Roberto Alagna and Aleksandra Kurzak Photo: LukaszRajchert
SAN FRANCISCO’S OPERA’S SECOND CENTURY EXCITING NEW MUSIC AND FRESH EXPLORATIONS By Heide VanDoren Betz Eun Sun Kim Music Director Eun Sun Kim will lead Annual Presentations of Works by Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner Beginning with IL TROVATORE and LOHENGRIN. Company Premieres of RepertoireExpanding Co-Commissions are THE (R)EVOLUTION OF STEVE JOBS by Mason Bates and Mark Campbell; OMAR by Rhiannon Giddens ¾ğÝ ]ă×ÿ¾áĘ ÖáĘņ͞ E^^d$^$ ÖŮ T¾ăđ¾ ¾¾łă¾ÿĦ͜ Ħƅ dĔņ¾ğáğ ¾ğÝ Aleksi Barrière. Other 2023–24 Season highlights include a new CoProduction of Gaetano Donizetti’s THE ELIXIR OF LOVE by Daniel Slater; Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade’s staging of Mozart’s THE MAGIC FLUTE; return of Handel’s PARTENOPE in Christopher Alden’s Production. And of course the much anticipated glorious OPERA BALL headlined by Roberto Alagna, Aleksandra Kurzak and Eun Sun Kim! Other special events include free Opera in the Park and ƈá Elixir of Love Encounter. AN OVERVIEW San Francisco Opera Tad and Dianne Taube General Director Matthew Shilvock, and Caroline H. Hume Music Director Eun Sun Kim lead Company’s 101st season, which opens September 8, 2023. Ħ Öá÷ăğ Ŏÿá ƅłņŎ ņá¾ņĦğ Ħö ăŎņ ņá×ĦğÝ ×áğŎœłŮ͜ ¾ğ 8ł¾ğ×ăņ×Ħ dĿáł¾ will introduce a new, multi-season initiative where Kim will conduct works by both Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner every season ŨÿăĘá Ŏÿá ĦĞĿ¾ğŮ ņăĞœĘŎ¾ğáĦœņĘŮ łá¾ƃłĞáÝ ăŎņ ×ĦĞĞăŎĞáğŎ ŎĦ expanding the repertoire with three co-commissioned new works by leading composers of today. Kim, who enters her third year as San Francisco Opera’s music director with the 2023–24 Season, continues the cycle of annual Verdi presentations begun in 2022 with La Traviata by leading another fervent 1853 work from the composer: Il Trovatore (opening September 12). A new-to-San Francisco Opera production of Lohengrin (opening October 15) marks the beginning of a parallel, annual artistic journey under Kim’s baton through the works of Richard Wagner.
San Francisco Opera Music Director Eun Sun Photo:Cory Weaver San Francisco Opera Music Director Eun Sun Photo: KristenLoken
www.PLPG.NEWS 55 Sleb Eun Sun Kim said, “The works of Wagner and Verdi are cornerstones of the operatic repertoire as we know it. Each composer blazed new trails in his day—and each changed the world of opera forever. As music director, part of my work is to set priorities for orchestral collaboration that will lead to the artistic growth of the Company. With this in mind, I will program operas from these two giants every year, enabling continuous development of these musical styles and our shared craft.” SF Opera’s Public Relations Director, RáƁáłáŮ ]×]ăĘĘ¾ğ comments, “The centennial season featured two new works by Bay Area composers in RĦÿğ ݾĞņΉ ΈğŎĦğŮ ¾ğÝ ĘáĦĿ¾Ŏł¾Ή͞ RĦÿğ ¾ğÝ 9¾ÖłăáĘ¾ Wáğ¾ 8ł¾ğĔΉņ Έ$Ę œĘŎăĞĦ ņœáğĦ Ýá 8łăݾ Ů ăá÷ĦΉ; the 101st season adds premieres of three more new works co-commissioned by San Francisco Opera, two in the fall and one in the summer. Each had its world premiere elsewhere, but the performances in San Francisco have their own distinctions. ]¾ņĦğ ¾ŎáņΉ Έƈá ͮͯáŧĦĘœŎăĦğ of Steve Jobs’ is, in a way, coming home to the Bay Area where its subject lived and operated in Silicon Valley and where its composer also lives and creates. Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels’ ‘Omar’ has had sensational openings at Spoleto and LA Opera and comes to San Francisco where Giddens has had a tremendous impact as a performer (and will be performing again with the Silk Road Ensemble during the run of her opera at the War Memorial). And Kaija Saariaho’s ‘Innocence,’ one of the most acclaimed new operas in recent memory, will have its U.S. premiere in San Francisco next summer–sure to be THE hot ticket in June 2024!” Matthew Shilvock commented, “Our new season carries forth all of the thrilling energy of the Centennial as we welcome the community into a fascinating array of experiences and stories. E ×¾ğğĦŎ Ũ¾ăŎ öĦł $œğ œğΉņ ƅłņŎ ¦¾÷ğáł ĦĿáł¾ ăğ Ŏÿá ÿĦœņá ¾ņ ņÿá continues to bring awe-inspiring interpretations to our theater. I am so proud that we are telling so many new stories this season, and I’m excited to continue our innovation explorations as we chart a course for the future of opera. The Bay Area Community is discovering opera in fabulous new ways, and we look forward to welcoming many new audience members to immerse themselves in artwork that connects œņ͜ ÖłăÝ÷áņ ÝăƂáłáğ×áņ ¾ğÝ ņĿá¾Ĕņ ŎĦ Ŏÿá ņĦœĘ͛· The 2023–24 Season launches with an opening week of festivities beginning Friday, September 8, with Opera Ball, a gala concertfeaturing soprano Aleksandra Kurzak ¾ğÝ͜ ăğÿăņ ƅłņŎĦĞĿ¾ğŮ appearance, tenor Roberto Alagna with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of Eun Sun Kim. On Sunday, September 10, Kim and the Orchestra, along with vocal soloists from the Company’s fall season, take to Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park for the annual Opera in the Park free concert. Then, on œáņݾŮ͜ áĿŎáĞÖáł ̛̚͜ TăĞ ŨăĘĘ Ęá¾Ý Ŏÿá ĦĞĿ¾ğŮ ăğ Ŏÿá ƅłņŎ öœĘĘ opera of the season, Verdi’s Il Trovatore. THREE NEW WORKS CO-COMMISSIONED BY SAN FRANCISCO OPERA PUNCTUATE THE COMPANY’S 101ST SEASON: First, ƈá ͮͯáŧĦĘœŎăĦğ Ħö Ŏáŧá RĦÖņ by Bay Area composer Mason Bates and Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Mark Campbell takes the stage in September. Dramatizing the nexus of the sleek, high-tech devices that revolutionized modern life and the less tidy human beings who dreamed them into existence, this San Francisco Opera co-commission makes its long-awaited local premiere. Near the beginning, the setting is the product launch for the newly revealed iPhone, and Jobs, making quasi-messianic claims for this omnipotent device, is in his element. Prowling the stage before a ×ĦğŧĦ×¾ŎăĦğ Ħö ö¾ăŎÿöœĘ ×ĦğņœĞáłņ͜ ÿá łááĘņ ĦƂ ¾ ĘăŎ¾ğŮ Ħö Ŏÿăğ÷ņ Ŏÿá ă}ÿĦğá ×¾ğ ÝĦ͝ Ά¾Ŀͼ÷áŎ Ŏÿá ğáŨņ͠ ¾ĿͼņáŎ ¾ ݾŎá͠ ¾ĿͼÖĦĦĔ ¾ Ɔă÷ÿŎ͠· It’s something between a sales presentation and a cult rally, and Bates’ musical setting–with it’s sleek, briskly chugging rhythms, its gunmetal orchestral sonorities and the sense it conveys of almost coercive persuasiveness–brilliantly captures all the implacable ambiguity and thrilling creative energy of the event. San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Photo: KristenLoken
The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs Photo: Ken Howard The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs Photo: Ken Howard
