Price*

Andrea Pinna Allan Cabral de Sa Garreth Borgstrom* Joseph Chambrinho* Robert Rock***** Mathew Glenn* Terry Cheng Adam Sartore

Bernie Schaloske* John Yun** David Conway Teaan van Zijl Nick Horobec*** Jason Somerville Andrae Marchak** Connor Hoppenbrouwers

Natelle Bonnick Twilla MacLeod

* Ten or more productions with EO ** Twenty-five or more productions *** Fifty or more productions **** Seventy-five or more productions ***** Hundred or more productions

Edmonton Symphony orchestra Chief Conductor: Alexander Prior Conductor: Judith Yan Violin 1

Viola

Oboe

Bass Trombone

Eric Buchmann Laura Veeze Neda Yamach Ewald Cheung Aiyana Anderson-Howatt Susan Flook Anna Kozak Jim Cockell Broderyck Olson Alison Zdunich

Clayton Leung Kerry Kavalo Rhonda Henshaw Jeannette Comeau Stefan Jungkind Sarah Woodman

Lidia Khaner Paul Schieman

Christopher Taylor

clarinet

Scott Whetham

cello

bassoon

Violin 2 Dianne New Sarah Kim Heather Bergen ZoĂŤ Sellers Robert Hryciw Tatiana Warszynski Murray Vaasjo Sylvia Chow

Rafael Hoekman Jun Kyu Park Ronda Metszies Meran Currie-Roberts Derek Gomez Victor Pipkin

bass Jan Urke Max Cardilli Rob Aldridge Andrew Lawrence

flute Elizabeth Koch Elizabeth Faulkner

Julianne Scott David Quinn Matthew Howatt Edith Stacey

horn Allene Hackleman Megan Evans Mary Fearon Donald Plumb

Trumpet

tuba tIMPANI Barry Nemish

Percussion Brian Jones Brian Thurgood

harp Nora Bumanis

Orchestra Personnel Manager

Robin Doyon Frederic Payant

Eric Filpula

Trombone

Aaron Christopher Hawn

John McPherson Kathryn Macintosh

Librarian ESO Production Staff Jerrold Eilander Mike Patton

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“When I was first approached by Edmonton Opera General Director Tim Yakimec to direct Hansel & Gretel, he gently requested the piece not be a ‘lollipop and candy canes’ version of the opera,” says director Rob Herriot. “There was a desire to have something darker, which I think suits the piece much better than a light-hearted approach.”

Herriot believes the eerie elements of Hansel & Gretel have existed from its creation. Upon a close reading of the Brothers Grimm story, it becomes clear this is not just a whimsical fairy tale. Hansel & Gretel also resonates with our current world, where cases of missing children and young women are becoming more prevalent and where poverty is still a major problem. These are themes that come to life through Engelbert Humperdinck’s music, which is composed with a lot of Wagnerian influence. “Humperdinck goes into the depths of each character, exploring their sorrow and anxiety at being poor, but also their belief in a higher power that will protect them from harm,” says Rob. “It feels almost like a film score in places.”

preview Although our production embraces the grittier aspects of this story, there are still plenty of fantastical moments — it is a fairy tale, after all! Designer Deanna Finnman’s costumes showcase the opera’s dreamlike nature, especially in her designs for the Sandman and Dew Fairy. “In our production, the Sandman rises out of the earth and is a tree-like creature. He’s whimsical and mystical but also a bit scary,” she says. “The Dew Fairy’s costume comes with a huge butterfly headpiece that is extended beyond her physical self through the use of projections. When she enters, she’ll fill the stage with butterflies!”

In the spirit of fantasy, Hansel & Gretel will also feature integrations between costumes, set, lighting, and projections to create moments of theatrical magic.

The creative team of Rob Herriot, Deanna Finnman, set designer Camellia Koo, and lighting/projection designer Barry Steele are looking forward to exploring new technology to deliver a spectacular production!

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(SUGGITT) EDMONTON OPERA 1/3 page horizontal - 7.5” x 3” no bleed

38 EDMONTON OPERA 2018/19 SEASON

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40 EDMONTON OPERA 2018/19 SEASON

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edmonton opera board of directors 2018-2019 season Craig D. Corbett, Chair Francis Price, Vice Chair Ken Keenleyside, Treasurer Richard Cook, Past Chair Irv Kipnes, Chair Emeritus

Enzo Barichello Garner Beggs Robert Bessette Jennifer Brown

Frank Calder Mary Clonfero Hans Forbrich Melanie Nakatsui

Bernie Robitaille Daniel Rojek Sheri Somerville

edmonton opera staff Executive Tim Yakimec, General Director*

Finance Debra King, CFO Serene Yau, Accountant

Community Relations Cameron MacRae, Director of Marketing & Communications Victoria Modine, Patron Services Manager Rohan Kulkarni, Communications & Community Engagement Coordinator Madison Kerr, Marketing Assistant Montana Craft, Patron Services Associate & Receptionist

