She's passionate. She's trapped. And she's torn.

But with everything on the line, she’s a woman who follows her heart.

No one should be put in her position!  With war raging between their two countries, the Ethiopian slave, Aida, and the Egyptian princess, Amneris, both fall in love with the same Egyptian war hero.  A slip of the heart and a slip of the tongue seal the fates of the beautiful Aida and her heroic Radames in this, opera’s most explosive tale.  When he’s condemned to death, she slips into the dark crypt where they will be entombed together. Forever.

A huge orchestra and chorus bring Verdi’s score thundering to life, delivering punch and pageantry to Opera’s most spectacular work!

Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

Performance length is 3:15, which includes two intermissions.
Latecomers will not be seated until intermission.

 

 

AidaLisa Daltirus (pictured above)
AmnerisLeann Sandel-Pantaleo
RadamesPhilip Webb
AmonasroGreer Grimsley
RamfisKeith Miller
  
ConductorVjekoslav Sutej
Stage DirectorSandra Bernhard

 

ACT I. In ancient Egypt, near the royal palace at Memphis, Radames learns from the high priest, Ramfis, that Ethiopia soon may bring war to the Nile valley. The young officer hopes he will be chosen as commander of the army, envisioning triumph so he can free his beloved Aida, Ethiopian slave of the proud Princess Amneris. Amneris, who herself loves Radames, jealously senses his feelings for Aida when the three meet. A procession led by the King arrives to confirm that the Ethiopians are advancing on Thebes. He appoints the jubilant Radames as Egyptian commander. Left alone, Aida is torn between her love for Radames and for her native land. Though now a slave, she is in fact the daughter of Amonasro, king of Ethiopia. She prays to the gods for mercy.

ACT II. Ethiopia has been defeated. Amneris, prepares for Radames' triumphal entry into Thebes. When Aida approaches, the princess tries to learn Aida's private thoughts, first pretending Radames is dead, then saying he is still alive. Certain from Aida's reactions — horror, followed by joy — that her slave loves Radames, Amneris leaves for the festivities.

At the city gates, victory is celebrated in parade and dance, a ceremony observed by the King and Amneris. Radames is borne in and crowned with a victor's wreath. Captured Ethiopians follow, among them Amonasro, Aida's father, who signals her not to betray his identity as king. Impressed by Amonasro's eloquent plea, Radames asks as his reward that the priests' death sentence on the prisoners be overruled and that they be freed. The King grants this, as well as Amneris' hand, but keeps Amonasro in custody.

ACT III. Amneris is led by Ramfis to a temple of Isis for a wedding vigil. Nearby, waiting for Radames, Aida is overcome with nostalgia for her homeland. Amonasro, who suddenly appears, preys on these feelings, forcing his daughter to agree to ask Radames where the Egyptian army plans to enter Ethiopia. This she does when Radames appears.  Just as he reveals the military secret, Amonasro steps out of hiding, and Ramfis and Amneris come forth from the temple. While Aida escapes with her father, Radames surrenders to the priests as a traitor.

ACT IV. Awaiting trial, Radames is unmoved by Amneris' offer to save him if he will renounce Aida and marry her. When he is led away, Amneris' pride dissolves, her love for Radames revealed by her agony in hearing him condemned to death. Enraged, the princess curses the judges. Buried alive in a crypt, Radames is joined by Aida, who has hidden there to share his fate. The lovers bid farewell to earth as Amneris, above the tomb, prays for peace.

--Courtesy of Opera News

ORIGINS….AIDA

“A fine thing, after thirty-five years, to end up as an imitator!”

--Verdi responding to some critics who accused him
of Wagnerism after the Milan premiere of Aida


There are a handful of operas that a person, relatively unfamiliar with the art form, could name when put on the spot..  Without a doubt, one of these will be Carmen, another The Barber of Seville and then, Aida.  There might be some who mention The Magic Flute, Madame Butterfly or La Boheme, but both Carmen and Aida will be on virtually everyone’s short list.

Throughout Verdi’s career, he often found himself in need of a libretto.  He could be a capricious and cantankerous critic of scenarios. But he was a consummate man of the theater with an unerring instinct. In the 1860s, he had his publisher Ricordi and Du Locle, impresario of the Opéra Comique (and the librettist for Don Carlos), looking for stories suited to his talent.  Du Locle was determined to get Verdi a scenario.  The Opéra Comique was in financial straits, and he found himself continually rejected by the Bear of Busetto, always with an admonition to find something different.

