The Wagner Singer · The Wagner Singer is intended to introduce leading opera directors, ......

The Wagner SingerVolume I, No.1 October 2004

A Publication of the Evelyn Lear andThomas Stewart Emerging Singers Program

A Partnership withthe Wagner Society of Washington, DC

Over the last four years, the Evelyn Lear & Thomas Stewart Emerging Singers Program (ESP) hasguided some of the most talented young voices in opera. In addition, the Program has staged ninesuccessful concerts. The Wagner Singer is intended to introduce leading opera directors, producers,intendants and agents around the world to a new generation of Wagner performers.○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

The Evelyn Lear and Thomas Stewart Emerging Singers ProgramThe Wagner Society of Washington, DC

P.O. Box 33051Washington, DC 20033

Phone 301.907.2600 • Fax 301.907.8671www.wagner-dc.org

16 Selected Emerging Singers

Charles Robert Austin,Bass-baritone (P. 3)

Nathan Bahny,Baritone (P. 3)

Brian Carter,Tenor (P. 3)

Michael Hayes,Tenor (P. 3)

Matt Leopold,Baritone (P. 3)

Gail Sullivan,Mezzo-soprano (P. 5)

Jason Switzer,Bass-Baritone (P. 5)

Thomas Rolf Truhitte,Heldentenor (P. 5)

Caroline Whisnant,Soprano (P. 6)

Jennifer Wilson,Soprano (P. 6)

David Smith,Tenor (P. 5)

Roy Stevens,Tenor (P. 5)

Roxanne Rowedder,Mezzo-soprano (P. 4)

Jennifer Rodderer,Mezzo-soprano (P. 4)

Paul Mow,Tenor (P. 4)

Amanda Mace,Soprano (P. 4)

Inside This Issue

Greeting from Evelyn Learand Thomas Stewart (p.2)

16 Selected Singers in theProgram (pp. 3 to 6)

Chronology of EmergingSingers Concerts (p.6)

Support the Emerging SingersFund (p. 7)

Views of the Critics (p.7)

Invitation to Aspiring Singers (p.7)

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Greetings from Evelyln Lear and Thomas Stewart

We both thank you for reading this first issue of The Wagner Singer. We hope it will provide you with information about many ofthe promising young people the Emerging Singers Program is helping. It is our goal to do all we can to encourage and developAmerican singers who have genuine potential for careers singing the music of Richard Wagner --- through auditions, rehearsals,public concerts, and follow-on coaching, financial and other assistance.

The Emerging Singers Program is focused on artists who have already demonstrated both the talent, and perhaps more importantly,the commitment over time to careers in opera. Also, the Program is not focused on singers who are already being hired by majoropera houses on a regular basis, but on singers who, with the Program's help, can achieve that level of success. Of course, theProgram is also intended to provide for the study and enjoyment of Wagner's art.

We are delighted by our partnership in this endeavor with the Wagner Society of Washington, DC and we are encouraged by yourinterest and support.

Betty Bullock (Piano) is a favorite of the singers at the German Embassy concerts where she has sensi-tively accompanied them as a talented and experienced Wagner pianist.. She has been a member of themusic staff at the Washington National Opera since 1982. She holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatoryand UNC-Chapel Hill. She studied at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria and at the Hochschule für Musik,in Munich on a German Government grant. She is a former faculty member, Duke University and OberlinConservatory, and a winner of a Franz Schubert Prize for Accompanists, Baden bei Wien, Austria. She is afaculty member at American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, and since 1997, a faculty memberof the University of Miami Summer Vocal Institute in Salzburg, Austria.

John Edward Niles is the Program Director of the Evelyn Lear and Thomas Stewart Emerging Singers Program. He is a member of theBoard of Directors of the Wagner Society of Washington, DC and the Director of the Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia ((OTNV).

