Purcell: Dido and Aeneas "Lamento" Gwendolyn Reid (Dido)

THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

Rudi E.Scheidt School of Music

Memphis Opera & Song Academy

May 17 - May 31, 2009

In cooperation with the Robert Schumann Hochschule, Duesseldorf, Germany
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A retrospective glance at MOSA 2008

                                                                   Spohr: Faust   Röschen                      Spohr: Zemire und Azor  Kacie Garbus  (Zemire)

                                                                                                     Wagner: Die Walküre   Shannon Melody Unger (Sieglinde)

The Memphis Opera & Song Academy 2008, directed and founded in 2007 by Prof. Susan Owen-Leinert and
German stage director Michael Leinert,
was again such a great success that the third season in May 2009 is already planned.

                                                                                   Mozart: Cosi fan tutte  Samantha Guevrekian (Fiordiligi), Gwendolyn Reid (Dorabella)  

                                                                   Nicolai: Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor  Amy Waller (Frau Fluth), Kathleen Favazza (Frau Reich)

20 participating singers artists from 14 different states, Canada and Germany delighted an audience
in the final concert on May 31, 2008 in Harris Concert Hall. This varied program of staged operatic scenes,
arias and German Lieder concluded the two week workshop for opera singers at The University of Memphis,
Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music.

                                      Weber: Der Freischütz  Brautjungfern - Lied   Molly Langston, Ensemble            Aennchen und Agathe  Dawn Neely, Margarita Roco
                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Agathe   Margarita Roco

The program with the title "The Merry wives of Memphis" presented scenes from Beethoven's "Fidelio",
Verdi's "Falstaff", Nicolai's "Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor", arias from two operas by Louis Spohr and
Reinhard Keiser, the Terzett from "Der Freischütz", the final scene of "Parsifal"
by Richard Wagner, a "Happy birthday, Giacomo - Medley" for Giacomo Puccini, among others.

                                                                                         Beethoven: Fidelio   Jeremy Clark McGee (Jaquino), Emily Gibson (Marzelline)

The intensive two week program was designed by the Leinerts to instruct and inspire opera singers
on the verge of international careers.
The couple’s extensive experience in the opera houses of Europe, mainly in Germany, was shared with the young singers.
The music faculty for the program included Maestro Mark Ensley, Director of the Opera Program at the University of Memphis,
Dr. Victor Asunción, Professor of Piano and Coordinator of the Collaborative Pianist Program at the University of Memphis and
Marcie Richardson, a long experienced pianist and vocal coach.

In 2009 Prof. Thomas Gabrisch, the Dean of The Robert Schumann Hochschule from Duesseldorf/Germany
will join the Academy's international faculty as a guest professor.
He is also the Director of the Opera Department of this renowned
German Musikhochschule and an experienced conductor, for example
at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Duesseldorf-Duisburg, among others.

Purcell: Dido and Aeneas   Yamuna Meleth (Dido)

                                                                                                 J.Strauss  Die Fledermaus  Dawn Neely and the MOSA Ensemble

The Memphis Opera & Song Academy in cooperation with the Robert Schumann Hochschule Duesseldorf, Germany,
is unique in its diversity: Master classes for opera and German Lieder - including a workshop "The art form Meldodrama",
Opera Workshops with more than 24 different scenes, Audition and German language training,
complete courses about the opera business, theatre system
and living in Europe as an opera singer, as well as Seminars about
opera history and current stage practices in Europe.

                                                                         Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier  Dawn Neely (Sophie),  Shannon Melody Unger (Octavian)

                                                                                                                    Wagner: Parsifal   Gregory Wascoe

Many of the participants of the Academy remain in personal contact, requesting further career guidance in addition
to expressing their appreciation of the competent professional artistic program with its precise organization.

Selected comments from the participants of the
Memphis Opera & Song Academy 2008

"It is rare to work with world-class artists that care so much about helping out potential artists.
I feel that my performance went to another level because every one of you was patient
and put me at ease. I hope that you are planning to hold the academy next summer
so I can recommend the program to my friends."
Rachel,  CA

"I just wanted to thank you for all the opportunities and encouragement you gave me.
I think I had gotten to a point where I had lost my love for singing….thank you for helping me find my voice again."
Margarita Roco, Irving, TX

"I can’t thank you and Michael enough – my teacher, my coaches and my friends
who have watched my career development, all noticed a huge difference in my performance
and confidence level when I returned from MOSA. You all managed to give me a level of validation
that I really needed, and which fueled my performance capabilities!"
Susan Sevier, Washington, DC

"I learned so much musically and dramatically. It was wonderful to work
with such experienced and professional stage director and opera singer.
Thanks also to the fantastic vocal coaches!"
Gregory Wascoe, Rexburg, ID

"Thank you so much for this wonderful experience!"
Emily Gibson, Ithaca, NY

"It was a pleasure to work with everyone at MOSA.
Thank you for giving me a copy of "From the Treasure Chest of German Lied".
I have enjoyed listening to this CD immensely."
Nanette McGuiness, Berkeley, CA

"I thought that you and Michael did an amazing job of organization,
repertoire choices, scheduling, administration, dealing with divas, etc.
I’d love to be a part of next year’s MOSA.
Maestro Mark Ensley, Conductor and Vocal Coach, Memphis, TN