Student/SeniorDressRehearsalFriday,December15, 2017, 11am

SuzanneMallareActon,ConductorFEATURINGAlfreda Burke, SopranoRodrick Dixon, TenorKarenMarieRichardson,Alto

Rackham ChoirToo Hot To Handel Orchestra With the Too Hot Trio: MarionHayden,DavidTaylor,andAlvinWaddles

LightingDesigner:KendallSmithStageManager:EllenPeck

OriginalconceptbyMarinAlsopCo-arrangedandorchestratedbyBobChristianson and Gary Anderson

Too Hot To Handel isaco-productionofRackhamChoirandtheDetroit Opera House

TheConcordiaOrchestraofNewYorkCitycommissionedToo Hot To Handel in1993,fromarrangersBobChristiansonandGaryAnderson.SincethefirstperformanceatLincolnCenter,crowdshavesmiled,cheeredanddancedintheirseats(andsometimesintheaisles!)Too Hot captures theessentialcoreofHandel’sfamousmasterworkandreinterpretsitwithchordsofrhythmandblues,jazzandgospel.Theendresult?Adynamicandupliftingcelebrationthatmustbeexperienced.Simplyput:TooHotToHandelisMessiahre-created.

MusiconloanfromthearchivesoftheConcordiaOrchestra,MarinAlsop,foundingmusicdirectorandconductor.

Too Hot To Handel

PART ISinfony

Comfort yeEvery valley

AndthegloryoftheLordshallberevealedThus saith the Lord

ButwhomayabidethedayofHiscomingAnd He shall purify

Behold,avirginshallconceiveOthouthattellestgoodtidingstoZion

For behold, darkness shall cover the earthThepeoplethatwalkedindarkness

For unto us a child is bornTherewereshepherdsabidinginthefield

AndsuddenlytherewastheangelGlory to God

Intermission

Part IIRejoicegreatly

Then shall the eyes of the blind be openedHe shall feed his flock

His yoke is easyBehold the Lamb of God

SurelyHehathborneourgriefs**Allwelikesheephavegoneastray

Behold, I tell you a mysteryThe trumpet shall soundTheLordgavetheword

WhydothenationssofuriouslyrageHallelujah!

**withDavidVaughn,bass-baritone

THE JAZZ GOSPEL MESSIAH • Saturday, December 16, 2017

22 BRAVO•Fall2017 www.MichiganOpera.org MichiganOperaTheatre

TOO HOT TO HANDEL

Rackham ChoirRackhamChoiriscommittedtothehigheststandardsofmusicalexcellence.SuzanneMallareActon,Rackham’sartistic and music director, sets the tone. Her inspired visionbringstogetheruniqueblendsofcomposers,instrumentalists, soloists and choristers from local, nationalandinternationalcircles,creatingunforgettableconcerts. Founded in 1949, Rackham Choir is Detroit’s oldest choir, and the only ensemble of its kind in the city. In nearly six decades of existence, Rackham has continually adapted, reinvented and transformed itself,energizingaudiencesofallageswithitsexcitingchoralproductions.Anall-volunteerchoir,Rackhamisapowerhouseofsoundwithnearly80members. In2016,RackhamperformedtheU.S.premiereofJonathon Dove’s church opera The Walk from the Garden and the annual Voices of Tomorrow: The High School Vocal Intern Showcase. Forit’s2017/2018seasonRackhamChoirperformedwithAlvinWaddlesandDetroitCountryDaySchoolattheSeligmanPerformingArtsCenter.InMarch,RackhamChoirwillbeperformingRichardEinhorn’soratorioVoicesofLight,incollaborationwiththe Detroit Institute of Art and the Detroit Film Theatre. For more information visit us at rackhamchoir.org RackhamChoirissupportedinpartbygrantsfromtheKresgeFoundation,theMichiganCouncilforArtsandCulturalAffairs,andtheNationalEndowmentfortheArts,aswellasnumerousindividualdonorsandcorporatesponsors.

