T h e C r u c I b l e
Friday July 14, 2017 at 7:30 PM & Sunday July 16, 2017 at 2:00 PM
Skokie Theatre
7924 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, IL 6007
Creative Team
Stage Director: Kaley Smith
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Conductor: Codrut Birsan
Assistant Conductor: Yohan Kwon |
Assistant Stage Director: Kimun Kim
Musical Preparation: Robert Bosworth |
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Synopsis
The Crucible is an opera in four acts, music by Robert Ward, libretto by Bernard Stambler, after Arthur Miller's play - an important staple of American literature - drawing upon the frenzy and anguish of the historically true witch hunt that took place in the Puritan community of Salem, Massachusetts, in the spring and summer of 1692, resulting in a large number of women being put to death. While religious figures at the time insisted in ample theological justification for the existence of witches, the true reasons for the carnage are likely to have been greed, local animosities, and sexual repression.
The play first appeared in 1953 and was initially received by critics with scorn. However, its strongly dramatic portrayal of religious zealotry, political xenophobia, mass hysteria, sexual intrigue, and personal redemption warranted its enduring worldwide success.
The opera was first performed at New York City Center of Music and Drama on October 26, 1961, under the baton of conductor Emerson Buckley.
The play first appeared in 1953 and was initially received by critics with scorn. However, its strongly dramatic portrayal of religious zealotry, political xenophobia, mass hysteria, sexual intrigue, and personal redemption warranted its enduring worldwide success.
The opera was first performed at New York City Center of Music and Drama on October 26, 1961, under the baton of conductor Emerson Buckley.
Cast
Stephen Hobe - John Proctor
Stephen Hobe, Baritone, returns to Chicago Summer Opera to sing John Proctor in THE CRUCIBLE. Previously with Chicago Summer Opera, he has performed Budd in ALBERT HERRING, David in A HAND OF BRIDGE, and Guglielmo in scenes from COSI FAN TUTTE. A Chicago native, Mr. Hobe has been seen regionally performing: Silvio in PAGLIACCI (Main Street Opera; September, 2017), Kauz in Mendelssohn’s THE HOMECOMING (Chicago College of Performing Arts; October, 2017), Joe Crowell in OUR TOWN (Chicago Fringe Opera; May, 2018), Governor (cover) & Martin (cover)/chorus in CANDIDE, Frank (cover)/chorus in DIE FLEDERMAUS (Music Theater Works), King Balthazar in AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS (Opera on Tap Milwaukee) and Le Chat/L’Horloge Comtoise in L’ENFANT ET LES SORTILEGES as a guest artist at North Park University. Equally at home in music theatre and straight theatre, he has also performed: Sonny Malone in XANADU (Beverly Theatre Guild), Phantom in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Edgebrook Concert Series), featured performer in A FABULOUS 50’S CHRISTMAS (Towle Theater), a pirate in PETER PAN (Music Theater Works; December, 2017), and Mortimer Brewster in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (Palos Village Players). Mr. Hobe has been seen in concert with Opera on Tap’s Chicago and Milwaukee chapters, New Moon Opera, and Edgebrook Concert Series, while also being a supernumerary with Lyric Opera of Chicago. Mr. Hobe holds Bachelor’s degrees in Biology (Paleontology) and Music Theatre from Carthage College and is pursuing his Master’s degree in Music with an emphasis in Voice at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts, where he studies with Kurt Link.
Taylor Dant - Thomas Putnam
Taylor Dant, a Louisville, KY native, will be entering his second year of graduate studies at Roosevelt University this coming fall. He was most recently seen in Roosevelt's production of L'enfant et les Sortileges, as well as their production of Amelia Goes to the Ball. His other previously played roles include the Count in Le Nozze di Figaro, Masetto in Don Giovanni, J.J. Peachum in The Threepenny Opera, Samuel in Pirates of Penzance, as well as a handful of musical theatre roles including Anthony in Sweeney Todd and Arvide Abernathy in Guys & Dolls. Taylor received his undergraduate degree in vocal performance from Western Kentucky University.
Samuel Weiser - Reverend John Hale
Samuel J. Weiser, bass, is a current student of Bruce Hall at CCPA/COT Artist Diploma. Samuel graduated cum laude B.S.Ed in Music Education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and holds his M.M. Vocal Performance from Roosevelt University. Roles include Colline/La Bohème; Sarastro/Die Zauberflöte; Elder Ott/Susannah; Valet/Sicario/Macbeth; Falstaff/Dr. Cajus/Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor; David/A Hand of Bridge; Il Commendatore/Don Giovanni and Jasper/L’Ivrogne Corrigé. In April of 2016 Samuel was chosen as a 1st prize winner of the Monastero’s Bel Canto Contest, student division. In November of 2015, Samuel premiered Thunder, Perfect Mind by Chicago composer, Christopher Preissing.
