Menotti's The Medium & Old Maid and the Thief
July 12, 2019 at 7:30 PM
July 13, 2019 at 7:30 PM
Josephinum Theatre
1501 N Oakley Blvd, Chicago, IL 60622
Creative Team
Stage DirectorAlex Paul, Directing The Medium
Jen Stephenson, Directing Old Maid
Music Director
J. Bradley Baker
Jen Stephenson, Directing Old Maid
Music Director
J. Bradley Baker
Synopsis
The Medium:
Madame Flora, with the help of her daughter Monica and Toby, a mute servant, tries to cheat her clients through faked seances. She is touched herself by a hand during one of them, an occurrence she cannot explain and which drives her to insanity and murder.
Old Maid and the Thief: Originally written for NBC radio, The Old Maid and the Thief exposes the gossips and secrets of a seemingly quiet town. The middle-aged spinster Miss Todd, who spends most of her days simply knitting and gossiping with fellow spinster Miss Pinkerton, has her world turned upside-down when a beggar knocks at her door one rainy afternoon. A fast-paced and melodramatic opera buffa, The Old Maid and the Thief shows exactly how “the devil couldn’t do what a woman can: make a thief of an honest man!”
Madame Flora, with the help of her daughter Monica and Toby, a mute servant, tries to cheat her clients through faked seances. She is touched herself by a hand during one of them, an occurrence she cannot explain and which drives her to insanity and murder.
Old Maid and the Thief: Originally written for NBC radio, The Old Maid and the Thief exposes the gossips and secrets of a seemingly quiet town. The middle-aged spinster Miss Todd, who spends most of her days simply knitting and gossiping with fellow spinster Miss Pinkerton, has her world turned upside-down when a beggar knocks at her door one rainy afternoon. A fast-paced and melodramatic opera buffa, The Old Maid and the Thief shows exactly how “the devil couldn’t do what a woman can: make a thief of an honest man!”
Cast
The Medium
Monica - Rebecca Costillo |
Rebecca Marie Castillo, a native of Houston, Texas, is an active music educator and performer. She has taught high school choir, orchestra and middle school orchestra in the Houston area. Prior to teaching she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Sam Houston State University. Rebecca recently obtained a Masters of Music Education at the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). While at CCM she performed in Mainstage Productions Cunning Little Vixen and Cendrillon, and sang the role of Annina (La Traviata) at CCM’s Opera Bootcamp. Outside of Texas she has performed with the May Festival Chorus, Vocal Arts Ensemble, and EXIGENCE: A Sphinx Ensemble. In the Houston area she has performed with Houston Chamber Choir, Clear Lake Chamber Ensemble, Bach Society Choir and Houston Grand Opera's Educational Outreach Storybook Opera. Rebecca has received additional vocal training from Druid City Opera Workshop (University of Alabama), Amherst Winter Workshop (Philadelphia, PA), the Franco-American Vocal Academy (Salzburg, Austria) and Musical Academy International (Mezzano, Italy). This summer she will sing the role of Monica (The Medium) with Chicago Summer Opera.
Mrs. Gobineau - Anne Marie Carden
Anne Marie Carden, a lyric soprano, hails from Western Springs, Illinois. She recently graduated from the conservatory at Lawrence University where she studied with Joanne Bozeman and received her degree in classical Voice Performance . She has had the opportunity to study in various places for the past two summers such as the renowned Cincinnati Conservatory of Music as well as Salzburg, Austria with the Frost School of Music at University of Miami. Recent roles and performances include the ensemble of Rossini's Le comte Ory at Lawrence University in 2018, the ensemble of Verdi's La Traviata at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music Summer Opera Studio in 2016, the ensemble in Copland's The Tender Land at Lawrence University in 2015, a dater in Michael Ching's Speed Dating Tonight! at Lawrence University in 2016. Her training has provided multiple opera scenes productions where she has studied Romilda in Handel’s Serse, Donna Anna in Mozart's Don Giovanni, Servilla in Mozart's La clemenza di Tito, and Nanetta in Verdi's Falstaff. Anne Marie is currently pursuing her Masters of Music degree at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee under the tutelage of Kathryn Wright.
Flora - Nicole Rivera
Born in Puerto Rico, mezzo-soprano Nicole Rivera is demonstrating her artistic versatility across numerous stages. She has performed roles such as Friedericke in Straus's Ein Walzertraum and Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte. After performing at the InterHarmony International Music Festival in Germany, Ms. Rivera was featured as a solosist in the festival’s Heartstrings in a Chord concert at Carnegie Hall in 2016. She earned a Bachelor of Music from Stetson University and is currently pursuing a Master of Music at North Park University, under the tutelage of Sam Handley, where she recently performed the role of The Gingerbread Witch in Hänsel und Gretel and the Spinster in Dominick Argento’s The Masque of Angels.
