About – Madison Opera

About – Madison Opera
About Madison Opera
Madison Opera is a non-profit, professional opera company based in Madison, Wisconsin. A resident organization of the Overture Center for the Arts, Madison Opera produces three operas annually in addition to Opera in the Park and a variety of educational programming.
With the 2025/26 season, Madison Opera celebrates our 64th year of being one of only two opera companies in Wisconsin that provide the experience of fully-staged grand opera.  Our mission is to produce opera of the highest artistic standards, and our three mainstage productions draw over 10,000 audience members each year to the Overture Center to enjoy both classic operas such as
Carmen
and modern masterpieces such as
Fellow Travelers
.  Our gift to the community, Opera in the Park, attracts over 12,000 people to Madison from across Wisconsin for a free concert on a beautiful July evening.
Staff
GENERAL DIRECTOR –
Kathryn Smith
Bio
PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR – John DeMain –
Bio
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION  –
Jill Krynicki
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT –
Beth Tolles
ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATOR –
Chloe Agostino
ADVANCEMENT OFFICER –
Jake Barreau
PATRON SERVICES MANAGER –
Robert Goderich
FINANCE OFFICER –
Brian Haltinner
MARKETING MANAGER –
Julia Simpson
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR / WAREHOUSE MANAGER –
Billy Larimore
MUSIC ASSISTANT –
Aubrie
Jacobson
Board of Trustees
Officers
PRESIDENT – Susan Zaeske*
CHAIRMAN – Thomas Terry*
VICE PRESIDENT – Viki Brigham*
VICE PRESIDENT – Jane Taves*
TREASURER – Larry Bechler*
SECRETARY – Leanne Cordisco*
Trustees
Carla J. Alvarado
Debra Anken-Dyer
Martin Barrett*
Martha Casey
Kathy Condit
David Flanders
Joyce Hirsch*
Stephen Hurley
Connie Kinsella
Fran Klos*
Franzo Law II*
Richard Leffler
John Lemke
Susan Lipp
Patti Lucas
Lynn Mecklenburg
*Executive Committee
Barbara Merz
Sally Miley*
J. Marshall Osborn*
Cyrena Pondrom
Susan Thibeault
Selma VanEyck
Toby Wallach
Sonja Yde
Advisors
Fern Lawrence
Elaine Staley
Helen Wineke
Madison Opera Foundation
Established in 2001, the Madison Opera Foundation is an important part of Madison Opera’s financial structure. Managed by a board of directors, it oversees several funds, including the Madison Opera Endowment (for gifts given in perpetuity), the Madison Opera Reserve, and several donor-designated funds.
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT – Joyce Hirsch
Fernando Alvarado
Martin Barrett
Larry Bechler
Sally Miley
Amy Nickles
J. Marshall Osborn
Thomas Terry
Susan Zaeske
The Margaret C. Winston
Madison Opera Center
Located at 335 W. Mifflin Street, just one block from Overture Center’s stage door, the Margaret C. Winston Madison Opera Center is both our artistic home and our administrative home, with our offices, rehearsal hall, costume shop and more.  Over the course of a season, the Opera Center is home to auditions, rehearsals, meetings, previews, donor events, and so much more.
The Opera Center may be rented for rehearsals and events; the parking ramp associated is available for public parking.
More Information
The Studio Artist Program
Established in 2012, the Madison Opera Studio Artist Program is an important part of the company’s artistic and educational mission. The Studio Artists are singers in the transitional period between university and their professional careers. Over the course of a season, Studio Artists perform small roles and understudy major roles in Madison Opera’s productions, as well as serving as the company’s musical ambassadors across our region.
Alexandra Burch
soprano
MM – DePaul University
BM – Viterbo University
This season at MO:
Chorus, Musetta (cover),
La Bohème
; Lucy, Elva Heaster Shue (cover),
Everlasting Faint
; chorus, Despina (cover),
Così fan tutte
Madison Barrett
mezzo-soprano
MM – Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison
BA – Univ. of Florida
This season at MO:
Allie, Mary Heaster (cover),
Everlasting Faint
; chorus, Dorabella (cover),
Così fan tutte
Learn more about Madison.
Ryan Nash
tenor
MM – Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison
BM – Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst
This season at MO:
Parpignol,
La Bohème
; David Gassaway, Trout Shue (cover),
Everlasting Faint;
chorus, Ferrando (cover),
Così fan tutte
Learn more about Ryan.
Lifan Deng
baritone
MM – Northwestern Univ.
BA – Case Western Reserve Univ.
This season at MO:
Schaunard, Marcello (cover),
La Bohème;
Gregory Snodegar, Dr. Knapp (cover),
Everlasting Faint;
chorus, Guglielmo (cover),
Così fan tutte
Learn more about Lifan.
2024/25 Season
Soprano
Brianna Murray
Mezzo
Hailey Cohen
Tenor
Ryan Nash
Baritone
Lifan Deng
2023/24 Season
Soprano
Sachie Ueshima
Soprano
Brianna Murray
Mezzo
Hailey Cohen
Tenor
William Johnson
Baritone
Timothy Krueger
2022/23 Season
Soprano
Alannah Spencer
Mezzo
Lindsey Meekhof
Tenor
Pedro Valdez
2021/22 Season
Soprano
Anja Pustaver
Mezzo
Quinn Middleman
Tenor
Tyrese Byrd
Baritone
Jake Surzyn
2019/20 Season
Soprano
Emily Secor
Mezzo
Kirsten Larson
Tenor
Benjamin Hopkins
Baritone
Stephen Hobe
2018/19 Season
Soprano
Emily Secor
Mezzo
Kirsten Larson
Tenor
Benjamin Liupaogo
Baritone
Stephen Hobe
2017/18 Season
Soprano
Anna Polum
Mezzo
Megan Ott Romero
Tenor
Benjamin Liupaogo
2016/17 Season
Soprano
Anna Polum
Mezzo
Anna Parks
Baritone
James Held
2015/16 Season
Soprano
Marie McManama
Mezzo
Kelsey Park
Tenor
William Ottow
Baritone
Nathaniel Hill
2014/15 Season
Soprano
Chelsea Morris
Mezzo
Anna Laurenzo
Tenor
Thomas Leighton
2013/14 Season
Soprano
Gillian Hollis
Soprano
Jessie Lyons
Tenor
Scott Brunscheen
2012/13 Season
Soprano
Jeni Houser
Mezzo
Jessica Timman
Tenor
Adam Shelton
Baritone
John Arnold
Auditions
PRINCIPAL AUDITIONS
General auditions for principal roles are held every December. Please check back in mid-October for an audition announcement.
