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| LoDuca, Rosolino |
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Founder |
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Roslino Lo Duca, a native of Cinisi in the province of Palermo, out of his deep love for the Sicilian customs and language and his passion for the music of Vincenzo Bellini. Dino Valle, co-founder of BELLINI OPERA, with more than 35 years of operatic experience, has founded the Italian Opera Co, The Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan, The Statue of Enrico Caruso Society, the Dearborn Opera, and the SWF Italian Opera Society. Mr. Valle feels privileged to be a part of the inauguration of BELLINI OPERA, and is looking forward to presenting many concerts and recitals to new operatic audiences. |
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| Valle, Dino |
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| Csurgai-Schmitt, Jacqueline |
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Music Director & Pianist |
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Jacqueline Csurgai-Schmitt, a native of Dearborn, began playing the piano at age three. Piano lessons began at the Detroit Conservatory at age 5 and she won many local and state competitions before playing her senior recital from high school at the Detroit Institute of Arts. A cum laude graduate of the Honors College at Michigan State University, she studied piano performance with Joseph Evans & Henry Harris. As an undergraduate, she performed as piano soloist on the Kellogg Concert Series, the University of Windsor Concert Series, and with the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra. She received a Masters of Music degree in piano performance from Indiana University studying with Menahem Pressler, renowned pianist of the Beaux Arts Trio. Ms. Csurgai-Schmitt was on the piano faculty of George Mason University while continuing a performance career in Washington, D.C. A founding member of the Cosmos Camerata, she performed at the Cosmos Club, the Phillips Gallery and the Corcoran Gallery of Art. During preparation for several European concert tours, Jacqueline developed a repetitive stress injury to her right hand and returned to the Detroit area. After undergoing intensive physical therapy, surgery and retraining for twelve years, she began coaching with Mischa Kottler, Detroit's premiere pianist and pedagogue who assisted in the rehabilitative process. She now lectures on pain and dysfunction and presents seminars at universities and national, state and local music teachers’ conferences. She is co-founder of the national organization The Pianist’s Committee on Technique, Movement & Wellness that authored the book, A Symposium for Pianists and Teachers: Strategies to Develop the Mind and Body for Optimal Performance, published by Heritage Music Press in 2002. It is now being used in piano pedagogy curricula across the country and was favorably reviewed for the European Music Teachers Association and the MTNA in their journal, The American Music Teacher. Since her remarkable recovery, Ms Csurgai-Schmitt has performed extensively in the Detroit area with orchestra and in solo and chamber music performances. Jacqueline is the pianist with the Dearborn Symphony and last collaborated as soloist with the orchestra when she played the Liszt Hungarian Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra in April of 2010, substituting at the last moment for the injured soloist. Ms. Csurgai-Schmitt is on the music faculty at Marygrove College as a collaborative pianist and vocal coach, recently presenting a faculty recital in which she played the solo repertoire of Chopin and Liszt in addition to collaborating with her vocal colleagues in the performance of Schubert, R. Strauss, Rachmaninoff and Nicolai. Ms. Csurgai-Schmitt was honored by the Dearborn Council of the Arts and the Mayor’s Office with the 1998 Artist/Performers Award and has received the Commemorative Award of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution from the Hungarian Freedom Fighters Association for her performances and artistic contributions to Hungarian-American culture both in metro Detroit and in Windsor. |
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| CALLEJA, JOSEPH |
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TENOR: JOSEPH CALLEJA |
