Puget Sound Concert Opera: Il Corsaro, an opera by Giuseppe Verdi

• Tim Janecke, tenor (Corrado)
• Malinda Wagstaff, soprano (Medora)
• Mauro Bonfanti, baritone (Seid)
• Ksenia Popova, soprano (Gulnara)
• Robert Wise, baritone (Giovanni)
• John Burkhardt, piano
• Jenna Calixto, flute
• Ericka Kendall, double bass
• Janice Ching-Jung Lee, cello
• Bernard Kwiram, conductor

Based on Lord Byron's poem, this early Verdi masterpiece blends bel canto melodies with his unique flair. Greek Corsair Corrado infiltrates the Turkish camp, but a premature attack leaves him wounded and captured. Saved by Gulnara, a concubine, he returns to find his beloved Medora dying of grief. Overwhelmed, Corrado meets a tragic fate, disappearing into the relentless waves. Don't miss this unforgettable opera of passion and destiny. 

Performed in Italian with Italian and English supertitles with a 7-piece chamber ensemble. 

Performances on Jun 7 & 9.

About Puget Sound Concert Opera

Puget Sound Concert Opera's mission is to bring a wide variety of opera to life through passionate performances in intimate settings, fostering a vibrant artistic community. We make these extraordinary works accessible and affordable, ensuring that the joy of great opera is within reach of all.

About Tim Janecke, tenor (Corrado)

A recent transplant to the Pacific Northwest, Tim Janecke makes his debut performance with Puget Sound Concert Opera this season. Past roles include Ferrando (Cosi Fan Tutte) and Nemorino (L'Elisir d'Amor) with Bowen Park Opera, Alfredo (La Traviata) and Don Basilio (Le Nozze di Figaro) with L'Opera Piccolo, and Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni) and Ferrando with Candleopera. In the world of light opera, Tim has performed Cloclo (Tricolet) with Chicago Folks Operetta and Achilles (Beautiful Helen of Troy) with Light Opera Works. In addition to his busy solo career, Tim is an experienced ensemble singer, having performed extensively with the Chicago Symphony Chorale, Chicago Lyric Opera, and as a Christmas Caroler at the Forge Club in the Chicago area. Tim received his Master's Degree from DePaul University and currently studies with Winnifred Brown.

About Malinda Wagstaff, soprano (Medora)

Malinda Wagstaff is a warmhearted soprano pursuing her master's degree at Indiana University under the tutelage of Carol Vaness. She performed as Mutter in Indiana University's production of Hänsel und Gretel. Previously at IU, Malinda has performed as First Lady in Die Zauberflöte and in the ensembles of Falstaff, La Rondine, and the world premiere of Anne Frank by Shulamit Ran. In Carol Vaness's Opera Workshop, she performed the role of Manon in act two of Manon Lescaut. Malinda earned her bachelor's degree with high distinction from the Eastman School of Music with an Arts Leadership Certificate. While at Eastman, she prepared the role of Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd (cancelled due to Covid-19). She also performed as Angel More in The Mother of Us All with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and La Chouette in L'enfant et les Sortilèges. Recent awards include an encouragement award from the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Oregon District and a first prize award in the Coeur d'Alene Symphony's Young Artist Competition. Malinda has participated in the Prague Summer Nights Festival, Harrower Summer Opera Festival, and the Mediterranean Opera Studio Festival. That festival work included role preparation of Suor Angelica (cancelled due to Covid-19), a performance as Effie in The Ballad of Baby Doe, Czech opera scene work, and ensemble performances in Don Giovanni and Le Nozze di Figaro. Malinda also serves as a teaching artist and the vice president of the non-profit What is Opera, Anyway?

About Mauro Bonfanti, baritone (Seid)

Mauro Bonfanti is a Baritone and a singing teacher with almost 40 operatic roles debuted in 12 countries around the world. He has the honor of having been one of the last students of Luciano PAVAROTTI. Mauro sang with artists such as Andrea BOCELLI, Renato BRUSON and many others. He has sung in Theaters such as: Maggio Musicale in Florence, Carlo Felice in Genoa, Comunale in Bologna, Sala Nervi in the Vatican, Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago, Shanghai Opera House, Donizetti in Bergamo, Operà de Nice, National Opera in Bucharest. He taught singing at the Talent Show of Canale 5 (Italian TV program) "Amici" by Maria DE FILIPPI, his credit for having brought Alberto Urso, overall winner of the 2018 edition. He is President and Founder of the "Santa Gianna Beretta Molla" International Opera Competition in Mesero, which has successfully reached its sixth edition. His recordings are present on the major world platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music. Mauro graduated with honors from the Department of Art, Music and Performing Arts (DAMS) of the University of Turin, Italy, and in opera singing from the Aosta Conservatory. In December 2022 he moved, with his family, to Bellevue (WA), after obtaining a work visa for Extraordinary Artistic Abilities from the American Government.

