Die Zauberflöte

Saturday Cast:

Sunday Cast:

Orchestra

Hugh Murphy, Conductor

Violin I

• Sarah Fried
• Everett Borman 
• Jade Hattori-Hamilton 
• Daniel Karpf
• Elsie Baldwin 
• Claire O’Connell
• Fiona Lloyd-Aikman

Violin II

• Mekhi Noble
• Sun Young Hwang 
• Christina Shari 
• David Rubertone 
• Lauren Jenkins
• Taya Ricker
• Elizabeth Tsung

Viola

• Olive Fretts-Howard 
• Emma Musial 
• Amelia Krinke

Cello

• Hannah Walker 
• Lian Qiao 
• Frida Rahmani 

Bass

• Samuel Fletcher 
• John-Julian Corcoran

Flute

• Nicole Peters 
• Brady Wells 

Oboe

• Yolanda Donald 
• Hank McPhillips 

Clarinet

• Alba Morales-Millan
• Sakira Fujimoto 

Bassoon

• DeAnna Santiago
• Yuki Higashi

Horn

• Luis Montesdeoca 
• Tressa Cortright 

Trumpet

• Stefan Dinkel 
• Joseph Sabia

Trombone

• Taja Graves-Parker 
• Samuel Brown 
• Philip Fletcher

Timpani

• Diego Zavaleta

Production Staff

Tarot Card Art Design by

Dan Kitzman

Scenery Construction by

Shadowland Stages

shadowlandstages.org

Synopsis:

Act I

Mr. Paul Papageno is a “successful” Hedge Fund Manager living the life of excess he has always imagined. He has an abundance of wine, women, and money to burn. His misogynistic tendencies have not made working for a woman easy, especially one he considers a tyrant. Despite achieving everything he believed he wanted, he has found himself miserably unhappy and surrounded by darkness.

He spends his evenings searching for happiness in a quasi-alcoholic stupor. One evening in a local bar he realizes “he’s done” and decides to take his own life. He roams the streets of the city in agony and walks onto the roof of his building. He is about to jump when he is stopped by a kind of “divine intervention” which directs him to a cloaked figure who beckons him to a Tarot card reading. Despite his reluctance to participate in what he considers to be foolish “hocus-pocus”, he does so. As the cards are dealt, Mr. Papageno is reluctantly pulled into the world of Tarot, where his first experience has him being pursued by a serpent of his past. Prince Tamino seeing Mr. Papageno’s flight intervenes and attempts to slay the serpent.

The Queen of the Night sends her emissaries, the Three Ladies to assess the bravery of Prince Tamino. Seeing that he does everything in his power to slay the beast, the Queen and her Three Ladies, represented by the Moon card are satisfied that he has met the test to rescue her daughter.

Pamina the daughter of the Queen of the Night, represented by the Empress card, has been “kidnapped” by order of Sarastro, The High Priest of the Temple of Wisdom, represented by the Sun card. The Three Ladies entrust the Prince and Papageno with magic instruments and three spirits to help them in their quest to rescue Pamina.

Pamina fails in her attempt to escape from her captor, Monostatos, represented by the devil card. Papageno discovers Pamina and tells her of his and Tamino’s mission to rescue her. The Three Spirits lead the prince to Sarastro’s Temple where the Speaker of the Temple informs Tamino that the Queen has deceived him.

Monostatos discovers Pamina and Papageno, but they evade him and his henchmen with the help of the glockenspiel.

In another hall of the temple Sarastro forgives Pamina for her attempt to escape but refuses to return her to her mother.

Monostatos arrives with Tamino and demands that he be punished for attempting to take Pamina. Tamino and Pamina are briefly reunited before Sarastro declares that Tamino and Papageno be taken into the Temple to begin the trial of initiation.

INTERMISSION

Act II

Tamino and Papageno are led to a dungeon in the temple where the priests order that silence be their first test. To thwart their test, the Queen’s Three Ladies appear telling them that they are doomed if they remain in the temple. Papageno chatters but Tamino refuses to speak, and the Three Ladies are swept away into darkness.

