Download THE SLEEPING BEAUTY CAST

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY CAST
KATE OBERJAT, SOPRANO (ROSAMOND)
Kate Oberjat (soprano) is recognized for her performances in both contemporary and popular operatic roles. She recently performed at the annual ASCAP awards to showcase Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg’s Sleeping Beauty, where she sang with the title role at the Chelsea Opera in the show’s world premiere. Other contemporary performances of note include Tom Cipullo’s Younger Alyce (Glory Denied) with Chelsea Opera, where the NY Times noted her voice’s “velvety smoothness;” Lady Isabelle (The Secret Agent) televised in Europe and recorded and released on Albany Records, as well as the world premiere of Oration at the Center for Contemporary Opera. Other recent engagements include Monica (The Medium, Josephine (H.M.S. Pinafore) with Nashville Opera, Gretel (Hänsel & Gretel) with Lyric Opera San Diego, Marie (La Fille du Régiment) and Nanetta (Falstaff), both with Taconic Opera, and Gilda (Rigoletto) with Queens Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Constantine Kitsopoulos. DOMINIC ARMSTRONG, TENOR (PRINCE)
A recent nominee of the inaugural Warner Music Prize, Dominic Armstrong has been hailed as a ‘clarion’ and ‘robust’ tenor by the New York Times. Mr. Armstrong has recently been seen in such roles as Cavaradossi (Tosca) in the Chicago area, Tamino (Die Zauberflöte) with Dayton Opera, and made his Carnegie and Ojai Festival debuts as Haydn/Bartender in Steven Stucky and Jeremy Denk’s new work The Classical Style. Upcoming projects include his first essay of the Verdi Requiem, a production of My Fair Lady with Ash Lawn Opera, and the role of Arthur Dimmesdale in Opera Colorado’s world premiere of Lori Laitman’s The Scarlet Letter. SARA BETH PEARSON, SOPRANO (QUEEN)
Sara Beth Pearson’s distinct artistry, stage presence and rich vocal quality are leading this young soprano to an important operatic career. She recently appeared in NYC as Madama Butterfly with Amore Opera, as Nedda in Pagliacci with the Maryland Lyric Opera and Anna in the Garden State Opera’s production of Puccini’s Le Villi. She made her solo debut with The Metropolitan Opera in its 2012 production of Manon, and was a Met soloist in 2013 in La Rondine and Les Dialogues des Carmelites. In 2010, she debuted with the Crested Butte Music Festival as Mimì in La Bohème, with the Baltimore Concert Opera as Nedda in Pagliacci, and with Dicapo Opera Theatre as Lucy Perez in Pasatieri’s Hotel Casablanca. She has also performed several roles with the Baltimore Opera. She earned her Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory in 2003, under the tutelage of Stanley Cornett. Additional operatic engagements include the Blue Fairy in Pinocchio, Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore with the Young Victorian Theatre Company, and 1st Soprano Soloist in Annapolis Opera's production of Vienna Dreams. She is a highly sought after entertainer and recitalist and has dazzled audiences in exclusive venues, including a private mass and reception for Archbishop Desmond Tutu. JUSTIN RYAN, BARITONE (KING)
Justin Ryan has appeared in opera and concert with companies across the United States, earning recent critical acclaim from Opera News for his “commanding presence” and “intimidating, cavernous voice,” and from New York Classical Review for his portrayal of “tremendous charisma and sympathy.” Originally from San Antonio, TX, he has had success interpreting operatic roles ranging from Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Count Almaviva, to the romantic roles of Donizetti, Verdi, and Puccini, performing with Sarasota Opera, Opera Columbus, Mississippi Opera, Toledo Opera, Belleayre Music Festival, and the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, among others. He also toured in the title role of Rossini’s Signor Bruschino in educational outreach with the Metropolitan Opera. Recent Lincoln Center performances include the role of Berdret in Fervaal with the American Symphony Orchestra, and the Father in Hansel and Gretel at Avery Fisher Hall, as well as Etienne Grandet in Naughty Marietta with the Little Orchestra Society. A graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, Mr. Ryan’s extensive concert and oratorio experience includes recent solo Carnegie Hall appearances in Mozart’s Requiem and Schubert’s Mass in G. He was heard this season in Philadelphia as soloist in Rossini’s Stabat Mater, and at Lincoln Center as the featured soloist, along with narrator James Earl Jones, in a concert of works including David Diamond’s This Sacred Ground and Peter Schickele’s Lincoln at Ease, all presented to commemorate the 200‐year anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. As a recording artist, Mr. Ryan can be heard in the role of The Bishop on Evan Mack’s Angel of the Amazon, released to critical acclaim in 2012, and as featured soloist on composer Tim Brown’s song collection, Luces y Sombras. In New York, his voice has also been heard on the air in the NY Lottery Mega Millions multi‐
