Photo by Steph Willis
EMMA SCHAIBLE
Special to The Leader
It was a cold April Sunday, but things were heating up at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House as the Fredonia Student Opera Theatre Association (SOTA) presented Opera Scenes. This annual Fredonia event showcased students with immense talent and devotion to passion in a production with which they worked endlessly to perform in front of many.
All three selected opera scenes had in common the theme of love. “The Marriage of Figaro” highlights that the point of love is to be accepted. “The Mikado” emphasized the concept of loving for love. “Desert of Roses” showcased the idea of loving for sacrifice.
The scene from “The Marriage of Figaro,” composed by Mozart, was directed by Dr. Angela Haas and was performed in English instead of Italian. As explained by Director Heidi Schneider, “Figaro is classic opera [that involves] hidden identities.” Specifically, “The Marriage of Figaro” is the opera that depicts the image of what “[traditional] opera magic” is classified to be.
Photo by Steph Willis
In “The Marriage of Figaro,” drama is involved. Individuals are deceived by one another with secrets. The concept of love is hidden by the reality of life. Love also unleashes forgiveness from people that are held dear. Schneider, a junior vocal music education major who has been part of SOTA for two years, is both the vice president of SOTA as well as the producer of the Opera Scenes 2016 show.
This is Schneider’s first time being a producer of a show and notes what a great experience it has been. Usually Schneider is onstage performing; however, she mentioned how “being able to be behind the scenes is super valuable.”
Schneider learned throughout her experience as producer the importance of communication and staying organized. Schneider also enthusiastically said that Robert Moran will be in the audience of Opera Scenes. Moran is the greatly-revered composer that created the musical visionary works of the opera “Desert of Roses.”
Schneider is moved by what an honor it was to work alongside the professors at Fredonia.
“[They] all are so experienced and kind and courteous,” she said.
The scene from “The Mikado” was composed by Gilbert and Sullivan and was directed by Joe Dan Harper. Schneider explained that “The Mikado” was selected by Harper due to its contrasting component in comparison to the other opera scenes that were selected this year. One of the lead opera actresses was sophomore music education major Abbey Kracker who starred as the role of Yum-Yum.
Photo by Steph Willis
“‘The Mikado’ is musical theater — kind of — and it’s very funny, so it’s fun for audiences,” Kracker said. “It’s just been really fun to put the [scene] together and show what underclassmen can do. Opera is not so serious all of the time. There are fun light-hearted things about opera and that it is really just fun … to listen and to be a part of.”
The scene from “Desert of Roses” was composed by Moran and directed by Terry Beck. This scene illustrated the value of love. “Desert of Roses” was inspired by the tale of “Beauty and the Beast.” The scene began with an audio that surrounded the depths of the stage. A voice boomed throughout the audience, and spoke with such emotion and diction. The voice sounded angry and powerful.
This tale was full of intensity and suspense. The transition from scenes was held silent from the audience. All anyone could do was wait for the next scene to unfold.
Junior music education major Jenna Giammalvo praised the miraculous talent of all performers on stage.
“All of the emotion from the actors was really inspiring,” Giammalvo said. “[Opera] is a form of theatre mainly expressed mainly through classical song that is supposed to invoke laughter, comedy as well as emotion through classical music.”