pageturn.onstagepublications.com...When I read the first draft of Gene Scheer’s libretto for Everest, it began:1. Prologue: ‘Is this how it ends?’ On the heights of Mt. Everest,

WHAT’S

WelcomeFrom the Board Chair �� 7 From the General Director & CEO �� 9

EverestSponsors �� 5A Note from Librettist Gene Scheer �� 11Directors Note �� 13Staff �� 15Board �� 17Beyond the Opera House ��20 A Tribute to Steven Barbaro �� 21Title Page ��23Production Page ��25Synopsis ��27Cast ��28Creative Team �� 31 Chorus ��35Orchestra �� 37Austin Opera Guild ��44

Thank you to our DonorsDonor Spotlight ��43Leadership Giving ��45Patron Program ��46Partner Program ��47Endowment Fund ��49Bravo Society ��50Honorarium and Memorial �� 51

INSIDE

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This program is published in association with Onstage Publications, 1612 Prosser Avenue, Kettering, OH 45409. This program may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. JBI Publishing is a division of Onstage Publications, Inc. Contents © 2020.

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AUSTIN OPERA 2019-20 SEASON 3

WINE & SPIRIT SPONSOR HOSPITALITY SPONSORMEDIA SPONSOR

This production is dedicated to the memory of Steven Barbaro�

Polly Barbaro Eva and Marvin Womack

Jeanne and Van Hoisington

Laura Gutiérrez-WittLynn and Brian Powell

Sherrie and Jay Stewart

PRESENTS

EverestBy Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer

PRODUCTION SPONSORS


6 AUSTIN OPERA aus t inopera.org

FROM THE BOARD CHAIRDear Friends,

Welcome to Everest – an incredible contemporary work that will be new to many in our audience� Also new is the augmented reality experience found in your performance program which brings Mount Everest to life� Austin Opera worked with Subvrsive, an Emmy-nominated XR studio in Austin, to develop this: our first experiment integrating immersive technology with opera�

One of the endeavors I have enjoyed most as part of my Chairmanship is the company’s new commitment to innovation� In the last few years, Austin Opera has received three six-figure grants from national foundations in recognition of our work in operatic innovation and to further our efforts in this new arena� The augmented reality experience around Everest is possible thanks to funding from OPERA America and our staff’s belief that Austin, with its thriving tech scene, should play a primary role in discovering what possibilities lie ahead for opera by partnering with and learning from cutting-edge technology companies�

Our efforts to drive innovation in opera include the formation of an Innovation Council comprised of local leaders in the technology, consumer behavior, and immersive experiences sectors, of which I am a member� The Council, staff, and Board of Trustees are very enthusiastic about sharing our work in innovation with you this season and beyond�

Thank you for joining us on this epic operatic journey to Mount Everest� I hope you enjoy the performance�

Cordially,

Jeff Kodosky

Chair, Austin Opera Board of Trustees2019 National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductee


It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Austin Premiere of Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer’s Everest� The Austin Opera staff have been working on Everest for nearly two years now, and it has undoubtedly been one of the most galvanizing projects my team and I have ever taken on�

While mounting the great classics of the operatic repertory is always a joy, the excitement of producing an opera composed by a living composer is undeniable� Everest is unique in that not only has it provided the opportunity to work with a living composer and librettist, it has also provided the extremely rare experience of producing an opera

about three remarkable real people, one of whom is still living�

Dr� Beck Weathers (portrayed in these performances by the brilliant bass-baritone Kevin Burdette) has inspired countless individuals with the story of his survival of the 1996 Everest tragedy� His memoir, Left for Dead, is a brutally honest and compelling account of his life before, during, and after this expedition� Dr� Weathers was an invaluable source of information and inspiration to Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer as they created this work, and we are deeply honored that Dr� Weathers will be in attendance at our Saturday performance�

Of course, producing new opera isn’t possible without the enthusiastic support of our stakeholders� We are so grateful to the thousands of ticket-buyers and donors who have agreed to take this journey with us� We are especially grateful to Austin Opera Trustee and production underwriter Polly Barbaro� Polly and her late husband Steve have been long-standing stewards of Austin Opera and ardent supporters of our exploration of new repertoire�

At Austin Opera we are committed to producing the most compelling operatic experiences possible – from Mozart to Puccini and beyond� While it is still a relatively new opera, we are confident that Everest will stand the test of operatic time� Talbot’s stunning score and Scheer’s expertly crafted libretto offer a searing experience that is both epic and heart-wrenchingly intimate�

I hope you enjoy the show!

Warmest regards,

Annie Burridge General Director & CEO

WELCOME



The libretto of Everest is inspired by a series of tragic events, which took place on Mount Everest in May of 1996� Over the course of a year, I conducted personal interviews with a number of the survivors, and it was these conversations that informed the writing of this work� Portions of the libretto are directly drawn from comments made by those I interviewed� Much of what I wrote is an imaginative response to the almost 40 hours of interviews which I conducted with those who survived the storm�

My primary desire, as I told each of the people with whom I spoke, was to find a way of using art to explore the complex emotional crucible that took

place during those exceedingly difficult days� This piece would not have been possible without the generosity of Dr� Beck Weathers, Neal Beidleman, Ed Viesturs, David Breashears and Guy Cotter in sharing their experiences� I also wish to thank Dr� Jan Arnold who, in an email exchange, offered words of encouragement; describing the opera I envisioned as “a unique and quite wonderful project�” It is my profound hope that my intention to honor the memory, heroism, and heart of all concerned will be evident throughout this work�

I want especially to acknowledge Dr� Beck Weathers’ contributions to the piece� All who survived the dangerous climb were changed by the experience; none more so than Beck, whose honesty about his experience and the personal transformation that took place is certainly central to the piece� It should be noted that this opera focuses on the lives of just four people� There were, of course, many others who lived or died in that terrible storm� In the process of dramatizing this story, distilling it became necessary� That said; I do want to acknowledge the suffering and strength of all of those who were there�

The libretto is dedicated to Rob Hall, Dr� Jan Arnold, Doug Hansen and Dr� Beck Weathers and the families of all those who lost loved ones on Everest in May 1996�

A NOTE FROM LIBRET TIST GENE SCHEER


When I read the first draft of Gene Scheer’s libretto for Everest, it began:

1. Prologue: ‘Is this how it ends?’

On the heights of Mt. Everest, the lights come up on a dark mist enveloping the mountain. As the chorus and orchestra establish the mystical, mysterious sound world of Everest, the first dimly illuminated outlines of the mountain slowly emerge. From this shadowy opening, we see the chorus—the spirits of all those who have died on Everest.

CHORUS

Is this how it ends?How many steps…

How many breaths will you take in your life?Will you only count the last ones you take?

