La Traviata Artists

James Marvel	Director	Jonathan Hansen	Gastone
Karen Slack	Violetta	Torlef Borsting	Marquis
Alexander Boyer	Alfredo	Brandon Anderson	Dr. Grenvil
Kenneth Overton	Germont	Pam Gray	Lighting Designer
Erin Neff	Flora	Robin Gray	Stage Manager
Will Tvrdik	Duphol	Ming Luke	Chorus Master
Alina Ilchuk	Annina	Timm Rolek	Conductor

	James Marvel, (Director) is thrilled to be returning to Sacramento Opera, for whom he made his debut with Verdi’s Aida. Since his professional directing debut in 1996, James has directed over 60 productions in the United States, England, Scotland, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. In 2008, James Marvel made his Lincoln Center debut for The Juilliard Opera Centerwith Maestro James Conlon and his Italian debut directing La Boheme at Teatro Comunale in Sulmona, Italy. In August 2009, he made his South Korean debut with Die Zauberflöte. Other recent productions include Il Ritorno D’Ulisse in Patria for the Wolf Trap Opera Company; La Traviata for Kentucky Opera; and Falstaff for Toledo Opera. In May 2008, James was named Classical Singer Magazine's "2008 - Stage Director of the Year." Other career highlights include groundbreaking new productions ofSalome for Toledo Opera; Les Pécheurs de Perles for Opera Boston; La Voix Humaine at Florence Gould Hall in New York City; The Telephone for the Royal Conservatory in Brussels, Belgium; and Tosca at The Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. James’ production of Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress for the San Francisco Opera Merola Progam was named among the “Best Productions of the Year” by the San Francisco Chronicle. Upcoming productions include a debut with Indiana University to direct Lucia di Lammermoor, and a debut in Newfoundland, Canada with Britten’s Rape of Lucretia. James is also excited to be returning to Knoxville to direct Otello and Wolf Trap to direct Mozart’s Zaide.
	Karen Slack, soprano (Violetta). Her voice sparkles with sheer brilliance and warmth in the roles of Mimi, Cio-Cio San, Suor Angelica, Liu, Luisa Miller, Arabella, Desdemona, Countess, Donna Anna, Tatyana, and Serena. She is also perfectly suited as soloist for the concert works of Strauss, Brahms, and Beethoven. The New York Times described her singing as “warmly expressive, especially in her brilliant top.” The Financial Times labeled her “a radiant spinto soprano.” And, The San Francisco Chronicle claimed she “was suitably grandiose of voice – she boots a large gleaming sound.” Karen made her Metropolitan Opera debut in the demanding title role of Luisa Miller and quickly followed that with performances at San Francisco Opera, Carnegie Hall, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia and Melbourne Symphony (Australia). She is a graduate of the Curtis Institute, an alumna of the San Francisco Opera Merola Program, the Santa Fe Opera apprentice program, and an Adler Fellow. Recent and future engagements include the role of Cilla in the relatively new, American opera Margaret Garner for Michigan Opera Theater, soprano soloist for Verdi Requiem with Madison Symphony Orchestra, Serena in Porgy and Bess for San Francisco Opera and Washington National Opera, and Violetta in La Traviata for Sacramento Opera.
	Alexander Boyer, tenor (Alfredo) is in his second season as a member of the resident company at Opera San Jose. This season he has performed the role of Des Grieux (Manon), and is preparing Ruggero (La rondine). Last season Mr. Boyer was featured as Nemorino (The Elixir of Love), Ferrando (Così fan tutte), and Don José (Carmen). A New York native, Mr. Boyer holds degrees from Boston University and Manhattan School of Music. He has performed the roles of Arkady in Lee Hoiby's A Month in the Country, the Chevalier de la Force (Dialogues des Carmelites), Alfredo (La traviata), and Luigi (Il tabarro). He has participated in the Merola and Santa Fe Opera programs, and is a winner of the Mario Lanza scholarship award.
