2019-2020 SEASON

what’sinsideLetter from Chairman 9Board of Directors 10General Director’s Welcome 11Co-Producer Society & Program Sponsors 12Hansel and Gretel 26Cast of Characters 27Director’s Notes 28Synopsis 29The History of Hansel and Gretel 31Production Team 32Artists 35Creative Team 38Production Staff 40Children’s Chorus 41

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This program is published in association with Onstage Publications, 1612 Prosser Avenue, Kettering, OH 45409. This program may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. JBI Publishing is a division of Onstage Publications, Inc. Contents © 2019. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

Palm Beach Opera Orchestra 42Artist Training Programs 43Alumni Highlights 44Benenson Young Artists 48Bailey Apprentice Artists 49Palm Beach Opera Studio 51Education & Community Engagement Programs 52PBO Young Friends 53Community Events & Adult Engagement 54Palm Beach Opera Guild 55Supporters 56Palm Beach Opera Staff 64Orpheus Legacy Society 65

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LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

DEAR PALM BEACH OPERA PATRONS,

Welcome to the first production of the 19-20 season! We are grateful that you decided to spend the evening with us and we look forward to sharing the season with you. Thanks to your continued patronage and support, last season Palm Beach Opera achieved an operating surplus for the third year in a row. At the same time, we expanded our young artist and community outreach programs to have a greater impact in our community.

Our world-class performances and artists continue to excite and engage audiences, our education and community engagement programs continue to impact the lives of so many throughout our community, and our Palm Beach Opera family continues to flourish. With David Walker as our new general director, we are poised to build upon the

momentum created over the last 10 years by our outgoing General Director, Daniel Biaggi, and look forward to the coming seasons of artistic growth, programmatic innovation, and increased national significance under David’s leadership.

During the summer months, the Board of Directors focused on maintaining our financial stability, long-term planning, and welcomed new members to the board. Your belief in our mission is our inspiration, and we invite you to join us in discussions about Palm Beach Opera’s exciting future. There are many ways to support Palm Beach Opera and participate in the meaningful work of providing the magic of opera to our community. We hope you consider joining our Board of Directors, Co-Producer Society, Guild, or PBO Young Friends.

Tonight, you will hear this season’s talented Benenson Young Artists and Bailey Apprentice Artists in a new, mesmerizing production of Hansel and Gretel, accompanied by members of the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra.

Thank you for joining us, and enjoy tonight’s performance!

Dennis WilliamsChairman

PAST CHAIRSMarc S. Solomon (2008-2012)James W. Beasley, Jr. (2005-2008)Robert M. Montgomery (1986-2005)Shannon Ginn (1984-1985)Herb Benn (1982-1983)Dr. Elwood Groves (1977-1979)

William D. Chalek (1977-1979)Dr. Warner Earle Fusselle (1976)James Nemec (1973-1975)Mrs. Carleton R. Dodge (1973)William K. de Veer (1972)

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LIFETIME GIVING CONTRIBUTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERSDennis K. WilliamsChairman

Nathan LeventhalPresident

Jeffrey H. AldertonVice President

Gladys Benenson*Vice President

William G. BrownVice President

Sanford FisherVice President

David GenserVice President

Charles GottesmanVice President

Peter A. HoffmanVice President

Dr. Marsha LauferVice President

Ari RifkinVice President

Marc E. WiseSecretary & Treasurer

DIRECTORSSanford M. BaklorDr. Robert BiscupDavid BrodskyAnnette Y. FriedlandAnn FromerPaul A. GoldnerGray W. Hampton IIIRonnie IsenbergFlorence KaufmanJudith KaufmanIngrid KosowskyDr. Peter McCombsJohn J. PohankaMarc S. SolomonEd Streim

LEGAL COUNSELJeffrey I. Pheterson

EMERITIHans D. BaumannDr. Elizabeth BowdenClaire Chasanoff*Rita DenersteinJohn A. DomenicoLeon Fassler*Arlette GordonRobert Gordon*Chuck HardwickDr. David I. Kosowsky*Howard Lester*Virginia LongoCharlotte MillerSunny MillerMary M. MontgomeryRobert M. Montgomery*Helen K. Persson*M. Mac Schwebel*Muriel Shapiro*Reneé Silvester*Dr. John StrasswimmerBarbara WeimerSy Ziv*

*In Memoriam

Mrs. Cornelia T. Bailey*, The Glenn W. and Cornelia T. Bailey Charitable Foundation, in loving memory of Cornelia T. Bailey

Mrs. Gladys Benenson*, The Edward H. Benenson Foundation, Inc.

Mrs. Lorraine FriedmanMr. Eugene* &

Mrs. Ronnie Isenberg

Mr. Robert* & Mrs. Mary Montgomery

Mrs. Helen K. Persson*Mrs. Lois B. PopeMr. M. Mac Schwebel*

*In Memoriam

With special thanks to the following individuals who have made cumulative contributions to Palm Beach Opera of $1,000,000 or more.

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GENERAL DIRECTOR’S WELCOME

DEAR PALM BEACH OPERA FRIENDS,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the first opera of Palm Beach Opera’s 19-20 season. We are thrilled to feature our Benenson Young Artists and Bailey Apprentice Artists at Crest Theatre tonight, fulfilling our mission to present world-class performances and train the next generation of opera stars. Featuring a lush musical score, an imaginative set, and a charming story, this captivating production is sure to entertain you, and will also provide these rising singers with another important on-stage opportunity, further preparing them for successful careers in opera.

Our growing artist training programs provide launching pads for both post-graduate and graduate singers, and alumni have gone on to sing at some of the most prestigious opera houses around the world. As they

embark on international stardom, we hope you’ll follow their careers as we do.

Whether you’re here for the first time or have been a member of our Palm Beach Opera family for years, I want to thank you for joining us tonight at the opera. I look forward to getting to know you in the coming months, and building on Palm Beach Opera’s incredible success as its new General Director. With our highly-anticipated 19-20 season underway, and as new programs and plans are outlined for the future, we have much to celebrate and even more to look forward to.

Beginning with an enchanting Hansel and Gretel tonight, our 19-20 season also includes Giacomo Puccini’s sweeping Turandot, featuring much-beloved music and a fantastical set, followed by Gioachino Rossini’s comedic masterpiece, Il barbiere di Siviglia, and Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s deeply moving opera, Eugene Onegin. We hope you will also join us for these 2020 performances held at the Kravis Center, and experience the artistry of our remaining productions.

During each season of opera, our Education & Community Engagement team is also traveling across three South Florida counties, impacting our community through thoughtful and engaging programs for learners of all ages. By the end of the season, nearly 20,000 individuals will be reached directly from our unique and curated educational programs. From our storytelling experience for children in Story Time Series, to our special ANIMA program, which brings live opera to those who would otherwise be unable to experience it, these meaningful programs are free to the public, thanks to your generous support.

We are most grateful to you for investing in our mission, which enables us to create extraordinary performances, impact our community, and inspire life-long interest in the arts.

Thank you for joining us, and for being a part of our opera family!

David WalkerGeneral Director

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EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Palm Beach Opera acknowledges with gratitude and appreciation the generous Co-Producers whose designated contributions underwrite production costs, and are instrumental in making this season’s productions possible.

Contributions to the 2020 season, current as of 11/20/2019

THE GLENN W. AND CORNELIA T. BAILEY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, IN LOVING MEMORY OF

CORNELIA T. BAILEY Eugene Onegin

Palm Beach Opera most gratefully acknowledges Cornelia Bailey’s immense support to Palm Beach Opera’s productions and programs. Mrs. Bailey’s keen interest in productions, her love for a broad variety of repertoire, and her appreciation of beautiful scenery and costumes led her to become an Executive Producer. Last year, Palm Beach Opera mourned the loss of this dear friend and gracious supporter. Her legacy as a Palm Beach Opera patron and supporter will continue every time the curtain rises on another mainstage opera production.

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EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

MR. & MRS. WILLIAM G. BROWNIl barbiere di Siviglia

MRS. RONNIE ISENBERG, IN LOVING MEMORY OF EUGENE ISENBERG

Palm Beach Opera is deeply grateful to Ronnie Isenberg for her magnanimous support in memory of Gene. Ronnie and Gene have alternately been on the Board of Directors for the past 20 years, and have always been among the leaders of Palm Beach Opera. After Gene’s passing, Ronnie significantly increased her support to show their love for grand productions. “He introduced me to opera,” Ronnie said. “I enjoy listening and seeing all operas.” With the formal establishment of the Co-Producer Society, Ronnie became an Executive Producer of Madama Butterfly in 2017, continued as an Executive Producer of Tosca in 2018, Don Giovanni in 2019, and was awarded the board designated “Lifetime Grand Patron Award” for her many years of leadership.

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Chief Conductor Sponsor, Turandot, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Hansel and Gretel

Philanthropist and Palm Beach Opera Executive Committee member Ari Rifkin has always enjoyed opera and classical music, in particular orchestral music and the solo violin. “I especially love the beautiful melodies in classical operas,” said Ari Rifkin. Her love for the arts also includes movies, visual arts, and photography. “Opera is a wonderful combination of orchestral, vocal, visual, and dramatic arts, all inspired during the performance by the conductor.” Palm Beach Opera is most grateful to Ari Rifkin for her continued Chief Conductor Sponsorship.

BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIESHansel and Gretel, Turandot, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Eugene Onegin

Palm Beach Opera is sincerely grateful for the generous support provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies as a season Producer. Bloomberg Philanthropies focuses on five key areas for creating last change: public health, environment, education, government innovation, and arts & culture. These five areas encompass the issues Mike Bloomberg and his team are most passionate about, and where they believe the greatest good can be achieved.

PRODUCERS

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PRODUCERS

TONI & MARTIN SOSNOFFScenery & Costume Underwriters, Turandot

MR. SANFORD BAKLOR & MS. ARLENE KAUFMAN

Opening Night Sponsors Turandot, Il barbiere di Siviglia,

& Eugene Onegin

TRIPLE CO-PRODUCERS

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DOUBLE CO-PRODUCERS

MR. NATHAN LEVENTHAL Il barbiere di Siviglia &

Eugene Onegin

DRS. MARSHA & HENRY LAUFER

Hansel and Gretel & Il barbiere di Siviglia

MRS. KAREN TELL

MRS. PATRICIA LESTER

MR. & MRS. DENNIS K. WILLIAMS

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CO-PRODUCERS

MRS. DAMARIS D.W. FORD

Il barbiere di Siviglia

MR. MARC SOLOMON

Solomon Family Foundation Trust,

Turandot

MR. & MRS. RANDELL AND REBECCA

DOANETurandot

MRS. MARTHA INGRAM

ISRAEL SCHUBERT Meridian Capital Group

MR. & MRS. ROBERT FROMER

Il barbiere di Siviglia

MR. & MRS. ED STREIM

Turandot

ISANNE & SANFORD FISHER

Hansel & Gretel, Eugene Onegin

DR. & MRS. HANS D. BAUMANN

MR. & MRS. KEN BRODLIEB

Turandot

MR. & MRS. DOUGLAS DAFT

The Daft Family Foundation, Director

Sponsor, Keturah Stickann, Turandot

MRS. INGRID KOSOWSKYEugene Onegin

CYNTHIA & THEODORE BERENSON

Il barbiere di Siviglia

DR. DONNA K. & MR. JOHN RAGGIO

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ASSISTANT CO-PRODUCERS

MR. & MRS. JEFFREY H. ALDERTON

DR. & MRS. ROBERT BISCUP

MR. & MRS. PAUL EFRON

MR. & MRS. DAVID GENSER

MS. BARBARA GREIS & MR. HOWARD GOTTLIEB

MR. & MRS. DAVID FRISBIE

LAUREN & GRAY HAMPTON IIITurandot

MR. & MRS. SCOTT LAURANSTurandot

MR. MICHAEL McCAFFERTY & MR. JOSEPH HORTONEugene Onegin

DR. AND MRS. PETER McCOMBS

JENNIFER & JAMES TAKATSEugene Onegin

MR. MARC WISE & MR. MARIANO MORALES

Palm Beach Opera is sincerely thankful to the following individuals for their commitment to furthering our mission through hosting events.