In Cairo in 1869, Draneht Bey, director of all of the Khedive of Egypt’s theaters, contacted Verdi, then the most popular opera composer.  A “hymn” was desired for the opening of the Cairo Opera House.  The answer was a resounding “No.”  The offer was not acceptable to the savvy businessman.  While in Paris, Du Locle approached him on behalf of Cairo again, this time with a larger offer, but Verdi once again demurred.  Du Locle was not to be put off, however, and in an envelope containing a Spanish play of which Verdi had requested a perusal copy, he slid a “synopsis of an opera for a very Distant Country.”  The “Distant Country” was, of course, Egypt, and the scenario that of Aida, which Du Locle credited famous Egyptologist Mariette Bey (“Bey” is an Egyptian honorific and appended to many Egyptian names) and the Egyptian Khedive for writing.  Shrewd Verdi did not believe for a minute that the scenario he had read had been written by theatrical neophytes.  In it he recognized “a very expert, experienced hand that knows the theater very well.”  Verdi’s interest was piqued.

There is much evidence to dispute that Mariette’s story was purely original, though he claimed it as his own.  This is not to say that he was a calculated plagiarist as his brother later accused, but an eminent Egyptologist who would have some knowledge of older Egyptian stories and legends.  Charles Osborne points out an interesting coincidence of plot points between an 18th century libretto Nitteti by Metastasio and that of Aida.  It is more than possible that Du Locle added some of the more human characteristics in Nitteti and also plot points seen in an opera Bajazet by Racine.  Neither of these is the story of Aida, but Aida contains elements of both.  

In her definitive 1992 biography of Verdi, Mary Jane Phillips-Matz puts forward the possibility that the entire scenario for Aida was by Temistocle Solera, erstwhile friend and librettist of Verdi’s who was living in Cairo at the time.  Given the rancorous regard in which Verdi held Solera, it is no wonder that Du Locle would hesitate to credit the flamboyant librettist/composer with the work.  She also adds a novel by Heliodorus, Aethiopica, as another source story for Aida.

Regardless of the literary pedigree of the story credited to Mariette, its dramatic possibilities intrigued Verdi, who agreed to set it for the Cairo Opera, although not for its opening. (Rigoletto opened the Cairo Opera in 1869.)  For his librettist he secured Antonio Ghrislanzoni to translate Du Locle’s French libretto. Verdi was as particular and insistent with the creative process of Aida as ever he was with any of his others, with letters flying between France, Cairo and Milan, regarding everything from how far it was from Memphis to Thebes, to the artist needed to sing the mezzo role of Amneris.  The Franco-Prussian War disrupted production for eight months.  Sets and costumes were trapped in Paris, as was Mariette, who had designed them, and Du Locle, who was forced to communicate with Verdi through letters launched in hot air balloons from the roof of the Théâtre National dl’Opéra.  Meanwhile, Verdi busied himself with preparations for the Milan premiere.

When Aida opened in both Cairo and Milan, the audience was universally thrilled. During the Triumphal March in Cairo, over 300 people were on stage—a huge number, especially since the theater sat only 600 that Christmas Eve in 1871.  Since its inception, Aida has become a stalwart of the opera repertory, being translated into twenty languages, delighting audiences with spectacle, lush melodies, ravishing orchestrations and dramatic impact.  With or without elephants, Aida remains one of the great “must sees” of a lifetime.  If Verdi had written nothing else, he would be remembered for Aida.  

--Alexis Hamilton

About the Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

“That’s it!  That’s the one!  To work at once!”
           --Verdi, on the feeling of finding the right libretto

 

Giuseppi Verdi (1813-1901)In later life, Verdi liked to style himself as a self-taught peasant.  This is not strictly true.  While not fabulously wealthy, Verdi’s family was solidly middle class and his parents supported his musical passions going so far as to obtain for him an old spinet, which accompanied him all the rest of his life and bore the inscription of the tuner who repaired it for free, “in view of the young Giuseppe Verdi’s eagerness to learn to play this instrument.”

While not self-taught, Verdi also did not receive the finest musical education available.  After residing in Busseto for several years, he went to study in Milan, but the Milan Conservatory rejected his application, citing a lack of piano technique and “contrapuntal discipline.”  Still they recognized him as a gifted composer.  In 1835, Verdi returned to Busseto to serve as the maestro di musica.  This offered Verdi some financial stability and he married in 1836.  In 1839, his first opera, Oberto, opened happily and Verdi moved his family to Milan.   

La Scala commissioned three more operas and he began work on a comedy, Un giorno di regno.  It was a resounding failure.  Verdi lost his beloved wife during its composition, having previously lost his toddler daughter before he moved to Milan and his infant son before Oberto opened.  The momentous grief he felt led him to vow he would compose no more.

