Where:
Lueders Opera Center
926 E Burleigh St., Milwaukee WI 52303
When:
May 8th, 2024 @ 5:30pm
Rsvp: Email events@florentineopera.org to rsvp and for any questions about the event.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore the magic of Argentine tango and opera! Discover the enchanting world of Maria de Buenos Aires with stage director Brian August and conductor Pablo Zinger at Versed!
About Versed
We build operas over the course of a few years! In that time, dozens of creatives work on color palettes, lighting effects, historical juxtapositions and casting. Get a peek into the production process and learn more about what makes this show magical, including historical context.
For each mainstage production, we offer two Versed experiences for the Milwaukee community (and beyond) to learn about composer histories, the first audience's response, historical contexts, culture, and the intentions behind a show.
Our Versed series takes place as an intimate gathering somewhere in Milwaukee. These are FREE and open to the public. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.
Featuring
Brian August
Brian is grateful for his continued association with Tomer Zvulun’s production of Maria de Buenos Aires. Brian has previously served as the Associate Director on this production at New York City Opera, New Orleans Opera, and The Atlanta Opera, and he has directed it for Opera San Antonio. Brian’s work is primarily as a Stage Manager where recent credits include Seattle Opera, Detroit Opera, and Houston Grand Opera. Upcoming work includes a return to HGO for his 6th season and spending his 14th summer at Des Moines Metro Opera. Some of his favorite shows he has stage managed in recent years include Wozzeck, The Love for Three Oranges: Des Moines Metro Opera; Silent Night, Dead Man Walking: The Atlanta Opera; The Magic Flute, Salome: Houston Grand Opera. In the Fall of 2022 Brian collaborated on an article titled "Stage Managers Shed Light on Opera’s Hiring Crisis" that was republished by the AFL-CIO. In 2023 Brian was invited to speak on a panel at the United States Institute of Theatrical Technology called "Creating a Humane and Sustainable Environment for Stage Managers." Brian currently serves as one of the Vice Presidents of the American Guild of Musical Artists where he founded and co-chairs the Staging Staff Caucus, serves on the Work Rules and Contracts Committee, and has participated in numerous negotiation committees. Brian is a proud graduate of Boston University with a BFA in Stage Management, Cum Laude, and holds a certificate in Labor Skills from Cornell University. Brian lives in Houston with his happy rescue dog Rupert.
Pablo Zinger
Uruguayan-born New Yorker Pablo Zinger is widely acclaimed as a conductor, pianist, composer, arranger, writer, lecturer and narrator, specializing on Astor Piazzolla, tango, Spanish zarzuela, and Latin American music. He has performed in Spain, Russia, Poland, Slovenia, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, South Africa, Greece, Germany and Norway. He accompanied Plácido Domingo at Constitution Hall, conducted for Paquito D’Rivera’s at Carnegie Hall, premiered Piazzolla’s María de Buenos Aires in Moscow and narrated Piazzolla’s Pueblo Joven in Tokyo. He toured for ten years with the Valencia-based Zinger Septet and has written for The New York Times, Opera News, and lectured for The New York Philharmonic. His CD’s include Tango Apasionado with Piazzolla, Chamber Music from the South and The Clarinetist, with D’Rivera, Las Puertas de la Mañana (songs of Carlos Guastavino) and two albums of music by Carlos Suriñach. He’s been called “The King of Zarzuela” by Opera News magazine and was Musical Director of the Patty Disney Zarzuela Series at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, NM (2004-2011). Mr. Zinger has conducted the Costa Rica National Symphony, Simón Bolívar Orchestra, Maribor Philharmonic, Montevideo Philharmonic and Pro Opera and Bronx Arts Ensemble with Tito Puente, Dave Valentin, Néstor Torres and John Faddis.