I immediately knew this opera was not going to be about mountain climbing�

When I heard the first minutes of Joby Talbot’s extraordinarily evocative score it became clear the real journey this opera was going to take� This wasn’t going to be about one of the most famous landscapes in the world� The landscape we would be exploring was the landscape of the mind�

“In the thin air above 17,600 feet, the oxygen-deficient atmosphere is not life-sustaining. Your body literally consumes itself for energy, a kind of slow biological death. Higher, around 25,000 feet, your body breaks down at a more rapid rate. It’s for this reason some call it the death zone.” Jon Krakauer, Into Thin Air

Directing the premiere of Everest was one of the most thrilling and challenging experiences of my operatic career� Gene’s poetry combined with Joby’s stunning musical representations of the changing light, the climbers being engulfed in storm clouds, the stars coming out as the storm starts to subside, daybreak, nightfall, the warm dappled sunlight of a garden back home, the many grades of darkness, the whiteness of the snow and ice, the blackness of the stormy night, brilliantly illustrate the experience of being on Everest�

Gene and Joby probed the minds of these dying men with stunning clarity and empathy� We, the spectators, are one with each of these characters, doing the most basic of human functions: striving for our next breath�

—Leonard Foglia

DIRECTOR’S NOTE


STAFF

Annie Burridge, General Director & CEO Timothy Myers, Artistic Advisor

ARTISTIC & PRODUCTIONNathan DePoint

Senior Director of Artistic OperationsVincent E� Herod

Director of Production & Technical DirectorRebecca J� Graham-Forbis

Company ManagerBeverly Frittelli

Orchestra ManagerCina Crisara

Chorus Master & Assistant ConductorNyle Matsuoka

Principal Coach & Pianist

DEVELOPMENTJennifer Basten

Chief Development OfficerAngela M� Bonnici

Director of Individual GivingRhanda Luna

Director of Member & Partner ProgramsChrissy Nanton

Grants ManagerMiranda Schultz

Leadership Giving Coordinator

EDUCATIONDebra Erck

Director of Education

FINANCEEva Kuhlman

Senior Director of Finance

MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS, AND AUDIENCE EXPERIENCEMelysa Rogen

Senior Director of Marketing & CommunicationsJulie Fiore

Director of Audience ExperienceDianne van Hulle

Patron Services ManagerLaura Carrisosa

Communications Associate

PRODUCTION STAFF FOR EVERESTDoug GessamanShane Smith

Master CarpentersRyan Gallagher

Master ElectricianTyler Halo

Assistant Master ElectricianC�J� Swinburn

Light Board OperatorThomas GentryWilliam D�H� Sheffield

Follow Spot OperatorsDan Jimenez

Audio AssistantRachel Magee

Property MasterKathy Lang

Wardrobe SupervisorVirginia Egal

Assistant Wardrobe SupervisorTrinka Withers

Lead DresserTeri Shaffer

Supertitles TranslatorDavid Grant

Supertitles CoordinatorLisa Goering

Assistant Stage Manager

Austin Opera Stage Employees are represented by IATSE LOCAL 205


BOARD

Jeff Kodosky Chair

Michael Erspamer President

Elisabeth Juen Waltz Past Chair

William W� Krumpack Secretary

Susanne Tetzlaff Legal Counsel, Chair-Elect

James D� Green, Jr� Finance & Audit Chair

Tina Barrett, Ph�D� Education Chair

Stephen S� Jeffrey Special Funds Chair Endowment Board Chair

Polly Barbaro Development Chair

Brian H� Powell Trustees Chair

OFFICERS

Mary Ellen BorgeltChristopher H� CheeverCathy CollinsCurby ConoleyPaula DamoreDennis J� EakinJohn EnglishLaura Gutiérrez-WittRob HagelbergColleen Halbrook

Andrew HellerDavid JabourMaria KahngHootan Khatami, M�D�Carol LoganCarlos Lowenberg, Jr�Michael S� MetteauerSissi O’ReillyJonathan Sessler

Kenneth W� SmithJay B� StewartDavid N� Tobey Jr�, M�D�Steven TylerJoni K� Wallace, D�D�S�Stephen R� WatsonJim WhortonEva WomackCornelia Foster Wood

TRUSTEES

Ray BensonThomas B� Martin

William B� Mitchell Andrew Schwartz

ADVISORY TRUSTEES

Frederick S� AddyAda AndersonSandy BallPhilip W� BarnesAmelia BullockPaul Burns, M�D�Tana ChristieSuzannah CoxNell Dale, Ph�D�

Harvey Evans, D�D�S�Doyle M� FellersDavid HarringtonLloyd LochridgeSusan LubinRobert Mettlen, Ph�D�Ambassador Lyndon Olson, Jr�William B� PaddockH� Robert Powell

Gay RatliffHarriet RutlandKatharine ShieldsSuzanne ShoreR� Clint SmithConnie WebbCatherine Wildermuth, Ph�D�

TRUSTEES EMERITUS

Special thanks to Dr. David N. Tobey, Jr. for his services as company physician.


BEYOND THE OPER A HOUSEEverest tells the tale of one of the deadliest years in recorded history, 1996, at Mount Everest� This recent historical occurrence has been documented by many of the people who were there in a variety of ways� The following are memoirs and films made about this tragic event�

• Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer� This account, which inspired the opera, was written by journalist Jon Krakauer who was on assignment for Outside magazine and a member of Rob Hall’s team Adventure Consultants� It details his experience during the disaster� The book moves between the unfolding tragedy on the mountain and reflections on the events after the fact�

• Left for Dead: My Journey Home from Everest by Dr� Beck Weathers� In this powerful autobiographical book, Weathers, a Texan, describes the nightmare he went through on Mount Everest, and also describes his life before and after his climb�

• The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest by Anatoli Boukreev� This book from Boukreev – a Russian climber and guide for Scott Fischer’s team Mountain Madness – was written in rebuttal to Into Thin Air� Boukreev provides alternative explanations of the events on May 10 and 11, 1996 from Krakauer’s account�

• Everest (2015) Universal Pictures� This biographical adventure film stars the ensemble cast of Josh Brolin, Robin Wright, Keira Knightley, Jake Gyllenhaal, Sam Worthington, Jason Clarke, John Hawkes, Michael Kelly, and Emily Watson� It is based on the real events of the Mount Everest disaster in May 1996 and is focused on the survival attempts of expedition groups Adventure Consultants led by Rob Hall (Clarke) and Mountain Madness led by Scott Fischer (Gyllenhaal)�

• Everest (1998 IMAX) MacGillivray Freeman Films� This 45-minute American documentary was in production on the mountain during the 1996 Everest disaster� Focused on the struggles involved in climbing Mount Everest, this IMAX film follows a team led by Ed Viesturs and David Breashears and includes actual footage of the IMAX team assisting Dr� Beck Weathers and other survivors�

• The Dark Side of Everest (2003) Great North Productions, National Geographic� This documentary discusses climbers’ motivations, the ethics and challenge involved when climbers encounter trouble at high altitudes, and specific disasters, including the May 1996 event�



PRESENTS

An opera in 1 actMusic by Joby Talbot

Libretto by Gene ScheerSung in English with projected English titles

Projections designed by Elaine J� McCarthy�Costumes designed by David C� Woolard�

Production originated at Dallas Opera�By arrangement with G� Schirmer, INC� publisher and copyright owner�

