amarillo opera's she never lost a passenger

AMARILLO OPERA

in association with Amarillo College presents

Susan Kander's

She Never Losta Passenger

Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts7:30 p.m. • Friday, February 8, 2013

Partially funded by the Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation and Texas Commission on the Arts.

Sustaining Support for Amarillo Opera’s 25th Anniversary Season provided by Joseph H. and Arlene Pool

From the General DirectorOn behalf of all of us at Amarillo Opera, welcome to this second opera in our new Family Chamber Opera Series – launched earlier this season in an intimate and popular co-production of Gian-Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors with Chamber Music Amarillo at the Fibonacci Building on historic Route 66.

In reality, the series began with last February’s landmark co-production of Joshua’s Boots with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. The success of that production set us on a path to develop a small satellite series of shorter works, sung in English, suitable for both children and family audiences – operas that utilize artists of all ages. We’re especially grateful to our partners at The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation for important funding that helped bring this opera to you and to more than 2,700 students that saw it during our school day performances yesterday.

We’ve assembled a marvelous cast including South African soprano Bronwen Forbay as Harriet Tubman and tenor Nathan Granner who created the roles of William Grant Still and John in the original production of She Never Lost a Passenger first mounted by the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. They’re joined by our own Brian Kuhnert and Candace Carpenter as Thomas and Sarah Garrett and an outstanding group of young student performers – most appearing in their very first opera.

Like last year’s Joshua’s Boots, this is tricky and difficult work. I’m tremendously proud of the Texas Panhandle elementary school, middle school and high school students in our cast. They have far surpassed any expectation that I had when I selected this piece for the Globe-News Center stage.

In today’s world we often link the words arts and entertainment – but there’s so much more than entertainment in what you’ll see tonight. Don’t misunderstand; we hope you enjoy tonight’s performance, but there is a difference between arts and entertainment. In the words of Makoto Fujimura, “Entertainment gives you a predictable pleasure. Art. . .leads to transformation. It awakens you, rather than just satisfying a craving.” In other words, art challenges us. At times it breaks our hearts. It forces us to make a choice. Art either reaffirms us or changes us – it awakens in us the realities of our lives and inspires in us things we might otherwise never have imagined.

Accomplished singing is absolutely essential in the world of opera, but beautiful music is only the beginning of what we try to bring to our stage. One hundred years ago next month our world lost a courageous woman; a woman known as Moses. Tonight we celebrate her legacy and the legacies of countless others that have made our lives richer and more complete because of their commitment to freedom and equality for all.

Thank you for joining us tonight. We’re glad you’re here. We hope you’ll leave the theatre inspired and transformed. We’re making great opera and great art in Amarillo, but we can’t possibly do it without you.

With sincere appreciation,

David O’Dell General Director

2 AMARILLO OPERA SHE NEVER LOST A PASSENGER FEB. 8, 2013

Upcoming Events

Fol de Rol: Candide’s Odyssey Ball Ambassador Hotel

March 16, 2013 · 6:30 p.m.

Candide Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts

April 6 & 7, 2013 Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Musica Variada Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts

May 24, 2013 · 7:30 p.m. School Performances May 23, 2013

The Wizard of Oz: Summer Youth MusicalGlobe-News Center for the Performing Arts

July 11-14, 2013

AMARILLO OPERA SHE NEVER LOST A PASSENGER FEB. 8, 2013 3

2012-2013 Board of Trustees

Patrick Swindell, President

Beverly Plank, Vice-President

Craig Gladman, President-Elect

Laura Street, Past-President

Joe Crowley, Treasurer

Roxann Ball, Recording Secretary

Elayne Shults, Corresponding Secretary

Catherine Winsett, Founding Member

H.R. and Thelma Fulton, Founding Members

Mila Gibson, Founder

Diana Wright, BRAVO Board President

Steven Beckham, Trustee

Bill Byrd, Honorary Advisor

Kathy Durrett, Trustee

Bob Hansen, Trustee

Kevin Gandy, Trustee

April Johansson, Trustee

Lee Kendle, Trustee

Russell Lowery-Hart, Trustee

Nick Nevarez, Trustee

Rosemary Roach, Trustee

Clemon Whitaker, Trustee

Linda Williams, Trustee


2012-2013 BRAVO Committee

Diana Wright, President

Sandra Pelfrey, President-Elect

Roxann Ball, Past President

Eleanor Glazener, Corresponding Secretary

Donna Clopton, Recording Secretary

Letha Banks, Parliamentarian

Garry & Annette Nall, Hospitality

Bryan Jepson, Treasurer

Hollis Ann Hands, Cast Care

Patricia Turner, Historian

Mitsy Veloz, Publicity

Patti Summerhill, Scholarships

Mila Gibson, Founder

Cathie Barney, Trustee

Pamela Beckham, Trustee

Roni Swindell, Trustee


Annual Fund (The following lists those donors of $50 or more between January 31, 2012 – January 31, 2013)

Diamond Circle ($100,000) Joseph H. and Arlene Pool

Director’s Circle ($50,000) The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation

Artist’s Circle ($25,000) Amarillo College The Mary E. Bivins Foundation The Brumley Foundation David D. and Nona S. Payne Foundation Richard and Barbara Davis Patrick and Roni Swindell The Sybil B. Harrington Living Trust

