Artist bios can be found here
The Palmetto Opera will bring their full-scale concert with vocal soloists and orchestra to the Koger Center for the Arts. This performance features local soloists Diamond Tyler, soprano and Johnnie Felder, tenor. It also features internationally renowned soloists Hanna Brammer, soprano, Alex Boyd, baritone, and Victor Starsky, tenor.
We are pleased to announce that commentary will be provided by our Master of Ceremonies, Bradley Fuller, Host and Producer of South Carolina Public Radio’s Sonatas and Soundscapes.
A spectacular, multi-media event, complete with a backdrop of projected images highlighting each performance. From hopelessly devoted love to unrequited love to love lost, A Celebration of Love: from Broadway and Opera is an homage to the entire spectrum of our most treasured human experience. A reception will be held in the Gallery immediately following with an opportunity to meet the performers.
Ticket Pricing:
$65 Orchestra
$5 Off Seniors/Accessible seating
$25 Rush price on the day of the performance
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MEET THE ARTISTS OF A CELEBRATION OF LOVE: FROM BROADWAY AND OPERA
Master of Ceremonies, Bradley Fuller
Host and Producer of Sonatas and Soundscapes, South Carolina Public Radio
Animated by a deep interest in music, the arts, history, and community engagement, Bradley Fuller is always seeking opportunities to share his passion with others—whether at the piano or behind the microphone at South Carolina Public Radio as the host and producer of the statewide daily classical music show Sonatas & Soundscapes. In this role, Fuller enjoys taking listeners on musical journeys that span centuries, continents, styles, emotions, and an array of fascinating figures past and present.
In addition to selecting works for broadcast and providing commentary about them, he also enjoys using Sonatas & Soundscapes as a platform for conversations with artists, composers, scholars, and directors. When not on air, Fuller can be heard at the piano accompanying the Dutch Fork Choral Society, Shandon United Methodist Church Celebration Choir, and Columbia Operatic Laboratory, and regularly provides music for weddings, receptions, and other community events. Fuller graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Carolina Honors College in 2016 with a BA in Music and a BA in Economics. A native of Greenwood, South Carolina, he now calls Columbia home.
Soprano Diamond Tyler
Diamond Tyler is a graduate of the School of Music – U of SC where she pursued her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance from Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC. Her matriculation at U of SC involved close study with her voice teacher, Dr. Serena LaRoche and vocal coach, Dr. Lynn Kompass. Diamond made her first opera debut with Opera At USC in CENDRILLON by Pauline Viardot as “La Fee” (Fairy Godmother) under the direction of Professor Ellen Schlaefer. During the summer of 2019, Diamond made her European debut and performed the role of Despina from Mozart’s COSÍ FAN TUTTE with the Varna International Music Academy in Varna, Bulgaria.
Since then, Diamond has received an abundance of performance opportunities that include performing for officials like Senator Clyburn and family, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Diamond has also been contracted to perform with a small nonprofit performing arts organization in Charleston, SC called “The Company Company, Inc” (The Sound of Charleston). Diamond was also contracted to perform in the ensemble for Opera Carolina’s 2020 opera season.
Currently, Diamond is a General Music Educator at Bennettsville Primary School, in Bennettsville, SC where she has been teaching K-3rd grade. As a new music educator, she gets the opportunity to touch children’s lives by introducing them to many musical topics, all while teaching children how to become young performers. Diamond has many musical endeavors to be completed and plans to further her music education to doctoral status in the near future.
Tenor Johnnie J. Felder
Johnnie J. Felder, tenor, is a native of Vance, South Carolina and holds bachelor and graduate music degrees from Benedict College and the University of South Carolina respectively. In 2022, Mr. Felder earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance. He has also undergone extensive vocal training in the opera studio of the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria, and in the soloist program of the 20th annual Varna International Music Academy Festival.
