Opera
VISIT THE NEW OPERA BLOG TO SEE THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR OUTSTANDING OPERA PROGRAM!!
Opera students make a scene at UIUC—in fact, lots of them. They have sung leading roles in almost every
major opera in the repertoire, in national or regional premieres, and in
minor masterpieces. That experience is part of the professional training
that makes UIUC graduates complete vocal artists. Using the outstanding
facilities of Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, singers learn the
backstage operations of their craft first-hand. Ludwig and Laura Zirner,
whose innovations in “unit” costumes and sets were copied at Tanglewood
and many other opera centers in the mid-20th century,
initiated the full participation of UIUC Opera Workshop students in both
singing and staging of works. As three-time Grammy Award Winner tenor
Jerry Hadley said of his education at UIUC, “The nurturing,
encouragement, and support given [me] continue to serve as the
foundation of everything I’ve been able to accomplish.”
The 2006-2007 season included two performances in October of MASS, by Leonard Bernstein, in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the College of Fine and Applied Arts. This was a collaboration of Opera, Theatre, and Dance Departments of FAA. There were four performances in February of the immortal Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini (sung in Italian). The final production in April included four performances of The Scarecrow by Joseph Turrin (who was in attendance for the production), based on a story by Nathaniel Hawthorne and sung in English.
The 2007-2008 season began with four performances of La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini (sung in Italian). February saw performances of the fantastic and immortal comedy by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Così fan tutte (sung in Italian). The third and final production of the year was four performances of Armide (sung in French) by Jean-Baptiste Lully, with Dr. Charlotte Mattax Moersch conducting the The Concerto Urbano in collaboration with the Dance and Choral departments. In addition to our regular performances, a collaboration between the Opera, Orchestral and Choral departments as well as a number of prominent guest artists created a memorable event. The memorial concert for Illinois Alumnus, Jerry Hadley, included performances by Elizabeth Futral, Thomas Hampson, Richard Leech, Samuel Ramey and Frederica von Stade.
The 2008-2009 U of I Opera Season included four performances of Roméo et Juliette (sung in French) by Charles Gounod in the fall. Our winter production featured Rappaccini’s Daughter (sung in Spanish) by the acclaimed composer Daniel Catán, who was on campus for a whole week offering lectures, pre-concert talks, and talk-backs after two of the performances. Our spring production included four performances of Hansel and Gretel (sung in English) by American composer (and UI alumnus) Neely Bruce, who also was on campus for a week. His version of this classic story was greeted with enthusiasm by singers, musicians, audience, and the press alike. The UI New Music Ensemble was once again in the pit for this amazing production.
2009-2010 OPERA SEASON
Fall Production: November 12, 13, 14, and 15, 2009
Le nozze di Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sung in Italian with English Supertitles
Edition: Bärenreiter
Conductor: Eduardo Diazmuñoz
Stage Director: Brant Pope
Chorus Master: TBA
Winter Production: February 25, 26, 27, and 28, 2010
South Pacific by Richard Rodgers
Sung in English
Edition: Williamson Music, Inc.
Conductor: Eduardo Diazmuñoz
Stage Director: Dawn Harris
Choreographer: TBA
Chorus Master: TBA
Spring Production: April 29 and 30, May 1 and 2, 2010
Albert Herring by Benjamin E. Britten
Sung in English with English Supertitles
Edition: Boosey & Hawkes
Conductor: Eduardo Diazmuñoz
Stage Director: Stephen Fiol
AUDITIONS FOR THE 2009-2010 SEASON
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 from 3 –10 p.m.
Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 3 –10 p.m.
South Pacific call-backs ONLY on Friday, August 30, 2009 from 3 – 9 p.m.
All auditions will take place at the Tryon Festival Theatre Stage, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana, Illinois
Please be prepared to sing 2 arias - one in Italian and one in Engish.
To be considered for the following roles, please prepare the excerpts listed below:
Le nozze di Figaro
The following excerpts must be memorized. (Numbers in parenthesis refer to the Bärenreiter Editon; other numbers refer to the Schirmer Edition):
• Count Almaviva - # 17 (#18), Recit. and Aria: "Hai già vinta la causa!...
Vedrò mentr'io sospiro"
• Countess Almaviva - #19 (#20), Recit. and Aria: "E Susanna non vien!...
Dove sono i bei momenti"
• Susanna - # 27 (#28), Recit. and Aria: "Giunse alfin il momento…
Deh vieni non tardar"
• Figaro - #3, Cavatina: "Se vuol ballare"
• Cherubino - #6, Aria: "Non so più cosa son, cosa faccio"
• Marcellina - #24 (#25), Aria: "Il capro e la capretta"
• Bartolo - #4, Aria: "La vendetta"
• Barbarina - #23 (#24), Cavatina: "L'ho perduta… me meschina"
No specific excerpts are required for the roles of Don Basilio, Don Curzio, or Antonio.
South Pacific
These excerpts need not to be memorized.
• Ensign Nellie Forbush - "I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy"
(key - C minor to C major)
• Emile De Becque - "Some Enchanted Evening" (key - C major)
• Lt. Joseph Cable, U.S.M.C. - "Younger than Springtime" (key - F major)
• Bloody Mary - "Bali Ha'i" (key - C major)
No specific excerpts required for the remaining roles.
Albert Herring
These excerpts need not to be memorized (pp. from Piano-Vocal Score)
•Lady Billows - "I'm full of happiness" (pp. 198-204)
•Florence Pike - "For three precious weeks" (pp. 167-169)
•Superintendent - "Erhumpf! Erhumpf!" (pp. 214-216)
•Nancy - "What would Mrs. Herring say?" (pp. 289-292)
•Miss Wordsworth - "My heart leaps up with joy" (pp. 210-213)
•Mayor - "As representing our local council" (pp. 205-209)
•The Vicar - "Virtue, says Holy Writ" (pp. 68-71)
•Sid - "Tickling a trout" (pp. 115-118)
•Mrs. Herring (Mum) - "Well! Think of that, my lad" (pp. 153-159)
•Albert Herring - "O go, Go! Go away!" (pp. 269-277)
No specific excerpts required for Emmie, Cis or Harry.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Maestro
Eduardo Diazmuñoz (edzmz@illinois.edu)
and/or Thomas H. Schleis (tschleis@illinois.edu)
OPERA STUDIO CLASS
Building on the firm foundation set by Professor Jerold Siena in 2006-2007, Professors Ricardo Herrera and Dawn Harris are co-directors of the Opera Studio for the third straight year. Serving as musical director is Professor Thomas H. Schleis. This course is an intensive training program for the young singer-actor and includes four main components:
acquaints the student with a variety of opera, operetta, and musical theater literature in contrasting styles and historical periods, culminating in two performances each semester; one act double bill and/or scenes, arias, ensembles, or any combination of the above.
develops skills as both a solo and ensemble performer;
introduces skills related to the field of operatic performance, including but not limited to stage movement, mind-body awareness, character development, score and text analysis, diction, acting and improvisation techniques;
forms and integrates a performing operatic ensemble to serve as an outreach group, which has performed and will continue to perform in some K-12 schools and, eventually, in other venues.This year, just as last year, the Colwell Playhouse of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts will be home to these presentations. This is the perfect place to get all the training to be ready for the Tryon Festival Theatre productions.