PWSA Performing Member Bios back to roster
Madeline Abel-Kerns, Soprano. Upcoming: Brünnhilde (Siegfried), Leonora (Fidelio), Marschallin (Rosenkavalier). 2004: Tosca Cantiamo Opera, Lady Billows (Albert Herring) NJOT-SI, Brünnhilde (Walkre) Wagner Theatre Program. 2003: Marschallin (Rosenkavalier) - Jean Cocteau, Gerhilde (Walkre) WTP. Prior: Cio-Cio San - SF Opera Tour, Brünnhilde (Walkre) - Golden Gate Opera, Tosa - West Bay Opera, Santuzza - OTB Productions (US and Germany). Concerts: Marschallin c (Rosenkavalier), Desdemona (Otello), Leonora (Trovatore), Amelia (Ballo). Oratorio: Verdi Requiem, Handel Messiah, Mozart, Faure, Rutter Requiem, Hayden Creation (Eve). Teaching-Masterclasses: Southern Oregon University, Holy Names College, Bahamas National Youth Choir, Frankfurt German-American Choir, and privately. Contact: makerns2@actorsfcu.net or (718) 680-1680.
Beatrice Broadwater, lyric soprano and graduate of Mannes College of Music brings joyful interpretations to her diverse repertoire of song, oratorio and vocal chamber works. Solo appearances with orchestra have included Vivaldi's "Gloria" (Alice Tully Hall); Haydn's "Creation" (Canterbury Choral Society), Beethoven's "Fantasia for Piano, Chorus & Orchestra" (Liederkranz Orchestra), Handel's "Messiah," (Candlewood Choral Society) and Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater" (St. Thomas More Chamber Ensemble.) Multiple song recitals have included two in New York's Merkin Concert Hall, also in Hamburg, Paris and Wick, Scotland. Her affinity for American vocal music has allowed her the opportunity to premiere new works.
Stacy Cohen, mezzo-soprano, portrayed Larina in Eugene Oñegin (Opera San José), Mercédès in Carmen and Dorabella in Così fan tutte (Bay Shore Lyric Opera), Giovanna in Ernani (Manhattan Opera Repertory Ensemble), Zulma in The Italian Girl in Algiers (West Bay Opera), Nancy in Albert Herring (BASOTI), and Theresa II in Four Saints in Three Acts (SF Chamber Singers). Solo appearances include Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb, Handel's Messiah, Vivaldi's Gloria and recitals for the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and Bank of Boston. Upcoming performances: Lolette in La Rondine, Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte and Mercedes from Carmen (Opera Company of Brooklyn). Stacycoh@aol.com
Ruth Ann Cunningham, Soprano, AGMA. Opera: 2004: Dialogues of the Carmelites, NYCO: Third Norn, Wagner Theater Program; 2002: Elvira - Ernani (Manhattan Opera Repertory Ensemble), Ortlinde - Die Walküre (Mannes Opera, NY). 2000: Violetta - La Traviata (Opera Theater of Philadelphia). Oratorio: Bach: Cantata 140, Schubert: Mass in C, Rheinberger: Mass in G (Cathedral of Bern, Switzerland); Bach: Christmas Oratorio, B Minor Mass (New York Cantata Singers); Saint-Saëns: Christmas Oratorio (Witherspoon Presbyterian, NJ); Handel: Athalia (Choral Symphony Society, NY). Prizes: Stewart Awards, Aspen Music Festival, Opera in the Ozarks, American Traditions Competition, Akron Symphony. Education: MM, Voice, Juilliard School. cunninghamra@hotmail.com
Sarah Downs, Lyric Coloratura Soprano; member AEA. Trained in classical technique with Susan Ormont's vocal studio, Sarah has performed oratorio, musical theatre and opera repertoire. She toured nationally as Marie Osmond's understudy in The Sound of Music, (performed), and as Marian in The Music Man. She has concertized here and abroad andworked in regional theatres including the Paper Mill Playhouse and Theatre by the Sea. Roles performed include Eliza in My Fair Lady and Maria in West Side Story (among others). In New York, she has originated several roles in Off-Off Broadway and cabaret venues. Contact: missdigby@yahoo.com.
Helen Fanelli, Dramatic Mezzo Soprano returns to the Mozatina Musical Conservatory this Fall 2006 in Tarrytown, NY for her 4th year as vocal instructor. She performed with the Metropolitan Opera in 2006 in "Fidelio" and will sing in the Met's 2007 production, "Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg." Previously at the Met she appeared in the Berlioz operas of "Benvenuto Cellini" and "Les Troyens," both conducted by Maestro James Levine. She has sung previously with the Taconic Opera, New Rochelle Opera, Brooklyn Lyric Chamber Opera, Regina Opera, & Dallas Lyric, and Austin Lyric Opera Companies in Texas. Roles include: Marcellina, Carmen, Azucena, Flora, Hanna Glawari, and Erda. Ms. Fanelli is the Alto soloist at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Mamaroneck New York, and a member of AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists).