About Ksenia Popova, soprano (Gulnara)

https://www.kseniapopova.com/

About Robert Wise, baritone (Giovanni)

Baritone Robert Wise has a wide range of performance experience spanning opera and musical theater. With notable roles including Allessio in La Sonnambula and Richard White in Alice Ryley, Wise showcases a versatile range. His portrayal of Frank Maurrant in Street Scene and the Sorcerer in Dido and Aeneas highlights his seamless blend of vocal prowess and dramatic depth. Wise's talent extends to musical theater, where he excelled as Mr. Lundle and Tommy in Brigadoon and as Javert in Les Misérables. Recognized with multiple NATS awards, including Iowa and Central Region first places, Robert graduated Summa Cum Laude in Software Engineering and Music from Iowa State University.

About John Burkhardt, piano

John Burkhardt (chorus master/piano) currently serves as chorus master and principal accompanist for Puget Sound Concert Opera. John has arranged and conducted numerous PSCO productions including Lucrezia Borgia, La Damoiselle Elue, Andrea Chenier, Don Giovanni, and I Capuletti ed I Montecchi. John has served as the principal accompanist and chorus master for Bellevue Opera as well. He works for University of Washington Tacoma, managing their communications. He is musically active in the Unitarian Universalist church and has been an opera and musical theater pianist for many years in Seattle and elsewhere.

About Jenna Calixto, flute

Jenna can be heard playing flute and piccolo in a number of ensembles in the Seattle area, including the Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra, Tacoma City Ballet Orchestra, Octava Chamber Orchestra, and the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society Orchestra. She has enjoyed performing with Puget Sound Concert Opera since 2010. A native of Vancouver, Washington, she holds performance degrees from Southern Methodist University (B.M.) and the University of New Mexico (M.M.).

About Ericka Kendall, double bass

Bassist Ericka Kendall has been an active performer in the Puget Sound area for more than 20 years. She plays frequently with the Tacoma City Ballet Orchestra, Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Puget Sound Concert Opera, Northwest Symphony Orchestra, and many other ensembles. She also plays bass guitar in Seattle's premier Herb Alpert tribute band, Rat City Brass. Ericka holds bachelor's degrees in Zoology and Psychology, as well as a Juris Doctorate. When not performing, she practices law in Seattle and spends time with her dogs and cats.

About Janice Ching-Jung Lee, cello

Taiwanese-American cellist Janice Ching-Jung Lee is an active performer and music educator in the greater Seattle area. She is the cellist for the Seattle-based Ellinor String Quartet, plays frequently with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Tacoma City Ballet Orchestra, Puget Sound Concert Opera, Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra and many other ensembles.

She received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and Cello Performance from the National University of Tainan in Taiwan, and Master’s Degree in Cello Performance from the University of Washington in Seattle under the late Professor Toby Saks. In addition to her cello performing and teaching, she also serves as pianist at Kennydale United Methodist Church in Renton. Janice has been heard in many of the greatest concert halls in north America and Asia, including those in Seattle, WA and Taipei, Taiwan.

About Bernard Kwiram, conductor

Bernard Kwiram, a conductor, marked his Puget Sound Concert Opera debut in 2013 with Béatrice et Bénédict. He has since led notable performances like Der Frieschütz, Anna Bolena, and Il Trovatore. Kwiram has also conducted for Tacoma Opera, Pacific Northwest Opera, and Civic Light Opera, presenting works including Orpheus in the Underworld, La Boheme, Rigoletto, and Aida. He's directed the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society since 2002, overseeing 160+ G&S Canon performances. In 2015, he became music director of Tacoma City Ballet, conducting The Nutcracker, Carmina Burana, and more. A versatile artist, he's sung with Seattle Opera and Everett Symphony, and is a vocal instructor and adjunct professor at Northwest University.