opera philadelphia 2012-2013 annual report
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O F F I C E R S
DANIEL K. MEYER, M.D.Chairman
FREDERICK P. HUFFVice Chair
JOEL M. KOPPELMANVice Chair
ALICE W. STRINEVice Chair
SCOTT F. RICHARDSecretary
THOMAS MAHONEYTreasurer
STEPHEN A. MADVA, ESQ.Chairman Emeritus
M E M B E R S
Benjamin AlexanderSandra K. BaldinoF. Joshua Barnett, M.D., J.D.Willo CareyNicholas E. Chimicles, Esq.Mark HankinFrederick P. HuffJoel KoppelmanDavid KutchBeverly Lange, M.D.Ellen Berman LeeGabriele W. LeePeter LeoneStephen A. Madva, Esq.Thomas MahoneyDaniel K. Meyer, M.D.Agnes MulroneyScott F. RichardHarold RosenbluthRoberto SellaStephen G. Somkuti, M.D.Jonathan H. SprogellJames B. StrawAlice W. StrineKenneth R. SwimmMaria J. TraftonCharlotte WattsDonna Wechsler
H O N O R A R Y M E M B E R S
Dennis AlterAlan B. Miller
COVER: Kelly Kaduce and William Burden in the East Coast Premiere of Silent Night. Photo by Kelly & Massa.
RIGHT: Patricia Schuman as the Duchess of Argyll in Powder Her Face. Photo by Kelly & Massa.
When I first became involved with the Opera in Philadelphia, I couldn’t have imagined that I would one day be Chairman of the Board. And I certainly never could have dreamed up a first year as eventful as the 2012-2013 Season turned out to be.
That is one of the great beauties of opera—it is always surprising you!
On behalf of the entire Board of Directors of the company now known as Opera Philadelphia, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for your support of both the 2012-2013 Season and the future of opera in our great city. It was an extraordinary season of artistic and
institutional accomplishments, made possible by a cast of thousands—dedicated staff; incredibly talented artists; strategic partners; an opera-loving city; and devoted supporters from our philanthropic community.
On stage, it was a year of innovation. We began the season with an art-inspired La bohème in collaboration with The Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. What a thrill it was to see a rising star like Bryan Hymel, who trained right here in Philadelphia, share the stage with Renoir and Van Gogh! We also presented the East Coast Premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Silent Night, which catapulted Opera Philadelphia to the forefront of the development of new opera in our country, and received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. In March, we partnered with the Curtis Opera Theatre for Benjamin Britten’s Owen Wingrave, and in April we presented a charming Magic Flute to packed houses at the Academy of Music. We closed in June with a stunning new production of Thomas Adès’s Powder Her Face, featuring a virtuoso performance by Patricia Schuman as the Duchess.
In the city, we hosted more than 2,000 kids and grownups at three Family Days at the Opera at the Academy of Music; nearly 3,000 guests for a free Opera on the Mall HD broadcast at Independence National Historical Park; and more than 5,000 school children in the award-winning Sounds of LearningTM educational program, a unique arts education experience that weaves the study of a current production into the core curriculum.
Behind the scenes, we strengthened our commitment to the future of opera. Baritone Nathan Gunn joined the team as Director of the American Repertoire Council, a group committed to helping us bring new American opera—including five works currently under commission—to the stage in the next decade. We also witnessed the artistic growth of our two Composers in Residence, Lembit Beecher and Missy Mazzoli, who spent the season learning the ins and outs and ups and downs of bringing opera to the stage.
And last but not least, this spectacular season was also our first under the leadership of David B. Devan as General Director. While David has been with us for more than six years now, the 2012-2013 Season was the first in which the business and artistic operations were united under his leadership. David and his team have taken the opera world by storm with their relentless pursuit to reinvent the ideal opera company right here in Philadelphia.
In the pages ahead, David will take you through this season of reinvention beginning with how we changed our name and crafted a bold and original new look for the Opera. This 2012-2013 Annual Report is much more than a look back. It is a glimpse into our future, one that each of you made possible thanks to your tremendous support!
Sincerely,
Daniel K. Meyer, M.D.Chairman
L E T T E R F R O M T H E C H A I R M A N
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“ To mark general director David Devan’s growing focus on innovative repertory, presentation and marketing, the former Opera Company of Philadelphia has rebranded itself Opera Philadelphia.”
O P E R A N E W S
General Director & President David B. Devan. Photo by Chris Sembrot.2
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This was the season we changed our name. But it was about so much more than just a name.
It was a matter of only two words, but when we made the switch on January 29, 2013, it signaled a change that had been brewing for several years on South Broad Street and throughout the city.
The name, the cursive of our new logo, the bold design of our website and printed materials, these were all signals that one of the country’s most venerable opera companies was able to adapt and embrace the new within a timeless art form.
When I arrived in Philadelphia in 2006, the company was known for doing opera in the Academy of Music, but the team recognized that truly great opera did not have to be tethered in one opera house—even one as magnificent as the Academy. And so, over the years, with the guidance of Music Director Corrado Rovaris, Artistic Advisor Mikael Eliasen, and American Repertoire Council Director Nathan Gunn, we began to diversify —an annual co-production with the Curtis Institute of Music; The Aurora Series for Chamber Opera at the Perelman Theater; Random Acts of Culture; the world’s most comprehensive Composer in Residence Program; outdoor broadcasts in high definition. And we are constantly looking for new ways to create opera, new partners with which to create it, and new venues in which to create it.
Our ultimate goal is to be a source of civic pride by creating opera in our city. That can mean the Academy of Music, the Perelman Theater, Verizon Hall, Independence Mall or a warehouse converted into a temporary performance space. Opera can find you in every facet of life. We are not a company in Philadelphia. We are Philadelphia.
A number of people deserve thanks for helping us to define our strategic vision and launch our new brand, especially our Branding Committee Chair Joel Koppelman, Maureen Craig from Mo Strategy, and Caroline Kennedy and her team of strategists, marketers, designers and writers at the Karma Agency. They helped us change our name and to see that the Opera is about more than just a name.
Here’s what it’s all about…
D AV I D B . D E VA NG E N E R A L D I R E C T O R & P R E S I D E N T
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I T ’ S A B O U T
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T H E S T A G E
“ Opera Philadelphia deserves praise not only for investigating offbeat styles but also for promoting opera of the post-Puccini variety.”
ALEX ROSS, THE NEW YORKER
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“ An absolute success, full of fine singing and acting and eye-filling stage direction in this romanticized slice of life of struggling artists in late 19th-century Paris.”
T H E P H I L A D E L P H I A I N Q U I R E R
“ The international-class performance was that of AVA-trained Bryan Hymel as Rodolfo: ardent and lively onstage, Hymel produced a stream of healthy, ringing tone that… was exciting in its impact.”
O P E R A N E W S
G I A C O M O P U C C I N I
L A B O H È M ESEPTEMBER 28–OCTOBER 7 , 2012
ACADEMY OF MUS IC
Bryan Hymel as Rodolfo in La bohème. Photo by Kelly & Massa.6
C A S TNORAH AMSELLEM / Mimì
BRYAN HYMEL* / Rodolfo
TROY COOK / Marcello
LEAH PARTRIDGE / Musetta
CRAIG VERM* / Schaunard
JEREMY MILNER / Colline
KEVIN GLAVIN / Benoit/Alcindoro
C R E AT I V E T E A MCORRADO ROVARIS / Conductor
DAVIDE LIVERMORE / Director & Set Design
JORGE JARA* / Costume Design
DREW BILLIAU / Lighting Design
ELIZABETH BRADEN / Chorus Master
D-WOK* / Video Design
*Opera Philadelphia debut
P R O D U C T I O N U N D E RW R I T E R S
JOEL AND SHARON KOPPELMAN
A R T I S T U N D E RW R I T E R SMRS. JOHN P. MULRONEY AND
ALICE AND WALTER STRINE (Orchestra)
KENNETH B. AND PAMELA R. DUNN
(Norah Amsellem and Bryan Hymel)
MR. RICHARD B. WORLEY AND MS. LESLIE ANNE MILLER
(Leah Partridge and Troy Cook)
SCOTT F. AND ROBERTA C. RICHARD
(Craig Verm)
DRS. RENATO AND BEVERLY BASERGA
(Corrado Rovaris)
THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL DIRECTOR’S COUNCIL
(Creative Team)
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“ A tautly paced and involving work… the academy was packed, and the audience responded with a sustained ovation, especially for Mr. Puts and Mr. Campbell… this score, conducted with supple pacing and vitality by Michael Christie, balances turmoil with introspection in a way that keeps drawing you into a story that could easily turn sentimental.”
