Gaetano Donizetti's
Lucrezia Borgia
April 3, 4, 7, 10 & 11, 2015
LightSpace Studios
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LoftOpera, an ambitious young company that presents operas in unusual spaces in Brooklyn, draws much of its appeal from its willingness to break things — among them props, conventions, and the barriers separating audience and cast. Here the audience surrounded the stage on three sides with some in the front row having to duck swinging lamps, flying glasses and showers of stage wine. In the audience, beer bottles clinked with impunity; during the intermissions loud electronic music filled the loft-like space.
—Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim, The New York Times
Saturday night the LoftOpera troupe invaded LightSpace, a photographers’ studio on the edge of Bushwick, for a performance of Donizetti’s melodrama Lucrezia Borgia that, as opera should do but rarely does, left blood on the floor. I should clarify that the blood in question was purely metaphorical, because this company’s shows get so theatrically vivid that at the crest of one the production’s several wild party scenes, the heroine flung her wine goblet around so violently that the front row got splashed. Nobody complained, though, because this Lucrezia Borgia was both terrific fun and, as conducted by Sean Kelly, musically respectable as well.
—James Jorden, The New York Observer
This performance of Lucrezia Borgia had musical and theatrical integrity to spare, but it was also playful and unpretentious, taking grand-opera grandiosity down to more modest earthly conditions — pushing it off a pedestal and into Bushwick. LoftOpera might not provide a model for filling a few thousand seats at a big house like the Met every night, but they do offer a glimpse into what an alternative could be — and the comfort that it’d actually be not only affecting but also pretty darn fun.
—Henry Stewart, Opera News
It could get loud. It often does, especially when the soprano is mere inches from your ears, pleading with the duke for the life of the poor boy (parentage unknown) who insulted her notorious dynasty. Soprano Joanna Parisi, as Donizetti’s Lucrezia Borgia, is over the top and out of control. Lucrezia has four big roles, and LoftOpera, incredibly, has four excellent leads to sing them, and an impressive array of backup for the opera’s spies, confidantes and poisoned bystanders.
—John Yolahem, Parterre Box
ProductionStage Director // Laine Rettmer
Music Director, Conductor // Sean Kelly Assistant Conductor // Dean Buck Associate Director // Andrea Merkx Technical Director // Gustavo Valdes Production Manager // Melanie Milton Set Design // Michael Simmons Costume Designer, Stylist // Rachel Dainer-Best Stage Manager // Rafaella Rossi Assistant Stage Manager // Sarah Cook Assistant Director // Bruno Baker Logo Designer // Doug Smith at Penmanships Brand Manager // Claudia Vitarelli Executive Producer // Daniel Ellis-Ferris General Manager // Brianna Maury |
CastLucrezia Borgia // Joanna Parisi
Duke of Ferrara // Matthew Anchel Maffio Orsini // Melissa Collom Gennaro // Nikhil Navkal Rustighello // Michael Kuhn Liverotto // Spencer Viator Gazella // Isaiah Musik-Ayala Petrucci // Andrew Hiers Vitellozzo // Jordan Pitts Gubetta // Joel Herold Waitress // Alexis Kelley Girlfriend // Marina Abbrescia-Cummings King Negroni // Tony Torn Princess Negroni // Maria Molloy Chorus // Sean Jernigan Billy Hannon Kevin Anthony Hodge Dante Bratelli Ariel Maida Kenneth David Cummings |
OrchestraFlute // Michelle Stockman
Oboe // Phil Rashkin Clarinet // Samuel Marques Clarinet // Trenley Anderson Bassoon // Tilden Marbit Bassoon // Taylor Smith Horn // Gal Guttman Horn // Bert Hill Trumpet // Cody Rowlands, Paul Tafoya Trumpet // Anna Garcia, Jordan McLean Percussion // Mack Williamson, Derek Baron Harp // Kathryn Sloat Violin I // Amos Fayette Violin I // Maya Bennardo, Emily Vold Violin I // Xinou Wei, Mel Atoyan Violin I // Meghan Todt Violin II // Mara Gerety Violin II // Alicia Bisha Violin II // Alex Hu, Audrey Lo Viola // Trevor New Viola // Laura Huey Cello // Susan Mandel Cello // Eric Allen Bass // Ben Murphy |
Laine Rettmer
Stage Director
Laine Rettmer is an opera director and actor. She is currently the resident stage director for Loft Opera. Rettmer's Loft Opera productions of il Barbiere di Sivilgia and La Boheme played sold out runs and the New York Times said her Barbiere was a, "funny, dark-edge smart production... offer[ing] fresh takes on the story." Previous opera associate and assistant director credits include Powder Her Face which opened New York City Opera's last season at BAM and Evan Ziporyn's opera A House in Bali which premiered at Berkley Rep and toured to Boston and BAM. She has collaborated with the theater and opera director, Jay Scheib, for the past six years on twelve productions. Laine graduated from the. NYU TISCH School of the Arts.
