Northwestern Opera Theatre

A few wonderful photos from our dress rehearsal last night. Opening night is tomorrow, don’t wait to get your tickets! This production runs from Thursday, May 23 - Sunday, May 26.

Meet the man who pulls the strings around here! Our show’s producer and charismatic host, Don Alfonso, is played by Spencer Greene on May 23rd/25th and Lifan Deng on May 24th/26th.

Come watch him manipulate, bribe, and do anything to raise the ratings by getting your tickets at https://www.music.northwestern.edu/events/mozarts-cosi-fan-tutte

What would any reality show be without the interns who keep things running? Whether that’s running to grab breakfast, coffee, or wine you can count on Despina. This super rockin’ chick, played by Megan Fleischmann on May 23rd/25th and Julia Frodyma on May 24th/26th will be the cause of some major antics on set. (We are also the awesome interns helping to run this social media platform. Hello Facebook!)

Get tickets here!
https://www.music.northwestern.edu/events/mozarts-cosi-fan-tutte

Meet our bachelors, Guglielmo and Ferrando!

Played by Andrew Garratt and Matthew Sink on May 23rd/25th and by Wesley Diener and Doug Culclasure on May 24th/26th. Which sister will get their final rose? Come to Cahn Auditorium May 23rd - 26th to see that will happen!

Get your tickets at https://www.music.northwestern.edu/events/mozarts-cosi-fan-tutte

Northwestern Opera Theatre’s production of Cosí fan tutte takes this classic tale into the present day. Fiordiligi and Dorabella are two bachelorettes appearing on a reality tv show to find true love. The money-grubbing producer Don Alfonso convinces their top choice bachelors, Ferrando and Guglielmo, to test the depths of Fiordiligi and Dorabella’s love to raise ratings and cause scandal. Come to Cahn Auditorium May 23rd - 26th to see that will happen! In the meantime, meet our bachelorettes Fiordiligi and Dorabella!

Played by Uma Singh and Julianna Smith May 23rd/25th and by Kylie Buckham and Emily Amesquita on May 24th/26th.

Get your tickets here!
https://www.music.northwestern.edu/events/mozarts-cosi-fan-tutte

Evanston RoundTable's Wendi Kromash takes a behind-the-scenes look at Northwestern Opera Theatre's "Hänsel und Gretel," running February 22-25: http://spr.ly/6187nj2f5
🎟️ : http://spr.ly/6188nj2fg
Scenery designed by The Old Trout Puppet Workshop and provided by Kentucky Opera

Northwestern Opera Theatre’s production of Hänsel und Gretel opens next week!

Premiered in 1893, Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hänsel und Gretel” is based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Sent into the forest in search of strawberries to feed their hungry family, Hänsel and Gretel discover a house inhabited by a wicked witch with an appetite for children. The siblings must rely on their wits, each other and the benevolent beings watching over the forest in order to escape her clutches. With its charming folk music-inspired melodies and colorful storytelling, Humperdinck’s adaptation of the classic tale is sure to delight all ages. (Performed in German with English supertitles.)

Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 22-24, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 25, 3 p.m.

Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson Street
Evanston, IL

Joachim Schamberger, director
Patrick Furrer, conductor
Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra

Tickets are $18 for the general public and $8 for full-time students with valid ID.

https://www.music.northwestern.edu/events/category/opera

Two more chances to see “The Emperor of Atlantis”!
Today, November 18th at 7:30pm, and November 19th at 3pm!

An Opera that Speaks Truth To Power One of the great gifts of living near a university with a stellar music program is that you often get to have experiences that are otherwise rare: such will be the case this weekend when the Bienen School of Music presents the highly anticipated update of Viktor Ullmann’s the Emperor of Atlantis. ...

Last but certainly not least, we introduce Emperor Überall. A vigilant leader of the people, our Emperor is portrayed by Lifan Deng and Spencer Greene in Northwestern Opera Theatre’s current production: THE EMPEROR OF ATLANTIS.
We open TONIGHT!