Season Closing Celebration Sponsor

MR. & MRS. JEFFREY H. ALDERTONMR. SANFORD BAKLOR & MS. ARLENE KAUFMAN

MRS. FLORENCE KAUFMANDRS. MARSHA AND HENRY LAUFERMR. & MRS. DENNIS K. WILLIAMS

CO-PRODUCER SOCIETY EVENT SPONSORS

CELEBRATION COMMITTEE

MRS. ANNETTE Y. FRIEDLAND

MR. & MRS. PAUL GOLDNERIl barbiere di Siviglia

MR. & MRS. CHARLES GOTTESMAN

MRS. FLORENCE KAUFMAN

JUDY & JERRY KAUFMANIl barbiere di Siviglia

MR. & MRS. ELLIS J. PARKER

MR. & MRS. JOHN POHANKA

MRS. SIEGLINDE WIKSTROM

ASSOCIATE CO-PRODUCERS

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Palm Beach Opera is sincerely thankful to the following individuals and corporations for their support and commitment to the success of our 2020 Gala.

Contributions to the 2020 Gala, current as of 11/20/2019

GALA CO-CHAIRSLee Ann AldertonRebecca DoaneJoan GenserFlorence Kaufman

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMENLee Ann & Jeffrey H. Alderton

GALA COUNCILLee Ann & Jeffrey H. AldertonVeronica AtkinsSanford Baklor & Arlene KaufmanMeg & Robert BiscupRebecca & Randell DoaneIsanne & Sanford FisherJoan & David GenserFlorence KaufmanDorothy & Sidney KohlDrs. Marsha & Henry LauferDr. Donna Kesselman Raggio &

Mr. John. J. RaggioAri RifkinToni & Martin SosnoffRoseanne & Dennis K. WilliamsWilmington Trust, N.A.

GRAND GALA SPONSORVeronica Atkins

CHRISTIAN VAN HORN UNDERWRITERSIsanne & Sanford Fisher

CRAIG TERRY UNDERWRITERSToni & Martin Sosnoff

PLATINUM SPONSORSRebecca & Randell DoaneDrs. Marsha & Henry Laufer

DÉCOR UNDERWRITERS AND MAJOR SPONSORS LUNCHEON HOSTSSanford Baklor & Arlene Kaufman

COCKTAIL RECEPTION UNDERWRITERSSidney & Dorothy Kohl

GOLD SPONSORSLee Ann & Jeffrey H. Alderton Meg & Robert BiscupJoan & David Genser Florence Kaufman Dr. Donna Kesselman Raggio &

Mr. John. J. Raggio Ari RifkinRoseanne & Dennis K. Williams

SILVER SPONSORSDr. Frayda Lindemann

EVENING MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT UNDERWRITERSBarbara Greis & Howard Gottlieb

INVITATION UNDERWRITERSLynn Joy & Meyer Sapoff

GOLD ARIA UNDERWRITERSCarol & Sander Abend

SILVER ARIA UNDERWRITERSJudy & Jerry KaufmanPaul and Roberta Kozloff

BRONZE SPONSORSRoberta & Stanley Bogen Gerald & Sandra FinebergHermé de Wyman MiroIngrid Kosowsky

Rhea & Morton Mandell

GALA HOST COMMITTEESPONSORS AND UNDERWRITERS

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GALA HOST COMMITTEESPONSORS AND UNDERWRITERS

COUPLE’S SPONSORSNaomi Brest & David Kaplan Carolyn & David BrodksyNancy & Peter BrownLouise Cohen A. Billie & Louis Feher Ann & Robert FromerBarbara Goldfarb Tepperman &

Frank Tepperman Arlette GordonBeth Grosshans & Dennis Stattman Lauren and Gray W. Hampton IIICarla & David HerwitzLawrence Jarema & Mark Walter

Olga & Eric JorgensenAnne & Robert KrausMonica & Scott LauransNathan Leventhal & Katherine Brown Michael McCafferty & Joseph HortonWilma & Charles Mooney Suzanne NiedlandCarol O’Malley & Nick Harry Melissa Sullivan

PATRON SPONSORSLisa L. HuertasAnka PalitzLinda Taub

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Palm Beach Opera acknowledges with sincere appreciation the generous major donors whose designated contributions have been instrumental in building the next generation of opera stars through our Benenson Young Artist Program and our Bailey Apprentice Artist Program. These extraordinary programs provide a vital stepping stone to a successful career for post-graduate and emerging singers.

MRS. GLADYS BENENSONBenenson Young Artist Program

Gladys Benenson was a most refined and elegant lady, with a wonderful sense of humor, and was determined to make a difference in the lives of young singers. Palm Beach Opera is deeply grateful to Gladys for her 25 years of dedicated service and leadership on the Board, and will miss her greatly.

Gladys and her late husband Edward H. “Eddie” Benenson shared a passion for opera and enjoyed performances all over the world. Gladys turned her childhood love of singing into her mission to help young singers succeed in their careers and established the Benenson Young Artist Program in loving memory of Eddie Benenson.

Palm Beach Opera is eternally grateful to Gladys and her family, and her legacy will live on through the lives and careers transformed through the Benenson Young Artist Program.

“Being associated with Palm Beach Opera and seeing these wonderful young artists grow has given me a great amount of joy.” ―Gladys Benenson

BENENSON YOUNG ARTIST & BAILEY APPRENTICE ARTIST PROGRAM SPONSORS

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The Benenson Young Artist Program is generously funded by The Edward H. Benenson Foundation, Inc.

MRS. RONNIE ISENBERG

BAILEY APPRENTICE ARTISTS SPONSORS

BENENSON YOUNG ARTISTS SPONSORS

MRS. ROSEANNE WILLIAMS

Ted Allen Pickell

MR. & MRS. WILLIAM G. BROWN

Boris Van Druff

MR. & MRS. L. DAVID CALLAWAYCara Collins

DRS. MARSHA & HENRY LAUFER

Patricia Westley & Duke Kim

DRS. MARSHA & HENRY LAUFERDavid Anderson

MICKEY & ALLAN GREENBLATT

MS. ANNE BAZIKSuzannah Waddington

MR. & MRS. BARRY W. GRAY

THE GLADYS & SY ZIV FOUNDATION

Apprentice Artist Program

TEEDA & SALVATORE NUZZO

LINDA TAUBEmily Helenbrook

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Palm Beach Opera is most grateful to The V. Atkins Foundation for its generous support of all Palm Beach Opera educational and community engagement efforts on behalf of opera and classical vocal arts.

CONCERTS IN THE CLASSROOM Sponsored by the Alvin and Louise Myerberg Family Foundation

PALM BEACH OPERA STUDIO Sponsored by Suzanne L. Niedland and the Palm Beach Opera Guild

OPERA REHEARSAL 101 Sponsored by the Palm Beach Opera Guild and The Honorable & Mrs. Roger H. Lourie

SUMMER AL FRESCO Sponsored by Olive and Michael Schaeffer

Palm Beach Opera acknowledges with deep appreciation the generous major donors whose designated contributions have been instrumental in making possible, and furthering the mission of Palm Beach Opera’s Goldner Center for Children’s Opera Education. The Goldner Center for Children’s Opera Education aims to bring opera to children through interactive programs, and strives to make a difference in the lives of children by sharing the magic of opera.

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS

GOLDNER CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S OPERA EDUCATION

MR. & MRS. PAUL A. GOLDNERGoldner Center for Children’s Opera Education

DELPHINE & DOUGLAS DAFT,DAFT FAMILY FOUNDATION

Goldner Center for Children’s Opera Education

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Palm Beach Opera would like to thank the following for their generous support of Children’s Performance: The Barber of Seville.

GRAND PRODUCTION SPONSORMs. Marie A. Iandoli

PRODUCTION SPONSORMs. Hermine Drezner in loving memory of Mr. Jan Winkler

The Palm Beach Opera Guild

CHILDREN’S PERFORMANCE SPONSORS

Palm Beach Opera would like to thank the following for their support of our Liederabend concert featuring our Bailey Apprentice Artists.

MRS. HERMÉ DE WYMAN MIROANN VAN NESS

LIEDERABEND SPONSORS

MR. & MRS. PETER HOFFMAN

HANSEL AND GRETEL

An opera performed in 3 actsSung in English translation by Kathleen Kelly

With English Supertitles

Music by Engelbert HumperdinckLibretto by Adelheid Wette

Based on a version of the folk tale by the Brothers Grimm

First Performance Hoftheater, WeimarDecember 23, 1893

Last Palm Beach Opera Performance2004

PRODUCERBloomberg Philanthropies

Ari Rifkin, Chief Conductor Sponsor

DOUBLE CO-PRODUCERDrs. Marsha and Henry Laufer

CO-PRODUCERIsanne & Sanford Fisher

HANSEL AND GRETEL CO-PRODUCERS

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Conductor: David Stern Director: Fenlon Lamb

In order of vocal appearance Gretel: Patricia Westley+* Hansel: Maria Vasilevskaya+* The Mother: Cara Collins+* The Father: Ted Allen Pickell+ Sandman: Emily Blair+ Dew Fairy: Emily Helenbrook^* The Witch: Cara Collins+*

Scenic Designer: Jefferson Ridenour* Costume Designer: Maureen Thomas* Projection Designer: Kris Kirkwood* Lighting Designer: Brian B. Moore* Hair and Make-up Designer: Kathy Waszkelewicz Associate Conductor & Chorus Master: Gregory Ritchey Music Staff: Timothy Cheung Ksenia Leletkina Assistant Stage Director: Alayna Stewart Powell* English Diction Coach: Kathryn LaBouff English Supertitles: Kathleen Kelly

Children’s Chorus appears courtesy of Young Singers of The Palm Beaches.

Scenery, Costumes, Projections, and Properties for this production were realized by Papermoon Opera Productions and are owned by Papermoon Opera Productions.

Orchestral and Text Adaptation created by Kathleen Kelly.

*Palm Beach Opera Debut+Benenson Young Artist^Bailey Apprentice Artist

CAST OF CHARACTERS

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DIRECTOR’S NOTES

Papermoon Opera Productions was born out of an artistic partnership between myself and Jefferson Ridenour. During our six years of collaboration, we have created 20 productions together as stage director and set designer respectively. As is often the case, necessity was the mother of invention and the medium of paper started as a cost-saving device to create epic sets on a shoestring budget. This solution led to joyful collaboration and out-of-the-box ideas which continue to push our own design boundaries. Maureen Thomas, Kris Kirkwood, Brian B. Moore, and Zoe Still all joined Papermoon Opera Productions for the flagship production of Hansel and Gretel in 2016. The crafting techniques and inspired construction of the costumes brought a delightful twist to the production, and the magic of lighting and projections created a fluid and texture-filled world for the audience while enhancing the flexibility of this medium.

Originally, I was overwhelmed with the prospect of creating an entire production out of paper, but after much thought and several creative conversations with Jefferson, the opportunities became clear. A traditional production with a twist of every element in paper was the answer to budget constraints: sets, costumes, props would all be built with this quirky and imaginative medium to simplify installation and cut material costs. No matter the limitations, we wanted to be certain to maintain the epic atmosphere of opera. Finding the intimacy that exists in a familiar material such as paper was an exciting counterpoint. My designers embraced this concept and created an incredible world within which young singers can play and discover their characters. As we all explored this seemingly flat world, the dimensionality of the human experience and the differing textures of shared memories have continued to come to light. The idea that simple child’s play is the gateway to learning more about ourselves and delving into complexities of emotion and expression made the project more joy-filled than I ever thought possible.

So, come play with us and discover those depths of human nature both sweet and sour that are buried deep within this familiar fairy tale. I invite you to wander through the woods (our very own paper forest) and take a closer look at the magic we create every day, the way opera touches our hearts and frees our minds. Let yourself play and create and imagine, and be swept away into that child-like place where wonder and imagination create an escape from the weary world.

Fenlon Lamb

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ACT I.

Once upon a time there was a poor couple, a broom-maker and his wife, who had two children; the boy was called Hansel, and the girl, Gretel. One day the parents had gone traversing through the countryside to try to sell their goods. On leaving the children, the mother had given them the last bit of bread that was in the house, and had told them to be very industrious while she was away.

It was not long before the lively children tired of their work and began to get hungry. Hansel was at the point of tears when Gretel came to the rescue and cheered him up again. So they sang and danced until they both forgot their hunger and work, and at last in tremendous spirits, they tumbled over one another on the floor.