Bob Christianson (Co-arranger and Orchestrator)Mr.Christiansonisamusician,composer,arranger,andconductor. He has scored HBO’s Sex and the Cityseries,wasnominatedforanEmmyAwardforhismusic for ABC Sports and scored the series Wildlife Emergency for Animal Planet.BobreceivedhisbachelordegreefromSUNYatPotsdam(CraneSchoolofMusic)andcompletedhisgraduateworkincompositionattheUniversityofMichigan.Aftercollege,hestartedoutinNewYorkCityasamusicaldirectorandconductorforBroadwayshows,includingGodspell, The Magic Show, and Gilda Radner – Live from New York. In the concert arena he has had the goodfortunetoworkonseveralprojectswithlongtimefriendMarinAlsop,hisfavoritebeingToo Hot To Handel, withco-arrangerGaryAnderson.

Gary Anderson (Co-arranger and Orchestrator)Composer, producer, and artist Gary Anderson is acclaimedforhisdiversity,andhehasaccumulatedawiderangeofworktoproveit.Fromtheworld-knownthemesof ABC and CNN to the critically acclaimed underscore for theanimationofRalphBakshiandMattGroening….fromFrank Sinatra to Chaka Khan to Judy Collins. A summa cumlaudegraduateoftheBerkleeCollegeofMusicinBoston.Mr.Andersonbeganhiscareerwithafour-yeartenureasafulltimeprofessorattheworld-renownedschool.Hewasawardedhisalmamater’sOutstandingAchievementAwardandwasnamedoneofthecollege’s

50outstandinggraduates,alongwithfellowalumniQuincyJones,ArifMardin,AlfClausen,andGaryBurton.Innetworkandcabletelevision,hismusiccanbeheardonABC,CNN,CBS,PBS,andNBC:and,nottoforgetBartSimpson’s favorite….the theme from The Itchy and Scratchy Show.

Suzanne Mallare ActonFromHandel’sMessiahtocontemporaryjazz,ConductorSuzanneMallareActonisrecognizedforherversatilityanddynamicstyle.ForMichiganOperaTheatre,Ms.Acton’sconductingcreditsinclude West Side Story, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, The Music Man, The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, La Boheme, Die Fledermaus, La Traviata, A Little Night Music, The Daughter of the Regiment, Carmina BuranawithmembersofCirque du Soleil, The Medium, and Les Pecheurs de Perles. Additional credits include My Fair Lady and La Traviata for Dayton Opera, The Merry Widow and Madama Butterfly for Artpark, La Traviata, Gianni Schicchi and L’Elisir D’Amore for Verdi Opera Theatre, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, La Traviata and Carmen for the Wharton Center, and Tosca forAugustaOpera. Symphonic concerts include the Detroit Chamber WindsandStrings,theBirmingham-BloomfieldSymphonyOrchestra,TheLexingtonBachFestival,andtheSaginawBaySymphonyOrchestra.In1996,Ms.ActonwasappointedArtisticandMusicDirectorofRackhamChoir.Underherleadership,theRackhamChoirwasawardedthe2008Governor’sAwardforArts&Culture.

Karen Marie RichardsonAnativeoftheChicagolandarea,KarenMarie(thoughknownnationallyforhervocals)isasongwriter,actress,teacher,and musician. She has performed in Too Hot To Handel as the Alto soloist (AuditoriumTheatre,ChicagoandDetroitOperaHouse)forthelasteightseasons.SheiscurrentlystarringintheOff-Broadwaysensation,Sleep No More, asjazzchanteuseStellaSinclair.There,shehassungduetswithPinkandJohnLegend.KarenisscheduledtoappearintheupcomingfilmadaptationoftheMichaelJohnLachiusamusical, Hello Again. You may have also seen Karen Marieontelevisionoflate,vocallysupportingGrammyAwardnominatedartistAndraDayonThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, or Live with Kelly. She is featured on the pilot episode of HBO’s Vinyl, directed by MartinScorsese.SheisoneofthefewartiststoperforminDukeEllington’sQueenie Pie inthetitlerole.(LongBeachOperaandChicagoOperaTheatre).ShealsoperformedinthewindowofBarney’sNewYorkunderthedirectionof Baz Luhrmann. She can also be seen via You Tube as a featuredvocalistinafew“viralvideos”.SheiscurrentlyafacultymemberatBroadwayDanceTheatreinPlainfield,NewJersey.(voice).SheholdsaBFAinMusicalTheatrefromMillikinUniversity.

MichiganOperaTheatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO•Fall2017 23

Marion HaydenBorninDetroit,MarionHaydenisoneof the nations’s finest proponents of the acoustic bass. An early lover of jazz,HaydenwasmentoredbymastertrumpeterMarcusBelgraveandbeganperformingjazzattheageof15.Shehasperformedwithsuchjazzluminariesas Lionel Hampton, Nancy Wilson, Hank Jones, Benny Gholson, Frank Foster, JonHendricks,ReginaCarter,andGeriAllen.Sheisco-founderofthetouringjazzensembleStraightAhead.Haydenis on faculty at the Department of Jazz and Contemporary Improvisational Studies at the UniversityofMichiganandhasservedasaclinicianandadjudicatoratcollegesanduniversitiesacrossthecountry.Currentprojectsinclude: Middle Passage Exiles – a collaboration projectwith2015KresgeFellow,husband,M.SaffellGardnerandI Sell the Shadow, musical reflections of the touringartexhibit30 Americans.

Alvin B. WaddlesA native of Detroit, Alvin Waddles studied at Interlochen Arts Academy and the University of MichiganSchoolofMusic.HehasworkedintheFineArts Departments of the Detroit and Ann Arbor Public Schools systems. Since 1994, he has served as Director ofMusicforHopeUnitedMethodistChurchinSouthfield,Michigan.Inadditiontoregularappearancesatlocal venues and events such as the DirtyDogJazzCafé,theDetroitFestivaloftheArts,theMichiganJazzFestival, and the Detroit International Jazz Festival, he has traveled across the country and abroad both as a solo artist and as musical director for Cook,DixonandYoung,formerlyoftheThreeMo’Tenors.

Rodrick DixonRodrick Dixon’s notable operatic engagementsincludeperformancesinLosAngelesOpera’sproductionsof Zemlink’s Der Zwerg in the title role, conducted by James Conlon,

andofWagner’sTannhauser as WalthervonderVogelweider.OtherperformancesincluderoleswithMichiganOperaTheatreasTonioinLa fille du regiment, Todi International MusicMastersFestival as Lensky in Eugene Onegin, and Portland Opera in the role of Tales of Hoffman. On the concertstage,heisaregularguestoftheCincinnatiMayFestival,wherehehas performed Orff’s Carmina Burana, Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex, Janacek’s Glogolitic Mass, Mahler’sDas Klagende Lied, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Rachmaninoff’s The Bells, and Rossini’s Stabat Mater. Other notable appearances include performanceswiththePhiladelphiaOrchestra for Der Zwerg and Los AngelesPhilharmonicinStravinsky’sOedipus Rex,conductedbyEsa-PekkaSalonen and directed by Peter Sellars. Mr.DixonhasperformedinToo Hot to Handel since its Detroit premiere in 2002.

Alfreda BurkeAlfreda Burke’s vocal artistry has been described as “voluptuous, creamy and luxuriant” (Chicago Tribune). She has appeared in concertthroughoutNorth America and in Europe. Ms.BurkemadeherCarnegieHall(NYC)andOrchestraHall(Chicago)debuts in Strauss’ Elektra withtheChicagoSymphonyOrchestraledbyDanielBarenboim.HighlightedperformancesincludetheChicagoSymphony at Ravinia under Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops Symphony Orchestra,DetroitOperaHouse/Rackham Symphony Choir under SuzanneActon,PraguePhilharmonic,UmbriaMusicFestival(Italy),TodiMusicFest,MissWorld(China,UK),HoldersSeasonGala(Barbados),Lancaster Festival, Corrales Cultural ArtsCouncil(NewMexico),GrantParkMusicFestival,MilleniumParkGala,MilwaukeeSymphonyOrchestra,Kennedy Center, Auditorium Theatre, Auditorium Theatre 125 Living the History, ChicagoOperaTheater,

