Choral opera tells story of unofficial Christmas truce of WWI when soldiers entered no-man’s land to celebrate the holidays
Family-friendly production told through Christmas carols, patriotic songs, and letters from soldiers
The December 8 performance will air live on KPBS TV at 7 PM
A co-production with Bodhi Tree Concerts and SACRA/PROFANA
San Diego Opera is proud to join Bodhi Tree Concerts and SACRA/PROFANA to present the choral opera All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 at the Balboa Theatre. All Is Calm has three performances only, December 7, 8, and 9, 2018. This family-friendly acapella opera tells the story of the Christmas truce of 1914, when soldiers from France, the United Kingdoms, and Germany ventured from their trenches into no-man’s land to share food and exchange gifts on or around the Christmas holiday. The break in the fighting allowed the sides to bury their dead, and games of soccer were played between the soldiers. Most interactions ended with the singing of Christmas carols and fighting resumed the next day, continuing for nearly four years.
Created by Theater Latté Da’s artistic director, Peter Rothstein, with musical arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach, All Is Calm is a retelling of firsthand accounts of this truce and uses Christmas carols, patriotic tunes, trench songs, and spoken text from the letters of soldiers. Told through the unparalleled medium of the human voice, All Is Calm explores the universal desire for humanity, peace, and comradery, and how we can come together as one despite our profound differences.
The ensemble cast of male voices include tenors Jon Keenan, Chad Frisque, Alexis Alfaro, Timothy Simpson, Bernardo Bermudez, Daniel Moyer, Victor Morris; baritones Michael Sokol, Anthony Whitson-Martini, Andrew Konopak, Jonathan Nussman, Matthew Fallesen; and basses Shelby Condray, Joshua Arky, Walter DuMelle, and Christopher Stevens. SACRA/PROFANA Artistic Director Juan Carlos Acosta conducts the performances and Alan E. Hicks, the new Director of Opera Theatre, a jointly held position between San Diego State University and San Diego Opera, will make his Company directing debut with these performances. Strengthening the relationship between SDSU and San Diego Opera, the Company has hired costume designer Denitsa Bliznakova to design the costumes and lighting designer Anne E. McMills to light the proceedings. Denitsa is a professor at the School of Theatre, TV and Film at SDSU and is the Head of the M.F.A. Design and Technology. Anne is the Head of Lighting Design at SDSU. San Diego Opera’s Tim Wallace is the set designer. The dialect coach is Vanessa Dinning.
All Is Calm will be broadcast live on KPBS2 on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 7 PM. KPBS 2 (15.2, Cox 811, Spectrum 1277). After the live broadcast, viewers will be able to watch All Is Calm online at www.kpbs.org.
These are first performances of All Is Calm presented by San Diego Opera but the Company has been a co-producer for two previous productions of the work led by Bodhi Tree Concerts and SACRA/PROFANA, in 2017 and 2016. This is a new production built and owned by San Diego Opera.
About Bodhi Tree Concerts
Now in its seventh season, Bodhi Tree Concerts performs random acts of kindness by presenting music events, donating 100 percent of its profits to charitable causes. The group hires exclusively local artists, to inspire community engagement, philanthropy, and enlightenment through music. The organization has already presented more than 30 concerts and donated more than $25,000 to over 30 charitable organizations including Mama’s Kitchen, Voices for Children, Erase Poverty, and Foundation for Women, just to name a few. Bodhi Tree Concerts won a coveted San Diego Bravo Award in 2013, a Best of Fringe Award in 2014, a Best of 2014 and 2015 from SanDiegoStory.com, a Critics Choice Award in 2015 for its SD Premiere of “Tears of the Knife,” and most recently a Best of Fest and Best Male Performer in an Opera or Musical: San Diego International Fringe Festival and a Craig Noel Award for Best Special Event for the San Diego premiere of “8 Songs for a Mad King.”
About SACRA/PROFANA
SACRA/PROFANA strives to awaken and nurture enthusiasm for the choral art through vibrant performances and focused education outreach. SACRA/PROFANA has accomplished remarkable things in just 10 years including numerous world and U.S. premieres and collaborations with leading regional arts organizations: San Diego Symphony, Art of Elan, San Diego Opera, California Ballet, and many more. SACRA/PROFANA also has performed with many artists of worldwide renown, including the legendary Irish band the Chieftains, producer Carlton Cuse (of ABC’s hit show Lost), composer Michael Giacchino (Star Trek), and composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz in the development of Disney Theatrical’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame at La Jolla Playhouse. After a successful first nine years, we are poised for a strong and notable 10th Anniversary Season.
Production support for All Is Calm is provided by Sigrid Pate.
Select Creative Team Bios
Juan Carlos Acosta, Conductor
Juan Carlos Acosta made his solo debut as a tenor with the company as Parpignol in La Boheme in 2005 and has been involved in nearly a dozen productions with the company over the last fifteen years. In addition to conducting two previous productions of All Is Calm, maestro Acosta has also recently conducted Amahl and the Night Visitors, Brahms Requiem, Bach’s Magnificatand Wachet Auf, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Respighi’s Lauda per La Natividad, Handel’s Messiah, and selections from Orff’s Carmina Burana. As Artistic Director of SACRA/PROFANA, Juan Carlos has been recognized nationally for his programming, and has received critical acclaim for performances of contemporary composers. Acosta has prepared the group for notable performances with Art of Élan and the San Diego Symphony, including the world premiere of “Star Trek: Beyond” with a score by Michael Giacchino. Juan Carlos serves as Director of Music Ministries at the Village Presbyterian Church in Rancho Santa Fe.