MADISON OPERA CHORUS AUDITIONS
The next round of Madison Opera Chorus auditions will be held in Summer 2026. Please check back in May for an audition announcement.
STUDIO ARTIST AUDITIONS
Madison Opera is holding auditions for Wisconsin and Upper-Midwest based young artists for its Studio Artists Program in the 2026/27 season.
Responsibilities will include covering mainstage roles, singing small roles or chorus as appropriate, and performing previews, recitals and other outreach activities as scheduled by mutual agreement between September 2026 and May 2027.
Please note: This is not a full-time program. Compensation will be based on specific assignments, and outreach activities will be scheduled by mutual agreement. While there is no specific age range, artists should have completed their undergraduate degree and be in the early stages of a professional opera career.
To be considered for an audition,
please e-mail your resume and headshot to auditions@madisonopera.org. You will be contacted to schedule an audition time, if appropriate.
Deadline:
Resumes must be received by May 6, 2026
Audition Date:
May 13, 2026
If granted an audition, singers should prepare four to five arias of varying styles and languages. A pianist will be provided free of charge.
Note: These auditions are for Studio Artists only; principal and chorus auditions will be held on future dates.
Questions?  Please email auditions@madisonopera.org.
Production Assistant Program
The Production Assistant position offers a hands-on experience in a professional opera environment.  This paid, entry-level position is ideal for college and high school students, giving them the chance to work backstage as part of the production team and learn stage management skills.  Exact tasks are assigned based on interest and aptitude.
Full Position Description
Apply for Production Assistant Program
The History of Madison Opera
Since 1961, Madison Opera has presented over 70 different operas, composed from the 18th to the 21st century, performed in seven different languages. We have shared the magic of opera with generations of our community, as both opera and our city have evolved. Learn more about our history and details on past productions.
Madison Opera History
Job Openings
We have no job openings at this time.
Keely Futterer
Rosina,
The Barber of Seville
Hometown:
Dover, AR
Madison Opera Debut:
Léontine,
The Anonymous Lover
(2024)
Recently:
Anna Sørenson,
Silent Night
(Wolf Trap Opera); Musetta,
La Bohè
me
; Armida,
Rinaldo
; Charlene,
Service Provider
; Jazz Trio,
Trouble in Tahiti
(Minnesota Opera);
Armida,
Rinaldo
; Vanderdendur,
Candide;
Angostura,
Tenor Overboard
(Glimmerglass Festival);
Rodelinda,
Rodelinda
(Hudson Hall); Fiordiligi,
Così fan tutte
(Opera Memphis);
Upcoming:
Marcellina,
Leonora
(Chicago Opera Theater);
Fiordiligi,
Così fan tutte
(Virginia Opera); Verdi
Requiem
(Erie Philharmonic)
Weston Hurt
Baritone,
Opera in the Park
Hometown:
Spring, TX
Madison Opera Debut:
Germont,
La Traviata
(2019)
Recently:
Sharpless,
Madama Butterfly
(Houston Grand Opera, New Orleans Opera);
Britten's
War Requiem
(Opera Roanoke); Scarpia,
Tosca
(Arizona Opera);
Germont,
La Traviata
(Lyric Opera of Kansas City); Nabucco,
Nabucco
(Seattle Opera)
Upcoming:
Rigoletto,
Rigoletto
(English National Opera)
Joshua Sanders
Tenor,
Opera in the Park
Hometown:
Plain, WI
Madison Opera Debut:
Giuseppe,
La Traviata
(2011)
Also at MO:
Tobias Ragg,
Sweeney Todd;
Inmate,
Dead Man Walking;
Ensemble,
Acis and Galatea
Recently:
Count Almaviva,
The Barber of Seville
; Romeo,
Romeo and Juliet
(Opera San José);
Tamino,
The Magic Flute
(Nashville Opera); Sam Clay,
The Amazing Adventures of
Kavalier & Clay
workshop (Metropolitan Opera)
Upcoming:
Victorin,
Die tote Stadt
(Boston Symphony Orchestra)
Sachie Ueshima
Zerlina,
Don Giovanni
Hometown:
Wakayama City, Japan
Madison Opera Debut
Former Madison Opera Studio Artist
Recently:
Cio-Cio-San,
Madama Butterfly
(Virginia Opera); Violetta,
La Traviat
a;
Krystyna Zywulska,
Two Remain
(UW-Madison)
Upcoming:
Cio-Cio-San,
Madama Butterfly
(Kentucky Opera)
David Walton
Count Almaviva,
The Barber of Seville
Hometown:
Twin Cities, MN
Madison Opera Debut:
Opera in the Park 2017
Also at MO:
Belmonte,
The Abduction from the Seraglio
Recently:
Ferrando,