PERFORMANCE TIMINGOne Act, 70 minutes

Everest

#EverestATX#ATXOpera


In order of vocal appearanceBeck Weathers ............................................................................................... Kevin Burdette*Rob Hall .......................................................................................................Andrew Bidlack*Meg Weathers ...............................................................................................Charlotte Blais*Doug Hansen ........................................................................................................ Craig VermMike Groom .................................................................................................... Stephan MausGuy Cotter ....................................................................................................Matthew TreviñoJan Arnold ................................................................................................. Heather Johnson*Meg Weathers understudy ..................................................................................Salina Mu*

CAST

Conductor ............................................................................................... Joseph Mechavich*Stage Director ............................................................................................... Leonard Foglia*Projection Designer ................................................................................. Elaine J� McCarthy Associate Projection Designer .................................................................Maxwell Bowman*Projection Programmer ................................................................................... Jared LeClaire Costume Designer ................................................................................... David C� Woolard*Lighting Designer ..............................................................................................Kathryn EaderAudio Designer .......................................................................................................Bill MesterProduction Stage Manager ....................................................................... Kathleen EdwardsAssistant Stage Manager ................................................................................... Lisa GoeringProduction Assistant .............................................................................................. Jack RufferChorus Master & Assistant Conductor ............................................................... Cina CrisaraPrincipal Coach & Pianist ...............................................................................Nyle MatsuokaProjected English Titles ......................................................................................... Teri ShafferCoach, Meg Weathers ................................................................................. Andrea Snouffer

*Austin Opera Debut

CREATIVE TEAM

EverestAn opera in 1 act

Music by Joby TalbotLibretto by Gene Scheer

Presents


SYNOPSISPERFORMANCE TIMING

Total: Approximately 70 minutes

From the shadows of Mount Everest, the spirits of all those who have died attempting to reach the summit sing to Beck Weathers, who is unconscious on the mountain’s South Col*� These ethereal spirits now turn their attention to Rob Hall, the expedition leader and guide, who is just reaching Everest’s highest peak at 2:30 p�m�, thirty minutes past the safe turnaround time� Rob sees his client Doug Hansen a mere forty feet below�

The scene shifts back to Beck Weathers� In his unconscious, dreamlike state, the stranded climber hallucinates that he is in his backyard enjoying a Texas barbecue� Beck holds court and begins to describe his experiences on Everest� Suddenly, from the edge of Beck’s consciousness, the voice of his daughter Meg sings to him�

As we see Rob straining to help Doug reach the summit, time stops and Doug sings an aria in which he describes the tormenting deep-seated obsession that has led him to this moment� Rob takes a picture of Doug at the instant he has achieved his goal, and the guide is jarred by the memory of photographing his pregnant wife, Jan, before leaving their home in New Zealand for the Himalayas�

While Rob endeavors to get his client down from the summit of Everest, we see Beck lying, delirious, on the South Col�

Once again, his daughter calls out to him in vain� From the depths of his consciousness, ruminations on his struggle with profound depression slowly merge with the memory of the events that took place on the climb earlier that same day�

Rob is increasingly desperate� He has a disabled client on the top of the mountain as the storm begins raging around them both� Jan, Rob’s wife, is contacted and told of her husband’s life-threatening situation�

Beck, beginning to emerge from his coma, sees the climbers on the South Col huddling together in a frantic attempt to survive the storm� Beck’s internal soliloquy slowly allows him to make sense of what is happening, and to comprehend the cold, hard truth: he is dying�

In a quartet, Doug, Rob, Jan, and Beck sing of their plight� As the quartet concludes, we see Rob propelling Doug toward a sheltered spot on the South Summit, where he hopes they can make it through the night�

Beck has finally awakened to the harsh reality that, if he is going to survive another hour, he will have to save himself�

*The South Col is a mountain pass often used as the location for Camp IV, the final stop in the push to reach the summit�


ANDREW BIDLACKRob Halltenor (Baltimore, MD)Austin Opera DebutRecently: Andy, Stonewall (New York City Opera); Greenhorn, Moby Dick (Chicago Opera Theatre); Nikolaus Sprink, Silent Night (Arizona Opera)Upcoming: Eugene Onegin, Eugene Onegin (Palm Beach Opera); Rob Hall, Everest (BBC Symphony Orchestra); Tonio, I Pagliacci (Portland Opera)

Andrew Bidlack, Tenorwww�andrewbidlack�com

CRAIG VERMDoug Hansenbaritone (Houston, TX)Austin Opera Debut: Marcello, La bohème (2009)Previously at Austin Opera: Minskman, Flight (2011); Ping, Turandot (2012), Lieutenant Gordon, Silent Night (2019)Recently: Don Giovanni, Don Giovanni (Pittsburgh Opera); Billy Budd, Billy Budd (Des Moines Metro Opera); Haly, Italian Girl in Algiers (Santa Fe Opera) Upcoming: Jupiter, Orpheus in the Underworld (Madison Opera); Doug Hansen, Everest (BBC Symphony Orchestra)www�craigverm�com

KEVIN BURDETTEBeck Weathersbass (Knoxville, TN)Austin Opera Debut Recently: Señor Russell, The Exterminating Angel (Metropolitan Opera); Sulpice, La fille du regiment, (Santa Fe Opera, Washington National Opera, San Diego Opera); Pangloss/Cacambo/Martin, Candide (Gran Teatre del Liceu)Upcoming: Bartolo, Il barbiere di Siviglia (Santa Fe Opera, Utah Opera); Soloist, Veronika Ágnes Fáncsik Op� 46 (World Premiere with Fort Worth Symphony); Toulon/Judge, M. Butterfly (World Premiere with Santa Fe Opera)

@burdette_kevinwww�kevinburdette�com

CAST


CAST HEATHER JOHNSONJan Arnoldmezzo-soprano (St� Paul, MN)Austin Opera DebutRecently: Laura, Luisa Miller (Metropolitan Opera); Despina, Cosi fan tutte (Mill City Summer Opera); Dinah, Trouble in Tahiti/Arias and Barcarolles (Boston Lyric Opera)Upcoming:Fierce Grace: Jeannette Rankin (Nova Chamber Music Series); Alzheimer Stories, National Concerts (Carnegie Hall)

heathermezzowww�heatherjohnsonmezzo�com

MATTHEW TREVIÑOGuy Cotterbass (Austin, TX)Austin Opera Debut: Dr� P, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat (2010)Previously at Austin Opera: Baron Douphol, La traviata (2011); Timur, Turandot (2012); Doctor, La traviata (2018)Recently: Seneca, L’incoronazione di Poppea (Florentine Opera)Upcoming: Capellio, I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Opera San Antonio)www�matthrewtrevino�com

CHARLOTTE BLAISMeg Weathersmezzo-soprano (Austin, TX)Austin Opera DebutRecently: Cinderella, Cinderella (KidsActing Austin, TX); Belle, Beauty and the Beast (KidsActing Austin, TX); Amahl, Amahl and the Night Visitors (Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church)

SALINA MUMeg Weathers covermezzo-soprano (Austin, TX)Austin Opera DebutRecently: US National Gold Medalist, Royal Conservatory of Music Voice Exam; Second place, junior division, US China Stars; Top Ten in age group, Cultures of China Water Cube CupUpcoming: Hal Leonard Vocal Competition


