Opera Modesto

Formerly Townsend Opera

News

Opera Modesto Presents Carmen

March 6, 2019

Click here for the pdf version of this News Release.

Opera Modesto continues its 35th anniversary season with Georges Bizet’s popular opera, CARMEN. The performances are at the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater, Gallo Center for the Arts, May 3 (7:30 pm) and 5 (2:00 pm). The charismatic San Francisco-based mezzo-soprano, Nikola Printz, stars in the title role.

Nikola Printz as Carmen

General & Artistic Director, Roy Stevens, has announced the final casting and exciting details about the production, directed by Annalisa Winberg and conducted by Ryan Murray.

“Carmen may be the most popular opera in the world,” said Mr. Stevens. “It is filled to the brim with beautiful melodies recognizable even to those new to opera. The unforgettable story has compelling characters, edge-of-your-seat drama, romance and thrilling dance.”

The Cast

  • Chris Bengochea
  • Johnny Franca
  • Liisa Davila

CARMEN features a remarkable cast led by the Nikola Printz in the title role, who wowed Modesto audiences in the Opera Modesto 35th Anniversary Gala Concert with her stunning aerial trapeze opera diva act. The role of Don José will be performed by Modesto’s own operatic tenor, Christopher Bengochea. rising Brazilian opera star bass-baritone, Johnny França, will make his US debut as the bullfighter Escamillo. Modesto’s Liisa Davila will reprise her beautiful interpretation of Micaëla. remarkable basso profundo, John Ames, returns to Opera Modesto in the role of Zuniga. Also returning are Linda Baird of San Francisco as Mercédès and Donn Bradley as Moralès/Le Dancaïre. Making their Opera Modesto debuts are two Sacramento-based artists, Darron Flagg as Le Remendado and Natasha Collier as Frasquita. Rounding out the cast is Prospect Theater Project’s Founding Director, Jack Souza, in the speaking role (in French!) of Lillas Pastia, the innkeeper.

Community Collaborations

Mr. Stevens is also proud to announce three exciting community collaborations. The Ballet Tradiciones Folklorico Dance Company of Modesto, led by Christina and Gustavo Martinez, is preparing two original dances for CARMEN.  Choreography by Christina Martinez, the dances are inspired by Spanish Flamenco and Zacatecas bullfighting-based dance traditions. Center Stage Kids, led by Heather Vargas and Amy DeMoura, is training a talented group of elementary school age children to perform as the Children’s Chorus.

Most exciting is the new collaboration with the Portuguese-Azorean bloodless bullfighting community. Through a partnership with Coudelaria Martins in Hilmar, the famous Cavaleiro de Alternativo (horse-riding bullfighter) Paulo Ferreira and one of his world class dressage dancing horses will grace the stage of the Rogers Theater. Paulo and his horse will be part of the Procession of the Bullfighters that opens Act IV of CARMEN. This will be the first horse ever to appear onstage at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Joining in the procession will be 8 additional professional bullfighters, members of the Grupo de Forcados Amadores de Turlock (“Suicide Squad”) led by George Martins.

The Creative Team

Annalisa Winberg, who made her Opera Modesto’s directorial debut in the acclaimed 2018 production of MADAMA BUTTERFLY returns to direct CARMEN, conducted by Opera Modesto’s longtime, award winning Music Director Ryan Murray.  Making their Opera Modesto debuts are Shannon Carmack-Mize, Costume Design, and UC Santa Barbara professor, Andrew Schmedake, Lighting Design.

Pre-Opera Talk

Each performance of CARMEN will be preceded by an entertaining and informative pre-show discussion by Hillari DeSchane, Opera Modesto board member and opera aficionado, and Ryan Murray, Opera Modesto’s Music Director. The Pre-Opera Talk is in the theater one hour prior to the performance and is a “must” for those new to opera, as well as experienced opera-goers.

Tickets

Tickets begin at $20 and can be purchased in person at the Gallo Center for the Arts Box Office, by phone at 209.388.2100, or online at galloarts.org.

$20 Student Rush Tickets are available for each performance.  Student Rush Tickets can only be purchased the day of the performance, must be purchased in person, and are limited to the number of seats available (Student Id required).

Sponsors

The production of CARMEN is made possible by generous gifts from the E. & J. Gallo Winery, The Bright Family Foundation, Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation, Wilmar and Judy Jensen, Robert Saunders, Gary and Babette Wagner, Eli Aywas & Alicia Shepheard, Norma Foster Maddy and Jessie West.

Opera Modesto Media Contact:

Jewel Whitaker, Marketing & Development Coordinator
jwhitaker@operamodesto.org | 209.523.6426

More information available at Opera Modesto’s new website www.operamodesto.org.