media campaign, Modern Major General. LAUREN FLANIGAN, SOPRANO (EVIL WISE WOMAN)
Lauren Flanigan has performed all over the world with the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Glyndebourne, and New York City Opera. She made her Seattle Opera debut in 1991 as Donna Anna in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and returned for the Governess in Britten’s Turn of the Screw and Violetta in Verdi’s Traviata. Her repertoire includes over eighty‐five operas, including five world premieres written for her. Her recording of R. Strauss’s Liebe der Danae was nominated for a Grammy Award, and Carnegie Hall commissioned composer Phillip Glass to write a symphony for her, Symphony No. 6, based on a text by Allen Ginsberg. Flanigan has received the Betty Allen prize from New York City Opera, the Diva Award from Emmanuel Ungaro, an award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and the Artist of the Year from the Center for Contemporary Opera. She has been honored twice by Irish America Magazine as one of its “Top 100 Irish Americans” for her concert series Comfort Ye, which raises food and clothing for New York’s homeless. ANNA NOGGLE, SOPRANO (LAST WISE WOMAN)
Anna Noggle has appeared in leading roles and concerts throughout North America and Europe, and has been described by the NY Times as “riveting.” Her credits include the title role of Anya in the American premiere of Adam Gorb's Anya 17 with Opera Parallele in San Francisco; Madame de Tourvel in the New York premiere of Conrad Susa's The Dangerous Liaisons with the Dicapo Opera Theatre in NY, and Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte with Opera Colorado in Denver. JOHN HANCOCK, BARITONE (OLD MAN)
Mr. Hancock debuted at the Metropolitan Opera as le Gendarme in Les Mamelles de Tirésias. He has appeared in a dozen roles with the company, including Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Falke and Capulet in Roméo et Juliette, and both Marcello and Schaunard in La Bohème. At San Francisco Opera, he has sung lead roles in Madama Butterfly, Queen of Spades and Manon Lescaut. He recently sang the title role in Philip Glass’s Kepler at Spoleto Festival USA, Rorem’s Our Town at Colorado’s Central City Opera, and Pascal Dusapin’s Faustus, the Last Night at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. He has enjoyed frequent collaborations with the Bard Music Festival, the New York Festival of Song, and with Leon Botstein and the American Symphony Orchestra. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in Carmina Burana with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the Collegiate Chorale. Mr. Hancock has served as an adjudicator for the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition, and the New Jersey Music Educators Association competition. He is also an adjunct professor of voice at New Jersey City University. NICOLE DELUCA, SOPRANO (FROG AND CHORUS)
Nicole is currently a junior at Manhattan School of Music. She has recently performed in West Side Story (Maria) and Carousel (Carrie) at Manhattan School of Music and will be performing the role of Rosalinde in J. Strauss's Die Fledermaus this spring. She has also performed in Princess Fiona Escapes from the Shoe (Maxine Mouse) Off Broadway, was the First Place Winner of Doctor Oz's Highway to Health Talent Competition, and has performed in Ronan Tynan's Concert (Soloist/Ensemble), Westchester Teen Idol (Top Finalist), and with Jerry Vivino & Band (Soloist). Additional credits include: Cabaret (Sally Bowles), Les Miserables (Eponine), FAME (Serena Katz), and Footloose (Ariel). CHORUS
BIANA ROSE, SOPRANO
Age 15, Biana has been singing and acting since the age of six and has performed in numerous musical theatre productions with Random Farms Kids Theater, Yorktown Stage, Workshop Theater, Madhatters Theatre Company, and iTheatrics/MTI workshop/readings. She is a member of Manhattan Girls Chorus and the Broadway Youth Ensemble. She has appeared on Saturday Night Live, Fox News Live and PBS Kids, as well as TV commericals for Kraft Lunchables and Kids for Global Peace PSA. She has performed with Random Farms Kids Theater, Madhatters Theatre Company, The Workshop Theater Company, and recorded with GPR Record’s World Premier of The Polar Express and more. She sang with the Broadway Youth Ensemble at a Mayor Bloomberg Interfaith Breakfast, the American Christmas Carol at Carnegie Hall 2013 and 2014, Hyacynth HIV/AIDS Foundation Annual Gala, Broadway Sings For Newtown, 9/11 Memorial Foundation Gala, Comfort Ye at Symphony Space and other prominent fundraisers and events. LAUREN ORLANDO, ALTO
