Luther College Opera Scenes class presents fall opera scenes

The Luther College music department presents fall opera scenes performed by the Opera Workshop course, a class that allows for students from all majors to learn about and prepare scenes from operas of all different types.

This event, open to the public for no charge of admission, takes place in the Noble Recital Hall of the Jenson Noble Hall of Music at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 and 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17.

The course focuses on allowing and helping the students to learn vocal, musical, language and acting skills. They have learned music by composers from the late 17th century through the late 19th century, including pieces by Handel, Rossini, Puccini, Monteverdi and Donizetti.

The theme of this semester’s opera scenes presentation, “Baroque, Bel Canto and Beyond,” reflects the diverse choices of repertoire, from opera’s earliest beginnings, through the early Romantic bel canto tradition, and on to verismo, or opera of realism. Students will present scenes in the original language from such titles as “L’incoronazione di Poppea,” “Serse,” “Alcina,” “Il barbiere di Siviglia,” “La cenerentola,” “Cendrillon,” “La bohème” and “I pagliacci.”

This performance is directed by Beth Ray Westlund, Luther associate professor of music, Nicholas Shaneyfelt, Luther assistant professor of music, and Andrew Whitfield, Luther associate professor of music.

A national liberal arts college with an enrollment of 2,005, Luther offers an academic curriculum that leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree in more than 60 majors and pre-professional programs. For more information about Luther visit the college’s website: http://www.luther.edu.