Stage Director
Laine Rettmer is an opera director and actor. She is currently the resident stage director for Loft Opera. Rettmer's Loft Opera productions of il Barbiere di Sivilgia and La Boheme played sold out runs and the New York Times said her Barbiere was a, "funny, dark-edge smart production... offer[ing] fresh takes on the story." Previous opera associate and assistant director credits include Powder Her Face which opened New York City Opera's last season at BAM and Evan Ziporyn's opera A House in Bali which premiered at Berkley Rep and toured to Boston and BAM. She has collaborated with the theater and opera director, Jay Scheib, for the past six years on twelve productions. Laine graduated from the. NYU TISCH School of the Arts.
Sean Kelly
Conductor, Music Director
A Pittsburgh native, Sean Kelly has an active career as a pianist vocal coach in the US and Europe. Mr. Kelly has worked in many theaters throughout the world including The Metropolitan Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Wolftrap Opera, Seattle Opera,Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, Teatro Comunale Francesco Cilea, The Istanbul Opera Festival and Accademia di Santa Cecilia. In 2011 he was invited to perform at the first Leyla Gencer Memorial Concert in Ankara. Mr. Kelly also has an active teaching career as a past faculty member of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, the Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Opera Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca, and currently the Lorenzo Malfatti Accademia Vocale.
Conductor, Music Director
A Pittsburgh native, Sean Kelly has an active career as a pianist vocal coach in the US and Europe. Mr. Kelly has worked in many theaters throughout the world including The Metropolitan Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Wolftrap Opera, Seattle Opera,Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, Teatro Comunale Francesco Cilea, The Istanbul Opera Festival and Accademia di Santa Cecilia. In 2011 he was invited to perform at the first Leyla Gencer Memorial Concert in Ankara. Mr. Kelly also has an active teaching career as a past faculty member of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, the Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Opera Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca, and currently the Lorenzo Malfatti Accademia Vocale.
Michael Simmons
Set Design
Michael Simmons is a scenic designer, production designer and art director based in Brooklyn. Recent Credits Include: The Future at the End of the World: David Conison + Co (Immediate Medium), EXPLODITY! (Target Margin Labs), and works for NBC, CBS, The Weinstein Company, as well as numerous other feature films, short films, commercials and music videos. His work can currently be seen as set designer on this season of The Americans on FX. Recent assistant scenic design credits include: Nikolai and the Others (Lincoln Center), Powder Her Face (New York City Opera), Orpheus (New York City Opera),Carrie: The Musical (MCC), Realistic Joneses (Yale Rep), The Big Meal (Playwrights Horizons) and countless other productions with designers David Zinn and Marsha Ginsberg. He attended Carnegie Mellon University and is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829.