	Kenneth Overton, baritone (Germont) returns to Sacramento Opera after making his debut in 2006 as Ping(Turandot). After a successful debut at Deutsche Oper Berlin as Porgy(Porgy and Bess), Kenneth started off the 2009 season as Porgy with Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh, followed by concert appearances in the same role withThe Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Orchestra and Paducah Symphony Orchestra. In 2009 he made his New York City Opera debut in a concert performance of (Troubled Island) by William Grant Still and his San Francisco Opera debut as Lawyer Frazier(Porgy and Bess). Upcoming engagements include the soloist in Handel's Messiah with The Norwalk Symphony, Verdi's Requiem at Montclaire State University and at The Cathedral Basilica in NJ. Kenneth also made his Pensacola Opera debut this season in the world premier of David Ott's The Widow's Lantern and in 2010 will return to Pensacola Opera as Joe(Showboat). This spring Kenneth will reprise the role of Sharpless(Madama Butterfly) for Opera Memphis. The young baritone will also sing Zemlinsky's Lyric Suite with the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, Jake(Porgy and Bess) with the New Jersey State Opera and a return to The Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra. Other recent engagements include performances with Nashville Opera, Connecticut Opera, Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, Phoenix Symphony, Duluth Superior Symphony, San Antonio Symphony among others. Later In 2010 Kenneth releases his debut CD of Negro Spirituals and Afro-American Art Songs for Albany Records' Mosaic Label. In addition, he serves as the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Opera Noire of New York. For more information please visit www.KennethOverton.com .
	Erin Neff, mezzo-soprano (Flora) is described as ‘Arresting’ by the San Francisco Chronicle in her most recent operatic appearance with Festival Opera as Siebel. Erin Neff never fails to engage and rivet her audience dramatically and vocally. Ms. Neff made her solo debut with the San Francisco Opera as Blanche in their 2000 production of Louise and since then has returned to make several appearances with the company, including productions of Rigoletto, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, and in 2008 The Bonesetter’s Daughter and Simon Boccanegra . She has also sung with Berkeley Opera, the San Francisco Symphony singing the Alto Solo in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasia; Livermore Valley Opera, North Bay Opera, San Francisco Lyric Opera, The Santa Rosa Symphony, The Worn Chamber Ensemble, The Gilmore international Keyboard Festival, The Jewish Music Festival, the Mendocino Music Festival and others. Upcoming appearances for 2010 include, the Santa Cruz Contemporary Chamber Music Series, the Mendocino Music Festival, and the Telluride Music Festival singing the cabaret music of the Weimar-era Berlin. A multi-faceted artist, Ms. Neff also collaborates with other artists to create multi-media installations. Most recently in collaboration with Lewis de Soto, a sound installation commissioned by the San Jose Institute for Contemporary Art for the 30 year retrospective of the artist. She is presently developing an installation for the new Culver Arts Center in Riverside, California for April 2010. Ms. Neff also runs a private voice studio in San Francisco.
	Will Tvrdik, bass (Duphol) is honored to be a part of Sacramento Opera’s production of La Traviata. He is currently a vocal performance major at Sacramento State under the instruction of Michael Sokol. Will’s debut role was Sciarrone in Sacramento Opera’s production of Tosca in 2008. Will's most recent work was OAC Children's Opera Scene Program where he peformed various Russian Opera scenes from Eugene Onegin, The Queen of Spades and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Christmas Eve. Will was the Emperor in Contra Costa Children’s Chorus production of the Nightingale. He has also been seen in Sacramento Opera's La Boheme, Le Nozze di Figaro, Pirates of Penzance and Otello over the last two years. Will's first opera was in 2001 as he worked with the North Bay Opera in The Tales of Hoffman. He played the role of a Capulet in the 2003 Napa Valley Shakespeare festival which led to a part in the musical 1776 with Napa Valley Repertory in 2004. Will would like to thank his parents Tamie and Jaime, and Rachel Burgin for their continuous support.
	Alina Ilchuk, soprano (Annina) as an artist of both intelligence and sensitivity, has performed throughout Europe, the United States and Canada. Her professional debut took place in 1995 as a permanent soloist and artist of the choir of The Song and Dance Company of the Lviv State Philharmonic, Ukraine. She has frequently soloed with the Chervonograd Concert Band, the Drogobych Chamber Orchestra, the Truskavets City Orchestra, the Drogobych State Music College Orchestra, and the Bay Area Classical Harmonies among others. Praised for the beauty of her voice and the subtlety of her artistic interpretation, Ms. Ilchuk is an active recitalist. Her varied repertoire includes works by Bach, Handel, Mozart, Strauss, Duparc, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Lysenko. Ms. Ilchuk has been the winner of many competitions, including the Ukrainian National Competition for Young Musicians (1991), Drogobych Vocal Competition (1995), National Association of Teachers of Singing Auditions (2006), and the recipient of Bell T. Ritchie Award (2009). She has been teaching voice both privately and at the collegiate level since 1993. Some of her students have become the winners of voice contests, such as Mondavi Center Young Artists Competition, NATS Auditions, Classical Singer’s Vocal Competition, and Asya Pleskach Scholarship. Ms. Ilchuk holds Master’s Degrees from California State University, Sacramento, and Lviv State Music Academy, Ukraine, and a Bachelor’s Diploma cum laude from Drogobych State Music College, Ukraine. Ms. Ilchuk is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Music Teachers National Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda.