JOBY TALBOTComposerJoby Talbot was born in London in 1971� He studied composition privately with Brian Elias and at Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, before completing a Master of Music (Composition) at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under Simon Bainbridge�

Talbot’s diverse catalogue includes the narrative ballets Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (2011) and The Winter’s Tale (2014), both collaborations with choreographer Christopher Wheeldon for The Royal Ballet and National Ballet of Canada that have since entered the repertory of companies worldwide;

the choral Path of Miracles (2005), a 60-minute a cappella journey along the Camino de Santiago commissioned by Nigel Short’s Tenebrae and performed regularly by international ensembles; arrangements of songs by Detroit rock duo The White Stripes alongside Talbot’s original works for choreographer Wayne McGregor’s unparalleled Chroma (The Royal Ballet, 2006); Worlds, Stars, Systems, Infinity (2012), an additional movement to Holst’s The Planets for the Philharmonia Orchestra’s interactive digital installation, Universe of Sound under Esa-Pekka Salonen; Genus Quartet (2013) for Los Angeles’ acclaimed Calder Quartet, premiered as part of the Barbican’s weekend of new music curated by Nico Muhly; and the hugely popular animated feature Sing (Garth Jennings, 2016) for Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me, Minions)� For the BBC Proms, Talbot has written The Wishing Tree (The King’s Singers, 2002); Sneaker Wave (BBC National Orchestra of Wales, 2004); an arrangement of Purcell’s Chacony in G Minor (BBC Symphony Orchestra, 2011); and Ink Dark Moon, a concerto for the acclaimed guitarist Miloš Karadaglić (BBC Symphony orchestra, 2018)�

Talbot has considerable experience writing for the screen, including classic BBC comedy series The League of Gentlemen and feature films The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Garth Jennings, 2005) and Closed Circuit (John Crowley, 2013); and has been twice commissioned by the British Film Institute, to re-score silent films The Lodger (1999) and The Dying Swan (2002)� A new score to Carl Theodor Dreyer’s 1932 Vampyr for LA Opera’s Off Grand season at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles was presented on 27 October 2018�

Talbot’s critically acclaimed first opera, Everest, was given its premiere in 2015 by The Dallas Opera� In the same year, he was awarded the prestigious Prix Benois de la Danse for The Winter’s Tale� Future works include a Cantata commissioned by Independent Opera for Britten Sinfonia and Britten Sinfonia Voices; a second opera for Dallas; and a third narrative ballet with Christopher Wheeldon�

CREATIVE TEAM


CREATIVE TEAMGENE SCHEERLibrettistMr� Scheer’s work is noted for its scope and versatility� With the composer Jake Heggie, he has collaborated on many projects, including the critically acclaimed 2010 Dallas Opera world premiere, Moby-Dick, starring Ben Heppner as Captain Ahab; Three Decembers (Houston Grand Opera), which starred Frederica von Stade; and the lyric drama To Hell and Back (Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra), which featured Patti LuPone� Other works by Scheer and Heggie include Camille Claudel: Into the fire, a song cycle premiered by Joyce di Donato and the Alexander String Quartet�

Mr� Scheer worked as librettist with Tobias Picker on An American Tragedy, which premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in 2005� Other collaborations include the lyrics for Wynton Marsalis’s It Never Goes Away, featured in Mr� Marsalis’s work Congo Square� With the composer Steven Stucky, Mr� Scheer wrote the oratorio August 4, 1964, for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra� The work was nominated for a Grammy® in 2012 for best classical composition� In 2015, Mr� Scheer collaborated with Joby Talbot on the opera Everest, based on the doomed 1996 Everest expedition�

With Jennifer Higdon, Mr� Scheer wrote an operatic adaptation of Cold Mountain, which premiered in the summer of 2015 at the Santa Fe Opera� This work won the International Opera award, presented in London, for the best world premiere in 2015� Recently, along with Ms� Higdon, Mr� Scheer was nominated for a Grammy® for his work on Cold Mountain for best classical composition� In December of 2016, Mr� Scheer and Jake Heggie premiered an operatic adaptation of It’s a Wonderful Life for the Houston Grand Opera�

Also a composer in his own right, Mr� Scheer has written a number of songs for singers such as Renée Fleming, Sylvia McNair, Stephanie Blythe, Jennifer Larmore, Denyce Graves, and Nathan Gunn� The distinguished documentary filmmaker, Ken Burns, prominently featured Mr� Scheer’s song “American Anthem” (as sung by Norah Jones) in his Emmy® Award-winning World War II documentary for PBS entitled The War�


CREATIVE TEAMJOSEPH MECHAVICHConductorConductor Joseph Mechavich’s passion and commitment to excellence in the art form has helped to forge lasting and career-defining relationships with numerous opera companies, composers and orchestras in the United States and abroad� Maestro Mechavich has presided over productions of Porgy and Bess for Deutsche Oper Berlin, Nixon in China for Auckland Philharmonia/New Zealand Opera, Il barbiere di Siviglia for The Washington National Opera, Madama Butterfly for New York City Opera, and Dead Man Walking for Atlanta Opera� The Miami Herald lauded Mechavich’s artistry in a recent production of Werther at Florida Grand Opera: “An

astute conductor realizes that Massenet’s music must be as emotive and expressive as the action on stage� Joseph Mechavich brings out the French Romantic’s lilting emphasis on strings and woodwinds in the opening strains and throughout the first act, and pushes his orchestra to full throttle for the tumultuous, dark, and dissonant third and fourth acts� Onstage the tug of war between duty and desire continues to build, while in the orchestra pit, the music heightens the tension�” His 2019-2020 season includes Il barbiere di Siviglia for Minnesota Opera, Everest for Austin Opera, Macbeth for Florentine Opera, Die Zauberflöte for North Carolina Opera, Riders of the Purple Sage for Arizona Opera, and Carmen for Kentucky Opera�

In addition to his impressive command of the standard operatic repertoire, Maestro Mechavich is also known for his deep commitment to American opera� Of his Nixon in China at San Diego Opera, Broadway World extolled “The expertise in 21st century operatic repertoire that conductor Joseph Mechavich demonstrated in 2012’s Moby-Dick has surely increased exponentially as portrayed in his rendering of John Adam’s complex score� Mechavich showed great command and sensitivity throughout, both controlling and supporting the orchestra in their task of performing parts that were most difficult and intricate�” He is a champion of the music of Carlisle Floyd and Jake Heggie� He has conducted productions of Floyd’s Susannah, Of Mice and Men, and Cold Sassy Tree and recorded Wuthering Heights, which is the first recording in a multi-year project to record Floyd’s unrecorded operas� Of his recording of Wuthering Heights, Milwaukee Magazine states “but the real star here is Mechavich, who guided the orchestra and voices through Carlisle Floyd’s often tempestuous orchestrations� He and the orchestra painted wonderful sonic pictures, but always in the service of the story and drama�”