The Three Spirits appear with food, telling Tamino to be courageous and admonishing Papageno to be silent. Pamina enters and not understanding why Tamino will not speak to her assumes that Tamino’s love for her has ended. She laments that she will find peace only in death. Sarastro enters and tells Tamino that he has done well by keeping his oath of silence and that it is time to continue to the final stages of his trial. Papageno consoles Pamina by singing her to sleep and leaves to look for a counterpart of his own, Papagena.

Monostatos enters and finds Pamina sleeping. His lascivious plans for her are interrupted by the Queen who orders her daughter to kill Sarastro. Monostatos overhears their exchange and tries to blackmail Pamina into a sexual liaison. Sarastro arrives and hearing this, banishes Monostatos. He tells Pamina that forgiveness and understanding reign within the Temple’s walls and that he will not seek revenge on her mother. However, a distraught Pamina leaves in tears.

Papageno enters with the priest declaring that he does not wish to become an initiate and desires only wine, and women. An old lady appears and is eventually revealed to be Papagena in disguise, but the Priest takes her away because Papageno has proved unworthy.

The Three Spirits see Pamina preparing to commit suicide and convince her that Tamino loves her. The Spirits bring Pamina to Tamino as he prepares to begin his final test. Protected by the power of the flute’s music they pass safely through the trials of fire and water. Emerging triumphantly, they proceed into the temple.

Papageno searches frantically for Papagena. Unable to find her, he decides to hang himself. However, the three Spirits materialize and advise him to use the power of the bells.

The Queen, Monostatos, and the Three Ladies prepare to storm the Temple, but light overcomes the Queen’s powers of darkness, and they are struck down.

With great joy all celebrate the triumph of courage, wisdom, and virtue.

Papageno returns with Papagena (the Oracle) who indicates that the reading of the Tarot is complete, leaving him to contemplate lessons learned.

Tarot Card Artist Notes

by Dan Kitzman

Describing how these cards came into being is rather difficult - I don’t feel I can take much credit for them as they appeared in my mind’s eye or started flowing out of the pen almost of their own volition. Looking at them now, I can see a collective intent across each image that ties them together: an invitation to take responsibility - in partnership with everything around us - for our lives.

I’ve been channeling these pieces for almost three years now, and in that time I’ve never quite known why hands featured so prominently; I’ve always been drawn to people’s hands - so much so that I can often recognize folks by their hands rather than faces - and I love how expressive they can be and the energy that they emit, carry, and transform, but I’ve never really known why they were coming through so strongly in this art. But now I believe that they speak to the power of taking responsibility for what is ours to hold, and using that power to shape the lives we lead. What becomes possible when we hold something in our hands? We have so many choices - we could hold on to that thing, use it on something else, perhaps we could change its shape and mold it, we could move it across the room, put it in our pocket, throw it, destroy it, protect it, share it…the list goes on. Our hands are the makers of change, the bringers of creation, the protectors of preciousness, the truly marvelous tools that enable us to manifest our deepest desires into this world.

My hope is that these images help to create a way of seeing the work these magnificent artists have brought to life again in a brand new light - I invite you to open yourself up to experiencing their abstract and mysterious nature and seeing what comes up in you - there are no wrong answers! These journeys we take are completely unique to us, and I don’t believe anyone will experience this show exactly the same as anyone else…may these cards, this story, and this collective work of art transport you to that liminal space between a world that is and a world that could be and inspire you to explore the power, the incredible magic that you have waiting for you in your hands. -Dan Kitzman

Faculty Biographies

Jacque Trussel - Stage Director

Winner of the American Prize in Directing for the Purchase Opera production of Robert Ward’s The Crucible, Jacque Trussel is an internationally renowned tenor and has performed leading roles with opera companies throughout the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, l’Opéra de la Bastille in Paris, Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera and the Houston Grand Opera. He has appeared in concert with numerous symphonies including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, the Leipzig Gewandhaus, and the Concertgebouw of Amsterdam. His radio and television broadcasts include performances of Don Jose in Carmen with the Canadian Broadcasting Company, Sky Tel Broadcast seen throughout Europe with Maria Ewing and the Live from Lincoln Center broadcast. His Grammy nominated solo CD, Sounds and Sweet Airs featuring the Janacek Philharmonic was released to great public enthusiasm and rave reviews. Mr. Trussel is also the featured tenor soloist on Le Livre de la Jungle by Charles Koechlin, awarded the prestigious Diapason d’Or for 2000, and Macbeth of Ernst Bloch awarded le Prix de l’Académie of Charles Cros. He also appears on the DVD release of Carmen with Maria Ewing (Image Entertainment). He was named Stage Director of the Year by Classical Singer Magazine and has led the Purchase Opera to numerous National Opera Association awards for Best Opera Production of the Year. In 2009 he co-authored the libretto of the opera Confession, which was written, composed, produced and premiered at Purchase College. Confession was later named Best Chamber Opera of the Year in a worldwide competition sponsored by the NOA.

