Performances
Thursday, August 14th & Friday, August 15th
6pm @ Hammond Hall |
Saturday, August 16th & Sunday, August 17th
2pm @ Hammond Hall |
Synopsis
Act 1:In a lively setting in 17th century Seville, the notorious libertine Don Giovanni is constantly on the hunt for new romantic conquests, accompanied by his loyal but reluctant servant Leporello. As the curtain rises, Don Giovanni attempts to seduce Donna Anna, but is interrupted by her father, the Commendatore, whom Don Giovanni kills in a duel. Donna Anna, devastated, vows to avenge her father's death with the help of her fiancé, Don Ottavio. Meanwhile, Don Giovanni encounters his former lover, Donna Elvira, who is seeking revenge for his betrayal. Despite her anger, she cannot completely resist his charms. The act concludes with Don Giovanni crashing a wedding and seducing the bride, Zerlina, much to the dismay of her fiancé, Masetto.
Act 2:In the second act, Don Giovanni continues his escapades, switching clothes with Leporello to escape detection and further his amorous pursuits. This leads to a series of misunderstandings and mistaken identities, with Leporello being mistaken for his master and nearly killed by Masetto and Donna Elvira. As night falls, Don Giovanni and Leporello find themselves in a graveyard where they encounter the statue of the Commendatore. In a supernatural twist, the statue comes to life and warns Don Giovanni of his impending doom, but the unrepentant libertine laughs off the warning and invites the statue to dinner.
The final scene takes place in Don Giovanni's banquet hall, where he is enjoying a lavish meal. The statue of the Commendatore arrives as promised and offers Don Giovanni one last chance to repent for his sins. Arrogant and defiant, Don Giovanni refuses, and the statue drags him down to hell as a fiery punishment for his life of debauchery and deceit. The opera concludes with the surviving characters reflecting on Don Giovanni's fate and the moral lesson that awaits those who live without remorse or redemption.
Act 2:In the second act, Don Giovanni continues his escapades, switching clothes with Leporello to escape detection and further his amorous pursuits. This leads to a series of misunderstandings and mistaken identities, with Leporello being mistaken for his master and nearly killed by Masetto and Donna Elvira. As night falls, Don Giovanni and Leporello find themselves in a graveyard where they encounter the statue of the Commendatore. In a supernatural twist, the statue comes to life and warns Don Giovanni of his impending doom, but the unrepentant libertine laughs off the warning and invites the statue to dinner.
The final scene takes place in Don Giovanni's banquet hall, where he is enjoying a lavish meal. The statue of the Commendatore arrives as promised and offers Don Giovanni one last chance to repent for his sins. Arrogant and defiant, Don Giovanni refuses, and the statue drags him down to hell as a fiery punishment for his life of debauchery and deceit. The opera concludes with the surviving characters reflecting on Don Giovanni's fate and the moral lesson that awaits those who live without remorse or redemption.
The Cast
Don Giovanni
Critically-acclaimed bass-baritone Christopher Grundy received his Doctor of Music from Indiana University, studying with the celebrated German baritone Wolfgang Brendel. He completed his B.A. at Yale University, where he was the assistant conductor of the Yale Glee Club and the Yale Russian Chorus. His opera credits include title roles in Rachmaninov’s Aleko and Mozart’s Don Giovanni, as well as such varied roles as Baron Ochs (Der Rosenkavalier); Count Danilo (The Merry Widow); Vicar Gedge (Albert Herring); Mr. Alfieri (View from the Bridge); and Dr. Falke (Die Fledermaus). A champion of new music, Christopher has premiered numerous works in collaboration with contemporary composers. He sang the role of Dr. Gachet in the premiere production of Bernard Rands’s Vincent. On one week’s notice he learned the lead baritone role for the world premiere of Decameron with the International Opera Theatre of Philadelphia, to critical acclaim. As a recording artist Christopher can be heard on the BIS, Naxos, and Parma labels.
Recent oratorio performances include title role in Elinor Remick Warren’s “The Passing of King Arthur” with the Falmouth Chorale, the role of Jesus in Bach's St. John Passion, and bass solos in Beethoven’s Mass in C with the Greenwich Choral Society, Duruflé’s Requiem with the Fairfield County Chorale, Handel's Messiah with the Danbury Concert Chorus, and Mozart’s Vesperae solenne de Confessore with Con Brio Choral Society. Christopher is Director of Choral Programs at Sacred Heart University and the Director of Music at the Unitarian Society of New Haven. He made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut alongside internationally-renowned violinist Alexander Markov. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford, Connecticut. Recently he was honored to become a founding board member of the Neely Bruce Music Foundation. He is an experienced commercial helicopter pilot and flight instructor. |
Ian Joyal has been praised for his “fine Italianate sound” and is distinctive for his comic role interpretations. His roles include Don Alfonso, Sarastro, Masetto, Leporello and the title role in Le Nozze di Figaro. In 2017, Ian made his international debut as a studio artist with Lyric Opera Studio Weimar in Germany, performing as Leporello in Don Giovanni and as Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte. Equally at home on the concert stage, Ian has also performed in many recitals and oratorio works, with repertoire including the bass solos in Verdi's and Mozart's Requiems, as well as multiple performances of Handel's Messiah. Ian credits his father, who was his first voice teacher and church choir conductor, for inspiring him to pursue music.