T H E N E W Y O R K T I M E S
K E V I N P U T S / M A R K C A M P B E L L
S I L E N T N I G H TFEBRUARY 8–17 , 2013 | ACADEMY OF MUS IC
WINNER OF THE 2012 PULITZER PRIZE FOR MUSIC
William Burden, Kelly Kaduce and the cast of Silent Night, a co-production with The Minnesota Opera. Photo by Dominic M. Mercier.8
C A S TWILLIAM BURDEN / Nikolaus Sprink
KELLY KADUCE / Anna Sørenson
LIAM BONNER* / Lt. Audebert
CRAIG IRVIN / Lt. Horstmayer
GABRIEL PREISSER* / Lt. Gordon
TROY COOK / Father Palmer
ANDREW WILKOWSKE* / Ponchel
ZACH BORICHEVSKY* / Jonathan Dale
BRANDON CEDEL / William Dale
ALBERT J. GLUECKERT* / Kronprinz
C R E AT I V E T E A MMICHAEL CHRISTIE* / Conductor
ERIC SIMONSON* / Director
FRANCIS O’CONNER* / Set Design
KÄRIN KOPISCHKE* / Costume Design
MARCUS DILLIARD* / Lighting Design
ANDRZEJ GOULDING* / Projection Design
C. ANDREW MAYER* / Sound Design
DAVID ZIMMERMAN* / Wig & Make-Up Design
*Opera Philadelphia debut
P R O D U C T I O N U N D E RW R I T E R S
THE WYNCOTE FOUNDATION
MS. BARBARA AUGUSTA TEICHERT
Additional Production Support provided by: THE PEW CENTER FOR ARTS & HERITAGE
THROUGH THE PHILADELPHIA MUSIC PROJECT NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS;
THE JACOB BURNS FOUNDATION, INC.
A R T I S T U N D E RW R I T E R SMRS. JOHN P. MULRONEY AND
ALICE AND WALTER STRINE (Orchestra)
SANDRA BALDINO (Kelly Kaduce)
JUDY AND PETER LEONE (William Burden)
MR. PETER BENOLIEL AND MS. WILLO CAREY (Liam Bonner)
MR. AND MRS. FREDERICK P. HUFF (Craig Irvin)
MR. AND MRS. JOHN D. ROLLINS (Andrew Wilkowske)
GABRIELE LEE (Eric Simonsen)
DR. AND MRS. ANDREW WECHSLER (Zach Borichevsky)
MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL DIRECTOR’S COUNCIL (Gabriel Preisser)
MARGUERITE AND GERRY LENFEST (Brandon Cedel and Thomas Schivone)
DRS. RENATO AND BEVERLY BASERGA (Corrado Rovaris)
THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL DIRECTOR’S COUNCIL
(Creative Team)
DRS. RENATO AND BEVERLY BASERGA (Corrado Rovaris)
“ Curtis Opera Theatre’s annual Perelman Theater outings have become local must-see events for serious operagoers. ”
O P E R A N E W S
C U R T I S O P E R A T H E A T R E
B E N J A M I N B R I T T E N
O W E N W I N G R AV EMARCH 13–17 , 2013 | P ERE LMAN THEATER
Julien Arsenault as Owen Wingrave. Photo by David Swanson.10
C A S TJULIAN ARSENAULT / JAMEZ MCCORKLE
Owen WingraveJAZMINA MACNEIL / NIAN WANG
Kate JulianANDREW BOGARD / ANTHONY REED
Spencer Coyle
SHIR ROZZEN / Miss Wingrave
RACHEL STERRENBERG / Mrs. Coyle
ANNA DAVIDSON / Mrs. Julian
ROY HAGE / General Sir Philip Wingrave
SPENCER LANG / Lechmere
JARRETT OTT / Narrator
MEMBERS OF THE PHILADELPHIA BOYS CHOIR
C R E AT I V E T E A MGEORGE MANAHAN / Conductor
DANIEL FISH / Director
LAURA JELLINEK / Set Design
TILLY GRIMES / Costume Design
MARK BARTON / Lighting Design
ANDREW LAZAROW / Video Design
P R O D U C T I O N U N D E RW R I T E R S
WYNCOTE FOUNDATION
DOLFINGER-MCMAHON FOUNDATION
HORACE W. GOLDSMITH FOUNDATION
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
THE WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION
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W O L F G A N G A M A D E U S M O Z A R T
T H E M A G I C F L U T EAPR I L 19–28 , 2013 | ACADEMY OF MUS IC
“ The most enjoyable Flute I ’ve seen in decades.”
O P E R A N E W S
“ This production is visually stunning… Mark Stone’s Papageno is alone worth the price of admission.”
B R O A D W AY W O R L D
Mark Stone as Papageno in a production of The Magic Flute originally created for the Canadian Opera Company. Photo by Kelly & Massa.12
C A S TANTONIO LOZANO / Tamino
ELIZABETH ZHAROFF / Pamina
RACHELE GILMORE* / Queen of the Night
JORDAN BISCH*/ Sarastro
MARK STONE / Papageno
SARAH SHAFER* / Papagena
BEN WAGER / Sprecher
DEVON GUTHRIE*/ First Lady
TAMMY COIL / Second Lady
KATHERINE PRACHT* / Third Lady
JOSEPH GAINES* / Monostatos
C R E AT I V E T E A MCORRADO ROVARIS / Conductor
DIANE PAULUS* / Production
ASHLIE CORCORAN* / Director
MYUNG HEE CHO* / Set & Costume Design
DREW BILLIAU / Lighting Design
ELIZABETH BRADEN / Chorus Master
*Opera Philadelphia debut
P R O D U C T I O N U N D E RW R I T E R S
THE HORACE W. GOLDSMITH FOUNDATION
OPENING NIGHT SPONSOR: MACY’S
A R T I S T U N D E RW R I T E R SMRS. JOHN P. MULRONEY AND
ALICE AND WALTER STRINE (Orchestra)
CHUCK AND
ANNETTE PENNONI (Tammy Coil)
MR. AND MRS.
JAMES B. STRAW (Elizabeth Zharoff)
NICHOLAS AND KATHLEEN CHIMICLES
(Rachele Gilmore)
THOMAS MAHONEY (Mark Stone)
DR. AND MRS.
MORTON MANDELL (Ben Wager)
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“ A gorgeous triumph… Opera Philadelphia pulled off its greatest piece of work this season, and perhaps in several seasons.”
T H E P H I L A D E L P H I A I N Q U I R E R
“ New music is always a risky venture, and the forces behind Aurora have bravely, and as it turns out wisely, chosen repertoire that does not pander to a common denominator.”
