Happenings at Skylark - March 2023

Photo Credit: K. Hailey

Daffodils, the flower of March, are one of the earliest bloomers in a spring garden. They symbolize new beginnings, happiness and joy. Skylark has a March message of new beginnings, too!

Welcoming James Barnett to Skylark Opera Theatre

We are excited to announce that James Barnett will be joining Skylark Opera Theatre as our Artistic Director. The founder of the enormously successful LOFTrecital series, James has 17 years of experience in and knowledge of the Twin Cities opera and music theater community and a long-held dedication to bringing new and forgotten music to the next generation of Skylark audiences. He will be a great asset to Skylark as we prepare for productions in 2024 and beyond!

Heartfelt thanks to Gary Briggle

Many thanks to Gary Briggle for serving as Skylark's Interim Artistic Director. Gary stepped into the role to direct Skylark’s production of Amahl and the Night Visitors in 2021 and continued through December of 2022. He was the creative energy behind the adaptation of Skylark’s award-nominated Eugene Onegin in 2022. While Gary steps out of the role of interim artistic director, you will still hear of his connections with Skylark, as he serves as stage director for Three Decembers in May.

Don’t Wait! Purchase tickets for Three Decembers now

More exciting news for March--tickets are on sale for Skylark’s production of Three Decembers. This stunning American opera, based on a play by Terrence McNally, is a poignant story of family and family relationships told against the backdrop of the social changes of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. The music by composer Jake Heggie in collaboration with librettist Gene Scheer paints the portrait of a mother, daughter and son coming to grips with their lives separate from and with each other. The three-person, Minnesota-based cast features Norah Long in the lead role of Madeline Mitchell, a famous Broadway star; Siena Forest as Madeline’s daughter, Beatrice; and Tony Potts as her son, Charlie. Gary Briggle is the stage director and Carson Rose Schneider is the music director. The six performances open on Mother’s Day weekend, May 12-14th, a perfect time to celebrate the meaning of family connections. Additional performances will be May 19-21st. Purchase your tickets at skylark.booktix.com.

Free Skylark performance at Landmark Center April 2nd

Join us on April 2nd at the Landmark Center in St. Paul for a performance in the “Sundays at Landmark” series. The FREE program begins at 1:00pm. The talented singers will perform a selection of songs from some of Skylark’s past productions and more contemporary musical theater, too! Performing will be Elena Stabile--soprano; KrisAnne Weiss—mezzo-soprano; Ben Dutcher—tenor; and Justin Spenner—baritone, accompanied by Carson Rose Schneider.

Skylark for Seniors winter series concludes; Spring/summer series begins in May

Thank you to the performers who entertained audiences at senior residences during our winter series--sopranos Siena Forest, and Elena Stabile; mezzo-sopranos Laurel Armstrong, Jennifer Eckes and KrisAnne Weiss; and baritones Rob Riordan and Justin Spenner. Thanks also go out to Skylark for Seniors' music director, Carson Rose Schneider, who also provided piano accompaniment for every performance. Our performers were aided by sound specialists Nathaniel Glewwe, Micah Kopecky and Mikayla Finnegan. The spring/summer series will begin in May at senior residences throughout the Twin Cities area. Skylark for Seniors is generously supported by UCare.