Opera in Minneapolis–Saint Paul

Christine Amon is a versatile mezzo-soprano excelling in opera, musical theater, and art song. Her stage roles include Dorabella in Così fan tutte, the title role in Cendrillon, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, Erika in Vanessa, Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, and Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel, among many others. She has appeared with Nashville Opera, Opera Carolina, Toledo Opera, Opera Grand Rapids, Union Avenue Opera, Opera Louisiane, and Opera Memphis. Ms. Amon also created the role of Mich in Mich and the Moon in the premiere of The Ghosts of Crosstown at Opera Memphis. In 2018 she was a finalist in the international Lotte Lenya Competition hosted by the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music. Concert performances include Rossini’s Stabat Mater, Bach’s Magnificat, Will Todd’s Mass in Blue, Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony, and Handel’s Messiah. Hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Amon earned her BM at Grand Valley State University where she was named a Distinguished Alumna in 2015, and her MM from Bowling Green State University. She earned a doctorate at the University of Michigan and currently teaches classical and musical theatre voice at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. This season, Amon will perform Gustav Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen with the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra. Kenneth J. Pereira , baritone, enjoys an active career on the operatic, concert, and recital stages. His operatic roles include Puccini’s Marcello in La Bohème, Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, the title role in Gianni Schicchi, and Mozart’s Il Conte Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro and Guglielmo in Così fan tutte among others. Internationally, he has appeared as the baritone soloist in numerous opera gala performances in both Italy and Mexico in works by Verdi, Puccini, and Donizetti. Recently, he has performed with the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra in works by Beethoven and Mahler. Dr. Pereira also has been a soloist with the Eau Claire Chamber in works by Bach, Handel, and Mozart. Prior to his arrival in the Chippewa Valley, Dr. Pereira appeared regularly as a soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Raymond Leppard in works by Beethoven and Haydn. He is also a featured soloist on the orchestra’s 2008 recording of classical and traditional Christmas music. Born and raised in northern California, Dr. Pereira graduated Magna cum Laude from California State University, Stanislaus. He holds a Doctor of Music in Voice Performance

Official public University of Minnesota School of Music performance.

Official public University of Minnesota School of Music performance.

For over fifty years, Filipino composer Ryan Cayabyab has cultivated an incredibly eclectic musical oeuvre. His work spans opera and ballet, musical theater and television, film scores, and much more, though he is perhaps best known for his pioneering contributions to Filipino popular music, known as OPM (Original Pilipino Music). His place as a Filipino musical icon was formally enshrined in 2018, when he was named a National Artist of the Philippines. In this program, Minnesota-based Filipino-Americans Isabella Dawis, Walter Tambor, and Paolo Debuque will celebrate the music of Ryan Cayabyab, sharing songs and histories to honor his lasting impact on Filipino culture. Part of the A Thousand Tongues project: giving voice to Asian-American experiences through music and stories.

Official public University of Minnesota School of Music performance.

Official public University of Minnesota School of Music performance.

Official public University of Minnesota School of Music performance.

Official public University of Minnesota School of Music performance.