An expressive opera singer known for his impressive range, lyricism, and captivating vocal power, Felder made his 2019 European debut in Varna, Bulgaria as Rinuccio in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. Felder’s leading roles include Beppe in Donizetti’s Rita, Don Ottavio in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Nemorino in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, and Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. Felder was an inaugural member of the 2022 Spoleto Festival USA Choral and Vocal Fellowship (Charleston, SC). Felder was a member of the brilliantly captivating chorus in the world premiere of Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels’ new opera, Omar, conducted by Maestro John Kennedy. Felder also stepped in, at moment’s notice, for renowned tenor, Paul Groves, in three performances on the Spoleto Festival Chamber Music Series in a world premiere of 5 Songs of Stevie Wonder with internationally acclaimed pianist and composer, Stephen Prutsman, at Charleston’s historic Dock Street Theatre.
Soprano Hanna Brammer
Praised by Opera News as “Magnificent” for her portrayal of Pamina, and again in her role debut as Juliette, with Sarasota Opera: “Brammer has a lovely, bright sound and enviable flexibility, with coloratura that flows like glistening water.” - Edward Alley
Hanna made her professional debut in 2014, as Rose Maurrant in Opera North’s production of STREET SCENE, by Kurt Weill. Since then, Hanna has gone on to sing leading roles with Opera Columbus, Nashville Opera, Mississippi Opera, Opera Memphis, Festival Amadeus, Indianapolis Opera, Opera North, St. Petersburg Opera, Opera Tampa, Opera Project Columbus, Painted Sky Opera, Wichita Grand Opera, and Sarasota Opera.
Hanna’s performance repertoire includes: Pamina (DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE), Gilda (RIGOLETTO), Violetta (LA TRAVIATA), Juliette (ROMÉO ET JULIETTE), Michaëla (CARMEN), Leïla (LES PÊCHEURS DE PERLES), Musetta (LA BOHÈME), Rosalinda (DIE FLEDERMAUS), Marzelline (FIDELIO), Nuri (TIEFLAND), Woglinde (DAS RHEINGOLD), Helmwige (DIE WALKÜRE), Giulia (LA SCALA DI SETA), Sofia (IL SIGNOR BRUSCHINO), Isabella (L’INGANNO FELICE), Fiordiligi (COSI FAN TUTTE), Nedda (PAGLIACCI), Valencienne (THE MERRY WIDOW), Lauretta/Nella (GIANNI SCHICCHI), Semele (DIE LIEBE DER DANAE), and Mabel (THE PIRATE OF PENZANCE).
Hanna earned her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, and she received her Bachelor's degree from Manhattan School of Music in New York.
Hanna has received several prestigious awards and scholarships. In 2015, Hanna competed in the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Competition in Amsterdam, where she advanced as a Semi-finalist. In 2018, Hanna was also a Semi-Finalist in the Mildred Miller Vocal Competition, and most recently, Hanna was awarded First Prize in Opera Tampa’s D’Angelo Young Artist Vocal Competition.
Recently Hanna was thrilled to make her company debut as Mimi with Teatro Lirico D'Europa in Puccini’s LA BOHEME at the OSCAR LARSEN THEATRE, University of S. Daktoa in September 2023. On Saturday, May 25th, 2024, Hanna was the soprano soloist for Mid-American Productions presentation of Mozart's Coronation Mass K.317, as a part of their Ensemble Spotlight Series at Carnegie Hall.
Baritone Alexander Boyd
Currently based in Tampa, Florida, Alexander Boyd has recently appeared as Mercutio (ROMEO ET JULIETTE), and Schaunard (LA BOHEME) with New York City Opera, Escamillo (CARMEN) with the Glacier Symphony, Don Pizarro (Fidelio) with St. Petersburg Opera, and Sharpless (MADAMA BUTTERFLY) with Teatro Lirico D'Europa. Alex has received scholarships from both the Bradenton and Sarasota opera guilds in Florida and placed second in the New York Lyric Opera’s 2016 vocal competition and was a semifinalist in both Opera Tampa's 2019 D'Angelo young artist competition, and the Mildred Miller 2018 vocal competition. Other performance highlights include Scarpia (TOSCA) and Bruschino (IL SIGNOR BRUSCHINO) with Sarasota Opera, Tonio (PAGLIACCi) and King Melchior (AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS) with St Petersburg Opera, Donner (DAS RHEINGOLD) and Robert Redgate (MR. ROGERS' OPERAS) with Pittsburgh Festival Opera, Monterone (RIGOLETTO) with Opera Project Columbus, Mr. Gobineau (THE MEDIUM) with Opera Maine, and Don Basilio (IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA) with Kenosha Opera Festival.