Now it happened that just at this moment the mother came home again, tired and frustrated, for she had not made a single penny, and consequently had brought home nothing to eat. When she found the children sitting on the floor and making noise, instead of being quietly at their work, she got very angry and drove them out into the woods. They were not to come back until they had filled their basket with strawberries. Then she sank wearily down in a chair, remorseful at losing her temper, and begged God for help. Soon the voice of her husband was heard in the distance, and he was elated to be returning with a modest feast, for he had sold all of his brooms in a far off village. The parents celebrated the bounty, until the father learned that the children had gone into the woods alone. Concerned that the children might encounter danger, the parents hurriedly set out to find them.

ACT II.

The children soon got happy again over their strawberry picking, and did not notice that they were losing their way and getting deeper and deeper into the woods, until at last they stopped by the Ilsenstein mountain. Full of fun and high spirits they imitated the cuckoo’s cry, and ate their berries as they pretended to be a cuckoo stealing eggs with his beak. Before they knew it, their basket was empty.

Meanwhile it gradually got dark, and the children became frightened. They could not find their way and wandered helplessly around. The woods seemed full of ghosts, and the trees rustled eerily. The birds were all silent, and only the cuckoo was still heard in the far distance. From the Ilsenstein there arose strange shapes in the mist, so that the poor lonely children were frightened out of their wits. They cowered under a great fir-tree to try to find shelter from the terrors of the night, until the Sandman appeared to sprinkle sand over their eyes and bring them peaceful sleep. The children then said their evening prayer and lay down on the soft moss as angels hovered around and watched the good children so that no harm might come to them.

INTERMISSION

SYNOPSIS

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SYNOPSIS CONTINUED

ACT III.

The next morning they were awakened from their dreams by the Dew Fairy, whose business it is to run over the hills and fields awakening everything that is still slumbering. And what should they see before them but a little house all made of cakes and sugar-candy, glistening in the light of the sun and smelling so delicious that the hungry children, who could scarcely believe their eyes, were quite wild with delight.

They cautiously approached the cottage, and as they did not see anybody about, they became bolder, and broke a piece off the wall, which tasted exceedingly nice. At this moment a voice was heard from within the house, saying,

“Crispy, crispy, crunching,

I hear you out there munching.”

At first they were rather alarmed, but they soon regained their courage, and called to one another that it was only the wind, and they went on nibbling. But the door of the cottage softly opened, and a very old and ugly woman came out of it. Now there was something very wicked about this old creature. She was a witch, who rode on a broomstick through the air at night, and in the daytime enticed little children into her sugar-house, where she popped them in the oven and made them into gingerbread, which she afterwards ate. She tried to be very friendly with Hansel and Gretel, and coaxed them in with honeyed words.

However, the children distrusted the horrible old woman and tried to run away. Then the witch raised her magic wand and spell-bound them both, so that they were rooted to the spot. She next took Hansel and shut him up in a stable, and fed him with almonds and raisins to make him fat. She was so delighted when she had done this, that she seized a broomstick and rode wildly on it ’round her house. After that she called Gretel and told her to look into the oven and see if the cakes were done. But Gretel was sharper than the witch and saw through her trick, so she pretended to be very stupid and begged the old woman to show her how it was to be done. The old woman unsuspectingly bent down over the oven to show Gretel what to do. No sooner had she done this, than the children gave her a good push and in she tumbled. They quickly shut the iron door and left her to bake in her own oven, while they danced away with joy. Suddenly, a crack was heard and the magic oven fell to pieces with a loud crash. And behold, the gingerbreads, which were standing in a row round the cottage, were transformed into living children, who joyfully surrounded Hansel and Gretel, and thanked them for their happy release.

And what joy when the sorrowing parents appeared, and Hansel and Gretel rushed delightedly into their arms once more! Then all sadness and want were banished forever, for in the sugar-cottage they had found all sorts of treasures which would make them happy and rich for the rest of their days. And they all thanked God, who had taken care of them in their great need.

Adapted from the original synopsis of Adelheid Wette.

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THE HISTORY OF HUMPERDINCK’SHANSEL AND GRETEL

Appropriately enough, the story of how the opera Hansel and Gretel came to be written begins with two children. Englebert Humperdinck, a German composer who had written vocal music but never a full opera, had two teenaged nieces. Their mother, Humperdinck’s youngest sister, Adelheid Wette, asked Humperdinck to compose a series of four folksongs based on the famous children’s story “Hansel and Gretel” for her daughters to perform at a small family Christmas gathering. Humperdinck agreed, but went above and beyond his commission. With Wette writing the libretto, he created a short singspiel (a dramatic piece in which songs alternate with spoken dialogue) based on “Hansel and Gretel.” His nieces performed it, and the family was so delighted with it that Humperdinck decided to expand it further into a full-scale opera.

The opera is based on the story by the Brothers Grimm. Adelheide Wette used the basic elements of two children who are thrust out of their home, get lost in the woods, and are accosted by a hungry witch, but modified it slightly to fit her needs. In Wette’s hands, the story is not about being lost and then found or even necessarily about the witch’s atrocities. Instead, it is about God’s ever-watchful eye and power to care for people in need. Wette changes the evil stepmother from the Grimm tale into a put-upon mother who is desperate because of her family’s near-starvation but is not intrinsically evil. In the Grimm tale, the stepmother dies at the same time as the witch. In Wette’s libretto, the mother comes with the father to rescue the children and lives to sing the moral of the story along with everyone else on stage.

Before writing Hansel and Gretel, Humperdinck had been invited to Bayreuth to help Richard Wagner with his production of Parsifal. Humperdinck leapt at this opportunity to learn firsthand the inner workings of Wagner’s methods of opera composition and production, and he incorporated these techniques into Hansel and Gretel, including the use of leitmotifs—musical phrases that are repeated in similar dramatic circumstances. For example, we hear the music that becomes associated with the witch when Father speaks about witches in the woods riding on broomsticks, again before we see the witch’s house, and then again when the witch sings.

The first performance of Hansel and Gretel took place on December 23, 1893, in Weimar’s Hoftheater. It was originally scheduled to premiere nine days earlier in Munich, but the singer scheduled to play Gretel fell ill. Another illness, this time of the singer playing Hansel in Weimar, caused a shift in casting. The soprano slated to play Gretel switched to Hansel, while another singer took over the part of Gretel on short notice. Richard Strauss, who had declared the score a masterpiece when he first saw it, conducted. The premiere was not perfect—in addition to the casting difficulties, the orchestral parts for the overture had not yet arrived from Munich, and the performance was played without it.

Yet despite its inauspicious beginning, the opera was received well and was soon seen in theaters throughout Germany. Its rapid progress was helped along by the creation of a Hansel and Gretel touring company in 1894, and its popularity quickly spread to other countries. Because Hansel and Gretel is meant to be experienced by people of all ages, it is often performed in the vernacular of the audience, with the first performances in English having taken place just one year after its composition.

© Copyright 2014 The Metropolitan Opera Guild, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

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DAVID STERNChief ConductorDavid Stern’s musical leadership is spread across three continents. Whether conducting a romantic opera, a baroque oratorio or a classical symphony, teaching vocal master classes or defending cultural activities, David Stern keeps his musicians, students and audiences riveted by sharing his strong musical convictions and his belief that music is relevant and indeed essential in today’s world. He is the founder and director of Opera Fuoco, the Paris-based international opera company and young artist program dedicated to lyric repertoire from the mid-18th century to the present, chief conductor of the Palm Beach Opera, artistic advisor and chief conductor of the Shanghai Baroque Festival, and director of the newly founded Heifetz Baroque Program in Staunton, Virginia. Since 2016, he has been the

co-chair of the jury of the Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition.

Stern’s repertoire ranges from the mainstream to the eclectic. As music director of the Israel and St. Gallen opera houses, he championed works such as Simone Mayr’s Medea, Berg’s Wozzeck, Britten’s Turn of the Screw, and Weill'’s Mahagonny, as well as Mozart, Strauss, and Puccini. With Opera Fuoco, he has led the modern day premiere of JC Bach’s Zanaida and the French premiere of Korngold’s Die stumme Serenade. He has championed operas of Telemann such as Damon and Richardus and most recently conducted the B-minor Mass in Leipzig to close Bachfest 2019. In 2020, he will bring Mayr’s L’amor coniugale to the Beethovenfest in Bonn. In Shanghai, he has performed Purcell and Handel, Bloch’s Sacred Service, Roussel’s Symphony No. 3, and will soon present the Chinese premiere of Florent Schmitt’s La Tragedie de Salome.

Since launching the Aix-en-Provence Festival’s Académie Internationale d’Art Lyrique with Stéphane Lissner in 1998, David Stern has been committed to developing young voices. He created Opera Fuoco in 2003 as a platform for young professional singers in France, combining both a young artists program, a period-instrument orchestra, and a company which produces concertante and staged projects nationally and internationally. In 2016, he conducted Mozart’s The Magic Flute at the Juilliard School in New York, and in 2020 he will appear as part of the Curtis Institute Opera season. In 2019, he inaugurated a very successful baroque vocal workshop at the Heifetz International Institute in Staunton, Virginia, initiating both singers and young string players to baroque performance style and expression. He also participates in the Nordplus Education Network for a series of concerts with young singers from Baltic countries at the Drottningholm Theater in Stockholm.

Stern has enjoyed collaborations with international stage directors including David Alden, Stéphane Braunschweig, Robin Guarino, Sam Helfrich, Waut Koeken, Jakob Peters-Messer, and Aron Stiehl, among many others. With Yoshi Oida, he created iconic settings of Britten’s Curlew River and Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde, and with Francisco Negrin he led performances of Mozart’s Mitridate as artist in residence at the 2014 Drottningholm Opera Festival.

Stern has recorded with various ensembles throughout his career. With Opera Fuoco, he has recently recorded Berenice che fai, a compilation of late Baroque and early Classical works with three members of Opera Fuoco’s studio singers which was very well received by the press. Previous recordings with Opera Fuoco include The Romantic Cantatas with Karine Deshayes, Johann Christian Bach’s opera Zanaida, and two Handel oratorios, Semele and Jephtha. He also recorded Simone Mayr’s Medea with the St. Gallen Opera, and John Field’s piano concertos with Concerto Koln and Andreas Staier, as well as works by Otto Nicolai and concertos of Albert Roussel with Jean-Guihen Queyras. His latest recording of arias by Florian Leopold Gassman with Soprano Ania will be released on the CPO label.

David Stern is a frequent guest conductor around the globe. He is regularly invited to the Edmonton Opera, the Drottningholm Opera Festival, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, the Shanghai and Guangzhou Symphonies, the China Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Russian Symphony the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, and has led recent performances with the Boston Lyric Opera, the Royal Danish Opera Orchestra, the Vienna Symphony, and NDR Hannover. In 2020, he will appear with the Opera Orchestra of Marseille and the Sydney Symphony in Australia.

Stern received his Bachelor of Arts from Yale College and his Masters of Music from the Juilliard School. He is married to the violinist Katharina Wolff.

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FENLON LAMBDirector Acclaimed director Fenlon Lamb returns to Palm Beach Opera to continue a longstanding collaboration which has included a “lively...spiced up” Tosca, a “delightful” Don Pasquale, an “opulent” La boheme, and a “madcap” Il barbiere di Siviglia in recent seasons on the mainstage, along with several critically acclaimed Young Artist productions while she was an Assistant Director for the company.

Fenlon led the world premiere production of Riders of the Purple Sage for Arizona Opera and returned to the company last fall for a new production of Charlie Parker’s Yardbird. Recently, she directed Madama Butterfly in a Papermoon Opera Production for Inland

Northwest Opera, La traviata with Madison Opera, and Scalia/Ginsburg for Opera Delaware. Fenlon has also directed Carmen for North Carolina Opera, Mill City Summer Opera, Bar Harbor Music Festival Opera, Annapolis Opera, and Dayton Opera, as well as engaging productions of Tosca, La boheme, La traviata, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Don Pasquale, Der fliegender Holländer, and Le nozze di Figaro at companies across the U.S.