Lifan Deng is thrilled to be back at Northwestern Opera Theater. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University, Lifan holds Bachelor's degrees in Music and Engineering and is currently a second-year Master's degree candidate in Voice and Opera at Northwestern University under the guidance of Professor Karen Brunssen. An active member in the Chicago theatrical scene season, Lifan is most recently seen in The Consul, doubling the roles of the Police Agent and Mr.Kofner. With his passion for the arts and dedication to his craft, he is excited about what the future holds. For updates on Lifan's upcoming projects and performances, please visit LifanDeng.com.

Spencer is a first year Master’s student, studying Voice and Opera in the studio of Professor W. Stephen Smith. He wants to thank his partner Aez for all his support; late nights in rehearsal, a cross country move, and any number of minor crises would be far more difficult without him.

Meet The Loudspeaker 📢. This high-tech wonder is played by Andrew Garratt and Daniel Uglunts in Northwestern Opera Theatre’s upcoming production: THE EMPEROR OF ATLANTIS.

Andrew Garratt is a lyric Baritone in the Chicago area, studying for his Master's degree in Opera at Northwestern University under the precise instruction of W. Stephen Smith. He received his undergraduate degree from Western Washington University, where he studied with Seattle Opera Coach, Jay Rozendaal. Andrew is commited to emboding wholistic vocal technique and performance practice in every role he is afforded. During his undergraduate he saw the stage as: Pluto/Orpheus in the Underworld, Jessie/Slow Dusk, and Harry Easter/Street Scene. He performed with the celebrated MET Tenor William Lewis in the FAVA 2022 production of Fledermaus as Herr Frank. Andrew was recently employed at Sun Valley Opera to put on a recital for their Summer Concert Series. For a sold out crowd, he performed arias, standards, ballads, cabarets, and more.

Baritone Daniel Uglunts debuted professionally with The Dallas Opera in the chorus of Puccini’s Tosca, later covering Miles in Britten’s Turn of the Screw.
Past performances include: The Policeman in In a Grove (Cerrone), Second Priest in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, bass soloist in Händel’s Alcina, and The Loudspeaker in Viktor Ullmann’s The Emperor of Atlantis, all with Northwestern Opera Theater. Uglunts has also performed Guglielmo in Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte with Berlin Opera Academy and Opéra de Trois Rivières. Upcoming engagements include Pandolfe in Massenet’s Cendrillon with Northwestern OPUS and Guglielmo (cover) in Così Fan Tutte with Northwestern Opera Theater. He is an alum of Berlin Opera Academy, SongFest, Washington National Opera’s Summer Intensive, and the Institute for Young Dramatic Voices. Current and past teachers include Pamela Hinchman, Dolora Zajick, and Nancy Gustafson.
Uglunts is pursuing a dual degree in Voice & Opera Performance and Political Science / Data Science.

Meet Harlequin! This tragic comedian is played by Douglas Culclasure and Helaine Liebman in Northwestern Opera Theatre’s upcoming production: THE EMPEROR OF ATLANTIS.

Tenor Douglas Culclasure is elated to be a part of Northwestern’s production of Der Kaiser von Atlantis this fall. Originally hailing from Greenville, South Carolina, Doug is currently a senior studying voice and opera at Northwestern’s Bienen School of Music. A frequent performer, Doug has appeared in numerous operas in both principal and chorus roles. Credits include Vanderdendur (Candide), Lamparilla (El Barberillo de Lavapiés), Flaminio (Il Trionfo dell’Onore), Dr. Caius (Falstaff), Monostatos, 2nd Priest, and 1st Armored Man (Die Zauberflöte), and the Magician (The Consul). Doug has also performed as a chorus member in If I Were You (Heggie), La Bohème, Candide, Die Zauberflöte, and Alcina. Outside of rehearsal, Doug was recently elected treasurer of Opera Projects for Undergraduate Singers at Northwestern University. He also served two terms as the group's director of public relations.

Helaine Liebman is a soprano originally from Highland Park, IL. Her awards and scholarships include second place in the 2022 Central Region NATS Student Auditions, 2021 winner of the Lynne Harvey Foundation Award in honor of Virginia Cooper Maier from the Musicians Club of Women, first place in the 2021 NATS National Student auditions, 2020 Wisconsin District winner of The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and the Joyce Reed Cope and Eckstein Scholarships from Northwestern University. In the 2021-2022 season, Helaine made her debut of Exsultate, jubilate by Mozart, Violetta in La Traviata, Mimi in La bohème, and covered Diana in If I Were You by Heggie. In the 2022-2023 season Helaine covered the role of Donna Elvira at the Aspen Music Festival and performed the title role in Handel’s Alcina, Erste Dame from Die Zauberflöte, and the role of Micaëla in Carmen. At Northwestern University, Helaine continues her studies as a doctoral student studying with Pamela Hinchman and Alan Darling. Additionally, she graduated with distinction from the Royal College of Music in London.

