University of Kentucky Opera Theatre presents Puccini's Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

OPERA THEATRE

PUCCINI GIANNI SCHICCHI

SUOR ANGELICA

PUCCINI GIANNI SCHICCHI and SUOR ANGELICA Music by Giacomo Puccini | Librettos by Giovacchino Forzano

October 11 and 12, 2019, 7:30 pm October 13, 2019, 2pm Singletary Center for the Arts @ukoperatheatre ukoperatheatre.org

GIANNI SCHICCHI and

SUOR ANGELICA Music by Giacomo Puccini Librettos by Giovacchino Forzano

A PRODUCTION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS UK OPERA THEATRE AND OPERALEX This Production Sponsored in part by: Alltech Ann Bakhaus Family Anonymous Donor Bravo Guild Constance and William Collis Opera Production Endowment Kentucky Research Challenge Trust Fund Lucille Little Opera Endowment OperaLex Performance Endowment Ralph and Ann Mason Endowment Ray Fillmore Garman II and Eugenie (Gigi) Garman Opera Performance Endowment Miller/Shouse Endowment

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UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY OPERA THEATRE presents

Sung in English

April 3 – 5, 2020 SINGLETARY CENTER FOR THE ARTS SingletaryCenter.com 859-257-4929

A WORD FROM THE PRODUCER Dear Opera Friends, Welcome to the 64th season of UK Opera Theatre!

Every year I look forward to the new class of singers who will grace the grounds of the University of Kentucky, and this year is no exception. Because of the strength and prestige of the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition, we have been able to recruit some of the finest young singers in the United States. I look forward to introducing them to you as we journey through our 2019-2020 season.

I am especially excited about this year’s season opener, the double-bill of Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica. Gianni Schicchi occupies a near and dear place in my heart because it was the first opera I sang in when I was in college. I remember the excitement of being introduced to Puccini’s musical and dramatic genius, and I am equally excited to think of someone in the audience experiencing that for the first time today. We are thrilled to have you here with us.

Our spring production will be The Crucible by Robert Ward. Many of you know the play of the same title by the great American playwright Arthur Miller, but fewer are familiar with the equally powerful opera. This will be our first time to present it.

There are many other programs throughout the year that I hope you will take advantage of: the Metropolitan Opera Auditions in November, the Alltech Celebration of Song in December, and the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition in March.

If you happen to be in New York this fall or early winter, be sure to check out the Metropolitan Opera production of Porgy and Bess. We are delighted that eight UK Opera Theatre alumni and students will make their Met debuts in this production, including Reginald Smith Jr. singing the role of Jim. We also celebrate UK alum and Grand Night regular Darian Sanders, who has just joined the Broadway touring cast of The Lion King, singing in the ensemble and covering the role of Simba. Look where you can go from UK! Thank you for your enthusiasm for this program. Your support has done, and will continue to do, amazing things.

Sincerely,

Everett McCorvey, Director of UK Opera Theatre

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A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC It would be easy to rest on our well-earned laurels after the University of Kentucky’s School of Music wrapped up a wonderful 100th anniversary season with stellar performances of Amadeus Live, an amazing concert by the UK Wind Symphony and UK Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and one of the most successful Grand Nights for Singing! But neither our outstanding ensemble directors nor our dedicated student performers are prepared to accept anything less than to present another memorable season of performance for our friends and supporters at the University, in Lexington, and across the Commonwealth.

Among the highlights of our more than 200 events this academic year are the main stage productions from the students, faculty, and staff of the UK Opera Theatre. With Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi and Robert Ward’s Pulitzer Prize-winning opera The Crucible, audiences will once again be treated to the wonder that is opera, with all its musical glory, visual splendor, and ability to plumb the depths of the human experience.

2019-2020 also commemorates 70 years of integration at the University of Kentucky, and UK will be hosting a series of anniversary events throughout the academic year as we remember Lyman T. Johnson, whose courage and leadership resulted in the first racially integrated class at UK. As the School of Music honors its past and steps boldly into its second century, we will concurrently do our part to foster a more diverse and inclusive university community by celebrating the musical contributions of women and composers from under-represented communities on a dozen concerts spread across our season. This endeavor, which will include several residencies and new commissioned pieces, has been made possible in part through grants from the University of Kentucky’s Office of Institutional Diversity and the Dean’s Office of the College of Fine Arts.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you this weekend to our performances of Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi, and I invite you to return throughout the year to experience all that the UK School of Music has to offer.

Stanley C. Pelkey, Ph.D. Director, University of Kentucky School of Music

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Photo: Joan Marcus

INCLUDING THE CLASSIC SONGS...

I FEEL THE EARTH MOVE (YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE) A NATURAL WOMAN

WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW

SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL IT’S TOO LATE ONE FINE DAY ...AND MANY MORE!

NOVEMBER 22-24 LEXINGTONOPERAHOUSE.COM

Sunday, December 15, 2019 www.alltech.com/celebrationofsong

Friends of Music 2019 - 2020

We sincerely thank our Friends of Music members for their dedication to the arts and support of the UK School of Music.

Ben & Beth Arnold Dick & Barbara Domek Dr. Susan and Mr. Michael Effgen Amnon & Sue Golan Roy E. Griggs Dr. Lori Hetzel and Dr. Paul Ebben Mr. Vaugn & Dr. Carol Hill Kevin Holm-Hudson Thomas and Kathleen Lillich James C. Norton Stan and Heidi Pelkey

Marie L. Piekarski Mrs. Mary Denise Quandt & Dr. C. William Balke Linda Stewart Ratti Donald E. Sands John & Magdalene Stewart Mrs. Joyce Trivette Dr. and Mrs. William B. Wheeler Dr. and Mrs. Vernon R. Wiehe Judith Worell and Julie Logan

SINGLETARY CENTER

IN A NEW LIGHT The College of Fine Arts, in partnership with University of Kentucky Utilities and Energy Management, replaced and retrofitted fixtures with energy efficient LEDs and controls in both halls. Thanks to the work of the UEM team, the Singletary Center will reduce energy usage and costs.

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Central Kentucky’s family-owned Highbridge is pleased to be the bottled water choice for the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre.

We are proud to be associated with this grand family.

