THE MESOPOTAMIAN OPERA
Peter Wing Healey, Artistic Director and President
Galina Barskaya, Musical Director
Karolyn Kiisel, Costume Director
TO CONTACT THE MESOPOTAMIAN OPERA COMPANY, INC. PLEASE EMAIL US AT
or send a letter to
835 Moon Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90065-4143
Peter Wing Healey, composer, writer, director, choreographer, and founder of The Mesopotamian Opera Company, Inc., attended Haverford College and The Boston Conservatory of Music.
He began classical piano training at 6. At 13 he sang professionally with Christ Church Cathedral Choir in Vancouver, B.C. He continued his keyboard studies in Springfield, MA with Dorothy Guion, a protégé of Dame Myra Hess, and sang choral and operatic music under the direction of Alfredo Carbonell. He studied music theory in Salzburg. At 18 he studied baroque keyboard with Agi Jambor, head of the Music Department at Bryn Mawr College. In college he turned to dance. In New York he studied with Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, David Howard, and Sara Sugihara. He studied classical ballet with Janet Panetta, soloist at American Ballet Theater.
Mr. Wing Healey danced professionally in New York City, from 1976 to 1996, with Daniel Lewis from the José Limón Dance Company, with Anna Sokolow, with Hannah Kahn, with Laura Dean Dancers and Musicians and with The Mark Morris Dance Group. He performed all over the world. He danced as a soloist in Mark Morris's The Hard Nut at the Theatre Royale de la Monnaie in Brussels, Belgium, filmed for PBS's Great Performances. He worked as rehearsal director on The White Oak Project with Mikhail Baryshnikov and was balletmaster on the John Adams/Peter Sellars opera Nixon in China from its inception in 1987 at the Houston Grand Opera through re-stagings for the Los Angeles Opera, The English National Opera, The Greek National Opera and The Metropolitan Opera.
Mr. Wing Healey's original plays, operas and operettas have been performed in New York at P.S.122 122122, The Judson Church, The Vineyard Theater, The Middle Collegiate Church, The P.S. 122, R.A.P.P. Arts Center,Middle Collegiate Church, H.E.R.E., The Greenwich House, and in Los Angeles at LATC, Highways, 2100 Square Feet, The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, The Highland Park Ebell Club and The Whitmore-Lindley Theater Center. His play Thyestes's Feast was published in the online journal Papotage after winning their writer's competition and was later hailed by critics as "riveting", "interesting and potent theater". His opera The Tree was awarded a $25,000 grant from the James Irvine Foundation through The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, Jenny Krusoe, director with significant additional support from the Department of Cultural Affairs of Los Angeles. He has received support for his work from American Opera Projects, TWEED Productions, The Howard Gilman Foundation, The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, The Noah Wyle Foundation and The James Irvine Foundation.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR:
Galina Barskaya began studying piano at the age of four and started to perform professionally at the age of seven. She got her BM and MM at Kiev State College and Kiev State Conservatory where she studied piano, organ, conducting, music history, and composition. She toured extensively in Russia, Ukraine, and other parts of the former USSR.
Since coming to the United States in 1993, Ms. Barskaya has established herself as a soloist, chamber musician, accompanist, and teacher. She has also been working as a conductor and music director. Ms. Barskaya has been on staff at Santa Monica College and California State University at Long Beach and has been a member and founding member of several chamber ensembles. In the Los Angeles area, she has performed at numerous venues including the Alex Theater and Hollywood Bowl. She's been involved in different religious music programs as Music Director/Conductor as well as pianist/organist including Emerson UU Church, Kehillat Israel, and Lutheran Church of the Master. She created the "Musical Explorations" concert series and from 2001 to 2009 had been its founding Artistic Director. She was also Music Director of the Pacific Palisades-based opera company LA Metropolitan Opera from 2009 to 2012.
She was a soloist with Glendale Symphony Orchestra performing Shostakovich concerto #2
at Alex Theater and with Caltech/Occidental Symphony performing Beethoven 3rd concerto. Ms. Barskaya is a member of Dominant Club, a prestigious organization for professional
women musicians. Presently, she is on faculty at Occidental College, Music Director at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Music Director of Mesopotamian Opera Company, and the Founding Music Director/CEO of Independent Opera Company. Galina is also a composer, whose music was recently featured in an educational film titled "Birth In Action." Galina is thrilled to be in the production of second original work "The Spell of Tradition" by Maestro Peter Wing Healey with Mesopotamian Opera Company.
MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of the Mesopotamian Opera, Inc. is to further the teaching and employment, in live performance, of expressive performing arts techniques. The goal is to create work, employment when possible, and contemporary context for the arts of dance, song, recitation and role playing, and all the attendant arts; stage design, music composition, choreography, lighting design, conducting, playing of musical instruments and directing. This goal supports the infrastructure of teachers and coaches, university and college departments, that every year turn out aspiring talent in the field of live, expressive performing arts by laboring to provide another delivery platform for the many years of work and dedication represented in the lyric population.
Board of Directors for The Mesopotamian Opera Company, Inc.
Peter Wing Healey, President and Artistic Director
Dr. Michael Pearl
Edward David Miller, Secretary
Maria Manhattan
Bruce Wright
Karolyn Kiisel, Chief Financial Officer
Daniel Chess, on medical leave
Dr. Larry McCready, in memoriam
Stanley Cranston, in memoriam
Russell Ellison, in memoriam
COSTUME DESIGNER
Karolyn Kiisel is a Los Angeles based designer, author and fashion educator. Her designs have been sold internationally, including to Barney’s New York and Bergdorf Goodman, and have been featured on the cover of Womens’ Wear Daily. Her book, Draping, the Complete Course, published by Laurence King, London, is considered the authority on the subject and tapped her 20 plus years experience teaching at the prestigious Otis College of Art and Design.
She is currently working on her second book, Advanced Creative Draping which will focus on draping for couture, avant-garde, and costume design.
The Mesopotamian Opera Performance History
1981 to 2018
June 2017
THE SPELL OF TRADITION
The Highland Park Ebell Club
3 performances, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Galina Barskaya, piano/ conducting with cello, percussion, flute and harp
8 singers, 1 actor, 1 dancer
words and music by Peter Wing Healey
June 2016
THE SPELL OF TRADITION
MOC Studio Reading
Galina Barskaya, piano/conducting
7 opera singers, 2 actors, 1 dancer
June 2011
THE BLUR: OR
HOW TO MARRY A
BILLIONAIRE
South Pasadena Public Library
1 Staged Reading
Words and music
Peter Wing Healey
Musical director
Galina Barskaya
Cast
6 opera singer, 3 actors, 3 chorus singers
April 26, 2010
Al and Kester
The Village at Ed Gould Plaza:
Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center Hollywood, CA
A new play
Peter Wing Healey
Produced
Kevin Maloney, TWEED
Cast
6 actors, 1 narrator
October 2008
THYESTES' FEAST
Whitmore-Lindly Theater Center
11 performances, 6 weeks
Saturdays and Sunday
text/direction
Peter Wing Healey
co-director
Russell Ellison
cast
10 actors
set
Tanya Kovaleski
costumes
Karolyn Kiisel
producer
MOC
lighting
Ariane Erbar
March 2006
THE TREE
Los Angeles Theater Center
12 performances 3 weeks
producers
Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock
Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
Latino Theater Company
The Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture
with the Mesopotamian Opera Company
text/direction
Peter Wing Healey
music
Linda Dowdell
pianist/conductor
David O, Twyla Meyer
band
piano, percussion
cast
17 singer actors, 1 dancer
sets
Tanya Kovaleski, Max Hendler, Claire Keith
costumes
Karolyn Kiisel
lighting
David Kelting
staff
9 member
March 2005
THE TREE –
An Enhanced Reading
Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock
Northeast Los Angeles
1 performance
producers
ERC, MOC, Jon 9
text/direction
Peter Wing Healey
music
Linda Dowdell
pianist
Dan Bridston
cast
14 singer actors, 4 actors
video
Jon 9
October 2002
ISADORA D. KABARETT
Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena 1 performance
producers
Dominic DiFazio, Zoo District
cast
1 singer, 1 dancer, 1 actor
band
saxaphone, drums, piano, violin, bass
lyrics/choreography
Peter Wing Healey
music
Linda Dowdell
June 2001
THE DEATH OF ISADORA: Solo Show
We Are All Amneris, The Death of Isadora, Aunt Jane
Highways Performance Space,
Santa Monica 4 performances
producers
Highways, MOC
choreography/text
Peter Wing Healey
