More stories in Local
E-MAIL BOOKMARK
You need to be logged in to bookmark an article.
login | Register now | No thanks
PRINT
You need to be logged in to e-mail an article.
login | Register now | No thanks

'Elixir of Love' opera on tap for weekend

ALEX LEWIS

Members of the Show-Me Opera, DJ Jordan, front right, Emily Matthews, front left, Melissa Gaddis, back left, and Christine Jarquio perform during the opening scene of the opera, "Elixir of Love," on Monday. The Show-Me Opera will have its opening performance in Columbia on Friday.

By RICKY O’BANNON

April 16, 2008 | 3:29 p.m. CST

COLUMBIA — A half-hour before dress rehearsal, opera director Tiffany Blake talked with soprano Emily Bennett about her character and gave some last-minute suggestions on body language. Even the tiniest nuance in a glance or a shoulder shrug can make the difference when performing opera.

This weekend, the Show-Me Opera will perform highlights from Donizetti’s “Elixir of Love.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Show-Me Opera presents “Elixir of Love” by Gaetano Donizetti
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday
WHERE: First Baptist Church, 1112 E. Broadway
ADMISSION: $10 for the general public; $7 for students and senior citizens

“L’elisir d’amore,” in its original Italian, is an “opera buffa,” or comic opera, about a farmer, Nemorino, who falls in love with a beautiful woman named Adina. To Nemorino’s dismay, his beloved is also pursued by a handsome army recruiter named Belcore. Desperate for a way to cause her to forget her other suitor, Nemorino buys a love potion from a quack doctor who, in reality, sells the gullible peasant ordinary wine.

Bennett, an MU senior playing the role of Adina, recently won first place in the vocal division of the Music Teacher National Association’s Young Artist competition.

Before rehearsal, MU senior Tim Whipple, who is playing Belcore, joked that he felt like a crimson-clad version of Cap’n Crunch in his costume.

“He’s a sergeant in the story?” Blake’s husband, Murray Oliver, who conducts the opera, asked in his native Scottish accent. “He’s a little spiffy for a sergeant, don’t you think?”

Overdressed or not, it just wouldn’t be opera if something wasn’t at least a little over the top.

Comments on this article

Password: (Forgotten your password?)

You must be logged in to comment. If you don't have an account, you can register here.