Baylor to Present Opera Scenes April 3-4

by Richard Veit

Baylor University Opera Theatre will present trios from three famous operas -- plus an entire short opera of the American West -- on the Baylor campus Friday and Saturday nights. Each program will begin at 8 p.m. in Roxy Grove Hall.
The performances are under the general supervision of Richard Aslanian, director of opera at Baylor. They will feature costumes, staging and piano accompaniment.
The first act of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's The Magic Flute will open the programs. Heather Heare will sing the role of Pamina, James Craig will appear as the bird-catcher, Papageno, and Stefan Reed will perform the part of Sarastro's servant, Monostatos. The Mozart will be heard in an English translation.
From Georges Bizet's Carmen, Baylor Opera Theatre will present (in its original French) the trio from Act III, with Carrie Warren in the title role, Jennifer Mays as Frasquita and Catherine Williamson as Mercedes.
The final trio from Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier (sung in German) will feature Karen Myers as Sophie, Shelley Auer as Octavian and Anna Baxter as The Marschallin.
Complete presentations of composer Henry Mollicone's mini-opera The Face on the Barroom Floor will conclude the programs. This American opera (in English) tells the story of a mysterious beauty, Madeline, whose likeness is painted on the floor of the Teller House Saloon in Central City, Colo. Jealous love affairs lead to confrontation and tragedy twice -- in two separate centuries. The role of Madeline will be performed by Carrie Nix on Friday and Holly Eule on Saturday. John will be sung by Ken Van Cura on Friday and John Sauvey on Saturday. Glenn Beals will play the role of Matt on both evenings.
The opera scenes are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Baylor School of Music at 710-3991.