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WHO WE ARE

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Genesis opera co-founder, Cynthia Leigh, brings a special presence to the main stage with her committed performances and unique voice. Noted for her control, she has the capacity to sing powerfully in one moment, transcending to an almost invisible wisp of sound in the next. Always the consummate actress, true to the composer and librettist, Ms. Leigh becomes the characters she portrays, inspiring audiences through her deep and varied emotional range. 

 

It has long been a dream of hers to bring her love of opera and theatre to life, in her own company, hence Genesis Opera Theatre was born. Cynthia also has an extensive theater background, having performed in hundreds of musicals and plays throughout Southern California. Recent directing credits include Amahl and the Night Visitors and Goyescas.

 

This season Ms. Leigh will sing Magdalene in Magdalene- The Musical with Genesis Opera Theatre. Recent performances include The Mother in Amahl and the Night Vistors,Mme. Goldentrill in The Impresario, Rosario in Goyescas,the title role in Suor Angelica,Nedda in I Pagliacci also with Genesis and the Mother in Genesis Opera Theatre's inaugural production of Amahl and the Night Visitors Others include Rosario in Goyescas with Independent Opera Company and Despina in Cosi Fan Tutte with Redlands Opera Theater, Leonora in Il Trovatore and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Los Angeles Metropolitan Opera, The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors with Riverside Lyric Opera, Giulietta in The Tales of Hoffmann, Lady-in-Waiting in Macbeth with Independent Opera in Los Angeles and was a featured with Opera Showcase at the National Opera Center in New York City. Other favorites are Violetta in La Traviata and The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors with California Ballet Opera, Mme. Goldentrill in The Impresario and Nella in Gianni Schicchi with Celestial Opera, Rutter’s Requiem with San Diego Festival Orchestra and Chorus, "A Night in the Park" with Bolletta Entertainment, The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute and Lucia in Lucia Di Lammermoor, both with Riverside Lyric Opera.

 

No stranger to the concert stage, Ms. Leigh’s sacred works include soprano soloist in the Requiems of Fauré, Verdi and Mozart. She has performed throughout California in such venues as San Diego Civic Center, Los Angeles Theater, California Center for the Arts in Escondido, Sherwood Auditorium in La Jolla, Lesher Center in Walnut Creek, Hume Concert Hall in San Francisco and John Steinbeck Theater in Monterey

 

 

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DOUG FRIEDMAN is a television writer, producer and marketing executive responsible for the launch of "Access Hollywood" and many other established TV shows.  With the founding of Genesis Opera Theatre, he was excited to branch out as a producer of live entertainment in both musical theatre and opera.  As an actor he has performed in numerous musicals throughout San Diego, including "Sweeney Todd" (as Judge Turpin), "Les Miserables" (Thenardier), "Little Shop of Horrors" (Mushnik), "The Wizard of Oz" (Cowardly Lion), "Kizmet" (Wazir), "Beauty & the Beast" (Maurice)  and "Oliver!" (Fagin).  Doug welcomes all of those who wish to volunteer as Genesis Opera Theatre continues to grow in 2023.  Please reach out and let us know what you can do!  Everyone is welcome!

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