IU Opera Theater 2006-7 Season: Don Giovanni

DAVID EFFRON, Conductor
Originally from Cincinnati, OH, distinguished symphony and opera conductor David Effron grew up in a musical family. His father was concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony for 28 years, and his mother was the pianist for that orchestra.

After earning Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in piano at the University of Michigan and Indiana University, respectively, Effron received a Fulbright grant for study in Germany and began his professional career as an assistant to General Music Director Wolfgang Sawallisch at the Cologne Opera. Returning to the United States in 1964, he joined the conducting staff of the New York City Opera, a position he held for 18 years.

In his early career as a pianist, he accompanied such artists as George London, Placido Domingo, and Sherrill Milnes in recital and collaborated with soprano Benita Valente as her accompanist for a decade.

As a prominent educator, Effron taught at the Curtis Institute of Music from 1970 to 1977. As the head of the orchestral program at the Eastman School of Music from 1977 to 1998, he trained hundreds of instrumentalists who are now in professional orchestras worldwide. His conducting students presently hold positions ranging from the assistant conductor of the Philadelphia orchestra to music director positions in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and South America. Since 1998, he has served as professor of conducting at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he was appointed chairman of the Conducting Department in the fall of 2005.

A highly sought after guest conductor with a repertoire of all the standard symphonic works, as well as 105 operas, Effron’s 40-year career has included appearances with major symphony orchestras and opera companies in the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, and the Far East. This coming summer of 2007 will mark his eleventh season as artistic director and principal conductor of the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina.

In 1984, Effron was the conductor for the Grammy award-winning recording of Copland’s Lincoln Portrait. His discography also includes a 1987 Pantheon recording with Benita Valente, which won the German Critics Prize. He joined forces with flutist James Galway for an RCA recording of John Corigliano’s Pied Piper Fantasy, winning a top prize from Ovation Magazine.

In 2003, Effron received the Musicians of the Year Award from the National Federation of Music Clubs. In recognition and acknowledgement of his pedagogical contributions, he was honored in the spring of 2004 with the unveiling of a portrait to be displayed at the University of Rochester’s prestigious Eastman School of Music.

In the spring of 2006, Effron was awarded an honorary doctorate from North Carolina State University.

Leporello, servant of Don Giovanni

Canadian baritone, Gregory Brookes, is completing his third year of study in the Doctor of Music program at IU. After receiving a BMus in clarinet performance from the University of Calgary, he pursued graduate work at the Eastman School of Music, where he earned a Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Literature. He has performed with opera companies throughout North America, including NUOVA Opera Edmonton, Opera in Concert of Toronto, Eastman Opera Theatre, Brevard Music Festival, IU Opera Theater, Indiana University Theatre, and Ohio Light Opera. His operatic and musical theater roles include Leporello in Don Giovanni, Lindorf in Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Don Geronio in The Turk in Italy, the title role in Sweeney Todd, Pooh Bah and the title role in The Mikado, Simone in Gianni Schicchi, Elviro in Xerxes, Orgon in Tartuffe, the Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance, Cervantes in Man of LaMancha, Alfred Doolittle in My Fair Lady, and Billus in South Pacific. In addition to his busy performance schedule, he is also an active teacher and is the public relations secretary of the IU Student NATS Chapter. He currently studies with Tim Noble.

Bass-baritone Alan Dunbar is currently working on his Master of Music in Voice and studies with Costanza Cuccaro. Dunbar did his undergraduate study in music theory and composition at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. He debuted with IU Opera Theater in the 2004-2005 season as Alcindoro in La bohéme, also appearing as Louis in William Bolcom’s A View from the Bridge, Dick Deadeye in H.M.S. Pinafore , Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte, Dr. Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia, and, most recently, as Pish Tush in The Mikado. His other roles include Pangloss/Voltaire in Bernstein’s Candide and Prince Gremin in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin with Opera Twin Cities, and the Abbot in the new opera Sicut Erat by New England composer Brian Griffeath-Loeb. From 1998 to 2004, Dunbar performed throughout North America and Europe with the internationally acclaimed male chamber vocal ensemble Cantus.

Donna Anna

Siân Davies is currently pursuing her Master of Music in Voice at IU Jacobs School of Music. This is her first performance with IU Opera Theatre. Last year at IU, Davies appeared as a soloist in Robert D. Levin’s completion of W. A. Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, K.427 and J. S. Bach’s Magnificat in D Minor, BWV 243. Davies has been seen on the stage in Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle (Bel Canto Northwest), Puccini’s La bohème (Michigan State Opera Theatre), and Maury Yeston’s Nine (Michigan State Opera Theatre). Past oratorio engagements include performances of Mozart’s Vesperae Solennes de Confessore KV 339, W. A. Mozart’s Requiem, K.626, and Vivaldi’s Gloria in D Major, RV 588. Davies graduated from Michigan State University with Bachelor of Music degrees in Voice Performance and Music Education. This summer, Davies participated in her first young artists program as a Studio Artist with Central City Opera. She is a student of Costanza Cuccaro.

