Rendezvous Arts presents Haymarket Opera Company
A program of George Frideric Handel
February 19, 21, and 23 2025
Join us for one of the most beloved and enjoyable works in the choral literature: Johannes Brahms’ Ein Deutches Requiem. An exquisite piece celebrating the seasons of life and giving courage and consolation as we reflect on times past.
Tickets available this winter.
TAMERLANO
Presented by Haymarket Opera Company
Music by George Frideric Handel
Libretto by Agostino Piovene, adapted by Nicola Haym
Haymarket is celebrating the 300th anniversary of Handel’s dramatic 1724 masterpiece Tamerlano, presenting its Chicago premiere in a new, fully staged period production directed by Haymarket general director Chase Hopkins and conducted by Haymarket's founder and artistic director Craig Trompeter.
Cast
Tamerlano: Ryan Belongie, countertenor
Bajazet: David Portillo, tenor
Asteria: Emily Birsan, soprano
Irene: Emily Fons, mezzo-soprano
Andronico: Kathleen Felty, mezzo-soprano
Leone: David Govertsen, bass-baritone
Zaida: Kali Page
Guard: Jon Beal
Guard: Daniel Pyne
Creative Team
Chase Hopkins, Stage Director
Craig Trompeter, Music Director
Wendy Waszut-Barrett, Set Designer
Stephanie Cluggish, Costume Designer
Megan Pirtle, Wig and Makeup Designer
Brian Schneider, Lighting Designer
Fight Choreographer: Jon Beal
Assistant Director: Hannah Zizza Stanfield
Haymarket Opera Orchestra
Craig Trompeter, Conductor
Jeri-Lou Zike, Violin I & Concertmaster
Wendy Benner, Violin I
Charlene Kluegel, Violin I
Martin Davids, Violin II
Pauline Kempf, Violin II
Ann Duggan, Violin II
Elizabeth Hagen, Viola
Kiyoe Matsuura, Viola
Anna Steinhoff, Cello
Jerry Fuller, Bass
Brandon Acker, Theorbo
Jason Moy, Harpsichord
Kathryn Montoya, Oboe & Recorder
Stephen Bard, Oboe & Recorder
Sally Jackson, Bassoon
Production Manager: Jen Smith
Stage Manager: Shelby Krarup
Assistant Stage Manager: Mary Dixon
Stage Supervisor: Zoe Snead
Stage Crew: Tseela Sokolin-Maimon
Wardrobe Supervisor: Eleanor Burke
Dresser: Betsy Morel
Wig and Makeup Crew: Aliza Feder
Wig and Makeup Crew: Becky Scott
Master Electrician: Jack O’Connor
Light board Operator: Bryan Back
Surtitle translation: Alessandra Visconti
Surtitle operator: Hannah Zizza Stanfield
Lead Production Sponsors
Amata Office Suites, Ethel Gofen, Axel Kunzmann and Bruce Nelson, Gregory O'Leary and Patricia Kenney, David J. Rice, Candance Rudmose, Lynne and Ralph Schatz, Marjorie Stinespring, Douglas and Pam Walter, and two anonymous donors.
Supporting Production Sponsors
Debra L. Cox, Debbie Crimmins and Paul Goerss, Timothy R. and Janet Fox, Patricia P. and Jerome E. Fuller Charitable Fund, Byron Harrison and Brian Klinksiek, Karen Patricia Smith, Clark and Joan Wagner, and Michael and Jessica Young.
Photos: Elliot Mandel
September 19, 21, and 22, 2024 | Jarvis Opera Hall
Email to join the waitlist for tickets: To be placed on the waitlist for a sold-out performance, please email the Holtschneider Performance Center Box Office, musicboxoffice@depaul.edu. Include your full name, phone number, and how many tickets you are interested in purchasing.
Ms. Birsan will sing The Italian Singer in Strauss’ masterpeice Cappriccio, in Edinburgh, Scotland.
This performacne was dedicated to the late Sir Andrew Davis, who was to conduct the performance and Ms. Birsan has been so fortunate to have worked with and known for her entire career.
