Thomson Smillie
Thomson Smillie is a writer, lecturer and a director. He has produced the OperaBox, A CD series introduction to opera. He authors a monthly arts column for the Louisville Magazine. He has directed Madama Butterfly, Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale, Britten's Albert Herring, and countless Mozart and Rossini Operas. He will be directing the Barber of Seville in Louisville in 2010 and Canton in 2011.
Smillie will present "Wagner and the Meaning of Comedy."
Henri Venanzi
Henri Venanzi was early on the Chorus Master of the Cincinnati Opera in 1974. He now is Chorus Master for Opera Pacific and has prepared choruses for La Boheme and Madama Butterfly.He is the director of the Opera program at Cal State Long Beach. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and recorded with Martina Arroyo.
Venanzi will present "An Introduction to Die Meistersinger through the Eyes of the Chorus."