Set Design
Michael Simmons is a scenic designer, production designer and art director based in Brooklyn. Recent Credits Include: The Future at the End of the World: David Conison + Co (Immediate Medium), EXPLODITY! (Target Margin Labs), and works for NBC, CBS, The Weinstein Company, as well as numerous other feature films, short films, commercials and music videos. His work can currently be seen as set designer on this season of The Americans on FX. Recent assistant scenic design credits include: Nikolai and the Others (Lincoln Center), Powder Her Face (New York City Opera), Orpheus (New York City Opera),Carrie: The Musical (MCC), Realistic Joneses (Yale Rep), The Big Meal (Playwrights Horizons) and countless other productions with designers David Zinn and Marsha Ginsberg. He attended Carnegie Mellon University and is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829.
Joanna Parisi
Lucrezia Borgia
A citizen of both USA and Italy, Joanna Parisi is recognized internationally for her highly acclaimed interpretations of operatic roles. In 2014 she sang Floria Tosca throughout four theaters in Switzerland, and Leonora in Il trovatore at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City in both the 2014 and 2013 seasons, Milenio writing, "Best of the night, without a doubt, was the soprano Joanna Parisi as Leonora. In the fourth act, she showed her skills and vocal endurance. In the wonderful aria "D'amor sull'ali rosée" she addressed with perfect pitch and beautiful voice. In the Miserere scene and later with the Count, she was impeccable, dramatically and vocally, refined, passionate, in great voice, simply splendid. These two scenes are worth the entire opera. She received a deserved standing ovation." In 2014 she also sang Micaëla in Carmen at Teatro Amazonas in Brazil during the World Cup. She sang Elisabetta di Valois in Don Carlo to great success in Neuchâtel and Fribourg, Switzerland, and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni at Teatro Solis with the Orquesta Filarmónica de Montevideo. She also sang in concert in Beijing, China at the National Center of the Performing Arts conducted by Plácido Domingo for Operalia.
Lucrezia Borgia
A citizen of both USA and Italy, Joanna Parisi is recognized internationally for her highly acclaimed interpretations of operatic roles. In 2014 she sang Floria Tosca throughout four theaters in Switzerland, and Leonora in Il trovatore at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City in both the 2014 and 2013 seasons, Milenio writing, "Best of the night, without a doubt, was the soprano Joanna Parisi as Leonora. In the fourth act, she showed her skills and vocal endurance. In the wonderful aria "D'amor sull'ali rosée" she addressed with perfect pitch and beautiful voice. In the Miserere scene and later with the Count, she was impeccable, dramatically and vocally, refined, passionate, in great voice, simply splendid. These two scenes are worth the entire opera. She received a deserved standing ovation." In 2014 she also sang Micaëla in Carmen at Teatro Amazonas in Brazil during the World Cup. She sang Elisabetta di Valois in Don Carlo to great success in Neuchâtel and Fribourg, Switzerland, and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni at Teatro Solis with the Orquesta Filarmónica de Montevideo. She also sang in concert in Beijing, China at the National Center of the Performing Arts conducted by Plácido Domingo for Operalia.
Nikhil Navkal
Gennaro
Nikhil Navkal is a tenor from Andover, Massachusetts. Most recently, he performed Rossini’s Stabat Mater in New York, scenes of Rossini’s Barbiere di Siviglia alongside Joyce DiDonato with Brooklyn's LoftOpera, and Dorvil in Rossini's La Scala di Seta with Festival D'Aix in France. He interpreted the roles of Don Ramiro inCenerentola by Rossini, and Tebaldo in I Capuleti ed I Montecchi by Bellini while at Yale School of Music. Navkal has also performed concert works extensively. Under the baton of Maestro Helmuth Rilling, he has performed Dvořák's Stabat Mater with the Yale Glee Club and Yale Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Maestro William Boughton along with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, he performed Britten’s St. Nicolasoratorio. This coming summer, Navkal will be young artist at Caramoor, performing in concerts and opera scenes as well as covering Fernand from Donizetti’s La Favorite. Navkal has been a young artist at Central City Opera, holds a master of music degree from Mannes Conservatory in New York and bachelor of music degree in vocal performance from Indiana University.
