WNYCO to present American opera ‘Little Women’

The highly acclaimed operatic rendering of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved “Little Women” will be presented in a staged concert production by the Western New York Chamber Orchestra, a professional ensemble-in-residence at Fredonia, on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 4 p.m., in King Concert Hall.

Rebecca Schuessler	Mark Adamo
Lucia Helgren	Mariami Bekauri

Since it was first presented by American composer Mark Adamo at the Houston Grand Opera in 1998, “Little Women” has been performed in over 65 opera houses around the world, on countless American stages and was presented on a 2001 PBS telecast of “Great Performances.” WNYCO will provide the gorgeous musical scoring for this beautifully crafted re-telling of the famous story.

Guest artist Rebecca Schuessler of New York City will be featured in the role of Jo March. She will be joined by Fredonia student artists that include, among others: Lucia Helgren, a senior Vocal Performance/Arts Administration major, as Amy; Nicole Brendel, senior, Applied Music/Arts Administration, as Meg; Meredith Smietana, senior, Music Education, as Alma March; David Waterland, senior, Vocal Performance, as John Brooke; and Mariami Bekauri, Master of Music candidate, Vocal Performance, as Aunt March. School of Music graduate Alison Snavely will play the role of Beth.

The production is under the musical direction of Dr. Glen Cortese. Serving as stage director is Music Professor Brent Weber of the School of Music. Matt Marco, who received a Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano from Fredonia in 2015, is the vocal coach.

Admission to “Little Women” is free to students of all ages (SUNY students should provide identification), and $20 for adult/non-students.

WNYCO presents an annual staged concert opera, with special attention to the works of the 20th and 21st century, and provides a professional forum for Fredonia's finest young vocal students to perform.