www.PLPG.NEWS 57 Sleb The creative team from the original production, led by director Kevin Newbury, will be reunited for this presentation near the SiliconValley environs that provide the opera’s setting. MichaelChristie conducts the fast-paced, electro-acoustic work. The cast features baritone John Moore in his Company debut as the iconoclastic Steve Jobs, whose ideas helped re-shape the world, in role for which he has won praise with companies in Seattle, Atlanta, Austin and Kansas City. ]áŶŶĦͺņĦĿł¾ğĦ ¾ņÿ¾ ĦĦĔá͜ ŨÿĦ Άł¾Ýă¾ğŎĘŮ ĿáłņĦğăƅáÝ· (Dallas Morning News) Laurene Powell Jobs at the world premiere, and bass Wei Wu, role creator of Jobs’ spiritual advisor, TĺÖœğ ÿăğĦ dŎĦ÷¾Ũ¾, reprise their respective parts. Tenor Bille Bruley appears with San 8ł¾ğ×ăņ×Ħ dĿáł¾ öĦł Ŏÿá ƅłņŎ ŎăĞá ¾ņ ĿĿĘá ×ĦͺöĦœğÝáł Steve Wozniak. Omar͜ Ŏÿá ƅłņŎ ĦĿáł¾ ÖŮ 9ł¾ĞĞŮ Ũ¾łÝͺŨăğğăğ÷ ¾łŎăņŎ Rhiannon Giddens in collaboration with composer Michael Abels, brings an urgent, American story to the War Memorial Opera House in November. In the early 1800s, Islamic scholar Omar Ibn Said was forcibly taken from his village in West Africa and sold into slavery in Charleston, South Carolina, where he recorded his story as an expansive canvas of testimony and faith. Said’s two-hundred-year-old autobiography comes vividly to life in Omar͜Ŏÿá ƅłņŎ ĦĿáł¾ ÖŮ ]¾×łŎÿœł 8áĘĘĦŨņÿăĿ Ά÷áğăœņ ¾Ũ¾łÝ· recipient Rhiannon Giddens and composer Michael Abels, known öĦł ÿăņ Ğœņă× öĦł ƅĘĞņ͛ ÿăņ ¾ğ 8ł¾ğ×ăņ×Ħ dĿáł¾ ×Ħͺ×ĦĞĞăņņăĦğ͜ which was hailed as “a sweeping achievement” by ƈá ^áŨ ¬ĦłĔ Times, comes to the Opera House in the production by Kaneza Schaal. Conductor John Kennedy, who led the work’s 2021 world premiere at Spoleto Festival USA, leads Giddens and Abels’ expansive score which synthesizes strains of bluegrass, spirituals, the West African kora, folk music and jazz into a compelling theatrical experience. Tenor R¾ĞáŶ ]×ĦłĔĘá portrays Omar, “a role he brings ŎĦ Ęăöá ăğ ¾ĘĘ ăŎņ ņĿăłăŎœ¾Ę о÷ğăƅ×áğ×á· ͮLos Angeles Times). Mezzosoprano Taylor Raven, portrays Fatima, Omar’s mother who bestows wisdom on her son through dream sequences. Soprano Brittany Renee makes her house debut as Julie, a friend to Omar amid the trials of their lives under enslavement. Baritone Norman Garrett makes his house debut in the double roles of Omar’s brother, Abdul, and Abe; baritone ¾ğăáĘ dĔœĘăŎ×ÿ portrays both Johnson and Owen and tenor ¾łłŮ ¾ğĔņ is the Auctioneer and Taylor. The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs Photo: Ken Howard Omar Photo:Cory Weaver Jamez McCorkle (Omar) Photo:Vincent Master
Omar Photo:Cory Weaver
60 Innocence, premiering in June 2024, follows a family’s ability to deal with tragedy. A joyous wedding celebration takes a shocking turn when the darkest of family secrets is revealed and a young bride has an impossible decision to make. In this gripping one-act drama by composer Kaija Saariaho, librettist ĦƄ dĔņ¾ğáğ and dramaturg Aleksi Barrière, a harrowing story of emotional shock and surprise unfolds in which the understanding of innocence and guilt is continually upended. This co-commissioned work, which ƈá ^áŨ ¬ĦłĔ ăĞáņ proclaimed “a masterpiece… the most powerful work Saariaho has ŨłăŎŎáğ ăğ ¾ ×¾łááł ğĦŨ ăğ ăŎņ ƅöŎÿ Ýá×¾Ýá͜· Ũ¾ņ ƅłņŎ ĿłáņáğŎáÝ ¾Ŏ ăŭͺ en-Provence in 2021. Saariaho specialist ĘâĞáğŎ ]¾Ħͺ¾Ĕ¾×ņ conducts an international cast of singers and actors in this towering work performed in nine languages. Mezzo-soprano œŭ¾ğÝł¾ ĦğĦņá is the Waitress, Ę¾ăłá Ýá âŧă÷ğâ and ĦÝ 9ăĘöłŮ are the Mother-in-Law and Father-in-Law. ]ăĘáņ ]ŮĔĔ¾ğáğ portrays the Groom, bass Kristinn Sigmundsson is the Priest and Wœ×Ů ÿáĘŎĦğ is the teacher. Vilma Jää, a Finnish musician who crosses musical boundaries from folk to experimental electronic music, makes her house debut as Markéta. Innocence, one of the most acclaimed new operas in recent memory, is sure to be THE hot ticket in June 2024! Innocence Photo: Jean-Louis Fernandez Innocence Photo: Jean-Louis Fernandez Innocence Photo: Jean-Louis Fernandez
