Welcome Back Operetta!

Performed November 20, 2022
Trinity Center for Urban Life, Philadelphia

Featuring Composers:
Emmerich Kalman, Franz Lehar, Victor Herbert, and Sigmund Romberg


Performers:
Charlotte Detrick  (debut)soprano
Marcelle McGuirk
soprano
Andrew McGowantenor
Daniel Pantano,baritone

Gabrielle Rebolla , music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, producer

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Jewish Composers of Operetta

Performed November 23 & 24, 2019
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia

Featuring Composers:
PaulAbraham, Leo Fall, Emmerich Kalman, Fritz Kreisler,
Jacques Offenbach, Sigmund Romberg, Oscar Straus, Kurt Weill

Librettists:
Julius Brammer, Ira Gershwin, Alfred Grunwald, Ludwig Herzer, Bela Jenback,
Viktor Léon, Fritz Lohner-Beda, Leo Stein


Performers:
Erin Alcorn (debut)soprano
Audra Casbier 
(debut)soprano
Andrew McGowantenor

José Meléndez
, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, producer

Click Here to see program

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The Merry Nibelung

Performed May 18 & 19, 2019
Hamilton Hall at the Philadelphia Boys and Girls Choir Building, Philadelphia
Philadelphia premiere by Concert Operetta Theater, June 12 & 13, 2010

An Operetta in three acts by Oscar Straus
Original Book and Lyrics by "Ridemus" (Fritz Oliven)
First Performance: Carltheater, Vienna, November 12, 1904

World premiere English translation by
Michael Ashby, Daniel Pantano
& Stephan Stoeckl


Performers:

Michael Ashby
(original cast) as Siegfried, of the Netherlands, a dragon slayer
Elise Mark (debut) as Kriemhild, a romantic maiden and sister to Gunther
Kirsten C.Kunkle (debut) as Brünhilde, Queen of Iceland
Jason Switzer (original cast ) as Gunther, King of Burgundy
Robert Davidson as Hagen, uncle of Gunther
Andrew Shaw as Dankwart, Gunther’s papa
Margaret Mezzacappa (original cast ) as Ute, Gunther’s mama
Cameron Bowden* (debut) as Giselher, a warrior
Evan Bishop* (debut) as Herr Bird
Andrew Owens** (debut) as Volker, a hero

Gabriel Rebolla, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, producer
* members o
f The Philadelphia Boys Choir
** member of The Philadelphia Men's Choral

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Tales of Offenbach!
Honoring Jacques Offenbach on the
200th anniversary of his birth

Performed March 16 & 17, 2019
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia


Rebolla,Gan, McGuirk,Webb, Shaw

Selections from:
La bonne d'enfant ( The Nanny ), 1856
Orphée aux enfers (Orpheus in the Underworld), 1858
M. Choulfleuri restera chez lui le… (Mr. Cauliflower will be home at...), 1861
La Belle Hélène (The Beautiful Helen), 1864
La Vie Parisienne  (Parisian Life), 1866
La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein (The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein , 1867
La Périchole, 1868
Madame Favart. 1878
La Fille du Tambour-Major (The Drum-Major’s Daughter , 1879
Les contes d'Hoffmann (Tales of Hoffmann ) , 1881

Performers:
Bridgette Gan (debut), soprano
Meghan McGinty
, mezzo-soprano
Peter Webb (debut), tenor
Andrew Shaw, baritone
Daniel Pantano, narrator

Gabriel Rebolla
, music director and pianis
t

Click here to see program

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Remembering Romberg!

Performed November 17& 18, 2018
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia
First performance by COT on January 30, 2011


LaVecchia, Hosseini, Rozsnyai, Glassman, McGuirk

Featuring the music Sigmund Romberg
from
The Blue Paradise (1915), Her Soldier Boy (1916), Maytime (1917),
Blossom Time
(1921), The Student Prince (1924), Desert Song (1926),
My Maryland (1927), The New Moon (1928), Rosalie (1928),
Viennese Nights
(1930) and The Night is Young (1935)

Performers:
MarcelleMcGuirk, soprano
Alize Rozsnyai
(debut), soprano
Joshua Glassman (debut), tenor
Mark Hosseini (debut), baritone
Daniel Pantano, narrator

Abigail LeVecchia
, music director and pianis
t

Click here to see the musical program

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The Czarevitch

Performed May 19 & 20, 2018
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia
First Philadelphia performance (by COT) on March 25 & 26, 2006
First performance: February 21, 1927 - Deutches Kunstlertheatre, Berlin

Meléndez, Longacre, McGowan, Erikson, Chenes, Shaw (Hagan not pictured)

An Operetta in three acts by Franz Lehár
Original Book and Lyrics by Bela Jenbach and Heinz Reichert
Original English book by Adam Carstairs
Adapted by Daniel Pantano

Performers:
Andrew McGowan (debut) - The Czarevitch (Aljoscha)
Karie Erikson
- Sonja, a young dancer
Andrew Shaw
- Ivan, a valet
Christina Chenes
- Mascha, his wife
James Longacre - The Grand Duke
Anne Hagan - a Countess

José Meléndez, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Click here to read Steve Cohen's review for the Cultural Critic

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A Taste of Vienna!
Performed on November 18 & 19, 2017
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia

A Trip to Africa (Die Afrikareise), 1883
Music by Franz von Suppé, Original libretto by Richard Genée and Moritz West
New English translation by Dario Salvi and Hannah Salvi
First Philadelphia performance – Haverly’s Theater 1884

and
The Sea Cadet orThe Royal Middy (Der Seekadett), 1879
Music and libretto by Richard Genée
Original libretto and lyrics by F. Zell ( pseudonym for Camillo Walzel)
English translation by H. B. Fernie and Dario Salvi
First Philadelphia performance, The Walnut Street Theater, 1879

Starring
Alexis Aimé*, soprano
Christina Chenes, soprano
Meghan McGinty*, mezzo-soprano
Corey Bonar, tenor
Colin Doyle*,
tenor
Aaron Jacob Keeney, baritone
Andrew Shaw, baritone

The Symphony in C String Quintet*
Tess Varley* , violin
Angela Chan* , violin
Hannah Nicholas* , viola
Victoria de la Cruz* , cello
William Langlie-Miletich*, double bass

Dario Salvi* , conductor
Gabriel Rebolla, assistant music director and pianist

* COT debut

Click here to read the review by Steve Cohen for DC Metro Theater Arts
Click here to read Maestro Dario Salvi's bio
Click here to read the story of both operettas
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Common Thread
The music of Rodgers & Hammerstein
Performed on Saturday, October 7, 2017
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia
and
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Croft Farms at Cherry Hill Township, NJ


Pantano, Housner, Keeney, Lennick, Martin

Performers:
Jessica Lennick, soprano
Remy Martin (debut), tenor
Aaron Jacob Keeney, baritone

Luke Housner , music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, writer and narrator

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The Dollar Princess
Performed on May 20 & 21, 2017
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia

An Operetta in three acts by Leo Fall
Original Book and Lyrics by A.M. Wiliner and G. Grunbaum
English Version by Adrian Ross
Adapted by the Lyric Theate of San Jose, CA, 2010
First English production: Daly’s Theater, London, September 25, 1909
Philadelphia contemporary premiere

