The program will focus on the four productions in the 2012 Festival:  Aida, Armide, Lost in the Stars and The Music Man.  She will also include comments on her recent trips to South Africa, Norway and Toronto for Glimmerglass.

The event is free and open to the public. The Waterville Library is located at 206 White Street, Waterville, NY.

See you there!

What is your dream role? Leonora from Verdi’s Il Trovaotre.

Are there any artists you feel particularly inspired by? I’m always inspired by Leontyne Price, Sherrill Milnes, Maria Callas, Anna Netrebko, Renee Fleming and many, many more.

What do you do for fun? I love movies, restaurants, and cooking.

What was the last book you read? Tina Fey’s Bossypants

Who have you been told is your celebrity doppelganger? Queen Latifah and Gabriel Union (not her body, just her face ).

What is your favorite meal? Do you cook it yourself? I love cereal!!!! YES, I do cook it myself!

What is one thing most people don’t know about you? I’m an introvert and shy.

Regarding your upcoming performances at Glimmerglass, what does the story of Aida have to say to us in 2012? Never give up and fight for what you want. Never let things such as race or status get in the way of your dreams.

Aida opens the 2012 Glimmerglass Festival July 7 and runs through August 25.

Artistic & General Director Francesca Zambello is very passionate about including children in our productions. She was on hand at the auditions, along with Company Manager Richard Blanton, Music Man Associate Choreographer Josh Walden and Tracy Allen, our Children’s Chorus Coordinator. Children were asked to perform a song and monologue, and Josh taught them each a brief dance combination to perform.

All of the children did a wonderful job, and we send a big thank you out to everyone who auditioned – and to the parents that supported them in this endeavor!

The company would not be what it is without the support of the Guild. Every year, the company presents a Volunteer of the Year and Usher of the Year award for tremendous dedication and support of Glimmerglass.   In 2011, the recipients were Don & Sue Drake for their years of commitment to the company. Here is the list of past recipients. Thank you, volunteers!

1987       MaryEllen & Donald Fenner

1988       Doris Shields

1989       Mary Dunkle

1989       Gwendolyn & Ferdinand Ermlich

1989       Doris Shields

1989       Virginia & Harry Pence

1990       Elizabeth Flavin

1991       William McColl

1991       Karin & David Svahn

1992       Doris Shields

1993       Donna & David Farquhar

1994       Mona Harris

1995       Lona Smith

1995       John T. Manion (Rookie of the Year)

1996       Birgit & Kelly Campbell

1996       Gail Baden (Rookie of the Year)

1997       Dennis Banks

1998       Harriett & Richard Johnson

1999       Lori Higgins

2000       Jacqueline Dann

2001       Charles (Jud) Pannaci

2002       Abby Kreh Gibson

2003       Ernie Adams

2004       Carol Robbins

2004       Sarah Baden

2005       MaryEllen & Donald Fenner

2006       Abby Kreh Gibson

2007       Jean Lyon

2008       Mary Dunkle

2009       Thomas Simpson

2010       Simon Carr-Ellison

2011       Don & Sue Drake

My production of Show Boat runs through March 17, but I am already in Sydney working on my production of La traviata for Opera Australia’s inaugural Opera on Sydney Harbour, which will feature a purpose-built shimmering floating stage and a giant suspended chandelier.

You can see clips of Show Boat here:

And many videos on La traviata here.

While this is all very exciting, after all these travels I will be happy to return to Cooperstown, our lakeside theater and all the hiking opportunities that await me!

The trustees and their remarkable achievements were celebrated at a dinner and reception in New York City on February 24.

Betty was cheered enthusiastically by both the Glimmerglass constituency that attended the dinner and her many trustee colleagues who had the pleasure of working with her on national committees over recent years. She is clearly well-respected not only by her Glimmerglass family, but by leaders in the field as well. Betty took an active role in OPERA America activities in order to bring ideas and new thinking to her role as Board Chair and to Glimmerglass as a whole. She shared the honors with a truly esteemed group: Joseph and Judy Liff-Barker of Nashville Opera, Susan F. Morris of The Santa Fe Opera, William C. Morris of The Metropolitan Opera and the late Dr. George R. White of Opera Theater of Pittsburgh.

Betty was elected to the Glimmerglass Board of Trustees in the fall of 2002 and was quickly elected Treasurer, followed by President, then Chair. While the Glimmerglass bylaws require her to step off the Board for at least this year, she has remained heavily involved with the Board and its committees.

