One of the few undoubted masterpieces of 20th century musical theatre comes to the Creative Arts Center when the West Virginia University opera theatre program presents an English translation of Francis Poulenc’sDialogues of the CarmelitesJan. 25, 27 and 28.
Directed by Robert Thieme, head of WVU opera theatre,Dialogues of the Carmeliesis a joint production of the Division of Music and the Division of Theatre and Dance. Performances in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre begin at 7:30 each evening. The WVU Symphony Orchestra under Thieme’s direction will provide musical accompaniment.
During a productive musical career, Poulenc wrote only three operas, including this one, which was first performed in 1957 at La Scala in Milan. His music has been praised for its subtle harmony and lofty reaches of melodic grace.
The three-act lyric tragedy is based on a play by Georges Bernanos and centers on a young aristocratic woman named Blanche de la Force, who seeks refuge in a convent during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror.
The turbulence of the outside world follows her there, and she and her Carmelite sisters become engulfed in the events of history. Filled with scenes of beauty and power, the opera rises to a final scene of shattering poignancy.
The cast ofDialogues of the Carmelitesincludes new voice faculty member Rebecca Turner as Madame Lidoine, the Mother Superior, and WVU voice student Chris Romich as Blanche de la Force.
Other WVU students in the cast are William Hostutler, Joshua Jannotta, Kristina Driskill, Elizabeth Zell, Susanna Reckord-Raymer, Sarah Lynch, Samantha Bartlow, Jamie Kegg, Emily Lapisardi, Jennifer Vanella, Danielle Goode, Dana Dalesio, Danielle Riggins, Emily Tanzey, Joan Brittingham, Sarah Grisso, Rebekah Pritchard, Daniel Salls, Michael Spencer, Erik Nicholson, Andrew Harris and Heath Mankey.
Catherine Thieme, a mezzo-soprano and staff member in the College of Creative Arts , will portray Madame de Croissy, prioress of the Carmelite Convent. The backstage chorus will include Kayla Barron, Katie Gannon, Adam Leatherman, Erica Nagode, Erica Newsome, Kathleen Shannon, Katherine Smith and Michael Talerico.
The scenery was designed by Christine Green and costumes are by Danielle Kristine Nelson. Chorus master and backstage conductor is Jennifer McCarthy. Lighting is by Paul Miller and technical director is Matt Godwin.
Turner, a soprano, is a recent member of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Dsseldorf, Germany. She has a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and pedagogy from Shorter College in Rome, Ga., and a master’s degree in piano performance and accompanying from the University of North Texas in Denton.
Upon completing her studies in Denton, Turner began vocal training to become better equipped as a vocal coach. This led her back to Shorter College for a vocal performance degree. Her first professional contract was as a member of the solo ensemble with the opera company of Bremen, Germany, where she performed for four years before moving to Dsseldorf.
With more than 500 performances to date, Turner’s repertoire includes the lead soprano roles in such operas asAida,Il Trovatore,La Forza Del Destino,Turnadot,Madama Butterfly,La Boheme,I PagliacciandPeter Grimes.In addition to Bremen and Dsseldorf, she has performed in the opera houses of Frankfurt, Cologne, Hannover, Mannheim, Wiesbaden, Darmstadt, Graz, Basel, Dortmund, Kiel and Mnster, as well as the Shanghai Grand Theater in Shanghai, China .
She is currently an associate professor of voice at WVU .
For tickets and information, contact the Mountainlair Box Office at 304-293-SHOW.