Introducing Anna Bolena wonderful cast

Anna Bolena - Catherine Antonia Samartin

Cuban-American soprano, Catherine Antonia Samartin, is described as a passionate and expressive performer with her dance, modeling, and stage/film-acting background adding a higher level of artistry and depth to each performance.

Most recently, she sang the starring role of Maritza in Mesopotamian Opera Company’s new production of The Blur, August 2024 and Blanche de la Force in Independent Opera Company’s production of Dialogues of the Carmelites. Other operatic roles include Valencienne in Mission Opera’s production of The Merry Widow, Sally in Pacific Opera Project’s new libretto of Die Fledermaus, The Bat’s Revenge, the principal role of Murderess-Charlotte Corday in the West Coast Premiere of Girondines with Mission Opera, and Juliette in Romeo et Juliette with Valley Opera and Performing Arts, and Musetta in La Bohème, Gilda in Rigoletto, Countess Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, in Berlin and most recently in Los Angeles.

Alongside her operatic roles, she has had opportunity to appear as the Primary Soprano Soloist in Requiem D Minor K. 626 - Mozart, Magnificat in D Major BWV 243 - Bach, and Messiah HWV 56 - Handel and to perform major works including Stabat Matter Op. 58 -Dvorak, Symphony No. 2 Op. 14 - Shostakovich.

Catherine has been awarded as a grant recipient with Opera Buffs and has competed in competitions including the Laffont

Metropolitan Opera Competition and singing in the recent semi-finals for Palm Springs Opera Guild, and was awarded a Career Grant in the Finals of the Pasadena Vocal Competition. Starting her musical training through the Colburn Music Academy, she then went on to further her studies at Azusa Pacific University. During her time there, she was selected and participated in the Vittorio Grigòlo - Angels Vocal Arts Master Class Series and appeared as a Studio Artist with Berlin Opera Academy where she performed Donna Anna in Don Giovanni at the historic Theatre Delphi in Berlin, Germany. After preparing Fiordiligi as a member of the Apprentice Program in Miami Music Festival’s covid canceled performance of Cosi Fan Tutte, she returned to Azusa Pacific University to complete her Masters in Music. She studied ballet for 7 years

with the Pasadena Dance Theatre, and has starred in multiple independent and student films premiering in film festivals throughout the US. In her free time, she volunteers with Young Women's Task Force of Los Angeles working with homeless shelters assisting women with children, and manages a private scholarship fund supporting aspiring young musicians throughout Los Angeles. She hopes to one day continue her philanthropic efforts by combining her love of giving back to her community and music, with her own afterschool music program catered towards the inner city high schools of Los Angeles, her hometown.

@catherine_antonia_soprano

www.catherineantoniasamartin.com

Enrico - Patrick Blackwell

Patrick Blackwell has performed six seasons at Los Angeles Opera. As a Grammy Award winner, he also toured with the Los Angeles Philharmonic singing the Role of Don Fernando in Beethoven’s only Ópera, Fidelio under Maestro Gustavo Dudamel. Other Opera Companies include, San Diego Ópera, San Francisco Ópera, Lyric Ópera Chicago, Ópera National du Rhin, Strasbourg, Fr., New Orleans Ópera Theater, Pacific Opera Project, Ópera San Luis Obispo and Utah Ópera. Patrick is delighted to return to Independent Ópera Company to sing the Role of Enrico.

Giovanna - Rae Shrum

Mezzo-soprano Rae Shrum is gaining recognition on both operatic and concert

stages for her “agile and enticing” voice and dynamic stage presence. Recent role

debuts include Oksana (Cossack Beyond the Danube), L’Opinion Publique (Orphée aux

enfers), Charlotte (Werther), Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), Mercédès (Carmen),

and Hansel (Hansel & Gretel). She was most recently seen as Soeur Mathilde in

Dialogues des Carmélites with the IOC.

A versatile artist, Shrum has appeared in recitals and concert series across Southern

California and abroad, performing with Pacific Symphony Outreach, Pacific Opera

Project, Leipziger Kammerchor, Long Beach Camerata Singers, and more. She spent a

formative year in Leipzig, Germany, studying and performing under the mentorship of

internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Elvira Dreßen, and currently continues her

training with L.A.-based pedagogues Sunjoo Yeo and Reid Bruton.

