| About the Artists........
DON GIOVANNI, Baritone -
Vytautas JUOPZAPAITIS
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A graduate of the Lithuanian
Academy of Music in 1989, Mr. Juozapaitis has been a principal soloist
of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre since 1990. His repertoire
includes Germont in LA TRAVIATA, Figaro in BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, Escamillo
in CARMEN, Amonasro in AIDA, Wolfram in TANNHAUSER, Guglielmo in COSI FAN
TUTTE, Scarpia in TOSCA, and the title role in RIGOLETTO to name a few.
He performed at the Czech National Theater in 1995 and has appeared at
many music festivals including the Schleswig-Holstein Festival in 1992,
the Salzburg Festival in 1994, and the Vilanus International Music festival
1998-2001. He has performed leading baritone roles at opera houses in Poland,
Germany, Spain, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, India, Italy, Finland, Norway,
Belgium, France, Japan, Taiwan, and the USA with the Lithuanian Opera of
Chicago. He made his debut with Teatro Lirico in April 2003 as DON GIOVANNI
at L'Atrium Theatre on the Island of Martinique and repeats the role on
Teatro Lirico's first fall USA tour.
DON GIOVANNI - Baritone,
JUSTIN RYAN
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The young American baritone
from Texas received his B.M and M.M in Vocal Performance from the Stephen
F. Austin State University. He has performed both the role of Figaro and
the Count in Mozart's NOZZE DI FIGARO, Enrico in LUCIA DI LAMMERMORE, Belcore
in E'LISIR D'AMORE and Marcello in LA BOHEME with different American
opera companies and makes his debut with the Sarasota Opera this season
as Albert in WERTHER. Mr. Ryan is making his debut with Teatro Lirico as
DON GIOVANNI on the fall 2003 USA tour.
LEPORELLO - Bass Baritone,
Stefano DE PEPPO
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The Italian baritone began
his musical career as a soloist in the children's chorus of the Teatro
alla Scala where he continued his training with vocal studies at the Civic
School of Music in Milan. He opened the 1997-1998 Belles Artes Season as
Leporello. Additionally, he sang Leporello in Jerez, Spain. He made his
Canadian debut in 1998-1999 as Mustafa in ITALIANA IN ALGERIA with Opera
Hamilton and as Osmin in DIE ENTFUHRUNG in Jerez. He returned to the USA
in 2000 for Bartolo in BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA with Palm Beach Opera after
singing Dulcamara in TENERIFE and made his NY debut as Don Magnifico at
the American Opera Center at Lincoln Center. He made his Minnesota Opera
debut in 2001 with BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA and also appeared with Opera Orchestra
of NY in LES HUGUENOTS and Connecticut Grand Opera as Alfonso in COSI FAN
TUTTE. In summer 2001, he appeared with Portland Opera Repertory Theatre
as Figaro in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO. Additional engagements in 2001 and 2002
included the Sacristan in TOSCA for Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Leporello
in DON GIOVANNI at the Teatro Argentina in Rome with Renato Bruson as the
Don, which was filmed by RAI and taped for commercial DVD and CD release,
and the role of Betto in GIANNI SCHICCI at Los Angeles Opera with Samuel
Ramey in the title role. Mr. de Peppo joined the Teatro Belles Artes in
Mexico City in 1990 where he sang many leading basso -baritono roles. A
popular concert performer, he has appeared with the BBC at Royal Festival
Hall in London, and with Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Mexico. Mr. de
Peppo performs the role of Leporello on the fall 2003 USA tour and will
also perform the role this season with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and
in Switzerland, Japan and UK.
