A Competition In Which Operatically
Trained Singers Prove They Can Entertain
BACKGROUND
The Harold Haugh Light Opera Vocal Competition was formed
to honor one of
the finest Oratorio Tenors and stage performers of the last century. Harold
Alberto Haugh was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1905 and studied at Hiram College
and Union Theological Seminary, mentored by organist Clarence Dickinson. He
performed as tenor soloist in over 250 performances of Handel’s Messiah, 80
performances
of the St. Matthew’s Passion, and 22 consecutive yearly appearances
with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He well deserved the title of “Mr. Oratorio”
and the recognition by Thompson Stone as America’s foremost oratorio tenor of
the period. Upon retirement in 1960, he became active with the Ann Arbor Civic
Theater, he directed productions for the University of Michigan Gilbert and
Sullivan Society, and starred in six productions for the Comic Opera Guild.
Educator (for 34 years), performer, and respected family man, Harold Haugh died
in May of 2000, at the age of 94.
PURPOSE
The Harold Haugh Light Opera Vocal Competition is sponsored by the Comic
Opera Guild, a semi-professional lyric theater company that has performed in the
Ann Arbor area (and toured Michigan/Ohio) for over a quarter of a century. The
Guild is dedicated to continuing the tradition of classic musical theater. Its
repertoire
includes that which is both vocally challenging and appropriate for its
unique combination of professional singers, students from the surrounding
universities
and colleges, and talented amateurs from the Ann Arbor area. The competition
exists to honor Harold Haugh’s memory, as a leading artist and friend of the
Guild, to aid regional singers, and to identify principal singers for Comic
Opera
Guild productions, concerts and recitals.
COG singers have gone on to perform at the New York City Opera, the MET, and
several European opera houses. Some have also established fine cabaret and
musical theater careers.
This years comptetition will take place on SATURDAY, MARCH 1, in Pinckney, Michigan. For more information, and a competition application, a PDF booklet can be downloaded here.
2000 COMPETITION WINNERS
Gary Moss, Baritone
Final Selection: “I Am A Pirate King”
Pirates of Penzance (Gilbert & Sullivan)
Marcia Porter, soprano
Final Selection: “Meine Lippen ”
Giuditta (Lehar)
2001 COMPETITION WINNERS
Michael Ryan, Tenor
Final Selection: “Fritz’s Rondo”
La Grande Duchesse (Offenbach)
Pei-Yi Wang, mezzo-soprano
Final Selection: “Una Voce Poco Fa”
Barber of Seville (Rossini)
2003 COMPETITION WINNERS
Michael Gallant, Tenor
Final Selection: “Legend of Kleinzach”
Tales of Hoffman (Offenbach)
Jessica Medoff, soprano
Final Selection: “Czardas”
Die Fledermaus (Johann Strauss)