Alan E. Hicks, Director
San Diego Opera directing debut. American stage director Alan E. Hicks is the first Director of Opera Theatre, a year-round shared position between San Diego Opera and San Diego State University. He has spent the past two decades in professional opera and theatre, first as a singer, then a teacher, finally turning his attention to stage direction. He has directed productions for organizations throughout the United States and in Europe including Minnesota Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Tulsa Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, Miami Music Festival, Green Mountain Opera Festival, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Franco-American Vocal Academy in Salzburg, Shenandoah Conservatory, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Iowa. Alan has also served on the directing and production staffs of Central City Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Michigan Opera Theatre, New York City Opera, Seattle Opera, and Tulsa Opera. In 2013, he was appointed Director of the Emerging Artist Program at Green Mountain Opera Festival, a position he held until the company’s closing in 2015. Recent engagements include Ariadne auf Naxos for Minnesota Opera, The Elixir of Love for Opera Santa Barbara, Albert Herring and The Magic Flute for Shenandoah University, and Albert Herringand The turn of the screw for the Miami Music Festival. In addition to his work with such venerable operatic performers as Renée Fleming, Stephanie Blythe, Silvia McNair, Spiro Malas, Greer Grimsley, and Thomas Hampson as well as rising stars Lawrence Brownlee, Erin Morley, Kate Lindsey, Brian Jagde, Amber Wagner, and Nadine Sierra, Alan has assisted renowned opera directors Chris Alexander, Linda Brovsky, Peter Kazaras as well as Broadway veterans Susan Strohman and Sam Buntrock. A native of Mississippi, Alan holds degrees in Education, Vocal Performance, and Opera Directing from Mississippi State University, Rice University, and The University of Texas at Austin (respectively). Alan is a member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA).
Tim Wallace, Scenic Designer
Tim Wallace is a scenic artist, theatrical environment, and concert tour designer. He started with San Diego Opera in 1990 working for one of the last master scenic artists, Davis West, learning traditional ways of scenery design and painting. He started his scenic career as a shop person and became the Charge Scenic Artist in 2011. He has worked on many productions seen on stage for the San Diego Opera. Tim started his design career with the local rock band Rocket From the Crypt in 1995 doing their stage backdrops and scenery. His work has been seen on stages around the world. He has designed for local theater companies as well, most notably at New Village Arts where he served as resident designer from 2009-2012. Highlights from his career have been Seven Year Itch at New Village Arts working with his (director) wife, art direction for a Rocket From the Crypt music video, interior design for play structures at KidVentures and designing the Jungle Tour set for Drake which was seen around the world. His most recent design work was for the Glenner Centers Town Square; an immersive replica of a city built in a warehouse set in the style of the late 50’s to help patients suffering from Alzheimer’s. This project has been featured in periodicals world-wide and is the subject of a documentary film currently in production. This is the first production he has designed for San Diego Opera. Tim is a member of IATSE Local 800 Art Directors Guild.
Denitsa Bliznakova, Costume Designer
Bulgarian born costume designer Denitsa Bliznakova is happy to return to San Diego Opera, where she previously designed the costumes for Murder in the Cathedral. Her academic background includes a BFA in Fashion Design at the Parsons School of Design in Paris and New York and an MFA in Theatre from Brandeis University. She is currently a full professor at in the School of Theatre, TV and Film at SDSU and is the Head of the M.F.A. Design and Technology program there. Her costume design work has been seen nation-wide at venues such as: Los Angeles Opera, Mark Taper Forum, Old Globe Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, South Coast Rep, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, San Jose Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, A Noise Within, Falcon Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, and Williamstown Theatre Festival, among others. Costume design and stylist credits for other media include various music videos, short and full length films. Ms. Bliznakova has received nominations for Outstanding Costume Design: LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award and Colorado Theatre Guild Henry Award. Denitsa is a member of United Scenic Artists local 829 Union, United States Institute for Theatre Technology and Costume Society of America. Her work may be viewed atwww.Denitsa.com.
Anne E. McMills, Lighting Designer
San Diego Opera debut. Anne E. McMills’ career extends across the many facets of the lighting world—from theatre (including Broadway and the West End) to television and theme parks to architectural lighting, industrials, concerts, cruise ships, award shows, dance, and opera. In addition to designing her own work, Anne has assisted many Tony award-winning Broadway designers, mounting productions in the United States, Japan, Australia, England, Scotland, France, and Germany. Anne achieved her MFA degree in Lighting Design from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. During her time there she worked at the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden and the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith in London, England, as well as the Opéra de Lyon in Lyon, France while working on her thesis. Anne is a proud member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829 and the author of The Assistant Lighting Designer’s Toolkit and 3D Printing Basics for Entertainment Design. She is also the Head of Lighting Design at San Diego State University. For further information, visit www.annemcmillslighting.com.