Offstage, Rae serves as Executive Director of Source/Filter Music Collective and

Marketing Director of Sierra Madre Playhouse. She is also active behind the scenes as

a stage director and stage manager, with credits including productions at IOC and

Wilshire Ebell Theatre.

Percy - Timothy Simon

Timothy Simon is a captivating opera singer whose voice resonates with power, nuance, and emotion. He is a Tenor based in Los Angeles but was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. He has honed his craft through years of dedicated training and performance, immersing himself in the richness of operatic tradition. His operatic journey has included performances with esteemed programs such as Arizona Opera, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and Lawrence Opera Theatre, as well as in school productions at the University of Arizona and California State University, Northridge.

Rochefort - Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller, bass-baritone, is a Missouri native and current master’s student at

California State University Northridge. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the

University of Missouri Columbia. Mr. Miller currently studies under Dr. Hugo Vera, previously

studying under Christina Ray. Most recently Mr. Miller took part in CSUN’s spring production of

The Old Maid and the Thief as Bob. Later this summer he will be working with Lawrence Opera

Theatre (LOT) and performing Sam in Blue Monday & covering Marco in Gianni Schicchi.

Ethan has played and understudied for many roles such as Antonio, Bartolo, Le Count and

Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, Don Magnifico from La Cenerentola, and Demetrious from A

Midsummer Night's Dream.

Smeton - Zineb Fikri

Zineb Fikri is a Puerto Rican-Moroccan contralto from Los Angeles. She studied at the

University of Southern California Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles, CA,

where she earned her Masters of Music degree in Vocal Arts

and Opera in May 2021, and earned her Graduate Certificate degree in December 2023.

During the 22/23 season, Zineb performed a role debut as Older Woman in Flight

by Jonathan Dove with USC Opera in Fall 2022, then in Spring 2023 as the role of

Bianca in The Rape of Lucretia by Britten and as the Third Lady in Mozart’s

Die Zauberflöte in USC’s 2023 Opera Scenes. In the summer of 2023, Zineb revisited

the role of Third Lady as well as Antonia's Mother from Tales of Hofmann by Offenbach

at the Musiktheater Bavaria in Germany.

In the 23/24 season, made her role debut as La Baronne in Massanet’s Chérubin

with USC Opera and had her stage debut at LA Opera in their mainstage production of Highway 1,

USA, by William Grant Still in February 2024.

In 2025, she will join LA Opera again in their 2025 production of Ainadamar by Osvaldo Golijov,

and cover the prestigious role of Carmen with Guild Opera Co. as a role and company debut,

as well as perform the role of Smeton in Anna Bolena by Donizetti with Independant Opera Co.

as a role and company debut. In the 25/26 season, Zineb will be making her stage and ensemble

debut as a rostered Alto in with LA Master Chorale at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Prior to earning her graduate degrees, she earned her B.A. in Vocal and Music Performance at

Concordia University Irvine (CUI) in 2019, Zineb performed and toured with LA Opera

Zarzuela Project under the direction of Melodee Fernandez as well as Songscapes on Tour

under the direction of Ann Gresham throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

During her time at CUI, she performed varying vocal styles including Jazz, Commercial Music,

Sacred Music and Early Music throughout Europe and the United States in addition

to earning a minor degree in Studio Art. Zineb is also an award winner of the Sigma Alpha Iota

Music Scholarship competition, two time Opera Buffs grant recipient, and is also an

accomplished Contra-Bass Clarinetist who is frequently invited to perform

with wind orchestras throughout the Orange County and Los Angeles area.

She is also a champion Junior Olympic Archer, who competed in the preliminaries for the

2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Hervey - Jacob Stucki

Jacob Stucki is a tenor who has enjoyed a range of performances during his career. Last year,

he debuted Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi with Landmark Opera Co. and The Prince in CSUN’s

production of Marta Lambertini’s Cenicienta!!! (the west-coast premier of the opera). Also a

die-hard Mozart fan, a few of his favorite roles to sing include Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Tamino

in Die Zauberflöte, and Basilio in Le nozze di Figaro. He also sang the role of Edwin the

Defendant in Lawrence Opera Theatre’s Trial by Jury. He is also an accomplished choral singer,

and his dad says he is “the best one in his row.” He recently received his Master’s in Music from

CSUN under the tutelage of Hugo Vera. In his rare free time, he enjoys hiking and relaxing on

the beach, often in that order.