ChorusAngelorum,ChicagolandPops Orchestra, Siamsa nan Gael, and NATOChicagoSummit.Ms.Burkefilmed2010PraguePBSspecial, Hallelujah Broadway, recordedonEMI/Manhattanlabel.Otherrecordingsinclude her solo CD, From the Heart (2002);andtheChicagoOlympic2016BidAnthem,andI Will Stand (2008).AcycleofthreePaulLaurenceDunbar Songs waswrittenforMs.BurkebyDr.EdwardHart,CollegeofCharleston(2015).AuditoriumTheatre&DiBurke,Inc.haveco-producedaduoshow,Songs of a Dream, national tour and CD release. ShereceivedMMandBMdegreesfromRooseveltUniversity;servesonthe RU CCPA Advisory Board. She is honored to be a History Maker and a permanent part of their collection attheLibraryofCongress.VisitMs.Burke at www.sopranoalfredaburke.com, www.theHistoryMakers.com,www.songsofadream.com, You Tube andonFacebook.FollowMs.BurkeonTwitter@AldredaBurke17

David TaylorDavid Taylor studied percussion performance at the University of Cincinnati/College-Conservatory of MusicwherehisprincipalteacherwasWilliam Youhass. Other teachers include Salvatore Rabbio, Gordon Stout,andTimHagans.SinceretuningtoDetroit,Mr.TaylorhasperformedshowsattheFox,Masonic,andFisherTheatres. In addition, he performs regularlywiththeMichiganOperaTheatre Ochestra and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. David has been a member of Wayne State University’sjazzfacultysince1991and has toured Europe and South AfricawithsaxophonistChrisCollins.Hehasbeenoncountlessrecordings,includingworkwithEmmyawardwinningcomposer/producerJosephLoDuca.DavidhastaughtattheInterlochenNationalMusicCamp.Heis a Vic Firth Artist.

24 BRAVO•Fall2017 www.MichiganOpera.org MichiganOperaTheatre

RACKHAMCHOIRSOPRANO

VictoriaBigelow*RyanBlankenberg**

Kathy BoettcherLaura Casai

Deanna ChristyJennifer Clancy

NatalieCorrigan**JoanCrawford

Hannah CressmanBeth Deuel

MichelleDrummondLauren FisherGillian Frank

Emily GayMollyGole

Avital GranotAmy GuffeyKelly Jakes

RachelMiltimore**Kate Pierce Judith Szefi

AndreaTawilDiana Turner

AnneMarieViviano-Poltorak

Kim WittenAndrea Ylipoti

TENORGregoryAshe*

AlexBartley-Livingston**MichaelBoettcher

Tony CamillettiJosephDluzniewski

Jonathan FrankelJeff Fritz

Donald GayScott Johnston

Chris JonesJeffKrueger

Aditya NambiarBill Steiner

Brett ThompsonHarry Williams, Jr.

ALTOMaureenAbele

Beth AdamsFran Bachmann

Deb NeroEmily Eichenhorn

Susan A. FoxYvonneFriday*

Anna GiammarcoLindaHagopian

Kimberly HendersonVictoria IsabellCrystal IversonWendy KeeblerMeghanKehoeJennifer LopezAnneMaters

PatriciaMinnickNancy Nelson

Sarah PiperKennedyRobinson**

PatriciaStewartAlana Tucker

MaggieTurnerLinda Van BurenLoriWeatherwax

BASSCharlieArnett*Simone Bonino

DrewGaleGary Hasley

Paul KellermanGary Lindell

ScottMaggartPaolo Pacheco

StevenP.PejuanViragaPerera

Laverne SchenkAlan Sebastian

Brandon Spencer DavidTwigg

Bud UhlDavidVaughnJack Walpuck

Will Yeats

Too Hot To Handel OrchestraVIOLIN I

EliotHeaton- ConcertmasterBryan Johnston

AndrewWuCharlotteMerkerson

Beth Kirton

VIOLIN II Victoria HaltomDaniel Stachyra

Henrik KarapetyanAnnaBittar-Weller

MollyHughes

VIOLA JohnMadisonScott Stefanko

James GreerJulianne Zinn

CELLO Nadine Deleury

Andrea YunDaniel Thomas

Stefan Koch

BASS Derek Weller

SAXOPHONEChristopher Collins

RussellMillerRussellMallareJoseMallare

Keith Kaminski

HORNAndrewPelletierTamara KosinskiDavid Denniston

TRUMPETWalter White

Gordon SimmonsKenneth Robinson

TROMBONEVincent Chandler

GregNearJohn Rutherford

TIMPANIAlisonChang

PERCUSSIONJohn Dorsey

DRUMSETDavid Taylor

PIANO Alvin Waddles

ORGAN FredHughesJr.