This is Mechavich’s Austin Opera Debut�


CREATIVE TEAMLEONARD FOGLIAStage DirectorLeonard Foglia is a theater and opera director as well as librettist� He directed the world premieres of Moby-Dick, (Dallas Opera, San Francisco Opera etc�—filmed for PBS), Everest (Dallas Opera, etc�); Cold Mountain (Santa Fe Opera, etc�); The End of the Affair (Houston Grand Opera, etc�); Three Decembers (HGO, etc�); It’s a Wonderful Life (HGO, etc); Stonewall (New York City Opera)� His production of Dead Man Walking was produced by New York City Opera and continues to been seen across the U�S� and has played Teatro Real in Madrid and The Barbican in London�

For Broadway he directed: Master Class with Zoe Caldwell, Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald, Wait Until Dark with Marisa Tomei and Quentin Tarantino, Thurgood with Laurence Fishburne (filmed for HBO), The People in the Picture, On Golden Pond with James Earl Jones, The Gin Game with Cecily Tyson and Mr� Jones. Off-Broadway: Anna Deavere Smith’s Notes From The Field (filmed for HBO) and Let Me Down Easy (filmed for PBS), One Touch of Venus at Encores!, The Stendhal Syndrome, If Memory Serves, Calvin Trillin’s About Alice.

As a librettist, he wrote and directed Cruzar la Cara de la Luna/To Cross the Face of the Moon with composer José “Pepe” Martínez which premiered at Houston Grand Opera, A Coffin in Egypt with composer Ricky Ian Gordon which also premiered at HGO, El Pasado Nunca Se Termina/The Past Is Never Finished, with composer Martínez which premiered at Lyric Opera of Chicago; El Milagro Del Recuerdo/The Miracle of Remembering with composer Javier Martinez which premiered at HGO� His “mariachi operas” have played across the country and on three continents�

ELAINE J. McCARTHYProjection Designer (Arlington, MA)Austin Opera DebutRecently: Dead Man Walking (Lyric Opera of Chicago); Das Wunder der Heliane (Bard Summerscape), It’s a Wonderful Life (San Francisco Opera)Upcoming: Everest (Barbican Center, UK); The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (The Dallas Opera)

MAXWELL BOWMANAssociate Projection Designer (Tumwater, WA)Austin Opera DebutRecently: Contributing member of GLMMR (New York City, NY); Collaborations with Santa Fe Opera, Houston Grand Opera, The Dallas Opera, and National Sawdust Factory�Upcoming: Lighting Designer and Video Engineer, Winterreise (Austin Opera’s Opera ATX)www�maxwellbowman�com

DAVID C. WOOLARDCostume Designer (Houston, TX)Austin Opera DebutRecently: Stonewall (New York City Opera); L’Italiana in Algeri (Santa Fe Opera)Upcoming: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Dallas Opera); The King’s Speech (National Theatre, Washington, D�C�)www�davidcwoolard�com


CREATIVE TEAMKATHRYN EADERLighting Designer (Austin, TX)Austin Opera Debut: Lucia di Lammermoor (2012)Recently: Carmen (Tulsa Opera); La clemenza di Tito (Butler Opera Center); La traviata (San Antonio Opera)Upcoming: Pippin (Mary Moody Northen Theatre)

keader

BILL MESTERAudio Designer (Austin, TX)Austin Opera Debut: Salome (1999)Previously at Austin Opera: Ariadne auf Naxos, La traviata, Otello (2018); Silent Night, La bohème, Rigoletto (2019)Recently: Nutcracker (Ballet Austin); Lush Life (Austin Symphony Pops); Andrew Cyrille Quartet (University of Texas Performing Arts)Upcoming: Restless Hearts (Ballet Austin); Raiders of the Lost Ark (Austin Symphony Pops); Turandot (Austin Opera)

Stage Tech Austin @stagetechatx

www�stagetechaustin�com

KATHLEEN EDWARDSProduction Stage Manager (Fort Lauderdale, FL)Austin Opera Debut: Il trovatore (2005)Previously at Austin Opera: Ariadne auf Naxos, La traviata, Otello (2018); Silent Night, La bohème, Rigoletto (2019)Recently: 27 (Intermountain Opera); Stage Manager/Assistant Director, Dialogues des Carmélites (Oberlin Conservatory)Upcoming: Turandot (Austin Opera); Così fan tutte (Oberlin Conservatory)

CINA CRISARAChorus Master & Assistant Conductor (Austin, TX)Austin Opera Debut: Carmen (2017)Previously at Austin Opera: Ariadne auf Naxos, La traviata, Otello (2018); Silent Night, La bohème, Rigoletto (2019)Recently: Section Leader, Mass (Conspirare); Section Leader, Carmina Burana (Ballet Austin, Austin Symphony and Conspirare)Upcoming: Turandot (Austin Opera); Assistant Conductor, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (Conspirare and Austin Symphony)

NYLE MATSUOKAPrincipal Coach & Pianist (Austin, TX)Austin Opera Debut: A Masked Ball (2014)Previously at Austin Opera: The Flying Dutchman (2016); Daughter of the Regiment, Madame Butterfly, Carmen (2017); La traviata, Otello (2018); Silent Night, La bohème, Rigoletto (2019)Recently: Guest Soloist (Magic Valley Symphony)Upcoming: Schubert’s Winter Journey (Winterreise) & Turandot (Austin Opera)


CHORUSSOPRANO

MEZZO-SOPRANO

Ivy CantuLena Hill

Emily HolguinAbigail B� Jackson

Elise Leung KotaraAlyssa Muir

Cheryl BoyleGabryella Carrelii

Kimberly ClemonsAlyssa Kemp

Jenny OhrstromJulie Silva

TENOR

Brendan BoyleMichael Kelley Dixon

Jeffrey Jones-RagonaRobbie La Banca

Brian Minnick

BASS

Jake JacobsenStephen Maus

Jeff W� PhillipsRobert Veihman

Peter WheelerGil Zilkha



ORCHESTRAVIOLIN IJoseph D� Smith, ConcertmasterEugene Gratovich,

Associate Concertmaster**Vincent Frittelli,

Concertmaster EmeritusBruce Colson Audrey LeeMatthew LeeChristabel LinYi Ching Fong*Changming Li*Megan Zapfe*

VIOLIN IILeigh Mahoney,

Acting PrincipalSteve Merson,

Acting Assistant Principal*Risa Ando**Georgeann Dubell-ShockleyHaeni LeeSha ZhuLeigh Wallenhaupt*Sophie Verhaeghe*