(UPDATE: Unfortunately, due to a positive Covid test, Ms. Birsan was asked to cancel her performance for the safety of the audience and colleagues. She was replaced by Emma Morwood, soprano.)
Philharmonia Orchestra
Alexander Soddy Conductor
David Jones Assistant Conductor
Elias Corrinth Repetiteur/ Harpischord
Malin Byström Countess
Bo Skovhus Count
Sebastian Kohlhepp Flamand
Stephen Marsh Olivier
Peter Rose La Roche
Dame Sarah Connolly Clairon
Emma Morwood Italian Singer
John Irvin Italian Singer
Reinhard Hagen Major Domo
Strauss Capriccio
Performing the challenging and inspiring “Dido Reimagined” by Melinda Wagner, and a song cycle by Lisa Neher.
COLLINS HALL
Residency at the music festival in San Antonio, TX. Tickets on sale now.
Residency at the music festival in Madison, WI - a variety of performances including a solo recital.
Emily stars as the courageous heroine Judith in Haymarket Opera in Chicago’s Giuditta - tickets on sale now.
Holidays With the TSO
Dec. 14,15 Tuscon Symphony - Handel and Bach
http://www.tucsonsymphony.org/2019-20-season-overview/special-events/
Holidays With the TSO
Dec. 14,15 Tuscon Symphony - Handel and Bach
http://www.tucsonsymphony.org/2019-20-season-overview/special-events/
Dec. 6, 7 Boise Phil - Handel Messiah, St. John's Cathedral
Dec. 6, 7 Boise Phil - Handel Messiah, St. John's Cathedral
Nov. 16 - Illinois Philharmonic - Augusta Reed Thomas "Absolute Ocean" and Mahler Symphony no. 4
Nov. 8,9,10 - Phoenix Symphony - Beethoven Mass
Classics Series - Symphony Hall
Tito Muñoz, conductor
Emily Birsan, soprano
Adriana Zabala, mezzo soprano
Joshua Dennis, tenor
Ricardo Lugo, bass
The Phoenix Symphony Chorus
CONCERT REPERTOIRE
Glenn Stallcop: City Music
Beethoven: Mass in C
• A long-underrated masterpiece comes to life when The Phoenix Symphony presents Beethoven’s first sacred music, Mass in C, filled with emotion and childlike optimism.
• Four talented vocalists and The Phoenix Symphony Chorus take the stage to present this monumental work.
• The Mass is paired with City Music, a piece written by our very own Phoenix Symphony retiring double bassist Glenn Stallcop.
https://tickets.phoenixsymphony.org/single/PSDetail.aspx?psn=11686
Nov. 8,9,10 - Phoenix Symphony - Beethoven Mass
Classics Series - Symphony Hall
Tito Muñoz, conductor
Emily Birsan, soprano
Adriana Zabala, mezzo soprano
Joshua Dennis, tenor
Ricardo Lugo, bass
The Phoenix Symphony Chorus
CONCERT REPERTOIRE
Glenn Stallcop: City Music
Beethoven: Mass in C
• A long-underrated masterpiece comes to life when The Phoenix Symphony presents Beethoven’s first sacred music, Mass in C, filled with emotion and childlike optimism.
• Four talented vocalists and The Phoenix Symphony Chorus take the stage to present this monumental work.
• The Mass is paired with City Music, a piece written by our very own Phoenix Symphony retiring double bassist Glenn Stallcop.
https://tickets.phoenixsymphony.org/single/PSDetail.aspx?psn=11686
Nov. 8,9,10 - Phoenix Symphony - Beethoven Mass
Classics Series - Symphony Hall
Tito Muñoz, conductor
Emily Birsan, soprano
Adriana Zabala, mezzo soprano
Joshua Dennis, tenor
Ricardo Lugo, bass
The Phoenix Symphony Chorus
CONCERT REPERTOIRE
Glenn Stallcop: City Music
Beethoven: Mass in C
• A long-underrated masterpiece comes to life when The Phoenix Symphony presents Beethoven’s first sacred music, Mass in C, filled with emotion and childlike optimism.
• Four talented vocalists and The Phoenix Symphony Chorus take the stage to present this monumental work.
