LA TRAGÉDIE DE CARMEN

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1 Stephanie Chigas Possessing a thrilling versatility that is equally at home on opera, concert and recital stages, Greek-American mezzo soprano Stephanie Chigas voice has been hailed as rich and full of the promise of things to come. Ms. Chigas has performed with great success such roles as Carmen LA TRAGÉDIE DE CARMEN, Lucretia THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA, the title role in Bizet s CARMEN, Nicklausse LES CONTES D HOFFMANN, Dorabella COSÌ FAN TUTTE and Hansel HANSEL UND GRETEL. For her performances as Carmen, Joseph McLellen of the Washington Post wrote, Top honors on opening night went to Stephanie Chigas, who had the best voice and explored Carmen s earthy, almost animal sensuality with a power beyond any prima donna I have seen in the role. Recent engagements have included covering the role of Carmen for Boston Lyric Opera as well as singing the role of Mercedes in the same production, Second Maid in Strauss ELEKTRA with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Maestro Lorin Maazel, Octavian DER ROSENKAVALIER with Sinfonia da Camera, and Carmen LA TRAGÉDIE DE CARMEN as part of the InCite Festival at NYC s New World Stages. Ms. Chigas also was featured in an Opera Gala performance in Barbados with the Holder s Season. Read More Brian Bannatyne-Scott

2 Brian Bannatyne-Scott s recent operatic engagements include Foltz DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Arkel PELLEAS ET MELISANDE for Garsington Opera, Ghost of Hamlet s Father, Player King and Gravedigger in Brett Dean s HAMLET for Glyndebourne on Tour, Swallow PETER GRIMES with Opera de Monte-Carlo and Doctor THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL for the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen. Other recent appearances include Simone GIANNI SCHICCHI for the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and Opera North, Bottom A MIDSUMMER NIGHT S DREAM with Pacific Opera Victoria and Snug A MIDSUMMER NIGHT S DREAM at the Aix-en-Provence Festival and the Beijing Festival. Future engagements include a recital of Brahms and Liszt at the Edinburgh Festival, Rocco FIDELIO for Pacific Opera Victoria and Dikoj KAT A KABANOVA for Scottish Opera. Previous work includes the title-role FALSTAFF for Pacific Opera Victoria (Canada) and Theater Bielefeld, Arkel PELLEAS ET MELISANDE for Opera du Rhin and Opera Holland Park, Hubbard in the French premiere of John Adams DOCTOR ATOMIC at Opera National du Rhin in Strasbourg, Father THANKS TO MY EYES for Festival d Aix-en-Provence and La Monnaie, the Old Hebrew SAMSON ET DALILA for Grand Théâtre de Genève, La Roche CAPRICCIO for Theater Bielefeld and Pacific Opera Victoria, Baron Ochs DER ROSENKAVALIER for Theater Bielefeld, Varlaam BORIS GODUNOV, Snug MIDSUMMER NIGHT S DREAM, Geronte MANON LESCAUT and Swallow PETER GRIMES for Opera North, Sarastro DIE ZAUBERFLOETE for Opéra de Nantes, Peachum DIE DREIGROSCHENOPER for the London Philharmonic, Opéras de Caen and Rouen, Der Tod DER KAISER VON ATLANTIS for Théâtre de la Monnaie and Festival d Aix-en-Provence and Monterone RIGOLETTO, Commendatore DON GIOVANNI, Pogner DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG and Grand Inquisitor DON CARLO for English National Opera.

3 Read More Artist Website Robert Gilder Managing Director Simon Wilding English bass Simon Wilding maintains an active performing career throughout the United Kingdom. A frequent artist with London s Royal Opera House Covent Garden, he made his ROH debut in 1997 as a Brabantian Noble LOHENGRIN under Valery Gergiev, followed immediately by appearances as the Cappadocian SALOME under Christoph von Dohnányi and Foltz DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG under Bernard Haitink. During his ongoing relationship with Covent Garden, he has been engaged by the company for roles such as Lane/Merriman THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Gerald Barry), Sciarrone TOSCA, Lackey ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, Pinellino GIANNI SCHICCHI, and Gessler in Damiano Michieletto s controversial production of GUILLAUME TELL.

