Dueling Divas I - Fresco's First Production

Another trip down memory lane!

Dueling Divas II - Revisited!

We are hard at work at "Big Top Opera," but wanted to take a moment to look back at the fun we had in March with Dueling Divas II - Battle At The Barrymore!

A Fresh Impression

Perception is everything. Well, maybe not EVERYTHING, but it goes far in first impressions. Take opera for example. What do you think of when you hear the word “opera?”

Do you think of “boxing?”

Do you think of “horror movies?”

Do you think of a “circus?”

Fresco has had a very nice logo for the past 2 or so years. It served its purpose. But we felt we needed a new logo to convey who and what “Fresco Opera Theatre” is. Many people are introduced to us through our branding.

Our logo serves as our "first impression."  And while there was no doubt the previous logo had “opera” written over it, it still didn’t capture the complete picture of who we are. Our Artistic and Executive directors started work on a new logo a few weeks ago, and last Saturday unveiled it at our board meeting.
So again, what do you think of when you hear the word “opera?"  And we want you to be honest.

Now think about “opera” and take a gander at our new logo. What do you see?

EXACTLY!

We love it, because it captures the very essence of what Fresco Opera Theatre is.

Fresco Opera Theatre is a fresh approach to opera. It’s not what you think.

http://www.frescooperatheatre.com/

We Are The Champions - Again!

After several performances in several cities, Fresco Opera Theatre has completed its run of Dueling Divas II.  And judging by the reaction of the cast, crew and audiences, it was a complete success.

What is the key to Fresco Opera Theatre’s success? We enjoy what we do. Our passions are opera, and creating new operatic performances that engage audiences. We also want our musicians to have fun performing in the style that is uniquely Fresco.  If we accomplish these goals, we can’t lose. And so far, we have a perfect record.

Melanie Cain, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Fresco Opera Theatre, has created performances where audience members don’t have to worry about being trapped in a 4 hour study hall. Fresco audiences have been exposed to many different operatic styles within the confines of a quick-paced show. After each performance of Dueling Divas II we have heard “I didn’t know I liked opera!” which is music to our ears, and a check mark in the win column.

We have also ventured out past the Madison boundaries, with performances in Appleton WI and La Crosse WI. Our performance at the Trout Museum in Appleton was our second visit there. Last year, we took a condensed version of “Ding Dong, The Diva’s Dead” and staged it in the museum with an audience of approximately 120 people. This year with Dueling Divas II, the museum had to make a waiting list for the overflow of new opera lovers. Another check mark in the win column.

Through the connections in La Crosse of Jess Salek, our Musical Director, we were able to perform a benefit for the La Crosse Historical Society. For a crowd that rarely gets the chance to experience opera, their response to the performance was overwhelming. We were featured on the local news and in the La Crosse Tribune. I don’t know if words can convey the satisfaction we feel when an audience not familiar with the fine arts gives a standing ovation for classical music. Put one more check in the win column.

Fresco Opera Theatre is getting noticed. We will be featured in a prominent arts publication this summer and have been contacted by organizations all around the mid-west. One audience member at our Appleton show, who is associated with a well-known opera company, told us what we are doing is amazing. He went on to say he was going to a production the following day, and that after watching DDII, he knew he would be bored by that production. And this was a seasoned opera veteran. WIN!

A lot of work goes into our productions, but it is a labor of love for us all. The Directors work tirelessly to put out a high caliber performance, making it look effortless. The end result is a magical connection between the audience and performers. And thanks to the hard work and devotion of the Fresco organization, we have a perfect record.

We closed each of the Dueling Divas II shows with the cast coming out on stage and singing Queen’s “We are the Champions,” having the audience sing along. Appropriate considering the operatic nature of the popular music group, and appropriate in capping off our production of Dueling Divas II.



The Fresco Directors / Founders.  Artistic Director, Melanie Cain, pictured with Executive Director (and Announcer) Frank Cain at the Trout Museum in Appleton



Dueling Divas II: Tag Team Battle! Featuring Nancy Anne Davis

Nancy Anne Davis, a soprano, holds a Master’s degree from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor’s degree from Simpson College. Most recently, she participated in the Young Artist Festival in Bayreuth, Germany.

She has also been a part of the Des Moines Metro Opera apprentice program, the Chauteaville Foundation young artist program, and the Crested Butte Music Festival. She has worked with the Fort Worth Symphony where she performed the role of Madame Goldentrill in The Impresario. With the Des Moines Metro Opera she performed the role of Bridget Booth in The Crucible.