Meet Alexi Ortega Chavez and Mark May! They play The Solider in Northwestern Opera Theatre’s upcoming production: THE EMPEROR OF ATLANTIS.

Alexi Ortega Chavez (He/They) is a tenor and fourth-year undergraduate studying under Theresa Brancaccio majoring in Voice and Opera Performance and Stage Direction for Opera. Alexi has been in a number of productions at Northwestern including The Magic Flute, La Bohème, and Candide. He is the current co-president of OPUS (Opera Projects for Undergraduate Singers) at Northwestern which aims to provide undergraduate students with opportunities to perform and learn operatic roles. He will be directing OPUS’ production of Cendrillon by Jules Massenet which will go up in December. Alexi is incredibly delighted to be a part of this production and would like to thank his friends and family for their continued love and support.

Mark May is excited to return for another production with Northwestern Opera Theatre. Mark received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern and is currently a first-year master’s student studying under Pamela Hinchman. Most recently, Mark performed in Northwestern’s production of The Magic Flute as First Armored Man and Priest. Last fall, Mark was thrilled to perform the title role in the OPUS production of Candide. In the summer of 2022, he made his European debut as Parpignol in the La Musica Lirica production of La Boheme. Mark has also performed in several other Northwestern Opera Theatre and OPUS productions including Die Fledermaus, Jake Heggie’s If I Were You,The Old Maid and the Thief (Bob, cover) and Les Aventures du roi Pausole (Taxis). Mark would like to thank his teachers, coaches, family and friends for their continued love and support.

Meet Bubikopf! This hopeless romantic is played by Kylie Buckham and Madeleine Zuckerman in Northwestern Opera Theatre’s upcoming production: THE EMPEROR OF ATLANTIS.

Kylie Buckham, soprano, is a first year Master’s student at Northwestern University, studying with Nancy Gustafson. She graduated with her Bachelor’s from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, studying with Kendra Colton. With Oberlin’s Opera Theater, Kylie performed Elisetta in “Il matrimonio segreto”, Catherine in “Le Mariage aux Laternes”, and Alice 2 in the world premiere of Alice Tierney, which she reprised at Opera Columbus in her professional debut. Kylie Buckham was a soloist in Poulenc’s “Gloria”, Mendelssohn’s “Elijah”, and Handel’s “The Messiah”. Outside of Oberlin, she performed Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and she sang Cendrillon in “Cendrillon” with Chicago Summer Opera Theater. Kylie placed 1st in district and regional NATS competitions, the ENKOR international vocal competition, and was a semifinalist for the 2023 Schmidt Vocal Competition. She is a winner of Oberlin’s Senior Concerto Competition, and sang Haydn’s Scena di Berenice with the Oberlin Sinfonietta.

Madeleine Zuckerman, soprano, is a second-year student at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, studying Voice & Opera Performance with Theresa Brancaccio. She was a Finalist in the University Division of the 2023 Classical Singer vocal competition, a 2022 Youngarts Honorable Mention Winner, a first place winner of the 2023 Chicago Chapter NATS Competition, and a Third Place winner for the 2022 NATS National Student Auditions, among other competition awards. With Northwestern Opera Theater, Madeleine has performed in the Midwestern Premiere of Christopher Cerrone's In a Grove, and in the Chorus of Mozart's Die Zauberflöte. This summer, she enjoyed singing (and dancing!) the role of Minerva (Orpheus in the Underworld) with the Berlin Opera Academy. Madeleine is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, where she studied voice with Laura Osgood Brown. All her gratitude goes to her family, mentors, and friends who have helped her along the way!

Meet KC Boatright and Zachary Voigt. They play Death in Northwestern Opera Theatre’s upcoming production of THE EMPEROR OF ATLANTIS. Spooky!

