SUNY Fredonia alumni and faculty gathering for a group photo ahead of the Buffalo Opera Unlimited production of “The Marriage of Figaro” are (front row, from left): Nicole Brendel, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Paul Mockovak, Tim Flynn and Jamie Gangemi; (back row) Matt Marco, Eun Joo Jeon, Zachary Bills-Warman, Amie Adams and Dr. Rob Strauss.
There’s an outsized connection between SUNY Fredonia music and theatre and Buffalo Opera Limited’s presentation of “The Marriage of Figaro.”
Seven alumni and two faculty in the Department of Theatre and Dance and School of Music have various roles – director, cast member and ensemble cast or have back stage or supporting positions – in Mozart’s four-act comic opera, also known as “Le Nozze di Figaro.”
“This is one of Mozart’s most beloved operas; this production has a stellar cast,” remarked SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Paul Mockovak. He’s the stage director and choreographer of the opera, Mr. Mockovak is immersed in the production.
Performances will be given at Buffalo State University’s Rockwell Hall on Friday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 29, at 2:30 p.m.
Matt Marco (Mus.B., Music Performance, 2015) is conducting the opera. He’s also artistic director of Buffalo Opera Unlimited, which produces professional opera and many other musical forms with an emphasis on regional artists.
Looking at the vibrant arts scene in Buffalo, New York’s second largest city, as well as other places around the state and country, it speaks volumes that our students in the arts are being hired and cast on merit.” – Paul Mockovak
The cast includes Tim Flynn (Mus.B., Music Performance, 2004), as Bartolo, a physician, and School of Music Senior Lecturer Robert Strauss, as Don Curzio, a lawyer.
Four alumni are in the ensemble, including Jamie Gangemi (Mus.B., Music Education, 2022), Amie Adams (Mus.B., Music Performance, 2021), Zachary Bills-Warman (Mus.B., Music Education, 2022; M.M., Music Education, 2024) and Nicole Brendel (B.A., Music-Applied, Interdisciplinary Studies, 2017).
Eun Joo Jeon (Mus.B., Music Performance, 2015) is the rehearsal accompanist.
This isn’t the first time many of these Fredonians have been together at Buffalo Opera Unlimited. Last year’s performances of Puccini’s “La Boheme” included Mockovak (director, choreographer), Mr. Marco (conductor), Dr. Strauss (the role of Parpignol), Mr. Flynn (the role of Benoit), Ms. Adams (hair and make-up and was in the ensemble), Ms. Gangemi (ensemble and a featured singer) and Jeon (rehearsal accompanist).
“Looking at the vibrant arts scene in Buffalo, New York’s second largest city, as well as other places around the state and country, it speaks volumes that our students in the arts are being hired and cast on merit,” Mr. Mockovak observed.
“The Marriage of Figaro” is filled with witty dialogue, mistaken identities and romantic entanglements, creating a delightful blend of humor and drama. The music is lively and energetic, showcasing Mozart's genius for writing memorable melodies and intricate harmonies, according to the Buffalo Opera Unlimited website.
It’s considered one of the greatest operatic achievements of all time, due to its complex characters, sharp social commentary and timeless themes of love, betrayal and forgiveness, the website notes.
