San Francisco Cabaret Opera

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The Cast of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro

San Francisco based musician Robert Ashens, whose distinguished career as pianist and conductor has brought him to many world capitols, concluded six seasons as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Eugene Opera, garnering tremendous critical acclaim for thirteen productions on the Hult mainstage, especially his innovative Hansel and Gretel, creating an unusual realization with Toni Pimble and Eugene Ballet Company. Also of note, his lively lectures and touring production of Little Red Riding Hood were extremely popular, as well as informative. He is currently Artistic Director of Pacific Repertory Opera in San Luis Obispo, CA and Opera Oregon.

With a repertoire of nearly one hundred operas, he has conducted to great acclaim for the Connecticut Opera, Opera Idaho, Augusta Opera, Eugene Opera, Fresno Opera, daCorneto Opera, Shubert Opera, Opera Maine and for Teatro Grattacielo at Lincoln Center. He has served as Music Director and Master of Ceremonies for tributes to Metropolitan Opera stars, Lili Chookasian and Paul Plishka and has accompanied such greats as Lucine Amara, Marcello Giordani and Plishka. Ashens is in constant demand as a lecturer, accompanist and program director for concerts and recitals nationwide. As an educator for over thirty years, Ashens’ unique style and commitment focuses on inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds through his dynamic, energetic and lively presentations of this exciting art form. His lively wit and humor continue to enthrall opera audiences wherever he is.

Maestro Ashens is a member of Phi Beta.

Maestro Ashens has toured as conductor, choral accompanist, organist and piano soloist in Europe including the cities of London, Paris, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Geneva, Venice, Florence, Rimini, Pesaro, Vienna and Innsbruck, among others. Highlights of his tours overseas include the Royal Albert Hall and St. John's (for the BBC) in London, Victoria Hall in Geneva and appearances with the Universal Academy of Music and Worcester Choral Society. Nationally, he has traveled extensively as Associate Conductor for the touring companies of A Chorus Line and Jesus Christ Superstar and as Arranger/Conductor of Piaf! La Vie! L’Amour!

Maestro Ashens has served as Coach, Conductor and Music Director for Opera Theater of Connecticut, Hartt Opera Theater, New Britain Opera, Connecticut Center for Bel Canto Opera, Trouper's Light Opera and Theater Guild of Simsbury, and has taught on the faculties of The Hartt School, Gordon College, and the University of Connecticut at Storrs. A frequent guest of both radio and television, Maestro Ashens has been recognized for his contributions to the field of music by listings in the "International Who's Who in Music" and "Who's Who in American Music”.

Camille Baumann-Jaeger, Chorus

Robert Benda is thrilled to return to Goat Hall Productions to participate in this wonderful performance of one of the great masterpieces, The Marriage of Figaro. He has previously appeared in Goat Hall’s productions of Antigone and as the Playboy of the Western World, original works by Mark Alberger, as the Magician in The Consul, as Henrik in A Little Night Music, and in the title role of Candide. He has also participated in various Fresh Voices projects. Robert has performed with Utah Opera, and locally with Pocket Opera and Berkeley Opera. He has also performed the role of Ralph in an adaptation of HMS Pinafore with the SF Gay Men’s Chorus. Robert would like to thank Goat Hall Productions for another wonderful opportunity to grow as an artist.






Adam Broner, Antonio

Pamela Marie Connelly has been wowing audiences for over 25 years. A native of San Francisco, she began her career as a child model. By her teens, Pamela was an experienced instrumentalist and vocalist, working with a plethora of ensembles in all genres of music; playing saxophone, clarinet, piano, percussion, voice and guitar. The voice quickly stood out for Pamela, as she was heralded as: "...a voice that is effective and beautiful..." (The San Francisco Chronicle), "Pamela Connelly shines, adding spice and exoticism, playfulness and mysticism..." (The Petaluma Argus Courier), "The high-watt verve of Pamela Connelly..." (The Press Democrat).

