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Christopher D'Orazi (Magistrate & Servent) is excited about singing in his third production with BRO having previously sung in the chorus for Cavalleria Rusticana and Orpheus an d Eurydice. Last summer he also sang with the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music singing Parpignol in La Boheme.

Jay Gould, Baritone (Renato), has a career in opera, oratorio and musical theater. He has appeared as a soloist in Avery Fisher Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York City and other major concert venues, in performances of Handel's The Messiah and the St. John's and St. Matthew's Passions of Bach, the Requiems of Faure, Mozart and Brahms, and Orff's Carmina Burana. He has performed as soloist with the Masterwork Chorus, Long Island Choral Society and the Taghkanic Chorale. He has also appeared as bass soloist in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with the Japanese Beethoven No. 9 Society in Carnegie Hall. Mr. Gould appears as soloist on a recording of the Grand Mass in B-flat minor of Amy Beach, re-creating his solo appearance in that work at Carnegie Hall. His opera repertory includes the roles of Amonasro (Aida), Marcello (La Boheme), Sharpless (Madama Butterfly), Alfio (Cavalleria Rusticana), Rodrigo (Don Carlo), Dr. Frodhi (The Eglantine), Enrico (Lucia di Lammermoor), Tony (The Most Happy Fella), Oroveso (Norma), Tonio (I Pagliacci), Scarpia (Tosca), and the title role in Falstaff (Martina Arroyo's "Prelude to Performance" production in June, 2006, conducted by Willie Anthony Waters). In July 2007 he sang the role of Fafner in Das Rheingold with the Wagner Theater Project conducted by David Gilbert, and in 2008 appeared as the Music Master in ARIADNE AUF NAXOS with the same company. In August 2007 he played the title role in Gianni Schicchi with Empire Opera. His first appearance with BRO was as Rocco in FIDELIO (Fall 2007), followed by Alfio in CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA last spring; in May he appeared with Raylynmor Opera in Keene, New Hampshire as the Commendatore in DON GIOVANNI. He appeared as Dr. Bartolo in BRO's Fall 2008 production of MARRIAGE OF FIGARO and appeared in the same role in Amato Opera's farewell production of the same opera in May 2009.

Scott Andrew Hutchins (Silvano) earned his Master's Degree in Cinema Studies from the College of Staten Island in 2005. Previously, he appeared as Antonio in The Marriage of Figaro, the Second Prisoner in Fidelio, in the choruses of Cavalleria Rusticana and Orpheus and Eurydice, and crewed Hansel & Gretel, all with the BRO. He was chorus and cover for Dr. Grenvil in the Bronx Opera's La Traviata i n 2004. He has also sung the Brahms Requiem with Collegium Westchester and is in volved in his church choir, Voices in Unity. He has written three stage plays, four screenplays, and a novel, as well as reviews for Film Score Monthly, and has begun work on an opera of his own. His film work includes producing documentary material for PBS, and he is currently under contract to write a screenplay for director Uzo (Walls & Bridges; Better than Ever starring William Hickey and Fran k Gorshin). In theatre, he has directed such plays as Alice Gerstenberg's Overtones and David Williamson's Emerald City. His voice teacher is David Friedman.

Edgar Jaramillo, (Riccardo), a born and raised "New Yorker," began his singing career with a bold decision to audition, with nothing more than a life long love of opera, for the St. Patrick's Cathedral Choir in 1996. Amidst nearly 100 classically trained singers, the late Choirmaster John Michael Caprio took a chance on this new singer whose *"...voice was most impressive and stood out from the rest!" *Most recent appearances include N.Y. Henry Street Settlement, N.J. Family Opera, N.Y. Schomberg Festival. Edgar presently studies with Bernardo Villalobos and is thrilled to be making his lead role debut with the B.R.O. For more information please visit www.edgarjaramillo.com

Charles Karel, Verdi Baritone, (Renato) has sung at The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera and throughout Europe and this country. He has 21 major operatic roles to his credit. On Broadway, he performed with Carol Channing, Ginger Rodgers, Angela Lansbury, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme and Anthony Quinn, whom he understudied in the Broadway revival of ZORBA. He also starred in The Most Happy Fella at the prestigious Sacramento Music Circus and throughout the country over 150 times. On television, he appeared with Ed Sullivan, Ethel Merman, Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett. Mr. Karel was also featured in the film version of The Music Man with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones.