HIGHBRIDGE

www.highbridgesprings.com Bottled Water • Private Labels Filtration Equipment • Cooler Sales and Rentals Call toll free 888-547-6971 for home/office delivery

INSPIRE A NEW GENERATION OF CREATIVE LEADERS. To learn how you can support our students and help the School of Music to continue to be a vibrant part of our community, please contact: LISA BLACKADAR

Director of Philanthropy, College of Fine Arts 202 Fine Arts Building, Lexington, KY, 40506 lisa.blackadar@uky.edu | 859-257-3145 You may give online at

UKY.NETWORKFORGOOD.COM

UK SCHOOL OF MUSIC FACULTY AND STAFF COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS Mark Shanda, Dean SCHOOL OF MUSIC Dr. Stanley Pelkey, Director Dr. Lori Hetzel, Associate Director BRASS Jason Dovel Matthew Hightower Bradley Kerns Margaret Tung KEYBOARD Jacob Coleman Raleigh Dailey Vicki McVay Schuyler Robinson Irina Voro PERCUSSION James Campbell Paul Deatherage STRINGS Daniel Cecil Elaine Cook Dieter Hennings Benjamin Karp Margaret Karp Daniel Mason Paul Reich Tze-Ying Wu VOICE Elizabeth Arnold Dennis Bender Angelique Clay Cliff Jackson Cynthia Lawrence Tedrin Blair Lindsay Noemi Lugo Everett McCorvey Nan McSwain

WOODWINDS Julie Hobbs ToniMarie Marchioni Lisa Osland Miles Osland Peter Simpson Scott Wright MUSIC BUSINESS AND NEW MEDIA Aaron Hynds MUSIC EDUCATION Todd Anderson Diana Deen Lori Hetzel Michael Hudson David Sogin Martina Vasil

MUSICOLOGY AND ETHNOMUSICOLOGY Ben Arnold Erin Walker Bliss Lance Brunner James Revell Carr Beth Glixon Jonathan Glixon Diana Hallman Donna Kwon Stanley Pelkey

MUSIC THERAPY Alaine ReschkeHernandez Austin Robinson Olivia Yinger

ENSEMBLES AND CONDUCTING Dana Biggs Cody Birdwell George Boulden Marcello Cormio Lori Hetzel Jefferson Johnson Everett McCorvey John Nardolillo Miles Osland Elizabeth Wilson

MUSIC THEORY AND COMPOSITION Joseph Baber Michael Baker Karen Bottge Jennifer Campbell Kevin Holm-Hudson Timothy Moyers

STAFF Joanne Filkins Laurie Flewwellin Storey Free Kelsey Loeslie Carrie Matheny John Pope Marc Schlackman

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Thank You! The UK School of Music is grateful for your philanthropy every year. Your generosity is transforming lives, empowering students to pursue their dreams, to discover their talents and to change the world around them.

TANYARADSWA TAWENGWA GRADUATE STUDENT (VOICE)

With your support I was able to travel to the McGill Music Graduate Symposium in Montreal, Canada.

There I gave a presentation and performance of my Shona opera, “The Dawn of the Rooster.� The work is based on the stories of my family during the Zimbabwe Liberation Struggle of 1965-1980.

I spoke of the history of African creators of opera from 1670 to the present and shared a mbiravocal performance of my work.

The experience was a wonderful one. Thank you very much for your support.

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ANDREW WILDER GRADUATE STUDENT (GUITAR)

Serving as a teaching assistant was invaluable. The joys and challenges of teaching were often just as educational for me as they were for my students. The prospect of introducing students from a wide variety of fields to aspects of music that are new to them is exciting and demanding. Graduate Assistantships allow students to fully pursue their education, while offering them the opportunity to share their passion through teaching.

KENTUCKY BACH CHOIR S O L I

D E O

G L O R I A

Marlon Hurst, Artistic Director with the Lafayette HS Madrigal Singers Ryan Marsh, Conductor

Bach Vivaldi

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GET INVOLVED: www.uky.edu/olli Contact: 859-257-2656 Toll free: 866-602-5862

Dear Suor Angelica/Gianni Schicchi Guests, Thank you for joining us to share in the wonderful Puccini operas Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. The stars of UK Opera Theatre (UKOT) are performing this, the second and third operas in the triptych of three one-act operas that premiered at the Met in 1918. In the tragic melodrama Suor Angelica, Sister Angelica has been shut away in a convent for seven years as punishment for a youthful indiscretion. Her aristocratic aunt comes to visit her with soul-shattering news. In the hilarious farce Gianni Schicchi, the shady businessman Gianni Schicchi has been called in reluctantly by the Donati family to help falsify a will. He complies, but not with the results they are hoping for.

Our singers are part of the UKOT family, and their talents will continue to amaze you. OperaLex is proud to support and be a part of the efforts of these remarkable young artists.

OperaLex is a 501 (c)(3) organization of local volunteers whose mission is to spread the love of musical theatre and opera in Central Kentucky. We provide financial support to UKOT to help defray production costs, and we assist its students through scholarships. We will sponsor the Kentucky District Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions here in Lexington on November 16 at the Singletary Center and will host a fascinating lecture series (Opera 101), taught by Dr. Tedrin Blair Lindsay. We support SOOP (Schmidt Opera Outreach Program) as it brings opera to elementary and middle schools throughout the Commonwealth.

OperaLex also supports the Tom Getchell Scholarship program for graduate student singers nearing the completion of their degrees. There have been more than 30 recipients of Getchell scholarships over the last six years. All have either achieved their degrees or are on schedule to do so next year. It’s a program that transforms the lives of young artists. By supporting OperaLex, you become part of all this.

The best way to support us is to join us the evening of May 16 at Keeneland for Encore!, our annual dinner/wine-tasting/auction fundraiser. We rely on the generosity of those who love music and believe in its ability to inspire us. Learn more about us at Operalex.org.

What a season we have planned, with performances to come of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible April 3-5 and finishing up with the 28th anniversary of It’s a Grand Night for Singing! June 12-21. Please join us on this exciting journey.

Enjoy this performance! We’re glad you’re here.

Warm regards,

Sanford Archer President, Operalex Operalex.org 21

OperaLex is a private, not-for-profit community group dedicated to celebrating opera and the magic of musical storytelling. OperaLex believes in empowering the future of opera through: ADVOCACY: Assuring that future generations of Kentucky citizens appreciate the beauty of opera.

ACHIEVEMENT: Helping UK Opera Theatre (UKOT) students succeed by providing scholarships, volunteer support and production funding.

OUTREACH & EDUCATION: Supporting the UKOT Schmidt Opera Outreach Program (SOOP) artists-in-schools initiative, annually serving 35,000+ elementary students throughout the Commonwealth.

REWARDING EXCELLENCE: Hosting the annual Kentucky District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, designed to discover promising young opera singers and assist in their career development.

Thanks to volunteers and our devoted donors and sponsors, we commit our time, talents, and resources by hosting annual events, including ENCORE!, UKOT production preview luncheons, educational seminars, master classes and community engagement events. We are thriving and growing because of your generosity! Join us and learn more at OperaLex.org

OperaLex 2018-2019 Board of Directors President ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Sandy Archer Vice President ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Harry Clarke Secretary ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Jan Furst Treasurer ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Kris Gilbert Immediate Past President ��������������������������������������������������������������������������Roger Leasor Corresponding Secretary ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Ellen Rice Artistic Director ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Everett McCorvey Faculty Representative �������������������������������������������������������������������������Elizabeth Arnold Bravo Guild Representatives.................................................................Sylvia C. Davis, Judith Higgins, Timothy Sineath OperaLex Board Student Representative...................................Dawna Rae Warren Leslie Ann Asbury Robert J. Brown Sylvia C. Davis Jean Dorton Susan Gardner Eli Griggs G. Edward Henry Judith Higgins Wolfgang Korsch Cheryl Lalonde Jeanette Lucas 22

Douglas Martin Douglas McSwain Bonnie Mays Walter R. Morris Jamie Palumbo Jennifer Palumbo Michael Rowland Douglas Scutchfield Timothy Sineath Adam Smith Mary Ann Squires

Myra Tobin Abby Vaughn Stephen Lloyd Webb EMERITI Mary Hayden Phyllis Jenness George Privett Clifton Smith Pam Miller