DONNA ANNA - Soprano, Steffanie
PEARCE
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The American soprano is
internationally acclaimed as a distinguished singing actress noted for
her portrayals of tragic heroines: Violetta in LA TRAVIATA for Opera Lisbon,
Cincinnati Opera, Opera Colorado, and Teatro Lirico D'Europa on tour throughout
Europe, Cleopatra in GIULIO CESARE for Pittsburgh Opera Theater - Konstanze
in DIE ENTFUHRUNG for the Buxton Opera Festival in England and the Syracuse
Opera, the Countess in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO and Pamina in DIE ZAUBERFLOTE
for Teatro Lirico throughout Europe, Polissena in RADAMISTO for Opera de
Marseilles, France, Marguerite in FAUST with Dayton Opera, the four heroines
in LES CONTES DE HOFFMAN for Opera Delaware, and Mimi in LA BOHEME for
Opera Festival of NJ to name a few. Ms. Pearce performed the role of Leonora
with Teatro Lirico D'Europa on their Winter 2003 USA tour and will perform
the role of Violetta in LA TRAVIATA with the company on their Winter 2004
USA tour.
DONNA ANNA- Soprano, Eugenia
VERNEROVA
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The young Czech soprano
is a principal soloist of the State Opera of Prague.
DONNA ELVIRA, Soprano - Su
-Jin LEE
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The young American soprano
born in Seoul, Korea holds a Master's degree from the Manhattan School
of Music where she was the winner of the distinguished President's award
and an Artist Diploma from the Academy of Vocal Arts, Philadelphia where
she was the winner of a four year full scholarship as well as the recipient
of the Ruth Ann Swenson Fellowship Award. She was the first prize winner
of the 1999 James Parkinson Opera Competition, the first prize winner of
the 1996 Dicapo Opera Theater Vocal Competition in NYC, and the winner
of the Special Judges Award in the 1998 Metropolitan Opera National Council
Auditions. Ms. Lee made her debut with Teatro Lirico D'Europa on their
Winter 2002 USA tour as Cio-cio san in MADAMA BUTTERFLY and Liu in TURANDOT
to outstanding critical acclaim. She reprised her signature role of Butterfly
with Teatro Lirico on their Winter 2003 USA tour and added a new role -
that of Leonora in IL TROVATORE, winning more outstanding reviews. She
performs Donna Elvira on the fall 2003 USA tour and will debut the role
of TOSCA with Teatro Lirico on their Winter 2004 USA tour.
DONNA ELVIRA, Soprano - Allison
CHARNEY
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The New York native who
has a B.A. from Harvard University as well as two graduate degrees from
Peabody Conservatory, has earned a reputation for vocal agility, lush sound
and dramatic portrayals of the lyric soprano roles in her wide-ranging
repertiore. A National Finalist in the 1993 Metropolitan Opera National
Council Competition, Ms. Charney was subsequently engaged by the New York
City Opera/Lincoln Center during the fall of 1994 as Musetta in LA BOHEME,
beginning her journey through the world of Puccini sopranos. Soon after,
Ms. Charney added Mimi in LA BOHEME (New Rochelle Opera) to her credits
and Alice Ford in FALSTAFF, her first Verdi role, with Washington's Summer
Opera Theatre Company. Ms. Charney was reengaged as Musetta in LA BOHEME
by the New York City Opera for the 1995-1996 season and made her debut
with Opera Mephis in spring 1996 as Suzanna in NOZZE DI FIGARO. Summer
1996 saw her as Norina in DON PASQUALE with Washington Summer Opera and
Nedda in PAGLIACCI with Metro Lyric Opera under the baton of Anton Coppola.
