LITTLE WOMEN

SYNOPSIS
(Setting: Massachusetts during the Civil War)

PROLOGUE - The dark attic of the March house.
Jo, distraught, greets her friend Laurie. He's just married Jo's younger sister Amy; but has he only married Amy to stay near Jo? Worse: Laurie adores Amy — nothing is as it was — and the opera spirals back in time to show why Jo tried to keep it so.

ACT I, SCENE 1 - The attic, two years ago.
Jo and her sisters Meg, Beth, and Amy make games of their chores. Laurie tauntingly tells Jo that his tutor, John Brooke, keeps Meg's glove because he loves her. Jo, alone, sketching a story, fearfully denies that Meg might love him too.

ACT I, SCENE 2 - In front of the March house, weeks later.
Brooke courts Meg. Jo urges the family to reject him. Cecilia, the girls' aunt also scorns Brooke: but Meg, resolved, accepts him. Her family celebrates; but Jo accuses Meg of abandoning her.

ACT I, SCENE 3 - The March garden, the following summer.
Meg and Brooke adapt their parents wedding vows. A feverish Laurie pleads for Jo's love. She spurns him; stung, he flees. Beth, secretly ill, collapses as Meg cries for help.

ACT II, SCENE 1 - The offices of the Daily Volcano, a New York City fiction tabloid, one year later.
A triumphant Jo sells a story; back at her boarding house, she writes her increasingly atomized family. A new acquaintance, Fredrich Bhaer, invites her to the opera.

ACT II, SCENE 2 - Simultaneously, Jo's boarding house; the March parlour; sunny Oxford lawn.
Jo and Bhaer engage in flirtatious debate while, in Oxford, Amy tests Laurie's feelings for Jo. Beth rages at the piano. Bhaer ardently recites Goethe to Jo: then Alma's desperate telegram interrupts them. Jo flees to Concord.

ACT II, SCENE 3 - Beth's bedroom, three sleepless nights later.
Beth dozes as her family keeps vigil. Jo bursts in; Beth bids her family leave. Beth urges Jo to accept her impending death.

ACT II, SCENE 4 - Before the March house, the following spring.
Cecilia baits Jo with Amy's letter about loving Laurie. Jo wearily admits Bhaer may have abandoned her. Cecilia urges Jo to choose solitude; refusing, Jo retreats to the attic.

ACT II, SCENE 5 - The attic.
As in the beginning, Jo, distraught. Laurie, appearing, again reminisces; but now Jo rejects the past. Her sisters materialize as memories: Jo, in emotional exorcism, celebrates and releases them. Bhaer — her future — appears: Jo extends her hand to him.

Artists' Bios

Jenna Lebherz*, Jo, LITTLE WOMEN
Ms. Lebherz, a native of Frederick, MD, is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Opera Performance with the University of Maryland’s Opera Studio, where she is a student of François Loup. With the studio, Ms. Lebherz will be performing in an evening of opera scenes; she is covering the roles of Phenice, Melisse, and Naiade in Gluck’s ARMIDE, and will be performing in the world debut of John Musto’s LATER THAT SAME EVENING in the fall. Ms. Lebherz received her Bachelor of Music Degrees in vocal performance and music education from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in 2005 where she played Suse Blunt in Marschner’s DER VAMPYR, Meg in Adamo’s LITTLE WOMEN, Ursula in Berlioz’s BEATRICE AND BENEDICT, and Florence Pike in Britten’s ALBERT HERRING. With the Spoleto Festival USA she appeared as the 2nd Thrush in Braunfels’ DIE VÖGEL. In her undergraduate studies she was a member and soloist of the Westminster Choir under Joseph Flummerfelt’s direction. With the choir she performed the mezzo-solo in John Corgliano’s FERN HILL at the Spoleto Festival USA, 2005. Ms. Lebherz won first place in the NATS competitions of New Jersey in 2002 and 2003.

