CHRISTMAS AT THE WILDEY: A WAGNERIAN CHRISTMAS
December 20, 2019
Artist Biographies
JULIE TABASH KELSHEIMER, Soprano
Hailing from St. Louis, Soprano Julie Tabash Kelsheimer received her Master of Music in Voice and Opera Performance from Northwestern University. Julie has performed in various operatic and musical theatre productions and has been praised for her singing by the Chicago Tribune as a "Stand out," the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as having "a gorgeous sound and tremendous facility" and by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch as “perfectly cast in the title role” for her performance with Union Avenue Opera as 'Gretel' in "Hansel und Gretel.” Kelsheimer teaches at St. Louis University and maintains a private voice studio.
Generously sponsored by Busey Bank
PENELOPE COUSLAND, Mezzo-soprano
Glasgow born, Penelope Cousland makes her US debut with Opera Edwardsville for this performance. Cousland trained at the National Opera Studio in London, where she performed with the Welsh National Opera, Opera North, Scottish Opera, and in masterclass at the Royal Opera House. Cousland is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Royal Northern College of Music. Cousland has been praised for her “astonishing and wonderfully intense” performances (Planet Hugill) along with her “richly-tone voice” (The Herald).
Generously sponsored by Linda & Joseph Stevens
CHASE HENRY HOPKINS, Tenor
Edwardsville-native, Chase Hopkins was recently appointed the General Manager of Haymarket Opera Company in Chicago, while also serving as the Artistic Director of Opera Edwardsville. Hopkins is a graduate of Northwestern University, the Royal Northern College of Music, and the Dutch National Opera Academy. On the operatic stage, Hopkins has been described as a “strong and convincing presence” (Opera Today) and praised for delivering “thoughtful and disciplined” performances (Operawire).
Generously sponsored by Stifel
Special guest feature:
BRITTNEY YARBROUGH, Soprano
Edwardsville-native, Brittney Yarbrough is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree at SIUE . Yarbrough trained with Marc Schapman as part of the Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ Artist in Training Program and won the top scholarship in 2018. She has also received multiple first-place awards in National Association Teachers of Singing competitions. Opera Edwardsville worked with Yarbrough in a masterclass at EHS in 2018 and is delighted to welcome Brittney as a special guest feature in tonight’s performance.
Generously sponsored by Marian & Mike Smithson
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.
Generously sponsored by Suzanne L. Wagner
DR. JOSEPH WELCH, Piano
Pianist and Vocal Coach, Dr. Joseph Welch earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Collaborative Piano and Vocal Coaching at the University of Minnesota. Joseph is Visiting Professor of Music at Blackburn College. He also plays for the Artist-in-Training Program at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the Holiday Festival Chorus at the St. Louis Symphony, and the Young Men's Choir at St. Louis Children's Choirs. He is the Assistant Music Director at Variety Theatre and the Director of Music at First Congregational Church in Bunker Hill, IL. Joseph is the Founder of St. Louis Art Song and on the board of the Southern Illinois Young Artists Organization.
Generously sponsored by Jill & Thomas Schardt
Steinway Concert Piano generously sponsored by Stifel
PERSEID STRING QUARTET (Link)
Hannah Frey, Violin
Jane Price, Violin
Eliana Haig, Viola
Stephanie Hunt, Cello
Formed in 2013, the Perseid String Quartet is dedicated to performing chamber music to the highest possible artistic standards, and to creating accessible and enjoyable concert experiences in the St. Louis community. The Perseids have previously appeared at the Sheldon Concert Hall, 560 Music Center, the Danforth University Center Concert Series, the Schmidt Art Gallery at Southwest Illinois College, the Kemper Art Museum, the Webster University Concert Series, and the Ladue Chapel Concert Series. Members of the quartet hold advanced degrees from the nation’s top music conservatories and are active performers and educators.
http://www.perseidstringquartet.com/
Sponsored by Betsy Meyer
CLARION BRASS QUINTET
Mary Weber, Trumpet, Director
Jason Harris, Trumpet
Petter Ulffers, French Horn
George Manning, Trombone
Wayne Coniglio, Bass Trombone
Founded in 1994, St. Louis’ premier brass quintet, Clarion Brass is led by trumpeter, Mary Weber, and features some of the finest brass players in the St. Louis ara. Clarion Brass has been heard in many St. Louis area venues including the Sheldon Concert Hall, as guests with the Alton Symphony, and have recorded several CDs.