During her tenure as Director of Opera at University of Missouri, Kansas City Conservatory of Music, Fenlon raised the level of performance with thoughtful, “well-crafted” productions including Cendrillon, Little Women, Die Zauberflote, The Turn of the Screw, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, Hänsel und Gretel, and a double-bill of La voix humaine and L’enfant et les Sortileges. The Kansas City Star took note: “The Opera Department of the UMKC has become one of the most creative forces in Kansas City. Under its director, Fenlon Lamb, the department has been presenting satisfying and ingenious productions.”

Fenlon is the co-creator and Artistic Director of Papermoon Opera Productions, a company which began when she conceived and staged a unique paper-inspired setting of Elvis Costello’s The Juliet Letters for Lyric Opera of Kansas City with her artistic partner Jefferson Ridenour as set designer. Hänsel und Gretel was Papermoon’s first large scale collaboration in which all design elements were constructed from paper materials, and Fenlon has since created and directed new Papermoon productions of La boheme, Carmen, L’enfant et les Sortileges, Madama Butterfly, Little Women, and an award-winning La voix humaine which received First Place at the National Opera Association’s 2018 competition.

Upcoming productions include a Papermoon Production of Don Giovanni with Pensacola Opera, a remount of Riders of the Purple Sage at Arizona Opera, Charlie Parker’s Yardbird with New Orleans Opera, and Romeo et Juliette with Opera Santa Barbara.

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KATHRYN LABOUFFEnglish Diction CoachKathryn LaBouff has coached and prepared more than 300 opera productions in English. She has prepared the US premieres of Tobias Picker’s An American Tragedy and John Harbison’s The Great Gatsby for the Metropolitan Opera; Nicholas Maw’s Sophie’s Choice and Scott Wheeler’s Democracy for Washington National Opera; Mark Adamo’s Little Women, Carlisle Floyd’s Cold Sassy Tree, and Andre Previn’s Brief Encounter for Houston Grand Opera; Mark Adamo’s Lysistrata for Houston Grand Opera and New York City Opera; Central Park for Glimmerglass Opera; Jonathan Dove’s Flight for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis; Lowell Liebermann’s Miss Lonely Hearts for the Juilliard Centennial Celebration; Thomas Pasatieri’s The Hotel Casablanca at

the Merola Program of San Francisco Opera; and the world premiere of Jeanine Tesori’s Blue for the Glimmerglass Festival. Recent productions include Showboat, The Ghosts of Versailles, The Queen of Spades, Candide, Sweeney Todd, The Crucible, Silent Night, The Cunning Little Vixen, Porgy and Bess, West Side Story, and Oklahoma for the Glimmerglass Festival, and Die Fledermaus, Candide, and Doctor Atomic for Santa Fe Opera. This season she will be preparing The Mother of Us All with the New York Philharmonic, as well as The Sound of Music and Così fan tutte with Glimmerglass Opera. She teaches on the faculties of The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music in New York City, and is a guest coach for the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera. Her book, Singing and Communicating in English: A Singer’s Guide to English Diction, was published by Oxford University Press in 2007 and is used by conservatories and music schools internationally. She was also the English Diction contributor to Diction Coach - G. Schirmer Opera Anthology published by Hal Leonard in 2008.

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MARIA VASILEVSKAYAHanselMezzo-Soprano (Novosibirsk, Russia)

Mezzo-soprano Maria Vasilevskaya is a first-year member of the Benenson Young Artist Program, making her debut as Hansel in Hansel and Gretel and singing Rosina in The Barber of Seville Children’s Performance, as well as covering the roles of Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia and Olga in Eugene Onegin. Ms. Vasilevskaya spent the summer at Seagle Music Colony, where she performed the roles of Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro and Sylvia

in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma. While a student at the Eastman School of Music, she performed the roles of Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Romeo in I Capuleti e i Montecchi, and Mezzo II in Ricky Ian Gordon’s The Tibetan Book of the Dead.

Ms. Vasilevskaya holds a master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music and graduated summa cum laude from the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan, Armenia. She is also a graduate of the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Young Artist Program, where she performed Madame Larina in Eugene Onegin. Ms. Vasilevskaya is a district winner and Encouragement Award recipient at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Great Lakes Region) and a semi-finalist of the 2019 Lotte Lenya Competition.

PATRICIA WESTLEYGretelSoprano (Santa Barbara, California)Sponsored by Drs. Marsha & Henry Laufer

Soprano Patricia Westley is a first-year member of the Benenson Young Artist Program, making her debut as Gretel in Hansel and Gretel. Ms. Westley spent the summer as a second-year Young Artist at the Merola Opera Program, where she premiered the role of Selena in Jake Heggie’s If I Were You. While a Resident Artist at Shreveport Opera, she performed the roles of Musetta in La boheme,

Despina in Così fan tutte, and Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof. Additional credits include Elisa in Mozart’s Il re pastore with the Merola Opera Program, Adele in Die Fledermaus with Pocket Opera, and Zerlina in the OK Mozart International Festival’s production of Don Giovanni.

Ms. Westley earned degrees from the University of Oklahoma (MM) and Carnegie Mellon University (BM). She is a two-time participant in the Merola Opera Program and is a former young artist at Pittsburgh Festival Opera, the International Vocal Arts Institute, and SongFest. Ms. Westley is an Encouragement Award recipient of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Tulsa District) and a winner of the East Bay Opera League Competition.

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CARA COLLINSThe Mother / The WitchMezzo-Soprano (Amarillo, Texas)Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. L. David Callaway

Mezzo-soprano Cara Collins is a first-year member of the Benenson Young Artist Program, making her debut as the Mother/Witch in Hansel and Gretel and covering the roles of Berta in Il barbiere di Siviglia and Filipievna in Eugene Onegin. Ms. Collins most recently performed the role of Orlofsky in Amarillo Opera’s production of Die Fledermaus, where she has also appeared as

Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly. She spent the summer at the Merola Opera Program, where she performed the role of Brittomara in Jake Heggie’s If I Were You. As a student at SUNY Purchase, Ms. Collins was featured as Ottavia in L’incorazione di Poppea, Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible, Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro, and Hyppolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Ms. Collins holds her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Purchase and completed further training at the Sarasota Opera, Opera North, and Opera on the James. In 2018, Ms. Collins received the Encouragement and Audience Favorite awards at the New York International Vocal Competition.

TED ALLEN PICKELLThe FatherBass-Baritone (El Dorado Hills, California)Sponsored by Mrs. Roseanne Williams

Bass-baritone Ted Allen Pickell is a second-year member of the Benenson Young Artist Program, performing the roles of Father in Hansel and Gretel, Officer in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Don Basilio in The Barber of Seville Children’s Performance, and Zaretsky in Eugene Onegin. He will also cover the roles of Mandarin in Turandot and Don Basilio in Il barbiere di Siviglia. Last season, Mr. Pickell made

his Palm Beach Opera debut as Marchese D’Obigny in La traviata and covered the roles of Leporello in Don Giovanni and Frank in Die Fledermaus. Mr. Pickell is a former Young Artist at the Merola Opera Program at San Francisco Opera, where he performed the role of Father Truelove in The Rake’s Progress. He also recently debuted with San Diego Opera as Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance, and joined Des Moines Metro Opera as Arthur Jones in Billy Budd. As a student at Northwestern University, he was featured as Blitch in Susannah, Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, and Sam in Trouble in Tahiti.

Mr. Pickell earned degrees from Northwestern University (MM) and University of the Pacific (BM), and completed further training as a fellow at Music Academy of the West (BM). Mr. Pickell is a winner of the Loren L. Zachary Competition, and Western Region finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.

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EMILY BLAIRSandmanSoprano (Hoffman Estates, Illinois)

Soprano Emily Blair is a second-year member of the Benenson Young Artist Program, performing the role of Sandman in Hansel and Gretel and covering the roles of Liù in Turandot and Tatiana in Eugene Onegin. Last season, Ms. Blair made headlines stepping into the leading role of Rosalinde in Palm Beach Opera’s performances of Die Fledermaus, earning praise from the South Florida Classical Review for her “sweet, rich voice.” Her company

debut was as Annina in La traviata, and she also covered the role of Donna Anna in Don Giovanni last season. Ms. Blair recently returned from The Princeton Festival, where she covered the role of Pat Nixon in John Adams’ Nixon in China. Other engagements include Mrs. Grose in The Turn of the Screw at Opera on the Avalon, and Juliette in Romeo et Juliette with City Lyric Opera in New York. With the Trentino Music Festival in Italy, she has sung the role of Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare.

Ms. Blair earned degrees from Mannes College of Music (MM) and Indiana University (BM), and she completed further training with the CoOPERAtive program at Westminster Choir College and the Canadian Vocal Arts Institute. She is the recipient of an Encouragement Award from the New York District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and was a semi-finalist in both the Opera Birmingham Competition and Florida Grand Opera’s Young Patronesses of the Opera Competition.

EMILY HELENBROOKDew FairySoprano (Alexander, New York)Sponsored by Mrs. Linda Taub, in memory of David Taub

Soprano Emily Helenbrook is a first-year member of the Bailey Apprentice Artist Program, performing the role of Dew Fairy and covering the role of Gretel in Hansel and Gretel. Ms. Helenbrook spent the summer as a fellow at Tanglewood Music Center, where she performed the role of Sun/Vole in the American premiere of Richard Ayre’s

The Cricket Recovers. She is a former young artist of Opera in the Ozarks, where she performed the roles of Adele in Die Fledermaus and Sarah in The Ballad of Baby Doe, and the Aspen Opera Center, where she covered the roles of La Bergère and La Chouette in L’enfant et les sortileges.

Ms. Helenbrook earned degrees from Rice University (MM) and the Eastman School of Music (BM). She is a recent winner of the Richard E. McGinty Director Emeritus Award at the Houston Saengerbund Competition, and a first place winner of the “Getting to Carnegie” Competition.

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CREATIVE TEAM

JEFFERSON RIDENOURScenic DesignerJefferson Ridenour is a NYC based designer. After receiving his MFA from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, Jefferson has formed a strong creative partnership with director Fenlon Lamb, co-creating Papermoon Opera Productions and designing more than 15 opera productions, including Cendrillon, Little Women, Die Zauberflote, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, Hänsel und Gretel, and La voix humaine (UMKC Conservatory of Music/Papermoon); La boheme (Bar Harbor Music Festival/Papermoon); La traviata and Tosca (Finger Lakes Opera); The Juliet Letters (Lyric Opera of Kansas City/Papermoon), Carmen (Annapolis Opera/Papermoon); Scalia/Ginsburg (Opera Delaware); and Madama Butterfly (Inland Northwest

Opera/Papermoon). Additionally, he has also designed Dead Man Walking (Opera Delaware), L'elisir d'amore and The Consul (Nightingale Opera Theatre), Die Fledermaus (Finger Lakes Opera), Cabaret (Austin College Theatre/Alumni Produced), Afflicted (Coterie Theatre), Seminar (Unicorn Theatre), and Auntie Mame’d (KC Artists Against AIDS). In NYC, Jefferson recently designed the Off-Broadway premieres of Duck (IRT) directed by Katrin Hilbe, and Party Face (NY City Center) directed by Amanda Bearse. Jefferson has studio assisted acclaimed designers, including George Tsypin on Manon Lescaut (St. Petersburg & Berlin) and the Sochi Olympics Exhibition (Moscow), Derek McLane on Gigi (Kennedy Center/B’way), and he was also Assistant Set Designer in 2015 to Alain Vaes for The Nutcracker (Kansas City Ballet). Upcoming designs include Don Giovanni (Pensacola Opera/Papermoon), and Les contes d’Hoffmann and L'incoronazione di Poppea for the 75th Anniversary festival of Opera Delaware in 2020.

MAUREEN THOMASCostume Designer Maureen Thomas is a versatile designer whose experience includes theatre, musical theatre, opera, editorial photoshoots, performance art, and drag shows. She is a Dante scholar who holds a BA in Music and Italian Literature from Kent State University, and a Certificate in Acting/Devised Theatre Arts from East 15 Drama Academy in London. Maureen designed for Nightingale Opera in Hudson, Ohio from 2014 to 2016, and joined the team at Meadowbrook Theatre in Rochester, Michigan, where she served as the company’s Wig Designer/Master and Assistant Costume Designer in 2017. Currently, she designs with Evolution Theatre in Columbus, Ohio and partners with local playwrights, bringing new works to the stage.

