Spring

2018

Opera Ball …….3

President’s

Letter………..... 4

Membership

Notes ………….7

Coming Events .8

shed a tear or two over sweet Liu and her hopeless love. Her

‘Tu, che di gel’ (“You who are girdled by ice”) softens every

heart but Turandot’s.

Dayton Opera Artistic Director Thomas Bankston has

assembled some of the finest vocalists, all of whom have

graced the Dayton stage in the past, to bring Puccini’s

masterpiece to life in the world-class Schuster Performing

Arts Center. Dayton Opera is thrilled to welcome back

soprano Kara Shay Thomson in the title role of this sweeping

Dayton Opera closes season in grand fashion

with Puccini’s exotic

blockbuster Turandot Can passion ignite ice? Who is the mysterious,

ardent stranger who so unwisely seeks the hand of

beautiful, forbidding Princess Turandot? Will they

solve the riddles they pose each other—with love

and life itself as the prize?

You will learn the answers to these burning

questions when Dayton Opera presents Turandot,

the fourth and final opera of the season.

Plunge into the dazzling, faraway universe of

Puccini’s last and most luxuriant work. It’s a

world of palatial splendor, set in China’s

Forbidden City in legendary old Peking.

Along the way, you’ll encounter some of Puccini’s

most vivid and unforgettable characters—

passionate, single-minded Calaf; haunting, self-

sacrificing Liu, who has long secretly loved Calaf;

aged Timur, Calaf’s dethroned father; and chilling

Princess Turandot, whose regal allure has enticed

uncounted hapless suitors to a swift and grisly

decapitation.

Puccini’s swan song is his grandest and most

exotic opera, splashed against the spectacle of

ancient Imperial China. Despite the opera’s scenic

splendor, it will be Puccini's glorious melodies that

will leave you breathless, including the

passionately yearning ‘Nessun dorma’ (“Nobody

sleeps”), perhaps best known as Luciano

Pavarotti’s signature aria.

Audiences will laugh in

sympathy with Ping, Pang

and Pong as they weigh

their precarious court lives

against their desire for a

peaceful retreat to the

country. Perhaps you will

Turandot May 18, 8 p.m. May 20, 3 p.m.

Director: Johnathan Pape Philharmonic Conductor:

Neal Gittleman

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production. Only a few months have passed since her

gripping performance as Magda Sorel in Dayton

Opera’s The Consul last October. Prior to this 2017-

2018 season, Thomson performed the title role of

Dayton Opera’s production of Tosca to rave reviews

in November 2013. The New York Times praises her

presence and vocal prowess with the following recent

review: “From the first phrases sung by Kara Shay

Thomson, a compelling American soprano with a

plush, vibrant, powerful voice, you do not know

whether to pity or fear her.” These performances in

the title role of Turandot are her first outing in this

most challenging of dramatic soprano roles.

In the 2013 production of Tosca, Thomson’s love

interest on stage, in the role of Cavaradossi, was tenor

Jonathan Burton. Burton returns to Dayton Opera to

play Thomson’s on-stage love interest once again, this

time in the role of Calaf, the unknown prince who has

come to capture Turandot’s heart. Most recently,

Burton helped the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

open its 2016-2017 as the star tenor soloist in the

Season Opening Spectacular Vive La France. “Mr.

Burton has an exciting squillo in his full-bodied tenor

that is riveting.” (James Sohre, Opera Today)

Also returning to Dayton Opera is soprano Chloé

Olivia Moore, who will sing the captivating role of

Liu, the slave girl whose love for Calaf brings to the

forefront the kind of love triangle that often injects the

passion and the tragedy into any good opera. Moore

returns to Dayton after making her Dayton Opera

debut as Leila in the April 2015 production of Pearl

Fishers and most recently having performed the lead

role of Nedda in the tragic I Pagliacci in 2016. Known

for her unique timbre and depth with unusual

flexibility and speed, Moore’s voice has been

described as having “an amber mellowness, like a

warm cognac.” (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)