His tenure being with the Chicago Opera Theater as a Young Artist, he has performed in much of their 2016/17 season in such roles as Bass 3 in Frank Martin’s Le vin herbé, Ensemble in Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen and Ensemble in Phillip Glass’ The Perfect American. Samuel had the distinct pleasure of covering Shakes in the same production of The Fairy Queen and Abraham Lincoln/Undertaker in The Perfect American; part of the American premiere of this Glass work.
Recently, Samuel was chosen as a returning Gerdine Young Artist. Last season at the Opera Theater of Saint Louis, Samuel was Clumsy God in the World Premiere of Jack Perla’s Shalimar the Clown after the acclaimed Salman Rushdie novel, Sergeant in La Bohème and Valet in Macbeth. This season Samuel appeared as Fred, a deputy and Pump Guy 2 in Ricky Ian Gordon’s New Performance Version of The Grapes of Wrath as well as covers in Madama Butterfly as The Bonze and Publio in La Clemenza di Tito.
His tenure being with the Chicago Opera Theater as a Young Artist, he has performed in much of their 2016/17 season in such roles as Bass 3 in Frank Martin’s Le vin herbé, Ensemble in Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen and Ensemble in Phillip Glass’ The Perfect American. Samuel had the distinct pleasure of covering Shakes in the same production of The Fairy Queen and Abraham Lincoln/Undertaker in The Perfect American; part of the American premiere of this Glass work.
Recently, Samuel was chosen as a returning Gerdine Young Artist. Last season at the Opera Theater of Saint Louis, Samuel was Clumsy God in the World Premiere of Jack Perla’s Shalimar the Clown after the acclaimed Salman Rushdie novel, Sergeant in La Bohème and Valet in Macbeth. This season Samuel appeared as Fred, a deputy and Pump Guy 2 in Ricky Ian Gordon’s New Performance Version of The Grapes of Wrath as well as covers in Madama Butterfly as The Bonze and Publio in La Clemenza di Tito.
Reever Julian - Francis
Lauren Jacob -Tituba
Praised by Opera Canada as "impressive" and annarbor.com as "captivating", Lauren Jacob is a vibrant American mezzo-soprano whose magnetic stage presence has an effortless charm and truth. Last season, she performed as the Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas, Joan in Street Scene, Sorella Infermiera in Suor Angelica, and Valetto in L'incoronazione di Poppea with DePaul University, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro with Utah Lyric Opera, Nancy in Albert Herring and Ino in Semele with Opera Modo, as Pirates of Penzance’s Ruth in Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s lecture series Law in Opera, and covered Concepción in L'heure espagnole with Maestro Lorin Maazel's Castleton Festival. Having performed across the US, Canada, Italy, and Spain, additional recent role highlights include Cendrillon in Cendrillon, Cenerentola in La Cenerentola, Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel, L’enfant in L’enfant et les sortilèges, The Duchess in The Gondoliers, Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Mercédès in Carmen, and Nicklausse in Les Contes d’Hoffmann. Equally at home on the concert and theater stage, Lauren has also performed in several non-opera productions ranging from the mezzo-soprano soloist in Bach’s B Minor Mass to Callie Pax in Diana Son’s play Stop Kiss. Lauren is currently a graduate student in the studio of Nicole Cabell at the DePaul University School of Music where she will open next season as Miles in Britten's The Turn of the Screw.
Christina Bernardoni - Elizabeth Proctor
Chicago native mezzo-soprano Christina Bernardoni’s musical passions extend to all genres of classical music, ranging from opera to oratorio to art song. While she has a love for music from all time periods, Christina recently discovered an affinity for contemporary music, and had the honor of working closely with living composers to perform their work. Christina recently graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Master of Music in Vocal Literature and Performance studying privately under Patricia Green. In spring 2016, Christina gave the North American premiere of Artemisia, a song cycle for mezzo-soprano and string trio written by acclaimed British composer Paul Ayres. In winter 2016, she gave the North American premiere of Hum, a solo voice song by Swiss composer Marc Neufeld during his brief residency in London, Ontario. For University of Western Ontario’s 2016-2017 season, she sang La Badessa in Suor Angelica. As a part of Chicago Summer Opera’s 2016 season, she gave her Chicago operatic debut as The Announcer in Douglas Moore’s one-act opera Gallantry. In 2015, she was the recipient of the London Opera Guild Scholarship in London, Ontario. Christina gave her European debut singing Suzuki in Madama Butterfly and Zita in Gianni Schicchi with La Musica Lirica in their 2015 summer festival. In 2009, Christina was the winner of the Junior division for the Bel Canto Italian Opera Competition. Shortly beforehand, Christina was a finalist for the 2007 Elgin Opera Vocal Competition.
