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The Marriage of FigaroPre-opera Dinner

Polly Barbaro

We knew this particular pre-opera dinner would be especially popular; every seat at every table was spoken for. Knowing, too, that this Saturday night performance of The Marriage of Figaro was sold out only heightened our anticipation as we stepped out of the elevator into the throng of black ties and top hats and long flowing gowns. So much glamour and beauty in one place. This was THE place to be in Austin, bar none! And so many new faces! Friends toasted friends, old and new. Champagne and wine flowed, thanks to the generosity of

David and Sylvia Jabour and Twin Liquors.

As the dinner gong beckoned us along, and couples began making their way toward the Kodosky Lounge, we and our guests stopped to say hello to Tony Spielberg, official photographer of ALO, and have our picture taken. We walked under an archway adorned with flowers and immediately felt transported to another time and another place. Paula Damore and Monica Eckols, again, had

woven their magic and transformed the room into an enchanting garden where flowers festooned every table. Thank you, ladies! Your imagination and dedication is remarkable, and the Guild is indebted to you for helping to make this event so successful and sought after.

Guild President Carol Logan and General Director Joe Specter both welcomed the guests and set the stage for an enjoyable prelude to the performance as we dined on an elegant three course dinner, with paired wines, prepared and served

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Madeline Nash

The Guild’s annual Holiday party was a wildly popular event this year. The gracious hosts, Jane and Howard Parker, opened their lovely home to Guild members and their guests. The unseasonably warm weather allowed the revelers to enjoy the Howard’s home as well as their beautiful courtyard.

Paula Kothmann energized a small army of volunteers who ensured that no one left hungry or thirsty. An impressive spread of salmon, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, cheese, shrimp, and other delectable goodies were complemented by wine

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GUILD ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY

The Parkers opened their home for a fabulous Guild Holiday Party.

Bi! Krumpack and Stuart Damore enjoyed cocktails before the fabulous pre-opera dinner.

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FIGARO PRE OPERA DINNER

Check out the reviews!

Austin American-Statesman

Broadway World

Left: Scott Ba!ew, Audrey Penrose, Kyle Penrose, and Graydon Parrish Right: Jeff and Gail Kodosky enjoy the evening. Photos by Tony Spielberg, available at: http://www.austincandids.com/ga!ery/v/ALO/

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by Sterling Affairs. As service began Wendi Kushner, Board Chairman, Joe Specter and Maestro Richard Buckley moved among the tables to personally greet and thank everyone. What a personal touch! ALO Emeritus Board member Phil Barnes shared his thoughts about Ellen King, who passed away this past January and to whom this production of Figaro was dedicated. Ellen, who will always be remembered for her style and generosity of spirit, has left a lasting imprint on both the Guild and the Austin Lyric Opera. She will be missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Following a rollicking performance of The Marriage of Figaro, the Kodosky Lounge once again filled with exuberant opera-goers. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as celebratory toasts followed and friends savored the moment with shared laughter and conversation. Luscious desserts opulently displayed became the central attraction. Tony Spielberg captured many a candid photo as the cast and Maestro Buckley joined the party. This evening belongs in the crown of jewels that is Austin Lyric Opera.

Naughty Count

Nice BaritoneCome see Jonathan Beyer as

mischievous Count Almaviva AUSTIN LYRIC OPERA’S

The Marriage of FigaroJanuary 31, February 2, 3

tickets from just $19!800.31.OPERA | AustinLyricOpera.org

SPECIAL THANKS TO SUGAR’S UPTOWN CABARET, AUSTIN

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We love the creative marketing coming out of ALO for the 2012-13 season. More please!

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Elizabeth Cooper

I had never seen a full production of The Marriage of Figaro until my first year as a Master's student at Peabody Conservatory. I found myself in a wonderful Opera History class, sitting with a young baritone who was studying Count Almaviva for our fall production.

Every class, he would find a place in Dr. Weiss' blind spot, with headphones in and score opened, to go over recitative. At the time, I was so annoyed that he didn't pay attention and still got an amazing grade. Now, in retrospect, I realize he needed all of that extra time to learn the words.