Karl Boatright is a 22 year old aspiring musician and singer introduced relatively late in life to the world of classical music. Boatright is from Hilton Head Island South Carolina, and is currently a fifth year student at Northwestern University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in both Voice and Opera and Linguistics. He has sung such roles as Commendatore in Don Giovanni, Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte, and Balthazar in Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors.

Zachary Voigt was born and raised in Shanghai. He discovered he could sing after accidentally enrolling in a university chorale class at UNC Charlotte, after which he changed his major to vocal performance. He is now pursuing his Master of Music at Northwestern University under the tutelage of W. Steven Smith.

Today we are introducing you to Ashley Brewer and McKenna Troy! They play Mädchen in Northwestern Opera Theatre’s upcoming production of THE EMPEROR OF ATLANTIS.

Soprano Ashley Brewer is a fifth-year undergraduate pursuing a dual degree in English Literature and Voice & Opera Performance under the tutelage of Pamela Hinchman. Previously, Brewer has performed as Pamina in Die Zauberflöte with the Lyric Opera Studio Weimar, Adele in Die Fledermaus with the William Lewis School of Opera, and covered Laetitia in The Old Maid and the Thief with Northwestern’s OPUS. With Northwestern Opera Theatre, she has appeared as the Zweiter Knabe in Die Zauberflöte and was in the choruses of La bohème and l'Orfeo. Brewer is a member of the Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Andrew Megill, and she serves as vice president of the Renaissance Singers, a student-run early vocal ensemble at Northwestern University. Brewer was awarded first place in her division at the 2021 Central Region NATS Student Auditions and was a semifinalist in the 2022 National NATS Student Auditions.

McKenna Troy is an undergraduate soprano from Western Massachusetts. She has most notably appeared as Nannetta in Verdi’s Falstaff and Musetta in Puccini’s La Bohème at the Voci nel Montefeltro festival in Novafeltria, Italy. In the US, McKenna has starred as Lola in Gallantry by Douglas Moore (Northwestern Undergraduate Opera) and ‘ONE’ in the debut of Mya Vandegrift’s newly composed opera, Creating Small Thunder. McKenna has studied and performed in Vienna, Austria under the tutelage of soprano Sylvia Greenberg and worked in the music department of the Wiener Staatsoper under American pianist and head coach, Stephen Hopkins. She loves to teach as well as perform and studies under Karen Brunssen at Northwestern.

We are one week away from the opening night of Viktor Ullmann’s THE EMPEROR OF ATLANTIS. Starting today, we will introduce you to our casts. Stay tuned to our social media accounts over the next week to meet all of our cast members!

First up is The Drummer, played by Sophia Heinz and Emma Rothfield.

Sophia Heinz is a mezzo-soprano from Maple Valley, Washington currently pursuing a Master of Music in Voice and Opera Performance at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music and is a graduate of Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music. Her most recent roles with Vanderbilt Opera Theatre include Juno in Handel’s Semele, Dorabella in Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Mum in Britten’s Albert Herring, and Armelinde in Pauline Viardot’s Cendrillon, all directed by Dr. Gayle Shay and conducted by Jennifer McGuire. She has also performed the role of Marcellina in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro with Prague Summer Nights, conducted by Timothy Long and directed by Anna Rebek. Sophia Heinz has been a featured soloist with Vanderbilt Chorale, conducted by Dr. Tucker Biddlecombe, and has studied voice with Theresa Brancaccio and Amy Jarman. She has been recognized as a NATS Mid-South regional winner, Orpheus Competition national semi-finalist, Blair School of Music Concerto Competition finalist, NATS national semi-finalist, and YoungArts national winner. Sophia is thrilled to be a part of this show as it is her first production with Northwestern Opera Theater.

