Ewa Plonka, mezzo-soprano. Cynthia Cook, mezzo-soprano. Alasdair Kent, tenor. Vanessa Vasquez, soprano

Transcription

1 Ewa Plonka, mezzo-soprano. Originally from Poland, she has an Artist Diploma in Opera Studies student at Juilliard, where she studies with Edith Bers. Dr. Płonka has recently performed with the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra and Munich Radio Orchestra. This past season she performed the role of Adelia in the Armida Project with New Opera New York City. Dr. Płonka won first prize in the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera (NJAVO), third prize in the Gerda Lissner Foundation Vocal Competition, Silver Medal in the Young Texas Artists Music Competition (YTAMC), and the special Deborah Voigt Prize in the Marcello Giordani Vocal Competition. She earned her Bachelor, two Masters, and Doctoral degrees in piano performance. Cynthia Cook, mezzo-soprano. Has finished her first season with The Glimmerglass Festival in the summer of She had a huge success personifying the role of Sondra Finchley in An American Tragedy by Tobias Picker and Gene Scheer. This summer she will join the company again in Bernstein's Candide, under the baton of Maestro Joseph Colaneri. She will be joining Washington National Opera in February 2015 as a Carmelite nun and cover of Mother Marie in Francesa Zambello s production of Poulenc's Dialogue of the Carmelites. Ms. Cook is a recent graduate of the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts, where she performed a wide repertoire of roles, including Adalgisa in Norma, Dorabella in Cosí fan tutte, Smeton in Anna Bolena as well as Clairon in Strauss' Capriccio. While in residence at The Academy of Vocal Arts she worked with Tito Capobianco as Meg Page in Falstaff and Zerlina in Don Giovanni. Another highlight was collaborating with David Gately as Adelaide in Arabella by Strauss. Alasdair Kent, tenor. AVA second-year Resident Artist, Hometown is Perth, Australia. Education: B.M. from the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA); Lisa Gasteen National Opera School. Competitions: District Winner, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, 2014 (Philadelphia). Roles at AVA: Parpignol, La bohème; Lindoro, L'italiana in Algeri; Sergeant/Guard, Manon; Gastone, La traviata; Chekalinsky, Pique Dame; Ferrando, Così fan tutte. Other Roles: Count Almaviva, Il barbiere di Siviglia, The Martina Arroyo Foundation, Inc.; Don Ramiro (cover), La cenerentola; Remendado (cover), Carmen; both with Opera Queensland; Sellem and Tom Rakewell (cover), The Rake's Progress, Queensland Conservatorium; Gabriel von Eisenstein, Die Fledermaus, WAAPA. Upcoming: Gherado, Gianni Schicchi; Toby, The Medium; Ernesto (cover), Don Pasquale; all with Merola Opera Program, Summer Vanessa Vasquez, soprano AVA first-year Resident Artist Hometown is Scottsdale, Arizona. Education: B.A. in Vocal Performance, The Catholic University of America; M.M. in Opera Performance, University of Los Angeles, California (UCLA). Competitions: First Place, Sigma Alpha Iota Competition (Voice), 2014; Winner, Pasadena Opera Guild Vocal Competition, 2014; Finalist, Palm Springs Opera Guild Vocal Competition, 2013; Grant, The Opera Buffs Inc., AVA Roles: Mimì, La bohème. Other Roles: Donna Elvira, Don Giovanni, Opera UCLA; Desdemona, Otello (in concert); Dido, Dido and Aeneas, both with the Astoria Music Festival.

