Rosina
Berta
Count Almaviva (Lindoro)
Figaro
Don Basilio
Dr. Bartolo
Fiorello
Sargeant
Ambrogio
Sang-Eun Lee
Ann Plagianos
Timothy Birt
Gregory Gerbrandt
Won Cho
Jorge Arcila
Chris Kline
Jacob Feldman
Jim Mclellan
| Conductor: Stephen Scovasso Director: Theresa d'Aiuto Andrasy - Sokol Assistant Director: Jacob Feldman Costumes - Camille Mclellan Makeup and Wigs - LuAndra Whitehurst Lighting - Carlos Navarro |
| © 2007-2008 The Opera Workshop, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
Sang-Eun Lee, soprano
Sang-Eun Lee specializes in high coloratura soprano repertoire, as well as in bel-canto style and early
music. Ms. Lee holds a Bachelor’s of Music degree from Seoul National University and a Master’s of
Music degree from the Mannes College of Music. She also completed a one year professional studies
course at the Manhattan School of Music. She has performed the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor,
Madam Goldentrill in Impresario, and Gilda in Rigoletto with full scholarship from the International Vocal
Arts Institute in Israel, France and Japan. She also performed Pamina in Die Zauberflöte. She recently
sang Nannetta in Falstaff in the Natchez Festival of Music. Her orchestral solo and oratorio
performances include Brahms’s German Requiem, Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, and Bach’s Kaffee
Kantate. Her 2008 engagements include Despina in Cosi fan Tutte with the Natchez Music Festival and
Queen of the Night with the International Vocal Arts Institute.
Sang-Eun Lee specializes in high coloratura soprano repertoire, as well as in bel-canto style and early
music. Ms. Lee holds a Bachelor’s of Music degree from Seoul National University and a Master’s of
Music degree from the Mannes College of Music. She also completed a one year professional studies
course at the Manhattan School of Music. She has performed the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor,
Madam Goldentrill in Impresario, and Gilda in Rigoletto with full scholarship from the International Vocal
Arts Institute in Israel, France and Japan. She also performed Pamina in Die Zauberflöte. She recently
sang Nannetta in Falstaff in the Natchez Festival of Music. Her orchestral solo and oratorio
performances include Brahms’s German Requiem, Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, and Bach’s Kaffee
Kantate. Her 2008 engagements include Despina in Cosi fan Tutte with the Natchez Music Festival and
Queen of the Night with the International Vocal Arts Institute.
Ann Plagianos, mezzo soprano
Dramatic mezzo-soprano Ann Plagianos made her European debut to critical acclaim in the title role of
Massenet's opera Herodiade with Juan Pons at the Teatro dell’Opera in Rome. A semi-finalist in the
New York region of the Metropolitan Opera Competition, she toured with New York City Opera in their
production of Carmen. Ms. Plagianos' roles include Amneris in Aida, Eboli in Don Carlo, Santuzza and
Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana, Laura in La Gioconda, Azucena in Il Trovatore, Ortrud in Lohengrin,
Principessa de Bouillon in Adriana Lecouvreur, Adalgisa in Norma, the Abbess in Suor Angelica, Flora
in La Traviata, Frugola in Il Tabarro, Isabella in L'Italiana in Algieri, Maddalena in Rigoletto, Suzuki in
Madama Butterfly, Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, and Mrs. McLean in Susannah. She has also
appeared with Maestro Anton Coppola in the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's production of La
Traviata.