Soprano Emma Rothfield is a second-year Master’s student in the studio of W. Stephen Smith. In the 2022-23 season, Emma joined the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Lyric Unlimited initiative for their tour of Dean Burry’s The Scorpion’s Sting and appeared with Northwestern Opera Theater as Erste Dame/Die Zauberflöte. In summer 2022, she completed her third season as an apprentice artist with Des Moines Metro Opera, performing as Cobweb/A Midsummer Night’s Dream and in concert as Ilia/Idomeneo (excerpts). Her 2021-22 season included the Chicago premiere of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s Proving Up as Littler Zegner Daughter (cover; COVID-19 cancellation) and a workshop of Caroline Shaw’s Four Portraits, both with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Favorite Northwestern Opera Theater credits include Mother/Dog Days, Héro/Béatrice et Bénédict, and Miss Jessel/The Turn of the Screw, in addition to assistant direction for In a Grove and Orfeo Remote. Emma received her B.M. in Voice & Opera, Musical Theater, and Comparative Literature from Northwestern in 2020. emmarothfield.com

In a Grove: Bringing a New Opera to Life at Northwestern In fall 2022, Northwestern Opera Theater presented the Midwest premiere of Christopher Cerrone and Stephanie Fleischmann’s opera In a Grove. Through this behind-the-scenes footage of the rehearsal process, explore how Bienen School of Music students and faculty collaborated with Cerrone to bring t...

Northwestern Opera Theater hosts Midwest premiere of ‘In a Grove’ A missing botanist and an apparently murdered schoolteacher. Seven witnesses, suspects among them.  A mysterious tale awaits audiences of “In a Grove,” an opera by Christopher Cerrone with a libretto by Stephanie Fleischmann, which will make its Midwest premiere in the Ryan Opera Theater on Thu...

Congratulations to our graduating graduate students! NU Opera Class of 2022!

Toi toi toi to the over 100 members of the cast, crew, and orchestra of Northwestern Opera Theatre's production of LA BOHÈME!

Do you have your tickets yet?? Surely you haven't forgotten to visit concertsatbienen.org or the box office to secure your spots in Cahn Auditorium...right? 👀👀👀

Here's a sneak peek of the lavish sets and costumes that our brilliant production team have concocted for our belle époque inspired production of LA BOHÈME! Flights to Paris are expensive but tickets to La bohème are free for Bienen students, $8 for all other Northwestern students, and $18 for the general public! Go to concertsatbienen.org to secure your seats for this epic production. You won't want to miss this one, we promise.

Tomorrow night is opening night of LA BOHÈME! For the next four days, the hallowed halls of Cahn Auditorium will be filled with Puccini's glorious music. If you haven't acquired tickets to this highly anticipated operatic event, what are you waiting for? Tickets are still available at concertsatbienen.org or at the box office.

And while we have your attention...get to know the Saturday night cast of Rodolfo, Mimì, Marcello, and Musetta!

William Johnson (Rodolfo), tenor, is a first year masters student studying under Kurt Hansen. Prior to his time at Northwestern Will completed his undergraduate work at Michigan State University under the tutelage of Richard Fracker. This past summer, Will was a participant in the Houston Grand Opera’s YAVA undergraduate program. Previous roles include Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, Pluto in Orpheus in the Underworld and Alfredo in Die Fledermaus. Outside the world of singing, Will is an avid fan of Michigan State, Northwestern and Chicago sports. Will is a native of Lake Forest, Illinois.

Kaytlin Withers (Mimì), soprano, is a first-year Master’s student at Northwestern studying under Karen Brunssen. Last Fall, she made her Northwestern Opera Theatre debut as Mrs. Gobineau in The Medium. Kaytlin earned her Bachelor of Arts from Pepperdine University, where her performance roles included Prince Charming (Cendrillon), Dido (Dido and Aeneas), and the cover for Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus). She has performed internationally through Pepperdine’s Heidelberg Summer Music Program in scenes as the Countess (Le Nozze di Figaro), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), and Laurie (The Tender Land). Kaytlin is also a winner of the Los Angeles Division Encouragement Award for the 2020-21 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She would like to thank faculty and friends for the wonderful opportunities and meaningful relationships found each day at the Bienen School of Music.

Oakland, California native Nathan Savant (Marcello) is currently a master’s student studying voice and opera performance under the guidance of W. Stephen Smith at Northwestern University. He is a recent graduate of the Eastman School of Music where he received his BM in vocal performance. This summer, Nathan will be joining Opera North as a Resident Artist where he will perform the roles of Guglielmo (Così fan tutte) and Marchese (La traviata). At Northwestern, Nathan has performed as Putnam in If I Were You and Mr. Gobineau (The Medium). While at Eastman, Nathan performed as Maestro (Prima la musica, e poi le parole), Impresario (Der Schauspieldirektor), Mr. Lister/Karl Marx/Solomon Weil/Voiceover (Elizabeth Cree). He most recently was a Young Artist at Festival Napa Valley where he performed the role of Pinellino (Gianni Schicchi). In 2019, he was a Young Artist and Schubert Fellow at SongFest in Los Angeles.

