Matthew Chellis, as Nemorino
Recognized as a tenor of remarkable versatility and solid musicianship, with an impressive range and an exciting facility in his upper register, Matthew Chellis has already sung 10 roles at New York City Opera. He has appeared to critical and popular acclaim throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and Canada. Simultaneously displaying a rare ability for dramatic characterization and theatricality, Mr. Chellis has enjoyed equal success in opera, concert, and theatrical performances.
Matthew Chellis, Tenor
New York City Opera
New York City Opera
Jane Redding, Soprano
Nashville Opera
Nashville Opera
Jane Redding, as Adina
Career highlights have included the title role in LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR with Nashville Opera and Pensacola Opera; Gilda in RIGOLETTO with Virginia Opera, Nevada Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, and Pensacola Opera; Zerbinetta in ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, Cunegonde in CANDIDE, Mary Warren in THE CRUCIBLE, Nannetta in FALSTAFF, and Lauretta in GIANNI SCHICCHI with Des Moines Metro Opera.
Career highlights have included the title role in LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR with Nashville Opera and Pensacola Opera; Gilda in RIGOLETTO with Virginia Opera, Nevada Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, and Pensacola Opera; Zerbinetta in ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, Cunegonde in CANDIDE, Mary Warren in THE CRUCIBLE, Nannetta in FALSTAFF, and Lauretta in GIANNI SCHICCHI with Des Moines Metro Opera.
Craig Irvin, Bass Baritone
Orlando Opera
Orlando Opera
Craig Irvin, as Dulcamara
Bass-baritone Craig Irvin brings a vibrant sound and commitment to character to each role he portrays. Most recently he was seen with Des Moines Metro Opera as Bottom in their production of Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream. A winner of the Heinz Rehfuss Singing Actor Award sponsored by Orlando Opera, Mr. Irwin spent two seasons with the company as a Resident Artist. During his tenure there he was seen on the mainstage as the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, Abimelech in Samson et Dalilah, Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, Elder Ott in Susannah, and Angelotti in Tosca. While in Orlando Mr. Irvin also sang the role of Gaston in over 700 performance of Beauty and the Beast at Walt Disney World, MGM.
Bass-baritone Craig Irvin brings a vibrant sound and commitment to character to each role he portrays. Most recently he was seen with Des Moines Metro Opera as Bottom in their production of Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream. A winner of the Heinz Rehfuss Singing Actor Award sponsored by Orlando Opera, Mr. Irwin spent two seasons with the company as a Resident Artist. During his tenure there he was seen on the mainstage as the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, Abimelech in Samson et Dalilah, Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, Elder Ott in Susannah, and Angelotti in Tosca. While in Orlando Mr. Irvin also sang the role of Gaston in over 700 performance of Beauty and the Beast at Walt Disney World, MGM.
Lee Gregory
Baritone
New York City Opera
Baritone
New York City Opera
Lee Gregory, as Belcore
Lee Gregory, is a gifted singing actor with a beautiful, warm, and ringing baritone voice. He has a wide and varied repertoire, and is quickly becoming known for his ability to embody his characters. The Nashville Scene acclaimed his Mercutio as “performed with a resonant baritone that readily captured his character’s arrogance and swagger,” and Opera News praised his Mercutio as “… nearly ideal. He is tall and has a sizable voice that nimbly limned the Mab aria, justly applauded. His physicality captured Shakespeare’s jokester quite well.”
In summer of 2007 Mr. Gregory returns to Boston Midsummer Opera to sing in an evening of staged arias and ensemble selections, entitled “Tales of Offenbach,” and performs Marcello in La bohème with ProCantus Lyric Opera. His 2007-08 season includes his debut with Opera Pacific as Schaunard in La bohème.
Lee Gregory, is a gifted singing actor with a beautiful, warm, and ringing baritone voice. He has a wide and varied repertoire, and is quickly becoming known for his ability to embody his characters. The Nashville Scene acclaimed his Mercutio as “performed with a resonant baritone that readily captured his character’s arrogance and swagger,” and Opera News praised his Mercutio as “… nearly ideal. He is tall and has a sizable voice that nimbly limned the Mab aria, justly applauded. His physicality captured Shakespeare’s jokester quite well.”
In summer of 2007 Mr. Gregory returns to Boston Midsummer Opera to sing in an evening of staged arias and ensemble selections, entitled “Tales of Offenbach,” and performs Marcello in La bohème with ProCantus Lyric Opera. His 2007-08 season includes his debut with Opera Pacific as Schaunard in La bohème.
