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25th Season Announcement
August 21, 2023 • Download →
Celebrating
25
seasons
Est. 1999
August 21, 2023 • Download →
Celebrating
25
seasons
Est. 1999
La Ópera de Cecilia
WORLD PREMIERE
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Composer
Composer
Follow Paul
Paul Fowler’s music will “work on you from the inside out” (Philadelphia Inquirer), integrating old and new into “emotionally intense” (Washington Post) works which are “radiant, ghostly and shimmering” (New York Times). His works have been commissioned by The Crossing, New York Youth Symphony, SYMPHO, San Juan Symphony, Ju Percussion Group, Hope Mohr Dance, and Boulder Ballet, and have been heard at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Park Avenue Armory and the National Concert Hall of Taiwan. Recent projects include Singularity, an original evening-length work with 3rd Law Dance/Theater, live vocal looping with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, and performing as "the Singer" in the Colorado premiere of Shockheaded Peter with The Catamounts. Fowler is the Music Director of 3rd Law Dance/Theater.
Librettist
Librettist
Dramatist Andrew Flack writes for the stage, television and film. His first collaboration with composer Paul Fowler was the musical documentary, I Go On Singing, Paul Robeson’s Life in Word & Song, commissioned and performed by American baritone Anthony Brown. Since 2012 he has been singularly focused on creating a work of music theatre which celebrates the heroic journey of Cecilia Giménez and her botched restoration of the “Ecce Homo” fresco. In that time, Andrew and his partner, Barbara Duff, have made several trips to Borja, Spain, the village where the story is set, to spend time with Cecilia and her family, who have given their blessing for this story to be told. On the occasion of this premiere, Drew remembers with love and gratitude the life of his opera-loving friend, Stephen M. Parks.
BTM Company Manager
BTM Company Manager
Barbara Duff began her professional life in New York City as a producer and actor, appearing in dozens of films, commercials, soap operas and plays. Transitioning from the stage to a career in marketing, she next worked in the organic food industry as public relations director of The Pew Charitable Trust’s Organic Alliance, developing marketing campaigns and strategic alliances for the mainstreaming of organic foods nationwide. Also in Minnesota she was the inaugural producer of the Twin Cities Food & Wine Experience and special events manger of Minnesota Monthly Publications. A founding partner of the public relations firm Buzz, Inc., she oversaw media and marketing strategies for a host of organic food producers and personalities, including chef Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods fame.
Conductor
Conductor
Praised for conducting with "steady acumen and considerable aplomb" and "awesome control” (Opera Today), Joshua Horsch is an extremely versatile operatic and symphonic conductor. A two-time winner of the American Prize in Opera Conducting, Joshua serves as Music Director and Principal Conductor of Opera Las Vegas. Joshua’s recent and upcoming conducting engagements include appearances with Atlanta Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Orlando, Opera Idaho, Opera Baltimore, Greensboro Opera, Mobile Opera, Pacific Opera Project, and Tri-Cities Opera. With a diverse repertoire of over sixty operas and a broad spectrum of orchestral and choral works, Joshua has recently held positions as a conductor and pianist/coach on the music staff of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera, Detroit Opera, Florida Grand Opera, North Carolina Opera, Opera Saratoga, Pensacola Opera, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Newport Music Festival. Joshua studied conducting and piano at the University of Colorado Boulder, the Pennsylvania State University, and Ithaca College.
Director
Director
Audrey Chait is a director, writer, and producer of opera and theater. Favorite recent credits include the world premiere of Marie Begins for Westminster Opera Theater (online release), L’elisir d’amore and La fille du regiment for Winter Opera St. Louis, Don Pasquale and La Cenerentola for Opera Las Vegas, L’inganno felice for Opera Southwest, The Bartered Bride, Dinner at Eight, and the Bach St. John Passion for CCM, and Scalia/Ginsburg with Opera North. Her new libretto adaptation of The Elixir of Love premiered at Tri-Cities Opera in May 2021. Ms. Chait holds a BA in Literary Arts from Brown University and an Artist Diploma from CCM. She is currently on the music faculty at Northern Kentucky University and the summer faculty at Westminster Choir College. She has been on staff at Glimmerglass, Houston Grand Opera, and the Santa Fe Opera.
