Glimmerglass Opera
Young American Artists Program
Glimmerglass Opera's acclaimed Young American Artists Program was established in 1988, a year after the Alice Busch Opera Theater was built-the first purpose-built opera auditorium in the U.S. since the Metropolitan Opera in 1966.
The Program promotes an artistically challenging environment by providing performance experience for gifted singers at the outset of their professional careers. Distinguishing Glimmerglass's program from many of its counterparts is the number of mainstage roles offered as part of the summer's activities, including significant roles in all of this year's four new productions. New in the 2007 season is the addition of concert performances in which Young Artists will also participate. In addition to these opportunities, Young Artists can cover distinguished colleagues on the guest artist roster.
As well as rehearsing and performing in the uniquely intimate environment of the Alice Busch Opera Theater, Young Artists receive musical coaching and develop such skills as diction, audition preparation, and the business aspect of managing a career. Another facet of the program is the Young Artists recital series. Each Young Artist gives a 40 minute song recital centered around themes based on the season repertoire. Masterclasses by Festival artists and outside guests have been given by, among others, Catherine Malfitano, Vinson Cole, William Warfield, Diana Soviero, and Ruth Golden.
Exposure through roles in performance often leads to contracts with many artistic administrators and artists' managers, as well as frequent opportunities throughout the summer to audition for these visitors. During the 2006 season, Young Artist audition panelists included representatives of Herbert Barrett Management, IMG Artists, ICM, and artistic administrators from The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Opera Omaha, and Houston Grand Opera.
Glimmerglass Opera's proud history of inviting its Young Artists to return in principal roles is maintained with eight alumni in 2007.
"Its 900-seat theater is lovely, its program is both adventurous and appealing, and over and over again it offers fine singers and interesting productions."
The New York Times, July 1, 2005
"I feel so fortunate to have been a Young Artist at Glimmerglass Opera. Not only was I given the opportunity to perform a significant role on the mainstage, but also to audition for numerous managers and artistic administrators. Now as a guest artist at Glimmerglass, I am so grateful for the training, exposure, and non-stop encouragement I received as a young artist. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is ready for the next step toward a career in opera!"
Sarah Coburn (YAAP 2002, title roles Patience 2004 and Lucie de Lammermoor 2005)
2007 Festival Season
Artistic Director to end 2006 - Stewart Robertson
Artistic Administrator - Nicholas G. Russell
- ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD (Offenbach) in English
July 7, 9m, 15m, 24m, 29m; August 2, 4m, 7m, 10, 13m, 18, 26m
- Conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni
Director Eric Einhorn
Sets Allen Moyer
Costumes Gabriel Berry
Lighting Shawn K. Kaufman
Orpheus Kurt Lehmann
Eurydice Jill Gardner
Public Opinion Joyce Castle
Aristeus/Pluto Roger Honeywell
Jupiter Jake Gardner
- ORPHÉE ET EURYDICE (Gluck/Berlioz) in French
July 8m, 14, 22m; August 3, 6m, 9, 11m, 19m, 25, 28m
- Conductor Julian Wachner
Director Lillian Groag
Sets John Conklin
Costumes Constance Hoffman
Lighting Robert Wierzel
Choreographer Nicola Bowie
Orphée Michael Maniaci
Eurydice Amanda Pabyan
- ORPHÉE (Glass) in French
July 21, 23m, 31m; August 4, 12m, 16, 18m, 21m, 24, 27m
- Conductor Anne Manson
Director Sam Helfrich
Sets Andrew Lieberman
Costumes Kay Voyce
Lighting Aaron Black
Orphée Palle Knudsen
Eurydice Caroline Worra
La Princesse Lisa Saffer
Heurtebise Jeffrey Lentz
- L'ORFEO (Monteverdi) in Italian
July 28, 30m; August 5m, 11, 14m, 17, 20m, 23, 25m
- Conductor Anthony Walker
Director Christopher Alden
Sets Paul Steinberg
Costumes Doey Luethi
Lighting Adam Silverman
Choreographer Claire Glaskin
Orfeo* Michael Slattery
Euridice Megan Monaghan
Messagiera/Prosperina Katherine Rohrer
Apollo Matthew Garrett
- L'ANIMA DEL FILOSOFO [ossia Orfeo ed Euridice] (Haydn) in Italian
August 5 and 9 at 11:00 AM
- Orfeo (tenor) tba
Euridice (soprano) Sarah Coburn
ALL ROLES, UNLESS INDICATED BY *, WILL BE COVERED BY YOUNG ARTISTS
ROLES AVAILABLE TO YOUNG AMERICAN ARTISTS
