Shakespeare monologues at UM School of Music Dec. 3

Graduate students at the University of Michigan will perform opera and Shakespearean monologues in the McIntosh Theatre Thursday, December 3 (details below). Director Joshua Major had this to say about the event:

The performers are the 12 members of my Opera Workshop class - graduate level. Each will be singing an aria and the repertoire is varied, though there is a lot of Handel on the program. Each student was assigned a Shakespeare monologue and will be performing that as well. Unfortunately the arias and the monologues have no relation to each other, except that they are learning tools. Occasionally I am able to program thematically, or do a program of Shakespeare monologues along with excerpts from opera scenes based on Shakespeare.

I have assigned Shakespeare over the years and found it to be a wonderful exercise on many levels. Understanding language, the acting process, metaphor, the relationship between word and music. It also unlocks and demystifies a world that is intimidating and foreign. The students end up adoring Shakespeare. I like that it pushes them out of their comfort zones as well.

Joshua Major, Opera Director, University of Michigan; Artistic Director, Pine Mountain Music Festival

Opera Workshop
E.V. Moore Building, McIntosh Theatre (UM School of Music, North Campus, 1100 Baits Drive, Ann Arbor MI 48109-2085. 734-764-0583)
7:30 p.m.

Opera Workshop I presents an evening of arias and Shakespeare monologues. Joshua Major, director; Timothy Cheek, music director.
Free - no tickets required

And don't forget the student production of the Scottish play Thurs - Sun Dec. 10-13:

Macbeth
Power Center, Huron & Thayer Sts., Ann Arbor MI
Thursday 7:30 PM, Friday & Saturday 8:00 PM, Sunday 2:00 PM
Dept. of Theatre & Drama. by William Shakespeare. Directed by Philip Kerr What happens when ambition eclipses civility? The classic tragedy about one couple’s ruthless pursuit of power. Reserved Seating $24/$18/$9 with student ID
Tickets available at the League Ticket Office 734-764-2538

Comments

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