Adriana Lecouvreur Cast & Synopsis
Kathleen Morrison is an operatic soprano, who has captivated audiences all around the world with her performances in opera, concerts, and lieder. She has been hailed as 'Riveting' by Opera Canada.
Kathleen owns the highly successful 'Voice by Kathleen' studio, where she mentors and coaches singers across genres, emphasizing healthy vocal t
Kathleen Morrison is an operatic soprano, who has captivated audiences all around the world with her performances in opera, concerts, and lieder. She has been hailed as 'Riveting' by Opera Canada.
Kathleen owns the highly successful 'Voice by Kathleen' studio, where she mentors and coaches singers across genres, emphasizing healthy vocal technique. She is an in demand adjudicator and masterclass clinician and is also the Director of Solo Voice Studies at the prestigious Renert School since 2019.
Co-founder of the audience favourite Divas Opera and Artistic/Executive Director of the newly formed Alberta Vocal Arts Association; Kathleen is dedicated to promoting the classical vocal arts and creating engaging performances.
Residing in Calgary, she finds joy with her beloved Grand Champion Trick Samoyed, Alfie, and is a Certified Trick Dog All-Star Trainer of the Year and Vice-President of the Samoyed Association of Canada.
Upcoming performances include a reprise of Chiaroscuro: A Liederabend Reimagined, and Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus both presented by Alberta Vocal Arts.
@kathleen__morrison
www.kathleenmorrison.com
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Mexican tenor Ernesto Ramírez is garnering rave reviews for his distinctive Italianate sound, “wonderfully fluid line and brilliant high notes,” combined with his “suave, nuanced lyricism.” Ernesto debuted as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with Mexico’s Opera de Leon, Rodolfo in La bohème with Pacific Northwest Opera, and sang his first Do
Mexican tenor Ernesto Ramírez is garnering rave reviews for his distinctive Italianate sound, “wonderfully fluid line and brilliant high notes,” combined with his “suave, nuanced lyricism.” Ernesto debuted as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly with Mexico’s Opera de Leon, Rodolfo in La bohème with Pacific Northwest Opera, and sang his first Don Jose with Opera Kelowna’s Carmen and in concert with Kitchener- Waterloo Symphony.
In 2022, Ernesto starred as Don José in concert performances of Carmen with Orchestre Classique de Montréal, and debuts as Ralph Rackstraw with Vancouver Opera in their updated production of HMS Pinafore, conducted by Rosemary Thomson and performed the lead role of Roberto in Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux with Calgary Concert Opera Company and Opera by Request.
Ernesto's most recent performance included the role of Alfredo in La Traviata with Southern Ontario Lyric Opera.
http://www.ernestoramirez.ca/
Canadian mezzo-soprano Barbara King is no stranger to the stage, having won the QuébecProvincial Gymnastics Championship on Floor and dazzling audiences with her "exquisite vocalcommand of a three-octave range" and the presence of a "warm, agile mezzo-soprano voice." In addition, Barbara founded Divas Opera with soprano Kathleen Morrison
Canadian mezzo-soprano Barbara King is no stranger to the stage, having won the QuébecProvincial Gymnastics Championship on Floor and dazzling audiences with her "exquisite vocalcommand of a three-octave range" and the presence of a "warm, agile mezzo-soprano voice." In addition, Barbara founded Divas Opera with soprano Kathleen Morrison in 2019 and the Calgary Concert Opera Company (CCOC) with her husband in 2011. Barbara ended 2022 performing as a principal soloist with the Calgary Civic Symphony in "ADivas Christmas" and then ushered in the new year by reprising Sara, Duchess of Nottinghamin Donizetti's Roberto Devereux at Festival Place in Sherwood Park with CLM Productions.
Additionally, Barbara has had the honour of singing leading roles with Calgary Opera, Edmonton Opera, Manitoba Opera, Opera Kelowna, Mercury Opera, Opera NUOVA, The Amalfi Coast Music Festival, and Viterbo Opera Festival in Italy.