La Scala impresario Mirelli refused to accept Verdi’s decision.  He told him, “Listen, Verdi, I cannot force you to compose! [But] my faith in you remains unshaken.  Who knows whether you may or may not decide some day to begin to write again.  Just let me know two months before a season and I promise you your opera will be given.”

Verdi did indeed have another opera in him.  It became Nabucco, his first international success.

During the first phase of his career, Verdi created works frequently, often at the rate of two or three per year.  His techniques of this period were perfected with Rigoletto (1851), Il Trovatore (1853) and La Traviata (1853), three of his most famous operas.  

Verdi took an active interest in Italian politics, and during the war for Italian independence from Austria he served as a senator.  A commission for La forza del destino brought him back to the theater after a seven-year hiatus.  This opera marks the beginning of what musicologists deem Verdi’s middle period, which includes Simon Boccanegra (1857) and Un ballo in maschera (1859).  Verdi’s significant struggles with censors left him disillusioned with Italian opera companies and after Un ballo he never wrote for an Italian company again.

Subsequently, his style began to expand and reflect more elements of French grand opera.  Don Carlos and Les Vêspres Siciliennes were composed for the Paris Opera.  Verdi’s most famous opera, Aida, is in the French grand opera style.  Verdi’s final two works, Otello (1887) and Falstaff (1893) defy classification.  They are the fruition of an extensive and brilliant career and are arguably the finest examples of tragedy and comedy in Italian opera.

During the last years of his life, Verdi founded a home for aging musicians, the Casa di Riposo in Milan, for his second wife, singer Giuseppina Strepponi.  He regarded this home, which still exists today, as his greatest work, a place for musical greats to spend their twilight years. He said it was for “people who are less fortunate than I.”  He died on January 27, 1901 in Milan.  His remains and those of his wife, Giuseppina Strepponi were moved shortly after Verdi’s initial burial to the Casa di Riposo, in accordance with his wishes.

 

Lisa Daltirus - Aida

Lisa Daltirus - Aida

Soprano

With a radiant voice of beauty, power, nuance and musicality, and a demanding stage presence, Lisa Daltirus is poised for a major career in Opera and Concert.

Lisa Daltrius - Aida

Lisa Daltirus - Aida

Soprano

With a radiant voice of beauty, power, nuance and musicality, and a demanding stage presence, Lisa Daltirus is poised for a major career in Opera and Concert. The 2002-2003 season marked her professional operatic début in the title role of Tosca with the New York Grand Opera of which the New York Times reported: "Imperious, her eyes ablaze, the very image of Tosca...she exuded an intangible electricity, that charge that comes across to the audience when something is really happening onstage.”


Miss Daltirus is enjoying a busy 2006-2007 season. After returning to the Boston Lyric Opera in a Gala Concert, she was heard as Bess in  Porgy and Bess  with the Michigan Opera Theater, followed by the role of Serena in the same opus in Philadelphia, and makes her role debut as Mimi in  La Boheme  with the Opera Company of North Carolina. She returns to Europe as Nedda in  I pagliacci  in Nancy and concludes the season as Aida at the Cincinnati Opera. Future engagements include four roles for the Seattle Opera, including Leonora in  Il trovatore, Aida, Tosca,  and Madame Lidoine in Les Dialogues des Carmelites, Ballo in Maschera  for Palm Beach Opera, Silla in  Margaret Garner  for her New York City Opera debut, Bess at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Aida in Portland.


Miss Daltirus opened the 2005-2006 season with her first Leonora in Il trovatore in Hartford, Connecticut, returned to Philadelphia for Margaret Garner, made her Palm Beach Opera and Minnesota Opera débuts as Tosca, and returns to the Michigan Opera Theatre as Aida. Future engagements include her return to the Boston Lyric Opera as Aida, Bess in Detroit, Serena in Porgy and Bess in Philadelphia, Nedda in I pagliacci in Nancy, France, Aida at the Cincinnati Opera, and three roles for the Seattle Opera including, Aida, Tosca, and Madame Lidoine in Les dialogues des Carmélites.


Engagements in the 2004-2005 season for Miss Daltirus included Aida for the Connecticut Opera, followed by her Amsterdam début as Lia in Debussy’s L’enfant prodigue under the baton of Valery Gergiev at the Concertgebouw, Rosalinde in Fledermaus in Thessaloniki, Greece, and her Opera Company of Philadelphia début in the title role of Aida. She continued the season as Tosca for her Michigan Opera Theatre and Carolina Opera débuts, and closed the season as the soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Philadelphia Orchestra.