2 Stephanie Lauricella, mezzo-soprano. Lauded by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for superb control of Handel s characteristic runs, a clear, yet rosy timbre and exceptional acting, Stephanie joins the Deutsche Oper Berlin in the season, where her roles will include Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel, and debuts of Siébel in Faust, Smeraldina in L amour des trois oranges, and Mercédès in Carmen. She also sings performances of Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel with Minnesota Opera. Future engagements include her Seattle Opera debut and returns to the Deutsche Oper Berlin in leading roles. Last season, she sang her first performances of the Komponist in Ariadne auf Naxos with Virginia Opera and Isolier in Le comte Ory with Des Moines Metro Opera. She and also returned to the Grand Théâtre de Genève to reprise Wellgunde in Das Rheingold and complete the company s production of its Ring Cycle as Siegrune in Die Walküre and Wellgunde in Götterdämmerung after previously joining the company for the Second Wood Sprite in Rusalka, and the title role in César Cui s Le chat botté. Ms. Lauricella is a previous Resident Artist of Pittsburgh Opera, where she sang a number of leading roles. Brent Reilly Turner, tenor. Mr. Turner has studied and performed as an operatic baritone for over 10 years. His baritone mainstage credits included roles such as Mercutio in Gounod's Romeo et Juliette, Schaunard in Puccini's La Boheme, Marco in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, Dancairo and Morales in Bizet's Carmen, Einsenstein in Strauss' Die Fledermaus, Belcore in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore, and Il Conte in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro. Mr. Turner has participated with several major Young Artist and Apprentice Programs including Santa Fe Opera, Utah Opera, Ash Lawn Opera, Opera North, Opera Saratoga, Opera Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca, Brevard Music Center, and V.O.I.C.Experience. Turner holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Stetson University and a Master of Music from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Though born in Singapore, Turner was raised in Oviedo, FL and considers himself a native Central Floridian. Galeano Salas, tenor. AVA second-year Resident Artist. Hometown is Houston, Texas. Education: B.M. in Vocal Performance, University of Houston; M.M. in Opera Performance, Yale University. Competitions: Gold Medal and Audience Choice Award, Young Texas Artists Music Competition, 2015; Encouragement Award, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, 2014; Second Prize, Classical Singer Vocal Competition (Young Artist Classical Division), 2014; First Place, Arkadi Foundation Opera Idol Competition, 2013; Finalist, Opera Index Foundation Vocal Competition, 2012; National Semi-Finalist, Classical Singer Competition, Lauren Michelle, soprano. Originally from Los Angeles, she received her Bachelor's Degree from The Juilliard School in New York. Her performances there included roles, scenes, and song recitals primarily in the Baroque, Classical, and Bel Canto repertoire, generating praise for her shimmering voice quality and her dramatic stage presence. Outside of the conservatory, she has performed for young audiences in a number of venues in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Italy, England, and South Africa. Ms. Criddle has won First Prize in both the Leontyne Price Competition and the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Competition, and has been presented in concert at Zipper Concert Hall by the Los Angeles Opera Buffs. She spent a year and a half in Florence, Italy as an apprentice at the Teatro Communale di Firenze, becoming fluent in Italian and performing the role of Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi and the title role in Reynaldo Hahn's Mozart. She has sung recitals of Lieder and French/American art songs at festivals throughout France and the USA.

3 PART I Ann Marie Stanley, Mezzo-Soprano BARBER Must the winter come so soon? from Vanessa Anne Marie Stanley, mezzo-soprano. A graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. She made her professional operatic debut at the Spoleto Festival USA as Suor Agnese in Giordano s Mese Mariano in This past summer, she completed Houston Grand Opera s Young Artists Vocal Academy and sang in the Janiec Opera Company at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina. She is a two-year first-place recipient of the Westminster Voice Award and third place winner in the 2014 National Opera Association Vocal Competition. Recently, Anne Marie won First Prize in the Senior Division of the Philadelphia Orchestra's Albert M. Greenfield Student Competition. She will make her solo debut with the orchestra in their season. Anne Marie is thrilled to be a member of the Apprentice Singer Program with The Santa Fe Opera this summer Previous roles include Ernesto in Il mondo della luna, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Tamiri in Il re pastore, cover for Nancy in Albert Herring, Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, and Nicklausse in Les contes d Hoffmann. Sonja Krenek, Soprano PUCCINI Donde lieta usci from La Boheme Brent Reilly Turner, Tenor PUCCINI Addio fiorito asil from Madama Butterfly Lauren Michelle, Soprano KORNGOLD Glück das mir verblieb from Die Tote Stadt Ewa Plonka, Mezzo-Soprano BIZET Habanera from Carmen Alasdair Kent, Tenor VERDI Dal labbro il canto from Falstaff Cynthia Cook, Mezzo-Soprano PICKER New York Aria from An American Tragedy Vanessa Vasquez, Soprano MOZART Dove sono from Le nozze di Figaro Sonja Krenek, lyric soprano is a passionate and emotionally expressive performer. This season, her engagements include Frasquita in Carmen with New York Opera Exchange, Lola Markham in Gallantry with encanta Collective, and the Purely Puccini concert with Chelsea Opera. Past seasons have included young artist engagements with Opera North, where she performed Greta Fiorentino in Street Scene and covered Violetta in La traviata in 2014, with Central City Opera. She performed Monica in The Medium as a Bonfils-Stanton Studio Artist in 2012, and where she is the 2012 recipient of Central City Opera s Yellow Rose Award for Most Outstanding Female Performer. Other recent appearances include Micaëla in Carmen with MetroWest Opera. Stephanie Lauricella, Mezzo-Soprano STRAUSS Sein wir wieder gut - Composers aria from Ariadne auf Naxos Galeano Salas, Tenor PUCCINI "Che gelida manina" from La Boheme Intermission