Ms. Lauren Orlando graduated from Marymount Manhattan College, where she performed various ensemble characters for Bright Lights, Big City. She has worked Off‐Broadway as Isultin in Time Being; originated the role of Mrs. Cranston in Charles Strouse's, An American Tragedy; and sang with Craig Schulman for the not‐for profit organization Jenna's Dream. She also played Sandy in the Yorktown Stage production of Grease and Cosette in Elmwood Playhouse’s production of Les Miserable. She is currently working on a new musical, Holding On. CHRISTINE DUNCAN BIO, ALTO
New York City‐based mezzo‐soprano Christine Duncan is quickly gaining recognition for her vocal power and clarity as well as a commanding stage presence. Her 2014‐15 local engagements include the title role in La Favorita and Stéphano in Roméo et Juliette with West Side Opera Society, and Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus with New York Lyric Opera Theater. Christine recently made her main stage debut as Flora in La Traviata opposite Metropolitan Opera soprano Angela Meade at Astoria Music Festival under the baton of Keith Clark. Other recent roles include Dorabella in Così fan tutte with Astoria Music Festival, Der Komponist and Dryade in Ariadne auf Naxos with Land of Enchantment Opera, and Lel in Rimsky‐Korsakov's Snegurochka with Lowell House Opera at Harvard University. Christine holds an MM from the Longy. ERIC NOLD, TENOR
Eric Nold regional credits include: Marius in Les Miserables in upstate New York, Curly in Oklahoma, the Narrator/Father/ and Peter Semyonych in Neil Simon's Good Doctor, Caliban in Shakespeare's The Tempest, Orsino in Twelfth Night, Jason in Medea, and Adam in Santa's Helper, performed for the 2011 DC Fringe Festival. Eric graduated with a BA in English and Marketing from The College of William and Mary, and is a recent graduate of Stella Adlers Acting Conservatory. ALISTAIR HAMILTON, TENOR
Alistair Hamilton, originally from Northern Ireland, lived in England and Malaysia prior to relocating to New York City in 2012. He founded VOCTET in 2012, was formerly the Assistant Conductor of the Canticum Novum Singers and is currently completing his Masters of Music in Choral Conducting with California State University, Los Angeles. A passionate choral conductor, singer, educator and advocate for choral music, Alistair has led and conducted both student and adult choirs throughout Europe, Asia and the United States in concerts, festivals, tours and events. Alistair is the Music Director of Dwight School. MATT CERVONI, TENOR
Matthew Cervoni was born in Calcutta, India, and raised in Westchester County, NY. He graduated in 2011 from NYU Steinhardt with a double major in Cello Performance and Romance Languages. He also studied piano for 12 years and has been singing for most of his life. Matthew has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fischer Hall, and Alice Tully Hall with orchestras, including the New York Youth Symphony, the Hoff Barthelson Festival Orchestra, and the Greater Westchester Youth Orchestras. He was a founding member of The Crescendo String Quartet and has spent many summers performing at the Hartwick College Summer Music Festival, Blue Mountain Music Festival, and the NYU Intensive String Quartet Workshop. As an undergraduate, Matthew performed in orchestras, chamber ensembles, theater productions and recordings in both NYU Steinhardt and Tisch School of the Arts. In 2010, Matthew spent a semester at NYU’s La Pietra campus in Florence, where he studied Italian and cello and performed regularly at venues such as La Cité and Opera et Gusto. That same year, Matt joined the William D. Caballero ensemble, which performed the sound score for a documentary about peace advocacy and human rights in Uganda, created by MTV award‐nominated filmmaker and composer William Caballero, and performed at the Apollo Theater, Brooklyn College, and New York Cultural Center. MARK AHRAMJIAN, BARITONE/BASS
Mark Ahramjian, composer and pianist, is a vocal music teacher and choral director for Tenafly Public Schools. He has performed with a variety of choirs in New York City and Philadelphia, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, New York Philharmonic and many other New York organizations. REMY CANARIO, BARITONE/BASS