VIOLAAmes Asbell, Principal Daniel Gee Cordova,

Assistant PrincipalSara DriverVincent MarksMary Powers*Tim Washecka

CELLODouglas Harvey, Principal**Muriel B� Sanders,

Assistant PrincipalColin FergusonSara Nelson**Dr� Shawn Sanders

BASSDavid Dawson, PrincipalJonathan Rouse,

Assistant PrincipalChristopher R� FloresJoe Ferris*

FLUTE**Adah Toland Jones, Principal**Beverly Frittelli,

Assistant PrincipalAdrienne Inglis*

PICCOLO/ALTO FLUTE**Beverly Frittelli

PICCOLOAdrienne Inglis*

OBOEIan Bruce Davidson, PrincipalJulianne Webner,

Assistant PrincipalRebecca Haskins*

ENGLISH HORNJulianne Webner

CLARINETVanguel Tangarov, PrincipalValerie Bugh,

Assistant Principal

BASS/EB CLARINETValerie Bugh

BASS/CONTRA BASS CLARINET

Mary Schani*

BASSOON**William D� Lewis, PrincipalDaniel Chrisman,

Assistant Principal

CONTRA BASSOONDaniel Chrisman

HORN**Thomas Hale, PrincipalJill Smith Rodriguez,

Assistant PrincipalRoger SimmonsEd Tschoepe*

TRUMPET**Robert Cannon, PrincipalTim Shaffer,

Assistant PrincipalKyle Koronka*

TROMBONEBrenda Sansig Salas, PrincipalOwen Homayoun,

Assistant Principal**Philip Arno

TUBABrian Edwards, Principal

TIMPANI**Hsueh-Yung Shen, Principal

PERCUSSIONGenaro Gonzalez, PrincipalTony Edwards,

Assistant PrincipalKari Klier*Bobby Lopez*

HARPCarly Nelson*

PIANONyle Matsuoka

KEYBOARD/CELESTEJohn T� Elam*

ORCHESTRA MANAGERBeverly Frittelli

ORCHESTRA ASSISTANTAdam “Flash” Graves

LIBRARIANWilliam D� Lewis

*Extra Musician**Charter member since 1987

A special thank you to the Austin Symphony Orchestra and Cele Middle School for graciously providing some of the orchestral instruments that you hear tonight!




Leadership Giving

GRAND UNDERWRITER’S CIRCLE $100,000+

AnonymousAustin Opera Guild Polly BarbaroBloomberg Philanthropies

UNDERWRITER’S CIRCLE $75,000 TO $99,999

Elisabeth Juen Waltz, Steffen Waltz, and Robert W. Garrett

Eva & Marvin Womack

PRODUCER’S CIRCLE $50,000 TO $74,999

Patrick & Judy Cantilo Christopher H. CheeverMaria & Stephen KahngOPERA America

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE $25,000 TO $49,999

AnonymousDavid Booth Sarah & Ernest ButlerMr. & Mrs. Dennis Eakin Mike & Patty ErspamerAndrew & Mary Ann HellerJeff & Gail Kodosky Lowenberg Group, LLC and Carlos Lowenberg

Mr. & Mrs. Brian H. Powell Neil & Nancy Schaffel and Murar Foundation, Inc.

Ken & Paula SmithDr. Eric Tiblier & Susanne Tetzlaff

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE $15,000 TO $24,999

Toni & Paul Burns*Dr. & Mrs. Stuart Damore Marilyn T. Gaddis, Ph.D. & George C. Carruthers

Hoisington Investment Management Co. and Van & Jeanne Hoisington

Whorton Insurance Services and Mr. & Mrs. Jim Whorton

CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE $10,000 TO $14,999

Paul & Clara Bancroft Tina & Michael Barrett Thom BrooksAmelia Bullock & Bill Krumpack

Gail CommagereMr. & Mrs. John EnglishLaura Gutiérrez-Witt Dr. Hootan Khatami & Daryl Fox

Margery & Mack Lindsey*Sissi & Gerard O’ReillyAmbassador & Mrs. Lyndon L. Olson, Jr.*

Martha P. RochelleJonathan SesslerCornelia & John Wood

*Founding Donors of Austin Opera

The Board of Trustees, artists, and staff of Austin Opera gratefully acknowledge Austin Opera’s leadership giving donors, whose generous annual contributions provide the necessary support for Austin Opera’s continued artistic excellence�


Patron Program

GENERAL DIRECTOR’S COUNCIL $5,000 TO $9,999

Maureen Alexander, M.D. Ronny & Valerie Armstrong Mary Bakatsa & Clark WilkinsonSandy Ball Peter Bay & Mela

Sarajane DaileyLaurence Bjorkman Frances E. BlankMary Ellen & Roger Borgelt Martha A. BoydMarvin Brittman Joe & Tana ChristieBonnie & Jerry ClaiborneCurby Conoley Peter G. DorsonChris & Jenn EllermanDianne Smith Goggan

FoundationElena & Everardo GoyanesJim & Jo Green *Paricia & James Hadden,

In Memory of Peggy HaddenRob & Meri Hagelberg Mr. & Mrs. James G. Halbrook, Jr. Karen HansenRichard Hartgrove &

Gary CooperMari & Dudley HoughtonStephen & Lauren Jeffrey Allen Kemp & Jo Carol SnowdenKing Family, In Memory of

Alfred & Ellen King*William LanaganDr. Tadd S. LazarusCarol Angela Logan Amy McCaffreyMr. & Mrs. Michael Metteauer Drs. Rodney & Cathy NairnMr. & Mrs. Charles J. ParkerFran & George Ramsey

Charitable Fund*Wanda A. ReynoldsPeter Schram*Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Shields

Cindy & Gerald Stone*Jeff Straathof & Mafalda TanDr. David N. Tobey, Jr. &

Dr. Michelle Berger* Steven TylerEileen VanderleeDr. Joni K. WallaceDonald R. Wertz*Sandra & Walter Wilkie

CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL $3,500 TO $4,999

Sheila & Dan BeckettRichard Boner & Susan Pryor* Suzanne BreitbachAnnie Burridge & Paul RichichiDr. & Mrs. Hugh CollinsDr. William Deaton &

Mrs. Cecilia Neuhaus Deaton Kenneth W. EganDebra & Marc ErckDr. Harvey Evans &

Gloria Evans*Julia & Paddy Flanagan Michael Garza & Roger KahlbauScott & Cathy HarrisThe Hebel FamilyKarl HenionCol. Harry JaffersBryce M. JohnsonDrs. Kenneth & JoAnn

Hunter JohnsonCarol & Kelley KnutsonDiane LipsitzCraig & Cynthia PenceEmily RheaAlyce & Terry RichardsonMike & Delia RussellColette & John SirhalDr. David W. SloanDrs. Sharon & David SneedDr. Laura StarksAnne-Margrethe &

Jens SteenstrupDavid & Catherine Wildermuth*

PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL $2,000 TO $3,499

A Friend*AnonymousKaren ArtztBonnie Bain,

In Memory of Ann McKainMrs. Mary BohlsKeith & Sheryl BrownPierre & Nancy BulhonDr. & Mrs. G.G. CloydSuzannah Cox*Jill A. DavisMrs. Ronald K. DeFord* Claude & Susan DuclouxAngela & Steven EisertZeina El-Azzi & Kenneth LoydeChris & Carol ElmsMartha & Cliff ErnstGail A. FindlayJoe & Carol FisherBill Gaston, Inc.Wendy L. GeorgeAlice GlascoDouglas GullicksonManuela GuttMarion & Joe HaasJoe S. Ham & Florence S. Ham

Charitable TrustRobert L. HardgraveJudy & David HarrisE. Stephen & Joyce HuntDana & Dennis JakubowiczIda Jeppesen & Ken ZinkEvonne Greene JonesMary KevorkianKintzel Family Charitable FundMike Don Miguel Le BurkienLinda & Leonard LeffEric LeibrockMelanie LewisM&H Machining, Inc. and