Of Miss Daltirus’ début as Tosca at Opera Delaware, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported “Dazzling Discovery at Opera Delaware ...the voice heard in the title role was reminiscent of - Leontyne Price.” The monthly Opera News echoed the praise: “...plainly a star in the making...Leontyne Price is a clear (and welcome) model vocally...Her full, liquid sound illuminated line after line with musical polish and detail and soared impressively on high B-flats and C’s.”


The 2003-2004 season included Miss Daltirus’ return to Opera Delaware in the title role in Aida, her début at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis as Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, with the Boston Lyric Opera as Tosca, and Verdi’s Messa da Requiem at the Aspen Music Festival under the baton of David Zinman.


Miss Daltirus has been featured by the Bel Canto Lyric Opera of Philadelphia in roles and scenes including Amelia in Un ballo in maschera, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, and Leonora in La forza del destino. She has been featured with the Philadelphia Chamber Chorus in a concert Porgy & Bess, has sung the role of Marguerite in Faust and the title roles of Tosca, Aida and Ameliaal Ballo in Menotti's version with the Trinity Opera Theater of Philadelphia. Maine Grand Opera featured her in its inaugural gala which led to an unscheduled “Afternoon of Song” recital, due to the overwhelming audience response. Miss Daltirus made her Carnegie Hall début with New York Grand Opera singing the title role of Aida in the "Triumphal Scene". Miss Daltirus made a last minute Avery Fisher Hall début at the Richard Tucker Foundation Gala stepping in for an indisposed Aprile Millo to sing the "Triumphal Scene" from Aida. “Their solution was to pluck from the audience Lisa Daltirus...she acquitted herself very well. In fact it would have been wonderful to hear more of her. Maybe next year.” The New York Times.


An active soloist with orchestra, Miss Daltirus débuted Beethoven's Missa Solemnis with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society. She returned to the Philadelphia Chamber Chorus to perform two versions of Dona Nobis Pacem by Vaughn-Williams and Fanshawe (from African Sanctus). She has been heard in Mozart’s Requiem with the Mainline Ecumenical Choir and Symphony. Her recent performance of Poulenc’s Gloria with the Wichita Symphony led to an invitation to perform Samuel Barber's Knoxville Summer of 1915 with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Other repertoire for Miss Daltirus includes Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Vesperae Solemnes; Haydn’s Mass in Time of War, Fauré’s Requiem; Mahler’s 8th Symphony and the Chichester Psalms. Lisa is a favorite of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops Orchestra and was recently featured in "PoPera" which also marked her début at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. She has been featured in Nero’s arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner in D-flat on several occasions and highlights from Porgy & Bess on "Blue Chip Broadway." Miss Daltirus has received awards and recognition from the NJ State Opera Vocal competition, the Joy of Singing competition, The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, The Liederkranz International Vocal Competition and the New York Vocal Artists Competition. Miss Daltirus is also a grantee of the Singer's Development Fund in NYC and the William Matthews Sullivan Foundation.

 

Leann Sandel-Pantaleo - Amneris

Mezzo-Soprano

Following recent performances of Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusicana, Leann Sandel-Pantaleo was praised by the Portland Press Herald with the exclamation that “she has a glorious voice…. and she took fire.”

 

Leann Sandel-Pantaleo - Amneris

Mezzo-Soprano


Following recent performances of Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusicana, Leann Sandel-Pantaleo was praised by the Portland Press Herald with the exclamation that “she has a glorious voice…. and she took fire.”  In the 2007-08 season, she sings her first performances of Amneris in Aida with El Paso Opera and returns to the Metropolitan Opera for Siegrune in Die Walküre and Flora in La Traviata.  She also joins the Brooklyn Philharmonic for Stravinsky’s Pulcinella.  Among her other upcoming engagements is her Houston Grand Opera debut as Ursule in Béatrice et Bénédict followed by Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, further performances of the title role in Carmen with Hawaii Opera Theater, and a return to the Metropolitan to reprise Siegrune in Die Walküre.

In the summer of 2007, the mezzo sang her first performances of the title role in Carmen with Chautauqua Opera.  Since her Metropolitan Opera debut as Flora in La Traviata in the company’s famed parks concerts, she has joined the company for numerous productions including Die Ägyptische Helena, Le Nozze di Figaro, Luisa Miller, Manon, Parsifal, and Die Walküre.  Other recent performances include Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana with PORT Opera in Maine and Dorabella in Cosi fan tutte with the Hat City Opera Theater. Also included in her previous operatic experience are performances with Michigan Opera Theatre, Indianapolis Opera, West Coast Lyric Opera, Starlight Theater, Caramoor Music Festival, New Amsterdam Opera and San Diego Comic Opera. A frequent oratorio soloist as well, the mezzo has appeared with many symphony orchestras, including  Indianapolis, Alabama, Erie, Pacific, Nevada, La Jolla, Evansville, San Diego, Westchester, and Lafayette.  