Gennaro
Nikhil Navkal is a tenor from Andover, Massachusetts. Most recently, he performed Rossini’s Stabat Mater in New York, scenes of Rossini’s Barbiere di Siviglia alongside Joyce DiDonato with Brooklyn's LoftOpera, and Dorvil in Rossini's La Scala di Seta with Festival D'Aix in France. He interpreted the roles of Don Ramiro inCenerentola by Rossini, and Tebaldo in I Capuleti ed I Montecchi by Bellini while at Yale School of Music. Navkal has also performed concert works extensively. Under the baton of Maestro Helmuth Rilling, he has performed Dvořák's Stabat Mater with the Yale Glee Club and Yale Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Maestro William Boughton along with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, he performed Britten’s St. Nicolasoratorio. This coming summer, Navkal will be young artist at Caramoor, performing in concerts and opera scenes as well as covering Fernand from Donizetti’s La Favorite. Navkal has been a young artist at Central City Opera, holds a master of music degree from Mannes Conservatory in New York and bachelor of music degree in vocal performance from Indiana University.
Melissa Collom
Maffio Orsini
Mezzo Soprano, Melissa Collom, has appeared on many of the United States’ most celebrated stages and is delighted to be performing with LoftOpera for the first time. Her favorite roles include Dorabella in Mozart’s Così fan tutte (Seattle Opera), Hermia in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Central City Opera), Maddalena in Verdi’s Rigoletto (North Shore Music Festival), Pitti-Sing in The Mikado (New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players), and Julia Child in Hoiby’s Bon Appétit! She has performed in the choruses of the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, and Washington National Opera, and is a former soloist and section leader of the Washington National Cathedral. Melissa has worked alongside composers to debut and record new operatic works and song cycles. She has been a featured recitalist in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Steinway Series. In addition to performing, she produces short opera films and her own touring production of Bon Appétit! A native of the Washington, DC area, Melissa is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.
Maffio Orsini
Mezzo Soprano, Melissa Collom, has appeared on many of the United States’ most celebrated stages and is delighted to be performing with LoftOpera for the first time. Her favorite roles include Dorabella in Mozart’s Così fan tutte (Seattle Opera), Hermia in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Central City Opera), Maddalena in Verdi’s Rigoletto (North Shore Music Festival), Pitti-Sing in The Mikado (New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players), and Julia Child in Hoiby’s Bon Appétit! She has performed in the choruses of the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, and Washington National Opera, and is a former soloist and section leader of the Washington National Cathedral. Melissa has worked alongside composers to debut and record new operatic works and song cycles. She has been a featured recitalist in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Steinway Series. In addition to performing, she produces short opera films and her own touring production of Bon Appétit! A native of the Washington, DC area, Melissa is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.
Matthew Anchel
Duke of Ferrara
Bass Matthew Anchel, called "a voice to watch" by the Wall Street Journal, was a Grand Finalist in the 2013 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Mr. Anchel has been on the roster of the Metropolitan Opera for the past two seasons, covering in numerous productions. Recent engagements include a debut with Opera San Antonio in their production of Salome, Ferrando in Il Trovatore and the Bonze in Madama Butterfly, both with Opera San Jose, the Bass solo in the Mozart Requiem with Allentown Symphony, and a return to Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for Sarastro in The Magic Flute, a production directed and designed by Isaac Mizrahi. Mr. Anchel was a young artist with LA Opera as a member of the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Porgram and was a member of the Ensemble with Oper Leipzig singing numerous roles. In addition to his recognition from the Metropolitan National Council Auditions, Mr. Anchel has received awards from The George London Foundation, Opera Index, The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation and the Sullivan Foundation.
