A Fire in Water
Performances:
Thursday, September 19 - 7:00pm
Church of the Holy City
1611 16th St. NW, Washington, DC
Friday, September 20 - 7:00pm
Greenbelt Community Center
15 Crescent Rd., Greenbelt, MD
Church of the Holy City
1611 16th St. NW, Washington, DC
Friday, September 20 - 7:00pm
Greenbelt Community Center
15 Crescent Rd., Greenbelt, MD
Cast (in order of appearance):
Danielle Buonaiuto
Artemis - Soprano - Goddess of childbirth and life-long protector of Alexander the Great. Her temple in Athens burnt to the ground on the same day that Alexander was born.
Danielle Buonaiuto appears throughout the United States and Canada, singing everything from Bach Passions and Mozart masses to Berio’s Folk Songs and Golijov’s Ayre, as well as music written especially for her. She made her professional debut in 2011 with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. During the 2012-2013 season, she was the featured soloist with the Lunar Ensemble in their US tour of Pierrot Lunaire and 16 new works. She premiered the song cycle Fairytales and Letters by Colin Read in May, the studio recording of which will be released in the 2013-2014 season. Danielle finished the season as a Bel Canto Young Artist at the Caramoor Festival.
This season, Danielle appears in Baltimore and Washington, DC, before returning to her native Canada as Musetta in La Bohème with Jeunesses Musicales Canada in the spring of 2014. Other recent operatic roles include Voix en Haut (Don Carlos), Female Chorus (Rape of Lucretia), and Geraldine (Hand of Bridge).
Danielle earned Master of Music degrees in both vocal performance and musicology from the Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University. When she’s not performing, she writes about opera, new music, and Canadian composers for Operapulse and Operagasm.
Visit her on the web at www.daniellebuonaiuto.com.
Danielle Buonaiuto appears throughout the United States and Canada, singing everything from Bach Passions and Mozart masses to Berio’s Folk Songs and Golijov’s Ayre, as well as music written especially for her. She made her professional debut in 2011 with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. During the 2012-2013 season, she was the featured soloist with the Lunar Ensemble in their US tour of Pierrot Lunaire and 16 new works. She premiered the song cycle Fairytales and Letters by Colin Read in May, the studio recording of which will be released in the 2013-2014 season. Danielle finished the season as a Bel Canto Young Artist at the Caramoor Festival.
This season, Danielle appears in Baltimore and Washington, DC, before returning to her native Canada as Musetta in La Bohème with Jeunesses Musicales Canada in the spring of 2014. Other recent operatic roles include Voix en Haut (Don Carlos), Female Chorus (Rape of Lucretia), and Geraldine (Hand of Bridge).
Danielle earned Master of Music degrees in both vocal performance and musicology from the Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University. When she’s not performing, she writes about opera, new music, and Canadian composers for Operapulse and Operagasm.
Visit her on the web at www.daniellebuonaiuto.com.
Megan Ihnen
Thetis - Mezzo-soprano - A sea nymph / demi-goddess and the mother of Achilles.
Scott Thomas
Achilles - Baritone - Mythical hero of The Iliad.
Kyle McGruther
Patroclus - Spoken role - His best friend and lover.
Kyle McGruther is sincerely excited to appear in this compelling and beautiful work in the company of impressive and inspiring talent (plus the chance to exercise his atrophied music and voice training just a little bit). He has been keeping busy this year, so far appearing on stage as Lorenzo in The Merchant of Venice, Kevin MaGee in Superior Donuts (Ruby Griffith Nominated), Trent Conway in 6 Degrees of Separation, Knight in Violent Delights (a DC Fringe triple-debut: actor, troupe, script) and, most recently, the doubled roles of King Richard and the Opaque Priest in Medieval Story Land. Kyle's next stage appearance will be as Ariel in The Pillowman at Silver Spring Stage.
Kyle McGruther is sincerely excited to appear in this compelling and beautiful work in the company of impressive and inspiring talent (plus the chance to exercise his atrophied music and voice training just a little bit). He has been keeping busy this year, so far appearing on stage as Lorenzo in The Merchant of Venice, Kevin MaGee in Superior Donuts (Ruby Griffith Nominated), Trent Conway in 6 Degrees of Separation, Knight in Violent Delights (a DC Fringe triple-debut: actor, troupe, script) and, most recently, the doubled roles of King Richard and the Opaque Priest in Medieval Story Land. Kyle's next stage appearance will be as Ariel in The Pillowman at Silver Spring Stage.
David Merrill
Alexander - Tenor - Conqueror of the ancient world.
