BLUEBEARD’S CASTLE / GIANNI SCHICCHI CAST & CREATIVE TEAM
Jonathan Brandani - Conductor
Conductor Jonathan Brandani was appointed Calgary Opera’s Artistic Director in September 2021. Recent engagements include opera productions and concert appearances at Gothenburg Opera (Sweden), Meininger Hofkapelle (Germany), the Bregenzer Festspiele (Austria), the Danish Royal Opera House Copenhagen, Teatro Comunale di Bologna (Italy), Théatre Royal de Wallonie-Liège (Belgium), Teatro Lirico di Cagliari (Italy), The Atlanta Opera and Opera Theatre of St. Louis. From 2014-2019 he was Associate Conductor of Minnesota Opera (USA), and from 2017-2020 he was Principal Guest Conductor of Daegu Opera House (South Korea). Upcoming engagements include a double-bill of Bluebeard’s Castle and Gianni Schicchi for Calgary Opera, as well as concert appearances at the Rossini Opera Festival and the Orchestra Filarmonica Toscanini.
Alain Gauthier - Stage Director
Working closely with L'Opéra de Montréal, he frequently staged major repertory pieces for the company, including La bohème, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Pagliacci/Gianni Schicchi, Dead Man Walking, Elektra and Written on Skin. Elsewhere in Canada, Gauthier has worked at the Edmonton Opera, the Calgary Opera, the Manitoba Opera, the Pacific Opera Victoria as well as the Opéra de Québec. In the United States, he has directed several productions for the Cincinnati Opera and has also worked at the Austin Opera and the New York City Opera. Recently, Alain Gauthier directed La veuve joyeuse at the Festival d’opéra de Québec and La bohème at the Cincinnati Opera. The upcoming season of L’Opéra de Montréal will feature a brand-new production of Hamlet.
Giuseppe Altomare - Duke Bluebeard / Gianni Schicchi
After graduating in political science, Giuseppe Altomare began his musical studies at the "Hochschule Mozarteum" in Salzburg with M° R. Knoll. He then specialized with Iris Adami Corradetti, M° Pier Miranda Ferraro, M° Franco Corelli, M° Aldo Danieli, M° Carlo Bergonzi and M° Silvano Carroli. His international career began as the title role in "Gianni Schicchi" at the 39th Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago. He has interpreted all the major baritone roles, debuting more than 56 leading roles so far. Among the most important conductors he has worked with are Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Angelo Campori, Stefano Ranzani, Alain Guingal, Bruno Bartoletti, Daniele Callegari, Daniel Oren, Donato Renzetti, Fabio Luisi, Zubin Metha and Riccardo Muti.
Sara Gartland - Judith / Nella
Sara Gartland has firmly established herself as an Artist to watch displaying a talent for dramatic storytelling and comedy. Highlights of her 23/24 season include her European debuts with Semperoper Dresden and Oldenburgisches Staatstheater in Die tote Stadt (Marie/Marietta), Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera in Don Giovanni (Donna Elvira), and a return to Des Moines Metro Opera for her first performances of the titular role in Strauss’ iconic Salome in a new production conducted by David Neely and directed by Nathan Troupe. Last season saw debuts at Pittsburgh Opera in Rusalka (title role), Opera San Antonio in Pagliacci (Nedda), Minnesota Opera in Don Giovanni (Donna Elvira), and a return to DMMO for Bluebeard’s Castle (Judith).
Kirsten LeBlanc- Lauretta
Described as a "major vocal revelation" (Le Devoir), soprano Kirsten LeBlanc is quickly becoming known for her rich, powerful voice, and engaging stage presence. The 2023/2024 season saw Kirsten engaged for cover assignments at both l’Opéra de Montréal (Christine in Bilodeau’s La Reine-garçon, world premiere) and the Canadian Opera Company (Leonore in Beethoven’s Fidelio). In 2022/2023, Kirsten appeared as Ines in Verdi’s Il Trovatore with l’Opéra de Montréal and made her Toronto Operetta Theatre debut as Roselinde in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. LeBlanc also returned to Opéra de Montréal for Golijov’s Ainadamar and Bilodeau’s La beauté du monde, covering roles in both premieres. Other credits include Zweite Dame in Barrie Kosky’s Die Zauberflöte, Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, and Hanna Glawari in Lehar’s The Merry Widow.