Raised bilingual in Russian and English as a first-generation American, soprano Michelle Ravitsky (Musetta) is in the first year of her master’s degree at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, under the tutelage of Pamela Hinchman. Michelle received her bachelor’s degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she was awarded the Pi Kappa Lambda Prize for musicianship. This fall, Michelle was awarded First Place of the Central Region NATS Competition (Advanced Classical Division). Operatic highlights include Monica in Menotti’s The Medium with Northwestern Opera Theater, and Flora in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw and Barbarina in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro with Oberlin Opera Theater. She has also performed Waitress in Michael Ching’s Speed Dating Tonight, as well as scenes as Norina (Don Pasquale) and Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro). In past summers, Michelle has attended Houston Grand Opera’s Young Artist Vocal Academy and the Taos Opera Institute.

Appreciation post for these amazing stage crews of ‘La Bohème’!
We really appreciate what they do (literally everything) behind the scenes.

And special shoutout to our stage manager Blue! You are the BEST 👍🏼

LA BOHÈME opens this Thursday in Cahn Auditorium, and you won't want to miss Northwestern's production of Puccini's beloved opera. Before you come, get to know the Friday night cast of Rodolfo, Mimì, Marcello, and Musetta!

Tenor Aaron Short is currently in his second year as a Doctorate of Musical Arts candidate studying with Pamela Hinchman. He has sung leading and featured roles with many national and international opera companies, including Dallas Opera, Nashville Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Lyric Unlimited, Knoxville Opera, Nashville Opera, and the Festival Lyrique en Mer in France. He fulfilled young artist residencies with Portland Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Lyric Opera Studio Weimar, and Florentine Opera in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Some of Mr. Short’s favorite roles he has performed include Sam in Susannah, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Bégearss in Corigliano’s The Ghosts of Versailles, and Jimmy Mahoney in Kurt Weill's Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny, which was hailed by the New York Times as "simultaneously subtle and shattering.” Mr. Short is an alumnus of Wichita State University and Manhattan School of Music.

Helaine Liebman (Mimì), soprano, is supported by Joyce Reed Cope and Eckstein Scholarships. She is a student of Pamela Hinchman. Recent awards include winner of the Lynne Harvey Foundation Award in honor of Virginia Cooper Maier from the Musicians Club of Women, 2nd in 2022 Central Region NATS Student Auditions, 3rd in the MIOpera Vocal Competition University Division, 1st in 2021 NATS National Student auditions, and 2020 Wisconsin District winner of The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. In 2021, Helaine made her debut as Violetta in La Traviata and soloist in Exsultate, jubilate. Past engagements include Suor Angelica at Carnegie Hall (New York Lyric Opera Theatre), Nella in Gianni Schicchi (City Lyric Opera), Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus and Micaela in Carmen (Amore Opera). Helaine graduated with distinction from the Royal College of Music in London. This summer, Helaine will be a Studio Artist at the Aspen Music Festival under the direction of Renée Fleming and Patrick Summers.

Evan Bravos (Marcello) has been praised by the Chicago Tribune for his “strong singing and acting” and marked as “a young talent to watch.” Most recently, Opera News touted his “lovely lyric baritone” as “charming and guileless,” concluding that he “sang winningly” in the premiere of Matthew Recio and Royce Vavrek’s The Puppy Episode with Chicago Opera Theatre. Engagements for the 2021-2022 season include Le Dancaïre in Carmen (Chicago Opera Theater), Handel: Messiah (Santa Fe Symphony), Hannah before in Laura Kaminsky’s groundbreaking As One (Opera Santa Barbara), and Riff in West Side Story (New Philharmonic). Mr. Bravos made his professional debut in the summer of 2019 as Maximilian in Bernstein’s Candide at The Ravinia Festival. A native of St. Charles, IL, Bravos is pursuing the Doctorate of Musical Arts at the Bienen School of Music. Learn more about this artist at www.evanbravos.com