Hugh Murphy  -  Music Director, Conductor

Several productions with Purchase Opera have been reviewed favorably by the New York Times and Opera News Magazine, and been named “Best Opera of the Year” by the National Opera Association. Recordings with the Purchase Opera, available at Albany Records: The Tempest (world premiere), Confession (world premiere) and The Crucible, which received the Bacon Memorial Award in the Performance of American Music. His experience spans the repertoire from the earliest operas to the most recent. His responsibilities as a Purchase professor include coaching and teaching courses in German and French Art Song, Operatic Literature and Styles. He has been on the faculty of the Mannes College of Music, a visiting faculty member at the Eastman School of Music, and at the “Si Parla, Si Canta!” Vocal Workshop, in Italy. His professional clients perform with the world’s leading opera companies.

Margaret Vignola  -  Assistant Director

After 15 years of working in artist development, publicity, marketing and sales for international music industry giants like Capitol, MCA, Geffen, IRS, Motown Records, and the Universal Music Group, Ms. Vignola left a successful career to study Voice and Opera at the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College. During the last two years of her vocal studies she offered her administrative experience to the program’s new director, Jacque Trussel in an effort to assist in creating the core of the current Opera program. For the past 23 years she has served as the Assistant Director of the multi-award-winning Purchase Opera and Assistant to Professor Trussel. In the summer of 2008, she and Professor Trussel collaborated to write the libretto for Raphael Lucas’ Confession. The Opera went on to win National Opera Association’s Best Chamber Production and was recorded by Albany Records.
Ms. Vignola is also a Screenwriting graduate from NYU/Tisch Film and Television Essentials.

Production Team Biographies

Jack Flatley - Production Stage Manager 

Jack Flatley is honored to be back working with the Purchase Opera Company. He recently graduated from the Purchase Opera Performance/Vocal Studies Program in Spring 2022. He had the pleasure of not only getting to perform in but also Assistant Stage Managing the 2022 Purchase Opera production of Mozart’s, Le Nozze di Figaro. He was invited back as Production Stage Manager for Purchase’s Fall 2022 production of Massenet’s, Cendrillon and he couldn’t be more grateful to be PSM on this unbelievably amazing new adaptation of Mozart’s, Die Zauberflöte.

Barry Steele - Scenic, Lighting and Projection Designer

For three decades Barry Steele has created designs for opera, dance, and music productions in 56 countries. Notable engagements include San Francisco Opera Center, Lucinda Childs Dance Company, Ballet Stars of Moscow, Nantes Opera, and Carnegie Hall. New operas such as Vincent, and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat as well as rarities like The Fall of the House of Usher, and La Voix Humaine complement his considerable list of standard opera repertory gained from designing over one hundred productions as Resident Lighting Designer for Sarasota Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, and New Jersey Opera. Since 1989, Mr. Steele has lit dance in all styles for a diverse range of dance groups including ODC Dance Company, Anna Sokolow’s Players’ Project, Paco Peña’s Flamenco Theater, and Battery Dance Company.

Tracey Olmoz - Costume Director

Tracey holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University and is a proud member of the Purchase Opera production team. She was the Costume Coordinator for the Admiral Players of Arlington High School from 2012 - 2019, costuming small productions as well as musicals with over 80 cast members. She ran the costume crew, where she taught varied elements of costuming, from sewing a whip stitch seam split repair in the wings, to building masquerade masks and perfecting the art of the quick change. She specializes in garment modifications and loves to turn a simple costume into something magical. Some favorites include Aida, Beauty and the Beast, Crazy for You, 42nd Street, Oklahoma!, The Music Man, The Three Musketeers, West Side Story, and Hello, Dolly! Her venture into dressing operas began in August 2021, with specialty builds and alterations for Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice in their production of Pagliacci. Last semester, she designed and built nearly all of the costumes for Purchase Opera’s performance of Amahl and the Night Visitors, and is proud to have directed and coordinated the costumes for  Purchase Opera’s recent productions of Cendrillon and Le Nozze di Figaro.  Thank you, John, for completely supporting me and my unconventional schedule!

