By Kevin Green —
The Morningside College Department of Music presented scenes from The Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart this past Friday (Nov. 11) at Eppley Auditorium. The workshop was a process-based class with an emphasis on developing skills necessary for “the craft of combining classical singing and acting.”
Based on the 1784 stage comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais – La Folle Journee, ou Le Mariage de Figaro, the story is the sequel to Le Barbier de Seville (The Barber of Seville). The Marriage of Figaro recounts a “day of madness” for Figaro and his bride-to-be Susanna, who is Countess Rosine’s maid – and the Count’s intended conquest.
Stage director Gary Briggle, along with directors Shannon Salyards and Kate Saulsbury, chose to omit almost all scenery to “allow for the ultimate suspension of reality and engagement of creativity.”
Throughout the evening, several different students portrayed the lead roles. According to Jaime Stevicks (one of four Susanna’s), “It was because we just did scenes of the opera. The directors got us all involved that way.” She also noted, “It was a like workshop for us rather than a true performance.”
Asked about nerves and “stage-fright,” Senior Nicholas Anderson (The Count) answered, “It went by so quickly. I really didn’t have time to think about it.”
Likewise when asked about singing opera bass, the lowest vocal range of all voice types, Anderson replied, “I don’t have any swagger. I just enjoy what I do.”
Michele Grossman was the pianist for the performance. Guest Director Gary Briggle is on the faculty of the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. He will also be featured in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s version of Cinderella as King Maximillian this holiday season.
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