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Joseph Calleja is already one of the tenors most sought after by leading opera houses on both sides of the Atlantic. His voice has routinely inspired comparisons to “legendary singers from earlier eras: Jussi Björling, Beniamino Gigli, even Enrico Caruso” (Associated Press). The Maltese tenor’s recent successes include role debuts at the Metropolitan Opera, where he “gave his all, singing with ardor, stamina, and poignant vocal colorings and winning a rousing ovation” in the title role of Bartlett Sher’s new Tales of Hoffmann (New York Times), and at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where, almost “steal[ing] the show” (Independent), he proved himself a “thrilling Adorno” (Financial Times) opposite Plácido Domingo in Simon Boccanegra. In the 2010-11 season, Calleja takes on three signature roles at the Met: Rodolfo in La bohème, Edgardo opposite Natalie Dessay in Lucia di Lammermoor, and the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto, the role in which he made his house debut in 2006. Additional upcoming highlights include the role of Pinkerton in Houston Grand Opera’s new, season-opening production of Madama Butterfly; his Canadian recital debut at Toronto’s Roy Thompson Hall; and the release of his next recording for Decca, an album of Italian and French arias. On the other side of the Atlantic, Calleja returns to two of Germany’s most prestigious houses—Munich’s Bayerische Staatsoper for L’elisir d’amore and La bohème and Berlin’s Deutsche Oper for Lucia—and gives a concert of opera arias in Istanbul, Turkey. The tenor ends the season on tour with the Metropolitan Opera in Japan, singing Edgardo opposite Diana Damrau’s Lucia. Last season, along with impressive role debuts as Hoffmann and Adorno and a third as Ruggiero in La rondine in Frankfurt, Calleja sang Rodolfo at the Staatsoper Hamburg and Vienna Staatsoper; Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth with the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich; and Nemorino in a new L’elisir d’amore at Tokyo’s New National Theatre. His numerous concert appearances included recitals in France, Romania, Japan, and his native Malta. Calleja’s engagements have placed him in 28 leading roles and taken him to virtually every major European city, a remarkable achievement for a 32-year-old. He made his Covent Garden debut as the Duke of Mantua, and soon returned to sing Alfredo and Macduff, as well as in concert as Nicias in Massenet’s Thaïs. At the Vienna Staatsoper he has performed Elvin in La somnambula, Arturo in I puritani, Verdi’s Duke, Rodolfo, Alfredo, and Nemorino, and the title role of Roberto Devereux. He sang Tebaldo in Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi at the Konzerthaus in Vienna alongside Anna Netrebko and Elîna Garanča in concert performances recorded by Deutsche Grammophon and released in early 2009. Calleja appeared with Zurich Opera as Verdi’s Duke and Elvino, and at the Salzburg Festival as Tebaldo in concert performances conducted by Ivor Bolton. The Duke of Mantua was the vehicle for debuts with the Bayerische Staatsoper, Netherlands Opera, Welsh National Opera, and Deutsche Oper Berlin, where he has since sung Arturo and given his first performances in the title role of Gounod’s Faust. Audiences at Barcelona’s Gran Teatre de Liceu first saw him as Nemorino, and he debuted as Rodolfo with Dresden Semperoper and Frankfurt Opera, where he returned for his role debut as Roméo in Roméo et Juliette. Calleja’s German debut was as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni at the Regensburg Festival, a role he reprised for his debut with the Teatre Principal, Majorca. His first appearance at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro was in the role of Lind in the world premiere of Azio Corghi’s Isabella. Highlights of recent seasons also include performances as Alfredo in a new production of La traviata at the Opera National du Rhin, Strasbourg; Ernesto in Don Pasquale in Brussels; Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia in Liège; Fenton in Falstaff at the Teatro Regio Torino; Edoardo di Sanval in Verdi’s Un giorno di regno in Bologna; the Duke in Rotterdam and Copenhagen; Rodolfo at the Bregenz Festival; and Leicester in Maria Stuarda in Stockholm and Parma. Calleja made his United States debut as Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi at the Spoleto Festival. He appeared as Macduff with Seattle Opera and debuted with both Los Angeles Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago as Alfredo in La traviata. At the Metropolitan Opera in New York, he has sung Verdi’s Duke, Macduff, and Nemorino. Further U.S. appearances include Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia, the Duke of Mantua for Washington Opera, and Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor for Minnesota Opera. In 2000, when he was a mere 22 years old, he made his Canadian debut in Toronto as Rodolfo in La bohème. An exclusive Decca recording artist since 2003, his first two albums of opera arias, The Golden Voice and Tenor Arias, captured critical and popular acclaim, and prompted Riccardo Chailly, with whom he collaborated on the first recording, to comment, “For some time I have not heard such a talent at this young age, with a sound