Christopher Oglesby - Rinuccio
Engagements of note during the 2023-2024 season for American tenor Christopher Oglesby include Rodolfo in La bohème with Utah Opera, a role debut with Sarasota Opera as Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, and a return to the same company marking the centenary of Puccini’s death in a concert of the composer’s most beloved works.
During the previous season, Oglesby's continued assignments with San Francisco Opera included a cover of Caesar in Antony and Cleopatra and performances as First Commissioner in Dialogues des Carmélites. That season, Christopher also made his role and company debut with Sarasota Opera as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly and a role and company debut with Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera as Rodolfo in La bohème. Later that summer, Mr. Oglesby scored a triumph as a last-minute replacement in a concert performance of Madama Butterfly at the Grand Teton Music Festival in the role of Pinkerton, singing opposite Ana María Martinez under the direction of Sir Donald Runnicles.
Marianne Cornetti* is an internationally renowned Verdi mezzo-soprano who has appeared at the most prestigious opera houses across the world. In early 2024, Cornetti sang Cieca in La Gioconda at The Deutsche Oper in Berlin and the role of Madame Croissy in Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites with Amigos Canarios de la Opera in the Gran Canary Islands. In 2023, she made her Lyric Opera of Chicago debut as Burya in Janacek’s opera Jenůfa. Her 2022-23 season saw performances as Ježibaba in Rusalka with Pittsburgh Opera, where she was last seen as The Witch in Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel, and later joined the company as Azucena in Il Trovatore, which she reprised with Opera Hong Kong. Cornetti also joined the Metropolitan Opera to cover the role of Madame de Croissy in Dialogues des Carmélites.
Marianne Cornetti - Zita
Alain Coulombe - Simone
One of the most commanding and exciting singers of his generation, French-Canadian bass Alain Coulombe has enjoyed a thirty-year international singing career. This season sees Alain’s return to one of his signature roles, Zuniga in Carmen, with Vancouver Opera and Orchestre Philharmonique et Choeur des Mélomanes, and a role debut in the world premiere of La Reine garçon with Opéra de Montreal. Recent seasons have included Zuniga (Carmen) for Canadian Opera Company, and Tripaldi in the Canadian premiere of Golijov’s Ainadamar for Opéra de Montréal. Other career highlights include Il Commendatore (Don Giovanni) at the Salzburg Festival, Der Doktor (Wozzeck) and Archangel Uriel in the world premiere of CO2 at Il Teatro alla Scala, and Clark Gable in the world premiere of Waiting for Miss Monroe for the Dutch National Opera.
Toronto-born tenor Arieh Max Sacke is in his second year of the McPhee Artist Development Program at Calgary Opera, where he appeared last season as Beast in Beauty and the Beast and Basilio in Le nozze di Figaro. Other recent stage credits include Giuseppe in La traviata with Cincinnati Opera, Urizen in Allan Bevan’s Perfectly Mad with Orpheus Choir of Toronto/Chorus Niagara, Ferrando in Così fan tutte with Opera by Request, and Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola with COSA Canada. Arieh was a 2023 Manitoba Opera Digital Emerging Artist, and a Festival Artist with Opera Saratoga. He attained his Master of Music at the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, and is co-founder of the Toronto-based Fonitika Vocal Ensemble.