Just this past March, bass Harold Wilson delighted

audiences with his seriousness and his levity in the

role of Basilio in The Barber of Seville. Praised as

singing with “an impressive focus, carrying power and

quiet charisma” by the New York Times, Wilson takes

the stage for the fourth time with Dayton Opera, this

time in the role of Timur, an old blind exiled king and

the father of Calaf. Wilson has built an impressive

résumé over the last 16 years, with performances

spanning the globe and including roles in such

magnificent opera houses as Deutsche Oper Berlin

and the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

Three young opera stars familiar with the Dayton

Opera stage return to play Puccini’s comedic trio Ping,

Pang and Pong. Former Dayton Opera Artist-in-

Residence baritone Kenneth Stavert returns to the

stage in the role of Ping. Tenor Robert Norman, who

most recently performed the role of Nika Magadoff in

The Consul this past October, takes on the role of

Pang. And Dayton Opera 2017-2018 Artist-in-

Residence tenor Michael Anderson takes the stage

with Dayton Opera one last time this season in the role

of Pong.

Also joining the cast is baritone Bradley Mattingly in

the role of Mandarin, and debuting in this production

is University of Dayton faculty member tenor David

Sievers as the Emperor Altourn.

Dayton Opera welcomes the return of Johnathon Pape

to the Gem City to man the helm as stage director of

this electrifying production of Turandot. Pape

previously directed Dayton Opera productions of

Carmen in 1999, Don Giovanni in 2000, The Barber

of Seville in 2001, and most recently, The Daughter of

the Regiment in 2011. Pape’s directing career spans

theater, musical theater and opera, and he has staged a

wide range of productions throughout the United

States and abroad. In 2011, Pape joined the faculty of

The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where he serves

as director of opera studies, and in 2017, he instituted

the Boston Conservatory Summer Opera Intensive, a

three-week training program in Valencia, Spain.

Puccini’s luxurious score will be provided by the

impeccable Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra under the

direction of Artistic Director and Conductor Neal

Gittleman. The ever-versatile members of the Dayton

Opera Chorus, under the direction and leadership of

Chorus Master Jeffrey Powell, take to the stage again

to add their choral expertise. Adding to the vocal

power in this production are auxiliary singers from the

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus and from the

University of Dayton. Dayton Opera is also pleased to

welcome several chorus members from Kettering

Children’s Choir under the direction of Chorale

Director Bruce Swank.

An opera that fills the stage with Imperial guards,

executioners, priests, mandarins, dignitaries, wise

men, handmaids, soldiers, standard-bearers, and the

populace of Peking, Turandot closes this season of

The Great Ones in grand style.

Want to learn even more about Turandot? Come one

hour prior to both performances to hear pre-

performance talks presented by University of Dayton

Music Professor Dr. Sam Dorf inside the Mead

Theatre.

2

Lois and Roger Sutherland arrive at Opera Ball 2018.

It was a brilliant clear evening as more than 150

guests arrived at the Opera Guild of Dayton’s Opera

Ball 2018, Singin’ in the Rain. The only evidence of

actual rain came from the gorgeous and dramatic

Fractal Rain sculpture that greeted guests as they

arrived at the stunning Dayton Metro Library Main

Branch in downtown Dayton.

While they enjoyed cocktails, wine and hors

d’oeuvres, guests browsed the silent auction items

and chatted with friends. Cell phones were busy as

bidders checked their bid status in hopes of winning

their selections.

The Bob Gray Orchestra played pleasing

background music as the sun began to set and the

glorious interior lighting provided by The Light

Fantastic came up. The mood was set for a fantastic

and unforgettable experience.

Following the triumphant Call to Dinner, President

and CEO of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

Paul Helfrich gave a toast to recognize and celebrate

the lives and contributions of some of the Dayton

Opera supporters who have passed away during the

past year, including Bill Lockwood, Bruce Kline and

Steve Wargo. Next, guests enjoyed former Dayton

Opera Artist-in-Residence Michael Anderson, who

sang two arias in his magnificent tenor voice and

then explained how Artist-in-Residence programs

are vital for young singers as they transition from

students to professionals. Following Michael’s

performance, Charley Schuerholz, from Schuerholz

Printing, took the stage to engage the audience in a

pledge drive to support this critical endeavor. If you

missed the chance to make a contribution, you can

always visit the Guild’s website and donate to this or

any other Opera-related program the Guild supports.