A New York City native, Remy Canario began studying classical voice at the age of 16, and after singing as a soloist for the Fauré Requiem at Vassar College, he immersed himself in the world of choral singing as a chorister and soloist with the Chorale Society of the Hamptons and the Cancticum Novum Singers, as well as the New York Chamber Choir, where he serves on the board, overseeing marketing and development. He currently studies voice with The Juilliard School’s Bobby White and is pursuing a career in international affairs. ANDREW DEJOSEPH, BARITONE/BASS
Andrew DeJoseph is a trumpet player, as well as a multi‐instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and musicologist. He is the Artistic Director of the brass quintet, Renegade, and co‐founder of Antiphony—a musical duo with his wife Alecia. Most recently, Andrew co‐founded the contemporary chamber group kNOwSPACE (knowspacemusic.com). He has appeared with the Litha Symphony Orchestra as well as other local orchestras, choruses and bands. ____________ BENJAMIN P. WENZELBERG (COMPOSER, LIBRETTIST, ACCOMPANIST)
Benjy (treble) will sing the role of Daniel in Handel’s Susanna with The Collegiate Chorale this February at Town Hall starring Isabel Leonard. He was just named a 2015 National YoungArts Foundation Merit winner in MUSIC INSTRUMENTAL/Composition Category/Classical Music Composition. This September, he performed with Dawn Upshaw and Gil Kalish in “Ancient Voices of Children” by George Crumb at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The New York Times called him, “the rich voiced boy soprano.” BAM is also where he performed the role of Miles in New York City Opera’s production of “The Turn of the Screw,” receiving rave reviews including inclusion on New York Magazine’s approval matrix. He made his solo debut at The Metropolitan Opera last year as Mustardseed in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” where he is currently in his sixth season as part of the Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus currently performing in La Boheme. A vocal student of Amelia DeMayo, he recently completed work on the film, “Boy Choir” where he is the singing voice of the lead character, “Stet” and stars Dustin Hoffman, Kathy Bates, and Debra Winger. The film is currently premiering in Europe after touring film festivals in Canada this Fall. This Spring he was very proud to receive First Place Early Teen Voices Art Song category in the 2014 Hal Leonard Vocal Competition. Also this Spring, he sang Chichester Psalms with the Portland Symphony Orchestra in a performance narrated by Jamie Bernstein and has been a soloist with the New York Philharmonic, The Atlanta Opera, Shakespeare in the Park, Avery Fisher Hall where he performed the role of Amahl with The Little Orchestra Society, Carnegie Hall, Central Park’s Summer Stage, the US Open, and was invited to sing in Israel. Recordings include: Charlie Bucket, in “The Golden Ticket” opera CD from a live performance with Atlanta Opera, as well as being featured on a track of opera singing group Forte’s CD, “Silent Night.” As a composer, his opera, “The Sleeping Beauty,” won a 2014 ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award and Charlotte V. Bergen Scholarship Prize for its piano vocal score and its orchestrated excerpts, and his piano trio, “Midnight Tides,” won the 2014 BMI Student Composer Award and its Carlos Surinach prize. He is proud of these awards and that the trio is included as part of a special collection of winning BMI works housed at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. A composition student of Dr. Eric Ewazen, at Juilliard Pre‐College, Benjy’s percussion piece, “The Storm,” had its world premiere performed by the NYU Percussion Ensemble, and he will be playing the viola as part of “Face the Music” who will be performing his piece, “An Air to Air,” this Spring. Benjy is a classical and jazz piano scholarship student at the 92nd St. Y and is a Royal Conservatory Development Program Gold national medal as well as Tri‐State, NY State and Manhattan Borough Certificates of Excellence award winner. For these awards, he will be making his Carnegie Hall piano debut this Spring. A budding conductor, he has audited the NY Youth Symphony’s conducting program the last two years and participated in a conducting workshop with Maestro Munoz this winter. He made his conducting debut at age eleven as part of the Crested Butte, Colorado Music Festival. Benjy is a proud AGMA, SAG/AFTRA, and ASCAP member and thanks all of his wonderful teachers, friends and family for all of their guidance and support. A very special thank you to this amazing cast of singers for all of their hard work and enthusiasm for this project as well as to Deb Roberts, Amelia DeMayo, and the JCC for all of their support in waking “The Sleeping Beauty.” www.benjaminwenzelberg.com