Starring
Jeffrey Chapman as Harry Q. Conder
JoAna Rusche* as Alice (his sister)
Brett Pardue* as Freddy Fairfax
Marcelle McGuirk* as Daisy (Harry’s cousin)
Mark Tempesta* as John, Earl of Quorn
Emily Byrne* as Olga (a lion queen)
Andrew Shaw as Mr. Bugler (Harry’s clerk)
Christina Chenes as Hon. Edith Dalrymple and Dulcie (Cali girl)
Elise Bjordammen* as Lady Dorothy and Violet (Cali girl)
Corey Bonar* as Chef and Dick (Harry’s cousin)
Robert Davidson* as Butler and Sir James McGregor

Gabriel Rebolla*, Music Director, Pianist
Rachel Byrd*, typewriter player

* COT debut

Click here to read the review by Steve Cohen for DC Metro Theater Arts

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Viva la Zarzuela!
Performed on March 11& 12, 2017
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia


(Fernandez, Gomez, Chenes, Espino, Melendez)

Starring
Christina Chenes, soprano
Alejandra Gomez*, mezzo-soprano
Valentin Fernandez, tenor and narrator
Roy Hage*, guest tenor
Jorge Espino, baritone


José Meléndez
, musical director, pianist

* COT debut

Click here to see the program
Click here to read the
review in DC Metro Theater Arts by Steve Cohen
Photo by Donato Valentino

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Paganini



Performed on September 17 & 18, 2016
First COT performances on November 23 & 24, 2003 - Philadelphia premiere

First performance: October 30, 1925 Johann Strauss Theater, Vienna

An Operetta in three acts by Franz Lehár
Original Book and Lyrics by Béla Jenbach and Paul Knepler
English version by David Kram and Dennis Olsen
Adapted by Daniel Pantano

Starring:
Piotr Buszewski* as Nicolo Paganini
Jessica Lennick as Maria Anna Elisa
Keely Bosworth Borland* as Bella Giretti
Aaron Jacob Keeney* as Giacomo Pimpinelli
Earnest L. Philips* as Benno Bartucci
Gabor Kari as Prince Felice

Ethan Simpson*
as Count Hédouville, Emanuele, Foletto
Andrew Shaw* as the Innkeeper/Landlord, Master of Ceremonies, Toletto
Frederic Bond* as Marco, Beppo
Colin M. Markey as Fillippo, Corallino

Richard R. Raub , music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, producer

* COT debut

"In the title role, AVA student Piotr Buszewski proved he has a powerful tenor
that should win him a place on the world’s opera stages
"
T
om Purdom, Broad Street review  


Click here to see production photos by Donato Valentino

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Broadway does Operetta!
Performed on October 17& 18, 2015
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia

The music of Rudolf Friml, Victor Herbert,
Jerome Kern & Sigmund Romberg

Christina Chenes, soprano
Hannah Ludwig*, mezzo-soprano
Matthew White*, tenor
Garrett Obrycki, baritone

José Meléndez, musical director, pianist

* COT debut

Click here to see program

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Die Fledermaus
Performed on May 16 & 17, 2015
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia
First performance: April 5,1874 - Theater an der Wien, Vienna

An Operetta in three acts by Johann Strauss II
Original Book and Lyrics by Karl Haffner and Richard Genee
English lyrics by Ruth and Thomas Martin
English libretto adapted by Daniel Pantano

Performers:
John Myers as Gabriel von Eisenstein
Laura Maria Reyes
as Rosalinda
Christina Chenes
as Adele
Brian Ming Chu
as Dr. Falke
Jonas Hacker
as Alfred
Jennifer Hsiung
as Prince Orlofsky
William Lim as Dr. Blind
Garrett Obrycki as Frank
Thomas Faracco as Frosh
Samantha van Adelsberg* as Ida

Anush Avetisyan*, soprano
Galeano Salas*,
tenor
Cesar
Sanchez*, tenor
Guest singers at Orlofsky's

José Meléndez, Musical Director, pianist
Michael Sherman*, pianist

* COT debut

Click here to read a review by Steve Cohen for the Broad Street Review

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The Chocolate Soldier
Performed on March 21 & 22, 2015
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia
First performance: November 14, 1908 - Theater an der Wien, Vienna

An Operetta in three acts by Oscar Straus
Based on Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw
Original Book and Lyrics by Rudolf Bernauer and Leopold Jacobson
English Version by Stanislaus Stange

Performers:
Kimberly Christie* as Nadina
John Viscardi
as Bumerli
Ali Javaheri*
as Alexius
Rachel Lipson
as Mascha
Karina Sweeney
as Aurelia
Michael Ashby
as Popoff
Garrett Obrycki* as Massakroff
David Gleichman* as a soldier

Tim Ribchester, music director, conductor
Elise Auerbach*, piano
Laura Early*, violin
Summer Hu*, cello
Socrates Villegas*, clarinet


* COT debut

click here to see production photos by Donato Valentino
click here to read the blog/review by David Fox on this production

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Luisa Fernanda

Philadelphia premiere
Performed on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19, 2014
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia

Luisa Fernanda (1932)
A zarzuela in three acts
Music by Federico Moreno Torroba
Libretto by Federico Romeo and Guillermo Fernández Shaw
Adapted by Valentine Fernández
First performance: Teatro Calderon in Madrid, Spain

Philadelphia premiere

Starring
Laura Maria Reyes* as Luisa Fernanda
Jorge Espino* as Vidal Hernando
César Delgado* as Javier Moreno
Eugenia Forteza* as Duchess Carolina
Chrystal E. Williams as Mariana / El Saboyano
Valentine Fernández * as Don Florita /Don Luis Nogales
Christina Chenes as Rosita
Garrison Carpenter* as Don Lucas / Vendor

José Meléndez, Musical Director, pianist

* COT debut

click here to see production photos by Donato Valentino
click here to read the blog/review by Celeste Mann on this production
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Frederica

Philadelphia premiere
P erformed on Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15, 2014
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia

Frederica (1928)
Friederike
In three acts by Franz Lehár (1870-1948)
Original Book and Lyrics by Ludwig Herzer & Fritz Lohner
English lyrics by Harry S. Pepper (1930)
English dialogue (world premiere) translated by Gudrum von Auenmueller (2013)
First Performance October 4, 1928, Metropol Theater, Berlin
Philadelphia premiere

Starring
Megan Monaghan as Frederica
Dominick Chenes*
as Goethe
William Lim Jr.
as Lenz
Christina Chenes
as Salomea
Thomas Faracco as Pastor Johann Brion
Anne Hagan as Magdalena Brion
Anthony Schneider* as Weyland
Ryan Kuster as Capatain Knebel
Tookah Sapper* as Madame Schöll
Karina Sweeney as Madame Hahn
Alan Briones* as the postman
Colin R. Markey* as student #1/peasant
Joseph Han* as student #2
Daniel Pantano as Grand Duke Karl August

Richard Raub , music director, pianist

* COT debut

Click here to read a review by Steve Cohen for the Broad Street Review
Click here to read a review by Tom Purdom for the Broad Street Review
Click here to see production photos by Linda Ricciardi

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My Vienna!
The music of Franz Lehar and Emmerich Kalman
Performed on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, 2014
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia


Karina Sweeney, Marina Costa-Jackson, Jennifer Holbrook, William Davenport
Jose Melendez, Kristopher Jordan, Jeffrey Halili