Così fan tutte
(Princeton Festival); Ramiro,
La Cenerentola
(Toledo Opera);
Count Almaviva,
The Barber of Seville
(North Carolina Opera);
Frederic,
The Pirates of Penzance
(Opera San Antonio); Filippo,
Deceit Outwitted
(Sarasota Opera)
Upcoming:
Count Almaviva,
The Barber of Seville
(Minnesota Opera); Candide,
Candide
(South Florida Symphony);
Don Ottavio,
Don Giovanni
(Livermore Valley Opera)
Emily Fons
Donna Elvira,
Don Giovanni
Hometown:
Milwaukee, WI
Madison Opera Debut:
Opera in the Park 2012
Also at MO:
Opera in the Park 2024;
Rosina,
The Barber of Seville
(2015)
Recently:
Nicklausse,
The Tales of Hoffmann
(Palm Beach Opera);
Rosina,
The Barber of Seville
(Cincinnati Opera, Santa Fe Opera);
Woman,
Ghosts
(San Diego Opera); Cherubino,
The Marriage of Figaro
(Canadian Opera Company);
Hansel,
Hansel and Gretel
(New Orleans Opera)
Upcoming:
Princess Irene,
Tamerlano
(Haymarket Opera)
Emily Birsan
Martha Jones,
Everlasting Faint
Madison Opera Debut:
Barbarina,
The Marriage of Figaro
(2011)
Recently at MO:
Rusalka,
Rusalka
; Juliet,
Romeo and Juliet
; Opera in the Park 2016; Musetta,
La Bohème
Recently:
Speranza Celeste,
Ester
; Asteria,
Tamerlano
(Haymarket Opera); Countess Susanna,
Il Segreto di Susanna
(Opera Festival of Chicago); Euridice,
Orfeo ed Euridice
(Inland Northwest Opera)
Alan Dunbar
Dr. Knapp,
Everlasting Faint
Hometown:
Winona, MN
Madison Opera Debut:
Alidoro,
Cinderella
(2012)
Recently at MO:
Dr. Pangloss / Martin,
Candide
; 1st Nazarene,
Salome
; Sipos,
She Loves Me
; Sen. McCarthy / Interrogator / Frank,
Fellow Travelers
; Papageno,
The Magic Flute
; Owen Hart,
Dead Man Walking
Recently:
Bach’s
B-Minor Mass
; Uberto,
La Serva Padrona
; Jesus,
St. Matthew Passion
(Bach Roots Festival);
Emergency Haying
(UNI New Music Festival; Winona Symphony Orchestra); Noye,
Noye’s Fludde
(Santa Fe Opera)
Alison Pogorelc
Stage Director,
La Bohème
Hometown:
Milwaukee, WI
Madison Opera Debut
Recently:
The Knock
(Central City Opera);
Rigoletto
Moby Dick
The Marriage of Figaro
(Metropolitan Opera);
Salome
(Des Moines Metro Opera);
Partenope
(Washington National Opera);
Agrippina
The Anonymous Lover
(Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music);
Ariane and Bluebeard
(West Edge Opera)
Upcoming:
La sonnambula
I puritani
Tristan and Isolde
La Traviata
(Metropolitan Opera);
Le Roi David
(New York Choral Society);
The Old Maid and the Thief
(Washington National Opera)
Haley Stamats
Stage Director,
Così fan tutte
Hometown:
Cedar Rapids, IA
Madison Opera Debut
Recently:
Carmen
(Shreveport Opera);
Maria Stuarda
(Opera Baltimore);
Armida, Proving Opera, Iphigénie en Tauride, Denis and Katya
(Pittsburgh Opera);
La Bohème
(Opera Delaware, Opera Baltimore, Charleston Opera Theater)
Upcoming:
Tosca
(Opera Delaware, Opera Baltimore);
The Barber of Seville
(Charleston Opera Theater)
Martin Luther Clark
Ferrando,
Così fan tutte
Hometown:
Marshall, TX
Madison Opera Debut:
Candide,
Candide
(2024)
Recently:
Macduff,
Macbeth
(Teatro Nuovo); Walther,
Tannhäuser
(Houston Grand Opera); Fredrick Loudin,
Jubilee
(Seattle Opera); Jonathan Dale,
Silent Night
; Father,
The Seven Deadly Sins
(Wolf Trap Opera); Luis Griffith,
Champion
(Lyric Opera of Chicago); Orderly,
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
(Dallas Opera)
Upcoming:
Chevalier de la Force,
Dialogues of the Carmelites
(Dallas Opera); Pang,
Turandot
(Metropolitan Opera)
Keturah Stickann
Stage Director / Dramaturg,
Everlasting Faint
Hometown:
Columbia, MO
Madison Opera Debut:
Rusalka
(2019)
Recently at MO:
Salome
Recently:
La Bohème
(Chautauqua Opera, San Diego Opera);
Stuck Elevator, La Traviata
(Knoxville Opera); Choreographer,
Moby-Dick
(Metropolitan Opera);
Carmen
(Indiana University);
The Little Prince
(Resonance Works);
Hansel and Gretel
(Chautauqua Opera);
Samson and Dalila
(Opera Colorado);
Norma
(Palm Beach Opera);
Don Giovanni
(Minnesota Opera)
Upcoming:
Carmen
(Knoxville Opera, San Diego Opera);
Mosé in Eggito
(Opera Southwest);
Romeo & Juli
et (Opera Theatre of St. Louis)
Stephanie Rhodes Russell
Conductor,
Everlasting Faint
Hometown:
American Fork, UT
Madison Opera Debut:
Opera in the Park 2021
Recently at MO:
The Marriage of Figaro
Recently:
Hansel and Gretel
The Daughter of the Regiment
(Utah Opera);
Aida
Romeo and Juliette