Arieh Max Sacke - Gherardo
Alessia Vitali - La Ciesca
Alessia Vitali is an Italian-Canadian mezzo soprano hailing from Montréal, Québec. Recent role highlights include Signora Guidotti in Nino Rota’s I due timidi, Mercédès in Bizet’s Carmen, Rosina in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Maddalena in Verdi’s Rigoletto, Cherubino in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro and the title role in Handel’s Serse. Alessia is in her first year of the McPhee Artist Development Program. Her 2024-25 Calgary Opera season includes a role study of Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, the title role in Nino Rota’s family-friendly production of The Witty Squirrel, and the role of La Ciesca in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. She attained her Master of Music in Opera at the University of Toronto under the tutelage of Elizabeth McDonald.
Tyler Fitzgerald - Betto
Lauded as an ‘exuberantly confident singing actor’ by Opera Canada, Canadian baritone, pianist, arranger, and choral conductor, Tyler Fitzgerald is known for his versatile musicianship and regularly performs a wide range of genres and styles with opera companies and symphony orchestras worldwide.
Recent engagements have included the roles of Mordred (Camelot) and Prince Yamadori in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with Pacific Opera, Masetto (Don Giovanni) and Marullo (Rigoletto) with Edmonton Opera, multiple roles with Calgary Opera including Marquis (La Traviata), Don Pedro (l’heure d’espagnole), Samuel (Pirates of Penzance), and Tarquinius in Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia, the title role in Le Nozze di Figaro (Opera Kelowna).
Phillip Addis - Marco
As one of Canada’s most versatile baritones, Mr. Addis’ range makes him at once “a superb Billy Budd… (whose) voice was virile, free and open” as well as “an impeccable antagonist” as Mozart’s Conte di Almaviva (most recently at Calgary Opera.) He is perhaps best known as “the ideal Pelléas of his generation” for his “erotically charged” performances as Debussy’s leading lover. He has been heard at l’Opéra National de Paris, LA Opera, the Canadian Opera Company, Semperoper Dresden, Hamburgischen Staatsoper, il Teatro Regio di Parma, il Teatro dell’ Opera di Roma, and the BBC Proms. Additional leading roles include Don Giovanni, Eugene Onegin, Rossini’s Figaro, Zurga in Les pêcheurs de perles, and Sharpless in Madama Butterfly.
Nicholas Murphy - Maestro Spinellocio & Pinellino
Acadian bass baritone Nicholas Murphy is thrilled to join the McPhee Artist Development Program for the 2024-25 season. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Prince Edward Island and his master’s degree and graduate diploma from McGill University. Nicholas has been seen in the roles of Pandolfe in Cendrillon, Don Magnifico in Cenerentola, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Leporello in Don Giovanni, and Doctor Grenvil in La Traviata. He was a finalist in Opéra de Montréal’s Talent Gala competition for the Atelier Lyrique in 2023 and was a finalist in the Wirth Vocal Prize in early 2024. This summer he will debut the role of Dr. Bartolo in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Brott Opera and Highlands Opera Studio.
Colin Mackey - Ser Amantio Di Nicolao
Newfoundland baritone Colin Mackey is a new addition to the McPhee Artist Development Program and has proven himself equally capable on concert, recital and operatic stages. In 2022, Colin earned a Master of Music degree from McGill University and has since completed an Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory. Most recently Colin performed the role of Marquis de La Force in Dialogues of the Carmelites at Koerner Hall. In 2024, Colin was among the winners of the Concerto and Chamber Competitions at the Glenn Gould School. In addition to performing, Colin is an experienced teacher and is passionate about music education and community music making. During the summer Colin will attend the Schubert Institute in Austria.
Luke Noftall - Guccio
Bass-baritone Luke Noftall is in his first year of the McPhee Artist Development Program at Calgary Opera. Recent credits include Zuniga in Carmen with Southern Ontario Lyric Opera, Count Monterone in Rigoletto with Opera by Request, and Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd with Doctor Bird Productions. Luke spent the last two summers at the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity in both the Chamber Music and Opera: Interplay, and Opera in the 21st Centuries programs. During these programs, he was seen as The Commander in The Handmaid’s Tale, Masetto in Don Giovanni, as well as Morris in a workshop of Adoration by Mary Kouyoumdjian and Royce Vavrek. Luke holds both a master’s and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto.
