KCC presents ‘The Marriage of Figaro’
The Kellogg Community College Opera Workshop Ensemble will perform Acts One and Two of the comedic opera “The Marriage of Figaro” in English at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8.
The opera will happen at the Elizabeth H. Binda Center for the Performing Arts on KCC’s campus at 450 North Ave., Battle Creek. General admission tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door; KCC students and kids 10 and younger are admitted for free.
KCC Music Area Coordinator Dr. Gerald Case-Blanchard will direct the show. He said the themes of the opera, which was written in 1784, are still relevant today.
“One among a wide number of issues addressed in this opera is class differences and privilege,” Case-Blanchard said.
The story of love, marriage, suspicions of infidelity and jumping out of bedroom windows in the court of Count Almaviva was scored by Mozart and is one of the most performed operas of all time.
It also draws in talent from all over KCC and the community.
“Our presentation of this masterwork is a community and College collaboration,” Case-Blanchard said. “The cast consists of current KCC students, alumni and community members from as far away as Kalamazoo. Members of the Art League of Battle Creek created our set design. Our backstage and house volunteers are all current students taking Music Appreciation.”
The Opera Workshop (MUSI 297) introduces all aspects of the art form to its participants, including acting, vocal technique, language and stage movement. Other areas of focus include audition techniques, scene study, musical collaboration and more.
For more information on this or other KCC music programs, visit http://www.kellogg.edu/music or contact Case-Blanchard at blanchardg@kellogg.edu or 269-565-7859.
Characters
Count Almaviva – DeQuan Perry
Countess Rosina Almaviva – Anastatia Miller
Susanna, the Countess’s personal assistant – Amanda Adams
Figaro, personal valet to the Count – Jack Ford-Teich
Cherubino, the Count’s page – Bethany Barroso
Bartolo, doctor from Seville, also a practicing lawyer – Jon Caulkett
Marcellina, Doctor Bartolo’s Organizer – Carole J. Davis
Basilio, music teacher – Brandon Kellogg
Antonio, the Count’s gardener, – Charles M. Williams
Barbarina, Antonio’s Mother (our production) – Janis Emery