NOV 20-22 | THURS-SAT
7:30 PM
NOV 23 | SUN
2 PM
MSM Opera Theatre
L’Elisir d’Amore
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by Felice Romani
Michael Sakir, Conductor
Katherine M. Carter, Director
Tickets Required
$30 adults, $15 non-MSM students and seniors
MSM Opera Theatre is made possible in part by the Joseph F. McCrindle Endowment for Opera Productions.
Neidorff-Karpati Hall
Manhattan School of Music
130 Claremont Avenue
New York, New York 10027
Part of the Civic Impact and Hattie Mae Lesley Resident Artists season in collaboration with I.M. Terrell Academy.
The Tragedy of Carmen" is an adaptation of Georges Bizet's opera "Carmen," with a new libretto by Sheldon Harnick. The story follows the fiery and seductive Carmen, a cigarette factory worker in Seville, Spain, who captures the attention of soldier Don José, leading him down a destructive path of jealousy and violence. Their tumultuous relationship ultimately comes to a tragic end when Carmen chooses the glamorous toreador Escamillo over Don José, resulting in his murder of Carmen in a fit of despair. The opera explores themes of passion, betrayal, and obsession, set to the stirring melodies and rhythms of Bizet's iconic score.
Wonjin Choi, is a dynamic young artist who is quickly establishing himself as a tenor to watch. Hailing from South Korea and currently based in New York City, his recent international debut, singing Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème with KimSun International Opera Company, was celebrated as a success and will sing the role of Roméo in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette and Prince in Dvořák’s Rusalka in Manhattan School of Music Opera’s 2024-25 season. His busy performance schedule has included performances of numerous and varied roles, including Don José in Bizet’s The Tragedy of Carmen, King Kaspar in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, the Witch in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel with Fort Worth Opera, Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Sailor in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Fadinard in Il Cappello di Paglia di Firenze, Hermosa in The Island of Tulipatan with Texas Christian University Opera, and Ferrando from Cosi fan tutte with Opera Arlington, and Ernesto in Don Pasquale with Korea National University of Arts Opera.
Mr. Choi has been a prizewinner in numerous competitions, including the Korea National Opera Vocal competition (bronze medal) and the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Tulsa District competition, in which he won first prize. He won Edward Baird Singer of the year award in the TEXOMA NATS(Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico The National Association of Teachers of Singing), was a finalist in the McCammon vocal competition, and was selected as a grant winner by Career Bridge.
Mr. Choi recently completed Fort Worth Opera’s Hattie Mae Lesley resident artist program, and he holds a diploma from the Riccardo Muti Academy. Previously, he received his Bachelors degree from Korea’s National University of the Arts and graduated with Summa Cum Laude, and his Masters degree from Texas Christian University, where he was the recipient of a full scholarship. He is currently a student in the Manhattan School of Music’s Professional Performance Diploma program, where he receives a full scholarship.
NOV 20-22 | THURS-SAT
7:30 PM
NOV 23 | SUN
2 PM
MSM Opera Theatre
L’Elisir d’Amore
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by Felice Romani
Michael Sakir, Conductor
Katherine M. Carter, Director
Tickets Required
$30 adults, $15 non-MSM students and seniors
MSM Opera Theatre is made possible in part by the Joseph F. McCrindle Endowment for Opera Productions.
Neidorff-Karpati Hall
Manhattan School of Music
130 Claremont Avenue
New York, New York 10027
Part of the Civic Impact and Hattie Mae Lesley Resident Artists season in collaboration with I.M. Terrell Academy.
The Tragedy of Carmen" is an adaptation of Georges Bizet's opera "Carmen," with a new libretto by Sheldon Harnick. The story follows the fiery and seductive Carmen, a cigarette factory worker in Seville, Spain, who captures the attention of soldier Don José, leading him down a destructive path of jealousy and violence. Their tumultuous relationship ultimately comes to a tragic end when Carmen chooses the glamorous toreador Escamillo over Don José, resulting in his murder of Carmen in a fit of despair. The opera explores themes of passion, betrayal, and obsession, set to the stirring melodies and rhythms of Bizet's iconic score.
Wonjin Choi, is a dynamic young artist who is quickly establishing himself as a tenor to watch. Hailing from South Korea and currently based in New York City, his recent international debut, singing Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème with KimSun International Opera Company, was celebrated as a success and will sing the role of Roméo in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette and Prince in Dvořák’s Rusalka in Manhattan School of Music Opera’s 2024-25 season. His busy performance schedule has included performances of numerous and varied roles, including Don José in Bizet’s The Tragedy of Carmen, King Kaspar in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, the Witch in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel with Fort Worth Opera, Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Sailor in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Fadinard in Il Cappello di Paglia di Firenze, Hermosa in The Island of Tulipatan with Texas Christian University Opera, and Ferrando from Cosi fan tutte with Opera Arlington, and Ernesto in Don Pasquale with Korea National University of Arts Opera.
Mr. Choi has been a prizewinner in numerous competitions, including the Korea National Opera Vocal competition (bronze medal) and the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Tulsa District competition, in which he won first prize. He won Edward Baird Singer of the year award in the TEXOMA NATS(Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico The National Association of Teachers of Singing), was a finalist in the McCammon vocal competition, and was selected as a grant winner by Career Bridge.
Mr. Choi recently completed Fort Worth Opera’s Hattie Mae Lesley resident artist program, and he holds a diploma from the Riccardo Muti Academy. Previously, he received his Bachelors degree from Korea’s National University of the Arts and graduated with Summa Cum Laude, and his Masters degree from Texas Christian University, where he was the recipient of a full scholarship. He is currently a student in the Manhattan School of Music’s Professional Performance Diploma program, where he receives a full scholarship.