Seattle Opera introduced right this moment its new refrain grasp & head of music employees is Michaella Calzaretta, an skilled conductor acclaimed for her excessive requirements and excellent preparation expertise. Calzaretta will put together the 36-member Seattle Opera Refrain, which will likely be featured through the 2022/23 season in The Elixir of Love, Tristan and Isolde, Samson and Delilah in Live performance, and La traviata. Moreover, Calzaretta will oversee the corporate’s musical actions, aiming for the best requirements in musical efficiency.
The appointment comes after an intensive search led by Basic Director Christina Scheppelmann and Director of Creative Administration & Planning Aren Der Hacopian. Calzaretta succeeds longtime Seattle Opera Refrain Grasp John Keene, who accepted a place as refrain director at San Francisco Opera in January.
Calzaretta will step into the position instantly to organize the refrain for the corporate’s upcoming manufacturing of The Elixir of Love, which runs August 6–20 at McCaw Corridor.
“I’m thrilled to convey Michaella’s power and expertise to work with Seattle Opera,” stated Christina Scheppelmann. “Michaella linked instantly with our choristers, creating constructive musical outcomes straight away. Her collaborative fashion and considerate method match completely with our firm.”
Aren Der Hacopian stated: “We’re elated to have Michaella be a part of us as our new refrain grasp & head of music employees. Her constructive demeanor and true ardour for creating artwork are infectious, and we’re honored that she has agreed to affix us as we construct towards a thriving future.”
“Opera refrain masters usually start their careers as coaches, pianists, or conductors; I feel it’s nice that Michaella was first a singer and a choral conductor,” stated Jay Rozendaal, coach-accompanist and orchestra librarian. “She brings a recent perspective to the position that will likely be an actual asset to the corporate normally and the refrain specifically.”
Calzaretta beforehand served as refrain grasp and assistant conductor at Utah Opera, the place she lately accomplished her fifth season. Amongst her many achievements, Calzaretta was acknowledged for constantly delivering robust performances and a well-balanced ensemble sound. She made her fundamental stage conducting debut in October 2020 with performances of The Human Voice and Gentleman’s Island. Different conducting credit embody Rattling Yankees and The Merry Widow with Pittsburgh Competition Opera, and Endurance with the Indiana College Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
Calzaretta is a doctoral candidate (ABD) in choral conducting at Indiana College, and she or he holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Efficiency from Simpson School in Indianola, Iowa, and a Grasp of Music in Choral Conducting from the College of Missouri-Kansas Metropolis.
“I’m honored to be becoming a member of such an excellent group and can’t wait to get began,” stated Calzaretta. “My audition time with the Seattle Opera Refrain was exhilarating and I’m eager to dive into partnership with the great music and creative employees in executing this season and planning many extra.”
Calzaretta brings a wealth of expertise with each new operas and established favorites to the position, a basis on which she plans to construct in Seattle. “Seattle Opera is a frontrunner in presenting high-quality conventional repertoire whereas additionally championing new works and prioritizing underrepresented tales that join with audiences and performers alike. The way forward for opera in Seattle is shiny and I’m delighted to have a entrance row seat.”