Dramatic mezzo-soprano Ann Plagianos made her European debut to critical acclaim in the title role of
Massenet's opera Herodiade with Juan Pons at the Teatro dell’Opera in Rome. A semi-finalist in the
New York region of the Metropolitan Opera Competition, she toured with New York City Opera in their
production of Carmen. Ms. Plagianos' roles include Amneris in Aida, Eboli in Don Carlo, Santuzza and
Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana, Laura in La Gioconda, Azucena in Il Trovatore, Ortrud in Lohengrin,
Principessa de Bouillon in Adriana Lecouvreur, Adalgisa in Norma, the Abbess in Suor Angelica, Flora
in La Traviata, Frugola in Il Tabarro, Isabella in L'Italiana in Algieri, Maddalena in Rigoletto, Suzuki in
Madama Butterfly, Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, and Mrs. McLean in Susannah. She has also
appeared with Maestro Anton Coppola in the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's production of La
Traviata.
Timothy Birt, tenor
Timothy Birt hails from San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Birt performed with San Antonio Opera in 2005 and
2006 singing the roles of Monastatos in The Magic Flute and St.Brioche in The Merry Widow, receiving
critical acclaim for his “bright focused tenor voice.” Timothy Birt began his studies in 1998 at Texas
State University where he received his Bachelor’s degree. He has sung Fenton in Merry Wives of
Windsor; Franz in Les Contes d’Hoffman, Ernesto in Don Pasquale, as well as singing the title role in
Britten’s Albert Herring. He is heard in concert as tenor soloist in Carmina Burana and has also
appeared in such roles as Tamino in The Magic Flute, Ezekiel Cheever in The Crucible, Beppe in I
Pagliacci, and Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus. Timothy Birt has sung with Chicago Opera Theatre, Battle
Creek Symphony, Indianapolis Opera, The Atlantic Coast Opera Festival, and The San Antonio Opera.
Timothy Birt hails from San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Birt performed with San Antonio Opera in 2005 and
2006 singing the roles of Monastatos in The Magic Flute and St.Brioche in The Merry Widow, receiving
critical acclaim for his “bright focused tenor voice.” Timothy Birt began his studies in 1998 at Texas
State University where he received his Bachelor’s degree. He has sung Fenton in Merry Wives of
Windsor; Franz in Les Contes d’Hoffman, Ernesto in Don Pasquale, as well as singing the title role in
Britten’s Albert Herring. He is heard in concert as tenor soloist in Carmina Burana and has also
appeared in such roles as Tamino in The Magic Flute, Ezekiel Cheever in The Crucible, Beppe in I
Pagliacci, and Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus. Timothy Birt has sung with Chicago Opera Theatre, Battle
Creek Symphony, Indianapolis Opera, The Atlantic Coast Opera Festival, and The San Antonio Opera.
Gregory Gerbrandt, baritone
Mr. Gerbrandt's recent roles include Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Silvio in I Pagliacci, both with
Opera Fort Collins; the Revival Worker in Nashville Opera's world premiere of Elmer Gantry; Marcello in
La Bohème with Ashlawn Opera; and Belcore in L'elisir d'amore with Opera Idaho. He also has sung
Mendelssohn's Elijah and Handel's Messiah with the Greeley Chorale & Orchestra. Other credits
include performances of The Pirates of Penzance with Glimmerglass Opera, The Mikado with Central
City Opera/Colorado Symphony Orchestra and also with Opera Idaho, I Pagliacci with Sarasota Opera
and Die Fledermaus with Opera Fort Collins, and performances as soloist in Faure's Requiem and
Rutter's Mass of the Children with West Nebraska Masterworks Chorale and Orchestra.
Mr. Gerbrandt's recent roles include Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Silvio in I Pagliacci, both with
Opera Fort Collins; the Revival Worker in Nashville Opera's world premiere of Elmer Gantry; Marcello in
La Bohème with Ashlawn Opera; and Belcore in L'elisir d'amore with Opera Idaho. He also has sung
Mendelssohn's Elijah and Handel's Messiah with the Greeley Chorale & Orchestra. Other credits
include performances of The Pirates of Penzance with Glimmerglass Opera, The Mikado with Central
City Opera/Colorado Symphony Orchestra and also with Opera Idaho, I Pagliacci with Sarasota Opera
and Die Fledermaus with Opera Fort Collins, and performances as soloist in Faure's Requiem and
Rutter's Mass of the Children with West Nebraska Masterworks Chorale and Orchestra.