Vanessa Dinning, Dialect Coach
English-born and professionally trained as an actor and a voice/dialect specialist at renowned theatre conservatories in London, Vanessa enjoys a varied career as an actor, dialect coach and director. In the UK, she worked at The Royal National Theatre, Belgrade Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe and others. In San Diego recent dialect coaching credits include: Hay Fever, The Vortex, My Fair Lady, When The Rain Stops Falling (Cygnet), My Fair Lady, Shrek, Titanic, The Little Mermaid, Newsies (Moonlight Stage Productions), All Is Calm (Bodhi Tree Concerts), The Importance of Being Earnest (also director), The 39 Steps, Sherlock Holmes’ Final Adventure, Roman Holiday, King Charles III, A Man of No Importance (CPH), Cabaret and My Fair Lady(The Welk Resort Theatre), Sleuth, Outside Mullingar (also actor) and Baskerville (SRT/OTC), Billy Elliot (San Diego Musical Theatre) and Once (also actor) (Lamb’s Players’ Theatre). Vanessa maintains a private studio teaching voice, dialect and singing.
Performance Schedule
Friday December 7, 2019 7 PM
Saturday December 8, 2018 7 PM
Sunday December 9, 2018 2 PM
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Purchasing Tickets
Subscriptions and single tickets to the 2018-2019 season are now on sale.
Single tickets start at $49 for all mainstage performances. Single tickets start at $35 for all dētour Series operas. Children prices exist, please visit www.sdopera.org or call 619.533.7000 for more information.
Senior citizen discounts of 15% are available to the Main Stage series on Tuesday and Friday subscription packages. Senior citizen discounts of 15% are available to the dētour Series on Saturday subscription packages.
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San Diego Opera 2018-2019 Season
The Marriage of Figaro Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart October 20, 23, 26, and 28 (mat), 2018
All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 Peter Rothstein December 7, 8, and 9 (mat), 2018
Rigoletto Giuseppe Verdi February 2, 5, 8, and 10 (mat), 2019
Three Decembers Jake Heggie March 8, 9, 10 (mat), 2019
Carmen Georges Bizet March 30, April 2, 5, and 7 (mat) 2019
One Amazing Night –Stephen Powell and Stephen Costello May 15, 2019
San Diego Opera Mission Statement
The mission of San Diego Opera is to deliver exceptional vocal performances and exciting, accessible programs to diverse audiences, focusing on community engagement and the transformative power of live performance.
San Diego Opera Vision Statement
San Diego Opera will be recognized internationally as a leading example of adaptability, innovation and sustainability in the operatic arts, promoting diversified programming and unique performance venues with world-class and emerging talent.
San Diego Opera Core Values Statement
Through excellence in innovative programming and education, SDO provides a lasting cultural service to the community.
- Our tradition of excellence in fully staged opera is augmented with new models of opera and venues. Our unique and deep commitment to the community propels us to explore ways of increasing affordability and accessibility.
- Through fiscal responsibility and nimble adaptation to the changing marketplace, we protect the future of San Diego Opera.
- Our educational and community involvement coupled with relevant programming will build the audience of the future.
Dirección artística: Maestro Pavel Getman
Baritone Stephen Powell makes triumphant return in title rol
Tenor Scott Quinn makes important Company debut as the Duke along with soprano Alisa Jordheim as Gilda
New production to San Diego Opera audiences
Giuseppe Verdi’s masterpiece, the tragic opera Rigoletto, continues the 2018-2019 season when it opens on Saturday, February 2, 2019 for four performances at the Civic Theatre. Additional performances are February 5, 8, and 10 (matinee), 2019. Making a triumphant return in the titular role of the hunchbacked court jester, is baritone Stephen Powell, who dazzled audiences in his most recent appearance as Giorgio Germont in 2017’s La traviata, earning accolades from critics and audiences alike. He is joined by tenor Scott Quinn as The Duke of Mantua and soprano Alisa Jordheim as Gilda, both in exciting Company debuts. Stalwart bass-baritone Scott Sikon sings Count Monterone, and contralto Alissa Anderson, last heard as Tisbe in 2016’s Cinderella, returns to sing Maddalena. Bass-baritone Kyle Albertson makes his house debut as Sparafucile. Rounding out the cast is bass Colin Ramsey as Marullo, tenor Humberto Borboa as Borsa, bass Shelby Condray as Count Ceprano, mezzo-soprano Eden Tremayne as Countess Ceprano, mezzo-soprano Sarah-Nicole Carter as Giovanna, and contralto Tzytle Steinman as the Page. Maestro Steven White will lead the orchestra in his Company debut and Michael Cavanagh, also in his Company debut, will stage the action. This production is new to San Diego Opera audiences. The sets were originally designed for Seattle Opera and are now owned by San Diego Opera. The costumes come from Opéra de Montréal. The set designer is Robert Dahlstrom and Anne-Catherine Simard-Deraspe is the lighting designer.