Chorus Master
Chorus Master
Conductor, educator, and singer Dr. Stephanie Council is Assistant Professor of Choral Music at the University of Nevada Las Vegas where she conducts the University Chorale and Chamber Consort and teaches Choral Conducting, Choral Literature, and Choral Methods. She is a sought-after lecturer in choral music education and conductor of collegiate, high school, and youth honor choirs around the United States, and she was a graduate finalist in the American Choral Directors Association National Conducting Competition. A strong proponent of new music, Council is an active commissioner and performer of new works. She sings professionally with mirabai and the San Antonio Chamber Choir and has been engaged in the past to sing with the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir and at the Spoleto Festival USA. Council received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting and a graduate certificate in early music performance practice from Texas Tech University. She holds a Master of Music with distinction in choral conducting from Westminster Choir College and Bachelor of Music degrees in vocal music education and vocal music performance from Oklahoma State University.
Mezzo-Soprano
Cecilia
Mezzo-Soprano
Follow Kimberly
Kimberly Gratland James, Mezzo-Soprano, is thrilled to return to Opera Las Vegas for another modern opera premiere. She was previously seen in The Ghosts of Gatsby and 27. Ms. James’ tone has been described as powerful, well-rounded, deep, and rich,” and rich by critics and audience members. Her performances are also noted for musicality and convincing dramatic portrayals.
Recent concert and chamber music performances include: Mahler’s 2nd Symphony (UNLV Symphony Orchestra), Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen and orchestral songs by Ethel Smyth (Great Falls Symphony), Beethoven’s 9th Symphony (Idaho Falls Symphony) Ravel’s Chansons madécasses, & Chausson’s Chanson perpétuelle. She performs as the alto soloist in Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass at the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt in Summer 2023.
James currently serves as the Acting Associate Director of the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Music and Associate Professor of Music. She earned advanced degrees from Rice University and Indiana University.
Mezzo-Soprano
Beatriz
Mezzo-Soprano
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Ashley Stone received her Doctorate of Music in Vocal Performance from Indiana University where she studied with Costanza Cuccaro. During her time at IU, she taught studio and class voice as well as performing in Falstaff (Mistress Quickly), Candide (Old Lady), Suor Angelica (Principessa), Mark Adamo's Little Women (Meg). She received her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music. While in Rochester, NY, she was in Eastman Opera Theater's Suor Angelica (Principesa) and was soloist with the Voices Choral Ensemble, the Gregory Kunde Choral, and the Eastman Chorale. Ms. Stone has appeared with Opera Las Vegas in Voices Raised for Vets, Holiday on Broadway, Bravo Bernstein!, and The House Without a Christmas Tree.
Baritone
Artist Martínez/Ecce Homo
Baritone
Follow André
Baritone André Chiang has been described as “vocally commanding” (Oregonian), “handsome of voice” (Opera News), and lauded with “let’s hear more from this singer” (Washington Post). Chiang’s recent engagements include Gianni Schicchi (Gianni Schicchi) with Opera Mississippi, Captain Smith (A Capacity for Evil) with Opera Las Vegas, and Clint (Fearless (workshop)) with Opera Delaware. Previous companies include Portland Opera, Virginia Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and the Glimmerglass Festival to name a few. Competition honors include Winner of the 2017 NFMC Biennial Young Artist Award and the 2018 NATS Artist Awards Competition. Chiang’s Carnegie Hall debut came as the Baritone soloist in the World Premiere of Martin Palmeri’s Gran Misa. Upcoming company engagements Landlocked Opera, Opera Las Vegas, Opera Western Reserve, Mobile Opera, and Opera Philadelphia.