Phyllis Fay Farmer, Mezzo Soprano (AGMA), 2002: premiered "U.N. Resolution" (Charley Gerard (Greenwich House)), performed the title role in "Carmen" at the Jersey Shore Arts Center, and continues performing with Music Before 1800 ("beautifully sung...admirable purity of tone and an easy, unforced sound," NY Times, 2/27/01). She sang in the offstage trio in "The Diary of One Who Vanished" (co-produced by Lincoln Center Productions and ENO ("crucial and dramatic," NY Times, 6/2/01), and created the role of Vera (May 2000) for the first reading of "Incident at San Bajo" (Riverside Opera Ensemble; Nathan Matthews, Conductor; Stephen Pickover, Director). Contact: pffarmer@worldnet.att.net.
Annette Stowe Figueroa, soprano, is a member of AGMA and Actors' Equity. Ms. Figueroa will be singing the role of Carmen with Suz-ette Opera Productions in August, 2003. Recently Ms. Figueroa performed Donna Elvira in Operesque Classical Concerts' Don Giovanni, The Maid in La Bella Voce's original opera Too Many Sopranos, and Nicoletta in Portland Opera's production of Prokofiev's The Love For Three Oranges. Orchestral solo work includes Handel's Messiah and Brahms's A German Requiem with the Linn-Benton Chorale, and Schubert's Mass in G Major with the Lane Chamber Choir. Contact: annettefigueroa@hotmail.com.
Carol Flamm, Soprano. Specialties: contemporary opera, baroque. Performed Rorem's "A Childhood Miracle", performed and recorded "Three Sisters who are Not Sisters" (Ned Rorem), sang Frasquita in "A Gypsy Carmen," all with Magic Circle Opera Repertory Ensemble. Recorded "Sacred and Profane" with Salomone Trio; her solo, "Noches, Noches," a Sephardic song, was featured on NPR. Oratorio solos with St. Luke's choir include Handel, Haydn and Bach. Extensive concertizing worldwide. Programs include "Mediterranean Voyage" (Baroque, Sephardic, and medireview song) and "Cinderella's Song" (works by De Falla, Britten, Bizet and more). Standard opera roles include Musetta and Pamina. Contact Carol Flamm, 212-255-4982, clflamm@aol.com
Phoebe Flewelling, Spinto: Upcoming, 2002: San Francisco Concert(Summer); "Beautiful Voice!"(Eileen Farrell); "Dynamic Classical Singer. Rich, full-bodied soprano. Equally at home in opera and art song. Superb musical expression. spell-binding!".--Spotlight Press, 200l. Gerda Lissner Award Winner; CD,"Phoebe in the Presidio", Nonesuch Label, 200l; OPERAMA, Gala Premiere for Classical Music Society of York County, Maine; l998-'99, Winner in Opera & Bach Aria w/orchestra, German Lieder, Opera Encores, Recording Divisions of San Francisco Concerto Orchestra Competitions. l999: created three roles in World Premiere of ULYSSES, NH. Contact: MUZARTS, 603-436-6263 (phone), 603-436-l534 (fax), email: phoebsinger@mymailstation.com.
Robin Lynne Frye, Mezzo-Soprano, has received critical acclaim: "vocally and musically.a most impressive singer," with "richness of tone," "fine dramatic sense," and "cultivated diction". Soloist with New York Philharmonic, Connecticut Early Music Festival, choir and orchestra of St. Ignatius Loyola, New York Virtuoso Singers, and in frequent recitals. Recent repertoire highlights include Verdi's "Requiem," Copland's "In the Beginning," Bach's solo "Cantata 170," Mendelssohn's "Elijah," "Sesto" in Mozart's "La Clemenza di Tito". She has won or placed in several competitions, performed many premieres, had several works composed for her, and is heard on numerous recordings. AGMA rfrye@nc.rr.com
Anne Jacobs, Mezzo-Soprano (AGMA). The Standard-Times (Massachusetts) declared her "sheer delight." A native New Yorker, her many roles include Isabella (L'Italiana in Algeri - televised in NYC), Rosina (Barber of Seville), Dorabella (Cosi Fan Tutte), Suzuki (Madama Butterfly), Mercedes (Carmen), Siebel (Faust), and the Witch (Hansel and Gretel). In addition to the standard repertoire, Ms. Jacobs has created roles in several world premiere chamber operas produced by Golden Fleece and also performs in musical theatre. She has appeared with numerous companies including The Gregg Smith Singers, DiCapo Opera Theatre, State Repertory Opera, New England Lyric Operetta, New Bedford Theatre Festival
Marjorie Kahn, Soprano debuted at Venice's Grand Teatro La Fenice as a Blumenmadchen then sang the role of Xanthe at Carnegie Hall with Opera Orchestra of NY, at Rome's Teatro dell'Opera as Norina, at Cagliari's Teatro Lirico as Fiakermilli and the New York Grand Opera in the roles of Oscar, Musetta and Violetta. Ms. Kahn was a winner of the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, a finalist in both the Enrico Caruso Voice Competition and McAllister Awards Opera Competitions. Recently she was featured on Channel 5 Good Day NY morning news program. Click on www.marjoriekahn.com for future performances and sound bytes.