Leah Johns - Elizabeth Proctor
A North Carolina native, Ms. Johns has spent the past two years studying in the private voice studio of mezzo-soprano Melanie Sonnenberg in Houston, Texas. She received her Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance (cum laude) from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. During her time at DePaul she studied with critically acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Jane Bunnell and worked with many prominent stage directors including Harry Silverstein, Loren Meeker, Amy Hutchison and Matthew Ozawa. She spent two summers studying and performing in Italy with Musica Nella Marche. In 2014, she won second place in the Kleinmann Vocal Competition. She also sang with the esteemed Grant Park Apprentice Chorale, under the baton of Christopher Bell. Recently, she attended Le Chiavi di Bel Canto: The Institute of Bel Canto Studies where she worked with many influential coaches including, Richard Bado of Houston Grand Opera and Maestro Ted Taylor. Ms. Johns sang the role of Dorabella in Cosi fan Tutte with Blooming Voce Summer Opera in Bloomington, Indiana. Other roles in her repertoire include Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel and Stéphano in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette. In the fall, she will begin her graduate degree at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
Molly Clementz - Rebecca Nurse
Born in St. Charles, Illinois, Molly Clementz is a mezzo-soprano who studies with Dr. Linda Di Fiore in the MM/DMA program at University of California, Santa Barbara. Molly was featured in Opera Santa Barbara’s Mosher Studio Artist program from 2015-2017 and recently performed in their mainstage productions as Bianca in La Rondine, Lapák in The Cunning Little Vixen and Mercédès in Carmen. She was prominently featured in two roles in the 2017 National Opera Association Dominick Argento Chamber Opera Competition. Molly made her mainstage debut with Opera Santa Barbara in 2016 as La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi, and the Nursing sister in Suor Angelica. In 2015 she participated in the Amalfi Coast Music Festival’s summer production in Naples, Die Zauberflöte, and also sang the lead role of Viola in the West Coast Premier of Joel Feigin’s award-winning Twelfth Night. In 2014 she studied abroad in Austria, and was a finalist in the American Institute of Musical Studies’ Meistersinger Competition in Graz. She has been a soloist and singer with the St. YnezMaster Chorale and the Santa Barbara Orchestra, and won first place at local competitions, such as the Santa Barbara Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation. Molly performed as the title role in the University of North Texas’ 2013 production of Massenet’s Cendrillon. Molly Received a degree in English at Luther college, where she played Cupid in Offenbach’s Orpheus and the Underworld, and Touchstone in Shakespeare’s As You Like It.
Sarah Heitman - Rebecca Nurse
Samantha Resser - Susanna Walcott & Elizabeth Proctor Cover
Samantha Resser is making her role debut as Susanna Walcott in Robert Ward’s The Crucible with Chicago Summer Opera. She will be coving the role of Elizabeth Proctor as well. Samantha is a native of St. Charles, Illinois and a graduate from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. During her time at the University of Illinois, she performed several roles including Polly Peachum in The Threepenny Opera, Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Tirza in Stephen Taylor’s world premiere opera Paradises Lost, based on the novella by Ursula Le Guin. She also performed as La Ciesca in OperaVenezuela’s Gianni Schicchi. Upon graduation, Samantha performed three seasons with Land of Enchantment Opera Institute, portraying the roles of Nursing Sister in Suor Angelica and Dorabella in Così fan tutte. She also covered the roles of Cherubino and Marcellina in Le nozze di Figaro. During the summer of 2013, Samantha made her Germany debut with Saarburg International Music Festival, performing cabaret music by Alexander Steinbrecher, and received her first international review. In Chicago, she is a mezzo-soprano with the company VOX 3 Collective, and performed in the cabaret titled Poor Unfortunate Souls. Samantha studies under the tutelage of bass-baritone Peter Strummer.
Judith Prenzlow - Betty Parris
Judith Prenzlow, mezzo-soprano, earned her bachelor’s in vocal music-education from Oklahoma State University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in vocal performance and literature at Eastman School of Music. Judith currently studies voice with Prof. Katherine Ciesinski. She has had the pleasure of performing the roles of Cherubino in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro and Maddalena in Verdi’s Rigoletto, and she has performed as a soloist in several concerts at Eastman, including a performance of J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. Her past musical experiences have given her the amazing opportunities to perform in Paris, London, Austria, and New York City. This summer, Judith is thrilled to be exploring Chicago for the first time while studying the role of Betty Parris in Chicago Summer Opera’s production of The Crucible.
