Opera Goes to Hollywood

Marnie Breckenridge is a soprano and actor known for her deeply expressive score interpretations, layered characterizations, and her pure lyrical voice. She is continuously praised for her grounded storytelling and audience believability.

A favorite among some of the most gifted composers of our time, her musicianship and technique are infused equally with her dramatic skills. She has created roles for 8 world premiere operas so far and countless recordings with contemporary composers.

Collaborators have included, Lorin Maazel, Robert Carsen, Luna Pearl Woolf,  Herschel Garfein, Constantine Orbelian, Gordon Getty, David Conte, Vladimir Jurowski, Robert Paterson, Donald Runnicles, Jake Heggie, David T. Little, Royce Vavrek, Nicole Paiement, Kira Te Kanawa, Frederica von Stade, Matt Haimowitz, Dave Eggar, Mason Bates, San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, English National Opera, Los Angeles Opera, The Metropolitan Opera Guild, Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Russian Philharmonic, Prague State Opera, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, and many more.

Jeffrey Hartman, recently sang the role of Siegmund in a concert version of  Die Walküre under the umbrella of Opera Classica Europoa and was the first prize winner of the Offenbach Opera Competition in 2023, jumped in as Jean de Leyde in Meyerbeer's LE PROPHÈTE at Bard University in New York and also has performed with Opera Classica Europa in numerous concerts, including A Tribute To Enrico Caruso and concerts for stage and screen. In 2023, he also sang the role of Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos as part of MusikfürMusik and Verdi's Messa di Requiem with Opera Classica Europa. Mr. Hartman's 2022 season was equally impressive, as he garnered acclaim for his portrayal of Calaf in Turandot at the Theater Regensburg. Opera Magazine praised his performance, stating, “Jeffrey Hartman as Calaf possesses a thoroughly heroic tenor that remains effortlessly supple, complemented by his compelling stagecraft, a true actor” (Klaus Kalchschmid). Following his triumph in Regensburg, he stepped in on short notice to perform the role of Carlo in Verdi’s Giovanna D'Arco with the choir and symphony orchestra of the Utrecht Opera. Additionally, he took over from Gregory Kunde as cover for Calaf in Turandot at the Hamburg State Opera. His debut in Austria, and simultaneously his role debut, came as Jean de Leyde in Meyerbeer’s Le Prophète at the Landestheater Linz, where critics remarked that “the voice of the American tenor is akin to expensive velvet.”

Prior to his engagement in Linz, Mr. Hartman returned to Hong Kong to assume the role of Pinkerton in the Musica Viva Hong Kong production of Madama Butterfly, and made his Polish debut as Don José in Carmen at the Wroclawska Opera. The same year, he also debuted in the title role of Les Contes d'Hoffmann at the Passaggio Opera in Berlin. In September 2016, Mr. Hartman made his European debut at the Theater Chemnitz as Calaf in Turandot, where he was lauded with the words, “The American tenor was flawless, with his soft, warm timbre” — Chemnitzer Morgenpost. He returned to Chemnitz for reprised performances of this production in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

In 2017, he also made his debut as De Grieux in Manon Lescaut at the Theater Osnabrück, and in the United Kingdom, he performed as Rodolfo in La Bohème with Northern Ireland Opera and the Ulster Symphony Orchestra at the Ulster Hall in Belfast. In 2015, he joined the ensemble of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, where he was engaged as a cover for Cavaradossi in Tosca. He later made his debut as Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos at the Seattle Opera, a role he also reprised at the Palm Beach Opera. Mr. Hartman further showcased his artistry as a soloist with the Seattle Youth Symphony in Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde.

Born in 1978 in Yerevan. Graduated from the Yerevan Conservatory and completed postgraduate courses with Professors T. Sazandarian and G. Geghamian. Berj Karazian is a laureate of A. Isahakyan and T. Sazandaryan competitions. He is a soloist of the Yerevan Opera Theater, Cathedral Choir of Mother See St. Echmiadzin and “Tagharan” ensemble.

Berj Karazian has participated in oratorio and operatic performances of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra. Among his operatic roles are: Saro, Ashugh, Sayat-Nova, Alfredo, Edgardo, Tamino, Don Ottavio, Nemorino, Don Ramiro, Almaviva, Tamino, Cassio, Arlequin, and others. Karazian has toured to Germany, Scotland, Lithuania, Italy, France, Russia, Greece and other countries. He is an unparalleled performer of the tenor part (solo of the swan) in Carl Orff “Carmina Burana”, which he has presented in South Korea, Brazil, Lebanon, Germany and in China’s “Forbidden City” festival.

Lyric Soprano Yunah Lee is thrilling audiences in the U.S., Europe and Asia with her “handsomely colored full lyric sound” (Opera News) and “picture perfect” acting (Berkshire Fine Arts). "Lee deservedly earned the most vociferous ovation of the [Glimmerglass] festival as the audience leapt to their feet as one to roar their approval at her curtain call" (Opera Today). "[Director Francesca Zambello's] ability to get the voices she wanted is abundantly clear, especially with Korean-born lyric soprano Yunah Lee in the title role" (Syracuse New Times). "Lee is one of the world’s leading interpreters of the role. It’s hard to imagine a more nuanced, yet powerful delivery of this music..." (The Salt Lake Tribune)