OperaLex expresses sincere gratitude to the following sponsors and donors for supporting opera and opera education from July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019 including: Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Schmidt Opera Outreach Program, ENCORE! Fundraiser, UK Opera Theatre student scholarships, cast meals and other opera education and fundraising initiatives. Thank you for insuring the future of opera through your time, talent and financial contributions. $2,000+ Ann Bakhaus Bravo Guild Central Bank and Trust Virginia and Robert Brown Mary Beth and Harry Clarke Jean and Denny Dorton Jan Furst Marilyn Getchell Cathy Jacobs Janet Zusman and Ben Kaufmann Susan Gardner and Wolfgang Korsch Janie and Roger Leasor Bonnie Mays Miller Shouse Endowment Gloria and Michael Rie Simone and Arthur Salomon Phyllis and Doug Scutchfield Mary Ann and Jim Squires Millie Stewart Stites & Harbison Myra Tobin UK Healthcare $1,000 - $1,999 Sandra and Sanford Archer Leslie Ann Asbury Harry Cohen Sylvia C. Davis Eli Griggs Donna Hall Mary Diane and Lyle Hanna Linda Hopgood

Kentucky Dermatology and Cosmetic Specialists Lee Ellen and Doug Martin Doug and Nan McSwain Judy and John Paul Miller Megan Moloney Walter Morris Jamie Palumbo Nawanna and George Privett Michael Rowland Bunny and Scott Scutchfield Louise Shouse Melanie Simpson Milly Stewart Stephen Webb $100 - $999 Garland Barr Dianne Bazell Kathy and Glenn Blomquist Blue Rose Spirits Elise Boyd Edward Bullard Linda Carey Debby and Tim Coleman Kathy and Lisle Dalton Emilie Davis Becky and Tom Eblen Sheila and Joe Ferrell Tracy Forester Beverly and Bill Fortune Linda and Bill Francis Denise Green and David Mannino Judith and Lyle Hildenbrandt

Michelle and Dan Hollingshead Sandra and Robert Ireland Jane and Ken Kerns T. L. Keys Larry Kezele Julie Mickler Pam and Ralph Miller Jo and John Mink William Mitchell Eileen and Kevin Pearce Nicholas Pitanis Mary Powell and John Poundstone Suzanne Pucci Charlene and Walt Robertson Ann Vail and Gary Schaeffer Joan Rue and Marc Schlackman John and Magdalene Karon Stewart Kay Rucker Strohl Patricia Tipton Patsy and Lee Todd Bonnie and James Todd Joseph Triebwasser Holly Wiedemann and Bart Van Dissel Peggy Stamps and Randall Vaughn Audrey and Lee Wallace Clara and Emery Wilson Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs

The gifts listed above were given to OperaLex. These do not include donations made directly to UK Opera Theatre.

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BRAVO GUILD You are invited to join Central Kentucky’s vibrant opera scene by supporting OperaLex through Bravo Guild. Bravo Guild members experience the art of musical storytelling through unique opportunities, including: ENCORE!, UK Opera Theatre production preview luncheons, educational seminars and community engagement event. Members gather for monthly Last Friday Lunches and Metropolitan Opera Live in HD broadcasts, and meet bi-annually, incorporating opportunities to support OperaLex initiatives, including Schmidt Opera Outreach Program, UKOT student performances and volunteer opportunities. Join us and learn more at OperaLex.org/Bravo-Guild.

President..........Timothy W. Sineath Vice-President..........Judy Higgins Secretary..........Mary Powell

Student Liaison..........Anne Taul

Composer $101+ Drs. Virginia and Ron Atwood Mira Ball Ms. Jody Bosomworth Pat and Bob Bova Mr. and Mrs. James R. Boyd Ms. Peggy Brown Margaret and Robert Cadle Dr. Dorothy Carter Clark Case Mrs. Janet D. Clawson Pat and Marilee Dalbey Sylvia C. Davis Dr. and Mrs. Dennis E. Doherty Denny and Jeanie Dorton Gail H. Hart and Daniel B. Featherston Robert and Sue Wylie Fox Dr. Marilyn Getchell Bill and Kris Gilbert Anne and Bob Hackett Dr. Mona J. Hagyard Mrs. Judith Lyle Hildenbrandt Alice and Lindsey Ingram Robert and Sandra Ireland Mrs. Elsbeth Eunte Johnson Mrs. Carole L. Lee Mr. Stephan Locke Mrs. Deirdre Lyons Denise Green and Dr. David Mannino Bill and Jan Marshall Dr. Samuel C. Matheny Dr. Loys and Sonja Mather Nan and Doug McSwain Dr. Frank and Pat Miller

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John Paul and Judy Miller Mrs. Elizabeth E. Mills Mr. William R. Mitchell David and Donna O’Bryan Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo Peter and Lana Perlman Ms. Juanita Betz Peterson Ms. Jane E. Phillips Dr. Suzanne Pucci Mr. Robert E. Putt, Jr. Ms. Maria Ransdell Dr. Donald and Elizabeth Sands Ms. Marby Schlegel Elaine and Calvin Schneider Dr. F. Douglas and Mrs. Phyllis Scutchfield Dean Mark and Mrs. Ginny Shanda Ms. Louise Shouse Dr. Timothy and Patricia Sineath Dr. Clifton and Renee Smith Ms. Catherine Curry Staib Mrs. Mim Stambaugh Drs. Magdalene Karon and John Stewart Dr. Marian Swope Ms. Julia R. Swords Mr. and Mrs. James B. Todd Phil Dunn and Brian Tremain Marium and Jim Van Meter Dr. John and Jacqueline Van Willigen Audrey and Lee Wallace Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Weant Dr. Tom and Genie Whayne Anne and Dale Wilson Pamela Mathis-Yon and Dr. Jerry Yon

BRAVO GUILD continued Conductor $51-$100 Mr. William D. Adams Nettie and Bill Adams Robert Ames Ed and Leah Atkinson-Brand Mrs. Mary Donna Broz Dr. Janet Collins-Becker Mrs. Eleanor T. Congleton Mr. and Mrs. Roger Cowden Dr. Evelyn G. De Vane Dr. Ron and Colleen Duell Dr. Mary Duke Becky and Tom Eblen Drs. George and Joyce Edwards Ms. Beverly Fortune Tom and Ann Garrity Linda and Charles Gorton Mr. William Green Ms. Nancy Bowersox and Dr. Louis Gregory Mr. Roy E. Griggs Oresta and John David Hale Ms. Julia D. and Ms. Deidre Harrison Mrs. Phyllis R. Hasbrouck Mrs. Mary Hayden Mr. Daryl Husovitz Claudia and Paul Isenhour Mrs. Barbara Ison Mrs. Linda M. Kelly Zee Faulkner Kurfees Ms. C. Charlotte Lakers David and Mariana Marye Mrs. Jo Ann Miller Ms. Pam Miller Dan and Irene Niffenegger Dr. Jacqueline A. Noonan Peggy A. Pace Russell and Ling-Yuh (Miko) Pattie Mrs. Kathleen L. Penn Heike and Irwin Pickett