David Merrill received his Masters in Voice from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA. He received his Bachelors in Music from Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC. Recent opera roles include Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Alfred in Die Fledermaus, Camille in The Merry Widow, Paolino in Il Matrimonio Segreto, Edwin in Trail By Jury, and Alexis in The Sorcerer. Currently David teaches Middle School music, works with the technology team at Severn School in Severna Park MD, and is the tenor section leader at St Anne’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis. (www.dbmerrill.com)
David Merrill received his Masters in Voice from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA. He received his Bachelors in Music from Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC. Recent opera roles include Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Alfred in Die Fledermaus, Camille in The Merry Widow, Paolino in Il Matrimonio Segreto, Edwin in Trail By Jury, and Alexis in The Sorcerer. Currently David teaches Middle School music, works with the technology team at Severn School in Severna Park MD, and is the tenor section leader at St Anne’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis. (www.dbmerrill.com)
Brian McDermott
Hephastian - Spoken role - His best friend and lover
Brian McDermott is a graduate of Montgomery College and a student at George Mason University where he studies acting, directing, and writing with hopes of one day making a student loan payment. He has appeared in many shows locally including The Real Thing at Silver Spring Stage and Moon Over Buffalo with Prince George's Little Theatre. With Montgomery College he has appeared in Big Love, Hairspray, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Curtains, and others. Most recently he worked as Assistant Director for MC Summer Dinner Theatre's production of The Pajama Games and he will be appearing later this fall in The Iceman Cometh with Quotidian Theatre Company. Brian is a Marine Corps veteran and in his spare time enjoys studying food, music, whiskey, and language. Slainte!
Brian McDermott is a graduate of Montgomery College and a student at George Mason University where he studies acting, directing, and writing with hopes of one day making a student loan payment. He has appeared in many shows locally including The Real Thing at Silver Spring Stage and Moon Over Buffalo with Prince George's Little Theatre. With Montgomery College he has appeared in Big Love, Hairspray, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Curtains, and others. Most recently he worked as Assistant Director for MC Summer Dinner Theatre's production of The Pajama Games and he will be appearing later this fall in The Iceman Cometh with Quotidian Theatre Company. Brian is a Marine Corps veteran and in his spare time enjoys studying food, music, whiskey, and language. Slainte!
Katherine Riddle
Porrima - Soprano - Chorus Voice 1 - Roman goddess of childbirth / A star in the Virgo constellation
Katherine Riddle, soprano, recently graduated magna cum laude and with University Honors from American University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music concentrating in Vocal Performance. During her undergraduate studies, Katherine studied voice with Dr. Linda Allison, piano with Yuliya Gorenman and classical guitar with Larry Snitzler. As part of AU’s study abroad program, Katherine spent a semester studying music at King’s College London and voice at the Royal Academy of music. Katherine is a recipient of the David W. Wainhouse Scholarship, a winner of the 2013 American University Concerto and Aria Competition as well as the winner of MD/DC NATS competition in both musical theater and classical voice. Katherine has performed as a soloist with the American University Symphony Orchestra, the Fairfax Symphony, the B-A-C-H Orchestra in Yekaterinburg, Russia and the Vladimir Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Katherine has appeared in numerous musical theater and operetta productions. Favorite roles include: HMS Pinafore (Josephine), The Sound of Music (Lisel), and A Little Night Music(Fredericka). Katherine also has been trained in ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance. Later this fall, Katherine will play the role of Sarah Brown in Rockville Musical Theatre’s production of Guys and Dolls.
Katherine Riddle, soprano, recently graduated magna cum laude and with University Honors from American University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music concentrating in Vocal Performance. During her undergraduate studies, Katherine studied voice with Dr. Linda Allison, piano with Yuliya Gorenman and classical guitar with Larry Snitzler. As part of AU’s study abroad program, Katherine spent a semester studying music at King’s College London and voice at the Royal Academy of music. Katherine is a recipient of the David W. Wainhouse Scholarship, a winner of the 2013 American University Concerto and Aria Competition as well as the winner of MD/DC NATS competition in both musical theater and classical voice. Katherine has performed as a soloist with the American University Symphony Orchestra, the Fairfax Symphony, the B-A-C-H Orchestra in Yekaterinburg, Russia and the Vladimir Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Katherine has appeared in numerous musical theater and operetta productions. Favorite roles include: HMS Pinafore (Josephine), The Sound of Music (Lisel), and A Little Night Music(Fredericka). Katherine also has been trained in ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance. Later this fall, Katherine will play the role of Sarah Brown in Rockville Musical Theatre’s production of Guys and Dolls.
