More on the Cast

Raúl Melo, tenor, a winner of the Alfredo Kraus Competition in 1992, he starred in our 1998 Iris production and has gone on to an international career at the Deutsche Oper, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Teatro Colón, and, in the U.S., at the Metropolitan, Washington, Dallas, and Seattle Operas.

Julia Kierstine, soprano, in her New York début, possesses a sumptuous, expressive voice with consummate acting skills This San Francisco Opera artist, has been acclaimed for her Tosca, Manon Lescaut, Lady Macbeth, Leonore in Fidelio and Minnie throughout the West.

Joshua Benaim, baritone, whose roaring voice and white-hot charisma brings down the house every time, returns to Teatro after his success as The Soldier in our Piccolo Marat last April and debuts at the Metropolitan Opera this coming April andMay in Berg's Lulu.

Eugenie Grunewald, the exciting dramatic mezzo who starred in our productions of L’Arlesiana and Guglielmo Ratcliff, returns to us again this year following an extensive schedule including outstanding performances in Menotti’s Maria Golovin in Marseille and Azucena in Houston.

Mark Cortale, character tenor made his debut last spring at the Sydney Opera House as Samson in Anatomically Incorrect, sang Jaquino with Cape Cod, Kaspar with the California Opera Ensemble as well as producing theater as the founder of the off-Broadway Illyria Theatre.

Joseph Gaines, the exciting lyric tenor noted for his brilliant characterizations makes his debut with Teatro in a busy 2009-10 season including performances of Goro with Central City, Basilio/Curzio and Caius with Pittsburgh Opera, and Scaramuccio with Indianapolis.

Megan Monaghan, soprano, whose silvery voice of unusual color and purity combine with expressive musicianship, charm and personality, returns to Teatro amid a busy schedule of performances including Donna Elvira, Marguerite in Faust, Gilda and Rosina.

Michelle Jennings, soprano, a vivacious actress with sparkling high notes, has appeared as Musetta with the Ashville Lyric Opera, Clo-Clo with Opera Northeast, and Adina with Springfield in addition to many performances in contemporary and light opera.

Teresa Buchholz, whose rich, luscious mezzo with ringing high notes was a standout as Carmen in the recent Washington Summer Opera Theater production, as Alicia in Lucia with Asheville Lyric Opera and, more recently, in concert at the Bard Music Festival.

John Tiranno, a wonderful lyric tenor with solid musicianship and dependability, returns to Teatro again this year after recent appearances as Dr. Caius with Toledo Opera, Alfredo with Granite State, and Arturo with the Connecticut Grand Opera.

Damian Savarino, a sonorous bass voice of exceptional quality making his New York debut with us, has appeared as Angelotti with Harrisburg Symphony, Sparafucile with the Harrisburg Opera, Dulcamara with Ward Theater and Zuniga with Summer Opera Theater.

Mark Womack, baritone, whose stunning voice and stage presence have taken him throughout the U.S. including Escamillo with Utah Festival, Sharpless at Sarasota, Don Giovanni in Anchorage, and his Broadway debut as Marcello in Baz Luhrmann’s Bohème.

Timothy Birt, tenor, will be making his New York debut with us following performances with Opera in the Heights, South Texas Lyric Opera, San Antonio, Indianapolis and Chicago Opera Theater as Nadir, Des Grieux, the Duke, Dancairo, Monastatos, and Edgardo.

Lawrence Long, bass-baritone in both comic and dramatic roles, has appeared with NYCO, Caramoor, Opera Illinois, Sarasota and Cleveland as Raïmondo, Ferrando, Leporello, and the Dons—Magnifico, Bartolo and Alphonso—now in his fourth appearance with Teatro.

I Gioielli della Madonna
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