By Raven Lirio
Copy Editor
Pacific Lutheran University’s music department presents one of opera’s classics— The Marriage of Figaro.
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the late 18th century, this humorous opera tells the story of the Figaro, played by Chris Conway and Ben Merill, who is set to marry the Countess’ maid Susanna, played by Mackenzie Taylor and Sabrina Husseini, and the madness that ensues up to the wedding.
The decision to perform this particular opera was made by the PLU music department as part of their 3 year cycle.
“Our cycle covers different stylistic periods,” said James Brown Music Director and professor of music. “Early operas, typically baroque, traditional which is set around the 18th or 19th century, and newer operas from the 20th or 21st century.”
Last year, PLU Opera performed Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas” which was is an early opera and so this year “The Marriage of Figaro” was chosen as it is a “staple of operatic repertoire,” according to Brown.
Brown said that while the opera was not precast, a large part of the deciding factor for choosing which opera depends on who is available to sing.
First-year Arthur Keast said he auditioned for the opera to improve his vocal and acting skills.
“Although I am pursuing a degree in business, I still want to pursue music as it is a big part of my life,” said Keast. “So far, choosing to be part of the opera has been one of the decisions I have made as a student of PLU.”
Similarly, sophomore Karl Eickhoff has expressed how his experience has been “simply unreal.”
“Opera demands a huge amount of effort and passion from everyone involved, said Eickhoff. “The final product gives it back tenfold. I’ve left every rehearsal feeling equal parts exhausted and thrilled.”
The Marriage of Figaro is a first not only a debut for Eickhoff and Keast, but also to Brown himself.
“This is actually my first exposure to this piece,” said Brown. “Somehow I never encountered it in my training but it has become my absolute favorite opera ever.”
Sarah Fox, a first-year performance major, has also expressed her excitement for the production.
“I want to get as much performance experience as I can,” said Fox. “This program is one of the main reasons I chose to attend PLU.”
Fox has participated in two operas from PLU during the summer and other local programs but admits this experience has been different.
“I have not only been a part of the staging and music preparation process, but have also been able to work in the costume shop learning how to make and alter costumes which are so vital to a productions’ authenticity,” said Fox.
For Eickhoff, “the best part is seeing and hearing the enormous talent of my friends. Everybody in this production has artistry coming out of their ears and seeing them shine onstage is awe-inspiring every time.”
“Everyday I am inspired by the people around me who work hard to make everything possible,” said Keast, echoing Eickhoff’s praise.
As opposed to most years, PLU will not be putting on a spring opera due to the theater production of Sweeney Todd which is a collaboration between both the music and theater departments.
“So many resources are going into both Sweeney and this J-Term,” said Brown. “This precluded the teaching load to do a spring opera.”
Despite the lack of a spring opera, PLU will still be doing its summer opera workshop with the Pirates of Penzance.
The performance will be in Italian with real time supertitles in English above the stage. It will be streamed online by iTech.
“I hope people show up for it because it’s Mozart at his best,” said Brown. “It’s some of the best Mozart written and his dramatic concept is absolute genius.”