Performers:
Marina Costa-Jackson (debut), soprano
Jennifer Holbrook,
soprano
Karina Sweeney
, mezzo-soprano
William Davenport (debut), tenor
Jeffrey Halil, tenor
Kristopher Jordan (debut), tenor

José Meléndez, music director, pianist

Click here to see video clips from the concert recorded on May 18, 2014
Click here to see production photos by Donato Valentino

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Two by Victor Herbert
Performed on Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23, 2014
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia

Madeleine (1914) a lyric opera in one act  
Music by Victor Herbert
Adapted from the French of Decourcelles & Thibaut by Grant Stewart

 Jessica Lennick as Madeleine
Paul Corujo as Didier
Christina Chenes as Nichette
Jonas Hacker* as Francois Duc d’Esterre
Brian Ming Chu* as Chevalier de Mauprat
A. Edward Madison* as Servant 1
Sean Jacobs as Servant 2
Robert Finkenaur* as Servant 3
Tim Ribchester as Coachman

Tim Ribchester*, piano
Philip Kates, violin

and

Cyrano de Bergerac (1899)
Pocket version / Philadelphia premiere

Music by Victor Herbert Score complied by Dino Anagnost
Libretto by Alyce Mott / Lyric by Harry B. Smith

Click here to see the complete performance recorded on March 23, 2014

Brian Ming Chu as Cyrano de Bergerac
Evelyn Rossow as Roxanne
Jonas Hacker as Christian
Melissa Dunphry* as Narrator
Robert Finkenaur* as Comte de Guiche
Sean Jacobs as La Bret, Cyrano’s Captain
A. Edward Maddison* as Montfleury
Paul Corujo, Bill Kiesling*

Philip Kates, violin
Cassia Harvey*, cello
Katie Ambacher*, flute
Fabian Fuertes*, clarinet
Jennifer Holbrook, piano
Tim Ribchester, conductor

* COT debut

This production was made possible with a grant from the
Victor Herbert Foundation

Click here to read a review by Steve Cohen for The Broad Street Review
Click here to read a review by Gail Martin for Operatoonity.com
Click here to see production photos by Donato Valentino
Local critic Neal Zorn in his quartely report has nominated Cyrano for a Theater Critic Award 2014.
He also nonimated Jessica Lennick (Madeline), Brian Ming Chu, Evelyn Rossow
and Jonas Hacker (Cyrano) in the performing catagories.
Chick here
to read his report

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A Musical Tribute to
Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy

Performed on Saturday, November 16 and 17, 2013
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia

First COT performances - May 24 & 25, 2005

Performers:
Jennifer Holbrook, soprano
Jessica Lennick
, soprano
Paul Corujo (debut), baritone
Eric T. Dubin , baritone

José Meléndez, conductor

Click here to read "Recollections on Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy" by Steve Cohen
Click here to read a review by Steve Cohen for The Broad Street Review
Click here to see concert photos by Donato Valentino
Click here to see the program
Click here to see clips from this program recorded on November 17, 2013

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Gypsy Princess (1915)
Performed on Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16, 2013
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia

First COT performances - April 14 & 15, 2002


The Gypsy Princess
Die Csárdásfürstin
In three acts by Emmerich Kálmán (1882-1953)
Original Book and Lyrics by Leo Stein and Béla Jenbach
English Version by Nigel Douglas
First Performance November 17, 1915 , Johann Strauss Theater, Vienna

Starring
Jennifer Holbrook
as Sylva Varescu
Jeffrey Halili
as Prince Edwin Ronald
John Matthew Myers* as Count Boni Kanscianu
Evelyn Rossow as Countess Anastasi
Brian Major as Baron as Feri Von Kerekes
Thomas Faracco as Prince Lippert-Weyershein
Anne Hagan as Princess Lippert-Weyersheim
Isaac Wenger as Baron Eugene Ronsdorff
William Lim Jr.* as Ambassador MacGrave /Miska /Porter
Christina Chenes* as Aranka
Allison Sanders* as Juliska
Karina Sweeny-Riley* as Rizzi/Maid
Katie Erikson as Chole


Richard Raub music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano producer


* COT debut

Click here to see photos by Donato Valentino
Click here to read a review by Tom Purdom for The Broad Street Review
Click here to read a review by Steve Cohen for The Broad Street Review
Click here to read a review by Steve Cohen for The Opera Critic.com

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Apple Blossoms (1919)
Performed on Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17, 2013
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia

Broadway opening - October 7, 1919, Globe Theater


Tim Ribchester
, music director and pianist
Abigail LeVecch
ia*, assistant music director
Daniel Pantano, producer

Apple Blossoms (1919)
Music by Fritz Kreisler and Viktor Jacobi
Book and lyrics by William LeBaron
New book adaptation by Michael Ashby
Based on Un marriage sous Louis XV by Alexandre Dumas

 Starring
Meghan Dewald*
as Nancy Dodge, Uncle George's niece
Mackenzie Whitney
as Philip Campbell, nephew of Uncle George
Jessica Lennick*
as Anne Merton, a young widow
Jeffrey Chapman as Richard (Dickie) Stewart, brother of Polly
Michael Ashby as (Uncle) George Winthrop Gordon
Stephanie Melzi
as Julie Parker, a maid
Isaac Wenger* as Harvey, Philip's valet
Rachel Lipson* as Polly Stewart
Katie Erikson* as Lucy
Evelyn Rossow* as Molly
Paul Gallagher* as Johnny/Chauffeur/friend of Philip

*COT debut

click here to see concert photos by Donato Valentino
click here to see article in The Weekly Press writen by John Lane
"Pick of the Week" in the Philadelphia Inquirer by Michael Harrington

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Common Thread
The music of Rodgers & Hammerstein
Performed on Saturday, February 8 and Sunday, February 9, 2013
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia


Performers:

Sydney Mancasola (debut), soprano
Mackenzie Whitney (debut), tenor
Christian Bowers (debut), baritone

Tim Ribchester, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, writer and narrator

click here to see concert photos by Donato Valentino

click here to see concert photos by Donato Valentino
from a private concert for WHYY on December 13, 2012 under the auspices of
The Academy of Vocal Arts with Ed Cunningham, WHYY and
Bruce Pomahac, Rodgers & Hammerstein Org.
____________________________________________________

Thine Alone!
The music of Victor Herbert

with the Ocean City Pops Orchestra
Sunday, August 13, 2012 / Music Pier, Ocean City, NJ

Performers:
Jennifer Holbrook, soprano
Megan Monaghan
, soprano
Jeffrey Halili, tenor
Daniel Pantano, baritone and narrator

José Meléndez, conductor

click here to see concert photos by Donato Valentino

____________________________________________________

Thine Alone!
The music of Victor Herbert

Performed on Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24, 2012
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia

featuring selections from:
Fortune Teller (1898), Babes in Toyland (1903), Mlle. Modiste (1905),
The Red Mill (1906), Naughty Marietta (1910), The Enchantress (1911),
Sweethearts (1913),
Princess Pat (1915), and Eileen (1917)


Performers:

Jennifer Holbrook, soprano
Megan Monaghan
, soprano
Jeffrey Halili, tenor

Daniel Pantano, baritone and narrator
José Meléndez, music director and pianist

Click here to see the program
Click here to see concert photos by Linda Ricciardi
Click here to see Tom Purdom's review in The Broad Street Review
____________________________________________________
Sweethearts
(1913)
Performed on Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, 2011
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia

