Stephanie Blythe and François Racine Named Seattle Opera Artists of the Year

On Tuesday, July 14, during Seattle Opera's Annual Meeting at McCaw Hall, General Director Speight Jenkins announced that The company's 2008/09 Artists of the Year awards went to mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe for performing the role of Amneris in Verdi's Aida in August 2008, and to François Racine for his stage direction of Seattle Opera's double bill of Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle with Schoenberg's Erwartung in February and March, 2009.

"In my opinion, Stephanie Blythe is one of the world's greatest singers," said Jenkins. "She has appeared here in many different styles, all brilliantly. Her loyalty and dedication to Seattle Opera means more than I can possibly say."

"I am delighted that François Racine was selected as director, even though Robert Lepage originated the production," Jenkins continued. "The success of the double bill here was made possible by Racine's brilliant work with our three singers."

Stephanie Blythe, one of the most highly respected artists of her generation, won critical and audience acclaim for her performance of the role of Amneris in Seattle Opera's August 2008 production of Aida. Blythe has sung the roles of Fricka and the Second Norn in all Seattle Ring performances since 2000. She will be singing these roles along with the role of Waltraute in Seattle Opera's Ring cycle this August. Other roles at Seattle Opera include the title role in Bizet's Carmen, and Isabella in Rossini's Italiana in Algeri. In 2010 she returns to Seattle Opera as Dame Quickly in Verdi's Falstaff.

François Racine made his Seattle Opera debut with Bluebeard's Castle and Erwartung in February and March 2009. He has also recreated Robert Lepage's staging for this production at the Hong Kong Arts and Melbourne festivals, and in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Cincinnati, Québec, and Montréal, since the production's inception at Canadian Opera Company in 1993. Racine has staged productions for all of the major opera companies in Canada, where his credits have included Verdi's Macbeth at Opéra de Montréal, and the Canadian Opera Company's productions of Verdi's Traviata and Bizet's Carmen. He is an award-winning playwright and also the founder and artistic director of Montreal Opera Lab, an acting training center for opera singers.

In 1991, Seattle Opera's Artist of the Year award was created to honor the individual singer, conductor, director, or designer who had made the most significant contribution to the success of the season. At the conclusion of the 2003/04 season, Seattle Opera began honoring two Artists of the Year for the season: one a conductor, director, or designer; the other a singer. Participating in the selection process of Seattle Opera's Artists of the Year are members of Seattle Opera's Board of Trustees, Diamond Level and Platinum Circle donors, and staff, as well as selected members of the local press. This is The company's eighteenth annual selection of Artist of the Year.

John Nesholm, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, announced during the meeting that a Seattle Opera Chairman's Award will be presented to Marion Oliver McCaw (at a later date), in honor of her leadership, generosity, and championship of Seattle Opera. The Chairman's Award was created in 2008 to recognize and honor those who have given exceptional support to Seattle Opera. The unique glass and copper award was designed and hand-crafted by Seattle Opera's Scenic Studios. Mrs. McCaw is an opera enthusiast, founding member of the Seattle Opera Board, and a lifetime champion of the arts in the Northwest. Through a $20 million naming gift from the four McCaw brothers-Bruce, Craig, John, and Keith-Marion Oliver McCaw Hall was named in honor of their mother.

"Marion McCaw has expressed her love for opera in her extraordinary support and enthusiasm for what we do in every possible way," said General Director Speight Jenkins. "She rarely misses a performance and always has interesting comments to make. Her contributions have been among the most vital in the history of Seattle Opera."

At the Annual Meeting, the 2009/10 Board of Trustees was announced. It was also announced that Seattle Opera expects to achieve a balanced budget for the 2008/09 season.

As a final honor during the 2008/09 Season-which the Board of Trustees had dedicated to Speight Jenkins in celebration of his 25th Anniversary as General Director-a long-time supporter stepped up anonymously with a $500,000 challenge gift at the 25th Anniversary Gala held in Jenkins' honor on April 25, 2009. The gift-presented as a dollar-for-dollar challenge-was meant to honor Jenkins' 25 years and to assure Jenkins' creative vision can continue to flourish during his tenure. The challenge has been fully met by 761 of Jenkins' generous fans and supporters, for a total of $1 million raised in his honor.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.