Today, Ms. Connelly holds a Master's degree from The Manhattan School of Music, and a Bachelor's degree from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She has sung throughout Europe and America with many prestigious opera companies, which include: New York City Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Santa Fe Opera, San Diego Opera, Los Angeles Opera, and the San Francisco Opera. Other performing experiences include: Off broadway productions of Amadeus, comedic and dramatic roles, concert solo engagements, and church work as soloist, cantor, music director and conductor. Pamela has also received numerous awards, which include being a three-year regional award winner of The Metropolitan Opera National Council Awards.

Pamela Connelly is also an accomplished educator and coach, teaching music and theater arts throughout The New York school system and surrounding burrows, sponsored by the New York City Opera. Other teaching positions include the Los Angeles and San Bernardino School districts, Fullerton State University, the Mill Valley School district, John Robert Powers International Models and Talent Association (IMTA), International Performers on Performing (IPOP), Singers Marin, and 15 years of private coaching and instruction in voice, piano, guitar, acting and interpretation, language (French, German, Italian and English diction), sight reading, theory and composition, stage craft, costume, character analysis and movement.

Currently, Pamela is teaching conducting and performing throughout the Bay Area and is contracted with the San Francisco Opera to perform in The Grand Tetons Summer Music Festival 2007, with conductor Donald Runnicles.

Ed Coverdale, Don Curzio

Tenor Michael Desnoyers is a graduate student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studies with César Ulloa. He holds a Bachelor’s of Music Degree in vocal performance and music education from Slippery Rock University. Mr. Desnoyers made his professional debut in 2005 with the Pittsburgh Opera as the Officer (Ariadne auf Naxos). This spring, he appears at the SF Conservatory as Pluto (Orpheus in the Underworld) and Monsieur Cash (Der Schauspieldirektor). Mr. Desnoyers’ past roles include Eisenstein (Die Fledermaus), King Kaspar (Amahl and the Night Visitors), Haemon/Messenger (Antigone), Quantum Mechanic (The Quantum Mechanic), and Padre (Man of la Mancha). Mr. Desnoyers has performed the tenor solos in Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Requiem. This summer, he will participate in the Chautauqua Opera Young Artist program. In 2006, he participated in Cincinnati Conservatory’s Opera Theatre and Music Festival of Lucca in Italy. He was the winner of the 2004 Chad Williamson Memorial Scholarship Competition, and he took second place at both the 2004 Tri-State NATS and 2006 Eastern Regional NATS competitions.



Stephanie Desnoyers, Production Assistant, holds a B.A. in Theater-Design and Technology and a Minor in Art History from Slippery Rock University. Her previous management experience includes stage managing ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Rosenstrasse, and Little Shop of Horrors at her alma mater and The Constant Prince for Unseam’d Shakespeare Company. She was the assistant stage manager for Dark North, which debuted at the Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2006. Most recently, Stephanie stage managed Urinetown at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In addition to stage managing, she was costume designer for Speaking in Tongues and Vas Defrens, both at Slippery Rock University. She was able to combine her love of art and theatre as wardrobe assistant for Pasion por Frida at the SFMOMA, a dramatic interpretation of Frida Kahlo’s life and work. Stephanie has previously worked with SF Cabaret Opera/Goat Hall Productions as properties construction for Opera Apocalypse.

After a successful run of San Francisco Cabaret Opera's latest production, Opera Apocalypse, Meghan Dibble has enjoyed singing the alto soloist in the San Ramon Arts Foundation production of Handel's Messiah. In March, she will reprise the role of Cherubino with San Francisco Cabaret Opera, and then head back to Billings, MT to sing Mercedes (Carmen) with Rimrock Opera. Last year Ms. Dibble sang Dorabella (Cosi fan tutte) with West Bay Opera in Palo Alto and Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro) with Rimrock Opera in Billings, MT. She has sung Suzuki (Madam Butterfly), Mrs. Page (The Merry Wives of Windsor), and the Governess (The Queen of Spades) with Pocket Opera. She has sung in the New York City Fringe Festival opera premiere, A.F.R.A.I.D., Suor Angelica with Garden State Opera, and Thomas Pasatieri’s Signor Deluso with Opera Company of Brooklyn. Other roles include Marcellina (Le nozze di Figaro), Fidalma (Il matrimonio segreto), and Siebel (Faust). Ms. Dibble sang Agave in Steven Clark's newest opera Dionysus, and has performed several songs from D.C. Meckler's The Albion Deity. A new music enthusiast, Meghan is thrilled to be working with several local composers including Mark Alburger, DC Meckler, Steven Clark, and Sheli Nan. www.meghandibble.com