José Meléndez, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, producer

Sweethearts (1913)
Music by Victor Herbert
Book by Harry B. Smith and Fred De Gressac
Lyrics by Robert B. Smith

 Starring
Megan Monaghan
as Sylvia, Princess of Zilania
Zachary Altman
as Prince Franz, Heir presumptive to the throne
Rachel Hendrickson*
as Liane, a milliner of Bruges
Siddhartha Misra as Lieutenant Karl, betrothed to Sylvia
Mary Punshon as Paula , proprietress of the Laundry of White Geese
Michael Ashby as Percival Slingsby
Justin B. Johnson
as Petrus Van Tromp
Thomas Faracco as Aristide Caniche
Daniel Pantano as Mikel Mikelovisky, a diplomat of Zilania  

Daughters of Dame Paula

Jennifer Holbrook*
as Jeannette
Talya Lieberman*
as Clairette
Marisa Robinson*
as Babette
Sydney de Lapeyrouse* as Lisette
Adrienne Weber Bishop*
as Toinette
Stephanie Melzi* as Nanette

Steven Gantzos * as Soldier #1
David Milley* as Soldier #2
Marcus Saitschenko* as Captain Laurent

Jennifer Holbrook
and Tim Ribchester* rehearsal pianists

*COT debut

Click here
to see production photos by Donato Valentino

___________________________________

Remembering Romberg!

with the Ocean City Pops Orchestra
Wednesday, August 3, 2011 / Music Pier, Ocean City, NJFeaturing music from
Her Soldier Boy (1916), Maytime (1917), The Student Prince (1924)
,
Desert Song (1926)
, My Maryland (1927), New Moon (1928),
Viennese Nights (1930)
and The Night is Young (1935)



Photo #1 Brian K Major, Michelle Johnson, Jeffrey Halili, Megan Monaghan
Photo #2 Daniel Pantano, Jeffrey Halili, Megan Monaghan, Michelle Johnson, Brian K Major, Jose Melendez


Starring:
Michelle Johnson (debut), soprano
Megan Monaghan, soprano
Jeffrey Halili, tenor
Brian K Major (debut), baritone

José Meléndez, guest conductor
Daniel Pantano, narrator and producer


Click here to see the program
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Voices of Spring!

Music of Gilbert& Sullivan, Franz Lehar, Sigmund Romberg and Victor Herbert
Saturday, May 14, 2011 / Quakertown, Pennsylvania


Performers:

Jennifer Graf, soprano / Noah Van Niel, tenor / Daniel Pantano, baritone
Gloria Collins
, pianist

Click here to see the program

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________

An Afternoon of Classic Operettas
The Carp
& The Lovely Galatea
Performed on March 26 & 27, 2011

Pictured from left to right Adrian Baule, Katherine Barbato, Jeffrey Chapman, Jay Anstee, Mary Punshon,
Jose Melendez, Maria Aleida, Michael Ashby, Chrystal E.Williams, John Viscardi

The Carp - Philadelphia Premiere
Music by Quade Winter (1999)
Original book and lyrics by Frank Desprez (1886)
First Performance: Savoy Theater, London, February 13, 1886
First Modern Performance: Wooster, Ohio, for Ohio Ligh Opera Company 1999


Performers:
Mary Punshon as Amanda
Jay Anstee
as Amandus
Jeffrey Chapman
(debut) as Piscator


Katherine Barbato
(debut) and Adrian Baule (debut), flutes
_______________

The Lovely Galatea
Music by Franz von Suppe (1819 - 1895)
Original book and lyrics by Poly Herion (Karl Leopold von Kohlenegg)
English book and lyrics by Willard G. Day (1884)
Adapted by Michael Ashby and Daniel Pantano
First Performance: Meysels Theater, Berlin, Germany, June 30, 1865


Performers:
Maria Aleida (debut) as Galatea
Chrystal E. Williams
(debut) as Ganymede
John Viscardi
(debut) as Pygmalion
Michael Ashby
as Midas


José Meléndez,
music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano,
producer

Click here to see production photos by Donato Valentino
Click here to read Steve Cohen's review in The Broad Street Review


Remembering Romberg!
Performed on January 30, 2011

Pictured from left to right Jose Melendez, John Andrew Fernandez,
Zulimar Lopéz-Hernández, Michael Presser, Catharine Layton,
Patrick Layton, Daniel Pantano


Michael Presser and Daniel Pantano

Featuring the music Sigmund Romberg
from
Blossom Time (1921), The Student Prince (1924), Desert Song (1926),
My Maryland (1927), The New Moon (1928), Rosalie (1928),
Viennese Nights
(1930), and The Night is Young (1935)

Performers:
Catharine Layton, (debut) soprano
Zulimar Lopéz-Hernández
, soprano
Patrick Layton, tenor
John Andrew Fernandez, baritone
Daniel Pantano, baritone

Michael Presser, (debut) narrator
Founder and Executive Director of Inside Broadway
New narration written by Donald Yonker

José Meléndez, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, producer

Click here to see the musical program
Click here to see production photos by Donato Valentino
Click here to read Steve Cohen's review in The Broad Street Review
Click here to see videos of the January concert


The Merry Nibelung
(US premiere of the complete operetta)

Pictured left to right (back row)
Patricia Vigil, Jose Melendez, Thomas Faracco, Edward Albert, Margaret Mezzacappa, Jason Switzer
(seated) Michael Ashby, Darlene Kelsey, Cynthia Cook, Daniel Lickteig

Performed on
October 24, 2010
Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center, New York City
&
June 12 & 13, 2010
Philadelphia, PA

An Operetta in three acts by Oscar Straus
Original Book and Lyrics by "Ridemus" (Fritz Oliven)
First Performance: Carltheater, Vienna, November 12, 1904

World premiere English translation by
Michael Ashby, Daniel Pantano
& Stephan Stoeckl
Click here to read the story

Performers:

Michael Ashby
as Siegfried, of the Netherlands, a dragon slayer
Darlene Kelsey as Kriemhild, a romantic maiden and sister to Gunther
Cynthia Cook (debut) as Brünhilde, Queen of Iceland
Daniel Lickteig (debut) as Gunther, King of Burgundy
Edward Albert as Hagen, uncle of Gunther
Jason Switzer (debut) as Dankwart, Gunther’s papa
Margaret Mezzacappa (debut) as Ute, Gunther’s mama
Patricia Vigil (debut) as Giselher, a warrior, and Herr Bird
Thomas Faracco as Volker, a hero

José Meléndez, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, producer

Click here to read Steve Cohen's review in The Broad Street Review
Click here to read the review on The Opera Critic Web site
Click here to read Lewis Whittington's article on The Edge


Click here to see productions photos by Donato Valentino

Click here to see videos of the June production


Giuditta

Pictured left to right - Daniel Pantano, Jose Melendez, Michael Ashby, Aaron James Spencer,
Shelley Jackson, Corinne Winters, Sean Arnold, Ryan Kuster, John-Andrew Fernandez

Performed on March 20 & 21, 2010

An Operetta in five acts by Franz Lehár
Original Book and Lyrics by Paul Knepler and Fritz Lohner
New English translation by Adam Carstairs