Soprano Isobel Anthony (Musetta), noted for her “vocal assuredness far beyond her years and a natural stage presence” (Chicago Classical Review) is a first year MM student in W. Stephen Smith’s studio. Her recent roles include Diana (If I Were You, Midwest premiere), Patience (Patience), and Laurie (The Tender Land). She is a member of the Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble and has been a soloist on world premieres, such as David Lang’s “Stateless.” Isobel sings regularly with professional ensembles and has been a solo vocalist on eight motion pictures, most recently Raya and the Last Dragon. She graduated with honors from Yale (Linguistics) and served as the Artistic Director of the Opera Theatre of Yale College. During her time at Yale, she was a member of Yale’s Schola Cantorum under the baton of David Hill, with whom she toured internationally twice and recorded three albums on the Hyperion label. isobelanthony.com

LA BOHÈME opens this Thursday in Cahn Auditorium, and you won't want to miss Northwestern's production of Puccini's beloved opera. Without further ado, here's the opening night cast of Rodolfo, Mimì, Marcello, and Musetta!

Nathaniel Bear (Rodolfo), tenor, from Melville, NY is currently pursuing his Master of Music at Northwestern University, after finishing his undergraduate studies at the Eastman School of Music. His first operatic role as the Prologue in Eastman Opera Theater’s 2016 production of Benjamin Britten’s Turn of the Screw was followed by a performance as Strephon in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe, with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and the role of Gérard in Eastman Opera Theater’s production of Philip Glass’s Les Enfants Terribles. In the fall of 2018, he sang the role of Alfred in Oswego Opera's production of Die Fledermaus. Here with Northwestern Opera Theater, Nathaniel has taken part in a virtual Zoom production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte as Ferrando, as well as their recent production of Jake Heggie’s If I Were You, in the role of David. Next fall, Nathaniel will continue his studies at the Boston Opera Institute.

Originally from Murfreesboro, TN, soprano Ellen Robertson (Mimì) is pursuing her Master of Music degree in voice and opera, studying with Karen Brunssen. Recently, she appeared in the role of Diana in the Midwestern premiere of Jake Heggie’s If I Were You with Northwestern Opera Theatre. This year, she was named a winner of the Evanston Music Club and North Shore Musicians Club Scholarship Competition, as well as an Illinois Chapter winner of the NSAL Dorothy Lincoln Smith Voice Competition and a First Place winner of the Advanced Classical Treble category of the NATS Central Region Auditions. Last year, she placed second in the Advanced Classical Treble category of the NATS National Student Auditions, as well as third in the Student category of the Orpheus Vocal Competition. Ellen feels incredibly blessed to perform in this cherished opera with many wonderful colleagues.

Elio Bucky (Marcello), baritone, is pursuing his master’s degree in voice & opera performance, studying voice with W. Stephen Smith. This production marks his tenth role with Northwestern Opera Theatre, which may be a world record [citation needed]. Other highlights during his six years at NU include starting a barbershop quartet, singing in the Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble, directing the Midwest premiere of Melissa Dunphy’s The Gonzales Cantata, and discovering the true meaning of friendship. He has been hailed as “one of our most creative, valuable and industrious students” by Bienen professor Pamela Hinchman. This summer, he will assistant direct productions of Das Rheingold and Carmen at Miami Music Festival; and Alice Ryley and Anna Hunter at Savannah VOICE Festival. In the fall, he will begin a master’s degree in opera directing at UT-Austin’s Butler School of Music. Elio is originally from San Francisco, California. Find him on Instagram or visit eliobucky.com

Mary Buckingham (Musetta), soprano, is a second year master's student in voice and opera performance, studying with Nancy Gustafson. She is originally from Annapolis, Maryland. Mary graduated from DePauw University with a Bachelor of Music in music performance in 2020. Some of her favorite past roles include Mrs. Gobineau (The Medium), Noémie (Massenet’s Cendrillon), The First Lady (Die Zauberflöte), and the Dew Fairy (Hänsel und Gretel). Mary has attended summer programs such as Musiktheater Bavaria, Opera in the Ozarks, and William Lewis School of Opera and this summer she will be performing the role of Le Prince Charmant (Massenet’s Cendrillon) with Chicago Summer Opera. Mary would like her cast mates and crew for all of their hard work as well as her family, friends, and professors for their constant support.