Opera Centenary presents evening program of “love songs” November 10
SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary College’s Hurley School of Music will present Scenes 1: A Couple of Love Songs at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 10, at the College’s Anderson Auditorium. The concert, featuring singers from the Opera Centenary ensemble and pianist Ken Chan, is free and open to the public.
Scenes 1: A Couple of Love Songs features opera and lyric theater scenes delving into the topic of love, whether that be in complicated relationships, unrequited love, or homesickness from being away from a beloved place. The program gives the student performers a short glimpse into the lives of the characters experiencing these emotions, along with the challenge of performing different styles within one program. The students have the opportunity to sing music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Stephen Sondheim, Georges Bizet, Leonard Bernstein, and Domenico Cimarosa.
Opera Centenary director Dr. Briana Sosenheimer is excited about the production, which is reconnecting the ensemble to a piece of its history.
“In the beginning of the semester, I discussed with our students the idea of working towards an ensemble that would have the feel of a small opera company,” explained Sosenheimer. “I met with Chris Brown in the Centenary archives and he helped me find a treasure trove of information, including production photos and programs of past performances. I discovered an opera program from the 1980s with 'Opera Centenary presents' on the front. I brought the research back to the students and asked if they'd like to rename the class and possibly give a nod to history by taking the name Opera Centenary. They all agreed Opera Centenary would be a great name they could take ownership of and continue exploring opera, operetta, and lyric theater!”
Program
“Cinque…dieci…”
“Se a caso madama la notte ti chiama”
from Le nozze di Figaro - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
- Nina Guerrero, Soprano
- Zane Harper, Baritone
“Moments in the Woods”
from Into the Woods – Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021)
- Destry Martignetti, Mezzo-soprano
“Ohio”
from Wonderful Town – Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)
- Ree Randolph, Soprano
- Lynn Sill, Mezzo-soprano
“Agony”
from Into the Woods
- Zane Harper, Baritone
- Keegan Tunstall, Bass-baritone
“A Little Bit In Love”
from Wonderful Town
- Nina Guerrero, Soprano
“Melons! Coupons! (The Card Trio)”
from Carmen - Georges Bizet (1838-1875)
- Destry Martignetti, Mezzo-soprano
- Ree Randolph, Soprano
- Lynn Sill, Soprano
“Il parlar di Carolina”
from Il matrimonio segreto – Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801)
- Ree Randolph, Soprano
- Keegan Tunstall, Bass-baritone
For more information on the performance or Opera Centenary, contact Dr. Briana Sosenheimer at bsosenheimer@centenary.edu.