The event Opera Scenes will attempt to give Athens an unexpected musical experience tonight at the Ridges.
Students from the School of Music will step on stage to perform a collection of scenes from various operas. The different acts will be performed by 17 or 18 students said Richard Crist, director of opera theater.
The selections will include Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Der Freischutz, L'elisir d'iamore, Eugene Onegin; and Charles Gounod's version of Roméo et Juliette. The show will close with Act II, scene 1 of Carmen, a large gypsy-inspired piece that will feature all of the performers.
We try to do scenes in (the) original language
Crist said.
When Crist prepares his students, he emphasizes a combination of singing and musical theater to produce what he calls singing actors.
Crist chose the Ridges as the venue for this event instead of the more traditional Templeton-Blackburn Memorial Auditorium or Glidden Hall.
We've been very successful at the Ridges Crist said.
Crist stated that the opera usually sells out the Ridges Auditorium, saying that the venue only seats 160 people, but is a very intimate setting.
The School of Music hosts a larger opera during the spring.
Tickets can be purchased at Kantner Hall for $8 and 30 minutes before the event at the Ridges Auditorium.
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Culture
Christopher Drummonds
