Naughty Marietta

Seated (L to R) - Gabor Kari, Elliott Rotman, Sean Jacobs, Paris Nesbitt, Edward Albert
Middle Row (L to R)- Brendan O'Brien, Teresa D'Amoco, Allison Hymel, Joseph Demarest, Kristina Moore
Back Row (L to R) Chloe Rotman, Gabrielle Kramer, Derien Andes, Mary Punshon, A. Scotyt Bullitt, Dominic Galluzo, Thomas Faracco, Kara Heintz, Anne Hagan

Bredan O'Brien, Teresa D'Amico, ELizabeth Stevens, Allison Hymel,
Joseph Demarest, Kristina Moore, Edward Albert

Performed on June 21 & 22, 2008
First Production: November 7, 1910 - New York City

An Operetta in three acts by Victor Herbert
Original Book and Lyrics by Rida Johnson Young

Performers:
Allison Hymel as Marietta
Elizabeth Stevens (debut) as Marietta
Joseph Demarest as Captain Richard Warrington
Edward Albert as Etienne Grandet
Brendan O'Brien (debut) as Simon O'Hara
Teresa D'Amico as Lizette
Kristina Moore (debut) as Adah
A. Scott Bullitt as Lieutenant Governor
Thomas Faracco as Rudolfo
Gabor Kari as Florenze
Elliott Rotman as Sir Harry Blake
Gabrielle Kramer as Nanette
Mary Punshon as Felice
Chloe Rotman (debut) as Fanchon
Kara Henitz (debut) as Marie le Valleau
with
Derien Andes, Dominic Galluzo, Anne Hagan, Sean Jacobs, Paris Alexander Nesbitt

Jose Melendez, Music Director, piano
Richard Vanstone, violin
William Dorwart, cello
Sarah Fuller, harp
Joseph Rubin, percussion
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Pick of the week - Michael Harrington, Philadelphia Inquirer
Production photos by Donato Valentino

The Loves of Lehár

Performed on April 5 & 6, 2008

Selections from four works that are rarely heard in the USA
Sung in German with Piano
Zigeunerliebe (1910) Friederike (1928)
Das Land des Lächelns (1929) Giuditta (1934)

Starring
Dorothy Cardella, soprano
Alexis Cregger (debut), Soprano,
Neil Darling (debut), tenor
Joseph Demarest (debut), tenor
Erin Holland, mezzo-soprano
James Longacre, tenor

Richard A. Raub, music director and pianist

Click here to see the program

Seated (L to R) - Kevin Strauss, Lyndon McNall, Siddartha Misra, Gabor Kari
Back Row (L to R)- Susan Blair, Scott Bullitt, Mary Punshon, Cody Austin, Rebecca Carr,
Ross Druker, Carissa Fosdick, Kimberly Henshaw, Teresa D'Amico, Erika Haglung

James Batt, music director and Rebeccc Carr

Performed on October 6 & 7, 2007
Philadelphia premiere of new English translation
First Production: February 28, 1924 - Johann Strauss Theater, Vienna

An Operetta in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán
Original Book and Lyrics by Julius Brammer & Alfred Grünwald
English Version by Nigel Douglas

Performers:
Rebecca Carr as Countess Maritza
Cody Austin (debut) as Count Tassilo
Ross Druker as Baron Koloman Zsupán
Kimberly Henshaw (debut) as Lisa Wittenberg
Scott tt Bullitt as Prince Moritz Popolescu
Mary Punshon as Manja
Susan Blair (debut) as Princess Elizabeth
Kevin Strauss as Penichek
Teresa D'Amico (debut) as Elsa
Carissa Fosdick (debut) as Ilka
Erika Haglund as Ute
Lyndon McNall as Tschekko
Siddhartha Misra (debut) as Berko
Gabor Kari as Baron Karl Liebenberg

James Batt, Music Director, piano
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Pick of the week - Michael Harrington, Philadelphia Inquirer

The Student Prince

Seated - Jennifer Graff, Stephen Macdonald
Back Row - Allison Hymel, Evelangine Rich, Luke Housner, Scott Bullitt, Edward Bogusz,
Justin Johnson, Mary Punshon, Caroline Leland

Kneeling - Paris Nesbitt, Gabor Kari, Sean Jacobs
In White - Michael Ashby, Ross Druker, Scott Rogers
Rear Row - Elliott Rottman, Kevin Strauss, Thomas Faracco, Derien Andes, Steve Glasser, Dominic Galluzzo

Performed on June 23 & 24, 2007
First performance: December 2 , 1924 - Jolson Theater, NYC