Elite Catering served a multicourse gourmet feast

while the music continued and conversations flowed.

Charley took the mike again as dinner wound down to

conduct the live auction of vacations, a Roberto Coin

gold bracelet, supernumerary roles in this fall’s

production of Rigoletto and the stunning home-scaled

version of Terry Welker’s Fractal Rain sculpture.

As the dancing portion of the evening began,

everyone’s attention was drawn upward to Fractal

Rain. Arthur Murray Studio dancers Olivia Frederick,

Ramon Gaitan, Tsali Helton and Amanda Horn started

high atop the Grand Staircase and performed a stylistic

program to “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise,”

working their way down the steps and through the

crowd. Music continued as guests made their way to

the dance floor.

Chair Kathie Thornburg and your great committee, we

applaud you for giving us such an unforgettable night!

Arthur Murray Dancers, left to right, Amanda Horn and Olivia

Frederick with Arthur Murray Studio owner Barbara Haller.

Song and dance fill downtown Dayton library at 2018 Opera Ball

3

4

Tenor Michael Anderson, former

Dayton Opera Artist-in-Residence

(L to R) Carol Endres, Dana Kane and

Carol Erwine mingle at Opera Ball 2018

Artist Terry Welker discusses his

sculpture, Opera Rain.

Opera Ball photos from Ashley Mauro and Suzanne Crippen; captions by Suzanne Crippen.

This has been a very productive spring for the Opera

Guild of Dayton, with many wonderful events having

occurred since my last report to you.

The biggest event was our major annual fundraiser,

the Opera Ball – Singin’ in the Rain – held on

Saturday, April 28. Over

150 guests gathered at the

beautiful new Dayton Main

Library for a festive evening of

good food and wine, wonderful

silent and live auctions, and

amazing entertainment, including

performances by Michael

Anderson, one of Dayton Opera’s

2018 Artists-in-Residence and by

the Arthur Murray Dance Team,

led by Barbara Haller. The silent auction featured over

75 items and the exciting live auction featured 10

items, including trips to Africa, Italy and many other

wonderful places, a beautiful gold Robert Coin

designer bracelet from James Free and a one-of-a kind

crystal chandelier designed by renowned artist, Terri

Welker, who originally created a larger version of this

piece, Fractal Rain, for the Dayton Main Library

which was the inspiration for our theme, Singin’ in the

Rain. We also had a 50/50 raffle and an education plea

in support of our Artist-in-Residence program.

Thanks to Chair Kathie Thornburg and her dedicated

committee – Dolores Anderson, Daina Arnett, Bob

Beecher, Suzanne Crippen, Susan Daly, Dana Kane,

Sue Falter, Nancy Farkas, Laura Fike, Bernadine

Greenwood, Ann Herr, Betty Holton, Diane

Buchanan Johnson, Amy Lombardo, Melinda

Nutter, Geri Prada, Jane Reynolds, Kimberly

Robinson, Moniqua Suits, Carolyn Szoke, Edna

Vanderkarr, Penny Wolff and Susie Weaver.

This was a very special evening which will not be

soon forgotten.

On Thursday, February 8, 70 guests enjoyed a

wonderful Membership Luncheon at Dayton

Country Club. The menu featured a cheese and

spinach quiche with berry mousse for dessert.

Entertainment was provided by Dayton Opera’s

Artists-in-Residence, and to end the luncheon, 12

door prizes were raffled off to our guests. A big

thank you goes to Margarete Jennings, event chair

and her committee: Toni Winger, Judy Hudson, Pat

Ferguson, Linda Rountree, Dana Kane, Amy

Lombardo, Brenda Phillips and Bernadine

Greenwood.

On March 24 we held our annual High School Vocal

Competition. There were 21 student entries and five

prizes were awarded. The first, second, and third

place winners were also invited to perform at the

Tri-State College Vocal Competition on April 8.We

thank Dr. David Sievers and his committee for all

this very successful educational outreach.Our Tri-

State College Vocal Competition and Stars of

Tomorrow Luncheon took place on Sunday, April 8.

from the president

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Preceding the competition which was held at the Kettering Adventist

Church, the Stars of Tomorrow luncheon was held across the street at

Moraine Country Club. The luncheon was attended by 26 guests.