Elaine Dalbo*, Meg, LITTLE WOMEN
A native of Buffalo, New York, mezzo soprano Elaine Dalbo made her solo operatic debut with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra as Hansel in HANSEL AND GRETEL. Since that time she has performed at the Kennedy Center, with Opera Theater of Northern Virginia, New York Opera Forum, Opera Bel Canto (DC), Washington Savoyards, The Alexandria Symphony, Lyric Opera Theatre, and Buffalo Opera (workshop). In addition to her opera, operetta and oratorio performances, she has worked with composers Chinery Ung and John Cage and studied conducting with Dr. Harriet Simons. Ms. Dalbo received her B.A. in Voice Performance from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and her M.M. in Voice Performance from Arizona State University.

Kelly Smith*, Beth, LITTLE WOMEN
Ms. Smith is thrilled to be making her Summer Opera Theatre debut in June 2007 as Beth in LITTLE WOMEN. She recently completed a 2006 Holiday Tour and The Traditions of Christmas CD as the featured soloist with Lorie Line Music. Ms. Smith has performed numerous roles with Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia, including Despina in COSÌ FAN TUTTE, Pamina, Lucia, and Manon in FATAL SONG OR THE GREAT OPERA MURDERS, Ernestina in LOVE’S LUGGAGE LOST and the roles of Pamina and the First Lady in THE (MINI) MAGIC FLUTE. Ms. Smith has appeared as Marguerite in several productions of FAUST. More recently she performed the role with DuPage Opera Theatre. With The Opera Company of North Carolina she performed Lolo and covered the role of Sylviane in THE MERRY WIDOW. Ms. Smith appeared in ORPHEUS, LA BOHÈME, L’ELISIR D’AMORE, LA CLEMENZA DI TITO, DARDANUS, STREET SCENE, and XERXES with the Wolf Trap Opera Company and OTELLO, LOUISA MILLER and IL TABARRO/CAVELLERIA RUSTICANA with Washington Concert Opera. Ms. Smith completed her Master of Music degree at Manhattan School of Music where she was featured as Phoebe in the World Premiere and Albany Records recording of The House of the Seven Gables. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from The Boston Conservatory.

Ashleigh Rabbitt*, Amy, LITTLE WOMEN
Ms. Rabbitt, soprano, is delighted to return to her hometown of Washington, DC to perform her fourth production of Mark Adamo’s LITTLE WOMEN. In January of this year, Ms. Rabbitt sang Amy in LITTLE WOMEN with Center City Opera Theater at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. She debuted the role with Lyric Opera Cleveland in 2004 under the direction of Mark Adamo and reprised the critically acclaimed Adamo production with Skylight Opera in Milwaukee in 2005. Most recently, Ms. Rabbitt sang Julie in SHOWBOAT with the Annapolis Chorale and Chamber Orchestra and returned to Annapolis to sing CARMINA BURANA in April of this year. In 2006, Ms. Rabbitt was featured by Annapolis Opera in an evening concert entitled Mozart by Candlelight and was presented in recital by The Washington Performing Arts Society as part of their Recital in the Country Series. This recital, Ms. Rabbitt’s third concert sponsored by WPAS, was followed by an encore performance at the Columbian Embassy. In 2005, she sang Adele in DIE FLEDERMAUS with Opera in the Heights in Houston and Belinda in DIDO AND AENEAS with One World Symphony in New York City. She has performed with Operafestival di Roma, Lyric Opera of New York, Shaker Mountain Opera, Opera in the Ozarks and at the Schloss Mirabel Platz in Salzburg, Austria. Featured roles include Manon, Pamina, Zerlina, Madam Silberklang and Papagena. Ms. Rabbitt completed her studies at Indiana University (BM) and the Eastman School of Music (MM) and currently resides in New York City with her husband, Bass-Baritone, Joshua Sekoski.