(Arizona Opera);
Jungle Book
The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me
(Washington National Opera);
The Barber of Seville
(Austin Opera);
Eugene Onegin
(Rice University);
Don Giovanni
(Wolf Trap Opera);
The Knock
(Cincinnati Opera); Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera
Upcoming:
Charlotte Symphony; Resident Conductor, Fort Worth Symphony
Matthew Treviño
John Preston,
Everlasting Faint
Hometown:
Harlingen, TX
Madison Opera Debut
Recently:
Sparafucile,
Rigoletto
(Pacific Opera Victoria); Dr. Bartolo,
The Marriage of Figaro
; Dr. Grenvil,
La Traviata
(Calgary Opera); Dr. P.,
The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat
(Nashville Opera); Bonze,
Madame Butterfly
; Ferrando,
Il Trovatore
(Opéra de Montréal); Friar Laurent,
Romeo and Juliette
; Seneca,
The Coronation of Poppea
(Florentine Opera)
Emily Senturia
Conductor,
Così fan tutte
Hometown:
San Francisco, CA
Madison Opera Debut
Recently:
The Marriage of Figaro
(Wolf Trap Opera, Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera);
Bulrusher
(West Edge Opera);
The Pirates of Penzance
(Kentucky Opera);
Rinaldo
(Minnesota Opera; Glimmerglass Festival);
The Rape of Lucretia
(Temple University);
The Anonymous Lover
(Atlanta Opera);
Fellow Travelers
(Florida Grand Opera);
The Barber of Seville
(New Orleans Opera);
Semele
(Opera Santa Barbara)
Upcoming:
La Traviata
(Kentucky Opera);
Giulio Cesare
(Opera Santa Barbara);
Rinaldo
(West Edge Opera)
Andrew Wilkowske
Don Alfonso,
Così fan tutte
Hometown:
Willmar, MN
Madison Opera Debut:
Senator Potter / General Arlie / Bartender,
Fellow Travelers
(2020)
Recently at MO:
1st Soldier,
Salome
Recently:
Dr. Bartolo,
The Barber of Seville
; Sergeant Sulpice,
The Daughter of the Regiment
; Papageno,
The Magic Flute;
Benoit / Alcindoro,
La Bohème
; (Minnesota Opera); Papageno,
The Magic Flute
(Des Moines Metro Opera); Dulcamara,
The Elixir of Love
(Dayton Opera); Maurice Temerlin,
Lucy
(Eugene Opera)
Sun-Ly Pierce
Dorabella,
Così fan tutte
Hometown:
Clinton, NY
Madison Opera Debut
Recently:
Cherubino,
The Marriage of Figaro
; Suzy,
La Rondine
(Metropolitan Opera); Fox,
The Cunning Little Vixen;
Rosina,
The Barber of Seville
(Des Moines Metro Opera); Dorothée,
The Anonymous Lover
(Opera Philadelphia); Bertarido,
Rodelinda
(Hudson Opera House); Cherubino,
The Marriage of Figaro
(New Orleans Opera); Siébel,
Faust
(Berkshire Opera Festival); Suzuki,
Madame Butterfly
(Houston Grand Opera)
Upcoming:
Rosa Saks,
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
(Metropolitan Opera); Nefertiti,
Akhnaten
(LA Opera); Suzuki,
Madame Butterfly
(Semperoper Dresden; Santa Fe Opera)
Sarah Tucker
Fiordiligi,
Così fan tutte
Hometown:
Philadelphia, PA
Madison Opera Debut
Recently:
Micaela,
Carmen
(Virginia Opera, Sarasota Opera); Mimì,
La Bohème
(San Diego Opera, Fargo-Moorhead Opera); Liu,
Turandot
(Gulfshore Opera); Volunteer Girl,
Another City
(Houston Grand Opera); Pamina, The Magic Flute (North Carolina Opera)
Upcoming:
Countess,
The Marriage of Figaro
(Amarillo Opera)
Sandra Flores-Strand
Librettist,
Everlasting Faint
Hometown:
Phoenix, AZ
Librettist Sandra Flores-Strand is based in the US. Sandra has an extensive background in classical singing and theatrical production. Her libretti have been featured by Opera America, the Arizona Commission on the Arts, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the New York City Fringe Festival, the Arizona Women’s Collaborative, Really Spicy Opera, and more. Sandra writes on a variety of topics but feels compelled to tell stories with a focus on marginalized communities.
Scott Gendel
Composer,
Everlasting Faint
Hometown:
Monona, WI
Scott Gendel is a composer, pianist, vocal coach, and musical generalist from Wisconsin. He has been commissioned by many singers including Karen Slack and Julia Faulkner, along with ensembles like the Madison Symphony Orchestra and C4: The Choral Composer-Conductor Collective. Scott’s work has been performed at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Ravinia Festival, and recorded by artists including Yo-Yo Ma, San Jose Chamber Orchestra, and Madison Choral Project. Scott is principal vocal coach for Madison Opera and Music Director for Opera For The Young. Please visit
www.scottgendel.com
for more info.
