MUSIC

The University of St. Thomas presents a UST Houston Grand Opera Showcase. Enjoy an evening filled with music theater at the Houston Grand Opera Showcase held at the University of St. Thomas at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11 and 12, at Jones Hall, 3910 Yoakum.

A group of young Houston Grand Opera Studio artists will perform a wide range of scenes from a variety of operas in an intimate setting. The performance will be followed by a wine and cheese reception. The showcase is open to the public, and costs $35 which includes the reception. This year's performance will be directed by Sam Helfrich, fresh from critical success with his production of The Consul for Glimmerglass Opera. The New York Times said "I can't imagine a better production than Mr Helfrich's".

The Houston Grand Opera Studio is a young artist development program. The training and performance program is dedicated to the advancement of young artists with the potential for major careers in opera or musical theater profession. In 1977, former Houston Grand Opera General Director David Gockley and composer Carlisle Floyd started the Studio program. This internationally acclaimed program continues to serve as a model for other apprenticeship programs in the United States.

Scheduled Showcase Program:

From TURANDOT Puccini
“Ola Pang! Ola Pong!...Ho una casa nell’Honan”

Ping: Michael Sumuel
Pang: Brendan Tuohy
Pong: Nathaniel Peake
Pianist: David Hanlon

From XERXES Handel
“ Crude furie degl’orridi abissi”

Xerxes: Catherine Martin
Pianist: Stephen Hopkins

From WOZZECK Berg
“Soldaten, Soldaten...Madel, was fangst du jetzt an?”

Marie: Rachel Willis-Sørensen
Wozzeck: Adam Cioffari
Pianist: David Hanlon

From LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR Donizetti
“Ov’e Lucia?...Chi mi frena in tal momento?”

Lucia: Kiri Dyan Deonarine
Alisa: Catherine Martin
Edgardo: Nathaniel Peake
Enrico: Octavio Moreno
Arturo: Brendan Tuohy
Raimondo: Michael Sumuel
Pianist: David Hanlon

From IL TROVATORE Verdi
“Tace la notte…Ah, dalle tenebre tratto in error”

Il Conte di Luna: Octavio Moreno
Manrico: Nathaniel Peake
Leonora: Rachel Willis-Sørensen
Pianist: Stephanie Rhodes

From OF MICE AND MEN Floyd
“Lenny, I tell you what…Someday soon we’ll save up enough”

Lenny: Brendan Tuohy
George: Adam Cioffari
Pianist: Stephanie Rhodes

From COSI FAN TUTTE
Act One Finale

Fiordiligi: Rachael Willis-Sørensen
Dorabella: Catherine Martin
Despina: Kiri Dyan Deonarine
Ferrando: Brendan Tuohy
Guglielmo: Adam Cioffari
Alfonso: Michael Sumuel
Pianist: Stephen Hopkins

The showcase is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.