About Madison Opera
Madison Opera is a non-profit, professional opera company based in Madison, Wisconsin. A resident organization of the Overture Center for the Arts, Madison Opera produces three operas annually in addition to Opera in the Park and a variety of educational programming.
With the 2019/20 season, Madison Opera celebrates our 59th year of being one of only two opera companies in Wisconsin that provide the experience of fully-staged grand opera. Our mission is to produce opera of the highest artistic standards, and our three mainstage productions draw over 10,000 audience members each year to the Overture Center to enjoy both classic operas such as Carmen and modern masterpieces such as Charlie Parker’s Yardbird. Our gift to the community, Opera in the Park, attracts over 15,000 people to Madison from across Wisconsin for a free concert on a beautiful July evening.
Staff
GENERAL DIRECTOR – Kathryn Smith – Bio
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR – John DeMain – Bio
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE – Jennifer Fenster
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT – Beth Tolles
ARTISTIC MANAGER – Salvatore Vasta III
PATRON SERVICES MANAGER – Samantha Garcia
MARKETING MANAGER – Andrew Rogers
PRODUCTION MANAGER – Kenneth Ferencek
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR / WAREHOUSE MANAGER – Billy Larimore
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER – Jill Krynicki
Board of Trustees
Officers
PRESIDENT – Charles Snowdon*
CHAIRMAN – Thomas Terry*
VICE PRESIDENT – John Lemke*
VICE PRESIDENT – Deepika Rajesh*
TREASURER – Susan Zaeske*
SECRETARY – Peyton Engel*
Trustees
Carla J. Alvarado
Maytee Aspuro*
Martin Barrett*
Gary Bennett
Viki Bringham
John Buscemi
Leanne Cordisco
Peyton Engel*
David Flanders
Brian Haltinner
Brandon Hayes
Joyce Hirsch
Stephen Hurley
R. Roth Judd
Connie Kinsella
Fran Klos
John Lemke*
Susan Lipp
Patti Lucas
Pete Lundberg
Connie Maxwell
Michael McArdle
Sonja Micksch
J. Marshall Osborn*
Deepika Rajesh*
Charles Snowdon*
Sharyn Stumpf
Maryann Sumi
J. Ashley Taylor
Thomas Terry*
Toby Wallach
Susan Zaeske*
*Executive Committee
Life Trustee
Aileen Jensen
Advisors
Bert Adams
Marian Bolz
Phil Certain
Kennedy Gilchrist
Fern Lawrence
Sally Miley*
Elaine Staley
Karen Walsh
Helen Wineke
The Margaret C. Winston
Madison Opera Center
Located at 335 W. Mifflin Street, just one block from Overture Center’s stage door, the Margaret C. Winston Madison Opera Center is both our artistic home and our administrative home, with our offices, rehearsal hall, costume shop and more. Over the course of a season, the Opera Center is home to auditions, rehearsals, meetings, previews, donor events, and so much more.
The Opera Center may be rented for rehearsals and events; the parking ramp associated is available for public parking.
