Company Staff
Melanie Cain, Artistic Director/Co-Founder
Melanie Cain, Soprano, holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance and Opera Production and a Masters of Music from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A native of Carroll, Iowa, she received her BA in both Music and Art from Luther College in Decorah, IA.
Ms. Cain was Assistant Director/Stage Manager of the UW Opera’s productions of Orpheus in the Underworld, Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte and Le Nozze di Figaro, and Carmen under the direction of William Farlow. She was administrator and project manager for Dorian Opera Theatre for several seasons. Currently she operates Maven Vocal Arts. She is also on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and previous Co-Director of The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Wisconsin District.
Melanie has performed both in the Madison area and nationally receiving rave reviews. The Capital Times wrote, “Melanie Cain sang with a gorgeous range and a strong, thrilling voice that projected to the top row. Cain is a graduate student in vocal performance with a big career ahead of her.” Her past roles include Second Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, The Mother and The Witch in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Madame Lidoine in The Dialogues of the Carmelites, Alice Ford in Falstaff, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus. She has also studied the roles of Leonora in Beethoven’s Fidelio, Miss Jessel in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, the title role from Gluck’s Armide and Salome in Herodiade by Massenet in UW’s Opera Workshop. While at UW, Cain understudied the well known soprano, Julia Faulkner, in the title role of Vanessa. She has been a finalist and semi-finalist in numerous national vocal competitions including the Orpheus National Vocal Competition in Tennessee and the prestigious Jenson Vocal Competition in New York.
Ms. Cain was Assistant Director/Stage Manager of the UW Opera’s productions of Orpheus in the Underworld, Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte and Le Nozze di Figaro, and Carmen under the direction of William Farlow. She was administrator and project manager for Dorian Opera Theatre for several seasons. Currently she operates Maven Vocal Arts. She is also on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and previous Co-Director of The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Wisconsin District.
Melanie has performed both in the Madison area and nationally receiving rave reviews. The Capital Times wrote, “Melanie Cain sang with a gorgeous range and a strong, thrilling voice that projected to the top row. Cain is a graduate student in vocal performance with a big career ahead of her.” Her past roles include Second Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, The Mother and The Witch in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Madame Lidoine in The Dialogues of the Carmelites, Alice Ford in Falstaff, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus. She has also studied the roles of Leonora in Beethoven’s Fidelio, Miss Jessel in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, the title role from Gluck’s Armide and Salome in Herodiade by Massenet in UW’s Opera Workshop. While at UW, Cain understudied the well known soprano, Julia Faulkner, in the title role of Vanessa. She has been a finalist and semi-finalist in numerous national vocal competitions including the Orpheus National Vocal Competition in Tennessee and the prestigious Jenson Vocal Competition in New York.
Frank Cain, Executive Director/Co-Founder
Frank's first love was singing. Most of his life has been devoted to music. His first taste of opera was working as an administrative assistant for Dorian Opera Theatre in Decorah, Iowa. During that time, he learned the ropes which included overseeing the audition process, orchestrating special events, and fundraising. From there, Frank went on to work in the insurance industry as an operations manager. For over 15 years, Frank has implemented successful revenue generating programs in several organizations, and proven to be a leader that generates excitement around a vision and creates a clear path to success. Frank's heart has led him back to his first passion. He is excited to share his love of Opera with others and develop a fresh approach to the genre that will transcend cultural lines. He holds a Bachelors of Music Management from Luther College and an Executive MBA from Capella University. Frank is originally from Carroll, Iowa where he grew up down the block from his beautiful wife, Melanie. They have two rescue pups, Caesar and Taco and enjoys coaching other creative people.
Jeff Turk, Communications Director
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Jeff managed Patti Music on State Street for many years after graduating from UW Madison with an education degree. The countless musicians, educators and musicologists that came through the door and worked by his side gave him an extensive knowledge and understanding of classical music throughout his years of selling sheet music. He also owes a debt of gratitude to the late Charles Lunde, whom he spent many hours with discussing recordings, performances, and the music business while in the basement of the classical department of The Exclusive Company. Those years on State Street fueled the passion he carries forward in helping Fresco Opera achieve its mission.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jeff Turk ~ PRESIDENT
George Abbott III ~ BOARD MEMBER
Stacy Regehr ~ BOARD MEMBER
George Abbott III ~ BOARD MEMBER
Stacy Regehr ~ BOARD MEMBER