Erin Reppenhagen - Betty Parris & Susanna Walcott Cover
Erin Reppenhagen is a mezzo-soprano from Syracuse, NY. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with a Certificate in Vocal Performance from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. She will be starting her graduate studies in Vocal Performance at the Manhattan School of Music this fall. Erin has performed roles such as the Witch from Humperdinck’s Hansel & Gretel (Manhattan Opera Studio), Little Buttercup in Gilbert & Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore (College Light Opera Company) and Fortuna/Mercurio in Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea (Crane Opera Ensemble). This is Erin's first summer with Chicago Summer Opera and she is excited for the opportunity to work with many amazing musicians.
Michelle Lerch - Abigail Williams
Soprano Michelle Lerch is thrilled to be making her Chicago Summer Opera debut as Abigail in Robert Ward’s The Crucible. She is currently a first year Master’s student studying Vocal Performance with Distinguished Professor of Voice Timothy Noble at Indiana University. She is currently involved in IU’s New Voices Opera Program and is excited to be premiering the role of Diane in Kyle Peter Rotolo’s Marilyn’s Room in their 2017 production. As a recent graduate from East Carolina University in 2016, Ms. Lerch received her Bachelors in Vocal Performance and Music Theory. While there, she performed multiple times with ECU Opera, the most recent being the role of Elisetta in Il Matrimonio Segreto by Domenico Cimarosa. Outside of opera, Ms. Lerch has been featured as the soprano soloist in orchestrated performances of Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms and George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. Apart from IU and ECU, Ms. Lerch studied at the prestigious Oberlin in Italy opera festival, where she performed as Nymphe in Claudio Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, as well as worked with many renowned coaches.
Siobhan Raupach - Abigail Williams
Canadian soprano Siobhan Raupach is a versatile performer and is comfortable in opera, art songs and oratorio.She made her professional symphonic debut the dual role of Gabriel and Eve in Die Schöpfung with the Okanagan Symphony in 2015. Recently performed operatic roles include Oberto in Alcina, Despina in Così fan Tutte and Pamina in Die Zauberflöte. Her operatic scene work includes Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro, Leila in The Pearl Fishers and Gretel in Hansel and Gretel. Siobhan received her B.Mus from McGill University in 2013, her M.Mus from San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2015, and her Post-Graduate Degree from San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2016. She currently resides in the Philadelphia area with her classical guitarist husband, Kevin Robinson.
Sarah Phillips - Marry Warren
Soprano Sarah Phillips recently performed with the Chicago College of Performing Arts in their production of L'enfant et les sortileges and in the world premiere of The Blind Date. Last summer, she appeared as Lady Billows in Albert Herring with Chicago Summer Opera. Previously, Sarah sang Armindo/Partenope and La Maestra/Suor Angelica with Italian Operatic Experience. Sarah has also participated in scenes programs covering a broad range of repertoire. In concert, Sarah has been featured as a soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria and covered for Beethoven’s Mass in C with the CCPA. Sarah completed her master’s in voice at CCPA in 2017, where she also received her undergraduate degree. She is a student of Mark Crayton.
Julie Jarosz - Marry Warren
Soprano Julie Jarosz is a native of the Chicago area and recently completed her master’s degree in vocal performance at North Park University. Ms. Jarosz has performed such roles as Alice Ford (Falstaff), La Principessa (La bella dormente nel bosco), Second Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Princess Zara (Utopia, Limited), Angelina (Trial by Jury), and Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), and she has participated in programs such as the Midwest Institute of Opera, the Miami Summer Music Festival, and the American Singers’ Opera Project. Ms. Jarosz has also recently been featured as a soloist in the Naperville Chorus’s performance of Vivaldi’s Magnificat. In addition to performing, she holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and currently teaches voice and piano lessons in the Chicago suburbs. Ms. Jarosz is thrilled to be joining Chicago Summer Opera this season to perform as Mary Warren in The Crucible.
Elizabeth Smith - Sarah Good
Soprano Elizabeth Maria Smith is a versatile performer and collaborator, and she is thrilled to be joining Chicago Summer Opera. A Chicago native and graduating senior at Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music, Elizabeth studies vocal performance and opera with Theresa Brancaccio. Before pursing her career in opera, Elizabeth was trained in piano and violin. At Northwestern, Elizabeth sings in choral performances, concert, and chamber works. She has also performed in Northwestern's opera productions, including classic masterpieces like Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro and contemporary operas such as Floyd's Susannah and Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites. In addition to her studies, Elizabeth has performed in Chicago area churches and synagogues. Elizabeth looks forward to the exciting opportunity to grow as an artist with Chicago Summer Opera.