As an educator, Chiang was a 2018 NATS Intern and a part of the first cohort of Pan American Vocology Association – Recognized Vocologists (PAVA-RV) in 2022. Upcoming presentations include the PAVA National Conference and the CMS National Conference both in Miami, FL. Chiang was the Artistic Director of Opera NexGen and currently Chairs the NFMC Young Artist Competition for Man’s Voice, Chairs the NATS Art Song Coalition and is Vice President of the Las Vegas Chapter of NATS, and is a board member of the Asian Opera Alliance. Chiang is an Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, an Instructor of Voice at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, and runs a private online and in-person studio teaching acoustic and amplified styles. www.andrechiangbaritone.com
Bass-Baritone
Cura Viejo
Bass-Baritone
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Tyler Putnam’s recent performances include The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance with Opera Tampa, Colline in La bohème with Gulfshore Opera, Guglielmo in Così fan tutte with St Petersburg Opera, Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro and Alidoro in La Cenerentola with Geneva Light Opera, and Don Alhambra in The Gondoliers with Winter Opera St Louis. Recent credits include the Commentator in Scalia/Ginsburg with Opera in the Heights, and the duo roles of Marduk/Commander Mard in Cosmic Cowboy with White Snake Projects. Tyler makes his European debut in 2023 singing Rigoletto with Opera På Skäret in Sweden.
Originally from Chebeague Island, Maine, Tyler Putnam is a graduate of Dartmouth College.
Tenor
Marcos
Tenor
William is an emerging artist with an expressive, clarion sound. Frequently sought after as a soloist and collaborator, he has performed leading roles ranging from Bacchus in Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos to Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème. Most recently heard as Froh in Das Rheingold with the Miami Music Festival, William has also performed the roles of Erik in Der Fliegende Höllander and Canio in I Pagliacci with Vegas City Opera. Happy to be returning to Opera Las Vegas, William has previously performed the roles of Jaffet in Benjamin Britten’s Noye’s Fludde and Geppetto in John Davies’ Pinocchio.
Soprano
Adriana
Soprano
Follow Olivia
Soprano, Olivia Yokers is well regarded for her thrilling voice and versatility onstage. Her most notable roles include Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance (Dayton Opera, Tulane Summer Lyric, Utah Festival Opera), Zerlina in Don Giovanni (Dayton Opera, Chance Opera Theatre), and Miss Honey in Matilda (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma). Miss Yokers has performed as a solo artist with companies such as Virginia Opera, Dayton Artist Alliance, and Oklahoma City’s Canterbury Voices. Performing in oratorios such as the Haydn’s Creation, Handel’s Messiah, and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem. As an advocate for new music, Ms. Yokers was a part of the debut of Before the Night Sky presented by Opera America New Opera Showcase. With Opera Las Vegas in 2022 Miss Yokers performed the role of Lily in the debut of Letters to Lily composed by Emily Clements.
Soprano
Silvia
Soprano
Athena Mertes is one of the Valley’s most celebrated sopranos, whose opera and concert credits include Despina (Cosi Fan Tutte), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), Lucy (The Telephone), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Gianetta (L'Elisir d'Amore), Morgana (Alcina), Musetta (La Bohème), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Abigail (The Crucible), Nella (Gianni Schicchi) and soprano soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria, Handel’s Messiah and Honegger’s King David. She has performed as a guest soloist with the Burbank Philharmonic, Las Vegas Philharmonic, Henderson Symphony, Opera Las Vegas, Vegas City Opera and Lexington Opera Outreach. She is also the director of the OLV Youth Chorus. Athena was Alice B. Toklas in OLV’s West Coast premieres of Ricky Ian Gordon and Royce Vavrek’s 27, portrayed Lilly in Sasha Matson's Cooperstown, and Zelda in Evan Mack and Joshua Snyder’s The Ghosts of Gatsby.
Baritone
Arturo
Baritone
Marshall Morrow has recently performed Sciarrone in OLV's Tosca, and the Prince in Vegas City Opera’s Cinderella, Jackie Brown (The Threepenny Opera), Pirate King (Pirate of Penzance), Gamekeeper (Cunning Little Vixen), Father (Hansel and Gretel), and Papageno (The Magic Flute). Opera News stated Marshall Morrow “tall, thin and hilariously snooty, showed real comic skill” (Isouard’s Cendrillon). Previously Marshall performed the role of Rambaldo in La Rondine as a Young Artist at Lidal North in Oslo, Norway. His roles include Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola, Dandini in Isouard's Cendrillon and the summer of 2017, Marshall performed the role of Le Surintendant des plaisirs in Massenet's Cendrillon the role title of Don Giovanni at Trentino Music Festival. Other performance credits include the role of Miton in the U.S. premiere of Delibes' Le Roi L'a Dit. Marshall performed/ created the role of Gregory in a workshop of Vera by Matthew Barnson in collaboration with American Opera Project. Marshall has sung with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Alan Gilbert.
