What could possibly go wrong?
Get ready to laugh out loud. Sir John Falstaff is coming to Vashon and he’s a charmer. A clownish knight with a big belly and a bigger ego, this randy rascal thinks he can pay off his debts by romancing not one, but two, wealthy married women.
To no one’s surprise, Falstaff’s wacky scheme for bluffing his way to solvency goes awry. It’s comic chaos as the old buffoon is pranked by the clever women again and again. In the end, the outmatched Falstaff accepts his fate, order is restored, and happiness reigns!
Giuseppe Verdi’s final opera, an homage to Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, is a comic and musical masterpiece. It should not be missed by anyone who enjoys a timely and hilarious comeuppance!
Meet the artists
James Brown
General Director, Conductor, Stage Director
James Brown enjoys an eclectic career of conducting, concertizing as a singer, stage directing, and voice teaching. James joined Vashon Opera through stage directing and conducting The Barber of Seville in Vashon Opera's second season. Ever since he has become the musical and theatrical engine behind the company bringing his multiple talents to bear in many productions. In June of 2024, the board invited James to step into the role of General Director to lead the company through its 15th season and beyond. He is the Chair of Vocal Studies at Pacific Lutheran University where he directs the opera and oversees a large voice program. His voice students have gone on to study at graduate programs such as Indiana University, The Juilliard School, University of Michigan, Northwestern University, and Yale University. As a tenor, James sang in many professional opera productions under the batons of such conductors as James Conlon, John DeMain, Richard Hickox, Julius Rudel, and Robert Spano. As the regular conductor and stage director for Vashon Opera, James has led productions such as Albert Herring, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Carmen, Così fan tutte, Les Dialogues des Carmélites, Die Fledermaus, Don Giovanni, Eugene Onegin, Madama Butterfly, Pagliacci, Tosca, La traviata and Werther.
Joshua Conyers
Sir John Falstaff
Grammy-nominated Baritone Joshua Conyers has been singled out by Opera News for his “deliciously honeyed baritone that would seduce anyone” by The New York Times as having “a sonorous baritone” that “wheedled and seduced” and by The Washington Post for have a "show stealing" performance. A native of Bronx, NY, he has been hailed by critics for his performances of new and standard operatic works, as well as on concert stages in North America and internationally. Conyers' dedication and vision as an artist, educator, and advocate strives to propel the performing arts industry forward. Conyers' busy 2024-2025 season includes his debut album A Miracle in Legacy with Pianist Chelsea Whitaker, and a North American recital tour. With compositions by Shawn E. Okpebholo, Carlos Simon, a commission piece by Emmy Award winning composer Jasmine Arielle Barnes with poetry by Deborah Mouton, and a commission piece by Brooklyn Art Song Society (BASS). Joshua joins Piedmont Opera for Norman Dello Joio's Joan of Arc: The Trial of Rouen portraying the role of Pierre Cauchon, Hassan in Edmond Dédé's Morgiane, ou, Le sultan d'Ispahan with Opera Lafayette and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Falstaff in Giuseppe Verdi's Falstaff with Vashon Opera, and Rigoletto in Verdi's Rigoletto with Finger Lakes Opera. On the concert platform, Mr. Conyers makes his debut with the New World Symphony for George Crumbs' A Journey Beyond Time: American Songbook II, the Bass soloist in Handel's Messiah in his debut with the Phoenix Symphony, and a recital Histories VI: Goethe (Songs by Franz Schubert and Hugo Wolf) with Pianist, Dimitri Dover at the Brooklyn Art Song Society.
Michael Drumheller
Pistola
Michael Drumheller is originally from Richland, Washington. A favorite bass-baritone in the Pacific Northwest opera and classical scene, he has been a soloist with Seattle Symphony, Harmonia Seattle, Vashon Opera, Tacoma Opera, Pacific Northwest Opera, Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Boston Lyric Opera, Cleveland Orchestra, and many other organizations. As a recitalist, he specializes in Russian art song, and has been an invited performer at Icicle Creek Music Festival and at Wellesley College. Mr. Drumheller holds a Master's degree in Vocal Performance from Boston University, as well as BS and MS degrees from MIT. A Tanglewood Music Center alumnus, his diverse musical background includes playing tympani and percussion in symphony orchestras and drumming and singing for his own rock bands. He is a regular soloist with Northwest Chorale, which raises funds for Northwest Harvest to help fight hunger throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Nerys jones
Meg Page
Nerys Jones is a Mezzo Soprano who studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow and then at the Guildhall school of music in London. Praised for her ‘focused Mezzo, real presence, pearly clean sound and crystal-clear diction' (The Times), Nerys gained huge success during her time at English National Opera in London, perfecting her talent for playing ‘pant roles'. Nerys's roles at ENO included Hansel, Cherubino, Despina, Garcias, Zerlina, Mercedes, Kitchen Boy, Flower Maiden, 2nd Lady, Proserpina, Flora, Melissa, Sister Mathilde and Pitti Sing. Roles at other opera companies include Rosina in The Barber of Seville; Dorabella in Così fan tutte; Dryad in Ariadne auf Naxos; Stewardess in Flight; and Angelina in La Cenerentola. She has performed with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Chamber Music Society, Northwest Philharmonia, Northwest Sinfonietta, Boise Philharmonic and the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra. Nerys made her Seattle Opera debut as Inez in Il trovatore in 2019 and returned to the company to sing Giovannna in Rigoletto. Other recent roles include Female Chorus in The Rape of Lucretia and Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro, both at Tacoma Opera. Previously at Vashon Opera, she sang Larina in Eugene Onegin and Second Lady in The Magic Flute. A native Welsh speaker growing up in the heart of Wales and surrounded by music from a very young age, Nerys feels blessed to have been born in the country known as the ‘Land of Song'.