The 9th Emerging Singers Concert (October 8, 2004)at the German Embassy, Washington, DC

The rehearsalsEvelyn Lear and Thomas

Stewart review the programwith the singers and Betty

Bullock (back to camera) andJohn Edward Niles in

background.

Evelyn Lear reviews the scoreswith Roxanne Rowedder andJason Switzer.

The performers accept the applause, left to right: Jason Switzer, Mathew Lepold,David Smith, Brian Carter, Roxanne Rowedder and Betty Bullock with Evelyn Lear,Thomas Stewart and John Edward Niles.

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WAGNER ROLES: Hunding, Wotan and King MarkeCharles Robert Austin sang Wotan’s Farewell in the 6th (May 2003) and 7th (September 2003)Concerts. Previously, he had appeared with Arizona Opera and Michigan Opera Theatre. His Wagnerroles with the Virginia Opera include Hunding in 2003 and King Marke in February 2005. He hasappeared with Virginia Opera as Rocco in the 2004 production of Fidelio. He has also appeared withPittsburgh Opera, the University of Nebraska Symphony and the Madison, Wisconsin, Symphony. Anative of Nebraska, Mr. Austin has served as an officer in the US Marine Corps and worked as abusinessman before turning his full attention to developing his opera singing career. He resides inSeattle. [email protected]

WAGNER ROLES: Alberich and HundingBass Nathan Bahny sang Alberich roles in the 4th (May 2002) and 5th (October 2002) Concerts. Hehas performed numerous roles for New York City’s West Side Opera. In 2003, he appeared in the WestSide Opera’s Götterdämmerung and as Benoit in Baz Lurhmann’s Broadway staging of La Bohème.His Italian repertoire encompasses roles such as Dr. Dulcamara. A native New Yorker, Mr. Bahny’swas a member of the New York Virtuoso singers during the city’s 1990 Bang on a Can Festival and hasappeared in several concerts with the Liederkrantz Society in New York. [email protected]

WAGNER ROLES: SiegmundTenor Brian Carter sang Winterstürme in the 9th (October 2004) Concert. He studied at the Universityof North Carolina at Greensboro and at the University of Houston. He has performed with Opera Northand the Greensboro Opera. He recently completed his second season with the Merola Opera Programin San Francisco. He has performed the role of Max in Der Freischütz, Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticanaand Boris in Katya Kabanova. He will be singing the role of Lennie in Of Mice and Men in 2006. Heis a student of soprano Jane Eaglen. [email protected]

WAGNER ROLES: Siegmund and ErikTenor Michael Hayes sang in the 6th (May 2003) Concert. Recent engagements have included Calafin Turandot with Knoxville Opera, Edmonton Opera, and most recently with Virginia Opera. In thesummer of 2004 he sang Otello with Catholic University Summer Opera. His Wagner roles includeSiegmund in Die Walküre and Erik in Der fliegende Holländer. He has also appeared in major roleswith Cleveland Opera, Opera Dayton and Kentucky Opera (Louisville, Ky). Mr. Hayes resides inHyattsville, Md. [email protected]

WAGNER ROLES: An Emerging Wagner BaritoneBaritone Matthew Lepold sang in the 8th (May 2004) and 9th (October 2004) Concerts. He participatedin the Wagner Society of Washington, DC weekend seminar Wagner in der Wildnis: Götterdämmerungin June 2004. He has performed with the McLean Symphony, George Mason Symphony, and the N.I.H.Orchestra. His roles range from Gilbert and Sullivan (Sir Roderick, Sir Marmaduke) to Ramfis in Aidaand Silvio in I Pagliacci. He performed Mr. Johnson in the premiere of Garrison Hull’s Nancy and willappear as Alessio in Opera Bel Canto’s La Sonnambula. He was also a 1997 Metropolitan OperaRegional Finalist. He studies voice with John Fiorito. [email protected]