P H I L A D E L P H I A C I T Y PA P E R
T H O M A S A D È S
P O W D E R H E R FA C EJUNE 7–16 , 2013 | P ERE LMAN THEATER
A journalist (Ashley Emerson) interviews the Duchess of Argyll (Patricia Schuman) in the Company Premiere and New Production of Powder Her Face. Photo by Kelly & Massa.14
C A S TPATRICIA SCHUMAN / Margaret,
Duchess of Argyll
BEN WAGER / The Hotel Manager
ASHLEY EMERSON* / The Maid
CHRISTOPHER TIESI / The Electrician
C R E AT I V E T E A MCORRADO ROVARIS / Conductor
WILLIAM KERLEY / Director
TOM ROGERS* / Set & Costume Design
DAVID HOWE* / Lighting Design
ANNE NESMITH* / Wig & Make-Up Design
*Opera Philadelphia debut
P R O D U C T I O N U N D E RW R I T E R
WYNCOTE FOUNDATION
A R T I S T U N D E RW R I T E R SMRS. JOHN P. MULRONEY AND
ALICE AND WALTER STRINE (Orchestra)
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“ If seeing an opera has been on your bucket list but you aren’t ready to commit to the experience… here’s a perhaps less intimidating option.”
T H E D O Y L E S T O W N I N T E L L I G E N C E R
I T ’ S A B O U T
T H E C I T Y
One of the primary reasons we changed our
name to Opera Philadelphia was our belief
that great opera doesn’t have to be tethered to
an opera house. Opera can discover you, too,
right where you are. Our goal is to bring
Opera and Philadelphia together. That can
mean a blockbuster title in the Academy
of Music, a chamber work in the Perelman
Theater, or something else entirely.
We have been very fortunate to have a great
partner in the Knight Foundation, who believes
you should encounter art wherever you
go. This was our second season in which we
broadcast our Opening Night performance
in high definition to a giant outdoor audience
at Independence National Historical Park.
Some 3,000 Philadelphians enjoyed La
bohème in the shadow of Independence
Hall, in a broadcast supported by the Knight
Foundation. We also celebrated our 80th
Knight Foundation Random Act of Culture on
September 15, as more than 300 musicians
and dancers from five states entertained
a delighted crowd at Amtrak’s 30th Street
Station with a performance of the “O Fortuna”
chorus from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.
It was thrilling to see travelers unexpectedly
encounter our opera company while passing
through Philadelphia.
This past year also saw the research and
development stage of an exciting new series
titled Opera in the City, in which we will
offer a fully staged opera in an unexpected
venue, diversifying operatic experiences
for Philadelphia audiences. That series will
launch in November with the Serbian a
cappella opera Svadba–Wedding at the new
FringeArts building along the Delaware River.
I am grateful to Dennis Scholl, Vice President/
Arts, at the Knight Foundation, who believes
that by bringing artists out of the traditional
performance hall and into new spaces,
Opera Philadelphia will continue to engage
new audience members.
In every facet of life, in every corner of our
city, opera can find you. That is what the
name ‘Opera Philadelphia’ truly means.
“ For many reasons, Philadelphia has some of the richest operatic DNA in America.”
W Q X R
TOP: Philadelphians gather for Opera on the Mall. Photo by Kelly & Massa. BOTTOM LEFT: Jacqueline Woodley as Milica in the Svadba-Wed-ding World Premiere, Toronto, June 2011. Photo: John Lauener. BOTTOM RIGHT: General Director & President David B. Devan with performers following a Random Act of Culture at 30th Street Station. Photo by Kelly & Massa. 17
One of the great joys of my job as General Director of Opera Philadelphia is working with composers who are just entering the field of opera. The public rarely sees this “research and development” work, but it is some of the most rewarding aspects of what we do. Throughout the season, I spent a lot of time with our two young Composers in Residence, Lembit Beecher and Missy Mazzoli. These two incredibly talented musicians have been learning about all aspects of creating opera – taking voice lessons, writing librettos, taking part in the rehearsal process and more – in a hands-on program designed to help them create future operatic masterpieces. It has been a joy to help foster their development as artists along with our partners at Gotham Chamber Opera and Music-Theatre Group of New York.
C R E AT I V I T Y
I T ’ S A B O U T
“ My second year of the Composer in Residence program was focused on writing, beginning with an intense workshop in Canada where I wrote four scenes with different librettists over the per iod of ten days! For much of the year I have been working with Gotham Chamber Opera on a 30-minute chamber opera, I Have No Stories to Tell You, which will be a companion piece to Monteverdi ’s I l Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda . The double bil l wil l premiere next February at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It has been a wonderful experience to be involved in so many stages of opera development—the initial conception, libretto writing, casting, writing and initial workshops. I have realized how important it is for me as the composer to have strong initial ideas that others in the creative team can react to. But second, I am struck with how much the composer relies on others to help make the work take shape. This feeling is actually an empowering one, knowing how many talented, professional and caring people are taking this creative journey with me.”
LEMBIT BEECHER, COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE
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T h e C o m p o s e r i n R e s i d e n c e P r o g ra m i s m a d e p o s s i b l e b y T h e A n d r e w W. M e l l o n Fo u n d a t i o n .
“ In my first year as Opera P hiladelphia's Composer in Residence, my knowledge and appreciation of opera has expanded exponentially. My biggest ‘wow ’ moment came during the fantastic production of Thomas Adès's Powder Her Face in June. While listening to a rehearsal of this incredibly complex work I felt that opera was no longer a mystery; I felt that I could finally hear through all the layers and understand what made the piece truly work. This moment of understanding, while admittedly vague and a little hard to describe, is crucial to my feeling that I could also tackle a huge opera, and it would not have been possible without the last twelve months of intense study and observation that Opera Philadelphia provided.”
MISSY MAZZOLI, COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE
Lembit and Missy were on hand in early December when Philadelphia-based, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon treated us to our first live performances of excerpts from her first opera, Cold Mountain, which is based on Charles Frazier’s Civil War-era novel. One of the most anticipated new works in our American Repertoire Program, Cold Mountain, makes its world premiere in Santa Fe in 2015 before coming to the Academy of Music in February 2016.
Artistic Advisor Mikael Eliasen facilitated a weeklong workshop with the talented singers of the Curtis Opera Theatre, culminating in the live performance. There was no indication at all that this is Jennifer’s first opera. It is fresh. It doesn’t sound like anything else. It is so perfectly written for the voice it ’s like she has been writing opera her whole career!
I cannot wait until audiences get to hear Jennifer’s work as well as the music that Lembit and Missy are writing. The future of opera is in good hands!
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It was a thrilling year for the American Repertoire Program,
our commitment to produce a new American work in ten
consecutive seasons. In September, we welcomed the amazing
baritone Nathan Gunn to our team as Director of the American
Repertoire Council, and he quickly went to work assembling
a brilliant group of advisors for the council. We held our first
meeting in February, the day after our gala celebration of new
operatic work, and it was a fascinating day filled with creative
energy and ideas for bringing new opera to Philadelphia.
Those of you who joined us at the Gala know what an exciting
time it is for the future of American operatic work. At that
event, we heard live performances of new music from Oscar
by Theodore Morrison, slated for the Academy of Music in
2015; and Cold Mountain by Jennifer Higdon. One week later,
we produced the East Coast Premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-
winning Silent Night, by Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell.
It was such a treat to see the Academy packed for a new opera
and to watch Kevin and Mark react to how Philadelphia
warmly embraced their work. Next season, in the Aurora Series for
Chamber Opera at the Perelman Theater, we will produce the East
Coast Premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s A Coff in in Egypt, starring
the beloved Frederica von Stade.
And there’s more to come! Philadelphia is blazing a trail,
thanks to Nathan, the Council, and the incredible artistic team
at Opera Philadelphia.
“ They’re increasingly taking chances, offering unusual and new work along with repertory staples, and carving out a place for themselves as proponents of American opera.”
T H E W A S H I N G T O N P O S T
“ I think it’s particularly appropriate
that a city known for its revolutionary
spirit has made this significant
commitment to the future of
American work.”
