Actors wander around, checking out their surroundings, finding props and sitting on the fountain in the center of the stage.
This is a tech rehearsal for Puccini’s “Suor Angelica,” one of the operas being performed this weekend by the U’s Lyric Opera Ensemble.
“Suor Angelica” and “Gianni Schicchi” are “two very good first-time operas,” said Emily Burton, one of the performers in Suor Angelica. “They are in English and show the very different styles of comedy and tragedy.”
The story of “Suor Angelica” is Puccini’s version of classical tragedy. Angelica has a child out of wedlock and consequently joins a convent. When the child tragically dies, Angelica kills herself by drinking a deadly poison. The culmination of the opera is so moving that Sophie Edwards, a member of the “Gianni Schicchi” cast, said, “I bawled like a baby, even without costume or set. Everyone can relate to that (opera), even (when the characters are) nuns in a different country.”
The strength of these performances, each with their own specific cast, lies in the interaction and strong collaboration of each of the cast members. Each actor knows his or her colleagues well enough to anticipate changes and keep the group’s collaborative performance inventive and energetic.
Rhea Miller, singing the role of Angelica, said that her involvement has been “a great opportunity to work with (director) Hugh Hanson,” who allowed the students to design most of the opera’s staging.
Although the entire work is well thought out and carefully rehearsed, the actors agree that the entire one-act play is worth seeing just for the dramatic, multi-textured last scene of Angelica’s death.
“Suor Angelica” is showing alongside “Gianni Schicchi” in Kingsbury Hall tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, call 581-7100.