Ms. Sandel-Pantaleo has won the Herbert Cohen Award in the Oratorio Society of New York’s Annual Solo Competition and was a Loren B. Zachary Competition finalist, Friedrich Schorr Competition winner, Musical Merit of San Diego winner, Bel Canto Competition finalist and Virginia Hawk Competition winner.  A graduate of Indiana University, Ms. Sandel-Pantaleo began her commitment to music with an apprenticeship with Michigan Opera Theatre and work with the American Cabaret Theatre.

Philip Webb - Tenor

Philip Webb - Calaf

Tenor

Previously at Portland Opera: Aida, 2008; Norma, 2007

Philip Webb is an American tenor who has received critical acclaim after launching his career in operatic and classical music. In 1993, after nearly twelve years as a church music minister, Webb was encouraged by the renowned bass Giorgio Tozzi to pursue a career in opera.

Philip Webb - Tenor

Philip Webb - Calaf

Tenor

Previously at Portland Opera: Aida, 2008; Norma, 2007 

Philip Webb is an American tenor who has received critical acclaim after launching his career in operatic and classical music. In 1993, after nearly twelve years as a church music minister, Webb was encouraged by the renowned bass Giorgio Tozzi to pursue a career in opera. He immediately embarked on an intensive program of studies and training. In the fall of 1993 he began studying vocal technique with one of the best-known vocal teachers of her day, Margaret Harshaw, formerly of the Metropolitan Opera and the Indiana School of Music.  In 2001 he began a series of studies with the internationally acclaimed Verdian tenor Carlo Bergonzi. Philip continues his vocal studies with the renown voice teacher Seth Riggs of Los Angeles. Seth has become well known for his vocal technique, especially in the area of pop music. However, Seth's roots are in operatic singing and his teaching has been very influential in Philip's career and he continues to be involved in all of his future role preparations.

In January of 1994, he witnessed his first professional opera production, 'Norma', performed by Virginia Opera. This was also, in effect, his first professional assignment, as he covered the role of Pollione. In the summer of 1994 he sang his first operatic role as Cavaradossi in a summer production of Tosca at the University of Chicago. He sang his first lead role with a major company in 1996, Edgardo with Virginia Opera.  Since that time, his vocal achievements have accelerated as he has performed in major theaters across the world.  

Philip Webb came to an operatic career late in life and as a result his voice is refreshingly new and strong.  After beginning his career in primarily lyric roles, he has branched out to the lyric spinto roles and established himself as a unique performer of the more dramatic Verdi roles.  Philip's short career has encompassed a wide spectrum of roles and their interpretations.

 

Greer Grims;ey - Amonasro

Greer Grimsley - Don Pizarro

Bass-Baritone

American Bass-Baritone Greer Grimsley has gained international recognition as an outstanding singing actor and is one of leading interpreters of the Wagnerian repertoire.

Greer Grims;ey - Amonasro

Greer Grimsley - Don Pizarro

Bass-Baritone


American Bass-Baritone Greer Grimsley has gained international recognition as an outstanding singing actor and is one of leading interpreters of the Wagnerian repertoire. In Seattle Opera’s recent Der Ring des Nibelungen, the Seattle Times says “Grimsley’s big, resplendent voice is the right size and color for this vital role; as Wotan, he sounds like a singer who has found his true home. He’s an adept actor, too, never overplaying his hand and relating to the rest of the cast with unflagging intensity.” Additionally, Mr. Grimsley made his Metropolitan debut as Captain Balstrode in Peter Grimes and has subsequently performed there as Escamillo in Carmen, Jokanaan in Salome, Scarpia in Tosca, Telramund in Lohengrin and Amfortas in Parsifal. Mr. Grimsley first came to international attention as Escamillo in the Peter Brook production of La tragédie de Carmen, which he has sung in venues around the world, including his Italian debuts at the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, the Teatro Comunale di Bologna.