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WAGNER ROLES: A Bayreuth Ortlinde and EvaSoprano Amanda Mace sang in the 2nd (May 2001) Concert. She will make her Bayreuth debut in 2006as Ortlinde in the new Ring production to be conducted by Christian Thielemann. She is also engaged atBayreuth to sing Eva in Die Meistersinger in 2007. In November 2004, she will sing Leonore at theChiemgau MusikFest in Gut Immling. In 2004 she appeared in Britten’s War Requiem with the BachOrchestra in Hannover and Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 at the Gran Canaria Festival in Las Palmas. In 2003she sang Gerhilde with the Bamberg Sinfoniker and Ah! Perfido with the Rotterdam Philharmonic underEdo de Waart. Her 2002 engagements included performances of Elijah with the Minnesota Orchestraconducted by Helmut Rilling. [email protected]

WAGNER ROLES: Steuermann andTristanTenor Paul Mow sang in the 2nd (May 2001) Concert and 4th Annual Wagner Society of Washington, DCbanquet in June (2002). He sang Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos at the Catholic University SummerOpera Theatre in 2003. He adds two Wagner roles to his rapidly expanding repertoire in early 2005. Hesings the Steuermann in Der fliegende Holländer with the Anchorage Opera in January, followed byTristan in February, in the Rostock OperTheater’s concert version of Act I of Tristan und Isolde. Hereturns to New York for performances of the Beethoven 9th, then goes on the perform Lennie in theToledo Opera’s Of Mice and Men, which he also performed with New York City Opera. He appeared inNYCO production of Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria and Sousa’s The Glass Blowers, which he originatedwith the Glimmerglass Opera. [email protected]

WAGNER ROLES: Ortrud, Erda and WaltrauteMezzo-soprano Jennifer Roderer sang in the 6th (May 2003) and 8th (May 2004) Concerts. Her versatilerepertory extends from works written by Baroque-era composers to 21st century fare. After her 1999debut at New York City Opera as Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte, she has appeared with the company asGiovanna in Rigoletto, Jade Boucher in Dead Man Walking, and Junon in Rameau’s Platèe. She has sungin the Ring at the Seattle Opera and in the Lyric Opera of Chicago production of Die Walküre. She madeher European debut at Open Air Gars as Amneris in Aida and appeared in Les Noces with the Los AngelesMaster Chorale. In February 2005 she sings Santuzza for the Sarasota Opera. [email protected]

WAGNER ROLES: FrickaMezzo soprano Roxanne Rowedder sang in 6th (May 16, 2003) and 9th (October 8, 2004) Concerts.She is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa. She has performed the role of Dryad in Ariadne aufNaxos with Sarasota Opera, Emilia in Otello with Opera Delaware and the role of Ulrica in Un ballo inMaschera with Brevard Music Festival. She has also performed the role of Mamma Lucia in Mascagni’sCavalleria Rusticana with New Jersey Opera. Ms. Rowedder has received from the George LondonFoundation the George London/Kirsten Flagstad Award. She has received a study grant from The WagnerSociety of New York, Sarasota Opera’s Kern Grant, and the Fritz and Lavinia Jensen FoundationEncouragement Award. [email protected]

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WAGNER ROLES: Siegmund and TannhäuserTenor David Smith sang in the 9th (October 2004) Concert. He has performed with the Kentucky Opera,Louisville Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, Indiana Opera Theater, Opera Theater Saint Louis, and theDes Moines Metro Opera. Internationally he has performed with the Israeli Vocal Arts Institute and OperaAegea, and the Slaskie Philharmonic in Katowice, Poland. He has performed principal roles in I Pagliacci,Cavalleria Rusticana, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, Faust, La Forza del Destino, Wozzeck, and other operas.He is also in demand as an oratorio performer. He has performed the tenor solos in the Mozart Requiem, theBeethoven Missa Solemnis, the Verdi Requiem, the Beethoven 9th Symphony and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass.He performed Schubert’s Mass in G and Beethoven’s Mass in C at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Smith was the featuredtenor soloist with the Concert Artists of Baltimore with whom he completed numerous performances in 2002and 2003. Mr. Smith is on the faculty of the University of Maryland Baltimore County. [email protected]