61 Sleb ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SEASON David Alden’s production of Wagner’s Lohengrin from London’s Royal Opera, Covent Garden, with tenor Simon O’Neill in the title role. At the center of Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin stands a woman accused and her mysterious protector,the proverbial knightin shining armor. Amid the romance and intrigue, the opera’s story is driven forward by one of opera’s most elevating soundscapes. Beginning with this glorious gem of the operatic canon, presented in director ¾ŧăÝ Alden’s production from London’s Royal Opera, Covent Garden, Eun Sun Kim and the Company initiate a multi-season journey through the composer’s works. New Zealand-born heldentenor Simon O’Neill is Lohengrin andAmericansopranoJulieAdams, a recentSanFranciscoOperaAdler Fellow, portrays Elsa. The union of Elsa and Lohengrin is opposed by the scheming Ortrud, performed by Romanian-Hungarian mezzosoprano Judit Kutasi in her American debut, and the Telramund of baritone Brian Mulligan. Icelandic bass Kristinn Sigmundsson, returns as King Heinrich. Innocence Photo: Jean-Louis Fernandez Lohengrin Photo:CliveBarda Lohengrin Photo:CliveBarda
Lohengrin Photo:CliveBarda The Elixir of Love Photo:Cory Weaver
Gaetano Donizetti’s comedic romance ƈá $Ęăŭăł Ħö WĦŧá ͮWΉ$Ęăņăł ÝΉĞĦłáͯ returns to the War Memorial Opera House stage in a co-production with Lyric Opera of Chicago. In Vino Veritas, Riviera Style. A young waiter with no money ¾ğÝ ğĦ ×ĦğƅÝáğ×á ö¾ĘĘņ ăğ ĘĦŧá ŨăŎÿ Ŏÿá ĦŨğáł Ħö Ŏÿá ÿĦŎáĘ͛ Aá ÖœŮņ ¾ bottle of magic elixir from a quack salesman, hoping for passion and romance. Passions bubble over in this delightful comedy. Staged by director Daniel Slater the setting for this funny and heart-warming 1832 romance, takes place on the Italian Riviera during the 1950s. Robert Innes Hopkins, who designed San Francisco Opera’s recent new productions of Tosca and La Traviata, is production designer, and Ramón Tebar makes his Company debut leading the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus. Tenor Pene Pati, whose fast-rising career began at San Francisco Opera with triumphs as the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto and Roméo in Roméo et Juliette, returns as the lovable Nemorino. He is joined by several áŭ×ăŎăğ÷ ¾łŎăņŎņ оĔăğ÷ Ŏÿáăł ƅłņŎ engagements with the Company. The Elixir of Love Photo:Cory Weaver Ramon Tebar (conductor) Photo: AlvaroJaramillo Pene Pati (Nemorino)
Sleb The Magic Flute Photo:Cory Weaver The Magic Flute Photo:Cory Weaver
Sleb Mozart’s ƈá ]¾÷ă× 8ĘœŎá ͮ ăá ´¾œÖáłƅįŎáͯ EğƅĘŎł¾Ŏá Ŏÿá ×¾ņŎĘá͛ áņלá Ŏÿá princess and bring her home. That’s the mission that unites two unlikely allies–a clever young prince and a bumbling bird-catcher armed only with a set of magical musical instruments. They journey into a world of sorcerers, symbolism, and the occult with spirits and secrets. Layered in Masonic symbolism and occult mysteries, Mozart’s ƈá ]¾÷ă× 8ĘœŎá ͮ ăá ´¾œÖáłƅįŎáͯ is, above all, one of opera’s most joyous and accessible masterworks. Its lively arias illuminate a hero’s quest and the steadfastness of true love, understanding, and wisdom. ÿá ŨĦłĘÝņ Ħö ņăĘáğŎ ƅĘĞ͜ ̢̛̙̚ņ ×¾Ö¾łáŎ and animation collide in this internationally acclaimed production which originated at Komische Oper Berlin and makes its Bay Area premiere. Conducted by Eun