The MSU Opera Theatre invites you to tune in for a unique video premiere of curated live-recorded and virtual performances captured this season at 7 p.m., May 5, on the MSU College of Music Livestream Channel.
Directed by Melanie Helton, “Scenes from Opera in the Time of COVID” features cast members performing selected aria and duet opera scenes from “Don Pasquale”, “The Pirates of Penzance”, “Roméo et Juliette”, “The Grapes of Wrath”, “Der Rosenkavalier”, “Don Giovanni” and more. The special premiere is part of the 2020-21 Worthington Family Foundation Opera Theatre Season.
MSU professor of voice and soprano Melanie Helton has directed the award-winning MSU Opera Program for over 20 years. While the current season and the ability for live performance has been dramatically affected by the pandemic, Helton said the upcoming premiere represents the perseverance and devotion of Opera Theatre cast members. She added that the audience and opera lovers won’t be disappointed by the superb performances which are made possible by the hard work and dedication of cast members and the generous support of donors.
“We worked through some incredible challenges and came up with an innovative way to bring opera to our community,” Helton said. “Even more, we’ve devised a way to provide a professional experience for our opera students to showcase their talent.”
“Scenes from Opera in the Time of COVID” is sponsored by the Worthington Family Foundation and the Eleanor H. and Harold E. Leichenko Opera Endowment established by Lauren Julius Harris.
While previously ticketed, this event is free of charge and available to the public through Livestream. For information, as well as a list of online events, visit https://www.music.msu.edu/eventlisting or call the College of Music box office at (517) 353-5340.
Media wishing to interview Helton or cast members featured in the production may coordinate through the communications office noted above. The director and cast would be happy to talk about the performances and the extraordinary circumstances they encountered to bring them to life.