Tenor
Alcalde
Tenor
Collin Salmon is a senior at UNLV preparing to finish his degree in vocal music education. Throughout his collegiate career he has had many opportunities to showcase his talent. Many semesters in UNLV’s scenes program led to his collegiate debut as Peter Quint in Benjamin Britten’s “Turn of the Screw.” He was invited this past summer to participate in two summer programs in Europe, one with UNLV Choirs touring Northern Europe, and the second participating in the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria. He looks forward to pursuing a master’s degree in vocal performance leading to a professional career in performing and sharing his talents on the stage.
Lighting and Projections Designer
Lighting and Projections Designer
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Catherine M. Pratt is a theatrical, dance, and opera Lighting Designer based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Her recent design credits with Opera Las Vegas include Approaching Ali, A Capacity for Evil, Letters to Lily, and Proving Up. Catherine has also worked on various other lighting design projects that include Alice\'s Adventures in Wonderland (Rainbow Company Youth Theatre), Elf the Musical (Sierra Repertory Theatre), La Canterina & Der Scheuspiedirektor (UNLV Theater Opera & Nevada Conservatory Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (Nevada Conservatory Theatre), Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow (UNLV Department of Dance), This Moment of Movement (UNLV Department of Dance), Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet (Nevada Conservatory Theatre), and DramArt (a collaboration between UNLV and Cirque du Soleil).
Catherine holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre with emphasis in Lighting Design from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a B.A. in Theatre from Mount Marty University in Yankton, SD.
Soprano
Soprano
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Dr. Sheronda McKee, soprano, originally from Phoenix, Arizona has been appearing on stages in both the United States and Europe. Recently she finished her Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas under the guidance of Dr. Alfonse Anderson. She is currently performing with Opera Las Vegas and Opera On Tap Las Vegas. Most recent roles performed with UNLV Opera include Countess Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro) and Ariadne (Ariadne auf Naxos). She has also performed the title role in Puccini’s "Suor Angelica" for the International Lyric Academy during the Tuscia Opera Festival. In concert and in scenes she has played Violetta (La Traviata), Nedda (I Pagliacci), Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor) and others.
Sheronda has been a featured soloist in Handel’s Messiah as well as Mozart’s Requiem. She has traveled to Viterbo and Tarquinia in Italy with the International Lyric Academy and Graz, with the AIMS Program (American Institute of Musical Studies) where she was an alternate in the 2010 Meistersinger Vocal Competition. Recent awards include the Pasadena Opera Guild Scholarship, the Encouragement Award from MONC (Metropolitan Opera National Council) as well as First place in NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing). She most recently appeared with Opera Las Vegas in Opera Legends in Black.
Soprano
Soprano
Follow Olivia
Soprano, Olivia Yokers is well regarded for her thrilling voice and versatility onstage. Her most notable roles include Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance (Dayton Opera, Tulane Summer Lyric, Utah Festival Opera), Zerlina in Don Giovanni (Dayton Opera, Chance Opera Theatre), and Miss Honey in Matilda (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma). Miss Yokers has performed as a solo artist with companies such as Virginia Opera, Dayton Artist Alliance, and Oklahoma City’s Canterbury Voices. Performing in oratorios such as the Haydn’s Creation, Handel’s Messiah, and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem. As an advocate for new music, Ms. Yokers was a part of the debut of Before the Night Sky presented by Opera America New Opera Showcase. With Opera Las Vegas in 2022 Miss Yokers performed the role of Lily in the debut of Letters to Lily composed by Emily Clements.
