THE MAESTRA |
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Suzanne Mallare Acton Known for her "supple, distinctive musical direction," Conductor Suzanne Mallare Acton continues to earn respect and admiration for her performances in both the concert hall and the opera stage. From Handel’s MESSIAH to contemporary jazz, she is recognized for her versatility and dynamic style. For Michigan Opera Theatre, Ms. Acton has conducted WEST SIDE STORY, IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, MUSIC MAN, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, THE MIKADO, DIE FLEDERMAUS, LA TRAVIATA and the THE DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT. MOT tour credits include LA BOHEME, DIE FLEDERMAUS, EL CAPITAN, TENDER LAND , and LA TRAVIATA. Additional conducting credits include MY FAIR LADY and LA TRAVIATA for Dayton Opera, THE MERRY WIDOW and MADAMA BUTTERFLY for Artpark, TOSCA for Augusta Opera, LA TRAVIATA, L’ELISIR D’AMORE, and GIANNI SCHICCHI for Verdi Opera Theatre, and CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA for Friends of the Opera. Ms. Acton has served as guest conductor for The Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra, Lake St. Clair Symphony Orchestra, the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra and the Lexington Bach Festival Orchestra. As long-term Chorus Master of Michigan Opera Theatre, Ms. Acton has worked on over 125 operas in 7 different languages. She has worked with world reknown artists such as Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Ara Berberian, Pablo Elvira, Denyce Graves, and many other stars of the opera world. As Director of the newly formed MOT Children’s Chorus, she was instrumental in developing the inaugural 2007-08 season which included the premiere of Seymour Barab’s opera “The Maker of Illusions” on the Detroit Opera House stage. This was the first full scale children’s opera to be performed completely by children in Michigan. In 1996, Ms Acton was appointed Artistic/Music Director of Rackham Symphony Choir . In her mission to promote choral music by bringing innovative and multi-media works to the community, she has programmed and conducted CARMINA BURANA with the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble at the Macomb Theater for the Performing Arts, AFRICAN SANCTUS with the English composer David Fanshawe, and the Detroit premiere of VOICES OF LIGHT, a work for soloists, orchestra, choir and the historic silent film “The Passion of Joan of Arc” at the State Theater, with composer Richard Einhorn. In December 2001, Ms. Acton conducted the 50th Anniversary production of AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS at Music Hall for the Performing Arts, with the internationally known composer Gian Carlo Menotti as the Stage Director. Ms. Acton conducted the Detroit premiere of TOO HOT TO HANDEL, the jazz/gospel version of Handel’s MESSIAH and the Chicago premiere at the Auditorium Theatre. She has conducted Karl Jenkins’ THE ARMED MAN: A MASS FOR PEACE with the premier of an original film THE ARMED BOY commissioned by RSC. In addition to her conducting credits, Ms. Acton has worked for the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, San Diego Opera and Opera Pacific and has served on the music faculty at Florida State University and Oakland University . She is in constant demand for her master classes with singers and young conductors. In 2007 one of Acton ’s goals for Rackham Choir came to fruition with the launch of the High School Internship program. Funded by the Suzanne Mallare Acton Artistic Fund, it provides for talented high school students to work and perform with the choir while receiving professional, private voice instruction. Ms. Acton has been recognized by Corp! Magazine as one of Michigan ’s 95 Most Powerful Women. Under her leadership, the Rackham Symphony Choir was a recipient of the 2008 Governor's Awards for Arts & Culture presented by ArtServe Michigan. |
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