Shauna Fallihee, Barbarina

Mikhaela Rose Fink, Chorus

Robin Hansen majored in Theatre (Acting/Direction) at Cornell University. While on the east coast, she performed leading roles with Theatre-by-the-Sea (RI), Pennsylvania Stage Company, Brooklyn Opera Society and N.Y. Gilbert & Sullivan Players. In the west, Robin sang with Seattle Opera (8 seasons), College Light Opera (Wooster, Ohio) and Queen of the Night for Boise Opera. In the Bay Area, she was Chorus Mistress for Mission City Opera’s recent productions of Carmen and The Magic Flute, and appeared as Butterfly’s Aunt in Madama Butterfly. In 2005 she sang in Golden Gate Opera’s Madama Butterfly and Carmen, and was also Chorus Mistress for both productions; in 2006 she performed a featured role in Suor Angelica with the same company. Robin has sung with Masterworks Chorale in San Mateo for 9 seasons, notably as soloist in The Messiah, Lord Nelson Mass, Requiem (Fauré and Brahms) and the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Recent musical theatre productions include Music Man at Hillbarn Theatre and Camelot at Pacifica Spindrift Players. She directs Brio, an intimate choral ensemble, and also performs with the STOCTET, a 20-voice show choir in the South Bay. She performed Broadway by the Bay Highlighters shows for 4 years. She currently teaches voice, both privately in San Carlos and San Mateo, CA Her voice teacher and teaching mentor is David Jones. www.joyfulvoicestudio.com

Elizabeth Henry received her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from UC Irvine, worked as a waitress and an organic synthesis research tech, and then started studying voice after the birth of her second child. Now that they are both in high school she flinches whenever they ask her a chemistry question, as she has not the slightest idea. The waitressing skills, however, sure have come in handy. She has recently premiered several roles for Bay Area composers including the Widow Quin in Mark Alburger’s Playboy of the Western World and Mrs. Schrodinger in John Bilotta’s Quantum Mechanic. She is married to a saint and her children are appropriately feisty.







Steven Hoffmann, bass-baritone, began singing seven years ago after experiencing frequently recurring dreams in which he was performing opera onstage. He currently studies in the vocal studio of mezzo-soprano Catherine Cook. In 2005, he appeared with the SummerSong Young Artist Program as Seneca in L’incoronazione di Poppea. In 2007, he made the first of several appearances with Pocket Opera which have included performances as the Imperial Commissioner in Madama Butterfly and Narumov in The Queen of Spades. In 2008, he performed in the chorus of Berkeley Opera’s L’enfant et les sortilèges in addition to covering the roles of The Armchair and The Tree. In July 2008, he performed Angelotti in their production of Tosca. His most recent engagement was with Livermore Opera where he sang the role of An Officer in Il barbiere di Siviglia. In addition to opera performance, Steven’s musical interests include singing Schubert Lieder. Steven is honored to sing his first Figaro with Goat Hall Productions.


Hadley McCarroll, A well-known performer throughout the Bay Area pianist Hadley McCarroll is hailed for her "...lively and exhilarating..." pianism (SF Classical Voice). She is also known in the US and internationally as a collaborative pianist, working at the Royal Danish Opera, Utah Festival Opera, San Francisco Opera, Festival Opera. Under Kent Nagano Hadley prepared West Coast premieres of works by Elliott Carter and Unsuk Chin. She taught chamber music master classes at Northwestern University, and has taught piano at the San Francisco Community Music Center since 1997. She performs chamber music with cellist Monica Scott as part of martha & monica.