Tenor
Tenor
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Arnold Livingston Geis, tenor, is a Southern California based international artist and performer. Recent appearances include Mr. Erlanson in A Little Night Music (Pasadena Playhouse), Carmina Burana (Oregon Symphony, LA Philharmonic), Faust in La damnation de Faust (Boston Youth Symphony), Rodolfo in La bohème (Greensboro Opera, Pacific Opera Project), Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore and Tamino in The Magic Flute (Pacific Opera Project), Shepherd in Tristan und Isolde, tenor soloist in Steve Reich’s Traveler’s Prayer, tenor soloist in Chris Thile’s Attention! (LA Philharmonic), Haydn’s Creation (LA Master Chorale), and Mr. Marks in Intimate Apparel (Lincoln Center Theater). Geis has also been a featured soloist in popular film and TV shows like Disenchanted, Tom & Jerry, and Family Guy. Upcoming performances include Josef in Émigré (Shanghai Philharmonic, NY Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic), Carmina Burana (Phoenix Symphony, Erie Symphony), and The Last Days by Oliver Leith conducted by Thomas Adés (Los Angeles Philharmonic).
Baritone
Baritone
Follow André
Baritone André Chiang has been described as “vocally commanding” (Oregonian), “handsome of voice” (Opera News), and lauded with “let’s hear more from this singer” (Washington Post). Chiang’s recent engagements include Gianni Schicchi (Gianni Schicchi) with Opera Mississippi, Captain Smith (A Capacity for Evil) with Opera Las Vegas, and Clint (Fearless (workshop)) with Opera Delaware. Previous companies include Portland Opera, Virginia Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and the Glimmerglass Festival to name a few. Competition honors include Winner of the 2017 NFMC Biennial Young Artist Award and the 2018 NATS Artist Awards Competition. Chiang’s Carnegie Hall debut came as the Baritone soloist in the World Premiere of Martin Palmeri’s Gran Misa. Upcoming company engagements Landlocked Opera, Opera Las Vegas, Opera Western Reserve, Mobile Opera, and Opera Philadelphia.
As an educator, Chiang was a 2018 NATS Intern and a part of the first cohort of Pan American Vocology Association – Recognized Vocologists (PAVA-RV) in 2022. Upcoming presentations include the PAVA National Conference and the CMS National Conference both in Miami, FL. Chiang was the Artistic Director of Opera NexGen and currently Chairs the NFMC Young Artist Competition for Man’s Voice, Chairs the NATS Art Song Coalition and is Vice President of the Las Vegas Chapter of NATS, and is a board member of the Asian Opera Alliance. Chiang is an Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, an Instructor of Voice at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, and runs a private online and in-person studio teaching acoustic and amplified styles. www.andrechiangbaritone.com
Pianist
Pianist
Deborah Gordillo, originally from New York City, is a winner of the Prix D’Excellence, France, and the New York Artists International Competition. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, for President George W. Bush at the White House, and has served as accompanist for studios of Metropolitan Opera tenor Nico Castel and cellists Gary Hoffman and Timothy Eddy.
Mrs. Gordillo sang in the choir of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, where she became its sole Composer-In-Residence in history after winning the competition to compose the New York Archdiocese’s bicentennial hymn. Commissions include orchestral arrangements for the New York Papal masses in 2008, a Spanish mass, additional mass parts, anthems, and orchestrations. Her choral works were performed throughout New York State and at the Vatican.
Mrs. Gordillo served on the faculties of her alma mater, the Mannes College of Music, and Eugene Lang College. She teaches music theory, piano, ear training, and has written textbooks for beginner through undergraduate music theory levels.
Composer
Public domain. Photo by A. Dupont.
Composer
Giacomo Puccini[n 1] (22 December 1858 – 29 November 1924) was an Italian composer known primarily for his operas. Regarded as the greatest[1] and most successful proponent of Italian opera after Verdi, he was descended from a long line of composers, stemming to the late-Baroque era. Though his early work was firmly rooted in traditional late-19th-century Romantic Italian opera he later developed his work in the realistic verismo style, of which he became one of the leading exponents.
His most renowned works are La bohème (1896), Tosca (1900), Madama Butterfly (1904), and Turandot (1924), all of which are among the most frequently performed and recorded of all operas.
Librettist
Archivio Storico Ricordi, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Librettist
Luigi Illica (9 May 1857 – 16 December 1919) was an Italian librettist who wrote for Giacomo Puccini (usually with Giuseppe Giacosa), Pietro Mascagni, Alfredo Catalani, Umberto Giordano, Baron Alberto Franchetti and other important Italian composers. His most famous opera libretti are those for La Bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly and Andrea Chénier.