Kristi Webb - Sarah GOOD
Kristi Webb is a graduate of Northwestern University's Opera and Music Theatre program. After graduation, she sang in an original opera in Japan and China with Redmoon Theatre and even sang for the former Pope! When she's not galavanting with Davis Shakespeare Company in Davis, Ca or directing with Merryhill Midtown, she is hiking with her wonderful fiance Jaret. Love and thanks to Stephanie, Aim, Ailie, and the Davis Family for their support and kindness. Keep up with Kristi's future adventures and YouTube channel by following her Twitter/Instagram @kristiontheweb
Dominique Williams - Ruth Putnam
Soprano Dominique Williams' passion for singing determined her path at a very early age. From regular performance throughout her formative years, acceptance to the performing arts magnet program of Pebblebrook High School, and an invitation into the High School Opera Institute of The Atlanta Opera, Dominique has continuously pursued vocal performance with dedication and determination. Dominique's musical tastes and performance styles range from opera to art song to pop, R&B, and gospel. Currently a student at University of Nevada, Las Vegas pursuing a Master of Music degree in voice, Dominique is in the studio or Dr. Alfonse Anderson. She is a recent graduate of Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, where she recieved a Bachelor of Music dregree in Voice Performance. She was a NATS winner every year at Mercer, and her roles at Mercer University Opera include First Lady in Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Morgana in Handel’s Alcina. In 2016, Dominique became a NATS winner at UNLV and was a recipient of the Encouragement Award from The Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions. In the spring of 2017 with the UNLV Opera, she covered the role of Ophelia in a world premiere English translation of the opera Hamlet by Ambroise Thomas.
Ashley McKinstry - Ruth Putnam
Ashley McKinstry is a Chicago based soprano originally from Sioux Falls, SD. Her opera roles include Ashley Phelps/Get Trump’d: We’re Making Opera Great Again, La Fortuna/L'incoronazione di Poppea, Jeannie/The Reformed Drunkard, and Mrs. Gobineau/The Medium. Ashley has performed as a chorus member in Respighi/La bella dormente nel bosco, and Stravinsky/The Nightingale with CCPA, Die Zauberflöte featuring Samuel Ramey and Die Fledermaus with the Sound of South Dakota, and Dido and Aeneas with the University of South Dakota Opera. Her choral performances also include Verdi/Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín with Chicago Philharmonic, Beethoven/Symphony No. 9 with Chicago Sinfonietta, Mendelssohn/A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Chicago Civic Orchestra, Vaughan Williams/A Sea Symphony, Video Games Live, Mozart/Requiem, and Holst/The Planets with Sioux City Symphony; and soloist for Britten/Rejoice in the Lamb with the USD Concert Choir. Ashley is a member of the all-female opera improv group Forte Chicago. In 2016 Ashley participated in the OperaWorks Advanced Artist Program. McKinstry holds a Master’s degree in Vocal Performace from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of South Dakota. She studied with Cynthia Clarey and Tracelyn Gesteland. Ashley served as the 2016 President of Mu Phi Epsilon, Alpha Omicron.
Emily Derecktor - Ann Putnam
Soprano Emily Derecktor is delighted to be making her debut with the Chicago Summer Opera. She was previously a Young Artist with the Berlin Opera Academy, where she covered Die Konigin der Nacht in Mozart’s Die Zauberflote and was a featured performer in the Academy Gala. She is a graduate of the Applied Music Program at the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied under Malinda Haslett, and was the recipient of the Blutt College House Music Program Scholarship. She is currently a student at the New England Conservatory where she studies under Mark Sampson.
Laura Bumgardner - Ann Putnam
Laura Bumgardner is excited to make her Chicago Summer Opera debut as Ann Putnam in The Crucible. Although she has lived in Dallas, Texas most of her life, she has called Chicago her home for almost two years. Ms. Bumgardner’s roles includeLa Bergére/La Chouette/L’enfant et les sortileges, Apollonia/La Canterina, and La maestra delle Novizie/Suor Angelica, and Sandman/Hänsel und Gretel. Her partial roles include Fiordiligi/Cosi fan tutte, Frasquita/Carmen, Marzelline/Fidelio, La mére/Les contes d’Hoffman, Girl/West Side Story, and Birdie/Regina. Ms. Bumgardner has been in the chorus ofL’incoronazione di Poppea, The Reformed Drunkard, Susannah, and Suor Angelica. Her awards include the Farwell Trust Award with the Musicians Club of Women and First Place in the Lower Advanced College/Independent Studio Women division in the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Ms. Bumgardner has participated in master classes with Craig Terry (2016), Darren K. Woods (2015), Mary Dunleavy (2014), and Rebecca Schorsch (2013). Her formal education includes a master’s degree in Voice from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of the Performing Arts (2017) and a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance, with a minor in Musical Theatre from Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts (2015).