Upcoming performances include the role of Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus) with Alberta Vocal Arts, followed by her return to Manitoba Opera as Mercedes (Carmen).
Alicia Woynarski’s warm voice and compelling stage presence have captivated audiences nationally and abroad. She holds a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor’s of Music with honours from Western University. On stages across Canada she has performed with companies including Manitoba O
Alicia Woynarski’s warm voice and compelling stage presence have captivated audiences nationally and abroad. She holds a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor’s of Music with honours from Western University. On stages across Canada she has performed with companies including Manitoba Opera, Saskatoon Opera, Calgary Concert Opera, Opera Kelowna, Little Opera on the Prairie, and Vancouver Island Opera. She has also performed in operas in Italy and the Czech Republic. Mrs. Woynarski teaches voice in her home studio in Airdrie, as an Alberta registered music teacher. She also adjudicates regularly for the Saskatchewan Music Festival Association. She’s very excited to be performing as Princess of Bouillion in Calgary Concert Opera’s Adrianna Lecouvreur.
German born and Calgary based Bass-Baritone Uwe Dambruch studied voice with known dramatic Mezzo-Soprano Evelyn Dalberg in Duesseldorf.
His many opera engagements have included Papageno in The Magic Flute, the Father in Haensel und Gretel in Duesseldorf, the Friar in Don Carlos at the Baden State Opera Karlsruhe, the 1st Soldier in Salome
German born and Calgary based Bass-Baritone Uwe Dambruch studied voice with known dramatic Mezzo-Soprano Evelyn Dalberg in Duesseldorf.
His many opera engagements have included Papageno in The Magic Flute, the Father in Haensel und Gretel in Duesseldorf, the Friar in Don Carlos at the Baden State Opera Karlsruhe, the 1st Soldier in Salome for the Frankfurt Opera and his US debut as Mandarin in the Florentine Opera production of Turandot in Milwaukee.
Uwe's Canadian debut was with the Vancouver Opera as Jake Wallace in La Fanciulla del West. Engagements followed as the Mandarin in Turandot and the Loudspeaker in The Emperor of Atlantis for the Edmonton Opera, Melot in Tristan und Isolde for the Florentine Opera in Milwaukee, the Mandarin in Turandot, the 1st Soldier in Salome and Don Basilio in The Barber of Seville for The North Carolina Opera Company. He sang Angelotti/Sciarrone in Tosca for Opera Hamilton. For Calgary Opera, he sang Monterone/Sparafucile in Rigoletto, Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Ludovico in Othello, Sarastro in The Magic Flute.
Other opera companies include Pacific Opera Victoria, Opera Classica Europe (the largest open air summer opera festival in Germany) at the amphitheater at the Loreley, Germany, Opera by Request in Toronto, Calgary Concert Opera and Calgary Civic Symphony.
www.uwedambruch.com
Native of Joliette “Sol de la Musique”, Lanaudière, Quebec, Bass-Baritone Bertrand Malo graduated from McGill University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance. In 1999, he started his career with a first prize in his category at the National Association of Teacher of Singing (NATS) competition in Potsdam, New-York. He has
Native of Joliette “Sol de la Musique”, Lanaudière, Quebec, Bass-Baritone Bertrand Malo graduated from McGill University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance. In 1999, he started his career with a first prize in his category at the National Association of Teacher of Singing (NATS) competition in Potsdam, New-York. He has performed for several opera companies such as Edmonton Opera, Calgary Concert Opera and Pop Goes the Opera. Throughout his career, he has sung main roles in various opera productions such as Les Pécheurs de Perles, Christopher Sly, Don Giovanni, Fidelio, Le Nozze di Figaro, Salome, Cavalleria Rusticana, I Pagliacci, Die Zauberflöte, Gianni Schicchi, Roberto Devereux and Il Tabarro. In addition, Bertrand is the co-founder of Straight Up Opera.