Won Cho, bass-baritone
Won Cho is known for the unique range and beauty of his voice as well as his outstanding acting
ability. His voice is described as "possesses the voice and presence to make himself instantly known on
stage.” Won Cho received his degrees from Manhattan School of Music, Boston University, and
University of Memphis, and currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Voice & Coordinator of Opera
Program at University of South Florida. He recently made his Mexico debut as Sprecher in Die
Zauberflöte and his other recent engagements during the 06-07 season were Osmin in Die Entführung
aus dem Serail with Mercury Opera of Rochester, Melchior in Amahl & the Night Visitors, Leporello in
Don Giovanni at Southern Illinois Music Festival, and Messiah in Toronto and Buffalo. His 07-08 season
includes Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis and Handel’s Messiah with Tampa Oratorio Society, Messiah with
Sarasota Chorale Society, and Saint Saens’ Christmas Oratorio with Hyde Park Methodist church.
Won Cho is known for the unique range and beauty of his voice as well as his outstanding acting
ability. His voice is described as "possesses the voice and presence to make himself instantly known on
stage.” Won Cho received his degrees from Manhattan School of Music, Boston University, and
University of Memphis, and currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Voice & Coordinator of Opera
Program at University of South Florida. He recently made his Mexico debut as Sprecher in Die
Zauberflöte and his other recent engagements during the 06-07 season were Osmin in Die Entführung
aus dem Serail with Mercury Opera of Rochester, Melchior in Amahl & the Night Visitors, Leporello in
Don Giovanni at Southern Illinois Music Festival, and Messiah in Toronto and Buffalo. His 07-08 season
includes Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis and Handel’s Messiah with Tampa Oratorio Society, Messiah with
Sarasota Chorale Society, and Saint Saens’ Christmas Oratorio with Hyde Park Methodist church.
Jorge Arcila, bass-baritone
Jorge Arcila has earned an outstanding reputation as a powerful singing actor equally at ease in buffo
and serious roles. His characterizations have been described as “wonderfully deep characterizations of
great common sense.” He has appeared with the Teatro Teresa Carreño and the Florida Grand Opera,
among others. Some of his signature roles are Don Pasquale, Leporello, Dulcamara, and Don Bartolo.
Jorge Arcila has appeared as a soloist with the Venezuelan Symphony Orchestra in works such as
Fauré’s Réquiem, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, and with the Sinfónica de Puerto Rico as Villena
in the opera Macías. Some of his upcoming engagements include Don Pasquale, Don Bartolo, and
Dulcamara in Spain, as well as Miguel in the zarzuela Alma Llanera, which will be presented in Puerto
Rico during the Festival Iberoamericano de las Artes in August 2008.
Jorge Arcila has earned an outstanding reputation as a powerful singing actor equally at ease in buffo
and serious roles. His characterizations have been described as “wonderfully deep characterizations of
great common sense.” He has appeared with the Teatro Teresa Carreño and the Florida Grand Opera,
among others. Some of his signature roles are Don Pasquale, Leporello, Dulcamara, and Don Bartolo.
Jorge Arcila has appeared as a soloist with the Venezuelan Symphony Orchestra in works such as
Fauré’s Réquiem, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, and with the Sinfónica de Puerto Rico as Villena
in the opera Macías. Some of his upcoming engagements include Don Pasquale, Don Bartolo, and
Dulcamara in Spain, as well as Miguel in the zarzuela Alma Llanera, which will be presented in Puerto
Rico during the Festival Iberoamericano de las Artes in August 2008.