James Biggs*, Laurie, LITTLE WOMEN
American tenor James Biggs discovered his passion for the performing arts in West Virginia, his home state. A past performer with the American Symphony Orchestra at Bard Summerscape, The Charlotte Music Society, and Opera Lafayette, Mr. Biggs is equally at home on stage and in the concert hall. In May 2007, he graduated from the Maryland Opera Studio with a Masters of Music at the University of Maryland, College Park. During his studies he worked under several notable artists such as Leon Major, PD Michnewicz, Miah Im, Charlie Riecker and Gran Wilson, who is his current voice teacher. Last season Mr. Biggs performed the role of Don Ottavio in Mozart’s DON GIOVANNI with the University of Maryland. Mr. Biggs is delighted to make his debut with Washington Summer Opera.

Christopher Rhodovi*, John Brooke, LITTLE WOMEN
Christopher Douglas Rhodovi, Baritone, graduated with a degree in Vocal Performance from the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University and Mr. Rhodovi currently studies with Dr. Cinda Thomas. Over the last nine years Mr. Rhodovi has performed extensively in major choral works with the Baltimore Symphony Chorus, and the Annapolis Chorale where he received critical acclaim in CAMELOT (Sir Dinadan), THE MUSIC MAN (Charlie Cowell), and CAROUSEL (Jigger). As a solo artist currently singing with The Baltimore Opera outreach program, Mr. Rhodovi brings his joy of singing to elementary school children in the Baltimore and Annapolis area. Other opera roles include the Speaker and 1st Priest in THE MAGIC FLUTE, the Marquis in LA TRAVIATA, Theseus in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, and Minos / Keeper in THE RAKE’S PROGRESS. Other roles include the title role in THE MIKADO, Usher in TRIAL BY JURY, Sir Richard Cholmondeley in THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD, Boatswain in H.M.S PINAFORE, Samuel in PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Private Willis in IOLANTHE and Antonio in THE GONDOLIERS all with the Young Victorian Theater Company. Mr. Rhodovi is in his first season with the Baltimore Opera and performs frequently with Washington Concert Opera and is in the middle of his third season with the Washington National Opera, where he has sung in BILLY BUDD, IL TROVATORE, MAID OF ORLEANS, SAMSON ET DALILA, I VESPRI SICILIANI, L'ELISIR D'AMORE, and LA FILLE DU REGIMENT. Mr. Rhodovi is very excited and thankful for the support of his family and friends in making his Washington Summer Opera Debut.

Joshua Sekoski*, Friedrich Bhaer, LITTLE WOMEN
Bass-baritone Joshua Sekoski debuted in April as the 1st Nazarene in SALOME with Opera Cleveland after joining Sarasota Opera in 2005 and 2006 as a Young Artist. In addition to covering Count Almaviva in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO on Sarasota’s mainstage, he appeared in scenes and concerts as the title character in DON GIOVANNI, Dappertutto, LES CONTES D'HOFFMANN, Dandini, LA CENERENTOLA, Sulpice, LA FILLE DU RÉGIMENT, Enrico, LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR, and Don Alfonso, COSÌ FAN TUTTE. Mr. Sekoski’s recent concert appearances include the title role in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO with the Duke Symphony Orchestra and J. S. Bach’s MAGNIFICAT with the Choral Society of Durham. Awards include the 2002-2003 Austin Critics Table nomination for “Best Male Performance, Opera” for his portrayal of Belcore in L’ELISIR D’AMORE; the Mary Prudie Brown Award for Outstanding Performance in 2002 for his work as Marcello in LA BOHÈME; Alfonso in COSÌ FAN TUTTE; and Friedrich Bhaer in LITTLE WOMEN with Opera in the Ozarks; the National Federation of Music Clubs Scholarship to return to Opera in the Ozarks to sing the title role in DON GIOVANNI in 2003, and the American Council for Polish Culture’s Marcella Kochanska Sembrich Award in 2000. He holds music degrees from Duke University and the University of Texas at Austin. Originally from Belle Vernon, PA, he currently lives in New York City with his wife Ashleigh Rabbitt.