Praised for his 'instantly likeable voice', Calgary-based tenor Oliver Munar is in increasing demand as a concert, operatic and oratorio soloist.
Oliver was celebrated in an unexpected, ‘remarkable’ debut as the title role in Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, ‘sight reading the score live, on stage, and without
Praised for his 'instantly likeable voice', Calgary-based tenor Oliver Munar is in increasing demand as a concert, operatic and oratorio soloist.
Oliver was celebrated in an unexpected, ‘remarkable’ debut as the title role in Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, ‘sight reading the score live, on stage, and without rehearsal’. The Calgary Herald lauded him for his ‘substantial ability’ and ‘considerable vocal gifts’ in a 2019 production of Monteverdi’s Vespro della Beata Vergine with Early Music Voices (Calgary) and Rosa Barocca. Last December, Oliver debuted with the Okanagan Festival Singers as a soloist in its production of Handel's Messiah, and is excited to debut with the Yellowknife Choral Society in its production of Messiah this coming December.
On the operatic stage, recent roles include Giuseppe in Verdi’s La traviata (Calgary Opera), Gastone in La traviata (Mercury Opera and Calgary Concert Opera), and the title role of Britten’s Albert Herring (University of Alberta Opera). He has also sung with the Calgary Opera Chorus since 2017, and is also on the roster for the Edmonton-based professional chamber choir Pro Coro Canada.
Oliver holds a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Alberta. In addition to singing, He is a collaborative pianist, vocal coach, conductor, clinician and composer/arranger.
@oliver_munar
http://olivermunar.ca/
Calgarian Soprano Alyssa Durnie has been seen performing through out Canada and Europe. After moving home to Calgary in 2018, Ms. Durnie has been seen in productions with Calgary Opera, Cowtown Opera, Calgary Concert Opera, ProArts at noon, Firebird Symphony, and with Three Sisters Young Artists. Ms. Durnie made her CCOC debut as chorus
Calgarian Soprano Alyssa Durnie has been seen performing through out Canada and Europe. After moving home to Calgary in 2018, Ms. Durnie has been seen in productions with Calgary Opera, Cowtown Opera, Calgary Concert Opera, ProArts at noon, Firebird Symphony, and with Three Sisters Young Artists. Ms. Durnie made her CCOC debut as chorus in Samson and Delilah, and has since been seen in numerous productions including co-production with Calgary Civic Orchestra in Sunday Afternoon at the Opera, CCOC's 10th Anniversary Concert, and Roberto Devereux. Ms. Durnie is thrilled to perform her role debut of Mlle Jouvenot with Calgary Concert Opera. You may find Mrs. Durnie next in the Jubilee Stage performing with the Calgary Opera Chorus in Mozart's "Le Nozza di Figaro."
Praised by San Francisco Classical Voice for her "flair and musical vibrancy," Cristina Lanz is a dynamic and thoughtful performer and she is thrilled to be performing the role of Mme Dangeville in Calgary Concert Opera's production of Adriana Lecouvreur. As a versatile artist, Cristina has performed in opera, theatre, and musical theat
Praised by San Francisco Classical Voice for her "flair and musical vibrancy," Cristina Lanz is a dynamic and thoughtful performer and she is thrilled to be performing the role of Mme Dangeville in Calgary Concert Opera's production of Adriana Lecouvreur. As a versatile artist, Cristina has performed in opera, theatre, and musical theatre productions across a variety of musical genres including Baroque, operetta, and contemporary music. She finds contemporary music especially exciting and loves performing new works. Some of her favourite roles include: Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), Estelle (Later the Same Evening), Baker's Wife (Into the Woods), and Mrs. Gibbs (Our Town). Cristina holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto and a Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory in addition to a Diploma in Theatre Performance from Mount Royal University. Currently, she is based in Calgary, AB, Canada where she regularly sings as a member of the Calgary Opera Chorus and with the Firebird Symphony and Chorus. This fall she can also be seen singing in StoryBook Theatre's Top Secret Musical fundraiser at the end of October!