Tenor Victor Starsky
A native of Richmond Hill, New York, tenor Victor Starsky is a star on the rise. Of his Don José in CARMEN, Opera Today writes “Starsky's Don José is terrifying and compelling - a voice that performs vocal acrobatics with strength and beauty that remains undiminished through his final line." Starsky received tremendous acclaim for his debut as Radamés in Verdi’s AÏDA at the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theater this past summer, where he simultaneously debuted the role of George Gibbs in Rorem’s OUR TOWN. Starsky made his debut as Roméo in Gounod’s ROMÉO ET JULIETTE with New York City Opera in September (2023) and as Rodolfo in Puccini’s LA BOHÈME with Wichita Grand Opera in November (2023). Starsky made his Sarasota Opera debut as Don José in CARMEN in winter (2024) to rave reviews and will debut the roles of Nemorino in Charlottesville Opera’s 2024 production of Donizetti’s L’ELISIR D’AMORE and the role of Casy in Ricky Ian Gorgon’s Carnegie Hall premier of his opera THE GRAPES OF WRATH in April (2024).
Other roles performed include Pinkerton MADAMA BUTTERFLY Long Island Opera, The Duke RIGOLETTO (role debut) Modesto Opera, Alfredo LA TRAVIATA in Narni, Italy, and Il Postiglione in FANCIULLA DEL WEST (2017). Starsky’s Carnegie Hall debut was in 2019 as tenor soloist in Haydn’s LORD NELSON MASS and returned to Carnegie Hall in October 2023 as a soloist to sing The Young Gypsy’s Romance from Rachmaninoff’s ALEKO. Other highlights include Tony in WEST SIDE STORY with Opera North, and The Celebrant in Leonard Bernstein’s MASS conducted by Maurice Press at the Colden Auditorium in Queens. A participant in 2019’s Merola Program, he was a 2020 San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow and awarded the Shoshana Foundation’s prestigious Richard F. Gold Career Grant. In January 2025, Starsky will return to the Koger Center for the Arts as Cavaradossi for The Palmetto Opera’s production of TOSCA.
Maestro Adrian Sylveen CONDUCTOR
Award-winning musician Adrian Sylveen enjoys a performing career in the United States and Europe. He is an artistic director of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and the Connecticut Lyric Opera. Mr. Sylveen has conducted approximately 35 operatic titles and has an extensive orchestral repertoire. He has conducted and performed concerts in the United States, Poland, Italy, Israel, Cuba, Switzerland, Germany, and the former Soviet Union and worked with such ensembles as Israel Chamber Orchestra, Holguín Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra da Camera di Greve-In-Chianti, Olsztyn Philharmonic, Elbląg Chamber Orchestra, Central Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra, and others. From 2011 to 2013, he was a conductor for the Magnum Opus series with the New Britain Symphony – The Connecticut Virtuosi.
He is also a founder of the Classical Orchestra of Pila in Poland and the newly formed, Hartford-based Moniuszko Choir (2016). Mr. Sylveen is a winner of prizes at competitions in Europe and the United States. He received the American Council for Polish Culture Primus Inter Pares Award from the President of the Republic of Poland. He received permanent US residence for “Extraordinary Abilities in the Arts.”