Illica was born at Castell'Arquato. His personal life sometimes imitated his libretti. The reason he is always photographed with his head slightly turned is because he lost his right ear in a duel over a woman. When silent films based on Illica's operas were made, his name appeared in large letters on advertisements because distributors could only guarantee that his stories would be used, and not that they would be accompanied by the music of the appropriate composer.
As a playwright of considerable quality, he is today remembered through one of Italy's oldest awards, the Luigi Illica International Prize founded in 1961, which goes to world famous opera singers, opera conductors, directors and authors. The Award is now awarded every two years and alternates with the Illica Opera Stage International Competition, which offers prizes and debut opportunities to young singers.
Librettist
Public domain.
Librettist
Giuseppe Giacosa was born in Colleretto Parella, now Colleretto Giacosa, near Turin. His father was a magistrate. Giuseppe went to the University of Turin, studying in the University of Turin, Faculty of Law. Though he gained a degree in law, he did not pursue a legal career.
He gained initial fame for his play Una Partita a Scacchi ("A Game of Chess") in 1871. His main field was playwriting, which he accomplished with both insight and simplicity, using subjects set in Piedmont and themes addressing contemporary bourgeois values. He wrote La signora di Challant (La Dame de Challant, The Lady of Challand), based on a novella by Matteo Bandello, for noted French actress Sarah Bernhardt, produced in New York in 1891.
Giacosa wrote the final polished version of the libretto for Giacomo Puccini's Manon Lescaut, which had been begun by Ruggero Leoncavallo, Marco Praga, Domenico Oliva, and Luigi Illica. He also wrote the librettos used by Puccini for La bohème, Tosca and Madama Butterfly in conjunction with Luigi Illica. Illica supplied the plot and dialogue, and Giacosa polished the libretto into verses. Also well as the one Act play of The rights of the soul".
Conductor
Conductor
Praised for conducting with "steady acumen and considerable aplomb" and "awesome control” (Opera Today), Joshua Horsch is an extremely versatile operatic and symphonic conductor. A two-time winner of the American Prize in Opera Conducting, Joshua serves as Music Director and Principal Conductor of Opera Las Vegas. Joshua’s recent and upcoming conducting engagements include appearances with Atlanta Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Orlando, Opera Idaho, Opera Baltimore, Greensboro Opera, Mobile Opera, Pacific Opera Project, and Tri-Cities Opera. With a diverse repertoire of over sixty operas and a broad spectrum of orchestral and choral works, Joshua has recently held positions as a conductor and pianist/coach on the music staff of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera, Detroit Opera, Florida Grand Opera, North Carolina Opera, Opera Saratoga, Pensacola Opera, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Newport Music Festival. Joshua studied conducting and piano at the University of Colorado Boulder, the Pennsylvania State University, and Ithaca College.
Director
Director
Stage director Octavio Cardenas captivates audiences with his visionary, visceral, and physical style of directing. Opera News has praised him for creating “an immersive theater experience” while the Dallas Morning News hailed him for bringing “every character and situation to life.” Recent projects include Traviata with Opera Las Vegas, Cruzar la cara de la Luna with Opera Santa Barbara, and the World Premiere of Zorro with Fort Worth Opera and Southwest opera. Barber of Seville with Opera Delaware, and Florencia en el Amazonas with Eastman Opera Theater.
Mr. Cardenas’ recent productions of Silent Night for Fort Worth Opera and Lyric Opera of Kansas City were described as “a breathtaking realization” with “many brilliant touches.” The Kansas City Star called the Lyric Opera’s production “one of its finest performances in recent memory.” Other recent productions include La boheme for Minnesota opera to which the Start Tribune acclaimed, “what makes the production a success, is Octavio Cardenas’ staging.” His production of As One for UrbanArias was acclaimed by MD Theater Guide, “Under the direction of Octavio Cardenas, the two stars playfully make great use of both stage and energetic space—it seemed the theatre condensed and expanded with Hannah’s journey.”
He has served as the Director of Baylor Opera, Director of Chapman Opera at Chapman University. Head of Directing Staff at Des Moines Metro Opera and has also been on the directing staff at Chautauqua Opera. Mr. Cardenas works at The Eastman School of Music as Professor of Opera where he recently directed Florencia en el Amazonas. Upcoming projects include Don Pasquale with Opera Omaha and Zorro with Opera Santa Barbara.