Joanna Ruszała graduated from the Academy of Music in Katowice, Poland, where she studied with H. Januszewska’s class and received a Master of Music degree, later becaming a member of the voice faculty. Ruszała’s awards include the VIII International Ada Sari Competition of Vocal Art in Nowy Sącz ( Poland), where she won the Second Prize and a Special Prize for Outstanding Soprano. She was also a laureate of Polish Vocal Competitions in Duszniki Zdrój and in Katowice, where she received a Special Prize from the artistic director of Silesian Philharmonics. She has given recitals and opera performances in Italy, Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Bulgaria, where she made her operatic debut as Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto, which was held in Varna State Opera. Among her roles are W. A. Mozart’s Der Schauspiel Direktor and concert versions of Verdi’s La traviata, Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore and DonPasquale, Delibes’ Lakme, Gounod’s Faust, and Moniuszko’s Flis. In addition, Ruszała has performed oratorios and masses with the National Orchestra of Polish Radio and with many other Polish Philharmonics. Currently, she is pursuing her Performer Diploma and studying with Teresa Kubiak.

Don Giovanni

Austin Kness, baritone, hailing from Cedar Rapids, IA, came to the IU Jacobs School of Music after receiving his B.A. in Music from the University of Northern Iowa. He most recently participated in the Des Moines Metropolitan Opera apprentice program (Summer 2006), where he performed the role of Count Ceprano in Rigoletto, in addition to performing in many scenes recitals and mainstage choruses. His past credits with the IU Jacobs School of Music include the roles of Escamillo in Carmen (Spring 2006) and Eddie Carbone in William Bolcom’s A View from the Bridge(Spring 2005). In the Summer of 2005, Kness performed with the Cedar Rapids Opera Theater in the role of Morales in Carmen and, afterwards, participated in the AIMS program in Graz, Austria, where he was selected as the baritone soloist for the season opening performance of Bernstein’s “Arias and Barcaroles.” Kness is a third year master’s student in the studio of Patricia Stiles.

Justin Moore, a first year graduate student in voice at Indiana University, has been singing since childhood. He made his operatic debut as Guglielmo in Così fan tutte in 2000 at Mercyhurst College. He was also involved in musical theater, performing Guiteau in Sondheim’s Assassins and Adam in Harnack’s The Apple Tree. More recently, he covered the role of Papageno at the University of Washington in 2003. Recent roles at Indiana University include The Jailor in Dialogues des Carmélites and Morales in Carmen. Moore studies with Andreas Poulimenos.

The Commendatore, Donna Anna's father

Bass John Paul Huckle appeared last season as Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet and Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A student of Robert Harrison, Huckle is a native of Pittsburgh, PA, and is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Voice from Indiana University. This past summer, he attended Central City Opera's young artist program and covered the role of Jacob in The Ballad of Baby Doe. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice, as well as a Performer Diploma. At IU, his roles include Sarastro in W. A. Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Antonio in The Marriage of Figaro, the Commendatore in Don Giovanni, Pistola in Verdi’s Falstaff, and Olin Britt in The Music Man. Huckle has attended the Brevard Music Program, where he performed in Don Giovanni and Falstaff. Huckle has also attended Opera North’s young artist program in Lebanon, NH, and has performed the roles of Theseus in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Friar Jean in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, Sciarrone and the Jailer in Puccini’s Tosca, Superintendent Budd in Britten’s Albert Herring, and covered the role of Don Alhambra in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers. Huckle is a former student of Giorgio Tozzi.

Miroslaw Witkowski, bass, is a Barbara and David Jacobs Fellowship scholar from Nowy Sacz, Poland. He received his master’s degree from Music Academy in Łódz, Poland. Witkowski has won numerous awards and competitions throughout Europe, including the International Festival of Young Laureates of Music Competitions and the International Vocal Competition in Katowice. He has sung the bass roles in J. S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor and W. A. Mozart’s Sollenes de Confessore. His previous opera credits include participation in Schubert’s Conspirator and Eugene Onegin, as well as singing the roles of Don Basilio in Barbiere di Siviglia and Ariodate in Handel’s Xerxes. Witkowski is a student of Timothy Noble.

Don Ottavio, Donna Anna's betrothed

A native of Parke County, IN, tenor Matthew Latta is beginning his first year of doctoral studies in voice at IU. His operatic performance credits include Flute (A Midsummer Night's Dream), Jupiter (Semele), Eisenstein (Die Fledermaus), First Bird in Richard Faith's Beauty and the Beast (world premiere), and Martin in Bruce Trinkley and Richard Charnesky's opera opera.com.edy (world premiere). Latta's choral repertoire includes solo work in Monteverdi's Magnificat, Durufle's Requiem, J. S. Bach's Cantatas BWV 16, BWV 106, and BWV 131, Britten's Hymn to Saint Cecilia, and W. A. Mozart's Missa Brevis in C Major. Master class and workshop studies include such teachers as William Dees, Judith and Beth Auer, Shirlee Emmons, Roger Vignoles, The King's Singers, and participation in Timothy Noble's Charley Creek Foundation 2006 Vocal Workshop. Latta is a collegiate alumni member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, an alumnus of Mortar Board senior honor society, and is presently a member of the student NATS association at Indiana University. Latta is currently a student of Brian Horne.