Performers:
Corinne Winters (debut) as Giuditta
Sean Arnold (debut) as Octavio
Shelley Jackson (debut) as Anita
Aaron James Spencer as Pierrino
Ryan Kuster as Manuele, Waiter #2
Michael Ashby as Sebastino, Ibraim, Waiter #1
John-Andrew Fernandez (debut) as Antonio, Lord Barrymore, Adjutant
Daniel Pantano as the Duke


José Meléndez
, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, producer

"Pick of the week" - Michael Harrington, Philadelphia Inquirer
Click here to see photos by Donato Valentino


Sári (Der Zigeunerprimas)

Pictured left to right - Daniel Pantano, Gregory Teperman, Jose Melendez, Gabor Kari, Noah Van Niel,
Jennifer Graf, Steven LaBrie, Darlene Kelsey, Gabor Kari, Michael Ashby, Justin Johnson
(not pictured - Bredan O'Brien)

Performed on October 18, 2009
Concert Operetta Theater debut in New York City
Merkin Hall

An Operetta in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán
Original Book and Lyrics by C.C. Cushing and E. P. Heath

Performers:
Steven LaBrie as Pali Racz
Jennifer Graf as Sari
Darlene Kelsey as Juliska
Noah Van Niel as Laczi Racz
Michael Ashby as Gaston
Brendan O'Brian as Count Estragon
Gabor Kari as Cadeau
Justin Johnson as Fekete


José Meléndez
, music director and pianist
Gregory Teperman (debut), violin
Daniel Pantano, producer

Click here to read the blog from the Jewish Daily Foward, NYC


Gems from the American Operetta

Pictured from left to right Daniel Pantano, Jose Melendez, Zulimar Lopéz-Hernández, Ryan Kuster
Maria Russo, Noah Van Niel, Megan Monaghan, Aaron Spencer

Performed on October 3 & 4, 2009
Featuring the music of Rudolf Friml, Victor Herbert,
Jerome Kern, & Sigmund Romberg

Performers:
Zulimar Lopéz-Hernández, (debut) soprano
Ryan Kuster, (debut) bass-baritone
Megan Monaghan, (debut) soprano
Maria Russo, (debut) soprano
Aaron James Spencer, (debut) tenor
Noah Van Niel,(debut) tenor

José Meléndez, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano,
produce

Click here to see the program
Click here to see production photos by Donato Valentino


The Chocolate Soldier

Pictured from left to right (top) Michael Tunney, Jeremy Gill, Neil Darling, Dana Wilson, Ross Druker
(seated) Betty Meister Prescod, Jennifer Graf, Mary Punshon

Performed on August 9, 2009
The Music Pier, Ocean City New Jersey
Ocean City Pops Orchestra Concert Series

An Operetta in three acts by Oscar Straus
Based on Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw
Original Book and Lyrics by Rudolf Bernauer & Leopold Jacobson
English Version by Stanislaus Stange
Performers:
Jennifer Graf as Nadina
Neil Darling
as Bumerli
Dana Wilson
as Alexius
Mary Punshon
as Mascha
Betty Meister Prescod
as Aurelia
Michael Tunney
as Popoff
Ross Druker as Massakroff
Derien Andes, Dr. Albert Dearden (debut), Daniel Pantano- soldiers

Jeremy Gill, conductor
Tim Ribchester, (debut) rehearsal accompanist
Daniel Pantano, producer
Ocean City Pops Orchestra

Click here to read Ed Wismer's review of The Chocolate Soldier in the Ocean City Sentinel


A Waltz Dream

Pictured left to right (top) - Bredan O'Brien, Susan Blair, A.Scott Bullitt, Michael Gallant, Darlene Kelsey
(bottom row) Michele Scanlon, Mary Punshon, Justin Johnson, Kemper Florin, Gabrielle Antoninii,
Thomas Faracco, Gabor Kari (not in photo) Catherine E. Brown

Performed on June 21 & 22, 2009

An Operetta in three acts by Oscar Straus
Original Book and Lyrics by Felix Dormann and Leopold Jacobson
Based on a short story Buch der Abenteuer by Hans Miller
English version by Adrian Ross and Basil Hood

Performers:

Michael Gallant (debut) as Lieutenant Niki
Darlene Kelsey as Princess H él éne
Kemper Florin (debut) as Franzi Steingruber
Susan Blair as Frederika
Bredan O’Brien as Grand Duke Lothar
A. Scott Bullitt as Joachim XIII
Thomas Faracco as Wendolin
Justin Johnson as Sigismund
Gabor Kari as Lieutenant Montschi
Mary Punshon as Fifi
Catherine E. Brown (debut) as Hanna
Gabrielle Antonini (debut) as Helga

Michele Scanlon, (debut) music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, producer

Pick of the week - Michael Harrington, Philadelphia Inquirer
Click here to view production photos taken by Donato Valentino
Click here to read a review of A Waltz Dream
by Steve Cohen in The Broad Street Review


Sári (Der Zigeunerprimas)

Pictured left to right - Steven LaBrie, Justin Johnson, Patrick Layton, Jose Melendez (seated),
Jennifer Graf, Darlene Kelsey, Gabor Kari, A. Scott Bullitt, Michael Ashby

Performed on October 18 & 19, 2008

An Operetta in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán
Original Book and Lyrics by C.C. Cushing and E. P. Heath

Performers:
Steven LaBrie (debut) as Pali Racz
Jennifer Graf as Sari
Darlene Kelsey (debut) as Juliska
Patrick Layton (debut) as Laczi Racz
Michael Ashby as Gaston
A. Scott Bullitt as Count Estragon
Gabor Kari as Cadeau
Justin Johnson as Fekete


José Meléndez
, music director and pianist
Richard Vanstone, violin
Daniel Pantano, producer

Pick of the week - Michael Harrington, Philadelphia Inquirer


Naughty Marietta

Seated (L to R) - Gabor Kari, Elliott Rotman, Sean Jacobs, Paris Nesbitt, Edward Albert
Middle Row (L to R)- Brendan O'Brien, Teresa D'Amoco, Allison Hymel, Joseph Demarest, Kristina Moore
Back Row (L to R) Chloe Rotman, Gabrielle Kramer, Derien Andes, Mary Punshon, A. Scotyt Bullitt,
Dominic Galluzo, Thomas Faracco, Kara Heintz, Anne Hagan

Bredan O'Brien, Teresa D'Amico, ELizabeth Stevens, Allison Hymel,
Joseph Demarest, Kristina Moore, Edward Albert

Performed on June 21 & 22, 2008
First Production: November 7, 1910 - New York City An Operetta in three acts by Victor Herbert
Original Book and Lyrics by Rida Johnson Young


Performers:
Allison Hymel as Marietta
Elizabeth Stevens (debut) as Marietta
Joseph Demarest as Captain Richard Warrington
Edward Albert as Etienne Grandet
Brendan O'Brien (debut) as Simon O'Hara
Teresa D'Amico as Lizette
Kristina Moore (debut) as Adah
A. Scott Bullitt as Lieutenant Governor
Thomas Faracco as Rudolfo
Gabor Kari as Florenze
Elliott Rotman
as Sir Harry Blake
Gabrielle Kramer as Nanette
Mary Punshon as Felice
Chloe Rotman (debut) as Fanchon
Kara Henitz (debut) as Marie le Valleau
with
Derien Andes, Dominic Galluzo, Anne Hagan, Sean Jacobs, Paris Alexander Nesbitt