Mrs. Emily Ann Pike Mr. Nikko Pitanis John and Jean Rosenberg Ms. Caroline Taplin Ruschell Mrs. Jean Sabharwal Ms. Victoria W. Shore Beverly Sparrow Ms. Georgiana Strickland Ms. Barbara Sutherland Ms. Anne R. Taul Ms. Sherry Taul Mrs. Barbara K. Thompson Ms. Mary Janice Towles Gerry Van der Meer Mrs. Nancy H. Vennes Claire and Harold Weinberg Dr. and Mrs. Henry Wells, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Vernon R. Wiehe Ms. June Williams Dr. Bijana Nikitovich-Winer and Dr. Alfred Winer Dr. Judith Worell Ms. Isabel Yates Bravo Guild Members as of September 24, 2019. For a complete list of Bravo Guild members, please visit OperaLex online at www.operalex.org

• Bravo: $20 single, $35 family • Opera Buff: $36 – $50 • Conductor: $51 – $100 • Composer: $101 +

Special Thanks from UK OPERA THEATRE OperaLex UK Department of Theatre and Dance Lexington Children’s Theatre 25

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY OPERA THEATRE and OperaLex present

GIANNI SCHICCHI SUOR ANGELICA Music by Giacomo Puccini Librettos by Giovacchino Forzano

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

EVERETT MCCORVEY DIRECTOR & SCENIC DESIGN

CONDUCTOR

STEPHEN WRENTMORE

JOHN NARDOLILLO

LIGHTING DESIGN

COSTUME DESIGN

TANYA HARPER

AARON CHVATAL

VOCAL COACH

CLIFF JACKSON

VOCAL COACH

NAN MCSWAIN

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION

MARC SCHLACKMAN

Please turn off cellular phones.

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Delving into

PUCCINI’S ONE-ACT OPERAS

by Tedrin Blair Lindsay, Ph.D. The immense popularity of Puccini with operagoers rests largely on the merits of three perennially favorite works – La Bohème (1896), Tosca (1900), and Madama Butterfly (1904) – and to a lesser extent two others, his first hit Manon Lescaut (1893) and his swan song Turandot (1926). Of his remaining output, the early works Le Villi (1883) and Edgar (1889) showed the melodic promise of the young composer, while his later works, the “spaghetti Western” La Fanciulla del West (1910) and the Viennese operettastyled La Rondine (1917) proved dramaturgically unworthy of the efforts of this supremely theatrical composer. No such charge can be made against the master’s three one-act operas, grouped together under the utilitarian title Il Trittico, or The Triptych. First performed at the Metropolitan Opera on 14 December 1918, the trio of highly contrasting pieces offer a compelling, intense evening in the theatre.

The first is a turgid drama in the overwrought Grand Guignol manner, Il Tabarro (The Cloak), steeped in the verismo tradition of exploring the passions and problems of workingclass people. Set on a barge in Paris, the story involves Giorgetta’s loveless marriage to Michele, who eventually murders her paramour Luigi. The atmospheric music is not 28

unlike an Impressionist painting, hearkening to the sights and sounds along the misty banks of the Seine.

This opera calls for mature voices, and so is rarely performed in a university setting, unlike the other two parts of this triptych.

Suor Angelica is a heartbreaking melodrama about a young noblewoman forced into a convent after giving birth to an illegitimate son; when, after years of silence, she finds out from her cold, cruel aunt that her child has long since died, Sister Angelica drinks poison only to repent her mortal sin in a panic. Some critics have complained churlishly of the ineffably sweet mystical ending, in which Angelica is assured of her salvation by a vision of her angelic son come down to fetch her to heaven, but as a contrast to both the harsh ending of Il Tabarro and the cynical ending of the third opera, Gianni Schicchi, it soothes the soul while ravishing the ear: the last twenty minutes of Suor Angelica is some of the most sublime music ever composed for the stage. The whole score is replete with beautiful touches, such as orchestral approximations of animal sounds (birds, lambs, wasps, donkeys) and vignette-style character studies of the various nuns who populate the convent.

The title role is a challenging vehicle for any singing actress, requiring extremes of emotion from tender

DELVING, CONTINUED piety to despairing rage, and a vocal technique possessing both soaring lyricism and propulsive thrust (spinto). The role of Zia Principessa, the harsh aunt, is the only significant mezzo soprano role Puccini wrote in his mature works, other than the sympathetic Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, and her craggy, severe music portrays her implacable character memorably in a relatively brief amount of stage time.

Deft, telling, precise musical strokes also limn the characters in the wry, dry, spry comedy Gianni Schicchi that finishes Il Trittico. Based on a few lines from Dante’s Inferno, the story is taken from actual events in Renaissance Florence, in which the title character cheats a family out of most of their inheritance by posing as their patriarch Buoso Donati, dictating a false “death-bed” will naming himself as the inheritor of most of the estate, and granting the marriage of his own daughter Lauretta to a son of the Donati family whom she loves, Rinuccio. The comedy of this situation derives from the fact that the family themselves have tried to falsify the real will, in which Buoso actually left most of his estate to a monastery rather than his relatives, by bringing in Schicchi to perpetrate the scheme. The doublecrossers get double-crossed, a surefire recipe for hilarity. The music for this opera is sprightly and bubbly, tuneful without sentimentality. In fact, the famous aria “O mio babbino caro,” in which Lauretta whines and wheedles to her daddy to

get her way concerning Rinuccio, provides a moment of lyrical beauty so saccharine in the otherwise bristling musical texture that it can’t be mistaken for any tone other than tongue-in-cheek, thus making a memorable comic moment out of the requisite love aria.

Whereas the libretto for Il Tabarro was written by Giuseppe Adami, the texts for Angelica and Schicchi were penned by Giovacchino Forzano, lending a unifying argument for presenting just those two in a double-bill, as in this evening’s program. It is an insightful directorial touch on the part of Stephen Wrentmore to reverse the order of these two from their placement in the complete Trittico: whereas one needs the brittle comedy of Gianni Schicchi after the lurid turmoil of Il Tabarro and the sorrowful mysticism of Suor Angelica, when just the Forzano pieces are presented together, Schicchi would seem crass and heartless after the searing grief and serene redemption of Angelica.

By reversing them, the audience is first entertained with humor, then transported with emotion.

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Synopsis GIANNI SCHICCHI Picture the scene….

We are in Florence, Italy. The avaricious relatives of Buoso Donati gather around his bed to pay their final respects… and to see what the rich old man has left them in his will. As death pulls old Donati to the other side, his grieving relatives discover all of the riches, and the donkey, has been left to the church.

It is the monks who will grow fat on his riches - not them. The family’s sobs quickly turn to real tears of loss - not for the spiteful old man but the wealth that is denied them.

Rinuccio, the nephew of Buoso’s cousin, Zita, has the idea that Gianni Schicchi, father of his love Lauretta, might help them. The idea is repellent the family; Schicchi is an outsider, a commoner, and not even from the city! But they soon realize there is no other choice if they want to get their hands on the cash.

Schicchi arrives with his daughter Lauretta and becomes disgusted by the hypocritical family and turns to leave. Lauretta, fueled by the love for Rinnucio, pleads with her father to help. After carefully reading the will, Schicchi conceives a plan: He will disguise himself as old Donati and dictate a new will to the Notary since no one but the family knows of Buoso’s death. He warns the family that this is highly illegal and the punishment if they are caught, is loss of a hand and banishment from the city.