Thank you to Helen Miller for chairing the luncheon.

Twenty-seven applications for the competition were received from

college students in the tri-state region. These were reviewed by

preliminary judges, Jeffrey Powell and Jerry Reaper, and narrowed

down to six finalists who performed for a very appreciative audience.

Lisa Rogali and Elena Villalon of University of Cincinnati tied for first

place and Alana Bell of Oberlin won second place. Thank you to our

Chair Martha Ann Cordasco-Reaper, co-Chair, Jamie Cordes, and to

Kathie Brown, managing vice president of education for the Guild.

The annual membership campaign is in full swing. You should have

received the newly designed membership form in the mail in the past

few weeks. Each and every one of you is so important to the success of

the Guild and I sincerely hope that you will renew your membership for

another year as we continue to support Dayton Opera and educational

outreach. You can do this by filling out the form and mailing it back or

by going online to the Guild’s web page. Do it now and you help keep

the excitement of opera vibrant and alive in Dayton.

Looking ahead, we will be holding our Annual Meeting and Brunch on

Wednesday, June 13 at Dayton Country Club; our Garden Party on

Sunday, June 24 at the home of Barbara and Tim Haller; and our first

2018 Gourmet on the Go event, a Tapas and Tasting at El Meson on

Thursday, June 7. We hope to see you then.

President: Nancy Farkas

Executive Vice President: Bernadine Greenwood

Managing Vice Presidents:

Development: Penny Wolff

Education: Kathy Brown

Fundraising: Carolyn Szoke

Assistant Jane Reynolds

Marketing/Communications:

Suzanne Crippen

Assistant Diane Buchanan Johnson

Membership: Margarete Jennings

Special Events/Hospitality:

Helen Miller

Corresponding Secretary: Linda Menz

Board Advisor: Sue Falter

Recording Secretary: Maria Castleman

Treasurer: Dolores Anderson

Members at Large: Barbara Stewart Bostick

Betty Holton

Past President: Penny Wolff

Contributors: Suzanne Crippen

Nancy Farkas

Diane Buchanan Johnson

Angela Whitehead

Toni Winger

Proofreader: Amelia Lombardo

Photography: Suzanne Crippen

Tri-State College Vocal

Competition celebrates 30 years

It takes a dedicated committee to

stage the Opera Guild of Dayton’s

annual Tri-State College Vocal

Competition.

Of the 27 competition entries, 15

recordings were selected and given

to the preliminary judges, Jeff

Powell and Jerry Reaper. These

judges were then faced with

selecting six contestants to

participate in the competition.

The final competition judges were

Tom Bankston, artistic director of

Dayton Opera, serving his

twentieth year as a judge; Dr.

Denise Ritter Bernardini,

associate professor of voice at the

University of Toledo; and Ms.

Myra Merritt, on the faculty and

staff in the College of Musical

Arts at Bowling Green State

University.

While the judges checked their

notes and reviewed the finalists,

the audience was entertained by

the winners of the High School

Competition, sponsored by the

Norma J. Ross Youth

Foundation. These winners were

News & High Notes

Tri-State

College Vocal

Competition

Chair Martha

Ann Reaper.

5

Lauren Maynus, from Ursuline Academy, who won

first place; Reed Gneeper, from The School of

Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, who won

second place; and Alaya Hinesman, from Stivers

School for the Arts, who won third place.

In the college competition, there was a tie for first

place between sopranos Lisa Marie Rogali and Elena

Villalon, both students from the University of

Cincinnati. They were thrilled to receive $2,000 each.

Our second place winner was Elana Bell, a mezzo

soprano who recently graduated from Oberlin College

and Conservatory, who received $1,500. Other

finalists were baritone Alex Kapp from the University

of Louisville, soprano Madelaine Matej from Case

Western Reserve University and soprano Virginia

Mims from Indiana University.

Each year the audience selects the winner for the Fran

Michael Audience Favorite Award of $400, which was

presented to Lisa Marie Rogali. The Guild’s 30th

competition once again highlighted the purpose of this

event, to support and encourage the vocal education of

young singers by providing the opportunity to win

competition awards.