harking back to a quality I thought we had long lost.” Both albums won Editor’s Choice in Gramophone magazine, and the Observer described Calleja as “a rare discovery, evoking memories from Caruso to Domingo with the suppleness of his tone and the expressive, highly individual lyricism he brings to even the most familiar material.” Also in great demand as a concert artist, Calleja has toured throughout Germany in recitals and solo concerts, and with soprano Anna Netrebko. Additionally, he has appeared in opera galas including Leipzig, the Hampton Court and Faenol Festivals in the UK with Bryn Terfel, and at the Sejong Cultural Center in Seoul, Korea. Calleja has sung Rossini’s Stabat Mater at the Festival de Música de Canarias; Verdi’s Messa da Requiem with Riccardo Chailly, Gianandrea Noseda, and Juri Belohlavek at London’s BBC Proms; and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass at the Salzburg Easter Festival. Born in Malta in 1978, Joseph Calleja began singing at the age of 16, training with Maltese tenor Paul Asciak. He made his professional debut in Malta in 1997 as Macduff in Macbeth and won an award in the Belvedere Hans Gabor competition later that year. He went on to win the 1998 Caruso Competition in Milan and was a prizewinner in Domingo’s Operalia the following year. © 21C Media Group, August 2010 |
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| Evola, Eva |
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SOPRANO: EVA EVOLA |
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Eva Evola, soprano A graduate of Columbia University of Chicago, with a BSA in Fine Arts. Eva has studied with renowned Tenor, George Shirley; Susan Acton, of Michigan Opera; and Italian Coach, Dino Valle. Eva’s passion for singing and her untiring work in pursuing her development in various operatic roles since her debut with the Verdi Opera in 2004 have already earned her much praise and significant rewards. Eva’s unique voice and expressive stage presence were evident in her role of Adina in Donizetti’s L’ Elisir d’Amore with Verdi Opera in 2005. In addition, she performed with distinction at the Detroit Opera House with the Michigan Opera Theatre, in the roles of Clotilde in Bellini’s Norma and Kate Pinkerton in Puccini’s Madam Butterfly. She recently performed with La Scala Opera Ensemble along with Grammy Award Winner Basso, Michael Pertusi and Verdian Baritone, Dino Valle. Eva was nominated the winning artist of the year, receiving the Metropolitan Detroit Music Award. Most recently she performed for two concerts with the Bellini Opera Theatre at the Italian Cultural Center and the Lexington Music Theatre. She has performed with the world renowned, Joseph Calleja. Most recently, she sang as Countess Ceprano in MOTS production of Rigoletto. Upcoming events include, Tribute to Mario Lanza at the LMT on August 14 and the Traverse City Opera, on October 28. |
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| Repnikova, Elena |
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SOPRANO |
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Born in Latvia and a graduate of the Moscow Collegiate Academy of Art's Department of Music Theatre, Elena performed with the Moscow Modern Opera Theatre before immigrating to the United States in 1994 and becoming an American citizen. Her distinctive voice covers a wide-ranging repertoire. She has been featured in concerts in Europe as well as with various music organizations in the Detroit metropolitan area. Recent performances include the "Opera in the Park" concert with the Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan, sponsored by Wayne County Parks. |
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| Swan, Kim |
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SOPRANO: KIM SWAN |
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Kimberly Swan is a native of Livonia, Michigan. A graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, Kimberly holds two degrees in vocal performance. She has appeared in supportive and leading roles in operas and musicals over the past twenty years; some of these venues include the Bay View Music Festival, the Verdi Opera Theatre, Musica da Camera and the Great Lakes Lyric Opera. Kimberly has also appeared as the soprano soloist with the Michigan Gospel Singers in numerous concerts throughout Europe. Some of the countries toured are France, England, Switzerland and Scotland. To further her studies, in 1992 Kimberly attended the International Institute of Vocal Arts in Italy where she studied and performed numerous operatic programs. Since returning to the area, Kimberly has established a private vocal studio that provides individual lessons to more than sixty students. In addition to private instruction, Ms. Swan has also instructed students on the collegiate level as an Assistant Professor of Voice at both William Tyndale College and Madonna University. Kimberly currently appears in the Metro-Detroit area with the Verdi Opera Theater, the Great Lakes Lyric Opera, the Detroit Choral Artists, The Tyndale Artists Ensemble, Fifth Season Ensemble and Musica da Camera. A devote believer in healthy vocal production, she also holds several seminars and clinics for various choirs and youth organizations, to promote interest in good vocal technique and in the vocal arts. |
