Derrek Stark, Rodolfo
Rising tenor Derrek Stark is quickly establishing a reputation as an elegant performer with nuanced and stylish singing. His impressive command of technique and coloratura, as well as a youthful and ardent stage presence, perfectly embody the romantic heroes he portrays. A 2018 Sullivan Foundation Grant Winner, he has been hailed by Opera News for his “handsome sound,” and described as “the real thing” by www.artsjournal.com, and “a showstopper” by indianapublicmedia.org. In addition to the Sullivan Grant, Mr. Stark was also a winner of the 2015 Bel Canto Foundation Vocal Scholarship and took 3rd place in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. >Mr. Stark is a native of Bath NY, and holds a B.M. from Mansfield University, PA, and a M.M. from The Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, IN where he studied with renowned soprano Carol Vaness.
Susan Hellman Spatafora, Mimi
Soprano Susan Hellman Spatafora exudes a “youthful freshness combined with an ardent sense of phrasing and a thrilling top register.” Known for her winning interpretations of Puccini’s soprano heroines, Ms. Spatafora has performed with Palm Beach Opera, St. Petersburg Opera, Sarasota Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Central City Opera, South Florida Lyric Opera, and others. Most recently seen as Leïla in Opera Tampa’s production of Les Pêcheurs de Perles, Ms. Spatafora’s featured roles have included Micaëla (Carmen), Mimì (La Bohème), Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly), Giulietta (Les Contes d’Hoffmann) and Anna in Puccini’s Le Villi. Joshua Rosenblum of Opera News declared that Spatafora, playing the title role in the 2017 Naxos DVD release of Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah, “has the perfect yearningly optimistic coloring—golden and radiant…”
Rainelle Krause, Musetta
Known for her absolute precision and fiery coloratura, soprano Rainelle Krause is a versatile and compelling singer. She was recently seen as Madame Herz with the New Hampshire Music Festival’s concert version of Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor, and in collaboration with San Antonio’s SOLI ensemble as the Queen of the Night. Other engagements include Zerlina cover in Don Giovanni with The Dallas Opera, guest soloist with Voices of Change for their Holocaust memorial performance, featured artist for Opus Opera’s event, Mystique, a circus and opera collaboration, Painted Sky Opera’s production of the The Medium as Monica, Blonde in Abduction from the Seraglio and Belinda in Dido and Aeneas with Opera Piccola of San Antonio, the title role and La Fée in Opera for the Young’s touring production of Cendrillon, Zerlina in Don Giovanni with Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music Opera Theater, and Galatea in Acis y Galatea with Opera Nova Costa Rica.
Tyler Putnam, Colline
As a member of the apprentice singer program at Santa Fe Opera for two seasons, Mr. Putnam sang the role of Kobun in a workshop performance of Mark Campbell and Mason Bates’ new opera The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, performed the roles of Zweiter Soldat in Salome and originated the role of Thomas in the world premiere of Jennifer Higdon’s Cold Mountain on the main festival stage. Mr. Putnam has been awarded the Career Development Award from The Sullivan Foundation, the Top Prize from Career Bridges, the Randolph “Randy” Mickelson Memorial Fund Award for Excellence in Singing, and was District Winner (Boston) of the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions. Originally from Chebeague Island Maine, Mr. Putnam is a graduate of Dartmouth College.
Charles H. Eaton, Marcello
American baritone Charles H. Eaton makes company debuts as a soloist in the 15th annual Jukebox Gala with Pensacola Opera, and as the English Ambassador in The Ghosts of Versailles with the Royal Opera of Versailles in the 2019-2020 season. Last season, Mr. Eaton made role and company debuts as Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia with NYC Opera in Bryant Park, William Dale in Silent Night with Minnesota Opera, and Vitellius in Hérodiade with New Amsterdam Opera. He returned to Madison Opera as Carl-Magnus in their A Little Night Music, and to Minnesota Opera to create the roles of Arnold Rothstein and George Gorman in the world premiere of Joel Puckett’s The Fix. He is a graduate of young artist programs at The Glimmerglass Festival, Des Moines Metro Opera, and Opera Colorado. He received his bachelor’s degree in voice from the University of Connecticut, and his master’s in voice from the University of Minnesota. He was the first place winner of the 2015 Thursday Musical competition in Minneapolis, MN, a district winner of the 2016 Metropolitan Opera competition, and a second place winner of the 2019 The American Prize competition.