Celeste Mann, Mezzo Soprano, specializes in zarzuela and Spanish repertoire. Recently, she was praised in SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE for her performance as "Juana" in LUIS ALONSO at Jarvis Conservatory. Celeste appeared as "La Marquise" in the Lesson Scene (LA FILLE DU REGIMENT) in Donizetti Abroad at the Caramoor International Music Festival. At Dicapo Opera, she performed "Nursemaid" (STREET SCENE) to critical acclaim, "Beppe" (L'AMICO FRITZ), and "La Abuela" in LA VIDA BREVE. Celeste portrayed "La Menegilda" in 30 performances of BROADWAY/LA GRAN VIA, to critical acclaim at Thalia Spanish Theatre. Other zarzuela roles include "Doña Simona" (AGUA, AZUCARILLOS Y AGUARDIENTE), "Moma" (LUIS ALONSO), and "Antigua" in LA TABERNERA DEL PUERTO. Opera roles include "Mercedes" (CARMEN), "Hansel" (HANSEL UND GRETEL), "Antonia's Mother" (LES CONTES D'HOFFMAN). In 2005 Celeste appears with Northport Opera Company. Contact: celestemann.tripod.com . Web site: celestemann.tripod.com
Mary Kay McGarvey, Soprano, Lincoln Center debut: Mozart concert arias w/Goliard Concerts. Upcoming: soloist-Poulenc/Gloria w/ Kent Singers, Recently: Women in Love-concert of songs for, by, and about women; Soloist w/ Sound Symphony; Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream in NYC Central Park; directed The Face on the Barroom Floor. Premieres w/ NYContemporaryMusic Band in NYC and Italy; Boren's operas Emma (Emma,) and The Dead (Mrs. Malins/Aunt Julia). Other roles: Susanna, Micaela, Despina, Mabel, Sophie, Baby Doe, Gilda, Violetta and Manon. Oratorio roles: Haydn's Creation, Handel's Messiah, Bach and Mozart works, King David. Concerts: Innocent Depravity; Ladies of the Day and Night. mary@yehsure.com
Leslie Middlebrook, Mezzo-Soprano, 2001-02 season: (Tartuffe), Kaye Playhouse/ Kammeroper, Vienna; Pitti-Sing (Katisha - cover) (Mikado), Virginia Opera; Grimgerde (Walkure), RiversideTheatre; 2000: Mrs. Millick (Bittersweet), Massachusetts International Festival of Arts; Soloist in (Messiah) at Carnegie Hall; (Tenderland), Orchestra of St. Lukes; Augusta (Ballad of Baby Doe), NJ; Principessa (Suor Angelica), Henry Street; Duchess (Gondoliers), John Jay Theatre; Baba (The Medium); Miss Todd (Old Maid & The Thief) Bremen, Germany; Soloist, (Verdi Requiem), Imola Festival, Italy; Mrs. McLean (Susannah) Berkshire Opera, Marthe (Faust), Harrisburg; Giglietta (Isabeau) NJ Verismo; Concert: Amneris (Aida), Herodias (Salome), M. Shapiro. Ludwig Brunner Management, email: LBMgmt@aol.com or brookmoore1@cs.com.
Rena Panush, Soprano has sung leading roles including Lucia, Norma, Fiordiligi, Rosalinda, Micaela, Rosina and Donna Anna with the Regina Opera Company. Recent performances include Contessa in the Slovak Republic, Donna Anna and Fiordiligi in Bulgaria, and Marcellina for the Mozart Society. Ms.Panush has also sung with New Rochelle Opera, the Stoney Hill Players and Taconic Opera. The soprano is also known for her Yiddish/Classical program, "From Delancy to the Met," which she has performed in Florida, New Jersey, New York and Michigan and in private homes for an afternoon or evening soiree. She maintains a teaching studio in New Jersey.