With Papermoon, her designs include Hänsel und Gretel, La voix humaine, L’Enfant et les Sortileges, and Carmen. This January, she joins the Papermoon team once again to design Don Giovanni for Pensacola Opera.

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KRIS KIRKWOODProjections DesignerKris Kirkwood is a lighting, projections, and media designer for theatre, opera, musicals, live events, and installations based out of Kansas City, MO. His recent work includes designs for Trouble in Tahiti and To be Certain of the Dawn for the Lexington Philharmonic; Nelly Don the Musical and Master Harold and the Boys at Kansas City Actor’s Theatre; and Into the Woods, Wit, American Trailer Park, Macbeth, and Front Page News at Cumberland County Playhouse. Upcoming projects include Theatrical Illusion at Benedictine College; Don Giovanni with Papermoon Opera Productions and Pensacola Opera; and Chicago, 9 to 5, and She Kills Monsters.

BRIAN B. MOORELighting DesignerA native North Carolinian, Brian B. Moore is a lighting designer and technical director who has toured extensively across the U.S., Asia, Australia, and South America. He currently teaches at Ball State University as their Technical Director/Lighting Shop Supervisor, and joined the Papermoon team in 2016 for their flagship production of Hänsel und Gretel. Recently, Brian designed Madama Butterfly with Papermoon Opera Productions and Inland Northwest Opera, Le nozze di Figaro for Charlottesville Opera, Letters from Freedom Summer for UMKC Spencer Theatre, Shamrock Shake for Kansas City Live, and A Christmas Carol for the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. He was the resident Lighting Designer for Highlands Playhouse

where credits include Dames at Sea, The Spitfire Grill, and Hear What’s in the Heart. As the Lighting Designer for Weathervane Playhouse, he designed productions of Chicago, Big River, and The Good Heart. His touring experience includes productions of Mickey and Minnie’s Magical Journey, Frozen on Ice, Rocking Ever After and Let’s Celebrate. Upcoming projects include Don Giovanni with Pensacola Opera and Così fan tutte with Bar Harbor Music Festival Opera.

KATHY WASZKELEWICZHair and Make-up DesignerSince 1981 Kathy has worked with over 20 different opera companies. She was the winner of the William Zauder Award for outstanding makeup at the NCA National Show Case in Las Vegas. Kathy has been a makeup artist for the Tony Awards and the Kennedy Center Honors, and has toured with Disney’s National Tour of Beauty and the Beast as their head makeup and prosthetic artist. She has been with Palm Beach Opera since 1993 and became the resident wig and makeup designer in 1999. Kathy participated with Palm Beach Opera’s Swing & Sings summer camp for kids, and especially enjoys Children’s Performance days.

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GREGORY RITCHEYAssociate Conductor & Chorus MasterA versatile musician on the podium and at the keyboard, conductor Gregory Ritchey has held positions with companies both in the U.S. and internationally including the Wexford Opera Festival, Palm Beach Opera, the Amalfi Coast Music Festival and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Most notably in recent seasons, he has conducted productions of Le nozze di Figaro, Così fan tutte, The Turn of the Screw, Gianni Schicchi, Ariadne auf Naxos, and a workshop of Terence Blanchard’s opera, Champion. This season marks the beginning of Mr. Ritchey’s appointment as conductor of the Palm Beach Atlantic University Symphony Orchestra. As the recently designated Music Director of Gulfshore Opera, he has led performances of

Madama Butterfly, Rigoletto, Don Pasquale, and La traviata, returning this season to conduct La boheme. He has also been for several years Associate Conductor at Palm Beach Opera, where after a recent performance on the Waterfront Concert series, for which he served as conductor and Music Director, the Palm Beach Arts Paper noted, “Mr. Ritchey is to be congratulated for leading such massive forces in a splendid and stirring performance. The audience rose to their feet with acclaim.” During his time at PBO, he has also been Chorus Master for more than thirty-five productions.

A graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, Mr. Ritchey maintains an active chamber music, collaborative and solo piano career, performing throughout the United States and Europe. In a recent recital at the Wexford Festival, Opera News noted that Mr. Ritchey “partnered superbly at the piano.” Mr. Ritchey has previously held music staff positions with companies across the U.S. including the Dallas Opera, Central City Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Bard Music Festival, Virginia Opera, and Sarasota Opera. He has also been a faculty member at the University of North Texas, Louisiana State University, and Texas Christian University. In addition to the MM degree from the Juilliard School of Music, he also earned a BM degree from the University of North Texas.

CREATIVE TEAM

James Barbato Director of Artistic Administration

Jeff Bruckerhoff Director of Production & Facilities

Sarah Schultz Artistic Coordinator

Julia Fisher Artistic & Production Assistant

Hallie Dufresne Costume Director

Jason Barroncini Technical Director

Alayna Stewart Powell Assistant Director & Production Manager

Bryce Bullock Production Stage Manager

Kendra Green Assistant Stage Manager

Arielle Ingrassia-Smith Assistant Hair & Make-up Designer

Zoe Still Charge Painter & Costume Assistant

PG Hazard Supertitles Manager

Jayson Tomasheski Technical Director, Crest Theatre

PRODUCTION STAFF

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The Children’s Chorus is comprised of members of the Young Singers of The Palm Beaches. Palm Beach Opera is grateful to Artistic Director Shawn Berry, Executive Director Holly Stewart, Managing Director Melanee Blankstein, and the many parent chaperones for this collaboration.

CHILDREN’S CHORUS

GREGORY RITCHEY Associate Conductor & Chorus Master

Kayla BateastRebecca BrunnerCaroline CalderBecca CrossEllyn CrossDevin Embrich

Waleska Figueirido OcasioAndrianna HarstadMegan MascaroGianna MoscarielloGabriella TreutleAdrianna Wagner

YOUNG SINGERS OF THE PALM BEACHESYoung Singers of The Palm Beaches is an award-winning children’s choir located in West Palm Beach at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. They have won numerous awards such as the “Diversity and Inclusion Award” from the State of Florida, and “Outstanding Programming” by the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. Young Singers of The Palm Beaches believes that choral music education is a valuable resource in the development of productive participants in our society. Through their choirs they provide children from grades 2 through 12 with the opportunity to develop leadership skills, create supportive friendships, and become ambassadors for their communities.

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VIOLIN ILaura Hilgeman Miller, Concertmaster

Rafael Elvira, Associate Concertmaster

Rebecca Lautar

VIOLIN IIDale D. Sandvold*Ruby Berland**

VIOLAScott Rawls*

CELLOChristopher Glansdorp*

BASSMik Groninger*

FLUTEKaren Fuller*

CLARINETMichael Forte*

HORNEva Conti*Audrey Destito-Stutt

PIANOTimothy Cheung

ORCHESTRA LIBRARIANDale D. Sandvold

ORCHESTRA STAGE MANAGERKay Kemper

*Principal**Assistant Principal

DAVID STERNChief Conductor

PALM BEACH OPERA ORCHESTRA

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ARTIST TRAINING PROGRAMS

The Benenson Young Artist Program and Bailey Apprentice Artist Program are opportunities for emerging professional singers to launch successful careers under the guidance of Palm Beach Opera’s experienced artistic staff. The Young and Apprentice Program participants are selected through a highly-competitive national audition process from over 625 applicants annually. During their five-month residencies, these artists develop and refine essential skills through frequent performance opportunities and rigorous individualized training, receiving vocal, musical, linguistic, dramatic, and movement instruction from luminaries in the field.

Palm Beach Opera has assembled a distinguished resident and guest faculty which currently includes:

Guest Voice TeachersStephen King, Director of Vocal Instruction at Houston Grand Opera & Los Angeles OperaMichael Paul, Faculty member of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist ProgramNova Thomas, Professor of Voice at Westminster Choir College & Mannes School of Music

Guest Vocal CoachesCraig Rutenberg, Former Head of Music Administration of the Metropolitan OperaDanielle Orlando, Director of Vocal Studies at Curtis Institute of MusicCraig Terry, Music Director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera CenterRachelle Jonck, Music Director of Baltimore Concert Opera

Guest Diction CoachesCorradina Caporello, Italian Diction; The Juilliard School & Curtis Institute of MusicKathryn LaBouff, English Diction; The Juilliard School & Manhattan School of Music

Resident Vocal CoachesGregory Ritchey, Associate ConductorTimothy Cheung, Principal CoachKsenia Leletkina, Associate Principal Coach & Russian Diction CoachBen Malensek, Master Vocal Coach

An essential component of both programs is the chance to put training into practice, and every artist receives valuable opportunities to grow onstage at Palm Beach Opera. Benenson Young Artists are featured in supporting roles in PBO’s mainstage productions while covering the leading roles, and also appear in concerts and recitals throughout the season. They also sing the leading roles in this season’s production of Hansel and Gretel, and in the Children’s Performance of The Barber of Seville. Bailey Apprentice Artists serve as PBO’s community ambassadors, reaching thousands of people each year through free performances in schools, museums, and community centers throughout the region, while also covering supporting roles, studying leading roles, and adding strength to all mainstage production choruses.

2019 Masterclass with Craig Rutenberg

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ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS

Graduates of the Benenson Young Artist Program and Bailey Apprentice Artist Program have embarked on successful careers in major opera houses all over the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Washington National Opera, Opéra National de Paris, Vienna State Opera, and Deutsche Oper Berlin. Notable in recent seasons are the success stories of the following singers:

Irene Roberts, mezzo-soprano (BYAP 2008-2010): Amneris in Aida at Venice’s Teatro La Fenice; title role in Carmen at San Francisco Opera, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, and Deutsche Oper Berlin; and Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, Niklausse in Les contes d’Hoffmann, Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, and Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro at Deutsche Opera Berlin. Return engagements at Palm Beach Opera include Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro (2018), Niklausse in Les contes d’Hoffmann (2015), and Suzuki in Madama Butterfly (2011).

Megan Marino, mezzo-soprano (BYAP 2012-13): Meg Page in Falstaff with The Dallas Opera; Flora in La traviata at the Metropolitan Opera; Wellgunde in Wagner’s Ring Cycle at Opéra National de Paris; Suzuki in Madama Butterfly at The Santa Fe Opera; Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia at Opera Colorado; and Dorabella in Così fan tutte at Opéra National de Bordeaux.

Joseph Dennis, tenor (BYAP 2013-14): Tamino in Die Zauberflote at Vienna State Opera; Belmonte in Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Jacquino in Fidelio, Ferrando in Così fan tutte, and Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni at Semperoper Dresden; and Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor at Virginia Opera.

Tobias Greenhalgh, baritone (BYAP 2013-14): title role in Dido and Aeneas at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence; Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Theater an der Wien; Malatesta in Don Pasquale at Opéra National de Montpellier; Silvio in I pagliacci at Boston Lyric Opera; and the title role in Don Giovanni at Virginia Opera;. Return engagements at Palm Beach Opera include Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus (2019), Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance (2017), Moralès in Carmen (2016), and Schaunard in La boheme (2015).

Robert Watson, tenor (BYAP 2014-16): Don José in Carmen at San Diego Opera; Cavaradossi in Tosca at Washington National Opera; title role in Don Carlo at The Dallas Opera; Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos at Opéra National de Montpellier; and Ismaele in Nabucco, Don José in Carmen, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Laca in Jenufa, and Erik in Der fliegende Holländer at Deutsche Oper Berlin.

Fleur Barron, mezzo-soprano (BYAP 2015-16): Suzuki in Madama Butterfly at Opéra National de Montpellier; title role in Orfeo ed Euridice at Cape Town Opera; Baba in The Rake’s Progress at Aldeburgh Festival and Théâtre de La Monnaie; and Olga in Eugene Onegin at Opéra de Toulon.

Joshua Conyers, baritone (BYAP 2016-2018): Zaretsky in Eugene Onegin and John Sorel in The Consul at Washington National Opera; and Music Master in Ariadne auf Naxos and Count Capulet in Romeo et Juliette at Wolf Trap Opera.

Irene Roberts as Cherubino in Palm Beach Opera’s 2018 production of Le nozze di Figaro.

