Ben Heppner is recognized
worldwide as the finest dramatic tenor before the public
today. He excels in the most challenging roles, from Wagner's
Tristan and Lohengrin to Verdi's Otello and Berlioz' Aeneas.
He is acclaimed in music capitals around the world for his
beautiful voice, intelligent musicianship and sparkling
dramatic sense. His performances on the opera stage, in
concert with the world's leading orchestras, in the most
prestigious recital venues, and in recordings have set new
standards in his demanding repertoire.
During the 2007-2008 season, Mr. Heppner will make more
than 25 concert appearances throughout Europe and North
America, beginning with recitals throughout Ontario and
a gala evening at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Fans
can also look forward to seeing him perform at some of the
most famous venues in the world, including Carnegie Hall,
the Berlin Philharmonie and the Metropolitan Opera. It is
at the Met that Heppner will once again join with James
Levine for a performance of Tristan und Isolde, which will
be simulcast in movie theatres throughout North America
and the United Kingdom.
Mr. Heppner studied music at the University of British Columbia.
He first gained national attention in 1979 as the winner
of the Canadian Broadcasting Company Talent Festival. In
December 1998, CBC television's Something Special featured
Ben Heppner in an hour-long portrait of the artist. He is
a 1988 winner of the Metropolitan Opera auditions and is
both a Grammy Award winner and a Juno Award recipient. In
2002, Mr. Heppner was named an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Diane Zola began her career as a singer.
She attended the University of Michigan where she received
her Bachelor and Masters' degrees in Vocal Performance and
pursued Doctoral studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
Ms. Zola also attended the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria,
the Aspen Music Festival and the Music Academy of the West
.
As a dramatic soprano, Ms. Zola performed the roles of Lady
Macbeth in Macbeth, Donna Anna and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni,
Georgette in Il Tabarro and Fiordiligi in Cosi fan tutte
with opera companies in Texas, Michigan, California and
in Europe.
Ms. Zola became the Director of the Houston Grand Opera
Studio, the internationally acclaimed training program for
singers, pianists/coaches in August, 2000. She began her
career in Arts Management at Columbia Artists Management
as a managerial associate, she then started her own Artists
Management Company and in June, 1995 joined Trawick Artists
Management as an Artists Manager, managing the international
careers of singers, conductors and stage managers.
Ms. Zola has given master classes and consultations for
singers in Moscow , New York City, and at major opera houses
and music festivals including Houston Grand Opera, Minnesota
Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Baltimore Opera, San Francisco
Merola Program and Utah Opera. Additionally she has presented
classes at Curtis Institute of Music, University of Houston,
Rice University - Shepherd School of Music, University of
Michigan, Academy of Vocal Arts, Manhattan School of Music
and Yale University School of Music. Ms. Zola has served
as an adjudicator for a numerous vocal competitions including
the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. As a
member of Opera America, she has written articles, moderated
panel discussions and been a member of various panels regarding
young artist and career decisions, she has also served as
co-chair for the Vocal Caucus of National Association of
Performing Artists Managers and Agents.
Michael Egel became the first Artistic
Administrator for Des Moines Metro Opera shortly after completing
his graduate studies. He has worked with DMMO since the
summer following his junior year at Simpson. He is currently
Artistic Administrator and Director of Education. Among
his responsibilities at DMMO are overseeing the audition
process and working with Opera Iowa. He has also taught
Opera History at Simpson College.
