RIGOLETTO CAST:

Rob Barefield, Rigoletto

Baritone Robert Barefield is a frequent performer in opera, oratorio and recital.  He has performed with organizations throughout the United States and in Europe, including Operafestival di Roma, the Arizona Opera, the New Orleans Opera and the Ohio Light Opera. An accomplished recitalist, Barefield has performed repertoire such as Schubert's Winterreise as well as world premieres of art songs by leading American composers including David Conte, Simon Sargon and Robert Maggio.  He appears in the role of Zumarraga on the recently released world premiere recording of James Demars' opera, Guadalupe - Our Lady of the Roses (Canyon Records).  Robert Barefield is coordinator of the Voice Area at Arizona State University.

Brandon McReynolds, The Duke

"Handsome" and one who "delivers considerable thrills" are some of the phrases that critics use to describe young American tenor Brandon McReynolds. The Sweetwater, Texas native has most recently been seen as Almaviva in Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Oklahoma University Opera, Rinuccio in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi with Chelsea Opera, and Rodolfo in Puccini's La Boheme with Florida Grand Opera's In School Opera Program.  While a member of the Juilliard Opera Center, he sang the roles of the Fisherman in Stravinsky's Le Rossignol, the Shepherd in Oedipus Rex, and Little Bat in Floyd's Susannah. Other roles include Pilade in Handel's Oreste with the Spoleto Festival in Italy, Alfred in Die Fledermaus with Lyric Opera Cleveland, and Seneca Pupil in L'incoronazione di Poppea with Chicago Opera Theater as well as appearances with Sarasota Opera, Music Academy of the West, Central City Opera and the Liederkranz Foundation.  He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Rice University and a Master of Music degree and Artist Diploma from The Juilliard School.

Monica Yunus, Gilda

Equally at home in concert, recital or on the operatic stage, Monica Yunus is quickly establishing herself as one of America's most promising young sopranos.  During the 2008–09 season Ms. Yunus returns to the Metropolitan Opera for performances at their 125th Anniversary Gala, as Poussette in Manon, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, and Yvette in La Rondine. In addition, she will be heard in concert at the Tilles Center in New York as well as at the University of Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala City, in Orlando with Bach Festival Society under the auspices of the Marilyn Horne Foundation and in Abu Dhabi in a concert for the Abu Dhabi Collectors Program hosted by the Crown Prince. Engagements in future seasons include leading roles with the Washington National Opera among many others.  Ms. Yunus is the co-director of Sing for Hope (www.singforhope.org), which has raised over 3 million dollars for humanitarian charities in the US and abroad. In recognition of her contribution to the field of arts activism, she was honored to perform the opening night concert and participate in the 2007 Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit.  Ms. Yunus holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from The Juilliard School.

Robert Allen Saunders, Sparafucile

Robert Allen Saunders, bass, holds an undergraduate degree in vocal performance from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, and Masters and Doctorate degrees from the renowned Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where he studied with Paul Kiesgen, Roy Samuelsen, and Paul Elliott.  The bass has sung with Indianapolis Opera, Utah Festival Opera, Indiana Opera North, and the Indiana University Opera Theater, singing Sparafucile in Rigoletto, Dr. Bartolo in The Barber of Seville, and the Doctor in Berg's Wozzeck, among others.  Saunders was also the bass soloist for performances of Mozart’s Requiem in Russia with the State Orchestra of Russia in Moscow and with the St. Petersburg State Orchestra in St. Petersburg. He has appeared in Frigyes Hidas’ Requiem at Middle Tennessee State University, and as bass soloist with the Viola da gamba Dojo of New York, directed by John Mark Rozendaal. Since 2008, Allen has served on faculty at Northern Arizona University, where he teaches private vocal lessons, master classes, and acts in an advisory role to the NAU Opera.

Susan Salas, Maddalena

Susan Salas, mezzo-soprano, has performed with Tacoma Opera (Ragonde, Le Comte Ory), Bellevue Opera (Hansel, Hansel and Gretel), the Academy of Baroque Opera (Vita Mondana, Rappresentatione di Anima et di Corpo), the Seattle Opera Guild, Skagit Opera, and others. She is a Regular Chorister with Seattle Opera.  As a soloist, Susan has appeared with the Seattle Symphony, Billings Handel Festival, Seattle Choral Company and Lake Union Civic Orchestra. Susan was a semi-finalist in the Eleanor Lieber Competition and placed first in the Performing Arts Festival of the Eastside Duet Competition. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University.