Career highlights during the 1996-1997 season included a debut with the
Nashville Opera as Musetta in LA BOHEME and her first performances as the
title role of MADAMA BUTTERFLY with Annapolis Opera as well as Michaela
in CARMEN under Anton Coppola at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center,
the title role of Flotow's MARTHA with Syracuse Opera, and
Gilda in RIGOLETTO with Trasure Coast Opera. During the 1997-1998
season Ms. Charney toured as the title role of MADAMA BUTTERFLY with Opera
Northeast, performed Elvira in DON GIOVANNI with Opera Mephis, Suzanna
in NOZZE DI FIGARO with Boheme Opera, and Liu in TURANDOT with Florida
Grand Opera. 1998-1999 engagements included Mimi in LA BOHEME with
Opera Roanoke, Hanna in THE MERRY WIDOW with Opera illinois, Donna Anna
in DON GIOVANNI with Opera Theatre of CT and the NEw West Symphony in Los
Angeles, Gilda in RIGOLETTO with Boheme Opera, and all the heroines in
LES CONTES D'HOFFAMN with Utah Opera Festival. 1999-2000 saw her as Musetta
with Atlanta opera, Michaela in CARMEN with Florida Grand Opera, Mimi in
LA BOHEME with Opera Illinois, TOSCA with Opera Memphis, the title role
of SUOR ANGELICA with Dicapo Opera Theater, Rosaline in DIE FLEDERMAUS
with Syracuse Opera, and Pamina in DIE ZAUBERFLOTE with Colorado Opera
Festival. 2000-2001 highliights included the 4 heroines in LES CONETS D'HOFFMANN
with Opera Delaware, Susanna in NOZZE at the Tampa Bay Perf. Arts Center,
the title role in JENUFA with Washington Summer Opera, TOSCA with DiCapo
Opera and Boheme Opera, Michaela in CARMEN with Opera Memphis, and Violetta
in LA TRAVIATA with Mississippi. 2001-2002 brought more engagements as
the 4 heroines in LES CONTS D'HOFFMAN with Opera Memphis. 2002-2003 engagements
included Susanna in NOZZE with Atlanta Opera, the title role of MADAMA
BUTTERFLY with Utah Festival Opera, Nedda in PAGLIACCI and Santuzza in
CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA with Opera Tampa, and Donna Elvira in DON GIOVANNI
with Illinois Opera. Upcoming engagements for 2003-2004 include the titile
role of MADAMA BUTTERFLY with Atlanta Opera and Mimi with Opera Memphis.
ZERLINA, Soprano - Vesselina
VASSILEVA
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The young Bulgarian soprano
born in Vraza graduated from the Sofia Academy of Music in 1995. She is
currently a fixed soloist with the Sofia National Opera and has performed
such roles as Violetta in LA TRAVIATA, Gilda in RIGOLETTO and many other
lyric coloratura roles there. She made her USA debut with Teatro Lirico
D'Europa on their Winter 2003 USA tour as Gilda in RIGOLETTO and Xenia
in BORIS GODOUNOV. She performs Zerlina on the Fall 2003 USA tour and will
perform Gilda and Violetta on the Winter 2004 USA tour.
DON OTTAVIO, Tenor - Gabriel
GONZALES
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The young tenor from Houston,
TX was born in Monterey, Mexico and made his operatic debut there as Normanno
in Donizetti's LUCIA DI LAMMERMORE. He has since that time performed the
leading tenor roles in PAGLIACCI, TOSCA, RIGOLETTO and LA BOHEME for Opera
de Monterey. Mr. Gonzalez made his Houston Grand Opera debut as the Italian
Singer in R. Strauss's DER ROSENKAVALIER opposite Rennee Fleming followed
by Verdi's ATTILA with Samuel Ramey, and the leading tenor roles in Gounod's
ROMEO ET JULIET and FAUST. Mr. Gonzalez has performed major tenor roles
in opera production for Aspen Music Festival, Sarasota Opera, Connecticut
Grand Opera, Opera Tampa, Gars Festival in Austria, Connecticut Opera,
Syracuse Opera, Opera Edmonton, and the Los Angeles Music Center. He made
his European debut in Barcelona, Spain with the Barcelona Symphony followed
by performances as B.F. Pinkerton in MADAMA BUTTERFLY with Opera
Bellas Artes in Mexico City. Mr. Gonzales is the winner of many opera competitions
including the Sullivan Foundation, FONICA Mexico Grant, the Palm Beach
Opera Competition, and the Houston Grand Opera competition.
He made his debut with Teatro
Lirico on their Winter 2003 USA tour as the Duke in RIGOLETTO and Pinkerton
in MADAMA BUTTERFLY to outstanding reviews.
