Acclaimed mezzo-soprano Catherine Martin's 2013-2014 season included a debut at the Kennedy Center with Washington National Opera in the premiere of The Lion, the Unicorn and Me, and a return to Houston Grand Opera as Wellgunde in Das Rheingold, and to the Glimmerglass Festival as Der Komponist (The Composer) in Ariadne auf Naxos.
  From a Washington Post review of Les Contes d'Hoffmann: 
   "The evening's standout was Catherine Martin as Nicklausse, Hoffmann's muse, who appears in the guise of a trusted (male) companion for most of the evening. Martin has a gorgeous, warm voice that you want to keep listening to (no small achievement in a role that often seems tiresome), and she's a big talent." 
   Ms. Martin makes her company debut with Festival Opera as she reprises the role of The Composer in Ariadne auf Naxos this July.  

   Featured Bay Area opera stars Sara Duchovnay and Christopher Bengochea will be joined by piano accompanist, Danielle Naler. A wonderful menu for dinner and small plates is available, and wine specials will also be offered in Atrio Restaurant in the hotel lobby. No cover charge, however a one-drink minimum is requested.  

   Tickets are on now on sale for Festival Opera's 2015 production of Richard Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos, Friday, July 10 and Sunday, July 12 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek.

    * Opening Night Dinner at Prima

    Join us for a special opening-night experience: good food, good wine, and good company at an elegant pre-opera dinner at Prima Ristorante, just a block from the Lesher Center. Just $120 per person, reserve your place at the same time you order your opera tickets.