Sun Kim, ¾łłăá TĦņĔŮ, and Suzanne Andrade’s inventive production conjures the topsy-turvy delights of ņăĘáğŎ ƅĘĞ͜ ̢̛̙̚ņ ×¾Ö¾łáŎ ¾ğÝ á¾łĘŮ AĦĘĘŮŨĦĦÝ͛ Following his success as Don Ottavio in Mozart’s Ħğ 9ăĦŧ¾ğğă with San Francisco Opera in 2022, Samoan tenor Amitai Pati returns as prince Tamino. Austrian soprano ÿłăņŎăğ¾ Gansch, who won plaudits in last summer’s Ħğ Giovanni as Zerlina, adds Pamina to her gallery of Mozart portrayals. Esteemed international artists, including Lauri Vasar and Kwangchul ¬Ħœğ make their San Francisco Opera debuts in this production. Chinese tenor and recent San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow ´ÿáğ÷Ůă ¾ă portrays Monostatos. The Magic Flute Photo:Cory Weaver The Magic Flute Photo:Cory Weaver
www.PLPG.NEWS 66 Sleb Verdi’s Il Trovatore returns in the 2009 co-production by Sir David McVicar. Revenge is the theme. The story begins with acts of the parents. Witchcraft, murder, and vengeance stymie grand passions at every turn. A mother is burned at the stake; the áŭáלŎăĦğáłΉņ ×ÿăĘÝ ăņ ŎÿłĦŨğ ăğŎĦ Ŏÿá ƅłá͛ Vengeance is sought. The event haunts every character of the opera. Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore has been a pillar of the Italian repertoire and popular favorite in San Francisco since the Gold Rush days. Eun Sun Kim, continuing her annual exploration of the operas of Verdi which she initiated in 2022 with La Traviata, takes on the composer’s spirited classic, which abounds in turbulent passions and hit tunes like the famous Anvil Chorus. The rotating set of Sir David McVicar’s production, directed in revival by Roy Rallo, keeps the opera’s musical momentum and simmering intensity building to a stunning conclusion. Tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz portrays Manrico, the heroic troubadour of the opera’s title. Soprano Angel Blue, who made her Company debut in 2009 as Clara in Porgy and Bess, returns as Leonora, one of Verdi’s greatest heroines. Baritone George Petean joins the Company as Count di Luna, and mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili, whom conductor Riccardo Muti praised as “without doubt the best Verdi mezzosoprano today on the planet” (New York Times), completes the powerful quartet in the pivotal role of Azucena. Chorus Director John Keene prepares the artists of the San Francisco Opera Chorus.
www.PLPG.NEWS 67 Sleb Il Trovatore Photo:Cory Weaver/SanFrancisco Opera
www.PLPG.NEWS 68 Sleb Handel’s gender-bending 1730 comedy Partenope will be reprised in the award-winning staging byChristopher Alden and starring French soprano Julie Fuchs and Italian countertenor Carlo Vistoli in their American opera debuts. Roaring Twenties. Raging Love. Our heroine is the most eligible bachelorette in 1920’s Paris and is of course besieged by suitors. WĦŧá Öá×ĦĞáņ Ŏÿá Ö¾ŎŎĘáƅáĘÝ ăğ Ŏÿăņ Ę¾œ÷ÿͺĦœŎͺĘĦœÝ ×ĦĞáÝŮ Ħö łĦоğ×á and rejection. First presented by San Francisco Opera in 2014,Alden’s staging updates the action from Handel’s ancient Neapolitan setting to a 1920s Parisian salon and, according to the Mercury News, “turns the opera’s genderbending plot into a nonstop parade of visual and vocal delights.” English conductor and harpsichordist Christopher Moulds, who made his Company debut in 2019 with Handel’s Orlando, returns to lead Partenope. Mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack reprises the role of Rosmira, tenor Alek Shrader returns as Emilio and Hadleigh Adams is Ormonte. Countertenor Nicholas