N AT H A N G U N N
I T ’ S A B O U T
A M E R I C A N O P E R A
The Silent Night chorus. Photo by Kelly & Massa.20
O P E R A P H I L A D E L P H I A’ S A M E R I C A N R E P E RT O I R E C O U N C I LLEMBIT BEECHER / Opera Philadelphia Composer in Residence ANNIE BURRIDGE / Senior Vice President, Institutional Advancement DAVID DEVAN / General Director & President MIKAEL ELIASEN / Artistic Advisor; Departmental Chair in Vocal Studies, Curtis Institute of Music YOUNGMOO KIM / Assistant Dean of Engineering for Media Technologies, Drexel University DAVID LAI / Conductor and Music Producer MISSY MAZZOLI / Opera Philadelphia Composer in Residence DANIEL K. MEYER M.D. / Chairman, Opera Philadelphia ZIZI MUELLER / President of Boosey & Hawkes classical music publishing company ERIC OWENS / Operatic Bass-Baritone DAVID HYDE PIERCE / Emmy and Tony Award-Winning Actor DAVID PITTSINGER / Operatic Bass-Baritone GUTHRIE P. RAMSEY, JR. / Professor of Music, University of Pennsylvania GENE SCHEER / Songwriter and Operatic Librettist PATRICIA SCHUMAN / Operatic Soprano
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“ It is a terrific formula, and bodes well for attracting a newer and younger audience.”
P H I L A D E L P H I A C I T Y PA P E R
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“The Philadelphia Orchestra and Opera Philadelphia have unveiled their first collaboration on a new production of
Richard Strauss’ lusty one-act opera Salome.” T H E A S S O C I AT E D P R E S S
PARTNERSH I PSIT ’S ABOUT
ABOVE: General Director & President David B. Devan is flanked by Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Philadelphia Orchestra President & CEO Allison Vulgamore. Photo by Katherine Blodgett. TOP LEFT: Composer Daniel Bernard Roumain and librettist Marc Bamuthi Joseph perform for students at Reading in Concert: Journey to Hip H’opera. Photo from Art Sanctuary. BOTTOM LEFT: Scottish troops led by Lt. Gordon (Gabriel Preisser, center) in a scene from Silent Night. Photo by Dominic M. Mercier.
This was certainly a season of ‘we.’
We opened with Puccini’s La bohème, made all the more colorful thanks to a partnership with The Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Impressionist masterpieces from the two museums came to vivid life on stage through animated, high definition projections, while others inspired the opera’s costumes and set design.
The season continued with the East Coast Premiere of Silent Night, created in partnership between Opera Philadelphia’s American Repertoire Program and The Minnesota Opera’s New Works Initiative. One month later, Opera Philadelphia and the Curtis Opera Theatre teamed up for our sixth annual co-production in the Perelman Theater, Benjamin Britten’s Owen Wingrave.
At Opera Philadelphia, we have been eager to enter partnerships that yield exciting and engaging new experiences for our audiences. Three different partnerships resulted in three uniquely innovative operas this past season, while offstage we moved forward with additional partnerships that will bring new projects to Philadelphia in future seasons.
In April, Opera Philadelphia joined with Art Sanctuary to present Reading in Concert: Journey to Hip H’opera, a student event at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Originally launched in 2007, Hip H’opera is a collaborative, three-phase project that brings teaching artists and workshops to students and teachers in four Philadelphia high schools. Over the next three years, these students will be involved in the creation of an original, professionally-mounted opera inspired by their stories. The opera will be
written for and reflect the lives and concerns of today ’s urban youth. April 30 was an exciting next step in the program, as composer Daniel Bernard Roumain and librettist Marc Bamuthi Joseph, the creative team behind Hip H’opera, performed with students in the program for an audience of hundreds of high school students.
In March, I was proud to stand alongside Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and President & CEO Allison Vulgamore to announce next season’s first-ever artistic collaboration between the Opera and the Orchestra—a theatrically-inspired production of Richard Strauss’s provocative masterpiece, Salome.
I am so ecstatic that two of Philadelphia’s iconic performing arts organizations will be sharing the stage of Verizon Hall in 2014. This partnership, like our many others, was born out of a genuine alignment between our companies’ shared artistic goals. Together, we will be creating an amazing moment of civic pride for our city.
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“Our 3 year old loved the sword fighting event and our 7-year-old friend had a blast…with the conducting session.
What a fine event, a great show, and a wonderful day!”
D E N I N E G O R N I A K
Opera Philadelphia is one big family, and this year we opened our home three times to all of our neighbors and their kids for PNC Arts Alive Family Day at the Opera. What a joy! Thousands of kids of all ages came to the Academy of Music to walk on the stage and check out the sets of our three Opera at the Academy productions: La bohème, Silent Night, and The Magic Flute. The activities were fun and educational. I loved watching children conduct the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra under the tutelage of Maestra Jeri Lynn Johnson of Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra. I laughed as little boys and girls wielded yellow foam swords and followed the moves of stage combat experts from the crew of Silent Night. Children were mesmerized by an interactive opera performance inspired by The Magic Flute, and they loved the fashion show of whimsical animal costumes from the Mozart classic.
Many parents told me after these events that they had wanted to introduce their kids to the opera, but hadn’t yet due to perceived impediments like the foreign languages and the battle between lengthy performances and short attention spans. Family Day helped us to engage kids on their levels. And who knows, perhaps we even inspired a future diva or maestro!
I T ’ S A B O U T
FA M I LY“The pleasure of Family Day was all mine!
What a wonderful and inspiring day for Opera Philadelphia.”
D A N D A R I G A N
At PNC Arts Alive Family Day at the Opera, children enjoy a foam sword fight and conduct the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra. Photos by Dominic M. Mercier.
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Miles B. Davis, Principal Bass of the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra. Photo by Diane Mattis.26
“ This was my first time ever experiencing an opera. I thought that the opera was going to be kind of bland, but it was actually very enjoyable. I enjoyed the singing a lot and the great acting of the characters. I hope to go again next year.”
S A M , G R A D E 11 B R I S T O L H I G H S C H O O L
“ Our students have begun to see the opera as something they can fully participate in, both as patrons and directly as part of the production. We are thrilled with the enrichment the Sounds of Learning™ brings to our curriculum.”
M E G A N L AY D E N T H E D E PA U L C AT H O L I C S C H O O L
“ I am convinced that without this program, so many young people would never accept the challenge on their own to see what opera really is all about.”
R O S E M A R I E T E C C E A R C H B I S H O P W O O D H I G H S C H O O L
“ What came as a complete and delightful surprise was a trio of 5th grade boys humming the Queen of the Night’s aria! Now that’s engagement!”
J O Y C E A R N O S K Y P E N N A L E X A N D E R S C H O O L
One of my favorite memories from this past season happened on the afternoon of February 6, when composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell received a standing ovation from nearly 2,000 area students who attended the final dress rehearsal of Silent Night. For many students in the Academy of Music it was their first time at an opera, and here they were, hooting and hollering for the artists who wrote it.
This year, our award-winning Sounds of Learning™
program served nearly 5,300 students from 126 schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York and Maryland. More than 40 percent of total participants were from 51 schools in the School District of Philadelphia. For many students, Sounds of Learning™ is their only access to the arts, and in an environment of drastic cuts to arts education, programs like this are needed now more than ever. Students attended the final dress rehearsals of La bohème, Silent Night, and The Magic Flute, and our community outreach and education staff reached nearly another 1,000 kids via in-school presentations from Cumberland County, NJ to Downingtown, PA. Some 22 organizations, including some colleges and homeschools, participated in Sounds of Learning™
for the first time this season.
I could go on and on about why Opera Philadelphia has been working in schools for more than two decades and the importance of providing lesson plans and student activity books and transportation to the Academy at no cost for each opera. But instead of my words, I’d like to share the words of some of the teachers and students who joined us this season:
I T ’ S A B O U T
THE FUTURE
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I T ’ S B E C A U S EO F Y O U
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Board member Alice Strine and General Director David B. Devan. Friends of the Opera Ursula Redgrave and Jane Gee with bass-baritone Thomas Shivone. Young Friends Steve Oh and Patricia Blaho with Jack Mulroney Music Director Corrado Rovaris. Board Member and Co-Chair of the General Director’s Council Benjamin Alexander and his wife, Lorraine Alexander. Robert V. Taglieri, Board Member Ellen Berman Lee and Timothy J. Moir.
