Oct. 9, 2018

CONTACT:    Sarah Beckham-Turner, 806-651-2847, sbeckham-turner@wtamu.edu

COPY BY:      Rana McDonald, 806-651-2129, rmcdonald@wtamu.edu

WTAMU Opera Workshop to Present Two One-Act Operas

CANYON, Texas—The West Texas A&M University Opera Workshop and Symphony Orchestra will present a double bill program featuring The Marriage Among the Lanterns and The Beautiful Bridegroom at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 14 in the Branding Iron Theatre of the Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex on campus.

The production is under the direction of Sarah Beckham-Turner, assistant professor of music, as artistic director and Dr. Mark Bartley, professor of music, as conductor.

According to Beckham-Turner, both one-act operas are filled with laugh and love and guaranteed to be enjoyed by all. The Marriage Among the Lanterns, by Jacques Offenbach, will be performed in French with English dialogue and English supertitles. It tells the story of hidden love with a special reveal under the light of the night watchman’s lantern. Assistant conductor for the production is Rachel Giedraitis, and the supertitle operator is Eleisha Miller.

The Beautiful Bridegroom by Dan Shore will be performed in English. It tells the story of a widow searching for a young husband—not for her daughters but for herself. Assistant conductor for the opera is Anthony Vickery.

Cast members for both one-act operas are listed by hometown, classification, major and role.

The Marriage Among the Lanterns
Amarillo
Justin Williamson, junior music performance major—Policeman

Carlsbad, N.M.
Elizabeth Johnson, graduate student in voice—Catherine

El Paso
Jacquelyn Calderon, sophomore musice performance major—Denise

Hereford
Dustin Wells, senior music major—Guillot

Joint-Base Lewis, Wash.
Morgan Hite, senior music major—Fanchette

The Beautiful Bridegroom
Amarillo
Emily Peters, senior music major—Captain von Frauenliebe

Canyon
Rachel Giedraitis, graduate student in music—Pernille
Andrea Martinez, junior music performance major—Terentia

El Paso
Victoria Loustaunau, senior music therapy major—Leonora

Katy
Laurel Bowersox, graduate student in performance—Madam Kirsten

Levelland
Elizabeth Foster, junior music major—Laurentian

Other production members include Keith Chambers, principal coach; Alvaro Callejas, assistant director and choreographer; John Landon, technical director; Angelo O’Dierno, lighting design; and Stephen Crandall, fight choreography.

Tickets are priced at $10 for general admission and $5 for students. Admission is free for those with a Buff Gold Card. Tickets will be available at the door or can be reserved in advance by calling the School of Music at 806-651-2840 or email crgarcia@wtamu.edu.

—WTAMU—