Con Amore from Italy: The Singers of Opera in Concert
Directed by Stephen Dubberly
DATE: Saturday, October 12, 2024
TIME: 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Members $30 – Guests $40
Payments by check – can be paid at the door or mailed to:
Puccini Society of Dallas PO Box 1782 Colleyville, TX 76034
Payments by Credit Card – Phone Jana at 817-999-5509
Puccini friends – We look forward to our next Puccini program which will be presented by “Opera in Concert”, directed by our own Puccini member, Stephen Dubberly, and including several talented graduate students who spent the summer together in Italy immersed in voice & Italian lessons, as well as performing while there. We’ll definitely enjoy their concert as well as hearing more details about their experiences in Italy. Our thanks to Lillian Ragland for designing our lovely invitations.
Mail checks to: Puccini Society of Dallas P.O. Box 1782 Colleyville, TX 76034-1782 Call Jana at (817) 999 – 5509 for credit card payments.
Photo Gallery
Eleanor Williams, Mezzo-Soprano
Sara Fochee, Mezzo-Soprano
Lauren Manon, Soprano
Clarissa Williams, Soprano
Party Pictures
Puccini Friends; I am still excited about our beautiful event yesterday! Stephen put together a wonderful program with those very talented young singers from the Opera in Italy program. We were all very impressed with their talent and potential. Stephen’s commentary put each aria into context and helped us relate to the character being portrayed. We are so fortunate to have Stephen in our society and that he is willing to put together these outstanding program for us!
Linda and Tom are such gracious hosts and are so kind to invite us time and again. Their home is truly beautiful and interesting, as many of you observed yesterday. Thank you for your welcoming hospitality.
Mac presented another of his fabulous receptions! We are so grateful that he does this for us and for his culinary talents. Everything was beautiful and delicious. His featured cocktail of the day was particularly enjoyed by everyone. Jana always makes things run smoothy with her many responsibilities. You two are our Puccini Valentines, along with Patsy and Bob who always assist Mac, set up and serve drinks, and even bring chairs. Lots of logistics are involved in our meetings, and thanks to all who helped out with that yesterday.
Our next event is planned for March 30 and will feature soprano Jocelyn Hansen. Jocelyn has performed in three main stage productions for the Dallas Opera the season, and is equally outstanding in musical theater performances. I know she’ll bring us a program that will be enjoyed by everyone. Please save this date.
Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support of the Puccini Society.
Marilyn
Introducing Cherisse Williams
Brooklyn, New York, native soprano Cherisse Williams is a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Business Administration in Music Business student at the University of North Texas, under the tutelage of Dr. Carol Wilson.
In performance with The Dallas Opera’s Educational Outreach, she will perform the role of Manuelita (Pépito).
Last season, Ms. Williams sang the role of Micaëla (Carmen). She has played the role of Adina in L’elisir d’amore with UNT Opera, Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute and Gretel (Hansel and Gretel) with Once Upon an Opera, and Nannetta in the Midwest Institute of Opera’s production of Falstaff.
Her Manhattan School of Music credits include the Princess in their mainstage production of L’enfant et les Sortilèges, and Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro for their opera scenes titled “A World Made Real: Five Stories of Women in Pursuit of Dreams.” Other credits include the role of Sally Hemings in the world premiere of Dana Wilson’s The Wolf by the Ears, Beth (cover) in Little Women, Mademoiselle Silberklang in The Impresario with the Ithaca Hidden Gems Project, The Princeton Festival’s production of Porgy and Bess (ensemble), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peaseblossom) at Westminster Choir College Opera Theatre.
Ms. Williams was a winner of the Willam Gammon Henry Concerto Competition at the University of North Texas and a first-prize winner at the NATS-CNYFL competition. She is a member of the New York Philharmonic Chorus and holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from Westminster Choir College, a Master of Music from Ithaca College, and a Professional Studies Certificate in opera from The Manhattan School of Music. She is a volunteer artist for Sing for Hope, a proud sister of Sigma Alpha Iota and one of the owners of the Sparkle Twins.