Alexandra Christoforakis*, Alma March, LITTLE WOMEN
Alexandra Christoforakis, a versatile young American mezzo-soprano, is excited to make her debut in the role of Alma March in LITTLE WOMEN with the Summer Opera Theatre Company this season. The 2006-2007 season included her debut with Bel Cantanti Opera as a soloist in SALUT A LA FRANCE, a French opera gala and Marcellina in LE NOZZE DI FIGARO; a return to the Maryland Opera Studio to singing the roles Phoenice, Melisse, and Naiad in Gluck's ARMIDE, and performing in the ensemble of THE BARTERED BRIDE with Baltimore Opera. Ms. Christoforakis’ repertoire include the roles of Zweite Dame in DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE with the Pine Mountain Music Festival, Fidalma in IL MATRIMONIO SEGRETO and Sesto in GIULIO CESARE with the Maryland Opera Studio, and Miss Todd in THE OLD MAID AND THE THIEF with New York University. One of her most exciting roles so far has been debuting as Mrs. Malaprop in the World Premiere of Kirke Mechem's new opera, THE NEWPORT RIVALS in 2005. Ms. Christoforakis has been equally successful on the concert stage having sung the alto solos in Bach's Mass in b minor, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Schubert's Mass in A Flat, and Handel's Messiah. Ms. Christoforakis has been a Young Artist with the Pine Mountain Music Festival, the Opera and Music Theatre Festival of Lucca, and the Bay View Music Festival. She holds her Master of Music from the University of Maryland (Maryland Opera Studio) and received her Bachelor of Music cum laude from New York University. A native of Rochester, New York, Ms. Christoforakis recently joined the faculty at Shepherd University as an Instructor of Voice.

James Shaffran*, Gideon March, LITTLE WOMEN
Baritone James Shaffran has quickly earned a reputation as a world-class soloist, equally at home on the opera and concert stages. The Grammy-winning baritone has been featured with Washington National Opera, Deutsch Oper Berlin, Baltimore Opera and Wolf Trap Opera, as well as the National Symphony Orchestra, Choral Arts Society of Washington, Washington Bach Consort, Folger Consort, and many other Washington-area and statewide symphonies. His major-label debut, as baritone soloist with Leonard Slatkin and the NSO on John Corigliano’s OF RAGE AND REMEMBRANCE (RCA Red Seal), was awarded the 1997 Grammy for Best Classical Recording. A veteran of nearly 250 performances and over 40 principal roles with Washington National Opera, his recent acclaimed work there includes Roucher in ANDREA CHÉNIER, El Dancairo in CARMEN, Melot in TRISTAN UND ISOLDE, Shchelkalov in BORIS GODUNOV, a Noble Servant in the American premiere of Wolf-Ferrari’s SLY, Azolan in the east coast premiere of THE DANGEROUS LIAISONS, and the role of Reporter in the world premiere of Argento’s THE DREAM OF VALENTINO. He reprised his roles in SLY and OTELLO with WNO on their June 2002 tour of Japan, to great critical acclaim. He appears in the role of St. James in the WNO production of LE CID, televised nationwide on PBS. His many appearances with Washington Concert Opera include, most recently, Il Talpa in IL TABARRO. His roles this season include Hortensio in FILLE DU RÉGIMENT, Amantio in GIANNI SCHICCHI, the Librarian in the American premiere of SOPHIE’S CHOICE (WNO), Masetto in DON GIOVANNI (Chelsea Opera, NYC) and Gideon March in LITTLE WOMEN (Summer Opera Theater). He will reprise Masetto and Marullo (RIGOLETTO) with WNO in 07-08.