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I T ’ S B E C A U S EO F Y O U
“ Opera Philadelphia is a special organization, from the productions on stage to the people behind the scenes. When you get involved with such a warm
and kind group of people, helping them is rewarding in many ways.”
B E N J A M I N A L E X A N D E R B O A R D M E M B E R A N D C O - C H A I R / G E N E R A L D I R E C T O R ’ S C O U N C I L
This magical season could not have been achieved without you, the people who love and support Opera Philadelphia. Even when every seat in the house sells out, opera’s dazzling blend of theatrical, orchestral, and vocal splendor requires considerable fundraised support from within our community.
It is no understatement: You are shaping the very future of opera in our city and in America.
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$1,000,000+
Wyncote Foundation
The William Penn Foundation
$500,000+
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
$100,000+Anonymous
The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Marguerite and Gerry Lenfest
Mrs. John P. Mulroney
National Endowment for the Arts
The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, through the Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative and the Philadelphia Music Project
The Presser Foundation
Alice and Walter Strine
Ms. Barbara Augusta Teichert
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Mr. Richard B. Worley and Ms. Leslie Anne Miller
$50,000+
Mrs. Sandra K. BaldinoDow Chemical Company FoundationMr. and Mrs. Emilio GravagnoIndependence FoundationMs. Lisa D. Kabnick and Mr. John H. McFaddenJoel and Sharon KoppelmanJudy and Peter LeonePennsylvania Council on the ArtsScott F. and Roberta C. Richard
$25,000+
Dr. Heidi L. Kolberg and Dr. F. Joshua BarnettDrs. Renato and Beverly BasergaMr. Peter Benoliel and Ms. Willo CareyGray Charitable TrustNicholas and Kathleen ChimiclesKenneth B. and Pamela R. DunnRita and Philip HarperMr. and Mrs. Frederick P. HuffJacob Burns Foundation, Inc.Ellen Berman LeeGabriele LeeStephen A. Madva and Denise C. CreedonMr. Thomas MahoneySamuel P. Mandell FoundationMcLean ContributionshipAnnette and Chuck PennoniPNCMr. and Mrs. Bernard J. PoussotEstate of Laurence T. RobbinsMr. and Mrs. James B. StrawUniversal Health ServicesWells FargoCharlotte and Bob Watts
L E A D E R S H I P S U P P O RT & M A J O R G I F T S
CHAIRMAN’S COUNCILOur most passionate followers happen to be the ones leading us to greatness. Opera Philadelphia’s Chairman’s Council is a dedicated group of philanthropists committed to ensuring that the future of opera is right here in Philadelphia. We are sincerely grateful to the following supporters, whose collective generosity underwrote more than half of our artistic expenses this season, including productions in the Academy of Music, the nationally lauded Aurora Series for Chamber Opera at the Perelman Theater, our annual Opening Night HD broadcast at Independence National Historical Park, and our award-winning education programs for children.
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A N N U A L F U N D S U P P O RT
The Annual Fund is the cornerstone of Opera Philadelphia’s fundraising efforts, generating more than $720,000 annually. In fiscal year 2013, gifts to the Annual Fund grew by 10 percent. This year’s outstanding results signify the generosity of the Opera Philadelphia community and the cumulative success of the volunteers who lead our Annual Fund programs. To get involved, visit operaphila.org/annual-giving.
“ The Opera’s dedication to producing great operas in Philadelphia and providing innovative arts programming for the community makes it an important contributor to the quality of life in the region.”
KENNETH SWIMM, BOARD MEMBER & CO-CHAIR, GENERAL D IRECTOR’S COUNCIL
GENERAL D IRECTOR’S COUNCIL
BENJAMIN ALEXANDER & KENNETH SWIMM, CO-CHAIRS
The General Director’s Council is made up of donors committed to helping General Director David B. Devan ensure the ongoing success of Opera Philadelphia. Council members enjoy exclusive events with artists and insider details on the Opera’s future artistic plans and initiatives.
This year, the Council’s activities included two Strategy Sessions led by Mr. Devan exploring the Opera’s strategic plan and artistic initiatives. The Council’s annual Dinner with Principal Artists was held after a matinee performance of Silent Night, where members enjoyed dining with leading cast members includinWilliam Burden, Kelly Kaduce, Liam Bonner, Craig Irvin, and Troy Cook.
PLATINUM $15,000+Judith Durkin Freyer
Mr. and Mrs. David Glickstein
Nancy and Al Hirsig
Stephen T. Janick and Russell E. Palmer
Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer and Joe Neubauer
Ms. Patricia S. Scott
Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Wechsler
Wells Fargo Private Bank
DIAMOND $10,000+Mr. John R. Alchin and Mr. Hal Marryatt
Lorraine and Ben Alexander
Dr. Luther W. Brady
Dianne and Don Cooney
David B. Devan and David A. Dubbeldam
Ady L. Djerassi, M.D. and Robert Golub, M.D.
Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hankin
Mrs. Constance C. Moore
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rollins
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Rosenbluth
Mr. and Mrs. Roberto Sella
Dr. Stephen G. Somkuti
Mr. Jonathan H. Sprogell and Ms. Kathryn Taylor
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Swimm
TOP TO BOTTOM: Board Member Peter Leone, tenor William Burden and Chairman’s Council member Judy Leone; Chairman’s Council members Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest with Chairman Emeritus Stephen A. Madva; Bass Ben Wager and Chairman’s Council member Keith Straw; Chairman’s Council members Rita and Philip HarperLEFT: General Director’s Council members Linda and David Glickstein with soprano Patricia Schuman (center). RIGHT: Judy Freedman, Kevin Puts, Nathan Gunn and Allen Freedman at an event at the Freedmans’ home to celebrate Silent Night.
On January 24, 2013, Opera Philadelphia supporters joined some of New York’s most influential and committed opera patrons to preview and celebrate the East Coast Premiere of Silent Night. Guests enjoyed musical selections from the opera accompanied by composer Kevin Puts, as well as remarks by Nathan Gunn, Director of Opera Philadelphia’s American Repertoire Council, in the spectacular New York City home of Patron Program members Allen and Judy Freedman.
GOLD $7,500+Barra Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Julian A. Brodsky
Mr. Robert Devoe
Ben and Nancy Hayllar
Mrs. Gretel Hellendall
Mrs. Sheila Kessler
OPERA America
Philadelphia Cultural Fund
Ms. Carolyn Horn Seidle
Mr. and Mrs. Jay H. Tolson
S ILVER $5,000+Anonymous (2)
Mr. and Mrs. Harris C. Aller, Jr.
Drs. Jean and Robert Belasco
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Block
The CHG Charitable Trust
William and Nadine Haines
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence O. Houstoun
Donald and Gay Kimelman
Mr. William A. Loeb
Dr. Stanley Muravchick and Ms. Arlene Olson
Tom and Jody O’Rourke
Mr. and Mrs. R. Anderson Pew
Dr. and Mrs. Joel Porter
Dr. Renée Rollin
Bud and Betty Shapiro
Mr. Robert Taglieri and Mr. Timothy Moir
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Wiener
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Williams
Ethel Benson Wister
PATRON PROGRAM
DONNA WECHSLER, CHAIR
The enthusiastic members of Opera Philadelphia’s Patron Program enjoy VIP benefits and privileges throughout the season including Champagne Intermission Receptions, travel opportunities, and intimate social events with the stars!
Highlights of the 2012-2013 Patron Program events include Season Prelude, which featured a preview recital of the upcoming season followed by a gourmet dinner; the Director’s Salon, offering a recital and talk with Silent Night librettist Mark Campbell and baritone Troy Cook at the home of James and Keith Straw; and the Meet the Artists reception with the cast of Powder Her Face, hosted by Patron Program Chair Donna Wechsler.