Florin Olimpio, tenor, was born in Transylvania, Romania. Following studies at the Orthodox Theological High School in Bucharest, he enrolled at the National University of Music in Bucharest, where he received his Artist Diploma in Voice. Olimpio has studied voice with Ionel Voineag, Corneliu Fanateanu, and Virginia Zeani. Olimpio won the Ioan Holender (director of Vienna Stasooper) Deutsche Bank Prize (2002), Pro Arte Vienna (2002), and both the Rotary International and Brasov Opera award at the Traian Grozavescu International Voice Competitions. In addition, he won the Brasov Lieder Competition (2003) and the Career Bridges Award in New York (May 2006). Olimpio performed Prince Tamino in Die Zauberflöte and Alfred in Die Fledermaus in Bucharest, Romania. He made his debut with IU Opera Theater as Count Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia. He is currently pursuing his Performer Diploma in Voice, studying with Andreas Poulimenos.

Donna Elvira, a noble lady

Carolina Castells, from Miami, FL, is currently a master's student at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She received a bachelor's degree in vocal performance from the University of Miami, where she performed the roles of Pamina in The Magic Flute and Yum-Yum in The Mikado. With IU Opera Theater, she has recently performed the role of Emily Webb in Ned Rorem's Our Town. She currently studies with Costanza Cuccaro.

Vera Savage is in her first year of the doctoral program at IU. Savage was seen as Fiordiligi in last season's production of Così fan tutte, Pamina in the 2004 production of W. A. Mozart's The Magic Flute, and during the 2003 season Anna Glawari in Lehar's The Merry Widow, also under the direction of Tito Capobianco. Prior to her studies at Indiana University, Savage received her B.M. from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she was seen in many roles, including the title role in Handel's Alcina, Rosalinda in Strauss' Die Fledermaus, and Marenka in Smetana's The Bartered Bride. Savage has spent three summers at the Chautauqua Institute, where she was seen as Helena in Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream, the title role in Poulenc's Les Mamelles de Tiresias, and, most recently, as Violetta in La traviata. She placed second in Chicago's Bel Canto Foundation competition last spring and received the top vocal award in the 2006 Arts and Letters Competition in Bloomington. While at IU, Savage has studied with Costanza Cuccaro and Tim Noble, and is currently a student of Carol Vaness.

Zerlina, a peasant girl

Natalie Ford, a native of San Mateo, CA, is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Voice at Indiana University. Last fall, she performed the role of Tytania in IU Opera Theater’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Other past roles include Nun of the Convent in Dialogues des Carmélites and Pauline in Bloomington Music Works’ The Toyshop. Ford graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music from Valparaiso University, where opera roles performed include Adele in Die Fledermaus and Kate in The Ballad of Baby Doe. Ford was also involved in VU’s theatre department, receiving Irene Ryan nominations for her portrayals of Léonide in Triumph of Love and Rosalind in Shakespeare’s As You Like It. She has participated in summer voice programs including the Charlie Creek Vocal Workshop, The Bay Area Summer Opera Theater Institute, and The University of Miami at Salzburg. She is a student of Scharmal Schrock.

Naomi Isabel Ruiz, a native of Port Orchard, WA, is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Voice at IU. As a McNair Scholar, Ruiz graduated cum laude with a BM in Music Education from Central Washington University. At CWU, she performed in newly composed one act operas, including Obassan in Sedge Hats, the title role in Soul Catcher, and in many opera scenes, as well as the title role in Cinderella with Valley Musical Theatre. At BASOTI last summer, Ruiz performed as Ännchen in Der Freischütz and Constance in Dialogues des Carmélites in opera scene productions. She studied at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, attending the master class of Patricia Wise in the summer 2004. While at IU, she has been seen as Carolina in Il Matrimonio Segreto, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, and Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro in opera workshop productions. In addition to her IU scholarships, she was awarded the 2006 Mu Phi Epsilon International Brena Hazzard Voice Scholarship. Ruiz is a student of Patricia Wise.

Masetto, her fiancé

Jong Hun Cha, a native of Korea, received his Performer Diploma at IU and is working toward a Master of Music in Voice. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Korean National University of Arts in Seoul, South Korea. He earned 1st place in the Jeon-Buk Music Competition of Korea. While at IU, he has appeared as M. Javelinot in Dialogues des Carmélites and the Duke of Verona in Roméo et Juliette . Cha studies with Giorgio Tozzi.

Adam Cioffari, bass-baritone, is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Voice. Previous roles at IU Opera Theater have included Snug the Joiner in A Midsummer Night's Dream and the 2nd Armored Man in The Magic Flute. This summer, he was a member of the Janiec Opera Company at the Brevard Music Center, where he performed the role of Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music. Also a member of the JOC in 2005, he sang the roles of Sir Joseph Porter in H.M.S. Pinafore, and Count Ceprano in Rigoletto. In 2004, he was a member of the College Light Opera Company, where he played the Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe, Rapunzel's Prince in Into the Woods, and Enoch Snow in Carousel. He is currently a student of Andreas Poulimenos.