Zachary Nelson*, Mr. Dashwood, LITTLE WOMEN and Sciarrone, TOSCA
Mr. Nelson is a Junior Vocal Performance Major on scholarship at The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Roles include: Cal in Marc Blitzstein's REGINA, Don Alfonso in Mozart's COSI FAN TUTTE, Ensemble in Andrew Simpson's world premiere opera THE FURIES, Achilla and Curio in Handel's GIULIO CESARE, Antonio in Opera Bel Cantanti's LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, and Martin in CANDIDE. Prior to attending CUA, he was selected as a Maryland Distinguished Scholar for the Arts and chosen to sing at the recognition ceremony at The Johns Hopkins University. He studies with Sharon Christman.

Laura Zuiderveen, Cecilia March, LITTLE WOMEN
Mezzo-soprano Laura Zuiderveen returns to Summer Opera as Aunt Cecilia in LITTLE WOMEN. Ms. Zuiderveen received critical acclaim for her portrayals of Madame de la Haltière in Massenet’s CENDRILLON and La Zia Principessa in Puccini’s SUOR ANGELICA with Summer Opera. Ms Zuiderveen debuted (alongside Fabiana Bravo) with New Dominion Chorale last fall in Rossini’s PETITE MESSE SOLENNELLE. She debuted the previous year with the Washington Savoyards as Katisha in MIKADO, and as La Frugola in IL TABARRO and Mamma Lucia in CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA with the Washington Concert Opera. Ms. Zuiderveen received first prize in the Wagner division of the Liederkranz Foundation annual vocal competition in 2000. As a result, she made her New York debut in April 2000 at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center.

Dr. Kate Tamarkin, Conductor, LITTLE WOMEN
Maestro Kate Tamarkin was recently appointed Music Director of the Charlottesville and University Symphony in Charlottesville, VA, where she is a member of the faculty of the University of Virginia as a professor in the McIntire Department of Music. From 1999-2004, Ms. Tamarkin served as the Music Director of the Monterey Symphony (California), during which the orchestra gained artistic excellence and visibility. The 2001-2002 season was the culmination of ten years as Music Director of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra. Previous academic appointments include the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Recent engagements include the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (China), and her third production with the Summer Opera Theatre Company in Washington, DC. Highlights of recent seasons included performances with the Edmonton Symphony (Canada), the Vermont Symphony, the Carolina Chamber Symphony, and the National Philharmonic of Moldova. Ms. Tamarkin was Music Director of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra from 1991 to 1999 and Associate Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra from 1989 to 1994. Her guest conducting credits include a command performance for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; engagements with the symphonies of Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, San Diego, St. Louis, Pacific, Nashville, New Mexico, Quad Cities, Tucson, Dallas, Oklahoma City, El Paso, Monterey, Billings and Fresno; and Chicago's Grant Park Festival and the Eastern Musical Festival in North Carolina. Ms. Tamarkin has been profiled on Oxygen, and in publications including Symphony Magazine, Dallas Woman, and Vermont Life. As part of the American Conductor Program with Leonard Bernstein, Kate Tamarkin was chosen to conduct the Chicago Symphony in 1988. As a conducting fellow at Tanglewood that same year, she studied with Seiji Ozawa, Mr. Bernstein and Gustav Meier. She is also a 1987 winner of the Association of Professional Vocal Ensembles National Conducting Competition. Ms. Tamarkin was a conducting fellow at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where she conducted at the Hollywood Bowl, and at the Aspen Music Festival. Maestro Tamarkin holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Chapman University; a Master's Degree in Music from Northwestern University; and a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music. A native of Laguna Beach, Ms. Tamarkin is married to Clifford Arnold, a physicist who does industrial consulting. They reside in Earlysville, VA.