Christa Navy - Mercy Lewis
Christa Navy holds a BA in music education from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, and will receive her BFA in vocal performance in December, from the same institution. There, she was a featured soloist in multiple ensembles including the Marshall University Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Chamber Choir, and Opera Workshop. She has performed in several musical theatre and opera productions including Mozart's The Impresario, (Madame Goldenkopf) The Magic Flute, (Chorus) Edges, and Seussical the Musical (Mrs. Mayor). She is also a frequent vocalist within the community, as she has been featured as the guest artist for several concerts with the Huntington Symphony Orchestra. In 2014, Christa won The American Idol Experience at Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios. Christa is excited to be in Chicago this summer to sing the role of Mercy Lewis in The Crucible as well as perform in the scenes program. She plans to continue her education in music at the master's degree level next fall. She would like to thank her family as well as past and present music teachers and professors for the multitude of support she has received.
Margaret Ann Zentner - Bridget Booth & Sarah Good Cover
Margaret Ann Zentner is a native of Monroe, Louisiana. Margaret Ann studied voice with Dr. Claire Vangelisti since age 10. Twice, her sophomore and senior years of high school, she proudly represented Neville High School by singing the National Anthem in the New Orleans Superdome for the Louisiana State Football Championship games. In 2012, she was a first place winner in the American Fine Arts Festival, and awarded her solo debut in Weil Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, NYC. In 2014, she attended “Music in the Marche”, a summer program in Mondavio, Italy where she studied Italian and opera at the Scuola Dante Alighieri Mondavio. Her most recent honors include being a National NATS Semi-Finalist in 2016, and the featured artist for the Monroe Symphony Orchestra’s annual Christmas POPS concert. Margaret Ann is currently a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at Louisiana State University, where she studies with Dr. Loraine Sims. On Sunday mornings, you can find her with the choir in the balcony of St. Albans Episcopal Church, on the LSU campus. Her most recent roles include Papagena in The Magic Flute with the Louisiana Opera, Susanna (cover) in Le Nozze di Figaro at LSU, the Alms sister in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and Zerlina in Don Giovanni at Operafestival di Roma. She is thrilled to be making her debut with Chicago Summer Opera as Bridget Booth and Sarah Good (cover) in The Crucible.
Samantha D'Adamo - Bridget Booth
Samantha D'Adamo is an up and coming Soprano from the Chicago. Ms. D’Adamo is a recent graduate of Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts with a Bachelor's of Music in Voice. Her time at CCPA was spent studying with Bruce Hall, performing two full recitals, and performing roles such as Furie #2 and L'Eternità from Francesco Cavalli's La Calisto and staring in John Duke's chamber opera Captain Lovelock as Pernille. Following Ms. D’Adamo’s undergraduate career she attended the midwest summer music program, Up North Vocal Institute. Ms. D’Adamo can be seen performing year round with the Ss. Peter & Paul's Choral Scholars of Naperville, Illinois. Looking forward to future engagements, Ms. D’Adamo is very excited to be joining Main Street Opera this fall. Ms. D’Adamo will an ensemble member for the MSO double bill production of Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci.
Oriana Inferrera - Martha Sheldon & Ruth Putnam Cover
Oriana Inferrera, soprano, is currently pursuing a master’s degree in voice at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from USC’s Thornton School of Music. This summer she will be performing the role of Martha Sheldon and covering the role of Ruth Putnam in The Crucible with Chicago Summer Opera. Most recently Ms. Inferrera was a chorus member in the Boston Conservatory’s production of Handel’s Alcina. Other Recent engagements have included the Studio Artist program with Miami Summer Music Festival. Ms. Inferrera sang the role of Laundry in Offenbach’s La Chanson de Fortunio. Ms. Inferrera has spent three summers studying Bel Canto repertoire and style in Italy. First at the Bel Canto Institute in Florence with Jane Klaviter, second at The American University of Rome where she sang for world renowned Mezzo-Soprano Marilyn Horne and performed excerpts from Donizetti’s Don Pasquale as Norina, and lastly with the Opera Viva program in Verona where she performed excerpts from L’elisir d’amore as Adina. Upcoming engagements include excerpts of Britten’s Albert Herring as Miss Wordsworth. Ms. Inferrera is currently a student of Kathryn Wright.
Evangelina Gaspero - Martha Sheldon & Scenes
Soprano Evangelina Gaspero is delighted to make her Chicago Summer Opera debut in the Crucible.