We are deeply proud of Betty and honored to have her and her family’s loyal involvement with Glimmerglass.

Congratulations, Betty!

Photo:

Anthony Freud, Chairman of the OPERA America Board of Directors; and Frayda B. Lindemann, Vice Chairman of the OPERA America Board of Directors and Chairman of the National Opera Trustee Recognition Program; with Betty Eveillard. Photo: Jon Simon.

Leading up to the summer, The Glimmerglass Festival presents several events in New York City featuring performances by Glimmerglass artists. Last week we held our annual National Council Winter Gathering at a private home. The evening included a program of French baroque and contemporary music. Lisa Williamson, a 2012 Young Artist, began the program with a performance of “Caro Nome” from Verdi’s Rigoletto. Performances followed by Young Artists Program alumni Anthony Roth Costanzo and Joélle Harvey, as well as by David Pittsinger and his young son Richard, who performed a world premiere piece by Scott Eyerly.

The Glimmerglass Festival National Council is comprised of donors who give $1,000 or more annually, many of whom also serve as ambassadors for the company by hosting Glimmerglass gatherings in their communities.

Take a look at some pictures from the evening here, on Socially Superlative.

Next on the schedule we hold GLIMMERATA!, the 2012 Spring Gala, on April 10 at The Metropolitan Club in Manhattan to benefit our Young Artists and Summer Internship programs. The evening will feature music, dinner and dancing, as well as performances by 2012 Glimmerglass Artist in Residence Eric Owens, David Daniels, Dwayne Croft, Sean Panikkar, Elizabeth Futral, Young Artist Dominick Rodriguez and more.
Hear Artistic & General Director Francesca Zambello speak on the event below:

Fun Fact:

Irving Berlin, who wrote the music and lyrics to last summer’s Annie Get Your Gun, also composed what many call the second (only to the National Anthem) most patriotic song in our country’s history – God Bless America. This popular tune has netted more than $10 million since it was written, and not a penny of it went to Berlin or his estate. Berlin arranged for all royalties generated from the song to go directly the Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and Campfire Girls, insisting that he shouldn’t profit from patriotism. This one act has provided a great deal of financial support to these organizations for more than 70 years.

There are many ways to donate to non-profit organizations, whether it be items, money or time, and all are appreciated by recipients. How do you give back?

“I’m a fan of Handel’s Messiah. Or check out Chanticleer. They sing a lot of early music but also have quite a few Christmas albums.”

Kristin Cook, Box Office Manager

“I love the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Carol of the Bells.”

June Dzialo, Marketing & Public Relations Manager

“‘I’ll be Home for Christmas’ by Bing Crosby. It was co-written by James Kimball Gannon, who lived in my hometown of Greenwich. He was a legend in my town.”

Andi Lyons, Director of Administration and Operations

“Handel’s ‘The Messiah’”

Corinne Peretin, Accounting Associate

“I’m a big fan of Harry Simone’s 1958 album ‘The Little Drummer Boy,’ and the Charlie Brown Christmas album.  Also, the music nerd in me loves any and all old-school madrigals and carols related to Christmas and otherwise, especially ‘The Holly and the Ivy,’  ‘The Coventry Carol,’ and ‘Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella.’”

Carolyne Hall, Assistant to the Artistic & General Director

“One of my favorite Christmas albums is ‘A Very Special Christmas, Volume 1.’ There are eight in the series, but this one includes everything from the Eurhythmics with ‘Winter Wonderland’ to  John Mellencamp  with ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’ to Stevie Nicks with ‘Silent Night,’ and  proceeds from the sale of any of these benefit Special Olympics International. Definitely worth a listen.”

 Dianne Ciano, Director of Housing & Transportation

“I hope that everyone knows that the John Denver and the Muppets Christmas album is the best Christmas album out there.”

Abby Rodd, Director of Production

“No offence to the Muppets or the late John Denver, but I think a very strong case could be made for the Carpenter’s ‘Christmas Portrait.’ Karen Carpenter’s ‘Merry Christmas, Darling’ is just fantastic.”

Richard Blanton, Company Manager

“My all-time Christmas favorite is José Feliciano’s ‘Feliz Navidad.’  I literally stop what I’m doing and dance whenever I hear it while I’m Christmas shopping.

Linda Jackson, Managing Director

“I think the most beautiful Christmas Carol is ‘In the Bleak Midwinter,’ and the one that’s most fun to sing with children is ‘The Friendly Beasts.’

Tara Sumner, Development Manager