Duke of Ferrara
Bass Matthew Anchel, called "a voice to watch" by the Wall Street Journal, was a Grand Finalist in the 2013 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Mr. Anchel has been on the roster of the Metropolitan Opera for the past two seasons, covering in numerous productions. Recent engagements include a debut with Opera San Antonio in their production of Salome, Ferrando in Il Trovatore and the Bonze in Madama Butterfly, both with Opera San Jose, the Bass solo in the Mozart Requiem with Allentown Symphony, and a return to Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for Sarastro in The Magic Flute, a production directed and designed by Isaac Mizrahi. Mr. Anchel was a young artist with LA Opera as a member of the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Porgram and was a member of the Ensemble with Oper Leipzig singing numerous roles. In addition to his recognition from the Metropolitan National Council Auditions, Mr. Anchel has received awards from The George London Foundation, Opera Index, The Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation and the Sullivan Foundation.
Michael Kuhn
Rustighello
Praised for his “gorgeously clear and colorful tenor”, Michael Kuhn is experiencing an exciting career in opera, musical theatre and concert works across the country. He was recently seen as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni with DC Public Opera, and as a returning Emerging Artist with Virginia Opera, where he performed in the ensemble and covered Tobias in Sweeney Todd. Other recent roles have included Ferrando (Così fan tutte), Candide (Candide), Tamino (The Magic Flute), Piquillo (La Périchole) and Hot Biscuit Slim (Paul Bunyan). This summer he returns as an Apprentice Artist with Central City Opera, performing the Padre in Man of La Mancha, the title role in Britten's The Prodigal Son and Sancho in Boismortier's Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse. Michael is a native of Crofton, MD and currently resides in Brooklyn. He is an alumnus of Syracuse University (B.M. Music Industry) and the New England Conservatory (M.M. Vocal Performance).
Rustighello
Praised for his “gorgeously clear and colorful tenor”, Michael Kuhn is experiencing an exciting career in opera, musical theatre and concert works across the country. He was recently seen as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni with DC Public Opera, and as a returning Emerging Artist with Virginia Opera, where he performed in the ensemble and covered Tobias in Sweeney Todd. Other recent roles have included Ferrando (Così fan tutte), Candide (Candide), Tamino (The Magic Flute), Piquillo (La Périchole) and Hot Biscuit Slim (Paul Bunyan). This summer he returns as an Apprentice Artist with Central City Opera, performing the Padre in Man of La Mancha, the title role in Britten's The Prodigal Son and Sancho in Boismortier's Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse. Michael is a native of Crofton, MD and currently resides in Brooklyn. He is an alumnus of Syracuse University (B.M. Music Industry) and the New England Conservatory (M.M. Vocal Performance).
Joel Herold
Gubetta
According to Opera News Joel Herold “showed off a handsome, light baritone and polished stage presence” as Pish-Tush in The Mikado during the 2011 Fort Worth Opera Festival. Mr. Herold was a national semi-finalist in the 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and participated in The Audition documentary that highlighted the competition. Recently, he was part of an acclaimed opera tour, #30daysofopera, with Opera Memphis. He was held a number of Young Artist positions at Fort Worth Opera, Opera Saratoga, and Connecticut Opera. Mr. Herold has sung additionally with Loft Opera, Opera Western Reserve, Santa Fe Concert Association, Opera Cleveland, Knoxville Opera, and Opera Theater of Pittsburgh. Some of the roles that he has played include Schaunard in La Bohéme, Dandini in Cinderella, Belcore in The Elixir of Love, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Antonio in Le Nozze di Figaro, Bion/First Geezer in Lysistrata and Frank in Die Fledermaus. Mr. Herold is a native of Pittsburgh, PA.
Gubetta
According to Opera News Joel Herold “showed off a handsome, light baritone and polished stage presence” as Pish-Tush in The Mikado during the 2011 Fort Worth Opera Festival. Mr. Herold was a national semi-finalist in the 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and participated in The Audition documentary that highlighted the competition. Recently, he was part of an acclaimed opera tour, #30daysofopera, with Opera Memphis. He was held a number of Young Artist positions at Fort Worth Opera, Opera Saratoga, and Connecticut Opera. Mr. Herold has sung additionally with Loft Opera, Opera Western Reserve, Santa Fe Concert Association, Opera Cleveland, Knoxville Opera, and Opera Theater of Pittsburgh. Some of the roles that he has played include Schaunard in La Bohéme, Dandini in Cinderella, Belcore in The Elixir of Love, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Antonio in Le Nozze di Figaro, Bion/First Geezer in Lysistrata and Frank in Die Fledermaus. Mr. Herold is a native of Pittsburgh, PA.