Anna Bolena cover - Jessica Berns (also chorus/courtier)

Jessica Berns-Garner, Dramatic Coloratura Soprano, is an up-and-coming performer in the Los Angeles area, known for her warm, rich timbre and powerful instrument.  Her operatic roles have included Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Frasquita (Carmen), La Ciesca (Gianni Schicchi), Fortuna (L’incoronazione di Poppea), both First and Second Lady and also Papagena (Die Zauberflöte), First Witch (Macbeth), and multiple roles in Suor Angelica including Dolcina, Nursing Sister, and First Touriere.  Additionally she has covered Blanche (Dialogues des Carmelites), Gilda (Rigoletto), Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), Juliette (Roméo et Juliette), die Königin der Nacht (Die Zauberflöte), Adele (Die Fledermaus) and Genovieffa (Suor Angelica).  Operetta roles Jessica has sung include Gianetta (The Gondoliers), Constance (The Sorcerer), Phoebe (The Yeoman of the Guard), Countess Stasi (The Gipsey Princess), and Sylviane (The Merry Widow).  In addition to her operatic work, Jessica is also an accomplished concert soloist, having performed as a soloist in the Rutter Requiem, The Messiah, The Creation, and the Vivaldi Gloria.  Jessica holds a Master of Music degree in Vocal Arts Performance from California State University, Northridge, which she received in 2013, and continues to study voice with Jessica Tivens-Schneiderman. 

Enrico cover - Kelvin Li (also chorus/courtier)

Chun “Kelvin” Li (He/They), 29, is an emerging bass-baritone from Hopkins, Minnesota,

originally from Hong Kong. Kelvin attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, for his B.A. in

music management. While at Luther College, Kelvin studied under Eric Ashcraft, Carol

Kreuscher, and Nicholas Shaneyfelt and was the bass section leader of the nationally

renowned, Nordic Choir. Prior to moving to California, Kelvin was a member and featured soloist

for the National Lutheran Choir, based out of Minnesota. Kelvin continues to dive into his choral

roots singing bass with numerous choirs around the Los Angeles metro.

Kelvin currently studies under Hugo Vera, and is pursuing his M.M. in vocal performance from

California State University, Northridge. He has sung various roles for operas such as Marquis

De La Force (Dialogues des Carmélites), JJ peachum (Threepenny Opera), Don Alfonso

(Cosi Fan Tutte), and Dr. Rudi (Path to Heaven). Kelvin is also a featured oratorio soloist at

CSUN, having performed solos in Bach’s “Magnificat” and Faure’s “Requiem” for the CSUN

Choirs.

Kelvin has a passion for promoting community health and wellness, consistently striving for just

treatment of his community. In the future, Kelvin hopes to provide outreach to disadvantaged

musicians, focusing on regions in the upper-midwest.

Kelvin will be performing Bartolo in CSUN’s 2025 production of “Le nozze di Figaro”

Hervey cover - Chester Roi Perez-Bingham (also chorus/courtier)

Filipino tenor, Chester Roi Perez-Bingham, is an emerging artist performing in the Los Angeles

area.

Recent engagements include covering Rodolfo in La Bohème (Puccini) and Ferrando in Così

fan tutte (Mozart), as well as performing Macheath in The Threepenny Opera (Weill),

L'Aumônier in Dialogues of the Carmelites (Poulenc), Ernesto in Don Pasquale (Donizetti),

and Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni (Mozart) in the 2024-2025 season. Previous engagements

include Duca Bertrando in L'inganno Felice (Rossini) and Il Gatto and Lucignolo in Pinocchio

(Valli) in addition to multiple opera choruses. They made their opera debut as Basilio and Don

Curzio in Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) in Italy.

Outside of opera, they frequently perform in professional and collegiate choirs including the Bob

Cole Chamber Choir under Dr. Jonathan Talberg, Long Beach Camerata Singers under Dr. James

Bass, as well as being the tenor section leader at Saint Boniface Catholic Church. They have

previously performed as a tenor soloist in Handel's Messiah (2022) in Newport Beach.