Madison Barrett
Allie,
Everlasting Faint
Hometown:
Oviedo, FL
Madison Opera Debut
Madison Opera Studio Artist
Recently:
Desiree,
A Little Night Music
; Songbird,
Songbird
; Margaret,
The Light in the Piazza
(UW-Madison Opera); Lady Jacqueline,
Me and My Girl
; Ilene Cavanaugh,
The Arcadians
; Smitty,
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
; Flora,
No No Nanette
(Ohio Light Opera); Soloist,
Sondheim on Sondheim
(Middleton Player’s Theatre)
Alexandra Burch
Lucy,
Everlasting Faint
Hometown:
La Crosse, WI
Madison Opera Debut
Madison Opera Studio Artist
Recently:
The Governess,
Turn of the Screw
; Lucinda,
Dark Sisters
(DePaul University Opera)
Robert A. Goderich
Mr. Gardner,
Everlasting Faint
Hometown:
Deer Lodge, MT
Madison Opera Debut:
Amelia’s Servant,
A Masked Ball
(2012)
Recently at MO:
The Governor of Buenos Aires,
Candide
; Father,
The Seven Deadly Sins;
1st Jew,
Salome;
John Styx,
Orpheus in the Underworld;
Beppe,
Pagliacci;
1st Priest / Armored Man,
The Magic Flute;
Spalanzani,
The Tales of Hoffmann;
Pirelli,
Sweeney Todd
Recently:
Sam Byck,
Assassins;
Martini,
It's a Wonderful Life
(Capital City Theater); The Escapologist,
Matilda;
Featured Singer,
Taste of Broadway
(Children's Theater of Madison); Pirelli,
Sweeney Todd (
San Francisco Opera)
Upcoming:
Featured Chorus,
Between the Acts, Classical Works by Broadway's Greatest Composers
(Capital City Theater)
Tori Tedeschi Adams
Elva Heaster Shue,
Everlasting Faint
Hometown:
Minneapolis, MN
Madison Opera Debut
Recently:
Frasquita,
Carmen
(Sioux City Symphony Orchestra); Liesel,
The Sound of Music
(Houston Grand Opera, Glimmerglass Festival); Susanna,
The Marriage of Figaro
(CCM Opera); Ritchie / Angelica,
The Hours
(Cincinnati Opera / Opera Fusion workshop)
Upcoming:
Susanna,
The Marriage of Figaro
(Opera Las Vegas)
Katherine Pracht
Mary Heaster,
Everlasting Faint
Hometown:
Davenport, IA
Madison Opera Debut:
Countess Charlotte Malcolm,
A Little Night Music
(2019)
Recently:
Commanding Officer’s Wife / Alto,
The Knock;
Anna Maurrant,
Street Scene
(Central City Opera); Mary Johnson,
Fellow Travelers
(Virginia Opera); Helen,
February
; Madeline Mitchell,
Three Decembers
(Opera on the Avalon); Cornelia,
Giulio Cesare
; Elizabeth Cree,
Elizabeth Cree
(West Edge Opera); Miss Jessel,
Turn of the Screw
(IlluminArts); Horatio,
Hamlet
(State Opera Rousse, Bulgaria)
Wm. Clay Thompson
Colline,
La Bohème
Hometown:
Lexington, KY
Madison Opera Debut
Recently:
Figaro,
The Marriage of Figaro
(North Carolina Opera); Don Alfonso,
Così fan tutte;
Leporello,
Don Giovanni
(Virginia Opera); Colline,
La Bohème
(Charleston Opera); Don Alfonso,
Così fan tutte;
Father Palmer,
Silent Night
(Wolf Trap Opera); The King,
Aida
; Daland,
The Flying Dutchman
; Zuniga,
Carmen
(Lyric Opera of Chicago)
Upcoming:
Mark Torrance,
The Shining
(Nashville Opera)
Kyle White
Marcello,
La Bohème
Hometown:
Berkley, MI
Madison Opera Debut
Recently:
Guglielmo,
Così fan tutte
; William Dale,
Silent Night;
Valentin,
Faust
(Wolf Trap Opera); The Commentator,
Scalia / Ginzburg
; The Learned Judge,
Trial by Jury
(Fargo Moorhead Opera); Papageno,
The Magic Flute
(Annapolis Opera); Schaunard,
La Bohème
(Opera Montana; Kentucky Opera); Nardo,
La Finta Giardiniera
; Figaro,
The Barber of Seville
(Opera NEO); Giorgio Germont,
La Traviata
; Tommy McIntyre,
Fellow Travelers
(Virginia Opera); Prince Yamadori,
Madame Butterfly
(Opera San Antonio; Austin Opera)
Emily Secor
Musetta,
La
Bohème
Hometown:
Westfield, WI
Madison Opera Debut:
Mrs. Nordstrom,
A Little Night Music
(2019)
Recently at MO:
Diana,
Orpheus in the Underworld
; Miss. Lightfoot,
Fellow Travelers
; Annina,
La Traviata
; 1st Wood Sprite,
Rusalka
Recently:
Soloist,
Mozart’s Reqiuem
(Luther College)
Terrence Chin-Loy
Rodolfo,
La Bohème
Hometown:
Coral Springs, FL
Madison Opera Debut
Recently:
Vítek,
Dalibor
(Bard SummerScape);Gualtiero,
Griselda
(Danish National Opera); Cop 1,
Blue
(Lyric Opera of Chicago); Ferrando,
Così fan tutte
(Virginia Opera); Don Ottavio,
Don Giovanni
(Opera Omaha); Tamino,
The Magic Flute
(National Taichung Theater, Taiwan); Don José,
Carmen
(MasterVoices at Lincoln Center); Pang,
Turandot
(LA Opera); Romeo,
Romeo and Juliette
; Victor Frankenstein,
Frankenstein
(Arizona Opera)
Upcoming:
Pinkerton,
Madame Butterfly
(Arizona Opera); Pong,
Turandot
(Atlanta Opera); Lucian,
Lalovavi
(Cincinnati Opera)
Benjamin Taylor
baritone,
Opera in the Park
Hometown:
Waldorf, MD
Madison Opera Debut:
Silvio,
Pagliacci
(2018)
Recently at MO:
Figaro,
The Barber of Seville
Recently:
Jake,
Porgy and Bess
(Washington National Opera); Marcello,
La Bohème
(Arizona Opera); Bello,
La Fanciulla del West
(Bayerische Staatsoper); Guglielmo,
Così fan tutte