Producer ($10,000) Branch and Carajean Archer Dr. Kent and Ilene Roberts Balliett Foundation Steven and Loraine Beckham Bill and Cindy Byrd Patricia Fisher Eleanor Glazener Hollis Ann Hands Josephine Anderson Trust Asset Management Alfred and Patricia Smith Street Toyota Joe and Laura Street Telemundo

Benefactor ($5,000) Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Arts Committee The Amarillo Civic Center James and Pamela Beckham Roamiee Caranto and Patrizia da Milano Levert and Teresa Gillman Jim and Frances Hutson KFDA-TV Juliana Lightle Parkview House Bed & Breakfast

Nabil and Carol Dia Rhett and Beverly Plank Bill and Ruth Quackenbush Tacos Garcia Texas Commission on the Arts The Ambassador Hotel Dr. Victoria Thompson Ben and Joan Weber Tim Winn Mr. Merrill Winsett

Guarantor ($2,500) Atmos Energy Corporation Kevin and Roxann Ball Roy and Betty Bara Ronnie and Catherine Barney Black Historical Cultural Center Darrell and Beverly Bledsoe Lilith Brainard Ross and Donna Clopton Chamber Music Amarillo Erich and Joann Drochner Robert and Kathy Durrett Carroll M. Forrester Warren and Celine Freeman H.R. and Thelma Fulton J. Craig and Donna Gladman Glazers Jim Gleason Robert Hansen and Lee Persefield Lois K. Hull Ove and April Johansson Bob and Nancy Josserand La Fiesta Grande Restaurants Garry and Annette Nall New Day Productions News Channel 10 David and Amelia O’Dell Maxwell and Donna Peck Michael and Sandra Pelfrey Ginger Smith Southwest Retina Specialists William and Patti Summerhill

Douglas and Stephanie Sullivan Stephen and Diana Wright

Impresario Society ($1,000) Vanessa Abuchaibe Amarillo Botanical Gardens Amarillo College Conservatory Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic, P.A. Alfonso and Linda Armstrong Ascension Academy B&W Pantex Bert and Marlies Ballengee Letha Banks Jeff Bara Dr. Enid M. Bates Adair Buckner Buckner’s Bruce Ford Community Center Budweiser Distributing Company Dennis and Carolyn Canon Martha Collaer Joe Crowley Robbin and Alice Dawson Roberto and Elizabeth Estevez Jimmie Foster Mariada George Harry and Shirley Haines Victor and Caroline Hands Hastings Entertainment, Inc. Yvette Henderson Atoi Horton Bryan and Elizabeth Jepson La Mejor La Voz Hispana Russell and Tara Lowery-Hart Father Hector Madrigal Marcella Furs and Leather Grover and Pearlene Martin Maverick Boys and Girls Club Raenell McDonough Konnie Meyer Helen E. Neal Nick Nevarez


OPERA America Opera Debs, Patti Stapp, Executive Director Rhonda Silverman and Phyllis Sparks Joan Osborn Parie Designs Harve and Penny Pearson Ruby Person Phi Mu Alpha Dennis and Freda Powell Jacob Breeden/Process Art House Dan and Myrna Raffkind Harvey and Clara Ratliff J. Pat and Vicki Richmond Salvador Rivas Elayne Shults Sprouse Shrader Smith Law Firm Delores Thompson Jack and Dee Turner Cleveland and Patricia Turner Roy and Isabel Urrutia Alphonso and Linda Vaughn Wesley Community Center Clemon and Lola Whitaker Linda Williams Roger Williams and Ana Estevez Xcel Energy Amarillo

Contributor ($250) Amarillo College Foundation Amarillo National Bank Barnes Jewelry Robert and Nancy Barr Judith Evans William and Cynthia Good Alex Gregory Happy State Bank Donnell Hill Ruth Holman Douglass and Alice Hyde Sylvania Jeffery Bob and Helen Marr Johannesen Johnson Chapel AME Church Dr. Mitchell Jones

Winnie Lee Jones Jake Lennard Virginia Maynard Jeff and Sandra Neely Panhandle Queen Court 297 Sonic Underwood Law Firm Col. J.P. and Catherine Wedding

Associate ($100) Patricia Allen Amarillo Little Theatre Amarillo Symphony Amarillo United Citizens Forum John and Mary L. Abbott Bayless Peter and Gayle Bickers L. Louise Box Bruce and Darlene Brasington Brown & Fortunato, PC Genevieve Caldwell Classic Rollers Car Club Coors of Amarillo Beverly de la Brettone Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc Allen and Leisa Durrett Betty Farrell Friends of Aeolian Skinner Mila Gibson Alex Gregory Robert and Laurie Groman Marti Hands Bill and Beverly Harris Joe and Joan Horn Jenkins Chapel Baptist Church William Jenkins Jim Jordan Robert and Michelle Kauffman Michael and Rhanda Luna Marcella Furs and Leather Paul and Sandy Matney Mary Ruth McCulley C.W. Nickerson Lois Nix Don and Dorothy Patterson