4 PART II Ann Marie Stanley, Mezzo-Soprano GOUNOD Faites-lui mes aveux from Faust Sonja Krenek, Soprano GOUNOD Air des bijoux (The Jewel Song) from Faust Brent Reilly Turner, Tenor WAGNER Ein Schwert verhiess mir der Vater from Die Walküere Lauren Michelle, Soprano MASSENET Il est doux, il est bon from Hérodiade Ewa Plonka, Mezzo-Soprano VERDI Stride la vampa from Il Trovatore Alasdair Kent, Tenor ROSSINI Si, ritrovarla io giuro from La Cenerentola Cynthia Cook, Mezzo-Soprano ROSSINI Tanti affetti from La donna del lag o Vanessa Vasquez, Soprano PUCCINI "Chi il bel sogno di Doretta" from La Rondine Stephanie Lauricella, Mezzo-Soprano ROSSINI Una voce poco fa from Il Barbiere di Siviglia Galeano Salas, Tenor DONIZETTI Ah! mes amis from La Fille du Régiment Chairman: Stephen De Maio Competition Committee Scoring Accountants: Joseph DuPont, Herb Hermann, and Pat Wickens Preliminary Adjudicators: Stephen De Maio, Robert Lombardo, Eve Queler, and Barbara Ann Testa Competition Adjudicators: Teresa Apolei, Stephen De Maio, Robert Lombardo, Barbara Ann Testa and Eve Queler Accompanist Mary Pinto is an acclaimed accompanist and vocal coach who has worked with international opera singers and major American opera companies for the past 25 years. Intermission Feature Stephen De Maio and other judges will explain to the audience the process of judging a vocal competition and determining the top prize winners. Prizes First Prize ($5,000): courtesy of The Gerda Lissner Foundation Second Prize ($3,000): courtesy of Joseph DuPont, Marietta DuPont, Theresa Kandalaft, Yvonne Schley, David Wroe and the OAF Board of Trustees Third Prize ($1,500): courtesy of the DuPont family Encouragement Awards ($250): courtesy of the OAF Board of Trustees Special Award ($1,000) in honor of Gloria Fernandi, past Vice-President of the Board of Trustees, wife of Metropolitan Opera Tenor Eugenio Fernandi, and an exceptional friend and mentor to all of us at OAF: courtesy of Marty Jeiven

