Rimrock Opera Company promises tunes

Posted: Thursday, June 26, 2003 11:00 pm
Enjoy an evening of favorite tunes from favorite operas performed by favorite opera singers from Billings and beyond on Friday, Aug. 1 at Alberta Bair Theater.

The show, titled Billings Opera Stars, hits the stage at 7:30 p.m., produced by Rimrock Opera Company.

Performers include Billings stars and those from beyond who have Billings connections or like the city. They are joining the cast for the fundraising program for ROC.

Lynne Turner Fitzgerald joins ROC artistic director Douglas Nagel as co-hosts for the evening. Nagel also directs the production.

The performers include a variety of sopranos: Christie Hageman, Margaret Hanegraaf, Cassandra Norville, Carla Mar, Gretchen Mundinger, Jennifer Jones, Lesley Jordan and others to be announced.

Mezzos on tap are Nancy Downing, Kris Mitzman, Elizabeth Meyer, Heidi Rae Kalina and Jennifer Cooper.

Tenors are Kiel Klaphake, Shawn Rasch, Kevin Schweigert and Cody Maki. Rob McPherson, tenor star of "Nosferatu," premiering in Billings in October of 2004, will also perform.
Baritones and basses from the region include Robert Orth, Dale Orth, Leonard Orth, Edward Harris and Jan Michael Kliewer. Nagel is also part of the musical program along with Bret Weston and Joseph Massman.

Rehearsal pianists are Sandi Rabas and Kathy Honaker.
The audience will join the ROC chorus on a number or two, including The Drinking Song from Verdi's "La Traviata."
A full orchestra complements the performers. Michael Borowitz, American conductor and pianist from New York City, who conducts at Opera Columbus, and Des Moines Metro Opera, will conduct.

Borowitz made his Opera Columbus debut conducting "H.M.S. Pinafore." He regularly conducts Pittsburgh Opera Center productions, is head of the music staff at Des Moines Metro Opera, and is principal guest conductor at Opera Southwest and Encompass New Opera Theatre in New York. His upcoming productions include Mozart's "La Clemenza di Tito" at the Pittsburgh Opera Center and Bizet's "Carmen" at Opera Southwest.

Tickets are available at ABT for $36, $26, $16 and $10. Call 256-6052. This fundraising fun concludes at eleven:11 Restaurant in downtown Billings with a reception to greet the performers.

Operatic brothers join ROC fete

Posted: Thursday, July 17, 2003 11:00 pm
Three musical brothers will be part of an evening of favorite tunes from favorite operas performed by favorite opera singers from Billings and beyond on Friday, Aug. 1 at Alberta Bair Theater.
The show, titled Billings Opera Stars, hits the stage at 7:30 p.m., produced by Rimrock Opera Company.

The Orth brothers - Robert, Dale and Leonard — are among Billings opera stars and those who have toured internationally. Robert Orth, for instance, just returned from filling in on short notice in "Candide" in Rome.

"All the talent involved is either from the town or has Billings connections," says ROC artistic director Doug Nagel. "All of them are in love with our city."

The gifted ensemble joins the cast for the fundraising program for ROC. Lynne Turner Fitzgerald will appear with Nagel as co-hosts for the lively evening. Nagel also directs the production.

The performers include a variety of sopranos: Christie Hageman, Margaret Hanegraaf, Cassandra Norville, Carla Mar, Gretchen Mundinger, Jennifer Jones, Lesley Jordan and others.

Mezzos on tap are Nancy Downing, Kris Mitzman, Elizabeth Meyer, Heidi Rae Kalina and Jennifer Cooper.

Tenors are Kiel Klaphake, Shawn Rasch, Kevin Schweigert and Cody Maki. Rob McPherson, tenor star of "Nosferatu," premiering in Billings in October of 2004, will also perform.

Baritones and basses from the region include the three Orth brothers, Edward Harris and Jan Michael Kliewer. Nagel also plans to join the entertainment, along with Bret Weston and Joseph Massman.
Rehearsal pianists are Sandi Rabas and Kathy Honaker.
The audience will join the ROC chorus on a number or two, including The Drinking Song from Verdi's "La Traviata."

A full orchestra complements the performers to be conducted by Michael Borowitz, American conductor and pianist from New York City, now conducting at Opera Columbus, and Des Moines Metro Opera.
Borowitz made his Opera Columbus debut conducting "H.M.S. Pinafore." He regularly conducts Pittsburgh Opera Center productions, is head of the music staff at Des Moines Metro Opera, and is principal guest conductor at Opera Southwest and Encompass New Opera Theatre in New York. His upcoming productions include Mozart's "La Clemenza di Tito" at the Pittsburgh Opera Center and Bizet's "Carmen" at Opera Southwest.

Tickets are available at ABT for $36, $26, $16 and $10. Call 256-6052. This fundraising fun concludes at eleven:11 Restaurant in downtown Billings with a reception for the performers.