COMING UP
A tale of love's elation, devastation and redemption. The mischievous spirit of love (Amore) takes Orfeo's new bride, Euridice, soon after their wedding. But, Amore offers him the opportunity to bring her back to life if he can rescue Euridice from death without looking at her. Orfeo accepts the journey through the underworld, contends with furys of resistance, suspicion, doubt, and temptation in an attempt to reunite with his beloved. At every turn Amore makes Orfeo's journey more difficult and only his devotion and passion can free Euridice from death.
Orfeo — Erin Sura
Amore — Ashley E. Calderon-McHugh
Euridice — Jackie Labbe
Chorus — Mineral Point High School Choir
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Director— Edson Melendez
Mezzo-Soprano Erin Sura recently performed the roles of Schwertleite (Die Walkure) TUNDI Productions; Second Wood Sprite (Rusalka 2023/2025) Milwaukee Opera Theatre; Madam Garcia (Notes on VIARDOT) Music On Site; Fricka (Das Rheingold) and 2nd Norn (GÓ§tterdÓ“merung-cover performance) TUNDI productions; Mrs. Fairfax (Jane Eyre) Lake Country Playhouse; Tisbe (Cenerentola) Barn Opera/Vermont Opera; Ruth (Pirates of Penzance) Madison Savoyards; and solo animal/ensemble (L’Enfant et les sortilege) Florentine Opera. Other notable roles include the title role in Carmen, Mother (Amahl and the Night Visitors); Mad Margaret (Ruddigore), Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), 2nd Lady (Magic Flute), Jo (Little Women), and Dido (Dido and Aeneas.) Active in concert work as well Ms. Sura has performed as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony; and the Verdi Requiem. Upcoming performances include Tisbe (Cenerentola) May 2026 with Opera Vermont.
Ashley E. Calderon-McHugh is the Choral and Musical Theatre Director for Mineral Point Unified Schools, for which she is a 2023 Kohl Teacher Fellowship Recipient. She is an Adjunct Instructor for UW-Oshkosh, Master Adjudicator for WSMA, and Director for Platteville Children’s Choir. Ashley has performed locally with Fresco Opera, Madison Symphony Chorus, Pop Factory Players, and Characters 2 Life. Ashley was an Adjunct Instructor for New York University Steinhardt while earning a Masters in Classical Voice and an Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy. She also earned a Masters in Vocal Performance and a Bachelors in Music Education from Eastern Illinois University.
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Soprano Jackie Labbe is from southeastern Wisconsin and is excited to return to Brew City Opera for her second production. She was previously seen as the First Lady in their production of "The Magic Flute". Jackie has a passion for both musical theatre and opera and recently competed in the Classical Singers Music Vocal Competition in both divisions.
She is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Parkside, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Vocal Performance. While at UW–Parkside, she was a frequent collaborator and soloist with Voices of Parkside and University Chorale and appeared as Serpina in the production of "La serva padrona".
Jackie would like to thank her friends and family for their constant support.
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The Mineral Point High School Choir is dedicated to musical excellence and community outreach. They have performed at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City and throughout Iowa County annually, sharing music with elderly care centers, hospitals, community rehabilitation programs, and city-wide events. This spring, they have been invited to perform the National Anthem at a Madison Capitols Ice Hockey Match, and a concert at the Wisconsin State Capitol to celebrate Music in Our Schools Month. #PointerNation
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Edson Melendez is a Kenosha native and Racine resident who has performed as a Singer, Actor, Stage Director, and Arts Administrator in South-East Wisconsin and beyond. Edson earned a B.M. in Vocal Performance from Arizona State University and an M.M in Vocal Performance from DePaul University in Chicago. Edson has been heard and seen on stage with Florentine Opera, Phoenix Opera, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Elgin Opera, Candid Concert Opera, North Shore Opera Hour, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Desert Palms Theatre, and Racine Theatre Guild among others. As a Stage Director Edson has directed both opera and non-musical theatre. He was the Stage Direction Apprentice at the renowned San Miguel Institute of Bel Canto in San Miguel, Mexico, where he worked closely with international opera directors Joe McClain and Ragnar Conde. He was the Stage Direction Fellow at Chicago Summer Opera, Production Assistant in Stage Direction for Florentine Opera's production of "Luisa Fernanda", and Stage Director for Kenosha Opera Festival. Some of Edson's director projects include "Carmen" (Bizet), "Amahl and the Night Visitors" (Menotti) "La Serva Padrona" (Pergolesi) "Cosi Fan Tutte" (Mozart) "The Magic Flute" (Mozart) "Lucio Silla" (Mozart) "Stand and Deliver", "Roadhouse Cafe" and others.
Edson has also been a clinician at the university level and a private dramatic coach.
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