Jose Melendez, music director, piano
Richard Vanstone, violin
William Dorwart, cello
Sarah Fuller, harp
Joseph Rubin, percussion
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Pick of the week - Michael Harrington, Philadelphia Inquirer
Click here to see production photos by Donato Valentino


The Loves of Lehár

Performed on April 5 & 6, 2008

Selections from four works that are rarely heard in the USA
Sung in German with Piano

Zigeunerliebe
(1910) Friederike (1928)
Das Land des Lächelns (1929) Giuditta (1934)

Starring
Dorothy Cardella, soprano
Alexis Cregger (debut), Soprano,
Neil Darling (debut), tenor
Joseph Demarest (debut), tenor
Erin Holland, mezzo-soprano
James Longacre, tenor

Richard A. Raub, music director and pianist

Click here to see the program


Countess Maritza

Seated (L to R) - Kevin Strauss, Lyndon McNall, Siddartha Misra, Gabor Kari
Back Row (L to R)- Susan Blair, Scott Bullitt, Mary Punshon, Cody Austin, Rebecca Carr,
Ross Druker, Carissa Fosdick, Kimberly Henshaw, Teresa D'Amico, Erika Haglung


Performed on October 6 & 7, 2007
Philadelphia premiere of new English translation
First Production: February 28, 1924 - Johann Strauss Theater, Vienna
An Operetta in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán
Original Book and Lyrics by Julius Brammer & Alfred Grünwald
English Version by Nigel Douglas

Performers:
Rebecca Carr as Countess Maritza
Cody Austin (debut) as Count Tassilo
Ross Druker as Baron Koloman Zsupán
Kimberly Henshaw (debut) as Lisa Wittenberg
Scott tt Bullitt as Prince Moritz Popolescu
Mary Punshon as Manja
Susan Blair (debut) as Princess Elizabeth
Kevin Strauss as Penichek
Teresa D'Amico (debut) as Elsa
Carissa Fosdick
(debut) as Ilka
Erika Haglund as Ute
Lyndon McNall as Tschekko
Siddhartha Misra (debut) as Berko
Gabor Kari as Baron Karl Liebenberg

James Batt, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Pick of the week - Michael Harrington, Philadelphia Inquirer


The Student Prince


Seated - Jennifer Graff, Stephen MacDonald
Back Row - Allison Hymel, Evelangine Rich, Luke Housner, Scott Bullitt, Edward Bogusz,
Justin Johnson, Mary Punshon, Caroline Leland


Kneeling - Paris Nesbitt, Gabor Kari, Sean Jacobs
In White - Michael Ashby, Ross Druker, Scott Rogers
Rear Row - Elliott Rottman, Kevin Strauss, Thomas Faracco, Derien Andes, Steve Glasser, Dominic Galluzzo


Performed on June 23 & 24, 2007
First p
erformance: December 2 , 1924 - Jolson Theater, NYC

The Student Prince (1924)
An Operetta in four acts by Sigmund Romberg
Book and lyrics by Dorothy Donnelly

Performers:
Steve Macdonald
as Prince Karl Franz
Jennifer Graf as Kathie
Edward Bogusz (debut) as Doctor Engle
Michael Ashby as Count Hugo Detlef
Ross Druker as von Asterberg
Scott Rogers (debut), as Lucas
Mary Punshon as Princess Margaret
Justin Johnson (debut) as Captain Tarnitz
A. Scott Bullitt as Lutz
Allison Hymel as Gretchen
Evangeline Rich (denut) as Gerta
Lyndon McNall as Ruder
Caroline Leland as Duchess Anastasia
Kevin Struss as Hubert
Elliott Rottman as Prime Minister von Mark
Thomas Faracco as Baron Arheim, Lackey #1
Paris Nesbitt as Lackey #2
Gabor Kari as Count Leyden

Men's Ensemble
Derien Andes, Thomas Faracco, Dominic Galluzzo, Steve Glaser, Sean Jacobs,
Gabor Kari, Lyndon McNall, Paris Nesbitt, Elliott Rottman, Kevin Strauss

Luke Housner, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, Producer


The Cousin from Batavia

(Margaret Nilsson, James R. Longacre, Allison Hymel, Dorothy Cardella, A. Scott Bullitt, Michael Ashby)

Performed on March 24 & 25, 2007
Philadelphia premiere
First p
erformance: April 15, 1921 - Theater am Nollendorfplatz , Berlin

Der Vetter aus Dingsda (1921)
An Operetta in three acts by Eduard Künneke
Original book and lyrics by Herman Haller and Rideamus (Fritz Oliven)
New English lyrics and book by Richard Traubner (2000)

Performers:
James R. Longacre -
Stranger #1 (August Kuhbrot)
 Margaret Nilsson -
Julia de Weert
Allison HYmel - Hanna
Michael Ashby - Egon van Wilderhaven
A. Scott Bullitt - Josef (Josse) Kuhbrot
Dorothy Cardella - Wilhelmina (Wimple) Kuhbrot
Stephen Macdonald - Stranger #2 (Roderick de Weert)
Lyndon McNall - Hans

Jeremy Gill,
musicl director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Robert Baxter's Pick of the Week - Courier-Post, NJ
Pick of the week - Michael Harrington, Philadelphia Inquirer


The Music of
Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy



with
Ariya Sawadivong,
soprano, Eric T. Dubin, baritone, Colleen Daly, soprano

Friday, October 20, 2006 at 8:00 p.m.
Gloria Collins, pianist
Concert is sponsored by the Hadley Memorial Fund
&
Saturday, October 21, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.
Luke Housner, pianist


The Merry Widow


(Charles Schneider, Stephanie Rose, A. Scott Bullitt, Margaret Nilsson, Michael Ashby with Gregg Opelka)

Performed on October 14 & 15, 2006
Phiadelphia premiere of new book and lyrics
First performance: December 31, 1905 at Theater an der Wein

The Merry Widow / Die lustige Witwe (1905)
An Operetta in three acts by Franz Lehar
Original book and lyrics by Victor Leon and Leo Stein
New English lyrics by Gregg Opelka
New English dialogue by Jack Helbig (2005)

Performers:
 Stephanie Rose -
Hanna Glawari
Charles Schneider (debut) -Count Danilo Danilowitsch
A. Scott Bullitt - Baron Mirko Zeta
Margaret Nilsson (debut) - Valencienne
Michael Ashby - Camille de Rosillon
Ross Druker - Marquis de Cascada
Gabor Kari (debut) - Raoul de St. Brioche
Kevin Straus (debut) - Njegus
Elliot Rotman (debut) - Kromow
Mary Punshon - Olga
Derien Andes (debut) - Bogdanowitsch
Erika Haglund (debut) - Syviane
Lyndon McNall - Prtschitsch
Alison Hymel (debut) - Praskovia
Wayne Punshon - Andre

Nicholas Mastripolito , music director and pianist
Richard Vanstone, violin
Vic Spain, cello
Daniel Pantano, Producer

"The Concert Operetta Theater of Philadelphia opened its 2006-07 season with a performance
of The Merry Widow last weekend at the Academy of Vocal Arts’ Warden Theater in
center city. The sentimental operetta was given a rendition so enjoyable that one can only
hope for bigger and better things for and from this company.

