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...with laughing song and merry
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Thom Griffin
Artistic Director
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Thom Griffin was named as our Artistic Director in 2007.  After starting in straight theatre at Hartford’s Protean Theatre in the 1970’s, he moved on to his main delight which is music.  His first major role at SLOCO was as Ko-Ko in our 1983 production of The Mikado.  Not long after that, he began a long association with Opera North, in Hanover, New Hampshire , where he sang such roles as Benoit/Alcindoro in La Boheme, and Dr. Grenvil in La Traviata.  These performances led to further work at Opera New England of Boston.  Mr Griffin was most recently seen in the role of Jonathan Jeremiah Peachum in the 2009 Commonwealth Opera production of The Threepenny Opera. 

He continues to harbor the intent to form a new opera company, specializing in small ensemble works which appeal to his varied tastes.    

Notes from the Artistic Director ......

I strongly urge all of you to allow yourselves to be swept into this lovely music and accompanying story.  By the time you hear the clock bells in the overture, you really must leave your daily troubles behind and settle in for splendid ensembles, witty dialogue and gay spirits. 

       

We cast a wide net to attract new talent for this production and are certain that you’ll be pleased with the results.  In addition, we have recruited several up and coming guest artists to entertain during the Act II party scene.

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Ed deGroat
Music Director and Conductor
Ed

Mr. deGroat returns as Music Director of the Simsbury Light Opera Company for his fifth consecutive year. Ed received his Ph.D. in Arts and Humanities from New York Universityin 2000.  His dissertation researched responses of women to images of women in punk rock written by female punk rock musicians. Ed performed with SLOCO as a trumpet player in the orchestra during the 60s and 70s.

 

Mr. deGroat was a music educator from 1964 to 2003, teaching in the Vernon and West Hartford, CT public schools, and Prince George’s County, MD.  He was an active member of the Connecticut Music Educators Association and the Music Educators National Conference, participating in state, regional, and national events.  He has been a guest clinician and conductor throughout the Northeast and Canada .  Ed was the Dean of the Diploma Program at the Hartford Conservatory from 1983-1988, and then succeeded Elizabeth White as the Executive Director.  Ed was the founder and director of I Giovani Solisti, the renowned string ensemble from the West Hartford Schools, that was named the best high school string ensemble in the United States for several years between 1997 and 2002; they made nine international tours to England , France , and Ireland . 

 

After retiring from public education, Ed had the opportunity to work with artists Jean Claude and Christo at the Gates Project (2005) in Central Park, New York .  In the fall of 2007, he spent four months living in Germany spending time with his son’s family who live in Essen, Germany .  He has also studied the language and traveled throughout the country.  Ed is an accomplished photographer; his images of the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford have been published in a souvenir booklet available at their gift store and he has just published a set of three books that feature the interior details of the two homes and carriage house at the Stowe Center .

Notes from our Music Director …

Die Fledermaus is a superb example of the music of Johan Strauss, Jr.  Starting with the popular overture, the entire score presents infectious melodies throughout the three acts.  The story is charming, the cast includes some memorable characters and the chorus has an opportunity of participating in one of the most well-known operettas: we are proud to present it to you this year.

 
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