Kathleen Keske (Amelia & Artistic Director) A native of Chicago, Ms. Keske has sung with opera companies and symphony orchestras over wide areas of the United States and abroad. Her operatic appearances have included such leading roles as Bruennhhilde in Siegfried and Goetterdaemerung, Ariadne, Leonore (Fidelio), Sieglinde, Desdemona, Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, and a wide range of other roles in five languages. Kathleen sang Senza Bliss with BRO in their previous production of AFRAID. Ms. Keske now resides in New York City and was a semi-finalist in The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and a finalist in the Liederkranz Foundation Competition. Kathleen is very happy to have worked with such a fine and dedicated cast in this production.

Ilberto Lagana, bass (Sam), recently could be seen as Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro and Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutte with Brooklyn Repertory Opera, Mephistopheles in Faust with dell' Arte Opera Ensemble and Ramfis in Aida with One World Symphony. Other credits include: the title role in Don Giovanni with Opera Company of Astoria, Kecal in The Bartered Bride with Liederkranz Opera Theatre, Crespel in Les Contes d'Hoffmann, and Zuniga in Carmen with Hudson Opera Theatre, Tristram in Martha (Liederkranz), Speaker in Magic Flute and Basilio in Barber of Seville (Hudson Opera), Sir Marmaduke in The Sorcerer, DiCapo Young Artist, and Apprentice Artist at Sarasota Opera. Originally from the DC area, Ilberto holds a Bachelor of Music degree and a Bachelor of Computer Science from the University of Maryland. Later this summer, he will perform the Count in Manon and the Commendatore in Don Giovanni with dell' Arte Opera Ensemble.

Francis Liska, Tenor (Ricardo & Stage Director) Started his career in musical theater at 15 years old as Artful Dodger in OLIVER! After graduating from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC on Scholarship, he went on to study voice for his new love; opera. Moving to California, he performed in many of the Gilbert & Sullivan operettas in the comedy lead roles. He studied with the La Scala Mezzo-Soprano, Gloria Lane in Los Angeles. When he returned to New York, he continued his studies with noted voice teacher, Sam Sakarian. Among the roles he has performed are; Siegmund, Lohengrin, both Siegfrieds, Calaf, Roland (Esclarmonde),Radames, and with BRO: Floristan, Turiddu, the narrator in PETER & THE WOLF, & The Witch in HANSEL & GRETEL. He has been tenor soloist in the oratorios THE MESSIAH, ELIJAH, and ST PAULUS. He has sung with Fullerton Civic Opera and Glendale Opera in California. Trinity Church Concert Series, West Side Opera, Magic Circle Opera, La Serenata, Music Friends of Westchester, St Cecelia Chamber Consort as well as being tenor soloist for several churches in New York. He is very happy to be returning to BRO with such an excellent group of artists

Ernest McCoy, (Tom), is delighted to be joining the cast of BRO's production of Un Ballo in Maschera for some great fun and magic. A cum laude graduate of Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education, and an Artist Certificate from the American Musical & Dramatic Academy (AMDA), he is currently in pursuit of his dreams & goals in becoming a successful artist. Through each of his performances, Ernest hopes that he is able to touch at least one person, and inspire them to be the best that they can be in there endeavors. He would also like to thank his heavenly father, family, friends, cast, crew, and everyone involved in the further pursuit of his dreams and career. Thank You!

Max Rosen (Assistant Stage Director) grew up in Hanover, NH, where he studied voice, acted in shows and musicals, and spent his summers performing at a camp in central NH. When he was given the opportunity to take over the camp's theater program with two of his closest friends, he discovered his love of directing and spent his next five summers directing, musically directing, adapting, writing, or producing over 20 plays and musicals. Since, he has written and directed for the Parish Players in VT, as well as co-directing *Le Nozze di Figaro* at Amherst College, where he studied music, opera, stage directing, and playwriting. Rosen is also a tenor: his College credits include Candide in * Candide* and Jean-Michel in *La Cage** Aux** Folles*. He resides in New York City, and is a member of the New Theatre Corps.

Dominique Rosoff, (Tom) bass, grew up in New York City and moved to Maine to go to school and now splits his time between the two.

Before its closing, he had been singing with the Amato Opera for two seasons where he performed the role of Colline, Alcindoro and Benoit in La Boheme, Dr. Bartolo and Antonio in The Marriage of Figaro, St. Brioche in The Merry Widow and Dr. Grenvil in La Traviata.

Other roles in Maine and New Hampsire include Don Pippo in L'oca del Cairo, Mayor in Dr. Miracle, Simone in Gianni Schicchi, Sarastro, Speaker and Second Armored Man in several productions of The Magic Flute, and King Balthazar in numerous productions of Amahl and the Night visitors among others.

He won first place in the 2005 Boston NATS advanced avocational division and has performed as bass soloist in Mozart's Requiem, Misa Brevis, Regina Coeli, and Beethoven's Choral Fantasia, Bach's Christmas Cantata and Handel's Messiah.

