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Dynamic conductor Robert Ashens enters his third season as Artistic Director
of Eugene Opera. Ashens garnered tremendous critical acclaim as he conducted
Tosca, La Traviata and Susannah last season. He also made
stunning debuts with Eugene Ballet as conductor of Nutcracker, Rimrock
Opera’s Tosca and Da Corneto Opera’s Chicago premiere of
Verdi’s I Lombardi. The Maestro will return to Da Corneto Opera
and Eugene Ballet this season, and will debut with Oregon Mozart Players in November
and April.
With a repertoire of nearly one hundred operas, he has conducted to great acclaim for the
Connecticut Opera, Opera Idaho, Augusta Opera, Shubert Opera, Opera Maine and for
Teatro Grattacielo at Lincoln Center. He has served as Music Director and Master of
Ceremonies for tributes to Metropolitan Opera stars, Lili Chookasian and Paul Plishka
and has accompanied such greats as Lucine Amara, Marcello Giordani and Plishka. Ashens
is in constant demand as a lecturer, accompanist and program director for concerts and
recitals nationwide. As an educator for nearly thirty years, Ashens’ unique style
and commitment focuses on inspiring children to the joys of opera. His lively wit and humor
continue to enthrall opera audiences of all ages.
e-mail robert |
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| Peter Geddeis started working for the Eugene Opera in August of 2001after
completing an MBA degree in Arts Administration at Illinois State University in Normal,
Illinois. While there, he studied under Fergus G. Currie, former Central Regional Secretary
for Actors’ Equity Association, and John Urice, former head of the Florida Arts
Council. While at Illinois State, he also spent three years as Assistant Managing Director
for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, during which time the Festival opened a
state-of-the-art outdoor theatre and experienced a tremendous surge in statewide and
national recognition. In addition to his administrative interests, Geddeis has also acted
in, directed, and produced numerous plays, workshops and performance pieces.
e-mail peter |
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| Karen Bednarz recently moved to Eugene from Chicago last summer where
she worked in public relations and marketing for a small social service agency. After
receiving a BS in public relations from Illinois State University she worked with the
Illinois Shakespeare Festival in Normal, IL. In addition to marketing the arts, Karen
has also performed on stage, worked behind the scenes, and enjoyed various
management roles for numerous theater organizations. Karen is delighted to return
to the arts industry and looks forward to an exciting and challenging season.
e-mail karen |
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| Craig McKenzie has worked extensively in both opera and regional theatre.
His positions have included: Technical Assistant at the Metropolitan Opera, Technical
Director at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and founding partner of Technical Design Studio,
a design and construction shop. This summer he was production manager for Oregon
Festival of American Music’s Locomotion and The Twin Rivers Festival. Design
credits with Eugene Opera include lighting for The Mikado, Turandot, Opera Under the
Stars: Very Verdi Concert, the scenery for Trial by Jury and scenery, costumes and lights
for Listen to the River, a collaboration with Kennedy Middle School. Craig created his own
company, McKenzie Production Management which provides production management,
technical direction and stage management services for the performing arts. Craig earned
a B.A. in Mathematics and Theatre Arts from Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin
and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama, New Haven, Connecticut. e-mail craig |
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