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New Year, New Beginnings!

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December 2019

 

My dear friends,

 

As you settle into the coziness that comes with the holidays and anticipate the dawn of a new decade, I send my thanks for your longtime support of FBN Productions, Inc. Opera for Kids. And I want to share with you some changes in how we share opera.

 

You may notice one thing right way – this simple letter in place of our annual newsletter.  Late this summer it became increasingly clear that touring is not a viable option for us right now. Our Spring 2019 tour was successful in every area save one – financially.  We shared opera with over 11,000 children at festivals, libraries, museums, classrooms and senior living facilities in South and North Carolina. Everyone loved the music and our singers were wonderful. Yet so many schools were unable to pay our modest fee of $750 per performance, so we made deals or gave away the shows, much as we’ve done, in accordance with our mission, since our beginnings in 1996.  Unfortunately, the cost of touring has proved too high- obvious costs such as gas, van rental, lodging, payments to musicians and collaborative artists, storage costs for sets, costumes, legal and professional fees have all risen. Different school districts demand different insurance coverages, effectively doubling our costs.

 

The board of directors has agreed that it is time for FBN to take a step back and take a careful look at the best way to share opera with children in this ever-changing world.  Evolve- that’s what opera has been doing for the last 500 years, and now FBN Productions is evolving, too.  We are very excited to announce plans are underway for a children’s opera festival in Columbia, SC for June 2021!! Instead of touring, our audiences will come to one location.

 

It will take the next 18 months to prepare for this festival – there are performing spaces to secure, new operas will need sets, costumes, props, nationwide auditions to find the great young singers, and sponsors to secure.  We are hoping that Elijah’s Violin by Meira Warshauer will be among the new operas produced. And maybe The Three Little Pigs will make a return appearance.  All of this will cost a great deal of money. (You knew that was coming!). So please, consider making a donation( on line or use the enclosed envelopto keep FBN thriving as we continue to plan this exciting 2021 Festival. I humbly ask you to continue your support.   And thank you.

 

Be well,

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Meet the Cast 2019: Three Little Pigs | Heather Jones

Meet the Cast 2019: Three Little Pigs | Heather Jones

Heather Jones makes her debut with FBN this season in the role of Cherubino in Davies’s The Three Little Pigs. She has performed such beloved mezzo roles as Hansel, Rosina, Dorabella, Cherubino, Charlotte, and Orlofsky, and will sing the role of Dorothée in Cendrillon this summer with Opera Company of Middlebury. Heather recently appeared with Opera Saratoga in a historic production of The Cradle Will Rock (Sister Mister) and with Light Opera of New York in The Island of Tulipatan (Theodorine). She is featured on the cast recordings of both productions, which are available on Spotify. Heather has also workshopped and premiered numerous works with Opera Philadelphia, Opera Fayetteville, the Albany Symphony, American Lyric Theatre, Sign & Sing NYC, and Seagle Music Colony. Heather holds degrees in music from Westminster Choir College and Mannes School of Music and has received training from Seagle Music Colony, the CoOPERAtive Program, and Bel Canto at Caramoor. Originally from South Carolina, Heather currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.

Meet the Cast 2019: Three Little Pigs | Michael Heitmann

Meet the Cast 2019: Three Little Pigs | Michael Heitmann

Michael Heitmann makes his debut with FBN this season as Wolfgang in Davies’s The Three Little Pigs. An accomplished singer, he has performed throughout the United States for opera companies like Seattle Opera, Tacoma Opera, Opera Coeur d'Alene, Northwest Opera in the Schools, Etc..., and Opera on Tap. Some of Mr. Heitmann’s favorite roles include the title role in Don Giovanni, Count Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Father (Hansel and Gretel), Reverend Olin Bitch (Susannah), and Ben (The Telephone). A regular concert and recital performer, his Love in the Time of Tinder has been performed across the country. In 2016, Mr. Heitmann began making modern adaptations of traditional operas. His translations not only update the language to current vernacular, but also incorporate social issues in order to reach new demographics and future audience members.  He has written new translations of The Marriage of Figaro, Carmen, The Elixir of Love, and a reality television version of Offenbach's La belle Hélène, entitled The Real Housewives of Sparta.

Spring Tour 2019: Three Little Pigs

Spring Tour 2019: Three Little Pigs

Rehearsals are underway and the FBN spring tour of Davies’s Three Little Pigs could be coming to a school or library near you! Don’t miss all the fun!

A fun, operatic version of the story of The Three LittlePigs based on scenes from operas by W.A. Mozart.

While brother pigs Don Giovanni and Cherubino set off to make homes of sticks and straw, their sister, Despina, goes to the library to read up on "huff-proof, puff-proof" home construction. After Wolfgang Bigbad blows down the boys' flimsy homes, they run to their sister's sturdy new brick house quite ready to admit that going to the library and reading books is a pretty smart thing to do after all! "If you fear a thing that's scary, just take your questions to the library"!

