Toledo Opera

Jennifer Cresswell, soprano

An artist who wears many hats, Jennifer Cresswell was last seen on the stage with Toledo Opera in the role of Liù in Turandot and as Frasquita in Carmen. Other roles in her repertoire include Blanche in André Previn's A Streetcar Named Desire, Blanche de la Force in Poulenc's Dialogues of the Carmelites and Anna Maurrant in Kurt Weill's Street Scene. In 2011, Ms. Cresswell made her debut as a soloist with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. A former participant in Toledo Opera’s Artists in Residence Program, she now serves as Artistic Director for its touring education program, Opera on Wheels, and as Co-Director of its summer Opera Camp. She specializes in transforming classic operas into 40-minute touring productions for children, including this year's production of The Italian Girl, a modern-day adaptation of Gioacchino Rossini’s L’italiana in Algeri. Ms. Cresswell is also the host of Morning and Evening Classics on WGTE public radio FM91 in Toledo.

Sean Cooper, bass-baritone

A member of the voice faculty at Bowling Green State University, Sean Cooper has performed on the operatic and concert stage in works ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st century. He appeared as Colline in the original Broadway cast of Baz Luhrmann’s La bohème as well as in Toledo Opera's Fall 2012 production. Favorite roles include Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, Leporello in Don Giovanni, the Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance, and Sarastro and Der Sprecher in The Magic Flute. He has performed with Opera Carolina, Opera Memphis, Pittsburgh Opera, Opera North, and Liederkranz Opera, and in concert with the Sacramento Choral Society, the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus, and numerous symphony orchestras.  Dr. Cooper is also the Co-Director of Toledo Opera’s summer Opera Camp.