Rose Mandell, Chorus

Diane Mayo, Chorus

Suzanna Mizell is an active performer of 20th and 21st century opera. She has performed the roles of Curly’s wife in Mice and Men with San Francisco Cabaret Opera, Brunhilde in Cats, Dogs, and Divas with Goat Hall Productions, the Narrator in The Pied Piper with Goat Hall Productions, Lte. Uhura in Amok Time with Goat Hall Productions, Elida DeCoty in Send for Mr. Plim with Contemporary Opera Marin, Fanferlizzy Sunnyfeet in Fanferlizzy Sunnyfeet with Contemporary Opera Marin, Esmerelda in Camino Real with Goat Hall Productions, Tonia in El Caballero with Goat Hall Productions, Bubikopf in Der Kaiser von Atlantis with Contemporary Opera Marin , Molly Bloom in The Audition of Molly Bloom with Contemporary Opera Marin, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel with Solo Opera School Outreach, Cathleen in Riders to the Sea with Solo Opera and Goat Hall Productions. In June she will sing the role of Laetitia in Old Maid and the Thief for San Francisco Cabaret Opera. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Holy Names University and has been the class coordinator of their Opera Scenes Production for the last six seasons.


Eliza O'Malley, soprano, recently sang the role of Antigone in Mark Alburger’s Antigone with the San Francisco Cabaret Opera as well as Nedda in Pagliacci with conductor Robert Ashens and director Ross Halper. A passionate interpreter of new music, she has premiered works by Mark Alburger, Lisa Scola Prosek, Stephen Clark, Sheli Nan, Allan Crossman and more while working with Goat Hall Productions/San Francisco Cabaret Opera over the past couple of years. Through her association with Harvest of Song at the Berkeley Art Center she has also premiered solo scenes from Peter Josheff and Jaime Robles’ upcoming opera Inferno, as well as works by Mary Watkins and Alexis Alrich. She has also sung roles with The Santa Cruz Chamber Orchestra, Oakland Opera Theater, Berkeley Opera, Solo Opera, BASOTI, Capitol Opera Sacramento, Labor Fest as well as appearing as Emma in a workshop production of Khovanshchina conducted by Kent Nagano. She also produces and sings in the “Dazzling Divas” nights of opera arias at the Bateau Ivre. www.elizaomalley.com




Originally from Providence, RI, William O’Neill is a Master’s student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and an active performer throughout the Bay Area. As a young bass-baritone, William has performed a variety of opera and musical theatre roles. Some of his favorite roles include Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bartolo in Le nozze di Figaro, Sam in Trouble in Tahiti, Caldwell B. Cladwell in Urinetown The Musical, Neville Craven in The Secret Garden, Tony Esposito in The Most Happy Fella, Frederick Bhaer in Little Women, Sourin in Pique Dame, and Frederick Egerman in A Little Night Music. William has performed for such ensembles as The San Francisco Conservatory Opera Theatre, Goat Hall Opera, and Pocket Opera. William has also been active as an concert soloist for the San Jose Symphonic Choir, the Mission Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Parnassus, and St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir of San Francisco. Last year, William had the opportunity to perform a solo at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and tour several other cities in Italy. Upcoming performances include playing the role of John Styx in Orpheus in the Underworld at the San Francisco Conservatory. William is currently a director of youth theatre and teaches voice all over the Bay Area. He studies voice with Catherine Cook and is a former student of Leroy Kromm.

Claire Palmer Page, chorus

Harriet M. Page has pursued a life-long obsession with the arts, as actor, singer, writer, director, producer. Reeling off the decades, the 1970s was grand opera in and about the San Francisco Bay Area; 1980s, acting in plays and musicals with the Los Altos Conservatory Theatre; 1990s, writing and performing autobiographical monologues in San Francisco and producing monthly Sunday Salons; and the 2000s directing and producing as Artistic Director for San Francisco Cabaret Opera / Goat Hall Productions, whose mission is presenting contemporary opera in English and premiering new opera theater by Bay Area composers in a cabaret setting. After five years devoted to new music almost exclusively, March Page is very excited about entering a new phase with our 2008-2009 season, which includes not only new music but also Mozart (in Italian!), Purcell, Menotti, and more!