Currently, they are pursuing a M.M. Vocal Performance at CSU Northridge under the tutelage

of Dr. Hugo Vera and hold a B.M. Vocal Performance from CSU Long Beach where they

studied under Aram Barsamian. They have attended summer festivals such as Trentino Music

Festival in Italy and LAH-SOW in Philadelphia.

Chorus/courtiers

Chelsy Cordon

Chelsy Cordon is a Los Angeles based actress and lyric soprano. She performs in multiple

genres spanning from opera to contemporary musical theatre to experimental theatre.

Her musical theatre credits include Sibella Holland in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,

Johanna Barker in Sweeney Todd, and performed both as a dancer and the Sally Bowles

understudy in Cabaret. Her opera credits include Mme. Lidoine, the Second Prioress in Dialogues of the Carmelites,

Polly Peachum in The Threepenny Opera, and Blanca Presencia 1 in the United States premiere of Marea Roja. Upcoming performances include Musetta in La Boheme, Vi in Blue Monday, and Polly Peachum in The Threepenny Opera. She has also worked in experimental theatre including multiple Blackbox productions including 30/60, a blend of improvisational, audience participatory, and pre-written theatre. She has also worked in multiple short films. Chelsy holds her undergraduate degree in Musical Theatre and her Masters degree in Vocal Performance and has been the recipient of multiple awards and has graduated with distinction in both her undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Kyrian Corona

Kyrian Corona performs with and serves as Vice President on the Executive Board of Independent Opera Company. Kyrian began her musical career as co-founder, multi-keyboardist and lead singer in the award winning band Rocky Road. She advanced her music education at Cal State Long Beach and UCLA Extension studying piano performance, film scoring and composition. She later developed and performed in multimedia projects at LACE, Museum of Art Downtown Los Angeles and the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London. Kyrian sings with and is President of the Burbank Chorale, one of the oldest musical organizations in the state of California. She also sings with and is on the Executive Board of Wagner Ensemble. She has performed with Los Angeles Korean-American Musicians' Association, Southern California Combined Choirs, and LA Opera’s The the Zarzuela Project, with concerts at Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Zipper Hall, Royce Hall, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, and First Congregational Church of Los Angeles.

Jessica Liu

Jessica Liu is a soprano currently pursuing her undergraduate studies in vocal performance. She recently advanced to the semi-finals of the Cal-Western Regional NATS competition, showcasing her dedication to vocal artistry.

Jessica’s performance experience includes singing in the choir for Dialogues of the Carmelites and participating in church choir performances, where she honed her ensemble skills and vocal technique. She continues to develop her artistry through rigorous training, focusing on expressive interpretation, technical proficiency, and stage presence.

Under the guidance of her vocal instructors, Jessica looks forward to exploring more opportunities to perform and grow as a musician.

Maureen Mihalik

Maureen Mihalik is a Mezzo-Soprano based in Los Angeles, CA. She regularly performs as a soloist with the “Opera Ensemble” and has performed the roles of Junon (Orpheus in the Underworld), Narrator/Lumberjack (Red Riding Hood), Armelinde (Cendrillon) and Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus). 

Janice Batzdorff

Janice Batzdorff, mezzo soprano, has sung with the chorus for all of the Russian operas presented by Independent Opera Company: The Tsar’s Bride, Aleko, Queen of Spades, Eugene Onegin, The Snow Maiden, and now The Love for Three Oranges. Other productions include Rigoletto, Goyescas, The Bartered Bride, Orfeo, Romeo and Juliet, Don Giovanni, and The Cossack Beyond the Danube. She has also performed with Pacific Opera Project, Los Angeles Metropolitan Opera, and Celestial Opera.

Mia Karnakis

Mia Karnakis, a Los Angeles-based soprano, is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Vocal

Performance at CSUN, studying under Diane Ketchie. She will serve as the understudy for

Barbarina in CSUN's fall production of Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro. Her extensive background

includes six years of choral experience, highlighted by a first-place win at the Seattle Heritage

Festival with her high school's award-winning advanced choir Voce Della Vita. Mia made her

international debut last summer performing a solo and duet at the InterHarmony Music Festival

in Italy and is currently a proud member of CSUN's flagship choir, the Northridge Singers. She is

delighted to be performing in the chorus of Anna Bolena as her first show with the Independent

Opera Company!

Guards: Alex Perkins, Brad Damare

Tickets