58�Թ���

One might conclude, judging from the cast and crew, that The Higgler is a summer project by 58�Թ��� Opera Theater.  

After all, the production headed to Cleveland Heights in June is packed with 58�Թ��� alumni as well as current and former members of the faculty.  

But the reality is even more interesting. The Higgler, a new opera by Cleveland composer Margi Griebling-Haigh, is in fact an independent project – one that just happens to be stocked with 58�Թ��� talent.  

“A lot of 58�Թ��� people are looking for ways to get out of the school bubble,” said soprano and recent graduate Lisl Wangermann (MM ’23, AD ’25, Kuznetsova), who plays Sophy in the production. “We’re always trying to get out there in the professional world.”  

The list of 58�Թ��� connections to The Higgler is indeed impressive. In addition to Wangermann, 58�Թ��� can claim director Marla Berg (MM ’83, AD ’88, Vassos), tenor Brian Skoog (MM ’13, PS ’15, Cole) (in the title role), mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Frey (MM '12, PS '15, Schiller), baritone Robert Pierce (MM '10, Billions), and faculty mezzo-soprano Denise Milner Howell. Griebling-Haigh herself also started out in 58�Թ���’s Preparatory Division, studying oboe.  

The orchestra, meanwhile, includes conductor Steven Smith (MM ’91, Topilow), faculty piccolo player Mary Kay Fink, oboist Terry Orcutt (MM ’99, Mack), bassoonist Mark DeMio (BM ’85, AD ’89), faculty horn player Richard King, percussionist Dylan Moffitt (BM ’10, MM ’16, Weiner/Yancich), and double bassist Sue Yelanjian (BM ’85, Angell). Then there’s the production staff, which features projections by artist-in-residence Jeremy Paul and recording by staffer Maxwell Porter (BM ’13, Egre) and faculty member Graham Rosen (BM ’15, Egre/Sweigart).  

Based on a tale by A.E. Coppard, The Higgler follows a traveling salesman in rural England who comes to regret his choice of a spouse. Promotional materials describe the work as a “romantic English short story about missed opportunities in life and love.” 

It’s a poignant story whose universality has stuck with Griebling-Haigh since her teenage viewing of an adaptation on Masterpiece Theatre. “I remember saying I would write an opera on that story some day,” she said. “I kept that story in my mind all these years, which is kind of amazing.” 

No less amazing is the composer’s dedication to the project. After penning a libretto and writing the music – which she describes as readily accessible – Griebling-Haigh arranged for concert performances of scenes, then used personal savings to finance a complete, fully staged production.  

Recalling her first experience of The Higgler, directing scenes in 2023, Berg said she found the work “completely engrossing...It was a challenge, but a wonderful challenge.”  

Speaking of challenges, Wangermann has one of her own to issue. In the same breath with which she asks patrons to have “patience” with the “attitude” of her character, the new 58�Թ��� alum encourages other artists to consider bringing their work to life the way Griebling-Haigh is mounting The Higgler: independently.  

 “I’m so happy to be a part of this,” Wangermann said. “Hopefully we are trend setters and more people decide to do things like this.”  

The Higgler 

7:30pm Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8 

Disciples Christian Church, 3663 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights 

Tickets: $10-$55. Click .