Performed in Italian with English translations above the stage, Verdi’s melodrama Rigoletto begins in the court of the lecherous Duke of Mantua who spends his time seducing the wives of courtiers. Rigoletto, the Duke’s court jester, is a mean-spirited and unscrupulous man and adds insult to injury by mocking these courtiers. Rigoletto has a daughter, Gilda, whom he lives for and loves dearly. After mocking Count Monterone, whose daughter has been a victim of the Duke, Monterone places a curse on Rigoletto and matters become even more intriguing when Rigolettto discovers the Duke has seduced Gilda, and he hires an assassin to kill his own master. As the curse on Rigoletto begins to unfold, he becomes helpless to protect the one thing in the world he loves and learns too late that it was he himself who put into motion the acts that result in his daughter’s murder. With the instantly recognizable aria “La donna è mobile” and “Caro nome”, Rigoletto is full of dramatic and familiar music.
Rigoletto was last performed by San Diego Opera in 2009. This will be the seventh time the opera has been performed by the Company with past performances in 2002, 1994, 1987, 1978, and 1968.
Rigoletto will have a radio broadcast on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 8 PM on KPBS radio, 89.5 FM (97.7 FM Calexico) and online at www.kpbs.org
Pre-production photos can be found online at: https://sandiegoopera.smugmug.com/San-Diego-Opera-2018-2019-PreProduction-Artwork/
The Cast
Stephen Powell, Rigoletto
American baritone Stephen Powell made his Company debut as Ping in Turandot in 1997 and was heard that same year as Felipe Núñez in the world premiere of The Conquistador and as Dancaire in Carmen. He returned as Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, Slim in Of Mice and Men, Clayton McAllister in Cold Sassy Tree, Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, Tonio in Pagliacci, a soloist in the Company’s 50th Anniversary Concert in 2015, and was last heard as Giorgio Germont in La traviata in 2017. Recent engagements include the title role of Falstaff with Virginia Opera, Giorgio Germont with Seattle Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Pittsburgh Opera, and Minneapolis Opera, the title role in Rigoletto with Lyric Opera Baltimore and Cincinnati Opera, Oliver Jordan in the World Premiere of Dinner at Eight for Minnesota Opera, Jochanaan in Salome for Minnesota Orchestra, the Count in The Marriage of Figaro for Michigan Opera Theatre, Rodrigo in Don Carlo with the Caramoor Festival and Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor with the Atlanta Opera and Los Angeles Opera. Other recent highlights include the title role ofSimon Boccanegra with Warsaw’s Ludwig van Beethoven Association, Carmina Burana with the Cleveland Orchestra, Peer Gynt with Leipzig’s MDR Sinfonieorchester, Mozart’s Requiemfor St. Louis Symphony, and Iago in Otello with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. He has been heard at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, L’Opéra de Montréal, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Florida Grand Opera, Utah Opera, Opera Cleveland, Florentine Opera, Arizona Opera, Kentucky Opera, and Portland Opera. An active concert recitalist he has been heard with the symphony orchestras of San Francisco, Atlanta, Houston, Milwaukee, Detroit, Nashville, Philadelphia, Dallas, Ottawa, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Rochester, Phoenix, Brooklyn, Rochester, North Carolina, Montréal, Zurich, as well as with the Handel and Haydn Society, among others.
Scott Quinn, Duke of Mantua
San Diego Opera debut. Notable appearances by tenor Scott Quinn include Rodolfo in La bohème for Utah Opera and Minnesota Opera, The Duke of Mantua for Lyric Opera of Kansas City and Atlanta Opera, Alfredo in La traviata with Austin Opera, Boris in Kátya Kabanová with Seattle Opera, Lenski in Eugene Onegin with the Northern Lights Music Festival, Pinkerton inMadama Butterfly for Palm Beach Opera, Don José in Carmen for Arizona Opera, and Alfredo in La traviata with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. He maintains a close association with Houston Grand Opera and recently returned to create the role of Villiers, Duke of Buckingham in the world premiere of Floyd’s Prince of Players where he has also appeared as Pirelli inSweeney Todd and Tamino in The Magic Flute. He is an alumnus of the prestigious Houston Grand Opera Studio where his performances included Rodolfo, Alfred in Die Fledermaus, Mr. Erlanson in A Little Night Music, the Sailor in Tristan und Isolde, Ruiz in Il trovatore, and the Royal Herald in Don Carlo. His other recent performances include Ferrando in Così fan tuttewith Fort Worth Opera and Pinkerton with Chautauqua Opera. He is also a former Artist in Residence of The Dallas Opera where his performances included Tybalt in Roméo and Juliette, Roderigo in Otello, Lord Cecil in Roberto Devereaux, and Normanno in Lucia di Lammermoor. He joined Shreveport Opera for Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd and The Living Opera (Richardson, Texas) for Martin in The Tender Land and Fredric in Pirates of Penzance. He has also sung performances of Rodolfo at the Northern Lights Music Festival. On the concert stage, he has sung Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle with the Arts District Chorale in Dallas; Handel’s Messiah at his alma mater, Stephen F. Austin State University, University Baptist Church (Clearlake, Texas), and Christ Episcopal Church (Tyler, Texas); Schubert’s Mass in G at Emmanuel Lutheran (Seguin, Texas); and Vaughn Williams’ Hodie in a return to University Baptist Church.
