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Jake Heggie is the American
composer of the operas Moby-Dick, Dead Man Walking, Three
Decembers, The End of the Affair and To Hell and Back,
as well as the stage works For a Look or a Touch and
At the Statue of Venus. He has also composed more
than 200 songs, as well as concerti, chamber music,
choral and orchestral works. His songs, song cycles
and operas are championed internationally by many
of the most celebrated singers of our time, including
Isabel Bayrakdarian, Joyce Castle, Stephen Costello,
Joyce DiDonato, Susan Graham, Ben Heppner, Kristine
Jepson, Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Robert Orth,
Kiri Te Kanawa, Morgan Smith, Frederica von Stade,
and Bryn Terfel, to name a few. The operas – most of
them created with the distinguished writers Terrence
McNally and Gene Scheer – have been produced
internationally on five continents. Since its San Francisco
premiere in 2000, Dead Man Walking has received
more than 150 international performances. Moby-Dick,
which recently received its 2010 world premiere in
Dallas, was commissioned by The Dallas Opera with
San Francisco Opera, San Diego Opera, State Opera of South Australia and Calgary Opera. Upcoming
projects include songs commissioned by Carnegie Hall,
The Dallas Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and San
Francisco Performances, as well as “Ahab” Symphony,
commissioned by University of North Texas at Denton,
where Heggie was guest artist-in-residence during the
2010/11 academic year. His most recent recording of
songs and duets, PASSING BY: Songs by Jake Heggie, is
available on Avie.
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Gene Scheer has collaborated
with the composer Jake Heggie
on a number of different projects,
including the critically acclaimed 2010 Dallas Opera
world premiere, Moby-Dick, starring Ben Heppner
as Captain Ahab; Three Decembers (Houston Grand
Opera), which starred Frederica von Stade; and the
lyric drama To Hell and Back (Philharmonia Baroque
Orchestra), which featured Patti LuPone. Other works by Scheer and Heggie include a number of song
cycles as well as For a Look or a Touch, a 45-minute
lyric drama written for baritone, actor, and chamber
ensemble. Mr. Scheer worked as librettist with Tobias
Picker on An American Tragedy, which premiered at
the Metropolitan Opera in 2005. Their first opera,
Thérèse Raquin, written for The Dallas Opera in 2001,
was subsequently performed in Montreal (in a French
translation), in San Diego, and at the Linbury Theatre at
Covent Garden in London. Other recent collaborations
include the lyrics for Wynton Marsalis’s It Never Goes
Away, featured in Mr. Marsalis’s work Congo Square.
With the composer Steven Stucky, Mr. Scheer wrote
the oratorio August 4, 1964. The work was premiered
by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in 2008. Also a
composer in his own right, Mr. Scheer has written a
number of songs for singers such as Renée Fleming,
Sylvia McNair, Stephanie Blythe, Jennifer Larmore,
Denyce Graves, and Nathan Gunn. The distinguished
documentary filmmaker, Ken Burns, prominently
featured Mr. Scheer’s song “American Anthem” (as sung
by Norah Jones) in his Emmy Award-winning World
War II documentary for PBS, The War. Mr. Scheer is
currently at work with composer Jennifer Higdon on an
operatic adaptation of the national book award-winning
novel Cold Mountain for the Santa Fe Opera.
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Joseph Mechavich, Principal
Conductor and Music Director for
Kentucky Opera, is regarded as
a conductor of authority and warmth and known for
his thoughtful and idiomatic interpretations. Maestro
Mechavich has conducted productions for Deutsche
Opera Berlin, The Washington National Opera,
New York City Opera, Utah Opera, Dayton Opera,
Tulsa Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, and Opera
Birmingham among others. Engagements for the
2011-12 season include Carmen, Le nozze di Figaro,
and The Merry Widow for Kentucky Opera, Susannah for The Florentine Opera and Roméo et Juliette for
Florida Grand Opera. He last conducted Aida with
Calgary Opera in April 2011.
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Opera Credits Include: Moby-Dick (The Dallas Opera – premiere);
Dead Man Walking (NYC Opera,
Houston Grand Opera etc.); The End of the Affair (Houston – premiere, Seattle, Madison). Three
Decembers (Houston – premiere, San Francisco,
Chicago). To Cross the Face of the Moon, Librettist
and director (Houston Grand Opera – premiere).