BASSMarionHayden

ELECTRIC GUITARAl Ayoub

ELECTRIC BASSJames Simonson

RACKHAM CHOIR ADMINISTRATION

SuzanneMallareActon,ArtisticDirectorMaximilianFuhrig,ManagingDirector

PatMinnick,ChoirManagerJoseph Jackson, Accompanist

VictoriaBigelow,PhD,EducationCoordinator

Rackham Board of TrusteesTom Deuel, President

Crystal Iverson, Vice PresidentRogerNelson,Treasurer

Wendy Keebler, Secretary

SuzanneMallareActonGregoryAshe

VictoriaBigelow,PhDWilliam Day

Emily EichenhornSusan A. Fox

MaximilianFuhrigClarence Jones

Ray LittPatriciaMinnickLaverne Schenk

Bud Uhl

www.rackhamchoir.orgadministration@rackhamchoir.org

313.404.0222

FollowusonFacebookandTwitterformoreinformationaboutthechoir,oureducationwork,

and our outreach efforts.

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MichiganOperaTheatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO•Fall2017 25

CONTRIBUTORS TO TOO HOT TO HANDEL

Gold FriendsDrs. John & Janice BernickDr.&Mrs.RichardBingham

Nola & Art Chester William & Pamela Day

Josh & Emily Eichenhorn

MaryC.MazureBarbaraFrankel&RonaldMichalak

Roger&NancyNelsonJim & Sarah Piper

Glen & Cynthia Solomon

Corporate and Foundation Support

TheKresgeFoundationMichiganCouncilforArts&CulturalAffairs

DTEEnergyFoundationSt. John Providence

CommunityFoundationforSoutheastMichiganFlint Community Fund

Silver FriendsPhilip&MaureenAbele

Fran Bachmann & Bruce BisballeLare&MarleneBlum

Tom & Beth DeuelJoan E. Emerick & Pedro P. Saldan

Fifth Third Bank Daniel & Susan Fox

Jeff & Germaine FritzMaximilianFuhrig&ChristinePavelka

Dennis&MarjorieGlazaDerek&KarenHodgsonJohn & Wendy Keebler

Patrick&PatriciaMinnickAnne-MariePoltorakFrank & Susan Sonye

Bud Uhl MaryLouZieve

Singing for DetroitSupport Rackham ChoirBecome a Friend today

www.rackhamchoir.org 313 404 0222

Richard EinhornVoices of Lightwith Carl Dreyer’s classic film

La Passion de Jeanne d’ArcDetroit Chamber Winds and StringsSuzanne Mallare Acton, ConductorAngela Theis, SopranoRicardo Lugo, baritone Saturday, March 24 at 8:00 pm & Sunday, March 25 at 3 pmDetroit Film Theatre, Detroit Institute of Art

Considered by most critics to be among the greatest films ever made, Voices of Light is an oratorio combining the magic of classic cinema with the power of live performance. “This overwhelming combination of film and live musical performance generates an emotional pull unparalleled in my experience.” -Eliliot Wilhelm, Curator of Film, Detroit Institute of Art

In collaboration with the Friends of the Detroit Film Theatre

Rackham Choir presents:

Vocal Internship Showcase Voices of TomorrowFriday, May 4 at 7:30Kirk in the Hills

Each year Rackham Choir takes on up to five high school students to join our Internship program. Through lessons, coachings and choir rehearsals these talented young individuals are given a unique chance to realize theirdreams of becoming full fledged performers.

26 BRAVO•Fall2017 www.MichiganOpera.org MichiganOperaTheatre

PHOTOGRAPHY,RECORDING&COMMUNICATIONSDEVICESPhotography or recording during any performance is strictlyprohibited.Youarewelcometotakephotographsinthelobbybefore or after a performance and during intermission. As acourtesy to our guests, please switch all electronic devices tosilentmodeandrefrainfromusingthemduringtheperformance.