• The Mass is paired with City Music, a piece written by our very own Phoenix Symphony retiring double bassist Glenn Stallcop.
https://tickets.phoenixsymphony.org/single/PSDetail.aspx?psn=11686
Bringing Bach to St. Louis for over 75 years
The distinguished history of the Bach Society began in 1941, when Dr. William Heyne determined to offer the people of St. Louis the opportunity to perform and hear the great music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Since that date, the Society has carried out its mission without interruption, and is St. Louis’ oldest continuous choral society.
Oct 27th 3pm - Soprano soloist Bach Magnificat & Mozart Requiem
Bach Society of St. Louis, venue TBA
Ideas for Everyone
The Aspen Ideas Festival brings together scientists, artists, politicians, historians, educators, activists, and other great thinkers. They present debate, and discuss some of the most important and fascinating ideas and issues of our time. Join us for this enlivening dialogue!
Public tickets are available for 80-plus sessions at Aspen Ideas: Health and Aspen Ideas Festival. View the schedule. In addition, look for a Public Tickets Guide at the Wheeler Opera House and in various locations in Aspen.
Tickets go on sale on Friday, June 14 at 9 AM MT through the Wheeler Opera House box office in person, by phone at (970) 920-5770, and online at aspenshowtix.com. The schedule and presenters are subject to change.
The Public Tickets Guide, which features events with prices ranging from $12 to $100, is available for download: Public Tickets Guide.
https://www.aspenideas.org/explore/arts
Aspen, CO
Symphony of a Thousand
MAY 3, 2019 - MAY 5, 2019
Music Program:
Mahler | Symphony No. 8
Featuring:
John DeMain, Conductor
Alexandra LoBianco, Soprano
Emily Birsan, Soprano
Emily Pogorelc, Soprano
Milena Kitic, Mezzo-Soprano
Julie Miller, Mezzo-Soprano
Clay Hilley, Tenor
Michael Redding, Baritone
Morris Robinson, Bass-Baritone
Madison Symphony Chorus, Beverly Taylor, Director
Madison Youth Choirs, Michael Ross, Artistic Director
UW Choral Union, Beverly Taylor, Director
Symphony of a Thousand
MAY 3, 2019 - MAY 5, 2019
Music Program:
Mahler | Symphony No. 8
Featuring:
John DeMain, Conductor
Alexandra LoBianco, Soprano
Emily Birsan, Soprano
Emily Pogorelc, Soprano
Milena Kitic, Mezzo-Soprano
Julie Miller, Mezzo-Soprano
Clay Hilley, Tenor
Michael Redding, Baritone
Morris Robinson, Bass-Baritone
Madison Symphony Chorus, Beverly Taylor, Director
Madison Youth Choirs, Michael Ross, Artistic Director
UW Choral Union, Beverly Taylor, Director
Symphony of a Thousand
MAY 3, 2019 - MAY 5, 2019
Music Program:
Mahler | Symphony No. 8
Featuring:
John DeMain, Conductor
Alexandra LoBianco, Soprano
Emily Birsan, Soprano
Emily Pogorelc, Soprano
Milena Kitic, Mezzo-Soprano
Julie Miller, Mezzo-Soprano
Clay Hilley, Tenor
Michael Redding, Baritone
Morris Robinson, Bass-Baritone
Madison Symphony Chorus, Beverly Taylor, Director
Madison Youth Choirs, Michael Ross, Artistic Director
UW Choral Union, Beverly Taylor, Director
WHAT WOULD YOU SACRIFICE FOR HAPPILY-EVER-AFTER?
A water nymph falls in love with a human prince. A witch agrees to make her human – but the spell will break if she ever speaks.
Based on the classic fairy tale The Little Mermaid, Dvořák’s luxurious 1901 masterpiece travels from a mythical forest to a palace and back again. With a world populated by water sprites and royalty, its glorious score includes the famous “Song to the Moon.” Don’t miss the Madison Opera premiere of our first opera in Czech.