Broadway credits include: The People in The Picture,
Thurgood also Kennedy Center; On Golden Pond also
Kennedy Center and tour; Wait until Dark; Master
Class, also Kennedy Center, National Tour, West End.
He is co-author, with David Richards, of the mystery
novels 1 Ragged Ridge Road, Face Down in the Park, El
Sudario and La Sangre del Sudario.
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Harry Frehner has designed more
than 40 productions for Calgary
Opera dating back to 1992. In the
past six years, five of these productions have been
nominated for Betty Mitchell Awards, of which, two
have won. Last year’s three world premieres: Before
Night Falls (Fort Worth Opera), Lillian Alling
(Vancouver Opera) and The Inventor here in Calgary
were all critical successes. He has lit productions
for Edmonton Opera, Arizona Opera, Opera Lyra,
Vancouver Opera, Opera Colorado, Utah Opera,
Opera Ontario, Manitoba Opera and Pacific Opera
Victoria. His work has been seen across the country at
such companies as The Banff Centre, Theatre Calgary,
Alberta Theatre Projects, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks,
Royal Winnipeg Ballet, The Stratford and Shaw
Festivals, Ballet BC and Neptune Theatre.
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Keturah Stickann has quickly established herself in the opera world as a critically acclaimed choreographer and exciting young director. Recent credits include directing Massenet’s Manon for Knoxville Opera, choreographing the world premiere of Leonard Foglia’s To Cross the Face of the Moon for Houston Grand Opera, which she recreated at Le Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and acting as revival choreographer for Richard Jones’ Hansel & Gretel at Portland Opera. Upcoming, she will continue to tour with Moby-Dick, direct La Traviata for Knoxville Opera, associate direct Michael Hampe’s Tannhäuser for Tokyo Nikikai Opera, and choreograph Orfeo ed Euridice for Arizona Opera.
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Justin Welsh is a former member
of the Canadian Opera Company
Ensemble where he performed Ari in the world
premiere of Swoon and in the mainstage productions of
Il barbiere di Siviglia (Fiorello), Otello (Herald), Madama
Butterfly (Yakuside) and Carmen (le Dancaïre). He
also performed Papageno in the COC Ensemble production of Die Zauberflöte. A recent Fellow at the
Tanglewood Institute, he sang Beethoven’s Mass in C with Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Messiah with
Regina Symphony Orchestra, Get Stuffed (Tapestry),
I Puritani (Opera in Concert) and Belcorein L’Elisir
d’Amore (Jeunesses Musicales). This is his debut with
Calgary Opera.
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Colin Ainsworth is recognized for
exceptional singing, impeccable
diction and a diverse range of repertoire. He has
performed around the world with the Royal Opera
House, Greek National Opera, Edmonton Opera,
Opera Atelier, Edinburgh Festival, Chicago Opera
Theatre, Pacific Opera, Glimmerglass Opera,
Vancouver Opera, and Manitoba Opera in roles
including Tonio (La Fille du Régiment), Tamino (Die
Zauberflöte), Tony (West Side Story) and Nadir (Les
Pêcheurs de Perles). He has also been featured on
seven CD recordings, one live opera DVD and
been twice nominated for a Dora Award and a
Juno. He was last with Calgary Opera for Lucia di
Lammermoor (2010).
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Robert Clark has been a recipient
of numerous awards including
a grant from the Winspear Fund, a Johann Strauss
Foundation scholarship for advanced studies in Austria,
recently received a grant from Enbridge Inc. for
advanced musical studies and is a former member of Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist Program. Recent
performances include L’enfant et les sortilèges (Calgary
Opera), Beatrice and Benedict (Calgary Opera),
Cinderella (Calgary Opera) and The Barber of Barrhead (Calgary Opera and Edmonton Opera). He was
recently seen in Edmonton Opera’s Pagliacci as Beppe
and will appear there later this season in Fidelio as
Jaquino. He was last with Calgary Opera for Lucia di
Lammermoor (2010).
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Brett Polegato has earned the
highest praise from audiences
and critics alike. At the Inaugural Gala Concert for
the Canadian Opera Company’s new home, the
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, he “nearly stole the show with a strong and characterful
performance of Figaro’s cocky ‘Largo al factotum.’”
