1979-80 Season

Don Carlo – Giuseppe Verdi

October 6, 9, 12, 14(m), 1979
Anne Evans – Elizabeth | Susan Lynn Dixon – celestial voice | Pamela Hicks – Tebaldo | Giuseppina Dalle Molle – Princess Eboli | Luis Lima – Don Carlos | Neil Breeden – Count Lerma | Juan Pons – Rodrigo | Paul Plishka – Philip | Chester Ludgin – Grand Inquisitor | Carlos Chausson – friar | Gerald Whitney – herald | Bruno Rigacci – conductor | Bodo Igesz – director | Henry Bardon – sets | Suzanne Mess – costumes

The Abduction from the Seraglio – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

October 13, 16, 19, 21(m), 1979
Benita Valente – Constanze | Gianna Rolandi – Blonde | Dale Smith – Belmonte | David Hall – Pedrillo | Spiro Malas – Osmin | Von Schauer – Pasha Selim | John Balme – conductor | Nathaniel Merrill – director | Toni Businger – sets

The Tales of Hoffmann – Jacques Offenbach

October 27, 30, November 2, 4, 1979
Ashley Putnam – Olympia/Giulietta/Antonia | Hilda Harris – Nicklaus/voice of Antonia’s mother | Barry McCauley – Hoffmann | David Hall – Andrés/Cochenille/Pittichinaccio/Frantz | Gerald Whitney – Nathanael | Michael Devlin – Lindorf/Coppélius/ Dapertutto/Dr. Miracle | Steven Savino – Hermann | Carlos Chausson – Luther/Crespel/Schlemil | Melvin Lowery – Spalanzani | Joseph De Rugeriis – conductor | Tito Capobianco – director | Ming Cho Lee – sets | Jose Varona – costumes

Mefistofele – Arrigo Boito

May 9, 11(m), 14, 17, 1980
Jeannine Altmeyer – Margherita/Elena | Beverly Evans – Pantalis/Marta | Enrico di Giuseppe – Faust | Melvin Lowery – Wagner/Nereus | Robert Hale – Mefistofele | Theo Alcantara – conductor | Gigi Denda – director | David Mitchell – sets | Hal George – costumes

Don Pasquale – Gaetano Donizetti

May 24, 27, 30, June 1(m), 1980
Beverly Sills – Norina | Rico Serbo – Ernesto | Richard Fredricks – Malatesta | Melvin Lowery – Notary | Giorgio Tozzi – Don Pasquale | Theo Alcantara – conductor | Tito Capobianco – director | Robert O’Hearn – sets | Suzanne Mess – costumes

La bohème – Giacomo Puccini

May 29, 31, June 3, 6, 8(m), 1980
Diana Soviero/Madelyn Renee (06/08m) – Mimì | Inga Nielsen – Musetta | Luciano Pavarotti – Rodolfo | David Bates – Parpignol | Jan Derksen – Marcello | J. Patrick Raftery – Schaunard | Robert Hale – Colline | Steven Savino – Benoit | Melvin Lowery – Alcindoro | Robert Roseberry – customs guard | Gary Nichols – sergeant | Bruno Rigacci – conductor | Tito Capobianco – director | John Scheffler – sets | Suzanne Mess – costumes

Giovanna d’Arco – Giuseppe Verdi

June 26, 28(m), July 6, 1980
West Coast Premiere
Verdi Festival
Adriana Maliponte – Giovanna | Luis Lima – Carlo VII | Melvin Lowery – Delil | Pablo Elvira – Giacomo | Carlos Chausson – Talbot | Edoardo Müller – conductor | Lotfi Mansouri – director | Wolfram Skalicki – sets

Il trovatore – Giuseppe Verdi

June 27, July 2, 5(m), 1980
Verdi Festival
Martina Arroyo – Leonora | Juliane Gondek – Inez | Stella Silva – Azucena | Carlo Bini – Manrico | Melvin Lowery – Ruiz | Juan Pons – di Luna | Boris Martinovich – Ferrando | Steven Savino – old gypsy | Calvin Simmons – conductor | Tito Capobianco – director | Ming Cho Lee – sets

Concert – Verdi Concert 1980

July 1980
Verdi Festival
Martina Arroyo, Adriana Maliponte, Carlo Bini, Pablo Elvira, Juan Pons, Boris Martinovich, soloists | Saddleback Concert Chorale