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Publication Date

12-8-2017

Year of Release

2017

Note(s)

Opera at Marshall

Alexander Lee, music director, stage director

Sara Lee, piano

Hillary Herold, assistant director

Erin Sears, stage manager & subtitle

Zachary Doss, assistant manager

Sean Price, Don Pelagio, music director

Cierra James, Gasparina, songstress

Bryce Dale, Apollonia, mother of Gasparina

Cadence Weaver, Don Ettore, merchant's son

Synopsis

Joseph Haydn's La Canterina, tells the life of a young clever diva named Gasparina. She and her mother, Apollonia, live in a house that belongs to her voice teacher, Don Pelagio who will do anything to help this young star succeed because he is in love with her. Along with her voice teacher, Gasparina, is being romantically pursued by Don Ettore, a merchant's son who is trying to prove his worth through gifts. Gasparina is pulled in all directions and is constantly distracted by her mother trying to live vicariously through her.

Zac Doss is a sophomore at Marshall University studying music education with a focus in vocals. After graduating from Winfield High School, joining the WV Army Guard, and working as an EMT, Zac decided that he had to follow music as his greatest passion. Studying as a tenor under Dr. Alexander Lee, Zac is now a member of the chamber choir, opera gala, and soon to be a cappella ensemble. He has been the leader of the Word of Light Community Church worship band for the past 4 years, leading in vocals and instruments varying between piano, guitar, and ukulele.

Sean Price holds a degree in Music Theory and Composition from Marshall University, and is currently working toward a Master's Degree in Vocal Performance under professor Alexander Lee. During Sean's time as a student composer he had much success, having numerous premieres, performances, and commissions of his work. Works include I Have Known the Summer, a setting for soprano and piano of the composer's own poetry; I Tried to Forget for soprano and piano, which had its premiere at the Manhattan School of Music; As a performer he has had success acting as ensemble member and soloist for all three choral ensembles at Marshall University, winning the Eloise Campbell-Long Award in vocal performance, and receiving the Choral Union Vocal Scholar Award. He has had featured roles in works for both musical theatre and opera, such as Steven Schwartz's Working with the Marshall University Theatre Alliance; a concert production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar; gala events and concerts with the Marshall University Opera Workshop; and the role of Monastatos in Mozart's The Magic Flute.

Bryce Dale, is a sophomore tenor and making his debut with Marshall University for his first time. Roles including Ensemble in Cafe on Main Street and Beast from Beauty and the Beast. Under the voice coaching of Dr. Alexander Wook Lee, Bryce found his way to the operatic stage. Bryce received third place in NATTS in Morgantown for Musical Theatre last school year.

Erin Sears is a senior at Marshall University in the multidisciplinary major focusing on voice performance and business. She currently studies voice with Dr. Alexander Lee. She is a member of the Marshall University Chamber Choir and has traveled with the choir to Spain and New York. This past March she presented a solo voice recital.

With a desire to combine business and music, she organized and helped run the Marshall University Choral Festival this past fall. For the opera workshop, she translated the opera and worked as the stage manager.

Cadence Weaver is a Junior Music Education and Vocal Performance dual major at Marshall University. She studies as a soprano with Mrs. Linda Dobbs. Ms. Weaver has been involved in all vocal ensembles on campus, but is a presently a vital member of the Marshall University Chorus, Chamber Choir, Opera Workshop, a Trinity Choral Scholar, a Musical Arts Guild Scholar, and the recipient of the Jane E. Hobson Memorial Scholarship. Cadence has played the saxophone for 10 years. Cadence has been a feature soloist for the University Chorus for a number of semesters for classical, sacred, pop and gospel music. She was featured in the Spring 2017 Opera Gala as Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, and The Countess in Le Nozze De Figaro scenes.

Historical Notes

La Canterina is originally written as an intermezzo; meant to be performed during the intermissions of a three acts opera seria (serious opera) Niccolò Piccinni's opera L 'Orgille. The role of Don Ettore (male role) was intended for a woman and Apollonia (female role) was performed by tenor. This was part of traditions of earlier Venetian opera where older women were often presented by men and immature boy was performed by a woman.

Biographies

Dr. Alexander Wook Lee, praised by Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times for his "bright tenor voice and vitality", Tenor Alexander Wook Lee is a dynamic and accomplished performer, conductor, and music educator in the world of opera and classical music. He is the coordinator of voice music of Marshall University. Recent opera credits include role of Ferrando in Mozart's Casj Fan Tutte, Gerald in Delibe's Lakmé, Candide in Bernstein's Candide, and Acis in Handel's Acis and Galatea with Opera at Rutgers University. Dr. Lee was also recently seen as Goro in the critically acclaimed production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly with the prestigious Martina Arroyo Foundation for the Summer 2016 Season. Dr. Lee was a soloist with the Korea National Theater and Korean Broadcast Station, where he also worked as a staff pianist. His diverse skills also led him to the position of Sergeant with the Ministry of National Defense Band as a composer, arranger and singer. Additional concert work includes engagements with the Turkish National Symphony Orchestra and the National Korean Music Symphony. In 2009, Mr. Lee was the first place winner of the Korea Singing Competition, held in Seoul.

Sara Lee, versatile pianist whose work takes in opera, oratorio, chamber music and song recitals. She has worked for opera and voice studios in South Korea and the United States. As a recital accompanist, Lee has played for singers at Greenfield Hall and Chapel Hall of MJ, as well as in New York City. She has accompanied a wide range of Choral works and played in a variety of chamber ensembles. She is one of the representative director of KL-MUSIC and the staff pianist of Marshall University.

Hillary Herold holds a BFA in vocal performance and multidisciplinary studies. She studied voice with Dr. Larry Stickler. She has been involved in vocal ensembles at Marshall University and has been a part of several opera workshop productions included The Magic Flute, where she played both second boy and lady. In 2015 Hillary received first place in the Eloise-Campbell Long vocal competition. Within the community, Hillary has been involved in several groups including Musical Arts Guild, Trinity Episcopal Church, and Jewel City Singers. After discovering a passion for music history Hillary pursued a master's degree in Music History and Literature, studying under Dr. Vicki Stroeher. Since graduating, she has accepted a position at Marshall to teach classes in the voice area.

Cierra Dawn James Currently a sophomore at Marshall University, soprano, Cierra James is a member of several ensembles, including the university's a cappella ensemble, opera workshop, and chamber choir with whom she sang last spring in New York City. Cierra's appearances in opera scenes include the role of Despina in Mozart's Cosi fan Tuttle, and Galatea in Handel's Acis and Galatea. Her musical theatre credits include ensemble in "A Christmas Story" and "Beauty and the Beast'' with the Charleston Light Opera Guild, and a hot box girl in Marshall University's production of "Guys and Dolls". Ms. James has most recently been seen as Crystal in the Paramount Arts Center's production of "Little Shop of Horrors". Cierra is studying voice with professor Linda Dobbs.

Note

Smith Recital Hall

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | Fine Arts | Music | Music Performance

Marshall University Music Department Presents a La Canterina, (The Diva), by Joseph Haydn

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