The Marriage of Figaro is arguably Mozart's wordiest opera. And despite the amount of text in it, Lorenzo da Ponte averred that he finished the Figaro libretto in six weeks. More recent scholarship suggests da Ponte exaggerated. The bulk of the work probably took the pair late-September and October of 1785. Mozart would have continued writing in November and December, stopping in January of 1786 to write Die Schauspieldirektor, and resuming work to put finishing touches on the score in February of the same year. Arguably, da Ponte's work was easier: he had

incredible source material and translated large sections of the Beaumarchais play word-by-word.

In fact, Beaumarchais is the real key to the genius of Figaro. His colorful life as clockmaker to Louis XV, harp teacher to the royal family, spy, diplomat, purchaser of Louisiana for France, armament manufacturer for the American Revolution, and dramatist certainly lent itself to a colorful trilogy of plays. Like many of his contemporaries, he was impressed by the Declaration of Independence and the tenacity of the American colonies, and Beaumarchais used his second play in the Figaro Trilogy to make a political statement about the tyranny of the aristocratic norm.

By the time Mozart was thinking of La folle journée for his opera, it had been published for five years without a live performance. Banned by both the French King Louis XVI and the Habsburg Emperor Joseph II, here was a familiar story of servant overcoming master (one of the most popular stories of the time) with just a little more: an eloquent justification for why the servant should better his master. The audience sympathizes with Susanna and Figaro. No wonder Louis XVI said, "This is terrible; it will never be performed." Count Almaviva is made ridiculous by his scheming household staff. In the slow boil towards the French Revolution, anything exalting the rising bourgeoisie would have been labeled dangerous especially since we have letters documenting Marie Antoinette uneasiness years before the storming of the Bastille.

Despite the ban of the play in the Viennese Court, the opera was easily approved. Mozart and da Ponte used Figaro's advice to the Count in Le barbiere de Seville, "What one is not permitted to say, one sings" to put their mark on the dialogue of their peers. What better place than an opera buffa to hide the most powerful political message of its time? While the revolutionary undertone may not resonate with a modern audience, the struggles of the characters - struggles with trust, fidelity, love, and authenticity - remain timeless.

REFLECTIONS ON THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

Jamie-Rose Guarrine, who played Susanna, and Elden Little relaxed at the a$er party. Photo by Tony Spielberg.

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Continued, Page 1provided by our dear friends at Twin Liquors. No one was able to resist the selection of festive and rich desserts provided by Guild volunteers.

By far the highlight of the evening was the music performed by students at the Butler School of Music at UT. Sara Ann Mitchell, coloratura soprano, Nataly Wickham, soprano, and Austin Bradley, baritone, entertained the group. Ms. Mitchell and Ms. Wickham began with “Sull’aria” from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. Mr. Bradley followed with Belcore’s aria from Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. The young Specter girls, especially Charlotte, particularly enjoyed his performance! Ms. Wickham had a tough act to follow, but amazed the audience with a beautiful “Vilja’s Song “from Lehar’s The Merry Widow. Ms. Mitchell performed “Glitter and be Gay” from Bernstein’s Candide.

Just when we thought the night couldn’t get better, the singers began caroling! Mr. Bradley started with “White Christmas,” followed by Ms. Wickham and “The Christmas Song “and Ms. Mitchell’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” To close out the evening, the trio performed “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” At the end, all of the Guild members sang together, creating a sense of merriment and fun that all enjoyed.

Guests began to trickle home or to other holiday events after the singing. All agreed that the holiday spirit filled the Parker’s home, and the evening was a great example of just how much fun Guild events can be.

HOLIDAY PARTY

Top: Red Ties For A!! ALO Board President Ernest Auerbach, Marvin Womack, David Jabour, Sylvia Jabour, and Eva Womack. Bottom Left: Partygoers enjoy the fantastic music provided by students at the Butler School of Music. Bottom Right: Nick and Curby Tableriou joined in the festivities. Photos: Warren Nogle.