Cindy Ludwig Johnson - Wig and Make-up Artist

Cindy has been involved with over 225 opera productions throughout the Americas since 1987. She has worked for more than 28 opera companies including, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Florentine, Glimmerglass, Kentucky, Miami, Omaha, Palm Beach, Sarasota and Syracuse. Cindy was the wig designer for Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Clown College from 1989 until it’s closing in 1998. She has also worked in film, television and Broadway. Cindy has a degree in Theatrical Design from the State University of New York at Oswego, and is proud to return and mentor students often at her alma mater.

Singer Biographies

Alphabetical by last name. 

Simon Brea (Tamino/Monostatos), Tenor

Simon Brea is currently a senior in the Conservatory of Music’s Opera Performance/Vocal Studies Program. He has most recently sung the role of Le Prince Charmant in the fall opera, Cendrillon. Simon has performed the role of Father Confessor in Dialogues of the Carmelites, King Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Don Basilio in Le Nozze di Figaro. Simon has also performed the roles of Tamino (Die Zauberflöte) and Jacquino (Fidelio) in Purchase’s German Opera Scenes. Simon is a student of Jacque Trussel.

Zoe Brooks (Second Lady), Mezzo-soprano

Zoe Brooks is a sophomore in the Conservatory of Music’s Opera Program studying with Dr. Sherry Overholt. Zoe’s previous roles at Purchase include Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Dorothée in Cendrillon. She is a winner of the 2022 Schmidt Vocal Competition, and won 1st place in the 2021 NATS Central Region Lower Classical Division competition. This summer, Zoe will attend the Chautauqua Opera Conservatory.

Madeleine Cucullu (First Lady), Soprano

Madeleine Cucullu is a senior in the purchase opera program. Madeleine played the title role in the fall opera Cendrillion and has had ensemble roles in Purchase’s productions of Le Nozze di Figaro, Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Dialogues of the Carmelites. Last year, she won the Donald W. Wood, Sr. Advancement Grant (WOAG) from the New Orleans Opera and has participated in summer intensives such as the Boston University Tanglewood Institute and the International Summer of Music in Morelia.

Rachel Eaton (Dark Shadow), Soprano

Rachel Eaton is currently a freshman in the Conservatory of Music’s Opera Performance/Vocal Studies Program. She has participated in District III Chorus and All State Choir for the state of Maine all throughout her middle and high school career and was selected to be a part of the NAFME All Eastern Honors Ensemble Choir in 2021. Her first role for Purchase Opera was a Sprite in Cendrillon Rachel is excited to be a part of such a wonderful program. Rachel is a student of Kaori Sato.

Robert Frazier (Sarastro/Speaker), Bass-Baritone

Robert Frazier is currently earning his master’s degree at Purchase Conservatory, where he studies with Jacque Trussel. Robert’s recent operatic engagements include the title role in Le Nozze di Figaro, Guglielmo in Cosí fan tutte, and Gremin in Eugene Onegin. Other roles include Pandofle in Cendrillon, King Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors and Marquis de la force in Dialogues of the Carmelites. Robert has performed recitals throughout the capital region with pianist Mark Evans. He has had the honor of premiering both Quarry Songs by Brett L. Wery and the role of Rory in Troubleshooting, a new micro opera, by John Carroll. His solo concert experience includes Brahms’ Liebeslieder, Fauré’s Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem, and Händel’s Messiah. This upcoming summer, Robert will be attending the Music Academy of the West, learning the role of Colline in La bohéme.

Jeremy Fox (First Priest / Armored Man), Tenor

Jeremy Fox is currently a Freshman in the Conservatory of Music’s Opera Performance/Vocal Studies Program. He has performed with Purchase Opera as a chorus member and the Master of Ceremonies in the fall production of Cendrillon. Jeremy is a student of Bonnie Hamilton.

