Gail Dubinbaum to Sing Role of Suzuki

IN PHOENIX OPERA’S MADAMA BUTTERFLY 

FORMER METROPOLITAN OPERA STAR CO-FOUNDED PHOENIX OPERA 

Madama Butterfly

  February 12, 14, 2010 

Mezzo-soprano Gail Dubinbaum, who co-founded Phoenix Opera in 2006 with her husband, John Massaro, will take to the stage herself on February 12^th and 14^th as she performs the role of Suzuki in Phoenix Opera’s Madama Butterfly. Ms. Dubinbaum has performed the role many times at numerous opera houses, most notably in Israel with the Israel Philharmonic under the baton of Maestro Zubin Mehta. Of note also is the fact that this performance will be the first time, after many years of marriage, she and her husband will perform together in an opera as singer and conductor.  

Gail Dubinbaum has performed both opera and concert works internationally. She has sung leading roles with some of the world’s most prestigious opera companies including the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna Staatsoper, Israel Opera and L’Opera de Montreal. Nationally, she has appeared with Opera Pacific, Detroit Opera, Portland Opera and Arizona Opera. On the concert stage, Ms. Dubinbaum has sung with the Los Angeles, Israel, New York, Boston, Cleveland and San Francisco Orchestras ... and with such renowned conductors as Zubin Mehta, James Levine, Michael Tilson Thomas, Gerard Schwarz, Carlo Maria Giulini and Leonard Bernstein. Known for her portrayals of Rossini and Mozart heroines, Ms. Dubinbaum has also distinguished herself in recital, having worked closely with the legendary soprano, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Beginning her studies with her mother, Ruth Dubinbaum, she continued her private studies with the great German mezzo, Mme. Herta Glaz. She appeared on television in the series “In Performance at the White House” and “Live from the Met.” Her DVD recordings include “Francesca da Rimini” with the Metropolitan Opera and the “Met Centennial Gala.” For nearly a decade, her private studio in Phoenix has produced singers who consistently win national competitions and land leading roles with major opera companies. 

As Cio-Cio San, Phoenix Opera will present internationally renowned soprano, Mihoko Kinoshita. Mihoko has been hailed by critics as “the greatest Cio-Cio San” due to her rich and incomparably controlled voice and her unparalleled portrayal of the wide spectrum of emotions necessary for the role. Mihoko has sung the role of Butterfly throughout Europe, Japan, and several major cities in the United States to enthusiastic reviews:  

Madama Butterfly premiered at LaScala, in Milan, in 1904 and has consistently been one of the most performed operas in the repertoire.  In the opera, Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton marries a young Japanese girl, Cio-Cio San (Butterfly). Taking his marriage vows lightly, Pinkerton abandons Cio-Cio San and returns to America where he finds a new wife. Only realizing that she had been abandoned three years later, shortly before a return visit by Pinkerton and his new wife, Cio-Cio San begins to set the stage for the third act’s shocking conclusion. Gail Dubinbaum describes the character she will portray: “Suzuki provides a contrast to the character of Cio-Cio San. Suzuki is older, wiser, a long time companion to Cio- Cio San, a friend of the family for years. She sees the folly in Cio-Cio San's unfailing devotion to the hope that Pinkerton will return. She tries to reason with Cio-Cio San. She is the truest of friends, and when the tragedy becomes apparent, she shares the devastation of Cio-Cio San's disappointment.  They would both be out on the street, impoverished together...but Suzuki never leaves her side. Suzuki is quite a powerful dramatic role...and I love it!  She is Cio-Cio San's greatest protector, her truest friend, the one who must break the unbearable news about Pinkerton and the child to Cio-Cio San. I cry through almost the entire opera.....and spend most of my time on my knees.’ 

Puccini’s Madama Butterfly will be presented on February 12^th and 14^th, 2010 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster or by calling the Orpheum Theatre at 602-262-7272.

Japanese Opera Star Mihoko Kinoshita to Sing in Phoneix

WILL STAR AS CIO-CIO-SAN IN PHOENIX OPERA’S MADAMA BUTTERFLY

ACCLAIMED BY CRITICS FOR HER BUTTERFLY INTERPRETATION

Madama Butterfly

February 12, 14, 2010

In February Phoenix Opera will present an internationally renowned soprano in the role of Cio-Cio-San in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the Orpheum Theatre. Mihoko Kinoshita has been called by some “the greatest Cio-Cio-San” due to her rich and incomparably controlled voice, and her unparalleled portrayal of the wide spectrum of emotions necessary for the role. Kinoshita has sung the role of Butterfly throughout Europe, Japan, and several major cities in the United States to enthusiastic reviews:

“…Kinoshita’s vocal accomplishment is absolute. …bound up in Kinoshita’s vocal prowess is her stage savvy. Her acting instincts elevate her singing to a devastating naturalism. We believe in this ingenuous Butterfly as surely as she believes in her marriage to the long-departed Lt. Pinkerton.”

