The opera division of The University of Memphis invites students to take a trip back to Ancient Egypt for their production of Henry Purcell's Dido & Aeneas at Harris Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Dec.1.
Written in English in 1689, this marks the oldest opera performed by the opera division, however, plenty of new faces adorn these performances, both in the performance and production team.
Every year, new singers enter the opera division but not necessarily vocal majors. Senior accounting major Seth McMillan has been cast as the lead male role Aeneas.
"I got a chance to audition this fall for this opera and I'm honored & deeply appreciative for this opportunity." McMillan said.
Also making their opera division debuts are Kim Allen, John Faulconbridge, Chesney McKinley, Vanessa Mendoza and Cynthia Wilson. Seasoned-veterans Leandria Jack, Ebony Preston, Carrie Shoffner and the chorus complete the cast.
A new addition to the production team is Susan Chriezberg, associate professor of theater, who has choreographed modern and traditional dance in many theater productions.
Music director and conductor Mark Ensley said Chriezberg has added a new dimension to the opera.
"Her beautiful choreography is so flattering to opera singers not used to that sort of stage movement," Ensley said. "I'm also glad to see a continuing collaboration between the school of music and the department of theater. Also, theater graduate student Michael DeLorm will serve as lighting designer."
Even though Dido & Aeneas is in English and is relatively short (approximately an hour), there have been a number of challenges with this production, mainly due to the time period it was written in -- late baroque.
"Singing Dido & Aeneas in English is tricky," McMillan said.
Michael Johnson, director of the production, said the English is just off the beaten path from our English of today.
For Ensley, conducting the singers and orchestra in the late baroque style has also been challenging, mostly because singers and musicians concentrate their training on the classical andromantic style of the 1800s.
"This production has made us concentrate on clarity of expression and an economy of means to achieve that goal," Ensley said.
As the cast finishes its final preparations for the Friday premiere, Leandria Jack, who essays the role of the mighty Queen Dido is optimistic about the production's success.
"For a first time opera-goer, this production will be a wonderful experience because of its simplicity of plot and brevity of length," Jack said. "We have a wonderful cast and the ensemble (the chorus) will be a delight to see and hear."