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The relatives don’t care and swiftly consent after a timely visit from the doctor persuades them Schicchi can pull this off. They dress Schicchi in the dead man’s nightshirt (and hide the body) and begin the process of individually attempting to bribe Schicchi into leaving them the best parts of the estate.

The Notary duly arrives, and Schicchi dictates the new will. All is going well until the best properties, and the donkey, arrive on the list.

“Buoso” announces to the Notary that the house will go to his, “dear friend Gianni Schicchi.” The shocked and furious relatives are unable to stop him for fear of being caught. As Schicchi continues, he divides the cash to the family, and the property is going to Schicchi himself.

Once the Notary leaves, the relatives demand that Schicchi leave their home. He corrects them and requests they leave HIS house, and they scramble out, stealing whatever they can as they exit.

Only Rinuccio and Lauretta remain, and the now rich Schicchi gives his blessing to their wedding. Gianni Schicchi then turns to the audience and acknowledges he may go to hell for his actions, but asks us to consider how happy his deceit has left the two lovers. He pleads that he not be judged too harshly. After all… what else was he to do?

Synopsis SUOR ANGELICA Tuscany, Italy. In a convent far removed from the world, a group of nuns follow a comfortable routine.

They live, talk, and pray together as sisters. Today is special. It is one of the three days in the year where a fountain in the convent is bathed in light that turns the water to gold.

Sister Genevieve is struggling.

She asks the Sister Monitor if she ever has desire? The Monitor is offended and replies that desire is a sin, to which other sisters agree.

Genevieve turns to Sister Angelica to ask if she too has no desire?

When Angelica replies that she does not, the convent fills with whispers because Angelica has told a lie; Angelica was sent to the convent because she had an illegitimate child seven years ago and she longs to be reunited with him. Angelica has not seen her son, or any member of her family, since arriving at the convent and desperately wishes to hear news from them.

Sister Nurse interrupts with urgent need of help. Another sister has been injured and needs medical attention. Angelica is an expert in the infusion of herbal remedies and quickly gathers herbs from her basket to help the stricken nun.

Rejecting all familial intimacy, the Princess gets straight to business; when Angelica’s parents died, she was made guardian to Angelica and her younger sister and the estate they inherited. Angelica’s younger sister is betrothed to be married, and the Princess demands that Angelica, who disgraced the family, signs over her inheritance to her sister.

Crushed by her Aunts cruelty, Angelica asks after her son. At first, the Princess refuses to answer, but after pressure, she coldly informs her that the child died two years ago, Angelica, stunned, numbly signs the document and the Princess departs.

Overcome with grief, Angelica calls out to her child and resolves to kill herself using the powerful herbs she uses to heal her sisters.

Angelica creates and consumes the poison and then has the realization that in killing herself, she is committing a mortal sin which damns her to eternal separation from her son. She prays to Mary for forgiveness and, as she breathes her dying breath, the vision of her son comes to her and comforts her as she dies.

Two nuns then return with new supplies and food for the convent and announce a strange carriage has pulled up outside the convent.

The visitor is revealed to be Angelica’s aunt, the Princess.

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Cast GIANNI SCHICCHI Gianni Schicchi Lauretta Rinuccio

Thursday & Saturday

Friday & Sunday

Tshegofatso Clement Baloyi* Candace Williams Houston Tyrrell*

Jeremy Kelly* Fairynne Rogers* Taylor Comstock*

BOTH CASTS Zita Gherardo Nella Gherardino Puccina Betto di Signa Simone

Catarine Hancock* Trey Darnell Ashley Cissell* Hadley Nardolillo Jamie Nardolillo David Foster* Parker Van Houten*

Marco La Ciesca Maestro Spinelloccio Ser Amantio di Nicholao Pinellino Guccio

Tevin Vincent* Margaret Malone* Samuel Powless* Xander Curry Samuel Powless* Nathaniel Thompson*

SUOR ANGELICA Thursday & Saturday

Friday & Sunday

Sister Angelica Marquita Richardson* Suor Genovieffa Savannah Etter

Tanyaradzwa Tawengwa* Ruthie Sangster*

BOTH CASTS La Zia Principessa La Badessa La Zelatrice La Maestra delle Novizie Suor Osmina Suor Dolcina La Sorella Infermiera

Kendra Beasley* Kathrin Koenig Thawley* Gabrielle Orlayna Fuqua* Emma Scott Carrie Moscoe Katherine Copeland* Casteel Fullen*

Sorella Cercatrice I Sorella Cercatrice II Una Conversa La Conversa II Una Novizia The Son

Lillian Broderick Paige Middleton Casey Mayo* Margaret Malone* Sydney Carbo Benjamin Preacely

ENSEMBLE Harper Bullard Ashley Cissell* Catarine Hancock*

Maeve Hoppen Ashley Patak Fairynne Rogers

Dawna Rae Warren* Candace Williams

*INDICATES ALLTECH SCHOLARS 32

Orchestra John Nardolillo, conductor VIOLIN I Jurang Kim concertmaster Yeseul Kim Andrew Lin William Arnold Guillermo Arias Alex Gililland

BASS Benjamin Bossert* Garrett Cline

VIOLIN II Andrzej Kunecki* Ella Chang Katherine Goble Ian Ho

OBOE Taylor McLellan* Colleen Scott

VIOLA Austin Han* Philip Choi Yaxing Zhao Elizabeth Scoma CELLO Kevin He* Jerram John Andrew McFarland Isaac Moorman

FLUTE Mattie Greathouse* Carrie Matheny Kathleen West

CLARINET Katherine Breeden* Sophia Jimos Martina Sanders BASSOON Alexis Cerise* Nathan Munster

TRUMPET Abby Temple* Sam Oliveri* Benjamin Siff TENOR TROMBONE David Seder* Britton Fugazzi Hugh Lindsay BASS TROMBONE Seth Jaeger PERCUSSION Alex Wingo* Jacob Smith Blake Brooks Matthew Noll *Principal

HORN Mary Haddix* Hope Bennett Madeline Savage Ariel Arney

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CREATIVE AND PRODUCTION TEAM Executive Producer

Director/Designer

Conductor

Lighting Design

Costume Design

Director of Production

Production Stage Manager

Vocal Coach

Vocal Coach

Chorus Master

Costume Director

Lead Draper/Workroom Supervisor

Program Coordinator

Assistant to the Director/Fight Director

Assistant Conductor

Props Designer

Production Carpenter

Assistant Stage Manager

Assistant Lighting Designer

Scene Shop

CFA Events Marketing Coordinator

Graphic Design

Production Photographers

Production Videographer

Supertitles

Supertitles Technician

Program Editor

Costume Design Assistant

Costume Stock Supervisor

Make-up Artist

Costume Stitchers

Everett McCorvey Stephen Wrentmore John Nardolillo Tanya Harper Aaron Chvatal Marc Schlackman Jessica Bayne Cliff Jackson Nan McSwain Catherine Clarke Nardolillo Tracy Barber Ward Teka England Kelsey Loeslie Sam-Claire Bieber Houston Tyrrell Lisa Hardin Joe Harris Catherine Zickert Danny Bowling Infinity Productions Mark Mozingo Jennifer Sciantarelli, Shaan Azeem, BORN Philip Groshong, Sally Horowitz March Media Mark Calkins Jeffrey Todd Georgie Strickland, Tedrin Blair Lindsay Ashley Siler Andrea Richardson Cheyenne Holbert Dan Sandfelder, Sam-Claire Bieber, Chelsea Russell, Emily Hampton, Christy Liang, Ashley Siler