Mrs. Nolan - Gilda Parlatto
Mezzo-soprano Gilda Parlatto Lire is a native of Brownsville, Texas. She holds a degree in vocal music education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, under the instruction of Mrs. Margaret Daniel. Recently, Ms. Parlatto Lire appeared as “Zita” in Gianni Schicchi and as “the Abbess” in Suor Angelica with Red River Lyric Opera. She has also appeared as “the Witch” inHansel and Gretel, as “Kirsten the Matchmaker” in John Duke’s Captain Lovelock, and as a soloist and ensemble member in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Opera Theater. Additionally, Ms. Parlatto Lire has appeared in partial roles such as “Dorabella” in Così Fan Tutte, “Elizabeth Keckley” in Glass' Appomattox, and “the Third Lady” in Die Zauberflöte with The Druid City Opera Workshop. Other partial roles include “Augusta” in Moore's The Ballad of Baby Doe and “Octavian” in Der Rosenkavalier with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Advanced Opera Workshop.
Mr. Gobineau - Brian Fenderson
Brian Fenderson, baritone, is a native of Newark, New Jersey. Brian earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the Lincoln University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Music from the University of Delaware, where he studied under the tutelage of Dr. Isai Jess Munoz. Brian’s 2019 credits include: Soloist for Schubert’s Mass in G, Soloist Handel’s Israel in Egypt, Puccini’s La Rondine (Rambaldo), Menotti’s The Old Maid & The Thief (Bob) and The Medium (Mr. Gobineau). Brian is also overjoyed to be a member of the Chorus for the 2019-2020 new production of Porgy and Bess at The Metropolitan Opera. Brian participated in the Bay View Music Festival SOARS program in Michigan, Red River Lyric Opera’s productions of Gianni Schicchi (Marco) and H.M.S. Pinafore(Sailor Freddie) in Texas. In August, Brian attended the Summer School at the Wales International Academy of Voice in Cardiff, Wales, working with Opera Greats such as: tenor Dennis O’Neill, CBE, sopranos Dame Kiri te Kanawa, and Nuccia Focile, and Marek Ruszczynski, coach at the Royal Opera House in London.Starting 2018 on a high note, Brian debuted the role of Papageno, in Mozart's Die Zauberflôte, with the Opera Theatre of Montclair. Brian spent July 2017 at MusikTheater Bavaria in Oberaudorf, Germany, where he was chosen to sing for Stephen Hopkins, conductor of the Wiener Staatsoper and participated in a mock audition for German Agent, Antonia Klein. Brian ended 2017 with New York Lyric Opera in their annual Opera Gala at prestigious Carnegie Hall.
Toby - Nadia Marshall
Soprano, Nadia Marshall is scheduled to perform Laetitia in The Old Maid and the Thief with Chicago Summer Opera this summer. Nadia recently graduated from The Ohio State University with her Master's in Vocal Performance and a certificate in Singing Health. She studies with Dr. Scott McCoy. Ms. Marshall performed as Grisette Margot in Opera Project Columbus’ The Merry Widow in January. Last year, Nadia received the Margaret Speaks Vocal Scholarship award at the Ohio State University. She also won 2nd place in the Tuesday Musical Competition and 1st place in The Women in Music Scholarship Competition in 2018. Miss Marshall sang Paquette in Ohio State University’s production of Bernstein’s Candide. Nadia’s other roles include Lauretta (cover) in Gianni Schicchi with the Canadian Vocal Arts Institute in Montreal, Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Suor Genovieffa in Suor Angelica (cover) with The Vienna Summer Music Festival, and The Princess and The Nightingale in Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges with the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival. In 2017, Miss Marshall was an Emerging Artist and Media Coordinator for Gulfshore Opera for their 2017-2018 season. She performed the roles of Dater #23 and #16 in Gulfshore Opera’s production of Ching’s Speed Dating Tonight!, and The Angel in Gulfshore Opera’s production of Respighi’s Lauda per la Natività. In 2016, Miss Marshall completed her Bachelor’s at the Florida State University. At FSU, she performed as Valetto in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, Princess Gilda in Lori Laitman’s The Three Feathers, and Poisonous Flower in Catan’s La Hija di Rappaccini. She was named the 2016 Winner of the SWFL Symphony Society Scholarship Competition, Most Promising Musicianship at the Orfeo Music Festival competition in Vipiteno, Italy, and Voices of Naples Scholarship Winner in 2012. Nadia also enjoys dancing Argentine tango, running Tough Mudders, boxing and completing Burpee 5k’s. She is currently pursuing a personal training certification.
