Tickets: $20, 15, 10
Box office: 520.621.3341
boxoffice@arizona.edu
Join the U of A Opera Theater and the Arizona Opera Orchestra for the perfect launch to the holiday season! Die Fledermaus, Johann Strauss II’s beloved operetta includes hidden plots, disguises, romance, scandals, dancing and champagne!
Cast Bios
Stefán Víkingur – Eisenstein
Stefán Víkingur is an American Icelandic tenor, composer, and aspiring conductor, currently studying vocal performance at the University of Arizona School of Music under Dr. Andrew Stuckey. Stefán has performed as a soloist across the U.S. and Europe in both operatic and concert settings. During his time at the University of Arizona, Stefán has sung a diverse array of works by composers from around the world, including Iceland. He has appeared on the UA opera stage in roles such as Marco (Gianni Schicchi), The Sorceress (Dido and Aeneas), and in November 2023, Gabriel von Eisenstein in UA’s production of Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. In January 2024, Stefán performed An Incident In Sutton Square, a short chamber opera for solo tenor, as part of the Dominick Argento Chamber Opera Competition finals at the National Opera Association Conference in Tempe, AZ. His performance was praised by composer Martin Hennessy and prominent American composer Tom Cipullo, who hailed it as “stunning.” In the summer of 2024, Stefán attended the Brevard Music Center’s Janiec Opera Company, where he performed in productions of Puccini’s La Bohème (Parpignol) and Weill’s The Threepenny Opera (chorus), and was a soloist in An Evening of Jerome Kern and Friends, with broadway music director Andy Einhorn.
Beth Jargstorf – Rosalinda (Cast A)
Chicago-born soprano Bethany Jargstorf is currently pursuing a DMA in Voice Performance with a minor in Applied Intercultural Arts Research at the University of Arizona. At home on both the opera and concert stage, upcoming engagements include Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus, UA Opera Theater) and Soprano Soloist in the premiere performance of a cantata entitled Metamorphosis with Neoteric Chamber Choir & Southern Arizona New Discourses Ensemble. Recent credits include Bellinda (Dido and Aeneas, UA Opera Theater), Antonia (Les contes d’Hoffmann, International Lyric Academy), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte, Chicago Summer Opera), First Lady (Die Zauberflöte, International Lyric Academy), First Calavera (Frida, Opera Steamboat Artist Institute), and Soprano Soloist (Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42). A finalist in the Rieman Opera Competition (2023) and the Marguerite Ough Voice Competition (2022), Ms. Jargstorf is passionate about new music and highlighting the work of women composers. Additionally, she maintains a private studio and acts as Director of Operations for the Tucson Desert Song Festival. Ms. Jargstorf is a student of Professor Yunah Lee.
Clarissa Smith – Rosalinda (Cast B)
Clarissa Christina Smith, a native of Tucson, Arizona, discovered her passion for opera during her undergraduate studies at Oregon State University, where her musical talents flourished. A dedicated and disciplined performer, Clarissa has earned numerous opera roles, including La Contessa in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Emily Webb in Rorem’s Our Town, and the Princess in Louis Aubert’s La forêt bleue. She holds a master’s degree in voice performance from the University of Arizona, where she shined as the principal character in Puccini’s Suor Angelica and again as La Contessa in Le nozze di Figaro. Notably, she is the winner of the President’s Concerto, Marguerite Ough, and Amelia Rieman vocal competitions. Most recently, she performed the role of Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Così fan Tutte at the Berlin Opera Academy. Clarissa is currently working with Arizona OperaTunity’s youth education troupe while pursuing her doctoral degree at the University of Arizona under the guidance of Dr. Kristin Dauphinais.
Macy Halverson – Adele (Cast A)
Macy is a junior at the university, majoring in vocal performance with a minor in arts administration. This is her fourth opera and she is thrilled for the opportunity to learn such an iconic role! Other credits include: Thumbprint (Reporter), Dido and Aeneas (Chorus), and Le nozze di Figaro (Chorus). When she isn’t in rehearsal, Macy serves on the student programming committee for the National Opera Association.
Katheryn Cooper – Adele (Cast B)
Katheryn Cooper is a soprano in her senior year at the University of Arizona, currently pursuing a BA in Music and BA in Theatre Studies, studying voice under Dr. Andrew Stuckey. She is excited and honored to take on Adele as her fourth opera performance! Previous credits at the U of A include Dido and Aeneas (Chorus/First Witch Cover), Thumbprint (Reporter), and Hinterkaifeck (Lilia). Other performances include Footloose (Ariel), The Secret Garden (Neville), and New Directions Festival 2023 appearing in “Torment” and “Paperwork” (Actor 2/Rachel/Robbie).
