Marriage of Figaro: A staple opera

For those outside the music community, attending singing performances at Luther may be hard to approach. But with this year’s opera, the Marriage of Figaro by Mozart, the audience, regardless of musical familiarity, will be able to follow a linear story, its characters and the lyrics.

“The opera is in English, so audience members can understand what’s going on,’ Rachel Barkel (‘10), who plays The Countess said.

The show is also attractive to a casual audience because it includes some of Mozart’s most famous music, especially the overture, which is often performed as a concert piece.

“You are sure to hear something you recognize,’ Barkel said.

In addition, the audience may recognize Marriage of Figaro through previous knowledge.

“The Marriage of Figaro is a staple, and it’s debatably Mozart’s most popular opera,” Zach Owen (‘10), who plays the opera’s other lead as The Count, said. “It’s a highly respected show. The music in it is unparalleled.’

This year’s opera is a particularly large undertaking as it collaborates with orchestra. It is also double-cast, which means a different person is cast in each role on both nights of the performance, May 7 and 8 in the Center for Faith and Life.

“I think it’s fun to collaborate with the person cast opposite of you,” Gary Danciu (‘10), who plays Antonio, said. “It’s great to pick up each other’s nuances.”

Luther is one of the only schools to have an opera with a full-fledged orchestra on a regular basis.

“The strings and everything add so much to the show,” Owen said. “It’s how it was intended to be heard. There’s something innately beautiful about putting on something 200 years old and still have it evoke people’s emotions.”

This particular opera is the largest production the senior class has ever put on as musicians, resulting in large commitments of time.

“For this opera especially, we’ve dedicated five days a week, which hasn’t been done,” Owen said. “The students even started a small Thursday night rehearsal of their own volition.”

Students can take the spring opera as a course for up to four credits, depending on the size of the role the student has.

“Time commitment varies based on what your role is, but it is still a class that can be taken for credit, so no matter what, it takes up some of your schedule,” Danciu said. “Opera is kind of an all-encompassing theatrical experience. There’s singing and acting and dancing. It’s just something very special.”