“ The education I have received in my years of involvement has been incredible. My understanding of all opera has become more mature as a consequence of my connection with Opera Philadelphia.”
DONNA WECHSLER, BOARD MEMBER AND CHAIR,
Official Sponsor of Opera Philadelphia’s Patron Program
BRONZE$2,000+Anonymous
James and Nancy Abbott
Drs. Ronald D. and Marcia Abraham
Mr. John Aglialoro and Ms. Joan Carter
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Anderson
Myron and Sheila S. Bassman
Frances and Michael Baylson
Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Bazelon
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bergen
Mr. Allen D. Black and Mr. Randolph Apgar
Ms. Carolyn L. Green and Mr. Michael T. Blakeney
Dr. Claire Boasi
Beaty Bock and Jonathan Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Bohn
Stacey Spector and Ira Brind
Robert Bryan and Julie J. Bryan
Ms. Annie Burridge and Mr. Paul Richichi
Drs. Judith and Jeffrey Carpenter
Georgette Ciukurescu
Joan and Frederick Cohen
Dr. Richard Davidson
Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation
Barbara M. Donnelly and Dr. Lamberto Bentivoglio
Drs. Bruce and Toby Eisenstein
James Feussner MD, JD
Sheila Fortune Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Allen Freedman
Mr. and Mrs. David Friedman
Jim and Kay Gately
Mr. Robert H. Gerlach
Dr. and Mrs. Stanley Goldfarb
William and Joan Goldstein
Mr. and Mrs. William A. Graham, IV
Pauline Gray and Edward S. Barnard
Dr. Valerie Arkoosh and Mr. Jeffrey Harbison
David and Ann Harrison, Esqs.
Bruce and Robin Herndon
Ms. Rhoda K. Herrold
Victor and Joan Johnson
Mr. Stephen Jones
Mr. Jeffrey Jowett
The Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Arts Education Fund
William Lake Leonard, Esq.
Maribeth and Steven Lerner
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lewis
Liddy and John Lindsay
William Lockwood
Mr. Wayne R. Lorgus
Dr. and Mrs. Michael B. Love
Harriet and Shelly Margolis
Mr. and Mrs. David G. Marshall
B.A. (Mackie) and Charlotte MacLean
Deborah Glass and Leonard Mellman
Ms. Evalind Minor
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Mintun
Denise and Volker Oakey
Mr. Gresham O’Malley, III
Anna C. O’Riordan, M.D.
Eliana Papadakis
Beatrice Pitcairn
Ms. Harriet Potashnick and Mr. Marshall Levine
David and Susan Rattner
Kelley S. Reilly
Dr. and Mrs. A. Gerald Renthal
David Richards
Mr. David Sacker and Ms. Darcy Hayes
Joyce Seewald Sando
Mr. and Mrs. Curtis E. Sawyer
Drs. Daniel Schidlow and Sally Rosen
Dr. and Mrs. Alan D. Schreiber
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Sheller
Dr. William Sigmund and Mr. Vito Izzo
Ms. Dorothy M. Sopp
Drs. Richard and Rhonda Soricelli
Dr. Laura Stanton and Mr. Kim Tomlinson
Ms. Kathleen Stephenson and Mr. James E. Colberg
Ms. Kira Sterling and Mr. Timothy Sterling
Dr. and Mrs. Michael D. Strong
Dr. and Mrs. Richard N. Taxin
Irvin Borowsky and Laurie Wagman
Mr. and Mrs. William A. Wheatley
Dr. Leah Whipple
Drs. Anne and Jim Williamson
Ana-Maria Zaugg and David Anstice
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PARTNER$1,000+Anonymous (2)Dorothy and Stanley AbelsonMs. Susan AsplundhDr. John F. BayleyDrs. Hester and Martin BlackAnne M. and William B. CareyMrs. Mary E. Chomitz and Mr. Morton A. CollierJeremi ConawayDr. Frank CraparoMark Duckett and Stan GaddyLois and John DursoMr. John H. Erickson and Mr. Harry I. ZaleznikMs. Juliet J. Goodfriend and Dr. Marc R. MoreauDr. and Mrs. Henry J. Greenwood and Ms. Marilyn GreenwoodMr. and Mrs. Arthur J. GruganDr. Brett GutscheDr. Mark Hemling and Mr. John MarrazzoHannah L. HendersonCheryl Lawson and Jennifer HigdonLinda E. HowardDr. and Mrs. Leonid HrebienDr. Richard B. KentMary Louise KrumrineFran and Leon L. LevyMerle and Marvin LevyMr. Andrew MulroneyMs. Christine L. MulroneyDr. and Mrs. A. H. NishikawaMr. Steve Oh and Ms. Patricia BlahoMr. Kenneth PatersonDr. Mary R. W. ReardonMichael Sanyour and Laurada ByersDr. and Mrs. Robert SharrarDr. and Mrs. Robert G. SomersMr. Thomas C. Woodward
SUSTAINER$500+Anonymous (2)Mr. and Mrs. Ronald M. AgulnickMs. Lydia Alvarez (in memory of Isabelle M. Ferguson)Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. AsplundhBrian, Theresa, and Max BakerDr. and Mrs. Paul BatastiniDrs. Deidre and Michael BlankDr. and Mrs. Joseph BohenBelinda S. Manning and David C. BowmanDr. and Mrs. Murray BrandMr. Will Sears Bricker IILynn and Jerri BurketMr. and Mrs. R. Nelson ByrneMr. Michael F. Cade and Mr. Mayron Lizardo Lopez RuizMadeleine and James CarlsonDr. Berit CarlsonMr. and Mrs. Charles E. ChaseDrs. Fred and Karen ClarkMr. Patrick Connolly and Ms. Karen CarvalhoDr. and Mrs. Michael ConradMr. Mark CornishMr. Peter S. CressmanDr. Adrian DanaMr. and Mrs. Claude DeBottonMr. James J. Donohue Esq. and Ms. Carol MagerPamela DrexelMr. and Mrs. Anthony FiorenzaMr. and Mrs. Henry FoehlMs. Helen H. FordMr. and Mrs. Randall P. GaboriaultJane Gleim GeeMr. Andrew R. Gelber (in memory of Sylvia Gelber)Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Gillen, Jr.Eileen Grycky and Michael KellerMr. and Mrs. John B. HagnerMr. Timothy Harris
Mr. and Mrs. William W. HeiligMr. and Mrs. Raymond HelversonMr. and Mrs. Joseph J. HillTerry and Paul HirshornDr. and Mrs. Howard E. HudsonMarjorie and Joel JensenMs. Aileen M. KennedyMr. and Mrs. Edward KennedyMr. and Mrs. Richard P. KluftJack Kolpen and Beth Ann Wahl KolpenMr. Nicholas Kouletsis and Mr. Jeffrey ZarnochMs. Dolores S. KuenzelLucinda and Charles LandrethMr. Peter LaneDr. and Mrs. J. Frederick LauciusMr. and Mrs. George S. LeoneMr. and Mrs. Murray S. LevinMr. and Mrs. David LevyDavid and Cheska LevyAnn Csink and John LinckMr. and Mrs. John A. LorenzoMr. and Mrs. Robert A. LukensDr. Colin F. MacKayDr. & Mrs. Larry MapowMs. Alexis M. Berg and Dr. Joel MarmarEdward and Roberta MartinDwight and Christina McCawleyMr. and Mrs. Jeffrey McCoachMr. Benjamin F. MinickDr. Brian MohrMr. C.J. MooreMr. and Mrs. George MorrisMr. and Mrs. David MoskowitzMr. and Mrs. Gordon MoskowitzKay and Jeremiah O’GradyMr. Shaun O’Malley and Ms. Lyn BuchheitMr. and Mrs. Mario PalumbiDr. and Mrs. William P. Potsic
Mr. Frederic L. PryorMs. Cheryl Gunter and Mr. Paul A. RabeUrsula and Bert RedgraveMr. Philmore Robertson and Ms. Kathryn CaywoodDr. Keith M. RobinsonMr. and Mrs. Daniel R. RossMr. and Mrs. Donald H. SachsDr. Margot SavoyHenry and Yumi ScottDr. and Mrs. Paul ShamanDorothy Alexis SmithMr. James L. SmithMr. and Mrs. Edward L. ThomasKatarzyna & Edward Tobe, Natalie LesseyDr. and Mrs. Rocco P. TrioloMr. and Mrs. Anthony ValeMs. Lynne Van BuskirkMs. Laura Ward and Mr. David NewmannMs. Carol A. WestfallMr. and Mrs. Peter WhatnellMr. Robert YonaitisDr. Sook Hee Lee Yoo and Dr. John Yoo
FR IENDS OF THE OPERA
JOAN GOLDSTEIN, CHAIR
The Friends of the Opera are essential contributors to Opera Philadelphia and enjoy an enhanced connection to the Opera with behind-the-scenes opportunities including backstage tours, dress rehearsal access, and enlightening educational programs.