Soprano
Mimi
Soprano
Follow Shannon
Praised by The Washington Post for her dramatic intensity and vocal ability, soprano Shannon Jennings continues to wow critics and audiences alike. Most recently. she joined Palm Beach Opera where she sang Erste Dame in Die Zauberflöte and covered Mimì in La bohème and Nedda in Pagliacci and returned to Wolf Trap Opera to sing Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 in recital, the title role in Viardot’s Cendrillon and the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd. Other recent credits include Micaëla in Carmen and the title role in Tosca with Annapolis Opera. In 2022, she looks forward to reprising the role of Tosca with Opera Las Vegas and performing Mimì in La bohème with Newport Classical and Kentucky Opera.
A Capitol District Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Ms. Jennings’ apprenticeships include Santa Fe Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, and San Francisco’s Merola Opera Program.
Tenor
Rodolfo
Tenor
Follow Arnold
Arnold Livingston Geis, tenor, is a Southern California based international artist and performer. Recent appearances include Mr. Erlanson in A Little Night Music (Pasadena Playhouse), Carmina Burana (Oregon Symphony, LA Philharmonic), Faust in La damnation de Faust (Boston Youth Symphony), Rodolfo in La bohème (Greensboro Opera, Pacific Opera Project), Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore and Tamino in The Magic Flute (Pacific Opera Project), Shepherd in Tristan und Isolde, tenor soloist in Steve Reich’s Traveler’s Prayer, tenor soloist in Chris Thile’s Attention! (LA Philharmonic), Haydn’s Creation (LA Master Chorale), and Mr. Marks in Intimate Apparel (Lincoln Center Theater). Geis has also been a featured soloist in popular film and TV shows like Disenchanted, Tom & Jerry, and Family Guy. Upcoming performances include Josef in Émigré (Shanghai Philharmonic, NY Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic), Carmina Burana (Phoenix Symphony, Erie Symphony), and The Last Days by Oliver Leith conducted by Thomas Adés (Los Angeles Philharmonic).
Soprano
Musetta
Soprano
Follow Olivia
Soprano, Olivia Yokers is well regarded for her thrilling voice and versatility onstage. Her most notable roles include Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance (Dayton Opera, Tulane Summer Lyric, Utah Festival Opera), Zerlina in Don Giovanni (Dayton Opera, Chance Opera Theatre), and Miss Honey in Matilda (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma). Miss Yokers has performed as a solo artist with companies such as Virginia Opera, Dayton Artist Alliance, and Oklahoma City’s Canterbury Voices. Performing in oratorios such as the Haydn’s Creation, Handel’s Messiah, and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem. As an advocate for new music, Ms. Yokers was a part of the debut of Before the Night Sky presented by Opera America New Opera Showcase. With Opera Las Vegas in 2022 Miss Yokers performed the role of Lily in the debut of Letters to Lily composed by Emily Clements.
Baritone
Marcello
Baritone
Follow André
Baritone André Chiang has been described as “vocally commanding” (Oregonian), “handsome of voice” (Opera News), and lauded with “let’s hear more from this singer” (Washington Post). Chiang’s recent engagements include Gianni Schicchi (Gianni Schicchi) with Opera Mississippi, Captain Smith (A Capacity for Evil) with Opera Las Vegas, and Clint (Fearless (workshop)) with Opera Delaware. Previous companies include Portland Opera, Virginia Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and the Glimmerglass Festival to name a few. Competition honors include Winner of the 2017 NFMC Biennial Young Artist Award and the 2018 NATS Artist Awards Competition. Chiang’s Carnegie Hall debut came as the Baritone soloist in the World Premiere of Martin Palmeri’s Gran Misa. Upcoming company engagements Landlocked Opera, Opera Las Vegas, Opera Western Reserve, Mobile Opera, and Opera Philadelphia.