Meet the Cast 2019: Three Little Pigs | Samantha Leibowitz

Meet the Cast 2019: Three Little Pigs | Samantha Leibowitz

Samantha Leibowitz is ecstatic to be returning for her fourth season with FBN Productions, Inc. to perform the role of Despina in The Three Little Pigs after singing the role of Isabel this past year in Wick Theater’s production of Pirates of Penzance. Leibowitz has performed in previous FBN tours of Hansel and Gretel and the Case of the Deep Dark Woods and All According to Taste: The Three Bears’ Guide to Porridge Making. Samantha has a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Voice from New York University and a Master’s degree in Opera Performance from the University of Texas at Austin. Recently, Samantha made her Florida Grand Opera debut singing in the choruses of Carmen and Eugene Onegin. Favorite roles include Frasquita (Carmen) at the Quisisana resort,  Gymnasia (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum)  at the Wick Theatre,  and  Johanna (Sweeney Todd )  and Zerlina (Don Giovanni) at the University of Texas at Austin. www.samanthaleibowitz.com 

Meet the Cast 2019: Three Little Pigs | Jonathan Hill

Meet the Cast 2019: Three Little Pigs | Jonathan Hill

Tenor, Jonathan Hill, has been featured with opera companies along the upper West coast and  recently enjoyed singing such roles as Monostatos (Die Zauberflöte) and Guiseppe (La Traviata). This past year, he was a featured young artist with Opera on the James and Teatro Nuovo. Some of his favorite roles performed have been Don Miguel (La Perichole) with Tacoma Opera, Spoletta (Tosca) with Mississippi Opera, Goro (Madama Butterfly) with Natchez Festival of Music, and Pedrillo (Entführung aus dem Serail) with New York Opera Forum. Hill regularly travels to New York City where he continues to work with stage director Cindy Oxberry and vocal coach Mitchell Cirker. He currently resides in Boise, Idaho where he studies with Sue Patchell and Brett Hamilton.

Meet the Cast 2019: Three Little Pigs | Luke Fang

Meet the Cast 2019: Three Little Pigs | Luke Fang

Luke Fang is an accomplished collaborative pianist and soloist.  Quite active as a collaborative pianist, Luke has performed with numerous instrumentalists and vocalists in recitals including performances at University of South Carolina, Meredith College, College of Charleston, Clemson University, and Grey Walls recital Hall in Raleigh, North Carolina.   While obtaining his master’s in Piano Performance at the University of South Carolina, Luke was the rehearsal pianist for Opera at USC, and performed in Opera at USC productions, and served as musical director for the Sidney Palmer One Act Operas.  He is in frequent demand as an accompanist both in classical and sacred music, and currently serves as church pianist for a church in Lexington, South Carolina. 

We give thanks!

We give thanks!

At this time of Thanksgiving, we'd like to express our gratitude for all that contribute to the success and growth of FBN Productions, Inc. Opera for Kids. With your support, we celebrate 24 years of service to our community and the privilege of connecting with hundreds of thousands of children in SC, GA, NC, and FL. It is with your support that we will continue to enrich the lives of children for years to come. We have so much for which to be thankful!

  • For our dedicated and talented alums - we give thanks. 
  • For our generous patrons and steadfast supporters - we give thanks.
  • For the countless children and educators who have taught us so much - we give thanks.

We give thanks!

We give thanks!

At this time of Thanksgiving, we'd like to express our gratitude for all that contribute to the success and growth of FBN Productions, Inc. Opera for Kids. With your support, we celebrate 24 years of service to our community and the privilege of connecting with hundreds of thousands of children in SC, GA, NC, and FL. It is with your support that we will continue to enrich the lives of children for years to come. We have so much for which to be thankful!

  • For our dedicated and talented alums - we give thanks. 
  • For our generous patrons and steadfast supporters - we give thanks.
  • For the countless children and educators who have taught us so much - we give thanks.

Meet the Cast 2017: All According to Taste | Luke Fang

Meet the Cast 2017: All According to Taste | Luke Fang

Luke Fang is an accomplished collaborative pianist and soloist.  Quite active as a collaborative pianist, Luke has performed with numerous instrumentalists and vocalists in recitals including performances at University of South Carolina, Meredith College, College of Charleston, Clemson University, and Grey Walls recital Hall in Raleigh, North Carolina.   While obtaining his master’s in Piano Performance at the University of South Carolina, Luke was the rehearsal pianist for Opera at USC, and performed in Opera at USC productions, and served as musical director for the Sidney Palmer One Act Operas.  He is in frequent demand as an accompanist both in classical and sacred music, and currently serves as church pianist for a church in Lexington, South Carolina. 