Paul Harpole Motors, LLC Troyce K. Phillips Lawrence and Tennessee Pickens Prince Hall Masonic Family Dorothy Ragster Anthony Riepma Gloria N. Roberts Dr. and Mrs. Dale Roller Keith Severin Bobby and Paula Steele Dr. and Mrs. Hagos Tekeste United Way of Amarillo Lawrence Walker Thelma J. Ward Warford-Walker Mortuary Jeanette Wedding L. Alward and Nancy White, Jr. Mark and Terry Ann White James and Barbara Whitton, Jr. Hugh and Renee Wilson Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

Friend ($50) Joyce Attebury Ault & Associates John and Sidney Boyce Billie Currie Harold and Carole Eck Rachel Gallagher Jeanne Ann Gibson Robert and Mary Jane Hays Wade and Marcy Henderson Karen Huneke Beverly Jinks Peggy Kirksey Hugh LeClair Barbara McDonald Ted and Carol Nicklaus Brian and Joann Pruitt Rosemary A. Roach Frank Saucier Ruth Anne Shepherd Margaret C. Tenorio


She Never Lost a Passenger Sponsors

Texas Artist Sponsor ($1,000) Atmos Energy Corporation Dr. Enid M. Bates Grover and Pearlene Martin Xcel Energy Amarillo

Gold Medal Patron ($300) Johnson Chapel AME Church Helen E. Neal Dennis and Freda Powell Dan and Myrna Raffkind Clemon and Lola Whitaker

Silver Medal Patron ($200) Amarillo United Citizens Forum C.W. Nickerson Panhandle Queen Court 297 Dorothy Ragster Gloria N. Roberts Clay and Katherine Stribling

Bronze Medal Patron ($100) Classic Rollers Car Club Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Mary Ruth McCulley Ruby Person Prince Hall Masonic Family Dr. and Mrs. Dale Roller Bill and Patti Summerhill Dr. and Mrs. Hagos Tekeste Delores Thompson Lawrence Walker Thelma J. Ward Warford-Walker Mortuary Linda Williams Zeta Phi Beta Sorority


25th Anniversary Season DonorsGifts of $2,500 or more

Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Arts Committee The Amarillo Civic Center Amarillo College The Ambassador Hotel Branch T. and Carajean Archer Atmos Energy Corporation Kevin and Roxann Ball Roy and Betty Bara Ronnie and Catherine Barney James and Pamela Beckham Steven and Loraine Beckham Black Historical Cultural Center Darrell and Beverly Bledsoe Lilith Brainard The Brumley Foundation Dale and Adair Buckner Bill and Cindy Byrd Genevieve Caldwell Roamiee Caranto and Patrizia da Milano Chamber Music Amaillo Ross and Donna Clopton David D. and Nona S. Payne Foundation Richard and Barbara Davis The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation Erich and Joann Drochner Robert and Kathy Durrett Patricia Fisher Carroll M. Forrester Warren and Celine Freeman H.R. and Thelma Fulton Levert and Teresa Gillman J. Craig and Donna Gladman Eleanor Glazener Glazers Jim Gleason

Hollis Ann Hands Robert Hansen and Lee Persefield Hastings Entertainment, Inc. Lois K. Hull Jim and Frances Hutson Ove and April Johansson Josephine Anderson Trust Asset Management Bob and Nancy Josserand KFDA-TV La Fiesta Grande Restaurants Juliana Lightle Mary E. Bivins Foundation Garry and Annette Nall New Day Productions New Channel 10 David and Amelia O’Dell Parkview House Bed and Breakfast Maxwell and Donna Peck Michael and Sandra Pelfrey Rhett and Beverly Plank Joseph H. and Arlene Pool Bill and Ruth Quackenbush Dan and Myrna Raffkind The Reed-George Foundation Dr. Kent and Ilene Roberts Balliett Foundation Alfred and Patricia Smith Ginger Smith Southwest Retina Specialists Charles and Diane Steed Street Toyota Joe and Laura Street Douglas and Stephanie Sullivan Bill and Patti Summerhill Patrick and Roni Swindell The Sybil B. Harrington Living Trust

Tacos Garcia Telemundo Texas Commission on the Arts Dr. Victoria J. Thompson Ben and Joan Weber Tim and Carol Winn Mrs. Merrill Winsett Stephen and Diana Wright


Gifts of Tribute, Honor or in MemoriamIn honor of Catherine Winsett’s 90th Birthday By Patricia Allen

In memory of Mary Winsett Schmidt By Joyce Attebury

In memory of Mary Winsett Schmidt By Ault and Associates

In memory of Mary Winsett Schmidt By Sonja Barnett

In memory of Mary Winsett Schmidt By John and Sidney Boyce

In memory of Mary Winsett Schmidt By Harold and Carole Eck

In honor of Catherine Winsett’s 90th Birthday By Betty Farrell

In honor of Sarah Whipple By Rachel Gallagher

In memory of Jayne Brainard By Mila Gibson

In memory of John Brainard By Mila Gibson

In memory of Marti Kirk By Mila Gibson

In memory of Mary Winsett Schmidt By Mila Gibson

In memory of Ada Ruth Richardson By Hollis Ann Hands

In honor of Catherine Winsett’s 90th Birthday By Elaine Hazlewood In honor of Laura Street By Barbara McDonald, Junior Travel Study Club