Zoe Kanter
Situla - Soprano - Chorus Voice 2 - The Water-Bearer / A star in the Aquarius constellation
Soprano Zoe Kanter is gaining recognition as a strikingly dramatic artist. As a new company member with Stillpointe Theatre Initiative, Zoe was most recently seen as Suzannah in Hair: The American Tribal Love Rock Musical and Ms. Payne in The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin. She is looking forward to her upcoming season which includes the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street with Stillpointe Theatre Initiative, and as a member of Concert Artist of Baltimore’s production of Handel's Messiah.
Zoe's credits include the soprano soloist in Mahler Symphony No. 4 with The Avanti Orchestra, the role of Mary Warren in The Crucible with Peabody Opera Theater, the soprano soloist inSchubert Mass in G with The Peabody Singers, and a recitalist at The Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. accompanied by Vera Danchenko-Stern. Being an advocate for new music, Zoe has premiered multiple works including the opera, A Name on the Door, at The Capital Fringe Festival in Washington DC, the role of Trinculo in a new children’s opera, Ariel’s Tempest, with Peabody’s Opera Outreach, and Four Over Three, a collaboration of new one act musicals, with Stillpointe Theatre Initiative. She has also had the pleasure to work with American Opera Theater, Bel Cantanti Opera, Silver Finch Arts Collective, and The Young Victorian Opera Theater, to name a few.
Zoe earned her Bachelor’s degree from Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in voice performance. She currently is a student of Ah Young Hong.
Soprano Zoe Kanter is gaining recognition as a strikingly dramatic artist. As a new company member with Stillpointe Theatre Initiative, Zoe was most recently seen as Suzannah in Hair: The American Tribal Love Rock Musical and Ms. Payne in The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin. She is looking forward to her upcoming season which includes the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street with Stillpointe Theatre Initiative, and as a member of Concert Artist of Baltimore’s production of Handel's Messiah.
Zoe's credits include the soprano soloist in Mahler Symphony No. 4 with The Avanti Orchestra, the role of Mary Warren in The Crucible with Peabody Opera Theater, the soprano soloist inSchubert Mass in G with The Peabody Singers, and a recitalist at The Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. accompanied by Vera Danchenko-Stern. Being an advocate for new music, Zoe has premiered multiple works including the opera, A Name on the Door, at The Capital Fringe Festival in Washington DC, the role of Trinculo in a new children’s opera, Ariel’s Tempest, with Peabody’s Opera Outreach, and Four Over Three, a collaboration of new one act musicals, with Stillpointe Theatre Initiative. She has also had the pleasure to work with American Opera Theater, Bel Cantanti Opera, Silver Finch Arts Collective, and The Young Victorian Opera Theater, to name a few.
Zoe earned her Bachelor’s degree from Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in voice performance. She currently is a student of Ah Young Hong.
Tanya Ruth
Andromeda - Mezzo-soprano - Chorus Voice 3 - Daughter of Cephus and Cassiopeia, famed to be more beautiful than the Nereids / A constellation
Mezzo-soprano Tanya Ruth has appeared across the United States and in Europe singing opera, chamber music, oratorio, and in recital. She was most recently heard singing the role of Hermia in Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the Bay Area Summer Opera Theater Institute in San Francisco, where she previously performed La bonne chanson in recital with piano quintet.
An avid advocate of new music, Tanya has sung as a soloist in a number of world and regional premieres, including Josh Perry-Parrish’s symphonic cantata All This the World Well Knows, Leo Svirsky’s song cycle De Profundis, and David Lang’s Pulitzer prize-winning piece The Little Match Girl Passion.
Particularly drawn to German repertoire, Tanya studied in Middlebury College’s German for Singers program in Vermont, where she sang the role of Ramiro in Mozart’s La finta giardiniera and performed Gustav Mahler’s Das himmlische Leben in recital. Tanya made her European debut in 2012 with the Lyric Opera Studio Weimar in Germany singing the role of Cherubino in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. This year, she returned to the LOSW to sing the role of Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni.
Tanya is a regular oratorio soloist in St. Luke’s Catholic Church benefit concerts, performing such iconic works as Mozart’s Requiem, Fauré’s Requiem, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Saint-Säens’s Christmas Oratorio, and several Bach cantatas. A recent graduate of the University of Maryland with a Master’s degree in voice performance, Tanya studied not only voice, but piano and cello as well. She lives in Maryland with her fiancé and pianist Michael Langlois, with whom she frequently appears in recital. Their most recent project was a recital of selections from twentieth century opera.