Scott Reid - Set & Lighting Designer
Scott Reid is a Calgary-based designer who is happy to be back designing for Calgary Opera. Some of his previous Calgary Opera credits include Macbeth, Eugene Onegin, Die Tote Stadt, The Flying Dutchman, Otello, as well as several productions for the McPhee Artist Development program. He recently designed The Pearl Fishers, directed by Rachel Peake, for Vancouver Opera. In addition to opera, Scott designs for theatre and dance at such places as Theatre Calgary, Alberta Ballet, Vertigo Theatre, The Citadel Theatre (Edmonton), ATP, and The Shakespeare Company, to name a few. scottreiddesign.com
Heather Moore - Costume Designer
Heather Moore’s design credits include the Canadian premiere of a new production of Die tote Stadt, as well as Macbeth (Betty Mitchell award winner for Outstanding Costume Design), Hansel and Gretel, Brothers Grimm and South Pacific for Calgary Opera, Beauty and the Beast, Macbeth, The Last Wife, and The Virgin Trial for ATP, and The Allan Parkinson’s Project, Mesa, The Carrot Warrior Seminar and Confessions of a Paperboy for Ghost River Theatre. As a film professional her credits include The Assassination of Jessie James, Inception, Hellboy, Hell On Wheels, Interstellar and Togo. Her most recent productions are The Last of Us and The Thicket.
Shelby-Jai Flick - Stage Manager
For Calgary Opera: Das Rheingold, The Elixir of Love, Le nozze di Figaro, Macbeth, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, Carmen, La traviata, The Merry Widow, Opera Labs, Norma, La bohème. Favourite credits include: As You Like It, (Theatre Calgary), Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, La Fille mal gardée, The Sleeping Beauty, The Seagull (National Ballet of Canada); The Two Gentlemen of Verona, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Julius Caesar, The Importance of Being Earnest, West Side Story (Stratford Festival); Mimi, Courageous, If We Were Birds (Tarragon Theatre). Other: The Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Film work includes Prey (Disney), Heartland (CBC), My Life With The Walter Boys, and the upcoming series The Abandons (Netflix).
Kate Pallesen - Assistant Stage Manager
Kate is thrilled to be joining Calgary Opera for all productions in their 2024/2025 season. Since graduating from the University of Lethbridge with a BFA in 2017, she has stage managed for operas, plays, and live events throughout Alberta, as well as toured across Canada as the Stage Manager for bliss: the birthday party play (Verb Theatre) to Victoria’s Uno Fest and to Ottawa’s National Arts Centre. Select credits include: Das Rheingold, L’elisir d’amore, Béatrice et Bénédict, Macbeth, La traviata, La bohème, Amahl and the Night Visitors (Calgary Opera), Ghost Opera (Old Trout Puppet Workshop/Calgary Opera), The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon, The Jungle Book (Alberta Theatre Projects), STRUCK (Ghost River Theatre), The Thin Man, The Drowning Girls (Vertigo Theatre).
Kennedy Greene - Assistant Stage Manager
For Calgary Opera: Das Rheingold, Carmen, La traviata, Everest, Rigoletto, South Pacific, Turandot, Filumena. Kennedy is thrilled to rejoin Calgary Opera this season. She is a Calgary based Stage Manager, a self-proclaimed stationery nerd and theatre brat. Other select credits include: A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, 80's Solid Gold, Spamalot, Chicago, Gameshow (StageWest); Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - #2B, The Thin Man, The Hollow (Vertigo); As You Like It, The Mousetrap, Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill (Theatre Calgary); Naughty But Nice TenMas!, Naughty But Nice 9, LIVE! (Forte Musical Theatre Guild); STRUCK (Ghost River Theatre); Heaven, Flight Risk (Lunchbox); Kim's Convenience (ATP/ Arts Club); Assassinating Thompson (Lunchbox/Inside Out Theatre).