He has appeared on stages in 19 countries, including
Lincoln Center, La Scala, the Concertgebouw, Opéra
National de Paris, Glyndebourne Festival Opera,
Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera,Teatro Real, Roy Thomson Hall, Kennedy Center and
Carnegie Hall. He was last with Calgary Opera for Don
Giovanni (2010).
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Peter McGillivray, who joined the Metropolitan Opera roster for the first time in the 2010-2011 season,
won 1st Prize in the CBC Competition, Deuxieme Grand Prix and Chalmers Award at the Montreal
International Competition, and the Silver Medal at the Queen Sonja competition in Oslo, Norway. Recent
credits include Schaunard in La Bohème and Dolokhov/General Belliard in War & Peace (Canadian
Opera Company), Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus (Opera Hamilton), Messiah (National Arts Centre
Orchestra and Winnipeg Symphony), Raoul in The Shadow (Tapestry) and Carmina Burana (Brott
Festival). He was last with Calgary Opera for Manon (2009).
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Toronto native Lisa DiMaria has
been described by critics as a “focused, sweet lyric soprano” (La Scena Musicale).
She’s garnering the reputation as a singing actress for
her ability to play not only the sassy soubrette, but also
to express the languid lyric soprano repertoire. She
is already in demand for her versatility and passionate
artistry, and is on her way to joining the foremost
singers of her generation. This is her debut with Calgary Opera.
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Ben Heppner is recognized
worldwide as the finest dramatic
tenor before the public today. He excels in the most
challenging roles, from Wagner’s Tristan and Lohengrin to Verdi’s Otello and Berlioz’ Aeneas. He is acclaimed in
music capitals around the world for his beautiful voice,
intelligent musicianship and sparkling dramatic sense.
His performances on the opera stage, in concert with
the world’s leading orchestras, in the most prestigious
recital venues, and in recordings have set new
standards in his demanding repertoire.
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Tenor Michael Marino is a London
native who recently finished
a Masters in Performance and Literature at the
University of Western Ontario under the mentorship
of Baritone Theodore Baerg. Recent performances
include Rodolfo in La Bohème with Kitchener Opera
and Highlands Opera Studio, and Romeo in Roméo
et Juliette with Opera NUOVA. Other roles include
Davey Palmer (Siren Song) and the Mosquito/
Schoolmaster (The Cunning Little Vixen) with The Banff
Centre and Rinuccio (Gianni Schicchi) with Opera
NUOVA. Mr. Marino also performed the roles of
Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni) and Sam Kaplan (Street
Scene) while studying at UWO. He is a member of the
2011/12 Emerging Artist ensemble.
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Tenor Frédéric Beaudoin graduated with a Bachelor’s degree of music
from the Faculty of Music at Université Laval in Québec
City. His previous roles include Fenton in Verdi’s
Falstaff (Opera NUOVA), Rinuccio in Puccini’s Gianni
Schicchi, Ferrando in Mozart’s Cosí fan tutte and Pane
in Cavalli’s La Calisto (FaMUL). He also performed as a
soloist in Mozart’s Requiem and in Händel’s Coronation
Anthems (FaMUL). In June 2011, he performed the
role of the Prince in Opera NUOVA’s production of
Dvorak’s Rusalka, and in September, he performed in Highlands Opera Studio’s production of Verdi’s Falstaff,
this time as Doctor Caius. He is a member of the
2011/12 Emerging Artist ensemble.
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Hailing from Mississauga, Ontario,
Canadian Baritone Clarence Frazer
has wowed audiences from Edmonton to London to
Florida and the Adriatic coast of Italy. This past year Mr.
Frazer finished his musical studies at the University of
Western Ontario under the mentorship of Canadian
Baritone Theodore Baerg. Recent operatic credits
include: Dandini in La Cenerentola (Opera NUOVA),
Masetto in Don Giovanni (Concert Opera Group),
Don Giovanni in Don Giovanni (COSI), and Falstaff
in Verdi’s Falstaff (Opera NUOVA). Recent concert
credits include: Bass Soloist in Bach’s Cantata 205
Der zufriedengestellte Aeolus with Maestro Timothy
Vernon and Orchestra London. He is a member of the
2011/12 Emerging Artist ensemble.
