OperaWorks to present shows in Morehead, Sandy Hook
Opera will hit the region by storm, Sept. 18-20, as some of the finest voices in eastern Kentucky present a concert that showcases some of the most beloved scenes from all of opera.
Highlands Light Opera, in cooperation with Morehead State University’s premiere vocal performance ensemble, OperaWorks, will present Opera Mania! The show will play in Morehead, Sept. 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. at the Rowan County Arts Center and at 3 p.m. on Sept. 20 at the Adkins-Caudill Performing Arts Center in Sandy Hook.
Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Tickets will be available at the door, for cash and check only.
Highlands Light Opera, central Appalachia’s first opera company, was established in 2008. It is a regional company, which seeks to draw the highest quality personnel from the region to perform for as many people in the region as possible. HLO presented a series of highly successful performances of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance” in the summer of 2008, followed by several performances of “Christmas in the Mountains” in December 2008.
OperaWorks will be featured in some of opera’s most famous choruses, including the Anvil Chorus from “Verdi’s Il Trovatore,” the Bridal Chorus from Wagner’s “Lohengrin,” and Verdi’s stirring anthem from the Italian Risorgimento era, Va Pensiero, from “Nabucco.” OperaWorks also will appear in Gilbert and Sullivan scenes from “The Mikado and The Pirates of Penzance.”
Other highlights of the evening will include scenes from “The Marriage of Figaro,” Mozart; “The Pearl Fishers,” Bizet; “Simon Boccanegra,” Verdi; “La Boheme,” Puccini; and “La Forza del Destino,” Verdi.
An array of guest artists is featured as soloists on the program. Diana Amos of Grayson has sung leading roles in more than 25 German opera houses, including the Berlin State Opera and the Cologne Opera, and with the Houston Grand Opera in this country. Andrea Trusty of West Liberty has sung with Opera Santa Barbara, the Aspen Music Program, and the Music Academy of the West. David Herrington of Cincinnati has performed with Highlands Light Opera, and has appeared in roles with Opera New Jersey. Alexandra LoBianco of New York City has performance credits with Opera Carolina, Opera America, St. Petersburg Opera and FloriMezzo in New York City.
Also featured will be Heather Hunnicutt, professor of voice at Georgetown College; Daniel Bell, professor of voice at Kentucky Christian University; and Highlands Light Opera alums, Ryland Pope, Jewelie Casteel, Greta Gilbert and Rachael Fannin.
Director and founder of HLO and MSU OperaWorks, Dr. Roma Prindle will appear on the program, along with outstanding members of OperaWorks: Dustin Stevens, Morehead junior; William Murphy, Hawesville senior; Kasey Standridge, Dripping Springs, Texas, graduate student; Stacey Kennard, Chillicothe, Ohio, junior; Blake Huffaker, Troy, Ohio, junior; Neil DeAtley, Cincinnati freshman, and Kyle Bentley, Pikeville senior.
Other members of OperaWorks include: Chris Adams, Morehead freshman; Paige Burgess, Stanville junior; Taylor Colliver, Morehead freshman; Hannah Doyle, Flemingsburg sophomore; Josh Joseph, Morehead junior; Hillary Keesee, Belfry sophomore; Holly Nibert, Cincinnati freshman; Mattie Terrell, Corbin freshman; and Laura Wenz, Maysville freshman.
Additional information is available from Dr. Prindle at (606) 783-2481 or by e-mailing her at r.prindle@moreheadstate.edu.
Posted: 9-8-09