Meet Adam Arnold, an Alberta-based baritone known for his diverse roles on and off the stage. He made his solo debut with Calgary Opera in 2022 as the Commissioner in 'La Traviata,' directed by Alain Gaultier and conducted by Gordon Gerrard.
Adam has worked with companies including Edmonton Opera, Opera Kelowna, the Calgary Civic Symphony
Meet Adam Arnold, an Alberta-based baritone known for his diverse roles on and off the stage. He made his solo debut with Calgary Opera in 2022 as the Commissioner in 'La Traviata,' directed by Alain Gaultier and conducted by Gordon Gerrard.
Adam has worked with companies including Edmonton Opera, Opera Kelowna, the Calgary Civic Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Concert Opera Company, Mercury Opera, the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy, the Halifax Summer Opera Festival, and Opera NUOVA. Standout roles include the Father (Hänsel & Gretel), the Marquis d’Obigny (La Traviata), King Arthur (Spamalot), Silvano (La Calisto), Harry Easter (Street Scene), Motel Kamzoil (Fiddler on the Roof), and King Herod (Jesus Christ Superstar). In 2019, he commissioned Saskatchewan-born composer Stuart Beatch to write a set of queer love-songs titled 'he opens,' featuring poetry by Matthew Stepanic.
In addition to his work on stage, Adam is a talented Stage and Music Director, and arts administrator. Currently, he coordinates the Alberta branch of Opera InReach, a national initiative addressing outreach and engagement for marginalized groups in the opera industry.
Comfortable in both operas and musicals as well as in comedic or dramatic roles, Steven Morton is recognized as a generous and dynamic performer with a bright and dreamy, lyric tenor voice. His stage craft and musical prowess has been developed through numerous roles on and off the stage in addition to choral work, including three years
Comfortable in both operas and musicals as well as in comedic or dramatic roles, Steven Morton is recognized as a generous and dynamic performer with a bright and dreamy, lyric tenor voice. His stage craft and musical prowess has been developed through numerous roles on and off the stage in addition to choral work, including three years as the director of Fresh Blend a cappella.
Steven is passionate about learning what makes effective theatre. He cares deeply about clear and meaningful storytelling as well as high quality, entertaining performances and production value.
Steven currently performs as a church soloist, teaches privately, and can be seen on stage with a variety of theatre companies in Calgary. His critically acclaimed one-person show, "Drag Me to the Opera," will be touring to the Winnipeg Fringe in July 2023.
Founder and director of Opera by Request William Shookhoff is a noted conductor, pianist and vocal coach throughout Canada and abroad. He has conducted Canadian orchestras from coast to coast, as well as in the Netherlands and China. He has served on the music faculties of the Universities of Toronto, Alberta, Wilfrid Laurier, as well as
Founder and director of Opera by Request William Shookhoff is a noted conductor, pianist and vocal coach throughout Canada and abroad. He has conducted Canadian orchestras from coast to coast, as well as in the Netherlands and China. He has served on the music faculties of the Universities of Toronto, Alberta, Wilfrid Laurier, as well as the Banff Centre for the Arts and the Johannesen Summer Institute of Music. He has been on the Music Staff of the Canadian, Netherlands, Edmonton, and Portland (Oregon) Opera Companies. Equally at home in Music Theatre, Mr Shookhoff was the Associate Conductor of the inaugural Canadian production of Les Miserables, and of the Canadian Tour and Toronto productions of Phantom of the Opera. He has been a guest Music Director with Calgary Concert Opera,Neptune Theatre (Halifax), Persephone Theatre (Saskatoon), and Citadel Theatre (Edmonton). Frequently in demand as coach and conductor, Mr. Shookhoff makes frequent appearances in those capacities throughout Western Europe and China, as well as maintaining an active coaching studio in Toronto.