Old Maid & the Thief
Laetitia - Nadia Marshall
Soprano, Nadia Marshall is scheduled to perform Laetitia in The Old Maid and the Thief with Chicago Summer Opera this summer. Nadia recently graduated from The Ohio State University with her Master's in Vocal Performance and a certificate in Singing Health. She studies with Dr. Scott McCoy. Ms. Marshall performed as Grisette Margot in Opera Project Columbus’ The Merry Widow in January. Last year, Nadia received the Margaret Speaks Vocal Scholarship award at the Ohio State University. She also won 2nd place in the Tuesday Musical Competition and 1st place in The Women in Music Scholarship Competition in 2018. Miss Marshall sang Paquette in Ohio State University’s production of Bernstein’s Candide. Nadia’s other roles include Lauretta (cover) in Gianni Schicchi with the Canadian Vocal Arts Institute in Montreal, Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Suor Genovieffa in Suor Angelica (cover) with The Vienna Summer Music Festival, and The Princess and The Nightingale in Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges with the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival. In 2017, Miss Marshall was an Emerging Artist and Media Coordinator for Gulfshore Opera for their 2017-2018 season. She performed the roles of Dater #23 and #16 in Gulfshore Opera’s production of Ching’s Speed Dating Tonight!, and The Angel in Gulfshore Opera’s production of Respighi’s Lauda per la Natività. In 2016, Miss Marshall completed her Bachelor’s at the Florida State University. At FSU, she performed as Valetto in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, Princess Gilda in Lori Laitman’s The Three Feathers, and Poisonous Flower in Catan’s La Hija di Rappaccini. She was named the 2016 Winner of the SWFL Symphony Society Scholarship Competition, Most Promising Musicianship at the Orfeo Music Festival competition in Vipiteno, Italy, and Voices of Naples Scholarship Winner in 2012. Nadia also enjoys dancing Argentine tango, running Tough Mudders, boxing and completing Burpee 5k’s. She is currently pursuing a personal training certification.
Miss Pinkerton - Laura Bumgardner
Laura Bumgardner, soprano, is honored and excited to return to Chicago Summer Opera for a second year! Ms. Bumgardner’s roles include Rusalka (cover)/Rusalka (Opera Steamboat), Donna Anna (cover)/Don Giovanni (Opera Steamboat), Ann Putnam/The Crucible (Chicago Summer Opera), La Bergére/La Chouette/L’enfant et les sortileges and Apollonia/La Canterina, (Roosevelt University), and La maestra delle Novizie/Suor Angelica (Amalfi Coast Music Festival). Her partial roles include Ellen Orford/Peter Grimes (Chicago Summer Opera), Fiordiligi/Cosi fan tutte (Roosevelt University), La mére/Les contes d’Hoffman (Amalfi Coast Music Festival) , Frasquita/Carmen, Marzelline/Fidelio, Girl/West Side Story, Sandman/Hänsel und Gretel, and Birdie/Regina (Southern Methodist University). Ms. Bumgardner has been in the chorus of L’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 Michelle DeYoung (2018(, Craig Terry (2016), Darren K. Woods (2015), 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). Ms. Bumgardner resides in Chicago and is a student of Alexandra LoBianco.
Miss Todd - Hannah Wheeler
A native Hoosier, Hannah Wheeler is passionate about performing modern works, which is manifested through her performances through out the years. Ms. Wheeler is excited to continue this passion in the role of Miss Todd in The Old Maid and the Thief with Chicago Summer Opera. Ms. Wheeler has also sung the role of Alma in Adamo’s Little Women with Chicago Vocal Arts Consortium, appeared in the world premiere of ...for the sake of a narrative closure as the Critic in Chicago College of Performing Arts’ Opera Fest, and Lapák, Mrs. Páskova, and Grasshopper in the CCPA production of The Cunning Little Vixen. Ms. Wheeler recently finished her master’s degree in voice performance from CCPA at Roosevelt University in May of 2018, where she studied and continues to work with Allan Glassman.
Bob - Brian Fenderson
Brian Fenderson, baritone, is a native of Newark, New Jersey. Brian earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the Lincoln University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Music from the University of Delaware, where he studied under the tutelage of Dr. Isai Jess Munoz. Brian’s 2019 credits include: Soloist for Schubert’s Mass in G, Soloist Handel’s Israel in Egypt, Puccini’s La Rondine (Rambaldo), Menotti’s The Old Maid & The Thief (Bob) and The Medium (Mr. Gobineau). Brian is also overjoyed to be a member of the Chorus for the 2019-2020 new production of Porgy and Bess at The Metropolitan Opera. Brian participated in the Bay View Music Festival SOARS program in Michigan, Red River Lyric Opera’s productions of Gianni Schicchi (Marco) and H.M.S. Pinafore(Sailor Freddie) in Texas. In August, Brian attended the Summer School at the Wales International Academy of Voice in Cardiff, Wales, working with Opera Greats such as: tenor Dennis O’Neill, CBE, sopranos Dame Kiri te Kanawa, and Nuccia Focile, and Marek Ruszczynski, coach at the Royal Opera House in London.Starting 2018 on a high note, Brian debuted the role of Papageno, in Mozart's Die Zauberflôte, with the Opera Theatre of Montclair. Brian spent July 2017 at MusikTheater Bavaria in Oberaudorf, Germany, where he was chosen to sing for Stephen Hopkins, conductor of the Wiener Staatsoper and participated in a mock audition for German Agent, Antonia Klein. Brian ended 2017 with New York Lyric Opera in their annual Opera Gala at prestigious Carnegie Hall.