Dido & Aeneas
Thursday, June 15 2017 at 7:30 PM & Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 1:00 PM
Pendulum Space
1803 W Byron St #215 ,Chicago, IL 60613
Creative Team
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Conductor: Ezra Donner
Assistant Conductor: Nickolas Carlson |
Stage Director: Dashiell John Waterbury
Musical Preperation: Jessica Johnston |
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Synopsis
Dido and Aeneas tells the tale of the legendary Queen of Carthage, Dido, and the Trojan refugee prince, Aeneas. When Aeneas and his crew become shipwrecked in Carthage, he and the Queen fall in love. In the meantime, witches plot Dido's destruction. The Sorceress has one of her coven impersonate Mercury who tells Aeneas he must leave Dido and found the new Troy (Rome). Forced to choose between passion and duty, Aeneas and his sailors prepare to leave, much to the witches' delight. Dido, who cannot live without him, is absolutely heartbroken and awaits death.
Elizebeth Barnes - Dido
Elizebeth Barnes is a recent graduate of The Eastman School of Music, where she completed her Masters in Voice Performance and Literature. She received her Bachelor of Music Summa Cum Laude from The University of Hartford’s The Hartt School. This year, Elizebeth played the role of Prince Charmant in Cendrillon at the Eastman School of Music, Ruth in Pirates of Penzance with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and the role of Peep-Bo in The Mikado with Performance Santa Fe. Elizebeth has been featured as Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro and Suor Zelatrice in Suor Angelica with Eastman Opera Theater. Elizebeth has played the role of Dorabella in Così fan tutte at the Halifax Summer Opera Festival. Elizebeth has preformed the role of Third Knitter in the one act opera A Game of Chance, The Mother in Ahmal and the Night Visitors, Mrs. Jones in Street Scene, and Zweite Dame in Die Zauberflöte at The Hartt School. She has played the role of Edith in Pirates of Penzance and Dorothée in Cendrillon with Performance Santa Fe, and she was a chorus member in the 2014 production of Fidelio at The Santa Fe Opera.
Angeline Petronijevic - Dido
Angeline Petronijevic is excited to be joining the Chicago Summer Opera this summer as Dido in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. Last summer on the CSOpera stage, she was seen in the role of Gertrud in Humperdinck’s, Hansel und Gretel. Angeline will be finishing her Bachelors in opera studies with Chicago College of Performing Arts next spring. After her time here with CSO she will be performing with OCAVA, an opera training program in Rome, Italy. Angeline began her studies in California and performed with the International Opera Institute as Santuzza in Mascagni’s Cavallaria Rusticana and with The Pollock Theatre as Dorabella in Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte and Prince Orlofsky in Strauss’s Die Fledermaus. Angeline débuted with Opera San Jose in their outreach program as Ernesto in John Davies’s anti bullying opera, The Billy Goats Gruff 2012-2014, Lay Sister in Suor Angelica 2013, then as a cover for Inez in Il Trovatore 2013. This year Angeline performed the role of Monica in Menotti's, The Medium. By being kind and persevering, Angeline plans on singing opera in as many opera houses, arenas, and gatherings as she can and hopes to leave people with the healing that classical music brings when done from the heart.
Hanxiao Wang - Belinda
Hanxiao Wang, a light lyrical soprano, is a native of Wenzhou, China. She currently majors in Voice Performance and Studies with Dr. Christine Anderson at the Boyer College of Music at Temple University. Hanxiao has worked with conductor Valéry Ryvkin, and stage directors JJ Hudson and Brandon McShaffrey. She appeared in the opera "Werther" presented by Temple University’s Tomlinson Theater and will perform in "Sour Angelica" in July. Some of Hanxiao’s concert appearances include singing the duet “Chiedi all'aura lusinghiera” from "L'Elisir d'Amore" with Corey Bonar, and a solo performance of Norina's aria " Quel guardo il Carvaliere" from "Don Pasquale". Hanxiao earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education (voice concentration) from Nanjing Normal University, where she served as a teaching assistant and graduated valedictorian. At Nanjing Normal University, Hanxiao sang in master-classes for Changyong Liao and Yi Xu, and she rehearsed with Guang Yang, Xiaoqun Chen and Le Xie. Her instructors included Professor Zhiying Zhang and Professor Jingyi Fu.