Studio Artists
Emily Secor
Soprano
Education:
M.M. – University of Northern Iowa
B.A. – Luther College
Madison Opera Debut: Mrs. Nordstrom, A Little Night Music (2019)
Recently at MO: 1st Wood Sprite, Rusalka
This season at MO: Annina, cover Violetta, La Traviata; Miss Lightfoot, Fellow Travelers; Minerva, cover Eurydice, Orpheus in the Underworld
Kirsten Larson
Mezzo-Soprano
Education:
M.M. – Louisiana State University
B.S. – University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison Opera Debut: Lola, Cavalleria Rusticana (2018)
Recently at MO: Mrs. Segstrom, A Little Night Music; 3rd Wood Sprite, Rusalka
This season at MO: Flora, La Traviata; cover Mary Johnson, Fellow Travelers; Venus, cover Public Opinion, Orpheus in the Underworld
Benjamin Hopkins
Tenor
Education:
M.M. – Oklahoma City University
B.M. – Oklahoma Baptist University
This season at Madison Opera: Gastone, cover Alfredo, La Traviata; cover Timothy Laughlin, Fellow Travelers; cover Orpheus, Orpheus in the Underworld
Stephen Hobe
Baritone
Education:
M.M. – Roosevelt University
B.A. – Carthage College
Madison Opera Debut: Villager, Pagliacci (2018)
Recently at MO: Mr. Lindquist, A Little Night Music
This season at MO: Marquis d’Obigny, La Traviata; Potter’s Assistant/Book Seller/Party Guest/Technician/French Priest, Fellow Travelers; cover Jupiter, Orpheus in the Underworld
Previous Studio Artists
Soprano
Emily Secor
Mezzo
Kirsten Larson
Tenor
Benjamin Liupaogo
Baritone
Stephen Hobe
Soprano
Anna Polum
Mezzo
Megan Ott Romero
Tenor
Benjamin Liupaogo
Soprano
Anna Polum
Mezzo
Anna Parks
Baritone
James Held
Soprano
Marie McManama
Mezzo
Kelsey Park
Tenor
William Ottow
Baritone
Nathaniel Hill
Soprano
Chelsea Morris
Mezzo
Anna Laurenzo
Tenor
Thomas Leighton
Soprano
Gillian Hollis
Soprano
Jessie Lyons
Tenor
Scott Brunscheen
Soprano
Jeni Houser
Mezzo
Jessica Timman
Tenor
Adam Shelton
Baritone
John Arnold
Auditions
PRINCIPAL AUDITIONS
Principal Artist auditions are held every winter for the following season. Please check back in October 2020 when we announce the audition dates for consideration in the 2021/22 season.
STUDIO ARTIST AUDITIONS
Unfortunately our planned auditions on May 12th have been canceled due to the “safer at home” mandate being extending in Wisconsin. Madison Opera will be re-scheduling the auditions for later in the spring/summer when we’re able to.
These auditions will be for Wisconsin and Upper-Midwest based young artists for its Studio Artists Program in the 2020/21 season.
Responsibilities will include covering mainstage roles, singing small roles as appropriate, and performing previews and other outreach activities as scheduled by mutual agreement between September 2020 and May 2021.
Please note: This is not a full-time program. Compensation will be based on specific assignments, and outreach activities will be scheduled by mutual agreement. While there is no specific age range, artists should have completed their undergraduate degree and be in the early stages of a professional opera career.
To be considered for an audition, please e-mail your resume, headshot, and phone number to Salvatore Vasta III – Artistic Manager, vasta@madisonopera.org. You will be contacted to schedule an audition time, if appropriate.
Note: These auditions are for Studio Artists only; principal and chorus auditions will be held on future dates.
MADISON OPERA CHORUS AUDITIONS
Madison Opera is holding chorus auditions for productions in the 2020/21 season and beyond. Applicants should prepare one piece of their choice for the audition – an aria, art song, or classical musical theatre piece is acceptable. No sight-singing or scales will be done. An accompanist will be provided free of charge; please bring your music.
To schedule an audition, please e-mail your request with your voice type, cell phone and email address to Salvatore Vasta III, Artistic Manager at vasta@madisonopera.org or call (608)-238-8085.
Please note: The Madison Opera Chorus rehearses regularly beginning approximately six weeks before a production opens. Chorus members receive a small honorarium for their participation. Chorus needs for the 2020/21 season includes Il Trovatore, The Marriage of Figaro, and Opera in the Park 2021.
To be added to our notification list for any of our auditions, please contact Salvatore Vasta, Artistic Manager, at vasta@madisonopera.org.
Production Assistant Program
The Production Assistant position offers a hands-on experience in a professional opera environment. This volunteer position is ideal for college and high school students, giving them the chance to work backstage as part of the production team and learn stage management skills. Exact tasks are assigned based on interest and aptitude.
Job Openings
There are currently no open job postings at Madison Opera.