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SUNY Fredonia’s annual Hillman Opera is bound to appeal to music lovers of all ages. “Hansel and Gretel,” by Engelbert Humperdinck, will be performed in Marvel Theatre on Nov. 8 through 11.
Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, Friday, Nov. 9 and Saturday, Nov. 10. The Sunday, Nov. 11 performance will begin at 2 p.m.
In addition to School of Music students, the cast includes members of the Chautauqua Children’s Chorale under the direction of Nancy Krestic. The opera is a collaboration of the Fredonia School of Music and the university’s Department of Theatre and Dance, and Dr. David Rudge is serving as music director, and Dr. James Ivey, as stage director.
“Hansel and Gretel” will be performed in English and Producer Julie Newell of the School of Music describes it as “a perfect choice for children.” Based on the Grimm Brothers fairy tale, the opera version was first performed in 1893 for the composer’s family in a small theatre in Frankfurt, Germany. Since that time it has become one of the best loved and most frequently performed operas in the world. Ms. Newell adds that because of its magnificent musical writing, it is truly an adult work as well.
The opera has been double cast with School of Music students performing the major roles. Singing Hansel is Nicole Weigelt, a junior Voice Performance major from Oswego, and Lea Kazakis, a senior double major in Voice Performance and Music Education from Syracuse. Laura Noack, a junior Music Education major from Boston, N.Y., and Patty Carpenter, a senior Music Education major in voice and flute from Rochester, will play Gretel. Singing the role of Mother will be Ciara O’Neill-Mendoza, a junior Voice Performance major from Vestal , and Carly Scranton, a junior Voice Performance major from Oswego. The role of Father will be performed by Justin Staebell, a junior Voice Performance major from Orchard Park, and Will Praepestis, a junior Voice Performance major from Elmira. Victoria Vargas, a senior Voice Performance major originally from Rome, N.Y., and Boris VanDruff, a junior Voice Performance major from Olean, will sing the role of the Witch.
The performance will be approximately two hours in length with an intermission, ideal for children.
The opera is supported in part by the Hillman Memorial Music Association, which was first organized around 1953 by the “Friends of Jessie Hillman Committee” and held its first benefit recital in 1954 in memory of the beloved piano teacher at the Fredonia Normal School. The organization first became associated with the School of Music in presenting the Hillman Opera in 1956. Ms. Newell noted, “It is such a gift to have this long lasting tradition.”
Tickets are available at the Central Ticket Office in the Williams Center on campus. For more information, interested persons should call 716-673-3501.
