Crane Opera Ensemble Performs Two 'Angelic' One-Act Operas this Spring

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The poster for the Crane Opera Ensemble’s spring productions of “Suor Angelica” and “Angelíque” can be seen here.

POTSDAM, NY (03/21/2014)(readMedia)-- The Crane Opera Ensemble will present a pair of "angelic" one-act operas this spring, with performances on Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sara M. Snell Music Theater at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music.

The award-winning Crane Opera Ensemble will perform the tragic yet lyric "Suor Angelica," with music by Giacomo Puccini, followed by the satirical and off-beat "Angelíque" by Jacques Ibert.

"Suor Angelica" tells the story of a troubled young woman who has taken vows and learns the fate of the son she was forced to give up several years earlier to save her family honor. "Suor Angelica" will be performed in the original Italian, with piano and organ accompaniment.

In contrast, in "Angelíque," the title character has battered her poor husband to the point that he agrees to sell her to a line of suitors -- each of which promptly return her, including the Devil. "Angelíque" will be sung in the original French, with dialogue presented in English, accompanied by piano and a saxophone quartet.

Supertitle translations will be projected during the performances.

North Country students participating in the production include Juliana Alfano (Massena), Dale Hajdasz (Evans Mills), Erik Severtson (Hopkinton), Katrina Sheats (Pulaski) and Kate Waters (Potsdam). Voice faculty member Donald George, tenor, will appear in a cameo role as the Devil in "Angelíque."

Faculty members Kirk Severtson and François Germain are vocal coaches and will each accompany one of the operas. Carleen Graham is the stage director. Alexis Foster designed the costumes, and guest artist Trevor Maynard from Ithaca College is the lighting designer.

Tickets for the Crane Opera Ensemble performances are $10 for general admission and $7 for SUNY Potsdam students, faculty and staff (with I.D.). Tickets are available through the Community Performance Series Box Office, which can be reached at (315) 267-2277 or at www.cpspotsdam.org.

About the Crane Opera Ensemble:

The award-winning Crane Opera Ensemble produces two productions each year. In addition, an opera scenes workshop provides students the opportunity to study a partial role and perform it in an informal venue. The ensemble enjoys a collaborative relationship with the Department of Theatre and Dance, producing a musical every three years, including "Ragtime" last fall. The opera education outreach program has served more than 4,500 North Country schoolchildren, many experiencing opera for the first time. The ensemble's 2011 production of "Amahl and the Night Visitors" was the first place winner of the American Prize in Operatic Performance, and placed second in the National Opera Association's annual Collegiate Production Competition (Division 3). The 2010 production of "L'Enfant et les Sortilèges" was also the first place winner of the American Prize. The 2009 production of "L'Egisto" and the 2003 production of "The Mikado" were also winners of the NOA competition in their respective categories. For more information about the ensemble, visit www.craneoperaensemble.com.

Founded in 1886, SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music has a long legacy of excellence in music education and performance. Life at Crane includes an incredible array of more than 300 recitals, lectures and concerts presented by faculty, students and guests each year. The Crane School of Music is the State University of New York's only All-Steinway institution. For more information about The Crane School of Music, visit www.potsdam.edu/crane.

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