Alisa Jordheim, Gilda
San Diego Opera debut. Notable appearances for soprano Alisa Jordheim include Palm Beach Opera for Cunegonde in Candide, Paris Opera as 1st Knappe in Parsifal, Florentine Opera for Venus in Venus and Adonis, Belinda in Dido and Aeneas, and Lola in Aldridge’s Sister Carrie, Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Serpetta in La finta giardiniera with On Site Opera and Atlanta Opera, Yum Yum in The Mikado with DuPage Opera, Constance in Dialogues des Carmélites at the Caramoor International Music Festival, Marzelline in Fidelio with Madison Opera, Nannetta in Falstaff with Emerald City Opera, Micaëla in Carmen with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and Satirino in La Calisto with Cincinnati Opera, where she previously sang the Second Boy in The Magic Flute and the Page in Rigoletto. She returned to Florentine Opera as Lulu Baines in Aldridge’s Elmer Gantry after participating in the company’s studio, where she sang numerous mainstage roles with the company including Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring, Barbarina, and Frasquita in Carmen. She is a former participant in San Francisco Opera’s prestigious Merola Opera program, where she sang both Lucia in The Rape of Lucretia and Barbarina. With Central City Opera, she sang Flora in The Turn of the Screw, Ellen in Oklahoma!, Fredrika in A Little Night Music, and Sirena in Rinaldo and received both the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Young Artists Training Program Award and the Young Artist Award. Her concert performances include the title role in Gisle Kverndokk and Aksel-Otto Bull’s Letters from Ruth with the New York Opera Society at the National Gallery of Art, Mozart’s Requiem with Baltimore Symphony, Yum Yum with the Northwest Indiana Symphony, A Bernstein Banquet with the Southwestern Suburban Symphony, an all Rodgers & Hammerstein concert with the New Philharmonic, Brahms’s Ein deutsches Requiem with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, and Bach’s St. John Passion with Madison Bach Musicians.
Scott Sikon, Count Monterone
Since his San Diego Opera debut in 1991 as Superintendent Budd in Albert Herring, American bass-baritone Scott Sikon has sung more than twenty roles here including Schaunard in La bohème, Dikoi in Katya Kabanova, Steve Hubble in A Streetcar Named Desire, Montano in Otello, Curio in Julius Caesar in Egypt, the Second Philistine in Samson and Delilah, the First Journeyman in Wozzeck, Antonio in The Marriage of Figaro, Reinmar von Zweter in Tannhäuser, Sacristan in Tosca, Count Monterone in Rigoletto, The Bonze in Madama Butterfly, a Mandarin in Turandot, Wagner in Faust, Morales in Carmen, Nazarene in Salome, Fiorello in The Barber of Seville, a Corporal in The Daughter of the Regiment, Christian in A Masked Ball,Alcindro and Benoit in La bohème, a soloist in the 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert, Sacristano in Tosca, Marquis D’Obigny in La traviata, the Mandarin in Turandot, and Antonio inThe Marriage of Figaro. He has performed throughout the United States with Utah Opera, Arizona Opera, Houston Grand Opera, San Francisco Opera, New York City Opera, The Dallas Opera, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Cincinnati Opera and Cleveland Opera. His European debut was at the Vienna Volksoper in the premiere of The Number 11 Bus. An active concert artist, Sikon has performed with the Spoleto Festival USA, the San Antonio Symphony and the Arkansas Symphony.
Alissa Anderson, Maddalena
American contralto Alissa Anderson made her Company debut as Thisbe in 2016’s Cinderella. Recent engagements include Maddalena with Opera in the Heights, Carmen in The Tragedy of Carmen with Opera Birmingham, Frugola and La Principessa in Il Tabarro/Suor Angelica with Opera Delaware, Mother Goose in The Rake’s Progress with Utah Opera, holiday concerts with Arizona Opera in conjunction with the Phoenix Theatre, John Adams’ Grand Pianola Music with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass with Concordia University Symphony Orchestra, Princess/Zita in Suor Angelica/Gianni Schicchi with Opera Santa Barbara, Cleo in The Most Happy Fella with Tulsa Opera, Mistress Quickly in Falstaff with Opera in the Heights, Emilia in Otello with Opera Southwest, Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro with Opera Santa Barbara, and Lampito in Lysistrata with Fort Worth Opera. She has worked extensively with the Sarasota Opera performing the roles of Third Lady in The Magic Flute, Sandman in Hansel and Gretel, and Flora in La traviata. She has enjoyed a long relationship with Fort Worth Opera as both a resident and principal artist where she has performed the roles of Thisbe, Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor, and the Angel Trio in Angels in America.
