"The Ballad of Baby Doe" Opens Tomorrow Night

Gina Galati & Adelmo Guidarelli
Photo ©Ron Lindsey

Winter Opera Saint Louis continues its sixth season this weekend with the St. Louis Premiere of Douglas Moore's opera The Ballad of Baby Doe, the true story of an enduring romance between silver baron Horace Tabor and Elizabeth “Baby Doe” Tabor in 1880s Colorado. Made rich by the Matchless Mine in Leadville, Colorado, Horace Tabor has grown disenchanted with his stern wife Augusta and soon falls in love with the ravishing young Elizabeth Doe, a visitor from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Their union endures divorces, scandal, political strife and the eventual ruination of Horace’s riches brought on by the gold standard. Hear ravishing melodies that have entered the standard operatic repertoire, including “Warm as the Autumn Light,” “The Willow Song,” and “Always Through the Changing.” 

CAST

Lindsey Anderson
Photo ©Ron Lindsey

Soprano Gina Galati, returning after singing Mimì in La Bohème last season, sings the leading role of Elizabeth “Baby Doe” Tabor, a role made famous by Soprano Beverly Sills. Making his company debut, Baritone Adelmo Guidarelli (artist with St. Petersburg Opera and New Jersey State Opera) portrays Horace Tabor. Having last sung as Katisha in The Mikado, Mezzo-Soprano Lindsey Anderson returns to sing the role of Augusta Tabor. Winter Opera veteran Mezzo-Soprano Sara Gottman, who recently sang the nymph Dryad in Ariadne auf Naxos, returns to sing the role of Mama McCourt, Baby Doe’s mother. Bass Mark Freiman, who directed and sang in last season’s La Bohème, sings the role of William Jennings Bryan, a role he recorded on a live Central City Opera recording of The Ballad of Baby Doe for Sony Newport Classics on the occasion of the opera’s 40th Anniversary in 1996.

Adelmo Guidarelli & Ensemble
Photo ©Ron Lindsey

Twenty-five local professional artists sing various supporting roles and comprise the ensemble in Winter Opera's largest production yet.

CREW

Mark Freiman & Ensemble
Photo ©Ron Lindsey

Stage Director David Carl Toulson, whose credits include Asheville Lyric Opera, Tanglewood Music Festival, Washington National Opera and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis makes his company debut. Winter Opera Music Director Steven Jarvi returns to conduct the orchestra. Erin Waters Ryan makes her company debut as production stage manager. Nancy Mayo, adjunct professor of piano and accompanying at Webster University and resident collaborative pianist with Winter Opera Saint Louis, serves as rehearsal pianist. JC Krajicek, who costumed last season’s La Bohème, returns as Costume Designer. Having most recently designed The Mikado, Scott Loebl and Sean Savoie return as set designer and lighting designer, respectively. Theresa Loebl serves as Production Manager.

MEDIA

Patricia Rice of the St. Louis Beacon penned an article on Winter Opera's efforts to mount this American opera. Sarah Bryan Miller of the Post-Dispatch published a brief interview with Gina Galati on the production. You may also read Operatic Saint Louis' Q & A with principals Gina Galati, Adelmo Guidarelli, Lindsey Anderson and interview with Stage Director David Carl Toulson.

The Ballad of Baby Doe opens tomorrow night, February 8th, at 8pm and continues Sunday, February 10th, at 3pm. Venue: Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade located at 425 S. Lindbergh Blvd (map). Production sung in English with projected English supertitles. Tickets may be purchased by calling 314-865-0038 or visiting http://winteroperastl.tix.com/ $10 Student Rush Tickets sold at the door; valid student ID required. For further information on the company, its future performances and special events, visit winteroperastl.org.