In addition to singing, Ms. Williams is a professional commercial and print model, and a former preschool teacher. She has starred in the national Verizon Holiday commercial along with her identical twin sister, which received over 2 million views worldwide.
Puccini Society of Dallas P.O. Box 1782 Colleyville, TX 76034-1782
Puccini Friends – We are excited to gather on Saturday, October 28 to hear from a talented young UNT student, Matthew Dexter. Please see Matthew’s bio information below. Also, refer to the invitation for the October program attached. Thank you to all who have already responded. Please RSVP no later than Oct 25if you ploan to attend.
Marilyn Halla
Photo Gallery
Photos by Ed Flaspoehler
Artist Bio
MATTHEW DEXTER, bass-baritone from McKinney, Texas, is a senior majoring in vocal performance at the University of North Texas. He is a member of UNT’s A Cappella Choir and the Vox Aquilae Baroque choir. During his time with UNT Opera, he has performed the roles of Mícha in The Bartered Bride, Bartolo in Le nozze di Figaro, and Zúñiga in Carmen. He will premiere the role of the Conductor in That Hellbound Train in spring 2024. He also performed the role of The Herald in the concert version of Verdi’s Otello with the UNT Symphony Orchestra. For the past two years, as a vocal fellow at Spoleto Festival USA, Matthew appeared in the world premiere of Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels’ Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Omar in 2022 and covered the role of the Old Doctor in Samuel Barber’s Vanessa. He was a winner of Youngarts 2020 and performed at the winners’ concert in Miami.
Stephen Dubberly, a faculty member in the UNT College of Music, has written of Matthew, “There is no question in my mind that he is by far the most outstanding undergraduate with whom I have worked in my 40 years of university teaching.”
Additionally, Matthew was named as the Presser Undergraduate Scholar recipient for 2022-2023. See below about this prestigious award:
The Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award is presented annually to a student entering their senior year who has shown extraordinary musical and academic accomplishments. The Presser award is considered the most prestigious undergraduate honor in music at the University of North Texas and is provided by the Presser Foundation that awards annual scholarships, grants and funds for the furthering of music education and music in America.
In perpetuity, the recipients are referred to as Presser Scholars. The winner is nominated by the College of Music faculty and selected by the College of Music Council of Division Chairs. The scholarship has been awarded annually for more than six decades.
“Suits, Sisters and Sidekicks, an Operatic Afternoon”
Sabatina Mauro – Mezzo Soprano Jiyoun Oh – Pianist
in loving memory of Robert Maris
September 30, 2023 at 3:00 PM
Members $30 / Guests $40 (Valet parking provided) Kindly RSVP by September 25th [email protected]
Mail checks to: Puccini Society of Dallas P. O. Box 1782 Colleyville, TX. 76034-1782
Credit card payments: Contact Jana @ (817) 999-5509
The Puccini Society’s first program of the fall season is planned for Sept. 30. Sabatina Mauro will present our program. She is a young artist with the Dallas Opera and is a very fine mezzo. I know you’ll enjoy her program.
Please mark you calendar for our first event on September 30. Please R.S.V.P by September 25.
After what seems like a long intermission, we’re ready to finish the season with two nice events.
Our final Puccini program for this season will be on May 27. Bethany Jelinek, winner of the People’s Choice Award at our recent Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition will present our program.
Our invitation and details will be coming soon.
The Lafayette Musicians
Matthieu Peyregne du Mortier, who presented an early French music program for us last season has created a new organization called Lafayette Musicians. Their first concert is on May 21 at 4:00 p.m. See the information which follows.
Under the direction of Matthieu Peyregne du Motier, a French conductor specializing in baroque music, the Lafayette Musicians, a new professional orchestra and choir plans to perform 4 great Sacred classical music concerts every year.
Their inaugural concert will be held on Sunday, May 21st at Christ the King Catholic Church in Dallas, Texas at 4pm.
The concert will feature:
Handel and Lully on David’s psalms : Dixit Dominus, Miserere, De Profondis,…
This incredible music will be performed on historical instruments. In addition, the audience will receive booklets with translations and theological explanations to enhance their understanding and enjoyment of the concert.