Amanda Frank (Second Lady), Soprano

Amanda Frank is a sophomore in the Conservatory of Music’s Opera Performance/Vocal Studies Program. She has previously performed in the chorus of Cendrillon. She performed the roles of Valetto in Poppea and Sesto in Giulio Cesare in Purchase College’s Italian Scenes. This spring she will be appearing as Sophie from Die Fledermaus, Pamina from Die Zauberflöte, and Adele from Der Rosenkavalier in Purchase College’s German Scenes. Amanda is a student of Kaori Sato.

Jeanete Angela Gonzalez (Dark Shadow), Soprano

Jeanete Angela Gonzalez is currently a freshman in the Conservatory of Music’s Opera Performance/Vocal Studies Program. This past fall she preformed the role as one of the Sprites in the Purchase Opera production of Massenet’s Cendrillon. Jeanete participated in the Chaminade Music Club mixed instrument competition 2022 and won third place. She has also attended the Queens Summer Vocal Institute where she has appeared in the Così fan tutte chorus, the chorus of Cigarette-girls from Carmen, and the chorus of the Wedding Guests from Lucia di Lammermoor. Jeanete is a student of Bonnie Hamilton.

Leah Gray (Third Lady), Mezzo-Soprano

Leah Gray is a senior in the Conservatory of Music’s Opera Performance/Vocal Studies Program. Leah has previously performed the roles of Madame de la Haltière in Cendrillon, the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, a Chorus Nun in Dialogues of the Carmelites, and a chorus member for Dido and Aeneas. Leah also appeared as Leonore/Fidelio (Fidelio), Die Dritte Dame (Die Zauberflöte), and Hänsel (Hänsel und Gretel) in Purchase’s German Opera Scenes. She was the Assistant Costume Director for Le Nozze di Figaro. Leah is a student of Kaori Sato.

Maria Kolomiets (First Lady), Soprano

Maria Kolomiets started studying voice in 2012. Over the years, Maria has appeared in multiple leading roles at the Purchase Opera Conservatory. Some of these roles include Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Blanche de la Force in the National Opera Association 1st prize winning Dialogues of the Carmelites. She appeared as Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, Suor Genovieffa in Suor Angelica, the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and As Palade in L’incoronazione di Poppea. She sang Marsinah from Kismet Purchase’s Classic Broadway in Concert. She has covered the role of Drusilla in L’incoronazione di Poppea, as well as Zerlina in Don Giovanni. Apart from that Maria sang the role of Fiordiligi at the Aaron Copland School of Music’s summer production of Così fan Tutte. Maria has gained recognition from the Young Arts Foundation that awarded her an honorable mention grant. She had the opportunity to coach with established opera singers such as Nadine Sierra, Lisette Oropessa, and Christine Georke.

Sarah Krastman (Dark Shadow), Soprano

Sarah Krastman is currently a senior in the Conservatory of Music’s Opera Performance/Vocal Studies program. Last spring she made her Purchase Opera debut as Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro. In fall of 2022 Sarah performed the title role in Cendrillon. She was a singer in the chorus for Amahl and the Night Visitors and The Dialogues of the Carmelites. She has previously performed in Purchase Opera Scenes the roles of Violetta (La Traviata), Annio (La Clemenza di Tito), Agathe (Der Freischutz) and Die Zweite Dame (Die Zauberflöte). She would like to give a special thank you to her wonderful parents for their immense amount of love, support, and encouragement. It is her honor to share this enchanting with you all! Sarah is a student of Kaori Sato.

Desara Leka (First Spirit), Soprano

Desara Leka is currently a sophomore in the Conservatory of Music, Opera Performance/Voice Studies Program at Purchase College. Desara appeared last year as Damigella (L’incoronazione di Poppea) and as Orfeo (Orfeo ed Euridice) in Italian Scenes. She will be performing this Spring as Marzelline (Fidelio) in German Scenes. Desara is a student of Mrs. Bonnie Hamilton.

Jesse Lipschutz- (Chorus/Second Priest Cover), Baritone

Jesse Lipschutz is a Freshman Baritone, excited to be making his operatic debut in Purchase Opera’s Production of Die Zaubeflöte. A recent graduate of the Special Music High School, Mr. Lipschutz was active in the schools choir, sang at many recitals and concerts while there, and preformed the role of the Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince in Into The Woods. Other past engagements include Don Giovanni in an opera scenes concert at the Brevard Music Center, and Curly in another scenes concert at the Sherill Milnes VOICE Studio. Besides performances on stage, Mr. Lipschutz is active on the church chorale scene, and trained with Hazzan Ira Rhodes. Mr. Lipschutz is a student of Jacque Trussel.