PALM BEACH OPERA 44

BENENSON YOUNG ARTIST ALUMNI

2018-2019Emily Blair, sopranoSylvia D’Eramo, sopranoJoanna Latini, sopranoNatalie Rose Havens, mezzo-sopranoRobert Stahley, tenorBrian Wallin, tenorBen Schaefer, baritoneTed Allen Pickell, bass-baritone

2017-18Chelsea Bonagura, sopranoKasia Borowiec, sopranoFrancesca Aguado, mezzo-sopranoDerrek Stark, tenorBrian Wallin, tenorJoshua Conyers, baritoneAndrew Richardson, bass-baritoneAndrew Simpson, bass-baritone

2016-2017Kasia Borowiec, sopranoJessica Fishenfeld, sopranoTara Curtis, mezzo-sopranoDanielle MacMillan, mezzo-sopranoDerrek Stark, tenorSpencer Viator, tenorJoshua Conyers, baritoneAndrew Simpson, bass-baritone

2015-2016Jessica Fishenfeld, sopranoLiana Guberman, sopranoFleur Barron, mezzo-sopranoDanielle MacMillan, mezzo-sopranoSpencer Viator, tenorRobert Watson, tenorJason Duika, baritoneAndrew Bogard, bass-baritone

Former Benenson Young Artist Joshua Conyers in Palm Beach Opera’s 2017 production of Rigoletto.

PALM BEACH OPERA 45

2014-2015Bridgette Gan, sopranoLiana Guberman, sopranoRachel Arky, mezzo-sopranoJoAna Rusche, mezzo-sopranoNicholas Nestorak, tenorRobert Watson, tenorJason Duika, baritone

2013-2014Bridgette Gan, sopranoClaire Kuttler, sopranoRachel Arky, mezzo-sopranoJoAna Rusche, mezzo-sopranoJoseph Dennis, tenorNicholas Nestorak, tenorTobias Greenhalgh, baritonePeter Tomaszewski, bass-baritone

2012-2013Alexandra Batsios, sopranoBonnie Sherman Brown, sopranoShirin Eskandani, mezzo-sopranoMegan Marino, mezzo-sopranoKyle Erdos Knapp, tenorMarco Stefani, tenorScott Purcell, baritonePeter Tomaszewski, bass-baritone

2011-2012Emily Duncan Brown, sopranoShirin Eskandani, mezzo-sopranoJesse Enderle, baritoneKenneth Stavert, baritoneBenjamin Clements, bass-baritone

2010-2011Alison Bates, sopranoGreta Ball, mezzo-sopranoBrandy Lynn Hawkins, mezzo-sopranoEvanivaldo Correa, tenorKenneth Stavert, baritoneChristopher Dickerson, bass

2009-2010Betsy Diaz, sopranoDebra Stanley, sopranoIrene Roberts, mezzo-sopranoJason Wickson, tenorChristopher Johnson, baritoneBradley Smoak, bass-baritone

2008-2009Carelle Flores, sopranoSusan Jean Hellman, sopranoIrene Roberts, mezzo-sopranoTanner Knight, tenorRolando Sanz, tenorDavid Lara, baritoneDavid Lowell Young, bass

2007-2008Susan Jean Hellman, sopranoEllen Wieser, sopranoCameron Schutza, tenorRenato Song, baritoneJesús Ibarra, bass-baritone

2006-2007Marianne Cope, sopranoMonika Krajewska, mezzo-sopranoSarah Lambert, mezzo-sopranoEduardo Aladrén, tenorAlbert Rudolph Lee, tenorTom Corbeil, baritoneSam Smith, bass-baritone

2005-2006Marianne Cope, sopranoMonika Krajewska, mezzo-sopranoEduardo Aladrén, tenor

BENENSON YOUNG ARTIST ALUMNI

PALM BEACH OPERA 46

BAILEY APPRENTICE ARTIST ALUMNI

2018-2019Sooyeon Kang, sopranoSuzannah Waddington, sopranoMaire Therese Carmack, mezzo-sopranoJenny Anne Flory, mezzo-sopranoMichael Anderson, tenorAnthony Ciaramitaro, tenorPavel Suliandziga, tenorRobert Gerold, baritoneMichael Miller, baritoneChristopher Carbin, bass-baritone

2017-18Maria Brea, sopranoSooyeon Kang, sopranoBrooklyn Snow, sopranoKelsey Robertson, mezzo-sopranoEmily Spencer, mezzo-sopranoMatthew Greenblatt, tenorElliott Paige, tenorRobert Gerold, baritoneSamuel Hinkle, baritoneJames Wright, baritone

2016-2017Brooklyn Snow, sopranoKelsey Robertson, mezzo-sopranoMatthew Greenblatt, tenorElliott Paige, tenorSamuel Hinkle, baritoneJoshua Arky, bass-baritone

Zach Borichevsky, former Bailey Apprentice Artist Michael Anderson, and Benenson Young Artist Emily Blair in Palm Beach Opera’s 2019 production of Die Fledermaus.

PALM BEACH OPERA 47

BENENSON YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM19-20 SEASON

The Benenson Young Artist Program is generously funded by The Edward H. Benenson Foundation, Inc.

EMILY BLAIRSoprano

PATRICIA WESTLEYSoprano

Sponsored by Drs. Marsha & Henry Laufer

CARA COLLINSMezzo-Soprano

Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. L. David Callaway

DUKE KIMTenor

Sponsored by Drs. Marsha & Henry Laufer

BORIS VAN DRUFFTenor

Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. William G. Brown

TED ALLEN PICKELLBass-Baritone

Sponsored by Roseanne Williams

JOHN TIBBETTSBaritone

MARIA VASILEVSKAYAMezzo-Soprano

PALM BEACH OPERA 48

BAILEY APPRENTICE ARTIST PROGRAM19-20 SEASON

SUZANNAH WADDINGTONSoprano

Sponsored by Ms. Anne Bazik

EMILY HELENBROOKSoprano

Sponsored by Linda Taub

MAIRE THERESE CARMACKMezzo-Soprano

SARAHANN DUFFYMezzo-Soprano

JENNY ANNE FLORYMezzo-Soprano

JUAN HERNANDEZTenor

PHILIPPE L’ESPERANCETenor

ERIC SMEDSRUDBaritone

MATTHEW SOIBELMANBass

PATRICIA HAZARDPianist

DAVID ANDERSONTenor

Sponsored by Drs. Marsha & Henry Laufer

For sponsorship opportunities or to get involved, please contact

David Walker at 561.835.7558 or dwalker@pbopera.org.

Additional funding for the Apprentice Artist Program is provided by The Gladys and Sy Ziv Foundation.

PALM BEACH OPERA 49

Palm Beach Opera is most grateful to The V. Atkins Foundation for its generous support of all Palm Beach Opera educational and community engagement efforts on behalf of opera and classical vocal arts.

GOLDNER CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S OPERA EDUCATION

Palm Beach Opera’s education programs bring live opera to our community, inspire life-long interest in the arts, and present thoughtful, engaging education programs for learners of all ages. Through the following education programs, the Goldner Center for Children’s Opera Education fulfills Palm Beach Opera’s educational mission to engage children in opera’s timeless tales and awaken their musical curiosity.

The Goldner Center for Children’s Opera Education is graciously funded by Sandra and Paul Goldner, with additional support provided by The Daft Family Foundation.

CONCERTS IN THE CLASSROOM (K-12)Sponsored by the Alvin and Louise Myerberg Family FoundationBailey Apprentice Artists present interactive programs that turn the classroom into a stage.

PALM BEACH OPERA STUDIO (11-12)Sponsored by Suzanne L. Niedland and the Palm Beach Opera Guild Developing the next generation of singers in an eight-month training program for local high school students.

OPERA REHEARSAL 101 (6-12)Sponsored by the Palm Beach Opera Guild and The Honorable & Mrs. Roger H. LourieMiddle and high school students and their teachers are invited to attend a working dress rehearsal and catch a glimpse of the production process.

STORY TIME SERIES (PreK-5)A sing-along storytelling adventure where children are brought into the pages of opera’s famous tales.

OPERA DISCOVERY CONCERTS (K-12)Palm Beach Opera’s Benenson Young Artists and Apprentice Artists present a selection of opera’s famed arias, duets, and ensemble numbers.

Questions? For more information, contact Abbey Ward, Education & Community Engagement Associate, at 561.835.7566 or award@pbopera.org.

To support or sponsor a program, contact David Walker, Managing Director, at 561.835.7558 or dwalker@pbopera.org.

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS

PALM BEACH OPERA 52

PBO Young friends is a dynamic group of young professionals between the ages of 21 and 39 who are interested in supporting Palm Beach Opera, meeting new people, and experiencing opera at an exceptional price.

Membership is $25 per year and includes the following benefits:

Special ticket and subscription pricesReceive discounted subscription and ticket rates, like our special $50 subscription package — a $165 value! Single tickets are also available at a discounted rate of just $25.

Champagne at the performanceToast to a night out at the opera with a complimentary drink at each performance.

Backstage toursSee behind the curtain and book a backstage tour before any Saturday night or Sunday matinee performance.

Social and networking eventsFrom happy hours to networking opportunities, meet at tailored Young Friends events throughout the year.

PBO Young Friends on Facebook and Opera Insider subscriptionKeep in touch with PBO Young Friends on Facebook, and stay up to date on Palm Beach Opera happenings with our curated e-newsletter, Opera Insider.

Join today at at pbopera.org/youngfriends. For more information, contact Adina Antonucci, Marketing & PR Manager, at 561.835.7575 or adina@pbopera.org.

PBO YOUNG FRIENDS

PALM BEACH OPERA 53

OPERA AL FRESCO!Sponsored by Olive and Michael SchaefferPalm Beach Opera’s unique summer series offers the opportunity to experience opera in a relaxed setting at West Palm Beach’s Elizabeth Avenue Station. Opera al Fresco! features live opera, drinks, games, and fun for the whole family with a different opera-inspired theme for each event!

HAPPY HOUR SERIESCheers to opera! Enjoy a delightful “cocktail” of education, conversation, and pop-up arias with the Palm Beach Opera Benenson Young Artists. This will be a wonderful opportunity to experience opera arias in an intimate, informal setting that is sure to educate and entertain while you mix and mingle with our singers and other patrons. Even if you don’t know much about opera, you are sure to enjoy this unique and fun series. Be sure to check our website for updates.

ANIMASponsored by The Honorable & Mrs. Roger H. Lourie Animate the soul. ANIMA (pronounced AH-nee-mah) brings opera to people who would otherwise be unable to experience the art form in the theatre, so that their lives can be animated and their spirits uplifted.

ANIMA brings the artist and the audience together through songs and personal story-telling. Unlike traditional community concert programs, ANIMA focuses on the heart of opera, exploring why each artist sings and uncovering their personal connections to the art form. Advance reservation required.

CURTAIN WARMERSBefore the red velvet rises. Curtain Warmers provide the audience with insider information about the operas, the composers, the music, and the company, from the perspective of the Associate Conductor.

Curtain Warmers show the casual side of Palm Beach Opera, allowing patrons to sit anywhere in the theatre during the program and listen to information delivered in a colloquial and entertaining way. Curtain Warmers take place inside the theater, one hour prior to the performance start time.

SUNDAY Q&ACurious? Sunday Q&A offers Sunday matinee guests the exhilarating chance to talk with Palm Beach Opera artists immediately following their final performance. This program is often light-hearted, humorous, and always enlightening. Sunday Q&A affords participants the opportunity to get to know the artists, to hear their stories, and dive into their artistic choices. Sunday Q&A takes place in the theater, immediately following the matinee performance.

LUNCH & LEARNJoin us for a unique blend of education and opera at Lunch & Learn. You’ll enjoy a delicious meal with a glass of wine followed by a musical program presented by Palm Beach Opera’s Benenson Young Artists and artistic staff.

CONVERSATIONSConversations highlights the inner workings of an opera company through personal conversations with Opera staff, guest artists, and lecturers. Conversations is bolstered by historical context and, when possible, musical interludes performed by Benenson Young Artists and Apprentice Artists.

For more information on community engagement, contact James Clements, Education & Community Engagement Manager, at 561.835.7577 or jclements@pbopera.org.

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ADULT ENGAGEMENT

PALM BEACH OPERA 54

PALM BEACH OPERA GUILD

SAVE THE DATEMarch 3, 2020

18th Annual Luncheon and Opera Interlude

Our mission is to support Palm Beach Opera, and provide “opera culture” opportunities for Guild members to nurture their appreciation and knowledge of opera.