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Mark Ellis Gough is a Lyric Baritone
from the small town of Mount
Brydges, Ontario. His teachers have included Torin
Chiles, Theodore Baerg, and Todd Wieczorek and
he received his Bachelor of Musical Arts and an Artist
Diploma from the University of Western Ontario.
Mr. Gough made his European debut in the summer
of 2009 as Calchas in La Belle Héllène. Most recently
he completed a touring production of Anne Hodges’
adaptation of Hansel and Gretel in the Ottawa area
and performed Conte Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro in
the inaugural season of the Academia Europea
Dell’Opera. He is a member of the 2011/12 Emerging
Artist ensemble.
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Baritone Benjamin Covey is one of
the most dynamic young singer actors
in Canada, recognized by the Metropolitan
Opera Competition in 2007 with an Encouragement
Award. An Alumni of Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist
Development Program, Mr. Covey debuted as Morales/
Dancaire (Carmen) with Manitoba Opera, and was
the only Canadian singer invited to San Francisco’s
prestigious Merola Opera Program in 2010, where
he sang Belcore in L’Elisir d’Amore. 2010/11 highlights
include Schaunard with Edmonton Opera (La Bohème),
Baron Dauphol in Vancouver Opera’s production of La Traviata, and Escamillo to Julie Nesrallah’s Carmen Unbound in Ottawa. He last performed in Faust (2008)
with Calgary Opera.
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Over the past 20 years, Donna
Sharpe has enjoyed a career
stage managing with both opera
and theatre. This is Ms. Sharpe’s tenth season with
Calgary Opera, and her selected credits include
Calgary Opera’s 2011/12 season, as well as assistant
stage managing Don Giovanni, Little Women, The Barber
of Seville, Ariadne auf Naxos, Faust, Tosca, Rigoletto, Frobisher, La Cenerentola, Dead Man Walking and Sweeney Todd. For the past three years she has also
stage managed with Green Mountain Opera Festival in
Vermont. Ms. Sharpe has been a stage management
instructor and continues to act as a stage management
mentor with emerging artist programs.
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Nicole Bergen works as a stage
manager and assistant stage manager
in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Recent
credits include The Marriage of Figaro (Saskatoon Opera), Aida, Lucia di Lammermoor, Manon, The Barber of Seville and Ariadne auf Naxos (Calgary Opera), Little Women, Turn of the Screw and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Banff
Centre), Mousetrap (Vertigo Mystery Theatre) and West
of the 3rd Meridian (Dancing Sky Theatre). She also reads
voraciously, loves chocolate, walks a lot, cooks from
scratch and volunteers occasionally as an ESL teacher.
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Favorite credits include: Stage
Manager: Jekyll & Hyde, Evelyn
Strange (Vertigo), Evil Dead the
Musical (GZT/Hit & Myth Productions), True Love Lies,
The Wizard of Oz, Suessical the Musical, The Penelopiad
Toad of Toad Hall, Shakespeare’s Dog, The Merry
Adventures of Robin Hood, Unity (1918), The Drowning
Girls, Oliver Twist (ATP), Princess of the Stars (Patria
Opera), Cosí fan tutte, La Tragedie de Carmen, Dido& Aeneas (Banff Centre) Little Mercy’s First Murder
(GZT), Bat Boy the Musical (Mob Hit Productions). As
ASM: The Full Monty, Urinetown the Musical (GZT/Hit& Myth) and multiple seasons as ASM at ATP, Calgary
Opera and The Banff Centre.
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Kari Jones graduated from the
University of Lethbridge where
she received a BFA in Dramatic
Arts – Tech & Design. Ms. Jones’ primary interest lies
within stage management so she couldn’t be happier
be back working with Calgary Opera. Some previous
stage management credits include: Calgary Opera’s
The Inventor (Apprentice Stage Manger), The Brothers
Grimm; New West Theatre’s GLITZ; Broadway West’s Toxic Avenger; University of Lethbridge’s Hair, Arcadia,
Age of Arousal, Into the Woods; SummerWorks Toronto
Festival’s under the parrot/over tennessee.
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