What’s going on at the Lamont School of Music this fall? Some opera, some theatre, and a lot more.
Of the 4,781 undergraduate students at the University of Denver, 70 take center stage as vocal majors at the Lamont School of Music, and they are gearing up for a big year of performances.
The autumn quarter kicks off the musical year on November 3 with opera scenes. This includes pieces by Donazatti, Churubini, and Rossini’s one act opera Il Signor Bruchino. In winter, the music department teams up with the theatre department for the musical The Talking Bird, and perform another round of opera scenes.
The opera Cosi fan tutti takes the stage April 17 through the 20. Written by Mozart, it is one of the more notoriously difficult operas to sing and requires a very strong cast of voices. The principal soprano role, Fior Diligi, is reserved for a disciplined and mature singer.
“We’ve got a challenge ahead of us,” said Professor Kenneth Cox, opera director.
The performances are no small effort, and students undertake a schedule that keeps them moving, literally. During the first three weeks of rehearsal, vocalists are required to take movement classes, lead by choreographer Nola Rocco. Being an opera singer is different from being in a recital.
“Opera singers are a combination between actors and dancers,” explains Cox.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, students learn to walk, dance, and move in an opera scene.
For all their work, vocalists are rewarded with the experience needed to perform anywhere. Both onstage and backstage the performances are run almost identically to the rehearsals and productions of a professional opera company. Sets are rented for each show from professional companies in New York. Singers perform in front of huge audiences of 750 or more people.
When the end of the year comes, students are ready to take over. The last production of the year is run, directed, and produced by the students only. (This year’s selection is still to be announced.)
“By the time they are done here, they are ready to put their best foot forward,” said Cox.
It’s a winning combination of beautiful sets, fantastic voices, and a great selection of performances. The University of Denver is bound to be singing about the Lamont School of Music this year.