Synopsis
We present:
The Alberta Premier of Adriana Lecouvreur by Cilea - an opera based around a love triangle and some deadly violets. The violets represent innocence, everlasting love and faithfulness. But in this opera, with all of the misunderstandings, jealousy, & secrets, the violets end up causing death.
ACT ONE -
We are backstage at the Comédie-Française. The actors are in hectic preparation for an evening performance. Michonnet, the director of the house, is busy making the final arrangements and is secretly in love with the actress Adriana Lecouvreur.
Adriana appears and declares herself to be merely the
humble servant to the creative genius.
Michonnet wants to confess his love to Adriana so he tells her about a recent inheritance and marriage plans, but Adriana tells him that she loves Maurizio, an ensign of the Count of Saxony. She doesn’t know that Maurizio is in fact he Count himself. Maurizio appears and confesses his love to her and the two arrange to meet after the performance.
Adriana gives him a bouquet of violets as a pledge of her love.
The Prince appears and is working on a plot to expose his unfaithful mistress. So he arranges a party at his villa for later that night.
Maurizio decides to meet the princess who has helped him pursue his political ambitions and sends a note to Adriana to cancel their appointment. Adriana is upset, but when the prince invites her to the party and tells her that the Prince of Saxony will be one of the guests, she accepts in the hope of furthering her lover’s career.
Please Enjoy Act One of Adriana Lecouvreur.
ACT TWO
At the Duclos’ mansion. The Princess of Bouillon anxiously awaits Maurizio. When he appears she notices the violets and immediately suspects another woman but he quickly claims they are a gift for her. Grateful for her help at court, he reluctantly admits that he no longer loves her. The princess hides when her husband and the Abbé suddenly arrive, congratulating Maurizio on his latest conquest. Adriana appears. She is astounded to learn that the Count of Saxony is Maurizio himself but forgives his deception. When Michonnet enters looking for Duclos, Adriana assumes that Maurizio has come to the villa for a secret rendezvous with her. He assures her that the woman hiding next door is not Duclos. His meeting with her, he says, was purely political and they must arrange for her escape. Trusting him, AHdriana agrees. In the ensuing confusion, neither Adriana nor the princess recognize each other, but by the few words that are spoken each woman realizes that the other is also in love with Maurizio. Adriana is determined to discover the identity of her rival, but the princess escapes, dropping a bracelet that is picked up by Adriana.
ACT THREE
As preparations are under way for a party at her palace, the princess wonders who her rival might be. Guests arrive, among them Michonnet and Adriana. The princess recognizes Adriana’s voice as that of the woman who helped her escape. Her suspicions are confirmed when she pretends Maurizio has been wounded in a duel and Adriana almost faints. She recovers quickly, however, when Maurizio enters uninjured and entertains the guests with tales of his military exploits.
The princess and Adriana confront each other, in growing recognition that they are rivals. The princess mentions the violets, and Adriana in turn produces the bracelet, which the prince identifies as his wife’s. To distract attention, the princess suggests that Adriana should recite a monologue. Adriana chooses a passage from Racine’s Phèdre, in which the heroine denounces sinners and adulterous women, and aims her performance directly at the princess. The princess is determined to have her revenge.
ACT FOUR
Adriana has retired from the stage, devastated by the loss of Maurizio. Members of her theater company visit her on her birthday, bringing presents and trying to persuade her to return. AHdriana is especially moved by Michonnet’s gift: the jewelry she had once pawned to secure Maurizio’s release from prison.
A box is delivered, labeled “from Maurizio.” When Adriana opens it, she finds the bouquet of violets she had once given him and understands it as a sign that their love is at an end (“Poveri fiori”). She kisses the flowers, then throws them into the fire. Moments later, Maurizio arrives, summoned by Michonnet. He apologizes and asks Adriana to marry him. She joyfully accepts but suddenly turns pale. Michonnet and Maurizio realize that the violets were sent by the princess and had been poisoned by her.