On August 18, 2011, inside the newly built Strings Music Pavilion in Steamboat Springs, CO, Emerald City Opera (ECO)'s production of Johann Strauss Jr's most beloved operetta, Die Fledermaus, sold out to a packed audience, becoming the most successful production of the 2011 season.
The cast, performing the famous operetta in English, included well-known names in the opera world, such as New York Metropolitan Opera singers Mark Thomsen, Kara Shay Thomson, Keri Rusthoi, Kathryn Krasovec, and tenor Anthony Kearns.
"The Emerald City Opera is thrilled with our sold-out show. The night was filled with splendor and comedic perfection. This cast was exquisite together, and tenor Anthony Kearns was the perfect addition to this production. I hope we can bring these performers here together for another amazing production soon," said Jack Dysart, chairman and C.E.O. of the opera.
"All of the singers were fantastic in their roles, and the cast did a superb job together. Besides getting some of today's most accomplished performers, we were very lucky to get Anthony Kearns to be part of the team. He, as well as the rest of the cast, has definitely left a lasting mark in Steamboat Springs," said Keri Rusthoi, who played the role of "Adele" in the production and is ECO's founder and artistic director.
Said Kearns, who has performed in three operatic productions already this year, in addition to his touring schedule: "It was a pleasure performing alongside such a wonderful cast of singers and musicians for this production. Since this was my first comedic role in opera, it was exciting to experience the joy of filling an opera house with laughter."
A 30-piece orchestra of local and national musicians accompanied the production, celebrating the best of Viennese music under the direction of conductor Adam Flatt.
The operetta, directed by David Malis, was the ninth annual main stage production by the Emerald City Opera. Other recent operas performed by the Emerald City Opera include Hansel and Gretel, George
Bizet's Carmen, and The Elixir of Love by Gaetano Donizetti. Soprano Audrey Luna performed with the Emerald City Opera Company in 2006 and was cast with Mr. Kearns in Opera Naples [FL]'s January 2011 production of Lucia di Lammermoor.
Kearns is the youngest and founding member of The Irish Tenors (with whom he has recorded 10 CDs). In early 2012, Mr. Kearns will play the lead tenor role in Charles Gounod's Faust with Opera Naples [FL], a role he previously performed with Opera Ireland (nominated for best production in the Irish Times Theater Awards in 2006). His past operatic performances include: "Romeo" in Opera Naples' production of Romeo and Juliet: Then and Now; "Don Ottavio" in Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Lismore Music Festival; "Don Jose" in the Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown Glasthule Opera Company's production of Georges Bizet's Carmen; the lead tenor in the Royal Dublin's Society performance of The Lily of Killarney; and finally, as "Rinuccio" in Puccini's comic opera, Gianni Schicci, with Opera Ireland.
Kearns' fellow cast members included:
Mark Thomsen (as Eisenstein) has performed as "Don Ottavio" in Mozart's Don Giovanni for the Metropolitan Opera and "Nicias" in Massenet's Thais, among other leading roles. Kara Shay Thomson (as Rosalinda) recently debuted with the New York City Opera and has performed in Sarasota's Opera Tosca; as "Marietta" in Die tote Stadt with Summer Opera Theater; as "Countess" in Le Nozze di Figaro with Toledo Opera; and other roles. David Malis (as Dr. Falke) was the first American to win the prestigious Cardiff Singer of the World Competition and recently played the title role in Verdi's Falstaff with Atlanta Opera, Belcore in L'elisir d'amore with Cleveland Opera, among other credits.
Kathryn Krasovec (as Prince Orlofsky) has won several awards and competitions including the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions. Her past roles include: "Zerlina" in Don Giovanni; "the fox" in The Cunning Little Vixen; "Acis" in Handel's Acis und Galatea; and others.