DON OTTAVIO - Tenor - Don
BERNARDINI
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The internationally acclaimed
American tenor continues to earn highest accolades for his passionate,
dramatic interpretations of the bel canto heroes of Bellini, Donizetti,
Mozart and Verdi. Recent highlights include performances at the Opera
of Bern, Switzerland where he has performed the leading tenor roles in
DIE ZAUBERFLOTE, DON GIOVANNI, MACBETH, and MANON as well as L'ELISIR D'AMORE,
COSI FAN TUTTE, LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR, TOSCA, LA TRAVIATA, WERTHER and IDOMENEO.
Mr. Bernardini has also performed as a guest artist with the Opera of Mannheim,
Germany, the Hannover Opera, Opera de Nancy, Opera de Lorraine,
State Opera of St. Gallen, Switzerland, Theater Basel, Tiroler Landestheater
Innsbruck, Opera Comique, de Paris, the Hamburg Opera, Rome Opera, Teatro
di San Carlo of Naples, Italy, Zurich Opera, Opera La Fenice, Italy, Opera
de Strassbourg, Teatro Bellini Catania, Teatro Masimo de Messina, Deutche
Oper am Rhein in Dusseldorf, New Israeli Opera, Monterray Opera in Mexico,
Teatro Colon of Buenos Aires and many international opera festivals throughout
Europe. In North American he has performed with the Baltimore Opera, Calgary
Opera, Chautaqua, Cleveland Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Edmonton Opera, Hawaii
Opera, Portland Opera, the Philadelphia Opera, the New York City Opera,
Knoxville Opera, Michigan Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the Washington
Opera, Seattle Opera, and the San Diego Opera. He is making his debut with
Teatro Lirico D'Europa as Don Ottavio in Boston.
COMMENDATORE - Basso, Vladimir
POCHAPSKY
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The Russian basso is a principal
soloist with Moscow's Opera Bolshoi and made his debut with Teatro Lirico
in March, 2003 as BORIS GODOUNOV to outstanding critical acclaim. He performs
Godounov again with Teatro Lirico in Denmark in November 2003.
MASETTO, Baritone - Hristo
SARAFOV
**********************************
Mr. Sarafov has been active
on the stage for his entire adult life as a soloist in operetta, opera
and on stage as an actor. The talented Baritone graduated from the National
Academy of Music in Sofia and was immediately engaged by the Sofia National
Opera for the role of Bartolo in Rossini's BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA. He has
performed numerous roles with Teatro Lirico D'Europa world wide since
1990 and is now with the company on their 5th USA tour as Masetto in DON
GIOVANNI.
CONDUCTOR, Metodi MATAKIEV
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The Bulgarian conductor
studied at the National Music Academy in Sofia and the Higher Institute
of Music "Opera Conducting" in Vienna, Austria. He began his career conducting
the National Bulgarian Chorus and has worked as a conductor for the Sofia
National Opera, the State Opera of Russe, and has conducted hundreds of
performances of opera on tour with Teatro Lirico D'Europa on tour throughout
Europe. He made a very successful USA debut with Teatro Lirico on the Winter
2003 tour conducting performances of Moussorgski's BORIS GODOUNOV to outstanding
reviews. Maestro Matakiev is currently the conductor on chief of the Bulgarian
National Radio.
ARTISTIC DIR./STAGE DIRECTOR
- Giorgio LALOV
**********************************************
The former opera singer
who studied at the school of La Scala has been the artistic director of
Teatro Lirico D'Europa since 1986 when the company was created in Europe.
Since that time Teatro Lirico has completed over 3,000 performances world
wide and four major USA tours. Mr. Lalov is involved with all aspects of
the company-creation of sets and costumes as well as selection of orchestra,
chorus and all soloists. Teatro Lirico D'Europa is not a "State Opera"
company of Bulgaria and has existed for over 15 years without any government
funding or benefactors. Mr. Lalov engages soloists for his productions
from countries all over the world including the USA where he has made his
home since 1993. |
