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IN A STORY ABOUT LOVE AND BETRAYAL,
TWO WICHITA ARTISTS ARE ABOUT TO BREAK YOUR HEART!


Carter Tholl commanding the stage at last fall's STARDUST 25. Mason McClellan suited up and stage-ready.

If you've seen Carter Tholl command stages across this city—with Music Theatre Wichita, Wichita Grand Opera, Wichita Baroque, or the Wichita Symphony—you know what she brings: agile voice, crystalline tone, and captivating presence. Having previously been seen on the Opera Kansas stage in such roles as Mabel (Pirates of Penzance), The Plaintiff (Trial by Jury), and Mavis (Fantastic Mr. Fox), she joins our upcoming production of DIDO & AENEAS as “Belinda,” Dido's ride-or-die confidante who wants nothing but love and peace for her friend and queen (though fate has other plans).
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CARTER
On playing loyalty in the face of tragedy:
"At her core, Belinda is a true friend, and she takes her role in Dido's life very seriously. She loves her queen and deeply wants, selflessly, nothing more than for Dido to be happy."

On the intimacy of Purcell:
"This kind of music is exactly what my voice likes to sing. As an early music specialist, I'm thrilled to be a part of this production. While Opera Kansas has perhaps become best known for producing new works, there is so much to be gained by looking back through history to a cornerstone work like this one."

On performing for Wichita:
"While I'm not a native, I now couldn't imagine living anywhere else. I'm grateful for the opportunity to perform this music, with a group of this caliber, all in my adopted hometown."

And stepping into the role of Aeneas—the Trojan War hero who falls for Dido and then leaves her—is Mason McClellan, making his principal role debut.

Mason's a WSU grad and Wichita Grand Opera veteran who's been working toward this moment. Under Carter and Michaela's formidable presence, he's finding the vulnerability in a character caught between impossible choices: the gods demand one path, his heart demands another.

MASON
On his debut:
"There's something electric about stepping into your first principal role, surrounded by artists like Carter and Michaela who set the bar so high. It's terrifying and exactly where I want to be. Aeneas isn't evil—he's just tragically wrong. He thinks he's doing the honorable thing and destroys everything in the process."

WHY THIS PAIRING MATTERS

Because Carter is one of Wichita's most essential artists, and watching her navigate Belinda's fierce loyalty is unmissable.

Because Mason is part of the next generation of Kansas opera artists stepping up to meet the moment.

Because together—alongside Michaela's devastating Dido—they're telling a story about love, loyalty, and the people who stay versus the people who leave.

SEE THEM COLLIDE

Friday 2/20 @ 8pm | Saturday 2/21 @ 8pm | Sunday 2/22 @ 3pm

GET TICKETS BEFORE THEY'RE GONE! ([link removed])

Don't miss this,

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Zeffin Hollis

Executive Director, Opera Kansas

[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=undefined&body=undefined) | (316) 246-6212

PS: This is opera you can reach out and touch. 75 seats. String quartet. No distance between you and the devastation.
Honor the Art. Power the Future. ([link removed])

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