Engagements during the 2006-2007 Season included the title role in Der Fliegende Holländer with the Seattle Opera, the title role in Macbeth with Vancouver Opera, the title role in Der Fliegende Holländer in Lithuania, High Priest in Samson et Dalila with San Diego Opera, Claggart in Billy Budd with Pittsburgh Opera, Rigoletto with San Francisco Opera, and Wotan in Siegfried in Venice. Additional recent engagements include Jokanaan in Salome with Michigan Opera Theater and Santa Fe Opera, Jack Rance in La fanciulla del West and Telramund in Lohengrin with Seattle Opera, as well as Scarpia in Tosca and the title role in Der Fliegende Holländer with Pittsburgh Opera, the title role in Bluebeard’s Castle with Montreal Opera, his debut as Wotan in Stephen Wadsworth’s Der Ring des Nibelungen with Seattle Opera Summer 2005, Scarpia in Tosca with Portland Opera, and Wotan in Die Walküre in Venice. In concert, he recently performed Verdi’s Requiem with the Atlanta Symphony at Carnegie Hall and Scarpia in Tosca with Deborah Voight and the Minnesota Orchestra.

During the 2007-2008 Season, Mr. Grimsley performed Scarpia in Tosca with the Seattle Opera, Mephistopheles in Faust with New Orleans Opera, Verdi Requiem with the Teatro Colon, Schnittke’s Faust Cantata with the Gulbenkian Orchestra under Rolf Beck, Don Pizzarro in Fidelio with the Saint Louis Symphony, and Amonasro in Aida with Portland Opera.

Engagements for the 2008-2009 Season include Don Pizzarro in Fidelio with Opera Company of Philadelphia and Portland Opera, Scarpia in Tosca with San Diego Opera, and Jokanaan in Salome with the Vancouver Opera and Opera Pacific, the Der Ring des Nibelungen with the Seattle Opera.

Previous European engagements have included the title role in Der Fliegende Holländer at the Deutsche Oper Berlin and at the Teatro Comunale di Bologna under Maestro Gatti’s baton, Telramund in Lohengrin, and Mandryka in Arabella with the Royal Danish Opera, Kurwenal in Tristan und Isolde with the Prague National Theatre, the Royal Danish Opera, and the Opera de Bellas Artes in Mexico, the title role in Der Fliegende Holländer in Nancy, France, Mephistopheles in Faust in Oviedo, Spain, Jochanaan in Salome with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Aarhus-Den Jyske Opera in Denmark, the Scottish Opera, and the Opera de Bellas Artes in Mexico, Don Pizarro in Fidelio with the Scottish Opera, the title role in Don Giovanni and Scarpia in Tosca with the Stadttheater Basel in Switzerland, the Villains in Les contes d’Hoffmann with New Israeli Opera, and Amonasro in Aïda with Opera de Caracas in Venezuela.

Mr. Grimsley has performed Escamillo in Carmen with the Seattle Opera, Baltimore Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Vancouver Opera, Edmonton Opera, the St. Louis Symphony, the Teatro Real, the Grand Théâtre de Genève, the Scottish Opera, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and at the Bergenz Festival in Austria. He created the role of Canyka in the world premiere of Ashoka’s Dream with Santa Fe Opera and performed the Count de Luna in the American premiere of Verdi’s French-language version of Il trovatore, Le Trouvère. He has also performed at the Wexford Festival in Ireland as Richard Lionheart in Marschner’s Der Templer und Die Juden. Mr. Grimsley made his New York Philharmonic debut as Don Pizzaro in Fidelio with conductor Kurt Masur at the inaugural season of the Lincoln Center Festival.

 

 

Keith MillerKeith Miller - Count Monterone

Bass-Baritone

This season bass-baritone Keith Miller returned to the Metropolitan Opera for roles in Madama Butterfly, War and Peace, Ernani, and the new production of Macbeth.

Keith Miller

Keith Miller - Count Monterone

Bass-Baritone

This season bass-baritone Keith Miller returned to the Metropolitan Opera for roles in Madama Butterfly, War and Peace, Ernani, and the new production of Macbeth. Mr. Miller made his debut there last season in the new production of Madama Butterfly, and also appeared in Faust, Rigoletto, Eugene Onegin, Andrea Chenier, and Gianni Schicchi (which was broadcast live in HD in movie theaters around the world). This spring he returned to the Portland Opera as Ramphis in Aida; and next season he makes his role and house debut as Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro at the Florida Grand Opera, and returns to both the Met and the Portland Opera for Monterone in Rigoletto, and to the Met again for the Bonze in Madama Butterfly.

A recent graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts, Mr. Miller appeared there as Leporello and Masetto in Don Giovanni, Dulcamara in L'elisir d'amore, Don Alfonso in Cosi fan tutte, Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte, and Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro. Other past opera engagements include the Bonze in Madama Butterfly with Portland Opera, Leporello, Simone in Gianni Schicchi, Monterone and Sparafucile in Rigoletto, and Don Basilio in Il barbiere di Siviglia with the Crested Butte Music Festival; Alidoro in La cenerentola with the Fargo-Moorhead Opera, Il Bonzo with Emerald City Opera, Colline in La Bohème with the Pouhgkeepsie Opera, and Don Alfonso with Oberlin in Italy.

