Janet Marie Chvatal (born September 26, 1964) is an American classical soprano and

musical theatre Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movemen ...

singer, director and author, best known for her production and charity work in Germany and for her creation of the role of

Empress Elisabeth of Austria Duchess Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie in Bavaria (24 December 1837 – 10 September 1898) was Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary from her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph I on 24 April 1854 until her assassination in 1898. Elisabeth was ...

in the world-premiere of the German musical '.

Biography

Chvatal was born in

Boynton Beach, Florida Boynton Beach is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It is situated about 57 miles north of Miami. The population was 68,217 at the 2010 census. In 2019, the city had an estimated population of 78,679 according to the University o ...

, and grew up in

Beaverton, Oregon Beaverton is a city in Washington County, in the U.S. state of Oregon with a small portion bordering Portland in the Tualatin Valley. The city is among the main cities that make up the Portland metropolitan area. Its population was 97,494 at the ...

. She attended

Boston University College of Fine Arts The Boston University College of Fine Arts (CFA) at Boston University consists of the School of Music, the School of Theatre, and the School of Visual Arts. Each school offers degrees in the performing and visual arts at the undergraduate and grad ...

on a four-year music scholarship from 1982 to 1986, where she trained in

opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librett ...

and

lied In Western classical music tradition, (, plural ; , plural , ) is a term for setting poetry to classical music to create a piece of polyphonic music. The term is used for any kind of song in contemporary German, but among English and French s ...

er under Robert Gartside and attended

master class A master class is a Class (education), class given to students of a particular Academic discipline, discipline by an expert of that discipline—usually music, but also science, painting, drama, games, or on any other occasion where skills are b ...

es with

Leonard Bernstein Leonard Bernstein ( ; August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, pianist, music educator, author, and humanitarian. Considered to be one of the most important conductors of his time, he was the first America ...

and

José van Dam Joseph, Baron Van Damme (born 27 August 1940 in Brussels), known as José van Dam, is a Belgian bass-baritone. At the age of 17, he entered the Brussels Royal Conservatory and studied with Frederic Anspach. A year later, he graduated with diplo ...

. In 1986 she graduated from Boston University ''

summa cum laude Latin honors are a system of Latin phrases used in some colleges and universities to indicate the level of distinction with which an academic degree has been earned. The system is primarily used in the United States. It is also used in some Sou ...

''. In 1987, Chvatal achieved one of

Rotary International Rotary International is one of the largest service organizations in the world. Its stated mission is to "provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through hefellowship of business, prof ...

Ambassadorial Scholarships Ambassadorial Scholarships (founded 1947) was a program of the Rotary Foundation. The program ended in 2013 and was replaced by the Rotary Global Grant Scholarship, which expands on the Ambassadorial mission, by now ensuring that every Rotary Sc ...

for international study abroad and attended the program for graduate studies in opera at the

University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna The University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (german: link=no, Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, abbreviated MDW) is an Austrian university located in Vienna, established in 1817. With a student body of over three thousa ...

, along with private lessons from Carol Mayo. In 1988 and 1989 Chvatal took first place in two national vocal competitions in the U.S. and moved to Paris for a year-long apprenticeship with French

coloratura Coloratura is an elaborate melody with runs, trills, wide leaps, or similar virtuoso-like material,''Oxford American Dictionaries''.Apel (1969), p. 184. or a passage of such music. Operatic roles in which such music plays a prominent part, an ...

soprano,

Mady Mesplé Mady Mesplé (7 March 1931 – 30 May 2020) was a French opera singer, considered the leading coloratura soprano of her generation in France, and sometimes heralded as the successor to Mado Robin, with ''Lakmé'' by Delibes becoming her signatur ...

. Her professional debut came in 1984 as Louisa in the 25th anniversary of the longest running musical on Broadway, ''

The Fantasticks ''The Fantasticks'' is a 1960 musical with music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones. It tells an allegorical story, loosely based on the 1894 play ''The Romancers'' (''Les Romanesques'') by Edmond Rostand, concerning two neigh ...