	Jonathan Hansen, tenor (Gastone), performs often as a soloist in the area. He has performed principal roles in Sacramento Opera’s productions of Le Nozze di Figaro (Don Curzio) and Tosca (Spoletta), as well as lending his voice to that company’s chorus in productions of L’elisir d’amore, La Boheme, Pirates of Penzance, Otello, Carmen, Aida, Turandot, and Die Fledermaus. He spends his summers volunteering with Village Opera, where he has performed in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld (Orpheus), Gianni Schicchi (Rinuccio), Pagliacci (Beppe) and Verdi’s Macbeth (Malcolm) He has been active in the opera program of California State University, Sacramento as well, performing principal roles in The Village Singer (Reverend Pollard), Massenet's Cendrillon (Dean of the Faculty), Don Giovanni (Don Ottavio), L'Incoronatione d'Poppea (Nerone), and Die Zauberflöte (2nd priest/Tamino u/s). Jonathan has a long history with the Academy at All Hallows, performing as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah, Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors (Kaspar), Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio, and Schubert’s Mass in B Minor, as well as participating with the chorus in performances of Vivaldi’s Gloria, Duruflé’s Requiem, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, among others.
	Torlef Borsting, baritone (Marquis), new resident artist, appears as TBD role in company premiere of Anna Karenina, Scarpia in Tosca, Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and Marcello in La Boheme. Recent performances for Mr. Borsting include Sharpless (Madama Butterfly) for Verismo Opera, Marcello (La Boheme) for Pacific Repertory Opera, Marquis (La Traviata) for Sacramento Opera, and the 2nd Apprentice (Wozzeck) with Ensemble Parallele in San Francisco. Torlef’s 2008 - 2009 season began as Baritone soloist in Hadyn’s Mass in Time of War with the Oakland Symphony Chorus and Oakland Youth Symphony, and Sharpless in his debut with Pacific Repertory Opera in San Luis Obispo, California. He then has accepted an invitation to participate in a Master Class with world famous soprano Evelyn Lear in May and continued with a new role, Horace Tabor in the Ballad of Baby Doe, with Berkeley Opera in July. Mr. Borsting’s 2007-2008 season included his creation of Wilmer McLean in the world premiere of Appomattox by Philip Glass at San Francisco Opera. He then portrayed Sgt. Belcore (Elixir of Love) with Berkeley Opera, made his debut as Prince Yamadori (Madama Butterfly) with Martinez Opera, Sharpless with Capitol Opera in Davis, California, then as Henry (The Gift of the Magi) and Melchior (Amahl and the Night Visitors) with Trinity Lyric Opera. Torlef’s 2007 summer season included his performance of A Scythian man ( Iphigenie en Tauride ) with San Francisco Opera and Mr. Jenks (The Tender Land) with Trinity Lyric Opera in Castro Valley, CA. The 2006-2007 complete season included Mr. Borsting’s debut with San Francisco Opera as a Soldier in The Maid of Orleans, his debut with Berkeley Opera as Jack Rance ( La Fanciulla del West ), as Streshniev in Khovanshchina with Kent Nagano, a concert production of Kurt Weill’s Seven Deadly Sins with Symphony Parnassus in San Francisco, Prince Yeletsky in the Queen of Spades with West Bay Opera, and the roles of the Captain and Zaretsky in North Bay Opera’s production of Eugene Onegin.
	Brandon Anderson, baritone (Grenvil) is a recent graduate of Sacramento State University. Brandon graduated in 2009 Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in vocal performance. He sings and performs regularly throughout the Sacramento area with St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Sacramento Opera (chorus since 2007), and the Academy at All Hollows. Brandon has appeared with the Sacramento Opera Chorus over the last three seasons in Verdi’s Otello, Puccini’s Tosca and La Bohème, Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, and Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore. His concert experience includes performing as baritone soloist for the Academy at All Hollows’ productions of Saint-Saëns Christmas Oratorio, Mendelssohn’s Vom Himmel Hoch, and Handel’s Messiah. Choral experience includes Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Haydn’s Theresienmesse, Handel’s Messiah, and Mozart’s Mass in C Minor. Brandon’s stage experience includes numerous roles performed with Sacramento State’s Opera Theater program in both scenes and full productions. His full roles performed are Le Roi (Massenet’s Cendrillon), William Emmons (Paulus’ The Village Singer), and the Duke of Plaza Toro (Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers) with Sacramento State. Brandon has also performed the roles of Melchior (Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors) with the Academy at All Hollows, Betto (Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi) with Village Opera, and the Big Bad Wolf/Woodsman (Barab’s Little Red Riding Hood) with Sacramento Opera.