In August he will perform the role of Collatinus in The Rape of Lucretia with The Opera Project in New York City.

This is Dominique's first venture with the Brooklyn Repertory Opera.

Anthony Russell, Bass (Sam), has been singing with various opera companies in the the San Francisco Bay Area for the past nine years; BRO's production of *Ballo* is his first grand opera performance in New York since he moved to Manhattan in 2007. He is a graduate of Holy Names University in Oakland, California and a two-time recipient of the city of Vallejo's Chamberlain Memorial Scholarship for young vocalists. Anthony studies with Fred Martell in Manhattan. Recent performances include his San Francisco Opera Company debut in the role of the Fourth Freed Slave in the world premiere of Philip Glass's opera *Appomattox* and the role of Pooh-Bah in Village Light Opera Group's 2008 production of *The Mikado*. Anthony would like to dedicate his performance to Michelle Adams and Michael Rothbaum, sources of unending support without whom none of this would have been possible.

Pamela Scanlon (Oscar) is originally from California and has performed on both coasts in such roles as Adele in "Die Fledermaus", Susanna in "Le Nozze di Figaro", Zaide in Mozart's "Zaide", both Silberklang and Goldentrill in "Impresario", Despina in "Cosi fan tutte", and the Forest Bird in "Siegfried". Organizations she has performed with include the West Side Opera, Trinity Church concert series, Singing Actor's Atelier and the Pacific West Coast Opera. With the Educational Opera Association in Los Angeles, Pamela has sung over 200 performances. She has also performed several of the Gilbert and Sullivan heroines and done backup for films. Pamela gladly returns to BRO after previously performing with them as Belle in "AFRAID", Marzelline in "Fidelio" and Gretel in "Hansel and Gretel".

Peter Schmitz, (Magistrate & Servent) is pleased to be making his debut with Brooklyn Repertory Opera and has enjoyed working with wonderful artists on this project.

Matthew Smedberg (Silvano) received his undergraduate degree from Notre Dame, where he studied with Laura Portune, Mark Beudert, and the late John Riley-Schofield. Matthew's operatic roles include Mars in "Orpheus in the Underworld", Mr. Kofner in "The Consul", and Antonio in "The Marriage of Figaro". This is his third production with BRO. Matthew will be departing New York for Vanderbilt University after this production, and wishes all the best to all BRO's artists and fans.

Nicholas Tamagna, countertenor, (Ulrica aka Ulruico) is a New York-based classical singer. Tamagna's rare full-lyric countertenor voice is "expressively dynamic and musically versatile." Nicholas Tamagna has performed in the US, Italy, Austria, and the Czech Republic. He has had the pleasure of singing with the Center City Opera of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Brooklyn Repertory Opera, Greensboro Opera Company, New York Opera Project, Amor Artis, New York City Opera Vox, 46 Barrow Street Recital Series, and the highly acclaimed Oratory Church Choir of St. Boniface in Brooklyn, New York. He will next be performing a concert of original works by Bettina Sheppard with Bridges Vocal Esemble at City Center. His Bachelor's and Master's of Arts in Music were earned accumulatively from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, University of North Carolina at Greensboro and City University of New York at Hunter College. For future engagements and more information on Mr. Tamagna, please visit his website at: www.nicholastamagna.com

Nicholas Tamagna is a student of Alissa Grimaldi, and is indebted to her expert vocal guidance. Mr. Tamagna would also like to give a special thanks to Gloria Parker, who helped him prepare this role dramatically.

STEPHEN FRANCIS VASTA (Conductor) previously conducted BRO's "Cosi fan tutte" ("The School for Lovers") and "Fidelio." Since then, he has kept busy with a variety of activities, including conducting Gilbert & Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore" for Opera Naples (FL) and judging the Jenny Lind Vocal Competition in Bridgeport (CT) for two years. He has guest conducted at Ball State University (IN) and the University of Arkansas, and has been music director for the Light Opera of New York (LOONY). He has been on the faculty of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) since 1993, and in 2007 joined the faculty of the prestigious Colorado College Vocal Arts Symposium. He also reviews regularly for "Opera News" magazine, and online for the prestigious MusicWeb International (http://www.musicweb-international.com)

Brett Wynkoop (Executive Director) - Before starting on the path of computer consulting with Wynn Data Limited, www.wynn.com, he was part of the the New York Renaissance Festival in the early 1980's, ran lights and video at Chippendales & took a turn at screen acting in "The Squeeze", 1987 (Michael Keaton). He was Technical Director for the world premier of A.F.R.A.I.D, where he made his musical debut by playing the first note of the opera on computer generated bells. He is pleased to be working with such a wonderful group of artists.