In memory of Ben Bruckner By Catherine Winsett

In memory of Janie Burgess By Catherine Winsett

In memory of Phillip Campbell By Catherine Winsett

In memory of Betty Taylor Dickinson By Catherine Winsett

In memory of Lisa Fancher Fritz By Catherine Winsett

In memory of Helen Lutz By Catherine Winsett

In memory of Abbie Madden By Catherine Winsett

In memory of Ed Morris By Catherine Winsett

In memory of Wells Pfeffer By Catherine Winsett

In memory of Mary Winsett Schmidt By Catherine Winsett

In memory of Helen Vahue

By Catherine Winsett


Education and Community EngagementArtist Development/Community Programs begin at a very early age. The programs

feed into one another so that people of all ages can develop their talents through the

programs of Amarillo Opera.

sole sponsor of the annual Summer Youth Musical at the

Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. Launched

in the summer of 2004 as a collaborative effort with

Civic Amarillo and aimed at ages 9-19, it is an invaluable

training ground for young regional singers. Artists in

Training participants serve as mentors to these middle

and high school aged young artists.

Sunday Sessions: An Actor’s Intensive

Select students from the Summer Youth Musical Program

ages 10-18 are chosen for advanced master classes

throughout the year. Artists are evaluated and mentored

on their progress in technique and presentation. Sunday

Session students participate in community outreach

events at nursing homes and at other community

programming venues.

Artists in Training

College aged artists are retained each summer to

mentor youngsters in the ARTS: an Alternative program.

Beginning in the summer of 2011, these Artists in

Training also assisted with the Summer Youth Musical

and are available for more extensive community

outreach. Amarillo Opera annually distributes more than

$40,000 in scholarships to these young students who are

Young Artist Development and Community

Engagement Programs

Amarillo Opera’s Young Artist Development/Community

Engagement Programs begin at a very early age. The

programs feed into one another so that people of all

ages can develop their talents through the programs of

Amarillo Opera.

ARTS: An Alternative

Aimed at children ages 5-13, this program offers lessons

and workshops in visual arts, music, drama, dance,

poetry and comportment – building self-esteem and

confidence in local youth. Since its inception, the

program has served over 16,000 area youth in seven

neighborhood sites in Amarillo. Programming is summer

based and offered in day camp settings at The Maverick

Boys and Girls Club, The Wesley Community Center,

The Black Historical Cultural Center, Buckner’s Bruce

Ford Community Center and Ascension Academy. Camp

counseling is provided by the Artist in Training Program.

Children that express an interest in the art form are

encouraged to participate in the Summer Youth Musical.

Summer Youth Musical

Beginning in the summer of 2013, Amarillo Opera is the


encouraged to continue with Amarillo Opera as part of

the Opera Ensemble.

Amarillo College Opera Workshop

Through our unique partnership with Amarillo College,

Amarillo Opera’s General Director serves as an adjunct

faculty member of Amarillo College and leads a section

of the institution’s Opera Workshop. AC students

are given opportunities to participate in main stage

productions and educational outreach programs. Many

of these students are Artists in Training.

The Emily Pulley Endowed Scholarships at WTAMU

In the Fall of 2010, WTAMU announced the

establishment of the Emily Pulley Endowed Scholarships

which will pay fees to WTAMU vocal students that sing

small roles and in the ensemble of Amarillo Opera. This

important new initiative strengthens our relationship

with a major University and will help them attract quality

singers into the vocal music program at WTAMU. Many

of these students will also be Artists in Training.

Amarillo Opera Ensemble

Aimed at regional professionals at all levels, the Amarillo

Opera Ensemble, a group of 24-32 singers, is meant

to be the premiere small vocal ensemble in the Texas

Panhandle. Ensemble members are called on to do

outreach activities and are given comprimario and small

roles in mainstage productions whenever possible.

Amarillo Opera Texas Artists

These young principal artists are engaged by the

company to ensure that the next generation of American

operatic artists is heavily represented by singers from

the Texas Panhandle. This recently added sponsorship

category for our donors encourages Panhandle residents

to support regional artistry.

Amarillo Opera Principal Artists

Those that come up through the ranks of the programs

listed above will hopefully graduate to Principal Artist

status and return to Amarillo Opera for years to

come - working with young artists at every stage of

development.

All of these programs continue to support Amarillo

Opera’s educational and community engagement

efforts including our annual mainstage season of two

operas, our Lift Every Voice Concert, and our Musica

Variada Concert.


Story

Setting - Mid-19th century: the Philadelphia office of William Grant Still,

the home of Thomas and Sarah Garrett and the woods somewhere along

the eastern underground railroad.

William Grant Still, founder of the Philadelphia Vigilant Committee, receives a letter in code from Abolitionist Quaker Thomas Garrett, telling him news of “Moses” and her human cargo moving north towards his safe house. Still sings of Harriet Tubman, known as Moses, the extraordinarily courageous woman who “never lost a passenger” along the Underground Railroad.

Miles south, as night falls, Harriet returns to her latest group of exhausted, frightened fugitive slaves (children’s chorus) and recounts her adventures attempting to scout a safe passage to the next stopping place. She and John, another slave, sing the spiritual “Go Down Moses” to raise the spirits of their fellow travelers.

Later, in a safe house owned by the Garretts, food, shelter, and a soothing lullaby (“Simple Gifts”) are provided. Moving on the next night, (“Follow the Drinking Gourd”), some slaves lose heart and want to return south. Harriet threatens to kill anyone who turns back, since one slave spilling secrets about the route could cost the lives of many.