Brigid Mack (Third Lady), Mezzo-Soprano

Brigid Mack is a sophomore in the Conservatory of Music’s Opera Performance/Vocal Studies Program. She appeared as Le Prince Charmant in last Fall’s production of Cendrillon. She has previously performed in the chorus of Amahl and the Night Visitors, and played one of the two young girls in Le nozze di Figaro. Brigid also performed in Italian scenes as Rosina from Il barbiere di Siviglia and Cornelia from Giulio Cesare. She is a student of Ms. Bonnie Hamilton.

Francesca Maroun (Papagena), Soprano

Francesca Maroun is currently a senior in the Conservatory of Music’s Opera Performance/Vocal Studies Program. She has previously performed with Purchase opera in Cendrillon as La Fèe, Le Nozze di Figaro in the chorus and has appeared as one of the two young girls in the Amanti Costanti duet as well as the title role in Amahl and the Night Visitors and a chorus nun in Purchase’s Dialogues of the Carmelites. She has also performed the role of Die Erste Dame (Die Zauberflöte) in Purchase’s German Opera Scenes. Francesca is a student of Kaori Sato.

Eliza Mastropieri (First Spirit), Soprano

Eliza Mastropieri is a junior at Purchase College Conservatory of Music in the Voice/Opera program. She has previously appeared in the Purchase Opera productions of Cendrillon (La Fée [Cover]/Sprite), Amahl and the Night Visitors (Chorus/Dancer) and Le Nozze di Figaro (Chorus). She has performed the roles of Papagena (Die Zauberflöte), Marzelline (Fidelio), Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro) and Poppea (L’incoronazione di Poppea) in Purchase’s Opera Scenes. Eliza is a student of Kaori Sato.

Areli Mendoza-Pannone (Second Lady cover, Assistant Costumer), Soprano

Areli Mendoza-Pannone is currently a senior in the Conservatory of Music’s Opera Studies Program where she studies with Dr. Sherry Overholt. She will be singing in the chorus of Cendrillon. Areli has previously appeared in the chorus of Le Nozze di Figaro and has performed the role of the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors. In May 2022, she participated in a residency program at Avaloch Farm Institute where she worked on Troubleshooting, a new micro-opera by John Carroll. She premiered this work in the role of Sam in November.

Jonathan Mildner, (Papageno, Second Priest / Armored Man) Baritone

Jonathan Mildner is in the second year of study for the Master’s degree in opera performance at the Purchase Conservatory of Music, where he studies with soprano Bonnie Hamilton. This past year, he appeared as Madame de la Haltière in Massenet’s Cendrillon, Count Almaviva in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, as Melchior in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, and as Don Alfonoso in a Queens College production of Così fan tutte. Jonathan is looking forward to appearing as Papageno in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte this spring. His concert experience includes Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil, cond. Alejandro Zuleta; Stravinsky’s Requiem Canticles, Mozart’s Requiem, and Handel’s Ester, conducted by James Bagwell; and a 2019 fundraiser concert for the Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem, presented by the Order of Maltas. Jonathan sings regularly at the Union Church of Pocantico Hills, where he has been a soloist and member of the choir since December 2019. Jonathan earned his Bachelor of Arts at Bard College in 2018, where he studied with tenor Rufus Müller.

Zoe Mitchel (Papagena), Soprano

Zoe Mitchel is currently a senior in the Conservatory of Music’s Opera Performance/Vocal Studies Program. Zoe has performed as Amahl in Amahl and the Night Visitors and as one of the two young girls in Le Nozze di Figaro. Zoe was a Chorus Nun in Dialogues of the Carmelites. Zoe has also performed as Marzelline (Fidelio), Papagena (Die Zauberflöte) and Die Zweite Dame (Die Zauberflöte) in Purchase’s German Opera Scenes. Zoe is a student of Kaori Sato.

