Singer

Nominated for 13 Tony Awards® including “Best Musical,” and winning for “Best Original Score” and “Best Book of a Musical,” Ragtime makes its premiere to Toledo Opera audiences! Based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, this musical tapestry depicts an African-American family, a Jewish family, and a wealthy white suburban family in turn-of-the-century New York. As they collide in pursuit of the American Dream, they discover the surprising interconnections of the human heart, the limitations of justice, and the unsettling consequences when dreams are permanently deferred. Ragtime is a powerful portrait of life at the turn-of-the-20th century, exploring America’s timeless contradictions of freedom and prejudice, wealth and poverty, hope and despair. Ragtime stars baritone Derrick Davis (Toledo Opera’s I Dream) as Coalhouse Walker, Jr., Broadway soprano Raquel Suarez Groen as Mother, and baritone Joshua Jeremiah as Tateh. J. Ernest Green returns to Toledo to conduct, as James M. Norman brings this poignant musical to life.

EPSG:4326

Ragtime

Valentine Theatre

Never before seen by Toledo Opera audiences, the beloved tale of Cinderella meets operatic delight in this Rossini hit. Based on the iconic children’s story, Angelina (Cinderella) sweeps the floors while her farcical stepsisters try on dresses, vying for the extremely eligible Prince Ramiro’s hand in marriage. With a twist of fate, Angelina meets Prince Ramiro. Charmed by her goodness, he knows he has found his soulmate. Amid household chaos, squabbling family members, and mistaken identities, Angelina’s honesty and forthrightness bring this story to its rightful and hilarious conclusion. Rossini’s charming take on the classic Cinderella story will delight audiences of all ages in this family-friendly opera. Cinderella stars mezzo-soprano Sarah Coit as Angelina, tenor David Walton as Prince Ramiro, and BGSU voice professor Keith Phares as Count Dandini.  Maestro Douglas Kinney Frost conducts Rossini’s sparkling score as director Marc Verzatt brings this enchanting story to life.

Cinderella (La Cenerentola)

Toledo Opera will host their annual fundraising Gala at the Toledo Club. The gala will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail hour. The concert will commence at 7:00 p.m., followed by a plated dinner prepared by the Toledo Club. Toledo Opera is thrilled to present an evening of songs and arias with the 2022-2023 Resident Artists: Sara Mortensen, soprano; Imara Miles, mezzo-soprano; Brendan Boyle, tenor; Matthew Payne, baritone, and Steven Naylor, piano. Co-Artistic Director and Head of Music Preparation Kevin Bylsma will serve as Master of Ceremonies and as accompanist.

Our singers will perform a variety of solo selections ranging from classical opera, to Broadway selections,  plus many more. They will be accompanied by both Kevin Bylsma and Steven Naylor.

Gala 2023

Toledo Club

Toledo Opera will present Celebrazione del Coro, a concert of Great Opera Choruses with conductor Kevin Bylsma leading the renowned Toledo Opera Chorus and soloists accompanied by orchestra. The Toledo Opera Chorus is at the heart of Toledo Opera’s musical activity and in this concert, we feature them. The Toledo Opera Chorus members are involved in almost every production, performing as everything from priests and nuns, to townsfolk and milk maids to courtesans and everything in between! Highlights will include famous choruses and arias from popular operas by Bizet, Verdi, Puccini, Bernstein, Wagner, and much more. Also featuring the Toledo Opera Children's Chorus!

Celebrazione del Coro

Just in time for Valentine’s Day! The Merry Widow dances into our hearts with its beautiful melodies and witty storyline. Hanna Glawari is a vastly wealthy young widow from the small and poverty-stricken Balkan province of Pontevedro. Ambassador Baron Zeta is anxious that when Hanna re-marries, it is to a Pontevedrian and not a Frenchman, to keep her money in the country and save them all from ruin. J. Ernest Green conducts this bubbly delight while Jamie Offenbach and James M. Norman bring the light-hearted comedy to life. Starring as the merry widow is Alyson Cambridge (Toledo Opera’s Carmen) and BGSU voice professor Keith Phares as Count Danilo.

Sara Mortensen

Soprano

Events

Past events

19 - 21 Apr, 2024

Ragtime · Toledo Opera

6 - 8 Oct, 2023

Cinderella (La Cenerentola) · Toledo Opera

Future and recently performed repertoire

Clorinda in La Cenerentola by Rossini

Toledo Opera

Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime by Flaherty

Toledo Opera

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