Centennial ProductionFranz Lehar’sTHE MERRY WIDOWperformed by the (904) 828-2000 (Business) (917) 648-6618 (Cell) E-mail: jaxopera@bellsouth.net
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Debut Performance: Saturday,
November 24, 2007 – 8:00 PM
Presented by the EMMA Concert Association and
(Scroll down for client comments, program and cast information.)
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Members of the Pontevedrian diplomatic community in Paris, |
Musicians
Max Huls (Violin I), Aurelia Duca (Violin II), Clinton Dewing (Viola)
Vernon Humbert (Cello), John Wieland (Bass),
Benjamin Morss (Piano)
Special Guest Artists
Sons of the Beaches
Act I – Anna Glawari’s villa Act II – The villa, later that night
Time: 1900 Place: Paris
There will be one 15-minute intermission.
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The Story
Several years before the
curtain rises, in the impoverished Balkan State of Pontevedro (no
connection to the community of Ponte Vedra), the love affair between
Anna, a commoner, and the dashing Count Danilo, was ended by the Count’s
family. Since then, Danilo
has been living a dissolute life in
She has now abandoned the
oxcarts and muddy roads of her homeland in favor of the carriages and
boulevards – not to mention the fashionable nightlife – of
Not knowing of their previous
attachment, the Baron concocts a plan to bring Anna and Danilo together.
Running parallel to Zeta’s scheme, a Frenchman, Camille de
Rosillon, has fallen in love with the Baron’s wife, Valencienne, at
length finding success with the object of his love.
Finally, true love prevails for Anna and Danilo, as the plot
twists and turns to a happy ending for all.
Who’s Who in THE MERRY WIDOW PENNY SHUMATE (Anna Glawari) has performed a variety of principal roles with the Baltimore Opera, Little Orchestra Society of New York (Lincoln Center), Lake George (NY) Opera, Opera Roanoke, and Des Moines Metro Opera, among other organizations. Her roles in opera and operetta include Violetta in LA TRAVIATA, Gilda in RIGOLETTO, Musetta in LA BOHEME, Magnolia in SHOW BOAT, and the title role in NAUGHTY MARIETTA. As a concert artist, Ms. Shumate made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2004 as Soprano Soloist in CARMINA BURANA. Also that year, she performed as Soprano Soloist in the MESSIAH with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. DOUGLIN MURRAY SCHMIDT (Count Danilo) appears regularly with Lyric Opera San Diego, where he has performed the role of Peachum in THE BEGGARS OPERA, Alidoro in Rossini’s LA CENERENTOLA, the Pirate King in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, and Dick Deadeye in H.M.S. PINAFORE. Additional credits include Scarpia in TOSCA and Marcello in LA BOHEME with the Puccini Festival of Kansas City, Escamillo in CARMEN with the Wichita Grand Opera, and Guglielmo in COSI FAN TUTTE with the South Florida Opera. For the past three summers, Mr. Schmidt has performed principal roles with the Belleayre Festival Opera – Figaro in IL BARIBERE DI SIVIGLIA (2007), Scarpia in TOSCA (2006), and the title role in RIGOLETTO (2005). MAIJA LISA CURRIE (Valencienne) lists a variety of European credits, including Opernhaus Zurich, Basel Sinfonietta, Zurcher Festspiele, and Operette Sirnach. American engagements include Spoletto Festival USA, Dicapo Opera Theatre (NYC), Indianapolis Opera, Kentucky Opera, and Mobile Opera. Roles include the leading ladies in LA TRAVIATA, RIGOLETTO, MANON, DON PASQUALE, and THE MAGIC FLUTE. ALEXANDER WEAVER (Camille de Rosillon) made his New York debut during the 2006/07 season as Ferrando in Mozart’s COSI FAN TUTTE with the National Opera Center. Additional credits include the Chautauqua Opera, Riverside Opera, Greenwich Symphony, Westfield Symphony, and Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, where he appeared in productions of H.M.S. PINAFORE and SUSSANAH. LOUIS DALL’AVA (Baron Zeta) has performed twenty-two Gilbert & Sullivan roles plus numerous roles in musical theatre. Company credits include the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (where he won last season’s Isaac Asimov Award for the excellence of his work), Opera Northeast, National Savoyards, Mobile Opera, Sorg Opera (OH), and Commonwealth Opera (MA), where he was named “Best Actor in a Musical” by Bravo Pix for his portrayal of Fagin in OLIVER. Mr. Dall’Ava has toured nationally, performing principal roles in Opera Northeast productions of KISS ME, KATE, SOUTH PACIFIC, and OKLAHOMA!, and internationally in three productions of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Directing credits include The Theatre at Monmouth (ME) and Opera Northeast. DAVID SEATTER (Njegus) has appeared with Opera Delaware, Augusta Opera, Light Opera Society of Palm Beach, and North Shore Music Theatre, among others. He has toured nationally with Opera Northeast and the National Savoyards, including engagements with the Baltimore Symphony, Denver Symphony, and Detroit Symphony. Mr. Seatter was an original member of the Light Opera of Manhattan and was the company’s first Captain Corcoran (H.M.S. PINAFORE), Dr. Daly (THE SORCERER) and Robin Oakapple (RUDDIGORE). As cofounder and Artistic Director of The Shaw Project in New York City, Mr. Seatter has directed more than 100 productions over the past twenty years. DONALD WESTWOOD (Artistic Director/Stage Director) is Artistic Director of the Belleayre Festival Opera (Belleayre Music Festival) in New York. This Summer he produced and directed IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA and THREE LITTLE PIGS (World Premiere) for the Festival. Summer 2008, his 10th Belleayre season, will include Leoncavallo’s PAGLIACCI. Other recent productions include Sondheim’s INTO THE WOODS (June 2007) for the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre; OPERA UNDER THE STARS and DIE FLEDERMAUS in Las Vegas; and the operetta spectacular, VIENNA TO BROADWAY, featuring a company of 150 singers, dancers, and musicians, including stars of the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera. In a career that that began in 1972, when NEW YORK Magazine called his first production “a welcome addition to this city’s music,” Donald Westwood has produced, directed, managed and marketed some 200 productions. These include numerous national tours and regional productions in the fields of opera, operetta, and the classics of American musical theater. Mr. Westwood is President of Opera Management Corporation in New York City. BENJAMIN MORSS (Music Director/Conductor) has been Music Director for three main stage productions and three programs for young audiences at the Belleayre Music Festival. Maestro Morss has served as Music Director for numerous theatres in New York and throughout the northeast, including the Helen Hayes Theatre, Asbury Summer Theatre, Shawnee Theatre, Queens Theatre in the Park, Emelin Theatre, and New York State Theatre Institute. Productions include THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, I LOVE MY WIFE, FOREVER PLAID, and MASTER CLASS. Maestro Morss holds a PhD in Composition from the University of California at Davis, and has been a Resident Artist at the Atlantic Center for the Arts (Florida).
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