inaugural "Christmas at the Wildey" Concert
December 22, 2018
Opera Edwardsville's launch and inaugural concert was marked by welcoming London based soprano Sofia Troncoso and Chicago-native baritone Evan Bravos alongside OE Founder and Artistic Director, Chase Henry Hopkins.
The musical program featured these three soloists, along with seven St. Louis musicians in the music of Handel, Purcell, Vivaldi, and Tchaikovsky.
Listen to the musical program on Spotify here.
2018 Artists
Sofia Troncoso, Soprano
London-based Soprano Sofia Troncoso (originally from New York) spent 2018 lending her voice to the Scottish Opera (Scotland), Les Azuriales (France), the Longborogh Opera Festival (England) where she debuted in the title role of Monteverdi’s L’incoranazione di Poppea, as well as a guest soloist for the Xi’an Symphony in China.
Sponsored by Barb & Paul Pizzini
Evan Bravos, Baritone
Chicago-native Baritone, Evan Bravos has been praised by the Chicago Tribune for his “strong singing and acting” and marked as a “talent to watch.” 2018 highlights include singing at Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Virginia Opera, Sarasota Opera and recently sang as a guest recitalist and Vocal Fellow at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago.
Sponsored by The Bank of Edwardsville
Chase Henry Hopkins, Tenor
OE Founder and Artistic Director, Chase Henry Hopkins was born and raised in Edwardsville. 2018 Highlights include singing at the Wexford Festival Opera, debuting the role of “Jupiter” in Handel’s Semele with the American Bach Soloists in San Francisco, and joining the Britten Pears Festival in England for two recitals.
Hannah Frey, Violin
Violinist Hannah Frey is currently Concertmaster of Winter Opera St. Louis, and performs regularly with the Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis, the Illinois Symphony, and the Union Avenue Opera Orchestra, as well as the St. Louis Symphony, The Muny Orchestra, and the Fox Theatre. In addition to performing, Hannah is on faculty at Washington University in St. Louis and Lindenwood University.
Sponsored by Lewis Rice LLC
Jane Price, Violin
Violinist Jane Price has previously been a fellow at the Tanglewood Institute, the Norfolk Festival, the Spoletto Festival in Italy and spent a year as a member of the New World Symphony. Jane currently teaches as an adjunct faculty member at the Washington University in St. Louis, and performs with Chamber Project St. Louis as well as a featured performances with the Festival of Music (FEMUSC) in Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Sponsored by Lewis Rice LLC
Eliana Haig, Viola
Violist Eliana Haig is an active performer and educator who performs with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Winter Opera St. Louis, and Chamber Project St. Louis. Eliana previously served as a section violist in the Erie Philharmonic and Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestras and performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Sponsored by Lewis Rice LLC
Stephanie Hunt, Cello
Performing regularly on both modern and baroque cello, Stephanie Hunt currently performs with the Persied String Quartet, Chamber Project St. Louis, and Le Petite Brise, and early music ensemble. Stephanie has participated in numerous international music festivals including the Nederlandse Orkest-en-Ensemble (Netherlands), Royaumont Festival (France), and the Britten Pears Festival (England). Stephanie teaches Cello in the SIUE Suzuki Program, and at Lindenwood University.
Sponsored by Lewis Rice LLC
Dawn Weber, Trumpet
Trumpeter, composer, singer and entertainer, Dawn Weber currently performs with The Electro Funk Assembly, Naked Rock Fight, the Dawn Weber Trio, Arch City Brass, and the Gateway Brass Quintet. A unique musician comfortable in many genres and styles of Music, Dawn spent two years touring with St. Louis’ own ‘Vargas Swing,’ and has released six albums, as main song writer, covering jazz, funk, swing, and electronica.
Sponsored by James Hopkins
Caroline Robinson, Harp
St. Louis-native, Caroline Robinson is currently completing her musical studies at Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music where she is training as a classical harpist. Caroline has recently recorded with Focus, a smooth Jazz ensemble and performed with Union Avenue Opera.
Sponsored by Theresa Elofson
Dr. Joseph Welch, Piano & Harpsichord
Pianist and Vocal Coach, Dr. Joseph Welch earned his Doctor of Music in Collaborative Piano and Vocal Coaching at the University of Minnesota. Joseph currently teaches at Southern Illinois University, Blackburn College, McKendree University, and for the Artist-in-Training Program at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Joseph is the Founder of St. Louis Art Song and on the board of the Southern Illinois Young Artists Organization.