Nelson Sheeley, Stage Director
National Opera Company
National Opera Company
Nelson Sheeley, Stage Director
Nelson Sheeley comes to Opera Naples from directing a revival of Ludwig Thuille's opera LOBETANZ for the Liederkranz Society in New York where he has previously staged producions of THE STUDENT PRINCE and HANSEL AND GRETEL. HE has also directed with the National Opera Company, Whitewater and Sorg Operas, Lake George Opera, Nevada Opera and the Orchestra of St. Lukes. He has worked in professional theatre since 1970 acting, directing and stage managing at Totem Pole Playhouse, 7 Angels Theatre, Forestburgh Playhouse, Fleetwood Playhouse, and Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.
For 10 years he was Managing Director of Allenberry Playhouse, an Actors' Equity playhouse in Boiling Springs, PA where he directed over 90 productions of plays, musicals and operettas. He has written 6 full-length plays, translated works of Feydeau, Marivaux and Offenbach from the French and has written the libretto for an original one-act opera (A STRANGER'S TALE) which premiered in Ohio in 2005.
Nelson Sheeley comes to Opera Naples from directing a revival of Ludwig Thuille's opera LOBETANZ for the Liederkranz Society in New York where he has previously staged producions of THE STUDENT PRINCE and HANSEL AND GRETEL. HE has also directed with the National Opera Company, Whitewater and Sorg Operas, Lake George Opera, Nevada Opera and the Orchestra of St. Lukes. He has worked in professional theatre since 1970 acting, directing and stage managing at Totem Pole Playhouse, 7 Angels Theatre, Forestburgh Playhouse, Fleetwood Playhouse, and Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.
For 10 years he was Managing Director of Allenberry Playhouse, an Actors' Equity playhouse in Boiling Springs, PA where he directed over 90 productions of plays, musicals and operettas. He has written 6 full-length plays, translated works of Feydeau, Marivaux and Offenbach from the French and has written the libretto for an original one-act opera (A STRANGER'S TALE) which premiered in Ohio in 2005.
Rebecca Richardson
Soprano, Naples Resident
www.naplesjazz.com
Soprano, Naples Resident
www.naplesjazz.com
Rebecca Richardson as Gianetta
Professional vocalist Rebecca Richardson relocated from New York to Naples in 2005. She began her vocal training at the age of thirteen, graduated from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle with a degree in Jazz Vocal Performance, and then studied in New York with masterclasses in piano and voice at Juilliard. Her love of jazz has taken her from Seattle to New York, Paris and Amsterdam - and now to Naples, where she performs regularly at Campiello, The Ritz Carlton, Shula's, Aldos and various other regional establishments.
Professional vocalist Rebecca Richardson relocated from New York to Naples in 2005. She began her vocal training at the age of thirteen, graduated from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle with a degree in Jazz Vocal Performance, and then studied in New York with masterclasses in piano and voice at Juilliard. Her love of jazz has taken her from Seattle to New York, Paris and Amsterdam - and now to Naples, where she performs regularly at Campiello, The Ritz Carlton, Shula's, Aldos and various other regional establishments.
Ms. Richardson performs mainly with jazz groups, but makes time for classical music as well - performing for area churches. She also founded and directs The Naples Carolers, a professional full-costumed Victorian a capella quartet, available for holiday events. Rebecca teaches voice and piano privately, is choir director for Unity Church of Naples and Golden Gate All Nations Church, and has created a Musical Theater Workshop for KidzAct and Etudes de Ballet.
Cal Stewart-Kellogg
Conductor
San Francisco Opera
Conductor
San Francisco Opera
Cal Stewart-Kellogg, Conductor
Cal Stewart Kellogg is Principal Conductor of the Arizona Opera. Companies for whom he has led productions include the Baltimore Opera, Canadian Opera, Cleveland Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Houston Grand Opera, L'Opera de Montreal, Opera Theater of St. Louis, San Francisco Opera, Seattle Opera, a sixteen-year association with the Washington Opera, plus the festivals at Chautauqua, Santa Fe, Spoleto and Wolf Trap. In Italy, he has led productions for the opera companies of Florence, Genoa, Naples and Parma.
Cal Stewart Kellogg is Principal Conductor of the Arizona Opera. Companies for whom he has led productions include the Baltimore Opera, Canadian Opera, Cleveland Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Houston Grand Opera, L'Opera de Montreal, Opera Theater of St. Louis, San Francisco Opera, Seattle Opera, a sixteen-year association with the Washington Opera, plus the festivals at Chautauqua, Santa Fe, Spoleto and Wolf Trap. In Italy, he has led productions for the opera companies of Florence, Genoa, Naples and Parma.