Meet the Cast 2017: All According to Taste | Marie Putko

Meet the Cast 2017: All According to Taste | Marie Putko

Marie Putko is a lyric soprano, dancer, physical theater artist, voice teacher, and yoga instructor from New York City. 

She holds her Masters of Music in Vocal Performance in Opera Studies, and her advanced certificate in Vocal Pedagogy from New York University. She received her bachelor’s degree at Providence College in Vocal Performance, graduating with honors in 2010.  She had her Off-Broadway debut in Figaro 90210! at the Duke Theater on 42nd Street last year and will be returning for the reprise this April. She also premiered in a thriller opera, Hannibal, with One World Symphony in New York City, as the leading role of Abigail Hobbs. She’s had the privilege of working with Ellen Schaefer at Quisisana Resort, Music on the Lake in Madame Butterfly, Carmen, and All According to Taste, The Three Bears Guide to Making Porridge.

Marie is the creator of Embody-Voice, Freeing the Voice through mindful movement, breath, meditation, and relaxation. She offers classes in NYC and also teaches Yoga through the Mindfulness Project at NYU.

Meet the Cast 2017: All According to Taste | Robert Mellon

Meet the Cast 2017: All According to Taste | Robert Mellon

A native of Ronkonkoma, New York, Robert Mellon, is known for having a "dark baritone, full and fresh and quick with dramatic fire." A recent recipient of a Sullivan Foundation award and career grant, Mellon will perform with the National Sawdust Festival as Brother in the U.S. premiere of The House Taken Over; Major General in the outreach production of Pirates of Penzance with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis; Don Alfonso in the 2017 production of Così fan tutte with Shreveport Opera; and the roles of Priest, Willem, Usher and the Clerk in the June 2017 U.S. premiere of Philip Glass’s The Trial as a Gaddes Festival Artist with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. During the 2015-2016 season Mellon made his principle artist debut with PORTopera as Le Dancaïre in Carmen and was a Gerdine Young Artist with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis making his debut with the company as The Customs Officer in La Bohème. Earlier that season he was a resident artist with Peoria Symphony in their concert production of Così fan tutte as Don Alfonso. Other roles include Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro), Falstaff (Falstaff), Sam (Trouble in Tahiti), and Macbeth in the U.S. premiere of Ernest Bloch’s Macbeth. Concert work includes Mozart's Requiem, Duruflé's Requiem, Dvorak’s Te Deum, Stravinsky’s Pulcinella, and Mussorgsky’s Songs and Dances of Death. Mellon is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music and the State University of New York College at Potsdam.

Meet the Cast 2017: All According to Taste | Samantha Leibowitz

Meet the Cast 2017: All According to Taste | Samantha Leibowitz

Samantha Leibowitz is ecstatic to be returning for her second tour with FBN Productions, Inc. to reprise the role of Goldilocks after performing All According to Taste: The Three Bears’ Guide to Porridge Making this past summer at the Quisisana Resort in Maine. Samantha has a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Voice from New York University and a Master’s degree in Opera Performance from the University of Texas at Austin. Recently, Samantha made her Florida Grand Opera debut singing in the choruses of Carmen and Eugene Onegin. Favorite roles include Frasquita (Carmen) at the Quisisana resort, Gymnasia (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum) at the Wick Theatre, and Johanna (Sweeney Todd) and Zerlina (Don Giovanni) at the University of Texas at Austin. www.samanthaleibowitz.com

Meet the Cast 2017: All According to Taste | Jonathan Hill

Meet the Cast 2017: All According to Taste | Jonathan Hill

Tenor, Jonathan Hill, has been featured with opera companies along the upper West coast and  recently enjoyed singing such roles as Monostatos (Die Zauberflöte) and Guiseppe (La Traviata). He has also sung the roles of Spoletta (Tosca) with Mississippi Opera, Goro (Madama Butterfly) with Natchez Festival of Music, and Pedrillo (Entführung aus dem Serail) with New York Opera Forum. In April of 2017, he will make his debut singing Don Miguel in La Perichole with Tacoma Opera. Hill regularly travels to New York City where he continues to work with stage director Cindy Oxberry and vocal coach Mitchell Cirker. He currently resides in Boise, Idaho where he studies with Sue Patchell and Brett Hamilton.

Lexington County Chronicle: Kids and Opera Do Mix Well!

"'Bravo! Brava,' we exclaimed while being delighted this past Friday morning by FBN Productions, Inc.'s 'Jack and the Beanstalk' at Village Square Theatre. Remarkably, Lexington County Arts Association sponsored this charming operatic version of the familiar tale free to the public! The music was by Gilbert & Sullivan, and John Davies adapted the story in an entertaining way in order to teach the Golden Rule. The four vocalists for the opera were even kind enough to take questions from the audience after the conclusion of the performance."