Opera Workshop presents double bill

Opera fans rejoice! Students enrolled in the U of A Opera Workshop course will stage not one but two productions at Convocation Hall this weekend!

Oliver Munar - 01 March 2016

Opera fans rejoice! Students enrolled in the U of A Opera Workshop course will stage not one but two productions at Convocation Hall!

Under the production title of "Truth and Consequence", students will perform one drama and one comedy. The drama Der Jasager will be a collaboration with the University of Alberta Symphonic Wind Orchestra, conducted by doctoral music student Stuart Sladden. The work, with music by Kurt Weill and libretto by Bertold Brecht, will be introduced by Dr. Maureen Hiebert of the University of Calgary's Department of Political Science and the Centre for Military, Security & Strategic Studies. Dr. Hiebert holds research interests in genocide, government and politics, human rights and international law.

"Der Jasager depicts how complacency rooted in the status quo can lead to tragic results," says Elizabeth Turnbull, coordinator of the Opera Workshop course and director of the production. "History offers many examples of society knowing that authorities were acting unjustly to their neighbours and friends but not doing anything to stop it."

"Canada has an interesting link to the rise of fascism in Germany leading into World War II," says Dr. Maureen Hiebert. "We have evidence to suggest that the Nazis modeled their 'final solution' for the Jews in part after Canada's Aboriginal reservation policy. Our complacency can lead to condoning such actions, even when they are morally wrong. It makes the lessons we can learn from both experiences all the more poignant."

The second half will feature the comedy Zeus and the Pamplemousse by Jeff McCune with libretto by Michael Cavanaugh. Commissioned by Ottawa-based Opera Lyra, the work follows Zeus, the Greek king of the gods, as he investigates who is stealing money from Olympus. Suspicion falls on Almavivos, the mayor of Athens, and his family. To find the truth, Zeus enchants a grapefruit to hilarious results.

"Jeff McCune and Michael Cavanaugh wrote a great opera with Zeus," says Turnbull. "It's a great parody of some of the most famous operatic works we know today."

The double bill was made possible by the generosity of the University of Alberta Senate Emil Skarin Fund. Performances are Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5. Admission is free; donations for the Department of Music will be accepted at the door.