International Artist Series

2009-2010
Opéra Louisiane presents Lucas Meachem
Internationally Renowned Baritone in Concert
Auditorium of First Baptist Church
Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 2:30pm

See the star baritone of the Metropolitan Opera who is opening new opera productions around the world! Baton Rouge will remember him from Opéra Louisiane’s Gala singing Figaro. New Orleans fans will recall his vivid portrayal of Don Giovanni. Lucas’ program will feature well-loved songs, arias and memorable selections from music theater.









2008-2009
Opéra Louisiane presents Paul Groves
International Star and Louisiana Tenor in Concert
Auditorium of First Baptist Church

Paul Groves has established himself as a leading lyric tenor with the world’s most prominent opera houses and symphony orchestras, including the Metropolitan Opera, Opéra de Paris, Royal Opera Covent Garden, Salzburg Festival, New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Vienna Philharmonic. His repertoire encompasses a broad range of roles, from Mozart and bel canto to the lyric and heroic roles of the French repertoire. 








2007-2008 
Opéra Louisiane and Merrill Lynch present Lisette Oropesa
International Star and the Pride of Baton Rouge
Auditorium of First Baptist Church

In the 2007-2008 season, Lisette Oropesa sang the role of Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro at the Metropolitan Opera. Of these performances, The New York Sun wrote, “ Ms. Oropesa has a lovely voice, and she sings naturally. Her sound opened up like a flower.” Ms. Oropesa is a graduate of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera. She received her bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Louisiana State University.


National Artists

2009-2010
Opéra Louisiane Brings out the Stars
at the Old State Capitol
Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 7:30pm

A gala evening of great composers in the house chamber of the Old State Capitol, with nationally acclaimed artists from throughout the USA. Pre concert dinner is available Corner of North Blvd. and Fourth - 2nd Floor Ballroom, cocktails begin at 5pm.

Featuring:
Stephen Hopkins, coach/conductor 


Houston Grand Opera
Westminster Choir College

Pianist Stephen Hopkins enters his second year in the HGO Studio this fall. Last season at HGO he served as coach for Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci; the original HGO production of Chorus!, and Verdi’s Rigoletto. Among his honors are the Bach Society Prize, the Joseph Lentilhon Seldon Memorial Award, and the Shen Prize for Excellence in Composition.


Cassandra Black, soprano





Opera San Jose
Houston Symphony 


Patrick McNally, baritone





Pittsburgh Opera
Kansas City Lyric 


Lindsay Ohse, soprano





Kansas City Lyric
Sarasota Opera 


Gabriel Preisser, baritone




Pensacola Opera
Des Moines Metro Opera


Erin Roth, mezzo





Texarkana Symphony Orchestra
Des Moines Metro Opera 


Ivan Tolbert, tenor




Lyric Opera of Chicago
Dallas Opera


Betsy Uschkrat, soprano




Des Moines Metro Opera
Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition winner







International Gala
2007-2008
Opéra Louisiane’s Opening Gala featured the world’s leading mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, internationally acclaimed lyric tenor Paul Groves and one of the most sought after sopranos of our time, Elizabeth Futral, along with many other internationally acclaimed singers and Louisiana natives.
DVDs of Opéra Louisiane’s Gala are available through LPB!

Featuring:
                                                                                                                  Paul Groves, tenor


Paul Groves not only serves as Opéra Louisiane’s Artistic Consultant, but is also one of our featured recitalists. Paul performed a benefit concert for Opéra Louisiane in December of 2008, which made the Young Artist Concert for the following spring possible. 

 



                                                                                           Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano


Susan Graham is the world’s leading mezzo-soprano. She performs on stages from New York to Matsumoto, Japan and in Baton Rouge, Louisiana! Susan Graham was one of our featured guest artists on our Opening Gala Concert in 2007. Her interpretation of Gershwin’s “Summertime” was an experience to remember!





                                                                                                       Elizabeth Futral, soprano


Elizabeth Futral is one of the most sought after sopranos of our time and she’s a Louisiana native! Her voice lends itself to a wide variety of styles and repertoire. In October of 2007 Ms. Futral joined Opéra Louisiane for its Opening Gala to share her expertise in coloratura and her flare for the stage. 







                                                                                                    Jeffrey Wells, bass baritone


Jeffrey Wells has appeared with every major opera company in the United States. On Opening Night of the 1988/89 Metropolitan Opera season, American bass-baritone Jeffrey Wells made his debut as Ferrando in Il Trovatore. Since this auspicious debut, he has sung over 400 performances at the Met in roles such as Colline in La Boheme, Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Timur in Turandot, Escamillo in Carmen, and The King in Aida. 





                                                                                                       Lucas Meachem, baritone


Lucas Meachem is fast becoming one of the world’s most in demand baritones. His rich natural sound lends itself to the romantic roles as well as the more dramatic. Between 2007 and 2009 Lucas has debuted at Covent Garden, the Met, Florida Grand, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and New Orleans Opera.




                                                                                                       Lisette Oropesa, soprano
Lisette is one of Baton Rouge’s most well known opera success stories. After studying with General Director Robert Grayson at LSU for her undergraduate degree, Lisette won the Metropolitan Opera Competition and was invited to join the Lindeman Young Artist Program. Lisette has continued to be the pride and joy of Louisiana opera fans as she takes on the stage around the world.



                                                                                                                  Matt Morgan, tenor
Matt Morgan is rapidly establishing himself as the tenor to watch. His New York debut came as Don Gomez in Weber's Die drei Pintos with the American Symphony Orchestra. His New York City Opera debut occurred with the world premiere of Charles Wuorinen's Haroun and the Sea of Stories. Mr. Morgan has also been the tenor soloist in Handel's Messiah at Avery Fisher Hall.