As they move on, she tells them with excitement and fervor about Mr. Still and his “great book” in which he writes their names and stories, and which became, in fact, the first published account of the Underground Railroad. As they move on through the dark woods (children’s chorus) Mr. Still eulogizes “Moses” and her mythic courage.

Source: www.susankander.net


She Never Lost a PassengerBy Susan Kander

Commissioned by Lyric Opera of Kansas City

World Premier Thursday, April 10, 1997 Kansas City, MO

First performance by Amarillo Opera, February 7, 2013

Director/Staging Director/Production Manager Linda Hughes

Music Director Lizabeth McCabe

Production Accompanist E.P. Simmons


Bronwen Forbay’s performance is underwritten by Dr. Enid M. Bates

Nathan Granner’s performance is underwritten by Grover and Pearlene Martin

Brian Kuhnert’s performance is underwritten by Xcel Energy Amarillo

Candace Carpenter’s performance is underwritten by Atmos Energy Corporation

CastHarriet Tubman Bronwen Forbay

William Grant Still/John Nathan Granner

Thomas Garrett Brian Kuhnert

Sarah Garrett Candace Carpenter


Ensemble Sai’Tavian Austin Baelyn Barnes Brenyn Barnes Nathalie Cantly Jayden Carter Katelin Carter Kristin Carter Zariah Carter Deawnj Donald Raquel Guest Yvette Henderson Alexis Hunter

Cris Johnson Precious Johnson Carl Murphy D’Monya Neal London NealTevae Shoels Isaiah Smith Naikea Taylor Joya Taylor Trista Titus Savante Wallace Leyla Wright

CrewTechnical Director Daniel Meggers

Lighting Design/Scenic Painter Amber Meggers

Assistant to the Director/Properties Mistress Jayme McBride

Head Costumer Mary Reynolds

Assistant Costumer/Scenic Painter Bonnie Brodeur

Master Flyman/Carpenter James Martin

Master Carpenter Will Weatherholdt

Lighting Assistant Sher Kinman

Assistant Carpenter/Deck Hand Brad Brandt

Deck Hand Curtis Bybee


Our Thanks to:Dr. Paul Matney – Amarillo College

Dr. James Rauscher – Amarillo College Music Department

Water provided by AquaOne of Amarillo

The Black Historical Cultural Center/Amarillo United

Citizens Forum

The Amarillo Opera BRAVO Committee

Gwen Peters of Cakes ‘n More

The Lift Every Voice/Community Advisory Committee

Water provided by Culligan of Amarillo

United Supermarkets

Our volunteer ushers

Delvin Wilson - catering

Hosts for Guest ArtistsPatrick and Roni SwindellJohnny and Judy Turner

TransportationStreet Toyota


Artist Profiles

Nathan Granner (Missouri) William Grant Still/John AO Debut – She Never Lost a Passenger, 2013 Recent Engagements – Father Christmas, Co-Writer/Producer; T; Die Schöne Müllerin, Multi-Course Performance; She Never Lost a Passenger, Lyric Opera of Kansas City; Homecoming: A Tribute to Virgil T, national PBS broadcast taping; Chess - The Musical. Padgett Productions, etc. Upcoming Event–The Schuberti@de, A Multi-Course Performance Installation

Linda Dee Hughes (Texas) Director/Staging Director/ Production Manager AO Debut – Gianni Schicchi/Pagliacci, 2004 Recent Engagements –Amahl and the Night Visitors, Amarillo Opera; Madama Butterfly, Amarillo Opera; Musica Variada, Amarillo Opera Upcoming Event – Candide, Amarillo Opera; The Wizard of Oz, Summer Youth Musical

Jayme McBride (Texas) Assistant to the Director/ Properties Mistress AO Debut – Amahl and the Night Visitors, 2012 Recent Engagements – Amarillo College Conservatory Theatre; Amahl and the Night Visitors; Amarillo Opera and Chamber Music Amarillo

Bonnie Brodeur (Texas) Costume Assistant AO Debut – Madama Butterfly, 2012 Recent Engagements – Madama Butterfly, Amarillo Opera; Seussical Summer Youth Musical; The Breakfast Club, Texas Academy of Performing Arts; Go, Dog! Go, Texas Academy of Performing Arts

Candace Suzanne Carpenter (Texas) Sarah Garrett AO Debut – Le Nozze di Figaro, 2002 Recent Engagements – Alumna of Taos Opera Institute 2012; Cover for ‘The Mother’ in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Amarillo Opera Upcoming Event – Sarah Garrett in She Never Lost a Passenger, Amarillo Opera

Bronwen Forbay (South Africa) Harriet Tubman AO Debut - She Never Lost a Passenger, 2013 Recent Engagements – Violetta in La Traviata and the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor, Cape Town Opera; Featured Recital at Baylor University, Waco, TX Upcoming Event – Featured Recital at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX and Northern Colorado State University, Greely, CO


Brian Kuhnert (Texas) Thomas Garrett AO Debut – Tosca, 2009 Recent Engagements – Rigoletto, Amarillo Opera; Director of Opera/Music Theatre, Wayland Baptist University Upcoming Event – Vocal Recital, Wayland Baptist University