Jacob Feldman, tenor
Jacob has been repeatedly praised for his superb stage presence, musical sensitivity, and
compelling characterizations. Jake received a Bachelor of Music with High Distinction in 2001 from
McGill University. Performances this season have included appearing as a Guest Artist with New
Jersey Opera as Monostatos in Die Zauberflöte, reprising Monostatos with Harrisburg Opera, King
Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors with Opera Company of the Highlands, and a double bill of
Stephen Paulus’ operas The Three Hermits and Hester Prynne at Death (world premiere) at The
Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure Univeristy. In addition, Jake was Stage Director for Don
Giovanni with Amsterdam Concert Opera in January 2008 and will direct Opera Theater of
Lakeland's La Bohème in February 2009. Upcoming, Jake will appear as Beppe in I Pagliacci with
both Opera Company of the Highlands and Bronx Opera and St. Brioche in The Merry Widow with
Liederkranz Opera.
Jacob has been repeatedly praised for his superb stage presence, musical sensitivity, and
compelling characterizations. Jake received a Bachelor of Music with High Distinction in 2001 from
McGill University. Performances this season have included appearing as a Guest Artist with New
Jersey Opera as Monostatos in Die Zauberflöte, reprising Monostatos with Harrisburg Opera, King
Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors with Opera Company of the Highlands, and a double bill of
Stephen Paulus’ operas The Three Hermits and Hester Prynne at Death (world premiere) at The
Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure Univeristy. In addition, Jake was Stage Director for Don
Giovanni with Amsterdam Concert Opera in January 2008 and will direct Opera Theater of
Lakeland's La Bohème in February 2009. Upcoming, Jake will appear as Beppe in I Pagliacci with
both Opera Company of the Highlands and Bronx Opera and St. Brioche in The Merry Widow with
Liederkranz Opera.
 | |  |
Theresa d'Aiuto Andrasy-Sokol, stage director
Ms. Andrasy graduated from Manhattanville College (NY) and received her Masters in Music
Performance from the University of South Florida. She studied with Cynthia Hoffman, now of the
Juilliard School and Giulio Gari of the Curtis Institute, coached with Stanley Sonntag and Martin Rich,
and studied at Mannes School of Music (NYC) and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz,
Austria. She taught Voice and was Director of Opera at the University of South Florida for nearly a
decade. At the 2006 Wesley Balk Music Theater Institute she directed opera and musical theater. Her
directing credits include Die Zauberflöte, Le Nozze di Figaro, Die Fledermaus, The Tender Land, The
Secret Marriage, Suor Angelica, Dido and Aeneas, Viva la Mamma, La Rondine, Susanna’s Secret,
The Turn of the Screw, and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Ms. Andrasy graduated from Manhattanville College (NY) and received her Masters in Music
Performance from the University of South Florida. She studied with Cynthia Hoffman, now of the
Juilliard School and Giulio Gari of the Curtis Institute, coached with Stanley Sonntag and Martin Rich,
and studied at Mannes School of Music (NYC) and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz,
Austria. She taught Voice and was Director of Opera at the University of South Florida for nearly a
decade. At the 2006 Wesley Balk Music Theater Institute she directed opera and musical theater. Her
directing credits include Die Zauberflöte, Le Nozze di Figaro, Die Fledermaus, The Tender Land, The
Secret Marriage, Suor Angelica, Dido and Aeneas, Viva la Mamma, La Rondine, Susanna’s Secret,
The Turn of the Screw, and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
 | |  | |  |
Stephen Scovasso studied at The Aaron Copland School of Music with graduate work in Music and Theater at
Brooklyn College and The Julliard School of Music. His teachers have included conductor Vincent La Selva and
composer Hugo Weisgall (Six characters in search of an Author). Mr. Scovasso has directed over 60 fully staged
operas, including Carmen, Tosca, and La Bohème, as well as lesser known works such as Leoncavallo’s Zaza
(with which he made his directing debut with New Jersey State Opera). Edward Downes (longtime Quizmaster of
the Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts) invited Mr. Scovasso to appear on The Texaco Opera Quiz, which, at the time
of broadcast, he was the youngest panelist ever to be on the popular intermission feature. Mr. Scovasso co-
founded Voicexperience and was the General Manager of the Artistic Repertory Theater, Inc., a performance-
based young artists program. Mr. Scovasso was on the musical staff for the Orlando Opera Company in charge of
creating and executing the supertitle translations. He has created over 25 in the past 6 years and is currently
translating La Boheme Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci for this seasons
performances. Mr. Scovasso is also a contributor for Classical Singer Magazine. For the Opera Workshop, Inc.,
Mr. Scovasso oversees all the artistic matters, including choosing repertory, artists, venues, and all young artist
programs and competitions.