''. She made her European debut in Vienna as

Christine Daaé Christine Daaé is a fictional character and the female protagonist of Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel ''The Phantom of the Opera'' and of the various adaptations of the work. Erik, the Phantom of the Opera and Viscount Raoul de Chagny both fall in ...

in Andrew Lloyd Webber's ''

The Phantom of the Opera ''The Phantom of the Opera'' (french: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) is a novel by French author Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serial in from 23 September 1909 to 8 January 1910, and was released in volume form in late March 1910 by Pierr ...

'' from 1990 until 1992. Between 1991 and 1993, Chvatal appeared as a guest in leading roles in opera, concert and in recital in the U.S., France, England and Austria. Swedish composer composed the piece ''Miroirs'' for Chvatal in 1991, which was premiered by Chvatal at the Helsingborg Swedish Music Festival. From 1994 until 2004 she appeared in the USA, Canada and throughout Europe in duo with classical guitarist Scott Kritzer, including highlight performances at the

Kennedy Center The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (formally known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, and commonly referred to as the Kennedy Center) is the United States National Cultural Center, located on the Potom ...

in Washington D.C. and the

Festhalle Frankfurt Festhalle Frankfurt is a multi-purpose arena located in Frankfurt, Germany. The interior of the dome at its highest reaches a height of 40 meters. It provides an area of 5,646 square metres, offering by a variable grandstand system space for up to ...

, Germany. She appeared in gala performances with the stars of ''

Riverdance ''Riverdance'' is a theatrical show that consists mainly of traditional Irish music and dance. With a score composed by Bill Whelan, it originated as an interval act during the Eurovision Song Contest 1994, featuring Irish dancing champions Jean ...

'', the

Gipsy Kings Gipsy Kings are a group of flamenco, salsa, and pop musicians from Arles and Montpellier in southern France, who perform mostly in Catalan but also mix in Spanish with southern French dialects. Although the group members were born in France, t ...

and with the

Cirque du Soleil Cirque du Soleil (, ; "Circus of the Sun" or "Sun Circus") is a Canadian entertainment company and the largest contemporary circus producer in the world. Located in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, it was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul on 16 Ju ...

. In 2003, Chvatal was a special guest with

Gino Vannelli Gino Vannelli (born June 16, 1952) is a Canadian rock singer and songwriter who had several hit songs in the 1970s and 1980s. His best-known singles include "People Gotta Move" (1974), "I Just Wanna Stop" (1978), " Living Inside Myself" (1981) a ...

and his orchestra at the

Montreal International Jazz Festival The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal ( en, Montreal International Jazz Festival) is an annual jazz festival held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Jazz Fest holds the 2004 Guinness World Record as the world's largest jazz fest ...

and appeared on his CD ''Canto'' which was featured on CBC in Canada. In 2005, for the world-premiere of the musical ''Ludwig²'', written by Rolf Rettburg, and composed by

Christopher Franke Christopher Franke (born 6 April 1953) is a German musician and composer. From 1971 to 1987, he was a member of the electronic group Tangerine Dream. Initially a drummer with The Agitation, later renamed Agitation Free, his primary focus eventua ...

, Nic Raine and

Konstantin Wecker Konstantin Alexander Wecker (born 1 June 1947, Munich) is a German singer-songwriter; he also works as a composer, author, and actor. Life and work Classically educated at the Wilhelmsgymnasium, Wecker got one of his first jobs as a songwriter a ...

, Chvatal created the leading role of the historical empress of Austria, known as ''Sissi''. The musical ''Ludwig²'' is based on the life of Ludwig II of Bavaria and celebrated its premiere in the

Musiktheater Füssen Musiktheater Füssen is a theatre in the town of Füssen in Bavaria, Germany dedicated to musical performances related to King Ludwig II of Bavaria Ludwig II (Ludwig Otto Friedrich Wilhelm; 25 August 1845 – 13 June 1886) was King of Bavaria ...

, directly across from

Neuschwanstein Castle Neuschwanstein Castle (german: Schloss Neuschwanstein, , Southern Bavarian: ''Schloss Neischwanstoa'') is a 19th-century historicist palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. The pa ...