The Student Prince (1924)
An Operetta in four acts by Sigmund Romberg
Book and lyrics by Dorothy Donnelly

Performers:
Steve MacDonald(Prince Karl Franz)
Jennifer Graf (Kathie)
Edward Bogusz (Doctor Engle) debut
Michael Ashby (Count Hugo Detlef)
Ross Druker (von Asterberg)
Scott Rogers (Lucas) debut
Mary Punshon (Princess Margaret)
Justin Johnson (Captain Tarnitz) debut
A. Scott Bullitt (Lutz)
Allison Hymel (Gretchen)
Evangeline Rich (Gerta) debut
Lyndon McNall (Ruder)
Caroline Leland (Duchess Anastasia)
Kevin Struss (Hubert)
Elliott Rottman (Prime Minister von Mark)
Thomas Faracco (Baron Arheim) (Lackey #1)
Paris Nesbitt (Lackey #2)
Gabor Kari (Count Leyden)

Men's Ensemble
Derien Andes, Thomas Faracco, Dominic Galluzzo, Steve Glaser, Sean Jacobs,
Gabor Kari, Lyndon McNall, Paris Nesbitt, Elliott Rottman, Kevin Strauss

Luke Housner, music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, Producer

The Cousin from Batavia

(Margaret Nilsson, James R. Longacre, Allison Hymel, Dorothy Cardella, A. Scott Bullitt, Michael Ashby)

Performed on March 24 & 25, 2007
Philadelphia premiere
First performance: April 15, 1921 - Theater am Nollendorfplatz , Berlin

Der Vetter aus Dingsda (1921)
An Operetta in three acts by Eduard Künneke
Original book and lyrics by Herman Haller and Rideamus (Fritz Oliven)
New English lyrics and book by Richard Traubner (2000)

Performers:
James R. Longacre -Stranger #1 (August Kuhbrot)
 Margaret Nilsson - Julia de Weert
Allison HYmel - Hanna
Michael Ashby - Egon van Wilderhaven
A. Scott Bullitt - Josef (Josse) Kuhbrot
Dorothy Cardella - Wilhelmina (Wimple) Kuhbrot
Stephen Macdonald - Stranger #2 (Roderick de Weert)
Lyndon McNall - Hans

Jeremy Gill, Musical Director and Pianist
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Click here to read Robert Baxter's Pick of the Week - Courier-Post, NJ
Pick of the week - Michael Harrington, Philadelphia Inquirer

The Music
of
Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy


with
Ariya Sawadivong, soprano, Eric T. Dubin, baritone, Colleen Daly, soprano

Friday, October 20, 2006 at 8:00 p.m.
Gloria Collins, pianist
Concert is sponsored by the Hadley Memorial Fund
&
Saturday, October 21, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.
Luke Housner, pianist
Concert is sponsored by the Sinatra Committee

The Merry Widow

(Charles Schneider, Stephanie Rose, A. Scott Bullitt, Margaret Nilsson, Michael Ashby with Gregg Opelka)

Performed on October 14 & 15, 2006
Phiadelphia premiere of new book and lyrics
First performance: December 31, 1905 at Theater an der Wein

Die lustige Witwe (1905)
An Operetta in three acts by Franz Lehar
Original book and lyrics by Victor Leon and Leo Stein
New English lyrics by Gregg Opelka
New English dialogue by Jack Helbig (2005)

Performers:
 Stephanie Rose - Hanna Glawari
Charles Schneider (debut) -Count Danilo Danilowitsch
A. Scott Bullitt - Baron Mirko Zeta
Margaret Nilsson (debut) - Valencienne
Michael Ashby - Camille de Rosillon
Ross Druker - Marquis de Cascada
Gabor Kari (debut) - Raoul de St. Brioche
Kevin Straus (debut) - Njegus
Elliot Rotman (debut) - Kromow
Mary Punshon - Olga
Derien Andes (debut) - Bogdanowitsch
Erika Haglund (debut) - Syviane
Lyndon McNall - Prtschitsch
Alison Hymel (debut) - Praskovia
Wayne Punshon - Andre

Nicholas Mastripolito , Musical Director and Pianist
Richard Vanstone, violin
Vic Spain, cello
Daniel Pantano, Producer

"The Concert Operetta Theater of Philadelphia opened its 2006-07 season with a performance of The Merry Widow last weekend at the Academy of Vocal Arts’ Warden Theater in center city. The sentimental operetta was given a rendition so enjoyable that one can only hope for bigger and better things for and from this company.