Brooklyn College and The Julliard School of Music. His teachers have included conductor Vincent La Selva and
composer Hugo Weisgall (Six characters in search of an Author). Mr. Scovasso has directed over 60 fully staged
operas, including Carmen, Tosca, and La Bohème, as well as lesser known works such as Leoncavallo’s Zaza
(with which he made his directing debut with New Jersey State Opera). Edward Downes (longtime Quizmaster of
the Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts) invited Mr. Scovasso to appear on The Texaco Opera Quiz, which, at the time
of broadcast, he was the youngest panelist ever to be on the popular intermission feature. Mr. Scovasso co-
founded Voicexperience and was the General Manager of the Artistic Repertory Theater, Inc., a performance-
based young artists program. Mr. Scovasso was on the musical staff for the Orlando Opera Company in charge of
creating and executing the supertitle translations. He has created over 25 in the past 6 years and is currently
translating La Boheme Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci for this seasons
performances. Mr. Scovasso is also a contributor for Classical Singer Magazine. For the Opera Workshop, Inc.,
Mr. Scovasso oversees all the artistic matters, including choosing repertory, artists, venues, and all young artist
programs and competitions.
Christopher Kline is a senior in the chorus department at the Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the
Visual and Performing Arts. He will be attending Florida Southern College next year, majoring in vocal
performance, and aspires to be an opera star. To date, Christopher has performed in Southeastern
University’s production of “The Mikado”, and in “South Pacific”, “Singin’ in the Rain”, and “Hansel and
Gretel” at Harrison School for the Arts. He has been chosen to participate in FMEA’s All-State Chorus
for the past five years and qualified for the All-State Sight Reading Chorus this year and last, when he
was chosen as male soloist. This year, he earned the highest theory and sight reading scores of any
student in Polk County on the All-State test. In 2008, he won first place in the advanced high school
boys’ category at the Tampa Bay Area National Association of Teachers of Singing competition. He
has also participated in the American Choral Directors Association Honor Choir and All County Chorus
and has consistently received superior ratings at district and state Solo and Ensemble adjudications.
He’d like to thank his mom for identifying and nurturing his talent and his voice teacher, Dr. John
Thomasson of Florida Southern College, for his superior instruction.
Visual and Performing Arts. He will be attending Florida Southern College next year, majoring in vocal
performance, and aspires to be an opera star. To date, Christopher has performed in Southeastern
University’s production of “The Mikado”, and in “South Pacific”, “Singin’ in the Rain”, and “Hansel and
Gretel” at Harrison School for the Arts. He has been chosen to participate in FMEA’s All-State Chorus
for the past five years and qualified for the All-State Sight Reading Chorus this year and last, when he
was chosen as male soloist. This year, he earned the highest theory and sight reading scores of any
student in Polk County on the All-State test. In 2008, he won first place in the advanced high school
boys’ category at the Tampa Bay Area National Association of Teachers of Singing competition. He
has also participated in the American Choral Directors Association Honor Choir and All County Chorus
and has consistently received superior ratings at district and state Solo and Ensemble adjudications.
He’d like to thank his mom for identifying and nurturing his talent and his voice teacher, Dr. John
Thomasson of Florida Southern College, for his superior instruction.
