Raise the curtain on Opera Arlington’s third season!
Step into a twinkling winter wonderland with a heartwarming production that’s perfect for the whole family. Inspired by the sights and sounds of a German Christmas market, this fairytale opera favorite follows two brave siblings who wander into an enchanted forest and discover a candy-covered cottage... and the witch who lives inside it.
With the glow of lantern light, the sparkle of holiday magic, and the scent of gingerbread in the air, join us for a cozy and charming evening that captures the spirit of the season. Humperdinck’s lush Romantic score, rich with folk-inspired melodies, is brought to life by some of DFW’s most exciting opera voices.
Presented in English with supertitles and featuring piano accompaniment, this production is conducted by Christopher Leach and directed by Eliza Escalante. A sweet and magical start to the holiday season awaits!
Farr Best Theatre Mansfield:
Saturday, Nov 29 at 7pm
Sunday, Nov 30 at 3pm
Address: 109 N Main St, Mansfield, TX 76063
Wellspring on Main:
Saturday, Dec 6 at 7pm
Sunday, Dec 7 at 3pm
Address: 201 West Main Street, Arlington, Texas 76010
MUSIC TEAM
Composer: ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK
Librettist: ADELHEID WETTE
Music Director & Conductor: CHRISTOPHER LEACH
Principal Pianist: YU HSUAN LU
Répétiteur:
PRODUCTION TEAM
Stage Director: ELIZA ESCALANTE
Artistic Director & Marketing Lead: BREE NICHOLS
Assistant Stage Director: GARRETT HOLLOWELL
Production Designer: LARA LIGNITZ
Stage Manager: HANNAH GALLAGHER
Administration & Front of House: MARTIN WELLS
Lighting Designer:
Megan Koch, soprano, is a dynamic performer based in DFW who has frequently appeared in concert with Opera Arlington since its founding and portrayed Donna Anna in last season’s Don Giovanni. In the 2024–25 season, she returned to Fort Worth Opera as Amy in Mark Adamo’s Little Women and debuted as Kjersti in the revival of Douglas Moore’s Pulitzer Prize-winning opera, Giants in the Earth. Megan was the winner of the Classical Singer Vocal Competition (Emerging Artist Division) in 2022. As a Hattie Mae Lesley Resident Artist at Fort Worth Opera from 2020–2022, she was a featured soloist with Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, prepared to cover Musetta (La Bohème), performed excerpts from Massenet's Manon, was responsible for the role of Ana Maria in the world premier of Armienta’s Zorro, and made her mainstage debut as Annina and covered Violetta in La traviata.
In the 2023–2024 season, Megan made her Shreveport Opera debut as Berta (Il barbiere di Siviglia) and returned as a Resident Artist to make her role debut as Violetta (La traviata); she also portrayed Nala in Opera Arlington’s world premiere recording of Jodi Goble’s one-act opera, Meow and Forever, in the 2022–2023 season. Her previous operatic credits include Lucia di Lammermoor, Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Vixen (Cunning Little Vixen), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Alexandra (Regina), Rose (Street Scene), and La princesse (L’enfant et les sortilèges). Megan was invited to the Czech Republic in 2019 for the premiere of two lost operas by Johann Heinrich Schmelzer for the Olomouc Baroque Festival. A finalist in the Lewisville Lake Symphony International Voice Competition (2019 and 2022) and the University of North Texas Concerto Competition, she holds a Master of Music and Graduate Artist Certificate from UNT as well as a Bachelor of Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University.
Austin Murray is a lyric baritone based in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex recognized for his elegant, robust sound and versatile stage presence. He is making his concert debut with Opera Arlington. With the ability to transition from musical theater, to bel canto repertoire, to early music, Austin has performed several of opera’s most monumental roles, including The Count (Le nozze di Figaro), The Forester (Cunning Little Vixen), the title roles in Gianni Schicchi and Don Giovanni, and Valentin in Gounod’s Faust. Austin enjoys stretching his artistry with thought-provoking projects, including his recent portrayal of Edgar in Tom Cipullo’s short opera, Lucy.
In 2018, Austin received his Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance at the University of North Texas. He continued his studies at UNT by achieving the Graduate Artist Certificate in Opera in 2020. Before his collegiate career, Austin performed in various supporting and leading roles in musicals, including Curly (Oklahoma!), Javert (Les Misérables), and Motel (Fiddler on the Roof). In addition to his passion for theatrical performing, he is also dedicated to professional choral singing and has been a proud member of Orpheus Chamber Singers since 2022.