Christina Rosas, Mezzo Soprano recently won first prize at the National Association of Teachers of Singing NYC Chapter Competition in the Graduate Division, making her a three time first prize winner. Ms. Rosas has distinguished herself as a performer and a competition winner. In March 2003, she was a top prize winner of the Orpheus National Vocal Competition and a two-time first prize winner of the NATS Mid-South Region Competition. Her performances include /Hansel/ in/ Hansel and Gretel/, /Marcellina /in/ Le Nozze di Figaro /and /Dinah/ in /Trouble in Tahiti./ She has been an active recitalist with pianist, Jason Hart.
Barbara Solomon, Mezzo Soprano (AGMA) Opera: Azucena (Commonwealth Opera); Florence Pike (The Berkshire Opera, Adirondack Festival); Marquise (Lyric Opera Cleveland), Marcellina (The Berkshire Opera), Katisha (Opera Festival of New Jersey); Berta (New Orleans Opera, Queens Opera, Singers' Theatre), Zita (Opera at Florham, Long Island Opera). Concerts: Verdi - Requiem (Kennedy Center, DC); Beethoven - Ninth Symphony and Tchaikovsky - Ode to Joy (Avery Fisher Hall, NY); Messiah (Delaware Symphony, Long Island Symphony, Commonwealth Opera Orchestra). For a more complete resumé and to hear sound bytes see www.realmutoartists.com. Contact: Richard Realmuto Artists' Management - rrartists@att.net, (212) 923-6131/6132 (T/F) or bjsolomon1@yahoo.com.
Marianna Vagnini, Soprano (member, NATS) "The Paradigm Italianate Voice" - W.Yanuzzi,Baltimore Opera. OPERA: includes MIMI (La Boheme) - U.S., Italy, Germany; COUNTESS (Le Nozze di Figaro), Title Role in SUOR ANGELICA, both for CT Opera Consortium; FIORDILIGI (Cosi fan Tutte) - Bel Canto Opera , Providence, RI, plus other Mozart & Puccini heroines. CONCERT - solo performances with the Waterbury (CT) Symphony - opera arias, film music, Mendelssohn's Midsummer Night's Dream, Leif Bjaland, conductor; Soprano II soloist - Mozart's Mass in C-minor, CT Choral Society, Tina Heidrich, conductor, plus concerts both here and abroad. Contact: Mr. James Dietsch, Pro Arte Management; e-mail: Marianna114@aol.com VM: (212)978-0615.
Anneliese von Goerken, Soprano performs with the ease and flair of a virtuoso entertainer. Lauded as a voice of exceptional beauty, richness and versatility, the New York Times described her as having 'tremendous presenceâ?T. Performances: Bronx Opera, Tacoma Chamber Orchestra, Bremerton Symphony, Evergreen Music Festival, Washington-Idaho Symphony, Center for Contemporary Opera. Concerts U.S. and England, featured soloist PBS production Carmina Burana. Upcoming: recitals of works by Moravec (2004 Pulitzer Prize), Lyndon-Gee (Grammy; Naxos), U.S. premiere Poèmes dâ?TAmour dâ?Taprès Guillaume Apollinaire, recording organ and voice including new composition by Charles Callahan, Canteloube's Chants d'Auvergne. avongoerken@earthlink.net or 516-679-5369.
Elissa Weiss, soprano, sings Renaissance, Medieval and Sephardic music (over 30 concerts in 2000), in solo programs and as a member of the Salomone Trio and the New York Continuo Collective. She has sung at Carnegie Hall, the Boston Early Music Festival, the Brooklyn Museum, and Town Hall. The Salomone Trio's debut CD, "Sacred and Profane" was featured on NPR's "Millenium of Music", and Renaissance Magazine (Marc Cramer) wrote: "a beautifully performed album, recommended for those who love the unaccompanied soprano voice". Solo programs include "Reaching Ecstasy Through Chant," "Sephardic Journey," and "Beautiful Dreamer" (Stephen Foster). Contact: ElissaAnn@aol.com, 212-874-6447.
Wilma H. Wever, Soprano appeared most recently in a reading of Tesla by Kievman with NYCO, and with Encompass Opera as the Marchesa in Henze's The End Of A World. She also performed in the world premiere in the eponymous role of Jocasta by Ruth Schonthal with Voice & Vision Theatre in NYC. Ms. Wever has performed in distinguished venues such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Holland and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. She has been recognized by the New York Times as "attractive and engaging" and by the Music Connoisseur as a performer with "savvy and grit". wilmawever@yahoo.com