Join the Palm Beach Opera Guild

The Palm Beach Opera Guild is a group of women and men dedicated to supporting Palm Beach Opera by raising funds for Palm Beach Opera Studio, Opera Rehearsal 101, and Palm Beach Opera's Children’s Performance.

Palm Beach Opera Studio is an eight-month training program that fosters the skills high school students will need to pursue a successful music career in college and beyond. The Children’s Performance brings together children, family, and caregivers from throughout the community to experience the magic of opera.

Opera Rehearsal 101 is a unique opportunity for middle and high school students to catch a glimpse of the opera production process during a live working rehearsal before opening night.

For further information on our Brunch and Annual Luncheon, or to become a part of the PBO Guild, contact Ann Baskind at 561.835.7569 or email guild@pbopera.org.

Special Performance by TenorTaylor Stayton

The Beach Club in Palm Beach

Chairs: Jean Gutkin and Sheryl Wood

PALM BEACH OPERA 55

Palm Beach Opera is sincerely thankful to the following individuals whose donations supports live, world-class opera, as well as educational and community engagement programs that enrich and meaningfully impact our community. Individual contributions are listed cumulatively with support comprised of Co-Producer Society gifts, Young and Apprentice Artist sponsorships, Education and Community Engagement sponsorships, annual gifts, Gala support, corporate matches, and in-kind donations.

Contributions to the 2020 season, current as of 11/20/2019

($1,000,000 AND ABOVE)The Glenn W. and Cornelia T. Bailey Charitable

Foundation, in loving memory of Cornelia T. Bailey

($250,000 - $999,999)Atkins Young Artists ProgramThe Edward H. Benenson Foundation, Inc.Mr. & Mrs. William G. BrownMrs. Ronnie Isenberg, in loving memory

of Eugene IsenbergMrs. Ingrid Kosowsky, in loving memory

of Dr. David I. Kosowsky

($100,000 - $249,999)Drs. Marsha & Henry LauferPalm Beach Opera GuildMrs. Ari RifkinToni & Martin Sosnoff

($75,000 - $99,999)Mr. Sanford Baklor & Ms. Arlene KaufmanIsanne & Sanford Fisher

($50,000 - $74,999)The Daft Family FoundationMr. & Mrs. Randell and Rebecca DoaneMr. & Mrs. Paul A. GoldnerMrs. Patricia LesterMr. Nathan LeventhalMrs. Karen TellMr. & Mrs. Dennis K. Williams

($25,000 - $49,999)Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey H. AldertonDr. & Mrs. Hans D. BaumannMs. Anne BazikCynthia & Theodore BerensonMr. & Mrs. Ken BrodliebMrs. Damaris D.W. FordMr. & Mrs. Robert FromerMr. & Mrs. David GenserMerrill & Charles GottesmanMr. & Mrs. Allan GreenblattMrs. Marie A. IandoliMrs. Martha R. Ingram

Mrs. Florence KaufmanMr. & Mrs. Amin KhouryMr. & Mrs. Ellis J. ParkerMrs. Lois PopeMr. Marc S. Solomon,

Solomon Family Foundation TrustIsrael Schubert, Meridian Capital GroupMr. Ed StreimMrs. Roseanne Williams

($15,000 - $24,999)Dr. & Mrs. Sander M. AbendDr. & Mrs. Robert BiscupMr. & Mrs. L. David CallawayMrs. Annette Y. FriedlandDrs. Donna K. and John RaggioMr. & Mrs. Barry W. GrayMr. & Mrs. Peter A. HoffmanJudy & Jerry KaufmanMr. & Mrs. Sidney KohlMr. Michael McCafferty & Mr. Joseph HortonMr. & Mrs. Salvatore NuzzoMr. & Mrs. John J. PohankaMrs. Linda TaubMrs. Sieglinde Wikstrom

($10,000 - $14,999)Mr. Roy Bartolomei & Mr. Peter WronskyMr. & Mrs. Stephen BentMr. & Mrs. David BrodskyMr. & Mrs. Paul EfronMr. & Mrs. David FrisbieMrs. Arlette GordonMs. Barbara Greis & Mr. Howard GottliebLauren & Gray Hampton IIIMr. & Mrs. Scott LauransDr. Frayda LindemannAlvin & Louise Myerberg Family FoundationSuzanne L. NiedlandMr. & Mrs. Meyer SapoffMr. & Mrs. James TakatsUBSMr. Marc E. Wise & Mr. Mariano Morales

MAJOR SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS OR COUNCIL FOR ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE OR GRAND GIVING CIRCLE

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

PALM BEACH OPERA 56

BENEFACTOR SOCIETY GRAND BENEFACTOR($7,500 - $9,999)AnonymousDr. Elizabeth M. BowdenMs. Hermine DreznerMr. & Mrs. Eric JorgensenMr. & Mrs. John & Jeanette StaluppiMrs. Hermé de Wyman Miro

PRINCIPAL BENEFACTOR($5,000 - $7,499)Mr. & Mrs. Stanley BogenMr. John CoatsMr. & Mrs. John ConnorMr. & Mrs. Gerald FinebergMrs. Miriam FlammMr. Roy L. FurmanMr. & Mrs. Stanley N. GainesThe Honorable & Mrs. Roger H. LourieMr. & Mrs. Peter LunderDr. & Mrs. Morton MandellMr. & Mrs. Harold OelbaumMs. Carol O’Malley & Mr. Nick HarryThe Honorable & Mrs. Samuel RaiaMrs. Beverly SommerMs. Melissa SullivanMr. & Mrs. Albert TogutMrs. Ann Van NessMrs. Maureen P. WilkensDr. Mona Beth Wolpe

BENEFACTOR($2,500 - $4,999)Ms. Naomi Alexandroff-Brest & Mr. David KaplanMr. & Mrs. Theodore & Ruth BaumMs. Jane BeasleyMr. & Mrs. Robert A. BelferMr. & Mrs. Theodore BerensonMs. Eileen Berman & Mr. Jay BauerDaniel Biaggi & David EspinosaMr. & Mrs. David BigelowMr. & Mrs. Ken & Andrea BrodliebGeneral Carter Clarke & Ms. Irene AthansMr. Daniel Cochran & Mr. Gregory SutphinDr. Louise CohenMr. & Mrs. Ronald EarlyMr. & Mrs. Elliott EisenMr. Alfonso FanjulMr. & Mrs. Louis FeherMr. & Mrs. Joel FreedmanMr. Eugene F. Gaughan & Ms. Margaret DuffyMr. & Mrs. Dan L. GoldwasserMr. & Mrs. Herbert P. & Marylou GrayMr. & Mrs. Ross HechingerMr. & Mrs. David HerwitzMr. & Mrs. Ashley HoffmanMr. & Mrs. Thomas HolienMr. & Mrs. Michael KleinMr. & Mrs. Arthur LoringMr. & Mrs. Edward MastermanMr. & Mrs. Doug McMillenMr. & Mrs. Charles MooneyMrs. Elayne MordesMrs. Anka PalitzMr. Miguel Perrotti*Mr. & Mrs. Tony PetrarcaMr. & Mrs. Harland A. Riker, Jr.Mr. & Mrs. John Rutherfurd

Mr. & Mrs. Michael SchaefferMr. & Mrs. S. Lawrence SchlagerMr. Conrad Schmitt & Mr. Andrew P. PaytiJane and John ShalamMrs. Rosalie W. StoneDr. & Mrs. Charles TagerBarbara & Fred TeppermanMs. Lillian VinebergMr. & Mrs. Howard WeinsteinMr. & Mrs. Jay M. Wilson

STAR CIRCLEPATRON($1,000 - $2,499)Mr. & Mrs. Richard AbedonMr. Alan AdamsMr. & Mrs. Stephen & Madeline AnbinderMr. Stanley ApplebaumDr. Philip Barenfeld & Ms. Barbara HulnickMr. & Mrs. Richard BehrMr. & Mrs. Roger BeutnerDr. Allen H. BeznerWalter & Hildi Black & Suzan Grandt & Stanley KaplanMrs. Arlene BlauDr. Rachael BloomfieldMs. Roxanne BrandtMr. & Mrs. Henry BreyerMr. Charles BuchnerMr. & Mrs. Robert CalmanMrs. Nancy H. Canary & Mr. William SullivanMr. & Mrs. Carl ChernoffMr. & Mrs. Phil CorsoMr. Richard Crone & Mr. Andre ManziMs. Ariane Csonka-ComstockMr. Cristian DumitriuMrs. Joan K. EigenMs. Tibisay EllisMrs. Jo Ann Engelhardt & Mr. George ElderMr. & Mrs. Stephen & Linda EpsteinMrs. Carol FinnDr. Stephanie FlickerMr. & Mrs. Charles FosterMr. & Mrs. Alan FuirstMrs. Joan GalisonMrs. Gail GalliMr. & Mrs. George & Sandy GarfunkelMr. & Mrs. L. Martin GibbsDr. & Mrs. Donald GiddonMr. & Mrs. Marvin GinskyMr. Charles GradanteMr. & Mrs. Anthony GrazianoMr. & Mrs. James HerscotMr. & Mrs. Alan HorwitzMrs. Lisa L. HuertasMr. & Mrs. Theodore HydeMr. Julio IguchiMs. Sheila JosephbergMr. & Mrs. Henry KaufmanDr. Judith KayloeMrs. Carolyn KingMr. & Mrs. Paul KozloffMr. & Mrs. Charles KramerMrs. Jill L. LeinbachMr. David LeimanMrs. Shirley F. LevyMr. & Mrs. Lino LiberatoreMrs. Virginia LongoMr. William Lough & Ms. Barbara PinaireMr. & Mrs. George Mann

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

PALM BEACH OPERA 57

Mr. & Mrs. John J. McDonaldMr. & Mrs. Fred MenowitzMrs. Sheila MondryMs. Anka PalitzMrs. Cynthia PappasMr. & Mrs. Samuel S. PolkMrs. Victoria PreussMrs. Sondra Radvanovsky & Mr. Duncan LearMr. Michael RamosMr. & Mrs. Bruce RileyMr. & Mrs. Irwin RobinsonMr. Russell RobinsonMr. Mark S. RosenMr. Vincent Ruisi & Mr. Shawn CherryMrs. Mary RumyMr. & Mrs. Howard RuskinMr. & Mrs. S. Lyon SachsDr. & Mrs. Charles SaundersMs. Barbara C. Sidell, Esq.Mr. & Mrs. Ira SmithAimee & Ozzie StewartMrs. Ruth SummersMr. Eugene UngarMr. & Mrs. James WalkerMr. & Mrs. Andrew WatsonMr. & Mrs. Morton WeberMs, Crystal WhiteDr. & Mrs. Jeffrey WolffDrs. Melisande J. Wolff-Mankevich &

Claudio Mankevich

SUPPORTER($500 - $999)AnonymousMr. Irving AntonMr. Philip BathgateMr. & Mrs. V.J. & Diedad BenincasaMr. Jason CallMrs. Polly U. ChampMrs. Mary Cirillo-GoldbergDr. Carmel CohenMr. Fred CorradoDr. & Mrs. Charles DaleMr. David DerrMr. Dominick DiBonaMrs. Vally FlintMr. & Mrs. John D. GeberthMs. Rona GoldsteinDr. Mari G. Jureit-Beamish & Mr. William BeamishDr. & Mrs. Eugene KalnitskyMr. Eugene KellyMr. Sol D. KuglerMs. Isabelle R. LeedsHannah, Barbara, & Eric MalkinMs. Marjorie J. MarksMs. Anita MeltzerMr. Randolph MichenerMr. Richard NadeauMr. Gregory L. Richter Dr. Richard J. & Mrs. Maureen W. SaabMr. & Mrs. Ralph SaltzmanMr. & Mrs. Robert SchneiderMr. Arnold SchulbergMs. Lora SchwabMrs. Susan SchwartzMs. Jean SharfMr. & Mrs. Alfredo SianiMr. & Mrs. Mark SmithMr. & Mrs. David Spokely

Mr. & Mrs. Rudolf StalderMs. Elizabeth StarrMrs. Gail TheodoracopulosMr. & Mrs. Jerome TrautscholdMr. Lawrence UhlickMr. & Mrs. Roger YaseenMr. Christian C. YegenMr. Martin Zubatkin

