Upon hearing the word "opera," many of us automatically think of a large female singer wearing the horned helmet of a Viking. But this image is far removed from the reality of Tufts Opera Ensemble. A little-known group of ten talented students, the Ensemble embodies the theatrical spirit of opera without conforming to its stereotypical profile.
The group will present its end of the semester production tonight in Alumnae Hall, which will feature scenes from a variety of operas while covering a time span ranging from as early as the 17th century straight through the modern day. Under the direction of Carol Mastrodomenico and Steven Morris, the singers have been rehearsing weekly to prepare the scenes for this performance. They have also studied the historical context of their pieces, along with techniques involved in character development, staging, and costume design.
The program includes duets, trios, and quartets from operas such as Hector Berlioz's Beatrice and Benedict, a musical rendering of the Shakespeare comedy Much Ado About Nothing, and a romantic scene from another adaptation of a Shakespeare play - a quartet from Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream. A scene from Rossini's La Cenerentola offers an interpretation of the classic Cinderella story, complete with the two wicked stepsisters, a mysterious philosopher disguised as a beggar, and, of course, Cinderella herself. And a comic duet from Strauss' Die Fledermaus involves a couple pretending that they are not married in order to further their own personal desires, incorporating the hypnotic force of a pocket watch.
But some of the scenes will focus on the darker side of drama. A distraught princess is saved by three spirits in a quartet from Mozart's The Magic Flute. A scene from Menotti's The Medium involves two families intent on contacting the spirit of their dead children and involves a touching s?©ance sequence. But the truth soon comes out that both the medium and her spirits are fake, thus ending the scene with great surprise.
Interspersed within the program are three solo arias performed by the upperclassmen in the ensemble - juniors Nili Riemer and Tamra Spector and senior Kathleen Mulready - who have been actively involved with the group for several semesters.
For these upperclassmen, as well as the younger members of the group, the upcoming performance is the culmination of an entire year of vocal study Each of the students in the Tufts Opera Ensemble is presently taking voice lessons either at Tufts or another institution.
"The students are pretty remarkable," said Mastrodomenico.
The singers are also enthusiastic about their involvement in the group, and feel that the ensemble has given them a greater appreciation for opera as an art form. Riemer, an international relations and voice major, is enrolled in the joint program between Tufts and the New England Conservatory and has been a part of the Opera Ensemble since her freshman year. She appreciates how the group has given her "the opportunity to jump right into performing and learn about all aspects of putting on a staged, costumed, and publicized theatrical night of music," while also exposing her to "extremely talented teachers" and "hard-working students."
Freshman Kristin Livingston values how "each student has an understanding for one another," allowing "criticism from each other [to be] always positive."
Though the Tufts Opera Ensemble has always performed programs fully staged with minor set design and props, this semester marks the first time that the group has worked with members of the drama department to obtain period costumes and props.
Further evidence of the singers' enjoyment is their energy level at rehearsal. Each member believes the intense effort will pay off in the form of the upcoming concert - and, as promised by Riemer, the show will be " better than Cats!"
The Tufts Opera Ensemble will perform a program of scenes and arias tonight at 8 p.m. in Alumnae Hall. Admission is free.