SINGLETARY CENTER PRODUCTION STAFF AND CREW Production Director/Lighting Programmer – Tanya Harper Assistant Production Director – Danny Bowling Technical Services Assistant – Seth Murphy SCFA Stage Managers - Delaney Sallee, Tanner Sunny Sound Techs – Nathaniel Riddle, Brandon Trapp, Bongani Ndhlalane Follow Spot Operators – Danny Bowling, Aaron Bowling, Becky Tonges Load In/Out Crew – Lauren Camargo, Jessica Bayne, Nathaniel Riddle, Bongani Ndhlalane, Nathaniel Thompson, Ian Witten, Tanner Sunny, Brandon Trapp, Daniel Sandfelder, Clement Baloyi, Cody Burkholder

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CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES EVERETT MCCORVEY (PRODUCER), is a native of Montgomery, Alabama, and received his degrees from the University of Alabama. Dr. McCorvey holds the rank of Professor of Voice and the OperaLex Endowed Chair in Opera Studies, and is the Director and Executive Producer of UK Opera Theatre. As a tenor soloist, he has performed in many prestigious venues around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera and Italy’s Teatro Communale. He established, directs, and tours nationally and internationally with the American Spiritual Ensemble and is the Artistic Director of the National Chorale, a professional choral organization that presents an annual choralorchestral series at Lincoln Center in New York. Dr. McCorvey is also vice-chair of the Kentucky Arts Council for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He was honored to be the 2018 recipient of the prestigious UK Libraries Medallion for Intellectual Achievement Award. EverettMcCorvey.com STEPHEN WRENTMORE (DIRECTOR AND SCENIC DESIGNER) is a British theatre director, writer, curator, academic, and change consultant. Last year he made his debut for UK Opera Theatre directing and designing Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. He is currently lecturer in directing and Shakespeare at the University of Kentucky.

Before UK he was Artistic Producer at Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts, the largest arts center outside of London. Formerly, he was Associate Artistic Director of Arizona Theatre Company, Artistic Director of the Byre Theatre in St Andrews, and has worked on a number of Olivier Award-winning productions at The National Theatre in London. Other experience includes working with Tate Gallery and internationally as a freelance director from Siberia to San Francisco. Mr. Wrentmore studied at the University of Cambridge and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and is a Fellow of the Clore Leadership Programme.

JOHN NARDOLILLO has conducted concerts with more than thirty of the country’s leading orchestras, including the National, Seattle, San Francisco, Detroit, Atlanta, Dallas, Utah, Indianapolis, Milwaukie, Nashville, Columbus, Oregon, Fort Worth, Alabama, North Carolina, Toledo, Vermont, and Honolulu Symphonies, as well as the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Louisville Orchestra, and the Boston Pops Orchestra. Mr. Nardolillo has made conducting appearances in the United States, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Czech Republic and China, and currently serves as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Prague Summer Nights Festival. John Nardolillo joined the faculty of the University of Kentucky in 2004.

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CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES (continued) TANYA HARPER (LIGHTING DESIGNER) has worked with UK Opera Theatre for over 20 years. Favorite designs include Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Sweeney Todd, Ragtime, and Grand Night for Singing. She works with many groups in Central Kentucky as a freelance lighting designer and production stage manager. Selected projects include: The LEXington Theatre Company (42nd Street, Mary Poppins, Legally Blonde, The Music Man, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Newsies), Kentucky Ballet Theatre (Nutcracker, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Dracula, Wizard of Oz), Our Lincoln at the Kennedy Center and lighting the Opening Ceremonies of the World Equestrian Games in 2010. Originally from the Baltimore area, she holds an MFA in lighting design from the University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music, and a BFA in English from Colgate University. Ms. Harper is the Production Director at the Singletary Center for the Arts.

AARON CHVATAL (COSTUME DESIGNER). UK School of Music Debut. Recent design credits include Mayo (World Premiere – Crane School of Music), Cosi fan Tutte, Don Giovanni, Don Pasquale, Gianni Schicchi, Suor Angelica (Opera on the James), Suor Angelica (Marble City Opera), Don Pasquale, Falling Angel (World Premiere), Street Scene (Brevard Music Center), Our Town (Castleton Opera Festival) Marie & Rosetta, The Agitators (Park Square Theatre), A Crack in the Sky (World Premiere – History Theatre), Candide (Theatre Latte Da), Detroit ’67 (Penumbra Theatre Company).

Originally from Nebraska, Aaron earned his Bachelor of Arts from Hamline University, and his Master’s of Fine Arts in Costume Design and Technology from the University of Missouri – Kansas City.

MARC SCHLACKMAN (DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION) began his Broadway stage managing career with Mary Martin and Anthony Quayle. Since then he has stage managed a dozen Broadway and many Off-Broadway productions with some of the brightest stars in the business, including Lauren Bacall, Joel Grey, Jim Dale, Glenn Close, Patti LuPone, Len Cariou, Jonathan Pryce, Bill Irwin, Danny DeVito, George Burns, Yul Brynner, Robert Goulet, and Geraldine Fitzgerald. He has supervised or stage managed more than two-dozen national, bus-and-truck, stock, and ballet tours. Mr. Schlackman produces four shows a year with UK Opera Theatre and directs the Schmidt Opera Outreach Program, which tours children’s operas throughout the Commonwealth. His greatest achievements are his daughters, Sara and Leah, and getting Joan Rue to marry him. He is most proud of and in love with his granddaughters, Talulah and Adelaide.

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CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES (continued) CLIFF JACKSON (VOCAL COACH), a native of Gary, Indiana, received his Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin Conservatory and pursued graduate studies at the Manhattan School of Music. He has been recognized as a leading pianist of his generation and an outstanding coach of vocal repertoire. Cited for his sensitive accompaniments and insightful musicianship, he has been the pianist for many internationally renowned artists including Kathleen Battle, Renata Scotto, and Simon Estes. His skill as a collaborative artist has justly earned him a place on the stages of Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Teatro Colón, and the Royal Opera House. He has served on the staff of Miami Opera, Tulsa Opera, Mobile Opera, Central City Opera, and the Chautauqua Opera Festival. He is currently an associate professor in the UK Opera Theatre and Voice Curriculum.

