Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s comic opera about romance and infidelity will be performed tonight through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Smothers Theatre.
Carissa Marsh
Staff Writer
Theater lovers can stay dry and de-stress by cozying up to this year’s opera production, “Cosi Fan Tutte,” a story of love and infidelity.
The Pepperdine University Flora L. Thornton Opera Program will present Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s comic opera Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Smother’s Theatre.
Henry Price, professor of music, is the director of the show, which will be sung in English by a student cast. The Pepperdine University Orchestra will accompany the singers under the direction of Sara Banta, instructor and coordinator of instrumental music.
“Cosi Fan Tutte” was written by Mozart and was first performed in 1790 at the Burgtheater in Vienna.
Now, more than 200 years later, the Fine Arts Division will perform Mozart’s beautiful, though somewhat misunderstood, work.
“Cosi” is set during the 18th century, the time period in which it was first performed.
The opera is about two Italian soldiers who make a wager to test each of their lovers’ faithfulness. To test the two women, who are also sisters, the men disguise themselves and woo one another’s fiancé.
The men quickly become worried about losing more than their bet as the women falter in their resistance. Though the men are trying to prove how unfaithful the women are, as Banta sees it, “the men aren’t exactly angels either.”
In 1790, the beauty of the music and Mozart’s genius were easily recognized and acknowledged. However, the comedic opera has often been criticized because its plot focuses on women’s fickleness and infidelity. The opera’s harsh attitude toward women still bothers many critics to this day who consider the plot silly and immature. While a sense of fun pervades the opera, Price said he disagrees with this analysis.
Price said he believes that 18th century audiences, as well as today’s critics, “failed to see the human condition Mozart always illuminates” in his operas. According to Price, though the music may appear on the surface to be “upbeat, frothy and even frivolous, underneath the surface there is a bittersweet, nostalgic and sometimes confusing element that comes in (to the plot).”
Senior Maggie Lane, a double major in applied music and Spanish, sees the relevance in Mozart’s “Cosi.”
“The themes are so prevalent in today’s society, which makes them easy to perform,” said Lane, who plays a principle role as the steadfast Fiordiligi, one of the sisters.
Since “Cosi” is a comic opera, the issues are not completely reconciled, but they are illuminated by Mozart in order to produce social commentary. Price said he is amazed by Mozart’s ability to bring so many different emotional elements together in a way they hadn’t been before. Price said he is also convinced that everyone will enjoy the opera.
“(Mozart) aimed his music at a middle ground so everyone will be entertained and thoughtfully provoked,” Price said. “It is music of the highest order that appeals to the everyday human being.”
Choosing which opera to perform this spring was not an easy task, Price said. Much thought and consideration for the students went into the process. Because the music program is for undergraduates, the opera must be chosen on the basis of “what our students’ voices can handle,” Price said.
Price described “Cosi” as “extremely challenging, but wonderful for young voices.”
Pepperdine is special because it is one of the only universities that produces an undergraduate opera. Most undergraduate programs do not have the means or the vocal resources to put on such a show. But because of the Flora Thornton Endowment, along with dedicated faculty and students, operas like “Cosi” are possible each year.
Freshman Karina Ann White, a double major in applied music and English, is one student who said she feels fortunate to be able to participate in “Cosi.”
“It is phenomenal that we get to do an opera,” White said. “It’s a really nice opportunity for lower classes. I’m getting to see how it all works.”
White has been singing classically for two-and-a-half years, but this is her first experience being in an opera. She is a part of the eight-member chorus. White said the chorus acts like “decoration” to help characterize the principle roles.
For most of the chorus members, “it is a total new experience,” White said.
Because of the demanding nature of the roles, the opera is double-cast, which means there are two sets of the six principle characters.
Price said the reason the production is double-cast is because “you can’t sing these roles every night.” An avid sports fan, Price said he believes “singing is athletic.”
“It takes great dedication over a long period of time,” Price said. “But the rewards in the struggle are great.”
Still, the primary reason the opera roles are double-cast is to offer more opportunities to the students.
“These students plan to go on to the next level,” Price said.
While the opera does provide a great musical experience, the main goal is to give students the means to pursue what they love and to develop their gifts.
“This is not only an enrichment opportunity but a vehicle to pursue excellence in their craft,” Price said.
Lane, who has had the experience of performing in four operas at Pepperdine, said she values the opportunity to work with the music department faculty, especially Price.
“It’s a wonderful experience to get on stage if this is what you want to do for a career,” Lane said. “We learn how to be young professionals before we leave Pepperdine.”
The University Orchestra also plays an important role in the production of “Cosi.” Under the direction of Banta, the instrumentalists accompany the singers each night of the show. It will be Banta’s first time conducting an opera. She said she is excited about the show as well as the growth of the orchestra, which has become more well-equipped to support the opera productions.
“The music features our string and wind students in a very nice way,” Banta said.
Melia Smith, a sophomore sociology major and applied music minor, plays the bassoon as a part of the woodwind section in the orchestra.
This is Smith’s second time accompanying a Pepperdine opera.
“It is a lot more difficult than last year, but it’s interesting music” Smith said.
Many opera participants said the hardest part about the opera is the rehearsals. The long rehearsals intensified as the performance date approached, and it was tiresome “working out all the kinks and getting everything coordinated,” Smith said.
Sophomore Laura Dudley, a double major in German and intercultural communication, said she agrees.
“The music’s not easy and rehearsal can get tedious,” Dudley said. “When you’re in orchestra, you have to be precise, but when you are playing an accompaniment, you have to follow that person and listen.”
Dudley has been playing the violin for 10 years, but this is her first experience with opera. She said merging the music with the singers takes time and skill.
“We learn how to make it more musical and connect it to them,” Dudley said.
Though the rehearsal can be tough, Dudley said she believes the singers’ enthusiasm helps excite the orchestra.
“The best part is the energy that the performers have,” Dudley said. “Their passion just kind of rolls over us into the pit.”
While the singers have been practicing for a couple months, finishing touches such as costuming and set design have helped them pull everything together.
“We have really nice costumes,” White said. “They are very authentic. I’m excited because I have a wig that’s pre-curled.
“When you are walking around set in 20th century clothing it never feels right,” White added. “The costumes make you feel alive.”
Passion for music is what sustains those involved in the opera through the frustrations. Because rehearsals and the performance all fall around the time of midterms and Spring Break, many performers and crew members have experienced conflicts.
But the final reward of producing a great show as well as a common love for music, helps students and faculty push through the challenges.
“I love the music and every one of these kids,” Price said. “It’s a stressful time, but I think we all still love each other. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that brings people together.”
Like many other performers in the Fine Arts Division, Lane said she enjoys “rising to the challenge.”
She said she believes “the process is just as important as the product. You learn to appreciate both.”
Smith said she feels the same way about the process.
“The best part is at the end when everything comes together,” she said. “Somehow it all works out.”
Tickets for “Cosi Fan Tutte” cost $15 for the public, $6 for Pepperdine students and $12 for Pepperdine faculty and staff. Tickets are available by calling the Center for the Arts box office at ext. 4522.
02-24-2005
