Fort Hays State University - Reveille Yearbook (Hays, KS)

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Opera, an aspect of theater that was often elusive to western Kansans, was not so to patrons of FHS theater. The Department of Music presented two one-act comic operas in Felten- Start Theater for three nights. Pergo- lesi’s “La Serva Padrona and Puccin- ni’s, “Gianni Schicci were sung in Eng- lish, directed by Patrick Goeser. associ- ate professor of music, and accompa- nied by members of the Civic Sym- phony. ‘‘Other schools spend months in preparation for opera,” Goeser said, “but our six rehearsals with the orches- tra proved successful. Two students were responsible for roles in both productions. Theresa Wicker. Hays graduate student, per- formed in both La Serva and “Gianni. while Brad Robinson, Colo- rado Springs senior, handled both lead roles. i had to take extra care of my voice for several weeks,” Robinson said. That meant no drinking, socializing or exposure to bad weather. Wicker was particularly pleased with the Thursday and Saturday evening performances. “Comic operas are a lit- tle harder to perform because of the precision of the timing, she said. The crowd reaction was slow, but picked up considerably in ‘Gianni.’ Along with Robinson and Wicker, 13 other students had acting roles. Nine musicians were in La Serva’s string orchestra and 15 others accompanied “Gianni with flutes, reeds, horns and percussion.

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Operas 1- The physician Spineiloccio (Tim Counts, Hays junior) consoles Buoso ' s nephew Gherardo (Vern Fryberger, Hays graduate student) and his wife Nella (Sue Martin. Hays senior) in Gianni ’ Z Despite the household ' s turmoil, love flowers between Lauretta (Julinne Roberts. Quinter soph- omore) and Rinuccio (David Lundry. Topeka jun- ior). 3. Buoso’s family is dismayed to find they are not included in the will of Buoso 4, Once Gianni Schieei (Brad Robinson, Colorado Springs senior) has deceived the authorities into believing he was the dying Buoso, he had to reckon with Buoso ' s cousin Zita (Kathy Overly. Hays graduate stu- dent). his daughter-in-law Ciesca {Theresa Wicker, Hays graduate student) and Nella (Sue Martin).

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l. Pouting after their disagreement over marriage, Valero (Dave Clark Oakley sophomore) and Mar- ianne (Paula Pratt. Hoxie sophomore) are recon- ciled by the maid Dorene (Sheilah Philip. Hays graduate student), 2 Valere (Clark announces to Orgon [Eric Summcrall, Hays junior) and Elmire (Brenda Metier Victoria junior) (hat Orgon will soon he arrested by Tartuffc for treason against the crown. 3. As Marianne Pratt portrayed Orgon ' s unintelligent daughter caught between her father s wishes and her own to marry her true love Valero. 4, Orgon (Summeaiil) makes known his inlentinn for his daughter (Pratt) to marry Tar- tu ffe as Dorine (Philip) consoles her, 5. Eimire (Mcder) and Orgon (Sumearli) make their plans to catch Tartuffc in a seduction trap. 6. Philip por- trays Dfirinc as the long-time family housekeeper who uses her outspoken ways to describe what sht? thinks and to keep the family in line. 3 ▼