David Grindle, Stage Director, LITTLE WOMEN
Mr. Grindle is the Instructor of Stage Management for the Theatre and Art Department at Indiana University. Prior to working at IU, Mr. Grindle was the Production Stage Manager and Orchestra Manager for the Atlanta Opera. While at Atlanta, he participated in an exchange with the Czech National Opera working on the Czech premiere of Shostakovich's EKATERINA ISMAILOVA in Prague. He has worked around the United States as a stage manager for opera companies from Baltimore to Anchorage. He was the stage manager for the American premiere of Michael Torke's opera THE KING OF HEARTS at the Aspen Music Festival as well as the stage manager for Opera Grand Rapids arena production of AIDA with a cast of over 500 people and 50 exotic animals which was one of the opening events for the Van Andel Arena. As an opera director, his shows have been lauded by The Washington Post and The Washington Times. Mr. Grindle speaks frequently at conferences on the role of stage managers, particularly in opera. He is a member of the Opera America International Production and Technical Committee and serves as its chair of stage management concerns. He is actively involved with the Management Commission of USITT as well as the USITT Stage Management Mentoring Project. He is a member of the Production Managers Forum and the Stage Managers Association. He is currently working on a project for USITT developing a website as a resource for teaching stage management in smaller schools. With Summer Opera, Mr. Grindle served as Stage Director of GIANNI SCHICCHI AND I PAGLIACCI in 2003 and Stage Director of CENDRILLON in 2005.

Fred M. Duer*, Set Designer, LITTLE WOMEN
Fred M. Duer has an extensive background in theatre and television. His designs range from summer stock for the Monomy Theatre on Cape Cod, to opera for The Pennsylvania Opera Festival. His regional theatre credits include: The Studio Arena Theatre; The San Diego Repertory Theatre; The Pasadena Playhouse; Burt Reynolds Jupiter Theatre; and Off-Broadway at the Cirterion Center. Fred was a staff designer at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego for five years and as a founding member of The Shakespeare Festival/Los Angeles; he designed 11 seasons of free, open-air Shakespeare. As a television Art Director, Fred designed sets for Carol Burnett’s “Carol & Company” and the Julie Andrews pilot, “Millie.” He received an Emmy nomination for CBS’ “The Pat Sajak Show,” and worked on several “Soul Train Music Awards” productions. As Production Designer, he designed the sets for “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” for five seasons, and “In The House” for four. He has also designed scenery for NBC’s “City Guys” and “Saved By The Bell—Wedding in Las Vegas” and the independent feature, “Fits and Starts.” Fred is head of the MFA Scenic Design program at Indiana University, where his designs include, “The Cherry Orchard,” “The Scarlet Letter,” “Falsettos,” and “Urinetown.” His work could also be seen at Indiana University’s The Brown County Playhouse; “Forever Plaid,” “Greater Tuna,” and “Smoke on the Mountain.”

Donald Edmund Thomas, Lighting Designer, LITTLE WOMEN
Mr. Thomas has designed the lighting for Summer Opera productions for 15 seasons, including last season's THE MAGIC FLUTE and IL TROVATORE. A 2003 recipient of the Vincent P. Walter Best Boy Award, his other designs for Summer Opera are ROBERTO DEVEREUX (His first design in 1990), DIALOGUES OF THE CARMELITES (1994), THE THREE PENNY OPERA (1996), DIE TOTE STADT (1998), ARIADNE AUF NAXOS (2002), and CENDRILLON and RIGOLETTO (2005). Other recent productions include CARMEN for Virginia Opera, MADAMA BUTTERFLY for Palm Beach Opera, ROMEO ET JULIETTE for Atlanta Opera, DEATHTRAP and THE MAN OF LAMANCIA for the Maltz-Jupiter Theatre in Palm Beach, and IN THE MOOD for Olney Theatre Center for the Arts. Upcoming design projects include the world premiere of CYRANO, a new opera based on the Edmond Rostand play, composed by David DiChiera, the General Director of Michigan Opera Theatre, and with libretto and stage direction by Bernard Uzan, to be presented at Michigan Opera Theatre in Detroit in October, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia in February, 2008. He will also be designing I PAGLIACCI for Seattle Opera, CARMEN for Toledo Opera, and LA TRAVIATA for Palm Beach Opera.

* debut artist