2008 Woodie Awards
Opera class performs 'Elixir of Love'
Jimmy Faseler
Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: Gallery
- Page 1 of 1
The spring semester opera theatre class performed the comic opera, "The Elixir of Love" written by Gaetano Donizetti on March 9 in Pike Auditorium.
Instructor of Voice Michael Mays directed and conducted the opera. Seniors Jonathon Antle and Andrew Wessley and freshmen Traci Jackson, Adam Keller and Briana Eaton performed leading roles, while senior Shannon Heidtbrink, junior Stephen Gonzalez, sophomores Joel Schilb and Jessica Griffin and freshmen Atley Black, Randy Davenport, Lydia Essman, Greg Love and Ashley Walker supported.
"The Elixir of Love" is a comic opera with a very simple plot about a nerdy man (Nemorino, performed by Antle) who loves a beautiful woman (Adina, performed by Jackson) and desires for her to feel the same way. Nemorino meets up with a peddler (Dulcamara, performed by Keller) and purchases a so-called love potion. The story then unfolds with minimal twists and turns and a some-what predictable ending.
But, then again, opera has never been notorious for having incredible story lines. I enjoy how Mays describes the plot of operas in his director's note, "In any case, it [the reason people like opera's] usually isn't the plot-they are frequently so convoluted and unrealistic as to justifiably think of opera as the precursor to the comic book."
The performance was very good overall. The singing and orchestra, all performed by students, were incredible. It was truly a great representation of what the music department of Southwest Baptist University is all about.
I was very pleased to hear such good music flow from the stage. Every note, every beat was so very good.
However, the acting was very disappointing.
I understand that, as for opera theatre, good acting comes secondary to good singing, and this was very apparent. But it is hard to find pleasure in watching opera theatre if there is no emotion behind it. The beautiful music seemed to be drowned out by the emotionless singers, which made the opera seem to drag on for much too long than I would like.
Antle was one of the only performers with true emotion behind his music. In fact, the pieces that solely involved Antle or at least had a major part with him in it were the most enjoyable to watch.
Again, I must say that I really did enjoy the opera; it was a pleasure to see something a little different performed on stage. Although the plot was simple, it was still a fun story to follow.
Instructor of Voice Michael Mays directed and conducted the opera. Seniors Jonathon Antle and Andrew Wessley and freshmen Traci Jackson, Adam Keller and Briana Eaton performed leading roles, while senior Shannon Heidtbrink, junior Stephen Gonzalez, sophomores Joel Schilb and Jessica Griffin and freshmen Atley Black, Randy Davenport, Lydia Essman, Greg Love and Ashley Walker supported.
"The Elixir of Love" is a comic opera with a very simple plot about a nerdy man (Nemorino, performed by Antle) who loves a beautiful woman (Adina, performed by Jackson) and desires for her to feel the same way. Nemorino meets up with a peddler (Dulcamara, performed by Keller) and purchases a so-called love potion. The story then unfolds with minimal twists and turns and a some-what predictable ending.
But, then again, opera has never been notorious for having incredible story lines. I enjoy how Mays describes the plot of operas in his director's note, "In any case, it [the reason people like opera's] usually isn't the plot-they are frequently so convoluted and unrealistic as to justifiably think of opera as the precursor to the comic book."
The performance was very good overall. The singing and orchestra, all performed by students, were incredible. It was truly a great representation of what the music department of Southwest Baptist University is all about.
I was very pleased to hear such good music flow from the stage. Every note, every beat was so very good.
However, the acting was very disappointing.
I understand that, as for opera theatre, good acting comes secondary to good singing, and this was very apparent. But it is hard to find pleasure in watching opera theatre if there is no emotion behind it. The beautiful music seemed to be drowned out by the emotionless singers, which made the opera seem to drag on for much too long than I would like.
Antle was one of the only performers with true emotion behind his music. In fact, the pieces that solely involved Antle or at least had a major part with him in it were the most enjoyable to watch.
Again, I must say that I really did enjoy the opera; it was a pleasure to see something a little different performed on stage. Although the plot was simple, it was still a fun story to follow.
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