Other roles include Despina in Così fan tutte, Miss Wordsworth in Albert Herring, La Feé in Cendrillon, Mrs. Nordstrom in A Little Night Music, Tytania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Joanna in Sweeney Todd, and Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro.

http://www.frescooperatheatre.com/upcoming-performances.html

Dueling Divas II: Tag Team Battle! Featuring Sarah Butler

Sarah Butler is a young soprano who graduated with a BFA in Vocal Performance from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee (May 2008).

Currently, she is residing in Milwaukee studying voice with Connie Haas (Eastman School of Music) and coaching with Jamie Johns (Florentine Opera Company). Recently she was named Runner-up for Concord Chamber Orchestra’s Concerto Competition and will be featured with them next fall.　

She also appeared in the chorus for Florentine Opera's world premiere of Río de Sangre by Don Davis.　 Previously she competed as a Semi-finalist for The Jenny Lind™ Competition for Sopranos and for Classical Idol held by the Rochester Oratorio Society.　

She has appeared in numerous leading roles with UWM Opera and in April 2008 completed her Senior recital with chamber works by Schubert, Ravel, Roussel, Previn, and Earl Kim.  She has an affinity for Baroque and 20th century music and plans to attend graduate school Fall of 2011.

http://www.frescooperatheatre.com/upcoming-performances.html

Dueling Divas II: Tag Team Battle! Featuring CatieLeigh Laszewski

CatieLeigh Laszewski is a recent graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University where she studied with Judith Haddon.

She has performed in Milwaukee, Chicago, and with the Italian Operatic Experience in Urbania and Montecatini Terme, Italy.

Ms. Laszewski placed in the top 30 of young vocalists from around the world in the Centro Universale di Bel Canto live auditions proctored by Mirella Freni in October of 2010.

She hopes to continue to travel and sing before continuing her studies at the graduate level.

CatieLeigh makes her Fresco Opera debut in the Dueling Diva II "Tag Team" battle. 


http://www.frescooperatheatre.com/upcoming-performances.html

Dueling Divas II: Best High Note & Tag Team Battles! Featuring Saira Frank

Soprano Saira Frank, holds a master’s degree in opera from UW-Madison and two bachelor’s degrees, one in vocal performance and one in French from Northwestern University. Her studies also include a year at the National Conservatory in Nantes, France, where she participated in opera scenes and sang the role of Louis in FORTUNIO’S SONG.

A favorite of Madison’s Opera for the Young, Saira has performed in their past three productions of The Magic Flute, The Elixir of Love, and Rusalka, and she is currently singing Mabel in their tour of The Pirates of Penzance.


Saira joins Madison’s Fresco Opera for their third production, Dueling Divas II, after the fierce competition of their first production, Dueling Divas, and last October’s Ding, Dong the Diva’s Dead.

A devoted outreach artist, Saira has performed with Candid Concert Opera of Madison as Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Adina in The Elixir of Love, and Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte. Other roles in Saira’s diverse repertory include the title roles in The Merry Widow and Alcina, Josephine in HMS Pinafore, and Armidoro in La Buona Figliuola. Saira also teaches at the Carroll Academy in Waukesha, WI, where she has directed a children’s version of The Pirates of Penzance and plans to direct her second children’s opera there this summer.


Saira lives in Waukesha and studies in Madison with world-renowned soprano, Julia Faulkner. Saira’s honors include scholarships from Opera Props and the Voice Department at UW Madison, and she is also a five-time recipient of the Rod Rahn Scholarship for the Arts, a three-time recipient of the Arnold R. and Enda F. Weber Scholarship for the Arts and Academic Excellence, and has previously taken fourth place in the 2006 Upper Midwest District MONC Auditions. Saira has sung in masterclasses with distinguished musicians such as Diana Soviero, John Wustman, Sherrill Milnes, Philip Morehead, and Giulio Favario.


http://www.frescooperatheatre.com/upcoming-performances.html

Dueling Divas II: Best High Note! Featuring Caitlin Cisler!

At its greatest height, soprano Caitlin Cisler’s voice packs a punch! As the runner-up in Fresco Opera Theatre’s “DuelingDivas” (2010), Ms. Cisler is ready for a re-match.

Highlights of her training routine include representing the Midwest as finalist in both the National Operatic Association Competition in Atlanta, as well as in the NATS Artists

Awards competition in Salt Lake City (2010).

In the “operatic ring”, Ms. Cisler’s leading roles include Norina (Don Pasquale), Cunegonde (Candide), Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Morgana (Alcina), and Mélisande (Pelléas et Mélisande).

For Dueling Divas II, Caitlin will be performing in the "Best High Note" battle.  Those with hearing aids will need to adjust them, as there will be some "hot" notes flying around.

http://www.myspace.com/caitlincislersoprano

http://www.frescooperatheatre.com/upcoming-performances.html

Dueling Divas II: Divo Battle! Featuring George Montalbano

George Montalbano, II, tenor, a New Orleans native, received his undergraduate degree from Southeastern Louisiana University and attended graduate school at the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana. 

