Getting to Know the Opera Scenes Production
The Southeast Missouri State University Opera Scenes production will take place on Sunday, April 27, at 3 p.m. in the Shuck Music Recital Hall at the River Campus in Cape Girardeau. This event is a result of the Opera Workshop class, which is a required course for vocal performance majors. However, this semester’s cast also includes students from the theater department and music minor.
- Seven opera scenes will be performed, each selected to match the vocal strengths of the students involved.
- The performances will be held in Shuck Music Recital Hall, located on the River Campus.
A Unique Approach to Opera
The Opera Scenes production takes a different approach to traditional opera performances. Instead of presenting a full-length opera, the production focuses on scenes that allow students to develop their acting and movement techniques alongside their vocal training. Each student will be featured as a leading character in at least one scene, with some taking on additional supporting roles.
Highlights of the Production
* The program includes selections from famous operatic works, such as Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” and Johann Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus”. * Six of the seven scenes will be performed in English, while one will be performed in Italian. * Each scene will be introduced with a brief explanation to help the audience follow the plot. * The entire cast will perform in two of the scenes, providing an opportunity for all students to showcase their talents. * The performance is expected to last about an hour.
Accessibility and Ticket Information
The SEMO Opera Scenes production is designed to be accessible to all audiences, regardless of their familiarity with opera. According to the course instructor, the performance is family-friendly with no harsh language or sensitive content in this year’s selections.
| Ticket Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Student Tickets | $5 with a valid student ID |
| General Admission Tickets | Varying prices |
Quotes from the Instructor
Christopher Goeke, professor of Music at SEMO, expressed his enthusiasm for the production, stating:
“Each semester is different because we have different students in the class, and we develop those acting techniques and movement techniques, and then we put that into these scenes where they can really dig in and learn a character and put that all together with text and music and movement. Then we culminate with a final performance. That’s what’s going to happen this Sunday.”
Goeke also noted that each student has a unique role to play in the production, saying: “I don’t know if I have a favorite. I think each one has something special to offer. I’m really tickled, very pleased with the work of the students who developed their acting skills and they’re really digging in. In each scene, I feel like each actor in each scene is doing a good job of portraying those characters and understanding, you know, what it is they’re doing up there. So I like them all for different reasons.”
Get Ready for a Family-Friendly Opera Experience
The SEMO Opera Scenes production promises to be an enjoyable and accessible event for all audiences. With its unique approach to opera and family-friendly content, it’s the perfect opportunity to experience the magic of opera without prior knowledge. Don’t Miss Out!
Visit the River Campus box office or website to purchase tickets for this exciting event. Tickets are required for the performance, and student tickets are available at a discounted rate of $5 with a valid student ID.
“It’s going to be a fantastic show,” said Goeke.