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| White, Karin |
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SOPRANO: KARIN WHITE |
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Karin White (Soprano) recently portrayed Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor with the Arbor Opera Theater, the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors with Madonna University and sang Belinda and the First Witch in Dido and Aeneas with the Metropolitan Baroque Ensemble of Detroit. Other roles include Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, Violetta in La Traviata, Cio- Cio San in Madama Butterfly, Mimi in La Bohème, Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella. Concert appearances include performances with the Dearborn Symphony, the Battle Creek Symphony, the Macomb Symphony, the Plymouth Symphony, the Westmoreland Symphony, the Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony, the Redford Symphony, the Saginaw Choral Society, and many others. Upcoming 2010 performances include an opera concert at the Lexington Music Theater, and a Christmas Concert with the Redford Symphony. She will portray Elvira in The Rose of Castile (Balfe) and will be featured on the CD recording with The Comic Opera Guild. In 2011 Ms. White will be a guest soloist with the Dearborn Symphony and with the Macomb Symphony (both in March of 2011). Karin is an adjunct professor at Madonna University and maintains a private voice studio in Ann Arbor. www.karinwhite.com |
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| MC DONALD, SHAWN |
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Tenor |
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Shawn McDonald, artistic director, brings diverse talents and experience to Arbor Opera Theater. As a singer Mr. McDonald has portrayed numerous roles including Rodolfo in La Bohème, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Alfredo in La Traviata, Count Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Sivgila and Nerone in L’incoronazione di Poppea. In 2006 he sang “Paul Claudel” in The Promise for the National Opera Association’s national convention, and was a soloist in the 2006 Verdi Marathon in Manhattan, New York. He has also participated in performance art, most notably a production of John Cage’s Europera 5, directed by Jack Behrens. He has performed in concert with the Alma Symphony, the Clarion Symphony, the Ypsilanti Symphony, Friends of the Opera of Michigan, the Verdi Opera Theater, and the Tuesday Musicale of Detroit.
Mr. McDonald trained as a tenor with his mentor, Caroline Rogers of Marygrove College. He then continued his studies on a full scholarship at the University of Michigan, working under George Shirley and Shirley Verrett, as well as Martin Katz and Joshua Major. He earned a Bachelor of Music from Eastern Michigan University, studying organ with Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra and Mary Ida Yost and voice with Glenda Kirkland. Additional training included summer apprentice programs at Opera North (NH) and the Brevard Music Center, as well as the Elizabeth Mannion’s Institute of Vocal Arts and private studies with James Berg. He continued his keyboard studies in Germany at the renowned North German Organ Academy with Dr. Harold Vogel and was the winner of the Ann Arbor chapter of the American Guild of Organists competition in 1997.
He was Director of Vocal Activities at Marygrove College, where he established a unique collaboration with AOT that allows the college to produce full, professional quality productions that utilize both students and professional artists. In May of 2008 the organizations joined to produce a "Motown" staging of The Magic Flute that was enthusiastically received. He also helped to produce, design, and musically direct productions of The Marriage of Figaro, and Amahl and the Night Visitors. He was musical director for numerous revues and a production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ for the Marygrove Music Department. During his time at Marygrove he was also hired by the University of Detroit Theatre Department to serve as musical director and composer for its summer program in Greece. He spent two summers there, composing original music for Antigone and serving as musical director for Lysistrata and The Long Way Home: A Musical Odyssey.