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Suzanne Breitbach and Madeleine Aubry

On January 23rd, Paula and Stuart Damore hosted The Marriage of Figaro Enrichment Event at their elegant and spacious home. More than 70 people attended.  We  heard Director Chuck Hudson and ALOG's own Katharine Shields explain the insights of the opera.  Katharine encouraged Chuck to talk about his many years with Marcel Marceau and how it influenced his dramatic approach to directing opera and theatre.  A most interesting presentation. The food theme was Italian and so many brought the most incredible main dishes and sweets. Many thanks to the bartenders, Stuart Damore and Anthony Toprac, and to JoCarol Snowden and Gretchen Woellner for doing the welcome and check-ins.  Food setup was graciously provided by Madeleine Aubry and Sue Hoke while Marcia Toprac, Suzanne Breitbach and Reeta Wadzeck helped with clean up.

And a very special thanks to Twin Liquors for the wine! See you April 10th for the Enrichment Event of Faust at Madeline and Jon Nash’s!

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO ENRICHMENT EVENT

Top: Stuart and Paula Damore hosted the event in their home. Bottom Left: Marcia Toprac and Carol Nogle enjoy the evening that Madeleine Aubry and Suzanne Breitbach helped to organize. Bottom Right: Director Chuck Hudson provided insight to the Guild. Photos: Warren Nogle.

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Marilyn Davis Rabkin

" The Guild Wine Dinner and Auction is set for February 23rd at the Four Seasons Hotel – Austin. Table sales have been brisk, donations are being gathered, and the excitement is building! The

evening will begin with a champagne reception, 4-course dinner with wine pairings, and we will be entertained by Stephen Costello – world renowned tenor!

The Austin Lyric Opera Guild will be honoring David Jabour at this year’s event. David Jabour and Twin Liquors are a very generous supporter of Austin Lyric Opera as well as many other arts and charitable organizations in Austin. He is a member of the ALO Board of Trustees, and a treasure of our opera family.

" The Live Auction will again have a wonderful assortment of exciting trips, special dinner experiences, and exceptional wines! To be auctioned is a 1996 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin “La Grande Dame”and a 2009 Futo with a 96 point rating as well as other

wonderfully sought after wines for the most discriminating wine cellars! You can attempt to outbid your neighbor on the seven different dinner experiences such as a dinner for twenty for you and your closest friends to be held in a private dining room at Trio in the Four Seasons Hotel, a dinner for six at Maestro Richard Buckley and Molly Anderson’s home, and a dinner for 12 catered by Bar Mirabeau with wine pairing in the sought after wine cellar of Larry Peel. And, Austin Lyric Opera will again be offering walk-on roles in three upcoming productions to the lucky winning bidder!

" Not to be outdone, the Silent Auction is lining up some

very desirable auction items such as area merchant gift certificates to Hutson Clothing Co., Robin Jackson Photography, and Benold’s Jewelry. Peruse the Silent Auction table and spy a beautiful hand carved onyx leaf vessel valued at $1,125 with two one-of-a-kind onyx slab lamps valued over $900 each and all designed by Raquel Frankenberg. ACL passes, Conspirare season tickets, and Zach Theatre season tickets are too good to be true! Many gift certificates to area restaurants such as Fonda San Miguel, La Condesa, Truluck’s, Hudson’s on the Bend, Congress Austin, Salt Lick, Jack Allen’s Kitchen, Coal Vines, and many, many more too numerous to mention here!

DINNER AND WINE AUCTION PREPARATIONS

We cannot thank our event chairs enough! Marilyn Davis Rabkin, Richard Hartgrove, Susan Gatlin, and Scott Ba!ew. Photo by Tony Spielberg.

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Paula Kothmann

For those of you have not been receiving opportunities to help out, we apologize. We may not have your correct e-mail address, and we’d love to get it! You, too, can have a role in making ALO even better. We can’t applaud all our volunteers enough for ensuring that Austin can sustain an opera company.

First, thanks to the Herculean (I mean Bacchanalian) efforts of our Wine Dinner and Auction Co-Chairs, Richard Hartgrove, Scott Ballew, Susan Gatlin, and the Dinner’s very first Chair and Creator, Marilyn Davis Rabkin, the fundraiser surpassed all expectations, selling out well before the event took place. Besides raising much-needed funds, the Dinner has also provided the opportunity for over 25 volunteers to perform the myriad tasks that turn an event into something truly spectacular. From the meticulous organization, to the clever marketing, and finally to the check in of the last item, Dinner volunteers have become a closer-knit family through work for a common purpose. Cheers!