Mezzo-soprano Tanya Ruth has appeared across the United States and in Europe singing opera, chamber music, oratorio, and in recital. She was most recently heard singing the role of Hermia in Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the Bay Area Summer Opera Theater Institute in San Francisco, where she previously performed La bonne chanson in recital with piano quintet.
An avid advocate of new music, Tanya has sung as a soloist in a number of world and regional premieres, including Josh Perry-Parrish’s symphonic cantata All This the World Well Knows, Leo Svirsky’s song cycle De Profundis, and David Lang’s Pulitzer prize-winning piece The Little Match Girl Passion.
Particularly drawn to German repertoire, Tanya studied in Middlebury College’s German for Singers program in Vermont, where she sang the role of Ramiro in Mozart’s La finta giardiniera and performed Gustav Mahler’s Das himmlische Leben in recital. Tanya made her European debut in 2012 with the Lyric Opera Studio Weimar in Germany singing the role of Cherubino in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. This year, she returned to the LOSW to sing the role of Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni.
Tanya is a regular oratorio soloist in St. Luke’s Catholic Church benefit concerts, performing such iconic works as Mozart’s Requiem, Fauré’s Requiem, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Saint-Säens’s Christmas Oratorio, and several Bach cantatas. A recent graduate of the University of Maryland with a Master’s degree in voice performance, Tanya studied not only voice, but piano and cello as well. She lives in Maryland with her fiancé and pianist Michael Langlois, with whom she frequently appears in recital. Their most recent project was a recital of selections from twentieth century opera.
Creative Team:
Shannon Berry - Librettist
Shannon Berry holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Notre Dame. Her poetry has appeared in Dappled Things and The Bend. She has also collaborated with composers on various projects including Lux Infinita and Songs for Memory and Earth by Sarah Horick, This is NOT my Life by John Maggi and Stephen Lewis, and "Temptation," part of Fallen Angels by Michael Oberhauser. She currently teaches writing at The George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Terrance Johns - Producer, Composer
Terrance Johns is extremely excited to be working with the wonderful team of friends and artists at Silver Finch. No stranger to the opera, musical theatre and concert stage, Mr. Johns is best known locally as a composer and performer of contemporary chamber and art song with his ensemble Words&Music, Inc. As a tenor soloist, Mr. Johns has been heard from New Orleans to New York and has had the pleasure of working with such conductors as Leonard Slatkin, Heinz Fricke, and William Christie. Mr. Johns holds degrees in Vocal Performance and Choral Studies from Loyola University School of Music (1993) and Prague Conservatory (1995). More information can be found at terryjmusic.com
Courtney Kalbacker - Director
Courtney Kalbacker is very pleased to be a contributing member of the Silver Finch Arts Collective. An accomplished performer, stage director and voice instructor, she loves all facets of opera theatre. She spent five summer seasons designing the curriculum and instructing the "Acting for Singers" course at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, working with gifted high-school singers. She has directed numerous opera scenes in this capacity, staging the works of Mozart, Handel, Chabrier, Menotti, Rossini, and many others. Previously, she has enjoyed introducing even younger performers to the world of stagecraft as the Director of the Oklahoma City University Academy Youth Music Theatre Company and was involved with all aspects of production, staging, and instruction for several seasons. Ms. Kalbacker has also appeared as a guest director for the Oklahoma City University Opera Workshop and as the assistant director for the midwest premiere of Pasatieri's Hotel Casablanca with the Oklahoma Opera & Music Theatre Company. She frequently collaborates with composers of new works, maintaining special relationships with composers Katarzyna Brochocka, Jodi Goble, Naftali Schindler, and Avery Griffin, as well as staging the premiere of Ailon Heitner's Master of Prayer in 2010. She currently serves on the board of The Victorian Lyric Opera Company in Rockville, M.D., performs frequently as a lyric coloratura soprano, and maintains a voice studio in Baltimore, where she lives with her husband baritone Jeffrey Grayson Gates. Please visit www.CourtneyKalbacker.com for more information.
Michael Oberhauser - Producer, Composer, Music Director
Michael Oberhauser's music has been performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, on the Kojo Nnamdi show on WAMU 88.5, by Opera Alterna, by the Ohio Northern University Symphony Orchestra, the Ohio Northern University Singers, and the opera department at the Catholic University of America. Two of his operas have been performed as part of the Fringe Festival: Magnum Opus in 2009, and Fallen Angels in 2012. BM: Ohio Northern University, MM: Catholic University, and he is currently working toward his doctorate at the University of Maryland.