(Princeton Festival); Jan Nyman,
Breaking the Waves
(Detroit Opera); Moralès,
Carmen
; Papageno,
The Magic Flute
; Thierry,
Dialogues des Carmélites
(Metropolitan Opera); Silvio,
Pagliacci
(Austin Opera); Pantalone,
The Love for Three Oranges
(Des Moines Metro Opera); Paolo,
Simon Boccanegra
; Schaunard,
La Bohème
(Opera Philadelphia); West,
Castor and Patience
(Cincinnati Opera)
Upcoming:
Escamillo,
Carmen
(Seattle Opera); Jake,
Porgy and Bess
(Metropolitan Opera); Figaro,
The Barber of Seville
(Charleston Opera Theater)
Andrew Bidlack
Trout Shue,
Everlasting Faint
Hometown:
Baltimore, MD
Madison Opera Debut:
Tamino,
The Magic Flute
(2017)
Recently at MO:
Opera in the Park 2025;
Steven Kodaly,
She Loves Me
Recently:
Edmondo,
Manon Lescaut
(Washington Concert Opera); Third Squire,
Parsifal
; Sichel,
Doktor und Apotheker
; Marschallin’s Major Domo / Wirt,
Der Rosenkavalier
; Der Wirt,
Der Traumgörge
; First Vagabond,
Die Kluge
; Augustin Moser,
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
(Oper Frankfurt); The False Assistant,
The Tsar Has His Photograph Taken
(Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern); Doctor,
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
(Dallas Opera); Lyonnel,
Le Roi Arthus
(Tiroler Festspiele Erl, Bard Summerscape); Rob Hall,
Everest
(The Barbican Center); Young Gypsy,
Aleko
; Paolo,
Francesca da Rimini
(Odyssey Opera)
Upcoming:
Comte de Gloria-Cassis,
Les Brigands
; Remendado,
Carmen
(Oper Frankfurt)
Emily Treigle
Despina,
Così fan tutte
Hometown:
New Orleans, LA
Madison Opera Debut:
Opera in the Park 2025
Recently:
Filipyevna,
Eugene Onegin
; Lucia,
Cavalleria Rusticana
(Canadian Opera Company); Despina,
Così fan tutte
; Juno / Ino,
Semele
(Wolf Trap Opera); Tisbe,
La Cenerentola
; Meg Page,
Falstaff
; Suzuki,
Madame Butterfly
; Flora,
La Traviata
; Miss Violet,
Another City
; Mère Jeanne,
Dialogues of the Carmelites
; Gertrude,
Romeo and Juliet
(Houston Grand Opera)
Upcoming:
Second Lady,
The Magic Flute
(Metropolitan Opera); La Ciesca,
Gianni Schicchi
; The Monitress,
Suor Angelica
(Houston Grand Opera); Mère Marie,
Dialogues of the Carmelites
(New Orleans Opera)
Renée Richardson
Mimì,
La Bohème
Hometown:
Philadelphia, PA
Madison Opera Debut:
Opera in the Park 2025
Recently:
Countess,
The Marriage of Figaro
(Pensacola Opera); Fiordiligi,
Così fan tutte
; Donna Anna,
Don Giovanni
(Wolf Trap Opera); Flower Maiden,
Parsifal
; Sister Berta,
The Sound of Music
; Annina,
La Traviata
; Woman Whose Uncle Loved Maria Callas,
Another City
(Houston Grand Opera); Mimì,
La Bohème
; Foreign Princess,
Rusalka
; Suor Angelica,
Suor Angelica
(The Academy of Vocal Arts)
Upcoming:
Cassandra,
The Secret River
(Orlando Opera)
David Lefkowich
Stage Director,
Don Giovanni
Madison Opera Debut:
Acis and Galatea
(2013)
Recently at MO:
La Bohème, The Daughter of the Regiment
Recently:
Cavalleria Rusticana
(Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera);
The Magic Flute
(Grand Teton Music Festival);
Suor Angelica
(Out of the Box Opera);
Cendrillon
(McGill University);
Don Giovanni
(Opera Colorado)
Kanopy Dance
María de Buenos Aires
Hometown:
Madison, WI
Madison Opera Debut:
Acis & Galatea
(2013)
Recently at MO:
Florencia en el Amazonas; Trouble in Tahiti / The Seven Deadly Sins
Lisa Thurrell
Choreographer,
María de Buenos Aires
Hometown:
Madison, WI
Madison Opera Debut:
Florencia en el Amazonas
(2018)
Recently at MO:
The Anonymous Lover, Trouble in Tahiti / The Seven Deadly Sins
Co-Artistic Director of Kanopy Dance
Recently:
Director and Choreographer,
Winter Fantasia: Reimagined; Polaris + Revelations;
The Next Generation;
Confluence: A Prelude; Graham: In Her Voice; Shades of Light
(Kanopy Dance);
Choreographer,
Bluebeard's Castle
(Des Moines Metro Opera)
Upcoming:
Director and Choreographer,
Inner Passages
(Kanopy Dance);
Choreographer,
The Cunning Little Vixen
(Des Moines Metro Opera)
Kirstin Chávez
El Duende,
María de Buenos Aires
Hometown:
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia / Albuquerque, NM
Madison Opera Debut:
Opera in the Park 2006
Recently:
Glenda,
We Shall Not Be Moved
(Pittsburgh Opera); Verdi's
Requiem
(Pensacola Symphony);
Carlotta de Obragón,
Zorro
(Fort Worth Opera); Suzuki,
Madama Butterfly
(Dallas Opera);
Mozart's
Requiem
(Paducah Symphony); Carmen,
Carmen
(St. Barth's Music Festival)
Upcoming:
Carmen,
Carmen
(Kentucky Symphony Orchestra); Carmen,
Carmen Inside Out
(the film)
Ryan Nash
Parpignol,
La Bohème
; David Gassaway,
Everlasting Faint
Hometown:
Longmeadow, MA
Madison Opera Debut:
Sergeant,
The Barber of Seville
(2024)
Madison Opera Studio Artist
Recently:
Tamino,
The Magic Flute
(Opera for the Young); Gherardo,
Gianni Schicchi