WAGNER ROLES: Loge, Siegfried and TristanTenor Roy Stevens sang in the 7th (September 2003) and 8th (May 2004) Concerts. He recently madehis Heldentenor debut at Austria’s Tiroler Festspiele after an already successful career as a bass-baritone.Aside from several Wagner roles in the heldentenor repertoire, he has performed Florestan in Fidelio,Don Josè in Carmen, Canio in I Pagliacci, Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos, and others. Baritone careerhighlights include a role in Prokofiev’s War and Peace at the Metropolitan Opera, and engagements atthe Theatre du Chatelet in Paris and at Barcelona’s Gran Theatre del Liceu. [email protected]

WAGNER ROLES: Senta, Brünnhilde and KundrySoprano Gail Sullivan sang in the 4th (May 2002) and 6th May 2003) Concerts. Her Wagner rolesinclude Senta, Brünnhilde and Kundry, which she has performed both in the U.S. and Germany. She iscurrently engaged on contract at Theater Regensburg. Ms. Sullivan sang in Don Carlos in Regensburg in2004. In the autumn 2004 she will perform the First Lady in Die Zauberflöte. She will perform Santuzzain Cavalleria Rusticana and the Mahler 8th Symphony. [email protected]

WAGNER ROLES: WotanBaritone Jason Switzer sang in the 9th (October 2004) Concert. He graduated from the University ofSouthern California at Long Beach. He is presently studying at the Philadelphia Academy of Music. Heperformed the three Villains in Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann at Central City, Colorado in 2004. Hehas also performed the role of Orest in Strauss’s Elektra, the Count in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro andDulcamara in L’Elisir d’Amore of Donizetti. He was a Metropolitan Opera semi-finalist in 2004. He hasperformed with Opera North and at the Tanglewood Festival. [email protected]

WAGNER ROLES: Siegmund, Tristan, Erik, Lohengrin and ParsifalHeldentenor Thomas Rolf Truhitte sang in the 3rd (October 2001) and 4th (May 2002) Concerts. He is afavorite of audiences in the Washington, DC area from his appearances with the Virginia Opera as Siegmund inDie Walküre and Florestan in Fidelio in 2003 and 2004. He returns to the Virginia Opera in February 2005 forhis Tristan. His appearances have garnered accolades from Seattle to Spoleto. His repertory also includesDon Jose (Seattle Opera, Opera San Jose, Sacramento Opera), Parsifal (Genoa Opera, conducted by LorinMaazel), Bacchus (Opera Monte-Carlo), Max (Metz Opera), and Lohengrin (Spoleto Festival). His lyric rolesinclude Erik, Alfredo, Pinkerton, Lensky, Tom Rakewell and the tenor part in Das Lied von der [email protected]

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The Emerging Singers Program 2000 to 2004Nine Concerts and Public Performance Opportunities for 21 Singers

Extensive rehearsals and coaching were provided by Evelyn Lear and Thomas Stewart in preparation for these concerts. Most

concerts were presented at the German Embassy, Washington, DC with the singers accompanied by pianist Betty Bullock. Two

single concerts were held at the Smithsonian Institution (7th) and the Northern Virginia Community College (8th) with singers

accompanied by the Friday Morning Music Club Orchestra under the baton of Sylvia Alimena.

lst Concert Concert(April 15, 2000)Connie Coffelt,SopranoLaura Zuiderveen,Mezzo Soprano(German Embassy)

2nd Concert(May 2001)Amy Fuller,SopranoRay Karms,Bass BaritoneAmanda Mace,SopranoPaul Mow,Tenor(German Embassy)

3rd Concert(October 19, 2001)Alma De Lon,Soprano

3rd Concert (Continued)Jason Detwiler,BaritoneThomas Rolf Truhitte,TenorJennifer Wilson,SopranoLaura Zuiderveen,Mezzo Soprano(German Embassy)