Tamagna joins the Company as Armindo. The artists of the San Francisco Opera Chorus, recently praised by the San Francisco Chronicle for “singing splendidly under its new director, John Keene,” will be featured throughout the new season. In partnership with the Dolby family, the Company will continue its popular Dolby Family Opera for the Bay program. The audience-building ticket initiative makes prime seats available for $10 each to Bay Area residents who have not purchased tickets in the last three years. The Company will continue to share its performances globally through livestreams of the third performance of each opera in the repertory. On December 1, the Company presents ƈá $Ęăŭăł Ħö WĦŧá $ğ×ĦœğŎáł, a rollicking, experiential evening which activates the War Memorial Opera House around themes from ƈá $Ęăŭăł Ħö WĦŧá and invites attendees to immerse themselves in the world of Donizetti’s work. Revisiting core repertoire and introducing new works are dual themes of 2023-24. It’s going to be a great season! San Francisco Opera 2023-24 season Opening night concert: Sept. 8 Opera in the Park: Sept. 10 “Il Trovatore” (Giuseppe Verdi): Sept. 12-Oct. 1 “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs” (Mason Bates and Mark Campbell): Sept. 22-Oct. 3 “Lohengrin” (Richard Wagner): Oct. 15-Nov. 1 “Omar” (Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels): Nov. 5-Dec. 21 “The Elixir of Love” (Gaetano Donizetti): Nov. 19-Dec. 5 “The Magic Flute” (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart): May 30-June 30, 2024 “Innocence” (Kaija Saariaho, Ħƅ dĔņ¾ğáğ ¾ğÝ ĘáĔņă ¾łłăîłáͯ͝ June 1-21, 2024 “Partenope” (George Frideric Handel): June 15-28, 2024 More details and information are at www.sfopera.com. Partenope Photo:Cory Weaver Partenope Photo:Cory Weaver Partenope Photo:Cory Weaver
Partenope Photo:Cory Weaver
www.PLPG.NEWS 73 Sleb Be Who You are Meant to Be By Geraldine Zialcita Maggie Fleming knew early on that the power behind health and beauty is by practicing care to help be your best self and put your best foot forward. When she was a young girl, Maggie would take time to dress-up and put on a show pretending to be on the łœğŨ¾Ů͛ ¬á¾łņ Ę¾Ŏáł͜ ]¾÷÷ăáΉņ ĿáłöĦłĞ¾ğ×á Ŀ¾ăÝ ĦƂ ņăğ×á ņÿá appearedinvariousmagazinesandwas chosenbyprestigious skincare lines like Shiseido, swimwear collections, such as SwimOutlet, and apparel brands like Baubax. Maggie grew up in the outskirts of Houston, Texas where big oil and football were the main attractions. “I lived in a close-knit community surrounded by friends and family and lots of food,” she shares. Maggie and her older brother were taught good values and work ethics. Having a speech impediment when she was little, a joint condition, and being atleast a year younger than the other members of the sports team didn’t stop Maggie from achieving her dreams. “As an athlete, I was ready to perform. This resonates with me more now because of the passion that existed, knowing any given day no matter what happened yesterday, someone or ¾ Ŏá¾Ğ ×¾ğ ĦœŎĿĘ¾Ů ¾ğĦŎÿáł Ŏá¾Ğ͛ E ƅğÝ Ŏÿ¾Ŏ ŧáłŮ áŭ×ăŎăğ÷͠· She beams. Maggie considers herself to have similarities to a ƅņÿ Ũÿáğ ăŎ ×ĦĞáņ ŎĦ ņĿĦłŎņ͜ ¾ğÝ ÷ăŧáğ Ŏÿ¾Ŏ ņÿá Ũ¾ņ ÖĦłğ on National Bikini Day, it’s no wonder why she loves the water. She broke records in swimming and excelled in many ÝăƂáłáğŎ ņĿĦłŎņ ăğ×ĘœÝăğ÷ ņĦ××áł ¾ğÝ ŨáğŎ ŎĦ ņŎ¾Ŏá öĦł ăŎ͛ Her bravery and courage in the water urged her to share her passion by teaching little kids how to swim.
