The curtain will rise this weekend on the Department of Music’s spring opera, Cendrillon. The opera follows the traditional fairy tale of Cinderella, this time accompanied by a live orchestra led by Dr. Mike Scarbrough.
Each performance features a different leading lady in the role of Cinderella. Coretta Smith, senior vocal performance major from Mesquite, will perform opening night, and Jessica Lemmons, senior vocal performance major from Abilene, will lead the second show. While the original opera is written in French, the Music Department chose to perform the show in English so it could be easily understood, said Samuel Cook, associate professor of music and director of the opera.
“This performance has really been a huge undertaking,” Cook said. “When we decided on this in the fall, we immediately began working on it and have been going at it ever since.”
Cook said the special effects will be one of the draws of the performance; fog and light machines are being used to create a colorful atmosphere. Costumes and set pieces are also being made specifically for this performance.
“This will definitely be a wonderful evening of entertainment,” he said. “With everything the show has going on, I really think this could compete with Sing Song.”
Cook encourages people to come to the opera because they may not know much about the art of opera or have preconceived notions about it.
“All things people have heard about opera will be changed after watching this,” Cook said. “I think this is a good opportunity to come and experience it firsthand.”
Kendall McQueary, junior information technology major from Brownwood, said she appreciates the low cost of the tickets.
“I never really have much money to be going out and doing stuff,” she said. “With something like this, it could be a fun way to spend a Friday night for a cheap price.”
The event is family-friendly and has no formal dress code.
“Usually people will get pretty dressed up for an opera, but for this show it’s not a requirement,” Cook said. “Although if anyone does want to dress up, it is perfectly appropriate.”
The show begins at 8 p.m. April 9-10 in Cullen Auditorium. Tickets can be purchased in the McGlothlin Campus Center or at the door on performance night. Tickets are $5 for students and $12 for adults.