Lizabeth McCabe (Kansas) Music Director AO Debut – Joshua’s Boots, 2012 Recent Engagements –Joshua’s Boots, Amarillo Opera; La bohème, Amarillo Opera Upcoming Event – ARTS: An Alternative, Amarillo Opera

Amber Meggers (California) Lighting Design/Scenic Painter AO Debut – La bohème, 2005 Recent Engagements – Amahl and the Night Visitors, Amarillo Opera; Madama Butterfly, Amarillo Opera; Musica Variada, Amarillo Opera; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Lone Star Ballet Upcoming Event – Candide, Amarillo Opera

Daniel Meggers (Texas) Technical Director AO Debut – The Marriage of Figaro, 2002 Recent Engagements – Amahl and the Night Visitors, Amarillo Opera; Madama Butterfly, Amarillo Opera; Musica Variada, Amarillo Opera; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Lone Star Ballet Upcoming Event – Candide, Amarillo Opera

Mary Reynolds (Texas) Head Costumer AO Debut – Gianni Schicchi/Pagliacci, 2004 Recent Engagements – Oklahoma!, Summer Youth Musical; Italian Straw Hat, Amarillo Opera; Rigoletto, Amarillo Opera Upcoming Event – The Wizard of Oz, Summer Youth Musical

E.P. Simmons (Texas) Production Accompanist AO Debut – La bohème, 2011 Recent Engagements – La bohème, Amarillo Opera; Patrick Swindell and Pizzazz; Mary Jane Johnson Studio Accompanist Upcoming Event – Candide, Amarillo Opera


Administrative StaffDavid O’Dell

General/Artistic Director

Rhanda LunaDirector of Education and Community Engagement

Holly EdgerAdministrative Assistant to the General Director

Rebecca AguileraCompany Manager

Landon AshbyAdministrative Intern

Our Mission Statement:To provide live, community-based opera to the Texas Panhandle;

To nurture and encourage local talent; and to help build community.

If you would like to contact Amarillo Opera, please do so at one of the following:

Amarillo Opera2223 S. Van Buren St.

Amarillo, TX 79109offices: (806)372-7464

fax: (806)372-7465

www.amarilloopera.org • www.twitter.com/amaopera • www.facebook.com/amarilloopera


Amarillo Opera HistoryOur Beginning

Amarillo Opera was founded in April 1988 by Mila

Gibson, Opera Workshop and Vocal Professor at Amarillo

College from 1982-2000. The company’s first production,

Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, starred Gibson

who also served as producer, director, costumer and

publicist. The success of that initial production led to

the incorporation of Amarillo Opera with Dr. Merrill

and Catherine Winsett, H.R. and Thelma Fulton and

Gibson as Founding Directors and Gibson as General

Director, with complete administrative and artistic

responsibility for the company. BRAVO, the Amarillo

Opera membership support group, was established one

year later with 75 charter members under the leadership

of Founding President, Dr. Bill Byrd.

Our Mission

The company’s mission is three-fold:

1. To provide live, community-based opera to the

Texas Panhandle

2. To nurture and encourage local talent

3. To help build community.

Relationship with Amarillo College

Since the beginning, a strong working relationship with

Amarillo College has enabled the company to grow

artistically, financially, and administratively. Today,

Amarillo College continues to provide administrative

facilities, rehearsal and performing spaces, and a line

item budget to assist with production expenses.

Our Growth

Under Gibson’s leadership, the company grew to become

a force in the international world of opera. In 1995,

Amarillo Opera was accepted as a professional member

of OPERA America, the national service organization for

opera. That same year, main stage performances moved

from the 240 seat Amarillo College Concert Hall Theater

to the 2300 seat Civic Center Auditorium. Since spring

2006, the Opera has been a resident company of the

Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts.

Awards

Amarillo Opera has received the prestigious Success

Award from OPERA America for its internationally

acclaimed Education/Community Engagement

Programs. The State of Texas Senate and House, the

Texas Commission on the Arts, the Texas Parent Teacher

Associations, the Texas Regulatory and Protective

System, the NAACP, the Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of

Commerce and the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce are

among the local, statewide and national organizations

that have recognized the company for its work. OPERA

America selected Amarillo Opera to be one of the first

companies to receive its highly competitive Opera Fund

grant in 2004.

Populace Served

Amarillo Opera serves up to 500,000 people annually

through its comprehensive outreach programs and

educational services. The company has a history of

adventurous programming – more than ten original


works by former Composer-in-Residence Gene Murray

have been seen throughout the Texas Panhandle, West

Texas, Eastern New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Murray’s The

Wage of Sin was co-produced with KACV-TV as a special

television opera in 2005 and his Legend of Columbus was

performed in the Palo Duro Canyon Amphitheater.

The Present

In September 2009, David O’Dell succeeded Gibson

as Amarillo Opera’s General Director, with the 2010-

2011 Season marking the first season entirely planned

and executed under his leadership. An advocate for

developing the next generation of American operatic

artists, Mr. O’Dell is fiercely committed to making sure

that the Texas Panhandle plays an important role in

the future of opera in America – developing a style of

production committed to the development of regional

artistry, representative of regional sensibilities and of the

highest international standards that can be produced on

a regional budget.