As an educator, Chiang was a 2018 NATS Intern and a part of the first cohort of Pan American Vocology Association – Recognized Vocologists (PAVA-RV) in 2022. Upcoming presentations include the PAVA National Conference and the CMS National Conference both in Miami, FL. Chiang was the Artistic Director of Opera NexGen and currently Chairs the NFMC Young Artist Competition for Man’s Voice, Chairs the NATS Art Song Coalition and is Vice President of the Las Vegas Chapter of NATS, and is a board member of the Asian Opera Alliance. Chiang is an Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, an Instructor of Voice at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, and runs a private online and in-person studio teaching acoustic and amplified styles. www.andrechiangbaritone.com
Baritone
Schaunard
Baritone
Follow Joel
Praised as a "mature artist with a voluminous sound," baritone and composer Joel Balzun is establishing himself as a mature new voice in the future of music. His multi-faceted career has already led him to work with some of the world’s most respected musicians and ensembles. Highlights of his 2023-2024 season include his debut at Los Angeles Opera, Schaunard (La bohème) with Opera Las Vegas, works of Mozart with San Luis Obispo Master Chorale and a recital with Cincinnati Song Initiative. Other recent performance highlights include Marcello (La bohème) with Pacific Opera Project, Giorgio Germont (La traviata) with Opera Santa Barbara, works of Ralph Vaughan Williams with San Luis Obispo Master Chorale and numerous recitals featuring Black Dog by Tom Cipullo throughout Southern California.
From Carnegie Hall to the Kennedy Center, Mr. Balzun has appeared successfully on both the operatic and concert stages. As a Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center, Mr. Balzun sang alongside Stephanie Blythe in a concert of American song, and Dawn Upshaw and Sanford Sylvan in Shostakovich's brooding Symphony No. 14. Other past appearances include the title roles in Don Giovanni and Gianni Schicchi, the Four Villains in Les contes d'Hoffmann, Prince Yeletskiy and Count Tomskiy (Pikovaya Dama), Albert (Werther), Belcore (L'elisir d'amore), Dr. Malatesta (Don Pasquale), Valentin (Faust), Sid (Albert Herring), and John Brooke (Adamo’s Little Women), among others. On the concert stage, Mr. Balzun has been a featured soloist in Copland's Old American Songs, Dvořák’s Te Deum, Fauré's Requiem, Haydn's The Creation, Mahler's Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, and numerous cantatas of Bach. His acclaimed performance of Bach's Johannes-Passion with the Rochester Bach Festival was recently broadcast multiple times across the United States.
Bass-Baritone
Colline
Bass-Baritone
Bass-baritone Keith Colclough was praised in Opera News for his "rich authoritative" voice. He has been a soloist with a number of arts organizations, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pacific Opera Project, Opera Santa Barbara, Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, LACMA Sundays Live, Salastina Society, and the Santa Barbara Choral Society. Past operatic roles include Don Basilio in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Doctor Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro, Publio in La Clemenza di Tito, and Peter Quince in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His training includes vocal fellowships at the Tanglewood Music Center, Music Academy of the West, the Aspen Opera Center, and a Fulbright Scholarship to Germany. An enthusiastic educator and scholar, Dr. Colclough serves as Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Opera at Pepperdine University, where his duties include private voice lessons, diction courses, and vocal and stage direction for the endowed Flora L. Thornton Opera Program.
Bass-Baritone
Benoit/Alcindoro
Bass-Baritone
Follow Paul
Bass-baritone Paul Houghtaling has sung a diverse repertoire throughout the U.S. and abroad. Career highlights include the Philip Glass soundtrack to Reggio’s film Naqoyqatsi for SONY, on which he is a feature vocalist; several Carnegie Hall solo appearances with Cecelia Chorus of New York, American Composers Orchestra, and others; U.S. tours with the Waverly Consort, including Kennedy Center appearances; and “Opera Buffa: Comedy On Stage” on Lincoln Center’s “Meet the Artists” series. Recent seasons included Ko-Ko in The Mikado with Anchorage Opera, Natchez Opera, and Opera Saratoga; Sir Joseph in H.M.S. Pinafore for Nashville Opera; a return to Mobile Opera as stage director and Angelotti in Tosca; and his debut with Opera Birmingham as Dulcamara in L’elisir d’amore. He has also appeared with the Central City, Baltimore, Boston Lyric, Knoxville, Long Beach, Natchez, Opera on the James, and Santa Fe Operas, and the Metropolitan Opera Guild, among others, and has created roles in works by Philip Glass, Lee Hoiby, Michael Ching and others.