The signature event of the Friends calendar was the Friends Vocal Recital and Appreciation Reception, which took place at the Curtis Institute of Music and honored the Robert B. Driver Legacy Fund. Other Friends activities included the General Director’s Backstage Tour of the Academy of Music and five Between the Notes lectures offering members an in-depth understanding of each of the Season’s productions.
LEFT: Donna Wechsler, Board Member and Chair of the Patron Program, with actor and American Repertoire Council member David Hyde Pierce.
RIGHT: Stephen Dubiel, Kathy Hanrahan, Aaron Ross, General Director & President David B. Devan, Dorothy Hanrahan, Catherine Haas and Jonathan Arena.
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ENCORE SOCIETY
Opera Philadelphia is honored to recognize those who have included the Opera in their estate plans with membership in the Encore Society. Planned and deferred gifts help to ensure the advancement of opera in Philadelphia by directly funding the company’s future artistic and educational programming, and Encore Society members ensure that opera will have a bright future in our city. Not only can these gifts provide potential exemptions from Estate, Capital Gains, and/or Income Taxes*, but in making these commitments, members can be comforted in knowing that they will leave lasting legacies that will support the art they care most about. Opera Philadelphia was thrilled to welcome six new members to the Encore Society this season, and we are truly honored to be able to celebrate their extraordinary future commitments with them today.
Encore Members enjoy special benefits throughout the season including invitations to Season Prelude and the annual Encore Society luncheon. This year’s luncheon was held at XIX Restaurant and featured brief financial planning presentation from representatives from Wells Fargo Private Bank as well as a recital from The Magic Flute baritone Mark Stone. To learn more, please visit operaphila.org/encore-society.
*Please consult your financial and/or legal advisors for the legal requirements and tax advantages specific to these gifts.
Anonymous (3) Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin AlexanderMs. Jane A. BerrymanDr. Claire BoasiConstance G. Burton*Dr.* and Mrs. Elaine CassaliaMs. Ginny L. CoyleDr. Kenneth R. CundyMr. and Mrs. Arthur CovelloMs. Virginia del Sordo*Mr. Robert DevoeMs. Harriet Forman*Ms. Sylvia Green*Mrs. Gail HauptfuhrerDr. Mark H. Haller*Mr. Stephen T. JanickMrs. Sheila KesslerDr. and Mrs. Paul KruegerReneé T. Levin
Mr. William A. LoebMrs. Lois MeyersMr. William Reily*Dr. Scott F. RichardMr. Laurence T. Robbins*Morton F. Steelman*Ms. Lee SteinbergDr. and Mrs. Andrew WechslerEster C. Weil*Mrs. Charlotte WattsMr. George P. White*
TOP: Encore Society members Benjamin Alexander and Sheila Kessler with baritone Mark Stone at the Encore Society luncheon. BOTTOM: Baritone Craig Irvin with Leslie Huff and Vice Chairman Frederick Huff. RIGHT: Renee Chenault-Fattah, the Honorable Chaka Fattah and General Director’s Council member Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer.
ENCORE SOCIETY MEMBERS
*Deceased
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CORPORATE COUNCIL
SEASON SPONSORS
COUNCIL MEMBERSBank of America
Center City Film and Video
Cunningham Piano Company and Factory
Debra Malinics Advertising
Ray Donovan
Dow Chemical Company
Evantine Design
Exeleon Business Services
Fox Rothschild LLP
Kalnin Graphics
the karma agency
Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Macy’s
Menchey Music
Montgomery, McCracken, Walker and Rhoads, LLP
Moonstruck Restaurant
PNC
Savona Restaurant
Termini Bros. Bakery
Trattoria San Nicola
Varalli Restuarant
Wells Fargo
SOUNDS OF LEARNING™ FUNDERS Alpin J. and Alpin W. Cameron Memorial Fund
Deluxe Corporation Foundation
Eugene Garfield Foundation
GlaxoSmithKline
Hamilton Family Foundation
The Hirsig Family Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation
Lincoln Financial Foundation
Louis N. Cassett Foundation
The McLean Contributionship
Morgan Stanley Foundation
Mutual Fire Foundation*
The Presser Foundation
Wells Fargo Foundation
Universal Health Services*
* Opera Phi ladelphia is especial ly gratefu l to businesses who par t ic ipate in the Commonweal th of Pennsylvania’s Educat ion-al Improvement Tax Credi t (E ITC) program, which grants lucra-t ive tax credi ts to el igible businesses that donate to approved educat ional programs l ike Sounds of Learning™ .
Official Airline
Official Automobile Dealership
Official Hotel
LIKE facebook.com/operaphila
FOLLOW @operaphila on twitter
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GAL A CELEBR ATES A NEW NAME & NEW OPER ATIC WORK
On Saturday, February 2, Opera Philadelphia hosted N.O.W.: A Gala
Celebration of New Operatic Work at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel.
This dazzling evening celebrated the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Silent Night
and the American Repertoire Program, Opera Philadelphia’s commitment
to produce an American work in each of ten consecutive seasons, as well
as the numerous groundbreaking initiatives recently launched by the Opera.
The gala’s 250 guests enjoyed a cocktail hour, silent and live auctions, and musical
performances from Opera Philadelphia’s newest operas. The event raised more
than $150,000 for Opera Philadelphia. Credit goes to co-chairs Anderson and
Daria Pew and the Gala Committee whose time, passion, and expertise made it
a celebration to remember. Special thanks to Premier Sponsors Rita and Philip
Harper, Dr. Daniel K. Meyer, and Frederick R. Haas; Contributors Wells Fargo,
Peter A. Benoliel and Willo Carey; and Benefactors Nicholas and Kathleen
Chimicles; the Independence Foundation, and Judy and Peter Leone.
TOP TO BOTTOM: Opera Philadelphia General Director David B. Devan and Silent Night librettist Mark Campbell with Barbara A. Teichert, Production Underwriter for Silent Night, Chairman Daniel K. Meyer, and Silent Night composer Kevin Puts. Peter A. Benoliel and his wife, Board member Willo Carey, with baritone Liam Bonner, who they underwrote in the role of Lt. Audebert in Silent Night. Board member Maria Trafton with her husband, Jack Trafton. General Director David B. Devan, baritone Nathan Gunn, Director of Opera Philadelphia’s American Repertoire Council, N.O.W. Co-Chairs R. Anderson Pew and his wife Daria, actor David Hyde Pierce, member of Opera Philadelphia’s American Repertoire Council, and Opera Philadelphia Chairman Daniel K. Meyer. Sharon Koppelman, Vice Chairman Joel M. Koppelman, with Georgette Ciukurescu and Eliana Papadakis. Photos by Sofia Negron.