Tri-State College Vocal Competition judges, left to right, Tom

Bankston, Myra Merritt, and Dr. Denise Ritter Bernardini.

Tri-State College Vocal

Competition winners, left to

right, Elana Bell, Elena Villalon,

and Lisa Marie Rogali

It was a brilliant clear evening as

more than 150 guests arrived at

the Opera Guild of Dayton’s

Opera Ball 2018, Singin’ in the

Rain. The only evidence of actual

rain came from the gorgeous and

dramatic Fractal Rain sculpture

that greeted guests as they

arrived at the stunning Dayton

Metro Main Library in downtown

Dayton.

While they enjoyed cocktails,

wine and hors d’oeuvres, guests

browsed the silent auction items

and chatted with friends. Cell

phones were busy as bidders

checked their bid status in hopes

of winning their selections.

The Bob Gray Orchestra played

pleasing background music as

the sun began to set and the

glorious interior lighting

provided by The Light Fantastic

came up. The mood was set for a

fantastic and unforgettable

experience.

Following the triumphant Call to

Dinner, President and CEO of

the Dayton Performing Arts

Alliance Paul Helfrich gave a

toast to recognize and celebrate

the lives and contributions of

some of the Dayton Opera

High School Vocal Competition

Dr. David Sievers chaired the Opera

Guild of Dayton’s High School Vocal

Competition on March 24 at Sears

Recital Hall on the University of

Dayton campus. More than 20 young

singers from as far away as Columbus

and Cincinnati performed with skill,

poise and grace.

The judges were challenged to select

just three winners from this field of

talented vocalists. These judges were

Dr. Minnita Daniel-Cox, soprano and

coordinator of the voice area at the

University of Dayton; Dr. Andrea

Chenoweth Wells, artist-in-residence at

the University of Dayton; and Sarah

Bucher, soprano and private voice

teacher.

Winning first place was soprano

Lauren Maynus, a junior at Ursuline

Academy in Cincinnati. Baritone Reed

Gnepper, a junior at the School for the

Creative and Performing Arts in

Cincinnati, earned second place; and

Soprano

Lydia Yax

from School

for the

Creative and

Performing

Arts in

Cincinnati

performing

“Art is

Calling for

Me” with

John

Benjamin at

the piano.

third place went to Alaya Hinesmon,

a senior at Stivers School for the Arts

in Dayton. Honorable mentions were

awarded to soprano Caroline Cruise,

a senior from Olentangy Liberty High

School in Columbus, and baritone

David Lewis, a junior at Stivers

School for the Arts.

Many others worked hard to support this event. Accompanists Andrea

Arese-Elias, John Benjamin and Kathy Reichenberger and other

pianists played for the vocalists. Judy Hudson helped entrants check in

for the event. Nora Stang provided a delicious lunch for the volunteers.

Suzanne Crippen took photos during the competition. Patrick Crippen

First place, Lauren Maynus,

Ursuline Academy, Cincinnati

Second place: Reed Gnepper,

School for the Creative and

Performing Arts, Cincinnati

Third place: Alaya Hinesmon,

Stivers School for the Arts,

Dayton

6

handled spur-of-the-moment tasks. Five University of

Dayton student volunteers helped with many details

throughout the day and included: Mariah Berryman, Mary

Catherine Donovan, Megan Green, Jillian Mitchell, and

Alaina Saliba. And Guild Vice President of Education

Kathy Brown lent her organizational skills to make the

Competition successful.

The Guild would like to express sincere appreciation to

Jenell Ross, of Ross Motors, who continues to provide the

cash award for this competition from the Norma J. Ross

Youth Foundation.

High School Vocal Competition winners, left to right, Alaya

Hinesmon, Reed Gnepper and Lauren Maynus. Right, Dr. David

Sievers

The Guild held its annual

Membership Luncheon on

Thursday, February 8, at the

Dayton Country Club. The event

chased away many “winter

blahs” with the guest

camaraderie and entertainment

by the talented Dayton Opera

Artists-in-Residence.

Membership Notes

Membership Campaign

How quickly a year can go by. It’s time again to renew your Opera Guild of Dayton membership.

