Artistic Directors of LOON Opera Are A Part of Duluth Music Ecosystem

Picture of Sheryl Jensen

Sheryl Jensen

DD ARTIST PROFILE SERIES – Artistic Directors Calland Metts and Sarah Lawrence Are the Heart and Soul of Loon Opera

Calland (Cal) Metts
Sarah Lawrence – Photos by Leslie Plesser at Shuttersmack
Husband and wife Cal Metts and Sarah Lawrence moved to Duluth after performing here with Colder by the Lake in the parody “Les Uncomfortables” in 2001. They had been living in Chicago, where Cal was singing with regional opera companies and symphonies as well as with the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s chorus, and Sarah was beginning a professional singing career with regional companies. When they moved to Duluth, they performed locally and with theatres, opera companies, and symphonies, together and separately around the U.S. Sarah also played Christine Daaé as a member of the Third National Tour of “The Phantom of the Opera” and in “Phantom: The Vegas Spectacular.” When Ruth Jacobson founded Lyric Opera of the North (LOON), she hired Sarah and Cal to perform in “The Magic Flute.” After Ruth’s passed in 2010, the couple was asked to share the position of Co-General Artistic Directors for LOON. “When Sarah and I were asked to become the General Artistic Directors of LOON in 2010, at first we told the board of directors no. But Ruth’s 12-year-old daughter Georgia was much more convincing when she insisted that we continue her mother’s work,” said Cal. About their administrative and tech work with LOON, Sarah explained, “We work together on plan repertoire and build the teams for each production. Cal focuses on set building, props, and managing all the props, scenic elements, whether they are getting put back into storage or sent somewhere for a rental. I write the grants, work with the board and committees, work on budgets and fundraising, and with Kailyn Pelerin I work on marketing and communications, as well as production-related stuff like finding housing, helping with schedules, and more.” Locally, Cal and Sarah have been in productions at The Duluth Playhouse playing leading roles in “My Fair Lady” and “Secret Garden,” with LOON, with Colder by the Lake, and in concerts with the DSSO. Regionally, they have appeared with Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Omaha Symphony, Skylark Opera Theater, Minnesota Orchestra, Guthrie Theater, and the Minnesota Oratorio Society. Cal and Sarah love their life in Duluth with their daughter, Gigi, a seventh grader, who they describe as “a self-appointed Junior Executive Director, production team member, and frequent on-stage collaborator with LOON.” Following in her parents’ footsteps, Gigi has performed with LOON and the Playhouse, among others. Sarah said, “She works with LOON the way kids who grow up in any family business do — they help out where they’re needed. She has answered phones, worked with Ann Gumpper and Cal in the scenic shop, painted, sanded, given speeches at fundraisers, and sung in concerts.” Gigi also plays violin in the DSSYO and studies ballet at Minnesota Ballet.
Family photo from LOON “Elixir of Love,” 2019. Director Bradley Greenwald created an opening in which young Adina was played by Gigi and grown-up Adina was played by Sarah.
A Love Affair with Duluth “After 17 years in Chicago, the small-town feel of Duluth has been a relief,” said Cal. “I also think Duluth should be extremely proud of the arts scene here. There is an extraordinary amount of very good art happening in our community.” “We have a great view of the city and the lake from our house,” added Sarah. “I fall in love with our city again every time I look out the window.” She added, “Our lives intersect so regularly with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Ballet, the Duluth Playhouse, Wise Fool Shakespeare– it does feel more and more like one big ecosystem.” Perspectives on Opera The talented couple have immersed themselves in an art form they clearly love. “Opera is a grand expression of emotions . . .  anguish, joy . . . It is very cathartic to sing or experience opera in any form,” Cal stated. Sarah added, “From the most private, reflective thoughts to outrage, triumph, ecstasy – all the most intense feelings can be expressed so powerfully through opera.” It is unique for opera companies in our size market to have grown and thrived for 20 years the way LOON has. With Cal and Sarah’s leadership, LOON has deservedly found its audience for both life-long opera lovers and new patrons. “The Impresario” and “Circe on Superior” Opens 20th LOON Season
“A year of celebration begins with two one-acts: something old and something new. Mozart’s comedy, “The Impresario,” has a new script from beloved LOON collaborator Jeffrey Madison. Then, after intermission, the same cast sings the World Premiere of Circe On Superior, written by Peter Hilliard and Matt Boresi, the team that wrote the popular comic opera “The Filthy Habit.” (From the LOON website)
2 Operas 3 Little Pigs 14 Duluth jokes 3,700 hydangeas 20 Years of LOON Friday, November 1 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, November 3 at 3:00 PM At The St. Louis County Depot Mainstage Sung in English, with English supertitles projected above the stage. Tickets at loonopera.org or by calling 218.464.0922. Sarah Lawrence is playing the role of Amelia Hope in “The Impresario” and Katharina Fach in “Circe On Superior” Gigi will play Eevi in “Circe.” The evening pays homage to Ruth Jacobsen, founder of LOON, and honors scenic designer Ann Gumpper who is retiring after designing over 20 shows for LOON as well as for a variety of other organizations. Next Up for Loon Opera “The Radio Hour”  A choral opera in one act Composed by Jake Heggie Libretto by Gene Scheer Friday, January 24 at 7:00 PM Sunday, January 26 at 3:00 PM At The St. Louis County Depot Mainstage Tickets at loonopera.org or by calling 218.464.0922. In 40 minutes and three parts, this choral opera tells the story of Nora, a woman having a very bad day. She seeks solace by locking herself inside her apartment and turning on the radio. The chorus represents the inner monologue of her life and the imaginative possibilities that await her.

“The Radio Hour” A choral opera in one act

   

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