(American Gothic Performing Arts Festival); Frederic,
The Pirates of Penzance
(Madison Savoyards); Mercurio,
La Calisto
; Gastone,
La Traviata
; Albert Herring,
Albert Herring
(UW-Madison Opera); Rinuccio,
Gianni Schicchi
(La Musica Lirica USA)
John DeMain
Conductor,
Opera in the Park 2025
La Bohème
Hometown:
Youngstown, OH
Madison Opera Debut:
The Magic Flute
(1995)
Recently at MO:
Don Giovanni, The Barber of Seville, Candide, Tosca, Trouble in Tahiti / The Seven Deadly Sins, Salome
Rebecca Herman
Stage Director,
The Barber of Seville
Hometown:
Austin, TX
Madison Opera Debut
Recently:
Carmen
(Austin Opera);
Don Giovanni
(Opera Colorado, Cincinnati Opera)
Un Cuento de Luces y Sonmbras
(LOLA);
La Bohème
(Glimmerglass Opera);
The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs
(Utah Opera, Calgary Opera)
Upcoming:
The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs
(Washington National Opera);
New Opera Workshop,
We Might be Struck by Lighting
(LOLA)
Fenlon Lamb
Stage Director,
Don Giovanni
Hometown:
Princeton, NJ
Madison Opera Debut:
La Traviata
(2019)
Recently at MO:
Lucia di Lammermoor
Recently:
La Fanciulla del West
(Central City Opera);
The Elixir of Love, Così fan tutte
(Palm Beach Opera);
The Marriage of Figaro
(Portland Opera);
Carmen
(Opera Santa Barbara);
Charlie Parker's Yardbird
(Dayton Opera);
La Bohème
(New Orleans Opera);
Mozart and Salieri
(Opera San Jose)
Kamna Gupta
Conductor,
María de Buenos Aires
Hometown:
St. Genis-de-Puilly, France
Madison Opera Debut
Recently:
The Pearl Fishers
(Vancouver Opera);
In Our Daughter's Eyes
(LA Opera / BMP);
Number Our Days
(Perelman Performing Arts Center);
Glory Denied
(Cleveland Institute of Music);
Rocking Horse Winner
(Tapestry Opera);
The Rip Van Winkles
(Glimmerglass Festival)
Upcoming:
Ruinous Gods
(Spoleto Festival USA)
Frances Rabalais
Stage Director,
María de Buenos Aires
Hometown:
New Orleans, LA
Madison Opera Debut:
Tosca
(2023)
Recently:
Macbeth
(Resonance Works);
Hansel and Gretel
(Opera Birmingham);
The Magic Flute
(North Carolina Opera);
The Barber of Seville
(Pensacola Opera)
Charles Eaton
Don Giovanni,
Don Giovanni
Hometown:
Storrs, CT
Madison Opera Debut:
Moralès,
Carmen
(2017)
Recently at MO:
Count Malcolm,
A Little Night Music
Recently:
Ponchel,
Silent Night
; Brother,
The Seven Deadly Sins
(Wolf Trap Opera); Schaunard,
La Bohème
Sam,
Trouble in Tahiti
; Masetto,
Don Giovanni
; Argante,
Rinaldo
(Minnesota Opera);
Fedorov,
The Christmas Spider
(Opéra Louisiane, Marble City Opera);
English Ambassador,
The Ghosts of Versailles
(Royal Opera Versailles);
Marcello,
La Bohèm
e (Imperial Symphony Orchestra)
Upcoming:
Mercutio,
Romeo & Juliet
(Minnesota Opera);
Silvio,
Pagliacci
(Pensacola Opera)
Jeremiah Sanders
Leporello,
Don Giovanni
Hometown:
Marian, IN
Madison Opera Debut
Recently:
Marcello,
La Bohèm
e; Beau,
Service Provider
; Jazz Trio,
Trouble in Tahiti
Hortensius,
The Daughter of the Regiment
; Mago,
Rinaldo
Abilenes's Father / Bryce's Father,
Edward Tulane
(Minnesota Opera);
Colline,
La Bohème
(Lyric Opera of the North); Lackey,
Ariadne auf Naxos
(Lakes Area Music Festival);
Charlie,
Three Decembers
(South Bend Lyric Opera);
The Villains,
The Tales of Hoffmann
(Union Avenue Opera)
Ashraf Sewailam
The Commendatore,
Don Giovanni
Hometown:
Cairo, Egypt / San Francisco, CA
Madison Opera Debut:
Captain,
Florencia en el Amazonas
(2018)
Recently:
Dr. Bartolo,
The Barber of Seville
(Des Moines Metro Opera, Seattle Opera);
Dr. Bartolo,
The Marriage of Figaro
(New Orleans Opera); Sparafucile,
Rigoletto
(Opera San Jose);
Giove,
La Calisto
(Opera Memphis)
Upcoming:
Dr. Bartolo,
The Barber of Seville
(Lyric Opera of Kansas City);
Dulcamara,
The Elixir of Love
(New Orleans Opera)
Andrew Stenson
Don Ottavio,
Don Giovanni
Hometown:
Rochester, MN
Madison Opera Debut:
Opera in the Park 2021
Recently:
Pong,
Turandot
(Metropolitan Opera); Bill,
Flight
; The Steersman,
The Flying Dutchman
(Dallas Opera);
Pang,
Turandot
(Houston Grand Opera); Don Ottavio,
Don Giovanni
(Seattle Opera);
Nemorino,
The Elixir of Love
(Seattle Opera, Minnesota Opera, Florentine Opera);
Count Almaviva,
The Barber of Seville
(Opera Colorado, Garsington Opera);
Nikolaus Sprink,
Silent Night
; Tamino,
The Magic Flute
(Utah Opera);
Fadinard,
The Italian Straw Hat
(Minnesota Opera); Danny Chen,
An American Soldier
(Opera Theatre of St. Louis)
Hailey Cohen
Berta,
The Barber of Seville
Hometown:
Edgemont, NY
Madison Opera Debut:
Dorothée,
The Anonymous Love
r (2024)
Also with MO:
Paquette,
Candide
Madison Opera Studio Artist
Recently:
Zita,
Gianni Schicchi
(Finger Lakes Opera); Hattie,
American Gothical
(Cedar Rapids Opera);
Sally,
The Boy Who Wanted to be a Robot
; K.,
Would You Eat Me?