- The Detroit News

“…gaining strength and richness; dramatically on target, with a wealth of detail in the acting. Kinoshita left quite a vivid mark on the [Butterfly] role…”

- Baltimore Sun

“Soprano's brilliant performance carries ‘Butterfly'”

- Midland Daily News

Mihoko Kinoshita was born in Kagoshima, Japan. She completed both her Bachelor and Master's Degree at the Musashino Academy of Music. In 2001, she began studying abroad in Italy. She has been awarded numerous prizes, such as first place in the Santa Margherita International Opera Competition and Bevagna International Opera Competition, as well as second place in Verdian voice International Competition in Busseto and the Riccardo Zandonai International Opera Competition. She was also awarded the New Nippon Steal Award-Fresh artist award (2006), and the Idemitsu Music Award (2007), one of Japan's highest awards in the field of arts.

In 2007, Kinoshita was awarded first prize in the Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation Competition and caused a sensation in their winner's concert at Lincoln Center. Her "One Fine Day" (Un bel di vedremo) fascinated not only her audience but also the other winners.

She had her Baltimore Opera debut, in May 2008, as Madama Butterfly, following her debut with the Midland Symphony Orchestra in the same role. She also made her Detroit Opera debut at Michigan Opera Theater (MOT) in November. In all of the performances, her brilliant talent showed her full range of the Butterfly character, and won her much approval from critics and the public. Even now, audiences seldom have the chance to see such a talented Japanese singer, who can perform the title role as brilliantly.

In December, she was invited to the Puccini 150th Anniversary Gala Concert by Di Capo Opera and sang the "Love Duet" from Madama Butterfly with Raul Melo at Lincoln Center.

She has recognized as major interpreter of the role of Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly, having sung the role at the Santa Margherita Opera Festival in Italy (2002), Belgrade Opera (2003), Sofia National Opera (2004), Tokyo Bunkakaikan of Nikikai Opera Theater (2004, 2006), the Kanagawa Philharmonic (2004) and the Sofia summer Festival (2006).

Kinoshita will make her Canadian debut as "Cio-Cio-San" at Vancouver in 2010. She resides in New York.

In the opera, Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton marries a young Japanese girl, Cio-Cio-San. Taking his marriage vows lightly, Pinkerton abandons Cio-Cio-San and returns to America where he finds a new wife. Only realizing that she had been abandoned three years later, shortly before a return visit by Pinkerton and his new wife, Cio-Cio-San begins to set the stage for the third act’s shocking conclusion. Madama Butterfly premiered at LaScala. In Milan, in 1904 and has consistently been one of the most performed operas in the repertoire.

Puccini’s Madama Butterfly will be presented on February 12^th and 14^th, 2010 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster or by calling the Orpheum Theatre at 602-262-7272.

Popular "Opera Triviata" Game to be Again Presented by Phoenix Opera Event to Take Place at My Florist Cafe

WILL INCLUDE CELEBRITY EXPERTS AND LIVE OPERA PERFORMANCES

Madama Butterfly

February 12, 14, 2009

“Opera Triviata,” presented several months ago by Phoenix Opera, was such a success that the company has announced a repeat event hosted by My Florist Café with two panels of celebrity opera experts who will compete in front of a live audience in answering difficult questions on the subject. The questions will be posed by host Michael Dixon of KTAR. “Opera Triviata” will take place Sunday, December 13^th at 4 PM at My Florist Café at the corner of 7^th Ave. and McDowell in Phoenix.

John Massaro, General Director of Phoenix Opera said, “We discovered last time that this type of game show atmosphere combined with a wonderful party gives opera lovers something that they cannot get anywhere else. ‘Opera Triviata’ is just pure fun and the response by the community has been tremendous.”

Admission to “Opera Triviata” is $50 per person. A special holiday menu and wine are included. A cash bar is also available. In addition, there will be audience participation as well as live opera singing by young artists of the Phoenix Opera. Reservations can be made by calling Marilyn at 480-905-8854.

Tickets are now available for Phoenix Opera’s upcoming performances of Puccini's Madama Butterfly (February 12 & 14, 2010). Go to Ticketmaster or call the Orpheum Box Office at 602-262-7272.