Membership Chair Margarete Jennings has revamped the form, which many of you have probably

received in the mail. If not, go to the Guild’s website and join online or print a copy of the new

form. Please fill in the form completely, especially noting the Guild activities that interest you.

www.operaguildofdayton.org/join-the-guild

7

REMEMBRANCE FUND DONATIONS

The Remembrance Fund helps support the Guild’s High School and Tri-State College Vocal competitions. A gift

to honor a birthday, an anniversary or a loved one or to promote an event helps the dreams of talented young people

come true. To contribute, call Evie Lewis, 937/299-4825.

In memory of Steve Wargo

Four donations

In memory of Richard Hauser

One donation

COMING EVENTS SAVE THE DATE

May 18, 8 p.m., May 20, 3 p.m.

TURANDOT The Benjamin & Marian Schuster

Performing Arts Center

1 West Second St.,

Dayton, OH 45402

June 13, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

ANNUAL MEETING Dayton Country Club

555 Kramer Rd.

Dayton, OH 45419

Friday, September 7

BRAVO! CHAMPAGNE

BRUNCH & FASHION SHOW Sinclair College, Ponitz Center

444 W. Third St.

Dayton, OH 45402

Red Book Updates

Karen Dempsey Volk 5200 Beaconwood Court

Dayton, OH 45429

937-760-0016

demps81@hotmail.com

Sharon Busch 1363 Meadow Bridge Dr.

Beavercreek, OH 45432

937-672-5631

jbusch@live.com

New address:

Carolyn Szoke 933 Congress Ave

Glendale, OH 45326

New email:

Kathy Brown

tom@bezat.com

BRAVO! Champagne Brunch and Fashion Show

When we think of the Opera Guild of Dayton, we think of excellence in

performance and creativity. When we think of one of its fundraisers, the

BRAVO! Champagne Brunch and Fashion Show, we think of beauty, grace,

charm and fashion. On Friday, September 7, the Guild will present BRAVO!

2018. This year’s theme is “Around the World.” BRAVO! Chair Hyacinth

Paul promises the event will be filled with fun, glamourous fashion and

delight. Save the date and plan to attend this event. Additional information

will be available on the Guild’s website. We look forward to seeing everyone.

Congrats Carlos Santelli!

The 2014 Tri-State College Vocal Competition winner,

tenor Carlos Santelli, recently was one of five winners in

the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions.

Carlos performed with Dayton Opera in its recent

production of The Barber of Seville. History was made at

that MET event when his wife, mezzo-soprano Ashley

Dixon, also was among those five winners. This was the

first time a married couple has won the competition in the

same year. They had the opportunity to sing on the stage

at the MET and to perform with the MET orchestra. The

Guild applauds them on their achievement.

Membership Notes

8

SPECIAL EVENTS

GOURMET ON THE GO June 7, 2018, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Tapas and Tasting

El Meson

903 East Dixie Dr.

West Carrollton, OH 45449

Cost: $55 per person

Enjoy the exotic flavors of Spain with a selection of tapas prepared by the creative staff at El Meson—the tapas will

be paired with fine wine. Mix and mingle in the colorful and friendly atmosphere of this favorite area eatery.

Visit the Guild’s website to pay online or contact Charlotte Brown at 937/884-7350 with questions. You may also

mail your check, made out to Opera Guild of Dayton, to Charlotte Brown, 6520 Montgomery County Line Road,

Englewood, Ohio 45322.

GARDEN PARTY June 24, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Home of Barbara and Tim Haller

5132 Cedar Brook Court

Springboro, Ohio 45066

On-street parking with shuttle service will be available.

Visit the Guild website to buy tickets and pay with a credit card.

Single: $47 ($20 tax deductible)

Grant Patron: $78 ($50 tax deductible) (Prices include 4 percent service fee.)

Call Amy Lombardo at 937/581-2552 to make reservations and pay by check.

Single: $45 ($20 tax deductible)

Grand Patron: $75 ($50 tax deductible)

Make checks payable to The Opera Guild of Dayton and send to Amy Lombardo, 1320 Camden Trace,

Beavercreek, OH 45434.

Membership Notes

9