Diane & Hudson IngramRen & Flo MacNaryJulia M. MarsdenJacqueline Towns McCall

Austin Opera is proud to acknowledge the individuals and foundations that generously support our productions and education programs� We extend our deepest gratitude to members of the General Director’s Council, Chairman’s Council, and President’s Council who provide essential funding for our productions�


BENEFACTOR $1,000 TO $1,999

Heather & Reed ArnosJennifer BastenDana BlantonDouglas Bower &

Bonny Gardner, Ph.D.Dr. Nell B. Dale SandersDr. Dee Fruchter & Judy FruchterJames M. Hicks, M.D. &

Julie A. NelsonBob & Judy Belle HorickPatrick LandrumRex & Roberta LingMs. Catherine LizcanoMark NodineSam R. PerryLeslie PowellMr. George SchaeferLeslie ThomasPolly & Jay Westbrook

GUARANTOR $750 TO $999Jesus AlcantarWilhelmina & Exalton DelcoMs. Sylvia B. Fatzer Margaret FurseTeresa Lyson, M.D. &

Krys Lyson, M.D.Stephen & Dale SonnenbergJean C. St. ClairMr. Steven Wolfe

SUSTAINER $500 TO $749Tom & Nan Anson*Emily & Kenneth AshworthDaniela BiniThe Brunetti FoundationMr. Philip CochranJyl ColeMr. Thomas H. EdwardsSara Jarvis JonesDr. & Mrs. Craig KuglenMr. & Mrs. Paul LeekeAnnette S. LucksingerDr. & Mrs. William E. McCaleb*Mr. Laurence B. McCulloughProf. A.P.D. Mourelatos*Cmdr. James F. O’LearyMr. & Mrs. John C. SchmidtRyan SchoolerSusan SeymourMr. Clemens Sialm &

Mrs. Wei LiSandra P. SigmanJohn C. R. Taylor, III &

Peter Flagg MaxsonMr. & Mrs. Greg ValentineMr. William K. WallaceMr. Stephen WatsonRichard & Sherry WilkisonDavid & Leslie WolffDr. & Mrs. Paul B. WoodruffHilary Young

CONTRIBUTOR $250 TO $499Dr. Thomas J. AshbaughHelen & Nils BaggeJohn & Heather BeliveauNancy Bogart-ThorpeJim & Rosalie BoldinK.C. Cerny & Karen KerkeringMr. & Mrs. W.L. DensonRosemary W. EstesDr. Stanley I. FischMr. Andy FlemingDr. Sergey FomelMr. Michael W. FoxMr. Mark GagnonMichael & Barbara GentryMs. Suzanne GonzalezLino & Carolyn GragliaMs. Fabiola GuajardoMr. & Mrs. Daniel S. HamermeshMs. Priscilla JarvisMrs. Jacqueline JohnsonMr. & Mrs. Jack JoselOrion & Jan KnoxDr. Christopher Colvin &

Behice KutayMarilyn LindgrenGeorgia & Lloyd LochridgeMr. Peter Lohman &

Ms. Sondra LomaxMr. Reid LongMr. Noah A. LongleyLinda MastersMr. & Mrs. Jerome P. Niemiec

Dr. & Mrs. John McFarlane*Colonel & Mrs. Andrew J.

McVeigh, IIIPhillip MuthKaren NeeleyCathy & Don NevilleGai & Gerry NewkirkThe Honorable &

Mrs. Raymond L. OrbachThe Pacey Family FoundationMr. & Mrs. William Paddock*Debbie & Jim ParishMarcia Raff

Riebe Pumo Wealth ManagementAmalia Rodriguez-MendozaRobert G. Rutishauser*Harriet Rutland*Edward Z. SafadyRonald A. SeeligerTodd SloanEvonne & Tom SmithMr. & Mrs. Blake StanfordDr. & Mrs. Paul E. StubbsSusan & Hardy ThompsonMarcia & Anthony TopracDiane & Dick Trabulsi

Peggy & Don Ugent James ValdesThomas Villalta &

Austin | 180 Advisory GroupStephanie & Bill Whitehurst*Rose Betty & Allan Williams*Cynthia WilsonJanice L. WilsonCustis Wright*

*Founding Donors of Austin Opera

Partner Program

Austin Opera is grateful to members of the Partner Program for their annual contribution� Thank you for your partnership in bringing thrilling performances and engaging programs to our community!


Partner Program Con’t

Dr. & Mrs. F. Michael PestoriusDavid N. PollackDrs. Linda G. & James A. PrenticeWayne & Marlette RebhornJoanne & Hamilton RichardsMrs. Lisa W. RoebuckDr. Charles A. Roeckle &

Mrs. Hermelinda ZamarripaMs. Cricket B. RoseMs. April SchweighartSteve & Tacy D. SladeDr. Vicky SpradlingMr. & Mrs. Brad SpragueMs. Joy StandeferMs. Carole StocktonMrs. Jeannie StrangeMr. & Mrs. Michael TitaMs. Gwen VuMr. Michael WaltersMrs. Carol WoodMr. Michael WoodwardMr. & Mrs. Joe A. Young

DONOR $150 TO $249Ms. Sarah AllenMr. Donald Gene AndersonMr. Ryan BardenMs. Jacqueline M. BenzMechthild BernhardMr. William BlanchardPaul & Valerie BoguckiMrs. Jackson W. BosleyMs. Sue BreuerMs. Dorothy C. BrownMr. Mark CampbellMr. Frank CardenasMs. Ruth CasarezDr. Michael CaseyMr. & Mrs. Eric ChanceScott & Cheryl ChristiansMs. Julianna D. ChungJack & Susan ClagettMs. Anne S. ClarkDebbie Valker & Doris Coward

Mr. & Mrs. Michael DebnerMr. & Mrs. Jack DowningDr. & Mrs. F. Ellsworth PetersonMs. Diana FergusonMs. Patricia FernosMs. Sheila FitlinShiree Flume, M.D.Dr. Thomas GeorgeMrs. Ruth GordonKathy A. GuajardoMrs. Russel HainMr. & Mrs. Stefan HardieMr. & Mrs. James HarrisMs. Ann M. HarrisonMs. Karen HaschkeMr. & Mrs. Larry HearnMr. & Mrs. Michael HermanMs. Rebecca HerringtonMs. Lydia HewettMrs. Richard HockerMr. John HrncirLoretta L. HughesMr. Howard HytenPat & John IrelandDr. Judith JellisonMr. Todd J. JermstadJoanne B. JonesPaula KothmannBernt KuhlmannMr. Wayne LanghamMr. & Mrs. Kurt LaphamMr. & Mrs. Chong S. LeeMr. & Mrs. Luis LidskyMary McDonaldMs. Teresa MilburnMrs. Joan E. MillerMilton Miller, IIGail MinaultMs. Jennifer MoserMr. & Mrs. William C. NelsonMs. Caroline NentwichDr. William NethercutLisa & Karl PallmeyerMs. Mary Parse

