The Sole Surviving Daughter - Helping To Plot Revenge

There, there, daughter. Weep on my shoulder.

Father, you are a consoling angel.

Just do this one thing, then we can leave this place.
Vengeance is my desire, your punishment is at hand.
The jester knows how to strike you like a bolt from God.

   Oh father, I see savage in your eyes.

Forgive him, God. He betrayed me, but I love him.

"Si Vedetta" from Rigoletto by Verdi

What You Are About To See Will Astound And Amaze You!

Excuse me, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am the Prologue.

Here, I will present to you famous characters of the past.

I’m here to warn, the tears shed here tonight are false.

We are painting for you a slice of life.

Mankind and truth inspires us.

  Memories sing from our souls, and sobs beat out the rhythm. 
  You will see love, hatred, sorrow, rage, and laughter.
  We are merely men, equal to you in breath of air.

Now, listen to how it unfolds,

  Come, Let us begin…

"Si Puo" from I Pagliacci by Leoncavallo

Presenting Jonathan Ten Brink As The Ringmaster!

Jonathan Ten Brink/ The Ringmaster

Jonathan is an exciting young baritone “possessing considerable agility” (Grand Rapids Press, MI). His substantial range allows him to access both the baritone and bass-baritone repertoire. In addition to his collaboration with the early music chamber group The Rose Ensemble Jonathan holds an active performance schedule on the opera and concert stages.

With Fresco Opera Theater he has performed on both the Dueling Diva’s II and Ding Dong the Diva’s Dead programs in addition to serving as Ring Master in tonight’s Big Top Opera. He performed “Dr. Grenvil” in La Traviata with the Minnesota Orchestra and made his Skylark Opera debut in the summer of 2011 as “The Harold of Burgundy” in The Vagabond King. Other roles include singing “Alfesibeo” in the North American Premier of Gli Amore d’Apollo e di Daphne under the musical direction of Paul O’Dette; “Belcore” in L’elisir d’amore for the Sieur Duluth Summer Arts Festival; “Sarastro” in Die Zauberflöte; and “Tarquinius” in The Rape of Lucretia.

Jonathan’s versatility extends to the concert stage as well. He is quickly becoming known for his interpretation of Carmina Burana and the works of J.S. Bach. Other performances include the Requiem’s of Mozart and Durufle; Mendelssohn’s Elijah; and Handel’s Messiah.

Jonathan teaches voice at North Central University.

http://www.overturecenter.com/production/big-top-opera

Fresco's Big Top Opera Featuring The Wheel Of Death

Fresco Opera Theatre is proud to present Fresco's Big Top Opera, a spectacular show unlike anything you have seen before, or are likely see outside of our ring.

A combination of fine music and circus feats, presenting such acts as Sizzle Cisler the Fire Breather, Princess Charming the Half-Man/Half-Woman, the Strong Man - Ben the Barbarian, The Inseparable Suramese Twins, Amina the Airwalker, Baba the Bearded Lady, Leonora the Tamer of Beasts, and THE WHEEL OF DEATH!

There will also be a cavalcade of side show attractions, including performance artists and acrobats as well as a world premiere composition that is sure to please.

And we will be sending in plenty of clowns!

Fresco's Big Top Opera will be an EXTRAVAGANZA FOR THE SENSES! A SPECTACLE BEYOND BELIEF! A ONCE IN A LIFETIME ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE! (And it will all be done without those annoying circus smells)


September 30th 7:30 - 9:30 pm
October 1st 2:30 - 4:30 pm (Matinee) and 7:30 - 9:30 pm

Overture Center - Promenade Hall
201 State Street
Madison WI 53703

Reserved Seating $25
Overture Center Box Office (608) 258-4141

http://www.overturecenter.com/production/big-top-opera

The Challenges In Making A Wheel Of Death

When Melanie told Fresco she wanted a wheel of death for one of the Big Top numbers, I was interested.  I figured it will be something people would remember.  After all, you don't see a singer singing while being spun on a wheel with knives being thrown at her every day.

But then the obvious question:  How does one go about building a "Wheel of Death?"

Rough Sketch Number 1.  Back To The Drawing Board.

I contacted Master Carpenter Mike Gilmore and gave him a simple challenge:  Build Fresco a Wheel of Death that will not fall apart and potentially kill the singer... and do it as cheap as possible.  At Fresco it isn't about the money, but let's face it:  We are a fine arts group, doing our thing during one of the worst economic times our country has seen in like a million years.  And we gotta eat too! 

Luckily, Mike is a pretty talented guy.  He did a nice job on our coffin, and built a lovely electric chair that didn't electrocute the singer for our Ding Dong The Divas Dead show.  The guy is pretty good with "death" construction that is "life" friendly.  Not to mention he believes in being green, which makes us feel a little better in that we aren't killing trees to build it.

So he did a little sketch, came up with the materials, and is in the process of creating what will no doubt be a memorable part of the show.  He will be the first to ride the wheel, ensuring no disasters during the show - particularly the matinee where we are going for a more family oriented crowd. 

This Is What We Are Talking About!

The last thing we want to do is put Caitlin Cisler in harms way.  She is one of our featured singers, and we need her to come out for the finale!  Plus we would rather not have Jonathan Ten Brink singing to a spinning wheel with the girl knocked out on stage.

I think we will have a winner here.... (fingers crossed)  I haven't talked with Caitlin too much about the wheel.  I hope she is up for a little topsy turvy while belting out Rigoletto.  Does Dramamine affect the vocal chords at all?  At least we have some spare clowns to clean up any unfortunate messes.  That is something you normally see at a circus, anyway.

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



Jeff Turk

Fresco Opera Theatre

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