Zachary Olmoz (Tamino/Monostatos), Tenor

Zachary Olmoz is a senior of the undergraduate opera studies program at Purchase where he is studying with Jacque Trussel. Zack has previously performed as Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors and Don Basilio in Le Nozze di Figaro in his Junior year. He performed the role of Dorothée in Cendrillon as a countertenor. For the past two summers, Zachary has performed at the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice under the direction of Louis Otey and Maria Todaro. He has also performed with Light Opera of New Jersey in their production of Candide, as well as with Nickel City Opera in Rigoletto. Zachary is excited to continue studying opera in graduate school and to continue performing with conductor Jason Tramm and local opera companies.

Sophia Orrico (Queen of the Night), Soprano

Sophia Orrico is currently a junior in the Purchase Conservatory of Music’s Opera program. Sophia has performed the roles of La Fée in Purchase Opera’s production of Cendrillon this past fall and the role of Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro last spring. Sophia has performed roles in German and Italian opera scenes including: Violetta in La Traviata, Mimì in La Bohème, Adina in L’elisier d’amore, Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier and Leonore in Fidelio,. Sophia is a student of Ms. Bonnie Hamilton.

Yaffa Ovsishcher (Second Spirit), Mezzo-Soprano

Yaffa Ovsishcher is currently a junior in the Conservatory of Music’s Opera Performance/Vocal Studies Program. This past fall, Yaffa played Noémie in Purchase Opera’s production of Cendrillon. She has also recently performed in Lighthouse Opera’s production of La Traviata. She also performed the roles of 1st Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Marzelline (Fidelio), and Ännchen (Der Freischütz), Susanna and Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro) in Purchase’s Opera Scenes. This summer, she will be performing the role of Der Komponist in Ariadne auf Naxos at Berlin Opera Academy. Yaffa is a student of Bonnie Hamilton.

Briana Reid (Dark Shadow), Mezzo-Soprano

Briana Reid is currently a sophomore in the Theater and Performance Program. Briana recently performed the roles of Susan in Company and Maureen in Rent. Briana has also been involved in the Hard Return Experiments at the Neuberger Museum and devised works at Purchase College. Briana is a student of Ms. Rachel Fry.

Sherice Roberts (Pamina), Soprano

Sherice Roberts, a Guyanese-American soprano from New York City, is pursuing a Masters Degree of Music in Voice Performance at the Purchase College Conservatory of Music. She completed her undergraduate degree at Queens College at the Aaron Copland School of Music. Although this is her first principal role with Purchase Opera, Sherice has performed many roles with the Queens College Opera, including La Ciesca from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and the role of Hanna in The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar under the direction of Dorothy Danner. In addition to this, she performed Despina from Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte and Lisette from Puccini’s La Rondine with the Queens College Opera Collective. Sherice has sung the role of Countess Almaviva in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro with the Austrian American Mozart Academy in Salzburg, Austria, and was the soprano soloist for the quadrennial performance of Handel’s Messiah with the Queens College Choral Society this past December. Sherice studies in the voice studio of Dr. Sherry Overholt.

Brandon Roque (Sarastro, Speaker), Bass-Baritone

Brandon Roque is an alumnus of the Purchase Conservatory of Music. He previously appeared as Simone in Gianni Schicchi. He also appeared as Masetto (Don Giovanni) with Purchase Opera and Bronx Opera. Other roles include Bernardo (West Side Story), Balthazar (Amahl and the Night Visitors), Littore and Mercurio (L’incoronazione di Poppea) and Judge Turpin (Sweeney Todd).

Rachel Schlesinger (Pamina), Soprano

Rachel Schlesinger is currently a junior in the Purchase College Conservatory of Music’s Opera Program studying with Dr. Sherry Overholt. This past fall, she performed the role of Noemie and covered the role of Cendrillon in the Purchase Opera production of Massenet’s Cendrillon. She also performed the role of Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro with Purchase Opera last spring. In 2022, Rachel won an encouragement award from the Shirley Winston Rabb Scholarship Fund and won first place in NATS Central Region. Rachel also received Honorable Mention in the 2021 college division of the Hal Leonard Art Song Vocal Competition. This coming summer she will be attending Classical Lyric Arts summer vocal intensive in Novafeltria, Italy.

