Classically Speaking

Colleges and universities with music programs generally produce performances of opera scenes, but few actually produce full operas. Admittedly, there are few one-act operas from which to choose.

West Virginia Wesleyan undertook the task of presenting two one-act operas by Gian Carlo Menotti – the seasonal favorite, Amahl and the Night Visitors, and the smaller two-person, The Telephone.

This was a collaboration between the school’s Theatre, Dance and Music departments – and they acquitted themselves well.

The four performances began with Amahl, the story of a boy who is lame and his Mother. The Magi, following the Star to find the Child, ask them for shelter. Mother tries to steal their gold to help her child, but is caught. What happens then is a Christmas miracle.

The mostly college cast of Amahl also included the kings’ page plus a singing and dancing chorus. They hailed from all over West Virginia with a handful of WVWC students from MD, NY, OH, PA and VA. One high school senior and a fifth-grader, both from Buckhannon, rounded out the cast. The opera enjoyed four performances (Th-Sat eves & Sun matinee), so the part of Amahl was double cast.

Unfortunately I was unable to stay for a performance by young Sean Crites as Amahl, but the cast I saw opening night was pretty well-balanced with special mention of Rebecca Culp as The Mother. The electric keyboard accompaniment was a tad too loud and overshadowed these young voices however; I hope this was corrected at ensuing performances. The oboe was effective.

The Telephone is the comic story of Ben and Lucy. Ben arrives at Lucy’s door, planning to propose before he has to leave on the train. His repeated attempts are thwarted by constant phone calls, to which Lucy seems addicted. He finally succeeds in getting his message across with a comic twist. 

The week before the performances, Dr. Mandy Spivak assumed the role of Lucy due to illness of the originally cast student. Spivak is Visiting Assistant Professor of Voice, and directed the productions.

While as a vocal professional, she understandably outshone the student Ben (Robert Quarles), she also provided the students and audience with a fine operatic performance. It’s always a plus to know that your teacher can actually DO what she teaches – and delightfully so!

Piano accompaniment was provided upstage from the singers most effectively by Zachary Allen.

The set (Nathan Elsener) and lighting (Joshua Holets) designs were simple, practical and very effective. The costumes (Rebecca Britner)were also well-designed and executed. The music and music students were allowed to be the stars in the school’s lovely new Center for the Performing Arts, which.seats less than 400, and boasts wonderful backstage and onstage appointments.

Bravo!

I just recently received the line-up for the River Cities Symphony Orchestra's 2010-11 Season.  They start with a chamber music concert this weekend in Parkersburg. 

Here's the full list of their concerts this season: 

Chamber Music Concert
Sunday November 21, 2010 3 PM
First Presbyterian Church, 1341 Juliana St. Parkersburg
Artists:              
    Ian Jessee - Violin 
    Lindsey Goodman - Flute 
    Robert Turizzianin - Clarinet 
    Victoria Berneking - Piano

Program includes works by Debussy, Vivaldi, Prokofiev, Beethoven, Grant Cooper, Jeanjean, Bartok, De Falla & Saint-Saens.

Messiah Sing Along 
Sunday December 5, 2010 3 PM
First Presbyterian Church, 1341 Juliana St.
Community Sing Along for Handel's Messiah, open to all comers 
No admission charge, donations of food and cash for food pantry welcomed

Orchestra Concert
Sunday January 23, 2011 3 PM
Blennerhassett School, Parkersburg, WV 
Conductor - Robert Turizziani
Program:       
     Brighter By the Second -  Matthew Jackfert (interview) (World Premier)
       Commissioned by River Cities Symphony Orchestra
     Bach Violin Concerto in E Major– John Harrison, Violin 
     Symphony No. 9 – From the New World – Antonin Dvorak

Bach Choral Concert 
Sunday, February 27, 2011 7 PM
St. Mary’s Church, Marietta, OH 
Conductor - Robert Truizziani 
Program:        
    Cantata “Wachet Auf!” – JS Bach - Marietta College Chorus
    Brandenberg Concertos – JS Bach 

Ballet Concerts
Wednesday April 27, 2011 
2 Educational Concerts + Concert Open to Public 7 PM - All at Parkersburg South HS 
Conductor - Robert Turizziani 
Program:        
    Peter and the Wolf – Prokofiev – Featuring Schrader Youth Ballet 
    Carnival of the Animals – Camille Saint-Saens – Victoria Berneking & Deborah Gross, piano

Pops Concert
Friday, June 3, 2011 8 PM
Lafayette Hotel, Marietta, OH 
Conductor - Robert Turiizziani 
Program: Light Classical and Romantic selections

Related links:
* River Cities Symphony, Julie Hepler
* WV Classical Calendar -- November