Opera Excerpts Program 2023

Nov. 8, 2023

Opera Laurier Opera Excerpts: Openings
Date: Friday, Nov. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 11
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Theatre Auditorium
Tickets Available

Program:

Another Op’nin’, Another Show from Kiss Me Kate by Cole Porter (1891-1968)

Featured Soloists: Heather Jones, Pilar Bianchini, Naomi Schlegel, Nicole Hamilton, Kate Markwart, Nuha Yousuf
Chorus: Drew Aarssen, Morgan Ballantyne, Gabriella Bell-Divincenzo, Sibyl Bonnardel, Delaney Dam, Emmanuel Dye, Elaine Glinos, Amanda Jeffreys, Annika Joy, Roland Kessler, Priya Khatri, Connor King, Simone Lemieux, Meghan Mair, Sophia Mal, Alexander Muth, Devon Pendergast, Hannah Piercey, Grace Ronan, Lindsay Scott, Mackenzie Spoltore, Sarah Storms
Choreographer: Jason Sermonia
Dance Captain: Pilar Bianchini

Dido and Aeneas Act 1 by Henry Purcell (1659-1695)

Belinda: Devon Pendergast/Gabriella Bell-Divincenzo
Dido: Grace Ronan/Hannah Piercey
2nd Woman: Nuha Yousuf/Heather Jones
Aeneas: Emmanuel Dye/Alexander Muth
Chorus: Meghan Mair, Mackenzie Spoltore, Priya Khatri, Sophia Mal, Lindsay Scott, Delaney Dam, Simone Lemieux, Roland Kessler, Connor King
Piano: Natalia Sawyer
AD: Sibyl Bonnardel
Choreographer: Nuha Yousuf

Die Zauberflöte Act 1, sc 1 by W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)

Tamino: Simone Lemieux/Delaney Dam
First Lady: Annika Joy/Meghan Mair
Second Lady: Sophia Mal /Amanda Jeffreys
Third Lady: Delaney Dam/Simone Lemieux
Papageno: Roland Kessler/Sybil Bonnardel
AD: Sarah Storms

L’elisir d’amore Act 1 opening scene by Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)

Gianetta: Kate Markwart/Lindsay Scott
Nemorino: Morgan Ballantyne
Adina: Priya Khatri/Sarah Storms
Chorus: Annika Joy, Elaine Glinos, Naomi Schlegel, Pilar Bianchini, Nicole Hamilton, Amanda Jeffreys, Sophia Mal, Grace Ronan, Alexander Muth, Sibyl Bonnardel
AD: Gabriella Bell-Divincenzo

Le nozze di Figaro Act 2, sc 1 by W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)

Countess: Hannah Piercey/Elaine Glinos
Susanna: Sarah Storms/Mackenzie Spoltore
Cherubino: Gabriella Bell-Divincenzo/Grace Ronan
Collaborative Partner: Morgan Ballantyne
Collaborative Process Consultant/Mentor: Amanda Smith*
*Opera Laurier Alumni

La bohème, Act 1 opening scene by Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)

Marcello: Roland Kessler/Sibyl Bonnardel
Rodolfo: Morgan Ballantyne
Colline: Alexander Muth/Connor King
Schaunard: Drew Aarssen/Emmanuel Dye
AD: Devon Pendergast

Biographies

Kate Carver is so happy to have returned to continue her work with Opera Laurier for a second year and to be working alongside such a talented group of young people, in this most special class. Kate maintains a private studio in Toronto as a Vocal Coach and accompanist and has been a member of staff at the University of Toronto’s Opera Division for over twenty years. She has recently conducted and music directed productions for Toronto Operetta Theatre, Opera in Concert, and Summer Opera Lyric Theatre. Other positions have included Music Staff with the Canadian Opera Company, the voice program at the Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua, New York, and the University of Montreal, as well as Music Director for Essential Opera, Maritime Concert Opera, and Opera by Request. Kate received her Bachelor and Masters degrees in Music from McGill University, and studied in England at The Guildhall School of Music & Drama, the Britten-Pears School, and The National Opera Studio.

Jennie Such is a member of the voice faculty at Wilfrid Laurier University. This season marks her directorial debut in the Laurier Opera performances of “Openings”, as well as in the upcoming production of Sondheim’s “Into the Woods”.

Jennie has spent a decade as a member of the artistic company at the Stratford Festival of Canada. Working with actors has greatly influenced her teaching style as a voice instructor and coach. She continues to be fascinated by the many parallels between the art of the classical actor and the classical singer, and is interested in combining ideas about text, sound, physicality and authenticity from these complementary worlds.

An alumna of the Royal College of Music (U.K), Jennie holds postgraduate diplomas in Opera and Concert Singing. As an emerging artist she was a member of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble and the Vancouver Opera Touring Ensemble. Her performing career has spanned two decades and her work as a soloist has taken her across Canada, to England, the United States, Germany and Korea. Versatility has always been the hallmark of her career path, and she has performed roles in many different genres of music including opera, oratorio, recital and musical theatre.

As a singing coach Jennie has worked with the Canadian Company of Billy Elliot (Mirvish, 2011), The Hockey Sweater (National Arts Centre, 2018) and Opera Nuova (2023). She has just finished her 10th season at the Stratford Festival coaching members of the musical and acting companies, and her sixth season as singing coach in the Birmingham Conservatory at the Stratford Festival where she works with apprentice artists in the company.

Jennie has received honours and awards from the Ontario Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, a USC “Honour Roll” Teaching Excellence Award from Western University, and a financial gift from the Tyrone Guthrie Fund (Stratford Festival, 2016).

Jennie calls Stratford Ontario home, where she lives with Nick, Ben and Tulip (the cat).