In concert, Mr. Miller's recent engagements include Beethoven's Missa Solemnis with the Fanshawe Chorus London in Ontario, Colline in a concert version of La Bohème with the Rockford Symphony, and Handel's Messiah with the Chamber Opera of Philadelphia.

Before pursing his career as a singer, Mr. Miller played professional football for 5 years and had the honor of being an Olympic Torch Bearer for the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

http://www.opus3artists.com/artists/keith-miller

 

Vjekoslav Sutej - Conductor

Vjekoslav Sutej - Conductor

 

Vjekoslav Sutej is Musical Director and Principal Conductor of The Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra and a professor of conducting at the Zagreb Academy of Music.

Vjekoslav Sutej - Conductor

Vjekoslav Sutej - Conductor

Vjekoslav Sutej is Musical Director and Principal Conductor of The Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra and a professor of conducting at the Zagreb Academy of Music.


Mr. Sutej was born in Rijeka, Croatia, where he grew up in a musical environment. Both of his parents sang in the Croatian National Opera House. He studied conducting under Igor Gjadrov at the Zagreb Academy of Music, and he obtained his MMus in Rome with Franco Ferrara.


From 1979-1989 he was Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Croatian National Theatre in Split. From 1986-1990 was Artistic Director of Hollybush Festival in New Jersey, where he started his international career. From 1990-1993 he was Music Director of “La Fenice” in Venice, where he conducted new productions of Eugene Onegin and Rigoletto.


In Spain Mr. Sutej is an academician and a member of “Real Academia De Bellas Artes.” He founded “Real Orquesta Simfonica De Sevilla” and was their Artistic Director and Principal Conductor from 1990 to 1996. He received the freedom of the City of Sevilla.


From 1992-1997, he was Music Director of “Houston Grand Opera,” where he conducted 133 performances, including 19 new productions. Among them are La Boheme, Andrea Chenier, Ariadne Auf Naxos, Aida, La Traviata, Faust, Atilla, Lucia Di Lammermoore, Boris Godunov, Les Contes D’hoffman, Florenzia En El Amazonas, and more.


From 2002-2005 he was a musical director of Dubrovnik Summer Festival. He was a guest conductor in many opera houses worldwide. He conducted New Productions at the Verdi Festival in Parma (Le Trover); in San Francisco (Carmen); Turin, (IL Trovatore, Fanciulla del West); Arena Di Verona (Carmen, Rigoletto, Aida); Verona (Il Trittico, Pagliacci); Catania (Il Trittico, Manon Lescaut, Tosca); Tokyo (Faust, Carmen, Madama Butterfly); Naples (Cavaleria rusticana); Madrid (Manon); Seattle (Florenzia en el Amazonas, Madama Butterfly); Munchen (Manon Lescaut); Berlin (Tosca, Madama Butterfly, Fanciulla del West) and more.


Since 1994 Vjekoslav Sutej has been regularly invited to conduct at the Vienna State Opera, where he has conducted over hundred performances so far. He conducted the performance of Tosca marking the centenary of its world premiere at the Vienna State Opera. He opened the 2001/02 season conducting “Don Carlos” with Shicoff, Mescheriacova and Furlanetto what was broadcast on the main city squares in Vienna iand Graz. In the last 9 years he has conducted the Vienna State Opera productions of The Queen Of Spades, La Boheme, Don Carlos, Madama Butterfly, Rigoletto, La Traviata, Il Trovatore, La Juive, La Favorita, Lucia Di Lammermoore, Cavaleria Rusticana / I Pagliacci, Nabucco, Andrea Chenier, Aida and Carmen.


As a guest conductor he conducted orchestras in the United States, Russia, Hungary, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Italy, Mexico, the Czech Republic and Japan.


Mr. Sutej conducts popular concerts with the most popular opera stars: the 1991 New Year’s Concert in Frankfurt with Carreras; the 1992 Red Square Gala in Moscow; Carreras in Vienna and Berlin; Caballe in Rome; gala concerts with Caballe and Carreras in Orange, France and Epidaurus, Greece; the Budapest Gala with Ross, Domingo and Carreras; the 1995 Gala Concert with Carreras at Arena Di Verona; the Monte Carlo Gala Concert with Vargas and Rost, the Mexico City Gala with Vargas, gala concerts with Gulegina in Tokyo and Nagoya, Verdi gala with Vargas in Munich, Arena Di Verona “Corona di Pietra”—gala concert with Domingo, Opera gala with Vargas in Prague.