. Chvatal re-visited the role in Kempten, Germany, for the 2011 production.

Productions and charity events

1998 – Chvatal's transition from performer to author and producer began with the establishment of her own music label, Miramont Records, together with Scott Kritzer and Todd Hutchinson. Between 1998 and 2004, Chvatal produced a number of concerts and CD recordings in the USA and Canada. In 2004 she was engaged as production-coordinator for the world-premiere of the musical ''Ludwig²'' in Germany, where she had the opportunity to work with Disney director and choreographer Sylvia Hase, Irish director Conall Morrison, and stage designer Michael Curry. 2005 – Chvatal began a campaign through southern Germany to raise her audiences' awareness of the need to support charity organizations with a series of concerts and appearances in hospitals around the region. She raised funds for initiatives such as the Children's Cancer Help and Little Smiles Sri-Lanka, and produced a gala for the 25th anniversary of

Karlheinz Böhm Karlheinz Böhm (16 March 1928 – 29 May 2014) was an Austrian-German actor and philanthropist. He took part in 45 films and became well known in Austria and Germany for his role as Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria Franz Joseph I or Francis ...

's charity organization ''People for People'', with guest appearances by Konstantin Wecker,

Christine Kaufmann Christine Maria Kaufmann (; 11 January 1945 – 28 March 2017) was a German-Austrian actress, author, and businesswoman. The daughter of a German father and a French mother, she won the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress f ...

and a team of over 200 dancers, singers and musicians. 2008 – Chvatal, together with stage partner, Marc Gremm, under the name of "Janet & Marc", created numerous CD recordings and stage productions, including open-air concerts, film and opera galas and special charity events. 2009 – Chvatal began campaigning for charity causes in the USA, including benefit concerts for Edwards Center Inc. and for the music program in her hometown in Portland, Oregon. 2009–2011 – Chvatal and Gremm directed a charity concert series for the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, entitled ''Abendmusik''. 2012 – Chvatal authored the award-winning musical, ', based upon the myths of the

Tannheim Tannheim (Württemberg) () is a municipality in the district of Biberach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Geography It is located in upper Swabia at the river Iller which forms the border to Bavaria. Sights *Church of St. Martin, built 17 ...

valley in the Austrian Alps. The musical was produced by Chvatal and Gremm and premiered in Tirol, Austria. 2014 – Chvatal directed a production of

Stephen Sondheim Stephen Joshua Sondheim (; March 22, 1930November 26, 2021) was an American composer and lyricist. One of the most important figures in twentieth-century musical theater, Sondheim is credited for having "reinvented the American musical" with sho ...

's ''

Into the Woods ''Into the Woods'' is a 1987 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tale A fairy tale (alternative names include fairytale, fairy story ...

'' in England. 2016 – Chvatal and Gremm conceived and produced the world's first musical on board a ship with scenes on land. British film composer Nic Raine wrote the music. Chvatal was responsible for the Libretto. ', a "Musical Adventure Journey" was first performed on 30 July 2016 on board the MS ''Fuessen'', directly in front of the Castle Neuschwanstein on the

Forggensee The Forggensee, also called the Roßhaupten Reservoir, is a reservoir located north of Füssen in the county of Ostallgäu in Bavaria, Germany and one of many lakes in the region around Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein castles. With a surface ...

in Bavaria, Germany. 2018 - After sold-out performances in 2016 and 2017, the Musical ''Der Schwanenprinz – Lebe deinen Traum'' was postponed until 2019, due to repairs to the hydro dam which feeds the lake on which the musical is performed. 2019 – Chvatal's first children's book was published in 2017 in Germany, followed by an English edition entitled ''The Wish Prince''. To accompany the release of the 2nd edition Chvatal began a nationwide project to support families with school children grades 1 - 4, in a five-step daily activity program to reach their goals. The project is called "Let's Live Our Dreams". 2021 - Chvatal wrote, directed and produced an English version of her musical ''Der Schwanenprinz'' called ''The Dream King'' for the Festspielhaus Neuschwanstein Theater in Bavaria, Germany.