In a city with far too few performances of opera and virtually none of operetta other than those of Gilbert & Sullivan, Concert Operetta Theater has carved out a regional niche for itself that needs and deserves support because no one else is doing what it does — perform the glorious repertoire of operettas. With Daniel Pantano as its executive and artistic director and Nicholas Mastripolito as its music director, it’s poised to take off to achieve greater triumphs if only it can garner some local support."

Michael Caruso, The Chestnut Hill Local

An Afternoon of Operetta Classics

Nicholas Mastripolito (pianist), Bryan Hymel, ric T. Dubin, Ariya Sawadivong, Elizabeth Warner,
Angele Meade, Jennifer Graf, Tekesha M. Kizart, Michael Ashby, Zach Altman

Performed on May 21, 2006

Music of Victor Herbert, Franz Lehar,
Sigmund Romberg, & Johann Strauss Jr.

Performers:
Zach Altman debut (baritone)
Michael Ashby (tenor)
Eric T. Dubin (baritone)
Jennifer Graf (coloratura)
Bryan Hymel debut (tenor)
Takesha Meshe Kizart debut (soprano)
Angela Meade (Soprano)
Ariya Sawadivong (soprano)
Elizabeth Warner debut (mezzo-soprano)

Nicholas Mastripolito, (debut) music director and pianist
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Click here to view the Musical Program

(Richard A. Raub, Angela Meade, A. Scott Bullitt, Jennifer Hsiung, Jeffrey Halili, Kate Kinhan-Specter, Joseph Specter)

Performed on March 25 & 26, 2006
Philadelphia premiere
First performance: February 21, 1927 - Deutches Kunstlertheatre, Berlin

An Operetta in three acts by Franz Lehár
Original Book and Lyrics by Bela Jenbach and Heinz Reichert
Original English book by Adam Carstairs
Adapted by Daniel Pantano

Performers:
Jeffrey Halili (debut) - The Czarevitch (Aljoscha)
Jennifer Hsiung (debut) - Sonja, a young dancer
Joseph Specter (debut) - Ivan, a valet
Kate Kinhan-Specter - Mascha, his wife
A. Scott Bullitt - The Grand Duke
Angela Meade (debut) - A Countess

Richard A. Raub (debut), Music Director, piano
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Performed on October 16, 2005

Performers:

Sopranos - Dorothy Cardella, Eve Edwards, Jennifer Graf, Anne Hagan,
Kate Kinhan-Spector, Mary Punshon, Stephanie Rose
Tenors - Michael Ashby, James R. Longacre
Baritones - Edward Albert, A. Scott Bullitt

Jeremy Gill, music director and piano
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Click here to see the program

Performed on May 24 and May 25, 2005

Performers:

Sopranos -Ariya Sawadivong (debut) and Evelyn Pollock (debut)
Baritones - Eric Dubin (debut) and Marcus Beam (debut)

Gloria Collins, music director and piano
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Click here to see the Program

(The Beautiful Galatea)
Sung in German with English dialogue

Performed on March 12 & 13, 2005
Philadelphia premiere of new German version
First performance: June 30, 1865 - Meysels Theater, Berlin, Germany

(Benjamin Blozan, Rebacca Reinhardt, Anne Hagan, James R, Longacre, Maila Traczyk, Michael Ashby)

An Operetta in one act by Franz von Suppé
Original Book and Lyrics by Poly Henrion (Karl Leopold von Kohlenegg)
New German Lyrics by Ludwig Bender
Original English book by Willard G. Day
Adapted by Daniel Pantano

Performers:
Anne Hagan - Galathee, a statue
James R. Longacre - Pygmalion, a sculpture
Maila Traczky -Ganymed , his assistant
Michael Ashby (debut) - an art collector

Benjamin Blozan (debut), Music Director, piano
Rebecca Reinhardt, flute
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Performed on November 20 & 21, 2004
First performance: November 14, 1908 - Theater an der Wien, Vienna

(Front - Betty Meister Prescod, Jennifer Graf, Mary Punshon
Rear - Lyndon McNall, A. Scott Bullitt, Dennis Ingle, Steven MacDonald, Steven Glasser, Dana Wilson, Colin MacDonald)

An Operetta in three acts by Oscar Straus
Based on Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw
Original Book and Lyrics by Rudolf Bernauer & Leopold Jacobson
English Version by Stanislaus Stange

Performers:
Jennifer Graf as Nadina
Stephen Macdonald as Bumerli
Dana Wilson (debut) as Alexius
Mary Punshon as Mascha
Betty Meister Prescod (debut) as Aurelia
A. Scott Bullitt as Popoff
Lyndon McNall as Massakroff
Steve Glasser (debut), Dennis Ingle, Colin Macdonald (debut) - soldiers

