Liza Barskaya (Stage Director) is a Los Angeles-based stage director, choreographer, and dancer. She trained in Southern California and attended summer programs with American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, and Ballet Austin before joining Ballet Austin’s Professional Division as a trainee in 2010. She later spent several years living and performing in New York City before returning to Los Angeles. As a performer, she has worked with companies including Benita Bike’s DanceArt,

Independent Opera Company concludes its 14th season with L’Elisir d’Amore (The Elixir of Love), a charming comic opera in two acts composed by Gaetano Donizetti. Premiered in 1832, it remains one of the most beloved works in the bel canto repertoire, celebrated for its warmth, wit, and lyrical beauty. The story follows Nemorino, a shy, earnest young villager hopelessly in love with the wealthy and self-assured Adina. When a swaggering traveling salesman, Dr. Dulcamara, arrive

Timothy Simon is a captivating Tenor whose voice resonates with precision, nuance, and emotion. Based in Los Angeles, born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, his musical journey has included performances with esteemed programs such as Arizona Opera, Tonality, and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, as well as in school productions at the University of Arizona and California State University, Northridge. Timothy Simon is a captivating Tenor whose voice resonates with precision, nuance,

Stage director and mezzo-soprano Rae Shrum (Stage Director) brings a singer-centered, musically driven approach to operatic storytelling. Her directing credits include The Stone Guest (Independent Opera Company, 2024) and Werther (NELA Opera Collective, 2022), where she has been recognized for her collaborative, performer-empowering rehearsal process. Praised for her “agile and enticing” voice and dynamic stage presence, Shrum maintains an active performance career with rece

Carl Orff was born in 1895 in Munich and displayed musical talent at an early age. He began playing piano at the age of five, later learning cello and organ. In 1911, at just sixteen years old, he published his first work, " Eiland, ein Sang vom Chiemsee ", even before taking any formal courses in music theory. His years of study at the Munich Academy of Music were decisive for his artistic development. Particularly formative were his intensive explorations of early masters s

Independent Opera Company is thrilled to present "Die Kluge" (The Wise Woman) by C. Orff ABOUT THE SHOW A poor peasant’s honest mistake lands him in the dungeon—just as his clever daughter predicted. When her sharp wit saves her life in a battle of riddles, she rises from poverty to the throne. But when the new queen outsmarts the king himself, banishment follows… with one last trick up her sleeve. Carl Orff’s Die Kluge is a witty Grimm fairy tale brought to life with driving

Time: Beginning of the 19th century Time: Beginning of the 19th century Place: The village of Velikiye Sorochyntsі , near Poltava Scenes where Mussorgsky did not compose the music are bracketed and marked in italics. The ordering of scenes follows Shebalin's completion. The opera begins with an overture suggestive of early morning. This is usually accompanied visually by a scene depicting the fair stalls being set up and visitors arriving. Act 1 Merchants peddle their war

Phil Meyer is delighted to return to IOC as Phil Meyer is delighted to return to IOC as Cherevik. Hailed for a singing voice that is “not half bad,” his opera repertory consists of Bad Guys, Old Guys, and Funny Guys (and a recent spate of non-humans). Phil has sung major roles in many California companies, including Pacific Opera Project, Lyric Opera of Orange County, Opera Modesto, VOPA, Repertory Opera Company, Mission Opera, and the Mendocino Music Festival. Concert a