Awards

* 2012 – Top of the Mountains Touristic Award for Best Event for the musical ' * 2012 – The Southern Cross. Bavaria, Germany * 2001 – Paul Harris Fellowship Award for outstanding service to the community (awarded by Rotary International)

Discography

* 2018 ''Der Schwanenprinz und der Traumkristall'' - Suite 31 Productions * 2016 ''Der Schwanenprinz'' - Suite 31 Productions * 2015 ''Falling in Love Again - Favorite Duets'' – Suite 31 Productions"Zwei Stimmen – eine Leidenschaft"
, ''Cannstatter/Untertürkheimer Zeitung'' July 2, 2015 * 2013 ' – Suite 31 Productions * 2012 ' – Suite 31 Productions * 2011 ''Antiphon'' – Ark Records. Coram Deo Ensemble with Janet & Marc, Jeff Johnson, Wendy Goodwin & Brian Dunning * 2010 ''Bella Notte Riserva'' – Suite 31 Productions. Musical highlights arranged by Nic Raine. Janet & Marc with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra * 2010 ''Coram Deo Vol. 1'' – SCM

Hänssler Hänssler-Verlag is a German music publishing house founded in 1919 as Musikverlag Hänssler by Friedrich Hänssler Senior (died 1972) to publish church music. The company is now based in Holzgerlingen. Since 1972 Hänssler Verlag has also publish ...

/SCM Verlag. Compilation CD of music with Jeff Johnson * 2009 ''Evening Star'' – Suite 31 Productions. Christmas carols arranged by Nic Raine. Janet & Marc with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra * 2008 ''True Love'' – Suite 31 Productions. Film classics arranged by Nic Raine. Janet & Marc with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra * 2007 ''Bella Notte'' – Suite 31 Productions. Musical highlights arranged by Nic Raine. Janet & Marc with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra * 2006 ''A Rose in December'' – Secret Couch Productions. Christmas CD with orchestra & children's choir. Special guests: Scott Kritzer & Gino Vannelli * 2005 ''Ludwig²'' – BMG Records. Recording for the musical production. Music by Konstantin Wecker,

and Nic Raine * 2005 ''The Katurran Odyssey'' – ARK Records/Simon & Schuster Publishing. CD to the book by Terryl Whitlatch and David Wiedler * 2004 ''Vespers'' – ARK Records. Music by Jeff Johnson * 2004 ''In The Blue Hour'' – Miramont Records. Opera arias in new arrangements with classical guitarist Scott Kritzer and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra * 2003 ''Canto'' – RCA Victor/Sony/BMG Records. Music by Gino Vannelli * Columbia/Sony Music Entertainment: ''Oh wie verführerisch''. A co-production mit ARD German television, includes live performances with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra * Windham Hill/BMG Entertainment: ''Music of Celtic Legends''. New Age composer and pianist Jeff Johnson, Irish flutist Brian Dunning * Windham Hill/BMG Entertainment: ''Carols of Christmas II'' * Miramont Records: ''Songs of the Americas''. North and South American songs from Brasil, Haiti and Puerto-Rico, with guitarist Scott Kritzer * Hearts of Space Records: ''Prayers of St. Brendan'' * Ark Records: ''Navagatio'', ''Vespers'', ''Psalmus'' and ''Byzantium'' * Michael Curry: ''Spirits'', CD of the production ''Spirits'', music by Alan Jones * Amosaya Music: ''Murray’s Cadillac'' recordings with jazz bassist Ben Wolfe

References

* Program book to the musical ''Ludwig²'' (1st edition: printed in Germany, March 11, 2005)

External links

Official website of The Wish Prince Book Project, Janet Chvatal

Official website of Janet & Marc, Janet Chvatal

Official website of the Musical: The Swan Prince

Hotel ...liebes Rot-Flueh website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chvatal, Janet 1964 births Living people American musical theatre actresses American sopranos Boston University College of Fine Arts alumni People from Beaverton, Oregon 21st-century American women