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Contact: David West
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
10/28/98
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES - Opera Northwestern will present its fall program Friday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.
Associate Professor of Music Phyllis Seigler is the artistic director.
The performance will include the opening duet from "The Marriage of Figaro" sung by Meredith Tohlen of Fort Worth and Lane Dunn of Longview.
Also on the program are two scenes from "Carmen," the card scene and the death scene. "Carmen" is sung by mezzo-soprano Kay Sherwood of New Orleans. Also featured are tenor David Toledo of Pineville, mezzo-soprano Shannon Laughlin of Anacoco and soprano Aimee Anne Shelton of Bossier City.
"It is exciting to do scenes from a great work like 'Carmen.' The opportunity is something I can tell my friends and family about, and they know what I will be doing," said Toledo, who will play Don Jose, Carmen's spurned lover."The role I have is very intense. There is so much emotion."
Toledo is in his third semester in opera theatre. He is also in the NSU Concert Choir and Chamber Choir and was in the NSU Theatre's "Something to Dance About." After graduating, Toledo plans to go into music ministry working in a church. He currently is music minister at Grayson Baptist Church in Grayson.
Sherwood has a varied musical background in addition to her four years in Opera Theatre. She appeared in the NSU Theatre production of "Crazy for You," and sings with the local band, Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs. Sherwood also won her category in the latest New Orleans Junior Philharmonic vocal competition.
"This is my favorite role," said Sherwood, who will graduate in May. "I plan to sing professionally, and it is wonderful to have a chance to play Carmen. It's good to be able to take what you learn in the studio to the stage."
A group of 30 young singers from Natchitoches join Tohlen in the endearing prayer scene from "Hansel and Gretel." Eight French horns play the beautiful theme as many angels encircle the children as they fall asleep after the prayer. The horn ensemble is directed by Assistant Professor of Music Kristine Coreil.
Also included is a scene from "The Medium" in which Baba, the fortune teller, begins to loose her touch with reality and begins to believe her own scam. The role of Baba is being sung by contralto Sara Puryear, a graduate student from New Orleans.