(Thompson Street Opera)
Lifan Deng
Schaunard,
La
Bohème
Gregory Snodegar,
Everlasting Faint
Hometown:
Shenzhen, China
Madison Opera Debut:
Fiorello,
The Barber of Seville
(2024)
Recently at MO:
Masetto,
Don Giovanni
; Ensemble,
María de Buenos Aires
Madison Opera Studio Artist
Recently:
Marco,
Gianni Schicchi
(Opera Company of Middlebury); Papageno,
The Magic Flute
(Opera for the Young); The Police Agent / Mr. Kofner,
The Consul
(Third Eye Ensemble); Don Alfonso,
Così fan tutte
, Kaiser Overall,
Der Kaisver von Atlantis
(Northwestern Opera Theater)
Upcoming:
Bill Corey,
The Elixir of Love
(Opera for the Young)
Laureano Quant
Guglielmo,
Così fan tutte
Hometown:
Barranquilla, Colombia
Madison Opera Debut:
El Payador,
María de Buenos Aires
(2025)
Recently:
Escamillo,
Carmen
(Wolf Trap Opera); Bill,
Aufsteig und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny
(Staatsoper Stuttgart); Schaunard,
La Bohème
(Wolf Trap Opera); Foreman,
Jenufa
; Dancaïre,
Carmen
; Count of Lerma,
Don Carlo
(Lyric Opera of Chicago); Escamillo,
Le tragédie de Carmen
; Guglielmo,
Così fan tutte
(The Opera Next Door); Betto,
Gianni Schicchi
(Ópera de Colombia); Demetrius,
A Midsummer Night's Dream
; Captain / Ragotski,
Candide
(Orquestra Filarmónica de Bogotà)
Upcoming:
Slender,
Falstaff
(Chicago Opera Theater); Zuniga,
Carmen
(Dallas Opera)
Kelly Guerra
María,
María de Buenos Aires
Hometown:
Los Angeles, CA
Madison Opera Debut
Recently:
María,
María de Buenos Aires
(Kentucky Opera); Lupita,
Cruzar la Cara de la Luna;
Carlotta de Obragón,
Zorro
(Opera Santa Barbara); Renata,
Cruzar la Cara de la Luna
(West Edge Opera);
Rosina,
The Barber of Seville
(Princeton Festival); Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
Scalia/Ginsburg
(Chautauqua Opera);
Luisa Fernanda,
Luisa Fernanda
(Opera Hispánica, Opera Williamsburg)
Upcoming:
Una Niña,
Ainadamar
(Metropolitan Opera); Jo,
Little Women
(Fort Worth Opera);
Isabella,
L'Italiana in Algeri
(Opera in the Heights); Mrs. Fox,
Fantastic Mr. Fox
(Opera Omaha)
Alex Taylor
Benoit / Alcindoro,
La Bohème
Hometown:
Beloit, WI
Madison Opera Debut:
Mother,
The Seven Deadly Sins
(2023)
Recently at MO:
Don Basilio,
The Barber of Seville
Recently:
Green Shirt Guy,
Mel Rides the Bus Alone
(Pittsburgh Opera)
Levi Hernandez
Dr. Bartolo,
The Barber of Seville
Hometown:
El Paso, TX
Madison Opera Debut:
Papageno,
The Magic Flute
(2006)
Recent at MO:
Alvaro,
Florencia en el Amazonas
; Opera in the Park 2018
Recently:
Diego Rivera,
El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego
(Opera Omaha);
Tonio,
Pagliacci
(Hawaii Opera Theatre); Dandini,
La Cenerentol
a (Boston Lyric Opera);
Peter,
Hansel and Gretel
(Opera San Antonio); Lescaut,
Manon Lescaut
(North Carolina Opera)
Upcoming:
Lescaut,
Manon Lescaut
(Washington National Opera); Benoit/Alcindoro,
La Bohèm
e (Lyric Opera of Chicago);
Alvaro,
Florencia en el Amazonas
(North Carolina Opera)
Benjamin Taylor
Figaro,
The Barber of Seville
Hometown:
Waldorf, MD
Madison Opera Debut:
Silvio,
Pagliacci
(2018)
Recently:
Bello,
La Fanciulla del West
(Bayerische Staatsoper); Moralès,
Carmen
(Metropolitan Opera);
Guglielmo,
Così fan tutte
(Princeton Symphony); Jan Nyman,
Breaking the Waves
(Detroit Opera);
Silvio,
Pagliacci
(Austin Opera)
Upcoming:
Marcello,
La Bohèm
e (Arizona Opera); Jake,
Porgy and Bess
(Washington National Opera);
Schaunard,
La Bohème
(Charleston Opera Theater)
Katerina Burton
Donna Anna,
Don Giovanni
Hometown:
Ocean City, MD
Madison Opera Debut:
Opera in the Park 2024
Recently:
Mimì,
La Bohème;
Verna/Young Lovely/Evelyn,
Fire Shut Up in My Bones
(Opera Theatre of Saint Louis);
JFK: The Last Spee
ch
(National Symphony Orchestra); Britten’s
War Requiem
(Strathmore Music Center);
Russian Chamber Art Society; Postclassical Ensemble Concert (The Kennedy Center); Girlfriend 2,
Blue
Micaëla,
Carmen
(Washington National Opera); Alice Ford,
Falstaff
(Aspen Music Festival);