Marie Masters Webb
Alice Ford
Hailed by The New York Times as “immensely likable” with a “warm, fresh soprano,” Marie Masters Webb continues to be recognized for her command of both standard and under-performed works, as well as her dynamic acting abilities. Marie is delighted to debut the role of Alice Ford in Falstaff with Vashon Opera. Marie will take on the roles of Woglinde in Das Rheingold and Götterdämmerung and the Valkyrie Helmwige in Die Walküre in the Wagner in Vermont festival's 2025 complete Ring Cycle. Marie also joined Wagner in Vermont for the role of Woglinde (Das Rheingold and Götterdämmerung) as well as several appearances in their Festival concert series in 2024. In fall of 2023, Marie sang Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos with Vashon Opera, where she also triumphed as Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana in November, 2021. Marie was Santuzza in Barn Opera's critically acclaimed 2022 film of Cavalleria Rusticana, and later that summer sang the role of Gertrud (Mutter) in Hänsel und Gretel with Summer Opera Tel Aviv. Marie returned to Barn Opera as Floria Tosca in Tosca in fall, 2022. She covered the role of Lady Macbeth in Macbeth as a 2019 Resident Artist at Opera North, and sang Lady Billows in Albert Herring with Utopia Opera in New York City. Marie holds a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory, a Master of Music from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and a Certificate in Fundraising from New York University.
Simon Petersson
Dr Caius
Simon Petersson is a Swedish tenor who 3 years ago moved to Gig Harbor WA from Stockholm, Sweden. In Stockholm, Mr. Petersson performed with The Royal Opera House in both solo roles and as part of the Swedish Royal Opera Chorus for five years. Mr Petersson earned his Master's in Music from the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 2016. Previously, Mr. Petersson graduated from the Academy of Music and Drama at Gothenburg University in Sweden in 2011 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Opera. Mr. Petersson has performed many roles including: Azaël from L'enfant Prodigue with Tacoma Opera, Isaac from the chamber opera Sigrid, Renfield from the opera Dracula, Cascade from Die Lustige Witwe, Sergio from Fedora and Benoit from La bohème at The Royal Swedish Opera House, Froh from Das Rheingold at Vattnas opera festival, Sweden and Basilio from Le nozze di Figaro at Folkoperan, Sweden. Monostatos from Die Zauberflöte and Borsa from Rigoletto with Piedmont Opera, NC, USA. During his studies at UNCSA, Petersson sang the parts as Fadinard from Il Cappello di Paglia di Firenze, Nika Magadoff from Carlo Menotti's The Consul, and Alfred in Die Fledermaus by Johan Strauss II. Other performances include tenor soloists engagements in Handel's Messiah, Stabat Mater by Schubert, Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramirez and Carmina Burana by Carl Orff with UNCSA Symphony and Lobgesang by Felix Mendelssohn with Berkeley University Symphony.
Allison Pohl
Nannetta
Soprano Allison Pohl's vivacious stage presence and spirited singing have inspired enthusiastic responses across three continents. Her work has received positive reviews for her “sparkling voice” (outerstage.com) and “exuberant” performances (Opera News). Of her performance in L'elisir d'amore at Virginia Opera, The Washington Post wrote: “Allison Pohl stood out with a ripe, flavorful soprano and ample character.” Allison's 2024/2025 season will feature her debuts with Seattle Chamber Music Society in several concerts throughout the Seattle area and with Brevard Music Center Orchestra in the North American premiere of Errolyn Wallen's “Spirit in Motion”. She will also debut with Wenatchee Valley Symphony as soloist in Carmina Burana and with Rainier Symphony singing a set of Richard Strauss songs. She'll return to Bremerton Symphony for Poulenc's Gloria and Vashon Opera as Nannetta in Falstaff. Allison has appeared with opera companies and orchestras throughout the United States, including Seattle Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, New York City Opera, Virginia Opera, Opera Saratoga, Tacoma Opera, Vashon Opera, Opera in the Heights, Opera Providence, Opera on the James, Seattle Symphony, Canton Symphony, Symphony Tacoma, Bremerton Symphony, Seattle Philharmonic, Garden State Philharmonic, Harmonia Seattle, and SkyOpera, and has been a soloist for orchestral tours in both Italy and China. As a member of Soprello, Allison has performed chamber music across North America with cellist Alistair MacRae. She is the Artistic Director of Vashon Opera, a Seattle Opera Career Grant recipient, winner of the Seattle Philharmonic Concerto Competition, is on faculty at Brevard Music Center, and holds degrees from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music and Boston University.