LEADERSHIP
DAVID B. DEVAN General Direc tor & P res ident
CORRADO ROVARIS Jack Mulroney Musi c Direc tor
MIKAEL EL IASEN Arti s t i c Advisor
NATHAN GUNN Direc tor, Amer i can Reper to ir e Counci l
GARY H. GANSKY Chie f Financia l Of f i c e r & Senior V ice P res ident
ANNIE BURRIDGE Senior V ice P res ident , Inst i tut ional Advancement
DAVID S. LEVY Senior V ice P res ident , Ar t i s t i c Operat ions
MICHAEL BOLTON V ice P res ident o f Community P rograms
MUSIC
MICHAEL EBERHARD Arti s t i c Adminis t rator
KYLE BARTLETT New Works Adminis t rator
ELIZABETH BRADEN Chorus Master
J . ROBERT LOY Direc tor o f O rches t ra Personnel & Orches t ra Librar ian
COLLEEN HOOD Music Staf f As s i s tant
LEMBIT BEECHER Composer in Res idence
MISSY MAZZOLI Composer in Res idence
ADMINISTRATION
KEN SMITH Ass i s tant to General Direc tor & Board Relat ions Coordinator
MAURICE MARIETTI Personnel Manager
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
CHRISTINA DEEMER Direc tor o f Annual Giving
RYAN LEWIS Direc tor o f Market ing
FRANK LUZI Direc tor o f Communicat ions
LUCY CLEMENS Direc tor o f Audience Ser vice s
ADELE BETZ Direc tor o f Events
JENNIFER DUBIN Assoc iate Direc tor, Annual Fund & Development Ser vice s
DERREN A. MANGUM Manager o f Inst i tut ional Giving
LAUREN ANCONA Manager o f Market ing Technolog y
RACHEL MCCAUSLAND Manager, Resear ch & Spec ia l Gif t s
MICHAEL KNIGHT Ass i s tant Direc tor, Audience Ser vice s and Group Sale s
KEVIN GIFFORD Donor Ser vice s Coordinator
PRODUCTION
ALEXANDER FARINO P roduct ion Manager
DREW BILL IAU Technica l P roduct ion Manager
CHRISTOPHER HANES Technica l Direc tor
MILL IE HI IBEL Costume Direc tor
ELIZABETH LARSEN-SILVA P roduct ion Coordinator
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
ADRIENNE BISHOP Community P rog rams Ass i s tant
FINANCE
MAUREEN MCHALE Senior Accountant
COUNSEL
MONTGOMERY, MCCRACKEN, WALKER & RHOADS LLP General Counse l
FOX, ROTHSCHILD, O’BRIEN & FRANKEL Spec ia l Counse l
O P E R A P H I L A D E L P H I A A D M I N I S T R AT I O N
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O P E R A P H I L A D E L P H I A S TAT E M E N T O F F I N A N C I A L P O S I T I O N M a y 3 1 , 2 0 1 3 , 2 0 1 2 a n d 2 0 1 1
ASSETS 2013 2012 2011CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $3,057,851 $3,542,278 $2,815,057
Unconditional promises to give 2,832,304 2,466,146 3,495,721
Prepaid expenses and other 1,107,481 660,110 250,936
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 6,997,636 6,668,534 6,561,714
Investments 151,915 85,597 83,815
Unconditional promises to give 3,536,962 3,538,438 525,574
Beneficial interest in remainder trust 266,531 254,428 242,875
Property and equipment, net 303,542 263,771 302,750
Security deposits 9,080 14,680 7,180
4,268,030 4,156,914 1,162,194
TOTAL ASSETS $11,265,666 $10,825,448 $7,723,908
LIABILITIES & NET ASSETSCURRENT L IABIL IT IES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $363,467 $332,986 $336,076
Deferred revenue 1,158,606 1,138,350 1,162,475
Note and mortgage payable, current portion 34,630 32,922 31,270
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,556,703 1,504,258 1,529,821
NONCURRENT L IABILT IESMortgage payable, net of current portion 132,388 167,018 199,941
1,689,091 1,671,276 1,729,762
NET ASSETSUnrestricted 2,212,435 2,041,494 1,370,117
Temporarily restricted 7,289,158 7,087,696 4,599,047
Permanently restricted 74,982 24,982 24,982
TOTAL NET ASSETS 9,576,575 9,154,172 5,994,146
TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS $11,265,666 $10,825,448
$7,723,908
38
O P E R A P H I L A D E L P H I A S TAT E M E N T O F A C T I V I T I E S Y e a r s e n d M a y 3 1 , 2 0 1 3 , 2 0 1 2 a n d 2 0 1 1
OPERATING REVENUES & SUPPORT 2013 2012 2011Ticket sales $2,492,256 $2,229,436 $2,300,776
Contributions 7,113,679 6,982,276 6,550,684
Special events, net 160,542 147,034 165,836
Other income 105,796 105,992 183,365
Investment return designated for operations 605 (46) 1,981
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES & SUPPORT 9,872,878 9,464,692 9,202,642
OPERATING EXPENSESProgram services 7,852,552 7,242,652 6,919,280
Management and general 1,084,073 945,403 927,742
Fund-raising 781,430 608,142 602,800
TOTAL EXPENSES 9,718,055 8,796,197 8,449,822
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS 154,823 668,495 752,820
OTHER CHANGESInvestment return, net of amounts designated for operations 16,118 2,882 12,287
CHANGE IN UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETS 170,941 671,377 765,107
UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETS, BEGINNING 2,041,494 1,370,117 605,010
UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETS, ENDING $2,212,435 $2,041,494 $1,370,117
P R I VAT E S U P P O R T / 7 0 . 2 %
T I C K E T S A L E S / 2 5 . 2 %
P U B L I C S U P P O R T / 1 . 9 %
S P E C I A L E V E N T S / 1 . 6 %
O T H E R E A R N E D I N C O M E / 1 . 1 %
39
SV
AD
BA
S VA D B A
S VA D B AI T ’ S A B O U T
W H AT ’ S N E X T
“ T h e 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4 S e a s o n w i l l h a v e [ s e v e n ] a p p e a l i n g o p e r a s , i n c l u d i n g G o l i j o v ’s A i n a d a m a r a n d R i c k y I a n G o r d o n’s
A C o f f i n i n E g y p t , s t a r r i n g Fr e d e r i c a v o n S t a d e . ”
W Q X R O P E R AV O R E
Our 39th Season offers something for everyone.
A landmark Verdi opera in celebration of the
composer’s 200th birthday; a live HD broadcast
of Opening Night; a Serbian a cappella opera in a
200-seat theater; the Spanish-influenced rhythms
of Ainadamar; the shocking, unforgettable
Dialogues of the Carmelites; some classic Mozart;
an operatic mashup with The Philadelphia
Orchestra; and the East Coast Premiere of a new
opera by one of today’s hottest composers. Join us
this season and see what the fuss is all about!
N A B U C C O SEPT. 27–OCT. 6 , 2013
S VA D B A NOV. 2–7, 2013
A I N A D A M A R FEB. 7–16, 2014
D O N G I O VA N N I APR. 25–MAY 4, 2014
D I A L O G U E S O F T H E C A R M E L I T E S MAR. 5–9, 2014
S A L O M E MAY 8 & 10, 2014
A C O F F I N I N E G Y P T JUN. 6–15, 2014
“ T his is th e w ay op er a should be presen ted. Great tradition is respected, while innovation is encouraged, so the art form remains relevant. Opera in Philadelphia is all grown up now.”
P H I L A D E L P H I A C I T Y PA P E R
2 0 1 3 – 2 0 1 4 S E A S O N
A C A D E M Y H O U S E
1 4 2 0 L O C U S T S T R E E T
S U I T E 2 1 0
P H I L A , PA
1 9 1 0 2
O P E R A P H I L A . O R G
2 1 5 . 8 9 3 . 3 6 0 0