Mary Catherine Wright - Second Woman & Servilia cover
Mary Catherine Wright is a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky where she studied under Dr. Everett McCorvey and received her Bachelors in Vocal Performance and a Certificate in Musical Theatre. She is a 2015 Metropolitan National Council Audition Mid-South District Finalist and was the first-place winner of the 2012 Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. Most recently, Ms. Wright sang with the Kentucky Opera chorus for their 2016-2017 season, was the Soprano Soloist in Handel's Messiah with Bellarmine University, and traveled to New York to sing with the National Chorale. This summer, Mary Catherine will be traveling to Savannah, GA to sing the role of Susanna in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro and to Chicago to cover the role of Servilia in Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito. Mary Catherine enjoys traveling the world and most recently traveled to Prague, CZ to perform Zerlina in Don Giovanni. Ms. Wright made her made her professional debut as Nuria in Osvaldo Golijov's Ainadamar in April 2015 with the Lexington Philharmonic, Kentucky Opera, and UK Opera Theatre. Mary Catherine has enjoyed playing roles such as Olympia in theLes Contes d'Hoffmann, Johanna in Sweeney Todd, Carrie in Carousel , the Princess in the university premiere of Little Nemo in Slumberland and Suor Genovieffa in Puccini's Suor Angelica. She has also studied and covered the role of Cosette in Les Misérables. A few of her awards include first place in both the Musical Theatre and Classical divisions of Regional and Divisional NATS and first place at the Peterson Undergraduate Vocal Competition.
Lacey Hindman - Second Woman & Belinda cover
Lacey Hindman is thrilled to be joining Chicago Summer Opera! She is very excited to be performing the role of “Second Woman” and covering “Belinda” in Dido and Aeneas. Lacey is a Vocal Performance major at The University of Mississippi, where she receives choral, opera, and vocal scholarships. Lacey recently performed the role of “Emmie” in Albert Herring at Ole Miss. She sang the role of “Beatrice” in Beatrice et Benedict, and “Laurie” in The Tender Land during the Opera Scenes presentation at Ole Miss. Lacey has toured Europe performing with the University Chorus and Concert Singers. She continued her European adventures with The University of Mississippi Opera Theater in Prague, where she performed in the world premiere of the opera Hamlet Prince of Denmark. Last summer, she participated in the Classical Singers Competition in Boston and performed in numerous Master Classes.
Craig Moman - Aeneas
Tenor Craig Moman is excited to perform in Chicago Summer Opera’s production of “Dido and Aeneas” as the role of Aeneas. Craig’s passion for opera began towards the end of high school for him in his senior year of high school, and since then his love for the art-form has only grown further. Craig most recently performed the role of Hussar/Cook in Stravinsky’s “Mavra” at Wheaton College. Other recent roles at Wheaton include Tamino in “The Magic Flute” and Monsieur Volgelsang in “The Impresario.” Craig has also done various scene work in operas, portraying roles such as Le Remendado in “Carmen”, Jaquino in “Fidelio”, Alfredo in “La Traviata”, and Vašek in “The Bartered Bride”, among other roles. Additional credits include performances with the Crittenden Opera Workshop in Washington D.C. and Operworks in Northridge, California. Craig will complete his BA in Voice Performance at Wheaton next year, where he hopes to pursue his graduate degree thereafter.
Bryce McClendon - Sorceress
Bryce McClendon has been singing countertenor since the winter of 2014. He made the bold switch during his senior year at Furman University while studying with tenor, Grant Knox. Since then he has performed a variety of opera, oratorio, and art song literature. This past summer he sang the role of Ottone in l’Incoronazione di Poppea by Claudio Monteverdi with the Harrower Summer Opera Workshop. He has performed as a soloist in numerous oratorios including Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Mozart’s Requiem, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, and Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. Most recently he appeared as the countertenor soloist in Bach’s Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen, BWV 12 with S.C. Bach, South Carolina’s Bach Society. He will return in Spring of 2018 as a soloist in S.C. Bach’s St. John Passion. In the fall he plans to attend the University of Michigan to begin his Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance under the instruction of world-renowned countertenor, David Daniels.
Danielle Krispin - Sorceress & Annio cover
Danielle Krispin, soprano/mezzo-soprano, is thrilled to be making her debut at Chicago Summer Opera. She completed her bachelor’s degree in vocal performance at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance and her master’s degree at North Park University. Most recently, she produced and performed as Vitellia in La clemenza di Tito with Ignite Opera, a program of her own genesis. Her next endeavor will be performing the role of Stella in STL Opera Collective’s production of The Stranger the Better.
Susanna Beerheide - First Witch & Sorceress cover
Susanna Beerheide studied voice with Prof. Janet Williams in Berlin, Germany, while also gaining a degree in Italian philology and musicology. In September 2013 she came to Madison, WI, for the UW Master’s program in vocal performance, studying with Prof. Mimmi Fulmer, holding a TA position for two years. In Madison she has given various performances with UW University Opera, including the title role of the opera Ariodante by Handel and Third Lady in The Magic Flute under the direction of Maestro James Smith.