Music by Antonín Dvořák
Libretto by Jaroslav Kvapil
Premiered 31 March 1901, Nationaltheater, Prague
Madison Opera Premiere
Friday, April 26 at 8pm
Sunday, April 28 at 2:30pm
Sung in Czech with projected English translations
Run time: 3 hours, including 2 intermissions
ACT I
The water nymph Rusalka has fallen in love with a human—the Prince—when he came to swim in her lake. Now she wants to become human herself and live on land to be with him. Rusalka’s father, a water sprite named Vodnik, is horrified and tells her that humans are evil and full of sin. When Rusalka insists, claiming they are full of love, he says she will have to get help from the witch Ježibaba. Rusalka calls on the moon to tell the Prince of her love. Ježibaba arrives and agrees to turn Rusalka into a human—but warns her that if she doesn’t find love she will be damned and the man she loves will die. Also, by becoming mortal, she will lose her power of speech. Convinced that her feelings for the Prince can overcome all spells, Rusalka agrees and Ježibaba gives her a potion to drink. As dawn breaks, the Prince appears with a hunting party and finds Rusalka by the lake. Even though she won’t speak to him, he is captivated by her beauty and leads her away to his castle. From the lake, the voices of Vodnik and the water nymphs are heard, mourning the loss of Rusalka.
ACT II
At his castle, the Prince wonders why Rusalka is so cold toward him but remains determined to win her. A Foreign Princess, who has come for their wedding, mocks Rusalka’s silence and reproaches the Prince for ignoring his guests. The Prince sends Rusalka away to dress for the ball and escorts the Princess into the castle for the beginning of the festivities.
In the deserted garden, Vodnik appears. Rusalka, who has become more and more intimidated by her surroundings, rushes from the castle in tears. Suddenly recovering her voice, she begs her father to help her, telling him that the Prince no longer loves her. The Prince and the Foreign Princess come into the garden, and the Prince confesses his love for her. When Rusalka intervenes, rushing into his arms, he rejects her. Vodnik warns the Prince of the fate that awaits him, then disappears with Rusalka. The Prince asks the Foreign Princess for help but she ridicules him and tells him to follow his bride into hell.
ACT III
Rusalka waits by the lake once again, lamenting her fate. Ježibaba appears and mocks her, then hands her a knife and explains that there is a way to save herself: she must kill the Prince. Rusalka refuses, throwing the weapon into the water. When her sisters reject her as well, she sinks into the lake in despair. Vodnik explains to the water nymphs what has happened to Rusalka, and they fall silent and disappear.
The Prince, desperate and half crazy with remorse, emerges from the forest, looking for Rusalka and calling out for her to return to him. She appears from the water, reproaching him for his infidelity, and explains that now a kiss from her would kill him. Accepting his destiny, he asks her to kiss him to give him peace. She does, and he dies in her arms. Rusalka asks for mercy on his soul and disappears into the water.
WHAT WOULD YOU SACRIFICE FOR HAPPILY-EVER-AFTER?
A water nymph falls in love with a human prince. A witch agrees to make her human – but the spell will break if she ever speaks.
Based on the classic fairy tale The Little Mermaid, Dvořák’s luxurious 1901 masterpiece travels from a mythical forest to a palace and back again. With a world populated by water sprites and royalty, its glorious score includes the famous “Song to the Moon.” Don’t miss the Madison Opera premiere of our first opera in Czech.
Music by Antonín Dvořák
Libretto by Jaroslav Kvapil
Premiered 31 March 1901, Nationaltheater, Prague
Madison Opera Premiere
Friday, April 26 at 8pm
Sunday, April 28 at 2:30pm
Sung in Czech with projected English translations
Run time: 3 hours, including 2 intermissions
ACT I
The water nymph Rusalka has fallen in love with a human—the Prince—when he came to swim in her lake. Now she wants to become human herself and live on land to be with him. Rusalka’s father, a water sprite named Vodnik, is horrified and tells her that humans are evil and full of sin. When Rusalka insists, claiming they are full of love, he says she will have to get help from the witch Ježibaba. Rusalka calls on the moon to tell the Prince of her love. Ježibaba arrives and agrees to turn Rusalka into a human—but warns her that if she doesn’t find love she will be damned and the man she loves will die. Also, by becoming mortal, she will lose her power of speech. Convinced that her feelings for the Prince can overcome all spells, Rusalka agrees and Ježibaba gives her a potion to drink. As dawn breaks, the Prince appears with a hunting party and finds Rusalka by the lake. Even though she won’t speak to him, he is captivated by her beauty and leads her away to his castle. From the lake, the voices of Vodnik and the water nymphs are heard, mourning the loss of Rusalka.