In a city with far too few performances of opera and virtually none of operetta other than
those of Gilbert & Sullivan, Concert Operetta Theater has carved out a regional niche for
itself that needs and deserves support because no one else is doing what it does — perform
the glorious repertoire of operettas. With Daniel Pantano as its executive and artistic
director and Nicholas Mastripolito as its music director, it’s poised to take off to achieve
greater triumphs if only it can garner some local support."

Michael Caruso, The Chestnut Hill Local


An Afternoon of Operetta Classics

Nicholas Mastripolito (pianist), Bryan Hymel, ric T. Dubin, Ariya Sawadivong, Elizabeth Warner,
Angele Meade, Jennifer Graf, Tekesha M. Kizart, Michael Ashby, Zach Altman

Performed on May 21, 2006

Music of Victor Herbert, Franz Lehar, Sigmund Romberg, & Johann Strauss Jr.

Performers:
Zach Altman (debut), baritone
Michael Ashby
, tenor
Eric T. Dubin
, baritone
Jennifer Graf, soprano
Bryan Hymel
(debut), tenor
Takesha Meshe Kizart
, (debut), soprano
Angela Meade, soprano
Ariya Sawadivong, soprano
Elizabeth Warner )debut), mezzo-soprano

Nicholas Mastripolito, (debut), music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Click here to view the Musical Program


The Czarevitch

(Richard A. Raub, Angela Meade, A. Scott Bullitt, Jennifer Hsiung, Jeffrey Halili, Kate Kinhan-Specter, Joseph Specter)

Performed on March 25 & 26, 2006
Philadelphia premiere
First performance: February 21, 1927 - Deutches Kunstlertheatre, Berlin

An Operetta in three acts by Franz Lehár
Original Book and Lyrics by Bela Jenbach and Heinz Reichert
Original English book by Adam Carstairs
Adapted by Daniel Pantano

Performers:
Jeffrey Halili (debut) - The Czarevitch (Aljoscha)
Jennifer Hsiung
(debut) - Sonja, a young dancer
Joseph Specter
(debut) - Ivan, a valet
Kate Kinhan-Specter
- Mascha, his wife
A. Scott Bullitt - The Grand Duke
Angela Meade (debut) - a Countess

Richard A. Raub (debut), music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, Producer


A Night in Vienna!
Performed on October 16, 2005

Performers:

Sopranos - Dorothy Cardella, Eve Edwards, Jennifer Graf, Anne Hagan,
Kate Kinhan-Spector, Mary Punshon, Stephanie Rose
Tenors - Michael Ashby, James R. Longacre
Baritones - Edward Albert, A. Scott Bullitt

Jeremy Gill
, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Click here to see the program


Music of Jenette MacDonald
and Nelson Eddy

Sopranos -Ariya Sawadivong (debut) and Evelyn Pollock (debut)
Baritones - Eric Dubin (debut) and Marcus Beam (debut)


Performed on May 24 and May 25, 2005
Gloria Collins, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, producer

Click here to see the Program


Die schöne Galathea
(The Beautiful Galatea)
Sung in German with English dialogue

Performed on March 12 & 13, 2005
Philadelphia premiere of new German version
First performance: June 30, 1865 - Meysels Theater, Berlin, Germany

(Benjamin Blozan, Rebacca Reinhardt, Anne Hagan, James R, Longacre, Maila Traczyk, Michael Ashby)

An Operetta in one act by Franz von Suppé
Original Book and Lyrics by Poly Henrion (Karl Leopold von Kohlenegg)
New German Lyrics by Ludwig Bender
Original English book by Willard G. Day
Adapted by Daniel Pantano

Performers:
Anne Hagan - Galathee, a statue
James R. Longacre
- Pygmalion, a sculpture
Maila Traczky
-Ganymed , his assistant
Michael Ashby
(debut) - an art collector

Benjamin Blozan, music director and pianist
Rebecca Reinhardt, flute
Daniel Pantano, Producer


The Chocolate Soldier

Performed on November 20 & 21, 2004
First performance: November 14, 1908 - Theater an der Wien, Vienna

(Front - Betty Meister Prescod, Jennifer Graf, Mary Punshon
Rear - Lyndon McNall, A. Scott Bullitt, Dennis Ingle, Steven MacDonald, Steven Glasser, Dana Wilson, Colin MacDonald)

An Operetta in three acts by Oscar Straus
Based on Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw
Original Book and Lyrics by Rudolf Bernauer & Leopold Jacobson
English Version by Stanislaus Stange


Performers:
Jennifer Graf as Nadina
Stephen Macdonald
as Bumerli
Dana Wilson
(debut) as Alexius
Mary Punshon
as Mascha
Betty Meister Prescod
(debut) as Aurelia
A. Scott Bullitt
as Popoff
Lyndon McNall as Massakroff
Steve Glasser (debut), Dennis Ingle, Colin Macdonald (debut) - soldiers

Jeremy Gill, music director and pianist
Rebecca Reinhardt, flute
Allison Carroll, clarinet (debut)
Vic Spain, cello
Daniel Pantano, Producer


The Duchess of Chicago

Performed on May 22 & 23, 2004
Philadelphia premiere
First performance: April 5, 1928 - Theater an der Wien, Vienna

An Operetta in two acts, prologue and epilogue by Emmerich Kálmán
Original Book and Lyrics by Julius Brammer & Alfred Grünwald
English Version by Gregg Opelka (lyrics) & Philip Kraus (book)

Performers:
Stephanie Rose (debut) as Mary Lloyd
Jay Anstee as Prince Sándor Boris
Kent Bollman (debut) as Jimmy Jack John Bondy / Stranger
Jennifer Graf (debut) as Princess Rosemarie Sonjuschka
Scott Bullitt as King Pankraz XVII
Joseph Giglio as Count Bojazowitsch
Steve Macdonald as Marquis Perolin
Casey Ingle (debut) as Tihany
Lillian Anstee (debut) as Kupp Mihaly
Paul Steinberg as Benjamin Lloyd
Wayne Punshon (debut) as Count Negresco
Lyndon McNall as Baron Balffy
Anne Hagan as Dolly Astor
Kelly Horan as Maude Carnegie
Mary Punshon as Edith Rockerfeller
Brian Gish (debut) as Voroshazy
Gabrielle Kramer (debut) as Newsboy

Gloria Collins , music director and pianist
Jeremy Gill, rehearsal accompanist

Ellen Strange, violin
Elizabeth Holland , cello (debut)
Rebecca Reinhardt, flute
Daniel Pantano, Producer


Performed on Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 4:00 PM
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at The Academy of Vocal Arts


With chanteuse, Eileen Duffy and baritone, Daniel Pantano
with guest artists
Richard Rome,
piano
Robert Campbell,
bass


The Count of Luxembourg

Performed on February 7 & 8, 2004
Phialdelphia premiere
First performance: November 11, 1909 at Theater an der Wien, Vienna


Front: Eve Edwards/Angele and Kate Kinhan/Juliette
Back: James R. Longacre/Rene, Scott Bullitt/Prince Basil,
Caroline Leland/Countess Stasa, Steve Macdonald/Brisard


An Operetta in three acts by Franz Lehár
Original Book and Lyrics by A. M. Willner and Robert Bodansky
English Book by Nigel Douglas
English Lyrics by Eric Maschwitz and Nigel Douglas

