My Business Guide

Opera Americana: Not what you would expect

Date 11/10/2005 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & Culture

Immigrants, female mine workers, a Weight Watchers meeting, ice cream lovers and infidelity. It sounds like the makings of a blockbuster hit, but you might be surprised to find that these things are being performed right here at Luther College.

All of this excitement is in this semester's Opera Scene's class: Opera Americana. The theme for last year was The Best Laid Plans.

With every opera excerpt composed by an American composer, everyone should be able to understand what is going on - that is if you understand English.


"After I heard auditions this fall, all of the scenes that I felt would be best suited to the students came from American operas," said Opera Scenes instructor, Andrew Whitfield.

Each semester students are given the chance to sign up for this class. All that's required is that you are enrolled in voice lessons and your vocal professor gives you permission to register for it.

Once in the class, students audition for different scenes. After finding out what scene(s) they are in, they begin learning their music.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for two weeks at the beginning of the semester, Opera Scenes students worked on learning their music and after that were on call to block each scene for the remainder of the semester.

A lot of practice outside of the classroom is required to make Opera Scenes a success.

"We've been working very hard and we want to share that with people," said Jenny Graupmann ('06), in her fourth semester of Opera Scenes.

At the end of the semester, Opera Scenes students give a final performance to show what they have been working on for the past few months.

It's a full-scale show with costumes, make-up, lights and props - all of which the students put together themselves, with the help of Whitfield.

"This is a place where students are encouraged to put all of their theatrical, musical and vocal training to use," said Whitfield.

Andrew Wannigman ('07), in his second semester of Opera Scenes said, "It's is a chance for young artists to perform scenes of opera and play multiple characters."

"It gives us a chance to focus on one or a couple of characters for a full semester," said Graupmann. This enables students to fine tune their skills, learn how to be a better singer or actor and become more comfortable on stage.

In his second semester of Opera Scenes, John Rynders ('07) said the purpose of Opera Scenes is "to help music students prepare for a complete opera work."

"I am in Opera Scenes," Rynders said, "to expand my vocal literature."

Brittany Kallman ('06), one student excited to attend the performances said, "Because Luther is a small school and can't put on multiple productions, this gives students who might not be able to have the lead in the [Spring] opera a chance."

Performed in the Noble Recital Hall located in Jenson-Noble, the dates of the shows will be Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. Both shows are free and open to the public.

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Sarah Bane

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