LMC Opera: The Golden Age of Italian Opera
Free
- Emily Riesser, soprano (Despina, Violetta)
- Tiina Ritalahti, soprano (Fiorilla, Gianetta)
- Laurel Sprigg, soprano (Norma, Tosca, Adrianna Lecouvreur)
- Victoria Chaussee, mezzo-soprano (Adalgisa, Princesse de Bouillon)
- Korland Simmons, tenor (Nemorino, Alfredo)
- Sophia Chou, piano
- Melet Whinston, cello
- Regina Thomas, commentary
Gioachino Rossini — "Non si dà follia maggiore" from Il Turco in Italia
Vincenzo Bellini — "Mira, O Norma" from Norma
Gaetano Donizetti — "Una Furtiva Lagrima" from L'elisir d'amore
Gaetano Donizetti — "Saria Possibile?" from L'elisir d'amore ("The Elixir of Love")
Pietro Mascagni — Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana
Giacomo Puccini — "Vissi d'Arte" from Tosca
Francesco Cilea — Adriana Lecouvreur ("Acerba Voluttà" & "Io son l'umile ancella")
Giuseppe Verdi — "Parigi, o Cara" from La traviata
Giuseppe Verdi — "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" (Brindisi) from La traviata
About Ladies Musical Club of Seattle
Formed in 1891, the Ladies Musical Club of Seattle is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to foster classical music amongst our members and in the community through education, performance, and awards. We do this by offering music and education programs to people of all ages and diverse backgrounds in Seattle and across Washington State.
About the Frances Walton Competition: For nearly 40 years, the LMC's Frances Walton Competition has provided a unique opportunity for Classical musicians ages 20 to 35 to audition for an award package including generous cash prizes; a live performance on Classical KING, one of the premier classical music stations in the U.S.; and an outreach and recital tour of locations throughout Washington State.
http://www.lmcseattle.org/About Emily Riesser, soprano (Despina, Violetta)
Soprano Emily Riesser's diverse experience encompasses opera, oratorio, theatre, and new works. She recently portrayed Elle in a staging of Poulenc’s one-voice opera, 'The Human Voice' (Ladies Musical Club), sang Frasquita in 'Carmen' (Kitsap Opera), and played a nun in 'Sister Act' (Tacoma Musical Playhouse). In concert, Emily is known for her interpretation of Bach cantatas, including the Wedding Cantata, which she sang recently in several venues. Favorite experiences include singing Iphigenie in Gluck’s 'Iphigenie en Tauride' (Seattle Opera Guild), Violetta in Verdi’s 'La traviata' (Kitsap Opera), Tamiri in Mozart’s 'Il re pastore' (Off-Center Opera), and soprano chorus at Seattle Opera. Emily is a graduate of Goshen College (Goshen, IN) and past participant in Bel Canto Northwest (Portland State University).
About Tiina Ritalahti, soprano (Fiorilla, Gianetta)
Soprano Tiina Ritalahti holds degrees in music and vocal performance from the University of Washington. She has performed throughout Washington with Northwest Opera in Schools Etcetera (NOISE), Puget Sound Opera, Ladies Musical Club, and Puget Sound Concert Opera as well as being a featured soloist for the Finlandia Foundation. She has sung such roles as the First Spirit and Pamina in Mozart’s 'The Magic Flute', Despina in 'Cosi fan tutte', Lisa in Bellini’s 'La sonnambula', Änchen in 'Der Freischütz' by Weber, Cis in Britten's 'Albert Herring', and Olympia in Offenbach's 'The Tales of Hoffman'. Further she has performed in multiple operas by Menotti: 'Lucy in The Telephone', Monica in 'The Medium', and Laetitia in 'The Old Maid and the Thief'. Her passion for singing also extends to art song repertoire, which she performs regularly in recitals around Western Washington. Tiina has created unique breathing classes for young singers that combine her knowledge and experience as a massage therapist, certified yoga teacher and singer.
About Laurel Sprigg, soprano (Norma, Tosca, Adrianna Lecouvreur)
About Korland Simmons, tenor (Nemorino, Alfredo)
Praised for his ringing voice and easy stage presence, tenor Korland Simmons is a recent transplant to the Pacific Northwest. Most recently, he has appeared in the following roles: Police Buddy 2/Congregant 2 in Blue (Seattle Opera), Don Ramiro in La Cennerentola (Seattle Opera Guild previews), Don Ottavio (Don Giovani-Opera Bend), and Andres/Cochenille/Franz/Pittichinaccio (Les Contes d'Hoffmann-Pacific Northwest Opera). Previous roles include Don Basilio/Don Curzio (Le Nozze di Figaro), Mendoza (Hiram Titus' Rosina), Remus (Treemonisha), Remendado (Carmen), Eduardo Milfort (La Cambiale Matrimonio) and Mayor Upfold (Albert Herring). In addition to opera, Korland is also chorister at Seattle Opera. He studies voice, currently, with Neil Semer.
https://www.korlandsimmons.com/About Sophia Chou, piano
About Melet Whinston, cello
Melet Whinston studied under Maria DeRungs, and was first chair in the Portland Junior Symphony and Princeton University Orchestra. She has presented school performances as a member of the Leschi Trio and as as a duo with Michael Housley, pianist. She has many years of experience as a chamber musician and solo performer, and performs regularly at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church and local recitals.
About Regina Thomas, commentary
An outstanding member of the Northwest musical community for over 20 years, Regina Thomas has performed with a variety of companies including Kitsap Opera, Willamette Concert Opera, Bellevue Opera, Puget Sound Concert Opera, Seattle Opera, and the Seattle Opera Guild. Currently Artistic Director of Puget Sound Concert Opera, Regina has served as Seattle Opera Guild’s VP of Education and is a past President and trustee of concerts for LMC. Favorite operatic roles include Adriana Lecouvreur, Suor Angelica, Tosca, and Judith (Bluebeard's Castle). Concert work includes Schumann's Frauenleibe und-leben, Elgar’s Sea Pictures, and Wagner’s Wesendonck-Lieder; soprano solos in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Fauré Requiem, and Berio's Folk Songs for voice and chamber ensemble.
https://www.musiccenternw.org/regina-thomas