Lauren Salazar, mezzo-soprano, has performed in concert and on the opera stage with Opera Arlington, appearing in Recuerdos: A Hispanic Heritage Celebration and as Third Wood Sprite in Rusalka. A versatile singer with a flexible and enchanting voice, Lauren has portrayed a wide range of roles, including the title roles of Carmen, Hänsel, and Dido. Her repertoire also includes notable roles such as Despina (Così fan tutte), Zweite Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Dorothée (Cendrillon), and Annio (La clemenza di Tito). In the 2025 summer season, Lauren performed with Opera in the Ozarks, including performances as the Witch in Into the Woods and a reprisal of her Carmen. She is slated to appear as Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro with Opera of the Plains in 2026.
Lauren has performed with a number of professional companies and ensembles, including Fort Worth Opera, Austin Opera, Opera Arlington, the Dallas Bach Society, the TEXAS Outdoor Musical Company, Opera in the Ozarks, Taos Summer Opera, Miami Summer Music Festival, and Music On Site. During the 2024–2025 season, she appeared as the alto soloist with the Dallas Bach Society in several concerts, including Il Concerto delle Donne, Merrie England, and Vivaldi’s Gloria. Lauren is a recent graduate of the Graduate Artist Certificate program in Voice & Opera at the University of North Texas. She also holds a Master of Music from UNT and a Bachelor of Music from The University of Texas at Austin.
Adeniyi Samuel is a versatile bass-baritone who debuted with Opera Arlington last season as the Baron de Pictordu in Viardot’s Cinderella and in concert. His musical interest covers a range of genres, including gospel and jazz. Some of his most recent roles include Bartolo in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Baron Campo-Tasso in Offenbach’s The Brigands, Arkel in Debussy’s Impression de Pelléas, Blitch in Floyd’s Susannah (scenes), and Frank (cover) in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. Adeniyi was featured as the Psalmist in the 30th anniversary of Cry Innocent, a theatrical adaptation of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, produced by History Alive. He co-directed and performed as Alabi in The Journey to Africa by Lydia Adesina with African Broadway in New York. His honors and awards include first place in the Adult Classical TBB Voice category at the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) in October 2021.
Adeniyi utilizes his expertise in various genres fusing Western and African music. He authored the Spirit and Truth Worship Series, comprising hymns, psalms, and his worship compositions. He is the writer, composer, producer, and performer of a two-man musical, Renewal, and a one-man Christmas musical, We Need a Savior. Adeniyi obtained his M.M. from Temple University, a B.M. from Gordon College, and an A.M. from the Musical Society of Nigeria, among other music certifications. He is pursuing a D.M.A. at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, where he serves as a voice instructor.
Yu-Hsuan Lu is an active collaborative pianist with a passion for opera and vocal repertoire. Based in North Texas, she enjoys a diverse career as a performer, coach, and educator, maintaining an active freelance schedule with singers, instrumentalists, and opera companies. Yu-Hsuan recently made her debut with Atchley Opera as pianist for Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. In 2022, she served as pianist-coach with Music On Site for its production of Carmen. She has also worked extensively with the University of North Texas Opera as a graduate assistant, supporting productions and coaching singers in preparation for staged performances.
Currently a doctoral candidate in Collaborative Piano at the University of North Texas, Yu-Hsuan holds two Master of Music degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, one in Collaborative Piano and the other in Piano Performance. Prior to her doctoral studies, she was appointed Associate Professor of Piano at Huaiyin Normal University in China, where she taught piano and chamber music.
Dedicated to both performance and teaching, Yu-Hsuan is passionate about fostering musical collaboration and artistry across genres. She currently serves as an adjunct collaborative pianist at Southern Methodist University, while continuing to appear regularly in recital and opera productions throughout North Texas.
Opera Arlington’s 2024–25 season was proudly underwritten in part by the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation — Contributing to a Thriving Arlington.
This performance would not be possible without the generosity of our donors. Thank you for being a part of our mission to empower artists and enrich our community through music! To become a part of the Opera Arlington family and join the movement for the arts in our city, please consider making a gift today.
Kara & Craig Lidell
Jody Mow
Lynda & Ignacio Núñez, MD
The Puccini Society of Dallas
Tina & Ron Sears
Anonymous
Kara & Craig Lidell
Once Upon a Time... in honor of Kate Wood
Anonymous
Greater Arlington Lion’s Club
The Puccini Society of Dallas
Marilyn Halla
Mark & Lori Craig
Monica Galuski
The Giana Foundation Fund
Aaron Adair
Robert Brooks
Jadd Garcia
Mary Higbie
Bonita Keene
Courtney Lyons
Lucy McGuigan
Sandra Reinhardt
Bonnie Saur
Drew Weiner
Sally Wilson
Sean Wood
Anonymous
September 20 at 12:30pm
October 4 at 9:30am
November 29–30
December 6–7
June 5–6
By supporting the arts through Opera Arlington, you're helping more music come to life in our community, and empowering emerging musicians through paid performance opportunities. Opera Arlington is a community-driven organization that relies on your support. Join hands with us to ignite a passion for the arts and culturally enrich our community in Arlington and DFW. Make a gift today and become a part of the Opera Arlington family.
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