NAN MCSWAIN (VOCAL COACH), BM, MM in Piano Performance, Univ. of Kentucky. Specialist Degree (Sp. Mus), Collaborative Piano/Vocal Coaching, Univ. of Michigan. Ms. McSwain studied with internationally renowned collaborative pianist Martin Katz and served on the coaching staff of Univ. of Mich. She has performed with soloists and ensembles in Canada and throughout the U.S. and Spain. She has been affiliated with UKOT as an accompanist/répétiteur since 1990 and as a vocal coach since 2005. Since its inception, she has performed as a featured pianist in the popular Grand Night for Singing! and has been assistant music director for the past 15 years. Ms. McSwain served as a vocal coach/accompanist for the Graz, Austria AIMS program, and for the voice studio of the late Shirley Verrett. In addition to her UK coaching responsibilities, she teaches Vocal Diction classes at UK. CATHERINE CLARKE NARDOLILLO, has appeared as a soloist with Toledo Symphony, Boulder Philharmonic, Evansville Philharmonic, Johnson City Symphony, Natchez Festival of Music, Lexington Chamber Orchestra and Lexington Philharmonic. She has performed in operas at the Aspen Opera Theater Center, Colorado Lyric Theater, Chautauqua Music Festival, Operafestival di Roma, Dicapo Opera, University of Colorado, and University of Kentucky Opera Theatre. She has recorded for Albany records, including Thomas Pasatieri’s God Bless Us Everyone, and his Symphony No. 2. Catherine is Director of Voice at the Prague Summer Nights Music Festival, Director of the Kentucky District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and Music Director for Kentucky Opera’s Youth Opera Program. She serves on the faculty at the University of Kentucky and Centre College.

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CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES (continued) LISA C. HARDIN (PROPS DESIGNER) received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Technical Theater from the University of Kentucky. She spent several years early in her career as a rock artist assisting with installations in locations such as NYC’s Central Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Lisa is proud to be a member of IATSE local #346, Central KY’s Stagehand Union. She has worked in numerous positions, most recently earning her first IMDb credit as lead set decorator for the movie “The Stand-In” while filming locally in 2019. Prior work includes prop coordination for the past two seasons of The LEX, as well as UK Opera Theatre’s main stage productions since fall 2015. Lisa resides in Lexington with her husband, Chair of UK’s Department of Theatre and Dance, Tony Hardin.

JESSICA BAYNE (STAGE MANAGER), holds an M.M. degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Kentucky.

Since her debut with UK Opera Theatre as Fantine in Les Misérables, she has appeared in several of their productions including La Traviata (Violetta) and Show Boat (Magnolia). Ms. Bayne has also been a regular with The LEXington Theatre Company, and has appeared with The Lyric Opera Studio Weimar and Opera Maine. Jessica was the Graduate Winner of the 2017 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. This is the fifth show she has been a stage manager for UK Opera.

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CAST BIOGRAPHIES GIANNI SCHICCHI JEREMY KELLY, BARITONE, (GIANNI SCHICCHI) Hometown: Louisville, KY Mr. Kelly was the 2018 Graduate Award Winner at the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition.

UK Opera Theatre: Sharpless, Madama Butterfly.

Elsewhere: Schaunard, La Boheme (Seattle Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Kentucky Opera); Marcello, La Boheme (Opera Omaha); Ping, Turandot (Toledo Opera, Kentucky Opera); Figaro, Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Opera Pacific); Enrico, Lucia di Lamermoor (Florida Grand Opera).

TSHEGOFATSO CLEMENT BALOYI, BARITONE, (GIANNI SCHICCHI) Hometown: Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa Mr. Baloyi is an Alltech Vocal Scholarship Award recipient.

UK Opera Theatre: Imperial Commissioner, Madama Butterfly; Lieutenant Gordon, Silent Night; Charles, Show Boat; Barone Douphol, La traviata. Elsewhere: Chorus, Rigoletto, (Kentucky Opera); Blind Man, Thy Will Be Done, Norton Center for the Arts.

FAIRYNNE ROGERS, SOPRANO, (LAURETTA) Hometown: Weirton, WV Ms. Rogers is a 2019 recipient of the Tom Getchell Scholarship.

UK Opera Theatre: Cousin/Chorus, Madama Butterfly.

Elsewhere: Featured Soloist, Broadway Under the Stars (Kentucky Conservatory Theatre); Madame da la Grande Bouche, Beauty and the Beast (Kentucky Conservatory Theatre); Female Swing/Chorus, Sweeney Todd (Kentucky Conservatory Theatre); Sandra Templeton/Bloom, Big Fish (Woodford Theatre).

CANDACE WILLIAMS, SOPRANO, (LAURETTA) Hometown: College Park, MD Ms. Williams is a 2019 recipient of the Tom Getchell Scholarship.

UK Opera Theatre: Veronique, The Hotel Casablanca (Graduate Opera Workshop Scene Study. Elsewhere: Norina, Don Pasquale (Oakwood University Opera Workshop); Sicle, L’Ormindo (Brancaleoni International Music Festival); Treemonisha, Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha (Ottley Music School); Section leader & soloist with Oakwood University Aeolians.

39

CAST BIOGRAPHIES (continued) CATARINE HANCOCK, MEZZO-SOPRANO, (ZITA) Hometown: Lexington, KY Ms. Hancock was the second place undergraduate winner in the 2017 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition.

UK Opera Theatre: Suzuki (cover)/Chorus, Madama Butterfly; Sally, Hand of Bridge (Undergraduate Opera Workshop); Chorus, Show Boat. Elsewhere: Mother Superior, Sister Act (Lafayette High School, Lexington).

TAYLOR COMSTOCK, TENOR, (RINUCCIO) Hometown: Independence, Missouri Mr. Comstock was the Central Region 2nd Place winner in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 2019 and a Grand Finalist in Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition in 2018.

UK Opera Theatre: Lt. Pinkerton, Madama Butterfly; Kronprinz, Nikolaus Sprink (Cover), Silent Night; Alfredo, La traviata. Elsewhere: Don José (Cover), Carmen (Kentucky Opera); Lucano (Cover), L’incoronazione di Poppea (Opera Theatre of Saint Louis); Title Role (Cover), Idomeneo (Wolf Trap Opera). Upcoming: Leonard (Cover), Awakenings (Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, WORLD PREMIERE). taylorcomstock.com HOUSTON TYRRELL, TENOR, (RINUCCIO) Hometown: Louisville, KY UK Opera Theatre: Goro, Madama Butterfly; William Dale, Silent Night; Jim/Backwoodsman, Show Boat; Chorus, La traviata. Elsewhere: Tamino, Die Zauberflöte (Bay View Music Festival); Lord Farquaad, Shrek: The Musical (University of Kentucky Theatre and Dance); Diesel, West Side Story (Bay View Music Festival).

DUDLEY B. DARNELL III “TREY”, TENOR, (GHERARDO) Hometown: Lawrenceburg, KY This is Mr. Darnell’s debut performance!

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ASHLEY TAYLOR CISSELL, SOPRANO, (NELLA) Hometown: Louisville, KY Ms. Cissell was the third place undergraduate winner in the 2017 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and the 2018 NATS Regional Winner in her category of Classical Voice.

UK Opera Theatre: Chorus, Madama Butterfly; Chorus, Show Boat.

CAST BIOGRAPHIES (continued) DAVID FOSTER, BARITONE, (BETTO DI SIGNA) Hometown: Marietta, GA, United States of America Mr. Foster is an Alltech Vocal Scholar and a recipient of the William C. Parker Scholarship.

UK Opera Theatre: Chorus, Silent Night; Chorus, La traviata.

PARKER VAN HOUTEN, BARITONE, (SIMONE) Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky Mr. Van Houten was the first place undergraduate winner in the 2017 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and the second place winner in the Schmidt Vocal Competition.

