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Libretto by Stephen Karam
Directed by Amanda Carlson | Conducted by Brian Dowdy
Journey North is thrilled to present this moving, incisive contemporary opera, not only for its compelling story and beautiful score - this production allows us to offer roles to 14 local artists, 12 of whom are women/non-binary (high-voiced) singers!
We are heartened to be able to take such a meaningful step towards gender parity in opera - a key aspect of our Mission & Values.
synopsis
DARK SISTERS follows one woman’s dangerous attempt to escape her life as a member of the FLDS Church (Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints), a sect that split from mainstream Mormonism in the early 20th Century largely because of the LDS Church’s renunciation of polygamy. The male founders of the Mormon faith (Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, chief among them) loom large in American history; Dark Sisters puts the women front and center.
The narrative draws inspiration from the flurry of media attention surrounding the two most infamous raids on FLDS compounds (the 1953 raid at Short Creek, AZ and the 2008 raid at the YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, TX) as well as the stories of the over 80 wives of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. Set against a red-earthed landscape filled with revelations, dark prophets and white temples stretching towards heaven, Dark Sisters charts one woman’s quest for self-discovery in a world where personal identity is forbidden.
Meet The Cast
Sarah Kuhlmann - Eliza
Sarah Kuhlmann is an opera singer based in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. She is deeply passionate about arts advocacy and ensuring that opera is accessible to everyone. Her major roles include Magda in La Rondine, Magda in the Consul, Rusalka, Musetta in La bohème, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, and Pamina in Die Zauberflöte. She received her education at Oklahoma City University, and holds a BM in Vocal Performance, an MM in Opera Performance, and an MA in Nonprofit Leadership and Arts Administration. She has worked as a young artist for Cedar Rapids Opera and Painted Sky Opera. When she is not performing, she works part time to run a freelance grant writing business for social and nonprofit organizations. Sarah is thrilled to be a part of Dark Sisters, and hopes that this gritty and complex tale will be a source of inspiration for the women of Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
KrissAnne Weiss (she/her) - Ruth
KrisAnne Weiss (she/her), mezzo-soprano, performs an eclectic array of music-theater and concert works, appearing with Skylark Opera Theatre, An Opera Theatre, Lyric Opera of the North, Nautilus Music-Theater, and Opera on the Lake, among many others. Most recently, she played the role of Romeo in Mixed Precipitation’s Romeo and Juliet, an adaptation of Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi. She hosts and facilitates An Opera Theatre’s Voice Labs, a free monthly artistic development and community-building resource for local singers at any point in their careers, and she is on the voice faculty at St. Olaf College. She is interested in genre-bending collaborations, mutual aid, cutting her own hair, and physical revelry of all kinds.
Karl Buttermann - The Prophet/King
American baritone Karl Buttermann is quickly gaining traction to becoming a major talent in the opera world. In August 2022, Mr. Buttermann executed the role of Donner in Das Rheingold with TUNDI Productions, as part of their “Wagner in Vermont Festival” in Brattleboro, Vermont.
In June 2022, he interpreted the role of Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music with MIOpera
in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, in which he was praised for his “dashing classically-trained
singing voice.” (The Pantagraph) In December 2021, Mr. Buttermann played King Melchior in
Amahl and the Night Visitors, also with MIOpera. In the summer of 2020, Mr. Buttermann was
scheduled to sing as Count Monterone in Opera North’s production of Rigoletto, but due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the performances were canceled.
Christine Killian - Presendia
Soprano and performing artist Christine Killian is thrilled to make her debut with Journey North Opera Co! She earned an MM in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota and a BM in Vocal Performance from the Peabody Institute. There, she sang roles such as la Contessa in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Rooster in Janacek’s The Cunning Little Vixen, and Marenka (cover) in Smetana’s The Bartered Bride. Additionally, she has sung with Skylark Opera and performed in the Minnesota Opera chorus. In Germany, she performed with Passagio Oper. Christine also performs in theater productions. She has recently appeared with Chameleon Theatre Circle, Long Lake Theater, and Murder Mystery Co, where she currently serves as Assistant Director. In November, she will debut with Fool’s Fortune Theater. When at leisure, Christine loves to bake, and chase her mischievous cat Cairo around the house. You may also find her running around the Chain of Lakes
Madison Holtze - Zina
Lyric Coloratura Soprano Madison Holtze is honored to be joining Journey North Opera for the first time in this important and timely production. An alumnus of the Chautauqua Summer Conservatory Program (2022) and University of Minnesota (MM 2020, BM 2018), favorite previous roles include Mabel (Pirates of Penzance,) Alicía (The House on Mango Street New Opera Workshop,) Eurydice (Orpheus in the Underworld,) Serpina (La Serva Padrona,) Mrs. Wordsworth (Albert Herring,) and Cinderella (Cendrillon, English Tour.) Holtze has won the St. Croix Opera Competition, Schubert Club scholarship competition, Thursday Musical scholarship competition, the Voices of Vienna scholarship competition and is a four time winner of the MN NATS scholarship competition.
Tracey Engelman - Almera
A recipient of the McKnight Artist Fellowship for Musicians, Ms. Engleman has performed operatic roles with the Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Concert Opera, Skylark Opera, An Opera Theater, Music by the Lake, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. As a concert artist, Engleman has performed more than 40 major oratorio works with regional organizations including the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Bel Canto Chorus, the Valley Chamber Choral, Rochester Symphony Orchestra and the Wayzata Symphony. As a contemporary classical music specialist, Ms. Engleman has performed chamber music with Zeitgeist, the Chicago Chamber Musicians, the Tanglewood Music Center and the Boston Symphony. Her CD Lift me into Heaven Slowly featuring song cycles by Libby Larsen was released by Innova Records in 2017. Ms. Engleman has also been engaged as a soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra and has guest recitalist at Hope College, at the NATS National Convention, and the Source Song Festival.
Anna Beth Baker - Lucinda
Anna Beth has recently moved back to the Twin Cities after receiving her MFA in Acting from FSU/Asolo Conservatory in Sarasota, Florida. Recent credits include work with Nautilus Music Theatre (Bluestem [workshop], Wesley Balk Opera Music-Theatre Institute); Theatre Elision (Ghost Quartet, cellist); and Asolo Repertory Theatre and Conservatory (Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo & Juliet, Dead Man’s Cellphone, Antigone). Returning to Minnesota has been such a lovely transition back into the world of music and theatre. It is an honor to tell this story and sing this score. Love and light to all!