Jeremy Gill, Music Director, piano
Rebecca Reinhardt, flute
Allison Carroll, clarinet (debut)
Vic Spain, cello
Daniel Pantano, Producer

The Philadelphia Premier of

Performed on May 22 & 23, 2004
Philadelphia premiere
First performance: April 5, 1928 - Theater an der Wien, Vienna

An Operetta in two acts, prologue and epilogue by Emmerich Kálmán
Original Book and Lyrics by Julius Brammer & Alfred Grünwald
English Version by Gregg Opelka (lyrics) & Philip Kraus (book)

Performers:
Stephanie Rose (debut) as Mary Lloyd
Jay Anstee as Prince Sándor Boris
Kent Bollman (debut) as Jimmy Jack John Bondy / Stranger
Jennifer Graf (debut) as Princess Rosemarie Sonjuschka
Scott Bullitt as King Pankraz XVII
Joseph Giglio as Count Bojazowitsch
Steve Macdonald as Marquis Perolin
Casey Ingle (debut) as Tihany
Lillian Anstee (debut) as Kupp Mihaly
Paul Steinberg as Benjamin Lloyd
Wayne Punshon (debut) as Count Negresco
Lyndon McNall as Baron Balffy
Anne Hagan as Dolly Astor
Kelly Horan as Maude Carnegie
Mary Punshon as Edith Rockerfeller
Brian Gish (debut) as Voroshazy
Gabrielle Kramer (debut) as Newsboy

Gloria Collins , Music Director, piano
Jeremy Gill, Rehearsal Accompanist
Ellen Strange, violin
Elizabeth Holland , cello (debut)
Rebecca Reinhardt, flute
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Performed on Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 4:00 PM
The Helen Corning Warden Theater at The Academy of Vocal Arts

With chanteuse, Eileen Duffy and baritone, Daniel Pantano
with guest artists
Richard Rome, piano
Robert Campbell, bass

The Philadelphia Premiere of
Performed on February 7 & 8, 2004
Phialdelphia premiere
First performance: November 11, 1909 at Theater an der Wien, Vienna

Front: Eve Edwards/Angele and Kate Kinhan/Juliette
Back: James R. Longacre/Rene, Scott Bullitt/Prince Basil,
Caroline Leland/Countess Stasa, Steve Macdonald/Brisard

An Operetta in three acts by Franz Lehár
Original Book and Lyrics by A. M. Willner and Robert Bodansky
English Book by Nigel Douglas
English Lyrics by Eric Maschwitz and Nigel Douglas

Performers:
James R. Longacre as Rene, Count of Luxembourg
Eve Edwards (debut) as Angele Didier
Kate Kinhan as Juliette Vermont
Steve Macdonald as Armand Brissard
A. Scott Bullitt as Prince Basil Basilovitch
Wayne Bylsma (debut) as Pavel von Pavlovitch
Ross Drucker (debut) as Sergei Mentchikoff / Hotel Clerk
Lyndon McNall as Pelegrin
Caroline Leland as Countess Stasa Kokozov
Dorothy Cardella as Coralie
Anne Hagan as Sidone
Kelly Horan (debut) as LaVigne
Mary Punshon as Simone
Dennis Ingle as Anatol Saville

James Batt , Music Director, piano
Gloria Collins, Rehearsal Accompanist
Benjamin Blozan, Rehearsal Accompanist
Rebecca Reinhardt , flute
Vic Spain, cello
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Performed on May 24 & 25, 2003 at The Helen Corning Warden Theater
and November 11, 2003 for The Hadley Memorial Fund

Cast of Music of the American Operetta

Selections from:
Naughty Marietta, Music by Victor Herbert
Book & Lyrics by Rinda Johnson

Desert Song, Music by Sigmund Romberg
Book & lyrics by Otto Harbach, Oscar Hammerstein II and Frank Mandel

The Student Prince, Music by Sigmund Romberg
Book & lyrics by Dorothy Donnelly

The New Moon, Music by Sigmund Romberg
Book & lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Frank Mandel and Laurence Schwab

Performers:
Kent Bollman, Baritone
Dorothy Cardella, Soprano
Anne Hagan, Soprano
James R. Longacre, Tenor
Stephanie Rose, Soprano
with
James Anderson, Steven Glasser, Dennis Ingle, Steven Macdonald,
Lyndon McNall, Adam Shellenberger, Joseph Troiano and Benjamin Wager

Gloria Collins, Music Director, piano
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Performed on March 1 & 2, 2003
Philadelphia premiere of new English translation
First Production: February 28, 1924 - Johann Strauss Theater, Vienna