5 The Competition The Opera at Florham Vocal Competition was established by the Opera Guild in 1987 to honor Mrs. Violetta Pollara DuPont, benefactor and co-founder of Opera at Florham, for her life- long dedication and vision for our company. Opera at Florham, celebrating its 33 rd year since its founding in 1982, continues to sponsor this Vocal Competition in concert with its mission to promote the careers of young, promising artists, who are pursuing a career in opera. The goal of the competition, which is open to all singers, years of age, is to support their growth and development by offering cash prizes and an opportunity to later perform publicly with Opera at Florham in their Musicales and/or their opera productions. Today s finalists have been selected from entrants throughout the United States and other countries. More than 20 previous finalists are now on the rosters of the Metropolitan Opera and other major companies here and abroad. The mission of Opera at Florham s is to provide opportunities to qualified upcoming artists to gain role and stage experience; to introduce young people to the operatic art form, and to engage the general public with fully staged operas, other fine musical entertainment and other opera-related experiences such as recitals, master classes, and lectures. Board of Trustees of Opera at Florham Officers: President: Joan Del Guidice; Vice-President: Marty Jeiven; Treasurer: Herb Hermann Additional Members: Carol Bernstein, Stephen De Maio, Joseph DuPont, Richard Kopp, Mary Pinto, Albert Wickens and David Wroe (Music Director and Conductor of the New Jersey Festival Orchestra) Acknowledgements We gratefully acknowledge Stephen De Maio, President of The Gerda Lissner Foundation, for organizing the auditions at their facility (Kosciusko Foundation) in New York City and chairing the competition committee. We extend our appreciation to FDU for permitting us to use Lenfell Hall and for providing refreshments. ADJUDICATORS AT FINALS Robert Lombardo, Artists Manager and Consultant, grandson of Metropolitan Opera bass baritone Louis D'Angelo. Robert Lombardo was educated at Villanova University and Seton Hall Law School. Lombardo formed Robert Lombardo Associates in 1975 and for the past forty years has managed many of the leading opera artists of our time including Renata Scotto, Ileana Cotrubas, Krassimira Stoyanova, Cornell MacNeil, Elena Obraztsova, Fiorenza Cossotto, Giuseppe Taddei, Matteo Mannuguerra, Alfredo Kraus, Ruggero Raimondi and conductors Eve Queler, Nello Santi and Giuseppe Patane. Lombardo has been a consultant to opera and recording companies. Teresa Apolei, a world-renowned soprano who sang throughout the entire world and is famous for her dramatic passionate voice. Norma was one of her greatest roles. She also sang to great acclaim in Aida with Richard Tucker at the Philadelphia Opera. She currently resides in New Jersey and is often called upon to judge international vocal competitions. Stephen De Maio, President of the Gerda Lissner Foundation, was cited by Opera News as one of the most prestigious Foundations fostering the careers of young artists with very generous financial awards. He serves as Administrative and Artistic Director of the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation, Artistic Adviser of The Giulio Gari Foundation, Loren L. Zachary Society for The Performing Arts, Opera at Florham, Assistant to Director Musician Emergency Fund and is on the Advisory Boards of the Martina Arroyo Foundation, Opera Index, and the American Center for Musical Arts. Barbara Ann Testa, a famous soprano who had a wonderful career in Italy. She studied with the great tenor Giovanni Martinelli and the brilliant Licia Albanese. Barbara is also an accomplished pianist. A trustee of the Gerda Lissner Foundation and The Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation, she is often called to judge international vocal competitions. Maestra Eve Queler, Conductor and Artistic Director of Opera Orchestra of New York.

6 With Our Gratitude Our Co-Founder and Benefactor New Voices Violetta Pollara DuPont No area of this competition remains untouched by her determination. Everyone who has participated in any of the Company activities has learned lessons in the values of work, cooperation, acceptance and patience. She has honored this campus, this community, and those happy participants in the cultural atmosphere which she has greatly helped to make possible here. Violetta Pollara DuPont celebrated her 100 th birthday April 7, 2012 and attended the 2012 Vocal Competition. She passed away June 8, Her legacy continues with Opera at Florham. Are you interested in the arts? Become a volunteer and help with musicales and fundraising! CONTACT US TODAY! Opera at Florham Presents The Twenty-Seventh Annual Violetta DuPont Vocal Competition Luncheon: 12:30 pm Program 3:00 pm Sunday, April 26, 2015 Lenfell Hall -The Mansion Fairleigh Dickinson University 285 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ Distinguished Adjudicators: Teresa Apolei Robert Lombardo Stephen De Maio Barbara Ann Testa Eve Queler In residence at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ P.O. Box 343, Convent Station, New Jersey