ACT II
At his castle, the Prince wonders why Rusalka is so cold toward him but remains determined to win her. A Foreign Princess, who has come for their wedding, mocks Rusalka’s silence and reproaches the Prince for ignoring his guests. The Prince sends Rusalka away to dress for the ball and escorts the Princess into the castle for the beginning of the festivities.
In the deserted garden, Vodnik appears. Rusalka, who has become more and more intimidated by her surroundings, rushes from the castle in tears. Suddenly recovering her voice, she begs her father to help her, telling him that the Prince no longer loves her. The Prince and the Foreign Princess come into the garden, and the Prince confesses his love for her. When Rusalka intervenes, rushing into his arms, he rejects her. Vodnik warns the Prince of the fate that awaits him, then disappears with Rusalka. The Prince asks the Foreign Princess for help but she ridicules him and tells him to follow his bride into hell.
ACT III
Rusalka waits by the lake once again, lamenting her fate. Ježibaba appears and mocks her, then hands her a knife and explains that there is a way to save herself: she must kill the Prince. Rusalka refuses, throwing the weapon into the water. When her sisters reject her as well, she sinks into the lake in despair. Vodnik explains to the water nymphs what has happened to Rusalka, and they fall silent and disappear.
The Prince, desperate and half crazy with remorse, emerges from the forest, looking for Rusalka and calling out for her to return to him. She appears from the water, reproaching him for his infidelity, and explains that now a kiss from her would kill him. Accepting his destiny, he asks her to kiss him to give him peace. She does, and he dies in her arms. Rusalka asks for mercy on his soul and disappears into the water.
SSO Heavenly Spring
HEAVENLY SPRING
Sunday, March 31, 4 p.m.
Claire de Lune Debussy
Carmen Suite No. 2 Bizet
Benedictus sit dues K. 117 Mozart
Emily Birsan, soprano
Concordia University Kapelle, Charles P. Brown, director
Symphony No. 4 Mahler
Emily Birsan, soprano
LA TRAVIATA
by Giuseppe Verdi
Sung in Italian with projected English translations
VERDI’S MUSIC IS INCOMPARABLE, WITH ONE HEARTSTOPPINGLY BEAUTIFUL MELODY AFTER ANOTHER, in this exquisitely romantic story. Within the social whirl of sophisticated Paris, the courtesan Violetta lives purely for pleasure but longs for true love. She finds the right man in Alfredo, but their happiness is cut short: at his father’s insistence, Violetta leaves Alfredo for the sake of his family. Her spirit broken, her health shattered, Violetta now lives only with the hope that Alfredo will return to her. La traviata gives us one of opera’s most glorious heroines, a woman of boundless humanity and emotional depth.
LA TRAVIATA
by Giuseppe Verdi
Sung in Italian with projected English translations
VERDI’S MUSIC IS INCOMPARABLE, WITH ONE HEARTSTOPPINGLY BEAUTIFUL MELODY AFTER ANOTHER, in this exquisitely romantic story. Within the social whirl of sophisticated Paris, the courtesan Violetta lives purely for pleasure but longs for true love. She finds the right man in Alfredo, but their happiness is cut short: at his father’s insistence, Violetta leaves Alfredo for the sake of his family. Her spirit broken, her health shattered, Violetta now lives only with the hope that Alfredo will return to her. La traviata gives us one of opera’s most glorious heroines, a woman of boundless humanity and emotional depth.
