Two Evenings of Opera Scenes Set for Nov. 21-22

by Richard Veit

The Baylor Opera Theatre will perform two evenings of opera excerpts, complete with costumes and staging, in Baylor University's Roxy Grove Hall at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 22, under the general supervision of Richard Aslanian, lecturer in music and director of opera.
The scenes-showcasing some of the School of Music's finest vocalists-will be presented with piano accompaniment provided by Aslanian and music students Denise Williams, Jeremy Wood and Monica Kim.
This year's presentation includes scenes from seven operas: The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti, The Bartered Bride by Bedrich Smetana, Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck, The Tales of Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach, Shining Brow by Daron Hagen, and Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini.
Students Jon Truitt, Anna Baxter and Bradley Schliesser will perform the scene from Shining Bow, a 1993 opera that deals with the life of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The composer, Daron Hagen, is serving a residency at Baylor and will personally stage this scene for Baylor Opera Theatre.
Both performances of opera scenes are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Baylor School of Music at 710-3991.