This past Friday (April 17th), I had the opportunity of performing with many other students in the opera scenes performance at Liberty University.
We have been rehearsing for this performance since February. The opera department performed The Telephone by Menotti, Act 2 scene from La Bohéme by Puccini, and Trial by Jury by Gilbert and Sullivan. The Telephone featured undergraduate student, Eunice Choi, and graduate student, Ben Bowers. It was directed by graduate student, Blythe Condon. The La Bohéme scene featured Jordyn Stott as Musetta, Josiah Worsley as Alcindoro, Sarah Bromke as Mimì, Ben Bowers as Marcello, William Dykes as Rodolfo, Aaron Webster as Colline, and David Dorris as Schaunard. It was directed by professor, Dr. Samantha Miller. Lastly, Trial by Jury featured Ruth Smirnov as The Plantiff, David Dorris as The Defendant, William Dykes as The Judge, Lydia Sutton as The Counsel, and Aaron Webster as The Usher. The chorus members included: Josiah Worsley, Ben Bowers, Ava Knight, Sarah Bromke, Jordyn Stott, Eunice Choi, Joy Mason, Allison Davis, Maria Douglas, and Kasey Kerbo. This one act opera was directed by Dr. John Hugo.
The students rehearsed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. With limited rehearsals, the students put on an astounding performance on April 17th. Their culmination of their hard work paid off, and audience members were filled with joy and laughter.
The performance was a success, and the students are looking forward to begin working on the opera, L’eilisr D’amore, in the fall.