www.PLPG.NEWS 78 Sleb Maggie graduated with a Business degree in Finance. ¦ÿăĘá ăğ ×ĦĘĘá÷á͜ ]¾÷÷ăá ÿáĘĿáÝ ×ĦͺöĦœğÝ Ŏÿá Ħƃ×ă¾Ę áŭ¾ņ ϛ] University incubator/accelerator which bridged the gap between students, professors, deans, business owners, and resources. “I ņĿá×ăƅ×¾ĘĘŮ ĘáÝ Ŏÿá ĿłĦ÷ł¾Ğ ăğŎáłŧăáŨăğ÷ ĿłĦ×áņņ Ũÿă×ÿ Ũ¾ņ öœğ ¾ğÝ ×ĦĘĘ¾ÖĦł¾Ŏăŧá͛ EΉĞ ÖĘáņņáÝ ŎĦ ÿ¾ŧá Öááğ ¾ÖĘá ŎĦ ¾ŎŎáğÝ áŭ¾ņ ϛ] University because of the good education, but more importantly, they taught us how to be a ‘stand-up’ human being who carries the right values and looked out for one another,” she discloses. Maggie moved to California and this is where she currently resides and works in the entertainment industry. Being in an industry Ũÿáłá ŮĦœ ÿ¾ŧá ŎĦ Öá ÝăƂáłáğŎ͜ ]¾÷÷ăá ¾×ĔğĦŨĘáÝ÷áņ Ŏÿ¾Ŏ ÿá¾ĘŎÿ ¾ğÝ beauty equate to care. “Health and beauty are about taking care of ĦŎÿáłņ͜ Ŏ¾Ĕăğ÷ ×¾łá Ħö ŮĦœłņáĘö͜ ¾ğÝ ŮĦœł ņœłłĦœğÝăğ÷ņ͜· ņÿá ¾ƃłĞņ͛ Despite the myth that there is one mold for health and beauty, Maggie adheres that there are many molds. “If someone is not on a certain project, they will be on something else. I just try to do my best for the ĿłĦđá×Ŏ͜· ņÿá ņŎ¾Ŏáņ͛ ]¾÷÷ăá Ýł¾Ũņ ×ĦğƅÝáğ×á öłĦĞ Öáăğ÷ ¾ ÷ł¾Ýœ¾Ŏá ņŎœÝáğŎ͜ ĿœŎŎăğ÷ ăğ ŨĦłĔ ăğ ĦŎÿáł đĦÖņ͜ á¾łğăğ÷ ÿá¾ĘŎÿ ×áłŎăƅ×¾ŎăĦğņ͜ helping otherbusinesses,havinghobbies, and chattingwithloved ones. As a model and an entertainer, Maggie is represented by an agency team that has opened doors for her to model for swimwear, skincare, and apparel lines. “I appreciate being a part of the modeling and entertainment industry, being a cheerleader for all people involved, and also helping build an inclusive culture,” she declares. ÿá áğŎáłŎ¾ăğĞáğŎ ăğÝœņŎłŮ ÿ¾ņ Öááğ ăğƆœáğŎă¾Ę ăğ Ýáƅğăğ÷ ÿĦŨ people relate to health and wellness and Maggie is honored to be a part of the community. “Balancing health and wellness should include mental health. Take breaks from activities such as technology. Be able to share a good laugh or two with loved ones,” she advises. Maggie balances her schedule by exercising and eating at each mealtime. “I try not to be too hard on myself when it comes to habits if they aren’t perfect,” she adds. Maggie has also taught six-year-olds how to code in Python and is trained in a health practice called Tai Chi/Qigong to help people bring out the best version of themselves. “Working with children is a gratifying gift. They may say the silliest things, they are candid, ņăğ×áłá͜ ¾ğÝ œğăŁœá ăğ ÝăƂáłáğŎ Ũ¾Ůņ͛· ÿá ŨăğĔņ͛
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www.PLPG.NEWS 83 Sleb Aside from modeling, teaching, and cofounding, Maggie worked for Tesla and her responsibilities included overseeing special and cross-functional initiatives for the manufacturing department and also reporting directly to CEO Elon Musk. “One of my responsibilities was standardizing some of the health and safetypractices for the manufacturing ÝáĿ¾łŎĞáğŎ ƆĦĦł͜· ņÿá ņ¾Ůņ͛ Surrounding herself with loved ones and dancing bring joy to her life. Maggie also adopted a puppy named Daisy who she watches over. “She is a little ball of energy and loves running. Having the chance to take care of a pup that is a great companion is a blessing and very ăĞĿĦłŎ¾ğŎ͛ Ħ÷ņ ¾łá ŎłœĘŮ ¾ оğΉņ ÖáņŎ öłăáğÝ͠· She smiles. Despite the setbacks she has encountered along the way, Maggie has built a life with purpose and direction. “I still have a lot to give.” Maggie hopes to evolve in her entertainment career, venture into business and other industries while spending time with friends and family. She concludes this interview with a statement. “It’s never too late to become who you are meant to be.” Maggie Fleming hopes this article inspires others to consider adopting a pet, be caring and continue to reach for their sincerest aspirations.