Cast of Countess Maritza


Amy Van Looy / Countess Maritza and Jay Anstee / Tasillo


Matthew Smith / Zsupán and Rachel Gottlieb / Lisa Wittenberg

An Operetta in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán
Original Book and Lyrics by Julius Brammer & Alfred Grünwald
English Version by Nigel Douglas

James Batt, Music Director, piano
Benjamin Blozan, Rehearsal Accompanist
Ellen Strange, violin
Vic Spain, cello
Rebecca Reinhardt, flute
Daniel Pantano, Producer

The Philadelphia Premiere of


Performed on November 23 & 24, 2003
Philadelphia premiere
First Production: October 30, 1925 Johann Strauss Theater, Vienna


Cast of Paganini

An Operetta in three acts by Franz Lehár
Original Book and Lyrics by Béla Jenbach and Paul Knepler
English Version by David Kram and Dennis Olsen

Performers:
Nicholas Cotellessa (debut) as Nicolo Paganini
Rebecca C. Carr (debut) as Maria Anna Elisa
Erin Holland (debut) as Bella Giretti
Christyan Seay as Giacomo Pimpinelli
Joseph Giglio (debut) as Benno Bartucci
Mary Punshon as Corallina
Richard Shapp (debut) as Prince Felice
James Anderson as Count Hédouville
Joseph Troiano as The Innkeeper, Foletto
Lyndon McNall as Marco, Master of Ceremonies
Ilene Miller as Fillippa, Anita
Lettie Switzer (debut) as Emanuele, Beppa
Sharon Sigal (debut) as Countess de LaPlace, Tofola
Paris Nesbitt (debut) as Ensemble

James Batt, Music Director, piano
Anita Mishoukova, violin
Vic Spain, cello
Rebecca Reinhardt, flute
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Performed on June 9, 2002

Selections from:

The Gypsy Baron (Der Zigeunerbaron), Music by Johann Strauss Jr.
Operetta in three acts by Ignat Schnitzer,
adapted from the story Saffi, by Maurus Jókai

Paganini, Music by Franz Lehár
Operetta in three acts by Bela Jenback and Paul Knepler

Countess Maritza (Die Gräfin Maritza), Music by Emmerich Kálmán
Operetta in three acts by Julius Brammer and Alfred Grünwald

The Czarevitch (Der Zarewitsch), Music by Franz Lehár
Operetta in three acts by Bela Jenbach and Heinz Reichert
Based on a play by Gabryela Zapolska

Performers:
Dorothy Cardella, Soprano
Rebecca C. Carr, Soprano
Sandra Hartman, Soprano
James R. Longacre, Tenor
Ilene Miller, Soprano
Mary Punshon, Soprano
Douglas Rowland, Tenor
Christyan Seay, Tenor
Maila Traczyk, Mezzo

Daniel Pantano, Narrator, Producer
Gloria Collins, Music Director, piano

Performed: April 14 &15, 2002
Philadelphia premier of new English Translation
First Production: November 17, 1915 Johann Strauss Theater, Vienna


Edward Albert / Boni, James R. Longacre / Prince Edwin,
Sandra Hartman / Stasi, Dorothy Cardella / Sylva

An Operetta in three acts by Emmerich Kálmán
Original Book and Lyrics by Leo Stein and Béla Jenbach
English Lyrics by Nigel Douglas
English Libretto by Nigel Douglas and Conrad Carter

Performers:
Dorothy Cardella as Sylva Varescu
James R. Longacre as Prince Edwin Ronald
Edward Albert as Count Boni Kanscianu
Sandra Hartman as Countess Anastasi
Douglas Rowland as Baron Feri Von Kerekes
Michael Tunney as Prince Lippert-Weyershein
Eileen Duffy as Princess Lippert-Weyersheim
James Anderson as Baron Eugene Ronsdorff
Frank Yannessa as Ambassador MacGrave
John Rudolph as Miska
Carol Denenberg as Aranka
Ilene Miller as Juliska
Maila Traczyk as Rizzi
Joseph Troiano as Butler, Porter

Ensemble: Elizabeth Oliver, Timothy Oliver, Nancy Patton,
Mary Punshon, Kate Quinn and Christyan Seay

Gloria Collins, Music Director, piano
Ellen Strange, violin
Vic Spain, cello
Daniel Pantano, Producer

Also performed on October 4, 2002 for the
Hadley Memorial Fund in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Cast changes were: A. Scott Bullitt as Prince Lippert-Weylersheim,
Joseph Troiano as Miska & Mary Punshon as Rizzi
Ensemble: Ilene Miller, Mary Punshon, Carol Denenberg,
Joseph Troiano, James Anderson and Frank Yannessa