Zhixiang Xie – Dr. Falke
Bass-baritone singer Zhixiang Xie is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Vocal Performance at the University of Arizona under the guidance of Dr. Kristin Dauphinais. With over a decade of stage performing experience, he has made a notable impact on prominent stages through solo and choir performances in China, Europe, the UK, and the US. Xie earned his Bachelor of Arts in Musicology from Beijing Normal University. Prior to enrolling in the Master of Music program at the Manhattan School of Music in New York, he studied under veteran tenor Neil Rosenshein. During this time, Xie distinguished himself in numerous chamber recitals and ceremonies, including the centennial anniversary of MSM, where he sang bass in Beethoven’s Symphony No.9. Following his master’s program, Xie was admitted to the professional choir of the National Center of Performing Arts in Beijing, where he was featured in major opera productions such as Tosca and La Traviata. Currently, he is actively involved with the U of A opera program, featured in the role of Father in the opera Thumbprint. Additionally, he is a staff singer with the Tucson Masterworks Chorale.
Micheal D. Jackson – Alfred
Micheal Dewayne Jackson is a tenor from Las Vegas, Nevada. He began his musical journey at 15 and earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Micheal’s recent roles include Tamino in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Goro in Madama Butterfly, Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, and Don José in La tragédie de Carmen. In addition to his love for opera, he plays the keyboard and provides vocals for a local jazz combo, The Jazztechs, bringing to life classics from The Great American Songbook. His passion spans all genres—opera, jazz, and contemporary music—showcasing his wide-ranging talent and musical sensibilities. For leisure, Micheal enjoys cooking, spending time with his family in Las Vegas, and cheering for the Arizona Wildcats in football and basketball. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctoral degree in Voice at the University of Arizona and is excited to share his love for music with the Tucson community.
Siyu Pan – Orlovsky
Siyu Pan, mezzo-soprano from China. She is working on her doctoral degree at the University of Arizona under the direction of Dr. Dauphinais. She holds her MM and GPD in Voice Performance from the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Boston and her BM from Nanjing Normal University. Her roles include Tisbe in La Cenerentola, Ruggiero in Alcina, Second Lady and Priestess in Die Zauberflöte, and Mother (cover) in Thumbprint.
Jinyi Liu – Frank
Jinyi Liu is a talented baritone known for his compelling performances and rich vocal quality. He has showcased his talents in various roles, including Charlie in Three Decembers by Jake Heggie, Chris Scott in Miss Saigon by Claude-Michel Schönberg, and John Styx in Orphée aux Enfers by Jacques Offenbach. Bass soloist in Stabat Mater by José Maurício Nunes Garcia and Mozart’s Requiem, collaborating with the MSM Symphony and Chorus, notably the recordings were featured on NYC’s classical music station WQXR. His dedication to his craft has earned him accolades such as first prize in the inaugural Deutsche Lieder Schumann Lieder Competition in Wuhan and second prize at the 6th Qintai Music Festival in Wuhan. Currently, he is pursuing a DMA in Vocal Performance at the UA as a GTA under the guidance of Andrew Stuckey. He previously earned a MM from the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Mark Oswald, and a BM from Wuhan Conservatory of Music.
Xinge Li – Sally
Xinge (who notes that Xinge is her Chinese name and Cindy is her English name) is a freshman majoring in Vocal Performance. She loves music and is committed to improving her singing skills and musical expression. In her study, she not only pays attention to the basic training of vocal music, but also actively participates in various musical activities and performances to enrich her stage experience.
Lina Hemphill – Frosch
Lina Hemphill is a soprano in the second year of her BM program at the University of Arizona under the direction of Dr. Andrew Stuckey. Formerly an Irish Step dancer and a pianist for 13 years, Lina is majoring in vocal performance. Some of the dramatic roles Lina has performed include Starveling from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Mamillius in A Winter’s Tale. She performed in her first opera, Kamala Sankaram’s Thumbprint, in April 2024 at the University of Arizona Opera. She is excited to play Frosch in Die Fledermaus and hopes to make you laugh!
Darian Littleman – Chorus
Darian is a junior undergrad pursing a Bachelor Music Education degree with emphasis in Voice at the University of Arizona. She is currently serving as President of the ACDA Student Chapter. Her goal is to not only enrich herself with performance aspects as an artist, but to also bring an inspirational impact to future generations through music. In her free time she likes watching Kdramas and reading fantasy novel books.
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