In December 2010, Amarillo Opera’s production of

Rigoletto was voted one of the top three fine arts

performances of the year by readers of the Amarillo

Globe-News. The following January, our redesigned

2010-2011 season brochure and our 2010-2011 season

program won ADDY® awards for creative excellence in

print – the only Amarillo arts organization to win the

Arts, Brochure category.

The company routinely participates in The Santa Fe

Opera apprentice artist auditions, where selected

company General Directors have an opportunity to hear

some of the country’s most promising singers. Young

singers annualy audition for the company in Amarillo,

Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Agents regularly

submit singers from around the world to sing in Amarillo

Opera productions. In December 2011 the company

telecast its critically acclaimed production of Giacomo

Puccini’s La bohème on KACV-TV and it now resides in

the permanent online archive at pbs.org where it can be

streamed to audiences around the world free of charge.

The company recently reintroduced Nino Rota’s 1955

opera The Italian Straw Hat into the North American

opera repertoire after a thirty-four year absence in

the Western Hemisphere – gaining a reputation for

programming unusual repertoire.

In September 2011, the company added a Sunday

matinee performance and attendance doubled for

the second production a row. A December broadcast

of the production on KACV brought the production to

thousands more throughout the Texas Panhandle.

In the fall of 2012 more people attended our production

of Madama Butterfly (scheduled for broadcast on KACV-

TV on December 21, 2012) than have ever attended a

performance by Amarillo Opera.

Our annual spring performances in English and our

fall telecasts help build an audience for opera in the

Texas Panhandle by removing the perceived barrier of

theatrical works in foreign languages and/or producing

artistically excellent productions with open captioning.

Audiences that experience these works are much


more likely to experience live opera at our home,

the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts in

downtown Amarillo.

Push for Education

Since September 2009 and the beginning of the tenure

of new General Director David O’Dell, the company has

made it a priority to restructure, codify and expand

the educational programs offered by Amarillo Opera.

Educational opportunities now weave through every

program of Amarillo Opera, making it, at times, difficult

to distinguish whether the company is an educational

institution or professional regional opera company.

Those programs, now bolstered by major funding from

the Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation, the Mary E.

Bivins Foundation and the Brumley Foundation, have

enabled us to expand our existing season – offering a

new Chamber Family Opera Series with performances

of She Never Lost a Passenger at the Globe-News Center

and Amahl and the Night Visitors in collaboration with

Chamber Music Amarillo at the Fibonacci Building on

historic Route 66.

The company is committed to offering educational

opportunities to all people – regardless of socioeconomic

circumstances. Amarillo Opera youth programs are

open to all who are interested in participating – at

no cost. The Sunday Sessions program is the only

program the company offers that charges tuition,

and the company routinely scholarships any student

selected for the program that cannot afford the minimal

tuition. Participation in the Summer Youth Musical is

free and open to all, but does not pay a scholarship

stipend. In all other instances, young artists are paid

scholarship stipends for their participation in educational

programming. Additionally, adults without the means to

attend performances are routinely given free or greatly

reduced tickets through the company’s highly successful

Feed the Spirit program which distributed more than

$26,000 worth of tickets to children, senior citizens and

social organizations to this fall’s Madama Butterfly alone.

The company is rapidly becoming a leader in arts in

education as well as Arts as education. This dual pronged

strategy of arts education prepares the next generation

of young artists from the Texas Panhandle and uses the

arts as a catalyst to explore important regional topics,

making the arts a relevant and contemporary form of

self-expression in the region.

The Future

In September of 2012 the Board of Trustees of Amarillo

Opera unanimously and enthusiastically extended

the contract of current General Director David O’Dell

through the 2014-2015 season.


Amarillo Opera Repertoire1994-1995 Season

• My Fair Lady – Lerner and Lowe• La Traviata – Verdi• Red Chief – Murray• Aches and Pains – Murray• El Barbaro de Sevilla – Jimenez (Zarzuela)

1995-1996 Season• The Ballad of Baby Doe – Moore• Die Fledermaus – J. Strauss• Jack of Hearts – Murray

1996-1997 Season• The Mikado – Gilbert and Sullivan• La bohème – Puccini (NY City Opera Tour)• Wage of Sin – Murray• Luisa Fernanda – Torroba (Zarzuela)

1997-1998 Season• Carmen – Bizet• Tosca – Puccini• Laura V. – Murray• Il Tabarro – Puccini

1998-1999 Season• Man of La Mancha – Darion• Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County – Lucas Foss• One-Act Spanish Zarzuela – Santa Fe Opera

Apprentices• Elixir of Love – Donizetti

1999-2000 Season• Madama Butterfly – Puccini• The Magic Flute – Mozart

1988 Spring• Madama Butterfly - Puccini

1988-1989 Season• Don Giovanni – Mozart• Impresario – Mozart• The Servant Wife• Carmen – Bizet

1989-1990 Season• The Daughter of the Regiment – Donizetti• Hangman, Hangman – Balada• Carmen – Bizet• Whirlgig – Gene Murray

1990-1991 Season• The Marriage of Figaro – Mozart• Dear Doctor – Murray• Die Fledermaus – J. Strauss

1991-1992 Season• Susannah – Floyd• Don Pasquale – Donizetti• Legend of Columbus – Murray

1992-1993 Season• Legend of Columbus – Murray• The Barber of Seville – Rossini• Hansel and Gretel – Humperdinck (Scenes)