4th Concert(May 3, 2002)Nathan Bahny,BaritoneJennifer Roderer,Mezzo SopranoGail Sullivan,SopranoThomas Rolf Truhitte,Tenor(German Embassy)

8th Concert (Continued)Mathew Lepold,Baritone(with Friday MorningMusic Club atNorthern VirginiaCommunity College)

9th Concert(October 8, 2004)Roxanne Rowedder,Mezzo SopranoBrian Carter,TenorJason Switzer,Bass-BaritoneDavid Smith,TenorMathew Lepold,Baritone(German Embassy)

5th Concert(October 21, 2002)Nathan Bahny,BaritoneAllison Bolshoi,SopranoRichard Demers,BaritoneLawrence Harris,Tenor(German Embassy)

6th Concert(May 16, 2003)Charles Robert Austin,Bass BaritoneMichael Hayes,TenorRoxanne Rowedder,Mezzo SopranoGail Sullivan,Soprano(German Embassy)

7th Concert(September 31, 2003)Charles Robert Austin, Bass BaritoneRoy Stevens,TenorCaroline Whisnant,Soprano(with Friday MorningMusic Club Orchestra atthe Smithsonian Institution)

8th Concert(May 21, 2004)Jennifer Wilson,SopranoJennifer Roderer,Mezzo SopranoRoy Stevens,Tenor

WAGNER ROLES: Senta, Elisabeth and IsoldeSoprano Caroline Whisnant sang in the 7th (September 2003) Concert at the Smithsonian Institutionseminar jointly-sponsored with the Wagner Society of Washington, DC. Following her acclaimed Europeandebut as Elektra with the Badisches Staatstheater in Karlsruhe, she joined the Mannheim Opera, whereshe is appearing as Isolde, Senta, Elisabeth, and Leonore. She sang Ariadne at the Broomhill Festival.She has sung Norma in Kentucky, Dallas, Portland, Bogota and Santiago; Turandot (Santiago and Dallas),Freia (Arizona Opera), and Rosalinda (Kentucky Opera). Her repertory encompasses the lyric Desdemona(Baltimore Opera), the Madame Lidoine (Tulsa) and Santuzza (Kansas City Opera). [email protected]

WAGNER ROLES: Helmwige, Gutrune, Brünnhilde (cover for Jane Eaglen at Chicago Lyric)Soprano Jennifer Wilson sang in the 3rd (October 2001) and 8th (September 2004) Concerts as well asat the September 2002 Gala Benefit. She also appeared as a panelist with Thomas Stewart and critic TimPage in the Wagner Society of Washington, DC seminar at the Smithsonian Institution in September 2003.She made her operatic debut in the role of Turandot with the Connecticut Opera in October 2002, a roleshe repeated for the Houston Grand Opera in 2004 to great critical acclaim. Her debut role for the LyricOpera of Chicago in 2002 was Helmwige. She will reprise this role again in the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s2005 Ring cycle, when she will sing her first Gutrune. She will also cover for Jane Eaglen’s Brünnhilde. Shewill perform Helmwige in Die Walküre at the Teatre du Châtelet in Paris. She will appear in an Amsterdamradio broadcast of Schulhoff’s Flammen, led by Edo de Waart and she will sing Turandot at the Santa Fe Opera in 2005. She is anative or Farifax, Virigina and a favorite in the Washington, DC area. Ms. Wilson is a protege of Evelyn Lear. www.funkhauserartists.com

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Help Develop the Emerging Singers ProgramYour financial contributions help to create opportunities for emerging Wagner singers to perform in public after coaching and rehearsals with EveylnLear and Thomas Stewart. Make your tax deductible contribution using the form, below. Questions: call 301.907.2600

Special thanks to the many previous financial contributors reported in Wagner on the Potomac , the newsletter of theWagner Society of Washington, DC. See the January 2004 issue (Vol 6. No. 1, page 5), which is available online atwww.wagner-dc.org.. Thanks to Guillermo and Cecilia Schultz, John and Lynn Pohanka and Jim and Diana Holman forespecially generous contributions.

