Messiah by Georg Frederic Handel
Dr. Bevan Keating, director of vocal arts at UALR's Department of Music, said the University will present The Coronation of Poppea by Claudio Monteverdi, presented by the UALR Opera Theatre on Nov. 9 and 11; Messiah by Georg Frederic Handel, presented by the UALR Choirs and the Second Presbyterian Church Choir on Nov. 29 and Dec. 1, 2007; An Evening of Bernstein, presented by the UALR's Concert and Community choirs on April 19, 2008; and Die Fledermaus (The Bat) by Johann Strauss, Jr., presented by the UALR Opera Theatre on May 2 and 4, 2008.
The Friday performances will be at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.
"The compositions we are performing were created with orchestra as an integral part of their overall musical texture, so we are delighted to be able to share that orchestral experience with our students and with our audiences," Keating said.
UALR is expanding its choice of performing venues this season. The Coronation of Poppea will be presented at Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in the Fine Arts Building at UALR, but Messiah will be sung in the newly renovated, acoustically stunning chancel of Second Presbyterian Church. Die Fledermaus will be given at The Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Keating said the downtown Little Rock theatre's design is ideal for classic operetta.
"At UALR, the choral and opera areas are completely inter-related; most of our students are involved in both programs, and we find that the two areas benefit each other," said Keating, who also serves as conductor of the Opera Theatre.
Edward Crafts, director of the Opera Theatre program, agreed.
"The range of musical styles we offer students is one of the great strengths of our program," he said. "Working with an orchestra is the pinnacle experience for both choral singers and opera soloists."
Craft said he has restructured Opera Theatre rehearsal schedules to include more evening and weekend practice time.
"We want to encourage participation by members of the larger Little Rock community, and to make it possible for performers who might have a daytime work or study schedule to sing with us."
Singers interested in either solo or chorus roles with UALR Opera Theatre should contact Crafts at (501) 569-3033 to schedule an audition. Singers interested in the UALR Community Chorus can obtain information from Keating at (501) 569-3499.
Tickets for all events will be on sale at the UALR Music Department Box Office prior to the events. Call (501) 569-8993 for further information.
