Dutchman - Michael Chioldi, baritone - is acclaimed for his powerful baritone voice and magnetic stage presence, Michael Chioldi has carved an illustrious path, enchanting audiences worldwide with his rich timbre and emotive performances.

In January 2022, Chioldi made a triumphant major role debut with the Metropolitan Opera, portraying the title role of Rigoletto in a new production. Critics lauded his performance as nothing short of a triumph, with Robert Levine of Bachtrack proclaiming it as “a true Verdian voice that displays booming power, tender softness, and ravaging tragic colors.” This debut solidified Chioldi's status as one of the preeminent interpreters of Verdi's iconic roles.

In the 2023–24 season, Chioldi returned to the MET to reprise his role as Rigoletto and debuted the role of Don Alvaro in Daniel Catán’s Florencia en Los Amazonas, a production seen globally as part of the MET’s Live in HD Performances and PBS’s Great Performances. He sang the titular character in Verdi’s Falstaff at Palm Beach Opera, where critics praised “a bravura performance,” and returned to Utah Opera for the title role in Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman. He also performed one of his signature roles—over 100 performances—as Papa Germont in Verdi’s La Traviata with Pittsburgh Opera. George P. Parous of Onstage Performances hailed: “The most astonishing singing of the evening came from baritone Michael Chioldi.”

Upcoming performances in 2024–25 will take Michael to Seattle Opera for Tonio in Pagliacci, Irish National Opera and the MET again for the title role in Rigoletto, the MET for Amonasro in a new production of Verdi’s Aida, Bryant Park with NYCO Summer Concerts as Scarpia in Tosca, Michonnet in Adriana Lecouvreur with Pittsburgh Festival Opera, and Palm Beach Opera for Germont in La Traviata.

Senta - Marjorie Owens, soprano - a former member of the Sächsische Staatsoper and a Grand Finals Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, is gaining acclaim as an exciting dramatic soprano.

This season she joins Theater Erfurt as Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana. Recent debuts include title roles in Elektra (Dallas Opera), Turandot (Washington Opera), and multiple performances as Senta in Der fliegende Holländer (Pittsburgh Opera, Canadian Opera Company, Vancouver Opera). She also performed Aida with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra and gave a concert with Pittsburgh Concert Opera.

Daland - Morris Robinson, bass - is one of today's most compelling basses. At the Metropolitan Opera, he has appeared in Fidelio, Die Zauberflöte, Il Trovatore, Aida, Nabucco, Tannhäuser, Les Troyens, and Salome.

His wide-ranging roles include Sarastro, Osmin, Ramfis, Zaccaria, Sparafucile, Commendatore, Grand Inquisitor, Timur, the Bonze, Padre Guardiano, Fasolt, Landgraf, and King Marke. He also created the role of The Commander in the world premiere of Jeanine Tesori’s Grounded at Washington National Opera.

Erik - Robert Stahley (Erik), tenor - is praised for his passionate and soaring tenor voice. In the 2024/25 season, he made his Metropolitan Opera debut as First Armored Man in The Magic Flute and covered roles in Aida, Salome, and Die Frau ohne Schatten.

 

Mary - Emily Skilling, mezzo-soprano - is known for her “dark amaretto-flavored voice,” and is a DMA candidate at Eastman School of Music. She recently performed in The Music Makers and Dialogues des Carmélites.

Her professional roles include Dido (Dido and Aeneas), Countess Ceprano (Rigoletto), Dame Quickly (Falstaff), Ulrica (Un ballo in maschera), and solo performances in works like Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Mendelssohn’s Elijah.

Steersman - Jason Garcia-Kakuk, tenor - is from Maryland, and is a 2025 Studio Artist with Finger Lakes Opera and currently pursuing his Master’s at Eastman School of Music. His recent performances include roles in Rigoletto, The Anonymous Lover, and Ainadamar.

He has also performed with Curtis Opera Theatre and Opera Baltimore, and is a 2022 graduate of Temple University with roles in Impressions de Pellèas and Le Nozze di Figaro.

Conductor of Opera at Artpark - Gil Rose - Gil Rose, praised as “one of the most adventurous conductors in the world,” is known for shaping the future of classical music. He has received international acclaim for his over 100 recordings and performances on symphonic and operatic stages.