Kyle Albertson, Sparafucile
San Diego Opera debut. Notable appearances by bass-baritone Kyle Albertson include Donner in Minnesota Opera’s Das Rheingold, Porthos in Les Trois Mousquetaires with Phoenicia Festival, JP Morgan in the world premiere of Tesla with SoBe Arts, DeGuiche in Cyrano with Opera Carolina, Sharpless in Madama Butterfly with New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Sam inTrouble in Tahiti with Opera Parallel at SFJazz, Lieutenant Horstmayer in Silent Night with Opera San José, Magnifico in Cinderella with El Paso Opera, DeGuiche with Michigan Opera Theatre, Sharpless at Northern Lights Music Festival, Bartolo in The Barber of Seville at Fort Worth Opera, Masetto in Don Giovanni with the Metropolitan Opera, Sacristan in Tosca with Houston Grand Opera, the Sergeant of Police in The Pirates of Penzance with Atlanta Opera, Zuniga in Carmen with The Dallas Opera, Lyndon B. Johnson in the workshop of David T. Little’s opera JFK with Fort Worth Opera, the title role of Sweeney Todd with Syracuse Opera, Rucker Lattimore in Cold Sassy Tree with Sugar Creek Opera Festival, and the roles of the Prison Warden in Dead Man Walking, Hobson in Peter Grimes, and the Duke in Roméo and Juliette with Des Moines Metro Opera. Other notable appearances include Lescaut in Manon Lescaut with Opera Grand Rapids, Count Monterone in Rigoletto with Austin Lyric Opera, Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Henry Kissinger in Nixon in China for Chicago Opera Theatre. As an Apprentice Artist at Santa Fe Opera for two seasons, he appeared in productions of The Tales of Hoffmann, La traviata, The Marriage of Figaro, Gluck’s Alceste, and the world première of Paul Moravec’s The Letter. Mr. Albertson is a graduate of the Resident Artist Program at Minnesota Opera. During his time there, he performed in A Masked Ball, L’italiana in Algeri, Roméo and Juliette, The Tales of Hoffmann, The Marriage of Figaro, La donna del lago, and Lakmé. He won Second Place in The Gerda Lissner Foundation International Vocal Competition, was a Finalist in the George London Foundation Competition, a Finalist in the Marcello Giordani Competition, a Finalist in the Liederkranz Competition, and a National Semi-Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
Colin Ramsey, Marullo
San Diego Opera debut. Notable engagements for bass Colin Ramsey include Guglielmo in Così fan tutte and Dr. Grenvil in La traviata for Opera San Jose, Le Comte des Griuex inManon for Opera Santa Barbara, The Speaker in The Magic Flute with the Pacific Symphony, and Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro with Norwalk Symphony. He has performed with many distinguished companies in the United States including the Seattle Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Austin Opera, Sarasota Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and The Los Angeles Philharmonic. His repertoire also includes Alidoro in La Cenerentola, Collatinus in The Rape of Lucretia, Seneca in L’incoronazione di Poppea, Mr. Kofner in The Consul,Il Frate in Don Carlo, Angelotti in Tosca, Giorgio in Nina, Cadmus and Somnus in Semele, Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Colline in La bohème, Basilio in The Barber of Seville, and Father Palmer in Silent Night. He has trained at numerous young artist programs including those of Des Moines Metro Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Sarasota Opera, Opera Santa Barbara and the Crested Butte Music Festival performing and understudying a number of roles and working with leading professionals in the classical field. He is a winner of the Pasadena Opera Guild Competition, 3rd Prize winner in the Rocky Mountain Region of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and an Encouragement Award winner in the George London Foundation Competition.
Humberto Borboa, Borsa
San Diego Opera debut. Tenor Humberto Borboa is originally from Mexicali, Mexico. He earned a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Arizona in May 2014 and a B.M. from Escuela Superior de Canto de Mazatlan in 2012. He is an Arizona District winner from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition and made his professional debut in 2009 with Sociedad Artística Sinaloense in Mexico, singing the solo tenor role in Carmina Burana. He has actively performed throughout Mexico, as well as appearances in Antigua, Guatemala, Austria, Chicago, Italy, and the Czech Republic. He recently appeared as Ferrando in Così fan tutte with Opera Theatre of the Rockies and with the Arapahoe Philharmonic as the tenor soloist in Mozart’s Requiem. Other notable roles include The Messenger in Aida with Opera Theatre of the Rockies, Tamino in The Magic Flute with Arapahoe Philharmonic/Avanti Opera, Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors with Lake County Orchestra, Misaeil in The Burning Fiery Furnace with Central City Opera, Spoletta in Tosca at Tulsa Opera, Remendado inCarmen with Boulder Symphony Orchestra, Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus, Tito in La Clemenza di Tito, and Alfredo in La traviata for U of A Opera Theatre, and Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor at La Musica Lirica.
Shelby Condray, Count Ceprano
Bass Shelby Condray will make his Company debut earlier this season as a member of the Ensemble for All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914. He has performed with Central City Opera, Music Academy of the West, and Yale School of Music. After a hiatus to pursue a master’s degree in theology, Shelby made his return to opera last season in Turandot with San Diego Opera, and as Angelotti in the Pacific Lyric Opera Association’s production of Tosca. He appeared in the chorus of The Marriage of Figaro in the season opener, and will sing in Carmen this season.