In 2013 and 2014 she was a member of the Tenso Europe Chamber Choir under the direction of Maestro Kaspars Putnins, a professional choir which toured in the summer through the Netherlands, Finnland, Latvia and Estonia. Currently residing in Chicago, she has been singing with The Floating Opera Company as Dorabella (Cosi fan tutte) and with Chicago Summer Opera as Mrs Herring (Albert Herring). She is excited to return this summer to Chicago Summer Opera as First Witch (Dido and Aeneas) and as cover for the Sorceress.
In 2013 and 2014 she was a member of the Tenso Europe Chamber Choir under the direction of Maestro Kaspars Putnins, a professional choir which toured in the summer through the Netherlands, Finnland, Latvia and Estonia. Currently residing in Chicago, she has been singing with The Floating Opera Company as Dorabella (Cosi fan tutte) and with Chicago Summer Opera as Mrs Herring (Albert Herring). She is excited to return this summer to Chicago Summer Opera as First Witch (Dido and Aeneas) and as cover for the Sorceress.
Avery Felton - Second Witch & Dido cover
Mezzo-soprano Avery Felton recently graduated with her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Ms. Felton was recently seen as la tasse chinoise and l’écureil in L’enfant et les sortilèges and as Don Ettore in Haydn’s La Canterina at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, where she performed in several operas and had the honor of performing for Marilyn Horne in multiple masterclasses. While living in Oklahoma, she was a semi-finalist in the International Crescendo Music Awards. Originally from Texas, Ms. Felton also has an extensive musical theatre background, having performed in over 20 musicals and plays. She also had the honor of performing for Kelli O’Hara as a participant in Making it on Broadway. Ms. Felton currently resides in Chicago, where she teaches voice and continues to study under Bruce Hall and Isabel Leonard.
Gabriella Klotz - Spirit
GABRIELLA KLOTZ (Spirit) just completed her second year of undergraduate study as a Music Performance major at the University of Dayton. Gabriella recently performed the role of Rosalinde in DIE FLEDERMAUS and Anita in WEST SIDE STORY. At the University of Dayton, Gabriella studies voice with Dr. Minnita Daniel-Cox and is a member on the University Honors Program. Gabriella sings with the University Chorale, Opera Workshop, and as the vocalist for the Dayton Jazz Ensemble. The Dayton Jazz Ensemble toured this past winter, performing at the Jazz Education Network convention in New Orleans and Ohio Music Educators Association convention in Cleveland. Last year, Gabriella received the honorable mention award at the Ohio NATS competition. In high school, she won two Best Lead Actress Tommy Awards (NHSMTA) for her performance of Anita and Sister Mary Amnesia in NUNSENSE. Gabriella has had the pleasure of singing in masterclasses with Kenneth Shaw of the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and Dr. Wendy LeBorgne, Ph, D. She would like to thank her family for their unending love and support and Dr. Minnita Daniel-Cox for her mentoring and training.
Shelley Cooper - Spirit
Shelley is thrilled to be making her Chicago debut with Chicago Summer Opera! Shelley recently accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. Shelley has performed all over the world for a number of companies such as Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Monroe Symphony, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Shawnee Summer Theatre, Redhouse Arts Center, Bangkok Theatre Festival, Simbiose Produções in São Paulo, Brazil and the Venetian in Macau, China. Most noted performances are “Johanna" in Sweeney Todd starring Tony-Award Winning Actress, Faith Prince, “Nellie” in South Pacific,“Cinderella” in Into the Woods, “Helena” in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, “Ariel” in The Little Mermaid and the Soprano soloist in Handel's Messiah with Bangkok International Orchestra. Her one-woman show, La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas has been performed on three continents.
Zico Shaker - First Sailor
Zico started singing as a boy training with Stuart Ward in London, performing at Royal Opera House Covent Garden, English National Opera,Dutch Reisoper, English Touring Opera, Buxton Festival Opera and BBC Radio 3 as a soloist. He continued his training as an Adult completing his undergraduate degree at The Royal Academy of Music, following with performances for BBC2 television, Chicago Summer Opera and recently with the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera company and The Floating Opera company. Zico is very much looking forward to being apart of Chicago Summer Opera again and continues his training privately in Chicago.
Yuko Ozaki - Scenes
Yuko came to Boston in 2014 after she completed Master degree from Osaka University of Arts, Japan. She has performed operatic roll such a Antonia in “Les Contes d’Hoffmann”, Adina in “L'elisir D'amore”, Carmera in “The Saint of Bleeker Street” and First Spirit in “Magic flute”. She is currently pursuing a Master degree at Longy School of Music of Bard College.