UTC Opera Workshop will present a series of famous operatic ensembles as well as a demonstration of stage combat techniques under the artistic direction of Assistant Professor Ronald Ulen, UTC Director of Opera, on April 1, 7:30 p.m. in the Roland Hayes Concert Hall, UTC Fine Arts Center. The program is presented free of charge and is open to the general public.
Several junior and senior vocal majors will be the performers for the evening with musical director Timothy Hinck serving as the accompanist. The program is the culmination of a semester’s emphasis on opera performance. These students received individual and group coaching on the singing and the presentation of these operatic favorite moments, as well as guest coaching in stage combat by renowned artist Bob Willie of the Chattanooga Ballet.
The evening’s performances will include famous duets from Delibes’ Lakmé and Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de perles (The Pearlfishers), the quartet from Verdi’s Rigoletto (as well as a parody of that quartet), a quintet from Bizet’s Carmen, the “Ice Cream” sextet from Kurt Weill’s Street Scene, and the grand ensemble finale from Berstein’s Candide.
Bob Willie is a nationally renowned expert in the field of stage combat and his credentials include work with such organizations as the New York Philharmonic, the School of American Ballet and the Julliard Dance Ensemble.
Ulen holds degrees in voice and opera production from the University of Minnesota and Florida State University. His performance credentials include many baritone roles with such companies as the National Opera Company, the State Operas in Schwerin, Mainz, and Augsburg and his numerous appearances as guest artist in opera, oratorio, and concert work.
Soprano Alex Bryant described this semester as being particularly valuable to her because the class had the opportunity to perform these excerpts in their full context. “We don’t have the experience, the budget, or the ability to do justice to a full act of Carmen, but in this format we can participate in some of the most famous excerpts and have that experience for our résumés,” Bryant said.
For more information regarding this performance please contact the UTC Music Department main office at 423-425-4601.