Eden Tremayne, Countess Ceprano
San Diego Opera debut. Canadian soprano Eden Tremayne has appeared with the San Diego Opera chorus in Turandot and The Marriage of Figaro and will appear later this season in the chorus of Carmen. She made her Bodhi Tree Concerts debut as Rowan in Benjamin Britten’s The Little Sweep. Prior to relocating to the US, she toured Eastern Canada over a six month period as part of Jeunesses Musicales du Canada’s Emerging Artists, performing the role of Violetta in La traviata. As a member of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program at Vancouver Opera she appeared as Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Countess Ceprano and the Page in Rigoletto, and as Lucinda in the Canadian premiere of Nico Muhly’s Dark Sisters. She additionally performed the role of Soprano in Tom Johnson’s The Four Note Opera. Other notable appearances include her Vancouver Symphony Orchestra debut singing the role of Lisa in a concert version of The Land of Smiles, Gianetta in The Elixir of Love, and Najade in Ariadne auf Naxos with Opera NUOVA, and Antonia in The Tales of Hoffmann, Mére Gerald in Dialogues des Carmélites, and Mary Warren in The Crucible with University of British Columbia Opera. She was twice the recipient of the Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in Vancouver.
Steven White, Conductor
San Diego Opera debut. American conductor Steven White has conducted the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the Moscow Philharmonic, the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony Orchestra, the Spoleto Festival Orchestra, the Colorado Symphony, the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Syracuse Symphony, the Charleston Symphony, the Florida Philharmonic, the Fort Worth Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and London’s Philharmonia Orchestra. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 2010, conducting performances of La traviata starring Angela Gheorghiu. Since then he has conducted a number of Metropolitan Opera performances of La traviata, with such stars as Natalie Dessay, Hei-Kyung Hong, Plácido Domingo, Thomas Hampson, Dmitri Hvorostovksy and Matthew Polenzani. In recent seasons he has returned to the Met to participate in The Rake’s Progress, Elektra, The Merry Widow, and The Marriage of Figaro. Notable recent engagements include Tosca,Rusalka, Eugene Onegin, Aida, Lucia di Lammermoor, The Merry Widow, Don Pasquale, and Don Giovanni with Arizona Opera, Romeo and Juliette and La bohème with Opera Birmingham, Così fan tutte, The Barber of Seville, and Rigoletto for Opera Omaha, The Marriage of Figaro and Street Scene for the Peabody Conservatory, Susannah for Opera Roanoke, Omaha Symphony Orchestra for Berlioz’ Symphonie fantastique and the Liszt E-flat Piano Concerto, featuring internationally hailed pianist Markus Groh, Madama Butterfly for Lyric Opera Baltimore, and La voix humaine and Pagliacci with Opera Columbus. His extensive operatic engagements have included La traviata, Don Giovanni, Carmen and La bohème at New York City Opera, Lucia di Lammermoor at L’Opéra de Montréal, Lucia di Lammermoor, The Daughter of the Regiment, and I puritani with Vancouver Opera, La traviata at Opera Colorado, The Elixir of Love with Pittsburgh Opera, Die Entführung aus dem Serail at Michigan Opera Theater, La traviata, Roméo and Juliette, I puritani, La sonnambula and L’assedio di Corinto with Baltimore Opera, Lucia di Lammermoor with New Orleans Opera, and La bohème, Carmen, Rigoletto, Tosca, and The Marriage of Figaro with the Naples Philharmonic. Other performances include Hänsel and Gretel at Kentucky Opera, Pagliacci and Tosca at Nashville Opera, Lucia di Lammermoor with Fort Worth Opera, Don Giovanni, The Tales of Hoffmann, Macbeth, andLucia di Lammermoor at Syracuse Opera, Werther at Sarasota Opera, Lucia di Lammermoor with Wichita Grand Opera, Madama Butterfly with North Carolina Opera, The Elixir of Love at Wolf Trap Opera, and La traviata at Indiana University Opera Theater. As former Artistic Director of Opera Roanoke, Maestro White conducted nearly all of that company’s productions from 1999 through 2010, including performances of Das Lied von der Erde, The Flying Dutchman, Fidelio, Falstaff, Otello, Macbeth, Aida, Hänsel and Gretel, and many others. He has also served as Principal Conductor for Opera Birmingham and as Associate Conductor and Chorus Master for Florida Grand Opera.
Michael Cavanagh, Director
San Diego Opera debut. Canadian stage director Michael Cavanagh notable credits include Lucia de Lammermoor, Svadba-Wedding, Susannah, and Nixon in China for San Francisco Opera, a production he also directed at Vancouver Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and, most recently, in Dublin, Ireland. Recent career highlights include a return to Minnesota Opera to directManon Lescaut, and Tosca at Austin Lyric Opera, and L’Italiana in Algeri with Calgary Opera. As the former artistic director of Edmonton Opera, he directed productions throughout his native Canada, including at Vancouver Opera, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Montreal Opera, Manitoba Opera, Calgary Opera, and Opera Hamilton. He has also directed many productions in the United States, including new productions and return engagements at Opera Philadelphia, Boston Lyric Opera, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Arizona Opera, Tulsa Opera, and many others. Cavanagh made his Covent Garden debut in 2006, directing a new chamber opera, The Midnight Court. He has developed and staged many new pieces, and he is in high demand as a dramaturg. As a librettist, Cavanagh has enjoyed critical and popular success with seven of his own operas. Additional highlights include a return to Lyric Opera of Kansas City for L’Italiana in Algeri, a new production of Carmen at Minnesota Opera, and a debut at the Royal Swedish Opera with Nixon in China.