1993-1994 Season• Kismet – Wright and Forrest• The Magic Flute – Mozart• Sophie’s Saloon – Murray


2000-2001 Season• My Fair Lady – Lerner and Lowe• The Barber of Seville – Rossini

2001-2002 Season• Kismet – Wright and Forrest• The Marriage of Figaro – Mozart

2002-2003 Season• Pirates of Penzance – Gilbert and Sullivan• Porgy and Bess – Gershwin (International Tour)• Rigoletto – Verdi

2003-2004 Season• Merry Widow – Lehar• Don Giovanni – Mozart• Les Misérables – (Summer Youth Musical)

2004-2005 Season• Pagliacci – Leoncavallo• Gianni Schicchi – Puccini• La bohème – Puccini• Beauty and the Beast – (Summer Youth Musical)

2005-2006 Season• Hansel and Gretel – Humperdinck• La Traviata – Verdi• Oliver! – (Summer Youth Musical)

2006-2007 Season• Falstaff – Verdi• Don Pasquale – Donizetti• Fiddler on the Roof – (Summer Youth Musical)

2007-2008 Season• Carmen – Bizet• Cold Sassy Tree – Floyd• Annie – (Summer Youth Musical)

2008-2009 Season• Die Fledermaus – J. Strauss• Tosca – Puccini• Big River – ( Summer Youth Musical)

2009-2010 Season• Cosi fan tutte – Mozart• Gianni Schicchi – Puccini• Buoso’s Ghost – Michael Ching• Les Misérables – (Summer Youth Musical)

2010-2011 Season• Rigoletto – Verdi• The Italian Straw Hat – Nino Rota• Oklahoma! – (Summer Youth Musical)

2011-2012 Season• La bohème – Puccini• Joshua’s Boots – Hailstork• La Périchole – Offenbach• Seussical – (Summer Youth Musical)

2012-2013 Season• Madama Butterfly – Puccini• Amahl and the Night Visitors – Menotti• She Never Lost a Passenger – Kander• Candide – Bernstein• The Wizard of Oz – (Summer Youth Musical)


House RulesIN THE EVENT OF FIRE, PLEASE WALK TO THE NEAREST EXIT.

Amarillo Opera is a member of OPERA America, Inc.

Amarillo Opera is supported in part by grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Arts Committee.

If you wish to receive future Amarillo Opera Mailings or become a member, please leave your name and address at the Amarillo Opera table in the lobby.

To ensure the enjoyment of the majority of our patrons who arrive on time and in deference to our artists, Amarillo Opera will not admit latecomers to the auditorium until there is an appropriate pause in the music, as determined by management. Patrons arriving after the performance has begun may miss substantial portions of the opera.

Likewise, patrons who leave the auditorium while a performance is in progress will only be allowed to return to their seats at the House Manager’s discretion.

All electronic pagers, cellular telephones and signal watches must be silenced before entering the auditorium. Patrons expecting possible emergency calls during a performance should keep cell phones and pagers on silent and check for messages only during intermissions.

Any use of cameras and/or recording equipment in the theatre that is not authorized by the management is strictly prohibited.

These performances are being recorded for archival purposes; we urge patrons to refrain from conversation, muffled coughs, and avoid cellophane-wrapped candies and cough drops for the duration of the opera.

Lost articles may be claimed by calling the Amarillo Civic Center at 378-4297.

All casting is subject to change.

FOL d e ROLJoin us for an evening of madcap, zany high jinks as we

dance to the sounds of Patrick Swindell and Pizzazz, and

frolic the night away at the third annual Amarillo Opera Fol

de Rol on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at the Ambassador

Hotel. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails

and appetizers. Dinner and dancing will follow with many

special surprises as the night unfolds. A silent auction

will intrigue you, and during the live auction you’ll have

an opportunity to bid on Christian Price Frazer’s painting,

Desire, commissioned for the opera’s 2012-2013 season.

All proceeds will benefit Amarillo Opera.

Don’t miss an evening of elegance, mystery, folly, intrigue,

music and epicurean delights from Candide’s exotic

journey through “the best of all possible worlds” as only

Amarillo Opera can provide.

Save the Date: March 16, 2013 • Ambassador Hotel

C H R I S T I A N P R I C E FRAZER

Christian Price Frazer is an artist living

and working in Amarillo, Texas. She is

formally trained in art and holds a B.A.

from The University of Texas at Austin.

She has exhibited extensively in shows

over the last 25 years. She primarily

paints in oils and acrylics on canvas but has also created

several large scale trompe l’oeil murals for commercial and

residential applications. Frazer’s art can be found in private

and corporate collections across the United States. Frazer is a

past board member of the Amarillo Museum of Art and actively

involved with the Amarillo and Austin art communities.

Influences: Robert Rauschenberg, Franz Kline, Willem

deKooning, Mark Rothko, Piero Fornasetti, Sam Scott, Lucian

Freud, Michelangelo

DESIRESIZE: 24x36x2.5 • MEDIUM: OIL AND MIXED MEDIA

amarillo opera's she never lost a passenger

Documents

world of opera

amarillo operas

chamber music amarillo

opera theatre of saint

words arts

lyric opera of kansas

middle school

coproduction of joshuas