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Il Commendatore
Born amid the storm tossed rocks of what is now a booming tourist town, Aidan Pasha has become a known figure amid the local theatre community. Whether it’s singing with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Maine, preforming in productions put on by The Grand, or Lamoine Community Arts. Or even selling ads for Acadia Repertory Theatre; This enigmatic figure tries to keep his finger on the pulse of local entertainment. And is proud to work with The Winter Harbor Music Festival once more in this production of Don Giovanni, enjoy.
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Donna Anna
Soprano Celine Mogielnicki has been hailed for her "stunning" performances, "perfect in diction and phrasing, with powerful gradations of emotions" (Milbridge Independant). In the 2023/2024 season Ms. Mogielnicki makes two role debuts; as Milica in Ana Sokolovič’s Svadba at Baltimore Theater Project in February 2024 and as Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte with Winter Harbor Music Festival in August 2024. She returns to the Long Island Choral Society as soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah, makes her DC recital debut with Little City Concerts in January 2024. and also returns to the Bar Harbor Music Festival as a featured soloist in concerts of Italian operatic classics and the music of Stephen Sondheim. A graduate of the Juilliard School and Dawn Upshaw’s graduate vocal arts program at Bard College, Ms. Mogielnicki has performed with LA Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Bard Summerscape, Caramoor, Juilliard Opera, Charlottesville Opera (formerly Ash Lawn Opera) and DC Public Opera in both standard and contemporary works. Roles include Countess, Rosalinde, Mimì, Governess, Micaela, Pamina, Marzelline and Musetta. Particularly devoted to 20th/21st century works and collaborations with living composers, she has given world premieres of works by David T. Little (Sir Elton John’s Trainer in Vinkensport), Missy Mazzoli (Song from the Uproar), Noa Ain (Song of the Turtledove), Brian Hulse (Questa rosa novella) and Stephen Gorbos (Whitman Fragments). Oratorio and concert credits include Mozart’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Mass in C Major, Handel’s Messiah and the world premiere of Judd Greenstein’s Vayomer Schlomo in Zankel Hall. She made her Carnegie Hall Debut in Vaughn William’s Serenade to Music under conductor Benjamin Zander and has appeared in concert with the National Symphony Orchestra, American Symphony Orchestra, National Music Festival, Southwest Florida Symphony, Friends of Mozart Society, Bel Canto at Caramoor, and the Transfiguration Choirs of New York City, Washington National Cathedral, Hudson Valley Chamber Music, the Rhinebeck Chamber Music Society, 23Arts Initiative, Z1 Konzerte Berlin, Orania Berlin concert series, Winter Harbor Music Festival and Schoodic Arts in Downeast Maine. Recordings include Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots (Leonard/Premiere Bohemienne) with the American Symphony Orchestra under Leon Botstein and Missy Mazzoli’s Song from the Uproar with NOW ensemble under New Amsterdam label.
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Ottavio
Donna Elvira
Cassandra Petrie, Mezzo Soprano, is thrilled to be returning to Winter Harbor Music Festival. In the past year, Cassandra performed Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro and Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus at Winter Harbor. She has just come from the Miami Music Festival, where she performed the role of Mrs. Patrick De Rocher in Jake Heagy’s Dead Man Walking. Cassandra has traveled to young artist programs around the world, such as Opera in the Ozarks, Vienna Summer Music Festival and Berlin Opera Academy to sing roles, and travels to Lakeland Opera each year to cover roles. Cassandra also enjoys singing musical theatre and often performs in regional theaters in the Midwest. Cassandra is currently the alto section leader at Fort Wayne First Presbyterian Church and an Associate Member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus. Cassandra holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Olivet Nazarene University and Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois.
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Leporello
Bass-baritone Chris Jurak sang in the Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus from 1977-82, appearing in Carmen, La Boheme, Cavellaria Rustincana, Tosca, Werther, Hansel and Gretel, La Giaconda, La Forza del Destino, Die Frau Ohne Schatten and L’Enfant et Les Sortileges. He attended the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College program from 1985-87, studying voice with Ilse Sasse and diction/interpretation with Lynne Vardaman.
