Centennial Production

The reaction of our sold-out audience was enthusiastic in every way… expressed throughout the show and during a prolonged heartfelt standing ovation.  Thank you for bring us an enchanting evening.

Our audience could not have asked for a better performance.  Whatever the future holds for the Jacksonville Lyric Opera, I know it will be bright with success.  You will always be welcome back to St. Augustine.  Thank you for a delightful evening of song, dance, and theater.

In ten years as EMMA’s Program Chair, and another ten as Board member, I have not seen a more vibrant operatic production.  We feel lucky to have found such a special opera company so close to our historic city, and hope to have you as part of our series for many years to come.

Members of the Pontevedrian diplomatic community in Paris,
their wives and friends, performed by members of the Jacksonville
Lyric Opera Ensemble, including Sarah Arikian, Danielle Fisk,
Jessica Luck, Rebecca O’Sullivan, Ariane Reinhart, Corey Moran,
Briano Riso.

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 Paris, where he was sent to join the diplomatic service.  Anna, meanwhile, has married the banker Glawari, who obliged her by promptly making her the wealthiest widow in Pontevedro.

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 Paris.  Small wonder, then, that Baron Zeta, Pontevedrian Ambassador in Paris, is terrified that Anna may succumb to the advances of some fortune-hunting Frenchman, thereby depriving Pontevedro of its largest fortune and bankrupting the country.

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.