Evangelina is a Sophomore in the Musical Theater program at the Chicago Academy for the Arts High School. She has found joy from singing for as long as she can remember and loves that it also brings joy to others. She keenly enjoys expressing emotions and channeling culture through the vocal arts, and delights in using voice to experience different languages, such as Italian and French. This summer, in addition to being a part of the Chicago Summer Opera program, Evangelina is excited to have been accepted to Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music Vocal Career Seminar, taught by Professor Pamela Hinchman.
Evangelina is the oldest of six children. When she is not singing, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, bicycling, and spending time Willow, her dog.
Evangelina is a Sophomore in the Musical Theater program at the Chicago Academy for the Arts High School. She has found joy from singing for as long as she can remember and loves that it also brings joy to others. She keenly enjoys expressing emotions and channeling culture through the vocal arts, and delights in using voice to experience different languages, such as Italian and French. This summer, in addition to being a part of the Chicago Summer Opera program, Evangelina is excited to have been accepted to Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music Vocal Career Seminar, taught by Professor Pamela Hinchman.
Evangelina is the oldest of six children. When she is not singing, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, bicycling, and spending time Willow, her dog.
Maximiliano Illanes Campetella - Judge Danforth
The Argentinian tenor Maximiliano Illanes Campetella from Patagonia makes his debut in United States this season with Chicago Summer Opera singing the role of Judge Danforth in The Crucible by J. Ward. Last year he made his first appearance in Evanston for the Opera Scenes Gala presented by The Naked Voice Institute directed by W. Stephen Smith. Before coming to Chicago he has been a member of several renowned artistic organisations in Argentina such as the National Polyphonic Choir in collaboration with the National Symphony Orchestra, and a choir member in Juventus Lyrica opera company. His most recent roles include Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Remendado in Carmen, and Tamino in The Magic Flute. Maximiliano is studying to get his Musical Arts degree minor in Voice and Choral Conducting in the National University of Arts in Buenos Aires. Since last year he has furthered his education by taking regular voice lessons with Professor W. Stephen Smith and repertoire coachings with Professor Carol Smith and Professor Ken Smith in Chicago. Moreover, during this Summer, he will be making his New York debut with the Manhattan Opera Studio Summer Festival performing the tenor roles of Don Basilio and Don Curzio in Le Nozze di Figaro and the cover role of Tamino in The Magic Flute as well as singing in a Gala Concert at Carnigie Hall on July 19th.
Frank Laucerica - Reverend Samuel Parris
Cuban-American tenor, Frank Daniel Laucerica, is a recent graduate of Northwestern University’s voice & opera program, studying under Kurt Hansen. He was also a member of the Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble, with whom he performed several world and Midwestern premieres under the direction of Donald Nally. Laucerica’s most recent operatic credits include Charlie in Kurt Weill’s Das Mahagonny Songspiel and the Sage in Paul Hindemith’s Hin und Zurück with the Northwestern University Chamber Opera Initiative. Prior to that, he played Tamino in the Miami Music Festival’s production of Die Zauberflöte, the title role in Albert Herring with Chicago Summer Opera, and Don Curzio in Le nozze di Figaro at Northwestern. In concert, Laucerica has most recently performed as the Tenor Soloist in Adolphus Hailstork’s cantata, I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes, the world premiere of Reiny Rollock’s There will come soft rains…, Handel’s Chandos Anthem No. 4, Vivaldi’s Dixit Dominus, and Handel’s Messiah at Northwestern University and with the Messiah Choral Society of Grand Junction. He has also performed with the Madison Choral Project and with the Music of the Baroque chorus. Laucerica was recently awarded third place for the men in opera division of the American Prize competition and had the opportunity to perform in the Matthew Polenzani masterclass at Northwestern University. His upcoming engagements include the role of Reverend Samuel Parris in The Crucible with Chicago Summer Opera, the Prince in Opera for the Young’s touring production of Rusalka, and performances with the Chicago Symphony Chorus.