Emily Pulley
Mistress Quickly
Emily Pulley is now in the fourth decade of her singing career, appearing with opera companies and orchestras across the country and around the world, and she has also worked steadily as a stage director since making her professional debut with La bohème for Opera Ithaca in 2019. She has sung nearly 200 performances at the Met, where her roles have ranged from Marguerite in Faust to Gerhilde in Die Walküre to Valencienne in The Merry Widow. Long established in both classical and contemporary soprano repertoire, Emily is enjoying a successful exploration of mezzo soprano and musical theatre roles, including the title role in Carmen, Mrs. de Rocher in Dead Man Walking, and Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd. Last season included several role and directorial debuts: Ježibaba in Rusalka, the Mother and Witch in Hänsel and Gretel, the Fairy Godmother/director for Viardot's Cinderella and the Old Lady/director for Candide. In the fall, Emily performed and directed the Julia Child opera, Bon Appétit!, with Fort Worth Opera and Nashville Opera, the latter pairing the piece with the world premiere of Okpebholo/Campbell's The Cook-Off, which she also performed with New Orleans Opera. She began the year back at Nashville Opera, where she directed and sang Little Buttercup in H.M.S. Pinafore, and in March she will be a guest artist at her alma mater, WTAMU, joining their production of Albert Herring as Florence Pike. She will direct and sing Madeline Mitchell in Three Decembers with Pensacola Opera this fall.
José Rubio
Ford
Internationally acclaimed baritone José Rubio has garnered attention performing at major and regional venues across the world. Mr. Rubio's international operatic engagements have included his operatic debuts in Vienna and Germany, including Berlin Staatsoper, and the famed Elbphilharmonie concert hall. Through his involvement with the iSing! International Festival, he has performed extensively throughout China leading to debuts at the most important opera houses in China, the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, Shanghai Grand Theater, and the Jiangsu Grand Theater in Nanjing. His operatic credits include the title roles in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Don Giovanni, Le nozze di Figaro, and Gianni Schicchi. Other credits include Escamillo in Carmen, Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor, Marcello and Schaunard in La bohème, Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, Tarquinius in The Rape of Lucretia, Tonio in I Pagliacci, Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana, Dr. Malatesta in Don Pasquale, Hannah Before in As One, El Payador in Maria de Buenos Aires, Harlekino in Ariadne auf Naxos, Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus and Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. His leading credits include principal roles for Cincinnati Opera, Seattle Opera, Portland Opera, Nashville Opera, Alamo City Opera, Asheville Lyric Opera, Music of Remembrance, Tacoma Opera, Vashon Opera, and Juneau Lyric Opera. On the concert stage he has appeared as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Alice Tully Hall and the Tianjin Julliard School. He has been a guest soloist the Philadelphia Orchestra, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, the Suzhou Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Macau Symphony Orchestra, Albany Symphony, Evansville Philharmonic, Boise Philharmonic, Bellingham Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Northwest, and the Rogue Valley Symphony.
Nick Stevens
Bardolfo
Nick Stevens, a Washington native and lyric tenor, is excited to join Vashon Opera once again as Bardolfo in Falstaff, having previously performed as Roderigo in September 2024's production of Otello. Nick has the privilege to have had studied with renowned vocalists such as Barry Johnson and Russell Thomas and holds degrees in vocal performance from Pacific Lutheran University and Indiana University, Bloomington. Nick has sung an eclectic variety of opera and musical theater roles, including Laurie in Little Women by Mark Adamo and Fenton in Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi. With over ten years of experience as a classical singer, Nick has a profound familiarity with a wide range of genres, namely in the realms of opera, art song, and sacred music. Nick currently resides in West Seattle and works in downtown Seattle as the Facilities Coordinator at Benaroya Hall Music Center. With a passion for spreading the joy of music, he is excited to have another opportunity to collaborate with Vashon Opera and help foster a love for opera in our local community.
Brendan Tuohy
Fenton
Tenor Brendan Tuohy has been praised by The Cincinnati Post for his “big, bold tenor edged with silver” and he continues to move audiences both in the States and overseas. Brendan most recently sang Don José in Bizet's Carmen with the Union Avenue Opera in St. Louis, MO. In the last couple seasons since performing with Vashon Opera, Brendan has been seen singing Don Jose in Carmen and Mitch in Previn's A streetcar named desire with Tacoma Opera. Brendan also sang Britten's War Requiem with the US Naval Academy band and Annapolis Symphony in Washington DC. Brendan returned to Portland to sing the Mayor in Josh Ragland's world premier opera Beatrice with the Portland Opera as well as the Shepherd in Tristan und Isolde with the Eugene Symphony. Upcoming projects for Brendan include singing Cassio in Verdi's Otello with Vashon Opera, making his San Diego Symphony debut singing Michael in Nicolás Lell Benavides' new opera Tres Minutos, and will finish the year singing “A Tenor” in Seattle Opera's performances of A Very Drunken Christmas Carol.