4 Read More Artist Website YouTube Channel Samuel Krum Vocal & Opera Consultant Paul McNamara

5 From Ireland, Paul McNamara is widely acknowledged to be one of the most versatile dramatic tenors of his generation. Based in Berlin, he has sung in theatres throughout Europe where his many notable successes have included his recent debut in Venice at La Fenice as Wagner s TANNHAUSER conducted by Omer Meir Wellber and critically acclaimed performances at the Deutsche Oper Berlin in Braunfels SCENEN AUS DEM LEBEN DER HEILIGEN JOHANNA. Further afield, the tenor won widespread approbation for his North American debut with the American Symphony Orchestra under its chief conductor Leon Botstein, where his performance in Max von Schillings opera MONA LISA was hailed by the audience and critics alike. Operatic engagements elsewhere include the Teatr Wielki in Warsaw, Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, NI Opera, Cape Town Opera, the Opera Lesna in Sopot (Poland), Opera Ireland, the Janáček Festival in Brno, the National Opera in Almaty, Kazakhstan, the Theatro Municipal, Rio de Janeiro, and with the Salzburg Festival at the Beijing Music Festival. Concert appearances have taken him to many of the world s leading venues including the Berlin Philharmonie, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and New York s Carnegie Hall. Read More Artist Website Robert Gilder Managing Director

6 Jose Gallisa Brazilian bass José Gallisa made his debut at the São Paolo Theatre as Talpa IL TABARRO and Simone GIANNI SCHICCHI, going on to sing Ramfis and Il Re AIDA. Other roles with the company included Nourabad LES PECHEURS DE PERLES, Il Commendatore DON GIOVANNI, Reinmar von Zweter TANNHÄUSER, Samuele UN BALLO IN MASCHERA, Lodovico and Montano OTELLO, Pistol FALSTAFF and Il Dottore LA TRAVIATA. He also sang four operas by the Brazilian composer Carlos Gomes and was awarded the Gomes Singing Prize. In 2005 Mr Gallisa won the Brazilian Carlos Gomez Prize awarded to the best male singer from the previous season for his work in LOHENGRIN, THE RING and PEARL FISHERS. He recorded Handel Messiah with the André Youth Orchestra and sang the first world performance of THE CAFÉ OPERA by the German composer Hans Joachim Köellreutter. He has sung with many eminent European conductors including Isaac Karabstchevsky, Roberto Minczuk, Siegfried Köhler and Eugene Kohn and directors such as Hugo de Ana, John Copley and Aidan Lang. He returned to London to appear at the 22 nd London Handel Festival in LOTARIO and sang Don Bartolo LE NOZZE DI FIGARO at the Royal Academy of Music conducted by Sir Colin Davis. Upcoming engagements include Geronte de Ravoir MANON LESCAUT and Sarastro DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE with Theatre Osnabrueck.

7 Read More Artist Website Robert Gilder Managing Director Donita Volkwijn Donita Volkwijn has been seen recently in major European cities performing the role of Bess for a touring production of Gershwin s PORGY AND BESS. The role has lead to two important company debuts; Seattle Opera in 2011 and Tulsa Opera in She also performed the role of Micaela CARMEN with Tulsa Opera that year and again the following season with Hawaii Opera Theatre. No stranger to the music of Puccini, she has also performed Mimi LA BOHÈME with San Francisco Opera, Opera Memphis and DiCapo Opera Theatre, Anna LE VILLI with DiCaop Opera Theatre as well as her first Musetta LA BOHÈME with Tulsa Opera. Ms. Volkwijn took part in Mezzo Competition (sponsored by the French television station Mezzo) and as one of the winners, she was selected to sing the part of the Condemned Female in David Alagna s LE DERNIER JOUR D UN CONDAMNE which was performed in

8 Debrecen and Szeged, Hungary. Last season Ms. Volkwijn sang Perneatha in the workshop of THE LONG WALK with American Lyric Theater. In Autumn 2014 Ms. Volkwijn sang PORGY & BESS in concert with the Belgrade Philharmonic. Read More Robert Gilder Managing Director Amber Smoke Lauded by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for her beautiful high range, American dramatic soprano Amber Smoke made her first foray into the Wagnerian soprano repertoire in 2013 with her role debut as Sieglinde DIE WALKÜRE with Union Avenue Opera Theater. Since then she has debuted the roles of Elisabeth TANNHÄUSER with Apotheosis Opera in New York City, Vitellia LA CLEMENZA DI TITO with the Occasional Orchestra of New York and Lucy Brown THREEPENNY OPERA with Amarillo Opera. Formerly a mezzo-soprano, Amber s recent performances also include her European debut as Maddalena RIGOLETTO, Dritte Dame DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE, the title role in Handel s GIULIO CESARE IN

9 EGITTO, Marcellina LE NOZZE DI FIGARO and Zweite Magd in ELEKTRA. Amber was a finalist in the 2011 Arkadi Foundation Vocal Competition and the 2010 Rochester Oratorio Society Competition, and a semi-finalist in the 2010 Peter Elvins Vocal Competition and the 2010 William C. Byrd Vocal Competition. She is also the recipient of an Encouragement Award from the Southeast Regional Metropolitan Opera National Auditions. Read More Artist Website Robert Gilder Managing Director rgilder@robert-gilder.com Lillian Sengpiehl