Generously sponsored by Dr. Theresa Elofson & James Hopkins
Musical Program
Part I
Richard Wagner
Selections from Lohengrin
Vorspeil to Lohengrin (Overture)
Aria: "Einsam in truben tagen" (Elsa)
Act III: Prelude
Richard Wagner
Siegfried Idyll
Richard Wagner
Selections from the Wesendonck Lieder
No. 1 “Der Engel!” (The Angel)
No. 5 “Träume” (Dreams)
Richard Wagner
Selections from Die Walküre
Walkürenritt (Ride of the Valkyries)
Feuerzauber (Magic Fire Music)
Engelbert Humperdinck
Selections from Hänsel und Gretel
Aria: "Wo bin ich wach ich?” (Gretel)
Aria: "Hurr hopp hopp" (The Gingerbread Witch)
Hexenritt (The Witch’s Ride)
Aria: "Leid des Taumannchens" (The Dew Fairy)
Duet: "Abendsegen" (Hansel and Gretel)
Finale: "Juchhei! Nun ist die Hexe tot!"
Intermission
Part II
Richard Wagner
Selections from Tannhäuser
Act II: Entrance of the Guests
Aria: "O du mein holder Abendstern"
Overture to Tannhäuser
Gioachino Rossini
Selections from Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Overture to Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Aria: "Una Voce Poco Fa" (Rosina)
Aria: "Il Vecchiotto cerca molgie" (Berta)
Duet: "Duetto buffo di due Gatti" (maybe Rossini…)
Aria: “Largo al factotum”
Richard Wagner
Der Tannenbaum (The Fir Tree)
German Christmas Carols
"O Tannenbaum" (O Fir Tree)
“Es ist ein rose, entsprungen” (Lo, how a rose ‘er blooming)
“Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht” (Silent Night, Holy Night)
Sponsorship and Gratitude
Opera Edwardsville would like to thank the generous sponsors who made this performance possible:
Presenting Sponsors:
Lewis Rice, LLC
Stifel
Artist Sponsors:
Busey Bank
Dr. Theresa Elofson & James Hopkins
Betsy Meyer
Jill & Thomas Schardt
Marian & Mike Smithson
Linda & Joseph Stevens
Suzanne L. Wagner
Anonymous
Patron Sponsors:
In memory of Peter Fornof
Holiday Cleaners
Edwardsville Junior Service Club
Karen & John Hunt
Peggy Walsh Kinamore
Mary & Bob LaRose
Dodie Ladd Levi
Susan & Bill Lucco
Metro East Dental Lab
Miller & Maack General Contractors
The Pizzini Family
The Schuh & Pearson Family
Fredna Carlson Scroggins
Meg & Bart Solon
Margaret & Rod Vaught
Brenda Mainer & Bob Wetzel
Carol Wetzel
Sponsors:
Dr. & Mrs. Joachim O. Bauer
Mollie & William Beatty
The Benham Family
Jan & John Busker
Maxine & Doug Callies
Patricia & David Cassens
Becky & Dale Claussen
Mrs. Cathy T. Crowder
In memory of Bob Diak
Mrs. & Mr. David Dietzel
Donco, LLC
First National Bank - Maryville Banking Center
The Gerdt & Harvey Family
Sherry & John Gibbons
Ann Gorman
Christine Head
The Hewlett Family
Debbie & John Higgins
Chelsie & Maurice Johnston
Janice Joplin
Mary Ruth Kettenbach
Barb & Tom Kinsella
Michael Lambert & Tim Hutchison
Kris & Scott Lollar
Betsy Mahoney
Lisa & Bill Markowitz
Maureen & Larry Meyers
Emily & SJ Morrison
Kate & John Motley
Cindy & Charles Schmidt
Edward M. Schroeder
Michelle & Jason Stacy
Amy & Bill Stapleton
Dr. & Mrs. John W. Tabash
Kathryn Tallerico & Larry Gallagher
Dr. Rachel V. Tompkins
Town & Country Bank
Missy & Rich Walker
Jennifer & Matt Warren
Jane & Jim Weingartner
Kay B. & David J. Werner
Belinda & Rick Wickham
S. LaVernn Wilson
Joan & Clark Wagner
William Bouvel and Fred Grier
Anonymous
Anonymous
Special Thanks:
Tom Atwood
Karen & Kim Brunssen
Burton Art Services
City of Edwardsville
Scott Evers
Jim Harper
Chris Head
Clayton Hopkins
Emily Ottwein
Rivers & Routes
Dr. Marc Schapman
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Wildey Theatre