Performer and Instrument sponsored by Suzanne L. Wagner
2018 Sponsors
Opera Edwardsville would like to thank the generous sponsors who made this performance possible:
Presenting Sponsor:
Lewis Rice LLC
Artist Sponsors:
The Bank of Edwardsville
Lewis Rice LLC
Theresa Elofson & James Hopkins
Barb & Paul Pizzini
Suzanne L. Wagner
Patron Level Sponsorship:
Tucker Allen, Estate Planning Attorneys
Kathryn & Bob Biarkis
Pete Fornof
Mary & Robert LaRose
Meg & Bart Solon
Music-Lover Level:
Becky & Dale Claussen
Edwardsville Family Dentist
Dr. Ed Hightower
Michael Lambert & Tim Hutchison
Joe & Barb Hutton
Hyten Oral Surgery
Dr. Lois Ladd
Betsy Meyer
Larry and Maureen Meyers
SJ & Emily Morrison
Brian Pezza & Nichole DeWall
Rotary Edwardsville
Town & Country Bank
David & Kay Werner
Anonymous
Friend-Level
Anita & Jerry Bracalente
Cathy Crowder
Henry Evans
Olivia Hopkins
John & Kate Motley
Marian Smithson
Special Thanks:
Artisan Bakery
Kathryn Biarkis
Burton Art Services
Al Canal
Jim Harper Creative
City of Edwardsville
Henry Evans
Chris Head
Holiday Inn & Suites
Clayton Hopkins
Olivia Hopkins
Julie Tabash Kelsheimer
Lewis Rice LLC
Emily Ottwein
Brian Pezza & Nichole DeWall
Barb Pizzini
Rivers & Routes
Jill Schmidt
Dr. Marc Schapman
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Dr. Joseph Welch
Wildey Theatre
Program Notes
For Opera Edwardsville’s inaugural concert, we celebrated the holiday season with traditional carols, hymns, and majestic classical music by Handel, Purcell, Vivaldi, and Tchaikovsky.
To capture the magic of the season, the program began with an overture comprised of two instrumental selections from Purcell’s King Arthur and a “Prelude” from Handel’s mythical opera, Amadigi di Gaula. Following several iconic selections from Handel’s great Messiah, the program featured a dramatic section reflective of winter with two works by Vivaldi and the famous “Frost Scene” from Purcell’s King Arthur. Handel’s “Eternal Source of Light Divine” brought us out Winter's harshness and back into the holiday spirit, drawing upon the images of light and hope often associated with Christmas. We concluded the first half with traditional Christmas carols.
Following intermission, we began with music around the theme of angels, followed by our own take on the three Kings, with arias from three operatic Kings. The program then finished with highlights from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, and several holiday favorites.
Our program drew upon the joy, hope, magic, and excitement of Christmas, while exploring the somber nature and harsh elements of Winter. The themes and images of Christmas were reflected through the beauty, drama, and power of opera.
Musical Program
Part I
"The Trumpet Tune" - Henry Purcell: King Arthur
"Fisherman's Dance" - Henry Purcell: King Arthur
"Prelude" - George Frideric Handel: Amadigi di Gaula
Highlights from The Messiah, George Frideric Handel
Recit: "Comfort ye"
Aria: "Every Valley"
Aria: "Rejoice greatly"
Aria: "The Trumpet shall sound"
Chorus: "Hallelujah Chorus"
"Cum Dederit" - Antonio Vivaldi: Nisi Dominus
“L’inverno” - Antonio Vivaldi: Le Quatro Stagione
(The Four Seasons: Winter)
Allegro non Molto
Largo
Allegro
"The Frost Scene" - Henry Purcell: King Arthur
"Eternal Source of Light Divine" - Handel: Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne
Carol: “What Child is This?”
Carol: “O come all ye faithful”
Intermission
Part II
"Let the Bright Seraphim" - Handel: Samson
"Waft her, Angels through the Skies" - Handel: Jephtha
Carol: "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"
Carol: "We Three Kings"
"Sibilar gli angui d'aletto" - Handel: Rinaldo
"Ombra mai fu" - Handel: Serse
"Ciel e terra" - Handel: Tamerlano
The ‘Nutcracker Suite’
Carol: "O little town of Bethlehem"
Carol: "Have yourself a Merry little Christmas"
Carol: "O Holy Night"