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 2018/19 season, Madison Opera celebrates our 58th 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
PATRON SERVICES MANAGER – Delaney Egan
MARKETING MANAGER – Jonathan Schroerlucke
ARTISTIC MANAGER – Salvatore Vasta III
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 – Sue Zaeske*
SECRETARY – Peyton Engel*
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT – Phil Certain*
Trustees
Maytee Aspuro
Martin Barrett*
Gary Bennett
Phillip Certain*
Leanne Cordisco
David Flanders
Brian Haltinner
Brandon Hayes
Joyce Hirsch
Stephen Hurley
R. Roth Judd
Connie Kinsella
Fran Klos
Susan Lipp
Pete Lundberg
Connie Maxwell
Michael McArdle
Sonja Micksch
Sally Miley*
J. Marshall Osborn*
Wendy Moore Skinner
Kirsten Spira
Sharyn Stumpf
Maryann Sumi
J. Ashley Taylor
Toby Wallach
*Executive Committee
Life Trustee
Aileen Jensen
Advisors
Bert Adams
Marian Bolz
Kennedy Gilchrist
Fern Lawrence
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
This season at Madison Opera: Nedda (cover), Pagliacci; Mrs. Nordstrom, Anne Egerman (cover), A Little Night Music; Water Sprite, Rusalka (cover), Rusalka
Kirsten Larson
Mezzo-Soprano
Education:
M.M. – Louisiana State University
B.S. – University of Wisconsin-Madison
This season at Madison Opera: Lola, Cavalleria Rusticana; Mrs. Segstrom, Charlotte Malcolm (cover), A Little Night Music; Water Sprite, Rusalka
Benjamin Liupaogo
Tenor
Education:
Graduate Performance Diploma – DePaul University
M.M. – Roosevelt University
B.M. – San Francisco State University
Madison Opera Debut: Remendado, Carmen (2017)
This season at Madison Opera: Turridu/Canio (cover), Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci; Mr. Erlanson, A Little Night Music; Hunter, Prince (cover), Rusalka
Stephen Hobe
Baritone
Education:
M.M. – Roosevelt University
B.A. – Carthage College
This season at Madison Opera: Alfio/Silvio (cover), Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci; Mr. Lindquist, Count Malcolm (cover), A Little Night Music
Auditions
PRINCIPAL AUDITIONS
Madison Opera is holding auditions for U.S. artists residing in the Upper Midwest/Chicago region, to be considered for principal and supporting roles in future seasons. Audition dates are Saturday, Dec. 8 beginning at in the afternoon and Tuesday, Dec. 11 in the evening.
To be considered for an audition, please e-mail your resume, headshot, cell number and preferred audition date to Salvatore Vasta – Artistic Manager. You will be contacted to schedule an audition time, if appropriate.
If granted an audition, singers should prepare four-five arias of varying styles and languages. 2019/20 season repertoire is TBD.
Note: These auditions are for principal roles only; studio artists and chorus auditions will be held at a later date.
STUDIO ARTIST AUDITIONS
Studio Artist are held every spring for the following season. Check back in March 2019 for the next audition date.
CHORUS AUDITIONS
Chorus auditions are held in July. Check back in June 2019 for the next audition date.
If you would like to receive email notifications of audition dates, please email Salvatore Vasta, Artistic Manager.
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 job openings at Madison Opera.
Opera Trips
Join fellow Madison music-lovers on trips to Chicago.
The 2018/19 trips to Lyric Opera of Chicago will include Idomeneo, Cendrillon, and Ariodante. Please contact Fern Lawrence to reserve your tickets: (608) 238-1529 or fernlawrence@hotmail.com.