Christopher Georgetti - Giles Corey
Chris Georgetti is an operatic tenor from Nutley, New Jersey. During the 2016-17 season, Chris made his debut with Utopia Opera as Lensky in their production of Eugene Onegin. Earlier this year, he made his debut with the Bronx Opera Company as Fenton in their production of Sir John in Love, and sang in the 2017 Concorso Giordani International Voice Competition in Charlotte, North Carolina. During the 2015-16 season, he was as an Apprentice Artist with Sarasota Opera in their productions of Aida, La battaglia di Legnano, and Cosi fan tutte. He was previously a young artist at the International Vocal Arts Institute and the Castleton Festival, where he was under the baton of Maestro Lorin Maazel in their productions of Otello, La fanciulla del West, & Madama Butterfly. Past credits include: Fulvio (Catone in Utica), Hadji (Lakme), Macheath (The Threepenny Opera), Damon (Acis and Galatea), Candide (Candide), Fenton (Falstaff), Sam Polk (Susannah), Cochenille (Les contes d’Hoffmann), The Beadle (Sweeney Todd), Pirelli (Sweeney Todd), and Benjamin Franklin (1776). Chris received his Bachelor of Music (2011) and his Master of Music (2015) degrees from Rutgers University. An avid hockey fan, he is also one of the National Anthem singers for the New Jersey Devils (National Hockey League). He currently studies with Christian Sebek. www.chrisgeorgetti.wordpress.com
Vernon Shelton - Ezekiel Cheever
Vernon Shelton, lyric tenor, hails from Pekin, IL and is completing a Master of Music in Vocal Performance degree at North Park University in Chicago where he studies with Dr. You-Seong Kim and coaches with Dr. Yasuko Oura. Mr. Shelton is thrilled to perfect the role of Ezekiel Cheever this summer, a role he sang during his undergraduate training at Anderson University. Mr. Shelton enjoys singing a broad range of classical repertoire, with a voice equally suited to early music, romantic art songs, and contemporary opera works. His operatic roles include Hérrison de Porc-Epic in Chabrier’s L’étoile, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, and Azaël in Debussy’s L’enfant prodigue. In opera scenes productions at North Park, he has sung the roles of Romeo in Roméo et Juliette, Harlequin in I Pagliacci, and the Duke of Norfolk in Elisabetta, regina d’Inghilterra. His generous vocal range and agility have enabled him to perform three Mozart roles in opera scenes programs during his graduate work. In addition to his experience in opera, he was a soloist in Messiah at North Park in April. Mr. Shelton has had the pleasure of singing in Master classes for William Powers, William Florescu and David Alt, as well as two workshops with OperaWorks founder and artistic director Ann Baltz. He is currently the tenor section leader/soloist at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest. Mr. Shelton enjoys teaching voice lessons and holds a Bachelors degree in Music Education.
Amanda Pogach - Scenes
Amanda Pogach was born and raised in Munster, Indiana. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Vanderbilt University and her Master of Music from Belmont University. She has also trained and performed at Sydney Conservatorium in Australia, Songfest, Intermezzo Opera Festival, and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Austria. She has recently sung leading roles with East Coast Chamber Opera, New York Lyric Opera Theatre, Indianapolis Opera, Nashville Opera, and Intimate Opera of Indianapolis. Noteworthy performances include Morgana in Alcina, Königin der Nacht in Die Zauberflöte, Amy in scenes from Little Women, Fairy Princess and Jack’s Mom in Jack and the Beanstalk, Miss Silverpeal in The Impresario, Dortchen Wild in The Brothers Grimm, Baby Doe in The Ballad of Baby Doe, the world premier of George Gianopoulos's Op. 12b, and “Glitter and be gay” with the Belmont Orchestra as winner of the Classical Performer’s Competition. This summer Amanda will train and perform with the International Vocal Arts Institute and Chicago Summer Opera. Some of her featured performances with these companies will include scenes as First Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Dew Fairy in Hansel und Gretel, Frasquita in Carmen, and Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro.
Chungers Kim - Scenes
After receiving his B.M. from University of Wisconsin - River Falls, Baritone Chungers Kim has proceeded to establish himself as a vibrant presence in the Chicago classical music scene. Most recently, Mr. Kim has appeared as Masetto in The Floating Opera Company’s performance of Don Giovanni at The Bohemian National Cemetery. Other roles include Don Pasquale from Don Pasquale, Leporello(cover) from Don Giovanni, the Watchman from Maskarade and Schaunard(cover) from La bohème. Mr. Kim is also active as a concert soloist, having sung M. Haydn’s Te Deum with VOX3 Collectives and Lakeview Orchestra, Handel’s Messiah with St. Croix Valley Orchestra, as well as J.S.Bach’s Cantata BWV131 and F.J.Hadyn’s Te Deum with UW - River Falls Concert Choir. As a young musician he had the privilege of being involved with the Minnesota Chorale, with whom he had the opportunity to work with highly acclaimed conductors such as Osmo Vänskä, Nicholas Kraemer, Andrew Litton and Dr. Kathy Saltzman Romey. Currently, Mr. Kim studies with W. Stephen Smith. Offstage, he is an active choir director, chorister, vocal coach and accompanist for churches, schools and communities in the city. Most currently he serves as Music Director at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church. He is also a teaching artist for the Chicago Opera Theater for Teens program.