Chris has been a principal soloist with the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island since 2016, appearing in full productions as Lord Tolloler (Iolanthe), the Pirate King (The Pirates of Penzance), Colonel Calverly (Patience), Don Alhambra (The Gondoliers), The Mikado (The Mikado), King Gama (Princess Ida), the Lord Chancellor (Iolanthe) and Captain Corcoran (H.M.S. Pinafore), and in smaller review shows as The Baritone (The World According to Gilbert & Sullivan) and the Ghost of Marley (A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol). He has also performed concert versions of various G&S roles, including Pish Tush (The Mikado) and Dick Deadeye (in Utopia Opera’s HMS Pinafore) at the NY Gilbert & Sullivan Society. Since 2022, Chris has been a regular participant at the Winter Harbor Music Festival, performing the roles of Fiorello / The Officer (Il Barbiere Di Siviglia), Bartolo (Le Nozze di Figaro), Don Alfonso (Cosi Fan Tutte) and Leporello (Don Giovanni). Chris also appears regularly at Opera Night Long Island, a monthly concert series featuring repertoire sung by local amateur and professional singers. Chris has sung as a chorister and soloist with various ensembles, including the Waldorf Choral Society, the Stony Brook Episcopal Church Choral Ensemble and the Long Island Choral Society. He currently studies privately in the voice studio of former Met Opera principal soloist Frank Lopardo. Chris works professionally as a Physical Therapist and Osteopath, specializing in the treatment of infants and children, adults with chronic pain syndromes, and opera singers, utilizing an integrated approach of manual and movement therapies. |
Stephen L. Bryant is a Grammy nominated bass-baritone with an international career in opera and oratorio. He has performed with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Houston Symphony, Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, and BBC Scottish Symphony to name a few. He has sung with the San Francisco Opera, Netherlands Opera, and New York City Opera as well as many other regional companies in roles from Mozart’s Figaro to George in Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men. He has performed in two world premieres in works by the Oscar winning composer Tan Dun. These works include The Water Passion presented throughout the US, Europe, Asia, Russia, and Australia and well as the opera Marco Polo also presented in the US, Europe and Asia. Stephen has performed the role of Doctor Bartolo in Winter Harbor Music Festival’s productions of The Barber of Seville and the Marriage of Figaro. He also performed the bass solos in Winter Harbor Music Festival’s performance of Händel’s Messiah this past December.
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Masetto
Deiran Manning has given performances across the United States, Ireland, England, France and Italy at notable venues such as Merkin Concert Hall, Weil Recital Hall at Carnegie, the National Concert Hall in Dublin and the New York City Mayor’s residence, Gracie Mansion. A Maine native, Mr. Manning spent his formative years in New York City attending LaGuardia High School and eventually earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. His notable teachers include pianists Edmund Battersby, Edward Auer, Karen Shaw, Jeffrey Swann and baritone Wolfgang Brendel. As a collaborative player, Mr. Manning has performed with notable musicians including flutist Carol Wincenc, violinist Anatole Wieck, and baritones Stephen Bryant and Wolfgang Brendel. As a singer, Mr. Manning has performed with various companies including IU Opera Theater, Bronx Opera, and WHMF Opera. Notable roles have included Papageno in Die Zauberflote and Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore. He regularly works as a vocal coach due to his experience as both a pianist and singer. In 2017, Mr. Manning founded the WHMF Community Opera program which serves to give musicians of all levels and community members the chance to perform, while providing opera to a region which lacks classical performance. Since then, he has produced, directed and coached 5 operas in the region, including a fully socially distanced outdoor production of La Serva Padrona in August of 2020. Mr. Manning has also been on faculty at New York University and Brooklyn Conservatory where he taught group keyboard, performance classes, theory and private lessons. Notable awards include; Stanza Governor’s Prize in Composition, LISSMA International Piano Competition, Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition and the Ira Gershwin award. In 2020, Mr. Manning received grants from the Maine Arts Council to record iconic keyboard works. His recordings of the Diabelli and Goldberg Variations are available digitally on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming platforms. Mr. Manning is currently on the faculty at Husson University and the University of Maine. In addition to his performing and teaching, Mr. Manning serves as Executive Director of the Winter Harbor Music Festival.
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Zerlina
Isabel Silva is an American-Brazilian soprano based in New York City. She is very excited to be debuting two roles this August, Despina in Così fan tutte with Winter Harbor Music Festival and Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro with Canto Virginia. Isabel previously performed the role of Papagena in Die Zauberflöte with Trentino Music Festival in Italy and L'Eternità in La Calisto with Mannes Opera. Other engagements include soloist in recital with Mannes Sounds Festival and American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria. In addition to her operatic credits, Isabel won 3rd place in the 2022 Music International Grand Prix semifinals. She is currently a working soprano in the Archdiocesan Cathedral Choir in New York City. Isabel is a graduate from the Mannes School of Music where she received her Master of Music degree in 2023.
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