INCASEOFEMERGENCYDoctors and parents are advised to leave their seat location (locatedon ticket) andour emergencynumber, (313) 237-3257,with their service or sitter in case of an emergency. Pleaseobserve the lightedexit signs located throughout the theater.In the event of an emergency, please remain calm andwalk – do not run – to the nearest exit. Our ushers are trained to lead you out of the building safely. A trained Emergency MedicalTechnician (EMT) is onsite during most events. Please see anusherorstaffmembertocontacttheEMT.

RESTROOMSLadies’ restrooms are located off the Ford Lobby (BroadwayStreetentrance),downthestairs;andonthethirdfloor(MadisonStreetentrance)–press“3R”ontheelevatortoreachthisfacility.Gentlemen’s restrooms are located under the Grand Staircase andalsoonthethirdfloor(BroadwayStreetside)–press“3”onthe elevator to reach this facility. All third floor restrooms are wheelchairaccessible.Aunisex,wheelchairaccessiblerestroomislocatedintheCadillacOperaCafé.

NOSMOKINGTheDetroitOperaHouseisasmoke-freefacility.

USHERSUshers are stationed at the top of each aisle. If you have a question orconcern,pleaseinformanusher,whowillcontactmanagement. Ifyouareinterestedinbecomingavolunteerusher,pleasecalltheHouseManagerat(313)237-3252.

LOST & FOUNDLost and Found is located in the Safety and Security Department. Please see an usher if you have misplaced an article, or call (313)961-3500ifyouhavealreadyleftthetheater.ItemswillbeheldinLostandFoundfor30days.

SERVICESConcessions stands are located on all levels. Please note that food and drinks are not permitted in the auditorium at any time. Coat Check is located at the Guest Services desk in the Vincent Lobby(MadisonStreetside).PleasenotethattheDetroitOperaHouse does not accept responsibility for any personal articles that are not checked at the coat check.

IMPORTANTCONTACTINFORMATIONWebsite ..............................................................www.MichiganOpera.org

EMERGENCIES .......................................................................(313)237-3257

MichiganOperaTheatre .................................................. (313)961-3500

General Information .......................................................... (313)961-3500

Lost and Found .................................................................... (313)961-3500

Ticket Office ...........................................................................(313)237-7464

Theater Rental Information ............................................ (313)961-3500

Detroit Opera House Fax ................................................... (313)237-3412

Press and Public Relations ................................................(313)237-3403

HermanFrankel|OperaHouseParkingCenter ..... (313)965-4052

General Information

GreetingsfromtheMOTVolunteerAssociation. I have been an opera lover for many years and MichiganOperaTheatreisveryimportanttome.OurMOTVAvolunteersprovidethecompanywithatremendouslevelofsupport.Wehavemorethan700memberswhoserveasushers,tourguides,andBoutiquevolunteers.OurDivasandDivos provide artist hospitality, and the Opera LeagueandDanceCouncilmembersholdpartiestocelebratemomentssuchasopeningnightperformances.Ourmembersloggedalmost20,000volunteer hours last year. Bravi!! If you are not yet a volunteer please consider joiningus!Volunteeringisagreatwaytomeetotherinterestingandinvolvedpatrons.FormembershipinformationpleaseviewtheMOTVAwebpageatmichiganopera.org/working-with-us/volunteerorcallChristinaWagnerat313.237.3236.ChristinawouldbehappytospeakwithyouandconnectyouwiththosevolunteeringinsupportofMichiganOperaTheatre. Tothosewhocurrentlysupportusthroughthegiftsof your time, I offer my sincere thanks.Tothosereadingaboutourvolunteerprogramforthe first time, please consider joining. Sincerely,

TerryShea,President,MOTVA MOTVA Committees, Chair(s)Boutique, Leo DovelleDanceFilms,LarryGlowczewskiDivasandDivos,HelenArnoldi-RoweOperaHouseTourGuides,MyrnaMazureOperaLeague,DodieDavidPublicity,AnnetteMarchesiSecretary,NancyMooreSpecialEvents,GwenBowlby,DonJensen

& Curtis PosuniakUshers, Kathie Booth Past PresidentsStevenMarlette,DodieDavid,BettyBrooks, Gloria Clark

VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION

38 BRAVO•Fall2017 www.MichiganOpera.org MichiganOperaTheatre