	Pamila Gray (Lighting Designer) has previously designed lighting for the Sacramento Opera’s productions of Aida, Die Fledermaus, Otello, Tosca, The Pirates of Penzance, and La Bohème. She designs for several companies in the San Francisco Bay area including Opera San Jose, American Musical Theatre, TheatreWorks, and Marin Theatre Company. Her work has been seen in Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Sacramento, Ft. Lauderdale, Colorado Springs, and Washington D.C. Before moving to California, she spent time in Houston, where she designed for The Alley Theatre, Houston Grand Opera, and Theatre Under The Stars, among others. Her recent work has won her Drama-Logue Awards in both San Francisco and Los Angeles, six Bay Area Critic’s Circle Awards and numerous nominations, and four Dean Goodman Choice Awards. Ms. Gray is a graduate of Northwestern University.
	Robin Gray, (Production Stage Manager) is in her seventh season for the Sacramento Opera. Her credits here include Carmen, La Boheme, Faust, La Traviata, Tales of Hoffman, Hansel and Gretel, Don Giovanni, La Cenerentola, Madama Butterfly, The Barber of Seville, Die Fledermaus, Turandot, Cosi fan tutte, Aida, Otello, The Turn of the Screw, Tosca, The Pirates of Penzance, The Marriage of Figaro, and La Bohème. Ms. Gray’s other opera credits include The Aspern Papers at Dallas Opera (starring Frederika von Stade and filmed for Great Performances) and Dead Man Walking (both at Cincinnati and Pittsburgh Operas and radio broadcast on NPR). She has stage managed operas also in West Palm Beach, Raleigh, Atlanta, and New Jersey. Her musical theatre credits are many and include Broadway and national tours of Man of LaMancha, Jesus Christ Superstar, Annie, The Magic of David Copperfield, Tap Dogs, Phantom of the Opera, and Hello Dolly. She recently stage managed a Motown revue at Bally’s in Atlantic City, and The Sound of Music in Minneapolis.
	Ming Luke (Chorus Master). Conductor Ming Luke is the Chorus Master for the Sacramento Opera, Director and Conductor for the Berkeley Symphony's education programs, Music Director of the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra, Associate Conductor of the Modesto Symphony, and the General Director of the Napa Valley Youth Symphony. Prior to his appointments in Northern California, he was a staff conductor for the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and helped prepare the choir for such conductors as Charles Dutoit, André Previn, Mariss Jansons, Michael Stern, and Lucas Richman. Recognized nationally for his work in music education, Luke has been involved with numerous youth ensembles during his career and was President of the largest collegiate chapter of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC). He has experience with the major music education systems and methods including: Orff, Gordon, Dalcroze, Kodály, and Suzuki. He has served as a panelist for the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA). Ming Luke holds a Master of Fine Arts in Conducting from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Piano Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College of Rider University. Luke studied at the Pierre Monteux School and has served on the Grants and Cultural Committee of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission.
	Timm Rolek, (Conductor) The 2009-2010 Season marks Mr. Rolek’s twelfth season as Artistic Director of the Sacramento Opera and sixth as Artistic Director and Conductor of the prestigious Lake Tahoe Music Festival. Formerly he was Music Director of the Grand Forks Symphony (1995–2005) and Heartland Symphony (1993–1998) and a member of the conducting staff at the Metropolitan Opera. He is a busy guest conductor on both the concert and operatic stages, having led performances with Nevada Opera, Fargo-Moorhead Opera, Skylight Opera Theatre, Chatauqua Opera, Opera Delaware, Rimrock Opera, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Minneapolis Civic, and Glacier Symphonies, as well as the Ravinia Festival. He has recorded Jerre Tanner’s The Kona Coffee Cantata with the Prague Chamber Orchestra, and Joseph Fennimore’s Eventide (both on the Albany/Troy label). He conducted the American premiere of Ernst Krenek’s Das Geheime Koenigreich and has participated in the Pierre Boulez / IRCAM composers and conductors workshop at Carnegie Hall. Twin Cities Public Television KTCA-2 has featured Maestro Rolek on their two-time Emmy Award-winning program Arts on 2, and, in conjunction with Northern Lights Public Radio, he produced a nine-part radio-program called Music In Our Century. He has been a frequent judge for competitions including the National Council Auditions for the Metropolitan Opera. Under his tenure, the Grand Forks Symphony secured awards from ‘Meet The Composer’ and ‘Chamber Music America.’ After studying composition at the University of Minnesota, Maestro Rolek studied conducting with Herbert Blomstedt, Sir Neville Marriner, Klaus Tennstedt, and James Levine.