Natasha Scheuble (Queen of the Night), Soprano

Natasha Scheuble is a lyric coloratura soprano from Parsippany, NJ. Natasha holds a Bachelors Degree from the Purchase Opera Program (2019) and a Masters Degree from Mannes School of Music (2021). She recently performed the role of Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni with Light Opera of New Jersey on February 25th in preparation for her return to Germany in July. Natasha has previously performed in Die Zauberflöte as Königin der Nacht with both the Lyric Opera Studio Weimar in Weimar, Germany and NJ Vocal Arts Collaborative in Montclair, NJ. She will be performing the role of Berta in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with New Jersey Lyric Opera on April 30th and will be performing the role of Adele in Die Fledermaus with The Eccentric Theater Company and the Ridgewood Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company on May 19th. Other upcoming performances include Mozart’s Coronation Mass (May 8th), Pirates of Penzance (May 17th), La Traviata (May 18th), Il Barbiere di Siviglia (June 4th), Riders to the Sea (June 9th-11th) and Don Giovanni (June 16th-17th, July 2023). Natasha’s previous operatic roles include Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), Olympia (Les Contes d’Hoffmann), Marie (La Fille du Regiment), Mabel, Kate and Isabel (The Pirates of Penzance), the Plaintiff (Trial by Jury), Gilda (Rigoletto), amongst others. She is very excited to be returning to Purchase to join her friends and colleagues!

Rhys Stermer (Tamino/Monostatos), Tenor

Rhys Stermer is currently a junior in the Conservatory of Music Opera Performance/Vocal Studies program. At Purchase College Rhys has performed in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Cendrillon, and performed as Don Curzio in Le Nozze di Figaro. He appeared as Alfredo (La Traviata), Nemorino (L’Elisir d’amore), Rodolpho (La Bohemè), Jaquino and Florestan (Fidelio) and Max (Der Freischütz) in Purchase College’s Italian and German opera scenes. Rhys is a student of Mrs. Bonnie Haminton.

Beyoncé Zambrano (Third Spirit), Soprano

Beyoncé Zambrano is currently a sophomore in the Conservatory of Music’s Opera Performance/Vocal Studies Program. This past fall, she appeared as a Sprite in Purchase Opera’s Cendrillon. This past summer, Beyoncé performed in Lighthouse Opera’s production of La Traviata. She has also performed the roles of Euridice (Orfeo) and, Zerlina (Don Giovanni) in Purchase’s Opera Scenes. Beyoncé is a student of Dr.Sherry Overholt.

Olivier Zerouali (Papageno/Second Priest), Baritone

Olivier Zerouali is currently a senior at Purchase’s Conservatory of Music. His operatic engagements include Pandofle in Purchase Opera’s 2022 production of Cendrillon, Zaretsky/Captain in Highland Opera Studio’s 2022 production of Evgeny Onegin, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte at Berlin Opera Academy’s 2022 Opernfest, Figaro in Purchase Opera’s 2022 production of Le Nozze di Figaro, and King Melchior in Purchase Opera’s 2021 production of Amahl and the Night Visitors. Olivier also had the distinct pleasure to workshop two new operas in the summer of 2022, The Museum of the Lost and Found by Olivia Shortt and Inertia by Ashley Au. Olivier is looking forward to performing as Mercutio in Glimmerglass Opera Festival’s 2023 production of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette (Coproduced with Washington National Opera). In Fall 2023 he will start his first semester at the Yale Opera program. Olivier is a student of Jacque Trussel.

The Conservatory of Music

Play a part in this extraordinary musical community!

For the serious, developing musician, the Conservatory of Music in the School of the Arts at Purchase College offers a distinctive educational experience — an intensive education within the context of a lively supportive community.

Create, integrate, grow, explore, transform

Your artistry will thrive here among other remarkable musicians, all preparing for professional careers while focused on excellence.

Work closely with world-class musicians and educators

Our proximity to New York City makes it possible for you to study with many of the most respected names in music today—and to benefit from their extensive professional experience as performers, composers, and producers. Through private lessons and small-group study, our faculty will guide and mentor you in your career choice. And because the Conservatory of Music limits its enrollment to only 400 students, including undergraduate and graduate candidates, you will receive personal attention and opportunities to perform and hear your music right from the start.

Classical, Jazz, Music and Technology

No matter what program you pursue in the Conservatory of Music, you will be encouraged to play music that spans all genres and to perform in ensembles of all sizes and styles. Let us prepare you to meet the challenges of the music world in the 21st century.