Spencer Viator
Liverotto
Spencer Viator is a native of Cincinnati, OH. He attended the College Conservatory of Music (CCM) for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. During his time at CCM he had the pleasure to of performing a multitude of roles including Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola, Monostatos in The Magic Flute, Daniel Buchanan in Street Scene and King Ouf in L’Etoile. Spencer was a prestigious Gerdine Young Artist with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for the past two season. There he sang both Streznik in The Kiss and 1st Priest in The Magic Flute. He also covered Beppe in I Pagliacci and L’Aumonier in The Dialogues of the Carmelites. A promoter of new works and new music Spencer has worked closely with composers like Ricky Ian Gordon, the composer of Morning Star in which Spencer will sing Soldier Hymie in the World Premiere with Cincinnati Opera this upcoming summer. After that Spencer Will Join Palm Beach Opera as a Young artist and will sing the role of Ernesto in Don Pasquale and Scaramuccio in Ariadne auf Naxos with them.
Liverotto
Spencer Viator is a native of Cincinnati, OH. He attended the College Conservatory of Music (CCM) for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. During his time at CCM he had the pleasure to of performing a multitude of roles including Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola, Monostatos in The Magic Flute, Daniel Buchanan in Street Scene and King Ouf in L’Etoile. Spencer was a prestigious Gerdine Young Artist with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for the past two season. There he sang both Streznik in The Kiss and 1st Priest in The Magic Flute. He also covered Beppe in I Pagliacci and L’Aumonier in The Dialogues of the Carmelites. A promoter of new works and new music Spencer has worked closely with composers like Ricky Ian Gordon, the composer of Morning Star in which Spencer will sing Soldier Hymie in the World Premiere with Cincinnati Opera this upcoming summer. After that Spencer Will Join Palm Beach Opera as a Young artist and will sing the role of Ernesto in Don Pasquale and Scaramuccio in Ariadne auf Naxos with them.
Jordan Weatherston Pitts
Vitellozzo
Buffalo, NY native tenor, Jordan Weatherston Pitts, holds a Masters Degree in Music Performance from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Music from The State University of New York (SUNY) at Fredonia. He has most recently been seen as a featured young artist with the International Performing Arts Institute (IPAI) in Kiefersfelden, Germany, the Il Cuore Canta (School of Libero Canto) young artist program in New York City under full scholarship, and in several leading roles with the Boston University Opera Institute. Jordan made his professional debut in November 2014 as the Prophet Daniel in The Play of Daniel with the Boston Camerata under the direction of Anne Azéma. This August he will be performing the roles of Don Basilio/Don Curzio in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Oronte (cover) in Händel's Alcina with the Manhattan Opera Studio. He is thrilled to be making his New York debut with Loft Opera in this exciting production.
Vitellozzo
Buffalo, NY native tenor, Jordan Weatherston Pitts, holds a Masters Degree in Music Performance from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Music from The State University of New York (SUNY) at Fredonia. He has most recently been seen as a featured young artist with the International Performing Arts Institute (IPAI) in Kiefersfelden, Germany, the Il Cuore Canta (School of Libero Canto) young artist program in New York City under full scholarship, and in several leading roles with the Boston University Opera Institute. Jordan made his professional debut in November 2014 as the Prophet Daniel in The Play of Daniel with the Boston Camerata under the direction of Anne Azéma. This August he will be performing the roles of Don Basilio/Don Curzio in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Oronte (cover) in Händel's Alcina with the Manhattan Opera Studio. He is thrilled to be making his New York debut with Loft Opera in this exciting production.