Chas Elliot, Monterone

Montana native Chas Elliott began his vocal training with the mezzo-soprano, Dolora Zajick, and the Nevada Opera Association under the direction of Ted Puffer. He has sung with the Nevada Opera, the Intermountain Opera, The Bronx Opera, and toured the nation with the Ensemble for Early Music. He has appeared as a soloist with the Helena, Missoula, and Great Falls symphonies. In June 2005, he sang in the American premiere of the opera, Poia, for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Celebration. Chas is a 1997 Metropolitan Opera National Council finalist. He continues his own vocal training with Monica Harte in New York City, where he coaches with Maestro Steven Crawford (the Metropolitan Opera) and Hyae-Seon Shin (Manhattan School of Music).

Jeffrey Kitto, Borsa

Jeffrey Kitto (tenor) was most recently seen performing the role of Don Jose in Carmen for the Rimrock Opera. Other recent engagements include Nemorino in Elixir of Love, Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, Rodolfo in La Boheme, and Tamino in The Magic Flute for various companies throughout the Northwest.  A native 5th-generation Montanan, Jeff was a founding member of national recording artists, The Clintons. His web site is www.jeffreykitto.com.

Jon Baugh, Marullo

A member of the State Bar of Montana, Jon is enjoying the role of Marullo.  His previous operatic roles have been Balthazar in Montana Lyric Opera’s production of Amahl and the Night Visitors, and the evil sorcerer in Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aenaeus at the Birmingham Conservatory of Music.  He has also performed in various scenes from Richard Wagner’s operas.  Specializing in German Lieder and African-American Spirituals, Jon has given recitals in Birmingham, Dallas and Providence.  He wishes to thank his parents, John Baugh, Sr., and Dorothy Pitts Baugh, for always being there for him.

Don McCammon, Count Ceprano

Don made his operatic debut last year in the role of Melchior in MLO’s production of Amahl and the Night Visitors.  His music career spans from the role of a Muleteer in Man of La Mancha to the University of Montana Jubileers, MSU’s Christus Collegiums’ New Genesis Singers, and Eugene Butler’s Community Choir in Johnson County, Kansas.  While singing with the Colorado Symphony Chorus he performed for the Pope in Denver, and has sung numerous chorus numbers for Gilbert and Sullivan operas.  He now sings with the Missoula Symphony Chorale and conducts the Polson First United Methodist Church Choir.  Don’s other career is as an Engineer for HDR Engineering in Missoula, where he lives with his wife, Donna. 

Amalia Morales, Giovanna and Gilda understudy

Amalia Morales was born and raised in New York City. Upon receiving a B.A. in music from Swarthmore College, Amalia received a scholarship for study at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. A member of the Crittenden Opera Studio, Amalia also received art song coaching with Marshall Williamson. Solo concert performances include: Mozart’s Requiem and Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Faure’s Requiem and the New York premiere of Christ Love by Geoffrey Burgon. Amalia has appeared in recital in Pennsylvania, New York, and Great Britain, where she premiered works by composers Gregers Brinch and Francis Rainey. Amalia recently appeared as the Fairy Queen in Cendrillon with the UM Opera Theater this spring.

Dawn Douglass, Countess Ceprano

Soprano Dawn Douglass graduated from the University of Montana in 1999 with a degree in Vocal Performance.  Ms. Douglass studied with Anne Basinski at the University of Montana. Her opera roles include Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte, and Susannah from Carlisle Floyd’s opera of the same name. Theatrical roles include Anna in The King and I, Cinderella in Into the Woods, and the Baroness in The Sound of Music. Dawn is encouraged by the opportunities Montana Lyric Opera is already bringing to this community and the region.

Joseph Licitra, an Usher

Joseph Licitra is currently a student at the University of Montana, Missoula, studying vocal performance with Dr. David Cody and previously with Ester England.  He has performed as Chevalier de la Force in Dialogue of the Carmelites and as Belmonte in The Abduction from the Seraglio, both with UM Opera Theater, as well as in Amahl and the Night Visitors with Montana Lyric Opera.  Most recently, Joseph appeared as Mr. Sowerberry, the undertaker, in Oliver, the Musical, with Missoula Children’s Theater.  In his free time, Joseph enjoys cooking, directing children’s theater and spending time with his wife and four children.

Rachel Bucholtz, a Page

Soprano Rachel Bucholtz received her Bachelor of Music from Central Washington University, where she studied under Dr. Diane Thueson Reich.  She made her operatic debut at Central Washington University, as Nella in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.  She also performed the role of First Witch in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.  Rachel debuted with Montana Lyric Opera in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Rachel has a growing private voice studio in Missoula and has enjoyed being involved in Missoula’s Symphony Chorale and the music ministry of First Presbyterian Church.  She is currently studying under Anne Basinki and will be starting her Masters Degree studies at the University of Montana in the fall. Rachel currently resides in Missoula with her husband, Roman.

PROGRAM NOTES & SYNOPSIS