Robert Dahlstrom, Set Designer
American set designer Robert A. Dahlstrom made his Company debut in 2007 with Boris Godunov, which he originally designed for Seattle Opera. He has enjoyed a long relationship with Seattle Opera including Don Giovanni, Ballad of Baby Doe, two productions of Così fan tutte, Salome, Fidelio, Ariadne auf Naxos, two productions of Rigoletto, Tales of Hoffmann andDialogues des Carmélites, for which he designed both the sets and the costumes, and were seen in a revival at Grand Théâtre de Genève and at Royal Danish Opera. He has designed numerous productions for the major theater companies in Seattle, including Intiman Theatre’s Betrayal and ACT’s productions of Omnium Gatherum and Enchanted April. Other work includes Arizona Theatre Company, A.C.T. San Francisco, Alliance Theatre Atlanta, ART Cambridge, Asolo Theatre Sarasota, Long Wharf Theatre, the Old Globe Theatre, and San Jose Repertory. Designs for musical theatre include productions for the opera companies of Calgary, Cincinnati, Dallas, Edmonton, Minnesota, Montreal, Pittsburgh, and Winnipeg. In Europe he has designed productions for Den Nationale Scene, Bergen; The Royal Opera, Copenhagen; The Grand Theatre, Geneva; Opera Decentralise, Neuchatel; and International Theatre Center, Moscow. He taught for many years in the MFA Design Program at the University of Washington’s School of Drama.
Anne-Catherine Simard-Deraspe, Lighting Designer
San Diego Opera debut. Lighting Designer Anne-Catherine Simard-Deraspe has designed the lighting for several productions at Opéra de Montréal including Il tabarro/Suor Angelica, The Barber of Seville, Lucia di Lammermoor, Tosca, The Magic Flute, Rusalka, Werther, Manon, Die Fledermaus, and Lakmé, and Macbeth for Opera Australia. She was the assistant lighting designer for Thaïs at Palm Beach Opera and Kentucky Opera. She also teaches at the National Theatre School of Canada.
Performance Schedule
Saturday February 2, 2019 7 PM
Tuesday February 5, 2019 7 PM
Friday February 8, 2019 7 PM
Sunday February 10, 2019 2 PM
Pre-Opera Lectures
These 30-minute informative lectures for the main stage operas take place in the Civic Theatre one hour prior to every performance and offer wonderful insights into the production audience members are about to see. These lectures are free to all ticket holders.
Post-Opera Talkbacks
Join the cast, crew, musicians and artists right after the performance of the main stage operas for an engaging, entertaining and informative Q&A session moderated by a San Diego Opera staff member. These lectures are held in the Civic Theatre and are free to all ticket holders.
San Diego Opera Podcast Series
Get to know the artists and operas of the 2018-2019 Season. These insights into the singers and productions can be enjoyed by opera fans as well as those who are new to the art form. Casual and fun, this is a great way to learn about our artists and the operas they star in. Watch online at http://www.sdopera.org/Company/Education/Podcasts. These videos are also available on our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/SanDiegoOpera
San Diego Opera on Twitter
Get frequent updates about San Diego Opera and opera in general by following us on Twitter. Follow tweets from backstage during a performance and learn about special offers and contests before anyone else by following us @SDOpera.
San Diego Opera on Facebook
San Diego Opera’s Facebook page offers a place for fellow opera fans to discuss performances, opera news, connect with other fans and get up-to-date information on upcoming events. Look for “San Diego Opera” at https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoOpera/
San Diego Opera on YouTube
Now viewers can watch a large portion of San Diego Opera’s programming at their convenience on YouTube. Archived versions of OperaTalk!, Stars in the Salon, Opera Spotlight, our video podcast series and much more can be found on the San Diego Opera channel at: http://www.youtube.com/SanDiegoOpera
San Diego Opera on Instagram
A picture is worth a thousand words! Take a look at what happens backstage and in the office on San Diego Opera’s Instagram page. http://instagram.com/sandiegoopera
Purchasing Tickets
Subscriptions to the 2018-2019 season are now on sale. Single tickets are on sale in the summer.
Single tickets start at $49 for all mainstage performances. Single tickets start at $35 for all dētour Series operas. Children prices exist, please visit www.sdopera.org or call 619.533.7000 for more information.
Senior citizen discounts of 15% are available to the Main Stage series on Tuesday and Friday subscription packages. Senior citizen discounts of 15% are available to the dētour Series on Saturday subscription packages.
Military discounts (active and retired) of 50% are available to the Main Stage series on Tuesday and Friday subscription packages. Military discounts of 50% are available to the dētour Series on Saturday subscription packages.
For information about tickets please visit www.sdopera.org or call 619.533.7000
The 2018-2019 Season
The Marriage of Figaro Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart October 20, 23, 26, and 28 (mat), 2018
All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 Peter Rothstein December 7, 8, and 9 (mat), 2018
Rigoletto Giuseppe Verdi February 2, 5, 8, and 10 (mat), 2019
Three Decembers Jake Heggie March 8, 9, 10 (mat), 2019
Carmen Georges Bizet March 30, April 2, 5, and 7 (mat) 2019
One Amazing Night –Stephen Powell and Stephen Costello May 15, 2019