Excerpts from three rarely performed, early 20th-century American operettas will be
featured in Syracuse University Opera Theatre's "The Golden Age of Operetta" on
Saturday, April 25, at 8 p.m. in the Rose and Jules R. Setnor Auditorium, Crouse
College. The production, which is directed and produced by Kate Haar-Lyons, a
senior music major in the
Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music in
SU's College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), is free and open to the public.
Parking is available in the Irving Garage.
"The Golden Age of Operetta" will include scenes from Sigmund Romberg's "The
Desert Song" and "The Student Prince" as well as Victor Herbert's "Naughty
Marietta." The music blends the lightheartedness of Broadway with challenging
vocal lines of the operatic tradition. All selections share the common theme of escape
to exotic lands. The audience will be guided through the program by Stephen Meyer,
associate professor of fine arts in SU's College of Arts and Sciences, who will offer
historical commentary.
The production marks Haar-Lyons' directing and producing debut. She previously
served as assistant director of the Opera Theatre's critically acclaimed production of
"The Mikado," which premiered in January. "Golden Age" was inspired by her
senior thesis on early 20th-century operetta.
"The goal of this production is to feature as many of our talented voice students as
possible in solos, duets and ensemble numbers," says Haar-Lyons. "We really
wanted this production to be a beneficial learning experience for all involved."
The 30-member student cast is also led by assistant director Gabrielle Traub, a
sophomore vocal performance major, and musical director Eric Johnson, a faculty
member and co-chair of the voice department in the Setnor School. Abigail
Ottenjohn, a sophomore music industry major, serves as production assistant, and
Benjamin Hoffman, a first-year graduate student in piano performance, will
accompany on keyboard. Minimal sets, lighting and costumes will be used.
Founded in 2001, SU Opera Theatre is composed of students pursuing a career in
music. In addition to "The Mikado," past repertory has included Gilbert and
Sullivan's "The Gondoliers" and "Trial by Jury." In 2006, Opera Theatre students
traveled to Florence, Italy, where they performed Luigi Zaninelli's "Snow White" at
the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.
For more information, contact the Opera Theatre office at (315) 443-2512.
VPA is committed to the education of cultural leaders who will engage and inspire
audiences through performance, visual art, design, scholarship and commentary. The
college provides the tools for self-discovery and risk-taking in an environment that
thrives on critical thought and action. Learn more at http://vpa.syr.edu.