LA TRAVIATA
by Giuseppe Verdi
Sung in Italian with projected English translations
VERDI’S MUSIC IS INCOMPARABLE, WITH ONE HEARTSTOPPINGLY BEAUTIFUL MELODY AFTER ANOTHER, in this exquisitely romantic story. Within the social whirl of sophisticated Paris, the courtesan Violetta lives purely for pleasure but longs for true love. She finds the right man in Alfredo, but their happiness is cut short: at his father’s insistence, Violetta leaves Alfredo for the sake of his family. Her spirit broken, her health shattered, Violetta now lives only with the hope that Alfredo will return to her. La traviata gives us one of opera’s most glorious heroines, a woman of boundless humanity and emotional depth.
LA TRAVIATA
by Giuseppe Verdi
Sung in Italian with projected English translations
VERDI’S MUSIC IS INCOMPARABLE, WITH ONE HEARTSTOPPINGLY BEAUTIFUL MELODY AFTER ANOTHER, in this exquisitely romantic story. Within the social whirl of sophisticated Paris, the courtesan Violetta lives purely for pleasure but longs for true love. She finds the right man in Alfredo, but their happiness is cut short: at his father’s insistence, Violetta leaves Alfredo for the sake of his family. Her spirit broken, her health shattered, Violetta now lives only with the hope that Alfredo will return to her. La traviata gives us one of opera’s most glorious heroines, a woman of boundless humanity and emotional depth.
LA TRAVIATA
by Giuseppe Verdi
Sung in Italian with projected English translations
VERDI’S MUSIC IS INCOMPARABLE, WITH ONE HEARTSTOPPINGLY BEAUTIFUL MELODY AFTER ANOTHER, in this exquisitely romantic story. Within the social whirl of sophisticated Paris, the courtesan Violetta lives purely for pleasure but longs for true love. She finds the right man in Alfredo, but their happiness is cut short: at his father’s insistence, Violetta leaves Alfredo for the sake of his family. Her spirit broken, her health shattered, Violetta now lives only with the hope that Alfredo will return to her. La traviata gives us one of opera’s most glorious heroines, a woman of boundless humanity and emotional depth.
LA TRAVIATA
by Giuseppe Verdi
Sung in Italian with projected English translations
VERDI’S MUSIC IS INCOMPARABLE, WITH ONE HEARTSTOPPINGLY BEAUTIFUL MELODY AFTER ANOTHER, in this exquisitely romantic story. Within the social whirl of sophisticated Paris, the courtesan Violetta lives purely for pleasure but longs for true love. She finds the right man in Alfredo, but their happiness is cut short: at his father’s insistence, Violetta leaves Alfredo for the sake of his family. Her spirit broken, her health shattered, Violetta now lives only with the hope that Alfredo will return to her. La traviata gives us one of opera’s most glorious heroines, a woman of boundless humanity and emotional depth.
LA TRAVIATA
by Giuseppe Verdi
Sung in Italian with projected English translations
VERDI’S MUSIC IS INCOMPARABLE, WITH ONE HEARTSTOPPINGLY BEAUTIFUL MELODY AFTER ANOTHER, in this exquisitely romantic story. Within the social whirl of sophisticated Paris, the courtesan Violetta lives purely for pleasure but longs for true love. She finds the right man in Alfredo, but their happiness is cut short: at his father’s insistence, Violetta leaves Alfredo for the sake of his family. Her spirit broken, her health shattered, Violetta now lives only with the hope that Alfredo will return to her. La traviata gives us one of opera’s most glorious heroines, a woman of boundless humanity and emotional depth.
LA TRAVIATA
by Giuseppe Verdi
Sung in Italian with projected English translations
VERDI’S MUSIC IS INCOMPARABLE, WITH ONE HEARTSTOPPINGLY BEAUTIFUL MELODY AFTER ANOTHER, in this exquisitely romantic story. Within the social whirl of sophisticated Paris, the courtesan Violetta lives purely for pleasure but longs for true love. She finds the right man in Alfredo, but their happiness is cut short: at his father’s insistence, Violetta leaves Alfredo for the sake of his family. Her spirit broken, her health shattered, Violetta now lives only with the hope that Alfredo will return to her. La traviata gives us one of opera’s most glorious heroines, a woman of boundless humanity and emotional depth.