www.PLPG.NEWS 86 Sleb CREDITS MUSE Melissa Sandoval @msmelissasandoval PRODUCTION/PR Burgerrock Media @burgerrockmedia Irma Penunuri @burgerrock PHOTOGRAPHER Kevin Achutegui @kevinachuteguiphotos PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Baldo Mendoza @itsbaldooo Marianela Valderrama @cafe.conflores INTERVIEW Romina Olivia @rominaolivia_ HAIR Jorge Sanchez @boybraids MAKEUP Evelyn Meza @evelynn_messa Melissa Sandoval is a Latina recording artist from Miami with a voice that can light up a room and a presence that commandsthe stage. With over 2 million followers across hersocial media platforms, Melissa has captured the hearts of fans around the world with her powerful vocals, infectious beats, and vibrant personality. SANDOVAL
www.PLPG.NEWS 88 Sleb Melissa Sandoval is a Latina recording artist from Miamiwith a voice that can light up a room and a presence that commands the stage. With over 2 million followers across her social media platforms, Melissa has captured the hearts of fans around the world with her powerful vocals, infectious beats, and vibrant personality. She has toured the country, performing in front of sold-out crowds and wowing audiences with her energetic performances. Recently, Melissa released her debut album, showcasing her unique style. But there’s much more to Melissa than just her music. She is a role model to many young Latinas, using her platform to inspire and uplift others. In this interview, we’ll take a closer look at Melissa’s journey to becoming a rising star in the music industry, as well asthe message of positivity and empowerment thatshe hopesto spread through her music and herlife. Melissa, you have toured the country and experienced different cities and cultures. How have your travels influenced your personal style and fashion sense? What are some of your go-to fashion items that you always pack when you’re on the road? I have been super inspired lately, especially after visiting Japan. Everyone has such a unique sense of style there, down to their accessories/ shoes, and it really speaks to their personality, which is something I’ve been inspired to carry on. I’ve always been more laid-back when it came to fashion, but not anymore.
www.PLPG.NEWS 91 Sleb As a successful recording artist, you’ve become a role model to many young Latina women. Can you speak to the importance of representation in the music industry, and what advice would you give to aspiring artists who may face barriers in pursuing their dreams? My biggest advice is to never stop. I have been going and going until a door opens, which eventually will when someone doesn’t ever stop knocking. The right people will come along to be in your dreams, and that comes with a great audience that supports what you do. It all comes with time, sometimes a little longer than expected, pero siempre sigue. And stay true to who you really are. Those who see your vision will follow. Your social media presence often features glimpses of your personal life and travels. Can you tell us about a recent trip you took that was particularly meaningful or memorable? I moved to Los Angeles to pursue music, so really any time I go back home to visit my family in Miami, it’s a super meaningful trip for me. Being away from them and not being able to see my nieces and nephews grow every day is tough for me, but I appreciate every moment with them when I see them. In addition to music, what are some of your other passions and interests? I am super passionate about songwriting. I have never been able to express myself. It took me time to understand the structure of songwriting, but when I did, I started finding myself through lyrics and expressing what’s on my mind through a song. How do you prioritize taking care of yourself while balancing the demands of your career? When I was growing up, I felt I didn’t have the right tools to pursue my career, whether it was money or connections in the music industry. I have made myself a priority. I really make sure to stay in tune with how I feel and go for what feels right for me. Mental health is everything to me.
Top & Skirt: Niska Luxury @niskaluxury
www.PLPG.NEWS 94 Sleb Can you speak to the importance of giving back and using your platform to make a positive impact in the world? As I establish myself in the industry, I want to help young, up-and-coming artists like me who are in a position I have been in and don’t know where to start. What advice would you give to young women, particularly Latinas, who may struggle with issues like self-confidence and body image? How have you navigated these challenges in your own life? It’s never a competition. I have always put that in my head until years go by, and you realize there really is a space for everyone in this industry. It’s hard work, consistency, and faith that have the answers for you. Can you tell us about your upcoming projects that you’re most excited to share with your fans? New Spanish music is coming out very soon. To those who have never heard of La Meli - she’s an upcoming Latin singer who does a crossover of English and Spanish music, also known as Spanglish, and R&B/pop vibes. Any last words? YA TU SABE!!!!
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CREDITS Muse: Lysee - @lyseeofficial Public Relations & Editorforthis Article: Johanna Jimenez - @fabijmenez Fashion Stylist: Lasalle - @stylebylasalle Photographer: Andres Ortiz - @andresophotography Lysee Management & PR Services: Latin New Talent - @latinnewtalent Latin New Talent Director: Johanna Jimenez - @fabijmenez Discoverthe Musical Charm of a Rising Star