Praised as “richly talented” by the New York Times, the 2020 – 2021 season sees Ms. Moore return to the title role in Tosca in her house debut at Austin Opera, and to Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for a special community concert in Serenbe, Georgia. Ms. Moore was scheduled to return to the Metropolitan Opera to star as the title role in Michael Mayer’s new production of Aida, conducted by music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and to star as Sister Rose in Ivo van Hove’s new production of Dead Man Walking, both of which were scheduled to be broadcast as part of the Met’s Live in HD series. Ms. Moore was also scheduled to make her role debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra as Musetta in La bohème, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Ms. Moore returned to the Metropolitan Opera in the 2019 – 2020 season to sing Serena in a new production of the Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess which is broadcast as part of the Met’s Live in HD series, and which the New York Times noted she “stopped the show...from almost vibrato-less, celestial high stretches to chilling, chesty low phrases, all of which she sang grippingly.” Ms. Moore also sang the title role in Tosca with Opéra de Rouen Normandie Théâtre des Arts, and was scheduled to sing the same production with Théâtre de Caen which was cancelled due to COVID-19. Ms. Moore was also scheduled to sing Serena in Francesca Zambello’s production of Porgy and Bess in a return to Washington National Opera, which was cancelled due to COVID-19. Orchestral appearances included an appearance as a featured soloist in the Metropolitan Opera’s memorial service for Jessye Norman, as well as her Brazilian debut with Mozarteum Brasileiro, conducted by Constantine Orbelian, which was cancelled due to COVID-19. Ms. Moore also appeared in recital with the George London Foundation at the Morgan Library.

Christopher Nazarian is an Armenian- Australian- American Bass and Pianist. In recent seasons, Christopher has performed Leporello (DON GIOVANNI) with Hawaii Symphony, Sacristan (TOSCA) with Heartbeat Opera, Cadmus/ Somnus/ Priest (SEMELE) with St Petersburg Opera,  Arch Bishop (JUANA) with Del’arte Opera, and Angelotti (TOSCA) with New Rochelle Opera. In past seasons, he performed Leporello (DON GIOVANNI), Maestro Spineloccio (GIANNI SCHICCHI) with St. Petersburg Opera Florida, Zaccaria (NABUCCO), Le Duc (ROMEO ET JULIET), Count Ceprano (RIGOLETTO) with Sarasota Opera, Colline (LA BOHEME), Dr Grenvil (LA TRAVIATA) with New Rochelle Opera, and Pistola (FALSTAFF) with Prelude Performance.​ Other career highlights include performances at the Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall.

Awarded Outstanding Lead Actor by Theatre Tampa Bay 2019 in the role of Leporello (DON GIOVANNI) with St. Petersburg Opera, winner of Russian Song (Sydney Eisteddfod 2014), Finalist in Opera Awards and Male Operatic Voice (Sydney Eisteddfod 2015), and Finalist with The Opera Foundation for Young Australians (Lady Fairfax NYC Scholarship 2015).

In addition to his operatic credits, Christopher has appeared as the piano soloist for the performances of: Babajanian’s Heroic Ballade for Piano and Orchestra, and Piano Concertos by Chopin (No.1) with the Ryde Hunters Hill Symphony Orchestra, Rachmaninoff (No.2) with the Eroica Ensemble, Beethoven (No.3) with the Sydney University Intercol Orchestra, and Manera Concertante for Piano and Orchestra, broadcast by ABC Classic FM with the Sydney Conservatorium Modern Music Ensemble.

Christopher graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where he received a Master in Piano and a Master in Opera Performance. He works as a music educator for the Department of Education, directing the bass choir at the Special Music School, and an Adjunct Lecturer at Lehman College (CUNY).

Playwright, producer, musician, actor, auteur filmmaker, Robin K. Phillips spent nearly 12 years living, studying and performing abroad, in Munich, Sydney, London, Brussels, and Monte Carlo. Narrator for Opera Camerata for 7 years, Phillips has also written, produced and starred in one/two character critically-acclaimed original musical plays, such as, "The Music Halls of Paris, 1900-1960," and "Agatha Sings!"--about mystery book writer Agatha Christie, who actually wanted to become an opera singer! On the film industry bible, IMDb.com, Phillips' documentary, "Shakespeare: The Truth Behind the Name" has earned 105 Wins (23 for Best Documentary Feature) & 24 Nominations -- from 88 Film Festivals around the world. This auteur filmmaker single handedly earned these bests: Research, Biographical, Educational, Experimental, Inspirational, Sound Design, Co-Editing, Concept, Production Design, Costume. Available on many streaming platforms.

Praised by The New York Times for her “bright, sizable and expressive voice,” Mexican-born American soprano Kristin Sampson’s recent and upcoming performances include returns to her signature Puccini heroines, the title roles in Tosca and Madama Butterfly, Minnie in La fanciulla del West, her Romanian debut with Opera Nationala Romana Cluj-Napoca as Cio-Cio-San, and concert performances with Taormina OPERA Festival, ArtPark, and New York City Opera. Recent engagements included performances with The Accord Symphony Orchestra, Washington Opera Society, Connecticut Lyric Opera and The Chapala Opera Guild. She made her Carnegie Hall debut with the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony as the soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. She has performed domestically with the New York City Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Orchestra of New York, Opera Carolina, Dicapo Opera Theatre, Augusta Opera, El Paso Opera, and the National Lyric Opera among many others. Ms. Sampson has performed internationally with Puccini Festival of Torre del Lago, Teatro del Giglio in Lucca, Teatro Goldoni in Livorno, Teatro Verdi in Pisa, the Magyar Tavak Fesztiválja in Hungary, Opera Society of Hong Kong, Armel Opera Festival, National Theatre of Szeged, Teatro Municipal de Santiago, and Teatro dell'Opera di Roma.