Fund Development Gwen Horvath, Director of Fund Development Mary-Lou Hamilton, Director of Strategic Partnerships Jennifer Hinnell, Development Manager, Grants and Foundations Gordana Bosiocic, Event Manager & Donor Relations Celyne Runzer, Fund Development Coordinator

Artistic Administration Ha Neul Kim, Director of Artistic Operations, Resident Stage Manager* Peter Dala, Resident Conductor & Chorusmaster* Leanne Regehr, Understudy Coach Kendra Litwin, Arts Administration Assistant

Production and technical Clayton Rodney, Production & Technical Director* Alison Hardy, Assistant Production Manager* Christian Zerteke, Technical Assistant Megan Kumpula, Head, Properties & Head Scenic Artist Shanna Orgovan, Assistant Head Scenic Artist* Lisa Ruelling, Scenic Artist Kim North, Scenic Artist Cassidy Armstrong, Scenic Artist Terri Grant, Scenic Artist Tyrena Carmen, Scenic Artist Andrée Simard, Scenic Artist Intern – training program Mikael Gustafsson, Head Scenic Carpenter & Shop Supervisor Connor MacDonald, Assistant Head Properties / Scenic Carpenter

Vincent Meseck, Head Welder Kris Aasen, Scenic Carpenter Kieran Thomas, Scenic Carpenter Jamie O’Dell, Scenic Carpenter Patrick Brunet, Scenic Carpenter Hannah Bailey, Scenic Carpentry Intern – training program Deanna Finnman, Head, Wardrobe & Resident Wardrobe Designer* Brenda Inglis, First Assistant Wardrobe* Kathryn Neuman, Stitcher Genevieve Savard, Stitcher Danine Regenwetter, Stitcher Michelle Warren, Stitcher Nicole Scherrer, Transportation Captain Mark MacVicar, Production Assistant Tyrena Carmen, Production Assistant Taralyn Bieganek, EO Facilities Jeff Yee, EO Facilities

Production and technical Stage Crew Geoff Bacchus, Head Stage Carpenter* Jeff Connors, Assistant Head Stage Carpenter Al Kliss, Head Fly* Randy Tomiuk, Assistant Head Fly Operator Joseph (Bud) Race, Head Electrics* Catherine Whittingstall, Assistant Head Electrics Megan Kumpula, Head of Properties Connor MacDonald, Assistant Head Properties Shanna Orgovan, Properties Anna Davidson, Properties Danine Regenwetter, Head Wardrobe Dresser Kathryn Neuman, Assistant Head Wardrobe Dresser Cathy Nicoll, Head Make-up* Noreen Jani, Assistant Head Make-up* Leanne Scott, Make-up Osase Emokpae, Make-up Rebecca Klassen, Wigs & Hair Judy Morley, Wigs & Hair* Kendra Litwin, Supertitle Cuer

*10 years or more of service to Edmonton Opera

LA TRAVIATA 41

�pcoming

events

Giving Tuesday | November 27, 2018 Start off your holiday season on the right note, with a gift that can make a difference! This year, Edmonton Opera is pleased to partner once again with Kids Up Front, bringing the magic of opera to families. On November 27, every $20 contribution made will provide a child’s ticket to the opera, and every $100 donation will bring a family of four to our upcoming production of Hansel & Gretel.

Opera 101 | January 16, 2019 | 7 p.m.

Learn all about Engelbert Humperdinck’s beloved German opera through a multidisciplinary panel discussion held at CKUA downtown. Hansel & Gretel Opera 101 is free to attend, RSVP required on Eventbrite.

Servus Opera Brunch | January 20, 2019 | 11 a.m.

The talented cast of Hansel & Gretel invites you to this intimate recital at Chateau Lacombe accompanied by a delectable brunch buffet! Your ticket includes a welcome mimosa, exquisite brunch offerings selected by the Chateau Lacombe’s executive chef, and performances by such talented singers as mezzo-soprano Andrea Hill (with stage credits at the Metropolitan Opera and Royal Opera House) and soprano Lida Szkwarek (last seen in Carmen).

Student Dress Rehearsal | January 31, 2019 | 11 a.m.

Students of all ages can experience the magic of live opera at our special matinee performance of Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel & Gretel. Featuring live music performed by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, this field trip is sure to captivate your students’ imaginations! The Hansel & Gretel Student Dress Rehearsal is now sold out; email education@edmontonopera.com to add your class to the wait list.

Hansel & Gretel | February 2, 5 & 8, 2019 Based on the Brothers Grimm folk tale, Hansel & Gretel takes you deep into the forbidden forest with a charmingly curious brother-sister duo. This German classic features Engelbert Humperdinck’s sumptuous score and richly woven characters that will satisfy all your operatic cravings! Tickets are now available from $29.

Valentine’s Gala | February 14, 2019 Everything you love about opera – lavish sets, gorgeous costumes, and unforgettable music – will come together in a spectacular celebration at our Valentine’s Gala! This annual fundraiser features gourmet culinary offerings, a selection of fine wines, and live entertainment at the Shaw Conference Centre.

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