If you haven’t had the chance to volunteer with the ALO Guild yet this season, there’s still plenty of opportunity.

• Our Enrichment event for Faust will require set-up, welcome, and cleanup help as well as food donations. (April 10)

• Set-up, sales, and teardown crew help the Boutique earn more $ for ALO before opera performances of Faust and during intermission. (April 25, 27, &28)

• The Guild Awards Spring Party will require 20-25 people to run smoothly. (May 11)

" Most volunteer opportunities are about 30 minutes, leaving you plenty of time to socialize.

" In order to learn about specific tasks please make sure that ALO has your correct e-mail address. Most jobs are posted with the subject line: ALO Guild Call for Volunteers. If you do not use e-mail, call Paula Kothmann, VP Volunteer Operations, at 512.470.2405. You can also e-mail her at paula.kothmann@gmail.com to let her know your willingness to help. Also check our Guild Web site: www.aloguild.org.

No experience required! Free training. And loads of laughs.

VOLUNTEERS ARE THE KEY TO GUILD SUCCESS!

Join the Guild!The purpose of the Austin Lyric Opera Guild is to encourage community involvement in the development and furtherance of the Austin Lyric Opera through volunteer service and to enrich its membership’s understanding and appreciation of Opera. Click here to join the ALO Guild!

Incorrect Contact Info?

Is your contact information incorrect? Please send updated information to Marcia Toprac:

mtoprac@earthlink.net

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CalendarFebruary 23, 2013

Wine Dinner and Auction

Four Seasons

March 5, 2013

Guild Board Meeting 6

Trento

April 10, 2013

Faust Enrichment Event

Nash Home

April 25, 27, and 28 2013

Faust

Long Center

April 27, 2013

Faust Gala Dinner

Kodosky Lounge

May 11, 2013

Guild Spring Awards Party

Jeffords Home

Austin Lyric Opera Guildhttp://aloguild.org/

3009 Industrial Terrace, Suite 100Austin, TX 78758

Phone: (512) 472-5927

CONTRIBUTORS

The Libretto is one of the many areas where volunteers make a difference. This newsletter is edited by Madeline Nash and other contributors include:

Madeleine Aubry, Polly Barbaro, Angie Bonnici, Suzanne Breitbach, Elizabeth Cooper, Paula Kothmann, Carol Logan, Warren Nogle, Marilyn Davis Rabkin, and Tony Spielberg.

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTThe Guild is on a mid-Season march through our Opera ‘bad-boys’. With Pagliacci and Figaro down, we move on to Faust in April for some expert direction in how to be nasty.

Paula Damore and Monica Eckols brought us Figaro’s Pre Opera dinner - an elegant and joyful affair. Nothing beats the night sky view of Austin from the Kodosky Lounge at the Long Center, and, fittingly, we were able to bid fond farewell to one of our beloved Opera founders Ellen King, who passed away in January.

Our Wine Dinner is sold out! It’s clearly the hottest ticket in town. ‘nuff said… except for all the thank you’s to the committee laboring to make this happen: Marilyn Davis Rabkin, Susan Gatlin, Scott Ballew and Richard Hartgrove.

The Guild had a wonderful Membership Party at the home of Jane and Howard Parker. The food, wine and camaraderie were superb. Elden Little played piano as several marvelous opera performers entertained us up close and personally. If you have not heard a soprano at full volume live in your living room, you’ve got to start coming to these events…

And speaking of up close and personal, we had Chuck Hudson give us the details about staging Figaro at the Enrichment event at the home of Stuart and Paula Damore. These salon style events allow Guild members the unique opportunity to gain an insider’s knowledge of directing a major production. And oh, by the way, the food ‘theme’ for the evening was Italian and fantastic.

Come to all the Guild events. Get active! Take a look at the website (http://aloguild.org/) and offer your services.

Carol Angela Logan, President Austin Lyric Opera Guild Season 26, 512 796 6703, cloganster@gmail.com

President of the Guild, Carol Angela Logan, at the opening night dinner for Figaro.