He conducted “Christmas In Vienna” for the first four years. The recordings of those concerts have been sold in more than a 2 million copies. Mr. Sutej received a gold medal of the City of Vienna for his contribution in promoting music culture. He has recorded the “Love Songs” CD with Carreras, CD and DVD of Pagliacci with Alagna and Vasilleva, CD with Ramon Vargas & friends.   La Juive for ORF with Schicoff, DVD “Corona di Pietra” with Domingo.


Upcoming contracts include: Tosca, Rigoletto, La Favorit; Madama Butterfly, Fanciulla dell West, Tosca, Cavaleria / Pagliacci, Forza del Destino (Berlin); La Traviata, La Boheme (Seattle); Nabucco (Arena Di Verona); tour with Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra (Mexico, Japan, Italy, Sweden).

Sandra Bernhard - Stage Director

Sandra Bernhard - Stage Director

 

As a member of San Francisco Opera since 1990, Sandra Bernhard has served as an assistant director for over 30 productions and as a coach and instructor of acting for the Merola Opera Program.

Sandra Bernhard - Stage Director

Sandra Bernhard - Stage Director

 

As a member of San Francisco Opera since 1990, Sandra Bernhard has served as an assistant director for over 30 productions and as a coach and instructor of acting for the Merola Opera Program. At the San Francisco Opera, she has directed Tosca (2001/2002/2004), Samson et Dalilah (2001), Carmen (1998), Madama Butterfly (1995), L'elisir d'amore (1992/2000), a new production of Lucia di Lammermoor (1994/1999), and a new production of La Bohème (1993), which led the San Francisco Chronicle to remark, "Finally, we had a La Bohème with a jolting and satisfactory blend of comedic detail and pathos, of romance, poetry and realism." She also staged concert presentations of Ermione, Lucia Silla, and Daphne, as well as the Merola Program's Grand Finals from 1991 through 1995, and the San Francisco Opera Guild and San Francisco Opera Center's production of Hänsel und Gretel (1996).


Highlights from recent seasons include her return engagements to San Francisco Opera for Tosca, Florida Grand Opera for Un Ballo in Maschera, and Dayton Opera to direct Little Women. Ms. Bernhard's recent productions include Don Pasquale at Florida Grand Opera, La Bohème at Washington Opera, Midsummer Night's Dream at Louisiana State University, and a workshop of The Memory Game - a new opera by Joel Hoffmann at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. In the 2003-04 season, she was appointed holder of the J. Ralph Corbett Distinguished Chair in Opera at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and directed Le Nozze di Figaro with Portland Opera, as well as Samson et Dalila with the Lyric Opera of Chicago.


In addition to Ms. Bernhard's many San Francisco Opera credits, she has directed: the world premiere of The Dreamers, a new opera composed by David Conte with a libretto by Philip Littell; performance workshops of The Gift of the Magi, a new opera by David Conte with a libretto by Nicholas Giardini; and Wuornos, a new opera by Carla Lucero. She has also directed productions at the Pittsburgh Opera (Street Scene, Postcard from Morocco), Minnesota Opera (Der Rosenkavalier), Cincinnati Opera (La Bohème), Portland Opera (Don Giovanni, La Bohème), Baltimore Opera (Mother of Us All), Opera Pacific (La Bohème), Florida Grand Opera (Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Rigoletto), Central City Opera (La Bohème), Fort Worth Opera (Les Contes d'Hoffmann), Utah Opera (La Traviata, Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Manitoba Opera (Faust), Opera Hamilton (Così fan tutte), and Chautauqua Opera (Postage Due, original productions of Harold who?).


A graduate of the University of Illinois, Ms. Bernhard has had additional teaching assignments at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Utah Opera, the Greater Miami Opera, Chautauqua Opera, and Louisiana State University. Ms. Bernhard has also written several educational outreach productions and student/teacher handbooks through the San Francisco Opera Education department, including Opera Inside/Out, Interactive Opera!, and Opera Out!

 

Listen to the Music

Celeste Aida

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Su! Del Nilo al sacro lido

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I sacri nomi di padre

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Gloria all'Egitto ad Iside

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O terra addio

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Musical excerpts used courtesy of Angel Records/EMI Classics.

Schedule

May 9, 2008
Friday 7:30 pm
May 11, 2008
Sunday 2:00 pm
May 13, 2008
Tuesday 7:30 pm
May 15, 2008
Thursday 7:30 pm
May 17, 2008
Saturday 7:30 pm

Tickets

Purchase Now! (You will be redirected to Ticketmaster.)

To purchase tickets through the Portland Opera,
call 503-241-1802, M-F, 9a-5p.