As a collaborative pianist, Mr. McDonald has also worked with such organizations as Michigan Opera Theatre’s community programs, The Tuesday Musicale of Detroit, Young Peoples Theater of Ann Arbor, Friends of the Opera of Michigan and the Verdi Opera Theater. He is Minister of Music for Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, directing numerous choirs and ensembles, as well as serving as pianist/organist since 1995. He also currently works as staff pianist/choir director and composer/arranger in residence at Temple Israel, West Bloomfield. Temple Israel is currently the largest reform congregation in the United States, and their numerous musical programs and services have grown and flourished with his assistance and musical direction. This past year, Temple Israel produced it's first cd entitled Kavanat Haruach which featured Shawn's talents as a pianist and vocalist in addition to two of his original compositions. |
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| PETERS, CURTIS |
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TENOR: CURTIS PETERS |
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| DOYLE, ROBERT |
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TENOR: ROBERT DOYLE |
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| AGAZZI, LISA |
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MEZZO SOPRANO: LISA AGAZZI |
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Lisa Agazzi, mezzo-soprano, is a graduate of Oakland University, with a major in Voice. A very versatile performer, Lisa’s credits include Mercedes in Carmen with the San Diego Opera, repeating the role with Michigan Opera Theatre; Lola in Cavalleria Rustincana with the Pine Mountain Music Festival; Flora in La Traviata with the Dorian Opera Theatre in Iowa; Hansel in Hansel and Gretel with the Adrian Symphony, and Zita in Gianni Schicchi with the Verdi Opera in 2006. She performed the title role of La Cenerentola while touring with the Utah Opera Studio, Lisa has been critically praised as “a great Flora, with striking good looks and a fine voice, “and a lively and likeable Carmen” (Il Giardino Lirico). In 2008, she performed in the Sarasota Opera production of Boris Godounoff along with the Italian Basso, Ferruccio Furlanetto and in the Michigan Opera theatre’s production, A Little Night Music. Visit her on line at lisaagazzi.com. |
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| HENRICKSON, STEVEN |
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BARITONE: STEVEN HENRICKSON |
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| LUGOVSKOY, SERGEI |
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PIANIST: SERGEI LUGOVSKOY |
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| DOROSHINA, LIDIA |
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PIANIST: LIDIA DOROSHINA |
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Lidia Doroshina–graduated from the Music University in Taganrog, Russia then attended the Donesk Conservatory in the Ukraine. She was accelerated through the Conservatory finishing her studies at the top of her class in four years; and graduated with degrees for piano, piano teaching, and concert master for instruments, voice and chamber music. She then taught piano, accompaniment and ensemble for 30 years at the Music University in Taganrog and was head of the piano teachers at the University. She has performed as a soloist, and accompanied many artists, both instrumentalists and vocalists. She presently teache piano privately, She is a member of the Southwest Florida Teachers Association. The Florida Music teachers Association, the Southwest Florida Symphony Society, and the Naples Music Club and the official accompanist of the SWF Italian Opera Society. |
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| ZARKHIN, MARINA |
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PIANIST: MARINA ZARKHIN |
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| MANDELBAUM, MARTIN |
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PIANIST: MARTIN MANDELBAUM |
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| EISENSTEIN, NEIL |
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PIANIST: NEIL EISENSTEIN |
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| PASHMAKOVA, ANGELINA |
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PIANIST: ANGELINA PASHMAKOVA |
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| JOHNSON, JUDITH |
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PIANIST: JUDITH JOHNSON |
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| COOK, THOMAS |
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CONDUCTOR: THOMAS COOK |
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| SCHESIUK, VOLODEMER |
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CONDUCTOR: VOLODEMER SCHESIUK |
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| ACTON, SUZANNE |
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CONDUCTOR: SUZANNE ACTON |
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| PATANE', FRANCESCA |
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INT. SOPRANO: FRANCESCA PATANE' |
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| CARUSO, TIZIANA |
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INT. SOPRANO: TIZIANA CARUSO |
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| PALOMBI, ANTONELLO |
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INT. TENOR: ANTONELLO PALOMBI |
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| CORONELLA, CESARE |
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INT. TENOR: CESARE ANDREA CORONELLA |
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| DI FELICE, MARCO |
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INT. BARITONE: MARCO DI FELICE |
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| Semetko, Lara |
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SOPRANO |
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Lara is a student at Central Michigan University with a double major in Vocal Performance and Music Education. Lara began performing at the age of three, influenced by older siblings; all with a flair for singing and a love for the stage. Born and raised on Grosse Ile, Michigan, Lara has thrilled audiences with her versatile and vibrant performances. Whether it be singing or breathing life into a character, Lara’s genuine passion for the stage has endeared her to young and old alike. In the past year, Lara has presented four voice recitals, and made many soloist appearances for a variety of charity, collegiate and community events. As a member of three different church choirs, Lara maintains a busy schedule. As an up and coming lyric-coloratura soprano, Lara has gained recognition through numerous competitions and scholarships. Most recent include: 2010 Wayne County Young Artist Award, 2010 Detroit Hungarian Arts Scholarship, 2010 Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship, 2010 American Guild of Music Broadway Champion and Classical Champion and won the 2010 title “Young Vocal Artist”, by Delta Iota of Delta Omicron, Central Michigan University. |
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| TARSKIKH, TAMARA |
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INT. MEZZO SOPRANO: TAMARA TARSKIKH |
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