music
Verdi, Berlioz, Beethoven
costumes
Karolyn Kiisel
cast
1 dancer
October 2000
THE DEATH OF ISADORA
Siren, We Are All Amneris, The Death of Isadora
Los Angeles Theater Center
2 performances
producer
MOC
choreography
Peter Wing Healey
music
Strauss, Verdi, Berlioz - taped
costumes
Karolyn Kiisel
lighting
Tal Kendra
January 1999
SOLO: THE ONE PERSON SHOW FESTIVAL:
Daughter of Earth
2100 Square Feet, Los Angeles
4 performances
producers
2100 Square Feet, MOC
performer
1 dancer
music
taped, Richard Strauss
choreography
Peter Wing Healey
April 1996
SUNSET SALOME
HERE, NYC 4 week run
producers
HERE, HOME for Contemporary Theater, MOC
text/dances/direction
Peter Wing Healey
music
Max Kinberg
costumes
Willa Kim
sets
Anne Patterson
lighting
Chenault Spence
cast
5 singers, 4 dancers, 4 actors
orchestra
2 pianos, string quartet, percussion, harp
April 1996
A BENEFIT FOR PEOPLE WITH AIDS
Alice Tully Hall
1 performance
producers
T.W.E.E.D., God’s Love We Deliver
presented
selections Sunset Salome
June 1994
SUNSET SALOME: PART ONE
The Vineyard Theater, Union Square, NYC 4 performances
1 added performance
producers
T.W.E.E.D., MOC
text/directions
Peter Wing Healey
music
Max Kinberg
set
Sara Brecht
conductor
Constantin Kitsopolous
costumes
Mary Brecht
cast
5 singers, 4 dancers, 4 actors
orchestra
piano, oboe, cello, harp, percussion
May 1992
THE NORMA: SITZA PROBA
Greenwich House, NYC
4 perfomances
producer
MOC
text/direction
Peter Wing Healey
music
Linda Dowdell
lighting
Tom Brockland
cast
5 singers, 2 dancers, 3 actors
orchestra
piano, accordian, percussion, harp, cello, trumpet, violin
April 1992
A RIDE ON A MAGIC CARPET
Tribecca Rugs, NYC
1 performance
producer
Under One Roof
excerpts from The Norma
22 performers
April 1991
THE NORMA OF THE MESOPOTAMIAN OPERA
R.A.P.P. Arts Theater, NYC
4 performances
producer
MOC
text/direction
Peter Wing Healey
music
Linda Dowdell
arranger/conductor
Richard Gordon
costumes
Susan Rudie
lights
Berverly Emmons
set
Maria Manhattan
cast
6 singers, 7 dancers, 3 actors
orchestra
2 violins, viola, cello, harp, timpani, piano, harpsichord
June 1989
“Imagining Stonewall” The Center Show
1 performance
areas from Jane Heir
3 performers
May 1989
JANE HEIR
P.S. 122, NYC
4 performances
producers
P.S. 122, MOC
text/direction
Peter Wing Healey
music
Richard Gordon, Janet Norquist
costumes
Mary Brecht
sets
Kristin Ordahl, Bruce Mellet
cast
9 dancers, 3 singers, 4 actors
orchestra
piano, violin, percussion, cello
April 1989
JANE HEIR (excerpts)
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Continental Atrium Series, NYC
1 performance
producers
LMCC, Kevin Duffy, MOC
cast
17 performers
Feb. 1989
JANE HEIR (excerpts)
Wired: A Benefit for P.S. 122
1 performance
May 1988
JANE HEIR
Middle Collegiate Church, NYC
4 perf.
producer
MOC, Divine Theater Company
cast
8 dancers, 8 singers, 5 extras
orchestra
piano, cello, violin, dumbek, harp
costumes
Shirley Finnesey
April 1988
JANE HEIR: Part One
Jusdon Memorial Church, NYC
3 perf.
producers
Judson Church, MOC
cast
6 dancers, 3 singers
music
tape with piano
May 1986
THE MUMMY
Middle Collegiate Church
4 week run
producers
The Divine Theater Company, MOC
text/choreography/direction
Peter Wing Healey
music
Peter Wetzler, Janet Norquist
cast
8 dancers, 5 actors, 3 singers
orchestra
U.S. Steel Cello Ensemble, percussion, cello, violin, viola, piano
costumes
Peter Wing Healey, Dunya
set
Jon Johnson
Jan 1986
THE PRECIOUS FLOWER
excerpts
P.S. 122, NYC
Dancing for Our Lives: A Benefit for Persons with A.I.D.S.
producers
Jason Childers, P.S. 122
cast
4 performers
Oct 1985
TWO STUDIES
New Dance Alliance
producers
Karen Bernard
choreography
Peter Wing Healey
cast
4 dancers
June 1985
THE PRECIOUS FLOWER
Middle Collegiate Church, NYC
4 performances
producers
Aglaia Dance Productions, MOC
text/choreography/direction
Peter Wing Healey
music
Peter Wetzler, Hearn Gadbois, Janet Norquist
cast
2 singers, 4 dancers
orchestra
The U.S. Steel Cello Ensemble, piano, violin, percussion
March 1985
THE PRECIOUS FLOWER
Theater of the Riverside Church,
NYC 3 performances
producers
Riverside Dance Festival, MOC
text/choreography
Peter Wing Healey
music
Peter Wetzler, Janet Norquist
cast
7 dancers, 1 singer
orchestra
piano, tape