UK Opera Theatre: Ponchel, Silent Night, Uncle Bonze (cover); Madama Butterfly; Stanley Kowalski, A Streetcar Named Desire (Graduate Opera Workshop); The Representative, A Game of Chance (Undergraduate Opera Workshop); Windy McClain, Show Boat; Chorus, La traviata.

TEVIN VINCENT, BARITONE, (MARCO) Hometown: Salisbury, NC Mr. Vincent received an Encouragement Award at the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and is a recipient of the Tom Getchell Scholarship.

UK Opera Theatre: Chorus, Silent Night. Elsewhere: Chorus, Carmen (Kentucky Opera); Chorus, Porgy and Bess (Cincinnati Opera); Keeper of the Madhouse (The Boston Conservatory); Papageno, Die Zauberflöte (Music Academy International); Don Alfonso, Cosi fan tutte (Music Academy International); Dr. Gibbs, Our Town (Boston Opera Collaborative).

TevinVincent.com MARGARET MALONE, SOPRANO, (LA CIESCA) Hometown: Paducah, KY Ms. Malone has been a first place winner in NATS classical category and a 2017 featured artist with Musik Theatre Bavaria in Germany.

UK Opera Theatre: Suzuki, Madama Butterfly; Madeleine (Cover)/Chorus, Silent Night; Chorus, La traviata; Ensemble, It’s a Grand Night for Singing!

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CAST BIOGRAPHIES (continued) SUOR ANGELICA MARQUITA RICHARDSON, SOPRANO, (SISTER ANGELICA) Hometown: Pottstown, PA Ms. Richardson was the first place undergraduate transfer award recipient in the Alltech Vocal Scholarship and the first place winner in her category in the NATS Mid-South Regional competition.

UK Opera Theatre: Cio-Cio San (Cover), Madama Butterfly; Elsewhere: Chorus/Lily Cover, Porgy and Bess (Cincinnati Opera).

TANYARADZWA TAWENGWA, SOPRANO, (SISTER ANGELICA) Hometown: Harare, Zimbabwe Ms. Tawengwa is a Graduate Prize winner in the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and a Prizewinner in the Audrey Rooney Vocal Competition.

UK Opera Theatre: Queenie, Show Boat; Flora, La traviata. Elsewhere: Revolutionary/Pursuer, The Ghosts of Versailles (The Glimmerglass Festival); Girlfriend 1, Nurse, Congregant 1, Girlfriend 2, Congregant 2, Blue (The Glimmerglass Festival), Queenie, Show Boat (The Glimmerglass Festival), Papagena, The Magic Flute (Kentucky Opera). Upcoming: Revolutionary/Pursuer, The Ghosts of Versailles (The Royal Opera of Versailles). mushandirapamwe-singers.com KENDRA F. BEASLEY, MEZZO-SOPRANO, (LA ZIA PRINCIPESSA) Hometown: Madison, Georgia Ms. Beasley is a 2018 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Award recipient.

UK Opera Theatre: Suzuki, Madama Butterfly. Elsewhere: Chorus, Romeo et Juliet (Cincinnati Opera); Chorus, Porgy and Bess (Cincinnati Opera).

KATHRIN KOENIG THAWLEY, SOPRANO, (LA BADESSA) Hometown: Owings Mills, Maryland Ms. Thawley is a 2012 and 2017 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition award winner, as well as a 2016 Tom Getchell Scholarship recipient.

UK Opera Theatre: Beggar Woman, Sweeney Todd; Contessa Almaviva, Le Nozze di Figaro. Elsewhere: Associate Music Director, Disney’s Newsies, West Side Story, A Chorus Line, The Music Man (The Lexington Theatre Company); Associate Music Director, Shrek (UK Theatre); Suor Angelica, Suor Angelica (Salisbury University).

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CAST BIOGRAPHIES (continued) GABRIELLE ORLAYNA FUQUA, SOPRANO, (LA ZELATRICE) Hometown: Florence, Alabama Ms. Fuqua was an Encouragement Award recipient in the 2018 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition.

UK Opera Theatre: The Aunt/Chorus, Madama Butterfly; Stella Kowalski, A Streetcar Named Desire, Grad Opera Workshop. Elsewhere: Mimi, La Bohème (University of North Alabama); Juliette, Romeo et Juliette (University of North Alabama Opera Workshop); Bloody Mary, South Pacific (Summerstock at the Ritz); Sarah, Ragtime (Summerstock at the Ritz).

EMMA SCOTT, SOPRANO, (LA MAESTRA DELLE NOVIZIE) Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky Ms. Scott was the 2019 recipient of the Mildred S. Lewis Scholarship for Exceptional Achievement in Music Education and the second place winner in the UpperCollege Music Theatre division of the NATS Mid-South Competition.

UK Opera Theatre: Geraldine, Hand of Bridge (Undergraduate Opera Workshop); Immigrant/Houdini’s Mother, Ragtime; Chorus, La traviata. Elsewhere: Singing Angel, Joseph (First United Methodist Church, Lexington).

SAVANNAH ETTER, SOPRANO, (SUOR GENOVIEFFA) Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri Ms. Etter received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from UMKC in 2013 and is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at UK. UK Opera Theatre: Chorus, Madama Butterfly; Annina (Cover)/Chorus, La traviata. Elsewhere: Titania (Cover), Mustardseed, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Miami Music Festival).

RUTHIE SANGSTER, SOPRANO, (SUOR GENOVIEFFA) Hometown: Simpsonville, KY Ms. Sangster was a Young Artist with the “Bel Canto in Tuscany” Summer Program, 2018 and 2019. She was the first place winner in her women’s classical division in NATS Competition Fall 2016, 2017, and 2018, and Spring 2018 UK Opera Theatre: Kate Pinkerton/Chorus, Madama Butterfly; Featured Soloist and Dancer, It’s a Grand Night for Singing!; Geraldine, Hand of Bridge (Undergraduate Opera Workshop); Chorus, La traviata.

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University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra John Nardolillo, Music Director and Conductor 2019-2020 101st CONCERT SEASON

November 8, 2019 | 7:30pm

MAHLER’S FOURTH SYMPHONY SALINA FISHER’S RAINPHASE

with UK Opera Theatre alumna Rachel Sterrenberg BM’12, soprano

TICKETS 859-257-4929 | SCFATickets.com

SINGLETARY CENTER FOR THE ARTS TICKET OFFICE 2019-20 Signature Series

SCOTT BRADLEE’S

POSTMODERN JUKEBOX OCT 19, 2019 | 7:30PM

scfatickets.com 859-257-4929 405 Rose Street Lexington KY

TICKETS:

$20, $15 for students 859-257-4929 scfatickets.com Plus additional ticketing fees

BOOK BY JOE MASTEROFF | BASED ON THE PLAY BY JOHN VAN DRUTEN AND STORIES BY CHRISTOPHER ISHERWOOD | MUSIC BY JOHN KANDER | LYRICS BY FRED EBB | BROADWAY PRODUCTION DIRECTED BY HAROLD PRINCE | PRODUCED FOR THE BROADWAY STAGE BY HAROLD PRINCE

OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 3, 2019

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