LERON WELLINGTON
Staff Writer
This year, the Hillman Opera presents students with not just one, but two musical shows that will give audiences more than they expect.
The pairing of the one act operas, Henry Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas” and Gian Carlo Menotti’s “The Medium,” show a range of musical styles from Baroque to contemporary.
Just in time for Halloween and following previous Hillman Opera productions, original costumes and stage designs will be used to two tell the stories featuring witchcraft and magic.
Music director David Rudge said, “The first, a love story, is based on powerful mythology, and the second, more realistic, is about a medium. They are both great works of drama and music. That they will be moved in the theater by the combination of theatrics, acting, singing, dancing and playing by a very talented and dedicated team of artists.”
“Dido and Aeneas” tells the story of widowed queen and a shipwrecked prince, whose love is tested by witches with storms and destruction.
“The Medium” tells the story of a family that conducts fake seances until spirits come back for possible revenge.
Each very different, they both provide a musical and emotional rollercoaster for an audience interested in different music style and theatre.
The opera is directed by William Beck, an adjunct professor in movement, and has used his own style of directing and choreography to bring the how to life.
One of his directing choices is to include Baroque style of dance into the opera.
Sarah Moebius, senior musical theatre major said, “Dancing in the opera is cool because is something that I never thought I would get to do, especially in college.” When it comes to learning the particular style, she added, “It’s Baroque, so it’s more steps rather than fluid movement.”
Jay Romero, a senior musical theatre major, plays an unspeaking role and said, “My role of Tobey is an acting/movement role where the singers are singing about what I actually do.”
When it comes to working with Beck, Romero was quick to talk about his directing style. Romero said, “He is all about art — to the point where he focuses on the picture and what gestures can help actors get a reaction from the audience.”
Julie Newell, who serves as the producer for the Opera, is excited to do a production with two operas.
“We are traversing the full breadth of operatic composition’s history,” she said.
The Opera will be presented in Marvel Theatre Oct. 21 at 8 p.m., Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 23 at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $20 and $10 for students, and they can be purchased at the ticket office this week.