Isaiah Musik-Ayala
Gazella
Isaiah Musik-Ayala marries a handsome stage presence and innate musicality with a "mellifluous" (San Jose Mercury News) and "room-filling bass-baritone" (SF Station Reviews). As a Resident Artist at Opera San Jose, Isaiah’s many roles include the title role in Le nozze di Figaro, Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola, Count Des Grieux in Manon, Don Basilio in The Barber of Seville, Colline in La bohème, and Alexei Karenin in the West Coast Premiere of Anna Karenina. Recent engagements include Escamillo (Carmen) with Opera San Luis Obispo, Simone (Gianni Schicchi) and Frank (Die Fledermaus) with Opera San Jose, Raimondo (Lucia di Lamermoor) with West Bay Opera, and Colline (La bohème) with Hidden Valley Music in Carmel, conducted by Stewart Robertson. Upcoming engagements for the 2015 season include Basilio in Paisiello’s Il barbiere di Siviglia with On Site Opera and an Apprentice Artist contract with Chautauqua Opera, where he will be perform in Verdi’s Macbeth and Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. Isaiah is a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, where he studied with the late Richard Miller.
Gazella
Isaiah Musik-Ayala marries a handsome stage presence and innate musicality with a "mellifluous" (San Jose Mercury News) and "room-filling bass-baritone" (SF Station Reviews). As a Resident Artist at Opera San Jose, Isaiah’s many roles include the title role in Le nozze di Figaro, Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola, Count Des Grieux in Manon, Don Basilio in The Barber of Seville, Colline in La bohème, and Alexei Karenin in the West Coast Premiere of Anna Karenina. Recent engagements include Escamillo (Carmen) with Opera San Luis Obispo, Simone (Gianni Schicchi) and Frank (Die Fledermaus) with Opera San Jose, Raimondo (Lucia di Lamermoor) with West Bay Opera, and Colline (La bohème) with Hidden Valley Music in Carmel, conducted by Stewart Robertson. Upcoming engagements for the 2015 season include Basilio in Paisiello’s Il barbiere di Siviglia with On Site Opera and an Apprentice Artist contract with Chautauqua Opera, where he will be perform in Verdi’s Macbeth and Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. Isaiah is a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, where he studied with the late Richard Miller.
Andrew Hiers
Petrucci
Bass-baritone Andrew Hiers is a New York City based emerging artist. He recently performed the title characters in both Le nozze di Figaro with Opera Upper West and Don Pasquale with Venture Opera. This summer he sang Bardolf in Salieri’s Falstaff with Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble and his portrayal was described as having “panache” (New York Times). In May he made his professional NYC debut by stepping into the role of Ebn-Hakia in Tchiakovsky’s Iolanta with New Opera NYC alongside Metropolitan Opera bass Mikhail Svetlov. He has also performed with Sarasota Opera, Center City Opera Theater, Green Mountain Opera Festival, New York Opera Exchange, Sugar Creek Symphony and Song, and Opera in the Ozarks. Andrew is a graduate of Florida State University and has recently been granted a full assistantship from SUNY Binghamton where he will pursue an M.M. in Opera while working with Tri-Cities Opera starting in the fall.
Petrucci
Bass-baritone Andrew Hiers is a New York City based emerging artist. He recently performed the title characters in both Le nozze di Figaro with Opera Upper West and Don Pasquale with Venture Opera. This summer he sang Bardolf in Salieri’s Falstaff with Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble and his portrayal was described as having “panache” (New York Times). In May he made his professional NYC debut by stepping into the role of Ebn-Hakia in Tchiakovsky’s Iolanta with New Opera NYC alongside Metropolitan Opera bass Mikhail Svetlov. He has also performed with Sarasota Opera, Center City Opera Theater, Green Mountain Opera Festival, New York Opera Exchange, Sugar Creek Symphony and Song, and Opera in the Ozarks. Andrew is a graduate of Florida State University and has recently been granted a full assistantship from SUNY Binghamton where he will pursue an M.M. in Opera while working with Tri-Cities Opera starting in the fall.