Lyric Soprano, Letitia Page, is happy to be performing once again in the Bay Area! Ms. Page is currently a Seattle Opera Associate Chorister and has recently been accepted to study voice with World Renowned Soprano, Jane Eaglen. Ms. Page was a recent scholarship recipient for Elysium, Between Two Continents Summer Opera Program in Bernreid, Germany. She won the second highest scholarship in Seattle’s Gilbert & Sullivan Vocal Competition in 2006 and received the Peggy O’Coyne Music Scholarship for two years running at SCC in Seattle. Ms. Page is very excited to debut her role as the Countess with San Francisco Cabaret Opera. She is also very excited that her daughter will be joining the cast as a flower girl in her first performance opportunity ever!








Cindy Preuss is new to the opera front, but is excited about the opportunity to sing with those well established in the industry. With over six months of voice lessons from her instructor, Eliza O'Malley (singing Susanna, March 13 and 15), Cindy hopes to bring a fresh voice and some animation to compliment the chorus. A civil engineer by profession, she's a little out of her element (!) but definitely welcomes the experience.






Joaquin Quilez-Marin, baritone, make his debut with Goat Hall Productions singing the role of Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro. His last appearance was singing “An Armenian Legacy” with BACH choral. With West Bay Opera he sang the role of Le Dancaire (Carmen). With Basoti he sang the role of Dr. Bartolo (Le Nozze di Figaro) and Rocco (Fidelio, quartet #3). With Holy Names Opera Workshop, he sang the roles of Papageno (The Magic Flute, Quintet #5), Dr. Malatesta (Don Pasquale, Recitative and duet #4), Alidoro (La Cenerentola, Quartet). With San Francisco Lyric Opera Chorus he sang Lucia di Lammermoor and Les Contes d’Hoffmann. With City College of San Francisco Philharmonic he sang Mahler Lieder in a recital of romantic music.








Laryssa Sadoway began her music training in Belmont, Massachusetts. She recently received a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Catherine Cook. After having great fun and success with the role of Quark Sister Top-Bottom in the premiere of John Bilotta’s Quantum Mechanic, she is thrilled to join Goat Hall Productions again, in the role of Marcellina. Since moving to the Bay Area, she has been heard at San Francisco Conservatory in the roles of Third Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Cecilia March, (Little Women), Didone (Cavalli’s L’Egisto) and La mère (L’enfant et les sortileges). She sang the role Solo Chorus in Berkeley Opera’s production of Die Entführung aus dem Serail. Other recent roles include La Voix (Les Contes d'Hoffmann) and Mme. de Croissy (Les Dialogues des Carmelites). On the concert stage, Ms. Sadoway has appeared as a soloist in Mozart's Requiem and Bach's Cantata No. 106.




Originally from L.A, Sarah Sloan studied theatre in NYC with Uta Hagen at the prestigious HB Studios. She performed with various rep companies while interning at the legendary Performing Garage under the auspices of Willem DaFoe, Elizabeth LaCompte and Spaulding Gray. In California, Sarah obtained a vocal degree at CSU Hayward (East Bay). Recent performances have included Bach Cantata 51, An Evening of Chaminade and Lucy Brown in Three Penny Opera. She has performed with Lamplighters, Ross Valley Players in Richard Rogers and Friends and as Cupid in SF Early Music Society's production of Telemann’s opera The Patient Socrates. She is also a frequent church soloist and teaches voice from her home in Dublin. www.sarahsloan.net

Rachel Warner, mezzo soprano, is thrilled to be performing in her first opera with Goat Hall Productions. A former Central Valley resident, she is now excited to call the Bay Area "home." She is returning to the classical singing after a hiatus in the "real world." She is a student of Meghan Dibble, and she proudly presented her first SF Bay Area solo recital in October 2008.