Music Critics and the Emerging Singers Peogram

"In retirement from star-quality careers on the opera and concert stage, Thomas Stewart and Evelyn Lear, husband and wife,are passing on the wisdom underlying their artistry to a new generation of singers. ... What is emerging is the maturing to thestatus of Wagnerian singers, something one attains, if ever, only with considerable physical and artistic development." JoanReinthaler, The Washington Post, September 23, 2003 on the 7th Concert.

Lear and Stewart "know good Wagner singing when they see it.". ... They "help identify, mentor and promote singers who showpromise as Wagnerians." The 4th Concert (May 2002) "offered a tantalizing notion that a new vanguard of Wagernians justmight be in the offing." Tim Smith, The Baltimore Sun, May 7, 2002.

The 2nd Concert (May 2001) was "an exciting venture into music of the future" at the German Embassy. ... "Five young Ameri-can singers displayed their promising voices.”. ... "Already three splendid singers are affirming the old truth that no musicalinstrument can match the beauties of the human voice." Cecelia Porter, The Washington Post, May 4, 2001.

"A strong impression was made by four young singers" in the 8th Concert (May 2003). . ... "The program was notable for itsinclusion of extended scenes and relatively unfamiliar material." ... "Conductor Sylvia Alimena accomplished wonders with theFriday Morning Music Club Orchestra, not only in her sensitive accompaniment for the singers but in the Prelude to Tristanund Isolde which opened the program." Joseph McClellan, The Washington Post, May 24, 2004.

Invitation to Aspiring Wagner Singers

To apply for the program see www.wagner-dc.org and submit to the return address of this publication your photo, biographyand a recorded example of your singing. Questions: Call 301.907.2600.

To benefit the Evelyn Lear and Thomas Stewart Emerging Singers Program FundA Partnership with the Wagner Society of Washington, DC

I/We wish to contribute: ❏ $100 ❏ $150 ❏ $250 ❏ $500 ❏ $1,000 ❏ $2,500 ❏ Other ______

Enclosed is check for _____. Make tax deductible contribution payable to: Emerging Singers Program FundCharge to (check one) ❏ VISA or ❏ MC Number ________________________________ Expires ________

Name ________________________________________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________ City ____________________________ State _______ Zip _________

Telephone ____________________________ E-Mail __________________________ Fax _____________________

The Wagner Society of Washington, DCP.O. Box 33051Washington, DC 20033www: wagner-dc.org

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PERMIT NO. 1895

Evelyn Lear & Thomas Stewart The 7th Emerging Singers Concert at the the SmithsonianArtistic Directors Institution with the Friday Morning Music Club Orchestra

conducted by Sylvia Alimena(September 2003).John Edward NilesProgram Director

The Wagner Society of Washington, DCJames K. Holman, ChairmanAurelius Fernandez, President

The Evelyn & Thomas StewartEmerging Singers ProgramP.O. Box 33051Washington, DC 20033Tel 301.907.2600Fax 301.907.8671Email: wagner-dc.org

Editor: Aurelius FernandezCover Design: Chris Boutlier and Helen HuangThe Wagner SingerThe Thomas Stewart and Evelyn LearEmerging Singers Program

The 7th Emerging Singers Concert concluded a Seminar weekend in September 2003 . Inphoto left to right: Thomas Stewart; Mary McLaughlin, Program Coordinator, The SmithsonianAssociates; bass-baritone Charles Robert Austin; soprano Caroline Wisnant; Friday MorningMusic Club Conductor Sylvia Alimena; tenor Roy Stevens with Evelyn Lear.

Wagner Society ofWashington, DC

Chairman J.K. Holmanwith Thoma Stewart

and Evelyn Lear

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