Mr. Sylveen holds Master of Music and Artist Diploma degrees from the Yale University School of Music; he is also a graduate of the Paderewski Music Academy in Poznan, Poland (diploma with distinction). He had participated in several international Festivals in Weimar, Łancut, and others. Since 2012 he has been on the faculty of the Virtuosi Summer Music Institute in Farmington, Connecticut, and, since 2015, an Artistic Director of the Greve Opera Academy and Chamber Music Festival in Greve-In-Chianti, Italy. Adrian Sylveen collaborated with many exceptional artists, such as Brunilda Myftaraj, Eckart Lorenzen, Luca Rinaldi, Theodore Arm, Jurate Svedaite, Carl Tanner, Michael Wade Lee, Stefan Szkafarowsky, Neal Larrabee, Dmitri Novgorodsky, Rafael Lewandowski, Andre Anweiler, Martin Bresnik, Jadwiga Kotnowska, Marzena Diakun, Grzegorz Dabrowski, Daniel Borowski, Thomas A. Labadorf, Michael Gatonska, Volcan Orhon, Robert DeMaine, Erik Rousi, and many others.
GIORGIO LALOV
(Artistic Director/Stage Director)
TEATRO LIRICO D'EUROPA
About Teatro Lirico D’Europa
Teatro Lirico D’Europa was created in 1988 by the late Yves Josse, a former ballet divo and brilliant French arts promoter, and Giorgio Lalov, a young Bulgarian opera singer who made his debut at Teatro alla Scala, Milan, at the age of 25, while participating in Scala’s famous international training program for young singers. The collaboration between Josse and Lalov was a huge success in a very short time, resulting in tours with over 250 performances a season throughout France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Sicily and Portugal. Performances included those for Opera Dijon, at Salle Pleyel and Pavillion Baltard in Paris; Okinawa Performing Arts Center; Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen; Theatre Carre in Amsterdam, Congresshaus in Zurich; Theatre Trinidade in Lisbon; Teatro Atlantida in Barcelona; Salida de La Compania, Teatro Cervantes, Teatro Bueno Vallejo in Madrid; Teatro Lope de Vega in Seville; Le Cirque Royale in Brussels, and L’Atrium Theatre on the Island of Martinique.
Mr. Lalov created the sets and costumes for the productions and organized the chorus and orchestra in Bulgaria. He drew the soloists for the productions from a huge reservoir of operatic talent in Bulgaria, central Europe and the United States, where he held yearly auditions that resulted in the engagement of well over a hundred American singers. Mr. Josse booked the performances for the company from his office in Paris. From the very beginning, the company established itself as highly competent in delivering traditional, full-scale productions featuring a professional orchestra and chorus and outstanding soloists who performed at the top national theatres in their native countries. The unusual chemistry of the company proved to be very popular with European audiences.
Teatro Lirico D’Europa had completed over 2,000 performances worldwide before embarking on its first U.S. tour in the winter 2000 season. Teatro Lirico D'Europa had developed a well-documented history of success with a portfolio of hundreds of rave reviews for full-scale opera productions that had been presented at 180 different venues, including Italian summer festivals such as Festival Busetto, Festival San Giovanni Valdarno, and open-air festivals in Spello, Montecatini Terme, Siena, Chianciano Terme, Cortona, Padova and Aimini.
The company also has a fine collection of outstanding, professionally mastered live CDs. The response to the debut tour from both press and theater management was very positive. The popular company has now completed 17 consecutive U.S. tours with over 800 performances at 140 different venues, including performances for 11 American regional opera companies. The February 2002 issue of OPERA NEWS presented a four-page article on Teatro Lirico D'Europa entitled “Road Warriors,” written by former BOSTON GLOBE opera critic Richard Dyer that stated:
In the past couple of years, the company has presented TURANDOT, AIDA and NABUCCO in Boston. The physical productions and Lalov's stagings were reassuringly traditional. Lalov's stagings tell the story clearly. The solo and ensemble singing in all three operas was lusty, whole hearted-full throated and honest. Something personal and passionate that is often missing from evenings of opera. OPERA NEWS–Richard Dyer
Most recently, in addition to its tours in the USA, the company has toured in in Europe, in France, Spain and Italy at major venues and summer festivals with CARMEN, LA TRAVIATA, RIGOLETTO and NABUCCO, including five performances in Paris presented in collaboration with Opera de Massy.