10 Lillian Sengpiehl has not only been acclaimed for her beautiful vibrant sound and color of voice, but also for her poise, beauty, and impressive ease onstage as a consummate actress. Her unique interpretations and musicianship have kept her busy for a decade singing new works and traditional works within the fields of opera, concert and musical theater. This spring similar acclaim came with the world premiere of CRESCENT CITY, a hyper-opera with the new Los Angeles company The Industry directed by Yuval Sharon and written by Anne Lebaron. Sengpiehl s performance of Homesick Woman was praised by Mark Swed in the Los Angeles Times as outstanding, and Joseph Mailander noted she was a stunningly talented soprano, stepping into the stage in a large way with sincerity. She also was the soloist this spring with the Northeast Kansas Topeka Symphony, singing opera arias featured in film and musicals. Sengpiehl has performed leading roles with opera companies and orchestras throughout the states and abroad including the Scandinavian premiere of Carlisle Floyd s SUSANNAH in Of this performance a Bergen periodical noted, The young American soprano sang a believable show with passion and balance Sengpiehl is a flawless performer. She was delighted to reprise the role in 2007 with Virginia Opera, delivering with conviction and depth. said the Washington Post. Read More Robert Gilder Managing Director rgilder@robert-gilder.com

11 Erica Miller American soprano Erica Miller maintains a multi-faceted schedule as operatic performer, concert artist, and stage director. Regarding her performance of Marie in LA FILLE DU RÉGIMENT, the Houston Chronicle raved Erica Miller mesmerizes us and takes us to that place of coloratura heaven where few have trod Her bright and stunning instrument so powerfully and profoundly touches us. In 2015 Ms. Miller made her initial appearances at Carnegie Hall, debuting as the Soprano Soloist in the Fauré Requiem conducted by Craig Jessop, presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) and returning as the Soprano Soloist in the Mozart Requiem conducted by Joe Miller presented by Manhattan Concert Productions (MCP). She has presented the Lieder program Vienna, City of Song during two consecutive seasons with Philadelphia s Lyric Fest, and in 2014 performed Haydn Creation with the Central Jersey Choral Society. On the operatic stage, Ms. Miller has performed some of the most exacting roles written for the soprano voice. She has been a frequent interpreter of the Königin der Nacht DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE; with this role she made her European debut at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, and has also performed it with the Festival Internacional de Música de Almansa (Spain), Opera North (New Hampshire), Opera Birmingham and Salt Marsh Opera. Ms. Miller has also performed the role of the Maid in Thomas

12 Adès s POWDER HER FACE in 2006 under the composer s baton and in 2013 covered the same role with New York City Opera. Her repertoire also includes Marie LA FILLE DU RÉGIMENT, Aspasia MITRIDATE, RE DI PONTO, Poppea AGRIPPINA, Elettra IDOMENEO, Adele DIE FLEDERMAUS, Frasquita CARMEN, Despina COSÌ FAN TUTTE, Erste Elfe DIE ÄGYPTISCHE HELENA, Madame Silberklang DER Schauspieldirektor, La Novice MARIE VICTOIRE, and Ännchen DER FREISCHÜTZ, the vehicle of her debut at the Macau International Festival in Read More YouTube Channel Artist Website Robert Gilder Managing Director rgilder@robert-gilder.com Emily Martin

13 American soprano Emily Martin has received acclaim for her enchanting iridescence (The Sarasota Herald Tribune), and has been called dramatically energetic and skillful (The Philadelphia Inquirer). Her acting ability, seamlessly interwoven with her singing (Charlotte Herald-Tribune) is apparent in her performances with such companies as The Santa Fe Opera PETER GRIMES, Palm Beach Opera THAÏS, Opera Nevada TURANDOT, Chautauqua Opera COSÌ FAN TUTTE, and Skylight Music Theater MIDNIGHT ANGEL, THE LITTLE PRINCE, DON GIOVANNI and ROSINA, among others. The season finds Ms. Martin in both opera, concert and recital repertoire around the United States and Europe. Opera performances include Alice Ford FALSTAFF with Opera on the James and the world premiere of Garrett Fisher s THE PASSION TRILOGY in Los Angeles. Ms. Martin will also be performing Britten s Les Illuminations with the Sinfonietta Paris and the role of Joan of Arc in Einhorn s Voices of Light with the Susquehanna Valley Chorale. Recital appearances at Virginia Tech University and with the Civic Morning Musical Recital Series round out the season. In , Ms. Martin developed and performed the world premiere of the role of Martha Jefferson MONTICELLO WAKES by Garrett Fisher in Los Angeles. She also performed recitals for St George s Cathedral Recital Series in Kingston, Augustana College, the Fine Tuned Arts Society in Boulder, Colorado, and for The Arts and Letters Club of Toronto. Read More Artist Website

14 Samuel Krum Vocal & Opera Consultant