New General & Artistic Director

Opera Modesto is pleased to announce its new General & Artistic Director: Roy Stevens

Modesto, California – October 5, 2018

Roy Stevens is a Modesto native and has been an international opera singer since his 1987 professional debut in Italy. His career includes leading performance in theaters and with symphony orchestras in over 20 countries, on 5 continents and in 14 languages; from the national theaters of Taiwan, Columbia and Guatemala to Milano’s famed Teatro Alla Scala. He has progressively moved towards active roles as Producer, Organizer and Casting Director, leading major international operatic productions in Albania, Panama and Nepal, as well as organizing other large scale events.

Roy and his wife, Annalisa Winberg, are also very proud of their work as inspirational performing arts/opera based educators through their AmazingVox School Residencies. They have had the privilege to touch the educational lives of more than a half a million young Americans.

Throughout his international career, Roy returned home to appear with Opera Modesto, formerly Townsend Opera, with six appearances from 1985 to 2018. Since January 2018, he has assisted the opera company, pro bono, as Artistic Consultant/Acting General Director helping in the turnaround of Opera Modesto’s fortunes.

In addition, he led the re-establishment of the educational programs, creating the first annual Summer Opera Institute, an intense and highly successful training program for 25 regional teens, 13-18. As he moves into the position of General & Artistic Director of Opera Modesto, he looks forward to continuing to fulfill Buck Townsend’s dream of high quality opera in Modesto and the Central Valley, now in its 35th season.

About Opera Modesto: Founded in 1983 by Modesto native and international opera star Buck Townsend, Opera Modesto has become known for bringing nationally and internationally ranked singers and opera productions to Central Valley audiences. Opera Modesto is equally dedicated to enabling the finest local talent to share the stage with opera’s stars, as well as nurturing the next generation of singers through its TOP Young Artists programs including the Kristina Townsend Memorial Competition and Summer Opera Institute for young singers.

Georges Bizet’s Carmen
On May 3rd and 5th, 2019, the 35th season will conclude with a fully staged production of Georges Bizet’s Carmen in the Gallo Center’s Rogers Theater. This well-known opera, with its tale of passion gone wild, is filled with memorable melodies and Bizet’s glorious orchestrations. You are sure to leave the theater humming its unforgettable tunes.

Pre-show lecture 6:30pm, curtain 7:30pm, May 3rd, 2019
Pre-show lecture 1:00pm, curtain 2:00pm, May 5th, 2019
Gallo Center for the Arts, Modesto CA
Tickets are available

Townsend Opera Announces New Name, New Season

A spectacular Opera Gala and Georges Bizet’s Carmen top the recently renamed company’s 35th season.

Modesto, California – September 12, 2018

Following on the heels of its successful 34th season, and to celebrate 35 consecutive years of bringing opera to Modesto and the region, Townsend Opera will become Opera Modesto.

The new name, which better reflects the company’s place in the community, was selected by the Board of Directors at a recent meeting. Board President Freda Motto said, “While we will never forget the massive contributions of our founder, Buck Townsend, the time has come to let the world know that we are the premier opera company in the Central Valley—and Modesto’s own.” The Board has considered changing the name of the company many times over the years since Buck’s passing in 2008, but never felt the time was quite right until now. “Buck always knew this needed to happen eventually, and he would be pleased to know that the Board has finally taken this important next step,” said Erika Townsend, Buck’s wife of many years and the company’s former business manager.

Townsend Opera will use this season to introduce its new name to the community, beginning with a grand celebration at its 35th Anniversary Gala in October. The Gala will bring together a variety of local and international opera singers to perform in concert in the Foster Family Theater of the Gallo Center for the Arts. Included in the program will be performances by the Townsend Opera orchestra and chorus and the Dance Factory, as well as a tribute to company founder Buck Townsend. The opera gala will be followed by a lavish reception for the audience in the lobby of the Gallo Center.

On May 3rd and 5th, 2019, the 35th season will conclude with a fully staged production of Georges Bizet’s Carmen in the Gallo Center’s Rogers Theater. This well-known opera, with its tale of passion gone wild, is filled with memorable melodies and Bizet’s glorious orchestrations. You are sure to leave the theater humming its unforgettable tunes.

About Opera Modesto: Founded in 1983 by Modesto native and international opera star Buck Townsend, Opera Modesto has become known for bringing nationally and internationally ranked singers and opera productions to Central Valley audiences. Opera Modesto is equally dedicated to enabling the finest local talent to share the stage with opera’s stars, as well as nurturing the next generation of singers through its TOP Young Artists programs including the Kristina Townsend Memorial Competition and Summer Opera Institute for young singers.

Georges Bizet’s Carmen
On May 3rd and 5th, 2019, the 35th season will conclude with a fully staged production of Georges Bizet’s Carmen in the Gallo Center’s Rogers Theater. This well-known opera, with its tale of passion gone wild, is filled with memorable melodies and Bizet’s glorious orchestrations. You are sure to leave the theater humming its unforgettable tunes.

Pre-show lecture 6:30pm, curtain 7:30pm, May 3rd, 2019
Pre-show lecture 1:00pm, curtain 2:00pm, May 5th, 2019
Gallo Center for the Arts, Modesto CA
Tickets are available