Opera students mix classical music with fantasy
By Jane Muhlstein
Fantasy is a universal theme throughout literature, drama and music. Regardless of their ages or backgrounds in the arts, audiences are almost always sure to find stories of fantasy enticing.
As a culmination to the quarter, the opera performance class will be presenting "An Evening of Fantasy" this Friday night. The performance will include four operas, all of which have plots based in fantasy.
"The fantasy element makes it more fun and more interesting to people who might not appreciate a serious piece," said sophomore Joel Castro. A theater major, Castro is performing in "The Reluctant Dragon" and "The Devil Take Her," two of the operas being performed.
"The Reluctant Dragon" is a spin on the old legend of Saint George and the dragon, in which George and the monster resolve their differences.
"['The Devil Take Her'] is the story of being careful what you wish for," said Director and Music Professor Nancy Wait-Kromm. In it, a man whose wife has lost her voice due to a spell asks a doctor to bring her voice back. The wife turns out to be a nag and her husband ultimately summons the devil to take her away.
Also being performed are "Beauty and the Beast" and selections from "The Mikado," a 19th century Gilbert and Sullivan operetta.
One of the benefits of these operas is that many audience members will recognize the stories told in "The Reluctant Dragon" and "Beauty and the Beast."
Because the stories are familiar, those involved hope that the audience will be able to devote more energy into appreciating opera and less time struggling to follow the story.
"The idea of doing a story that people are familiar with means that people aren't just coming to see the story, but coming to see the opera as art," said Castro.
This performance also marks the first time the opera performance class will be able to act out an entire show. Earlier in the quarter, the class presented an aria showcase, featuring many pieces from various works.
"In an opera you have an entire story rather than an aria taken out of context," said senior music major Jennie Martin. "Operas are more enjoyable for the audience because they tell a story."
Kromm believes that these stories, and their fantastical themes, teach valuable lessons as well. She plans to direct "The Reluctant Dragon" in a new venue next quarter for this purpose.
"We plan to offer this opera to schools in the area for next quarter to show how sometimes just a little time and understanding can take care of many fears and hostilities," she said.
"These [operas] bring up lessons that you learn when you are back in elementary school and are reading fairy tales," agrees Castro. "We just show a different interpretation of this."
In addition to learning from the operas, those involved hope that, above all, the audience will be entertained.
"A lot of regular people aren't really too fond of opera, but it is really a valid form of entertainment," Castro said. "It used to be like going to the movies."
"It's a night full of beautiful stories and beautiful music," said Martin.
"We're going to have a great show," said Kromm. "There is a lot of fun to be had, seen and heard."