Dr. Frank PerezDewayne PhillipsMs. Linda PicazoDebbie PikeMs. Keely RhodesMr. Peter RollRobert & Sondra RyanMr. & Mrs. Andrew SansomMs. Julia SchulerMr. Paul ScripkoMrs. Dawn H. Shackelford &

Dr. Stacy ShackelfordJack SharpJudy Shipway & Leon GrizzardMr. Paul SmithMr. & Mrs. Edwin SmootzAnnette StachowitzMr. & Mrs. Kent StewartMs. Kim StewartMr. Richard H. SumanRenee & Eugene SuttonMr. & Mrs. Tom TaylorMr. Calan ThurowMs. Carolyn Trigg &

Mr. Joe HaggardMr. Bryan UeckerKerry & Duncan Van DusenMs. Judith WaltherMs. Patricia B. WamstedDr. Robert WarrenDr. Mary WeedMr. & Mrs. James WestDr. Barbara WilliamsonHandy & Barbara WilliamsonMs. Cynthia WilsonSharon M. WilsonGretchen Woellner

FRIEND UP TO $149A special thank you to the nearly 400 Central Texan households who have made a gift to Austin Opera at the Friend level

Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy; however, if we have not listed you correctly, please call 737-228-1442.

List as of December 10, 2019.


Endowment Fund

We are especially honored to be able to recognize those members of the Austin Opera family who have made a special commitment to the Endowment Fund, in addition to their annual patronage, to ensure that Austin Opera continues to bring the joy of great opera to future generations of audiences�

$1,000,000 OR MOREThe Marilyn Addy Endowment for

Artist ExcellenceMr. & Mrs. Frederick S. Addy

The Sarah and Ernest Butler Artistic DirectorDr. & Mrs. Ernest C. Butler

The Kodosky Family Endowment for Artistic Excellence

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey L. Kodosky

$150,000 OR MOREChair of the Concertmaster &

Performing Young ArtistsMr. & Mrs. Brian Kushner

$100,000 OR MOREAustin Opera General Endowment FundMr. & Mrs. Thomas B. Martin

$50,000 OR MOREAustin Opera General Endowment FundGordon & Loretta Dancer & FamilyEstate of Aneta S. MitchellEstate of Mary Perry Taylor

Wesley Tobey Memorial Fund for the ChorusMr. & Mrs. Jeffrey L. Kodosky

Austin Opera General Endowment Fund honoring La Noche de Opera

Curby Conoley

$25,000 OR MOREAustin Opera General Endowment FundAmelia Bullock & Bill KrumpackMr. & Mrs. Stephen L. DavisAlfred & Ellen King SocietyMr. & Mrs. William B. MitchellEstate of Edythe Rose Schmidt KrugerEstate of Willa Stewart SetseckIn Memory of Helen G. Smith, Richard Tucker, &

Aaron Kruger

Wesley Tobey Memorial Fund for the ChorusDavid N. Tobey Jr., M.D.

$10,000 OR MOREAustin Opera General Endowment FundJo A. & Billie Jo Graves Family FoundationVan & Jeanne HoisingtonWilliam Henry Kirchner, IIIMr. & Mrs. Howard W. ParkerBrenda & Larry Smith

Wesley Tobey Memorial Fund for the ChorusJames C. Armstrong

Jo Anne Martin Christian Memorial FundFriends of Jo Anne Christian

$5,000 OR MOREAustin Opera General Endowment FundAlfred & Ellen KingDr. & Mrs. Craig LubinJoanne M. RavelPeter SchramEstate of Charlotte Schumacher

To learn more about supporting Austin Opera’s Endowment Fund, please call Jennifer Basten, Chief Development Officer, at 512-610-7671.


Bravo Society

The Bravo Society honors the many friends who have helped provide for our future by remembering Austin Opera in their estate plans� Planned gifts help ensure the continuance of great music on the stage for generations to come� If you have already included Austin Opera in your plans, please let us know so that we may thank you and invite you to become a member of this special group�

We take this opportunity to thank and recognize the members of the Bravo Society:

“From my experience as a classroom docent for the Austin Opera Guild, I know that opera enriches kids’ lives like nothing else can. I want the young people of Central Texas to benefit from the gift of music for many years to come.”—Lissa Anderson, Bravo Society Member

Mr. & Mrs. Frederick S. AddyLissa Anderson

Andrea & Jack AngeloJeanette & Ernest Auerbach

Charles Edward Cooper*Suzannah CoxDr. Bill Crouch*

Dr. Harvey Evans & Gloria EvansEve Everett Fish*

Drs. Dee & Ben* FruchterAnne N. Gibbs*

Jeanette M. GoodfriendAndrew & Mary Ann Heller

Ellen & Alfred King*William Henry Kirchner, III*

Edythe Rose Schmidt Kruger*Eva Kuhlman

Mike Don Miguel Le Burkien

Aneta S. Mitchell*Olly & Bob Modersohn

Mrs. W.A. MorrisonJeanette & Ferris Nassour*

Joanne Ravel*Carol & Charles ReynoldsFrances & George Ricker

Peter Schram, Jr.Charlotte E. Schumacher*

Willa Stewart Setseck*Mary Perry Taylor*

Reeta WadzeckJohn Whisenhunt*

David & Catherine WildermuthRuth Gracy Wise

Raymond D. Woods*

*In Memorium

For more information about how you can support Austin Opera through a planned gift, please contact Jennifer Basten, Chief Development Officer, at 512-610-7671.


Honorarium and Memorial

Gifts received from October 1, 2019 to December 23, 2019

Honorariums and memorial contributions are a meaningful way to mark an important occasion or pay tribute to someone to whom Austin Opera was an important part of their life. If you would like

to make a gift, which will be recognized in our upcoming program, please call 512-610-7668. You will receive an acknowledgement, and the recipient or recipient’s family will receive a gift card,

telling them of your thoughtful contribution.

IN HONOR OF AMY & GREG VALENTINEPaul Smith

IN HONOR OF KEN ZINK & IDA JEPPESONAnonymous

IN MEMORY OF MARY HELEN ERCKMarc & Debra Erck

IN MEMORY OF PEGGY HADDENPatricia & James Hadden

IN MEMORY OF LARRY PEELCindy & Gerald Stone

IN LOVING MEMORY OF HARRY EMIL ULLMANNCindy & Gerald Stone

Double Your Donation!

Did you know that over 18 million individuals work for companies that offer matching gift programs, and that an additional $2–$3 billion is donated through matching gifts annually?

Many companies in Austin have matching gift programs–contact your company’s personnel office to find out if your donation can be matched, you’ll make your gift go twice as far while receiving additional donor benefits!

• 3M• Apple• Applied

Materials• AT&T

• Chevron• Cirrus Logic• Cisco• Dell• Exxon

• Google• Hewlett-Packard• IBM• Johnson &

Johnson

• Microsoft• National

Instruments• Pfizer• Silicon Labs


Documents

pageturn.onstagepublications.com...When I read the first draft of Gene Scheer’s libretto for Everest, it began:1. Prologue: ‘Is this how it ends?’ On the heights of Mt. Everest,