Mr. Montalbano has appeared in over 30 operas and musicals.  He has presented such roles as Lippo Fiorentino in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene, Alfredo in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, Count Almaviva in Rossini’s Barber of Seville, John the Baptist in Godspell, Ben, the gardener in The Secret Garden, Canio in Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci, and sung the title role of Albert Herring in Britten’s Albert Herring.

Mr. Montalbano has also performed numerous sacred works.  Some of these works included Schubert’s Mass in C, Mozart’s Requiem, Mozart’s Mass in C-Minor, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb and Handel’s Messiah.

http://www.frescooperatheatre.com/upcoming-performances.html

Dueling Divas II: Divo Battle! Featuring Jonathan Ten Brink!

Jonathan Ten Brink is an exciting young baritone “possessing considerable agility” (Grand Rapids Press). He is equally comfortable on the operatic and concert stages and capable of singing both the baritone and bass-baritone repertoire.


Since moving to the Twin Cities in 2006 he has been a featured soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra; Minnesota Chorale; Bach Chamber Players of St. Paul; Oratorio Society of Minnesota; Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra; and Minnesota Bach Society.

His concert work ranges from Bach’s St. Matthew Passion to Orff’s Carmina Burana and includes the Requiems of Durufle and Mozart as well as Mendelssohn’s Elijah and an award winning performance of Handel’s Messiah with the Calvin College Oratorio Society; broadcast on NPR and PBS stations across the country.

His Opera credits include singing “Alfesibeo” in the North American premiere of Gli amore d’Apolle e di Daphne under the musical direction of Paul O’Dette; “Tarquinius “in The Rape of Lucretia; “Belcore” in L’elisir d’amore;”and ”Zarastro” in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte . A frequent collaborator, Jonathan currently sings with the St. Paul based early music Rose Ensemble.


In addition to maintaining a private studio, Jonathan currently teaches voice at North Central University. He has previously held positions at Concordia College, the University of Minnesota, and Bowling Green State University where he received his Masters of Music. He is currently a doctoral candidate in the studio of Phillip Zawisza at the University of Minnesota.

Jonathan will be featured in Dueling Divas II "Divo Battle." 

http://www.frescooperatheatre.com/upcoming-performances.html

Dueling Divas II: Family Feud Battle! Featuring Erin Sura

Soprano Erin Sura has recently appeared as Dido in Dido and Aeneas with Elgin Opera; as Mother Marie in Dialogues of the Carmelites with RESONANZ; and in the role of Nedda in Pagliacci in the Italian Community Center Summer Opera series. Additionally she has sung recent concerts with the Florentine Opera Company, Elgin Opera, RESONANZ and Fresco Opera Theatre.

Additional roles include Mozart's Fiordiligi, Countess Almaviva, and First Lady; Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus; Mrs. Hayes in Floyd's Susannah; and the second witch in Dido and Aeneas.

Ms Sura will next be seen in the Florentine Opera Company's world premiere performances of the opera Rio de Sangre by Donald R. Davis and singing Antonia's arias in the preview concerts for the same opera.

In Fresco's Dueling Divas II, Erin will be battling her sister Brianne in the "Family Feud" event... We are hopeful that they will still speak to each other after the show.

http://www.frescooperatheatre.com/upcoming-performances.html

Dueling Divas II: Family Feud Battle! Featuring Brianne Sura Henderson!

Brianne Sura Henderson earned her Master's Degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music where she was awarded the Elizabeth Stoekler Stevens Prize in Lied.　


She has since performed principal roles with Nashville Opera, St. Petersburg Opera, Madison Opera Company, Skylight Opera Theatre, Elgin Opera, Milwaukee Opera Theater, Bay Area Summer Opera Theater Institute, Music By the Lake, and La Musica Lirica in Urbania, Italy.　


Recent appearances include the role of Rachel Ray in Milwaukee Opera Theatre's production of "Eat" and Third Lady in Elgin Opera's production of "Die Zauberflote".　 As a full time member of the Milwaukee Florentine Opera Chorus she was featured as a soloist in the company's 2009 summer outreach program and was seen in their March production of "Elmer Gantry".　


Brianne is a Wisconsin native and currently directs the chancel choir and bell choir at First Presbyterian Church in Waukesha.　

In Dueling Divas II, Brianne will be competing in the "Family Feud" battle against her sister Erin.  Two opera singing sisters, competing for a cash prize.  A new dimension in sibling rivalry? 

http://www.frescooperatheatre.com/upcoming-performances.html