Opera Workshop opening this week
Jeff Ventrella
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Arts
The annual Opera Workshop comes to the Markel Auditorium for the first time ever this week and will feature two full-length works, the classic favorite "Beauty and the Beast" as well the lesser-known "Medium."
"We decided we'd really like to do something with costumes, lighting and a set," Artist-Teacher and head of the production Melissa Osmund said.
According to Hillsdale College tradition, this year should feature a musical, but budgetary issues led to its postponement, so the music and theater departments looked for other options. It was decided to put on Opera Workshop, which previously had been featured in Phillips Auditorium and McNamara Recital hall, in the Markel Auditorium as a full theatrical production.
"We felt they really deserved a chance to use the Markel stage," Professor and Technical Director in Theatre Arts Dave Griffiths said.
Both the music and theater departments collaborated on the project, sharing the cost of production. The full resources of the lighting, scene shop and costume departments were put at the opera's disposal, and cast members assisted Griffiths and his scene shop workers in building the massive set. The only instrumentation will be provided by Rehearsal Accompanist Debbie Wyse on the piano.
Senior and cast member Vivian Jago said that the cooperation has gone smoothly on all fronts.
"Everyone has been very helpful," she said.
In a further change from past practice, Opera Workshop was for the first time an actual class. Those in the cast took the course last semester and began rehearsing in September. Osmund individually selected each of the sixteen cast members based on their particular vocal skill sets.
Additionally, the production is triple-cast, thus featuring different leads each performance.
The production will run Thursday and Friday nights at 7:30 p.m. with a 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday. "Beauty and the Beast" will play first because it is a suitable opera for small children, but Osmund recommended against bringing them to the darker "Medium," which could be rated PG-13. Running time is approximately one hour and forty minutes.
"We decided we'd really like to do something with costumes, lighting and a set," Artist-Teacher and head of the production Melissa Osmund said.
According to Hillsdale College tradition, this year should feature a musical, but budgetary issues led to its postponement, so the music and theater departments looked for other options. It was decided to put on Opera Workshop, which previously had been featured in Phillips Auditorium and McNamara Recital hall, in the Markel Auditorium as a full theatrical production.
"We felt they really deserved a chance to use the Markel stage," Professor and Technical Director in Theatre Arts Dave Griffiths said.
Both the music and theater departments collaborated on the project, sharing the cost of production. The full resources of the lighting, scene shop and costume departments were put at the opera's disposal, and cast members assisted Griffiths and his scene shop workers in building the massive set. The only instrumentation will be provided by Rehearsal Accompanist Debbie Wyse on the piano.
Senior and cast member Vivian Jago said that the cooperation has gone smoothly on all fronts.
"Everyone has been very helpful," she said.
In a further change from past practice, Opera Workshop was for the first time an actual class. Those in the cast took the course last semester and began rehearsing in September. Osmund individually selected each of the sixteen cast members based on their particular vocal skill sets.
Additionally, the production is triple-cast, thus featuring different leads each performance.
The production will run Thursday and Friday nights at 7:30 p.m. with a 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday. "Beauty and the Beast" will play first because it is a suitable opera for small children, but Osmund recommended against bringing them to the darker "Medium," which could be rated PG-13. Running time is approximately one hour and forty minutes.
Be the first to comment on this story