CONTRIBUTOR($250 - $499)Mrs. Patricia BatesMr. John BeatonMrs. Ingrid Blau-MeeganMr. Hartman BlanchardMrs. Patricia BradfordMr. Murray BrennerDr. & Mrs. Robert BurgerMr. Richard CardozoMr. Anthony F. CassaDr. & Mrs. Edgar CovarrubiasMrs. Joan DentonMr. William DeskinMs. Violet DiGioiaMrs. Margaret DonnelleyMs. Catherine G. EdgarMr. & Mrs. Mark EisenbergMr. & Mrs. Joseph P. FlanaganMr. & Mrs. Richard H. FosterMr. Andrew FotiMr. & Mrs. Ralph & Audrey FriednerMr. Joseph FriesMrs. Joan GaliardoDr. & Mrs. Stanley GinsbergDr. & Mrs. Martin GreenbergMr. Joseph GuidettiMr. James GustafsonMs. Jeanne GutkinMr. Taylor HagoodMr. Marvin Hartstein Peter & Barbara HillebandMr. & Mrs. Gerald KraskerMs. Phoebe KurtzMr. & Mrs. David LagnadoMr. Edward Levitt & Ms. Ellen LivingstonMs. Miriam LieffMrs. Rhoda Malamut & Mr. Marvin GoldsteinMr. Michael W. MattinglyMr. David MoscowAlice and Allan MostoffMs. Loretta NeffMrs. Heidi NiblackMr. & Mrs. Sidney PackerMrs. John PaysonMr. Louis PerrettaMr. & Mrs. William J. PittlerDr. Henry RabinowitzStanley & Helenan RobinMr. & Mrs. Murray SchneiderMr. Charles SchwartzMr. & Mrs. Frank SeussMr. & Mrs. David T. SullivanMr. Richard Viens & Mrs. Patricia WerhahnDr. Andrew Lloyd Von GeltMr. Robert WeismanDr. Joan Perry Wilcox

*In memoriam

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

PALM BEACH OPERA 58

In honor of Lee Ann & Jeffrey AldertonMr. & Mrs. Randell DoaneMr. & Mrs. Edward KeanMr. & Mrs. Louis Nicozisis

In honor of Mrs. Gladys BenensonMrs. Helen Sweig

In honor of Daniel BiaggiMr. James LongMrs. Hermé de Wyman Miro

In honor of Paul CsonkaAriane, Ariana, and Johannes Csonka-ComstockDmitri Nabokov

In honor of Mrs. Estelle FasslerMs. Anita EliasMrs. Betty SteinbergMrs. Bernice Weinrib

In honor of Joan & David GenserMr. & Mrs. Theodore BaumMr. & Mrs. Peter BrownMs. Reva GraceMr. & Mrs. James HerscotMr. and Mrs. David HerwitzMr. Alan HorwitzMr. & Mrs. Charles MooneyMs. Barbara SidellMr. & Mrs. Ira SmithMs. Elizabeth StarrMs. Lillian Vineberg

In honor of Allan & Mickey GreenblattDr. Philip Barenfeld & Ms. Barbara HulnickMs. Alice GrossMr. & Mrs. Fred MenowitzMr. & Mrs. Herbert MorrisonMr. & Mrs. Irwin Robinson

In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Matthew GreenblattMs. Diane Kauffman

In honor of Jeanne GutkinMs. Danielle Cameron

In honor of Mr. & Mrs. Peter HoffmanMr. & Mrs. Herbert P. Gray

In honor of Ms. Judith KauffmanMs. Nancy Edman Feldman & Mr. Mike ChefetzMrs. Jo Ann Nyquist

In honor of Jerry & Judith KaufmanMrs. Susan PortnoyMs. Marcia Robinson

In honor of Drs. Marsha & Henry LauferMr. Howard KaplanDr. Mark Staitman

In honor of Dr. Frayda LindemannMr. & Mrs. Allen S. Wyett

In honor of Mrs. Elayne MordesDr. & Mrs. Robert Burger

In honor of Mrs. Ari RifkinDr. & Mrs. Louis M. Rogow

In honor of Toni & Martin SosnoffMr. Christopher Kellogg

In honor of Mr. David WalkerMrs. Hermé De Wyman Miro

In honor of David Walker & Ralph RaweMs. Lillian Tamayo & Ms. Eileen Diamond

In honor of Kelly WeaverMs. Barbara Sidell

Donations from 01/01/2018 to 11/20/2019

IN HONOR OF

PALM BEACH OPERA 59

Donations from 01/01/2018 to 11/20/2019

In memory of Mr. Edward H. BenensonMrs. Gladys Benenson

In memory of Herbert & Edythe F. BenjaminMr. & Mrs. Peter Hoffman

In memory of Ted ChichakMr. Russell Robinson

In memory of Jessica Marulli CridleMs. Sylvia Chilli

In memory of Mrs. Virginia FureyGerrie AurreCamille BabusikKaty DiGioiaTess LindsayKaren Reinhart

In memory of Mr. Eugene IsenbergMrs. Ronnie Isenberg

In memory of Mr. Claude JacqueminThe Jacquemin Family Foundation

In memory of Dr. David I. KosowskyMrs. Ingrid Kosowsky

In memory of Robert KurtzMs. Phoebe Kurtz

In memory of Sarah A. MerrillMs. Galina Kogan

In memory of Harriet Gould MertzThe Harriet Mertz Trust

In memory of Dmitri NabokovMs. Ariana Csonka-Comstock

In memory of Mary O’Boyle ConnorMr. & Mrs. John Connor

In memory of Muriel A. ShapiroMs. Leslie AdamsMs. Pamela MetzgerMr. Martin Zubatkin

In memory of Mr. David TaubMrs. Linda Taub

In memory of Marshal WilcoxDr. Joan Perry Wilcox

In memory of Mr. Jan WinklerMs. Hermine Drezner

In memory of Gladys and Sy ZivThe Gladys and Sy Ziv Foundation

IN MEMORY OF

IN MEMORY OF

Palm Beach Opera greatly appreciates all donations made to the Benenson Young Artist Program in memory of Gladys Benenson.

All contributions made as of November 19, 2019

ABS Partners Real Estate* Albert Behler & Robin Kramer

Mark Ettenger & Jacqueline Cutler* Ess & Vee Acoustical Contractors

Albert & Myra Fleischman* Fleishman, Schulof & Schreiber

Robin GrayKerry HuffmanJane JohnstonAmy Karpel

Audrey M. LarmanSteven and Barbara Leader

Vicki LiebermanLisa Quattrocchi *

Robert Safron*SBA Plumbing Corp.

Gregg Schenker*

*contributions $1,000 and above

PALM BEACH OPERA 60

Palm Beach Opera is sincerely thankful to the following corporations, foundations, and government entities whose donations support live world-class opera, as well as educational and community engagement programs, that enrich and meaningfully impact our community.

The Edward H. Benenson Foundation

PRESTO ($100,000+)

VIVACE ($25,000 – $99,999)

Daft Family FoundationThe Gladys and Sy Ziv Foundation

VELOCE ($10,000 – $24,999)

Alvin and Louise Myerberg Foundation

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

PALM BEACH OPERA 62

ALLEGRO ($7,500 – $9,999)

Signature sponsorship opportunities and custom packages are available to Corporate Partners who choose to designate their funds for a specific opportunity

that involves the entire season, a single performance within the season, or a specific program such as Education and Community Engagement. For more information,

please contact Alexandra Richter at 561.835.7576 or arichter@pbopera.org.

LARGO (UP TO $2,499)

Mae Cadwell Rovensky FoundationLawrence and Marjorie Stoll FoundationThe Scout Guide Palm Beach

ADAGIO ($2,500 – $4,999)

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

ANDANTE ($5,000 – $7,499)

GE FoundationThe Ruth Nelson Kraft Foundation

PALM BEACH OPERA 63

DAVID WALKERGeneral Director

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Alexandra RichterIndividual Giving & Grants Manager

Rick ZulloMarketing & Advertising Manager

Adina AntonucciMarketing & PR Manager

James ClementsEducation & Community Engagement Manager

Jennifer IsolaAudience Services Manager

Stacey MartilottaDevelopment Operations Coordinator

Abbey WardEducation & Community Engagement Associate

Lylliette BorrajeroAudience Services Associate

Ann BaskindGuild & Patron Relations Liaison

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIONJoe CremonaDirector of Finance & Administration

Stephanie TroughtonOffice Manager

ARTISTIC & PRODUCTIONJames BarbatoDirector of Artistic Administration

Jeff BruckerhoffDirector of Production & Facilities

Sarah SchultzArtistic Coordinator

Julia FisherArtistic & Production Assistant

David SternChief Conductor

Greg RitcheyAssociate Conductor and Chorus Master

PALM BEACH OPERA STAFF

PALM BEACH OPERA 64

Palm Beach Opera thanks the following donors who, through their foresight and generosity, have included the Opera in their wills or estate plans. You are invited to join other opera lovers by leaving a legacy gift to Palm Beach Opera. Named for the mythological poet who charmed the gods with his music, the Orpheus Legacy Society recognizes those forward thinking individuals.

MEMBERS

Dr. & Mrs. Hans D. BaumannMr. Norman Burwen*Mr. Richard Crone & Mr. Andre ManziMrs. Charlotte Kimelman*Dr. & Mrs. David I. KosowskyMr. Nathan LeventhalDr. & Mrs. Michael* and Virginia LongoMrs. Chris MardenMrs. Mary M. Montgomery

Mrs. Rose Marie MortonMr. & Mrs. Frank J. PannizzoMrs. Helen K. Persson*Mrs. Rose PriceMr. Conrad Schmitt & Mr. Andrew P. PaytiMrs. Marjorie ShieldsMr. & Mrs. Gladys and Sy Ziv*

*In Memoriam

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN?

The Orpheus Legacy Society recognizes those individuals who are supporting Palm Beach Opera in their wills or estate plans. When you join, you make a lasting mark on your community.

To learn more about the Orpheus Legacy Society or to inform Palm Beach Opera of a planned gift you have already made, please contact Alexandra Richter at 561.835.7576 or arichter@pbopera.org.

“We consider our Opera the crown jewel of our local cultural endeavors. Cultural events, especially in hard times, are needed to uplift the human spirit. It reminds us of what has been, and what will come again. It gives us hope and joy.”

SIGRID AND HANS BAUMANN

Palm Beach Opera Orpheus Legacy Society Members

THE ORPHEUS LEGACY SOCIETY

PALM BEACH OPERA 65

I would like to make my gift in honor of or in memory of:

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING PALM BEACH OPERA

NAME

ADDRESS

PRIMARY PHONE

EMAIL

SECONDARY PHONE

CITY STATE ZIP

We will reach out to you for the appropriate mailing address to notify the individual(s) and/or their families above of your honor/memorial gift. Thank you for sharing your love of opera!A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION (#CH1153) AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, 1-800-435-7352. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Check enclosed for $

Visa MasterCard AmEx

Card #

Exp. Date

Signature

Palm Beach Opera is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation and all gifts made to the Opera are tax-deductible to the extent provided by state and federal law. 100% of such gifts are retained by the Opera to support its operations.

Please mail form to 1800 S. Australian Avenue, Suite 301, West Palm Beach, FL 33409

Every gift to Palm Beach Opera is instrumental to producing world class live opera in our community, and to enriching the lives of thousands of adults and children through our education and community engagement programs.

Join our STAR CIRCLE or BENEFACTOR SOCIETY today, and experience the impact that your support has on our community. You will also enjoy the benefits of recognition, membership, ticket concierge service, parking privileges, premium access, and more.

For more information, please contact Alexandra Richter, Individual Giving Manager, at 561.835.7576 or arichter@pbopera.org, or visit our website.

WHY I SUPPORT PALM BEACH OPERA“We support the Palm Beach Opera because it is a community gem. Not only are the performances superb, but it reaches out to schools,

special needs children and the community at large in order to bring performances to those who otherwise may never be exposed to opera.”

CHARLES AND SHEILA SAUNDERSPalm Beach Opera Patrons

JOIN THE PALM BEACH OPERA FAMILY

PALM BEACH OPERA 66