Hillman Opera offers whimsical take on a Cimarosa classic
The 18th century will meet the 1980s when the Hillman Opera presents its whimsical take on Italian composer Domenico Cimarosa’s masterpiece “Il Matrimonio Segreto” (“The Secret Marriage”) in November.
Performance dates and times are Friday, Nov. 12 and Saturday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 14 at 2:00 p.m., in Marvel Theatre.
Tickets are available through the Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center, by phone at 716-673-3501 or online.
“Il Matrimonio Segreto” features “zany hijinks, glamour, intrigue, fast escapes, and gorgeous declarations of love.”
The production, directed by Department of Theatre and Dance faculty member Daniel Lendzian, will be conducted by Dr. David Rudge with vocal coaching by Dr. Anne Kissel of the School of Music. It is double-cast and features voice majors from the Fredonia School of Music. The production also features the College Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Robert Strauss of the Fredonia School of Music is the producer.
Strauss said scenic designer Hyla Stellhorn, costume designer Jessica Lustig and lighting designer Jack Sears have created a “lavish production which celebrates our return to live, in-person performances.”
The production team, cast, crew, and orchestra is comprised of more than 50 students, several faculty members and a number of alumni of the Fredonia School of Music. It will showcase the talents of the School of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance.
“Il Matrimonio Segreto,” which historically falls between the operas of Mozart and Rossini, and shares similarities to each of these masters, was celebrated at its premiere in Vienna when the Emperor was so taken with the opera that he provided dinner immediately following its first performance for those involved, and then asked for an encore of the entire work after dinner.
“The opera is hysterical - a typical operatic farce full of misunderstandings, intrigue, and farce, all to a score which requires impeccable singing, acting, and overall artistry,” Strauss said. “The sets will be gorgeous, the costumes exquisite, and the singing and playing masterful. Although we will be following COVID protocols, including having the cast in masks, our stage director, Daniel Lendzian, has created a world in which it seems perfectly natural, and will keep the participants and audience safe and comfortable.”
“The opera is hysterical - a typical operatic farce full of misunderstandings, intrigue, and farce, all to a score which requires impeccable singing, acting, and overall artistry,” – Dr. Robert Strauss
Student participants and their majors include: Adrianna Burgos, junior Music Education; Kay Steele, senior Vocal Performance; Natalie Ehrensbeck, senior B.F.A. Musical Theatre; Jamie Gangemi, senior, Music Education; Gino Thompson, junior, Music Education; Daniel Barna, senior, Vocal Performance; Ross Wiley, senior, Music Education/Vocal Performance; Patrick Connolly, junior, Vocal Performance; Shane Keyes, senior, Music Education; Reese Holahan, senior, Vocal Performance and Communication Disorders and Sciences; Lauren Estep, senior, Music Education; Abigail Sheahen, junior, Vocal Performance; Abigail Brudz, junior, Music Education; Anna Evans, sophomore, Music Education; Daniel Novak, sophomore, Music Education; Leah Curran, sophomore, Music Education; Gabrielle Gance, sophomore, Vocal Performance, and Kayla Sorensen, junior, Music Education.
The opera, sponsored by Gugino & Ryel Financial as part of the Lake Shore Savings Season, will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.
“Il Matrimonio Segreto” is made possible in part by the Oliver G. and Sarah Sloan Bauman Fund for the Arts, administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation's mission is: Connecting people, ideas, and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established 1919, the Community foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation's care. Learn more online.