Pay at Door or mail check to Puccini Society PO Box 25105, Dallas, TX 75225
For credit card charges, please contact Jana at 817-999-5509
Josefina Maldonado, Mezzo-soprano
Emerging Dallas-born artist, Josefina Maldonado has been critically acclaimed by The Texas Classical Review and Theater Jones as ‘vocally superb’ with a ‘remarkably rich timbre’. Ms. Maldonado was a young artist with The Dallas Opera Outreach Program in the role(s) of Veronica/Dr. Miracle and Dorabella/ Così Fan Tutte, for Bremen Town Musicians.
For her European debut, Ms. Maldonado was a principle artist in two modern world premieres of serenatas by Johannes Schmelzer; Le veglie ossequiose and Die sieben Alter stimmen zusammen, for the Olomouc’s Baroque Festival held in the Czech Republic.
Ms. Maldonado holds a B.M. from the University of North Texas where she was a frequently featured soloist alongside the UNT Symphony Orchestra. Her major roles with UNT Opera included Dorabella/Così Fan Tutte, Ruggiero/Alcina, Cherubino/Le nozze di Figaro, Siébel/Faust and Mother Marie/Dialogues of the Carmelites.
What a big group we had yesterday to enjoy Barbara Hill-Moore’s wonderful students. Some of these singers are young artists to watch! Prosper is really getting some wonderful opportunities with both Dallas and Ft. Worth Operas. Others may well be singers to watch in the future.
Our fall Puccini event featuring the students of Barbara Hill Moore, Senior Associate Dean, SMU. Barbara sponsors these international students through the Foote Foundation. It was an amazing event. So good to be meeting in person again. Photo by Mac Irwin
To enjoy their beautiful singing in the stunning surroundings of Bill Cornog’s home was a double pleasure; and what a gracious and accommodating host he is. All in all the afternoon was a lovely tribute to our past members Cecile Bonte, Eleanor Krebs, Marigny Lanier, Ed Lynch and Jody Reed. They were each valued and loved members of the Puccini Society.
A proud teacher: Barbara Hill Moore. Photos by Josephine Dewaal
To enjoy their beautiful singing in the stunning surroundings of Bill Cornog’s home was a double pleasure; and what a gracious and accommodating host he is. All in all the afternoon was a lovely tribute to our past members Cecile Bonte, Eleanor Krebs, Marigny Lanier, Ed Lynch and Jody Reed. They were each valued and loved members of the Puccini Society.
We continue to welcome new members to our group: Mary Lou Alford has just joined us along with a number of others who were introduced at our Sept. meeting. Mary Lou is delighted to find that she has a number of friends and acquaintances in our group. New members this fall include: Mary Lou Alford, John Shriner, Anna Morini, Yvonne Sage, Carl Schieffer, Dona and Michael Watson, and Mary Ellen Winborn. Also Brian Hackfeld, Joey Meirtschin, and Mark Landson. Welcome to all! Guest are always welcome and we were happy to have several yesterday as well.
I hope everyone will remember that these beautiful receptions are spearheaded by Mac Irwin and Patsy Brooks. Special thanks to Rosemary O’Neill and Josephine DeWaal for their special home baked Irish Tea Bread and Stollen. We appreciate them all so much! Bob Brooks makes sure we all have a wine of choice and graciously serves as bartender. Our whole Board is a great team as each member reliably does their job. Thanks to Jana Irwin for keeping our reservations and checking everyone in. The Tobys sent membership renewals and many have responded. You can still renew and now Jana can take your payment via credit card (817-999-5509) or a check to P.O. Box 25105, Dallas, 75225. Laurie Pan took very nice pictures which will be posted on our web site. Many thanks to all.
Yesterday’s guest Robin Green will host our Dec. 4 program in her lovely home. Josefina Maldonado, soprano will present our program. We had Josefina scheduled to sing for us just as we were asked to curtail our in-person meetings, and I’m really delighted to reschedule her now. She is a very accomplished young singer whom we will be thrilled to finally hear. Invitations will be sent out soon with meeting details. Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving,