Performers:
James R. Longacre as Rene, Count of Luxembourg
Eve Edwards (debut) as Angele Didier
Kate Kinhan as Juliette Vermont
Steve Macdonald as Armand Brissard
A. Scott Bullitt as Prince Basil Basilovitch
Wayne Bylsma (debut) as Pavel von Pavlovitch
Ross Drucker (debut) as Sergei Mentchikoff / Hotel Clerk
Lyndon McNall as Pelegrin
Caroline Leland as Countess Stasa Kokozov
Dorothy Cardella as Coralie
Anne Hagan as Sidone
Kelly Horan (debut) as LaVigne
Mary Punshon as Simone
Dennis Ingle as Anatol Saville

James Batt, music director and pianist
Gloria Collins, rehearsal accompanist
Benjamin Blozan, rehearsal accompanist
Rebecca Reinhardt, flute
Vic Spain, cello
Daniel Pantano, Producer


Music of the American Operetta

Performed on May 24 & 25, 2003 at The Helen Corning Warden Theater
and November 11, 2003 for The Hadley Memorial Fund


Cast of Music of the American Operetta

Selections from:
Naughty Marietta, Music by Victor Herbert
Book & Lyrics by Rinda Johnson

Desert Song, Music by Sigmund Romberg
Book & lyrics by Otto Harbach, Oscar Hammerstein II and Frank Mandel

The Student Prince, Music by Sigmund Romberg
Book & lyrics by Dorothy Donnelly

The New Moon, Music by Sigmund Romberg
Book & lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Frank Mandel and Laurence Schwab


Performers:

Kent Bollman, baritone
Dorothy Cardella, soprano
Anne Hagan, soprano
James R. Longacre, tenor
Stephanie Rose, soprano
with
James Anderson, Steven Glasser, Dennis Ingle, Steven Macdonald,
Lyndon McNall, Adam Shellenberger, Joseph Troiano
and Ben Wager

Gloria Collins, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, Producer


Countess Maritza
Performed on March 1 & 2, 2003
Philadelphia premiere of new English translation
First Production: February 28, 1924 - Johann Strauss Theater, Vienna


Cast of Countess Maritza


Amy Van Looy / Countess Maritza and Jay Anstee / Tasillo


Matthew Smith / Zsupán and Rachel Gottlieb / Lisa Wittenberg

An Operetta in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán
Original Book and Lyrics by Julius Brammer & Alfred Grünwald
English Version by Nigel Douglas

Performers:
Amy Van Looy (debut) as Countess Maritza
Jay Anstee (debut) as Count Tassilo
Matthew Smith (debut) as Baron Koloman Zsupán
Rachel Gottlieb (debut) as Lisa Wittenberg
Scott tt Bullitt as Prince Moritz Popolescu
Ilene Miller (3/1), Mary Punshon (3/2) as Manja
Caroline Leland (debut) as Princess Elizabeth
Paul Steinberg (debut) as Penichek
Sharon Sigal as Ilka
Kate Kinhan (debut) as Elsa
Mary Punshon (3/1), Ilene Miller (3/2) as Ute
Lyndon McNall as Tschekko
Joseph Troiano as Berko
Adam Shellenberger (debut) as Lazlo
James Anderson as Baron Karl Liebenberg

James Batt, music director and pianist
Benjamin Blozan, rehearsal accompanist
Ellen Strange, violin
Vic Spain, cello
Rebecca Reinhardt, flute
Daniel Pantano, Producer


Paganini

Performed on November 23 & 24, 2003
Philadelphia premiere

First Production: October 30, 1925 Johann Strauss Theater, Vienna


Cast of Paganini

An Operetta in three acts by Franz Lehár
Original Book and Lyrics by Béla Jenbach and Paul Knepler
English Version by David Kram and Dennis Olsen

Performers:
Nicholas Cotellessa (debut) as Nicolo Paganini
Rebecca C. Carr (debut) as Maria Anna Elisa
Erin Holland (debut) as Bella Giretti
Christyan Seay as Giacomo Pimpinelli
Joseph Giglio (debut) as Benno Bartucci
Mary Punshon as Corallina
Richard Shapp (debut) as Prince Felice
James Anderson as Count Hédouville
Joseph Troiano as The Innkeeper, Foletto
Lyndon McNall as Marco, Master of Ceremonies
Ilene Miller as Fillippa, Anita
Lettie Switzer (debut) as Emanuele, Beppa
Sharon Sigal (debut) as Countess de LaPlace, Tofola
Paris Nesbitt (debut) as Ensemble

James Batt, music director and pianist
Anita Mishoukova, violin
Vic Spain, cello
Rebecca Reinhardt, flute
Daniel Pantano, Producer



Operetta in 3/4 Time!
Performed on June 9, 2002

Selections from:

The Gypsy Baron (Der Zigeunerbaron), Music by Johann Strauss Jr.
Operetta in three acts by Ignat Schnitzer,
adapted from the story Saffi, by Maurus Jókai

Paganini, Music by Franz Lehár
Operetta in three acts by Bela Jenback and Paul Knepler

Countess Maritza (Die Gräfin Maritza), Music by Emmerich Kálmán
Operetta in three acts by Julius Brammer and Alfred Grünwald

The Czarevitch (Der Zarewitsch), Music by Franz Lehár
Operetta in three acts by Bela Jenbach and Heinz Reichert
Based on a play by Gabryela Zapolska


Performers:
Dorothy Cardella, soprano
Rebecca C. Carr, soprano
Sandra Hartman, soprano
James R. Longacre, tenor
Ilene Miller, soprano
Mary Punshon, soprano
Douglas Rowland, tenor
Christyan Seay, tenor
Maila Traczyk, mezzo-soprano

Gloria Collins, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, narrator, producer

The Gypsy Princess
Performed: April 14 &15, 2002
Philadelphia premier of new English Translation

First Production: November 17, 1915 Johann Strauss Theater, Vienna



Edward Albert / Boni, James R. Longacre / Prince Edwin,
Sandra Hartman / Stasi, Dorothy Cardella / Sylva


An Operetta in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán
Original Book and Lyrics by Leo Stein and Béla Jenbach
English Lyrics by Nigel Douglas
English Libretto by Nigel Douglas and Conrad Carter

Performers:
Dorothy Cardella as Sylva Varescu
James R. Longacre as Prince Edwin Ronald
Edward Albert as Count Boni Kanscianu
Sandra Hartman as Countess Anastasi
Douglas Rowland as Baron Feri Von Kerekes
Michael Tunney as Prince Lippert-Weyershein
Eileen Duffy as Princess Lippert-Weyersheim
James Anderson as Baron Eugene Ronsdorff
Frank Yannessa as Ambassador MacGrave
John Rudolph as Miska
Carol Denenberg as Aranka
Ilene Miller as Juliska
Maila Traczyk as Rizzi
Joseph Troiano as Butler, Porter


Ensemble: Elizabeth Oliver, Timothy Oliver, Nancy Patton,
Mary Punshon, Kate Quinn and Christyan Seay

Gloria Collins, music director and pianist
Ellen Strange, violin
Vic Spain, cello
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Also performed on October 4, 2002 for the
Hadley Memorial Fund in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania


Cast changes were: A. Scott Bullitt as Prince Lippert-Weylersheim,
Joseph Troiano as Miska & Mary Punshon as Rizzi
Ensemble: Ilene Miller, Mary Punshon, Carol Denenberg,
Joseph Troiano, James Anderson and Frank Yannessa